Bridge
The next morning, Sebastian woke you gently by peppering small kisses on your neck and collarbone then he spoke softly, "Babyyyy dooooll." He stroked his fingertips across your forehead, over your temple and down your cheek, "Wake up, gorgeous."
You hummed happily and opened your eyes, seeing Sebastian over you, smiling, "Mmm. Morning."
"There she is.", he beamed at you as he slowly dragged his fingers back and forth over your stomach. "How you feelin'?"
You stretched gingerly, "Good. I think being home really helped me sleep well."
He smiled softly, blinking at you slowly, "Good. I made breakfast."
He helped you out of bed and led you to the kitchen.
Chris had gone to work, so it was just the two of you.
After breakfast, he did the dishes while you sipped your coffee at the table. You browsed the internet on your phone for knit and crochet patterns, trying to decide on something to make.
Sebastian came to your side and leaned over, placing a hand on the table, the other one the back of your chair. He looked over your shoulder at your phone, "Oh, that one's cool.", he pointed at a picture of a detailed, colorful afghan.
You chuckled, "I don't think I'm ready for that. But, I'll find something."
"You ready for a shower?", he kissed the top of your head.
You set your phone down and turned in your chair, "God, yes."
He helped you up, "I'll go start it."
He headed to the bathroom as you went to get a change of clothes set out.
When you came into the bathroom, he had turned on the water and set two towels on the counter. He took your hand, "Can I join you?"
You smiled up at him, "Of course."
He gently helped you udress and then removed his pants and underwear. He stepped in the shower and took your hand to lead you in. He backed up under the water with his arms around your middle, your back pressed against him.
The warm trickle streamed over your skin, soothing you as Sebastian swept your hair to one side and softly kissed the base of your neck. You hummed, closed your eyes and laid your head back against his shoulder.
He turned you in his embrace and kissed you tenderly. He then turned you both, letting the water run over you unobstructed. He kissed along your collarbone, and down between your breasts, your hands now on his broad shoulders. He continued, lowering himself as he now kissed your stomach.
You sighed quietly, "Seb, I don't think I'm ready."
"I know, baby.", he said softly against your skin and pressed his lips to your lower belly lovingly. He wrapped his arms around your hips as he gently rested his head against you for a long moment, closing his eyes.
Your hand rested on his shoulder, the other stroked his hair. His intimate gesture broke your heart and made it swell simultaneously; you understood what it meant.
He stood and picked up the washcloth he had placed in the shower beforehand, squeezed body wash onto it and started to wash you. He took his time, gliding the foamy fabric over your skin everywhere. He gave your whole body affectionate attention; from every expanse of skin, to every delicate crevice. He used his bare fingertips lightly over the entire area where your stitches were so the roughness of the washcloth wouldn't disturb them and so he could love on you more there. He then washed your hair.
You spoke softly as he massaged your scalp, "You're so good to me, Seb. I'm so lucky to have you."
A small smile crept across his face, "I feel the same about you, darling.", he eased you under the water to rinse. When you were free of all the suds, he then took you in his arms and kissed your lips gingerly. He looked deep into your eyes, his voice low when he spoke, "When we're ready, I want to try again. I want to have a baby with you."
Your breath hitched and your eyes quickly welled up with tears as your voice came out hoarse and shaky, "Me too."
A week had passed and you were finally able to get out of that damn bed for more than peeing, eating and showering. Your friends each came to visit you over that week. You had been to see the obstetrician the surgeon referred you to and everything was going well.
You all invited friends over for a barbecue on Saturday. Sharon, Natasha, Bruce, Thor and Jane all came, bringing food and drinks.
You were in the kitchen preparing food at the island, everyone trickling in as they arrived and Sebastian let them in. You could see Chris out back through the sun room windows, getting the grill ready, beer in hand. You smiled.
When Bruce and Nat came in, Bruce headed out back to say hi to Chris, Jane and Sharon. Nat stayed in the kitchen with you, Sebastian and Thor. She went to you and gave you a side hug while you cut tomatoes for burgers, "Hey, girl, how's it hangin'?"
"I don't have a wang, Nat.", you chuckled.
She leaned in, but didn't bother lowering her voice, "Yes you do, it's just not on your body." She quirked an eyebrow.
You laughed along with everyone, barely pointing the knife toward Sebastian across the island, "Oh. Ask him then."
Nat looked at him expectantly.
He cocked an eyebrow, "I'm not telling you that." He took a swig of his beer.
She laughed in response, and adressed you again, "You can drink now, right?"
"Yep. No more pain meds.", you replied, focusing on your work.
She pulled a bottle of Bacardi from the brown bag she was holding, beaming.
Your eyes got wide, "Oh, bless you!" You could use a little loosening up.
Sebastian pointed at Nat sternly, "Hey. You're not allowed to get her sloshed."
You had let it slip after your drunken stupor at Pepper's birthday party that Nat had been your partner in drinking crime that night.
Nat's eyebrows popped up, "I wouldn't dream of it. I got a fuckin' earful from Chris the last time I did."
Chris came in to get the burger patties just as Nat handed you the bottle. He walked over to you, waving his hands, "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Nat, seriously. (Y/N) just had surgery,", he took the bottle from your hand, scowling at Nat, "she can't get drunk. We don't need her falling over, tearing a muscle or ripping stitches."
Sebastian spoke up, "Look, Chris, she could use a little stress relief after the week she's had. I, of all people, am not gonna let her get drunk. You know that, right?"
Chris pursed his lips and looked at you.
You raised your eyebrows, "Promise."
He sighed and nodded, looking back to Sebastian, "Okay." He gave you a slight smile, "Where's the burgers?"
"On a plate in the fridge."
Chris handed Thor a case of beer from the fridge, grabbed the burgers and they both went out back. Sebastian rounded the island with his beer in hand. He came to your side, putting a hand around your waist and he spoke against your hair, "You know this means I'm not leaving your side once you start drinking, right?"
You chuckled as he kissed your head and Nat smiled at the two of you.
"I wouldn't expect anything less.", you replied.
"Good.", he growled and smacked your ass, making you squeak in surprise. He started for the back yard and pointed at you, "You better behave, miss."
"I will, Sebby.", you smiled after him and started tearing leaves off a head of lettuce.
Nat grinned at you, "Well, someone's feeling feisty."
You chortled, "Yeah, a week without sex will do that to a guy."
She chuckled and grabbed herself a beer from the fridge and cracked it open and took a swig. She stood next to you again, leaning her hip on the island, "(Y/N), if you ever need to talk to someone who's been through this before, I want you to know you can talk to me." She set down her beer and her face was serious.
You stopped what you were doing and your face turned sympathetic, "Oh my God, Nat. I'm so sorry." You hugged her tight and then pulled back, "Why didn't you ever say something before?"
She tilted her head to the side and frowned, "Never came up. And when it happened to you, I wasn't sure I wanted to tell anyone yet."
"You and Bruce? When?"
"No, it was before Bruce, several years ago.", she looked at counter and started playing with a wilted piece of lettuce you had discarded. "Bruce doesn't even know."
You took her hand and squeezed it, "Thank you and I'm so sorry."
She looked to you again, "It's okay. Time has helped a lot. I hope it'll help you too.", she squeezed your hand in return. "So, what can I help with?"
You asked her to take the plate of burger toppings you'd just prepared to the table set up outside and she did.
You started mixing together a pasta salad and Sebastian came in to grab buns and hot dogs for Chris. He beamed as he neared the island, "Ayyyy, Baybeeee!", he kissed your head quickly and began to gather what he came in for.
You giggled, "Hey, lover." You turned toward him and rested against the island, "You know, I was thinking..."
He turned to you holding the hot dogs, the bag of buns hanging in the grasp of the same hand. His eyebrows pulled up expectantly.
"If you get me pregnant without being married to me, won't your mother throttle you?", you looked at him smugly.
He laughed and pulled you to him with his free hand, kissing your lips, "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Right now, let's just work on getting to that gentle love making we talked about." He waggled his eyebrows and squeezed your ass, planting a hard kiss on your lips.