Family is a funny thing, Darcy thought as she swirled the wine in her glass, studying the people around her. Family, she decided, wasn't limited to the people you were related to by genetics. If that was the case, Darcy had no family – at least, none she wished to claim. But sometimes, life made up for one's unfortunate relations by giving you people that become something even more than family. This family was an odd one, no doubts about that, but with no other group of people had Darcy ever felt so…complete.
After Steve had left, Darcy wondered back to her room, a soft smile on her lips…until she saw her reflection. "Jesus Christ on a crutch!" she exclaimed, noticing the deplorable state her hair was in. Darcy frantically unpinned then repinned the crazy curly mass into something resembling respectability. She traded sweats for a simple white tee and an olive green skirt that twirled ever so nicely.
Darcy mentally counted place settings, and realized the table was uneven. So she whipped out her phone and sent a quick text, determined to make things even. If her 7th showed, it would be an interesting dinner.
The first knock was thirty minutes later. "It's open!" Darcy called out as she arranged cookies on a platter for later.
Steve came in, bearing a large bouquet of yellow roses. "For you," he said, simply, holding the bouquet out to her.
Darcy sighed happily. Yellow roses were her favorite – how could he have guessed? "These are beautiful! Let me put them in water." As she bustled about, a second knock sounded at the door. Again, she yelled out, "Entre-vous!"
Maria Hill poked her head in, unsure of herself. "I brought bruschetta. It's my Nonni's recipe."
Darcy studied her superior at SHIELD. Outside of official settings and fluorescent lighting, she was rather pretty, with lovely hair that looked like it actually cooperated, compared to Darcy's crazy mess. "These look wonderful. Do you know Steve?" she asked, gesturing. "Maria, Steve. Steven, Maria."
"Ma'am." Steve said, as they shook hands.
"We've met already." Maria added with a polite smile.
Darcy wagged a finger. "No official business and/or names allowed in here. There are no agents or superheroes, just regular people eating this delicious meal that I slaved over."
The rest of the gang arrived soon after that. If anyone was surprised to see Agent Hill there, they all hid it well – except Tony.
"Who is this?" he asked, giving the woman an obvious once over.
Maria raised an eyebrow as Darcy made introductions. "Tony, this is Maria. Play nice."
"Maria? No. Her first name is Agent."
Darcy groaned. "Tony…."
Pepper pulled Tony over to chat with Clint, while Maria turned back to her conversation with Natasha. Thor came up to Darcy, picking her up in a gigantic bear hug. "Little lightning sister, this meal smells most delicious! Lady Jane tells me you made it at her request."
Darcy shrugged. "Yeah, well, it sounded like a good idea. I haven't had a homemade meal in a long time."
Thor gave her a beatific smile. "I appreciate your assistance in keeping my lady love happy, Friend Darcy."
Darcy patted him on the arm in response as she raised her voice to get everyone's attention. "Dinner is ready! Take a seat and I'll serve."
The meal actually progressed rather smoothly, considering all the egos (Tony) and misunderstandings (Steve and Thor) that were bound to happen. Bruce, Maria and Natasha told stories about the faraway places they had been. Pepper told a rather funny (and slightly risqué) story from the last board meeting. Clint demonstrated his juggling skills with Darcy's dinner knives, until one landed in Jane's pot roast. (Jane wasn't amused, but Thor was.) Tony only made three inappropriate comments, which was some kind of record for him.
Darcy smiled and watched her new family. After everyone had finished their meal, she tapped her wine glass to get their attention. "Thank you everyone for coming. This has to be one of the best dinners I've ever had – and the company was pretty good, too." Everyone chuckled appropriately. "I propose we make this a weekly thing, barring space aliens invading Manhattan or some such nonsense." At everyone's nods of agreement, Darcy raised her glass, and they all toasted "To Sunday family dinners!"
After the meal, everyone settled in Darcy's living room with cookies to watch a movie. As Tony and Clint argued the merits of their respective choices, Darcy slipped into the kitchen to do the dishes. She heard someone come in and stand behind her.
"Thank you for inviting me. To be honest, I almost didn't come…but now I'm glad I did." Maria said softly, not wanting to be overheard by the rest of the group.
Darcy turned around and smiled. "And I'm glad you came. I'd like to consider us as friends – at least, when we're not on the clock at SHIELD." At Maria's tentative smile, Darcy added, "I mean, I did lick salt out of your navel at Thor's party. If that doesn't make us friends, I don't know what does."
Maria tipped her head back and laughed, loudly. It was probably the most open and relaxed Darcy had ever seen her face be.
Tony stuck his head up over the back of the couch. "What's so funny back there?" he called out.
"Your facial hair!" Darcy responded instantly. The rest of the group laughed as Darcy and Maria rejoined the group. To prevent the group from arguing anymore about the movie, Darcy picked Raiders of the Lost Ark.
It looked like a scene out of a movie: Darcy curled up on the couch, legs thrown across Clint's lap. Clint had his arm over the back of the couch, and Natasha sat on the other end. By the end of the movie, she was leaning on Clint's shoulder with his arm wrapped around her. Tony and Pepper squeezed into Darcy's squishy oversized chair, with Pepper mostly in Tony's lap. Steve sat in the recliner, looking everything like someone's grandpa in his sweater and slacks (if he wasn't so damn attractive). Thor sprawled in the floor, leaning against the couch in front of Darcy, with Jane leaning against his chest between his legs. Maria lay in window seat, observing the rest of the group.
After the movie ended, everyone trickled out, leaving just Darcy, Jane and Thor. At Jane's insistent hand motions, Thor left, leaving the two women alone. Jane wrapped Darcy in a hug. "Thank you so much for doing this for me. "
Darcy rubbed Jane's back. "Honey, have you noticed that you've been a bit…emotional lately?"
Jane pulled back sniffling. "What do you mean?" At Darcy's look, Jane sighed. "Maybe a little. Why?"
Darcy pulled Jane through her bedroom into her bathroom. "Sit," she said, pushing Jane onto the toilet. She rummaged around in a nondescript shopping bag until she pulled out some paper cups and…two pregnancy tests. "Take these. Don't come out until you do."
Darcy paced her room anxiously, waiting for Jane to reappear from the bathroom. After what felt like an eternity but was really only four minutes, Darcy couldn't take it anymore. As she started to open the door, Jane beat her to it.
"Darcy…I'm pregnant."