A/N alright so I messed up because when I was making my plan for the pregnancy I went June as an entire month not June to July so for the sake of not rewriting can we just collectively decide that Maria is going on her seventh month? No? I don't care we're going with it.

Soooo, Maria was r@ped June 2nd (that's what we're going with, alright??) and every month is like around a month of gestation. We good? Alright.

A/N UPDATE I couldn't stand it anymore... I may have changed the dates >o<

Translations at the bottom (like always lol)

Doesn't Mean Stop Counting at Ten.

DECEMBER 3rd, 2005
(SEVEN months along into pregnancy)

Natasha bites her nails before looking her girlfriend in the eyes, holding her hands in hers. They stand in Natasha's bathroom after showering together. It helps both of them cool down after one of them has a flashback,  this case being Maria. The only time they ever, ever show weakness is with each other. They're cold hearted to the agents and devoted to their work. But nothing they would ever do was any more important than their partner. Which was the scariest part.

"Tasha, love, what's wrong?" Maria pouts, squeezing Natasha's hands three times.

 "I don't want a SHIELD birthday again, Ria." She looks away, a ping in her stomach traveling up to her throat. Truthfully she hated it last year, she's not used to these types of things. She put on smiles that even level one agents could tell were forced. But when it was just her and Maria, she was fine. Until her panic attack happened. But she wouldn't change a thing if that means her birthday is also her anniversary with the woman she gets to call her's. "Sorry." 

"Darling that's more than okay. This is your day. You're twenty-one today, don't dwell on what you don't want to do. What do you want?" Maria's hands cup under her stomach as she feels their baby kick. "Goddamn this girl, she's been kicking all day." 

That's when it hits Natasha. "Let's... let's go buy baby stuff!" She looks at her girlfriend before quickly adding an, "if you want to, of course. This is your child, and I don't know if you can handle going out right now-"

"Natty, I'm only seven months pregnant, let's go buy some clothes and toys for our baby girl."

Natasha looks down at Maria's belly and smiles lightly. Her twenty first birthday will be one to remember, she's just so happy to have this child. And they've already picked out a perfect name.

"Nat," Maria starts lovingly. Nobody knows about them two except Fury... so she wants to start this conversation without any trouble. 

Natasha hums in acknowledgement as she looks up at her lover's face. It's a little bit more serious than normal, and Nat automatically goes to the worst. But she would never admit that, not even to her Ria.

"Do you want to see if Laura would want to join us? She just had a daughter who will be nine months older than our girl, and Cooper is two so she can really help us. But this is your b-day so your choice. And if you do want her to come, we do NOT have to tell her we're together. You can just say you're tagging along." Maria wants to make sure that Nat is comfortable in any decision they make that could lead to them being found out. Especially when neither of them are out.

"It's alright, Ria. It's fine for Laura to come with us. It'd be a big help and if she asks questions we can be honest. As honest as you want to be." Everyone knows that Maria is pregnant at this point. It's gossiped about even with the Level 1's. That's a phrase you might start hearing a lot with irony of situations. The questions swarm around, the most prominent one being, 'who knocked the deputy director up?' She doesn't answer anyones questions, just turns away and does her work. All paper at this point, she's not risking injuring her child.

"I don't want everyone knowing, but Laura can know, well as Clint and their kids. Maybe we can be Auntie Nat and Auntie Ria? Or should we choose cute nicknames? Oh, we should! What should you be? Auntie Tasha? Aunt Tasha? Aunt Natasha? No, you decide. But I wanna be Aunt Ria or Auntie Ria. Maria's too much!"

Natasha can't help but cackle a bit, loving every bit and every essence of Maria's excitement. Any doubt in her mind about telling the Barton's faded at that moment. "I'll be Auntie Nat, dorogaya. And Auntie Ria is perfect. Now call Laura up while I go get changed. You're NOT following me this time! We'll have sex LATER, Maria Christina Hill!"

⧗ⴵ🦅🛡

"You guys are together? And having a child? And she's not going to be even a year younger than Lila? This is perfect!" Laura went in for a hug, being careful of Maria's bump. "I love you guys so much! I promise I won't tell anyone you're together, but I accept you! Nothing's changed, don't forget that!"

"Oof!" Maria yelps, feeling yet another kick from her baby. 

Laura backs away quickly, concern and guilt flooding her eyes. "I'm so sorry- did I squeeze too hard?" She frantically lets out.

Maria laughs, holding the underside of her stomach. It's becoming a habit these days. "Oh, no worries, this munchkin's been restless today, that's all."

Laura sighs in relief.

"As my girlfriend's preoccupied with our child, I'll tell you just how much it means for you to be here." Natasha starts, smiling to her best friend's wife. "We know nothing about baby shopping, and as our relationship is on the down low no baby showers or anything will be happening, this means a hell of a lot."

"Aww, don't stress it. Clint's home with Cooper and Lila now so I'm all yours. I've got a list that I used for shopping for her and it worked wonders. Though we might not be able to do it all today." She hands Nat the list, our favorite redhead's eyes skimming over the needed items.

In the feeding category there were things such as bibs, bottles, a high chair and a breast bump. Though of course that wasn't all of it. Following that, the sleeping accessories included a monitor, bedside sleeper, crib (and all that that implies) and swaddles. From there diapers and everything you needed. (Do you want an in-depth detailing?) Next is a travel system, which must've been added for Natasha and Maria. A stroller, carrier or wrap, and a car seat. 

Okay, Laura has for real thought of everything. Yes, there's more. Of course there is, we're talking about Laura Barton!

Health was covered as well; a baby thermometer, first aid kit, pacifiers, teethers, brush/comb and humidifier. After that, bathing was written. A possible baby bath tub, bath toys and washcloths. 

They're going to have to have a trip to IKEA for a dresser, chair, hamper, lighting, mobile (maybe, they always found those cheesy), storage bin and hangars, and mirrors and wall decor. 

Then comes clothing: 

Bodysuits, long and short sleeve 
Shoes and booties
Footies
Beanies
Pants
Socks
Headbands
Mittens
Outerwear (jackets, boots, scarves, etc)
Outfit sets

Then, what will be most important in their daughter's eyes, will be the playing accessories. An activity gym and mat. Books, bouncer, playard, a cute seat, stuffies, walker and a million toys. 

"You're talking to Fury about finding a new room when your little angel arrives, right?" Laura enthuses. "She can't stay in your room for too long, she'll grow up before you know it! Anyway, let's get started!"

"Ria..." Nat mumbles, looking to the side of her. 

Both of their heads were spinning in circles. "We've got this," Maria says, squeezing Natasha's hand three time. Nat does it right back, feeling that sense of comfort she needed oh so badly. 

JANUARY 2nd, 2006
(Eight months into pregnancy)

Currently, Fury's beginning of year speech was going on. But there was a twist. Luckily Maria agreed to it beforehand, though Natasha didn't know it was talked about.

"Happy New Year, agents. Just because it's a new year, and some of y'all aren't new anymore, doesn't mean you're allowed to slack off. Get your job done, soldier, you know who you are." Some snickers were heard about, and lurking eyes traveled across the field of agents. Director Fury takes a breath, collecting himself. "But in other news, our deputy director will be taking some time off. Agent Dexter will be taking her place until her maternity leave is over. She is not on break yet though, and just because she's having a kid does not mean you treat her with any less respect. In any case, you treat her with more." He scuffs at everyone's uninterested eyes, and sighs. "Dismissed."

⧗ⴵ🦅🛡

"What. Was. That?" Natasha growls as she walks through the halls with Maria. No one's around, don't worry.

Maria shrugs. "Fury told me he was obligated to share that I was going on maternity leave. I told him that the New Year's assembly was a good time because the baby would be coming soon." She smiles to herself at that, yet again holding her baby bump.

"But you didn't tell me?" Natasha accuses, stopping herself in front of her lover.

Maria sighs, grasping onto Nat's hands. "Must've slipped my mind, baby. I'm sorry. In all fairness, no one was paying attention and everyone already knows. I think we should be more worried that Dexter is taking up my position while I'm out of office. I'm gonna kill Fury for that!" 

Natasha and Maria are adults if you haven't realized. Not middle or high school teenage dirtbags, so Nat decides to let it go. It's not worth it, they both know that. Besides, they've gotta worry about Agent Dexter being in-sorta-charge.

"I'm going to stick my knife through his veins and rip him open," Natasha says, eyes darting around the room like these were her last words and she had no where to even look.

"Okay, okay, easy there, Tiger. We don't want to go to the raft so let's think about some slightly less gory things to say. Does that work?"

"No."

Maria sighs. "Alright then, let's go talk to Fury."

"No."

"Giving me nothing today, that's fine. Where do you wanna go?"

"Food."

"Okay, that'll work. Let's go." She pulls her, at the moment, obnoxious girlfriend away, and lead's her to the cafeteria. And she thought she was pregnant.

FEBRUARY 10th, 2006
(nine months pregnant)

"OYYYYY," Maria yelps, startling everyone around her. Everyone being Nick Fury and Natasha Romanoff.

They were in a meeting, but they knew she could go into labour any second so weren't utterly shocked when it happened. I mean, of course they were shocked, but this was a possibility.

"Was- was that a contraction, Ria?" Natasha asks, hope and worry coming out at the same time.

"I THINK SO." Maria shouts, thank god sound proof walls are enabled.

"We gotta get to the hospital, Nick!" Natasha shouts, though they're in the same room.

"BE QUIET, EVERYTHING HURTS." Maria 'grumbles' out. "OH GOD MY WATER BROKE. THIS HURTSSS."

Fury is counting up and down to ten, lines creasing on his forehead.

"Fury! Fury!" Nat shouts, quieter this time. "Can you take us to the hospital!?" 

She snaps in his face as her girlfriend starts squeezing the life out of her other hand. "Uh, yes. Let's go!"

So they drive the the city hospital, where Maria is taken into a room. Her contractions are painful, so very painful. And this is where we end this chapter, in the middle of Maria and Natasha's child's birth. Though this story isn't over, it's just begun. 

A/N YES, WANDA'S BIRTHDAY IS ALSO FEBRUARY 10TH. NO, MY BIRTHDAY IS NOT FEBRUARY 10TH.

Translations!

dorogaya is a Russian word of endearment.
Meaning: darling