Secret Parentage
natasha romanoff x reader
kate bishop x yelena belova
it´s kinda long, I´m sorry
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The scent of macaroni and cheese wafted through Yelena's apartment, a thick blanket of comfort that wrapped itself around the kitchen. Yelena stirred the simmering pot, a relaxed grin tugging at her lips. She'd always been fond of the simple pleasures, cooking being one of them. But the sudden shrill of her phone disrupted the peaceful tranquility.
"Kate," she answered, recognition coloring her tone with a touch of warmth. The speakerphone echoed throughout the room as she returned her attention back to the stove.
"Hey Yelena," Kate's voice came through, a hint of excitement behind her usual cool composure. "Just wanted to let you know that Y/N just gave birth to a beautiful baby girl."
The spoon Yelena was stirring with clinked against the pot, the news sending a wave of delight through her. "That's wonderful! Are they both okay?"
"Both are fine and resting," Kate assured. "I'll swing by in a bit to fill you in on the details."
A silent laugh escaped Yelena, and she shook her head in bemusement. "Kate, you always sound like we're in some sort of spy novel."
A shared chuckle passed between them before Yelena's curiosity piqued. "So, the million-dollar question, who's the father? You've been incredibly cryptic about that."
There was a pause on the other end, Kate's hesitance almost palpable. "I promised Y/N I wouldn't tell anyone," she finally admitted.
"But, Kate," Yelena objected, her tone a mixture of surprise and a bit of hurt. "We're practically family."
The sound of a deep breath was heard over the speaker. "It's Natasha."
The name hung heavily in the air, a phantom weight that stilled Yelena's movements completely. For a few seconds, the only sound in the room was the gentle bubbling of the mac and cheese.
"Yelena?" Kate's voice was tinged with worry, breaking the silence.
Yelena shook herself out of her stupor. "Kate, I can't... I can't just not tell Natasha. That's not fair."
"You have to," Kate pleaded, a hint of desperation creeping into her voice. "I promised Y/N."
"I don't understand," Yelena admitted, her voice trembling slightly with the strain of it all. "Why wouldn't she want Natasha to know?"
Kate sighed audibly over the phone. "Because Natasha is Natasha, and Y/N doesn't want her child to grow up with someone who... who doesn't commit, you know?"
Behind Yelena, the front door of the apartment creaked open, and in the hallway, the silhouette of Natasha Romanoff froze, the remnants of their conversation drifting towards her, tugging the ground from beneath her feet.
"Yelena, you cannot tell her," Kate's plea echoed through the speakerphone again, the urgent tension of the request clinging to each syllable.
The stress bubbled up within Yelena, boiling over into exasperation. "But Natasha... Natasha could be a great mother, Kate."
"I don't disagree, Yelena," Kate admitted, her voice softening a little. "But this is Y/N's wish. She doesn't trust that Natasha will be there in the long run, not with her lifestyle."
That hit Yelena like a punch to the gut, and she couldn't help the sigh that escaped her lips. This was not a conversation she wanted to be a part of. Yet, here she was, stuck between the woman she loved and the sister she would do anything for.
"Kate, I..." Yelena's voice faltered for a moment before she gathered herself. "Okay. Fine. But only because I love you, Kate. This...this doesn't feel right."
She knew that this promise could strain her relationship with her sister, but Yelena also knew that she had to respect Y/N's decision. After all, it was Y/N's life, Y/N's child, and Y/N's secret to keep.
Meanwhile, Natasha was still frozen in the hallway, her mind racing to process everything she had overheard. The sting of reality hit her like a cold wave, taking her breath away. Y/N, the one woman who'd managed to sneak past her walls, the woman she had shared a single, reckless night with, had just given birth to their child.
And no one told her.
A sense of betrayal gnawed at her heart as she tried to grapple with the fact that Y/N, her own sister, and even Kate didn't trust her enough to be a part of her own child's life. It was a pain far deeper than any physical wound she'd ever endured.
The realization dawned on her that Y/N didn't just keep her in the dark; she didn't trust her enough to shine a light on their shared secret. That hurt more than anything, and Natasha was left standing in the dimly lit hallway, nursing a wound that would take more than time to heal.
Silently, Natasha picked up her keys from the small table near the entrance, the metallic jingle echoing ominously in the silence. She quietly slipped out the door, making sure to leave no trace of her presence. As she descended the staircase, her heart seemed to mirror the sinking feeling within her.
Her car, parked on the side street, offered refuge from the turmoil of her thoughts. She got in and made a snap decision to go grocery shopping, a task she'd planned to do later. The distraction was needed now.
As the cityscape passed by her car window, Natasha’s mind wandered back to Y/N. The multiple rejections stung, but she could handle that. She'd been through worse, after all. What she couldn't wrap her mind around was that one unforgettable night when the lines blurred between friendship and something more. The memories were hazy, coloured with the fog of alcohol, yet the feeling was unmistakable - a connection she hadn't felt before.
But when morning came, Y/N was back to keeping her distance, the wall between them rebuilt seemingly stronger than ever. And now, this revelation... it was all too much to take in at once.
Natasha squeezed the steering wheel, the leather creaking under her grip as she navigated through the city traffic. "I'd be a good mom," she muttered to herself, her voice a hollow echo in the confines of her car. "I’d be there for my kid."
Money wasn't an issue, she was fortunate in that regard. And love? She knew without a shadow of a doubt that she could and would love her child fiercely and unconditionally.
Natasha sighed, a long, drawn-out breath that spoke volumes of her turmoil. She couldn't fathom why others doubted her ability to be a good mother. Was her reputation that tarnished in their eyes?
She wished she could make them see that she was more than her past, that she was capable of loving and caring for a child, her child. But wishes, as Natasha knew all too well, were often far from reality.
And as she pulled into the Target parking lot, the reality of her situation settled heavily on her heart. Her world had changed in ways she could never have anticipated, and now she had to figure out how to navigate through this new reality, one where she was a mother, but not quite yet.
Natasha navigated the familiar aisles of Target, her usual efficiency replaced with a somber pace. Every shelf she passed seemed to hold a memento of Y/N, memories hidden within the mundane. The rich, dark chocolate Y/N preferred, the soft, oversized sweaters she loved to curl up in during colder months, the very specific brand of tea she swore by... each item pulled at Natasha’s heartstrings.
Without a second thought, Natasha picked up each one, letting her fingers trace over the packages as she placed them in her cart. It wasn't rational, she knew. But it felt like a silent ode to the woman who unknowingly held a part of her heart, and now, a part of her life in a way she never imagined.
As she reached the baby section, Natasha found herself frozen in her tracks. Rows upon rows of tiny clothes, baby bottles, soft plush toys, and an endless variety of baby essentials stretched out before her. Her gaze landed on a small teddy bear, its brown fur soft and welcoming.
She picked it up, her fingers running over the plush fabric as she examined it. Her heart clenched at the thought of her child, her and Y/N's child, holding this teddy bear, finding comfort in its softness the way she wished she could provide.
Biting her lower lip, a habit she indulged in when deep in thought, she made her decision. The teddy bear went into the cart, nestled between the chocolate and the sweater, a poignant symbol of the new reality she was coming to terms with.
Each item in her cart was a silent promise, a commitment to Y/N and their child. A promise that despite what others thought, she would prove herself worthy of being a part of her child's life. And maybe, just maybe, she could make Y/N see it too.
Much later that evening, Yelena and Kate found themselves navigating the sterile hospital corridors to visit Y/N once more. The glow of the evening sun filtered in through the hospital windows, casting long, warm shadows. Their steps were hushed, each tread careful, wanting to respect the silence in case Y/N was still asleep.
They reached Y/N's room, the door slightly ajar. With a cautious hand, Yelena gently pushed it open. The sight that greeted them made her heart stop.
There, cradled in Natasha's arms, was the baby. Natasha's face was soft, vulnerable, her green eyes shining with unshed tears as she gazed at the newborn in her arms. A gentle smile graced her lips as she murmured soft words to the baby, her posture protective, her aura radiating warmth and affection.
The scene was so tender, so intimate, that it took Yelena's breath away. She could not resist capturing this moment. She quickly pulled out her phone, and with a silent click, the moment was immortalized.
Kate glanced at Yelena and the phone in her hand, her eyes widening with a mixture of surprise and indignation. "Yelena!" she hissed, quickly pulling her girlfriend away from the scene. The glare she sent Yelena's way spoke volumes.
Yelena just grinned sheepishly at Kate, tucking her phone away with a shrug. "What? It was a cute picture."
Kate only shook her head, a sigh escaping her lips. "You're in so much trouble," she muttered, not really angry, but worried about the consequences of Yelena's impulsive act.
The room was filled with a hushed tranquility as Natasha held her daughter, a soft lullaby whispering through the silence. Natasha's heart swelled with emotions she couldn't put into words. The tiny bundle in her arms felt so right, so perfect that it made her heart ache.
"Hello, little one," she whispered, her voice barely audible, her gaze transfixed on the sleeping face of her daughter. "I'm Natasha. I'm your mom."
The baby let out a small gurgle, as if in recognition, her tiny hands reaching out and Natasha held her breath as she felt her finger being grabbed.
A tender smile stretched across her face, as she continued, "I want you to know, I love you so much already. You're my little girl, my beautiful miracle."
Her gaze flickered to the bag resting on the chair nearby, filled with the day's purchases from Target. "I got you something today," she said, her voice catching in her throat as she gestured toward the bag. "Your first teddy bear. It's soft and cuddly, just like you."
With that, she pressed a featherlight kiss on the baby's forehead before gently laying her back down in the crib. Her fingers traced the outline of the baby's face one last time, her heart aching at the thought of leaving. But she had to, she knew. For now, at least.
Her gaze lingered on Y/N, sleeping peacefully on the hospital bed, a mix of longing and regret shadowing her eyes. She wanted so much more, wanted to be a part of this new family she unknowingly created. Yet, she respected Y/N's decision, no matter how much it hurt.
With one last look at her daughter and the woman she loved, Natasha quietly exited the room, her heart heavy yet filled with an unspoken promise.
"I will be back," she whispered to the silent corridor, a vow hanging in the quiet air. "For both of you."
As Natasha navigated the labyrinth of city streets, the glow of her phone screen lit up the car's interior. A new message. From Yelena. She pulled over to the side of the road, her heart pounding in her chest. She wasn't sure what to expect.
Unlocking her phone, she opened the message. It was a photo. The picture filled her screen, and for a moment, Natasha could hardly breathe. It was her. Her and the baby. The soft light of the hospital room painted a warm, tender tableau of a mother and her child.
A small smile played at the corners of her mouth, her eyes welling up with emotions as she stared at the photograph. It was real. It was tangible. It was her – holding her daughter.
Without hesitation, she quickly set the picture as her background. Now, every time she'd unlock her phone, she'd be greeted with the image of her and her daughter. A constant reminder of what she now had in her life, and a promise of what she was willing to fight for.
With that, she took a deep breath, the simple act seeming to fill her with newfound determination. She put her phone away, her eyes lingering on the image a moment longer before she focused back on the road.
As she continued her drive home, her mind raced with thoughts, plans, and dreams, and her heart filled with a love she had only just begun to explore. And every time doubt crept into her mind, she would just glance at her phone screen, at the picture that held her world in its frame, and she would know that she was ready to face anything for the sake of her daughter and the woman she loved.
