Devotion Book 4 ~ ON HOLD

15. THE COMPOUND

And, I built a home
For you
For me

Until it disappeared
From you
From me

To Build a Home by
The Cinematic Orchestra

The jet touched down in New York, carrying precious cargo.  At least in the Avengers eyes as Steve carried Sarah in her car seat down the ramp.  Bucky helped Sophia down before going back for the bags.  Sophia looked around.  Everything was where they had left it when they had left for London so many months ago.  Nat and Sam headed straight to their wing, undoubting wanting some alone time. Peter took off, probably to his room. Sophia walked outside to the front of the building, wanting to take in her home that she had been missing.

"Welcome back Dr. Taylor," FRIDAY said as Sophia walked into the building.  Sophia jumped at the voice after not hearing it for so long.

"Hi FRIDAY.  You scared me there."

"Sorry Dr. Taylor.  Its good to have you back."

"Same FRIDAY.  Do you know where Steve went?"

"He's in the Rogers wing with Mr. Parker-Rogers and Mr. Barnes."

"Thanks."  Sophia made her way down the familiar corridors to her family suite.  A throat clearing stopped her.  "Tony?"

"Yeah, sorry, I just, needed a moment."  Tony stood watching his sister.  "Can I show you something?"

"I'm trying to get to Sarah."

"That's fine.  It's in that direction."  Tony offered his arm.

Sophia took it with optimism, and they headed in.  "What is it you wanted to show me?"

"This."  Tony opened a door in her wing and Sophia was met with the most whimsical room she had ever seen.  While T'Challa had elected to go with pink for Sarah's room in Wakanda, Tony went with pastels.  The walls with a soft yellow with baby animals painted around.  Photos of the team, from holidays and birthdays decorated one wall.  A white crib with white sheets were on another.  All of the furniture was white as well excepts for a wooden rocking chair.

"Tony, I don't know what to say."

Tony swallowed.  "I was working on this every night after Steve turned in for the night.  I had... I needed to show you how sorry I was.  Vision, he helped some and I bought the furniture for you except for the chair.  That was Mom's.  Dad got it for her when she was pregnant with me and the pulled it out when you were born.  I wanted you to have it."

Sophia turned to Tony and rushed him, sobbing.  He wrapped his arms around her.  "You are the most important person in my life Rosie."

"Thank you, Tony.  Really." She pressed her face to his chest as he held her.  He looked back to see Steve and Bucky smiling in the doorway.

"You guys like it?"

"Its beautiful Tony," Steve said.  "Perfect for our baby Avenger."

The next couple of months were a flurry of activities.  More news came as Sam and Natasha announced their engagement.  Sam didn't want to wait any longer to put a ring on it, but promised a long engagement. Sophia started to talk about how Nat's wedding would look, talking a mile a minute before Nat stopped her.  "Rose, wait.  Don't we have to plan yours first?"

Sophia stopped.  She had a pain in her heart but tried not to show it.  "Yeah, guess you're right.  Umm, I have to check on Sarah, excuse me."  She took off to the nursery.