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Natasha was in a dreadful meeting. Steve was giving a big boring speech and of course Tony gave his 10 cents practically every other sentence. Natasha was having a hard time focusing anyway, her mind kept wandering back to her kids. Wanda was 17 and Yelena was 9, so Natasha had her own little babysitter for when she couldn't be there. However Natasha couldn't help but worry, anytime she left her girls unattended or alone she felt empty. She trusted Wanda, she knew the teenager would never let anything happen to Yelena but she couldn't help but wonder what her girls were doing while she was stuck here.
Natashas pulled from her thoughts when Friday interrupts the meeting, "Ms.Romanoff, your presence is being requested in the kitchen from mini Romanoff and tiny Romanoff." Friday stated, using the nicknames Tony had dubbed for her daughters.
Natasha was up and out of her seat in a heartbeat. She could hear Steves cries of protests as she made her way out the door but couldn't bring herself to care. Natasha sprinted to the kitchen but slowed her pace as she heard precious giggles from outside the door. As Natasha pushed the door open she was greeted with the heart warming sight of Yelena sitting on top of the counter top, the little girls French braid now had lots of flyaways and there was flour on Yelenas little cheek and a smudge of what appeared to be chocolate, on the tip of the girls button nose. Wanda had her brown hair tied up into a bun and the teenagers normally perfect eyeliner was smudged, Wanda was wearing an apron that was covered in flour and the teenager was currently laughing fondly at her little sister.
"Mommy! Look we made cupcakes!" Yelena happily exclaimed as she noticed her mother standing in the doorway.
Natasha let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, she couldn't help but picture the worse case scenario after so many years in The Red Room. Natasha knew she could be overprotective when it came to her girls but she refused to let anything ever happen to her babies.
"Are you the cupcake?" Natasha asked softly as she made her way over to Yelena. Natasha licked her thumb and began wiping the flour off of her baby's cheek.
"Yuck, mommy!" Yelena said through giggles as she attempted to move away from her mothers thumb, Natasha cupped Yelenas little face in her free hand allowing her to finish the task of cleaning her daughter.
Natasha laughed softly as she pressed a kiss to the tip of Yelenas nose, effectively freeing the little girl of the chocolate frosting. "Mmm, my cupcake was delicious!" Natasha exclaimed as she licked the frosting from her lips.
Yelena laughed heartily at her mother and Natasha reveled in the sound. "No mommy, look we made real cupcakes." Yelena said as she pointed to the tray of vanilla cupcakes paired with chocolate frosting and rainbow sprinkles.
"Sorry, I tried to tell her you were in a meeting but she wouldn't listen." Wanda said as she looked towards Natasha with an apologetic look upon her face.
Natasha softened at Wandas words, pressing a lingering kiss to the teenagers forehead. "Thats okay, Steve was boring me to death anyways." Natasha finished with a chuckle.
The redhead picked up a cupcake from the tray, taking a large bite from the sugar filled treat. "Wow, this is great and it's the sprinkle on top that they were made by my little chefs." Natasha exclaimed genuinely surprised the cupcakes were so good. Wanda grinned proudly at Natashas response while Yelena frowned crossing her little arms.
Both Natasha and Wanda turned to face Yelena, clearly amused that the 9 year old somehow found Natasha praise upsetting. "Whats wrong, detka?" Natasha asked trying to conceal her smile.
Yelena looked towards her sister and mother solemnly, "The frostins the best part not the sprinkles." Natasha and Wanda burst into laughter at the little girls adorable claim.
"I'm sorry lyubov, it's the frosting on top that they were made by my little chefs." Natasha said with a smile as she caressed Yelenas little cheek with her hand.
The little girl perked up at her mothers words, reaching over and grabbing her own cupcake and began eating the dessert happily. Natasha sighed fondly as she took in the adorable sight of Yelena now covered in chocolate frosting once again. Wanda chuckled, grabbing a rag and running it under water in the sink before gently wiping the chocolate from her baby sisters cheeks, mouth, and chin. Natasha just watched her girls interact, suddenly so overcome with love and adoration that these two precious little girls were hers.
"How does a shower and Toy Story sound?" Natasha asked as she placed the leftover cupcakes on a plate for her fellow team members. She knew Yelena would be on board, the little girl was obsessed with Disney and although Wanda liked to deny it, Natasha knew the teenager enjoyed the movies as well.
Yelena squealed happily, hastily jumping down from her high place on the counter. Wanda and Natashas eyes widened in horror as they both lurched towards the girl. Yelena, however landed gracefully on her feet looking up at her mother and sister bouncing excitedly. Natasha let out a breath of relief, gently placing her hand on Yelenas head, pulling the little girl into her embrace as she closed her eyes. Yelena slumped against her mother, just content to be so close to Natasha.
Natasha opened her eyes, sharing a look with Wanda that clearly said thank god. "Be careful." Natasha gently berated Yelena.
Yelena furrowed her brow as she looked up at her mother, clearly not seeing how what she did was dangerous. Natasha honestly couldn't blame her poor daughter, Yelena had spent 3 years in the Red Room. After the mission in Ohio ended Natasha fought tooth and nail to keep the 4 year old with her but it was fruitless against a super soldier. As soon as Natasha managed to get out of the Red Room she immediately went back for Yelena, who was only 7 years old. A year later, she took down the Red Room with Melina, leaving Yelena with Wanda and the team for 2 weeks. Natasha was okay with Melina, she hadn't seen the woman since they had taken down the Red Room together and was fine with that being the woman had been working for the Red Room, creating weapons of torture to be used against widows.
She's gently pulled from her thoughts by Yelena tugging on her hand, an impatient expression upon the little girls face. "Come on mommy, we gotta watch Toy Story."
Wanda was looking at her, face full of concern. She smiled gently at Wanda reassuring the teenager before looking down to Yelena. "Alright, let's go."
The trio made their way into 'Natashas bedroom', even though they all three slept in the room together every night. After the three had quickly showered and got dressed in comfortable pajamas, Natasha brushed through Yelenas blonde locks gently with a comb before doing the same to Wandas long brown hair. Yelena attempted to comb through Natashas hair but immediately stopped after emitting a yelp from her mother when she accidentally combed through a knot too hard, instead slumping against her mothers back as Natasha finished combing Wandas hair.
"Sorry mommy." Yelena said sincerely from her place buried between Natashas shoulder blades.
Natasha gently turned around, pulling her 9 year old into her lap. "It's okay baby, it was just an accident."
Yelena rested her little head on Natashas chest, wrapping her arms around her mothers middle as she listened to Natashas heart beat. Wanda tucked herself against Natashas side, turning on Toy Story while sighing contently, happy to be so close to her two favorite people. They had only gotten through half the movie before Yelena fell asleep, completely slumped into her mothers chest as she peacefully slept.
Natasha smiled down at her little girl, bringing her are hand up to gently trail against the girls back. "She's out like a light." She whispered to Wanda who was also gazing at the little girl lovingly.
"And she's the one who wanted to watch Toy Story so bad." Wanda said quietly as she redirected her attention back to the Tv.
Natasha smirked, "right, so you wouldn't have any objections if I turned off the movie right now?" The redhead whispered, looking down at the 17 year old tucked into her side.
Wanda shrugged noncommittally. "We might as well finish it, no point in turning it off now."
Natasha laughed quietly, tickling Wandas side with the arm she had draped across the teenagers shoulders. "But you know what's going to happen, we've seen this before."
Wanda laughed quietly, moving to tuck her face into Natashas shoulder. "Fine, fine I wanna watch the movie." The witch giggled into Natashas shoulder. Natasha finally relented her tickles when Yelena stirred, electing a sleepy huff, nuzzling her face closer into Natashas chest.
Wanda and Natasha finished the movie before contently falling asleep. Natasha woke up early the next morning, her automatic alarm in her head waking her at 7. She felt a warm, soft, weight against her stomach and looked down, Yelena was sleeping peacefully on her belly. Natashas shirt had ridden up at some point during the night and Yelena had taken full advantage of that, being her little cheek was squished flesh against Natashas bare stomach and a little hand was splayed flat against Natashas skin, just above her belly button. Yelenas legs were sprawled out across Wandas hips but the teenager unconsciously had her hand clasped around Yelenas little ankle. Natasha smiled softly at her sleeping little girls, she was so overwhelmed with love and adoration for her precious girls. She gently cupped the side of Yelenas head into her hand and stroked the girls hairline with her thumb as she watched and felt the precious puffs of air emitted from the 9 year old onto her stomach.
It was about 8 when Yelena stirred awake, she lifted her little head up an inch from her mothers stomach as bleary little hazel eyes looked up at Natasha. A sleepy smile was elected from the little girl as she met her mothers gaze. "Morning mommy." Yelena said quietly, returning her head back to Natashas stomach.
Natasha smiled warmly down at Yelena, "Good morning my little bed bug." Yelena giggled, sitting up slightly before looking down at was her makeshift pillow for the night.
The little girl took in Natashas scars from her forced hysterectomy, a little finger reaching out to trace the scars gently before Yelena leaned down pressing a soft kiss to the scars. Yelena then began crawling her way up to her mother in looks for their normal morning cuddles but Natasha hastily wrapped her arms around her sweet baby, pulling Yelena tightly against her front as she allowed silent tears to fall from her eyes. She remembered how she had felt when she woke up after the surgery and realized just what they had taken from her. She cried for hours, grieving any chance of having her own baby or children to love and care for. Yet here she was, tucked safely in bed with her baby girls who she loved more than life itself.
Natasha pressed a firm lingering kiss to Yelenas cheek, reaching her free hand out to gently stroke Wandas hair. Yelena slowly pulled back, looking at her mother sadly as she brought a little hand up to wipe Natashas tears. Natasha caught Yelenas hand after a moment, pressing a kiss to her daughters palm.
"Why are you sad, mommy?" Yelena innocently asked as she moved up on her knees to rest her cheek on top of Natashas head.
Natasha breathed in her daughters distinct scent of strawberries, "Mommy just loves you so much, baby."
Yelena wrapped her little arms around Natashas neck, "I love you too." The little girl said sincerely, hoping to make her mother feel better.
After a few moments Natasha gently pulled back, "Thank you baby, mommy's just so happy you're mine."
Yelena smiled softly, looking down then back up to her mother. "I'm happy i'm yours too."
Natasha smiled, pulling Yelena into her lap as she peppered her daughters face with kisses. Friday suddenly spoke, not only interrupting Natasha and Yelenas moment but awakening the slumbering teenager from her sleep.
"Ms.Romanoff there are two individuals requesting your presence along with tiny Romanoff."
Natasha tightened her hold on Yelena protectively, "Who?"
"Melina Vostokoff and Antonia Dreykov." The A.I replied.
Wanda furrowed her brow, looking at Natasha worriedly. "What do they want?"
Natasha took a deep breath, cupping the teenagers cheek. "I don't know baby. I'm going to go see, think you can watch Lena for a bit?"
"No mommy, don't go." Yelena said desperately, gripping her little hands onto Natashas shirt. Natasha looked down and could see nothing but absolute fear in her baby's eyes and it broke her heart.
"I promise you, I will come back." Natasha said sincerely as she cupped Yelenas face in her hands. The last time Yelena had seen Melina was when she was being torn from Natashas grasp. Natasha could see the fight in her daughters eyes and felt an immense love come over her when Yelena reluctantly nodded her head, completely trusting her mother.
Natasha got dressed and made her way down to the first floor. Sure enough Melina and Antonia were there waiting for her, Antonia looked anxious as the girls fingers never stopped fidgeting while Melina was static, watching Natashas every move. Antonia was 12 when Natasha and Melina brought down the Red Room, like most of the other girls trafficked into the living hell. So Melina claimed Antonia could stay with her and after making sure Antonia was comfortable with that decision, Natasha let the two head off. Making her way back to her own girls.
Melina looked Natasha up and down, "Where is Yelena?"
Natasha matched the woman's expression, crossing her arms across her front. "Why do you want to know?"
Melina was quiet for a moment and it only increased Natashas worry of what the woman wanted with her daughter. "I raised her."
That was the statement that made Natashas heart drop into the pit of her stomach. During their time in Ohio Melina posed as Yelenas mother and Alexi played to be Yelenas father, Natasha was meant to be Yelenas aunt and Melinas sister. But neither the super soldier nor the older widow wanted anything to do with the infant. Natasha couldn't describe the instant connection she felt when she first held Yelena into words. It was as if she was just given back the organ that had been stolen from her, at the time she didn't know that the baby would have such an impact on her life. At the time it was just another mission but with a tiny, squirmy, adorable baby that made Natasha feel something. Natasha spent all of her time in Ohio with Yelena, Alexi and Melina only ever spent time with the baby when in public and even then Natasha was always close by. So Natasha wasn't worried about Melina wanting a place in Yelenas life if the woman did, she would have asked while they were taking down the Red Room. She was worried of what Melina wanted from or to do with her daughter.
"What do you want from her?" Natasha asked, voice laced with venom.
Melina simply raised an eyebrow at her, apparently not expecting Natasha to be so protective over the girl. "I know you were close with the infant during Ohio but let me remind you, I am her mother."
This was all a front, Natasha knew that. But the words still stirred something inside her, "then let me remind you this isn't Ohio and it hasn't been for a while."
"Natasha, don't make this difficult. Just allow me to see the child." Melina stated, the static expression finally fading into one of irritation.
"Thats not going to hap-" Natashas interrupted by the elevator dinging and she knew without even turning around Yelena and Wanda were stepping off the elevator just by the way Melinas eyes lingered in the direction of the elevator.
Yelena practically pulled Wanda off the elevator, urgently making their way over to Natasha. She quickly turned to face her daughters giving each a stern look as she initiated a hushed conversation between the three. "I told you to wait for me."
Wanda looked up, "I tried telling her but she kept crying, she said they were going to hurt you. So we got dressed and came down here." The teenager rambled nervously.
Natasha looked down to see Yelena gripping the bottom of her shirt, little red eyes locked on Melina and Antonia. She quickly lifted Yelenas chin so the girl would meet her eyes, "It's gonna be okay, baby."
Yelena nodded, putting on a brave face but all Natasha could see when she looked in the girls beautiful hazel eyes was fear.
"You look different." Melina said, breaking through the trios quiet discussion. Natasha felt Yelena tense and she swiftly turned to face Melina and Antonia once again.
"Yeah well, she's not 4 anymore." Natasha spat with venom, being mindful to keep both Wanda and Yelena tucked safely behind her.
Melina hummed, turning her attention onto Wanda. "Who's this?"
"None of your business, enough games Melina what do you want?" Natasha snarled.
Melina glanced at Antonia who had her gaze locked upon Yelena, "Yelena was the best of her generation, it seems silly to keep the girl with you being you won't continue her training."
Natasha was furious, "You're here because you're concerned about my daughters training?"
Melina raised an eyebrow, "Your daughter?"
"Yes my daughter, she's always been my kid. You know that." Natasha scoffed.
"Well, your 'daughter' has great potential that will only be reached if she comes with me, you've grown soft." Melina sighed.
Natasha held back the urge to lunge at the woman for the two kids behind her. "Why are you suddenly so interested in Yelena?"
"Antonia has told me about their times together in the Red Room. I've never realized what power the child held." Melina said with a shrug. Antonia moved her gaze to the ground, clearly uncomfortable.
"Incase you have forgot, I live in the Avengers compound. I don't think there's anywhere better for Yelena to practice her skills, if she wanted to." Natasha said with a look of indifference.
Natasha had enough of this, she turned on her heel grabbing both Wanda and Yelena by their hands, "Friday, Intruder alert exempt Antonia Dreykov from the protocol."
As soon as the elevator doors closed Yelena let out a strangled sob. Natashas eyes widened as she looked down at the 9 year old, "Oh baby, it's okay, you're safe." Natasha urgently said as she gathered the girls trembling form into her arms. The elevator doors opened and Natasha scooped Yelena up and into her arms as the three rushed into Natashas bedroom.
Natasha sat on the bed with Yelenas shaking form in her lap, Wanda sat next to Natasha, resting her head on her mothers shoulder as she rubbed Yelenas back. "I don't wanna go with her." Yelena hiccuped into Natashas neck.
"You're not going with her baby, my girls stay with me. I promise I'll never let anything happen to either of you. I'll always protect you." Natasha said as she pressed a kiss to both of her girls heads.
The trio stayed in their safe little bubble until dinner where Natasha learned Tony and Steve forced Melina out. Antonia ended up staying having claimed Melina was forcing her into harsh training. Natasha was both surprised and proud at how Yelena appeared to go out of her way to make Antonia comfortable during dinner. During the altercation Yelena had seemed terrified of interacting with either Antonia or Melina.
Immediately after dinner Antonia, Yelena, and Wanda ran off to watch Toy Story. Wanda claimed she was only going to look over Yelena but Natasha knew that wasn't the only reason.
Natasha mulled over Melinas words 'you've grown soft,' while carrying her sleeping 9 year old to bed. Perhaps she may have gone soft but the only ones who would ever see the truth to that statement was her family. She settled into bed with Yelena draped over her and Wanda cuddled into her side. Antonia having said she was fine with a guest bedroom down the hall.
Natasha drifted off to sleep with her daughters safe and sound in her arms, if that made her soft then so be it.