Until the End: a Steve Rogers Story

• EIGHTEEN •

I woke to the sound of our child crying. Steve was coaxing her at the foot of the bed, walking around the room.

I watched as she slowly settled down. Steve looked over at me. I smiled.

"Sorry." He said.

"Oh no my love. I love watching you parent." I said.

Steve chuckled and sat on the bed, resting against the headboard.

"She might be hungry." Steve said. I sat up and smiled.

She was calming down. Her little tears being wiped away.

Our baby was four months old. She was a precious being.

I sat up and started feeding her. Steve sat back.

We had been exhausted. Trying for another child with a child around was not easy. We had to find little times where our little girl was with her caretaker. Which meant it bled into Steve's work time. Which meant Steve worked late while I took care of the baby at night.

Steve was staring at the ceiling.

"What if you're infertile now?" He whispered.

"Banner said I wasn't." I said softly.

He sighed and continued staring at the ceiling.

"You can go back to sleep if you'd like." I said.

"No. I've got some work to catch up on." Steve said. I finished up with the baby.

"Uhm. Alright." I said softly. He took the baby.

"I'm taking her to Mary's." Steve said.

"No. Don't bother her." I said as I put my night gown back on correctly.

"You need sleep because I'm coming back in the morning."

I stared at him. "Steve we've gotta stop." I said. I got up and took the baby again. I cradled her close to me.

Steve looked at me and then the baby. I brought my free hand up and stroked his cheek.

"You're okay." I whispered. He sighed and rested his head on my shoulder.

"Hold on. Let me set violet down." I whispered. I set her in her little crib. She was quiet, ready to sleep again.

I came back over and pulled Steve in. He melted into me as I hugged him.

"Stay here. You need rest." I said.

He was trembling like he was going to cry.

"Steve..."

"I'm so sick and tired of feeling like I can't have a life with you because people around me think I need a son." Steve said. His voice was cracking.

"We just have to try one more time. It's alright." I said.

"No Everly it's not. Because I know that you're hurting inside and you haven't said anything. I can tell by the way you look at me." He said.

I pulled him away. He was fighting back tears.

"Steve as long as I have you I am alright."

"I have fucked up every aspect of this relationship. This isn't a normal relationship when every time I see you I am either shoving my cock in you or handing our child off to you. It's not fair."

He was just beating himself up.

I wiped the tears away that fell. "Steven. No royal marriage is normal. In fact from the things I've heard, I think we're the most normal."

"How?" Steve asked.

"Jane and thor have slept in separate rooms for months. Thor has mistress after mistress. Tony and pepper haven't seen each other in two months. They're on a break from each other. You've seen Bucky and Nat they can barely get along. We're alright."

He looked down and nodded. I pulled his chin up and kissed him softly.

"We have a healthy daughter. It's alright." I said. He looked over at our child. I still held him close.

He smiled softly. "She's a beautiful one too. Looks like her mother already." He said. I rolled my eyes.

"Just come to bed." I whispered.

"Alright." He said. He kissed my cheek softly before getting into bed with me.

"Whatever happens, happens." I whispered. "We've gotta remember that."

"Yes." He whispered. He pulled me in and rested back on the bed.

"I love you." He whispered.

"I love you too."