Can We Keep Her?

Someone Unexpected

Six years had passed since the birth of baby Clint. Sarah, America, and Kate, along with help from Edwin had all loved being parents and doted on that little boy. So Clinton had been followed two years later by a little girl, Amelia Elena, and then a year and a half after that another boy they named Nicholas William.

You, Bucky, and Steve loved being grandparents. While you had never felt as much your age as you had been lately. Getting to see these new family members grow and learn breathed a new life into the place. You were happy and at peace with the way things were. Not to mention, seeing Steve and Bucky take on the role of grandparents as fully as they did was magical. You were so glad that they had gotten to experience this. Surprisingly, the one that had become the overindulgent, give-into-every-whim grandpa, had been Steve. Those little ones could ask for pop rocks for breakfast and he'd give it to them if there was no one else around to intervene.

Not that the six years had been without loss. Rhodey had passed five years ago. He has gone peacefully in his sleep with his loved ones around him. Pepper was looking frailer. She now has a part-time nurse with her to help with her day-to-day care. Bruce hadn't been seen for a little over two years. It was just the Hulk now and he didn't like it if you brought up Bruce. Not that he ever had, but in the past when people spoke about him he'd get huffy and jealous, now he just seemed sad. Adult Clint had lost all his vision and had a guide dog and Natasha to help him out.

Everyone else was fine more or less. Feeling their perspective ages but fine. Rebecca still lived in the compound upstate with Alex and still loved being an Avenger.

Anthony seemed happy enough. Still in LA. Still working for Stark Industries and being a part-time Avenger. Still dating casually, mostly Asgardians.

Or at least that's what you had thought. You'd gotten a call from him while you, Steve, and Bucky were cleaning up after lunch. He wouldn't say what was wrong but he had asked if it was okay to come home. Possibly indefinitely.

Of course, you had said yes.

You'd spent the rest of the afternoon preparing his old room for him and collectively freaking out about what could possibly be wrong.

"We know it can't be that he's fired. We'd know about that from someone else," Steve said, as he watched you and Bucky in the kitchen preparing dinner. "Besides, I couldn't imagine him doing anything bad enough that would get him fired from either S.I. Or the Avengers."

"Maybe it's a bad breakup? Needed to get away and lick his wounds?" you suggested.

Bucky shrugged. "I mean, maybe. He's never really told us he'd gotten serious with anyone."

Steve shook his head. "I have no idea. He seemed panicked though."

You furrowed your brow. "I guess we will find out soon enough. He should be here soon. And dinner is almost ready."

Steve grumbled and went and grabbed some plates, taking them out to the table. You and Bucky finished up what you were doing and were just putting the food in the oven to stay warm when there was a knock at the door.

"Mom? Dads?" Anthony's voice came from the front door. He sounded tired. You and Bucky stepped out into the living room and froze in your tracks. Steve came up behind you and nearly bumped into you both.

Anthony was standing at the door holding a baby boy who looked to be around six months old and was dressed in something that looked vaguely Asgardian.

"Tony?" Bucky asked, taking a few steps forward.

"Hey, dad," Anthony said, coming closing the door behind him. "Uh... this is Magnus."

"And who is Magnus?" Steve asked.