I'm so sorry I haven't updated in so long but life has been so crazy! Although I did update some of the previous chapters last week, fixing mistakes and adding a scene I forgot in Chapter 7, so check that out if you already haven't. (BTW can anyone find the not so subtle link to another fandom link with Phil's family? – Clue – 'K')

It's been six months since my life was irreparably changed for the better. Six months and I have a child, a pet, a partner, a home… a family. A genuine, no conditions apply, loving family. I don't think I ever had that; my own father only truly respected me after I joined the army, following in his footsteps. My mother died when I was ten and that's probably why my dad never talked to me much and why he decided to join a reclusive government agency pretty much full time. I suppose I never got over it myself since I did exactly what he did with that too. Jeez. What a fantastic time to have such a depressing epiphany…

"Y'ready yet, Phil?" Clint's voice echoed from the bedroom as I checked myself once more in the bathroom mirror, erasing all therapy-worthy thoughts of my family before heading back out to him.

"Yep. What do you think?" I asked genuinely nervous as to his answer. I tried not to put too much effort into the perfect suit as each time I have it's been pretty much ruined by some interruption, so this time I've gone casual with some items of clothing I know James loves. I decided on the faded Cap shirt he saw me in the day he met Clint, some comfortable black jeans, James' leather jacket and a pair of sneakers.

"Y'look awesome!" He grinned and Max yipped beside him on our bed.

"Thank you. Glasses or no glasses?"

"Glasses! James says that you look 'edibibble' in glasses," Clint nods as I try to contain my snort and blush, unsuccessfully, at James' words.

"Edible." James corrects from the doorway to the room as he grins almost feral at me.

"Whazat mean?" Clint asks as James devours me with his eyes.

"Nothing you need to understand just yet, I believe," I add before James tries to explain it.

"Ha! You look beautiful by the way." James smile softens to one of blinding love as I duck my head to hide the blush that comes back full force.

"Beautiful? I don't know about that but you are incredibly handsome this evening," I smile back as he makes his way over to me, nudging a hand over Clint's eyes before he kisses me slowly, dipping his tongue into my mouth and just as I feel my knees about to give out he wraps an arm around my waist and Clint lets out a noise somewhere between a giggle and disgust. He does look as handsome as ever in his dark wash jeans, dark blue button up, my black tie, some boots and another of his leather jackets.

"You always look beautiful to me, baby. And my jacket? Nice touch… Damn." James whispered in my ear, his voice rough with arousal.

"Thank you. My tie? Nice touch yourself, honey." I replied as his cheeks tinted a pretty pink.

"Ughh! You're not even out of the bedroom yet and you're all sex-"

"Tony! How nice of you to look after Clint tonight!" I interrupted the supposed genius' unsavoury sentence.

"No problem Agent Agent, Rusty. Legolas and I have lots of fun!"

"Wow, why is he our Plan A?" James laughs as we step apart a little.

"Because we have no other immediate option, it was his idea, and Plans B through G just get better. Don't jinx it." I justify as James gives me an incredulous look as Tony complains and Clint just laughs from new his position on Tony's back.

"Well?! Get a move on! You have a first date to have!" Tony groans as he tries to shove us through the apartment.

"Stark! Let us say goodbye to Clint, please." I stand my ground as Tony concedes and lets him down to hug us goodbye.

"Stay safe, bud. You know all the numbers and drills and we're just two blocks away okay?" James reassures himself.

"Yep! Have a nice date James." Clint says into his neck as he squishes him into a tight hug before he leeches onto me next.

"Treat 'im right, Phil." Clint adds.

"Hahaha! I will ace. Love ya." I kiss his head before nudging him back over to Tony.

"Have a great time! I know we will!" Tony winks before the elevator doors slide shut and James and I cringe in fear as to what may become of Clint left in Tony's care.

Our first date. It's actually happening. No call-outs. No pet emergencies. No kid emergencies. No SHIELD emergencies. Although I suppose pretty much anyone who could cause or call those emergencies in are in on this plan to allow James and I a single date in this relationship.

We do actually have Plans A through G with babysitters for Clint, ranging from Tony right to Marcus. Plans A through K for the actual date. Plans A through N for SHIELD. Plans A through Z for call outs. This is happening. We're having a date and it's… perfect.

We'd booked into 10 different restaurants just in case, the first worked out just fine though. Our favourite little American diner where James enjoys the glimpses memories he can surmise and I enjoy the fatty foods and delicious coffee. We're seated opposite each other in a booth near the end of the restaurant, barely anyone surrounds us as it's a Wednesday night (a generally quiet night both on the villain and business front).

James eyes sparkle in the ostentatious lighting even though he's obviously, to me anyway, been nervous about something since we sat down. He's been playing with the sleeve of my, his, jacket and my wrist since our coffees arrived but his smile hasn't ever wavered so I decide not to bother him about it until he tells me himself or it starts to actually worry me.

"We did it." His voice startles me from my ponderings.

"Hm?"

"We had our first date. What d'ya think, is there a second on the cards?" He grins as I entwine our hands confidently.

"I'd say we'll have to see if my friends approve and such but, my friends are your friends, so I'll say definitely." I smile even wider, if that's possible, when he squeezes my hand tighter and leans in to plant a chaste kiss on my lips, not wanting to draw to much attention to ourselves.

"Hey, Phil."

"Hey, James." I grin back at my adorably nervous doof of a partner

"I love you. So much, you know that right?"

"Of course, I love you too." I smile curiously at his serious expression, something niggling in my gut.

"And, I love Clint more than anything. Our family is the most important thing in the galaxy to me…"

"I know that. The same goes for me too." I squeeze his hand in reassurance as he takes a deep breath.

"Phillip J. Coulson. You are the man of my dreams and you've made my dreams come true. Would you do me the honour of making one last dream come true… and marry me?" James looks up as he finishes his sentence probably to catch my reaction. The shock on my face must sadden him because his already nervous smile falters.

"Holy fucking Odin…" All I can pay attention to his James full body laughter at my reaction.

"Is that a yes?" He wheezes, trying to contain the laughter.

"Yes it's a fucking YES!" I stand up to lean over the table and grab his face and plant a wet, loving kiss on him. Both our eyes twinkling with unshed tears and love. Unwanted attention be damned.

"I love you." We say simultaneously before an alarm wakes us from our reverie.

The alarm. Blasting from both of our phones. The one alarm that we never, ever wanted to hear. The one noise we dreaded having to hear. The one that tells us Clint is gone. His tracker disabled. He's no longer safe.

/Our son is gone. /