This was written for KuryakinGirl's birthday :)

Title: Bittersweet
author: Cindy Ryan
pairings: Natasha/Clint
category: fluff
timeline: future AU picket fences universe
Summary: milestones deserve to be celebrated. The gang gathers to honor Phillip's first birthday

Through the lens of a video camera Clint Barton watched friends celebrate his son Phillip's first birthday. The small house in
the suburbs of Chicago was nearly full to capacity. The living room was decorated with a multi-colored 'Happy Birthday, Phillip' banner
above the fireplace and a large stuffed cartoon dinosaur wearing a party hat sat by the front door. Balloon bouquets of various colors
and shapes dotted the living room and kitchen. The mailbox out front had multi-colored streamers attached.

Natasha had thought he'd gone a bit overboard for a first birthday. Clint had only shrugged and smiled at his wife. With how he had grown
up birthdays were just another day. He'd wanted his son to have the whole nine yards even if he was too young to remember. Clint now
zoomed in on the birthday cake on the kitchen table which was in the shape of a dinosaur. Hawkeye refocused the video camera to normal and
followed Natasha as she put Phillip in his highchair which do to lack of space was in the living room by the wall separating the kitchen and
living room. The little boy was wearing a dinosaur party hat and matching dinosaur t-shirt and blue jeans. He smiled at Clint. Hawkeye
grinned back at his son marveling once more at the turn his life had taken.

"Okay time to cut the cake."Natasha called gaining the group's attention.

Hawkeye turned the camera on his wife as she stepped from the kitchen balancing the cake with one candle on it.

"Do we have to sing?"Tony Stark asked. "He's only one not like he'll notice if we don't."

"I'll notice."Natasha replied causing Clint to laugh as she flashed Stark her best Black Widow dagger look.

Tony quickly led the rendition of Happy Birthday as Natasha helped Phillip blow out the candle. As Natasha cut the cake and placed the
first piece in front of their child Clint couldn't help but reflect on the one man who wasn't there to celebrate. The one his son had been
named for. Phil Coulson had always had faith in Clint. Thought he could succeed in whatever he put his mind to. Clint hoped Phil would
be proud of the life he and Natasha had now. Phillip gurgled happily as he planted a right hand and then a left in the piece of chocolate cake.

"Is it not to be eaten?"Thor inquired as he watched Phillip with fascination.

Steve laughed. "Not if you're one."

Clint turned off the camera making sure the priceless milestone was saved to the disk. He set the camera on a side table and joined his
wife. He wrapped his arms around Natasha's waist pulling her back against him. They both looked down at Phillip as he continued to play
with the cake.

"I think he had a good birthday."Clint commented with a grin.

"I think he did too. I love you."Natasha replied.

Clint kissed her briefly. "I love you too."

end