Welcome To New York (Steve Rogers AU) 18+

3

The chauffeur thankfully tells me where Sophie will be coming out from, and I walk into the courtyard of the private school where parents (or mainly nanny's) are waiting patiently. Some talking amongst themselves about their employees and how much money was spent just on a pot of face cream. I know what Sophie looks like and as the door opens and the children pile out, I see her.

She looks like Steve, blonde hair that rests on her shoulders, blue eyes. She's a pretty little thing. She sees me and comes over. "You must be Sophie, I'm Lucie, your new nanny". I smile.

She nods. "Mrs Kemp told me to look for the lady with the orange hair".

Mrs Kemp must be the housekeeper, even though she hasn't properly introduced herself. Clearly she doesn't think I'll be sticking around long enough to bother to be on name terms, even if it's only last ones.

"It's copper, actually your brother called me that when I met him early. You can call me Lucie though, or whatever you'd like".

"Daddy says I'm supposed to call you Nanny Hudson. I don't like it". She wrinkles her nose a little.

At least she's honest. I don't like it either.

"Kinda makes me sound like an old lady eh? What about Nanny Lu then? We can meet him in the middle. Still formal but kinda casual".

She nods as she walks next to me towards the car. "Can we have ice cream when we get home?"

Already this kid is either trying to get me fired, or wants to form a super secret girl code. "Are you allowed?" I question.

"No, just wanted to see if you'd let me though - Steve does when he's home from college". She says and hops into the back of the car as I open the door. "He always lets me do things daddy doesn't like".

"Your brother sounds like a rebel". I tell her, knowing that he's either a very privileged frat boy who rebels just by doing stupid shit, or a guy who doesn't care whether he has money and is grounded.

Sophie grins. "Sometimes he can be reeeeeal naughty."

I bet.

"Does he steal ice cream when your dad tells him not to as well?" I ask with some amusement.

She shakes her head. "No silly. He's not allowed to bring friends home, but sometimes he does for sleepovers. I saw one leaving one morning. He has more sleepovers with girls than boys. They always leave before daddy wakes up or when he's not there".

Oh lord...

Mrs Kemp either sends them on their way by beating her with her witches broom, or the sleepover girls escape with their lives - but perhaps not their dignity. I don't want to know either way. It's not my place to.  Steve can do what and who he likes.

"I'm guessing your dad doesn't know he has sleepovers".

Sophie shakes her head at this. "You gotta keep it secret though, pinkie swear".

I pinkie swear it with her. No way am I about to snitch. "Hey...if you want ice cream when we get home, I'm sure that can be arranged". I wink at her. "Your dad doesn't have to know".

Her eyes widen in awe. "I thought you were going to be a horrible old lady like my last nanny, she never let me do anything fun".

"Sorry to disappoint you, but you may come to know me as a fun one - except for when I have to help you with your homework, then you'll think I'm boring or horrible for making you do it".

Sophie shrugs. "I'll do it for cookies".

"You're pushing it, kid". I smirk and sit back as we head home.

Home. Well, their home - I can't exactly call it mine. It's my workplace technically.

When Sophie is at school and not at home for summer break - which is impending - I'll be running errands, doing her laundry and prepping her dinner. Basically anything that needs doing for her. She's my responsibility after all.

"Steeeeeeeeve!" Sophie literally runs at her brother as she sees him leant against the wall, waiting outside the elevator. He crouches down and swings her up effortlessly as she hugs him. "When'd you come home?"

"Late last night, you getting taller kid?" He asks, pretending to be about to drop her.

She giggles and I instantly know that this little girl adores her big brother. "I don't know, Nanny Lu needs to measure me". They both look over to me and I can see the resemblance between them clearly. They both wear the same expression. "And she's gonna give me ice cream!"

"That's supposed to be between us". I remind her.

Steve grins as he presses the button to open the elevator doors. "Am I allowed to have ice cream too, Copper?" He makes a pouty face and I just look at him with some amusement.

"Depends on if you can be a good boy, from what Sophie tells me? You can be pretty naughty".

Steve looks to where Sophie is stood next to him looking guilty. "Why'd you have to rat me out so fast? And to the new nanny, she's only been here for like, a few hours and now I have to convince her I can be good enough to have ice cream". He folds his arms, asserting some kind of big brother authority.

"Sorry..."

He smirks and then gently ruffles her blonde locks. "It's cool, so...what do you think of Nanny Lu?" Now asking his sister flat out.

Chose your words wisely, Soph.

"I like her". She finally says with a smile and a confident nod of approval.

I look to Steve. "She won't later when I make her do her homework, but the ice cream may just save me".

The doors slide open and we walk into the penthouse. Sophie skips off to her room to change, so as I can start some laundry, while I go to head for the kitchen. However Steve stops me. "Hey, erm...look I dunno what Sophie's said, but I'm not..."

I turn to him. "It's fine, she didn't say much. You know what kids are like".

He puts his hands in his hips and sighs, head hung. "Yeah, don't I just. I feel sorry for her - she's not really had anyone while I've been away and I feel shit leaving her every time, but now I'm back I guess I'm gonna try and spend more time with her. Unless dad has other ideas, which he probably will".

"She's really excited to have you back, even I can see that". I say as we walk into the kitchen. "Just...try not to have anymore sleepovers this summer". Now deciding I can use this to my advantage.

"Shit". He mutters. "Guess I should take that on board". I just get on with making Sophie a snack but he continues. "I've not exactly made a great impression have I?"

I slather the peanut butter on the bread. "Do you need to?"

"When it's my reputation on the line, then yeah - I do". He leans against the counter and watches me.

I finish making the sandwich. "Well, it doesn't matter to me. After all, I'm just 'the help'". Taking the plate, I walk out and to Sophie's room. I feel bad for putting my guard up, but I'm employed by his dad - I'm not allowed to cross that line, and we both need to establish that now.