She couldn't reach more than the lowest branches of the tree, so most of the ornaments decorated the lowest area. The Avengers helped hang lights and tinsel and every once in a while Emmy would tug on Clint of Steve's pants and they would lift her up so she could reach a higher branch. Christmas music played softly in the background, the overall mood was cheerful and happy in a way that they didn't always get to enjoy.
Emmy picked up a glass bubble. It was a picture of all of the Avengers on their first Christmas together. Tony and Steve weren't dating yet, though in the picture Steve was laughing at something Tony had said, Tony was grinning with that private smile he used when he thought no one was looking and was truly happy with himself – they were rare and far between. Natasha was sitting on Clint's shoulders, putting the star on top of the tree while Bruce looked on nervously from the side.
Bubble in hand, Emmy ran up to Natasha, who was sitting on the couch sipping hot chocolate made by Steve, and tugged on her navy blue yoga pants.
"Yes, malyutka?" said Natasha, allowing the Russian endearment to slip through.
Emmy tugged her pants again and held up her arms.
Carefully, Natasha picked Emmy up and carried her over to the tree. Everyone pretended they weren't watching but they secretly were. Emmy gently placed the bubble next to a metal star while Natasha held her up, hardly daring to breathe, but the toddler seemed perfectly calm and happy. Tony sniggered from his place by the outlet where he was messing with the wires.
"Damn, Nat, I've never seen you more awkward," laughed Tony. "She's a child, not a nuke."
"Language," chided Steve.
"She's never let me pick her up before unless she absolutely had to," said Natasha almost reverently. "This is new for me."
Tony's smile softened as he realized what this meant; it was a huge step for both Natasha and Emmy; Natasha because she was learning what unconditional love from a child was and Emmy because she was finally trusting a woman enough to instigate casual contact.
"JARVIS?" prompted Tony.
"Image captured," replied JARVIS softly so as not to disturb the moment.
When the tree was decorated, everyone settled on the ground around the couch while Steve sat on the couch, waiting for the American idol to read them the traditional story, "Santa Paws" – a story about a stray dog who just wants to find a home for Christmas. Emmy fell asleep after the third chapter, curled up like a cat on Tony's lap. Tony followed soon after, leaning against Clint, snoring lightly. Clint, Natasha, and Bruce, all made it to the end of the story.
After setting the book aside, Steve helped Natasha and Bruce gather up the abandoned mugs with chocolate dregs staining the sides and deposit them in the kitchen sink before rescuing Clint from his duties as pillow.
"See you in the morning," whispered Steve and he lifted his slumbering husband and daughter alike into his arms and headed towards their rooms.
Steve tucked Tony into bed before gently lifting Emmy off of his stomach and carrying her to her own room. Once there, Steve set her down in her bed and pulled Clint's blanket up over her. Emmy snuggled under the blanket, one hand clutching it close, as Steve kissed her messy red hair.
"Good night, Emmy," whispered Steve. "I love you very much."
That night, everyone in the tower slept without nightmares – which had to be a first for the super hero gang with more baggage than an airport.
In the morning, Emmy crept into her fathers' bedroom and crawled onto their bed, sitting on the very edge facing them. The two men were still fast asleep, Steve on his back, right arm splayed out to the side, right leg half exposed to the crisp air, and Tony on his side, head pillowed on Steve's bare chest, left arm possessively curled around the soldier's slim waist. They looked peaceful; Emmy jumped on Steve's stomach.
"What?" gasped Steve, waking to the sudden impact of a slight and soft something hitting his stomach.
"Papa," said Emmy imploringly, digging her little knees into Steve's abs as she bounced in place.
"Tony," grumbled Steve, closing his eyes again and falling back onto the mountain of pillows. "Your daughter's awake."
"She's your daughter too," said Tony, his voice muffled by Steve's side where he had buried his face.
"She's yours before the sun rises."
Tony groused but conceded, taking extra care to place a hand on Steve's face when he was pushing himself up, receiving a tart but sleepy glare from the blonde for his efforts. Emmy stood on Steve's stomach when she realized that it was Tony who would be feeding her breakfast today and crouched, ready to spring off the bed.
"Coffee," said Tony, running a hand through his messy brown hair and snatching Emmy up before the girl could jump. "Come on, Ducky. Let's get coffee."
"You can't feed a four year old coffee," said Steve, cracking a single eye open.
"You can't complain unless you drag your as – butt out of bed," replied Tony.
Emmy squirmed until Tony set her down, then she ran out of the room. Instead of heading to the living room, however, she started knocking on the doors of the rest of the Avengers, not waiting for a reply before moving on to the next door. Eventually, each one stuck their head out of their respective rooms – Natasha and Bruce out of the same one, though no one dared comment – and eyed the young girl suspiciously.
"Why is the brat waking us up at this unholy hour?" complained Bucky, his long hair a tangled rats nest.
"Christmas!" yelled Clint, the day finally clicking in his head. "Yes! I can't wait to see what Tony got me this year. Come on, Emmy, your daddy gives the coolest presents."
Emmy raced after Clint, laughing as she caught on to his excitement.
In the living room, the Christmas tree had presents overflowing from under it's boughs. It wasn't the designer tree that the public assumed Tony Stark would have, decorated and made to be published in a magazine. The lights were uneven, the tinsel spread in clumps because Bruce didn't like it all over, and most of the ornaments were at toddler level because Emmy had put most of them up but to Tony, who had grown up with those designer trees, thought it was a thousand times better.
Tony sat down on the couch and watched as Emmy helped Clint distribute the wrapped gifts. As he watched, a steaming mug of coffee appeared in front of his face. Following the steady hand up the arm to the rest of the body attached, he found his husband smiling down at him, his blonde hair still a mess but a white shirt pulled over his chest, resting just above his red plaid sleep pants.
"Merry Christmas, love," whispered Steve, leaning down to kiss Tony.
"Merry Christmas, handsome," replied Tony just as softly.
"Daddy," said Emmy, hefting a present on to Tony's lap.
"Thank you, Ducky," said Tony with a smile. "Is this for me?"
Emmy nodded then ran back to Clint for another gift. It took almost an hour to sort the presents. By that time Bruce had finished making pancakes in the shape of Santa hats, decorating the rim with whipped cream and the rest with strawberry slices. They ate on the ground around the living room floor, another Christmas tradition, before opening their presents. When they finished, they started taking turns opening presents.
"So who gets to start this year?" asked Clint, practically bouncing in place in excitement.
"Youngest to oldest this year," said Bruce. "You got to start last year, Clint, so don't complain."
"Emmy, which gift to you want to open first?" asked Tony while Clint stuck his tongue out at Bruce.
Emmy picked up a small package wrapped in sky blue paper. It was from Steve and Tony.
"Go ahead," encouraged Tony when Emmy looked up at him, as if asking for permission.
Tearing open the paper, Emmy squealed with delight when she found a necklace with a soft blue glow, a miniature arc reactor.
"The chain is made from a bit of Papa's shield," said Tony with a soft smile.
Emmy threw herself onto her fathers, trying and failing to hug them both with her tiny arms, but that was okay because the two super hero's were more than capable of hugging her back.
*Does anyone watch Criminal Minds?
Always - Ari