Evermore

Chapter 26

As it turns out, the waltz was more difficult than she thought, but with Tony and Pepper's help, Natasha knew enough to last her through the night.

While watching Tony and Pepper dance during her lesson, she noticed how happy Tony looked with his wife and that, in a way, he seemed calmer.

In that moment, she realized that she never really had that with Matt. She loved him, but he wasn't her soulmate. He didn't calm her down with just his presence or smile at her like she was the only one in the room. She didn't let her thoughts go any further, fearing they would land on a dorky and sweet scientist.

Pepper and Natasha helped each other get ready before the party, mainly with their hairstyles. Morgan was occupied with Fanny, which made both women smile. They talked like they had known each other for years and Natasha played with Morgan while Pepper put on her makeup.

When there was a knock on Natasha's door, the redhead answered it to be met with Tony in a tux.

"Pepper your husband's here," she said while giving Tony a thumbs up and impressed smile. The man always wore jeans and a t-shirt, so it was a nice change to see him in a suit.

"Daddy," Morgan said while running up to Tony. Natasha moved out of the way for the girl who was wearing a black dress with white at the end and on the collar, and black shoes.

Tony smiled and scooped up his daughter, but he froze at the sight of his wife when she was at the door. Pepper was wearing a blue dress and heels with her hair down and curled at the ends.

"Hey Pep," he said softly.

"Hi Tony," Pepper replied then pecked his cheek.

Natasha looked away to give them a moment. She had never seen someone as in love with his wife as Tony Stark.

"Hey, Natasha," Tony said, and she turned her head toward the couple. "Bruce will be down there soon and Thor is going to come get you when he's ready. Bruce would come up himself, but in our time non-married gentlemen waited for women as they were escorted."

"Thanks Tony."

He nodded and gave Pepper his arm while holding their daughter in the other. Natasha shut the door quietly to give them some privacy.

When she heard a knock a few minutes later, she got up and looked in the mirror one more time. Her modern black dress and black heels looked fine, and her wavy hair that she let down was tamed.

She walked away to answer the door and let Fanny out first, but to her surprise it was Clint at the door, and like Tony, he was in a tux.

He smiled and said, "Bruce is waiting downstairs. I offered to escort you down there instead of Thor because he's having trouble with his tie and cuffs. You look great."

He said it is such and brotherly way that she couldn't help but smile. "Thanks, Clint."

She took his arm, and they walked down the hallway and down the stairs.

When she saw Bruce, he was already looking at her with his mouth was slightly open, similar to Tony when he saw Pepper. She smiled at him and he smiled back.

When she was all the way down Clint gave her hand to Bruce, who took her hand and kissed the back of it.

"You look beautiful," Bruce said. "You always do, but tonight you are... breathtaking."

The way he looked at her and his soft tone made Natasha duck her head as she thanked him.

He offered his arm, which she took. Like the other men he was in a tux, and his normally messy curls were tamed for the occasion.