Gangster Child

Birthday Blues

2 months Later

"How's the team?" Paxton asked as I came downstairs for dinner.

"Good." I said quietly "Bucky wouldn't stop crying so Steve had to translate what he was saying. Tony canceled a meeting for my phone call and I told him not to do that again. Natasha has also gone on the run and so has Vision, I bet you ten bucks he went to go find Wanda. Everyone said Happy Birthday to me though and promised that at some point they would send presents." I slid into my chair next to Cassie as Maggie set a huge dish of Macaroni and cheese down.

"Happy Birthday Sweetie." she called as she sat down "Scott said when you and Cassie go over to his place tomorrow, you'll celebrate some more." I smiled happily and gave Cassie a small high five. It was crazy to think that I was actually fifteen. I could still remember when I was thirteen and the Avengers were saving me from my brother.

After dinner, birthday cake, and presents, Cassie and I were sent upstairs to bed where she gladly followed me to my room for a mini movie marathon. We had just started watching Cinderella when my phone buzzed, alerting me to an incoming face time. One look at the screen and I smiled when I saw Peter's name.

"Is it your boyfriend?" Cassie teased as I stood and took my phone over to the other side of the room.

"Yeah." I admitted "I'll be right back, just keep watching the movie."

"Hi Sadie." Peter said happily as I answered my phone.

"Hey Pete." I whispered, smiling giddily as I looked at him "I miss you." Tears were already springing to my eyes causing Peter's face to fall.

"Don't cry, Baby." he soothed "It's your birthday! You should be happy."

"I am." I promised "I just miss you, and the team. Talking to everyone on the phone isn't the same as actually being in the same room with them."

"Would it help if I say I love you?" Peter asked. I laughed and nodded wordlessly. "Then I love you very much."

"Well I love you too Peter. My brave Spiderman."

"Happy Belated Birthday Kiddo!" I smiled as Scott crushed me in a hug the second Cassie and I walked into his house the next day. Maggie and Paxton were going out on a date day so Scott had excitedly volunteered to have us over for a sleepover.

"Thanks Scott." I said with a grin. Cassie gave Scott a tight hug and moved to run to the living room, but he stopped her before she could.

"Peanut I want you to come feed the ant with me." he said carefully "Sadie, why don't you go find a movie for us to watch. None of that gory action stuff though. Luis wants to watch too and the last movie you chose gave him nightmares." I laughed and gave a thumbs up before heading to the living room. The second I rounded the corner however, I froze in my tracks at the sight in front of me.

"Hey Котенок. Happy Birthday."

"Oh my God." I whispered happily as the whole team, not just Bucky, smiled at me. Without hesitating, I raced over and just hugged them, not caring who I got to first, just that I got to them. Tony caught me and held me in a fierce hug, his body shaking with small sobs.

"I missed you so so much Sweetheart." he murmured.

"I missed you too Dad." After a few minutes, Tony reluctantly handed me over to the rest of the team. The twins moved to hug me, but Bucky darted in front of them and pulled me towards him.

"Are you OK Sadie?" he asked softly, kissing the top of my head. I nodded wordlessly and snuggled into him happily before going and hugging everyone else.

"How are you guys here?" I asked in amazement.

"Well we all talked to each other," Natasha said with a smile "and we decided that there was no way we were going to miss our little girl's birthday. Then we couldn't find Wanda and Vision so we were a day late getting here." I giggled as she wrapped an arm around me to hug me close.

"I'm glad you guys are here." I said happily.

"We are too."

The team, Cassie, Scott, Luis and I spent the entire day building a series of tunnels throughout the house from cardboard boxes and string. It was a project Cassie had been wanting to do for a while, so who better to help than the Avengers?

"Steve can you hand me the duct tape?"

"Here you go!"

"Not the grey one, the bright pink one! These aren't the goth tunnels that Clint climbs around in!"

"Hey!" Clint protested "If I remember correctly, you also climb around in them. The air vents are the quickest mode of transportation I have ever found!" Tony glared at Clint, taking offense to his words.

"Relax Dad." I said teasingly "We all know that your suit is faster than almost anything." Tony seemed happier at this and he went back to lining up more of the boxes. Just then, we all heard a shriek of laughter. I turned and smiled when I saw Natasha and Bucky playing with Cassie. He was laying on the floor and lifting her up and down like a weight while Natasha counted. They were currently up to twenty.

"Hey Steve?" I asked quietly "Have Natasha and Bucky ever talked about adopting a kid." Steve glanced over at me thoughtfully and shook his head. I set down my stuff and padded over to Bucky who had taken a break and was watching Natasha braid Cassie's hair. "Why don't the two of you adopt a kid?" I suggested as I leaned against him. Bucky looked at me in surprise before glancing back over at Natasha.

"Where did you get the idea we wanted one?" he asked carefully.

"By looking at how you two are when you're with Cassie." I said softly "And how nice you two were around me." Bucky sighed heavily and kissed the side of my head.

"Maybe we will when this all dies down." he mumbled "For right now though, it's just too stressful, and I'm happy with you being the only kid in my life." I laughed and hugged him before heading back over to help the rest of the team.

"Dad, when are you guys leaving again?" I asked Tony, looking up at him sadly. Tony set down a box and walked over to give me a hug.

"Pretty soon Sweetheart." he admitted "But you know you can call anyone of us anytime, and if something goes wrong, we'll always be there for you."

"Really?"

"Really."