#thebrooklyncircusmonkey

Natasha smiled and looked at her little girl, almost one year old. She had a bow in the girl’s strawberry blonde hair and the baby was dressed in the colors of the day. But it wasn’t just a national holiday to them. It was her father’s birthday.

            Natasha had gotten up early and made breakfast for her husband and smiled warmly, knowing this would be the first birthday he had with their daughter in his arms. His last birthday Clara-Rose was causing her mother some heartache and acid reflux, but they didn’t mind at all. She’d gotten the baby up and dressed, letting her husband sleep in a bit more. And she knew he’d be doing things all day and that prank gifts would be given. But the best thing about today would be the fact that he would smile seeing his little girl and he would enjoy his birthday. As she walked to the master bedroom, Clara-Rose on her hip and the tray of food in her hands, she opened the door and smiled seeing Steve lying in bed. The redhead put the tray on the bedside table and let Clara-Rose sit on his chest. He started to wake from the small weight on his chest and Natasha kissed his forehead. “Wake up,” She coaxed warmly.

            As his eyes opened, she smiled and sat on the edge of the bed. “Happy birthday,” She said happily, her green eyes glittering at him. She leaned forward and kissed him happily, delighting in the smile on his face. “I made breakfast.” She let him sit up and get situated with their daughter before she handed the tray over to him. She might have gone ahead and themed his breakfast with whipped crème, strawberries, and blue berries… but who could blame her? It was the 4th of July after all. She sat beside him and watched as their little girl played with some of the things on his plate. Steve smiled and ate his breakfast, enjoying the time with his daughter and wife.

            “Thank you,” He said quietly as he finished his breakfast and leaned over to kiss her. “Well… it’s not over yet,” She pointed out, kissing him again. “What do you have planned Natasha?” Steve asked, looking at her suspiciously. “Nothing,” She stated. “I don’t have anything planned. I just know something that is planned. So.. how does it feel to be ninety-six, married, a baby girl with you, and looking like you’re only twenty-something?”

            He looked at her and smirked. “Well, it feels really nice. Especially since I have a woman beside me who is as smart as she is beautiful. Not to mention she’s older than she looks herself. But I would never throw her age in her face. That would be mean,” he teased. “It would only be better if she would stay with me today.”

            “I don’t plan on leaving your side,” She replied, kissing him again. “but finish your breakfast. You have gifts to open.” He chuckled and shook his head before finishing his breakfast. She got up and grabbed the presents she’d gotten and wrapped for him. He opened up a box and smirked at the contents. “A series from the History Channel,” he said with a chuckle. “Figured you could use some help finding everything you missed. There’s that,” She replied. He opened a long box and found a tie that lit up and played the Army anthem. “That’s from Clara,” his wife stated. “She likes the colors and lights.”

            He smiled and kissed his little girl’s head. “Thank you,” he said. Natasha handed him a small box and he opened it, looking at the contents. “A small coupon book?” He asked. “Really? These aren’t senior discounts are they?”

            Natasha chuckled and looked at him. “No. Read them,” she stated, pointing to the print. “One evening reading alone, Have an evening the wife wants and get an evening of your choice the next day… One free… Oh.” He blushed lightly and looked at her. “Well this is certainly an interesting book. And it will stay where I know it is.”

            She smirked and kissed him. “Happy Birthday my love,” she said softly. “Thank you,” he replied before she pulled away. “Get ready. We’re going to a picnic. Stark demanded it.”

            He groaned a bit and sighed before going to do what his wife requested. She smirked and packed a bag for Clara-Rose, knowing what was going to happen at the barbecue. It was going to be nice.

            When Steve was ready, she walked with him out to the park, Clara-Rose in her stroller. The other Avengers were there, waiting for them along with their new friends, Agent 13 and Sam Wilson. She smiled at Steve’s reaction seeing them and enjoyed her day, playing with her daughter, letting others get to know her better and watching everyone play football and Frisbee. She was having fun seeing her husband be this excited. Dinner was made and she smiled at Pepper who knew what they were doing. The other woman took the baby as Natasha readied something for later.

            After their food and as the sun started to set, Natasha grinned and grabbed a lighter. Lighting candles on a cake, she smirked and brought it over to Steve and everyone sang happy birthday to the man. “Natasha,” he said, looking at her. “Make a wish and blow out the candles.” He sighed and looked a bit pensive over the cake. Taking a breath, he blew out the candles and smiled at her. “There.” She smirked and winked as the cake was taken and she looked up at her husband. “I thought you said you didn’t have anything planned,” He said, looking down at her. “I didn’t plan this. Stark did,” She quipped. Looking up at the sky, she grinned seeing the sky light up with fireworks. Steve pulled her close and kissed her happily. “Thank you, Tasha,” he said softly.