BlackHill | If only

Chapter 22

Five Years Later:

Nat's POV:

I was already running twenty minutes late. Unfortunately, I had discovered shopping was still not my forte after all this time. The woman at the counter gave me a brief smile as I slid the perfume over the counter. Her eyes seemed accusatory as she stared a little too long. Causing heat to flare in my cheeks, it wasn't exactly as if I was undercover anymore.

Most people now recognised me as soon as I left our apartment in Paris, which still took some getting used to. I either got looks of awe, or disgust nowadays. They probably blamed me for the blip in a sense. Blamed us for not stopping it; most of the time I couldn't help but agree with them.

Even after all these years, the nightmares still came for me; my head was constantly bombarded with images of that day. "Merci". I thanked the woman with a smile, trying to convey some sort of unspoken apology.

I rushed out of the door down the street. Thirty minutes late now, luckily the shop was only around the corner. Grabbing a bunch of blue chrysanthemums upon opening the glass door.

The bell above tinkled to announce my entry. As soon as I saw her I was unable to contain the grin spread across my face. She was dealing with a customer so I contently hung back by the counter. Just so I could admire her effortless confidence. The beauty of her smile as she breezed through conversation and how she stood with such strength.

I pretended to examine a particular orchid whilst the customer walked out the door. The bell again signalled their exit. "It's an excellent choice, just came in this morning". Her voice now directed at me, ever music to my ears.

I crossed over to her, planting a gentle kiss on her lips. "Sorry, I'm late Ria." She smiled, pulling me into another. "I was beginning to think you weren't coming home". I rolled my eyes and chuckled, handing her the perfume and flowers. "How could I possibly miss our anniversary?"

She laughed, whilst taking the flowers. "You know it doesn't count if they're from our shop". I pulled her closer to me placing my hands on her face kissing her again more deeply. "It's the thought that counts, and anyway they match your eyes."

She pressed into me, so my back was against the counter. "I love you so much, Nat" Her voice a low murmur in my ear. Her hands travelled lower and lower whilst she kissed me, firmly placed around my waist, she began to guide me through the door towards our apartment. She pushed me against the wall next to our door, trailing kisses down my neck. Every single one like fire on my skin.

She slipped a hand underneath my belt, reaching in already feeling my eagerness. I tried to contain my gasp as her fingers started to circulate in my centre. My hand clenched her hair as her fingers began to move faster.

My fingers entwined in her dark locks as she kissed me. Silencing the slightly louder moan escaping my lips. I thrust my hips against her hand as it moved, pleading for more. My hands moved under her shirt feeling her nipples already hard, tweaking them in my fingers.

I tugged on her hair as her fingers brought shudders to my body, movements becoming faster and deeper. My breathing became more laboured as I struggled to keep myself from letting go this easy.

I took in a sharp breath as I finally released, kissing her gently as my body ceased to shake. Ria smiled against my lips. "Happy Anniversary Nat".

The bell of the shop door jolted us out of our second, more tender kiss. I grinned whilst pushing myself off of the wall "Seems like we have a customer". Ria looked slightly peeved at the disturbance. Unfortunately, we both forgot to put up the closed sign.

Maria's POV:

Nat's audible gasp made me rush through to the other room, everything that had previously turned me on now dissipated as I saw who was at the door.

"Tony??!"

He looked slightly haggard, small bags were circling under his eyes and he now sported a beard. "I think I've figured it out. I know how we can bring them back". We stood in silence for a moment, stunned at the news we were receiving. Nat broke the silence first "So you mean... You could bring back Yelena?" Tony nodded, "We can bring everyone back. But I'm going to need your help."

I spoke up moving closer to Nat rubbing her back in a circular motion, in an attempt to reassure her. "Of course, we'll do anything we can to help."

"Ok well I have my jet outside waiting, we can get started now. Scott is already inside. He's helped me develop the machine that will enable us to get everyone back" Tony examined a flower whilst heading for the door. "Scott and I may have single-handedly figured out time travel".

Both mine and Nat's jaws practically dropped as he said it. Tony wanted us to travel back in time to save everyone. It felt like he was asking the unthinkable of us. But we had to try, for Yelena. For everyone who lost somebody that day.

"I'll wait by the ship for 20 minutes, give you guys some time to decide and get your things in order, I hope you'll join us. We need everyone we can get".

Nat and I were left stunned as Tony left the shop. "I have to go, Ria if we can get back Yelena there's no way I'm not helping." She moved in closer to me, "I'm not asking you to come with me, if you want to stay and keep this life that we've built you can. But you know I have to go."

I smiled and kissed her forehead. "I know Nat, of course I'm coming with you. I never want to leave your side. We're in this together. Till death do us part remember".

Nat tilted her chin up to face me, eyes sparkling with hope. "Till death do us part".