It had been two months since the hoopla with Sharon and things were great. They had grown closer and had a better understanding on their past. It was amazing. It's been 7 months now that they've been official and both couldn't have asked for a better partner. They felt like they were in a whirlwind romance. It was pushing holiday season with Thanksgiving just a week away. Since neither had family, they wanted to start their own tradition of cooking a dinner and enjoying it with each other. Nat was making some traditional Russian dishes while Steve was making classic American dishes, of course both would be on a smaller scale because it was only two of them.

It was a Saturday morning and Nat was walking out of Steve's bathroom after brushing her teeth. She threw on some leggings and a t-shirt she had in his drawers and went out to the living room to see him making them smoothies. They had just came in from a run the hour before and were ready to go food shopping. There was a mountain of ingredients that they needed to get for the dinner.

"Almost ready?" He asked as he watched her walk through the threshold of his bedroom door.

"Yea, Imma feed Bash and then we can go." Nat kneeled down and put some meow mix in his bowl and fresh water. He was a lucky little guy. How many cats can say they had two homes? But wherever Nat spent the night, so did he. She gave him a quick scratch behind the ear before grabbing her smoothie from Steve.

"Mmm this is good." She complimented wiping her mouth from the little that spilled off the side.

"Right. I add some cocoa for added sweetness."

"That was the right choice. Might have to save this for later."

"Drink up. I'll make some more when we get back if you're still in the mood." He gave her a kiss in the hair and walked around her to put on his navy blue Nike sneakers.

"What store did you want to go to first?" She asked.

"I was thinking the Farmers Market since they close first and thats really where you will need to get most of your stuff."

"Ok and then we can go to Food Bazaar and pick up whatever else we didn't get." She added.

"Bingo."

Steve grabbed the keys and the two walked out. "You know I was thinking we could get started on binging those Christmas movies."

"Sounds like a plan. I have three on stand-by already. First The Grinch. The original, not that new garbage they put out last year. Then, A Christmas Carol and the Nightmare Before Christmas."

"Those all sound completely nuts, especially that last one."

"What? They are all classics. It's ok. Soon you'll be begging to watch them every year."

"I'm loving the confidence Mr. Rogers."

"Well I am a lawyer." The two continued to talk as they crossed the bridge to enter the market. It was always a racket. The sound of people yelling across booths and people jumping out to give you samples. Nat knew exactly where to go, she had been there quite a few times to get special ingredients.

"NADIA!" She squealed as she saw an older woman with brunette hair fixing her display.

"NATASHA! Это было давно сладкое. Где ты был?" The older woman asked inquiring about Nat's absence at the market

"Я знаю. Работаю как сумасшедший. Это мой парень Стив." Nat explained her business before introducing Steve, who evidently lost in translation.

"Nice to meet you Steve." Nadia said switching dialects.

"Nice to meet you as well." Steve replied shaking her hand.

"What can I get you today my loves?"

"Well I want to make Baklava, Goluptsi, Shuba, and Piroshki."

"Oy that is going to be delicious. Well I have what you need here." Nadia began giving Nat all the ingredients she would need and threw in a few extras free of charge since she was so fond of the young woman.

"Thank you tetya." Nat endeared. Though the woman wasn't her real aunt, she adopted that name long ago when she first met her with open arms.

"No problem sweetheart. See you soon."

Nat smiled and waved before walking off to a few other booths. By the end of the trip, they didn't need anything else except the turkey which they decided, they'd get another time.

An hour later, they were walking through Steve's apartment putting down all the bags.

"We are officially ready fo Thanksgiving. I think I'll swing by and pick up the turkey after work on Monday."

"Alright hats good. When are you going to start prepping?"

"I was thinking Wednesday night." Nat replied. "It won't be too long though, maybe two hours. Ill do it at my house so I'm not in your way."

"You can do it here. Thats fine. I don't mind." He said as he bang unpacking the things they bought.

"Ok, just let me know if you change your mind."

"I wont." He kissed her and continued on. Nat appreciated the little things that he did, like this. Unpacking the groceries, kissing her, reassuring her, all the things that she's always wanted. After a while, everything was put away and they could finally chill out and watch the Christmas marathon.

"So I was thinking the Nightmare before Christmas."

"Ok, you're in charge. Introduce me to your American ways."

They stripped to their underclothes and climbed into Steve's bed with the snacks they had bought. He thumbed through his selection and found the movie.

"Alexa, turn off the lights." He said and the room went dark.

"Show off." Nat teased.

"Aye I'm just trying to be like you miss bad and bougie."

Nat laughed out at his horrible corniness. "Oh god. Please don't ever say that again."

"What? Am I not cool enough?"

"Absolutely not." She giggled again, moving closer to him.

The two settled down and the beginning began. "This doesn't seem like a Christmas movie." She said with confusion.

"I know but its Tim Burton, he's an interesting kinda guy, all his movies are like this, trust me."

"I do." She said smiling at him. He could feel the double meaning and was glad he still had her trust. Through the 1 hour and 16 minute long movie, you could hear laughter, moans and the occasional gasp as Nat reacted to each scene.

"That was better than expected," she said once it finished.

"I know right. Can you believe it came out over 25 years ago."

"Yea I actually can." She laughed. "It was still really good though. Whats next?"

"I was thinking The Grinch. That one isn't as creepy."

"Ok have it."

The two got readjusted in bed and continued their marathon for the rest of the night, filling the room with laughter and later sounds of mind-blowing sex.

____________________

Today was the big day, Thanksgiving. Although, she knew she shouldn't be nervous, she was. She had never had a real thanksgiving before. When her and Bruce were together, he didn't take the time to introduce her to the American holiday traditions and the few friends she had usually went away to be with their families. Now, she finally had someone to spend it with and it was kind of freaking her out.

"How is everything going?" Steve asked through the phone.

"Everything is good. Just taking the dessert out of the oven."

"Good I can't wait to taste it. I should be home in the next 25 minutes."

"Ok well dinner will be waiting for you."

"Alright. Love you, later."

"Love you too." She said before ending the call. It felt so easy to say it to each other. Those words just rolled off their tongue like they had been saying it for years. Nat shook her head and looked at the display of food she had on the table. It was a nice spread and everything looked delicious if she did say so herself.

She turned on some music and gave Bash a little bit of turkey in his food today. Nat wore a pretty dress and had her hair in a bun. She looked like B.B homemaker. Just as expected, Steve walked through the door 20 minutes later. He looked good as always, he had a bottle of champagne in his hand and Orchids in the other.

"Aww baby. Thank you." She said as she walked over to him. Kissing him and taking the beautiful flowers from his hands.

"No, thank you. Everything looks amazing Nat and it smells delicious."

"It was nothing." Steve had been called in earlier this morning, so he wasn't able to finish his side of the meals but Nat didn't mind. She handled it and made it just the way he would like.

"I can't wait to eat. I'm starving." He said. He sat his briefcase down and took off his jacket. Nat began making his plate but he interrupted.

"Here, let me." He said taking it from her. "You sit and Ill get it for you."

Nat thanked him and sat at the table waiting, which wasn't long.

"there you go." He placed the 16 inch plate corner to corner. There was no way she could finish it all but she would damn sure try. Of course, she waited for him to get his plate and once he was seated, they said grace and dug in.

"Mmmmm this is amazing." He said as he ate some Goluptsi.

"Really? You like it." Bubbling her with excitement.

"Yes it's great."

Nat knew that Russian cuisines weren't huge in the states so it meant a lot that he liked it. She didn't make too much of her dishes because if he didn't, she didn't want to be wasteful.

"The Mac and cheese is really good. You're gonna have to show me how to make it." She told him. He had made it the night before and all she did was let it bake.

"Of course, it's a tradition." The two continued eating and sipped champagne.

"So is this all you do on this day? Just sit and eat."

"Yea typically, normally there's a lot more people but the same concept."

"Oh ok well maybe when we have our own family, it'll be a bigger event." She said giving him a smile.

"Yea, it will." He returned. He was happy at the suggestion. She had been becoming more open about having a family and he was glad that the idea didn't seem to taunt her as much as before.

"You know in Russia we used to do this holiday called Unity Day. It was like the Fourth of July but we would all have family come over and eat and just enjoy each others company. I assume thats what this is basically."

"It is. I'd love to go there one day during that time and see how it is."

"You'd love it, maybe over the summer, we can take a trip."

"Good, because I love hearing you speak your native language. It is the sexiest thing ever." He revealed. Nat never knew he enjoyed her accent that much.

"Well I'm glad I know. I guess you'll be hearing it a lot more often now." She smiled as she took another mouthful.

"You gonna teach me a thing or two?"

"I can teach you a lot." She hitched her brow and chewed. Steve inwardly groaned. She would be the death of him. They finished eating and cleaned up. It wasn't much because Nat was a clean as you go kind of person.

They both plopped on the couch and rested their hands on their now full bellies, neither wanting to get up to do much. " I think I could fall asleep right here, you know?'

"Im with you, but I'm beat. I think I'm going to go to bed and fall dead to the world." Nat said.

"Right behind ya kid." Nat slid off the couch and grabbed her phone and keys.

"You're not staying here?"

"I can but I want to change into some more pajamas and get new clothes. Do you want me to come back tonight?"

"Yea if you're not too tired. I'd prefer to sleep with you."

"Ok then, I'll be back in 30. I have my key."  Nat gave him a quick kiss before leaving to go to her apartment. She threw some things in bag and change into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, bra free. After brushing her teeth and washing her face, she hurried back upstairs to return to her man.

_____________________________________________

One month later....

Nat hurled her head over into the trash can again for the third time this morning. The remnants of the oatmeal she had earlier now emptied into the garbage. For the past two days, she had been throwing up on and off. She always got sick around winter time, it never failed. She was laying on her couch with no energy to even get up and make it to the bathroom. The sound of HGTV was heard in the background as she drifted in and out of sleep. She quickly texted Maria and let her know she probably wouldn't be in the rest of the week. Just as she put her phone, she heard two knocks on the door, she didn't have the energy to answer so she didn't. With no reply, Steve used his key that he had been given two months ago to help himself in. His heart dropped when he saw the throw up filled garbage and Nat snuggled under the blanket with her eyes closed.

"Nat baby, you need to get up." He said gently kneeling down by her side.

"Why?" She whined. "I just want to rest Steve please. Go to work."

"No, you need to go to the doctor I already made the appointment." He said which earned him a glare. "Don't look at me like that, I told you, from day 1 you should get checked over." He was thankful he remembered her doctor from when they both got their STD test.

Nat didn't move for a minute but eventually she slowly took her feet off the couch and stood with Steve guiding her. He helped her let go of the blanket and walked with her into the bedroom that he enjoyed sleeping in so much. Nat put on grey sweats and a hoodie. Normally, she'd put more effort but today, she couldn't bring herself to care. She glanced over at Steve who was watching her get dress like a security guard. She loved him, she knew but man she hated when he made her do stuff like this. She felt a little better standing up and drinking a bottle of water on the dresser. Nat walked over to Steve sitting on his lap with her arms wrapped around his neck. Instinctively, he placed his around her back and held her. It wasn't long before he felt her lips on his neck and nibbling on his ear. Her tongue skated on the skin and she let out a moan causing Steve to grip her tighter.

"Baby I want you." Nat whispered in his ear, moving her hand to cup his bulge.

Steve covered her hands whispering back, "I want you to and I promise we'll get to that right after your appointment." He smirked at her pulling her hand away. "Come on let's go." Nat sucked her teeth before sliding off his lap and grabbing her purse. She for sure thought that she could tease him enough to get him to change his mind.

Steve cursed silently now that he had to sport his bulge. They walked out the apartment and Steve sent for a Uber. It was two minutes away. They made it downstairs and he could tell Nat was growing increasingly tired. He put his arm around her so she could rest on his chest until the driver came.

"Everything's gonna be just fine." He said kissing her hair.

"I hope so. You never know." She mumbled into his chest.

Steve stayed silent not knowing what to say. Soon a Blue 2000 Honda Accord was pulling up and the two were on their way to the appointment.

_____

The short brick building was fairly quiet with only the sound of feet squeaking across the linoleum floors.

"Hello I'm here for an appointment. Natasha Romanoff." Steve said to the receptionist.

"Oh yes, the nurse will call you in a few."

"Thank you." He followed Nat to a secluded corner and held her hand while she laid on his arm.

The two sat in silence while until a short, stocky Asian nurse called out "Ms. Romanoff?"

Nat stood up and tugged on Steve's hand so he could come too.

"Hi, How are you?" The nurse asked as they crossed the threshold.

"Ok." Nat said quietly.

"Alright, I'm just going to ask you some preliminary questions and run some tests. Is that fine?" The nurse whose name tag read Ana asked.

"Yes."

"Is it ok that he is in here with you or would you rather be alone?"

"I want him here." She replied. Steve couldn't help but feel like he made it into an exclusive club by being in there but it did make him feel a sense of pride that Nat trusted him enough to be open about her health.

"Ok, so when was the last first day of your cycle?"

"Um...November 16."

"Alright so it hasn't come this month?"

"Not yet."

"Ok Is it normally regular?"

"Yes."

"Are you sexually active?"

"Yes."

"With one partner or multiple?" Steve scrunched up his face at the audacity of this nurse but didn't say anything.

"One."

"Do you have any health problems?"

"Not that I know of."

"Alright, we're going to run a pregnancy test just to make sure we don't prescribe you anything that could potentially harm you or the baby if you are."

"That's not necessary." Nat said with sadness. This was another reason why she hated doctors. It just reminded her of the kids she could never have.

"It's mandatory. We will also do full bloodwork to rule out anything else."

"Ok."

The nurse reached into the cabinet and gave Nat a small cup. "You're just going to pee in here and then place it in the little cabinet inside the bathroom wall. Once you're done,  I will come back and draw some blood."

Nat nodded and went to the bathroom to handle her business. When she came out, the nurse was true to her word and drew her blood.

"You feeling ok?" Steve asked once the nurse left.

"I'm alright. I don't feel sick, just tired. Maybe it's just a stomach bug, it keeps going in and out."

"Yea a stomach bug most likely. Nothing some medicine can't fix baby."

"You're right. I'm just a little nervous. I don't run 1000 miles every morning like you." Nat teased.

"Thats not true. You've been doing it with me for a while now and you actually keep up for the most part."  He laughed, happy that her spirits weren't so down.

"Yea yea can't have you embarrassing me."

Steve was about to respond when the doctor came in.. "Hi Steve, Natasha. Good to see you guys again. I have your results from the tests and it looks like you are about 6 weeks pregnant. Congratulations!" The doctor said with a smile on her face.

"OH MY GOSH! THATS AMAZING." Steve was ecstatic. "How is this been possible? I thought she couldn't have kids." He said with his hands on his hips.

"Well before with Mr. Banner, Ms. Romanoff in fact was not the problem. It was the sperm. Her uterus and everything is perfectly healthy and normal."

Nat sat silently, barely registering what was being said. She didn't even know how to process that. She was going to be a mother? She placed her hand on her flat stomach and one tear after the next, tears were rushing down her face. Steve looked over and immediately stepped into the hold her. The doctor gave them their privacy stepping out.

"I...I..I never thought..I don't even know how this happened." She said. "Oh my god. Were gonna be parents." She said finally looking at him with a smile.

"Yea we are." He said with a huge grin on his face. He couldn't help but pick her up in his arms.  Hers wrapped tightly around his neck, feeling complete.

"God I love you so much Nat." Steve mumbled into her neck. Never faltering in his declaration. Nat's heart did flips in her chest.

"I love you too Steve. I love you so much." She kissed him passionately. Pouring as much love into it as she could. Nothing could get better than this.

The two hugged each other a little while longer  just enjoying the moment before parting and leaving the room. They briefly stopped at the receptionist desk for their prescription and went on their way.

"Wow! Just wow!" Steve said once again.

"I know. This never could've happened in my wildest dream. I feel so full of love Steve. You've given me the best gift I could hope for."

"You've done the same for me. We're gonna be a family. One of our own. I can't wait to tell everyone." He said

Nat paused, grabbing his arm. "Um..actually. I was thinking we could keep it to ourselves for now. A lot can happen in the first trimester and I just want to wait until we're in the clear before we go telling people." Nat tried to be as gentle with her words without trying to dim his light.

"Ok I understand. I'm fine with that, once you start showing we can do something."

Nat couldn't stop her smile from growing any wider than it already had. She really did get lucky with this man. The cold air hit her a little hard and Steve brought her in closer as he waved his hand for a taxi. Moments, later a taxi pulled up and the two were getting inside.

"Wanna go somewhere to celebrate?" He asked.

"Can we just go home and cuddle up? As much as I'd love to, I'm still a little tired. We can finish watching those Christmas movies. I think Home Alone 3 is up next."  She replied.

"Alright." He told the taxi where to go and they made it back home. Steve and Nat laid in her bed and enjoyed the last movie in the trilogy and savored the moment. They were finally gonna be parents.

"Nat?" Steve asked.

"Yes?"

"Not to get ahead of things but I was thinking, we spend so much time together and we're practically spending the night with each other every night, why don't we move in together?"

Nat didn't say anything for a moment, pondering the idea of them finally being in one space for good. She enjoyed spending every waking moment with him and couldn't think of why she wouldn't so "Yes, I think thats a great idea."

"Really?"  He asked grinning hard

"Yes baby. I think that'll be great. Me, you and little bubba here."

"It'll be best if I move to yours, seeing as how you do have the fireplace." He laughed.

"That's wise. I don't think I can live without it now."

"I'll speak with the big man downstairs and see what he says about breaking the lease."

"Ok, I'm ready for you whenever you're ready." Nat gave him another kiss before settling down and resting her hand on her belly. Finally, everything was falling into place.