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The sky was as white as paper, showing off the winter season, even though snow had not graced your presence yet. -Soon though, if the weather reports had anything to say about it- And you were up early, driving across the upstate roads of New York, with a moody red-head by your side.
Natasha hadn't said a word to you since entering the car, not even thanking you when you had grabbed her favourite festive drink from the drive-through to warm her up in the cold morning. No. She didn't speak until you passed the third sign, showing your nearing destination.
'Carl's Chop Your Own Tree Farm'
'Five Miles'
"I can't believe you woke me up so early just to get a fucking Christmas tree," she grumbled, glaring at you with her side eye. Finishing off the last dregs of her drink, eyeing yours that sat in the cup holder between you.
Smiling at how well you knew the woman, you reached over, grabbing around the lip of the paper cup. But instead of drinking from it, you passed it off to the red-head, knowing that she would need warming up more than you when you stepped out into the cold morning in a few short minutes.
"Tis' the season, babe. Don't want all the good trees to get taken, do we?"
"It's too early in the month to even get a tree."
You had the same "argument" every year. Natasha would complain and make excuses while you stuck to your guns, winning out in the end. Which you expected it to only be because she couldn't bear to destroy your excitement, nor the tradition that had been with your family since before you could remember.
"It's the first, and you know what that means: Christmas tree day."
Natasha let out a soft groan, turning towards the passenger side window just as you pulled into the Christmas tree farm.
You knew she didn't truly feel as grumpy as she seemed, with how much she loved you, even if you dragged her out of bed at the butt-crack of dawn. Which is why you smiled towards the red-head, unbuckling yourself, moving to exit the car, as you spoke, "C'mon. You know how much you love to see me using an axe."
Her eyes snapped open with the sound of your door shutting. Green eyes followed you as you rounded the car to grab said axe from the boot.
That was all the instigation she needed before she jumped out of the vehicle herself, with what was once your warm beverage pulled to her chest.
"Shut up." Natasha glared when she spotted your smug look as you came towards her, throwing your arm around her shoulders, leading her to the entrance of the farm.
"But I didn't even say anything."
With a soft nudge against your ribs, she replied, "You didn't have to."
You were right.
Natasha did love the way you used an axe, letting her watch from feet away as your arms flexed with every swing.
But still... she didn't appreciate how smug you were about it.
With a bright smile, you turned towards her, panting with the tall tree now laying on the ground, only for the woman to roll her eyes and shake her head good-naturedly, trying to push away the smile pulling against her lips.
"You ready to head home and get this thing decorated?" you asked, gesturing to the fallen tree.
Smiling at you sweetly, Natasha responded, "You bet ya'."
You had complied with Natasha's wishes to wait until nightfall to decorate the tree with festive colours and turn lights.
Lit candles were the only light that doused the room, the warm glow setting the perfect atmosphere.
You remember when we got this?" Natasha asked from the place beside you, intently peering at the decoration hanging upon her fingertips, pulled up to her face.
It was an old-fashioned miniature rocking horse, wooden throughout, with two googly eyes where they normally would be.
"Remember it?" you chuckled, "I almost lost a finger for it when Yelena stuck those eyes on it... man , your sister is scary when someone tries to stop her jokes."
"I still don't know where she pulled that knife from." She shook her head, placing the ornament upon one of the full branches.
"Oh, you don't know? I distinctly remember you being the one to give her her Christmas present early, which was a custom knife holster."
Natasha blinked, shaking her head as she turned back to the boy full of decorations.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Of course, you don't." You smiled.
The red-head yelped when you hoisted her into the air, directing her to the very top of the tree, watching as she placed the star upon it.
You excitedly scooped up the remote once you set her down.
"You ready to turn the lights on?"
"You do the honours."
At her consent, sparkling white lights made the tree glow. Shining against the decorations.
Liho, who had been evaluating you and his human mother the whole time, from his designated chair. Sat up with intrigue, staring at the lights, plotting their murder behind his blown golden eyes.
With your arm around her shoulder, you pulled Natasha down with you to flop onto the comfortable sofa, pulling her into your side.
"I think we did well with the tree this year."
"Yeah, maybe next year I can have a bit more sleep before I'm forced to grab one."
"Maybe next year we could have a bauble that says 'Baby's First Christmas'," you countered, pointedly not looking at the woman when her attention was brought to you, jaw dropped in shock. Instead, you continued to peer at the tree.
"You want to have a baby with me?"
At that, you turned to look down at her lovingly. "I want everything with you."
Overcome with love for you, her hands rose, holding your cheeks between her palms, pulling you into a passionate kiss.
"I want everything with you, too," she mumbled against your lips.
"Then let's have everything together, baby."
And with that, you pulled Natasha into one of the many kisses you would continue to share that night.