Finding Love in France (Alternate Version)

Part 13: Getting Familiar

The following day, Mila had to go into town for market day and to see a few patients. Steve had really wanted to go with her, but understood that he should stay out of sight for his own safety.

While she was away, he tried to putter around the main garden. He enjoyed being outside, the gardening was relaxing, and it gave him time to think. There had been no information about his unit or Peggy and he was trying not to think the worst. The not knowing was really frustrating. He was also conflicted about Mila. What the hell was he doing? He worried that he was being disloyal to Peggy, who he had barely kissed, but was already dreaming of a future with. On the other hand, he couldn't stop thinking about how much fun he was having. No girl had ever made him laugh the way Mila did. He was amazed by how much she had been through and still fought. Plus, she was the only person in the world who understood what he was feeling with his enhancements. He thought about how much Bucky would love her. God, she was brilliant, too...this is getting out of hand. He tried to focus on the plants and wait for her to get back.

Mila returned just before dinner time, exhausted and bloody from delivering a baby in town. All she wanted was to have a bath and get some sleep. The last thing she felt like doing was cooking for her patient. She was considering handing him one of the baguettes she had picked up and calling in a day.

She walked into the kitchen and dropped her bags. She put a pot of water up on the stove and wandered into the bathroom to start the tub. When she walked back into the kitchen, the American was unpacking the items from the market. "How was your day, Captain?" She yawned.

"Hi, Doctor! How was market day?" He turned around to see her and saw the blood stains. Without thinking, he ran over and held onto her shoulders. "What happened?! Are you okay?!"

"It's not mine, Captain Rogers, relax...just delivered the newest resident of the town today." She was too tired to be excited.

"Whoa! You delivered a baby?! How was that?" He was in awe. "What was it like?"

"Messy." She quipped. "I'll be honest, the first time I delivered a baby, it was one of the most beautiful and rewarding things ever. There's nothing like it...but it was a good birth. When things go well, it's wonderful. Unfortunately, when things do not go well, it's devastating. Thankfully today's birth was pretty standard. I have to go and check on them tomorrow, but overall, mother and baby are fine." She yawned again. "Would you mind fending for yourself for dinner tonight?"

"Of course, can I make you something to eat?" He was still processing that she had spent her day helping to bring a new life into the world, while he was weeding green beans.

"Thank you, Captain, but I can forage when I get out of the tub." She stretched and rubbed one of her shoulders.

He walked over and started rubbing her shoulders with his large warm hands. She let out a grateful groan and relaxed back into him. "Thank you, Captain, you have no idea how much I appreciate this..." she practically purred.

"No problem..." he paused. "Can we stop with the formalities? Please call me Steve."

"Thank you, Steve..." she sighed. "You may call me Mila. Hell, you can call me whatever you want in you keep this up!" She chuckled.

Hearing her say his name was like hearing music. "Any time, Mila. You've earned it." Then tried not to think anything she could read.