A/N: I swear you guys are the best, I love you all! A HUGE thanks to my beta, Nkcandygirl: thanks for your proofreading skills and motivating PM's! OOC hormonal Natasha.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.


Chapter 15: Thankful

Bruce POV

I question Tony's sanity on an almost daily basis. Today, I had a feeling that I would question it multiple times.

It all started two weeks ago, the day after we saw Dr. Hiddleston.

I was sitting in the living room with Natasha, narrowing down our vast honeymoon destination options. Loki and Darcy were playing videogames, Jane and Thor were cooing as the twins crawled around, and Beth was sitting stock-still as Steve sketched a portrait of her. Maria was playing her cello, and Phil was accompanying her on the piano. Clint and Serena were playing a card game.

Just a normal Saturday afternoon. Then, Tony walked in.

"Hey guys! Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and I had a marvelous idea."

We didn't even glance upwards from what we were doing, and Tony kept talking.

"I thought that it would be nice if those of us who have family members could invite them to Thanksgiving dinner."

The room fell silent as all of us stared at Tony. Darcy was the first to speak.

"So, we can invite our families here for dinner?"

Tony shrugged.

"That's the idea. Pepper wanted to invite her mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law, and her nephew over for dinner, and then I thought, the more the merrier. Let's face it, we have a big enough dining room for almost fifty people at maximum capacity. Pepper wanted me to meet her family before we get married. Come on guys, it'll be fun!"

Beth said,

"I think it's a wonderful idea,", she glanced at Steve, "When I called home, and told them that I was engaged, my mom and dad said they wanted to meet you."

Steve gulped at the prospect of meeting his future in-laws.

Natasha and I really didn't care, and went back to looking at our brochures. It's not like I had any family to invite, and neither did Natasha.

Both of us tapped the brochure for Bermuda at the same time, and smiled as everyone rushed around us.

We weren't smiling two weeks later when we were running around in a mad dash to get all of the guest rooms made up. We had been working since the crack of dawn, and I kept telling Natasha to take it easy. The master assassin wouldn't rest. I was worried that she would hurt the baby.

Natasha had been moody since she became pregnant again. She wasn't feeling any symptoms of morning sickness this time. Just a bunch of mood swings.

Last night, she had jumped my bones (I loved it and so did the Hulk), and then cried afterwards for no reason. She had almost broken Clint's bow when he made a joke about pregnant women being 'hormonally unstable'. Lucky for Clint, Serena had been standing behind him, and just smacked him upside the head, and told him that he was being rude instead of snapping his bow. Now she was getting mad at me every time I told her to take it easy.

I sighed as I heard Natasha crying again. I went into the hallway where I found her on her knees, and sobbing. I knelt down as the Hulk whined in pity from the back of my mind. I wrapped her in a tight hug as she cried into my chest.

"B-Bruce? What's wrong with me? Why am I such a mess all of a sudden?"

I rocked her back and forth gently and murmured,

"Sweetheart, there is nothing wrong with you. It's just the hormones."

She just sobbed harder, and I held her as she sniffled,

"B-but what if I lose it again? Bruce, I'm scared. I want to be a mother so badly. I want to live in the suburbs, and raise a family. I want to go to our son's soccer games or our daughter's ballet recitals, I want to grow old with you, and die a natural death. What if I can't give you a family?"

I stroked her hair, understanding her fear all too well.

"Then we'll get married, and adopt a baby. We'll raise a family, and I'll love you through it all. But for right now, you need to promise me three things."

She dried her eyes, and looked at me,

"What?"

"That you'll take it easy through this pregnancy, that you'll stay as calm as you can, and that you'll trust me when I say that this baby will be okay." , I said in a sincere tone, peering over the rims of my glasses.

Natasha nodded, and wiped the last few tears away as I helped her to her feet.

"Bruce, I don't know where I'd be without you."

I kissed her forehead, pulled her into a warm embrace, and murmured,

"Neither do I."

Tony got off the elevator and said,

"Hurry! It's time to set the table, and put out the snacks for the football game! We have in-laws invading any minute! Come on Bruce!"

I rolled my eyes and said,

"I don't care for sports.", Then I mouthed the words, "I'm busy.", and waved Tony off as Natasha pressed herself deeper into my embrace.

"I love you Bruce."

I swayed gently while holding her.

I am so damn fortunate.

"I love you too."


Natasha POV

I walked with Bruce up to the elevator, and we went into the living room. Tony, Steve, Loki, and Clint were dressed nicely, yet casually, and were pacing around nervously. Soon they would be meeting the families of their fiancées or girlfriends for the first time and they were shaking in their boots.

I walked over to Loki who kept turning blue and shivering.

"Loki? Why do you keep reverting into your Jotun form?"

He flashed blue once more and said,

"In all my years, I have never known true fear until now. I am nervous enough to turn into my Jotun form. It's like how mortals break out into a cold sweat I suppose."

I patted the shuddering demigod on the shoulder as his eyes darted around the room.

"You'll be fine. I promise. How bad could it be?"

He exhaled, and so did all the guys around me.

Then the elevator door opened, and out came Beth's mom and dad.

Beth ran forward from her spot next to Steve on the sofa, and embraced her mother and father. I glanced at Steve who stood up, and walked over to Beth's parents who eyed him up and down, obviously liking what they saw.

Bruce came, and stood next to me, murmuring in a low voice as Tony's future in-laws came into the room,

"This should be fun to watch."

I smirked, and nodded. After all the jokes Tony had played on every member of the team, to watch him get nervous, even if it's just for a few hours, would be sweet revenge.

"Hey Natasha?"

"Yeah Bruce?"

"You mentioned something about a father-figure once?"

My mind flooded with thoughts of him. Ivan, the man who I had affectionately called my father at one point after I was brainwashed by the Red Room.

"His name was Ivan. He showed me a way out of the darkness of the constant murdering game I was trained, and destined to play. Then he disappeared. I slipped back into the game, and was lost once more. That was seven years ago, he's probably dead now."

Bruce placed his hand on mine and murmured, "I'm sorry.".

I started to say everything was okay but I was cut off when a German Shepherd jumped up on me. Darcy laughed, grabbed the dog's collar gently and said,

"Excuse my dog, Chip is just excited to be around a bunch of new people."

I giggled as Chip licked my hand, his tail wagging wildly as I pet him. Bruce was smiling as Chip rolled over, and let him rub his belly.

"Darcy, can you take Chip out for a walk?", Darcy's stepmom called, eyeing Loki suspiciously.

She nodded, bundled up, and grabbed Chip's leash. Loki smiled nervously as Darcy's dad asked, "So you're Loki? Darcy's boyfriend?", and extended his hand, "Brett Lewis. Nice to meet you."

I smiled as Pepper's sister, brother-in-law, and nephew introduced themselves to Tony.

Things seemed to go smoothly through all the introductions. Then Tony raised his voice over the crowd and said,

"May I please have your attention?"

The room fell silent.

"First of all, I'd like to thank you for coming. This means a lot to everyone, coming out here to celebrate Thanksgiving. The turkey is almost done. While we're waiting, I'd like to take this time for you to get to know the people who live here, so we'll introduce ourselves, and say what we're thankful for. I'll start. My name is Tony Stark, and I'm thankful for all my friends who have taught me so much about life."

"I'm Pepper Potts, and I'm thankful for the science that saved Tony's life."

"I'm Steve Rogers, and I'm thankful for our brave soldiers."

"I'm Beth Covington, and I'm thankful for being able to find the right partner."

"I am Thor Odinson, and I am most thankful for my beautiful wife and two healthy children."

"I'm Dr. Jane Odinson, and I'm thankful for my wonderful husband and my lovely twins."

"I'm Darcy Lewis, and I'm thankful for the gifts of knowledge and wisdom."

"I am Loki Laufeyson, and I am truly thankful for the second chance to make amends ."

"I'm Clint Barton, and I'm thankful for my teammates who have become my family."

"I'm Serena Atwell, and I'm thankful for my friends."

"I'm Phil Coulson, and I'm thankful for the smart cellist who taught me a thing or two about love.", he kissed Maria's cheek and said, "Thanks Maria."

"I'm Maria Coulson, and I'm thankful for my husband and the wellbeing of all who are gathered here."

It was Bruce's turn, and he didn't hesitate as he held my hand and said,

"I'm Dr. Bruce Banner, and I'm thankful for unconditional love and my wonderful fiancée."

My turn.

"I'm Natasha Romanoff, and I'm thankful for my loving fiancée and the health of our unborn child."

Everyone turned to Fury, who summed it all up nicely.

"I'm Director Nick Fury, and I'm thankful for the opportunity and the privilege to work with not just a group of extraordinary people, but to be a part of this family that you've become."

Jarvis interrupted the moment, and startled all the visitors, "Sir? The turkey is done."

"Thank you Jarvis.", Tony said before we proceeded into the dining room.

We ate, drank, and talked through most of the meal until everyone was full. Most of the guys went into the living room, and turned on the football game as us ladies (with the exception of Bruce and Loki) started to clean up from dinner. Bruce told me to be careful for the hundredth time today, and out of nowhere I just seemed to get fed up with his constant worrying.

Something in me snapped.

I grabbed him by his hand, and headed for the stairs in the back of the kitchen with one destination in mind: the training room.

I didn't say a word as we descended the stairs, saving my outburst until I had closed, and locked the door behind us. Then I rounded on him.

"Bruce?! Do you mind telling me why I'm somehow incapable of doing simple tasks all of a sudden!?"

His eyes went wide, and he said in an anxious tone,

"I'm just concerned for your wellbeing, that's all!"

I rolled my eyes.

"You're always concerned when it comes to me! Do you ever take my feelings into consideration?"

"I always do, and you know it!"

I turned to face the wall of mirrors where I made eye contact with his reflection, and glared at him.

"Obviously not."

He threw up his hands in exasperation.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

I turned back and yelled,

"It means that I like being a little more independent! I can't do that if you're always there saying, 'Natasha, be careful.', 'Natasha, take it easy.', and on and on until I just can't take it anymore! I want you to know that I am being careful, and that you don't have to tell me to do so every five minutes! I'm sick of you and your 24/7 concern, so just stop it okay?!"

I turned to the mirror, and saw how Bruce had turned away and clenched his fists.

In my heart, I was sorry for yelling at him. I was so good at screwing things up. Now I had made him upset, and I didn't know what he was going to do.

He spoke in a low voice, laced with hurt,

"You can't see it, can you?"

"What can't I see?", I asked in a softer tone.

He unclenched his fists, and sank to his knees. I rushed over to his side, and knelt beside him. He didn't look at me as he muttered,

"You can't see how scared I am of losing you, the baby, or both. I want to be certain that that never happens. Natasha, I care about you more than I think you know.", He placed a hand on mine gently, "I want to protect you, and this is the only way I know how."

He ran a hand through his curly hair before looking at me with concern and anxiety marring his features.

"You know, sometimes I think that this is all a dream, that I'll just wake up, and find out that I'm still living in the slums of Calcutta. Sometimes I wish that I was normal, and sometimes I wish that the super soldier serum had worked."

I gripped his bicep, pulling him up, and into a hug. He stroked my hair and whispered,

"But nowadays, all I wish for is your safety and that of the baby, and I will do anything to make sure you're safe."

Now it was my turn to bite back my tears.

"Bruce. I-I didn't know. I knew that you cared for me more than anything…Hell, I wouldn't be wearing this ring if you didn't. I just feel like such a bitch because I was complaining about how much you cared for me. I'm sorry.", a stray tear fell and he pulled away, staring deep into my soul with those warm brown eyes of his. He smiled and kissed me.

"I forgive you, and I believe that you make a good point, I am worrying a lot more than I should. That doesn't mean I won't stop worrying about you though."

I pulled away from him, and looked down at my abdomen and said,

"I hope this kid is as forgiving, and as smart as their Daddy."

Bruce put a hand on my abdomen, which would round out at about four and a half to five months and smiled.

"I hope that this kid is as free-spirited and intelligent as their Mommy."

As we walked out of the training room, hand in hand, I said,

"You know what else I'm thankful for?"

"What's that?"

I pulled him close, and kissed him slowly before I broke away and murmured,

"The chance to live life every single day with you by my side."

Bruce pulled me close and whispered,

"That's all I ever wanted."


A/N: How was that? Shoot me a review!