It's a promise

Chapter 9

Steve's POV

I woke up very early and went into the kitchen. I thought I was the first one awake but then I saw Tony with Morgan on the sofa when I ran past the living room.

'Morning, Stark.'

'Merry Christmas to you, old man.' He looked up at me and couldn't really get over the picture of him and Morgan who was lying on his chest. Tony Stark as a father. A thing I never really expected to happen.

'Merry Christmas. What are you already doing down here? You are the one who sleeps the longest and we always had to wait for you for breakfast.'

'You see this little cutie here? With kids everything changed and Pepper needed to get up at night to feed her so I can get up early when she is awake.'

'Pepper told you to do it, didn't she?'

'Of course. I would rather stay in bed but I cannot stay mad at her' He looked down at Morgan and I saw pure happiness on his face. I felt happy for him because we lost so much and he got his second chance with Pepper. I felt a little jealous even though I thought that a family and stability weren't the things I wanted anymore. I came out of the ice as a different man than I was back then but maybe a little part would always think about the possibility of having an own family. My mind went directly to Rylee and I asked myself if this is something she would want. I shook my head. Whatever that was between us was just starting so I should stop thinking about it. Like I called her she walked into the living room with messy hair and her pajamas. She was gorgeous.

'Good morning and merry Christmas to you.' Tony and I returned the merry Christmas while Morgan just yawned.

'Who is making breakfast today?'

'The first one who is up.' I looked at Tony and he stared at me.

'I am a little occupied at the moment.' He used Morgan as an excuse not to help.

'I can look after the little one while you and Steve prepare the breakfast.'

I waited for a rejecting answer but Tony gave Rylee a nod, put Morgan into her arms and walked to the kitchen.

'Did he know how to use a kitchen?' I looked at Rylee who was looking down at the baby in her arms. 'Does your daddy know how to use an oven?' She was looking at me again. We already heard him rumble around the kitchen 'Maybe you just let him cut some fruits.'

I chuckled. 'I don't think he even knows where the knives are.'

With a last look at Rylee who went to sit on the couch with Morgan on her lap I joined Tony in the kitchen. He was searching through the cupboards.

'Do you know where the knives are?'

Rylee's POV

Shortly after the men disappeared Morgan fell asleep and I put her into her travel bed. I was watching over her and remembered the winter time in the Barton House. How the kids were excited for Christmas and the one time when Clint didn't make it in time to play Santa at night. I got an elf costume and a big wig and acted like I was there to help Santa Clause because there were so many good kids that he needed my help. I left some glitter on the floor and even after a month we had them on our clothes.

I was so deep in my thoughts that I didn't recognize that Nat was entering the room until she was sitting next to me.

'Merry Christmas, Ryles.'

'Merry Christmas, Nattie.' I gave her a smile but it couldn't reach my eyes.

'You miss them.' It wasn't even a question but I answered her anyway.