Give Life Meaning...

Snow Angel and Summer Child

It was closer to Christmas and Steve had virtually resigned himself to craving Natasha's touch for the rest of his life. The house had progressed, and in Stark fashion, it ended up being bigger than initially planned. The argument was that they had two super babies, and they needed the room. There was plenty of land surrounding them to give them privacy, and again, as Tony pointed out room for the kids to play without curious eyes. They knew that Steve could run very fast and that he was insanely strong. The kids were progressing and had shown incredible skill in working on the lack of sleep, even if the adults in their lives begged for it. They were stronger than average toddlers, but nothing would be certain. 

Steve ended up conceding in every discussion with Tony when he had an objection about size. He grew up in Brooklyn. His apartment barely fit him and his mom, but he was always so sickly, and then after he thawed his lodgings were better but still small. He wasn't sure what to do with all the room that was built or the land that was offered. Certainly, the idea of building a training area was appealing but they had kids. Should kids be around training? Sure with the basement, there was plenty of room to have an area carved out for punching bags, specifically for the ones that Tony built for him. Sturdier ones. He climbed out of bed while it was still dark, tucking the twins back in, and making sure Natasha was covered before he went to the main room to look out the window. The snow was starting to really come down. There was a fine layer on the ground, and he shuddered. While they chased after Hydra and they were usually in cold climates, he still had a strong distaste for it. He recalls the cold enveloping him as he crashed the plane into the water. Cold was always a reminder of those memories. 

The twins had been found in cold, and he wondered if they would also have an aversion to it. Though he was sure they had never seen snow in their active memory. The grass had been a new experience for them. Tony had created snowsuits just for the two of them, it was essentially a wearable heater, and the gloves were cleverly attached so they weren't so easily lost. He turned on his heels hearing a near-silent creak, seeing Alina standing at the edge of the area. Steve felt his lips tilt a bit in a smile as he walked over to his daughter, his smile growing when she lifted her arms expectantly. "The sun isn't awake yet Princess, what woke you up?" Steve knew he was talking just to talk, they hadn't necessarily reciprocated anything but they listened. They understood. "Couldn't sleep either?" Except he didn't think it was memories affecting her. Alina's eyes were riveted to the window, memorized by the swirling snow. 

"Do you like that?" Steve asked quietly, so afraid to break her concentration. The world was terrifying, and anything that brought them the slightest bit of joy made the team hesitant to ruin it. Only Clint was used to children in any real capacity. Bruce had begun to fear that he may turn into the Hulk and scare them, or worse, hurt them. While he didn't think Hulk would because, according to Banner, even the green guy had some fondness for the beginning of their curiosity. He moved back over to the window, letting her turn her little body to look out the window. Steve looked at the face that was so much like her mothers, the mother who hadn't known of her existence until all those months ago. It was beginning to blend together. For a while, it was just taking day by day to survive suddenly being parents. There were moments of joy, but there wasn't anything but moments it felt like. 

Alina reached out with a soft coo towards the window. Touching the cold window before pulling back looking shocked. Looking up at her father in shock leaving him to chuckle as he reached up and encompassed her small hand with his own. "It's cold, I know," he spoke softly, kissing her little hand as if to soak up the cold. Alina whipped her head back to the window in wonder, as she waited for Steve to let go so she could touch it again. This time it elicited a giggle from her. Green eyes were alight with joy as she pulled her hand away and retouched it. Alina then turned and reached up putting her hand on Steve's cheek. 

"That's cold!" He softly exclaimed, watching her dissolve into another fit of giggles. The sun was slowly starting to rise over the buildings, and the moment took his breath away. His daughter was giggling with no worries, and actively seeking to play. It was a new day. Turning his head he kissed the palm of her hand and then turned to watch the sun rise up. He heard her gasp before glancing down and realizing the young girl was catching the sun start to rise. Steve wished there was a way to immortalize the moment. Alina relaxed against Steve's shoulder, allowing her head to rest as she watched the sun hit off buildings. The sun dazzled her eyes as it glistened off the snow. It was time to take them out and try out Tony's snowsuit. 

"Hey Captain," a voice called from behind him, he turned to see Tony standing back. Despite his blustering about the kids being in the tower, he had been seen taking the little ones into the laboratory to tinker with his projects. Bruce would sometimes join him and they would do silly things with the kids. Of course, Tony would never admit to it, but JARVIS showed them the security video. 

"Good morning Tony," Steve greeted, grinning a bit as Alina let out a little gasp of delight. Twisting her body to look over Steve's shoulder and seeing Tony. 

"Good morning to you little miss," Tony grinned at her, chuckling as she turned back around to look outside. "It looks like the snow is coming down pretty good." He looked out the broad window. 

"I think it's time we test out your snowsuit for them," this time it was Tony's turn to look excited. Tony always did enjoy showing off his toys, and this time, it was to the benefit of the children. Steve didn't want them to miss out on any more experiences. "Later, of course, when it's warmer. James hasn't even woken up yet." 

"It's weird to see little Miss without her partner in crime," Tony spoke a bit dismissively but Steve suspected that he was slightly concerned about the missing boy.