Strange Start

Chapter 3

Nat as Mother Material

Steve P.O.V.

I was walking my way back to the Avengers Lounge. It's still too surreal being back here in the outside. Those months in Wakanda were too dark for me. Not that I don't like it there, but it's just too hard for us not to be free. It's good to be back here, being back to normal.

When I arrived at the living room, I hear someone singing in a foreign language. Must be Natasha. And my guess was right. She was singing while carefully placing a baby on his crib. The thought of Natasha being a mother never crossed my mind but seeing this, that could be possible.

"Well, this i--"

"Shhh. . . He just fell asleep." she hushed, cutting me off while placing a finger on her lips.

"Okey, okey. . ." I said in a toned voice, raising my hands in defense. Then she stretched her arms, like a girl who just woke up.

"Just woke up? Ya' know it's dinner time already, want me to cook dinner for you?" I offered, since obviously she hasn't eaten anything yet because maybe of taking care of the kid.

"Have you eaten already? I-I don't wanna--"

"No no. . . that's why I'm asking you to. . .uhm. . . maybe join me? I was about to cook for myself and. . ." I explained.

"Yes, sure." she answered. We went to the kitchen, just near  the living room and dining table, where we can just see the crib where the baby was situated. I opened the cabinets to see what I can cook. I saw a pack of spaghetti pasta and got it.

"So. . . spaghetti?" I asked while showing her the pack and then she nodded as she sat on one of the stools in the counter.

"Where's Sam and Rhodey?" she asked.

"They went out." I replied as her mouth made an 'o' shape. Soon, I started prepping and cooking. I can see Nat yawning and slowly resting her head on her fore arm on the kitchen counter. I wanted to relocate her in her room and make her rest comfortably but. . .Nah. . . Knowing Nat, she probably is comfortable in any place. Thinking that, my cheeks warmed. 18 months with Lang really influences you much, eh, Steve? I shook my head and dismissed the thought.

After cooking, my mind debated whether I should wake Nat up or maybe just let her sleep more.

"Uhmm. . . Nat?" she slowly shifted and finally woke up. "Food's ready. R'you tired?" I asked while placing her plate in front of her.

"You must think why I am tired when all I did was watch the baby." she chuckled while stuffing her mouth a large amount of spaghetti.

"No, no, I completely understand." I said as I watched her eat.

"It's rude to stare. You should eat too, you know." she chewed her food and swallowed it, looking at nowhere in particular.

"Yeah, yeah, I was about to." then I started my meal.

"It actually tires me more to take care of that little guy than to kick some Hydra agents' butts." she smiled as she looked at the baby in the living room. I was washing the dishes when she spoke.

"You know I really wanted to help, but I really don't know how to. . ." I trailed, drying my hands and sitting next to her.

"You'll learn." she chuckled. "Your instincts will help you." then a loud cry erupted that made us rush to the crib. Nat picked the baby and danced him.

"Wh-what should we do?" I asked, a little panicked. I can see that she too was  panicked.

"Uhmm. .  Friday?" she called the A.I..

"Yes, miss?" Friday's voice boomed that made the baby cry harder.

"Oh shit. Uhmm. How do we make this stop?" she asked desperately.

"Maybe change his diaper, miss." the A.I. offered.

"Oh right. Thanks Friday!" she exclaimed.

"Glad to help, miss." at that, I rushed to get the 'Baby kit'. When I returned Nat already laid him on the table with a cloth placed on it.

"So how do we do this?" I asked.

"Gimme some diaper, wipes and powder." I did what she instructed and she did the rest. She did it swiftly like a pro.

"Have you done that before?" I said, still amazed as the baby went back to sleep in his crib.

"Nope." she said. Maybe that's what she meant for instincts. "I'm going to sleep now." she walked her way to her room.

"How about the baby?" I asked.

"Friday will inform us if something happens."