Love and Battles

Chapter 8

Amor vincit omnia

CHAPTER EIGHT: THE FINAL MOMENT

New York, 2023

Three months later

"Hurry up, James!" Natasha called out from her new living-room in the new Avengers building. The little boy rushed to the living-room to his mother's side and looked up at her. "I'm all ready!" He said rearranging his backpack.

"Whoa, that's a big bag. What did you put in it?"

"Everything that I'll need." He told her with the same boyish smile that his father had. He grabbed his mother's hand and kissed it. "Bye-Bye, mommy."

She chuckled and looked at him. "See you later, sweetheart."

He ran towards the elevator and called for it. When the doors opened, he got inside and waved at his mother. Natasha waved back before saying. "FRIDAY, take him carefully down the building."

"Of course, Mrs Rogers." The AI replied.

"Oh, no, no, no. It's Miss Romanoff." She said shaking her head.

"My bad." The voice told before shutting up and taking James down to the lobby.

Natasha cleared her throat and walked to the living to see Steve sitting on the couch with a book in his hands. She smiled softly and sat next to him, she leaned her head downwards to see what book he was reading and her smile grew when she saw that it was a book she had suggested him to read years ago; The Handmaid's tale. Her head looked around their living-room and her smile never left. The building had been quickly built back up so everyone could move back in. However, Tony decided to stay in his cabin with his wife and their daughter.

There now was two people sharing a floor. Steve shared his with Natasha and James, Sam was with Bucky, Wanda with Carol when she came on Earth. Clint went back to his farm and Bruce had flew to Norway to look after the new King of Asgard, Valkyrie. Strange and Wong went back to England whereas Thor left with the Guardians of the Galaxy. Scott returned in San Francisco with his daughter and girlfriend. Finally, the Wakandian went back to Wakanda and they met occasionally. Peter stayed in New York with his aunt May which made Tony happy. They would sometimes visit each other and spend time together. Peter had grown close to Morgan over the few months and he taught her some tricks much to Pepper's despair.

Natasha and Steve wouldn't be called into the field any more. They had both retired from their Avengers Life. They wanted to be able to be there for James. The only reasons they'd get pulled from retirement is if there's another universe-threatening mess.

The original Avengers had almost all retired by now. Tony, Thor, Bruce and Clint decided to retire to do the things they wanted to do. Most wanted to stay with their families while the others needed time for themselves.

Living together on the same floor made everything easier. Family time could happen at any moment now, which the three of them really loved. Diners, breakfasts, lunches, afternoon activities, walks, movie nights.

James had become a much happier child. He could now live like any other child or almost, he had both of his parents with a bunch of uncles and aunts. He absolutely loved being loved by so many people, his life was —as he said— thrilling. He never knew who he would see or who would pick him up from school. It was awesome!

Natasha's heart was filled with joy and love for the big family that had reunited. She beamed with happiness that Steve and James got along so well. She was not surprised, but somehow relieved that Steve had forgiven her for fleeing away with their child.