The Dark Archer

Chapter 26

Kylie POV

Sunlight trickled through the kitchen window as I painted at the table. My daddy had been away for a while now. Mommy always said that he was keeping people safe. She told me that Daddy was a hero, and that one day he would come home again and stay with us. Just Mommy, Daddy, and I. Together. Well, except for the baby in Mommy's tummy.

I was really excited for my little sibling to come. Auntie Nat always made me laugh because she insisted the baby would be a girl and Daddy would have to name the baby after her because he didn't name me after her. But last time Mommy went to the doctor, she came back and said that it was a boy. I was going to be a big sister to a little brother. I knew I would be the bestest big sister ever. I would protect him and love him, even when he was annoying and took my things. Despite the eight year age gap we would have, I was certain that we would be the best of friends.

Suddenly I heard the door to the house open. Mommy looked up, a worried look on her face. I knew why without asking. Daddy hadn't called to say he was coming, and he always called. So who was here? Mommy motioned for me to stay put and ventured into the living room.

"Clint?" She called out.

I heard multiple sets of feet, along with quiet murmuring. But one voice that I heard I knew immediately. That was my daddy.

I rushed out of the kitchen and ran into the living room. I ignored all the shocked strangers and tackled my daddy in a hug. He picked me up and swung me into his arms.

"Daddy!" I squealed. He got the hugest smile on his face.

"Hey sweetheart! How ya doing?" He greeted.

I heard one of the strange men mutter, "She's a smaller agent."

Agent? What's an agent? And who are these strangers? Suddenly shy, I buried my face in Daddy's neck to hide away from the other people. He chuckled and set me down.

"Did you bring Auntie Nat?" I asked excitedly. I wanted to know at least one of the people in my living room.

"Well why don't you hug her and find out, hm?" I heard behind me. I grinned and spun around, running to my aunt, who picked me up.

"We're sorry for barging in," one of the men apologized. He was wearing a blue suit with a star on the chest.

"Yeah, we were too busy not knowing you existed," sassed a different stranger, this one with dark hair and a beard. There was a glowing circle in the middle of his T-shirt.

"Yeah, Fury helped me set this up when she was born. He kept it off SHIELD's files and I'd like to keep it that way," Daddy answered. I giggled to myself. Uncle Fury looked like an angry pirate, but he was always so funny to me.

"I figure it's a good place to lay low," my daddy continued.

Meanwhile Auntie Nat had set me down and I was staring in awe at the oddly dressed strangers. The tall blond one with a beard, hammer, and red cape stepped back and accidentally smashed my Lego set. I pouted as he swept it back with his foot, trying to hide it. My aunt walked over to my mom and placed a hand on her swollen stomach.

"I missed you and little Natasha," she murmured.

"Well, she is a... Nathaniel," Mommy winced. Nat frowned and mock glared at the baby.

"Traitor," she muttered.

I approached the tall blond guy and stared up at him, partially trying to guilt trip him about my toy. He gazed down at me, but then seemed to stop paying attention, like he was daydreaming. I wondered who these strange people were, and why my daddy had brought them all to our little farmhouse. The toaster popped, startling me and the caped man. He frowned and stormed out of the house, the man in the blue suit following him.