The Night We Met | Steve / Bucky

fifty-five - let me love you

Katherine pulled up to her usual spot outside of the cabin. It was mid-afternoon, the Spring sun reflected across the lake in front of her. She emerged from the car, the smell of nature attacking her nostrils - it was nice. Everything felt so fresh down here. 

Steve emerged from the passenger side, making his way to the trunk of the car. "Hey!" A voice called from the porch. Steve took a large box from the trunk of the car and shut it tight with a slam. "You guys got here early."

Tony approached his sister, hugging her tightly. "How is she doing?" Katherine asked, Tony's cologne nearly suffocating her. 

She broke the hug and watched as Tony and Steve greeted each other with a smile, "Yeah." Tony looked between the pair, "She's doing great. She's inside waiting for you. I'll help you with that." Tony spoke, trying to take the box from Steve.

Steve shook his head, moving the box from Tony's grip, "No, no. I've got it."

Katherine led the way, Tony on her tails and Steve not far behind them. Katherine entered the cabin, spotting Pepper on the sofa. The noise of Katherine's footsteps alone was enough to get Pepper's attention. Pepper climbed to her feet, a large protruding bump preventing her from doing so smoothly. 

Katherine's eyes widened, noticing how large the bump had gotten since her last visit two months ago - last month Tony visited Brooklyn without Pepper, each taking turns every month to host the other to lunch or dinner. This time, it was Tony's turn and probably his last before the baby was to be born. "Oh my -" Escaped Katherine's lips as she walked opened armed toward Pepper. 

"I know." Pepper sighed, wrapping her arms around Katherine, the bump preventing a tight close hug. Pepper broke the embrace, "Only four more weeks." 

Katherine smiled, "This is so exciting!" She squealed. Katherine turned and looked to Steve, who stood with the large box still in his grip, "We got you a little something." She spoke, walking toward Steve, who placed the box down, "Well, it's for Junior." Katherine opened the box and pulled out the contents - parts of a stroller. "It's a stroller! A big expensive one!"

Pepper and Tony's eyes widened, "Wow." Escaped Pepper's lips, placing a delicate hand on her bump, "You really shouldn't have."

"We'll obviously help you put it together this afternoon." Katherine smiled, putting the pieces back into the box. "It's no trouble."

"Kat." Tony spoke, "Thank you. This is so thoughtful." 

Tony and Steve spent the rest of the afternoon putting the stroller together and sitting out on the porch drinking beers. They had begin to bond over the last several months - finding topics to discuss other than past work, the Avengers and anything related to the snap. Tony felt he had another friend - in the shape of an ex-foe and his brother in law. Tony still found it hard to see Steve as Katherine's husband. He never believed Katherine would settle down. He doesn't blame her - understanding the time they are living through. Tony couldn't imagine going through this without Pepper - without Katherine. 

Steve and Katherine continued on with their daily lives - almost falling in love all over again. There wasn't much either of them could do other than spend time with each other - visiting Natasha and Rhodey, at the Compound or driving out here to visit Tony and Pepper. It was as good as life was going to get for them at the moment. 

Katherine demanded Pepper to remain on the sofa while she made lunch, which turned into an early dinner. Katherine had already prepared the salad and stood in the kitchen, waiting for her salmon to bake. Over the last several months, Katherine spent more time cooking and learning different recipes - with the help of Pepper. Katherine sipped at a glass of wine, pondering around the kitchen, having a moment to herself.