Starting Over

Ch. 5

Sleep came surprisingly easy for Wanda that night. No nightmares, no dreams, just rest. Suddenly Wanda awoke with the bounce of her mattress.
"Wanda, it's time for breakfast!" Lila said jumping up onto Wanda's bed.
"What time is it?" Wanda asked.
"It's 7:00! You better get ready, we have to go to school!" Lila replied
"Lila, I told you not to wake Wanda." Clint scolded walking into Wanda's room
"Sorry daddy, but we're going to be late for school!"
"Li, I already told you Wanda doesn't go to your school."
"Why can't she daddy? We'll have lots of fun..." Lila pouted
"Because she already goes to school when she's with Auntie Nat." Clint said shrugging towards Wanda
"That's right Lila, but I promise we can play when you get back." Wanda said smiling at the young girl
"Pinky promise?" Lila asked holding out a pinky to Wanda
"Pinky promise" Wanda nodded.
"Go get ready for school munchkin.." Clint said setting Lila back down onto the floor. she happily skipped away, tutu and pigtails bouncing.
"Sorry Wands, She wasn't supposed to wake you." Clint said
"It's okay, I don't mind." Wanda replied. She didn't have much experience with younger children but she figured that this is probably how having a younger sibling would be. It was something she often wondered about. She was an only child now, an orphan really.
"Hey you okay?" Clint asked squeezing her hand
"Yeah, sorry, I just spaced out for a minute. I'm good." Wanda nodded.
"Let's go eat." He said standing from the bed.
Let's just say Wanda wasn't used to the kind of chaos that accompanied the mornings in the Barton home.
"Cooper, don't forget you have to turn in the field trip forms for the zoo." Laura said currently scooping spoonfuls of baby food into Nate's mouth. "Lila,will you please finish you breakfast." Lila was currently ignoring the bowl of cereal in front of her and in an intense conversation with the dolls sitting on the chair next to her. Cooper continued to munch on his pop tart, mumbling a " I won't" in between bites. Clint immediately made his way to the coffee pot, it was half full. Clearly not the first of many cups that had been poured today. Wanda made her way across the room, her eyes settling on the sippy cup that was currently being thrown by baby Nate. Circling it with a cloud of red, she returned it to the tray of the high chair.
"Thanks Wands, that would've made a big mess." Laura replied wiping Nate's mouth, which seemed to be covered with his breakfast.
"You're welcome." Wanda replied as Clint set a cup of coffee down in front of her. " thanks." She welcomed the warm mug into her hands.
Soon the children were rushed out the door to Laura's mini van, not without protest from Lila.
Over the next few days Wanda became very acquainted with the family life. There was always messes to be cleaned, laundry or dishes to be done, or tea parties needing to be had with Lila. Still Wanda welcomed the chaos with open arms, she talked to Steve and Natasha at least once a day and occasionally Sam. She missed the compound but she could make due with the Barton's until she could go home. Wanda was currently bouncing baby Nate on her knees while she used her powers to hold a book she was reading. Laura had left to pick up the kids from school and Clint was currently working in the barn.

Clint smiled as he approached "whatcha reading?" He asked sitting next to her on the porch steps.
"Alice in Wonderland." Wanda replied eyes not lifting from the pages, she could
"Have you ever read it before?" Clint asked
"Only in Russian." Wanda said closing the book and settling it down next to her. "I'm trying to get better at reading in English. Natasha says I need to be prepared for missions."
"That's a good idea, let me know if you need help okay?" Clint said "I think Lila might be upset when she sees how much Nate likes you."  Wanda laughed turning Nate around to face her, smiling when his chubby hands made their way to his face. "I'm not surprised though. We're all really glad you here."
Wanda smiled leaning into Clint.
"Did I tell you his full name?" Clint asked
Wanda shook her head.
"Nathaniel Pietro Barton... named after two of the bravest people I've ever met." Clint said turning to face Wanda, who had a few tears escape down her cheeks. Baby Nate smiled as his baby fingers rubbed at the water droplets, Wanda couldn't help but laugh. "I think your brother has a lot to do with this little guy, he's definitely giving him instructions from up there." Clint added "Someone's got to make his sister smile."
"I miss him so much." Wanda said
"I know, kiddo." He said wrapping an arm around her shoulders.