The Soldier's Goddess

On the plane back home, everyone slept, even Phil. Carver was being taken back to America in a secure plane, also owned by S.H.I.E.L.D. When Fury called to find out what was going on, only Clint was awake to take the call. He had to jolt Phil awake, who jumped and fell off his chair, his head landing in Tony's lap. This in turn woke everyone else up, and Phil had to take the call in another room, while Kari and Nat were crying with laughter.
"Tony, have you let Pepper know we are on our way home?" Nat asked.
"Yeah, she's worn out from the girls, so I've said she can go to bed and I'll deal with them when I get back."
"Aww, Tony Stark, this time two years ago, we never would have pegged you as the settling down, romantic type." Two or three years ago, Nat had worked undercover at Stark Industries, under Fury's orders. She got to see the "real" Tony. Well, the Tony back then. Tony just blushed. Pepper and the girls had done him some good. Alot of good in fact.

"Urgh, I could sleep for a month," groaned Kari, flopping down onto the bed. "JARVIS, don't let anyone in, unless it's vitally important to the safety of the planet."
"Yes Miss Skaarsen."
"Come and join me," she mumbled, patting the bed.
"I would, but if I lie down, I'll never get back up," said Steve.
"Well that's was kind of the idea," she winked, sitting up and pulling him towards her. She caught him between her legs and pulled his lips down to hers. He pressed his lips on to hers and kept leaning forward, so that she was led back on the bed, Steve on top of her, Kari's legs wrapped around his. He held one of her hands up above her head, and began kissing down her jaw and her neck, softly. He felt her body tense up in anticipation of what would happen next, and when he started nibbling on her ear lobe, she moaned in pleasure. She rolled him over so that she was on top of him, and she slowly unbuttoned his shirt. He sat up and pulled her top off of her, then she pushed him back down, trailing her fingers up and down his chest, teasing those taut, toned muscles with her fingertips lightly, and then with her lips, softly. She could feel him getting excited from the throbbing she felt against her thighs, so she made her way slowly up his body, kissing him from his hips, up to his collarbone.
"Oh god," she heard him moan under his breath. She crashed her lips on to his and she felt his tongue flicking at her mouth, asking her to open her lips. She sat up straight and looked him in the eye.
"Well, Captain, I thought you were tired?" she teased.
"And I thought you were to," he grinned, sitting up and pulling her right into him, kissing her again.

A few hours later, Kari woke up in Steve's arms. He was snoring lightly, so she kissed him lightly on his forehead, slipped out of bed and started running the shower. She stood under the warm, running water and smiled. Her life was perfect.

"Morning, you up for a bit of shopping?" grinned Pepper the next morning.
"Always," smiled Kari. "What's the occasion?"
"Nothing, Nat and I were just talking and we decided to take the girls out for a bit today. Shopping, lunch, Central Park. Girls' day out. You up for it?"
"Definitely. I think Steve has to go to HQ to debrief with Fury, so he won't even notice I've gone."
It was a warm August day, so Kari slipped on a pair of jeans, with wedge sandals, her favourite lilac vest top and a light silk scarf wrapped lightly around her neck. Amilie and Astrid were getting big now, so Pepper had them in a double buggy, side by side, facing forwards, so they could enjoy the view as much as the women.
Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Barney's..... they hit the shops hard. In FAO Schwarz, the girls both discovered plenty of new toys, but Pepper only let them have one each. For now; as they got older it might be more difficult to convince them one is good! They spent an hour in Pepper's favourite baby clothing boutique, Z'Baby Clothing. When they left, their bags were heavier, credit cards lighter, and the twins had even more clothes to put in their already over flowing wardrobes.
"I couldn't help myself," Pepper grinned. After lunch, they went to Central Park, where Astrid and Amilie were laid out on the blankets, rolling about, clambering on Aunty Kari and Aunty Nat, trying to eat the grass.....

Back home that evening, Kari was quiet.
"Are you ok?" Steve asked her.
"Hmm, oh yeah, yeah I'm ok. Just thinking."
"About?" She rolled over to face him.
"Having a family."
"You aren't changing your mind are you? Backing out?" Steve looking worried.
"Don't be daft," she chuckled. "No, I spent the afternoon with Pepper, Nat and the girls, and it was amazing. They just make me so broody." He cupped his hand around her face.
"Well I'm sure it will happen soon, sweetheart." He kissed her on the forehead and was about to open his mouth to say something when his cell phone buzzed. It was a text from Bruce. "I have to go and sort this," he said, "I'll see you in a bit. Love you."
"Love you too," she grinned.
She was just about to roll over and close her eyes, when Nat sent her a text.

Can I come over? ~N

Course you can. Steves buggered off to see Bruce about something ~K

Kk, be there in a mo ~N

When the door knocked, she told Nat to come on in.
"I need your advice," she said, sitting down next to Kari.
"What's up?"
"Well, it's Clint's birthday next month, and I want to surprise him with something, but I have no idea what to do."
"What about a weekend away somewhere?" Kari suggested.
"We've already travelled the world," Nat started, but Kari interrupted.
"Yeah but that was working. You could book a surprise trip to Paris or something for the weekend, just the two of you."
"Oh Kari that's perfect, thank you. We'll have to remember no weapons this time!" Kari burst out laughing.
"Well, unless that's what you like," she grinned.

Notes