"Oliver Thomas, c'mon," Steve carried the race car cake out to the picnic table.
"But papa!" Oliver complained from the trampoline even though Lucy and Gracie were climbing out from the netting.
"No buts," Bucky argued. "Now, c'mon! Don't you wanna open presents and eat cake?"
"Fine," Oliver dramatically sighed, but climbed out after his cousins.
"This cake looks amazing, Stevie," Mandy complimented, shifting two month old baby, Willow, to get more comfortable.
A pang of longing and bittersweet adoration shot through Steve's heart at the sight of his newest niece. Knowing that their daughters would've been raised together, just the way that the other kids were. That their daughters could've been as thick as thieves. If only –
Shaking his head, Steve wished he could shake the thought right out of his head. Since it couldn't though, Steve set the cake down on the table. With it out of his hands, he tightened them into fists, one, two, three, four, five. Releasing them, one, two, three, four, five. Inhaling, one, two, three, four, five. Exhaling, one, two, three, four, five.
When the little kids started surrounding the table just like the adults, Steve was more than happy to have something for a distraction. Helping Oliver stand on the picnic table bench seat, Steve wrapped his arms around him and kissed his cheek while Bucky lit the five candles.
"'Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Ollie. Happy birthday to you,'" the group sang.
Before the song could even end, Oliver was blowing the candles out. Steve shook his head and playfully rolled his eyes while Bucky barked out a laugh.
"What'd ya wish for?" Silas teased.
"Can't tell," Oliver told his uncle, "Dey don't come true, if ya tell."
"That's right, honey," George smiled, kissing the top of his grandson's head. "You just keep that to yourself until it comes true."
Looking back at his fathers, Oliver asked, "Can I go jump now?"
"Don't you wanna open presents?" Winnie asked, smoothing down Oliver's staticky hair. Crouching so they were face-to-face, she pretended to let him in on a secret, "And I think you're gonna like what gramps and I got you."
Curious, Oliver slightly narrowed his eyes, "What'd ya get me?"
"You'll just have to open it and see," Winnie winked.
Oliver stopped and waited for a moment before unenthusiastically telling his fathers, "Okay, let's open presents."
"Alright," Becca cheered, reaching for the present from their little family. Placing it closer to the birthday boy, she claimed, "Don't listen to bebe, our present is better."
"I picked it out!" Sadie added with a large missing-tooth grin.
Playfully, Steve rolled his eyes. Knowing that he'd love all the presents. Especially coming from his uncles and aunts. Oliver knew that, just like every other year, they always got him toys that he asked for. It was his parents that got him the, "boring," stuff.
"Yeah, well, you're present is going to eat our present's dust!" Aubrey added, lifting the bag with their present.
Proudly, Bucky crossed his arms and smugly reminded, "Our present tops all. He can't even wait to get back to it."
Steve shook his head and started cutting the number five shaped cake. Plating the chocolate and vanilla slices, he glanced up at his sister-in-law and his fussing niece. That ever-present longing continued making itself known as it started to throb at the crying baby. Wishing that he had his in that moment.
"Oh, Miss Willow isn't in the partying mood?" Bucky good-naturedly pouted, watching his sister struggle with trying to calm her daughter.
As the kids returned to the trampoline or the sprinkler, Steve decided that the birthday boy could just open the presents later and thank them when they saw them again. Or he could do as his mother used to do and have him write thank you cards.
"The cake is the best part anyway," Tibby giggled, taking a green plate with a slice of vanilla cake.
"You can say that again," Dum Dum smiled, picking up a piece for himself.
Seeing how Mandy was eyeing the cake while trying to soothe Willow, Steve's heart stuttered when he watched her willingly pass her daughter to Bucky. Just as naturally as he had been with their own children and their other nieces, Bucky cradled her close to himself. Through the bond, Steve could feel the mirrored affection and longing. Knowing that it wasn't just coming from the alpha, but from himself too.
"Oh, you're okay," Bucky assured the two month old. "Nothing to cry about, sweetheart."
Watching his mate, Steve couldn't help but ache with the need to see the alpha cradling their own pup. Bucky was a good father. Had been right from the jump. It was always one of the things that Steve loved the most about his spouse. He wanted nothing more than to give that to him again. As many times as he could.
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Better Together: Green Series 6 (Pre-Serum Omega!Steve x Alpha!Bucky AU)
Fanfic"Crossing the room to the doorway, so he could greet his husband with a kiss. Not lingering the way that he used to, Bucky marked Steve's bump, in hopes of reassuring Steve with his scent. Although they were doing better every day, it still wasn't...
