The Other Little Soldier
The Other Little Soldier:
Natasha’s POV:
Little James was our little surprise, an unexpected pregnancy, especially since I am ‘sterile’. I walk out onto our back deck and take a seat watching my six year old play. He is wearing his favorite outfit, an army uniform just like his daddy.
He understands a little about what his father does after Steve explained it. I sit back and watch James use a stick to carve a line in the dirt preparing for a battle like Uncle Clint and Uncle Thor did last weekend with the water balloons. The little pug puppy that Steve got James was chasing his tail near the back of the yard. James ambushes the poor puppy when he accidentally crossed the boys battle line.
Steve joins me later with a kiss and we settle down to watch our son play. Life has been simple since we left SHIELD, Steve joined the army and I work for Pepper. James sees all of his aunts and uncles every weekend. I would have never thought my life would be this way but I love it.
James’ POV: *TIME SKIP*
My eighth birthday was amazing! I remember Uncle Clint and his son Francis even played in my bouncy castle with me. Although the thing I remember most was a few nights later while laying in bed when I hear dad’s phone ring. I wait tucked tight in bed listening like Mom taught me.
It was nearly midnight but I couldn’t sleep and I started to hear dad move around his room. I crawled out of bed and walked to my parents room. Dad kissed Mom and made his way to me.
I remember how he kneeled in front of me in his uniform. “God I love you both,” He said after kissing my forehead. “Hey buddy, I know it’s a lot to ask of such a little man but will you hold down the fort? Protect your Mama and I will be home as quickly as I can James.”
He had ruffled my hair before leaving the house, and standing there with Mom I never realized it would be the last time I ever seen him.
It was nearly a year later only two weeks after I had turned nine. I was sitting on the living room floor playing when the doorbell rang. Mom opened the door and instantly started crying. I had ran to try and protect her just to see Uncle Sam and Grandpa Coulson in their special uniforms. Mom grabbed me and hugged me close the broken words she whispered cut like a knife.
“He is gone James, Daddy is gone.”
The most vivid and painful memory for me was the funeral. It happened 7 years ago today, but I remember it like it just happened. Mom had dressed me in my sunday clothes on that Thursday, and had me get in a limo with her and my uncles. We pulled up to Arlington Cemetary and Grandpa Coulson led us to the front row of seats. I stay still and quiet until I rise to watch my uncles carry in the casket covered with the flag. They easily fill the rest of the row with Uncle Thor closest to me. The army men shoot the guns and I watched my mom wince every time. Thor held strong until they started to fold the flag. It was the first time that I seen the flag from up that close.
The men folded the one thing that my dad respected as much as our family. Once they moved toward us I stood and saluted the flag and my father, just the way he taught me.
Natasha’s POV:
It has been 10 years since we buried Steve and now I am standing at the airport saying goodbye to my only child. He completed boot camp quickly, just like his father had.
Now my son stands in front of me, nearly a foot and a half taller than me. His red hair peaks out from under his barret, his blue eyes, the same shade as his fathers, shimmer with pride and unshed tears.
He had told me since he was 5 that he wanted to be like Daddy. Now at 19 he stands before me in his uniform. He hugs me tight whispering in my ear, “Mom I love you and I will be safe, I promise.”
With one last wave I watch my little boy walk away to fight for his country.