[center][h1][color=6ecff6]Cassandra Reed[/color] & [color=#004d00]Mathew Moss[/color][/h1][/center] [hr][hr] Only once before had Matt had this conversation with someone. It seemed right to do now. Even though he and Cass hadn't been dating a full year, it felt right. He hadn't gotten a ring or anything. This conversation was just testing the waters. He had asked Cass to join him on a date out to the Chinese Restaurant they had had their first date at. He was dressed up and walked to her room and knocked on the door. Cassandra was finishing up getting things ready for their date, things managed to slow down somewhat after the Skrull's tried to invade so any downtime was nice. She perked up a little bit when she heard the knock on the door and made her way to toward it opening the door she was wearing a [url=https://stylesatlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Scalloped-neck-dress.jpg.webp]black dress[/url]. [color=6ecff6]"Hey, there how are you?"[/color] She asked leaning in and giving Matt a loving kiss. Matt kissed Cass back. Kissing Cass was very pleasant, and Matt considered asking her back into the room for dessert before dinner. [color=#004d00]"You look fantastic."[/color] He said when they finally parted coming up for air. [color=#004d00]"Ready?"[/color] He offered his arm, when she took it the pair of them walked to the garage. They drove to the restaurant chatting about random things. Once there they were sat at a small table since it was just the two of them. Cass smiled at Matt as they got into the restaurant and sat down across from him, she was happy to just be out of the HUB for a little bit and spending her time with her boyfriend. [color=6ecff6]"Thank you for the date, you look great by the way as well."[/color] She said gently reaching over to gently hold onto his hand. [color=#004d00]"Thank you."[/color] Matt smiled. He enjoyed Cass's compliments they always felt sincere. [color=#004d00]"I wanted to have a talk with you. Sort of testing of the water and see if you were happy with me and if you wanted to consider the future."[/color] Matt figured being straightforward for this type of talk was always for the best. Communication was an important part of relationships and you couldn't beat around the bush when talking about the future. [color=6ecff6]"Your welcome."[/color] Cass said to Matt as she smiled towards him, as he went straight to the point which she did admire as she gently gave Matt's hand a squeeze. [color=6ecff6]"I am really happy to be with you, and I do see a future with you."[/color] She told him, she was being honest she did love Matt and she was always happy to be around him whenever they didn't have to save the world from either aliens or groups like HYDRA trying to take over the world. Matt sighed and a happy smile spread across his face. He lifted Cass's hand to her to his lips and kissed it gently. [color=#004d00]"Good. I am happy being with you too. I want a future."[/color] He paused and gave her hand a squeeze back. [color=#004d00]"You know I can't have children right? The gender reaffirmation surgery takes away the ability to carry them, and doesn't give me the other side of the coin."[/color] He wasn't certain how to say that without being crude so he went for the metaphor. [color=#004d00]"Do you want children?"[/color] It was an important question considering both Bonnie and Sparky were having kids now. Cass gave Matt a loving smile as he kissed her hand, and then the topic of children came up she knew that Matt couldn't physically give her one, and due to her skin being impenetrable. It kind of made medical treatment for her extremely hard needles would simply break and fighting against Folly confirmed that as well after getting slashed by her daggers multiple times, before going for the eye. And even getting the M-Pox cure out of her was really difficult. [color=6ecff6]"I do want to have kids someday, but any kind of medical intervention would probably make it difficult to carry a child to full term."[/color] She knew that Maria just had her baby, and Sparky's was pretty soon, and Bonnie was expecting now as well to. [color=#004d00]"Would you be alright with adoption then?"[/color] That really was their only option left. Matt didn't know enough about artificial insemination worked, but it probably required needles. [color=#004d00]"I wouldn't mind adopting."[/color] His smile, he hadn't given much thought to children for most of his life. [color=6ecff6]"I'm completely fine with going through with adoptions."[/color] Cassandra said, she thought it was a really nice thing to do taking a child who didn't have parents and were in the system for a better home she was glad that they were on the same page as well to. [color=#004d00]"I suppose that takes us to the next important question. Do you want to look at rings?"[/color] There were some more questions Matt wanted to ask, and he wasn't entirely certain he was going about this the way some women would like. He hoped that Cass was alright with it. He had done the cute thing with his ex-fiance, he didn't feel it was necessary now. They would also need to decide where they wanted to make their home. With their current work, San Fransisco was the only option. But that could change. Would they want to stay in the US? They both were from London, would they want to raise their kid there or here in the US? Cass was a little bit surprised when he asked if she wanted to start looking for rings, which made her blush some more as she looked into his eyes before leaning in and giving him a loving kiss. [color=6ecff6]"Yes, I would love that a lot."[/color] She said as Cassandra gave him another quick kiss, as she sat back. She wasn't sure where she'd want to actually settle down in, though they could figure all that out together as well, maybe getting a place in the city instead of living on base all the time. [color=6ecff6]"Maybe we could find an apartment together in the city somewhere?"[/color] She suggested. Matt returned Cass's kiss. He was happy. He was excited too. [color=#004d00]"I suppose I should do this properly later."[/color] He gave Cass a crooked grin as she settled back into her seat. [color=#004d00]"I think an apartment here would be nice. We're going to have some decisions to make."[/color] At this point the waiter came by and took their order. Matt took Cass's hands into his caressing them gently with his thumb. [color=#004d00]"I'm excited though. I haven't been this happy in a long time."[/color] [color=6ecff6]"I definitely expect to be surprised when you actually do."[/color] Cassandra said teasingly as their waiter came over and took their order, while still gently squeezing Matt's hand. [color=6ecff6]"I'm excited to and i'm really glad that you are happy."[/color] She said softly while tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. [color=6ecff6]"Do you have any other surprises in store for tonight?"[/color] [color=#004d00]"Well I know some people don't like it to be an event. Good to know I can make it one for you."[/color] Matt grinned and soaked in Cass's beauty. [color=#004d00]"If I told you that would it still be a surprise?"[/color] Matt laughed. [color=#004d00]"That is to say I don't have any more hard hitting questions. We know what we need to talk about going forward."[/color] He leaned back in his seat some. [color=#004d00]"I do however have plans for dessert so keep some room."[/color] Cass smiled some as she leaned back in her seat and laughed slightly. [color=6ecff6]"True it wouldn't really be a surprise if you did tell me."[/color] She said as she smiled. [color=6ecff6]"I'll be sure to have enough room for some dessert then."[/color] The rest of dinner consisted of the two of them talking about random things. Some of it was their ideas for the future, others were about their friends and their excitement for the ones who were having (or just had) children. Matt paid for dinner and then led Cass outside. [color=#004d00]"Do you want to walk or drive? It is about a mile and a half, which since it is San Francisco and they don't believe in flat streets will take about thirty minutes. There is parking where we are going too."[/color] He told her. Cassandra spent their entire dinner smiling and enjoying just talking about their future plans, as she finished up eating the rest of her dinner, she looked over towards him and thought for a moment. Though walking would be more romantic she didn't have the right shoes really to walk that far. [color=6ecff6]"I'm fine with driving there."[/color] Cass said, as Matt went ahead and paid for their dinner and stood up offering her hand and smiling. Matt held her hand until they got to the car, there he opened the door for her. Once both of them were in the car he held her hand again. It was so lovely just spending time with her. They drove to Ghirardelli Square and found parking in the lot nearby. The downside of parking in San Francisco is it cost a lot, but it was better than the hike would have been. [color=#004d00]"Are you ready for the best hot chocolate of your life?"[/color] Cass smiled as she held onto Matt's hand the entire time it was a really lovely night as they drove, when they got there she turned to look at him and smiled. She did love having hot chocolate, especially during the winter. [color=6ecff6]"I am ready to get some, my sister and I would always get some whenever it was cold out."[/color] [color=#004d00]"I didn't know that. Should we have invited your sister too?"[/color] He grinned, clearly joking. It didn't help that Cass's sister lived on the other side of the United States. Inside they were greeted by the warm smell of chocolate wafting from every corner. The place was busy, even for the hour. Thankfully the line was pretty short, but it did take them past all sorts of packages of different chocolates they sold. [color=#004d00]"Do you want any for later?"[/color] He asked. [color=6ecff6]"I'm pretty sure she isn't like Pietro or anything like that."[/color] Cass said with a slight laugh as they entered the shop, taking in the lovely smell of the chocolate in the room. [color=6ecff6]"Trying to fatten me up spoil me already or something?"[/color] Cassandra said giggling a bit before wrapping her arm around his. [color=6ecff6]"I'd love some to take back."[/color] Matt was glad she thought his joke was funny and even continued it. [color=#004d00]"I'm definitely trying to spoil you. Speaking of your sister. I think I should meet her before the whole getting engaged and married thing happens."[/color] He said leaning into her arm and kissing her on the cheek. Since they were about the same height he couldn't kiss her on the top of the head which is what he wanted to do. He silently cursed his genes for not making him a bit taller. [color=#004d00]"I know she's been through a lot lately, but I think we should fly her out for Christmas."[/color] Thanksgiving might work too, but that was such an American holiday Matt had never really celebrated it. This solidified his plan though. He knew when and where and how he would ask Cass to marry him. [color=6ecff6]"I'm glad that I'll be treated like a princess then."[/color] Cassandra said to Matt as she smiled as he kissed her on the cheek and thought for a moment. [color=6ecff6]"I'm sure she'd love to come down and visit here, we could video call her sometime that way you can get to meet her too if you want."[/color] She offered. [color=6ecff6]"Christmas would work perfectly, we can work on getting her here then too."[/color] She said. [color=#004d00]"Yeah, we should do a video call."[/color] It would be good to meet Carolina in a somewhat neutral way first. He did not want his first impression for Cass's sister to be Christmas. He should also make sure he got her a good Christmas gift. He let Cass pick out some chocolate and then they made their way to the front of the line to place their hot chocolate order. There were other options like sundaes and milkshakes, but Matt had really wanted a good cup of hot chocolate. Once the order was placed, he was given a receipt with a number on it and they moved out of the way. [color=#004d00]"Hopefully we have a quiet Christmas."[/color] Matt chuckled remembering the previous year's Christmas had been quite an adventure. [color=6ecff6]"Or actually we could fly out to New York Carolina and I actually share the same birthday, just a few years apart that way you can meet her in person to."[/color] Cass suggested looking over at Matt as he went ahead and started to take their order, she picked out the kind of chocolate that she wanted giving Matt another kiss on the cheek. She shook her head slightly remembering that Deadpool had ended up crashing their little Christmas party, which was both annoying and kind of funny after having to chase him all around town. [color=6ecff6]"I hope we don't run into Deadpool again anytime soon honestly."[/color] Matt gave a bit of a chuckle again. [color=#004d00]"I was thinking basically the same thing. At least we know my paralytic works on him."[/color] He smiled at Cass. [color=#004d00]"I didn't know you two had the same birthday. That had to be annoying as kids."[/color] Matt had a sister, but their birthdays were fairly opposite of each other. [color=#004d00]"I should take you to visit my parents and sister too."[/color] He said thinking about them. It was a good supportive family. He just hadn't seen them since he had joined SHIELD. [color=6ecff6]"It really wasn't all that annoying growing up, we were pretty close growing up we still are."[/color] Cass said to Matt and gave him a smile, her family wasn't really well off growing up poor but they still made the most of things pretty well and her family was close as well. [color=6ecff6]"Well my parents still live in London so maybe we could have a family get together or something."[/color] [color=#004d00]"That's a good idea. My family is there still. My sister got married a few years back too, but she doesn't have any kids yet. She's only 25."[/color] Matt had a sudden funny thought and said, [color=#004d00]"We both grew up in London but had to travel halfway around the world to meet."[/color] Their order was called and Matt got their hot chocolates before stepping out into an outdoor seating terrace. Since it was nice it didn't give the best view, but you could see a bit. Matt wrapped one arm around Cass looking over the railing at the city and the bay. There was a park in view, but there didn't seem to be much activity. [color=#004d00]"I'll contact my parents and let them know what we're thinking. They'll be ecstatic."[/color] [color=6ecff6]"You think that they all would like me?"[/color] Cassandra asked him as she looked over towards Matt as he went to grab their order, and followed him outside she looking over at the park below. Feeling Matt's arm around her waist she smiled and leaned against him slightly feeling very relaxed and content. [color=6ecff6]"It is kind of funny that we didn't meet until now. I'll call my family to and set something up and we can all meet they'll be really happy.[/color] Matt kissed her cheek, [color=#004d00]"They'll love you. My parents are fairly chill and understanding. It's the only reason I survived my childhood really. They'll be happy to know I've moved on and settled down again."[/color] His sister had threatened to punch his ex. [color=#004d00]"But they'll think you're awesome. You're badass and smart and a fantastic leader. And if they don't guess we won't visit them."[/color] He spoke very seriously. He wasn't worried they'd not like her, but he also would stay with Cass even if they didn't like her. Cass gave Matt a loving smile and leaned in and kissed him as well, she was glad that his parents would accept her. [color=6ecff6]"My parents will like you to, they are really nice people."[/color] She told him and smiled towards Matt when he said she was badass, she was more of a computer geek, but the job was great and made her into the person she was now. [center][h1][color=lightgreen]Maria Novikova[/color] & [color=add3ff]Dominika Novikova[/color] Ft. Baby Diana[/h1][/center] [hr][hr] Novikova was extremely exhausted. She had ended up needing an emergency C-section, but thankfully everything had turned out fine. Little Diana Niah had successfully come into the world on October 20th, just eleven days away from Halloween. [color=add3ff]"I can't believe Doctor Strange delivered our baby,"[/color] Novikova murmured to her wife, Maria. Yes, the emergency C-section had ended up being performed at the West Coast Avengers Headquarters by Doctor Strange. He had been over chatting with the Scarlet Witch about some magic nonsense. They were lucky he had been there. [color=add3ff]"He's almost my co-worker,"[/color] Novikova then added, a little hopped up on pain killers. Maria sat in a nearby chair holding little Diana in her arms sleeping rather soundly in her arms, making sure that she wasn't making direct skin contact with her newborn daughter. After killing the Empress Veranke with her powers she wanted to be extra careful handling her, she turned to her Novi she was glad that Dr. Strange was actually there. [color=lightgreen]"I'm just glad that he was actually around when you went into labor, seems like he's everywhere a lot of the time."[/color] Maria said, moving a little bit closer to Novikova. [color=lightgreen]"How are you feeling want me to get you anything?"[/color] She asked. [color=add3ff]"Vodka?"[/color] Novikova asked. She was too out of it to realize that vodka wasn't really going to be much of an option - same thing with coffee, sadly. Breastfeeding more or less meant that whatever she had, little Diana would end up having a little while later. Maria shook her head slightly as she reached over to run a hand through Novi's hair and shook her head slightly. [color=lightgreen]"Sadly you can't have anything thats alcholic still for another couple of weeks while you are breastfeeding."[/color] Maria pointed out, she wished that she could have reversed roles, but her powers would have killed the baby if she ever did become pregnant. [color=lightgreen]"I could order us some food if you'd like?"[/color] Maria offered. Novikova whined, not liking the denial of alcohol. This entire pregnancy thing really sucked. Sure, baby Diana was adorable and everything, but her body had been put through the wringer with all of this. Novikova didn't even know if her body would ever feel normal again. [color=add3ff]"Fine, then cheeseburgers,"[/color] Novikova requested, a bit like a petulant child. [color=lightgreen]"Once we ween her off of breast feeding, we can get Diana I can ask and see if Niah would be willing to watch her. And i'll take you out to as many bars as you want deal?"[/color] Maria said to Novi and nodded as she looked towards their daughter still sleeping comfortably. [color=lightgreen]"Do you want to hold her while I put the order in?"[/color] She offered, seeing her pouting like a child was kind of cute. Novikova perked up a bit at that. [color=add3ff]"Deal,"[/color] she said. She then nodded, holding her arms up for her baby - she was far too exhausted to get out of the bed to hold her kid, and Diana was sleeping anyways, so she figured she wouldn't mind. Maria smiled at Novi as she perked up after that. [color=lightgreen]"It's a date then."[/color] Maria said as she got up and moved over to gently hand Diana over to Novi's arms. She then pulled out her phone and started to do the order, as she looked over Diana started to wake up slightly and moved her little arms and legs still looking a bit sleepy. [color=add3ff]"Aren't you supposed to go on the date before getting pregnant?"[/color] Novikova deadpanned. She smiled slightly as Diana started moving around. [color=add3ff]"Hello, my little pumpkin,"[/color] she murmured, twirling her finger in front of Diana's nose and then booping her gently. Maria smiled slightly and shook her head. [color=lightgreen]"Trust me if I could trade places with you I would."[/color] Maria said with a slight laugh as she watched Novi holding their daughter Diana would move her little hands to grab Novi's finger after being booped. [color=lightgreen]"She certainly likes you it looks like."[/color] Maria said as she finished putting the order in. Novikova chuckled, letting Diana hold onto her finger. [color=add3ff]"I'd hope so. She almost got to come out of my vagina,"[/color] Novikova joked. [color=add3ff]"In all seriousness though... I think she likes you too."[/color] Maria laughed softly as she watched Diana trying to gum on Novi's finger now. [color=lightgreen]"Of course i'm going to be the fun mom."[/color] Maria said jokingly as she looked at her wife for a moment. [color=lightgreen]"Did I miss anything while I was being held by the Skrulls?"[/color] Maria asked looking over at her, she was glad that she was able to be there for the birth of their first born together. Novikova's smile faded. She didn't like being reminded of the fact that her wife had been replaced by an alien and she hadn't noticed. Yes, skrulls were basically perfect shapeshifters but still... It made her skin crawl with shame to think about. [color=add3ff]"Not really. Things were more or less quiet,"[/color] Novikova said with a shrug. [color=add3ff]"There was a Civil War, but I chose not to participate."[/color] Maria reached over with her gloved hand to gently hold Novi's and looked towards her seeing the smile fading. [color=lightgreen]"Well I don't plan on getting kidnapped by aliens anytime soon again."[/color] Maria said giving her wife a smile, at least try to anyway she wasn't sure if the Skrulls would end up retaliating for killing their former empress. [color=lightgreen]"I heard that happened to, i'm glad that you didn't join in on that."[/color] [color=add3ff]"I'll remember that, for the next time aliens abduct you,"[/color] Novikova promised. [color=add3ff]"And yeah..."[/color] she yawned slightly. [color=add3ff]"It wasn't really my vibe, you know?"[/color] [color=lightgreen]"Plus you were holding our little one still inside you, I wouldn't want you to get hurt anyway."[/color] Maria said giving her a smile seeing her yawning. [color=lightgreen]"I wouldn't have participated in it either if you weren't anyway."[/color] [color=add3ff]"Scared you'd have no one cool to talk to?"[/color] Novikova teased. [color=lightgreen]"Of course and it would have totally sucked."[/color] Maria said teasingly as she looked down at her phone feeling it going off, seeing that their order was on the way now. [color=lightgreen]"The food should be here pretty soon."[/color] [color=add3ff]"Yaaaay,"[/color] Novikova deadpanned, but she smirked slightly. She was pretty hungry, even if she wasn't eating for two anymore. [color=lightgreen]"I'll go and get the food i'll be right back love."[/color] Maria said gently running a hand through Novi's hair while she held Diana and headed out of the room to grab their meal. [color=add3ff]"Thanks babe,"[/color] Novikova said with a slight smile, before her stomach growled to punctuate the sentence.