My job was hectic. Not as hectic as James' could get but they were both pretty crazy. With this in mind, we scheduled our weeks accordingly; leaving elasticity for major incidents and invasions.

We always made sure that there was at least two Avengers free or trusted friends to watch over or collect Clint.

Generally our weeks ended up like this:-

Everyone awake by 7:20am, which generally means me rising just before the alarm and lovingly tossing James out of the bed to make breakfast because no one - not even Steve - can make classic waffles like James does.

Family breakfast in the common kitchen, or whoever has work and decided to come down - generally Tony and Bruce never went to bed the night before so I can't technically say they're 'waking up'.

I feed Max, and James double-checks Clint for school so I can leave him in for 8am.

I head to the office after leaving him to school and James hits the training gym at the Tower with Steve. James tries to train, learn and practice during the mornings so he can do paperwork and non-active 'garbage' when Clint's doing his homework.

James then collects Clint at 2:30pm, he and Bruce help Clint with his homework because even James needs some help on recent educational developments.

I arrive home at 5pm usually if not a little later due to briefings and late mission returns.

We have team dinner at 7pm normally including the whole team as long as there's no major incidents or missions or Asgardian family reunions.

Family bonding after dinner consists of either a movie, board games, training or even dog walking - although with a Tower this size Max wouldn't even need to go outside for a healthy five mile walk.

Clint's in bed by 9pm with little to no problems, his nightmares have dwindled to nearly once every other week which is a very positive step.

Lastly, paperwork and last minute scheduling is squeezed in before bedtime.

The rest of the week continues like this with occasional changes such as Martial Arts and Dance with Natasha after homework on Tuesdays and Thursdays, After-School Club Wednesdays and Fridays at the Tower within the nursery for employees Tony had set up years before- when we have team meetings and weekend clean-up briefings. Weekends were precious in their openness and availability unless operations or missions were underway.

Our life was taking shape. Our future was scheduled and organised and protected.

Until it wasn't...

But that's not for me to tell now. Not yet.

Now is me worrying over James and I's first date; again.

But of course it doesn't happen... Again.

"Phil!" James slams through the door with Max clutched in his arms, sweating from both panic and exertion.

"What's wrong? What happened?" I leapt into action from in front of the mirror, shirt half buttoned from finishing getting ready, and helped James set the dog down onto the cushioned carpet.

"He's breathing funny and... And his stomach is doing this weird thing and..."

"Okay. Take a deep breath. JARVIS run a scan for obstructions within Max's system and his vitals. I'm calling the vet out. Keep an eye on him." James nods, still not taking his eyes off the German Shepard that helped bring our family together as I ran towards my phone.

"Agent Coulson, Max seems to have swallowed an object of some sort, I shall send the scans to the vet who has been confirmed as to be 5.78 minutes from arrival. I have notified Captain Rodgers and Agent Romanoff to the situation and they are currently on route to Master Clint who is in the workshop with Sir to distract him from worrying."

"Thank you, JARVIS." I reply as I settle back down again next to James once I finished on the phone with the nearest vet on-call as we try to sooth Max from his whimpering.

"It's okay boy. You'll be okay. Just stay calm..."

"Phil, he's gonna be okay, right?"

"Yes. He'll be fine. It's a small obstruction. What happened?" I spoke softly, hiding my own nerves as I held tightly to James' hand.

"He- We were walking in the park and he chased after something. When I caught up he was collapsed under a bush with this weird breathing. I ran home..."

We were interrupted by the vet entering the wide open door from James' panicked entry.

"Hi, my name is Allison. Okay, what's this beautiful boy's name?"

"Max. He swallowed something at the park. You've gotta help him..." James quivered and I righted my hold on his hand once more.

"I've had a look at his scans thanks to your assistant..."

"He's an AI."

"Right, of course... It's a minimal obstruction but its position is causing this laboured breathing. It also seems that he'll need surgery to remove it. I have the jeep downstairs if you want to bring him down and we'll get him checked in. You may stay at the surgery if you want but it'll take a few hours and then he'll have to stay the night for observation."

"Thank you so much. We'll take him down for you. Would you mind keeping us up to date on his condition?" I ask as we take a shared deep breath and say our goodbyes to Max before James carries him carefully back down to the Vet's jeep.

"I swear to God we're cursed."

"At least Clint's okay."

"Jesus! Don't jinx it!" James clapped a hand over my mouth as I chuckled at his wide eyes look.

"Max got through surgery just fine, Clint understood that Max would be home tomorrow and everyone else is healthy. Our first date may keep being put off but I don't need a 'night out on the town' to know I love you." I hummed as I held James' hand to my heart as we lay back in bed.

"Yeah, okay. I love you too. But I still promise to take you out just the two of us."

"Pinkie promise?" I wink at James as he rolls his eyes.

"Shuddup you goofball."

I belly laugh in utter contentment before I reel James in for a kiss that's just as loud and sloppy between our laughing.