The Lakes (Steve Rogers AU)

26

It wasn't long before Christmas Day fell upon Westview, and early that morning Nell woke seeing Steve dressing quietly for his shift. He turned on hearing her shuffle and then squinted slightly as she switched the light on, Erskine looking up from his bed in the corner and yawning. "It's 4am" She stated as her eyes adjusted to the change of light. 

"And the shift starts at five". 

"What time will you be home?" She asked. 

"All going to plan, about 4pm- but I promise I'll keep you updated". He told her, leaning down and giving her a kiss. "Merry Christmas beautiful". 

She pulled him down again and kissed him harder. "Merry Christmas". 

He opened his drawer and pulled her present from it. "Don't open it until I'm gone ok?" 

"Alright" She promised, scooping Erskine onto the bed with her as they watched Steve finish dressing. "I wish you didn't have to go in". 

"Duty calls" He shrugged. "Plus I'm used to it, it'll be fine". 

Giving her one last kiss and patting Erskine's head, he said goodbye and headed off for to relieve his colleague for the Christmas shift. 

Nell sighed and opened the present he'd given her, seeing that it was a framed pictured that he'd drawn of them and Erskine. 

So that's what he had been up to when he'd sat there of an evening sketching away. He wouldn't let he see and said that it was something he needed full focus on. It was beautiful and she knew she'd need to put it in the hallway for everyone to see. 

She'd cherish it forever. 

Nell's present had taken careful planning, and she just hoped that Steve would like it. 

Settling back down, she got a few more hours sleep before getting up and texting him a thank you for picture. 

But now? It was time to put her plan into action...

Steve's phone kept going off, with many texts wishing him a Merry Christmas from friends and colleagues. It was just him and Phil taking the shift, and if he was honest, he was enjoying himself. They'd switched the radio on and had been delivered some special Christmas breakfast bagels by Nat. 

It was always going to be a quiet one, but someone had to be here. 

The clock had just hit midday and the pair were currently sat opposite one another with blow up reindeer antlers on their heads playing a Christmas ring toss game. They had decided against Monopoly, only resorting to that if they became desperate. 

"So, what did you get Nell for Christmas? Or haven't you exchanged gifts yet?" His boss asked, flicking a hoop in his direction but missing the antler he was aiming for. 

"I framed a sketch of us with Erskine that I've been working on". He smiled. "She's already told me she's hung it in the hallway". 

Phil chuckled. "You opened her present yet?"

He shook his head. "Not yet - I'll save that for later", smiling to himself. "It's the first Christmas I've found that I've been looking forward to and am currently enjoying".

"You have a reason to now. Nell's a great girl, everyone agrees that she's been the best thing to happen for you, but I'm sure you know that" 

Steve now nodded. "I certainly got lucky there, even if I haven't in some other areas". 

Phil sat back and sipped his coffee, then studying Steve with a small smile. "Go home". 

"What? No, I'm halfway through a shift". 

"Steve, this is the first Christmas you've spent in the company of someone who isn't a work colleague or by yourself. Make the most of what you have. Go home, enjoy your Christmas Day with the woman you love, have fun". 

"And what about you?" 

"I have a Christmas dinner coming my way from Agatha, and Lemar coming in at 4pm. I'll be fine, but if you don't leave now then I'll just have to suspend you for not following orders". Phil smirked. 

Steve was hesitant but then got up. "What time do you finish?" 

"Probably 7pm"

"Come over and have a drink with us". 

Phil agreed, all but pushing Steve out of the door and telling him that he'd see him that evening. 

He got into the car and text Nell to let her know he'd be back earlier than expected. She responded that she'd see him soon and now he simply couldn't wait to be home for the holidays with her. 

**

The smell of Christmas dinner cooking was the first thing Steve noted as he walked through the door, Erskine scampering up and yapping a welcome. "Merry Christmas bud". He ruffled the pup's fur and walked in, seeing Nell in the kitchen where she usually dwelled. "Well aren't you a sight for sore eyes". 

"Hey you", she now came over and gave him a kiss. "So Phil let you off early?" 

"Yep. Wanted me to spend my Christmas with you, so I'm not complaining". 

She threw him a look. "He threatened to suspend you if you didn't, didn't he". 

He grinned. "Yep". 

"I know him well enough by now to know that it's something he'd do" She laughed and then pulled him over to the kitchen. "You want your present?" 

"Is it you just dressed in nothing but your apron?" He leant into her ear and uttered, arms sliding around her waist and locking her in his hold. 

She shook her head. "Nope, but I can make that happen later. Now close your eyes". 

He did as asked, Nell slipping from his arms before she told him to open them and turn around. 

Steve did and was surprised at what he saw. Or more likely, who. 

Standing there were Bucky, Sam, Nat, Tony and Pepper, Barton and Laura, and Thor who all chorused a 'Merry Christmas!"

"I thought that seeing as this is the first Christmas you've had company for, that it should be spent not just with me, and that we should make the most of it - so everyone's brought something for dinner and we're gonna make sure it's the best Christmas you've had in years". Nell told him. 

"C'mere" He beckoned her to him, pulling her into a long and deep kiss. This woman always seemed to put him first before anything else. "Thank you...honestly, it's probably the best thing you've given me" 

"Other than the sex..." Bucky muttered to Sam who snorted his drink. 

Nell looked at him. "I have another gift for you too, but this? It's the main one". 

Steve shook his head. "All this? It's worth more than anything else you could give me".