We Can Try

Natasha decided to stay away from both Bucky and Steve, for the rest of the night, to not create any problems, especially being Christmas Eve and having her children in there. Maria Hill, who is her closest friend and almost her boss at work, said about not hurting Steve's feelings. Hill mentioned it just two or three times, but for Natasha it's like she had said 100 times, so she kept that in mind, almost if it was a mission.

Natasha stayed close to Hill and later, Pepper and Jane joined them to talk. Hill was having a Martini and she couldn't look away from both Sam and Bucky.

N: Wow, Hill. When you're drunk you can't disguise when you're flirting.

H: I'm not disguising, I'm making a request for Santa.

N: God... With Sam or Bucky?

H: Both, I guess.

N: You're such a slut.

Hill took the drink by the straw, smiling, and the others laughed. Hill looked at Jane.

H: And so... Jane... Thor huh?

Jane blushed because Hill's tone indicated sarcasm.

H: Tell us...

Jane: Oh I have nothing to say.

N: Nothing? With a man of that size... C'mon!

H: Yeah, c'mon. Share the details.

Jane: Would you say about Steve, Natasha?

N: Depends about what you wanna know.

Natasha smirked and raised one eyebrow.

Jane was extremely red and she could only smile.

H: So, you, Pepper... Tell... Is Tony good on bed?

Sarah: Good on bed? I'm too, I like to sleep a lot.

They all looked down at Sarah, who was standing next to her mother and she is so discreet, that not even Natasha noticed when she approached them.

Sarah: What?

Pepper: Oh... Nothing, darling.

Jane: You're so big now, Sarah. And you're very beautiful, you look so much like your mother.

Sarah smiled.

N: Sarah, go play with the other kids, go.

Sarah shook her head and extended her arms to Natasha, Natasha automatically picked her up in her lap, even though she was snorting with rage.

N: How did I choose this life? Somebody tell me please! She just wants to be close to me, like all the time!

Pepper: That means she loves you.

Pepper squeezed Sarah's cheeks.

James came running to Natasha and hid behind her. Natasha looked at Hill.

N: See? It's like that, everyday...

Jane: They love you, Nat.

Hill laughed and watched Torunn come chasing after James.

Torunn: Let's play!

James didn't respond and tried to hide behind Natasha.

N: Go play with her, James.

Torunn: You don't to play with me? Fine! So I'm going to play with Sarah. Come on, Sarah.

Sarah came down from Natasha's lap and took Torunn to play with dolls in her bedroom. After a while, James ended up joining them.

The night was peaceful and Natasha even had fun, they all dinned together and toasted when it was midnight and then the guests went home.

Steve was cleaning up the living room so he could sleep there, and while that Natasha checked to see if the kids were asleep. Sarah was, Natasha gave a small smile, watching her sleep. Then, Natasha went to James' room, who was awake, trying to open the box, that contained his new bike, that his father gave to him.

N: Shouldn't you be sleeping?

J: I'll be in one minute.

Natasha entered James's room and he ran to the bed, he lay down and Natasha covered him and sat on the edge of the bed, watching him.

J: Mom?

N: Yes?

J: Can you teach me how to ride a bike tomorrow?

N: Don't you know?

James shook his head.

N: I have to tell you a secret... I don't know either.

James's mouth fell open.

J: That can't be true!

Natasha smiled.

J: My father is going to teach us, then.

N: I bet he will... Now go to sleep.

Natasha left the room, and when she reached the hallway, Steve was in the living room, holding a present in his hands.

Natasha looked at him blankly.

S: It's for you.

Dammit! I didn't buy him anything, Hill didn't say to buy. Oh my God, what now? Natasha thought as she approached to get her present.

N: You didn't need to buy me anything.

S: Yes, I needed.

N: I... I didn't buy you anything.

S: I'm not giving this to you, in order to get another back.

Natasha looked at him and smiled as she opened the box.

It was a gold necklace with an emerald.

S: I always said to you that your eyes reminded me of this stone.

N: Are you flirting with me? This is a very, very cheap way of flirting, even for an old soldier like you.

Natasha joked and smiled.

Natasha handed him the necklace and turned her back to Steve, so he could put the necklace on her.

Natasha lifted her hair and Steve placed the necklace on her neck. Steve was watching Natasha's speckles on the back of her neck. His will now was to kiss each of them, but he restrained himself.

Natasha let go of her hair and turned to Steve again, making a playful pose.

N: How does it look on me?

S: It's... Very stunning.

Natasha smiled and touched her hand to Steve's shoulder, she stood on tiptoe to reach his face and she kissed his cheek, close to Steve's lips. The kiss took longer than expected, as she pushed her lips away, Steve moved his head, taking her lips back, but with his mouth. He couldn't resist anymore.

In fact, that Natasha kiss on the cheek was the first affection she'd made in him, after she'd returned from the coma, she hasn't still hugged him or kissed him with passion, just with desire but she was too close for Steve to resist the temptation of her mouth, they kissed intensely and Natasha didn't interrupt the kiss this time, even knowing it was a kiss of love, she allowed him to take the time he needed. After a while, she even regretted it, because he seemed insatiable of her lips.

He really loves me. Natasha thought as she tried to catch her breath when Steve made a break, and Natasha didn't notice they were both already in their bedroom, she didn't notice she was being move to there.

Steve was very gentle with his kisses, he kissed her passionately. He laid her down on the bed and they made love all night and it wasn't just rough sex, it was love.

The next morning, Natasha was the first to wake up. She opened her eyes and looked at the bedroom, then she felt a weight on her belly and it was Rogers's arm. Natasha watched him sleep. He looked calm, he seemed to be where he wanted to be.

I wish I could feel the same way as you. Natasha thought, watching the gorgeous face of Steve Rogers.

Natasha sighed as the thoughts flooded into her mind, about Steve being a good guy. Hill's words pounding again and again in her mind.

I shouldn't be doing this. I don't feel anything for you, I mean I feel kindness in you and a lot of honesty. I don't want to hurt you. I should leave, I should go away but I don't know if that would make good or bad for you or the children. Natasha sighed between the sighs.

The children... they're so beautiful, I think I like them a little. Yeah, I do like them and they don't deserve someone cold like me around them. Not even you, Steve. I never took so long to make a decision before, especially when I know I want to leave. What is making me giving up? I don't love you, I should leave, but I can't. And if I can't go, it's because some feeling that is hidden at the moment, is keeping me here, right? Maybe I can remember everything if I accept you and the children. Maybe I should try to explore this relationship and maybe I'll regain my memory and my love for you.

Natasha was going to continue her reflection, but Rogers was awakening, yawning and grabbing her belly, to make sure she was still there in bed with him. Before he opened his eyes, he smiled at feeling her presence.

N: Good morning, soldier.

Steve finally opened his eyes, he stared into those immense green eyes and it was like falling in love with her for the first time all over again. Every time, it seemed like it was the first time, there was no way, it wouldn't be intense the way he looked at her. He's totally crazy about her.

Steve didn't answer, his gaze answered by itself. It was so sweet, that Natasha could feel what he was feeling now, so strong it makes her feel bad.

Natasha looked away, to any spot in the room. Steve noticed her discomfort and for he, she was already regretting the night they had as she regretted the other times. He was being an intruder, he must leave her alone.

S: I'll... I'll leave you alone.

Steve removed his hand from her body and sat up on the bed, ready to get up, but Natasha looked back at him and grabbed his arm.

N: No...

Steve looked at her in surprise.

N: Stay.

Steve frowned a little confused, but obeyed and lay down again, he looked at her with some hope.

S: You...

N: No. I didn't remember anything.

The disappointment was evident in his face.

Natasha laid the back of her hand on Steve's face and gently stroked his cheek.

N: I don't remember, Steve, but I want to remember. I want to try.

Steve smiled, resting his arm on Natasha's waist.

S: We should try then. Together.

N: Yes, we can try.

Steve put his lips to hers, and his tongue stroked Natasha's, intensely. Natasha put both hands on Steve's face as he moved to stand on top of her. They made love one more time that morning. They were both going to fall asleep, but there was a knock on the door.

Natasha covered herself immediately and shoved Steve aside, also covering him in a matter of seconds, because the doorknob was already being turned.

James appeared at the door, looking confused at both of them.

J: Mom? Dad?

S: Hey James.

J: What are you doing?

N: Nothing.

S: We were just sleeping... What is it, champ? Are you hungry already?

J: No, I want to ride a bike, you have to teach me.

S: That's true. Okay, just wait half an hour, okay?

J: Okay.

James didn't move to leave the bedroom.

Steve and Natasha looked at each other, because they're both naked, they can't get up with him inside the room.

N: James, can you check if Sarah's already up?

James nodded and left the room. Steve went to the door and locked it. Natasha went to the bathroom door and she was completely naked.

N: Half an hour? We could still use ten...

Steve smiled at her, already understanding what she meant. They both went into the shower and of course they had a quickie in the tub.

After they got ready, they left the bedroom and James was in the hallway, watching the two of them with his arms crossed.

J: Sarah is sleeping and you locked me out!

N: Did we? Did we lock him out? Steve, did you lock him?

S: No, I did not.

N: How weird! Isn't it? Anyway, Is Sarah sleeping yet? It's almost noon.

Natasha entered Sarah's room and shook her lightly. Sarah woke up grunting.

N: But how lazy you are today, young lady.

Sarah: I want to take a nap!

Sarah turned aside and covered herself more. Steve came into the bedroom and watched her.

S: Well, I think you want a tickle attack.

Sarah opened her eyes instantly and jumped out of bed.

N: So that's how you wake up?

J: Dad, come on!

S: Calm down, James, I still have to build the bike and make breakfast.

N: I build and you make coffee.

Sarah: I build it too, mama.

Natasha held out her hand to Sarah and James and the three of them went to James's room, to build the bike.

Natasha did it very fast. She understands very much about mechanic, it was no problem for her at all.

Sarah: I also want a bike. Can I have one?

S: You are very small for a bike, princess.

Steve said from the bedroom door.

S: The breakfast is ready.

They all followed Steve and sat down at the dinner table to eat.

N: She's not that small. There's bike for her size.

Sarah: I can. Yes, I can. I want a pink bike with a little basket and flowers and cats. Or puppies!

S: But how will you reach the pedals being as short as your mother is.

Natasha looked at Steve with narrowed eyes, and she opened her mouth in shock. Steve was enjoying her face.

S: You know that your mother can't ride a bike because she's too short for that.

Natasha took a napkin and threw it at Steve.

N: Shut up! Your father doesn't know anything, I may be short, but I can do everything I want.

Sarah was smiling, proud of her mother.

Sarah: She can do it, she is a girl! Girls are the boss!

N: Yes, we are, Sarah. We can do anything.

S: Anything except bike riding...

N: Steve!

S: Natasha!

The two of them pretended to be angry with each other and then began to laugh.

James couldn't even speak, with so much cereal in his mouth and he was more than happy to see his parents finally getting along, it's like it was before Natasha's coma. James is really happy.

Natasha and Steve both stopped laughing, but kept the smile on their lips as they looked into each other's eyes.