Anniversary Surprise
"Nat." Steve gently shook his wife, to wake her up. The sun wasn't out just yet, so the sky was still covered in a hazy light blue. It was bright enough to see Natasha's face, though. Steve could have waited to do this later, but he was far too excited now.
It took a few moments for Natasha's eyes to open - she had slept pretty heavily last night - but once she did, she smiled up at him. "Yeah? What is it?" Her voice was still a little croaky from just waking up and she rubbed her eyes with the back of her hands as she sat up.
Steve brushed his hand over her messy hair, now more auburn than the fiery red it used to be. She was so beautiful. "Do you know what today is?"
Natasha grinned and sat up, placing her chin on her knees. "How could I ever forget? It's our anniversary." She was the best when it came to remembering things like anniversaries and weddings.
Steve smiled and reached over to the nightstand drawer. He pulled out a small, wrapped, square-shaped gift and handed it to her. "Happy anniversary, doll." He knew that she would like what he'd given her.
She hadn't expected him to give her a gift so early in the morning, but she was touched that he chose this moment instead of later. "Thank you, Steve." Natasha curiously tore open the wrapping paper and gasped once she realized what it was. It was a small, framed picture of their first kiss on the escalator in the mall all those years ago. "Wha-how did you get this?"
Steve put his arm around her, enjoying the shocked but pleased expression on her face. "Well, you'd never guess it, but a fan saw us from the other escalator, realised who we were and took a picture. She got one developed and actually sent it to me with a note saying that she hoped we'd be happy together."
Natasha's eyes widened and she laughed. "That...is hilarious and also wildly prophetic." She ran her fingers over the picture lovingly and smiled at it. To think that someone captured one of the best moments of her life and sent it to her husband before they even got married.
The blonde brushed his lips against his wife's temple. "To say the least. I sent her a picture of us at our wedding as a thank you. I'm sure she enjoyed it."
Natasha chuckled softly. "I'll bet she did. Oh, this is incredible, honey. I love this picture, Steve. I really do...but my gift totally beats yours."
Brow furrowed, Steve replied, "Oh, yeah? How so?" He had no idea what could be better than this picture of the two of them, but who knew? When it came to Natasha Rogers, Steve was always ready to expect the unexpected.
Natasha's lips quiver with emotions and she took her husband's hand, placing it on her belly. "Because I'm pregnant."
His eyes widened and he gaped in shock. "Nat, are you really...?"
Tears slid down her cheeks and she nodded. The look on his face was priceless and she wouldn't have traded this moment for anything in the world. "Yes, Steve. We're finally going to have a baby."
Steve held his hand on her stomach, the look on her face was full of wonder. He leaned down and kissed her belly with such tenderness that Natasha let out s sob as she watched him. Then he drew her close to his chest and kissed her with fervent adoration. Seconds later he pulled back, his misty eyes shone with love for her. "I love you, Natasha."
She hugged him and sighed, contented to be in the arms of the man she loved. "And I love you, Steve. I can't wait to have your baby." They stayed in bed like this for a long time, wrapped in each other's arms. Both were so overwhelmed with emotion that no words were spoken between them, but they didn't need words to express how they felt.
The steady beat of Steve's heart was gave Natasha peace. She was beside herself with joy and she knew that he felt the same way.
Finally, after ten years of marriage, ten years of trying, now they would be blessed with the ultimate gift. The gift that they had always wanted and never stopped giving up hope or praying for, and now, their greatest wish was about to come true. They were going to have a child.