The Orphan and the Widow

Chapter 6

"I can come." Yelena said as we got ready in a hotel room, where we were staying for a few days.

"No. It's some thing I have to do myself." I looked at myself in the mirror. The physical scars I gained during the last battle had faded, but the emotional trauma I went through had not.

"Knock knock." Wanda said from outside the room. "We're leaving now."

"Okay." I hugged Yelena and Bella, and went outside to go with the group to Tony's funeral.

Although I had barley known the man, Nat spoke highly of his intelligence and dedication to the Avengers.

We pulled up to the lake house, and spoke with a few people outside. I stayed close to Bucky, Sam and Wanda, who stood a but to the side.

The doors to the cabin opened, and a somber Pepper walked out, holding a wreath in one hand, and her daughter's, Morgan, hand with the other. She was followed by Happy, and Rhodey.

Pepper hugged Morgan as she sent the wreath out into the water.

I watched the remaining Avengers tear up, as their leader floated out into the lake.

I cried for Tony.

I cried for Nat.

I cried for Morgan, who will have to grow up with her dad.

And I cried for all the friends I lost growing up.

I cried for Bella, who was now left without a mother for the second time.

I cried for Yelena, who lost her sister shortly after she was found.

I cried for everyone who spent 5 years, not knowing if they would ever see their family again.

I cried for the warriors lost.

For the places ruined.

For the people forgotten.

—————-

After the service, there were drinks at a rented out restaurant.

I walked in with Wanda, and stood beside her as she held back her tears.

I spotted Peter, and walked over to him. "Hey." I sat beside him at the bar, where he was holding a glass of water. He turned towards me.

"Hi."

"How are you holding up?" I asked sympathetically.

"I'm fine." He wiped his face with his palm.

"No. You're not." I insisted.

"You're right." He sighed and looked down. "I'm not." He turned to me, realization crossing his face. "You're... Black Widows daughter?" I nodded. "Oh... I'm so sorry for your loss." He said softly.

"It's okay. I still have my sister, and Nat's sister." I shrugging, trying to smile. "I don't understand that phrase. You have nothing to be sorry for. Yeah, it sucks, but it's nothing to apologize about."

He shrugged. "I guess you're right."

"I'm always right." I responded jokingly.

"Ha!" He smiled tightly. "Where do you live?"

"Outside of Toronto." I glanced at the clock, noticing it was getting late. "Look, I have to go. But, if you ever want to talk, here's my number." I gave him a piece of paper. "See you around, Peter."

"Okay. Bye Sofia." He replied as I walked away.

I went over to Cap, to let him know I was leaving.

"I'm going to head out now."

"I'll drive you." He said, turning away from his conversation. I nodded, and we walked towards the door.

I bumped into a girl, about Bella's age.

"Oops! Sorry!" I said, steadying her.

"It's okay." She looked up at me. "My name is Lila. I'm Clint's daughter." I smiled warmly at the name.

"I'm Sofia, Natasha's daughter." I watched her reaction.

"Nat's... Nat's daughter?" She said.

"Adopted. You are around the same age as my younger sister." I continued. "You should meet her."

"That would be fun." She smiled. "I'll tell my dad to get in touch with you."

"Perfect. Bye Lila."

"Bye Sofia." I watched a her disappear into the crowd, and quickly followed after Cap.

Cap drove me back to the hotel, and walked me to the room.

"Well. I'll see you around, Sofia?" He said.

"Yeah. I guess so." I smiled softly.

He nodded to me, and walked off with his hands in his pockets.

"Hey Bella. I met a girl today." I sat next to my little sister on the bed. "She's your age, and would love to meet you."

"Oh. That's cool." She stayed focused on the TV.

"Bells." I turned off the TV. "Are you alright?"

"No, Sofia. I'm not alright." She looked at me, eyes brimming with tears. "The woman who rescued me, us, is dead. And all you care about is getting rid of me?" She said sharply.

"Bella..." Yelena warned from the other side of the room.

"It's fine, Yelena." I said quietly. I took Bella into my arms. "I don't want to get rid of you. I don't only care about finding you a friend. I care about you. You have had such a hard life, so far, and I will do anything to make it easier for you." She sniffed into my shoulder. "You are my life now, Bella. You are the only person I care about." I shot a look at Yelena. "And you, Yelena." She rolled her eyes. "And I know that Nat died for us. She knew that the Avengers were going to win. And she won herself. She won for us, Bella. She is the reason half the population is back." I felt a tear run down my cheek. "She's the real superhero."

"I can't live without her." Bella replied softly.

"We have to." I reminded her, taking her chin in my hand. "She would want us to move on, and live for her. For us. If we don't, she died for nothing. We have to make sure she died for us. She's always going to be here. In photos, in letters, in videos, and memories. But most of all, a piece of her is in our hearts. That piece is what we have to live for, my love."

"I try so hard to not think about her. Because every time I think about her, I cry. And if the Red Room taught me anything, it's that crying is viewed as a weakness. And if you cry you are underestimated. I don't want to be underestimated." Bella said, wiping her face.

"Crying is not a weakness. And I would rather be underestimated because I can then show them how powerful I am. I can shock them with my skill." I looked at Yelena. "The Red Room taught us nothing. Nothing the Red Room believes is true, and you must never think that again. Do you understand?"

"Yes." She curled up against me, and Yelena came and laid down beside us.

"Good job, kid. Natasha would be proud." She whispered in my ear. I smiled through my tears, and tuned the TV back on.