A Soldier's Journey

Part 34: Adjusting

The baby and I had to stay in the hospital for a few days. My powers healed me as I slept the day after giving birth. I was sore for a while, but the main reason we stayed was so that we could be sure that the baby was one hundred percent healthy. And she is, thank god. Steve and I have been spending time with her nonstop, both of us wrapped around her finger. Steve's been so kind and helpful, bringing us food, even though he doesn't like leaving.

Sam and Nat met Bri and they love her. Nat's been holding her whenever she's around too.

We're now back at the motel, Bri's basinet in the corner. She's not much of a crier, but she fusses when she wakes up. I lay on my stomach, my arms wrapped around the pillow when I start to hear her soft whine. I start to get up, but Steve stops me. "I'll get it, babe, go back to bed." He says sweetly. "You sure?" I ask. "Yeah, you need your sleep." He says.

Bri's about four weeks old now. Which is four weeks waking up every two hours to nurse her. Steve hasn't gotten much sleep either though, but he's been amazing. I lay back down closing my eyes and falling asleep quickly. I'm awoken again, by Steve sitting on my side of the bed, rubbing his hand on my back. "Baby, I think Bri's hungry." Steve says. I nod in the pillow, not registering what he just said. He waits a few minutes. "Honey?" He asks. "Hmm?" I respond, still half asleep. "Bri's hungry." He repeats. "Go ahead and feed her, babe." I mumble. Steve chuckles. "I can't feed her baby, I don't have the breasts." He says, being extremely patient with me. It takes me a few seconds to realize what he just said. I sit up. "Oh, right." I say, climbing out of bed. I kiss Steve before walking over to Bri.

He climbs back in bed, leaning against the headboard and watching as I rock and nurse Bri.

Eventually, I finish nursing Bri and burp her, before laying her back down in her basinet, where she goes to sleep immediately.

I climb into bed beside Steve, tucking down under the covers. He sinks down with me, tucking his face in the crook of my neck. I reach my hand up to his hair, running my fingers through the soft strands. He lets out a satisfied groan, making my skin crawl. His beard brushing against my shoulder as he kisses my neck.

Yeah, he has a beard now. He started growing it when we went into hiding to help hide his identity, and Nat colored her hair. She went from a redhead to a blonde.

His left arm wraps around my waist, pulling my body into his. He kisses my shoulder and neck softly. His other hand traveling up and down my arm gently. I turn my head, kissing his forehead. Steve's lips catch mine, his tongue moving in slow, fluid movements. His kiss is so slow and sweet, him obviously savoring the taste of my lips. I reach my hand up, cuffing his cheek and swiping my thumb across it lovingly. He pulls away from the kiss, looking deeply into my eyes with a small smile. He kisses me again, slightly nipping at my lower lip. I return his kiss hungrily.

His hand on my waist sneaks under my shirt. His thumb starts working small circles on my hip bone. He runs his other hand through my hair. I moan in his mouth, his touch so gentle and electrifying. I keep one of my hands on his cheek, but allow the other to slide inside his shirt, sweeping across his rows of muscle. His hand on my waist catches mine under his shirt. He pulls away from the kiss and reaches my hand up to his mouth, kissing my palm while maintaining eye contact with me. My heart flutters and my eyes soften.

Steve slightly smiles, leaning down and kissing me again. His arm wraps around my waist, pulling my body flat against his, our warmth flooding into each other's body. "I love you so much, my beautiful bride." He says against my lips. "I love you more my handsome husband." I say. "I love hearing to say husband. Say it again." He says. "You're not just my amazing husband and Captain, you're my best friend. Forever." I say. "Promise?" He asks. "Always." I respond. Steve looks down at my lips. "I don't think you understand what you do to me." He says. "Maybe not. Show me." I say.