Natasha was getting better. Over the weeks, she had intense care. With Steve gone, the doctor's support, and Maria by her side, she was improving. Her physical wounds had healed but the emotions they were still bruised.

She had started eating, Maria fed her everyday, she watched TV with her, and kept talking a lot. But there was no response from her. She didn't utter a word, she didn't say anything ever since that day. The last sounds she made were her screams and after that, complete silence.

Steve didn't return for three weeks, and there was no news either. But as the fourth week started, they received a call informing them of his victory and soon return.

Maria kept good care of Natasha, not only because Steve commanded, but because she was in awe of her. She adored Natasha as a little sister. Her innocence reminded her of her past happy days. She cleaned her, fed her with her own hands, brushed her hair, and talked to her even when she remained silent.

Bucky was still imprisoned, and he was still being punished, no one could do anything for him.

Steve was victorious, and he was determined to go back to Natasha, and make it up to her.

"I will make her better, she will be my happy, beautiful girl again. I will make her mine, truly" he told Sam happily.

"I believe in you bro" Sam said, "You always do what you think ".

Everything was going smooth, until one day, while Natasha was having breakfast, she made a weird face and rushed to the bathroom.

Maria rushed behind her, "what happened? " she asked.

Natasha was puking heavily in the sink.

"Oh God! " Maria held her hair back then helped her rinse her mouth and walk back to the room.

"Lay down, I'll get some water" she told her.

She sipped some water, and swallowed hard.

"Do you need something else? " she asked. Natasha moved her head in negative.

"Looks like the food had something, lay down, I'll find something lighter for you" she said.

Maria didn't call the doctor, thinking it was just a bad stomach day and Natasha was well in the evening. But she had the same episode the next day, and then the next after that. And Maria got worried, when she also vomited at night.

Maria called the doctor, and she arrived as fast as she could. She examined Natasha, and asked questions, to which Natasha only nodded or moved her head in negative.

"What is it Lisa? " Maria asked. Dr. Lisa was her good friend and a personal physician for the Rogers.

"I think I know but to be 100% sure, I need to do a test" she took out a needle and drew a blood sample.

"Its nothing dangerous right? " Maria asked worried.

"Hopefully, not " Lisa said and left.

Maria prayed all day for her reports to be clear, while Natasha wasn't even aware of anything. She just kept staring at the wall, or the television screen.

Steve was to arrive the next day, and Maria was tensed. What if he comes and finds Natasha ill and vomiting.

She was rubbing her hands and walking around in the room when Lisa returned with the reports.

"Oh thank God " Maria grabbed her shoulders, "Come on tell me fast what is it? "

"Its not dangerous " Lisa said and Maria sighed in relief, "but we don't know how she'll take it"

"What do you mean? " Maria asked.

"Natasha is pregnant " Lisa stated, "I am 100% sure, that's why I took the blood sample and not the urine" she explained.

"You mean she? " Maria covered her mouth.

"Yes, she has his child in her womb. She is pregnant with Steve's child" Lisa said.

Maria looked at Natasha, sitting at the couch, lost in her world. She had no sense of self. She wasn't even close to healthy and now this.

"We don't know if its from that assault or before, we can never be sure, they were together for long " Lisa said.

"It doesn't matter" Maria said, "after that everything, every memory died. His child.. Oh God! How would she take it" Maria touched her forehead.

"We need to tell her Maria" Lisa said.

"How Lisa? You have seen her condition, what if she goes back to that, what if she gets worse? Its a huge news" Maria said.

"But we can't risk it Maria, actions of her can have effects on her body that can result in miscarriage, she is already weak. Very weak. How are we gonna care for her? And I don't think we can induce an abortion, in her state" Lisa explained.

"We don't have a choice? " Maria asked.

"No we don't. We have to tell her and then support her, help her through this state and then maybe if she's healthy we can go for the abortion " Lisa said

"Yes, but remember none of this should reach Steve's ears" Maria said firmly.

"You have my word, only we three would know" Lisa said, "Come, let's tell her"

They both walked to her, and Maria took her hand as they sat down beside her. Natasha looked at Maria.

"Natasha, I have to tell you something very important, please, please hold yourself together " Maria said cupping her cheek.

Natasha was already through hell, nothing could break an already shattered soul. She was ready for whatever it was.

"Natasha.. I.. I am sorry... But.. " Maria was finding it hard to speak, she couldn't face Natasha's soulless eyes. She couldn't be the one to tell her this, couldn't be the one to break her further.
So she looked at Lisa to continue. Lisa blinked in approval.

"Natasha! " she turned her face to see her, and cupped her face, "sweety, you... You are.. " she swallowed hard and took a deep breath, "you are pregnant " she finally managed to say.  Natasha just stared at her blankly slow to understand.

"There is... " she looked at Maria then back at Natasha, "there is a baby in your womb, you are.. Pregnant " Lisa said clearly.

Natasha's hand shook, her breaths accelerated. For the first time in days,  she gave a reaction. Maria and Lisa both got scared.

Tears developed in her eyes, as she put her hand on her belly, panting.

She opened her mouth, trying hard to speak. Maria and Lisa both held her arms.

"Natasha? " Maria said.

Natasha kept panting and then, in a low, almost inaudible voice she spoke, "Baby" she said, and looked at Lisa.

"Baby? " she asked, this time louder and clearer.

Lisa looked at Maria and then nodded.

"Yes, you are having a baby" Lisa said. Both Maria and Lisa confused at her reaction.

****
OmG. Natasha is pregnant. How will she deal with it? Will she accept or get worse? Would Steve find out? Or would Lisa help her abort? And should she abort the child or keep it?
Do give your reviews.