Seven Wishes

Aunt Infested

Present Day...

Natasha drops her head back into the sofa, trying to work on a scrapbook. She rolls her neck, fingertips rubbing on a pinched shoulder.

Calling their digital home AI, she asks for some Nancy Sinatra to start playing through the house.

Suddenly Rebecca is no longer transfixed by coloring planets and wants to change the music;

"No mommy. Play the Sunshine song."

Natasha drops her hand and inadvertently her photo onto the table, "You couldn't care less a minute ago."

"Please?"

Romanoff consents with an eye roll, it's the 12th time today she's heard the song.

The redhead tilts her head and smirks, urging Rebecca to climb on top of the couch beside her.

The small girl curls up and lays a head on her mother's lap.

Natasha brushes a hand over her hair, twirling the ends.

She lifts the photo she was previously holding;

"Have you seen Maximus as a puppy? This was when we first brought him home."

Rebecca rubs her nose, "Why is he fluffy?"

"He's always been fluffy,' and with that the girl with the insatiable curiosity is onto something else, 'Where are you off to?"

The girl squirms from the couch and is onto her next project; pulling every green crayon out of a box full of art supplies.

Maximus loses it when the doorbell rings, charging for the door and sliding halfway across.

The mat goes flying and suddenly Rebecca is squealing with laughter.

Natasha bites her lip, trying not to laugh when she answers the phone, "Bruce? Hi...We're fine, Max just went running for the door...Annnd now we have an Aunt. I'll call you back in a few minutes."

The door opens and Yelena stands at the front with a top knot, a luggage and a whistle for a greeting.

There's a large dog at her side that runs in to greet and play with Max.

"Lena Junior! There's my L.J!" Yelena crouches and opens her arms to address the younger redhead.

Rebecca goes running to hug Yelena, " Tetya ! My wish became real!"

"Did you wish for me?"

"On my flower! Like my story says."

"Well, poof, I'm here."

Natasha shakes her head, "What am I? Chop liver?"

"Shut up,' Yelena stands and kisses each of her sister's cheeks, 'L.J! Did you say hi to Fanny?"

Rebecca steps toward the dog and pets her head, "Hi Fanny."

Yelena leaves her luggage at the bottom of the stairs, watching Fanny lick her niece's cheek, "Okay. Where's my room?"

"Your room,' Natasha scoffs, 'you didn't call."

"I called Bruce. I said I wanted to see family and he said okay."

"He said 'okay come over' or, 'okay let's make a plan'?"

Yelena smiles coyly, "So! Upstairs or downstairs."

"Down here," Natasha relents.

"How is motherhood?" Yelena unzips her bag to remove a candy.

"My carpet has gone to S.H.I.T. and we're watching Big Hero 6 on repeat because Mulan,' she lifts to gesture air quotes, ''went on vacation'."