Guarding Love

Chapter 30 - I Promise

A/N - I swear I am still around - School and life have been a lot, but the good news is that I should be on my last term/semester, and then I'll write way more often. So, thank you for your patience! <3 You are amazing!!

Don't ever promise more than you can deliver, but always deliver more than you promise. - Lou Holtz

Scarlett POV

A month has passed since Y/N wrapped up her scenes and returned overseas. Our communication has been sparse, with her being off the grid; we've managed to talk only once. Despite the constant emailing, it's not the same. Rose, at her age, understands why Y/N is gone, but that doesn't mean she's coping well. Some days, she's fine, and we have no arguments. But on other days, she's on the floor, throwing a tantrum, shouting that if Y/N were here, she or I would let her get away with whatever she's upset about. A lot of times, I didn't know how to react. How do you react when your daughter throws a fit because I fed her too much food when she was hungry, and now she no longer has room for her favourite snack?

When Rose wasn't acting out, Lily would be stir-crazy. It isn't hard to tell that she looks for Y/N. My mom says it's in my head, and Maria agrees. You can't expect Lily not to look for Y/N with the bond they have. On top of everything, I've still been filming. Maria and my mom have been helping with Lily and Rose when I needed it, but neither has left my side while on set.

We wrapped Black Widow filming this afternoon, and I don't know how I feel about it. I've spent ten years as Natasha, and it feels strange. Usually, we'd break for a bit, and then I'd see the cast and crew again. However, that isn't the case. I might see a few of the crew on different projects, but not a Marvel one and not as Natasha Romanoff. I lingered on set for a while after I gave my goodbye and thank you speech. It's hard for me to walk away. A part of me is glad that I can find other roles and expand my career, but there is a piece of me that is heartbroken. I've done Natasha justice over the years and feel delighted after this film. Regardless, I wish Y/N was here. Rose walks with me while I cradle a sleeping Lily in my arms. As I wander the set, Kevin Feige approaches me, wearing his black widow ball cap and jacket.

"Hey, Scarlett." He says, smiling as he walks beside me, matching my pace.

"Hey, Kevin." I smile as I stop walking and turn to him.

"How are you doing?" He rubs my shoulder to show his support, and my tense shoulders relax slightly.

"It seems a little surreal." My voice is laced with sadness.

He nods, "I can see that. So..." He pauses momentarily, trying to figure out the right words. "...remember the USO tour you and Chris did back in 2016?"

I nod, trying to figure out what he's getting at. Rose pulls away to look at the prop bike and a few other set pieces. My eyes wonder as they watch Rose.

"Since Y/N is currently overseas, what do you think about going on tour again?" I looked at him with disbelief; while filming was done, there was still post-production to complete, and as an executive producer on Black Widow, I still had a lot to do.

He chuckles, "I was thinking mid-December." He smiled as my mind started catching up to his proposal.

I know he wouldn't allow me to go to the same base as Y/N since she's in the thick of the action, but maybe there would be a way to see Y/N. If Kevin talks about a mid-December tour, it would be a perfect Christmas and Chanukah gift, especially since I am unsure if I can talk to her on my birthday. My mind races, and it's as if he can read it, "Whoa. You would be going to the main deployment camps and wouldn't be near the action. We can house you on the base or in a safe area with the kids." His voice is calm as she squeezes my shoulder, trying to ease my nerves. He can tell my mind is racing.