You and Me, Together (Single Parent AU)

Part 3

Friday rolled around which mean that it was the day of your date with Steve and you were so excited. You were very cheery throughout the entire day.

Three hours before your date, Steve had called you, "Hey, Steve!" you said cheerfully.

"Hi, Y/N," you could hear him smiling through the phone, "Listen, Wand can't babysit Gracie tonight. Her brother got into an accident so she's at the hospital with him. I would ask if Gracis could come along, but that seems a bit-"

"I don't mind if she does."

"Really? Are you sure? 'Cause it's okay if you want to cancel and reschedule."

You chuckled, "It's fine, Steve. Gracie is amazing anyway. I wouldn't mind getting to know her more along with yourself."

Steve sighed, "You really are something, Y/N."

"I'm taking that as a compliment."

"Good, because it is. Anyway, we'll pick you up around eight, sound good?"

"Sounds perfect."

"Alright, see ya later."

"Bye, Steve." you hung up and still smiling to yourself.

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Eight o'clock rolled around and right on the dot, there was a knock at your door. Putting on your shoes, you answered it. There before you stood Steve wearing jeans and a light blue button-up. Next to him stood Gracie holding a big bouquet of flowers, so big it covered her face.

"Hi Steve." You hugged him, "Hmmm. I thought you were bringing Gracie," you said playfully, "Oh! You got me flowers? And they're floating?!"

You heard Gracie's giggles and she brought the flowers down, "I'm here, Y/N!"

You feigned surprise, "Oh! There you are, honey! Were you hiding behind all those flowers?"

She nodded and held them out to you, "They're from our garden!"

You happily took them and hugged the little girl, "Thank you. They're beautiful!" You quickly went over to your kitchen, pulled out a vase, and set the flowers in them. You then went back to the duo, "Okay! So where are we going?"

"To my uncle Bucky's restaurant!" Gracie exclaimed.

You looked at Steve impressed, "More connections, I see."

He chuckled, "Yeah. My best friend owns and works at a restaurant. He's the head chef there. I told him about having a date and he basically forced me to take you there."

"Am I going to be interrogated?"

Steve laughed, "Most likely, but he's a cool guy. I promise."

"The coolest!" Gracie added.

The three of you walked down from your apartment complex and headed towards Steve's car. During the ride there, you and Steve chatted with Gracie occasionally letting her own thoughts be known. Within fifteen minutes, you arrived at the restaurant, Restaurantul Vis de Iarnă (Winter Dream Restaurant in Romanian).

You all entered into the place, Gracie standing in-between both of you holding yours and Steve's hand. Steve approached the hostess, "Hey, Nat."

She smiled, "Hiya, Steve." she looked to Gracie, "Hey, gorgeous."

Gracie waved with a big smile on her face, "Hi, Auntie Nat!"

She then looked at you and offered her hand, "Hi, I'm Natasha, friend of Steve's. Call me Nat."

You shook her hand and introduced yourself, "Nice to meet you! I'm Y/N."

Nat grabbed two menus and a kid's menu, "Follow me, Bucky set up a table for you guys."

You followed her towards the back, more secluded. Steve pulled out your chair and you thanked him as you sat down. Steve sat to your left and Gracie to your right. When Nat asked what you would like to drink you and Steve said water and Gracie asked for grape juice. Once Nat left, Steve asked, "So what do you do, Y/N? I just realized that I never found out where you work."

"I actually work at a combined animal clinic and shelter. We have a group that rescues animals from all over town. They bring them to me and I help bring them back to health."

"So you save puppies and kitties?" Gracie asked.

You nodded, "Yup! All the time. It's so sad knowing all of those animals are left to fend for themselves, but it definitely makes me feel better knowing that they're in safer hands."

Steve smiled, "Can you get anymore sweeter?"

You laughed and shrugged, "Maybe."

"Hiya, pal." Steve heard a voice approach the table.

He looked up to see Bucky, "Hey, man. Y/N, this is Bucky, my best friend. Buck, this is Y/N."

You held out a hand, "Hi. Nice to meet you!"

Bucky took your hand and kissed it, "You punk, you didn't tell me she was so beautiful." He leaned more towards you, "If you ever get tired of him, just gimme a call."

"Uncle Bucky!" Gracie exclaimed as she ran over to Bucky.

Bucky smiled as he hugged her and pulled her into his arms, "Hey there, pumpkin! Whatcha doin' on your dad's date?" He then looked at Steve, "i'm gonna bring her to the back so she could say hi to everyone." Steve nodded giving him the okay.

When Bucky and Gracie entered the kitchen Steve apologized, "Sorry 'bout him. He could be a bit much."

You shook your head, "It's fine. Seems like you two are very close."

"We are. Been friends ever since we were kids. He's like my older brother. He always looked after me, especially when I would get bullied. Was always there to pull the guys off me, to my dismay."

You laughed, "You're a fighter, huh?"

"I don't like bullies." He sighed, "I had a rough childhood. My dad died when I was young, so it was my ma and I for a while. She worked two jobs and I barely saw her. All that work finally caught up to her and she ended up getting sick from exhaustion. Died when I was ten."

You reached over the table and rested your hand on Steve's, "Steve-"

"Bucky was there for me through it all. His family took me in and raised me like their own. Bucky's more than just my best friend. He's family." He looked up at you and sighed, "Sorry for dumping all that on you."

You shook your head, "It's fine, Steve. Really. I'm glad you opened up to me about that."

Steve leaned over the table, setting his hand on yours that covered his other, "I feel so comfortable around you, like I could tell you anything."

"Same here," you mumbled. You stared at Steve's face, occasionally glancing at his lips. He was doing the same.

__________________

Bucky and Gracie watched from the kitchen doors as you and Steve leaned closer together, "Are they gonna kiss?" Gracie asked.

"Looks like it," Bucky answered.

"Daddy's leaning in!" Gracie whispered loudly. She held her breath as you and her father both leaned in, your lips touching Steve's. Gracie was jumping with excitement, "They're kissing, Uncle Bucky!"

Bucky laughed, "I see, pumpkin."

"Do you think Y/N will be my new mommy?"

Bucky looked down at Gracie with surprise, "I'm...not sure."

"I want her to be. I like Y/N."