CHAPTER SEVENTEEN:
❝︎Glad To Be Back❞︎

HER NERVES WERE SKYROCKETING AS SHE SAT THERE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF THEODORA'S CAR. Her leg was bouncing up and down as she stared out the window, watching as the scenery flew by her. A deep shaky breath left her lips as she saw the home come into view. Outside she could see Avery running around, chasing after a dog. Eloise rose an eyebrow as she turned her head to look at Theo who was focused on pulling into their driveway. Theodora parked the car and turned her head to meet Eloise's eyes.

"What?" Theo asked, pulling the keys from the ignition.

"When did you get a dog?" Eloise asked, unbuckling her seatbelt and climbing out of the car, Theo copying her actions.

"It was Clint's present to Avery, an apology gift I guess. I don't know." Theo sighed. "She's sixteen. She comes home on the weekends when she isn't spending time with that boyfriend of hers. Things between Clint and Avery have been so tense lately."

"They've been tense since Avery hit the double digits." Eloise scoffed. "And how are the little ones?"

Theo smiled. "Nat is asleep. Or, I put her to bed before I left. I don't know if Clint woke her up. Probably not, Oliver has been at his feet all day. That kid drives him insane." She sighed before softly saying, "But at least he can get along with one of his children."

Eloise gave her a sad smile, placing a hand on her best friend's shoulders. "They'll get along when she gets older. Avery knows that her dad does everything for her, and she loves him. They just. . . argue about everything under the sun."

"It's because they're so alike that it drives them both insane." Theo turned her attention from Eloise, smiling when the dog started barking, running towards Theo. It was a big German Shepherd with black fur and two different colored eyes. He was the protector of the household, that was without a doubt. Theo reached down, petting the dog. "Hey, boy." The German Shepherd turned towards Eloise and continued barking at her.

"Shadow! Down!" Avery called, running over to them. "She's a friend." Avery smiled wide and quickly hugged Eloise tightly. Eloise laughed before hugging the teenager. "God, I've missed you!"

"Hey, sweet girl." Eloise ruffled her hair slightly as Avery pulled away. "How's public school been treating you? How's that boyfriend of yours?"

"It's alright." Avery shrugged her shoulders. "I have a group of friends, that's enough for me. The looks still haven't died down, they probably never will. When you're the daughter of two famous Avengers. . . people think you're a celebrity or something. I'm just trying to be a normal girl is all." She huffed.

"I'm sorry, Av." Eloise frowned. "What about my second question?"

Avery couldn't help but smile at the reminder. "Peter's great. He's so great. He has such a kind heart."

Eloise smiled. "You really love this boy, don't you?"

Avery blushed. "Yeah. . . I do."

"Awww, my baby's all grown up." Eloise pouted, squeezing her tightly.

"Aunt El." Avery groaned, pulling out of her grip making Eloise laugh. "Shadow, come on." She whistled for the dog who barked in response before the two started playing again.

"He really is a sweet boy." Theo said as they made it towards the front door of the house.

"And what does Clint think?" Eloise hummed, pulling open the door.

"Oh, you know him. No one is good enough for his baby girl."

"Damn straight," Clint commented. He pressed a kiss to Theo's lips. "Hey, honey." He looked towards Eloise. "Eloise, glad to have you back."

Eloise smiled. "Glad to be back."

"Mommy!" Oliver Barton came running into the room, heading straight for Theo who quickly picked her up.

"Yeah, your turn." Clint joked. "This one has been following me like a lost puppy all day."

"He just looks up to you." Theo smiled, adjusting Oliver on her hip. "Son, you are getting too big to be carrying."

"Nah, he's got a couple more years." Eloise ruffled his hair, causing the little boy to giggle. Eloise held out her hands and Oliver immediately reached for her. Eloise took the little boy from Theo's arms, putting him on her hip and giving him a kiss on the head. "My how you've grown since I last saw you."

"You've been gone so long." Oliver pouted. "Where've you been?"

Eloise's chest tightened. She swallowed thickly, forcing a smile. "On vacation."

"Oh. Where did you go? Do you have pictures?"

"Oliver, I think I hear Avery calling for you outside." Clint said, watching as Eloise dropped him gently to his feet. "She's outside with the dog."

"Shadow!" Oliver yelled before mimicking a dog and running outside.

"I'm so sorry about him―︎"

"No, it's okay." Eloise cut Theodora off. "He's just a curious little boy."

Clint decided to change the subject. "I was about to start making lunch, did you want some?"

Eloise sent him a thankful look before nodding her head. "Yeah, I'll stay for lunch."

"Alright. I'll get that started then." Clint headed towards the kitchen.

"I'm going to go help him, if you don't mind."

"No, not at all." Eloise pointed towards the stairs. "I'm going to use the bathroom. I'll be back." She made her way up the steps and went into the bathroom, using it before walking back out. She started towards the stairs, stopping once she heard gentle music playing. She turned her head to see a door slightly cracked. Curiosity getting the best of her, she gently pushed the door open, leading her into the nursery.

A crib mobile with stars was gently spinning above a white crib, softly playing music as it went. Eloise stepped further inside, glancing at the light blue walls that had fluffy white clouds painted on them with the occasional rainbow here and there. Inside the crib, baby Natalia was sound asleep. Her hair was as blonde as it could be, her lips pursed as soft snores fell from her nose. She looked so peaceful, so unbothered. Eloise couldn't help the gentle smile that fell on her face.

"You look just like your father." Eloise softly whispered. "You're going to grow up to be like your mama though, I can see it now." She smiled at the baby one more time before walking out of the room, gently closing the door behind her before making her way down the stairs.