An Assassin Never Tells

S E V E N

December 13th, 2003

I woke up to multiple people scream-singing the birthday song, which would've been fine except 1) I slept with a knife under my pillow and 2) there were only two people in the house when I went to bed (Dad and Aunt Mellie) and that sure as hell sounded like more than two people.

The people stopped short, "Woah, Boots, put down the knife," Clint spoke in a calm manner, ruffling my hair.

"Clint," I whispered as I slid my knife back under my pillow before swatting his hand away, "Don't mess up the hair." My voice was still groggy from sleep, "what are you doing in my room?" I looked around my room, Dad, Aunt Mel, Uncle Nick, Nat, and Clint stood around my bed and Peggy Carter sat at the foot in a wheelchair. They all wore bright smiles on their faces.

"It's your birthday silly," Natasha giggled, "in fact, it's your last one before you become a woman!"

"A woman," at this point I was sitting up in my bed, I looked at Nat like she was crazy, "I'm turning fifteen, I can't do my laundry yet, I've never even had a boyfriend!"

"And you're not allowed to have one until you're forty-eight," Dad interjected.

I rolled my eyes and opened my mouth to speak, but Aunt Mellie had beat me to it, "I think she's old enough to have a boyfriend. I mean, what's the worst that could happen?"

"May, she cou-"

"You guys," I finally spoke up, "How about we stop arguing about whether or not I can have a boyfriend, and let's get on with the festivities?"

"Right, right," Dad laughed, shaking his head, "Well c'mon then, let's go to the kitchen!"

I got out of bed and Nat invited on to her back. I happily jumped onto her back, she grunted as I made contact. She trotted her way down the hallway towards the kitchen. Nat plopped me down in a seat at the kitchen table. The table held chocolate chip pancakes, waffles, bacon, breakfast sausage, strawberries, apples, various juices, and wrapped presents!

"Holy crap guys! Are we feeding a small army or something?"

"Nope," said Uncle Nick, "Peggy here hasn't had a full kitchen to work with in ages-"

"-nor has she had people to order around," Clint butted in.

"Oh, hush up you two," Peggy spoke up, "I just wanted for Sugar 'n' Spice to have a happy birthday!"

"Thanks, Peggy, now...LET'S EAT!"

We all sat around the kitchen table eating, laughing, and really just having a good time. The food was absolutely gone (Clint ate most of it) when Uncle Nick said, "Alright Boots, it's present time!"

"Ooo yes," Nat squealed, "I'll hand them to you Peg!"

I giggled, "Ok!"

I received a fifty dollar gift card to Hollister and a coupon book from Clint, a new pair of red Dr. Martens from Nat (the group takes turns getting me a new pair for each birthday), a really cool red fedora from Peggy (It was the one she used to wear), a copy of 'Dead Girls Don't Write Letters' by Gail Giles from Uncle Nick, and a knife and gun set from Aunt Mellie!

"May! You can give her that," Dad exclaimed, "She's fifteen!"

"I got my first gun when I was her age," Aunt Mellie brushed him off, "I'll teach you how to use them, hun!"

"Thanks, Aunt Mellie!"

I went to get up from the table, but Dad's hand on my shoulder stopped me.

"Hold on there, kiddo! You have one more present."

Dad pulled a manila envelope out from under the table and placed it in front of me. I was very confused.

"Open it," he spoke, nodding his head, so I did just that. Inside the folder there were papers. Not just any papers, but adoption papers.

"Are-are you adopting me," I looked to Dad with tears in my eyes.

"Yes, it's long overdue," he smiled, "besides, you already call me dad, now it's just official!"

I flung my body into his arms as I cried tears of pure joy. We sat there for a good minute, me crying and Dad not saying anything. Nat took our picture (secretly, of course).

It was the best day of my life!

A/N: Hello my darlings!!! I hope that each and every one of you is having an amazing day!!! Thank you for reading and I love y'all so very much! <3