Chapter 2
Steve walked away from the small dispute between drunken soldiers and headed toward the hotel. A lone car sped off not too far away but he couldn’t be bothered to worry about it. He was anxious to be with you again. The upcoming missions were going to be hard on everyone so he wanted a bit of peace and happiness in his life with his best girl.
Steve took the stairs two at a time, he wanted to have you back in his arms as fast as possible. He kept the same pace as he walked down the hallway but his stomach dropped as soon as he saw your door. It was wide open and there was no sign of you anywhere. Steve rushed in and checked everywhere but the room was in perfect order. As he rushed out something on the floor got his attention. The light hit the metal object just right and he realized it was the locket he had given you a few hours before. He picked it up and saw that the clasp was broken and he ran.
Outside under the light of the winter moon Bucky was escorting the commandos back toward the hotel. As they neared the entrance Steve barged out. Bucky knew something was wrong immediately.
“Steve what is it?”
“Y/N’s gone. Someone took her.” He rushed out.
That was enough to get the Howlies’ attention.
“How do you know she’s gone?”
“Her door was wide open and the room was un disturbed and this.” He showed them the locket and the broken clasp. “She wouldn’t have taken it off willingly.”
“Ok we have to move now. Did you see anything suspicious as you came in?”
“No nothing-“ Steve shook his head before he turned as he remembered the car that had sped away. “No no no no no.” He started running in that direction with Bucky following suit.
“Y/N!” Steve yelled at the top of his lungs. “Y/N, please. Please… don’t… leave me.”
“Steve.” He turned at the sound of your voice. He could hear you but not see you.
“Steve?”
“Y/N? Where are you?”
“Steve…”
“Steve, honey, you’ve gotta wake up.” You gently touched Steve’s cheek as you tried to wake him. He kept yelling your name while moving around frantically in bed. His neck and chest were red as he strained to fight some invisible enemy. “Honey, wake up. It’s just a nightmare I’m right here.”
Steve sat up abruptly starling you. His breathing was erratic and his eyes were wild and unfocused. You called his name softly, your touch gentle on his thigh.
“Y/N?” He sounded so scared that you weren’t there.
“I’m right here.”
Steve pulled you into his lap and hid his face into the crook of your neck while you played with his hair.
“It felt so real. Like it happened all over again.” His breath was shallow again as his anxiety went into overdrive. “I can’t lose you again. I can’t.”
“Breathe for me honey. Just focus on your breathing. You aren’t going to lose me again.”
“You can’t say things like that. You know anything could happen.”
“And you’d go to the ends of the earth to find me wouldn’t you?” You ask as you pull away to search his eyes.
“Of course I would.”
You smile at him and then give him a quick kiss. “Then there is nothing to worry about.”
Steve doesn’t reply, he just kisses you again and again until he’s laid you down on the bed.
“Wait, my dress.” You say when he pulls on the strap ripping it.
“I’ll get you a new one.”
You giggle as Steve moves from your neck down to your chest while popping the buttons on the front of your dress.
“I love you so much.”
“I love you too, Steve.”
~~~~~~~~~
“How have you been adjusting?” Bruce asked while the elevator ascended to a higher level.
“There’s so much I still need to learn. But there are things I like. There’s so much more freedom now for women to be in the science field.”
“I think you had a hand in paving the way for people that would have otherwise been overlooked for one thing or the other.”
“Oh please.” You scoffed as you stepped out of the elevator.
“You need to give yourself more credit. I mean you’re here to give a talk about your experience.”
“My contribution wouldn’t have been as meaningful if I hadn’t disappeared and been dating Steve. I know what I have done and what I can do, I just wish my work would have been recognized because of me, not who I was dating back then.”
As you turn the corner from the elevator banks you come face to face with a large group of people, mostly women waiting for the doors to open. Your presence caught the eye of one of the attendees who immediately started cheering for you. Before you knew it the room was full of thunderous applause. Bruce had to help you navigate the sea of people wanting an autograph or to shake your hand.
“See what I mean?” He said once you were escorted to a separate room.
“I am so much more nervous now.”
“Don’t be you’ll be fine and I’ll be in the first row.”
“I wish Steve would have been able to be here.” You murmur as you fix your dress again.
“I know he would too, but the talk is being transmitted live so I know he’ll be watching.”
****
Your speech had gone great. There was even a question and answer segment and you got every question imaginable. From working with Erskine to what it was like dating Steve.
Somewhere towards the end of the questions something went wrong. Armed men rushed in, Bruce hulked out and chaos ensued. You thought you heard someone calling out for you but then you feel something hit the back of your head. Your vision blurred and your knees gave out. Pain spread through your head, in the quick few seconds after being hit you blackout.
~~~~~~~
“I knew it was a bad idea to let her go out so soon.” Steve’s voice reached you but it was so hard to open your eyes.
“Too soon? Steve, she's been here for two months. You can’t keep her locked up.”
That was Bucky. They were having a whispered argument.
“It’s not about keeping her locked up. It’s about keeping her safe. She’s still the only person that knows the formula for the serum. Every agency and country in the world is going to come after her.”
“Steve?” You asked. Everything was blurry, all you could make out was shapes moving around and that caused you to panic. “Steve?”
“I’m right here. It’s ok.”
“I can’t see.”
“I know, it’s a side effect from the smoke grenades and the hit you took but it will clear up.” He reassured you while taking your hand. You breathed a sigh of relief at having him close.
“What happened?”
“Hydra. They made their way in to try and take you. Again.”
“Was anyone hurt?”
“A few bumps and bruises. I think you got the worst of it.” He says as you feel his free hand cup your cheek.
“I thought I heard someone call my name right before I blacked out.”
“That was me. I wanted to surprise you, didn’t want to show up with you and take the attention away. You deserve the recognition. Bucky was with me too.”
“Sorry your moment was ruined, darling.” Bucky murmurs.
“I’m just sorry others got hurt because of me.”
“They’ll be alright, just like you will. Why don’t you rest ok?”
You just nod and turn your head toward the wall and away from him. Soon enough you fall asleep again.
~~~~~~~~~
The first few days were difficult. The attack had been hard on you and you were told you needed to stay in bed rest for the next few days. That didn’t work for you and you had to sneak out of your shared apartment with Steve. It wasn’t easy because he rarely left your side but he had no choice on this specific morning. You took the opportunity and went down to Bruce’s lab.
****
“So this cable goes here, like this.”
“That’s correct.” Bruce looks over your work. “If you press this button you’ll be able to view the sample on the monitor.”
“That is so much easier on the eyes.”
Bruce smiles which is something he rarely does. But it’s gone quickly and he’s moving on to teaching you the next thing. You take notes and it feels like being with Erskine again. The wave of emotion crashing down on you unexpectedly.
“Are you ok?” Bruce places a hand gently on your shoulder.
“Yes, sorry. It’s just, this reminded me so much of being with Erskine. It feels weird, you know. To me everything that I lived through in the war happened like two months ago but really it’s been decades. I guess I just never really gave myself a chance to mourn and then I’ll do something that reminds me of my past. The Howlies, Erskine, Howard.” You sniffle. “I’m sorry I shouldn’t be dumping this on you.”
“No, it’s ok. I’d like to think that we’re friends.”
“We are.” You clear your throat and focus on the task at hand. “Now you said that I can record what I’m looking at right?”
“Yeah, I’ll show you how.”
****
“Ready for your lesson?” Nat didn’t even look up from her spot on the sparring mat.
“I am if you are.”
“Always am.” She finally looks up at you, taking in your work out clothes. “Did you tell him yet?”
“Tell Steve that I’m taking self defense? No. He’d probably freak out and lock me in our apartment.”
“He’s just worried.”
You nod as you walk toward the center of the mat where she was. “I know but I feel as if he’s keeping me prisoner. No matter what I say he always has an excuse as to why I can’t do something. As if I wasn’t there with him during the war. I need to be able to protect myself.”
Nat gave you a sympathetic look.
“How do I get things back to what they used to be?”
“Steve struggled with that too. Truth is that nothing will ever be how it was. You both have changed and so has the world around you. You’re different people now, there’s no use in trying to be what you were.”
You realize that what Nat was saying is true. The only thing that hadn’t changed was how much you loved Steve. Your relationship with Steve felt so fragile at the moment. Mostly because when you met and started the relationship everything was happening so quickly. There was no time to second guess feelings when going on a mission could mean never seeing each other again. This was new territory for the two of you.
Everything else had changed and you would have to accept that sooner rather than later.
With a sigh and encouragement from Nat you took up your defensive stance and focused on sparring. You had only been sparring for a few minutes when you were startled by Steve.
“What the hell are you doing?” He stared at both you and Nat with a mixture of horror, concern and anger.
You gave Nat a bit of a frown.
“You should be on bedrest.” He reiterated the instructions just as he had a few times during the last few days.
“I’m fine.”
“So you’re just going against doctor’s orders?”
“I’m a nurse, I think I know when I can push myself.” You and Steve just stare at each other. He clenched his jaw and you crossed your arms over your chest.
Nat stood there, her gaze bouncing from you to Steve and back. She’d been in many different situations ranging from life threatening to ridiculous but this was the worst one. You both were her friends and she didn’t like seeing you fight but she also knew she couldn’t get in the middle of it. Slowly Nat moved away from the mats and left the two of you to work it out.
“Who’s idea was it?” Steve finally broke the tense silence.
“Mine.” You replied.
“Why didn’t you ask me for some training?”
“Because you would have said no.”
“That’s not true.” Steve defends himself.
“Really? Fine. Steve, would you be willing to give me some self defense lessons so that the next time hydra tries to kidnap me I can fight back?”
“They aren’t going to take you again, I won’t let them.”
You sigh and your arms drop to your sides. Finally you look away from him as you think about what to say next.
“We don’t know what they have planned but I know they’ll try. I’d rather know how to fight than be defenseless. If you won’t give me some lessons I will find someone that will do it.” You finally say before walking away.
Steve could only watch you leave. That was his biggest fear, the not knowing. It made him feel like he was just that small kid from Brooklyn stepping up to fight the neighborhood bully. Except this time he wouldn’t walk away having lost a fight, there was a chance he’d lose you again and he couldn’t take that chance. If Steve lost you again there would be no coming back for him. He knew this, this fear kept him up at night. Partly due to him thinking of all the ways he could keep you safe and the other was to keep an eye on the bedroom door.
Without much else to do Steve followed you back up to your shared apartment. He didn’t want to have this conversation. He didn’t want to show you how vulnerable he truly was but if that’s what he had to do to make you understand then he would do it.
~~~~~~~~~~
Up in the apartment Steve found you in the kitchen finishing off a glass of water. He stood on the other side of the island and watched you for a minute. You looked over your shoulder and put the glass down before turning around completely and giving Steve your attention.
“I need to learn to defend myself.”
“You need to rest and get better.” Steve counters.
“I am better.”
“You’re not cleared by a doctor, you could really hurt yourself or make an injury worse.”
“I’m a nurse, I think I can handle myself.” You huff.
“Things are different now. There are a lot of things that you didn’t know about back then.” Steve argues. “Medical issues that could sneak up on you if you don’t follow doctor’s orders.”
“So what? When we were in the middle of the war we didn’t have time to rest for weeks at a time. Besides, you can’t keep me locked away in this compound forever. What’s the worst that could happen if I have to leave this place?”
“I could lose you!” Steve bellows. “I won’t lose you again. I can’t- I can’t live without you.” His voice cracks. “I won’t do it again.” There are unshed tears in his eyes and that softens your stance on the issue a little.
You walked around the kitchen island and hugged him. Steve held you close as he fought back his tears.
“I failed you back then and I’ll regret it every single day of my life.”
“It wasn’t your fault. I knew what I signed up for when I worked with Erskine. I knew the risks when I agreed to work with Howard.” You pull back to look at him. “Honey, I know you want to keep me safe but at some point we’ll have to be apart. I don’t want to be defenseless again. I was scared back then. Please understand why I need to do this. I trust that you would do everything you could to find me but what about if they actually get me? What do I do while I wait for you to find me? It scares the hell out of me to think about that.”
Steve took a deep breath in order to calm himself. He had never looked at it that way.
“You must’ve been terrified.” He whispered before pulling back into his chest where he felt you nod your head.
“It was horrible. Every second of it. Please don’t leave me defenseless.”
“Ok, I’ll get you trained on a little bit of everything.” Steve kisses the top of your head. “But only after you’ve got the ok from the doctors.”
“Fine.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It had been a few months since your attempted kidnapping. While the Avengers were still on high alert for any signs that hydra might want to kidnap you again, things were going back to normal. Steve had created a training schedule for you and now you atleast felt confident in protecting yourself. Your relationship was also really starting to grow. During the war it was about survival and stolen moments. Now you’re free to really enjoy each other’s company and get to know each other better.
In this time you’ve learned that you loved the little things Steve did for you just as much as the grand romantic gestures. You also learned that Steve loved it when you played with his hair and just kept your hands on him in general. But it was dancing in the living room at odd hours that you both enjoyed most. Especially when he would come back from a mission and even though he told you not to, you’d be waiting for him. It didn’t matter the hour. You needed to know he wasn’t hurt and even when he didn’t say it, you knew Steve needed to see you as soon as possible. After a difficult mission when his anxiety wouldn’t let him sleep you’d sit on the couch with his head on your lap, running your fingers through his hair until the tension melted from his shoulders. When that didn’t work you’d put music on and drag him to slow dance with you. Steve just needed to be held and you were more than happy to do that.
****
“The blue shirt makes your eyes pop more. You know how much I love that.” You tell Steve while he holds out two shirts. Tony was throwing the first party at the compound in a while. “But wear whatever you feel more comfortable in.”
“I’d be more comfortable if we didn’t go. We could always stay in bed, naked. Like we were earlier.” Steve stands behind you, his arms around your waist and chin in your shoulder.
“Stevie, honey, I know how you feel about the whole hydra thing. But we can’t stay stuck in this apartment forever. I’m already going stir crazy because I can’t leave the building.” You had stopped applying the finishing touches on your makeup and turned to give him your full attention. “How about we stay for an hour and come back?”
The hopeful look in your eyes lessened Steve’s worries about the party. Yes he was worried about the threat hydra was but you were in the compound surrounded by agents and Avengers. There was no place safer.
****
A couple of songs in and neither of you get tired of dancing. Steve still gets a bit overwhelmed with current music but you found out that you like having your back pressed against his chest as you sway your hips. There have been a few times when he has to hold your hips still and he whispers in your ear the rather naughty things he’s going to do to you.
“I’ll be right back.” You tell Steve once you find Bucky at the Bar. Steve had just taken a seat but stood up again.
“Where are you going?”
“The ladies room. I’ll be back.” You kiss his cheek and head out toward the hallway.
****
It all happened so fast. Inhumanly fast. One minute you were walking out of the ladies room and the next you were whirling through the compound. The only thing you managed to do was scream for dear life and watch as the emergency protocol activated. Unfortunately you were out the doors before the building shut down so now you found yourself tied up in a van with a team of armed men and a guy with silver hair. You can’t help the tears that immediately started flowing.
“Please, not again.” You murmur, your eyes connecting with the silver haired man.
“Shut up.” Someone else says and knocks you unconscious.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Steve couldn’t breathe when Friday announced that the emergency protocol had been activated. No one was allowed to move from where they were and all he wanted was to make sure you were ok. It took too long for his liking and Steve took off. He searched the bathroom closest to where the party was being held first. You weren’t there. Steve checked every single room he could until Tony called him into a meeting room. Everyone was waiting for him, serious expressions on their faces. The only person that wasn’t there was you. It only confirmed his worst fears. It was his worst nightmare come true.
“Steve.” Tony said cautiously.
“Who took her and what are we doing to find her?”
“It was most likely Hydra. Although we don’t know who exactly.” Tony plays the security tapes in slow motion which show you leaving the bathroom when a blur passes in a flash and then you are gone. He’d followed the blur but you weren’t seen in the building again.
“They’re enhanced, great.” Bucky shakes his head.
“I don’t care who it is and what abilities they have, find them so that I can end them and bring my girl home.” Steve grits out. Bucky stands and places a hand on Steve’s shoulder.
“We’ll find her.”
“Last time you said that it took 70 years.” Steve’s anxious and angry and doing his best not to direct his anger at anyone.
“Yeah well you have us this time around, we’ll find her.” Nat assured him.
“Let's get to work.” Tony says and everyone goes off to do something.
Steve stands in the now empty conference room feeling helpless. He hadn’t felt like that in years. This time though he’d burn the world just to find you. No one and nothing was going to stand in his way.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You aren’t sure how much time has passed but you feel groggy as you start to stir. With a groan you open your eyes, blinking slowly as you take in the space. It’s a small cell with a cot and barely any light. The events before this come flooding back and you feel your eyes water.
“Not again.” You murmur. “Please not again.”
The door creaks open and a large frame blocks the door and the light. You can’t tell who it is but it doesn’t matter because you’re being pulled up and out of the cell. Rough hands drag you down the hall and you fight every step of the way and actually manage to knock one of the guards down. But just like you hit the guards, they hit you back. Then you’re strapped to a chair in the middle of a room. While this is extremely familiar to you it still causes fear to finally set in.
“The nurse that gave us the winter soldier.” The voice came from behind you. “You really gave us a hard time in finding you by hiding away with the Avengers. But no matter, you are finally back where you belong.”
“Fuck you.”
Your hair gets pulled back and a man with a buzzcut and what looks like a monocle is in your face.
“Just because you have information we need, it does not mean you get to mouth off. I suggest you keep your mouth shut and do as I say.” The accent is barely there but still noticeable. He looks familiar but you can’t place it.
“You’re going to regret this. You better count your days.”
The man smiles and lets go.
“I like a challenge. You’ll submit to me long before the Avengers could ever find you.”
You smile, just to taunt him. “You don’t realize you’ve pissed off Captain America. He won’t stop until he finds me. And when he does he’ll burn this place to the ground with you in it.”
“I’d love to see him try. I have a few tricks up my sleeve. You’ve met one of them already.”
You notice movement to your left and that same silvered hair man walks into view. Next to him is a woman with long auburn hair, there’s so much more anger in her eyes. It makes you wonder what they’ve been through.
“They’re practically kids.” You murmur as you turn your attention back to your capture. “I’ve met men like you.”
“I would hope so, my grandfather and father worked for hydra when you were held.”
“Yeah? Who were they? Who are you?”
“I’m Baron Von Strucker.”
“Von Strucker, I remember them.” You nod.
“They were great men and I plan to follow in their footsteps.”
“They were cowards.” There’s a stinging sensation on your cheek before you even realize that his hand connected with your face. “It’s true. They were nothing to hydra. They hid in the basement and did their little experiments, mostly on me, but they accomplished nothing. Pathetic little men that hid behind children and women because they couldn’t do anything worthy.”
“SHUT UP!” Von Strucker hit you again, this time hard enough to knock the chair you were in back. “Your life is in my hands and you will show me respect.”
You weren’t focusing on him, your attention was on the two other people in the room. The woman’s eyes softened before looking at the floor and the man that had taken you was also looking away. They both stood there silently but fidgeting. This made them uncomfortable and it made you hope that they weren’t exactly like the rest of the people here.
“Take her to her cell. No one talks to her. Maybe some isolation will remind her how things work around here.”
You don’t fight when two guards grab you and drag you to a cell that hasn’t seen the light of day since the place was built. It didn’t matter how long they’d keep you in there, you knew Steve wouldn’t stop looking for you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A chair flew through the glass wall of the conference room. Glass shards littered the floor both in the conference room and the hallway. It was taking all of Bucky, Sam and Clint to restrain Steve.
“What do you mean you haven’t found anything? It’s been weeks. The longer we wait the less chance we have of finding her.” Steve yelled. “You said you’d find her Stark, so fucking do it.”
“Steve, you need to cool it. We aren’t going to let you go until you do.”
Steve glared at Clint but ultimately he stopped struggling against all three men. Clint pulled away first and then Sam but Bucky kept his arms around Steve’s chest just in case he wanted to try and lunge at Tony again.
“We’ll find her but there are a lot of hydra bases that we still don’t know about. Y/N could be anywhere. I won’t stop until she’s back home.” Tony tries to assure him.
Steve is breathing heavily, his neck is red and the color seems to creep up his jaw. When he first woke up in the present his first thought was how all of the technology would have helped him find you back when you were taken. Now it seemed like it didn’t matter. There was nothing in this world that would help Steve get to you but he couldn’t lose hope, he wouldn’t.
“Give me the list of potential hydra bases and I’ll work surveillance.” Steve said after a moment.
“So you can go in there shield blazing? I don’t think it’s a good idea, Cap. If we go in with half assed information we might lose her for good.”
“You know Tony’s right Steve. We’ll find a lead and we’ll get Y/N back.” Bucky says.
Steve’s shoulders slump and he nods in agreement. He’s trying so hard to not break down. He still feels guilty about losing you the first time but now he can’t and won’t forgive himself. You trusted that he would keep you safe but he let you down again.
With the burden of knowing they weren’t any closer to finding you, Steve leaves the conference room. He has barely stepped a foot into your shared apartment. There are too many things that remind him of you now and he just couldn’t be there without you. Instead Bucky was letting Steve stay in his spare room in order to keep an eye on him. It wasn’t helping, since Steve was slowly but surely spiraling and Bucky wasn’t sure he would be able to help his friend.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You felt sick. It had been weeks since you were taken and Strucker had made your life a living hell. He kept you completely isolated for a long time. Reality was starting to feel warped and you felt as if you were going to die.
When you were finally granted a reprieve from your solitude you were dragged through the hall of the old building. Even if you were allowed to walk, you were too weak to hold yourself up. You’d been dumped in an empty room and you stayed curled up in a ball at the center. At the sounds of footsteps you tilt your head back. The twins, as everyone calls them, walked into the room. Pietro and Wanda were their names from the whispers you’d heard.
Your vision was blurred and you were so thirsty. You wanted to reach out to ask them for help but at the same time they had been a witness to what was being done to you and they stood by. Pietro had been the one to take you from the compound so you couldn’t trust him anyway.
“Doing… can’t…” you heard the whispered murmurs. “Help… dead.”
You blinked slowly when the lights above you had been blocked.
“Are you ok?” Wanda asked in a whisper as she stared down at you.
You just blinked, too tired to say anything, your thoughts were loud and clear though. “Fuck you and your brother.”
Wanda flinched and took a step back.
“What was that, sister?”
“She said fuck us both.” Wanda relays your thoughts and you furrow your brows in confusion.
Pietro can’t help but chuckle. He steps beside you and crouches. His eyes are concerned and for a moment you believe the sincerity behind it.
“I am sorry, really. This is not what we thought would happen.” He moves some hair out of your face but you smack his hand away with what little strength you have.
“Hydra lied? What a surprise.”
“What is hydra?” Wanda stepped closer. “We’ve heard this term before but don’t know what it is.”
You sighed and closed your eyes, too tired to continue the conversation. “You read minds don’t you?” You murmured.
“I do.”
“Read mine, see for yourself the monsters you work for.” You say before falling asleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A quick, sharp slap to your face wakes you up. You’re tied to a chair in the middle of a lab. A table full of instruments sits nearby and Strucker standing in front of you.
“Welcome back. I hope that you’ve had enough time to realize that being disrespectful will get you nowhere.” He says.
You look around the room and spot Pietro and Wanda. There are a few guards and some assistants waiting for their orders.
“So tell me, are you ready to cooperate?”
You open your mouth to say something but Wanda shakes her head. Eyes go red and you hear her voice in your head.
“Go along with what he says. You need to live, you both do.”
You furrow your brows. What did she mean by ‘you both do’?
“Yes.” You rasp out.
Strucker’s smile is wicked as he leans down and gets in your face. “I knew you’d break easily.” He stands back up and places his hands behind his back. “Now, it’s simple what I want from you. I want you to recreate the serum. We will get started tomorrow morning. Guards take her to her new cell and I guess she can have something to drink, since she’s decided to behave.”
The guards undo your restraints and grab you roughly. There’s a little flash of red in your peripheral and suddenly the guards are being more gentle with you.
The cell you’re taken to at least had a window and a cot. It’s an old uncomfortable looking thing but it’s better than cold hard stones. You’re dumped on the floor again and the door is closed without a word.
“Wanda? Are you there? Can you hear me?” You thought.
“I’m here. Pietro and I-we’re sorry. We didn’t know who you were. Strucker told us you worked with Stark. That’s who he said we were after.”
“What does Tony have to do with anything?”
“There are more important things to worry about right now.” Wanda’s voice echoed in your head.
“What did you mean when you said ‘you both have to live’?”
“Y/N, I overheard Strucker. The doctors in the lab did some tests while you were unconscious. He said you’re pregnant and that he plans to use the baby to force you to work for him.” Wanda says softly.
“I’m pregnant?” You asked in disbelief, your hand instinctively resting over your midsection.
“You didn’t know? I’m so sorry Y/N. Pietro and I will help you out of here. We don’t want to work with these monsters anymore. Just give us time.”
“Ok, I’ll trust you both. When the Avengers show up I’ll make sure they help you get out too.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Steve was tired of waiting. He was done sitting on the sidelines and doing nothing to find you. The team was aware of his restlessness and kept a close eye on him. But his determination was stronger than any plan they had in place.
So under the cover of night, Steve slips out of Bucky’s apartment. He’d studied the security cameras and knew all the blind spots. Steve stuck to the shadows until he reached the hangar and headed for one of the quinjets.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Bucky’s voice broke the silence. He stepped out of the darkness and into the dimly lit night.
“I’m going to find her.”
“You’re going to get her killed if you’re reckless.”
Steve turned to his lifelong friend. He was angry and tired of not knowing anything. “What am I supposed to do? Sit here until we know she’s dead for sure?”
“This could hurt our chances of finding her. If hydra starts talking that Captain America is making the rounds we might not find her at all.”
“We have no chances right now. There isn’t even a whisper of her name or description. We have nothing so I’m going to go find something.” Steve said through gritted teeth. “Now are you going to stop me or are you letting me go?”
“I’m going with you.” Bucky said, leaving no room for discussion. “You’re going to need back up and I won’t be the one to tell Y/N your dumbass died looking for her.”
“Fine but we should leave now.”
Steve heads to the closest jet and gets in with Bucky following closely behind.
“Good, you’re here.” Nat turned in her seat. “Sam, we’re ready to go.”
“You got it Red.”
“What are you guys doing here?” Steve is caught by surprise.
“Did you think we’d let you do this alone?” Sam shakes his head as he turns back to the controls. “We knew you’d do something dumb sooner or later and we made a plan.”
“Yeah, Rogers. Now let’s go find your girl.”
The four of them would sneak off as often as they could. Chasing whispers and rumors as to where you might be. It was better than sitting at the compound and doing nothing. Steve wouldn’t stop until he got a lead. He would bring you home this time no matter what it took.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
You were exhausted but you had to keep pushing forward. Strucker did reveal the fact that you were pregnant and used your unborn baby to get you to do what he wanted. He wanted you to recreate the serum and make it even stronger. You did the best you could to make it seem like you were doing what he’d ask but really you were buying time until Steve would find you. At least you hoped he would.
Wanda and Pietro did the best to protect you. But it was hard for them as well. They had to realize and accept that the people they were working for weren’t good. You saw how much this truth affected them and the longer you were held prisoner the angrier they got.
“How are you feeling?” Wanda whispers as you take her blood.
“So tired and sick. I’m scared I could lose the baby.”
“We won’t let that happen.”
You look up at her with tired and worry filled eyes. “We both know you can’t promise that. If Steve doesn’t get here soon, I think I’ll never see him again. And our baby will never be safe.” Your bottom lip trembled.
“Y/N-“
“What’s going on here?” Strucker’s voice boomed through the lab. His eyes were zeroed in on Wanda’s hand as she tried to comfort you.
“Nothing.” You say quickly. “I was drawing her blood like you asked.”
His eyes narrowed in suspicion. “You know Wanda, I think I’ve been giving you too much freedom. Maybe I should remind you who is in charge here.”
“You can try.” Her eyes glow red and you move away from them. “But I don’t think you would like the outcome of this fight.”
Strucker grins. “I’m glad to see you haven’t lost your ruthlessness. You,” he points at you. “Keep working. I want the serum soon.”
You nod and move back to your station. This was too much for you to handle and you started to believe that maybe Steve wouldn’t find you on time.
~~~~~~~~
For weeks you were pushed to your limits but you did as you were told in order to keep your baby safe. Everyday you bit your tongue and kept your head down. You didn’t want to admit it but you were starting to lose hope. Wanda and Pietro were trying their best to protect you but Strucker caught on to their plan and would keep the three of you separated. All you wanted was for your baby to be safe and for Steve to know about him or her.
The one thing you did have control over was the serum and no matter what happened you would never give Strucker the full formula. But you could deceive him, hopefully, long enough to give the twins a chance to get you out of here. At least that was the plan. Every night when you were dragged back to your cell you could hear Wanda’s voice in your head telling you the progress, albeit small, they had made to get out and take you with them. This night was no different.
“Everything will be ok, little one.” You spoke to your small round belly. The baby moved in response.
“I think we can leave in two days. Hang in there.”
****
You’d barely gotten to sleep when the door to your cell flew open. Two armed guards walked in and grabbed you. Like every single time before, you kicked and punched and tried to pull yourself free from their hold but it never worked. You were thrown on the floor of the lab, you cradled your small bump in order to protect your child.
“You have been lying to me.” Strucker’s voice boomed as he paced back and forth. “The formula is worthless, you idiot.” He stopped and stared down at you. “I’m giving you two options right now. Give me the correct formula or you’ll never have that child.”
“No, please.” You cry out.
“Then what will it be?”
“Ok, I’ll do it. I’ll finish the serum.”
Rough hands grab you from the floor and push you harshly towards your station. Strucker stands behind you and grabs you by the back of your neck. You wince when he pulls you back roughly.
“If you try to deceive me again, I will kill you.” Strucker threatens before walking out.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Strucker had you working around the clock. You weren’t sure how it was possible to be an even worse human being but he figured out a way. Because of your deception now Wanda and Pietro were paying the price as well. They kept Wanda sedated enough to not be able to use her powers and Pietro was kept chained up. You could see how it was affecting the both of them and realized they were just ticking time bombs. As the serum neared its completion you worried that this would be the end for you.
“You aren’t lying to me are you?” Stucker looks down at you.
“No. The serum is finished.”
“Good. Bring him in.”
The guards open a door and Pietro is pulled in. He fights against his restraints and captors.
“Administer the serum to him.”
“No I can’t.” You protest.
Strucker slaps you hard. “Don’t disobey orders.”
“No, you don’t get it. The serum is not made for someone who has an ability already. For all I know it could kill him.”
“I don’t care.”
Tears pool in your eyes as you grab the syringe with the serum. You hesitate as you walk toward Pietro.
“It’s ok. I deserve it for bringing you here.” He says softly.
“You don’t.”
“Look after Wanda for me ok? She will be all alone.”
You cry silently as you bring the needle to Pietro’s neck.
~~~~~~~~~~
Tony fires a small explosive toward the building. He informs the team to move in as he flies overhead and takes down a few more guards.
From the ground Steve runs through the forest at full speed. He only stops to fight the armed guards that stand in his way. It has been four months since you’d been taken and he has not stopped looking for you. He had done a few questionable things but he didn’t regret it if it meant bringing you back home alive and well.
Bucky is right behind Steve. He’s fighting just as hard to get you back. It hasn’t been easy for him to see the way his best friend has lost himself in his sorrows over losing you again. With every step he takes closer to the hydra facility they’re attacking, Bucky gains more hope. He knows you have to be there and he’ll make sure that you’re reunited with Steve if it’s the last thing he does.
“Remember, the mission is to find Y/N and bring her out safely. After that we can deal with everyone else. We can burn this place to the ground for all I care.” Steve says over comms before looking at Bucky and Sam who lands right behind them. “Are you two ready?”
Both men nod. At this moment their only job is to support Steve.
“In position Cap.” Nat says through comms.
“Security system has been disengaged. You’re free to enter.”
“Thanks, Stark. Everyone move in now.” Steve orders and everyone rushes in.
The hallways of the building are in utter chaos as people surge forward to fight against the team. But Steve was relentless as he pushed forward. He wouldn’t leave this building without you. So if he had to fight every single person here, he would.
~~~~~~~~~~
“What the hell is happening?” Strucker yelled as the building rocked from what sounded like an explosion.
Hope builded quickly that it could be Steve. That he finally found you and was here to save you. You took the opportunity of the distraction and threw the syringe on the floor and stepped on it. Everyone in the lab started running around so you grabbed Pietro and led him to a corner.
“Take this off.” Pietro shuffles in his restraints.
“What do you think you’re doing?” The guard that had brought Pietro in rushes up to you.
You don’t respond, instead you punch him in the face. He stumbles back and you take advantage, grabbing the keys and set Pietro free.
“Hold on.”
“Pietro, wait. No this isn’t-” You scream while being set down in a safer part of the base.
“Stay here, I’ll get Wanda.”
A few seconds later Wanda and Pietro are standing in front of you.
“Stay together. I will help your friends.” Pietro says before hugging his sister. “Please be careful. I’ll see you soon.”
“We shouldn’t stay here.” Wanda grabs your hand and you begin to move down the hall. She stumbles a bit and you notice her eyes are glazed over. She’s still drugged. “There should be an exit close by.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Steve pushed through every single blow, gunshot and attack that came his way. Tony had just confirmed your whereabouts within the building and he was going to get to you one way or another. It was just one more hallway and a turn around the corner and you should be there. A blur of silver flashes by him and Steve stops in his tracks as it comes back around.
“Captain, My name is Pi-” Pietro is cut off when Steve punches him in the face causing his nose to bleed before grabbing Pietro by the front of his shirt.
“You’re the one who took Y/N from me. Where is she?” Steve was seething.
“With my sister. She is safe. I’m sorry I didn’t know.”
“Take me to her. She better be ok or I will end you, kid.”
Pietro leads Steve to where he left you.
“Pietro, hurry. Strucker has found us.”
“We have to hurry. Strucker has them. This way.” Pietro runs further into the belly of the building with Steve following closely behind.
They turn a corner and for the first time in months Steve sees you. You’re in a dirty hospital gown, your hair is disheveled and overall you look exhausted.
****
“Let her go, now.” You breathe a sigh of relief at the sound of Steve’s voice.
He’s covered in sweat, dirt and blood but you have never been happier to see him.
“Well look at who we have here. Captain America, here for his whore.”
Steve straightens his posture. There’s a fire in his eyes you’ve only seen during the war and even now it’s more intense.
“It must be nice to hide behind the shield.” Strucker says. “To let your uniform define you. You were a waste.”
Steve throws his shield to the side and removes his cowl. “Why don’t I show you what I can do without the shield.”
“I would but we must get going. Say goodbye to your whore.”
Strucker pulls you by your hair while you struggle against him.
“Steve, please.” You call out to him, crying because you are so scared and tired of everything.
“Get your shield Captain.” Pietro whispers. “I will get her out of the way and then you can move in.”
Steve quickly grabs his shield. In a quick movement you’re right behind him and he launches the shield toward Strucker. He falls backward towards the wall and then Pietro grabs him.
“Where is my sister?”
“You’ll never see her again.” Strucker spits out.
“Pietro, they took her that way.” Pietro looks around the corner and back at you. “Go get her.”
Bucky and Sam show up behind you and Steve instructs them to grab Strucker before turning to you.
“Sweetheart-”
“I knew you would find me. I knew it.” You start crying uncontrollably in Steve’s arms.
“Let’s get you out of here.”
Steve picks you up bridal style and starts walking back the way they came. He has to keep his emotions in check even though he wants to cry with you. This isn’t like last time, he just has to remember that.
“Wait, we can’t leave Pietro and Wanda.” You sniffle.
“Pietro was the one who kidnapped you. He’s lucky I didn’t kill him.”
“Please Steve, you have to bring them back. They’re just kids that were fed lies. Their country is at war and they wanted to do the right thing. They kept me safe all this time.”
Steve gives you a stiff nod but doesn’t say much else until you’re in the safety of the quinjet and being looked over by Bruce. You hear Steve say a few things but you’re so tired that you slip in and out of consciousness.
“Sweetheart?” Steve calls you softly until you open your eyes. “We found them. Pietro and Wanda are on their way and then we can go home.”
“Good.” You close your eyes for a moment feeling the exhaustion from the last few weeks finally catching up with you before your eyes pop open again. “Steve.”
“What is it Sweetheart?”
“You have to know something.”
“Whatever it is, it can wait, ok?” Steve kisses your forehead and takes your hand. “Just rest.”
“It can’t.” You move his hand to rest over your midsection and you watch confusion color Steve’s eyes.
“What happened? Are you hurt? Bruce, come take a look.”
Bruce turns around from where he was looking at the computer screen. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know it’s right here.” Steve points at your belly. “It feels swollen.”
“I’m going to take a look which means pulling up the hospital gown.”
“Ok.” You murmur as your eyes begin to close.
“Steve, I think Y/N is pregnant.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The air wasn’t stale. That’s the first thing you noticed. Then it was the beeping and the comfortable bed you were laying in. As consciousness began to consume you, hope filled your chest that you were actually home and your rescue hadn’t been a dream. You open your eyes slowly and realize that it’s the middle of the night. Steve is sitting by the bed, his arms folded over his chest and his head tilted forward, he was asleep and looked uncomfortable.
“Steve.” You whispered with a raspy voice. It was enough to wake him up though.
“Sweetheart?” Steve stood up so fast he kicked his chair over. He took your hand in his and immediately kissed it.
“I’m so glad you’re awake, you had me scared for a while.” He says. “Friday, inform the nursing staff that Y/N is awake.” Steve tells the A.I. “How are you feeling?”
“Thirsty. Still tired and achy.”
The nurses walk in and Steve informs them that you’re thirsty. Bruce walks in a few minutes later and they all hover over you for a few minutes. They take your vitals and ask some questions before they finally give you space and Steve can be at your side again. After drinking some water you are able to talk better.
“How long was I asleep for?”
“Two weeks.” Steve teared up and it broke your heart. “Sweetheart, I’m so sorry.”
“Lay down with me.” You moved to make some space for him.
“I shouldn’t. You need to be as comfortable as possible.”
“Steve what are you-“ you gasped as your hand went to your belly. “The baby, is the baby ok?”
Steve smiles. “Strong heartbeat and growing how he or she should be growing.”
You started crying, happy tears this time and Steve finally moved to sit beside you. He carefully pulled you into his chest and the tension left his body. You were really here in his arms. The nightmare was over.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m just relieved that I’m out of that hellhole and that the baby is ok. That you saved me. I knew you would. I was scared you’d never get to know about our baby.”
“I’m so sorry sweetheart. All of this was my fault.” He murmurs into the top of your head as he finally embraces you.
“Why is it your fault?”
“Because I didn’t protect you.”
“Steve, honey, that son of a bitch wanted me because I know how to create the serum. He would have found a way to get to me. That’s not your fault.” You look up at him through wet lashes. “I know you’ll always blame yourself for this but I don’t. At some point you’re going to have to forgive yourself.”
“Maybe, but not today.”
“Still so damn stubborn.” You murmur, getting a chuckle out of him.
“C'mon you need to rest.”
“Ok,” you yawn. “Only if you stay on the bed with me though.”
“But you need your space so that you can be comfortable.”
“No. I need you close. Please? I need to feel safe. You make me feel safe.” Even though it was over it didn’t mean the fear you’d felt for the past few months would just be gone. It was still there and you knew that it would always stay there.
“Ok.” Steve relented. If his best girl needed to feel safe he’d make sure she was.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“There’s our fighter.” Bucky announced from the doorway. It was early the next day when the team started to come in to see you. Bucky being the first. He had a huge flower arrangement in his hand and a teddy bear.
You were shuffling out of the bathroom with Steve’s help after finally being able to shower.
“Bucky.” You opened your arms and accepted his embrace happily.
“Darling, how are you feeling?”
“So much better. How are you? How is everyone?”
“I’m good. Relieved that you’re finally back. Everyone is anxious to see you. I had to beat them with a stick to get in here first.” He jokes as he helps you get back in bed. “Everyone is excited for the baby too. The first Avenger’s first baby. It’s kind of a big deal and I’m more than happy to be the favorite uncle.”
“After all the shit you pulled in Europe? I don’t know if you’d be a good influence.”
Bucky was shocked at your response. “You say that as if Steve isn’t standing right there. You know that baby has half of his genes right?”
You laughed and nodded before looking lovingly up at Steve. He’s already looking at you with a soft smile.
“You’re right. I’m going to need all the help I can get.”
Bucky and Steve chuckle before they get a bit more serious.
“I’m happy you’re back, darling. We were a mess without you.”
“I missed you too, Bucky. Thank you for looking out for Steve.” No one had to tell you anything about it, you just knew he did.
“Well as much as I loved to do it, it’s your responsibility again. So have fun with that.” Bucky joked before he smiled softly at you. “I’ll let you rest. Call me if you need anything.”
“Thank you Buck.”
He pressed a kiss to your forehead and left. The rest of the day the team kept coming in and out of your room. All of them congratulating you and Steve on the baby and telling you how much you’d been missed. Fortunately the last of your visitors was leaving because you were exhausted.
“Why don’t you go up to the apartment and rest?” You told Steve although you were afraid of being left alone.
“I’ll leave this room when you do.”
You smiled as he placed his hand on your bump for the hundredth time that day. Your hand rests on top of his.
“I still can’t believe we’re going to be parents.” He says.
“I know. I hope he or she gets your artistic abilities and not your rebellious tendencies.”
Steve laughs and shakes his head. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
There’s a knock at the door and it opens just enough for someone to peek in.
“Wanda! How could I have forgotten about you? Please come in.” You sit up a bit more in bed.
Wanda opens the door to reveal Pietro just behind her. His eyes shift from you to Steve, who is now standing beside you in a much more rigid pose.
“Pietro.” You smile at him. He’s obviously nervous, they both are. “Please come in. How are the two of you doing?”
“We’re ok. It’s a big adjustment but Stark was kind enough to set us up in our own apartment. And we can leave when we wish.” He says. “Who would have thought it was so easy.”
“You see, Tony’s not what he seems. At least not anymore. Will you be staying and working with the team?”
“We don’t know.” Wanda says quietly. “We’re not sure what’s going to happen with us now.”
You look from them to Steve who hasn’t said a word. “Well? Are they going to work with the team or not?”
“He kidnapped you. He should be grateful that he can even walk right now.” Steve snapped, all his anger directed at Pietro.
“Steve, you have to understand them. They thought they were doing the right thing by signing up to fight for a war. Something you can relate to. Besides, they trusted someone who lied to them. Once Pietro and Wanda realized what was going on they were taking care of me. Of us.” You say while placing your hand on your swollen belly.
“We had a plan. We were going to escape.”
“When?”
“We had to be cautious so planning the escape was taking time.” Wanda answers. “But we would have left two days after the day you showed up.”
“We weren’t walking around freely. Wanda and I were prisoners too. We were just to blind by anger to see it. But we promise we only want to help people.”
Steve didn’t look too convinced but you couldn’t blame him. After all, Pietro had been the one to kidnap you. But in some weird way you could understand why they did what they did. You had, afterall, been involved in the project that created the super soldier. Strucker made the Avengers look like villains. It was easy to manipulate the mind of people that were grieving and fighting to live one more day.
“I guess we can figure out how you could help. It’ll be on a trial basis only to begin with.” Steve says after a moment.
Wanda and Pietro smiled before excusing themselves to let you rest. Steve finally relaxed and laid back down next to you.
“Promise me you’ll give them a fair chance.”
“I’ll try.” Steve says. “Honestly, I was trying really hard to not punch him again.”
You laugh and rest your head against his chest. “Don’t worry you’re going to be too busy soon enough to even think about punching Pietro again.”
“We should start thinking about names.” Steve places his hand over your swollen belly once more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Woah, where do you think you’re going?” Steve jogged to your side of the bed.
“I need to use the bathroom. Again.”
“Let me help you.” He held his hands out and helped you out of bed.
You were so close to your due date. While you loved the fact that you were going to have a baby with the love of your life, you were also tired of being pregnant.
Everything either ached or was sensitive or was swollen. You were ready to have this baby. It didn’t help that because of the way the first part of the pregnancy went, you were considered high risk. Well that and the fact that you were technically in your late 90s. No one was sure what would happen.
The last few weeks you were meant to be on bed rest. Fortunately Steve had stopped going on missions when you were given this information and he was right by your side to help with whatever you needed.
It was amazing having him close by. All you had to do was call him and he’d be right by your side. He’d been wonderful throughout the rest of the pregnancy. So excited to feel the baby moving under his touch. Steve had already collected a rather large book selection so that he could always read the baby a bedtime story. The two of you read every pregnancy and baby book available in order to be ready. But when your water breaks you feel as unprepared as ever.
“Stevie, honey,” you stop halfway to the bathroom.
“What is it, Sweetheart?”
“I think my water just broke.”
“Oh, uh-ok. It’s fine, you’re fine. We can do this.” Steve is starting to panic. “I have a plan.”
“What’s your plan, Honey?”
“Well, it’s a good one.” He nods but doesn’t move from his place beside you. When you look up at him you can see the worry all over his face. “What if it’s not good enough for you?”
“Honey, I think you’re starting to panic.” You say as calmly as possible.
“No. I’m fine. Really, you don’t have to worry about me.”
“Friday could you please tell Sam, Bucky and Nat that I need them here asap tell them it’s code Baby.”
“Of course Ms. Y/L/N.”
A few minutes later your three friends are rushing through the door.
“Hi guys.”
“Darling, what’s going on? Why does Steve look so pale?” Bucky is the first one at your side.
“Because my water just broke.”
“It’s finally happening.” Sam says excitedly.
“Ok boys, you know the deal. Bucky, take Y/N down to the medbay. I’ll handle your overnight bag and the baby’s bag. Sam, you’re on Steve duty.”
You smile at them before calling Steve’s name one more time. Bucky takes your hand and with the other he supports your back.
“Wait, give me a second.” You mutter while placing a hand over your lower belly. “Uuuhhh.” You whimper a bit.
“That’s the first contraction.”
“Contraction?” Steve finally snaps out of whatever it is he’s going through and stands beside you again.
“How much did it hurt?” Bucky asks.
“Enough, they’re only going to get worse.”
“Let’s get you downstairs then.” Steve offers his arm and they both walk you down.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After hours of waiting and worries and pain. Steve at your side catering to your every need. The team in the waiting room anxiously wanting to hear the good news.
You had a healthy baby boy.
He was perfect and you knew he’d take after Steve in his looks but you didn’t care. Now there would be a mini version of the man you loved running around and you couldn’t be happier. Steve stared down at his son in awe. He was sitting in the hospital bed next to you as you cradled the infant in your arms. Both of you were enthralled by his tiny existence.
“He’s perfect.” You murmur while running your finger from the bridge of his nose to the tip, booping his little button nose.
“I never thought I would love anyone as much as I do but I feel like my heart is going to explode every time I look at him.”
“Me too.” You agree with Steve.
“I love you, thank you for giving me our son. Thank you for everything. I don’t think I could ever give back what you’ve given me.” Steve says before kissing your temple. “But I hope I can try and repay you the rest of my life, if you let me.”
“What are you talking about?”
You turn as you feel Steve shuffle off the bed and kneel beside it. When you look down at him he has a beautiful diamond ring in hand.
“Steve…”
“This isn’t how I planned it but I can’t wait anymore. You are everything to me. Even after everything you’ve been through, you’re still the same loving and caring person I met years ago. You’ve given me more than I’ve ever deserved and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Y/N will you marry me?”
You started crying. It wasn’t a cute sort of crying, it was very much an ugly cry but you nodded your head anyway because you couldn’t think of anything better than spending the rest of your life with Steve. He gets up and places the ring on your finger before cupping your face and giving you a sweet, loving and gentle kiss.
“Sweetheart, don’t cry.” Steve tries to wipe away your tears.
“I can’t help it. I’m just so happy and I’m also a mess right now.”
“You just gave birth. You’re allowed to be a mess.”
After a few minutes of Steve giving you hugs, reassuring words and kisses you finally calm down.
“We still have to name him. And let the team in.” You say.
“I think I have a name but tell me what you think.”
The team shuffled in one by one, after you freshened up of course. All of them were excited to meet the newest addition to the family. Sam and Bucky of course bickering about who would hold the baby first.
“Boys, that’s enough.” You say and they quiet down.
Everyone’s eyes are on the little sleeping form in your arms.
“Everyone, we'd like you to officially meet our son.” Steve says while standing beside you.
“What’s his name?”
“We decided to name him after a very dear friend and the reason we met in the first place.” Steve says fondly while looking down at you. “Everyone meet James Abraham Rogers.”
Bucky stared at the two of you in shock. You could only smile.
“Would you like to hold him, Buck?”
“Are you sure? I mean-” Bucky motions towards his left arm.
“We trust you.”
With tears in his eyes Bucky walks over and lets you place the baby in his arms. He’ll never admit to it but he’d been practicing how to hold babies by using a stuffie. “Hi buddy, I’m your Uncle Bucky.”
Slowly everyone eventually got a chance to hold the baby. Sam and Bucky were still bickering who would be little James’ favorite uncle. Now though Bucky was able to use the fact that James had been named after him. Steve had to stop the arguing a few times. As Wanda handed you the baby back she noticed your ring.
“You’re engaged? When did this happen?”
Steve tells them the story and how it happened only moments before they walked in. Everyone congratulates you on the baby and the engagement before leaving you alone. It was good timing because James was starting to get fussy. You and Steve got to work on changing his diaper and getting him fed.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Being new parents was a whole new challenge for the both of you. All of the parenting books couldn’t help you to change what felt like the thousandth diaper of the day. But you nor Steve would change it for the world. It was exhausting but rewarding.
Seeing Steve step into fatherhood was the most beautiful thing ever. With everything he did there was so much care and thought put into it. He was still a loving, caring and supportive partner which made things better for you and vice versa.
“Need anything Sweetheart?” Steve was walking into your room.
“Could you maybe fluff up my pillow?”
You were currently feeding your son and couldn’t really move around.
“Of course.” Steve stopped at your side and did as you asked before kissing the top of your head. “Better?”
“Much better, thank you.”
“How’s our boy doing with the added ounces?”
“He’s loving it.” You chuckle as you look down at your son. “He’s growing so fast I feel like I can’t keep up.”
“Must be the serum. Are you worried?”
This was always a sore spot for Steve. The possibility of his son being sick or getting sick easily always weighed on him. The fact that little James was so different from other children worried him to no end.
“Absolutely not. His pediatrician said he’s hitting all of the developmental milestones. Our son is healthy, honey. If anything the serum will keep him from getting sick. It’s a good thing.”
“I know.”
“Look at that, he’s all done.” You say while wiping the excess milk from around his mouth. “He’s in a little milk coma.”
“Let me take him so that you can rest.”
You smile at Steve as he grabs your son to immediately start burping him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Steve was in James’ nursery reading him a bedtime story. He was just about to be six months old. It was odd how time moved so quickly yet slow at the same time. Jamie was so big but still so little. You adored him. You also adored seeing Steve interact with him. They loved each other so much you loved to be around them.
“The end.” Steve said slowly. You stood in the doorway watching Steve close the book and set it down. “Now let’s get you into your crib. I got a date with your mama.”
After Steve had settled James into his crib for the night he met you at the door.
“You look beautiful.” He whispers.
“It feels nice to be dressed up in something other than leggings and t-shirts.”
“Well you pull both looks off very well. Alright sweetheart, I hope you’re ready for our date.” Steve grabs the baby monitor and leaves the door ajar.
Steve silently leads you to the living room which had been transformed. The furniture was pushed out of the way and where the coffee table once sat was a picnic. Fairy lights hung from one side of the room to the other. The tv was gone, leaving the wall blank. Steve remedied that by turning on a projector with a movie already queued up, one you still hadn’t seen.
“This is wonderful.” You smiled as you took a seat on the picnic blanket.
The two of you cuddled and watched the movie while snacking on everything Steve had packed. Steve ended the night by putting on a playlist he had carefully curated for the two of you and dancing.
You had your head against Steve’s chest while he swayed with you. There was no mistaking the dopey grin on your face.
“What are you thinking about?”
“I was just remembering the night you walked me back to my room at boot camp.”
“When you kissed my cheek?”
“Yeah.” Your smile widens.
“Why?”
You pull back to look at him. “You were so cute. I really wanted to drag you into my room with me.”
Steve laughs but his cheeks turn a light shade of pink.
“What? It’s true.”
“You would have given me a heart attack, Sweetheart.”
“Good thing I was a nurse. I would have fixed you right up.”
Steve shakes his head but meets you halfway for a kiss.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
James was a wonderful baby. He was sweet and easy going although he was starting to show his mischievous side, something you blamed completely on Steve. He was also starting to show his strength. Like the time he had a temper tantrum while holding his bottle and crushed it with his little hands. It didn’t matter to you or Steve though, like everything else in your life and relationship you learned and adjusted.
“There’s my best guy.” Steve had just walked into your shared home after being away on a mission. “And my best girl.”
“Hi Honey.” You say from your place on the floor where you’re playing with your almost one year old. He looked so much like Steve it was ridiculous.
“Hi Sweetheart. I missed you both so much.”
“We missed you too.” You grab James and stand him up, turned so that he can see his daddy clearly. “Didn’t we baby.”
James starts doing grabby hands, kicking his feet and babbling when he sees Steve. “Dada. Dada.” James calls out excitedly. You set him on his feet hoping that he’ll finally take his first steps.
“Hi bubs. Were you waiting for me?”
“Dada.” Jamie does grabby hands again as he wobbles on his feet.
“C’mon you can do it. Can you walk over to dada?” Steve kneels and holds out his arms.
You had to put a hand over your mouth to stop the excited scream as Jamie did take his first step. Then another until he managed to get to Steve who picked him up and peppered his face with kisses. Jamie laughed at the feeling of Steve’s scruff against his cheek. You and Steve celebrated this milestone by praising your son endlessly. Eventually Steve sets Jamie down and he starts taking a few more steps. You encourage him to keep going while Steve goes to change. Jamie sees his father leave the room and starts following him slowly.
“What are you doing?” Steve pops out of your shared room. Jamie jumps at the sudden sound of Steve’s voice and falls on his butt. He giggles while getting up again. “Are you following me?”
“Dada.” Jamie nods and points at Steve.
“Alright, help me pick out what I’m going to wear to hang out with you bubs.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Daddy.” Jamie yells when he sees Steve standing at the other end of the aisle. “Hi daddy.”
“Hi bubs. C’mon up here.”
Jamie, uncaring that he’s in his little tux, runs down the aisle and into Steve’s arms earning some laughs from the crowd. Both of them looked handsome in their best clothes. The bridesmaids walk down next followed by the flower girl, Clint’s daughter. Finally you appear, a vision in white, with Bucky at your side to walk you down the aisle.
“Look at mommy. Isn’t she beautiful?” Steve whispers in your son’s ear. They both watch, eyes full of love, as you make your way to them.
“Mommy you look beautiful.” Jamie says as he leans forward and gives you a kiss to the cheek. The guests ‘aww’ as they see the exchange before Steve places your two year old on the ground.
Heartfelt vows are exchanged between you. Tears are shed by both you and Steve as well as some of the guests. When the officiant announces that Steve may now kiss the bride he doesn’t waste another second and pulls you in. Your guests cheer as Steve finally pulls away.
“Mommy. Mommy. I get kisses.” Jamie says from beside you.
“Of course you do, my baby.” You lean down and give him a kiss on the cheek, leaving a red lipstick stain on it.
****
“Presenting for the first time Mr. and Mrs. Rogers.” The DJ announces as you and Steve make your way into the reception. Everyone cheers as you walk in and you head straight to the dance floor to share your first dance. The music began and Steve started leading you.
“Is this-“
“The song we first danced to?” Steve finished your question. “Yes it is.”
“You remembered?”
“How could I forget? You looked beautiful then and you look beautiful now.”
You smile as your cheeks warm at the compliment. Steve dips his head and gives you a quick kiss. When he pulls back you have matching smiles. There’s some tugging on your dress and you see Jamie standing there with his arms in the air.
“Come on, let’s dance with mommy.” Steve says as he holds your son. “Hold her hand.” Steve instructs while placing his free hand back on your waist.
“My two handsome boys.”
James giggles when you boop his nose. Steve instructs him to spin you and he does. When the music ends your guests all cheer for you. Steve escorts you to your table and you take a seat.
After dinner, there’s the speeches. Sam goes first and he manages to give a funny and heartfelt speech. Then Nat spoke, first about meeting Steve and then meeting his better half. She was surprisingly sweet and lovely. Finally it was Bucky’s turn.
“Hello everyone.” He starts off by saying. You could tell how nervous he was and you nodded encouragingly when he looked your way. “Well my name is Bucky and I’m the best man. No one listen to whatever Sam is saying.”
“C’mon man.”
Everyone chuckles at Sam’s outburst.
“I believe you all know that I am Steve’s oldest friend. I was there before the suit and the muscles.”
You took Steve’s hand and squeezed it.
“But what he lacked in physical strength he made up for in determination and passion. That’s how he met his beautiful bride and my dearest friend. Y/N is more than a friend, she’s like a sister and one of the most caring people I know. It’s a great thing to watch two people you care about fall in love. But it’s something so special to watch them love in times of war. And that’s what they did. No two people were ever meant to be, more than Steve and Y/N. Even after decades of being separated they somehow found a way to each other. So let’s all raise a glass and toast to the happy couple. Here’s to many more years of happiness.” Bucky raises his glass along with everyone else and they cheer.
After the speeches were done the party could really begin. You’d changed into a more comfortable dress and headed to the dance floor. Your friends huddled around you and Steve as everyone moved to the music.
At some point in the night Steve managed to pull you out to the balcony of the reception hall you were at. The fresh air felt wonderful after all the dancing you’d been doing.
“What’s going on?” You asked Steve with a teasing tone. “Got tired of sharing me with everyone?”
“Yes I did actually.”
You giggle as you wrap your arms around Steve’s midsection. With a contented sigh you rest your head against his chest, feeling his heart beating way too fast.
“Are you ok?”
“Yes. Just a little nervous.”
You pull back and look at him with concern. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. I just-I have two gifts for you and I hope you like them.”
“You already got me a gift.” You hold up your wrist to show the bracelet he sent you while you were getting ready that morning.
“What can I say? I like to spoil my girl, my wife.”
You smiled up at him.
“Here is the first gift.” Steve pulls out a piece of paper from his suit pocket and gives it to you.
“What is it?”
“Open it.”
You do as he says and unfold the paper he just gave you. It’s the floor plan to a home. “Did you buy a house?”
“Not just any house. Look at the address.”
“Chicago? Steve-“ you look up at him with wide eyes. “Is this my aunt’s house?”
“It is.”
“Are we moving to Chicago?”
“I mean it’s not Brooklyn but we can if you want. We can visit there whenever you want, you can rent it, sell it.The house is yours for you to do as you please. ”
“I’ll have to think about it. Steve, this house, it…” You didn’t have the words to express how much this house meant to you.
“It was special for me too. I thought we should keep it in the family.”
You hugged the deed to your chest.
“There’s one more thing.” Steve takes a deep breath to ready himself. “I’m officially retiring as Captain America.”
You gasped at the news. There were no words to describe the myriad of emotions you were feeling.
“I know it can’t be easy to accept but I think it’s a step in the right direction for our family.”
You just stared at him with tear filled eyes.
“Please say something. I know you were a part of the program and I don’t want to disappoint you but-“
“Disappoint? Steve this is the best news you could ever give me. Yes Captain America holds a special place in my heart but you’re more important to me than anything. You did your duty. You went through so much already, you deserve to rest. To enjoy time with your son.”
“That’s all I want. I want to be by your side and not miss anything else with Jamie.” Steve replies, the tension in his shoulder melting away. “I’ll still help with recruits and if something major ever happens then of course but other than that I’m just going to have a desk job.”
“That sounds wonderful. It’s the best gift you could’ve ever given me.”
You grab the lapels of his tux and pull him down, connecting your lips with his in a sweet kiss. The volume of the music coming from inside gets your attention so you pull away.
“Sorry guys, he kept asking for you.” Bucky says as Jamie walks out onto the balcony before heading back inside.
“What if we have another one?” You ask as you watch your son dancing his way towards you.
“We should head out for our honeymoon so we can get started on baby number two then.”
You laugh as Steve kisses your neck. This was perfect. Your family was perfect. From now on you would get to enjoy your life and watch your son grow up along with your husband. You were meant to be together no matter who or what tried to get in your way.
The war was over.
Now there was only love in times of peace.