Atonement

Chapter 11

Tony was discharged three days after he’d given birth with a clean bill of health and a schedule for his first postpartum checkup.

Regrettably, Primo had to stay in the NICU until a week or two before his actual due date which Dr. Terzi, their son’s neonatologist, says would be in about a month and a half’s time. Being born at 29 weeks, the little boy’s tiny lungs weren’t yet fully developed. Primo is also anemic, and could not thermoregulate, hence the incubation and the constant supervision.

On a positive note, all the doctors involved in the little Stark-Rogers’ care were confident the complications are short-termed and the parents shouldn’t have to worry about putting their kid in a metaphorical and literal bubble.

Steve and Tony, even though officially discharged, didn’t stay too far from the NICU. They booked a hotel room right across the street and spent most of the day sitting next to their son’s incubator. It’s safer to be near Primo, especially when the press finally caught up with the news that Tony Stark had just given birth to Captain America’s baby. Pepper had the hospital staff sign an NDA but they couldn’t extend the grace to everyone else that comes and goes. It helped that they had a literal team of supers to act as bodyguards and an overprotective family to scare off any press that attempts to swindle information. The hospital’s admins weren’t even annoyed they had to strengthen their security. The publicity of having delivered Iron Man and Captain America’s child alone was more than their PR team can dream of. And Tony’s offer to donate a whole new neonatal unit didn’t exactly hurt.

They all did a great job taking care of Tony and Primo throughout and after the delivery. Dr. Russo especially was definitely getting a wonderful Christmas gift. He’ll have to talk to Pepper about sending a brand-new car down to the hospital soon.

With Christmas drawing nearer and nearer, Tony and Steve can no longer ignore the fact that they will have to celebrate their first Christmas and New Year as a family in the hospital. As much as they want to steal their kid and celebrate the holidays at home (wherever that may be), neither wanted to risk transferring Primo. As long as they’re together, it wouldn’t be so bad.

Their friends and family were very good sports and supported the two of them better than Tony believed. The Carbonells and the Avengers seemed to have an understanding that they’re all in-laws at this point, much to Tony’s dread and his cousins’ elation. Lorenzo even made the group of superheroes work in the family winery while staying in the villa. Bruce admitted bottling wines by hand is very relaxing and he’ll be honored to do it again in the future. Clint just simply loved the idea of having beautifully aged wines to taste test at his disposal.

Every day, they would all take turns visiting the Stark-Rogers family, bringing in food and gifts. Tony’s cousins in particular were very enthusiastic in theirs, using Christmas as an excuse to buy Primo a store-worth of baby stuff. His aunt and uncles even shed a few tears when they found out Tony had given his son an Italian name.

The actual Christmas Eve was less lonely than either parent expected. The whole neonatal/pediatric floor was donned with decorations and the hospital cafeteria was transformed into one big party hall for all the staff, the patients that couldn’t go home, and their families to celebrate Christmas. Steve, bless his heart, managed to set up a much private Christmas eve party right at the nurse’s station outside the NICU (with the nurses' and the doctors’ permission!!). The huge glass window gave them a clear view of little Primo sleeping the night away. Stella couldn’t stop staring at Primo for an hour when she first arrived. All of Tony’s family were present including Henry, Amara, and Thomas who were positively ecstatic of getting to celebrate Christmas with the Hulk, much to Bruce’s perplexity and embarrassment. Dr. Russo, Dr. Terzi, and a couple of nurses popped in for a few minutes to exchange Christmas greetings with the group before going home to their respective families to celebrate.  

Gifts were left to be exchanged in the morning at the villa to avoid making a mess of the nurse’s station but they all gave Tony’s, Steve’s, and Primo’s to open at their own time knowing there was no way the two would leave their son’s side.

Their routine continued even when the year 2015 started. The parents still never left the hospital for more than a few hours and never at the same time. By the time Dr. Terzi gave them the clear to move Primo out of his closed-box incubator to an open cot four days after New Year, much faster than they anticipated, Steve was suddenly struck by the fact that neither of them officially registered Primo yet.

“We’ll file it later today, Steve. It’s no problem at all,” assured Tony, giving his alpha’s no-longer-slinged shoulder a gentle pat. “Have you thought about a name yet?”

Steve hummed noncommittally while keeping his eye on their son in his new cot. In a few more days, they can finally take him home. “Nothing concrete yet. I kinda sorta lost a bet 75 or so years ago that I’ll name my kid after my CO.”

Tony cocked his head to the side, sending Steve a look that says he wasn’t impressed. “We’re not naming our son Phillip, Alpha. That’s a recipe for disaster. Oncle Philippe would be so smug and everyone else will want us to provide enough children named after each one of them.”

Steve threw his head back with a rather undignified laugh. “No. Of course, not. It’s not normally mentioned in many history books. Everyone just calls him Colonel Phillips but I was actually thinking of his first name, Chester.”

“Chester, huh,” mused Tony out loud. “So that’s why dad used to call him Colonel C. Didn’t he hate you, though?”

Steve waved his hand dismissively. “Oh, he did. Told me I wasn’t fit to be a soldier even after I got the serum. But he was also the only officer in the US Army and the only other person in position apart from Howard and Peggy to fight for my rank as Captain and became my friend. Everyone else just saw me as a lab rat or a dancing monkey.”

“Well then, Chester it is. Primo Chester Stark-Rogers. Got a nice ring to it,” said Tony.

“You might have to ban Clint from calling him One United, though,” warned Steve.

“Oh! That’s a good one.”

“Tony!”

--

To everyone’s delight and surprise, Primo was released three weeks earlier than projected. Steve and Tony were able to bring him home the morning of January 8th, all swaddled up in his cashmere baby fleece.

Their friends and family prepared a welcome home celebration for the baby and even invited some of their neighbors and Tony’s coworkers who were unsurprised they have been working with the Tony Stark all along. They had drinks courtesy of Carbonell winery and traditional Italian homecooked dishes because Lorenzo was still a food snob and refused to serve a catered meal.

There was a pleasant buzz inside the villa where it was warm and cozy. Tony had seen Sam and Bruce playing board games with the children, Nat and Thor laughing along with Tony’s coworkers at something Guiseppe said (and of course, Romanoff’s fluent in Italian. How could he forget?), Clint and Bucky trailing after Steve trying to catch a glimpse of Primo’s face, Phil surrounded by Tony’s cousins (and Zio Diego) most likely listening to one of Agent’s confidential tales, Zia Luna and Zio Lorenzo bustling in the kitchen, and Zio Alberto and Oncle Philippe drinking wine by the window.

It was heartwarming to see so many people celebrating his son’s homecoming (sort of). Tony wished Rhodey, Pepper, and Happy were here as well but he had to make do with the video call he just ended a moment ago. His best friend had to return to base while Pepper, subsequently Happy, had a company to run. Tony didn’t mind.

Primo took everything in stride and slept the whole time despite the loud noises. Steve hadn’t actually let go of him since he took the baby out of his carrier, and none were brave enough to try. They still had a freezer full of breastmilk anyway so it wasn’t like Steve had to relinquish his hold on their son for a feeding. Tony was fully fine with it. He really liked the sight of his alpha fussing over their pup all day.

When it was obvious that both Tony and Steve were exhausted, Lorenzo told the new parents to rest up in Tony’s room. Despite it being their celebration, neither men were truly interested in partying it up with the rest of their friends and family. Everyone else understood and simply congratulated them.

“Oh, this is nice,” breathed Steve blissfully as he took on the sight of Tony’s room. It had all the signs that it once belonged to a child; like the glow in the dark stars glued on the ceiling, the artistic airplane wallpaper on one side, and rather skewed permanent marker drawings of cars behind the door.

But it also contained an adult-sized double bed, an intricate pale red crib, a modern-looking bassinet, and lots of other stuff a baby needed.

Tony grinned proudly, pleased that his nest pleased his alpha. He directed Steve to place Primo in his bassinet next to the bed which Steve ultimately followed. The tiny stuffed rabbit Steve bought was already on top of one of the dressers alongside a beautiful box Steve was yet to discover contained the tiniest Captain America costume he’d ever see in his life.

“You made such a cozy nursery for our Mimmo, haven’t you, Omega?” crooned Steve fondly as he traced his fingers on the railings of the vintage cast-iron crib that looked like it cost more than Steve’s whole childhood.

Tony ducked his head shyly and preened. “This is just temporary, Alpha. We are going back to New York soon.”

Steve’s whole body stilled. He’s been thinking about how to approach the topic to his mate for days but could never find the right moment to bring it up. He didn’t want to appear ungrateful to Tony’s family for letting him and their friends stay for the holidays but he also couldn’t lie and say he isn’t aching for Tony to come home with him.

“How soon are we talking about, doll?” He asked cautiously.

Tony seemed not to notice Steve’s reluctance and instead kept all his attention on the ever-sleeping infant. “I’m not sure yet. Obviously, it should be after Mimmo’s check-up. We still have to organize all of our son’s follow-up care in America before we go. Find specialists, all that blitz. And he doesn’t exactly have a nursery at the tower yet.”

“Right, of course,” nodded Steve immediately. That sounds reasonable. They can’t just put their delicate premature baby in a carrier and fly him across the world on a whim. “Bucky told me they’re going back to New York on the 10^th. Half of them still have jobs and the others don’t want to impose. Maybe we can have them set up the nursery in the penthouse? Leave a space for this beautiful crib. We can bring all you’ve bought with us on the quinjet when we do leave.”

Primo began to fuss so Tony wasn’t able to respond right ahead. Judging by the time, he was due for another feeding. With Steve’s help, the omega settled on the chair by the window and accepted the infant in his arms. He unbuttoned the first few buttons of his shirt one-handedly and maneuvered Primo so he can latch better. Frankly, Tony’s doing better and better in breastfeeding his son. His Mimmo latches on quite easily now compared to the first few times they’ve done it in the NICU. Burping him was a whole other story, but Steve seems to have a hang on that. 

“Good boy,” whispered Tony fondly, brushing his lips softly over the downy blond hair.

When Primo was settled, Tony turned to Steve once again. “That’s a good idea. I know Pepper’s very eager to put a nursery in the penthouse. We’ll send her a picture of the crib so they can maneuver around the color.”

Giddy from the prospect of returning home with his family, Steve leaned down and kissed their son’s head then Tony’s lips. “Thank you, ‘mega. I love you both so much.”

--

It took them two more weeks before finally coming home to New York.

Primo’s postnatal check-up coincided with Tony’s postpartum one. They were both declared fit to travel so Steve had stopped worrying about any complications. Their chosen pediatrician was officially approved by the world’s toughest spies and Pepper Potts. The nursery, ready for occupancy.

Saying goodbye to Tony’s family was unexpectedly harder than the soldier initially believed. They have truly bonded over the weeks and he dare say, already thinks of them as family. Lorenzo and Alberto even had him call them Zio. Steve had definitely promised to visit again very soon.

Coming back to New York was both comforting and terrifying. Neither could deny feeling so much better now that they’re really home. Yet the prospect of bursting their little bubble and facing the real world once again was scary.

Primo—or Chesy, as Steve’s been calling him recently—adapted well enough in his new place. The nursery their friends helped to build had both parents tearing up. The pale red cast-iron crib was placed in the middle of the wallpaper-clad wall decorated in tiny hot air balloons. Above the crib was a white canopy and a vintage airplane mobile. The rest of the room complimented the one side that even the lighting fixture was in the shape of a hot air balloon.

Tony settled a wide-eyed Mimmo on his rocker while he and Steve unpack the rest of their son’s belongings. All of the clothes they sent ahead (and then some) were already folded or hung inside the closet. Their baby’s technically not ‘born’ yet since his actual due date won’t be for another week but he’s growing so well, that he finally fits into the newborn clothes Tony went full-on shopping mode for.

“Hey, I just remembered,” startled Steve, a familiar box in his hands. “I wanted to see what was in this but we already packed it alongside Chesy’s bigger clothes.”

Tony’s eyes widened, chiding himself that he forgot to show it to his alpha. Steve only ever saw the 12th-week scan so this should be a wonderful surprise for him.

“Open it, Alpha,” said Tony eagerly.

And Steve did. The utterly dazed look on his face was so heartwarming, Tony just had to pick up his phone and snap a photo. Inside the box were all of their son’s ultrasound images along with the Captain America costume Tony bought from Cesare. It wouldn’t actually fit Mimmo until he’s about 6 months or so but the thought of him wearing it puts a huge smile on the omega’s face.

Steve dropped the baby clothing on his lap and laid the scans reverently to his chest. “Oh, Tony,” whispered Steve emotionally before standing up and pulling him in a tight hug. “This is wonderful.”

The scent of a happy alpha caught their baby’s interest and Mimmo began to cry for attention, no longer distracted by his pacifier.

Steve released his hold on Tony and immediately went to pick up the little boy. “Hello, Chesy. Hi, bubba. Dry those tears, daddy’s here.”

“I still maintain that Mimmo’s a better nickname than Chesy. You’re making him sound like a pizza topping, babe.”

“Hush, you,” grumbled Steve without the heat. “Nothing’s wrong with using both. Ain’t that right, Chico?”

Tony snorted behind him as he felt arms wrapping around his waist. “That’s a new one.”

Steve shrugged. “He’s got a large family. He’ll have to get used to a lot of nicknames. I know for one that Nat’s been calling him little rabbit in Russian. Zaychik or something. Thank goodness Clint realized One United is too long for a nickname he’s settling for ‘Mo’.”

“I’m not sure that’s better, Steve,” giggled the omega as he brushed the wayward strands of hair peeking out of their son’s tiny hat. “Well, what’s Bucky been calling him? It’s gotta be better than any of them. Rhodey’s calling him ‘Lil Cap for god’s sake.”

Steve turned his head slightly. Enough to have a visual on his mate’s face behind him. His eyes were full of mirth but his tone was positively bland. “You don’t even want to know.”

Spoiler alert: Bucky calls Primo ‘Sir’ or ‘Commander’. Tony was delighted when he found out.

Of course, having a newborn without the help of the nurses or Tony’s uncles was quite the adjustment, especially since the said newborn hasn’t got the best immune system and needs special care. They kept worrying that they'll end up hurting him or neglecting his needs. The first time they gave him a bath was particularly frightening. Primo's umbilical cord had already fallen off and they've gotten the clear to graduate from sponge baths. JARVIS was the only reason he and Steve managed through it. 

The burping part of feeding was still a hit or miss that ended up in one too many breakdowns from Tony for not being a good omega. He also cries a whole lot regardless of whatever his parents do to help. He's a very fussy baby, always demanding attention. He goes through tons of diaper changes and refuses to be placed in the bassinet while awake. The rocker, stroller, and the carrier are fine but he shall wage a protest when laid in the crib or bassinet. Tony and Steve had to rock him to sleep in their arms before putting him down. 

The parents were at a constant exhaustion keeping up with Primo’s feeding and changing schedules, neither had gotten a wink of sleep. Coming from a Super Soldier and an obsessive engineer, that’s saying a lot.

They already met up with their son’s new doctor named Michael Jones, Gabe Jones’ great-grandson. They really struck up their luck since Dr. Jones was not only New York’s best leading pediatrician but also has no problem moving into the tower so long as he'll continue being a consultant in two different hospitals in Manhattan. It's a relief on their part knowing their son's doctor lives just a few floors down. 

There’s also the issue of what to tell the press. Ever since the world found out about baby Stark-Rogers, the Stark PR team has been receiving multiple inquiries and interview offers. Conspiracy theories were already circulating on the internet. Tony’s favorite one was that the baby was actually a plot to distract the public from the fact that Black Widow and the Winter Soldier are having an affair with a famous Hollywood actor. At the same time.

Tony and Steve didn’t really care to deny or confirm any speculations. Since no one outside people who signed NDAs had actually seen the baby or have photographic proof a tiny Stark-Rogers existed, they’re happy to keep it a rumor.  

The PR team, on the other hand, didn’t share the same thoughts. They suggested releasing a simple statement confirming Primo’s birth without mentioning any of the details such as his name and health conditions. And since Pepper backed it up, the parents grudgingly agreed. Tony ended up posting a short statement on his Twitter account announcing the birth of his and Steve’s son with a rather polite appeal for privacy. The tweet had over ten thousand retweets in the first hour alone. Steve captioned the same thing on his Instagram with a photo of Primo’s tiny foot. That one had double the hearts within the same time frame.

Mercifully, the majority of the public respected Iron Man’s and Captain America’s request for privacy. Which meant the new parents really only have to worry about surviving the first few months with an infant.

Their saving grace came a month later from none other than Sam Wilson who first offered to babysit Primo for a night so that Steve and Tony can actually go to sleep without interruptions for once. Once the rest of their friends found out the overprotective parents were willing to hand over their precious bundle in exchange for sleep, they’ve been getting a steady flow of offers. As per the rule in the tower, babysitting Primo Chester Stark-Rogers:

1. Must always be done by pair (after Clint accidentally slept in the middle of a feeding and JARVIS had to call Nat for back-up).
2. Involves a regular feeding every four hours and a diaper change when the situation requires. (Do not throw the dirty diaper on your teammate! – SGR) (Target locked. -JBB)
3. Means you should watch your language, Hap - TS
4. Is not an excuse to test a baby’s spying abilities (I’m offended – NR) or teach him to say God Bless America (I did not! – SW)
5. Does not mean they’re free to take him to the shooting range (Bucky), SHIELD headquarters (Phil) or Asgard (Thor) without his parents’ permission (Seriously, don’t. – TSxSGR)
6. Gets you ten points on the Tony Stark’s Nice list and a cookie from Steve

Suffice to say, Tony and Steve are loving parenthood.