Welcome To New York (Steve Rogers AU) 18+

18

"Now, be on your best behaviour, I don't wanna have to go into hiding because you keep calling Peggy by the wrong name". I eye Sophie knowingly through the mirror as I finish brushing her hair.

"Can I call her it behind her back?"

I look at her and sigh. "Fine, as long as she and no one else hears you".

"You're the best, Lu". She grins and puts her shoes on. "This is gonna be so boring".

"Are there other kids coming?" I ask and she nods. "Stick with them. I'll be on the sidelines anyway, with the other staff. Your dad wants you to say hi to people though".

Sophie blows out some air from inside her cheeks. "People I don't even know, they're all his friends".

"Well once it's over then you can go and play.". I promise her, and then look at myself in the mirror. I'm wearing a white sundress with some espadrille wedged sandals, trying to make myself look a little more polished than I usually do. I can't exactly wear shorts and a vest top to a brunch hosted by my boss.

She turns to me now and smiles. "You look really pretty today".

"Just today?" I smirk

She giggles. "Nooooo! Every day. Your prettier than the girls that Steve has sleepovers with".

"Thanks Soph, come on - let's go down and tell your dad you're ready".

Joe is already in the backyard with Steve. Tables have been brought in and are dotted around the lawn, a long one set up for all the food that the caterers have laid out and will serve. There is champagne and other drinks that are being served to the few early arrivals.

"There she is!" Joe turns and smiles at his daughter. "Come and say hi Sophie!"

I keep my distance, but I'm close enough to step in if I need to whisk Sophie away quickly. She is polite to Joe's friends and shakes their hands, telling them about her schooling and ballet classes. She has a big recital coming up soon and has been practising hard. Unfortunately Joe is out of the country for that week, but Steve has said that he'll come with me to watch her. She's already been showing him how to do certain moves, which is hilarious to watch as he tries and she tells him he'll never be a ballerina.

Steve's eyes linger on me, but I don't make any contact. Not when Joe is so near. More guests begin to arrive and Joe turns to me. "Sophie will be with us for while, go get yourself something to eat and drink".

I nod, "I'll be near if you need me". Now heading to the drinks table and grabbing what is probably the fanciest glass of orange juice I've ever seen.

The Carter's arrive and of course Peggy makes a beeline for Steve, giving him air kisses on both cheeks. She does look nice, I'll admit that. She then remains by his side, acting like part of the family as more people arrive.

I need a stronger drink...

"Mimosa's all around so it seems". Comes a voice behind me and I turn to see a good looking guy around Steve's age looking amused. "I'll have what she's having". He tells the bar tender who makes the drinks. "You're...Nanny?" He now asks with some uncertainty.

"I am. Although my name is Lucie".

"Lucie, that's it. Sophie tells me you're the fun one". He extends his hand for me to shake. "Micheal Carter".

Peggy's brother. Sophie likes him, and I can see why. "Pleasure".

"All mine". He turns to look at the turnout. "No one ever turns down an invitation to a Joe Rogers brunch. My sister certainly wouldn't if it meant seeing Steve".

There's something to his tone that seems off. "You don't like him?" I frown, wondering whether it's just the brotherly protectiveness or something else.

"Oh, I like him - but my sister likes him a little too much than he does with her. She can't see it, and neither can his father or my parents. The blind leading the blind..." Micheal says as he sips on his newly arrived mimosa.

"She seems like she fits in perfectly though". I note that Peggy and Steve are now talking to a friend and laughing at something he's saying.

"Hmmm, she certainly does. I'll admit that - Joe's had the engagement ring picked out for the pair for a while now".

I almost choke on my drink. "Engagement?"

Micheal snorts. "It's for the good of Patriots of course. The CEO's son and a director's daughter? Keep it in the family for sure".

"You just said he's not as into your sister as she is to him though?"

"He's not, but he'll do whatever is best for the company and his father - you can be sure about that. Surely you must have seen it? Working for the family and all? Sophie though? She's probably the only one getting off scot free - poor kid". He looks across to me, "you are doing a good job with her though, she's happier than the last time I saw her. The other nanny was a little too strict, probably believed the cane should be brought back as a form of punishment".

I laugh at this, but my mind is clouded. "Why don't you say something though? About this whole engagement thing?"

"I have no idea when it will happen, but in the future it certainly will. I can't exactly say anything - besides, if I did then no one would listen anyway".

Sophie now comes running over. "Micheal! Did you bring the goods?" She asks as I laugh, seeing him reach into his pocket and produce a candy bar, passing it to her discreetly.

He winks at me. "You saw nothing".

"Your secret's safe with me". I chuckle and then usher Sophie under the clothed table behind us. "Eat it there, don't get any on your dress though, otherwise your cover is blown".

Micheal looks to me. "She's a good kid".

"She certainly likes you- candy man".

He laughs at this. "I could use another drink, you?"

I shake my head. "I'll stick with orange juice. Can't be getting tipsy on the job".

"Well if you need an accomplice I can't really stand these kinda things, mind if I stick with you and Soph for the time being?"

Looking back to where Steve and Peggy are now sitting with a group of friends their age, I turn back to Micheal. "Sure, I could use the company". Taking the orange juice he's just passed to me. "Why can't you stand these events? I thought you'd be used to them".

"It's never really been my scene. Sure we grew up with more money than most, then moved here when Peg and I were kids as dad took the job with Patriots. Being tight knit with the boss obviously meant working his way up to what he is now".

"All this is still kind of surreal to me". I admit.

"You'll get used to it, are they paying you well?"

I nod. "Very well actually. More than I thought they would".

"Well that's something". He says as Sophie now crawls out from under the table, candy bar eaten and with no evidence left. "Sophie, what say us three go for a little wander down to the beach?"

"Oh, I think she should stay here..." I now interject, but of course Sophie is now getting excited by this. "Ok, but only for a little while, otherwise your dad will be going mad".

Micheal smiles and takes Sophie's hand. "Let's go".

I follow, looking back and seeing Steve is still laughing and drinking amongst the group he's sitting with and Peggy. He's relaxed. He fits into this world perfectly. He fits with her. Right now we're miles apart, even though we're not.

Miles and worlds.

"Lu! Come on!" Sophie calls back to where she and Micheal are waiting.

I turn back and catch up with them, not letting anything spoil Sophie's day.