Author's Note: I want to get this finished so I can concentrate on "Finding Family" – which comes between this one and "Announcement". Two more chapters after this one! (For the record, my opinion of the Lewis clan – they're that family that everyone wants in their organization but at the same time everyone worries about including them because they'll probably take over. It'll be better in the long run, but who knows how many explosions there will be in the meantime?)
"Okay, everyone, grab a seat and I'll start making some introductions." Darcy rolled her eyes as her family chuckled. "Most of you guys get to introduce yourselves," she told them. "I try doing it and we'll be here all night." She waved her hand at the people around her at the head table. "I'm introducing these people so everyone knows what they can admit to, okay? If you know any other names, titles, or whatever, zip it."
Phil raised an eyebrow as the room exploded in laughter. "Do I want to know?"
"Plausible deniability," she reminded him. "What we don't see or hear, we don't have to admit to knowing – and my family is insane, protective, crazy, resourceful, nutty, driven, wacko, intelligent…did I mention loony?"
"Of course." The dry tone caused a new round of laughter.
"In addition, my clan's a nosy bunch," Darcy shrugged as shouts of agreement echoed through the room. She waved them quiet. "Okay, so, first off – all of you met Phil when we visited a few months ago." People waved and he nodded back, that hint of a smile curving his lips yet again. "Next to him," she continued, "is Doctor Jane Foster – my best friend and maid of honor. Thor is the big guy next to her and they're an item, so no funny ideas from the peanut gallery." The groans and complaints – some fake, some real – brought a blush to Jane's cheeks though Thor gave the room a proud, roguish grin. "Calm down, you lot," Darcy laughed. "All of you know Skye, but she's up here because she's my bridesmaid." Her lips curled in a wicked smile of mischief. "She's also the cousin who got closest in her hacking activities, so we're stealing her before someone else does."
"Go me!" Skye grinned.
"There are going to be some very disappointed feds," Darcy smirked. "Too bad." More laughter swelled through the room, but it died away as she raised a hand. "Now, at the end of the able next to cousin Skye is Bucky Barnes. He's one of my security fanatics. If he tells you to run, duck, or hide – do it. I'm not going to listen to any bellyaching later if you ignore him, got it?"
Bucky remained still as the focus of the room turned on him and she offered an apologetic smile. She knew he hated being the center of attention, but she wanted to make sure her family recognized him, just in case. No one gave him any nasty or suspicious glances, though she would bet on at least half a dozen of them knowing who he was…or had been. Never let it be said the Lewis clan resembled anything like stupid. They belonged to every branch of the military and almost every branch of law enforcement, but the family came first.
Good thing they tended to be law-abiding folks.
She clapped her hands. "Okay, moving on. Next we have Doctor Jemma Simmons and Doctor Leo Fitz. They're two members of my science crew. If you hear any of us talking about 'Fitzsimmons' in the singular? We still mean the two of them. They actually work well together which is more than I can say for most of my bunch some days." Darcy gave her entire clan a strict look. "They're mine. No recruiting, got it?"
A voice shouted from somewhere amidst the laughter. "That's cheating!"
"Tough luck, boyo!" Darcy shot back. "I've got all the cookies and the toys!" She gave an impish grin. "It's not my fault you can't match my group for sheer brain power. I have six, count them, six genius level scientists around this table that none of you are allowed to touch." Her eyes widened with an exaggerated innocence. "You're on your own when it comes to Aunt Siobhan."
"Can we recruit her?" Tony piped up. Pepper smacked his arm to the amusement of the crowd.
"You hush. I'm still not letting you two hang out." Darcy pointed at him. Phil's smile drew her eye and she leaned down under the cover of teasing shouts. "I like how you think I'm joking about any of this," she murmured. Then she straightened and returned to the introductions. "Next to Fitzsimmons are two more of my scientists – Doctor Betty Ross and Doctor Bruce Banner. They like talking science and about all the crazy places they've visited, so feel free to chat them up. But! If Bruce tells you to leave a room? You leave the room and call me – immediately. Got it?"
The room filled with murmurs of agreement or shrugs of acceptance, but a couple of the younger children frowned. Darcy watched as one of her uncle's leaned over to explain something to his daughter and the girl started nodding. She stood up on her chair. "You mean like we do for Uncle Pat?"
"Exactly like that, Aileen," Darcy smiled at her. Now all of the children were nodding their understanding. Conversation buzzed for a few moments as she leaned across the table to Bruce. "Uncle Pat's got issues with loud noises. Bad flashbacks. The kids know when he says go, they need to hop to it." Relief swam in Bruce's gaze. She gave him a nod and turned back to the room. "Few more to go, people."
"Then we get to eat?"
"When do the Lewis' get together without food?" Darcy's lips twitched in amusement. "You all know Mam and Da, so we'll skip over to Pepper Potts, who I'm sure you all recognize. She's my bridal attendant, and considering how she can manage Tony while running an international corporation, I think it's safe to say I'm in good hands. Next to her is Tony Stark – another one I know you recognize, but we're trying not to let that go to his head. He's another of my scientist collection and the reason I've got all those cookies and toys."
"My cookies and toys," Tony noted, though he gave the crowd his most charming grin.
She lifted her brows. "Your point?"
"No point," he shrugged. "Just making an observation."
"Thank you."
"Anytime."
"Smart ass," she muttered.
He smirked at her. "Every time."
"Hush." She waited for the chuckles and giggles to die down. "Next to Tony, at the end of the table, is Natasha Romanoff, another of my security fanatics. Do not argue with her. Period. You'll end up in a world of hurt and I will not be sympathetic. She's also helping Pepper with some of the wedding arrangements, so I am probably the most relaxed bride you will ever meet." Her eyes met Tasha's for a brief glance before she moved on. "Next is Clint Barton. He's also usually grouped with Bucky and Natasha when it comes to security, but he's busy this week as he's Phil's best man. Still – he's got a sharp eye for trouble, so pay attention if he's talking."
Clint gave her a quick grin, but kept quiet.
"And you all know Siobhan-."
"They damn well better," her aunt scoffed to general amusement.
Darcy rolled her eyes. "On her other side is Steve Rogers, Phil's groomsman." Steve waved at the crowd, giving them his best smile and she chuckled as people muttered. "Yes, that Steve Rogers. That doesn't mean you get to pester him. He gets enough of that from the media and the bloggers."
One hand waved in the crowd. "Can I ask some questions for a history paper?"
"That you can do," Steve nodded, his smile brightening as the mutters shifted from curious to approving.
"You let me know if anybody bothers you." Siobhan glanced around the room. "I'll have a talk with them about it."
"And if that doesn't scare you," Darcy added, "then you're in the wrong place because you are not part of this family. We might be insane, but stupid we're not." She grinned at the laughter which followed. "No really, any disagreement?" Siobhan's eyes scanned the room, a clear warning in her gaze. No one spoke up, though they smirked or waved at her as her eyes met theirs.
Tony leaned back in his chair before winking at Darcy. "I like your family."
"And on that potentially worrisome note," she laughed, waving her hand at the waiting servants. "Let's eat!"
The entire room shook from the force of the cheer which met her words. She sat down between Phil and Steve, giggling as various members tossed teasing complaints towards the head table about people who talked before eating instead of waiting until they could doze during the speech. "Got to love family," Darcy murmured.
"Especially yours," Phil agreed.
"Ours," she reminded him.
He glanced out at the crowd and then around the head table. "Ours," he agreed.
Her smile grew radiant as she too looked over the high table. "Both of them."