Forever and Always

Chapter 23

I woke up as the sunlight from the window shined in. Stretching, making some of my bones crack before opening my eyes fully. Wanda was still sleeping next to me but Pepper and Nat were no longer in bed. I saw the light from the bathroom so I got up lightly knocking. Pepper opened the door holding her toothbrush and beckoned me inside, shutting the door. "You're up early" she talked low so as to not wake up Wanda. "I feel completely refreshed. Where's Nat?" she rinsed her mouth out as I took a seat on the toilet for my morning pee. "Tony and her were up early saying they had to stop at a gas station or something because they owe someone money" she continued getting ready nonchalantly. My eyes widened totally forgetting about the man that sold Bruce and I that car and filled it up for us. I coughed while finishing up on the toilet, "Yeah, so what's the game plan today?" Pepper wiped her hands on the towel and turned to me smiling, "Well Cap's making breakfast for everyone and then us 4 are getting ready and driving separately from the boys. Can't ruin our grand entrance now can we" I couldn't help but to chuckle, Pepper was such a ball of energy and I couldn't get enough. "I'll meet you in the kitchen" I nodded as I stayed behind to brush my teeth.

The smell coming from the kitchen made me drool. Wanda was at the coffee maker. I couldn't help but smile as Vision was standing next to her with a hand on the small of her back, it was sweet. Clint was munching on some toast as Bruce was on the other side of the island, glasses on and newspaper in his hands. Pepper wasn't in the kitchen like she said she would be but then my eyes landed on Steve, his back turned towards me as he was cooking. My eyes trailed down and good lord. I walked up to him and in revenge for last night I slapped him on the ass, "Now that's America's ass." There was laughter as Steve put the pan down and gave me a look that made my heart race. He lowered his voice dangerously, "You'll pay for that later, doll" A blush rose to my cheeks as I turned, walking to sit next to Clint. "Are you excited for today?" Clint put his elbow on the counter and leaned his head on his hand. I nodded my head, "a little nervous to see the tower again, but I think everything will be fine. I'm also excited to meet Bucky"

Steve put a plate in front of me that consisted of eggs, toast, bacon and a little bowl of fruit with a glass of water in front of me. "I'll be with you through it all." "Actually,' Pepper said walking into the kitchen, 'not at the beginning, we have to make our grand entrance a surprise. You'll be with her after that" Pepper took a piece of bacon off my plate taking a bite and nodding her head in approval. Steve sighed, "If you need anything I'll have my phone on me" I nodded starting to eat my breakfast. Tony and Nat walked in not long after that. Nat gave Bruce a glare and I had to hide the smile on my face as I remember warning Bruce that Nat was going to kill him. After breakfast I retrieved my dress from my room and went into the spare to meet up with the girls.

Pepper clasped her hands together as soon as all 4 of us were in the room. "Alright, here's the plan..." I zoned out when Pepper went over her plan. She definitely liked to be in control of every situation which wasn't a problem, it was nice not having to think of what to do next for once. I did feel uneasy going back to the tower. There were so many good memories but also so many memories that I didn't even want to think about. I had a feeling anxiety was going to creep up on me before the night was over. Pepper's plan consisted of grouping up. Nat would do my hair and makeup while I'd do hers. I sat in a chair as Nat was doing my hair facing Wanda while Pepper did hers. "So you bumped into him on your way to work?" Pepper kept asking, having a hard time believing that out of everyone in New York City that I bumped into Steve. I laughed, "Yep, dropped everything I was holding" she shook her head with amusement, "what shocks me is you didn't even know who he was!" I felt a little embarrassed because it's true, everyone knows who the Avengers are. "I know, I know.' waving my hands in the air I continued, 'Obviously I knew of the Avengers, I just wouldn't recognize them out in the streets unless it was Tony or Thor." I received a chuckle from Nat.