Romanogers daughter POV (Toddler)

5

October, New York, Compound (Sunday) 

*Steve wakes in the middle of the night. He runs his hand over his tired face and checks the time. It's 3:47 am. He figures since he'd be getting up at 4:30 anyway, he might as well just stay up. Steve carefully picks you up, a little warm bundle in a blanket, and sets you beside Nat under the covers. The sight of you two sleeping soundly makes a soft smile spread across his face. Just as he's about to leave, he hears a faint, muffled cry come from under the covers.*

S: *softly* Y/n? *He sees you squirming under the blankets, quiet cries being let out. He walks back to the bed and gently takes the blanket off your face, revealing chubby tear streaked cheeks and big, sad, tired eyes looking back at him. He sits down on the edge of the bed.*

S: *empathetic* Hey, Kiddo…what's going on? What's keepin you up? *After your eyes adjust to the light and you calm yourself, you answer.* 

Y/n: *sniff* Where's Mommy? Why didn't she come back for me? She just left me… *As you're saying these things, Steve sighs in sorrow, meeting your pleading, confused gaze with his sad, tender, apologetic blue eyes. He gently takes your tiny hand in his and pauses before saying anything. As he's explaining, you play with his hands, slightly pulling and bending his fingers.*

S: *deep inhale* Sometimes, people make decisions that other people don't quite understand. But the person who made that decision believed it was good; a decision that would be better for the people around them. 

Y/n: Like my mom?

S: …Like your mom. Yes. *Steve allows you to absent-mindedly play with his hand as you think over his words. Suddenly, Steve gets an idea.*

S: *whispering thoughtfully* I was just about to go outside. Do you wanna come with me? *You look out the window.*

Y/n: *whispering* But it's dark outside. 

S: *whispering, smiling* I know, but that's the fun part! I wanna show you something… *You wipe your eyes and look out the window once more.*

S: Whaddya say? *With a curious tilt of his head and a small smile, Steve convinces you to agree. You excitedly slide out of bed. Steve holds your coat out for you and helps you put your shoes on, still being quiet so Nat can sleep. You two head downstairs and Steve leads you outside.*

Y/n: *curious, still whispering* What're we doing?!

S: I'll show ya! Just be patient, we're almost there. *Steve picks you up and puts you on his shoulders. Steve takes you to a clearing behind the big, bright building. This clearing seems to stretch for eternity before being encompassed by millions of tall, luscious trees. After a few minutes of walking, Steve looks around and stops.*

S: Alright. *Steve gently puts you down.* We're here. *You look around, wondering what Steve wanted to show you. You watch as Steve lays down in the grass. He pats the space beside him. You follow his lead, still not knowing what he's trying to do. After a moment, you whisper in his ear.*

Y/n: *whispering* Are we sleeping out here?

S: *chuckles* No, look! *Steve points up to the sky. You follow his hand into the midnight sky. You see a majestic gown made with purples, blues, blacks, all mottled with white, a different galaxy in each sequin. A slow dance is being played. Not one consisting of a string symphony or a jazz quintet, but of the wind whistling through the trees, crickets composing their own melody, the wildlife whispering their "ooh"s and "awe"s. All the while, the sky mesmerized you with her dance; her elegance and beauty astonishes you with each sway and twinkle. In the midst of all this, you can only manage to say one thing.*

Y/n: *quiet, drawn out* …Wooooow… 

S: I know…I used to come out here when I needed to clear my head. Nat and I would look for constellations and even make some of our own. 

Y/n: Constipations? 

S: Haha! No, con-ste-lla-tions. They're patterns and pictures that stars make. See right there? That "W"? That's Queen Cassiopeia. And those 3 stars right there? That's Orion's belt. 

Y/n: *wonder and awe* Oooo, constellations…

S: Why don't you try to find some?

Y/n: But I don't know any.

S: Make some up! *You look around and find simple patterns in the night sky.*

Y/n: *excited, pointing* I see a kitty! 

S: Oh that does look like a cat, huh? Do you see any others?

Y/n: *gasp* There's a car! *You two find and make more constellations before you notice the sky begins to change her gown. The blues and blacks are slowly changing into pinks and grays. Steve notices your attention shift and checks his watch.*

S: Oh, look at that. Another half hour and it'll be sunrise…Do you wanna stay up or go inside? *You turn to him, eyes filled with excitement, whispering.*

Y/n: Can we stay up, please? 

S: *smiling, whispering* Of course. *You scooch closer to him, getting settled in. He gently pulls you up by his chest so you can rest your head comfortably. Just before the sun's rays reach the tips of the trees, Steve looks down to see that you've fallen asleep once more. He carefully picks you up and brings you inside. Once he reaches the bedroom, he sees Nat making coffee.*

S: *beaming* Morning… *He sets you down and covers you up.*

N: *smiling sorrowfully* That was sweet…Thank you. *Steve gives her a puzzled look before he makes his way over to Nat, kissing her as a good morning greeting.*

N: What, you thought I was asleep? I saw you guys out there…*pained* You're wonderful with her. 

S: Well it's easy, she's a sweet kid… *A heavy silence hangs over the two of them as they pour coffee before addressing the elephant in the room.*

S: So… 

N: *sigh* …So. 

S: *empathetic, gentle* What're you thinking we should do? *Without missing a beat, Nat answers, almost as if she's been rehearsing or replaying this moment in her head.*

N: *blankly* Y/n should go…