“Now where was my invitation to this lovely gathering?” Natasha asks as she leans a shoulder against the doorframe of their living room, smiling at the sight that greets her.
Isabel turns towards the sound of the question, the teacup in her grip freezing mid-air as she all but flings the plastic back on the table and leaps out of her seat. “Momma!”
A chuckle falls from Natasha’s lips as she bends down, waiting for Isabel, clad in a royal blue princess dress and a bright red leatherhead – a combination she’s certain comes with an elaborate explanation from her three-year-old – to run into her open arms. “Oh!” she exclaims, standing with Isabel in her embrace and making the little girl giggle as she peppers her cheeks with kisses. “I missed you, fig!”
“I missed you too, momma,” Isabel says, pulling away just enough to look at her. “We’re having a tea party!”
“A costume tea party,” Steve adds, rising from the comically small chair around their coffee table that Natasha knows he was careful not to put his full weight on.
“I can see that,” Natasha says, smirking at the combination of the tiara and lime green feather boa her husband is sporting.
“Daddy and I had so much fun today, momma!” Isabel exclaims in her arms, prompting Natasha to turn her attention back to her daughter who’s practically radiating with bliss.
Natasha smiles. “That so?”
“Mhmm,” Isabel confirms, nodding enthusiastically. “Before the tea party, we went to the park and fed the duckies and went on the carousel. Then we went to get ice cream!”
“Ice cream and the park?” Natasha confirms, feigning disbelief.
Isabel smiles. “And I painted Daddy’s nails.”
On cue, Steve lifts his hands, wiggling his fingers to show off his glitter-covered nails. Natasha shakes her head, chuckling. “Well, I’m glad you two had an amazing time.”
“You should come with us next time, momma,” Isabel says.
“Tell you what,” Natasha says, dusting a kiss to Isabel’s temple before quickly glancing at her watch. “Why don’t you put your shoes on and we’ll see if we can go another round on the carousel before dinner?”
“And see if the duckies are still there?” Isabel asks, looking hopefully up at her and then at Steve.
Steve nods. “Sure, babe.”
“Yay!” Isabel says, causing both her parents to laugh as Natasha sets her down and she darts towards her room.
“No running!” Natasha calls out the same time Steve does.
“Sorry!” Isabel yells back even as her little feet continue to pitter patter against the hardwood.
“That girl,” Natasha says, a fondness in her tone even as she shakes her head.
“That girl indeed,” Steve says, a smile pulling at his lips. He steps closer to her, placing his hands on her waist before leaning down to press his lips to hers.
Natasha’s voice is barely above a whisper when they pull away moments later. “Hi.”
“Hi back,” Steve says quietly. “How was your trip?”
“Long,” Natasha admits, letting the enthusiasm she had mustered to greet Isabel with falter just a bit. “I’m tired from all the back-to-back meetings and sore from having to stand in heels for hours on end at all the events Pepper dragged me to.” As she rests her hands flat on his chest, she lets out a sigh. “I’m just glad to be home.”
“We’re glad that you’re home,” Steve says earnestly, grinning. “Although…” Natasha’s brow rises as he leans down. “What makes you think…” he whispers in her ear, causing her eyes to flutter shut as she feels his breath across her skin. “That you’re not going to be…” He presses a kiss to her jaw. “Tired…” Then down her neck. “And sore around here?”
With a breathy chuckle, Natasha cups his face between her hands, pulling him up ever so slightly so their lips can meet once more, this kiss leaps and bounds hungrier than the last. She nibbles on his bottom lip, feeling ever so smug when that elicits a grunt from him. His grip tightens on her hips, but just as he’s about to pull her even closer-
“Daddy!” Isabel yells from down the hall. “I need help changing my outfit!”
They pull away, and Natasha laughs as she watches Steve groan as he looks up at the ceiling. “That’s why,” she says, smirking as she gives his shoulder a pat. “Duty calls, Dad.”
“Coming, fig!” Steve calls out, shooting Natasha an amused look as he shakes his head. “That girl.”
Natasha smiles. “That girl, indeed.”
Drabbles Masterlist
