Chapter 27-Snow and skates
By: MysticFantasy
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Ten year old James slowly opened his eyes as he woke up. He sat up with a yawn and stretched his limbs. After quickly rubbing his eyes, he looked toward the window and instantly became awake.
He jumped out of bed and rushed to the window to get a better look of the country side. It was completely covered in a blanket of fresh white snow.
Quickly, he rushed out of his room, down the hall and into his parent's room, promtly jumping onto their bed.
"Mom! Dad! It snowed last night!"
Steve and Natasha snapped awake when they felt their son jump in the small space between them.
"James. It's too early for such excitment." Natasha said as she sat up and kissed her son on his forehead.
"Can we play in the snow after breakfast?" James asked with a large smile still plastered on his face.
"Sure thing, champ." Steve answered. "But it's still pretty early. Why don't we try to go back to bed for a while?"
"Aw, dad." James lightly pouted.
Steve lightly chuckled at his son before climbing out of the bed. James cheered happily before jumping onto his father's back and being carried out of the room.
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"Eat everything and clean your plate when you're done." Steve said as he placed a plate of eggs and bacon in front of James.
"I will." James said and began to eat his breakfast.
"Why are you two up so early?" Clint asked as he walked in the kitchen still looking half asleep.
"James was up first and saw the snow outside. Couldn't get back to sleep because he was too excited." Steve explained as he began to prepare more food.
"Can't blame him." Clint said and ruffled James' already messy red hair. "Can't see anything but white out there."
"Will you come outside and play with me in the snow, Uncle Clint?" James asked.
"Of course I will." Clint answered. "How can I pass up the chance to throw a snowball in your daddies face?"
James chuckled before returning to his meal.
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"Warm enough?" Natasha asked as she finished placing the scarf around Jame's neck.
The young boy's reply was muffled by the scarf until he lowered it to be able to speak clearly.
"Yes, mom."
"Ok then. When you start getting rosy cheeked come back inside and warm up. Your daddy will make you some hot chocolate too."
James' eyes lit up at the mention of hot chocolate. A favorite treat that Clint claimed had been passed from him.
The young boy quickly rushed outside and into the white winter wonderland. He already felt the cold air nip at his nose as he walked into the yard of the Avengers country home.
Ever since he could remember, he always loved running out into the snow to spend countless hours having fun. Most of the time he could get his parent's and uncles to join him.
His uncles Bruce and Thor were experts at making snowmen, Uncle Clint taught him the best ways to hide and attack during a snowball fight and his Uncle Tony taught him the best way to pilot a sled down a steep hill. Even though most of the time they ended up having a face full of snow.
James walked towards the trees and walked into the small woods that surrounded their private residence. He loved coming out to see the nature since he was in the city most of the time.
Carefully, he climbed a rock and looked around. He spotted a frozen lake not too far away and wondered if it would be good enough for skating.
"James?!"
The young boy turned and spotted his father walking over.
"What are you doing up there?" Steve asked.
"Just looking around." James answered then pointed toward the lake. "Dad, think we could ice skate?"
Steve got his son down from the rock before they both walked toward the iced lake.
The super soldier observed the lake.
"Looks like it might be good for ice skating." Steve said. "Wait here. Don't move."
James watched as his father carefully stepped onto the ice to test its strength.
The soldier carefully walked a few feet onto the ice and looked at it with an approving look.
"It's good." he called as he made his way back to the snow covered ground.
"So, can we skate?" James asked excitedly.
"Alright. Let's go get your skates." Steve answered.
James laughed happily and jumped onto his father's back as they made their way back to the house.
"Dad, did you and mom skate a lot before I was born?" James asked as he was shifted into a better position.
"I didn't but I know your mother liked to go skating whenever she had the chance." Steve answered.
"Think she would skate with me?" James asked.
"If you ask nicely, I'm sure she will." Steve answered as they came to the back door of the house. "She's a great skater."
"Who's this 'she' that's so good at skating?" Natasha asked as she stood at the island bar with a mug of hot coffee in her hands.
"You." James answered and was placed on the ground.
"I haven't skated in a while, honey." Natasha said. "When were you interested in skating anyway?"
"I found the lake behind the house and dad said that we could go skating." James explained.
"That sounds like fun." Natasha said. "Go get your skates and we can give you your first lesson."
James smiled and rushed out of the kitchen and toward the staircase.
"We can brush you up on your skating skills too." Natasha said to her husband.
"I am rusty." Steve admitted. "Let's get the others out there too. I'm sure it would be a hoot to see Tony try to skate."
"I agree." Natasha said as they followed their son's path.
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"Careful. Be careful."
"I'm fine, dad." James exclaimed as he slowly began to stand up on his skates.
His legs wobbled a bit but he quickly got his balance before slowly taking small steps to the icy surface. He paused at the edge and watched his mother skating with ease.
She glided on the smooth surface with grace and experience.
Then his Uncle Clint arrived, grabbed her by the wrists and started spinning them wildly.
"You're giving James ideas!" Natasha scolded as she released the archer and sent him flying across the ice and into a large snow pile.
"Can I try?" James asked.
"How many times have your mother and I told you not to take after your uncles?" Steve asked.
"I lost count." James answered.
"Ok then. Now slowly, come onto the ice." Steve instructed.
James did as his father instructed and carefully stepped onto the slippery surface.
Natasha quickly skated over and stayed close to her son as he slowly inched his way across the ice.
"You're a natural." the spy said.
"Gets it from his mother." Clint declared as he glided by. "No offence Cap but you're not exactly the most graceful skater I've seen."
"Can't be offended by something that's true." Steve said.
"Alright honey, watch me and do exactly what I do." Natasha said and began to show James the proper ways of take off and stopping.
"I'm next for lessons." Tony declared as he plopped down on a large wooden log Steve had moved over for them to use as a bench.
"I'll say." Clint faked muttered.
"Hey, watch it before I pluck your feathers."
James laughed at his two uncles and nearly lost balance. Luckily, he was able to stay up and keep following his mother.
After nearly an hour and a half, James became skilled enough to be able to glide on his own at a fast enough pace to not worry his parent's.
It was near noon when James finally collapsed onto the log, totally worn out.
"I think we should call it a day and head back to the house for some lunch." Steve said.
"You got my vote." Tony declared as he carefully made his way off the ice after having fallen on his butt one too many times. "I don't think I'm ever going to be able to sit down again."
"That's fine. You're never in one place too long anyway." Natasha said as she and Steve glided over to the edge and walked off the frozen lake.
"Agreed." the inventor said as he removed his skates and put on his snow boots.
"How'd you like your first skating experience?" Clint asked his godson.
"It was fun but I'm tired." James answered.
"It'll do that to ya." Clint said with a nod as they began walking back to the house. "But your mother was right. You are a natural at it."
James smiled at his uncle and then smiled more when snow flakes began to fall. His eyes turned to observe his family as they walked.
His two uncles were talking as they walked ahead of the small group and his parent's were arm in arm with each other as the snow fell gracefully onto them.
It had been a good day.