(a/n: Angst, teen pregnancy, mentions of adoption, family-type fluff.)

"I don't think I can do this, Peter," you confessed softly. You were nearly eight months along now. Peter looked at you in confusion. "Do what?" You ran your hand over your belly with a sigh. "I don't think I can raise a baby...I'm not ready." Peter sat his homework down and took your hand in his. "What should we do then?"

In truth, Peter was partially relieved and partially upset. If you had said something months ago, he wouldn't have gotten attached already. Part of him liked the idea of being a dad while part of him was scared out of his mind. You were teens after all. Sure, others could do it, but could you? Could he?

"I don't know, Pete. I want to be in his life, but I'm not ready to be a mom. I'm still in high school, for goodness sake! I just wanna be a kid again, not have one of my own. And are you really ready to be a dad?" Peter licked his lips, unsure of how to answer in a way that wouldn't upset you. Your hormones had been a little unpredictable.

"I mean, yeah...maybe," he started. You just looked at him in your usual, sassy way and he laughed. "Not really. I really want to be a dad. I was just hoping for a little more time before it happened. But I mean, it's too late now, isn't it?" You shrugged and ran your hand over your belly again. "I could ask Dad, or Uncle Bruce. They might have some suggestions." Peter winced at the mention of your dad. Ever since he found out, Tony hadn't exactly been happy with Peter. It strained their relationship.

"I don't know if that's a good idea, Y/N. Your dad was pretty serious about me being there for the baby, no matter what." You bit your lip in frustration as tears welled up in your eyes. "No, no, no. Please don't cry," Peter pleaded, "I didn't mean to upset you, I swear! I'm just trying to figure it out." You sniffled, but didn't actually start crying. "I know. I'm sorry. I'm just confused and upset. Are we really going to do this? Be parents? We can barely take care of ourselves."

"You could always try adoption," a voice came from behind you." You turned to see Natasha sipping a cup of coffee. You hadn't even noticed her come in. Dang spy training. "A-Adoption?" She nodded. "Sure. A lot of couples out there can't have babies of their own and would love to adopt one. It's just a matter of paperwork and finding the right people."

You and Peter exchanged a glance. It wasn't bad idea really. Then again, Natasha's ideas were usually pretty smart. "Like you and Uncle Steve?" you asked and Natasha nearly choked on her coffee. "Slow down, Y/N. Your Uncle Steve and I are just testing the waters right now. Let's not bring kids into the equation just yet. Why not try looking outside of the Tower?" You frowned.

"We want to be able to see him. We just can't raise him on our own," Peter explained quietly. Natasha watched the two of you for a moment. "You do realize that you won't have to? You have an entire family right here. I'm sure we're all willing to pitch in, especially Barton when he's here. He already knows what he's doing. And, so does your dad. But don't tell him I said that," she told you with a wink, making you giggle.

"You think so, Auntie Nat?" She smiled. "I am. I mean, look at you! You grew up with Stark and have been living the rest of us for years now and you turned out okay." You scoffed and gestured to your belly. "Except for this, right?" Natasha set down her cup and came over to you. "Now you listen, you are a great kid, Y/N. So is Parker. But you're kids and you make mistakes. This baby isn't one of those. It happens. Now it's up to the two of you what to do." With that, she grabbed her cup and left again.

You and Peter sat in silence for a few minutes while you contemplated what to do. Should you do what Natasha suggested and give the baby up for adoption or should you keep him and be the best parents you could possibly be? There was no perfect choice here. "What do you think, Peter?" you asked.

"I think she's right. Maybe adoption is the best thing. At least we could be sure he'll be safe then. But it's not just my choice, Y/N. You're the only carrying him. Do you think you'll be able to give him up once he's born?" You placed your hands on your stomach and felt the little boy kick. "I just want to make the best decision for all of us. I think you and Auntie Nat are right. He'd have a better chance and a safer life if we gave him up. But I don't know if I can give him up to complete strangers, Pete."

Peter went silent again before an idea struck him. "What about Barton? At least, with Laura, the baby will be safe and Barton can make sure that we're in his life." You furrowed your brows. "But they already have three kids, Pete. What if they don't want to adopt him?" A laugh echoed through the room as Clint dropped down from the vent.

"And what make you think we wouldn't? Parker's right. The baby will be safe on the farm and the kids would love to have another baby around now that Nathaniel is up and moving. We would even agree to just guardianship so he would still have your last name. You would still be his parents, we would just take care of him while you finish school."

You couldn't speak for a moment. "You really mean that, Mr. Barton?" Clint nodded and you got up as fast as you could to wrap your arms around him. "Thank you, Uncle Clint. Thank you so much...but are you sure Aunt Laura won't mind?" Clint smiled. "Of course not. I already asked her after I overheard you talking to Nat about adoption." You rolled your eyes. Of course he had been listening. "I'm just surprised it didn't take Parker longer to think of it." Peter started stuttering out a protest, but you giggled. "Thank you." Clint kissed your temple. "Anything for you, kid."

You glanced back at Peter who joined your little hug as a sense of relief washed over him. You now had a solution that was best for you both and, more importantly, for the baby. And you and Peter could finish school and still be parents to an extent. Truly, Peter was happy. While he was too young to be the dad he really wanted to be, he was happy he was going to be able to be in his son's life anyway.    

(a/n 2: I hope you can forgive me for using adoption in yet another one of my fics. It is a subject very close to my heart.)