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Maria groaned as she woke up. His head was pounding, his nose was stuffy, and he felt hotter than usual. He was unable to control the noises of pain that left his body as she tried to turn over to get comfortable. The noises woke Natasha up who grew concerned the more she heard Maria’s discomfort.
“Ria, what’s the matter?” Nat’s voice is groggy but filled with concern. She didn’t get a verbal answer, just a whimper from Maria from the aches that radiated through him. Natasha flipped on the lamp and took a good look at her wife. He was sweating, her breathing ragged, and her nose was red.
“моя любовь, you’re sick. Why didn't you wake me up?” Natasha put a hand to his forehead to try and feel how hot he was. “Let me get the thermometer and make you some tea.” Natasha didn’t wait for a response, just went downstairs to make the tea.
Natasha finds the adult thermometer in the drawer then makes Maria’s favorite tea for when she’s sick; lemon. It always helps Maria feel better faster. She checks the clock on the wall; 6:39. Nat went back to their room and set the tea and thermometer on Maria’s side of the bed. Maria seemed to have drifted back to sleep and Nat hated to wake him, but she needed to check her temperature.
“Baby, wake up.” Natasha said soothingly. Maria grumbled but didn’t wake up. “Come on, baby. I need to check your temperature.” Maria finally opened her eyes and the frown on her face made Natasha smile softly. “Thank you, baby.” She put the thermometer in Maria’s mouth and went to lay on her side when they heard Ana crying. Maria started to get up, but Nat pushed her back down. “Don’t you even think about getting up. I’ll go check on her.”
Walking into Ana’s room, Natasha found her daughter on her bed, holding her black cat plushie with tears streaming down her face. Liho was nudging her head with Ana’s hand trying but failing to comfort the girl. “маленький, it’s okay. Mommy’s here.” Nat whispered, picking her up. The toddler clung to her mother, calming down quickly. “Icky, mommy.” Anastasia croaked out. “You don’t feel good?” Natasha frowned. Ana shook her head no. “Okay, let’s get your thermometer and some water then we can go to Mama.”
Heading downstairs, Natasha moved quickly grabbing Ana’s black widow sippy cup and pouring some water in it. “Here you go, detka.” She handed the cup to the girl, and made sure she had the thermometer before going back to her and Maria’s room.
“Is she okay?” Was the first thing Maria asked when she entered the room. He was sitting against the headboard with the mug in his hands. “She’s okay, she’s sick too. I’m going to take her temperature and if it’s not high, then we can just monitor her here. What was your temperature?” Nat laid Ana in the middle of their bed and she instantly cuddled into Maria’s side.
“100.2. Let me take her temperature.” Maria said. Natasha handed her the contactless thermometer and watched as Maria held it over Ana’s forehead. “99.7.” Maria reported after it beeped. “That’s not too bad. Which means that right now we need to be worried about getting your fever down.” Natasha told her. Maria ran her fingers through their daughters’ red locks. “I can wait. I’m more worried about her.”
“I’m worried about her too, but I’m also worried about you. You’re going to try and neglect your needs to take care of her, and I’m not gonna allow that.” Natasha insisted. Maria always put herself last and even though they’ve been together so long; it still bothered Natasha.
“I know, I’m sorry. It’s just easier to take care of other people than myself.” Maria sighed. Nat reached a hand to run through Maria’s hair, “I’m not saying you can’t take care of her, just remember you’re sick too.” Natasha reassured him.
“I’m going to the store to get you guys some medicine. Get some rest. I love you.” Nat blew a kiss but Maria had already drifted back to sleep, so she got ready and left as quietly as she could.
When Maria woke up again, it was because someone was poking her cheek. He opened his eyes to see blue eyes identical to hers. “Hi little one.” Her voice was tired, but he was happy to see her daughter. “Mama, hot.” Ana whined. Maria finally woke up more to take a good look at his daughter; she was sweating. Probably from her fever. He thought to himself. “Let’s get you a shower to cool down.” Maria knew her daughter would only become more irritable as the day went on so she tried to minimize it as fast as possible.
He turned on a cartoon for Ana, then got out of bed to start the shower. She made sure the water was warm so Ana wouldn’t be too hot and too cold. When Maria called Anastasia in for her shower, all she got was a whine in response, so she went to grab her. Maria took Ana’s dirty clothes and put them in the hamper, before putting Anastasia in the shower. “You get in too?” It seemed like a question, but Maria knew it was a statement. She wasn’t planning on taking a shower with Ana right now, but he could never deny his daughter anything. “Of course I’ll get in sweetheart.” So Maria got undressed and got in the shower too.
Once their shower was over, Maria put them in their most comfortable clothes — black widow pajamas Nat got them as a present — before going down to the kitchen to find something to eat. She opened the cabinets and saw they had chicken noodle soup, which was great for colds and Ana liked it. While they were waiting on the soup, Maria picked up the book she had been reading the day before and read to Ana for a while…until she got a headache and had to stop being she made herself worse. The soup was good and Anastasia already seems to be getting less pale.
“I think it’s time for a nap.” Maria cooed to Anastasia who had yawned and laid her head on Maria’s chest. So, she refilled Ana’s sippy cup with water and went back to her and Natasha’s room. Anastasia had fallen asleep quickly so Maria put her down carefully, black cat plushie in her arms. The second Maria’s head hit the pillow, he fell asleep.
When Natasha finally got back from the store, she tried to be as quiet as possible. Maria was a light sleeper and would wake up at any sound, but Natasha was a widow, stealth was her specialty. She walked up to their room before stopping in the doorway. Maria and Ana were curled up together wearing matching pajamas. Nat took her phone and took a picture, smiling softly as she did.
She sent the picture to the group Maria R, Carol, Fury, Yelena, and Clint; Making this our Christmas card photo.