Welcome To New York (Steve Rogers AU) 18+

28

Happy and I sit in the front and eventually we arrive at the venue where the Stark Gala has been held for years, even as far back as when his father Howard was in charge. It always draws attention every year in the pages of magazines. If you're not invited, then you're pretty much not seen as one of New York's wealthy. 

I'm only here because I have a job. 

I get out and get Morgan as Happy opens the doors to let Pepper and Tony out. Photographers and journalists are already wanting their shots and comments for the articles they will be writing. I stand with Happy and watch as the family have their pictures taken, then getting Morgan and accompanying her up the steps as she follows her parents with Happy in tow. 

Once we're inside, I turn back as I can hear a bit of a commotion - Steve now arriving with Sophie in tow. His hair is neatly styled as always, beard neatly trimmed - and my god he looks delicious in his suit. Sophie is sporting a long gold evening dress and looks a hell of a lot older than she is. Her blonde hair is falling around her shoulders and she's sporting 'Hollywood' curls. 

They pose for a couple of pictures but Steve seems to appear to shake his head at journalists who want to speak to him. Tonight will be the telling factor that he is indeed now divorced and rumoured to be back on the market for eligible wealthy women. 

Now they spot us and walk up the steps, Pepper greeting them both while Tony shakes Steve's  hand. Then he looks to me. "Have a good night", with a small wink. 

I frown. "Wait..." 

"You honestly thought I'd make you wear a dress and drag you to this just to look after Morgan?" 

"Well yeah? It's pretty much in my job description". 

Tony snorts. "You've got a night off, enjoy yourself - Rogers". He nods to Steve and then he and Pepper along with Morgan head into the party. 

"I'm gonna go get some punch". Sophie announces tactfully and goes after them, leaving me with Steve. 

"Well...look at you". His eyes trail my body as he leans in to plant a kiss just below my earlobe. "Can we ditch the gala and go somewhere quiet?" 

I chuckle and shake my head. "I think Tony's gonna be wanting me to be here just for the fact that he can keep an eye on me - or us". 

"Ok , but can I at least see you after so I can ruin that dress and buy you a better one?" He murmurs into my ear, and the goosebumps begin to rise on my skin. 

"I'll have you know this came from your store". 

"I know, but I can dress you in better". He smirks and then - away from prying eyes - pulls me into a quiet hallway and kisses me. "Missed you this week, Copper". 

I moan quietly into his mouth and then pull away. "Missed you too". He's been away on business and only got back last night. "How was London?" 

"Usual". He shrugs. "Wanted to get back to be honest", both of us now braving it and walking into the party. 

Of course the heads turn, people stare, they whisper. I just walk alongside him and ignore it all because I know that come tomorrow, his divorce will be public knowledge. He takes to flutes of champagne from a tray and passes one to be. "Oh for fuck sake..." He mutters as the woman herself now is moving towards us, her dark hair in a glamorous style to go with the sparkly black strapless dress she is wearing. I look boring in comparison. 

"Hello Steve". She says coolly as she stops in front of us, and then notes me. "Oh, the Stark Nanny? Hello again". 

"Hello Peggy. You look beautiful, the dress is amazing". I tell her because I do actually mean it. Perhaps this is her revenge at Steve. Show him what he's missing. 

"Thanks". She replies and then turns back to him, "anyway, did you see the email about the Christmas display for the store?" 

Steve keeps his cool. "All eight of them? Yeah - but as you probably know, I've been busy". 

"Micheal tells me nothing nowadays, but I'd at least like the feedback and the go ahead..." 

I have no idea what the fuck she's on about, but it sounds as though she's usually in charge of this? 

"When I'm back in the office on Monday? I'll give you a reply". Steve says through gritted teeth. "But I'm guessing it's gonna be a no. Now we're divorced you don't have any say on the store anymore". 

"But the Christmas display has always been something I've had input with?" She looks a little annoyed. 

"Had". Steve reminds her. "Had - we're divorced, you got your money and whatever the fuck you wanted from me, but that's it. Actually, I'll give you my answer now - No. You don't have anymore input because you no longer have the Rogers name". 

"No, but I have the connection - Micheal? You wouldn't dare fire him though". She raises her brows and sips her champagne knowing she's probably won. 

Steve isn't backing down though. "At least Micheal isn't demanding ridiculous assets after a divorce". 

"Has fucking the Stark nanny really made you that stupid?  And don't lie to me - it's obvious. After all, you pretty much were doing that back when she was looking after your little sister". 

"No actually, fucking her has made me realise just what I should've done back then. She humbles me, doesn't need or want me for the name or money that comes with me". 

"When you actually come at all". Peggy fires back spitefully. "Your going to be the laughing stock of this party if you're still seen with her. The laughing stock of the city even". 

Steve rolls his eyes. "They can say or think what they like - I'll simply tell them that I'm a happily divorced man who finally chose the right woman to make me happy. That's all I need - have a good night". He nods and then gently leads me away from his ex wife. "I need a fucking stiff drink after that..." I hear him say under his breath. 

Tony is immediately by our side. "Need me and Happy to escort her from the building?" 

"Nope". Steve says, taking a whiskey from a waiter passing with another tray of drinks. "Nothing is pissing my ex wife off more than seeing me with someone and actually happy. Lucie, come and dance with me - chances are she'll leave within a half hour, maybe less and then we can enjoy our night". 

He leads me onto the dancefloor where others are dancing to some slow jazz song called 'Long Time' or whatever it is. It sounds old anyway. "Don't let her get to you". I assure him. 

"Same can be said to you too, you did well to handle her - didn't have to massage her massive ego though". 

I laugh at this as my arms keep themselves locked around neck. "Sometimes the cruel thing is to just be kind". I shrug as I can feel eyes on us. Not that we care, but my eyes are only on him and will be for the rest of the night.  

Of course Steve is right, another half hour later and Peggy leaves with Pepper giving us confirmation of her exit. Steve turns to Tony. "Mind if I steal your nanny for the night? I promise to have her home at a reasonable time tomorrow morning". 

Tony smirks and just waves us away. "No you won't - but go on. Have a good night, me and Morgan are gonna sneak out to go get cheeseburgers anyway". 

We don't hesitate to leave and Steve's driver takes us back to the penthouse, most clothes shed by the time the elevator actually gets up there. I kick the dress out of it and across the floor, Steve, launching his shirt, tie, and jacket in the same direction as we make for the bedroom and spend the rest of the evening tangled up in one another. 

I don't make it back to Tony's until the next afternoon...