Take me home : Natasha Romanoff x fem reader

Pt 4 Chapter 38- Ballet and bruises

I rubbed my eyes and headed to the kitchen to get breakfast ready. I poured Haz a bowl of cereal and made Nat eggs on toast. It was approaching 8 am and I expected Steve would be back from his daily run soon. He always went early in the morning, avoiding attention. I knew he liked that time alone to think in peace, the thought seemed welcoming.

Natasha came to the kitchen, Harriet resting on her hip. They were both still in their pajamas but Harriet's hair was far tidier than it had been when she woke us up. Nat put her down and she ran over to me to get her cereal. I handed it to her slowly and she grasped the bowl with her tiny fingers.

"Careful." I reminded her.

"Thank you." She smiled and wandered off to her little table and chair. We wanted her to be independent when she wished to be so we gave her her own table and chairs. She had the freedom to be alone when she wanted to be or with us if she needed us.

I sat down beside Nat at the table, our knees touched under the table and she used the hologram screen that protected from the table to check the news. Nothing exciting had happened. In fact life was dull. Neither of us had ever spent so much time doing nothing. Natasha found it especially hard, she was raised in such an intense environment that her brain sometimes struggled to just relax. I gave her a little nudge with my elbow. She smiled and swiped away the screen.

Once we had all finished our breakfast Steve returned home, he went straight for a showe whilst we washed up. Harriet had a stool that helped her to reach the sink and she helped me to wash up her plate and cup.

"Thank you." I said, kissing her forehead and helping her down from the stool. She gave my leg a hug before spinning off around the kitchen. She had been practicing her 'ballet moves' ever since Nat told her she had been booked in. It was at the studio that Natasha sometimes used to let off some steam.

The morning passed by quite quickly until it was time to get Harriet dressed and ready. We slipped her into her leotard and Natasha wrestled her hair into a bun and then gelled back her wispy baby hairs. Harriet was practically buzzing with excitement when we got into the car.

"Music please!" She asked from the back seat. We put on the CD and she immediately started to sing along. She actually had quite a sweet little voice. Natasha glanced at her in the rear view mirror and I saw her lips grow into a soft smile. I looked out the window and the trees passed by. We drove away from the compound and into the city, taking the familiar route past the pizza place and towards the studio. Nat began to hum along to the music as well. I loved moments like that where life just seemed so wonderful and easy.

We took Harriet inside. The instructor was friendly and welcomed the children with a wide smile.

"All parents are welcome to stay but there is no need if you have things to do. We have plenty of help if you'd like to leave." She turned to all of us. I could tell that people were trying to place where they recognised us and we took the decision to leave. Harriet had already started talking to a sweet little girl who looked as if she had equally as crazy hair as she did. We gave our daughter a little wave but she was in her element and didn't seem bothered as we slipped out of the studio.

"Shall we grab a coffee?" I suggested. Natasha nodded and we made sure the car was locked before heading off towards the busier streets. I knew there was a quaint little cafe around the corner. Natasha's fingers brushed past mine and then slowly slid between mine. We ambled down the street on the cloudy spring day. It was just cold enough to warrant a wooly jumper and welcome the warmth of a nice drink.

As we entered the café the little bell rang. There was a table for two in the corner which we claimed quickly. The café was packed with people. It was small but oddly cozy, the light was slightly dim and the furniture all a raw wood. There was a light smell of coffee that hung in the air as well as many plants that hung in baskets from the ceiling or sat in the center of the table. A girl who looked no older than sixteen came to take our order.