▌𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲 ━︎━︎ 𝐀𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐒𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐁𝐄𝐄𝐍 standing there, waiting for Clint, when it happened. A puddle formed on the floor beneath her feet, panic swelled in her. Her water broke. . . and it was a week too early. Her eyes widened, yelling for Clint. In an instant they were in the car, bags ready. Clint had called Eloise who had claimed she would meet them both at the hospital. When they got to the hospital, it didn't take long before she was being sent to a room. Pain echoed throughout her entire body, and she wanted it to stop.

She couldn't do this. She couldn't do this. Every part of her was screaming, aching, begging for the pain to stop. To make it all stop. She had yelled dangerously at Clint who had tried his best not to flinch at her words. It wasn't the birth that terrified her―︎well, it was, because of all the complications―︎it was the fact that her gloves weren't on her hands and she was absolutely terrified of sending her fiancé into insanity as she cried out in pain.

She knew she wouldn't be able to control it. She wouldn't be able to control the flashes that went from her brain into his own. She couldn't stop the memories of the other people that had been in her exact same position. Some of them lived, some of them almost bled out, some of them died. She saw all of them flashing through her brain as she gripped onto the edge of the bedding. She saw the stillborn babies, she saw the babies that had the umbilical cord wrapped around their necks, and then she saw the multiple flashes of healthy babies, crying out as they were brought safely into the world.

Tears streamed down her face, Eloise had entered and grabbed her other hand. Theo had tried to rip her hand away in protest. These were the two most important people in her life, she didn't want to ruin them both. Eloise calmed her, running a hand over Theo's hair, whispering comforting words to her, assuring Theo that she and Clint would be fine. They would be okay. All of them would be okay.

Eloise had never seen such pure fear on Theo's face since she met her and her heart ached for her friend. She wished she could make the woman's powers stop for just one moment. Instead, the only thing she could do was reassure her, constantly say comforting words, repeating that the four of them would be okay. It had seemed to do the trick.

Six excruciating hours―︎although, Theo wouldn't complain, knowing some women were usually in there for much longer―︎and then it happened. That final push. For a moment there was silence, fear and panic laced every bone in her body, and then it came. That ear piercing cry. Her daughter's cry. Theo had began to cry happy tears, looking at Clint who had tears of joy in his eyes as well. Clint kissed her forehead, telling her she did such a good job.

The nurse handed her the baby, pressing the newborn to her chest. Theo was scared to hold her, looking at Clint. He smiled, nodding. He trusted her. Theo held onto her daughter and tear-filled laugh escaped her lips as she looked down at her baby. "Oh, she's beautiful."

"She takes after her mama." Eloise smiled.

The nurse looked at her. "Do you have a name?"

Theo couldn't take her eyes off the little girl, the widest smile both Clint and Eloise had ever seen gracing her features. Theo nodded, gently holding onto the baby's finger. "Avery Nicole Barton." Theo pressed a kiss to the baby's head. "Welcome to the world, little one."

Eventually, they'd had to take the baby away to make sure everything was alright. Theo had protested but Eloise had assured her it was normal and they were only making sure everything looked okay. Theo had given her daughter up at that. "Rest," Clint whispered, pressing another kiss to her forehead. "You did such a good job, baby. El and I will be here when they bring her back."

Theo hadn't wanted to, but her eyes fell heavy, exhaustion weighing heavily on her. She fell asleep. In her sleep, they had brought the baby back, Eloise had left with a soft congratulations, and the new family slept peacefully in the hospital that night. They were there for two more days before they could finally take their baby girl home.

They walked in the house, Clint carrying the baby carrier as he helped Theo up the steps. They entered the nursery and Clint set the carrier down, gently lifting their sleeping daughter into his arms. Theo watched him with a warm smile, letting him gently place her into the crib. Theo leaned her body into Clint and he wrapped his arms around her, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek.

"We have a daughter," Theo whispered.

"We have a daughter," Clint repeated. He looked at her. "Avery Nicole, huh?"

Theo shrugged. "I figured it was only fair if we both got a name. Of course the one I chose had to go first."

Clint softly chuckled. "Of course."

"I figure we should get some rest before the restless nights begin."

Clint hummed his agreement. "Yes, you are absolutely right."

"I should take a shower. I smell like a hospital."

Clint nodded. "I'll stay here with her."

Theo nodded and left the room. She took a shower, carefully cleaning her still aching body. She couldn't believe she'd brought life into this world. In the process, she hadn't hurt Clint or Eloise with her powers, and her baby had also remained unharmed. Maybe she didn't give herself enough credit. Maybe she had a lot more control over her powers than she realized. A small smile fell on her face at the thought. Maybe this was the true turning point in her life. Maybe this is where her new life could begin and she could leave the past behind her. She realized then that this was only the beginning.