Chapter Text
At age 40, Yelena was a seasoned Avenger by now, and so was Kate Bishop-Belova at age 32. So much has happened over the last decade. The New and Young Avengers joined forces, defeating evil numerous times together. They’d really become one big family throughout the years.
All the while, Kate and Yelena’s relationship developed into something much deeper. By their sixth year together, they decided to finally tie the knot. By year ten, they’d decided to add a new member to their family.
Yelena had never imagined herself getting married, let alone starting a family. The idea of marriage seemed so far away from anything she was designed for most of her life. That was, until she met Kate Bishop, of course. Kate, who was the epitome of good and warmth and was the funniest person Yelena had ever met. In fact, Yelena was sure by now that Kate was the main reason her life had transformed into something so beautiful, something with purpose and worth living. Sure, her Avenger family played a part in all of that, too. But, at the end of the day, it was Kate who grounded Yelena. Kate, who made Yelena feel safe in her arms at night and could only get a full night’s sleep by her side.
Still, Yelena never thought she’d be where she was now; starting a family with Kate Bishop. (Yelena still called her wife Kate Bishop most days, even though they were legally hyphenated. She also was the one who insisted it was Bishop-Belova and not Belova-Bishop, so that she could still call her Kate Bishop).
Yelena did not have a conventional upbringing by any means. She hardly remembered the six short years of domesticity she experienced as a child with Natasha, Melina and Alexei. For most of her life, Yelena considered those to be the best years of her life, and yet she had hardly remembered what it felt like to be that happy for so long.
All of that changed, however, when Kate Bishop entered her life. Since then, Yelena now recognized the past decade as the best years of her life. She’d finally felt like she found herself, found her purpose, and was experiencing life the way she’d always wanted, but never felt safe enough to dream of. Only now, she was living that far-fetched dream.
Still, that dream was mildly terrifying. Yelena was never really one to be afraid of anything, and if she was, she buried that fear deep down and overcame it. No matter how much she researched all aspects of pregnancy, motherhood and general parenting, she still felt unprepared. And one thing that Yelena hated to feel like was not ready for something. She was always so sure, so confident, but this new chapter of her life that was steadily approaching kept her distracted from her work. That was another uncharacteristic thing happening as of late, and her teammates were starting to notice.
Kate was back at their home on bed rest. She was currently seven months along, and was not allowed on missions, much to her protestations. Stubborn by nature, the archer still tried to tag along or help in some ways at times, and Yelena was hearing absolutely none of it. The widow insisted that her wife remain at home and not work for the duration of the pregnancy, and for some time after the baby was born. That was part of their negotiation when they both finally agreed to take this step in their relationship and proceed with an IUI donor. Yelena had been admittedly hesitant for some time, her own past and lack of a nurturing upbringing making her apprehensive and anxious at the very idea. Not to mention, her own reproductive organs had been involuntarily removed when she was younger, and so the idea of children left her back then when that was taken from her. So, it was something she’d never given much thought until Kate started to hint at wanting a family. Over time, the more Yelena thought about it, the more it sounded right to her, though. The more she wanted it. And now, she had it, and it was almost here, but she was still so uneasy about everything.
There were so many factors to consider, both for the baby’s health and wellbeing, as well as Kate’s. Yelena had read everything she could, both online, on forums, in books and physical media, and even in queer parenting podcasts. But, none of them offered help for parenting tips for superheroes. For Avengers. For that advice, she reluctantly found herself leaning to Clint Barton of all people. Over the past decade, their relationship had changed as well for the better, and despite resenting him in the past, Yelena was now grateful for the advice he’d given her on occasion.
As mentioned, her teammates were starting to notice Yelena being a little off of her game, so to speak, during missions. And after one minor slip-up where Yelena missed a target and nearly fumbled part of their plan, they finally convinced her to go home and take a break. Bucky pulled her aside and had a one-to-one with her, and by the end of it, had seemingly convinced the widow to take an early maternity leave. She didn’t want to stop working, but she was finding it hard to focus on anything other than Kate when she was away from her. Kate and the baby.
Perhaps Yelena was a bit overprotective, fussing over Kate’s wellbeing often, but she could not control the desire to keep her safe and well-cared for. As helpful as her pregnancy and parenting research had been, it also instilled a whole new world of anxiety within Yelena, fearing things that could go wrong along the way. So, she finally relented and thought that maybe being home with Kate for the remaining two months of her third trimester would be the best for both of them.
Up until recently, they’d been living at the Tower still. However, Kate and Yelena decided the Avengers Tower wasn’t the best place to raise a child, and they also wanted to try and keep work life separate from home life as much as they could. They still remained in Manhattan, but had purchased a luxury penthouse apartment, similar to the one Kate had grown up in.
It was late, but Yelena knew her wife well, and knew that she’d been having late-night cravings. So, she made a pit stop on her way home from the mission.
Once inside their apartment, she greeted Lucky and Fanny, who trotted up to greet Yelena. “Yes, yes, hello to you both too. No, I did not forget about you two-” She set some bags down on the kitchen counter, opened one and gave each dog a hamburger. The two accepted the burgers, tails wagging and brought them to their beds to enjoy.
“Where’s mine?” Kate waddled into the kitchen, a hand on her rather large stomach as her other arm stretched upwards, yawning.
“Moya lyubov, you are supposed to be resting.”
“That didn’t answer my question,” Kate said stubbornly.
Yelena shook her head with a little smirk and held up a bag. “You know I did not forget you.”
Kate beamed. Her cravings have gotten so bad lately. Gods, her wife knew her so well. She felt so lucky. “Extra pickles and hot sauce?”
“Of course. You think I would leave the store with anything less than perfect for you?” Yelena had always been soft for Kate Bishop, but even more so now that she was carrying their child. And so she did indeed count every single pickle on each burger to be sure there was enough to her wife’s liking.
“Ugh, I love you. You’re amazing. Thanks,” Kate took the bag and sat down on one of the stools at the counter.
Yelena was glad that she was pleased, but raised a brow at her wife. “You were supposed to be resting. I was going to bring that to you in bed.”
“That is sweet, but I think I’m allowed to get up and walk around the apartment if I please,” she teased, digging into one of the burgers. “I thought you were going to be working later? Did the mission wrap up earlier than expected?” Kate said as she then licked some hot sauce from her thumb. This was hitting the exact craving need.
Yelena filled two glasses with ice water and set one in front of Kate and also slid her a napkin. She took a sip and leaned against the counter, humming briefly in thought. “Not exactly.”
“What’s that mean?”
Yelena paused, sighed and finally admitted, “...Our team seems to think I need to take an early maternity leave to be with you…” She was a little embarrassed to admit it, even to Kate.
However, it wasn’t much of a surprise to Kate. She could see how much stress Yelena was under as of late. This was new territory for both of them, and having to save the world on top of navigating pregnancy and parenthood was no easy task. In fact, Kate was a little relieved knowing her wife would be fully by her side for these remaining months. It was easier to manage this together than it was separately. Not to mention, Yelena being here meant that Kate wouldn’t have to worry about her wife’s safety all of the time. It was better for both of them, really.
So, Kate smirked a little. “Good. I’m glad they convinced you and were able to talk some sense into you.”
Yelena rolled her eyes, although she knew now this was the right choice, as much as she wanted to keep helping her team. Maybe this would be good for Kate, too. Yelena knew her wife hated being alone and grew restless stuck here while everyone else was out doing hero stuff. Luckily, Bob visited her often to keep her company while Yelena was gone, but it still wasn’t the same without her wife here. Yelena hummed, not wanting to admit that her team was right. “How are you feeling?”
“Like this burger is hitting right now.” Kate was devouring it.
Yelena snorted an amused sound at that, finishing her glass of water and walking over to Kate. “You know that is not what I meant.” She sat on the stool beside her, admiring her and pushing a strand of dark hair behind Kate’s ear so it was out of the way.
Kate finished eating at an impressive rate, and chased the spicy, sour burger down with the glass of water her wife provided. “I feel great. Better knowing you’re stuck here with me for these last two months.”
Yelena hummed. “Me too.” She meant it. It was so worrying being away from Kate all of the time when she was so far along. Hopefully, this new arrangement would ease some of her anxieties.
Kate burped when she finished the water, and quickly put her hand over her mouth, looking apologetic, but she was snickering. “Sorry. Blame the baby.”
“Do not blame my malyshka for your outbursts,” Yelena said, placing her hand on Kate’s belly. Yelena was the only one allowed to ever touch her stomach. Others had tried and nearly lost a hand.
“I think it’s fair game to place just a little blame when she’s actively kicking my organs around,” Kate joked.
Yelena gasped lightly when she felt one of those kicks beneath her palm. This never got old to her, and she was always marveled and in awe by it. She leaned in closer and spoke in a softer voice. “Be gentle with your mother, malyshka.”
Kate couldn’t help but smile softly down at her wife, running a hand through her choppy blond hair that was caked with some dirt and grime from the mission. “You look like you could use a shower, no offense.”
“None taken if you take it with me?” Yelena looked up at her wife expectantly.
And who was Kate to deny her? The archer smirked. “I’d race you there, but we all know who’d win.” She was not one for running these days.
Kate slowly slid off of the stool, setting both hands on her lower back and leaning back into a bit of a stretch.
“I have a better idea,” Yelena said before suddenly scooping her very pregnant wife up with gentle ease, carrying her bridal style towards the master bathroom.
“No complaints from me,” Kate said with a grin, relaxing in her wife’s arms. After all, there was no place else she felt safer.
*
Sleeping with Kate by her side usually meant a restful night for Yelena. It didn’t matter if she was big or little spoon, just knowing her wife was safe beside her was enough to ground her and usually enough to put the nightmares of her past at bay.
However, tonight she was having a hard time staying asleep. As per usual, Yelena remained awake until she was sure Kate was sleeping soundly, that both her wife and the baby were okay and resting well. A bit paranoid, Yelena would often press her ear to Kate’s stomach as she slept, listening for the baby’s heartbeat. Once she felt okay, she’d return to her pillow to try and get some rest.
But, the building stress of impending parenthood was weighing on Yelena now that she was home on maternity leave. Work had been somewhat of a distraction before, but now she could only really think of Kate and the baby. Of her daughter. That word still felt a bit foreign to her, as if it wasn’t a word meant for Yelena’s vocabulary. It was an adjustment, one she was looking forward to, but also scared her. She was so afraid that she’d be an inadequate parent. That her lack of a conventional upbringing would mean motherhood would be the one of the few things in life Yelena would not excel in. She was used to being good at everything, but no matter how hard she studied, she could not shake the fear of potentially messing this up. And if she did, she wouldn’t just be disappointing herself, but then she’d be letting down her wife and child. And she could not settle for that.
So, she woke from her slumber after a stressful nightmare, and inadvertently woke Kate too.
Kate stirred and rolled onto her side to face Yelena, draping an arm over her side. “...Can’t sleep?” She murmured.
Yelena felt guilty waking her tired wife. She could hear the exhaustion in her voice, knowing the pregnancy was physically wearing her out. “I am okay, moya lyubov. Go back to sleep,” she reassured her.
Kate hummed. “...Sounds to me like you’re not okay, though…”
Of course, Kate knew Yelena all too well. Better than anyone. “It was just a dream,” she reassured her wife.
“Want to talk about it?” Kate’s hand started to rub small circles on Yelena’s back. The older woman closed her eyes briefly, comforted by the touch.
“...I won’t go into details.” She paused. “...I just think…The reality of all of this is catching up to me.”
Kate’s expression softened. “...Me too.”
Yelena sounded surprised by that. “You too?” She thought she was the only one feeling this way.
“Why do you sound so surprised?”
“Because…you just seem like you know what you’re doing in all of this.”
Kate snorted. “ Yelena…I’m just as new to this as you. I’m figuring this out day by day.”
Yelena felt somewhat reassured by that, nodding. She reached out and gently placed her hands on Kate’s stomach, fingertips gently brushing the soft skin of her belly. “...Are you ever afraid of…messing this up?”
Kate seemed to know exactly what Yelena meant, without Yelena having to go into depth. That was something that seemed to naturally develop over time in their decade together. The archer nodded. “All of the time.”
“Really?”
“Yes…As excited as I am…it’s nerve-wracking. I only had my mom for most of my life, and she wasn’t always the best at parenting…” Eleanor Bishop was still in federal prison.
Yelena hummed in thought. “I guess we both have unconventional upbringings.” Granted, Yelena’s was far worse. Being raised as a child assassin wasn’t exactly something to bring up in casual conversation to most people.
Kate brought her hand down to gently hold Yelena’s on her belly. She brushed her thumb over the older woman’s hands. “...We’re going to figure this out. Together. It’s a little scary, but it’s less scary when I remember who I agreed to do this with.”
Yelena looked intently at her wife, her own expression softening. Already she was feeling a bit better, thanks to Kate. She nodded, and bent down to kiss the top of her hand on her belly. “Together.”