Bartoned

Chapter 22

There was something about Clint wearing baby Natasha in a sling while you shopped that was weirdly sexy. He just looked so comfortable doing it, it made being in the fifth jeweler today, bearable. You were starting to know why Kari was having so much trouble picking a dress. Picking a ring was a nightmare.

Maybe that's why people didn't normally do it together.

"You know, I probably don't need an engagement ring," you said as you browsed a tray with row after row of white gold bands with round diamonds. They were all starting to look the same and they all seemed like a colossal waste of money.

"If I tell Nat that we're engaged and I don't have a ring, she'll smack me over the back of the head and I don't know how many more times my brain can handle that," Clint said as he looked at a rotating display of various pieces. He turned to face you and looked down at Natasha. "Tell your mommy to just pick a ring already."

"Maybe it doesn't need to be a diamond," you said hopefully. "I mean, the price of the is artificially inflated anyway. So ... why not an amethyst?"

"Purple is my favorite color," Clint said. "But then, I'm not the one who has to wear it."

You moved to a tray of less conventional rings and looked inside. "I don't know, Clint. This is setting off my fight or flight response."

A salesman came towards you. "What can I help you with?" he asked.

"I'm looking for an engagement ring for my fiancée," Clint said.

"Ah yes. And do you know what style she might like?"

Clint looked from the salesman to you and back again. "She's right there. Why don't you ask her?"

"Oh," the man said. "It's very unusual to come in together."

"Yeah, well," you snarked, indicating to Natasha. "She got conceived before we even went on a date, so don't even start up with what's unusual."

The salesman bristled and straightened up. "I'll let you look around," he said, leaving to talk to another customer.

"I take it your fight response is stronger than your flight one?" Clint teased, trying not to laugh.

"Sorry," you winced. "I'm bad at this."

"Good thing I didn't do the whole, romantic declaration, huh?" Clint asked as he went back to browsing. He bounced from side to side, patting Natasha as he looked from rack to rack.

"I'd have slapped you right in your pretty face," you joked. "How did you ask Bobbi?"

"Oh uh. I didn't. She asked me. Um... also, we eloped within a week of getting together," he said sheepishly.

You turned and looked at him with your jaw dropped. "Clinton Francis Barton!" you exclaimed. "What in the actual fuck?"

"Hey, I got you pregnant right away. It's either everything or nothing with me," he joked.

You moved over to him and kissed him gently. "Just playing the cards the word deals ya, huh?"

Clint shrugged. "I guess so. I think I have a pretty good hand now."

"Gross," you teased and kissed his cheek. "Okay ring. Just let's get something not too over the top and not too expensive. That's what I want."

"Alright," Clint said. "And an amethyst."

The two of you browsed the rings for a little longer when Clint's gentle sway and bounce got a little quicker and more energetic. "Babe. Look at this one!"