"Come on honey. Say it!" Natasha Romanoff encouraged her seven-month-old daughter. "You too James, come on I know you can do it!"

"No way Nat, it's not gonna happen," Steve Rogers retorted playfully. The family of four was seated on the living room floor of their suburban D.C. home. Steve supported Lucy in his lap while Natasha balanced James.

"Shush Rogers, I have full confidence in them. Sorry to let you know, but I am winning this bet. Hands down."

"No way, you don't stand a chance." The soldier and the spy had been playing this game for about two weeks now. The couple had made bets on which word their children would say first, "mama" or "daddy". Obviously, Natasha was betting on one of the twins saying her name first, and Steve was betting on one of them saying his title first. "Alright. If you're so confident, why don't we make this a little more interesting?"
"Okay, deal. What did you have in mind?"

A small smirk graced Steve's features as he carefully planned his next move. "If James or Lucy says daddy before mama, then you have to let Clint dress them up in those Hawkeye outfits he and Stark had made. And you have to take both of them to the Triskelion to show them off."

Natasha moaned internally. She absolutely abhorred those ridiculous outfits—and Steve knew it. "Okay," she stated begrudgingly. "But when Lucy or James says mama first, you have to spend the day with Coulson and James."
"Is that all ma'am?"

"You wish Rogers. You also have to dress James up in that Captain America outfit and let Coulson have your shield for the day." Natasha hated to subject her son to this, but she was willing to make the sacrifice for the greater good. This was just too good of an opportunity to pass up on.

"Deal. You're on Romanoff," Steve said, extending his hand to his wife. She shook it firmly.

"Steve?"

"Hmph?" the soldier replied, preoccupied with staring at his son.

"I think that maybe we need to seal this deal with a kiss," the spy suggested softly, arching an eyebrow. She scooted over to where her husband was sitting until their faces were mere millimeters apart.

"I am inclined to refuse," Steve started, meeting his wife's disappointed eyes. "But I can never say no to your beautiful face," he whispered and leaned into meet his wife's lips. At first, the kiss was light, their lips just brushing. But after a moment's hesitation, it deepened, evolving into a display of pure love. The couple was snapped out of their moment with James' irritated cry.

"I guess somebody is hungry," Steve said, his nose gently touching Natasha's.

"You guys never rest a moment, do you?" Natasha stated with a small laugh as Steve pulled both children into his lap.

"Come on kiddos," he started, supporting both children in his arms and standing up. "Let's go see what Mama can make us for dinner

"Do you really have to go again?" Natasha pleaded. "This is the third mission this month!"

"I know Nat," Steve replied, placing his large hands on her slender shoulders. "I hate leaving you with the twins alone. Especially since Fury is still giving you limited missions, and me more."

"I love our children, but I hate that you get all the missions Steve"

"I understand Natasha, but I can't change anything," he said gently, pushing a stray strand of red hair behind her ear. "Look, I'll only be gone for two days. Why don't you go up to New York with the kids? I can meet you there when I get back, and this way we will be able to spend some time with the others. And I'm sure they would be more than willing to help you with James and Lucy. Especially Pepper."

"Okay, that sounds like a plan. But I just don't want you to miss anything important. Like one of them saying mama," the spy replied with a sly smile.

"Don't you wish," Steve chuckled, drawing Natasha closer to him and planting a tender kiss on her forehead. "I have to go pack. Unfortunately."

"Well, you still have a few hours until you have to leave. And the kids are sleeping soundly..." Natasha said seductively, biting her bottom lip.

"Come on you, let's go," Steve said through a smile, putting his arm around Natasha's shoulders and leading her towards their bedroom.

"Does one of you want to help me over here?" Natasha said humorously as the elevator doors opened in the Avengers Tower. The petite redhead stood there carrying two infant car seats—one in each hand.

"What are you doing here?" Pepper questioned happily. She and Maria had been watching TV on the common floor when they spotted Natasha with the twins. "I didn't know you were coming!"

"Surprise!" Natasha exclaimed as she handed off one of the carriers to Pepper. "Tony knows that I was coming, I checked with him first. James, Lucy and I are staying for the weekend and Steve is joining us after his mission."

"Yay! We're going to have so much fun!" Pepper squealed. Both she and Natasha placed the car seats on the counter.

"Shh Pepper keep it down," Maria cut in. "Look, they're sleeping." Maria swiftly got up from the couch and walked over to give Natasha a hug.

"Yes, we had a much more pleasant drive this time," Natasha recalled, slowly rocking the car seats. "And I assume that you've heard all about the bet that Steve and I have going?"

"Oh yes, Tony and Clint won't shut up about it. They both have money on Steve. But don't worry, Maria and I have your back," Pepper said with a toothy smile.

"Good, you better," Natasha said, reciprocating her friend's smile. The three women had their attention diverted when Lucy started to fuss and kick.

"Come here sweetheart, I've missed you so much!" Pepper said to the infant she lifted Lucy into her arms. Lucy gurgled happily as Pepper talked sweetly to her. "Your Mama and Daddy need to come visit more. Look how big you've gotten, you're growing up too fast!" Pepper continued to talk.

"She's missed them a lot the past three weeks if you couldn't tell," Maria said to Natasha before she noticed two light blue eyes staring at her from the counter. "And look who else is up! Is it okay if I hold him?" Maria questioned innocently.

"Of course. You don't even have to ask Maria, you're family," Natasha said whole-heartedly. The agent moved to unbuckle James and then pulled him up to her chest. "Hi sleepy-head. How are you?" Maria said soothingly as James looked up into her eyes and smiled.

Natasha laughed and moved to smooth her son's thin hair. "I think someone has a little crush on you. Look at him he's flirting!"

"You're such a little flirt!" Maria said happily, bouncing the baby in his arms. "Oh my gosh Natasha, he's the spitting image of Steve. Yes you are James, with those pretty blue eyes and blond hair."

"I know, I can't wait to see how he matures," Natasha said. "But for now, I think that someone needs to be changed," the redhead continued, scrunching her nose.

"Yep, it's her. Here I'll come help you," Pepper said, carrying Lucy to the elevator.

"I just can't get over it Red," Tony Stark stated matter-of-factly. "The kid looks just like you. Except her eyes aren't as green. And the boy looks just like Spangles."

Pepper gave Tony a stern look before addressing him. "Oh Tony, knock it off." The couple was sitting on the couch; Tony had Lucy in his lap, and Pepper had James. Natasha was sitting in an armchair, taking in the scene.

"I know, James looks just like his Daddy. I'm surprised Coulson isn't all over him yet," Natasha said before laughing.

"Daddy!" Lucy exclaimed happily as all eyes turned to her.

"Did she just?" Tony asked quickly as Natasha's eyes widened.

"Oh my God, девочка, that was your first word!" Natasha exclaimed in disbelief as she moved to take her daughter from Tony.

"Yeah, and it was daddy," Tony remarked giddily. "That means Steve wins the bet!" The billionaire said, clasping his hands together.

"Oh my gosh, Steve. He missed it, he missed his daughter's first word," Natasha said solemnly to no one in particular.

"I've got to call Steve, he should be here within the next hour."

"What are you talking about?" Pepper said with a wink. "We didn't hear a word."

"Okay, that's so not fair Pepper. The kid said daddy! Steve wins."

"Tony, you are not going to say a word about this," Pepper said with a glare. "Steve will be extremely upset if he finds out he missed Lucy's first word. I will make it up to you later if you just listen to me," Pepper continues, arching her eyebrows.

"Okay, okay, fine I won't tell him."

"Thanks Tony," Natasha said, feeling relieved.

"What are you guys doing up?" Steve said with a smile as he stepped out of the elevator to greet his wife and children. It was only 8:30 p.m., so Steve was obviously referring to his kids. He propped his shield up against the wall and dropped his duffle bag next to it. Natasha stood up, a kid in each arm, and walked over to greet her husband.

"Hey kiddos," Steve smiled as he took both kids from his wife. "And hello you," he said, leaning in to kiss his wife on the lips. "What did I miss?"

"Oh, nothing much. Stinky diapers. Midnight feedings, the usual."

"What do you guys think? Did Mama take good care of you while I was gone?"

"Mama!" Lucy screamed happily.

James soon followed his sister, saying "Mama" and reciprocated her tone.

Both Natasha and Steve were momentarily stunned. "Nat," Steve began, smiling widely. "They both just said their first word!"

"They did, didn't they," Natasha said as she took Lucy into her arms. She seemed wide-awake, while James was yawning in Steve's arms. "And it was mama," Natasha continued proudly, feeling no guilt.

"Alright," Steve said, still smiling. "You win Natasha, you were right. But I don't care about that, I'm just glad that I came back in time to witness this milestone for both of them."
"Me too Steve. Me too."

"Alright guys, why don't we get you to bed? I need some alone time with your Mama; I missed her so much," he said smiling up at Natasha.

"Sounds good Steve. Just be prepared to dress James in that Captain America outfit tomorrow."

A/N: To be continued! I will write one more chapter to continue and conclude this one shot. I apologize for the lack of an update, my summer has been hectic. Thank you to everyone who reads/reviews this story. Please feel free to leave me reviews or feedback, I love to read it. I hope everyone enjoys this update!