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[30] Sing For Me, Please

"So, McKenna, what do you do?" I asked her as we sat down on the couch. Pepper and Natasha sat with us, and the guys went off to the kitchen.

"I'm a bartender. What about you?" She asked. 

"Writer." I said, messing with my fingers. She smiled, and I brushed some of my hair out of my face. The accident left us all a little disheveled, me more than the others. Bruce and I were right in the line of fire. I kept quiet as Pepper and Natasha began a discussion, and McKenna stood and walked to the kitchen. 

'Ugh, girl talk.' I thought, but I stayed on the couch. I didn't want to bring more awkwardness to an already awkward situation. I pulled out my phone and started scrolling through my notifications, bored out of my mind. I wondered how Marie and Steve were doing, but I couldn't text him. Steve still hasn't gotten the hang of 21st century tech, and we haven't gotten around to teaching him. Hm, I'll get right on that, since it could be fun. McKenna rushed back out and jumped on the couch right next to me. I jumped a little, and she laughed.

"Sorry Cynthia." She said, and I nodded. Bruce looked out from the kitchen I looked to him for help. He shrugged his shoulders, and I saw Tony pull him back into the kitchen. I sighed, and I put my phone away. Poor Bruce, always in the middle of Tony-isims. The guys came back from the kitchen, and McKenna stood and walked over to Loki, and she kissed his cheek. Bruce took this as an opportunity to take her spot on the couch and relax. I pat his shoulder, and he took my hand in his. He pulled me closer, and I rested my head on his shoulder. He wrapped an arm around me, and I smiled.

"You okay?" I asked him quietly.

"I'm a bit better than I was earlier. You?" He asked.

"A little jumpy, but I'm fine nonetheless." I said. He smiled at me, and I leaned up and kissed his cheek. He held me closer, and Tony smirked at us. I stuck my tongue out at him and he shrugged his shoulders.

"Just look at them! They'll be announcing their engagement next week. Bets anyone?" Tony said, and I rolled my eyes.

"I hate to be rude, but We've got to get going. Believe it or not, it's about seven thirty in the evening. Time flies when you help the woman you love avoid an explosion." Bruce said, cracking a rare joke. We all laughed, and Bruce looked pleased with himself. We stood, and I hugged Pepper goodbye. 

"We gotta hang out sometime. Just the girls. Maybe my friend Shay could join us." McKenna said, and we shook hands again.

"Sure, that sounds fun. I have a feeling you'll be in contact with at least one person here, so I'll be seeing you often." I said, and Bruce started to pull me away. 

"Yea, so I'll see you around. Bye!" She said.

"Bye!" I said, and Bruce chuckled as he continued to pull me out of the gathering.

__________________

Took Marie to the park and then for a movie. Be back by at least ten or sooner. -Steve 

"Huh, that was sweet of him." I said, reading over the note. I left the kitchen and walked to the TV room, and flipped it on. Bruce was in the bedroom, changing, and I searched through the channels. I never watch TV, so whenever I do, nothing good is on. I finally found Kitchen Nightmares on BBC America, so I decided to watch that. Watching Gordon yell at restaurant owners makes me laugh for some reason, like the twisted human being I am. Bruce came into the room, and he sat by me on the couch.

"Finally. I have you to myself for a little while." He said, and I looked at him.

"What about the lab time?" I asked, setting the remote on the table.

"That doesn't count. You and I were busy." He said, smiling a little. I shook my head with a smile, and I shifted closer to Bruce. He took me in his arms and lay down on the couch. I snuggled against him and we both watched Kitchen Nightmares. We stayed like that for two hours, and we heard the front door open and shut.

"Mommy! Daddy! Uncle Steve dropped me off." She yelled, thinking we were upstairs. 

"We're in the TV room sweetheart!" Bruce called back, and we could hear her run up the steps to the room. She climbed onto the couch, and she sat on our legs. 

"It's time for bed sweetie." I said, and she groaned. She climbed down and raced off to her room, and Bruce looked at me. I sat up, and and he smiled.

"I'll take bedtime tonight. Then we can go curl up upstairs." Bruce said, and I agreed. He got up and went to go tuck Marie in. I stood as well and went up to our bedroom, and just as I sat down, Bruce entered.

"She asked for you." He said, smiling a little. I nodded, got up again, and walked to Marie's room. I entered her room and sat on the edge of her bed.

"What's up Princess?" I asked softly.

"Mommy, I was wondering if you could sing a song for me. Not a long one, but a sweet one." She said, hugging a teddy bear close. I smiled down at her and thought for a minute. I knew the perfect song. My mother sang it to me once, and my father sang the whole version to me when I had nightmares.

"Come, stop your crying. It'll be alright. Just take my hand, hold it tight. I will protect you from all around you. I will be there, don't you cry. For one so small, you seem so strong. My arms will hold you keep you safe and warm. This bond between us can't be broken. I will be there don't you cry. You'll be in my heart. Yes, you'll be in my heart. From this day on, now and forever more. I'll be there, always." I sang, and I watched her eyes slowly shut. She was soon fast asleep, and she looked at peace. I kissed her forehead, stood, and left her oom. I walked back to my room, and Bruce was already under the covers.

"You sound lovely when you sing. Sing for me, please?" He asked as I crawled under the covers. I laughed softly, I began to sing the words to one of my favorite songs, Black Beauty by Lana Del Rey. Bruce wrapped his arms around me as I sang, ans I watched him slowly fall asleep as I sang softly. I finished the song, kissed him on the cheek, and rested my head on his chest.

"Goodnight Bruce."I said, before falling asleep myself.