Chapter 3
-are you ready soldier?
Tony or rather Pepper had invited them to a dinner in their new home. Steve had thought about it for so long before formally accepting the invitation, things with Tony had not been fixed since the last time they saw each other and he feared that his presence would not be welcomed, but Natasha had assured him that everything would be fine and that Pepper knew that the conflict had to end and what better way than a dinner to settle differences? But Steve was a little nervous, it would not only be the first time he would see Tony, it would also be the first time that Annika would leave the complex where she had been living the last couple of weeks.
-relax Rogers, everything is gonna be alright
Steve turned his gaze from the mirror where he had been fixing the collar of his shirt, to see Natasha, what he saw left him speechless, Natasha had re-dyed all her scarlet hair, which danced on her shoulders, accentuating the beautiful black dress, matching with a pair of heels, which made her look a little taller but still not like him.
-Nat ....
Natasha had never felt so vulnerable at the sight of a man, she knew that she looked beautiful, but Steve's gaze was one of pure adoration, as if he could see through her soul, his blue eyes were like 2 magnets that attracted her towards him, before she knew it, she was already in front of him, only a few centimeters away. They both looked down at each other's lips, thinking about what it would be like to touch them if only for a few seconds.
-Steve ...
The name escaped the redhead's lips as a plea, but what was she begging for? For him to kiss her? As if agreeing to her request Steve leaned over her and Natasha closed her eyes.
-I'm ready!
But the kiss never came, instead a little red-haired girl entered wearing a beautiful white dress, which she herself had chosen with the help of Natasha, her hair falling down her back. Unaware of what she had just interrupted, she smiled requesting the attention of them, Steve, still blushing, carry her out of the room while mentioning how beautiful she looked, distracting his thoughts so as not to turn to see Natasha.
The older redhead was confused, Steve wanted to kiss her and she had done nothing to prevent it, what was happening to her? Steve was her friend, and he had more important things to focus on, their minds had to focus on bringing everyone back and fixing the chaos Thanos had left, there was no time for relationships and feelings.
The ride to Tony's house had been anything but easy, with Annika, Nebula, and Rocket in the back seats, the fights between Annika and Rocket had lasted the entire trip, leaving Steve scared to death each one time one of them took off their seat belt. Nebula being the smartest took some headphones and began to listen to one of the many playlists that Tony had made for her, apparently all the time they spent in space had brought them closer.
-we are here
Natasha announced, Nebula jumped out of the car trying to put distance between herself and her noisy companions. Rocket was the next to leave, but not before giving the little one a little push, Annika was willing to go out and hit Rocket but was held by Steve, who fearing for Rocket's safety, carried her while walking with Nat.
Pepper opened the door with delight, her 5 months pregnant already visible.
-WTF!
A stunned Tony Stark entered the room, surprised at the image in front of him.
-Pepper, you didn't tell me that Rogers and Nat had a daughter
-Tony- Pepper tried to reason with him
-Sorry Rogers but Nat won the gene war
-Tony, Annika is not my daughter- Nat replied - she is ...
But he didn't let her finish
-But if you have the same eyes, the same hair, the nose and I dare to say for the angry face that the little one has, that she inherited the same personality.
Steve turned to see Annika and Natasha, he knew that what Tony was saying was true, there was a lot of similarity between them but unlike Tony he had not dared to say something. As if feeling the discomfort, Pepper appeared in front of the little girl.
-Hello Annika, I'm Pepper - she extended her hand in front of the girl.
Annika moved into Steve's arms demanding that he put her down, Steve thought she wanted to greet Pepper properly , but instead she ran off to hit Rocket, then she came. back and hug Pepper
-Hello Pepper, I am Annika- the older one was touched and returned the hug
-Annika, this is Tony- Annika extended her hand and Tony was very offended
-Why only Pepper gets hugs? - Annika started laughing and hug Tony
-Red, your daughter likes me
-Tony, she is not ...
-Whatever you say Nat
The dinner had passed with all the tranquility that could be expected, Tony had moved away together with Steve, both had to settle their differences, in a world with 50% of the people gone, the best thing was to value those who still remained.
While the boys were talking Pepper took the opportunity to ask the question that had been bothering her throughout the whole dinner.
-is official?
The redhead turned to see Pepper without understanding what she was talking about
-I do not understand the question
-You and Steve, Steve has been watching you all the time
Natasha was silent for a few moments not knowing exactly what to answer, she had definitely noticed Steve's gaze but that didn't mean anything.
-you should give him a chance, you both deserve it after all you've been through
-pepper ... Definitely the pregnancy is affecting you
-When she grows up I will ask you for advice, it seems that you do a good job with Anny
-Anny is a good girl, although we still haven't gotten her away from Rocket, he is not taking all her attention pretty well