Inescapable

Ch. 43

1 year later...

You stared in the mirror feeling conflicted. The quasi frown on your face shouldn't be there, but it was. Everything was perfect. Your hair was up in a beautiful low bun, braids peeking out here and there demurely. Your makeup was just right, a perfect balance between barely there and sexy. Your dress – your dress was beautiful. An ivory sheath, that had a high scooped neckline that turned into thin straps that went down your back, scooping low into a deep v. Buttons trailed down from the deep v right past the curve of your bottom, then opening and splaying out into a small but tasteful train. It fit tight against your body, slightly accentuating the small bump that started to appear. To anyone who didn't know, they would think you had a large meal; but to those close to you, it was a sign of the happily awaited baby growing inside you.

It took you a while to get pregnant. Not for Tony's lack of trying. When you gave him the all clear, the man was on you constantly, as if it was his personal mission to knock you up. Eventually you started to focus more on wedding planning, than baby making. And just when you both forgot that was the main goal (being so preoccupied with wedding planning and Avenging business) you finally found out you were pregnant. A month before your wedding day. Fate was a funny thing.

You should be smiling today. You wanted to be smiling. This was one of the happiest days of your life, but you couldn't shake the frown off your face. A small knock at your bedroom door shook you from your detailed observation in the mirror, turning and beckoning the person in. The door opened and Nat's head peeked out. "Hey you..." She said, her eyes giving you a once over as she fully stepped into the room and closed the door behind her. Her black silk slip dress making her red updo stand out that much more. "What's wrong?" She finally asked when she took in your face, you obviously weren't doing well at hiding the frown. You shook your head, trying to get rid of it, turning back to look at yourself in the mirror.

You smooth out the front of your dress, hands landing on your small belly. "Is it the dress? Because you look gorgeous in it okay..." You shake your head and look at her behind you through the mirror. "No. No... It's beautiful. It's not that..." She comes closer, her hands on your shoulders, keeping your gaze in the mirror. "Then what is it сестра?" You let out a deep breath, trying to not let the emotion build up, but you fail as your eyes start to water. "How can I be happy today without everyone here?" You close your eyes, feeling a tear run down your cheek, no doubt already messing up your perfectly applied makeup. Nat's hands guide you, turning you away from the mirror and facing her. You open your eyes to see understanding tainting her face. "You can be happy today сестра. Leave the sad for tomorrow." You just nod quietly and let her lead you to a chair, where she begins to fuss over your makeup.

You let your mind wander as she does that, wishing Wanda had also been here for this. Knowing that Loki would have been not far behind to make sure you were pampered like a queen today. Sam would've probably been the liaison between the boys and the girls, bouncing back and forth creating all sorts of hijinks. You could picture Bucky at one point probably would have come and grabbed Sam by the shirt, dragging him away from the hijinks.

But that wouldn't happen. They wouldn't see this day, or when your baby came into the world. They were gone. A part of you wondered if it was momentary like the movies, or forever; since things had changed so much. Nat's hand on your chin, pulling you to look at her, stopped your train of thought. "I miss them all too, сестра. But this..." Her hand came to rest on your belly as she continued, "and today... their happy things. They would want you to be happy too. Be happy Y/N... We have forever to think about the past. Just... just live in the moment – just for today."

You nodded, "I am happy Nat. So happy." You let out a pitiful smile. "But so guilty."

"There is no need to feel that way Y/N." Thor's voice, softer than usual but always so sweet said, surprising both Nat and I. You smiled, jumping off the chair and running to give him a hug.