The One with the Birth

Even though it had been five months since she'd told him, sometimes, it was still hard to believe that Clint Barton was going to be a father. However, here he was in Jessica's hospital room at Charles Xavier's school with her girlfriend. He hated feeling like the third wheel when it was his son, too.

"Come on, you can do this," Vange spoke in a soft voice and stroked Jessica's arm. "For Jordy."

"Jordy? Who's Jordy?"

"Our son," Jessica answered before gritting her way through another contraction.

"No, I thought we agreed on Jamie," Clint complained.

"Well, Jamie was the name of Vange's first girlfriend, so we went back to Jordy," Jessica explained.

"Jordy Barton? Jordy Drew? It doesn't sound right," Clint complained.

"Actually, we were thinking of Jordy Drew-Whedon," Vange explained, "Her name and my last name, simpler."

"So have you planned his whole future without me then?" Clint asked, not hiding his annoyance.

"We can't help it if you're never around," Vange spoke.

"Stop it, both of you! I want you out!" Jessica spoke, "Both of you."

Clint and Vange were both about to complain when Hank gave them both a glare with his blue eyes. It was probably best not to upset the doctor covered in blue fur.

"Jessica wants some space for now. You have time," he said, leading them to the door. "Get over yourselves before you come back."

"This is your fault," Clint complained.

"My fault?" Vange asked. "You're the one threatened by me."

"Threatened by you? Of course, I'm threatened by you. I thought my marriage was fine until you came along. You were there through all of the pregnancy. She didn't even tell me until the second trimester and you're right, I am gone a lot so you'll have him most of the time and now he'll even have your name. He's my son and it feels almost like you're taking him from me."

Clint couldn't remember the last time he had said that much at one time. He felt his pulse pounding and he wasn't thinking nearly as clearly.

"Are you trying to anger me? Because you won't like it," Vange spat.

"I've always wanted to see a dragon in real life. Now do you stay your size or is it like when Bruce does it?" Clint asked and she fumed. He was so preoccupied with arguing with her that he hadn't heard the loud footsteps and large orange frame until it was too late. Ben Grimm had picked both of them up, taking them to an empty room.

"This is supposed to be a school! Children are trying to study and you're yelling for everyone to hear! Stop it," Ben chastised. He went to leave but broke the door knob. "Oops."

"Oops?" Clint and Vange asked at the same time. "No!"

"We're locked in here while she's having my baby?" Vange asked.

"Our baby," Clint corrected and realized he said "our". His dark blue eyes met her light blue ones.

"This is great," Ben spoke.

"Great?" Vange asked.

"This baby is so loved that you're fighting over who can love it more especially for being a mutant baby. Think of all the kids Charles has taken in that their parents kicked out. Life's no picnic for me either, but he has three parents already that love him so much but don't mind me, continue fighting," Ben spoke.

Clint was starting to feel very foolish and he thought Vange might be feeling the same way.

"Where are they?" Jessica complained to Hank. He carefully sent off a couple of text messages.

"What if they don't make it?" she asked in hysterics and touching her belly.

"They will be here. Give me one moment," he said with a smile and opened the door. He looked in the hall and spotted someone to help.

"Jean!" he called out and she came closer. "We appear to have lost our lawyer and an Avenger in the mansion. Jessica's quite anxious so could you find them?"

"Of course," Jean agreed.

"Baby Coming NOW!" Clint read off his phone as Vange looked at her phone, too. If their stupid fight caused them to miss the birth, he'd never forgive himself.

"Ben, I know it's Charles' place and all, but couldn't you break the door? Make a hole? Something?" Clint asked.

"I second that," Vange agreed.

"Fine, clobbering time," he agreed and backed up to run for the door. Just as he readied himself, it opened to reveal Jean Grey.

"Ah, here you are," she said with a smile and they ran out.

Twenty minutes later, Jessica clutched the new baby with Clint and Vange at her side. Clint was speechless as his son briefly grasped his finger.

"He still needs a name," Jessica whispered.

"How about Ben?" Clint suggested and looked at Vange who smiled.

"I like it," Jessica agreed. Then, there was a knock at the door. Hank peeked in and asked, "There's a couple of visitors. You want me to send them or tell them to leave?"

"It's Phil and Natasha, isn't it?" Jessica whispered.

"Probably," Clint agreed.

"It's okay," Jessica called out and Hank opened the door all the way for Phil and Natasha to walk in. Clint couldn't remember ever seeing Natasha around babies. If someone bought one to SHIELD, she tended to avoid them at all costs. On the other hand, Phil loved babies. It all seemed so natural to him.

"Aww, he looks a lot like you. So, what's the name?" Phil asked.

"Ben," Clint spoke and Phil nodded. Jessica held him out for Phil to take and he supported the head without being told.

"Now, make sure you take after your mommies. They don't cause me any grief or paperwork like your daddy does," Phil spoke and Jessica and Vange laughed. Clint shot him a look.

"Natasha, would you like to hold him?" Phil asked. Her expression was one of horror, like being told she had to redo forms. "Or not."

He gave him to Clint who forgot for a moment that anyone else was around as Ben yawned. Everything his son did was fascinating.