It's Been A Long, Long Time // Steve Rogers

Chapter 48 - Epilogue

- 5 years later -

"Again!!" Our son laughed as Steve caught him once again after throwing him in the air. "Again? But I'm tired!" Steve said, faking being tired. Our 5 year old son, William James Rogers, shook his head and laughed as Steve held onto him tightly, "you can't get tired daddy! Again!" "Okay, one more time." Steve promised, throwing him in the air again and catching him. I smiled as I watched the two of them through the window. Steve was such an amazing father.

"Okay, go clean up." Steve said, setting him down. He was quick to run up the stairs onto the deck and into the house. "William! Walk please!" I yelled after him as he slowed to a stop and walked into the restroom to wash his hands. Once he was done he came out and stood next to me, eyeballing the array of food. "Mommy, when can we eat?" "Soon baby. Why don't you go get Uncle Bucky from downstairs and let him know it's lunch time?" I asked him. His eyes lit up and he was quick to run downstairs.

Steve was next up onto the deck and picked up our 3 year old daughter Charlotte Lois Rogers who was playing with Scout and dolls. "Hey!" She shouted, laying her head on his shoulder. "It's lunch time, princess." "Scout!!" She shouted and the fluffy dog followed them inside only to lay down on his bed in the kitchen.

Steve shut the door behind him and set Charlie down at the table with a coloring book page while Will and Bucky walked up the stairs. "Happy birthday." I whispered as Steve wrapped his arms around me. He groaned slightly and kissed my cheek. "Don't remind me." I smiled and gave him a quick kiss. "Is Sam coming over?" I asked. Steve nodded and kissed my cheek again, "he should be here-" Steve was cut off by the doorbell. "Now." He mumbled.

"UNCLE SAM!" Both kids yelled, Will making it to the door first and reaching for the doorknob. "Will, wait buddy!" Steve yelled, running after him. "We don't open the door, remember? Only daddy, mommy, or Uncle Bucky can open the door."

"But it's just Uncle Sam!" Will said, pouting up at Steve slightly. "But what if it isn't?" Will huffed and stepped back so Steve could open the door.

It was in fact Sam on the other side who came in and excitedly lifted up Will, swinging him around. "Hi Uncle Sam!" Charlie yelled, waving, and he walked up to her and kissed her head. She blushed and resumed her coloring page.

"Happy birthday man." Sam said, pulling Steve into a hug before walking over to me and giving me a kiss on the cheek. "So when can I eat this delicious food Miss Becca?" He gave me his best smile and I pushed him away. "Once I'm done cooking it." I laughed, "but don't worry. It's almost done."

I finished up the kids chicken nuggets and Mac and cheese, putting them on plates before we pulled out the burgers and hot dogs from the oven that Steve had grilled not long ago. I set everything on the table before taking a seat next to Steve. "Dig in!"

The men eagerly built their own burgers and hot dogs while Will and Charlie ate their food. "Uncle Bucky, when are you leaving?" Will asked, looking over at Bucky. He was the spitting image of Bucky too but with a little bit of Steve's features in his face. "Well, I have to go help Uncle Sam at work in a few days."

"In Washington?" Will asked.

"Yep." Bucky replied, ruffling Will's hair. "Can I come? I want to see the museum, daddy can we go with Uncle Bucky?" Steve looked at me and I shrugged. William absolutely loved the Smithsonian. He loved seeing his dad and uncle in the permanent exhibit that only expanded after the avengers fought Thanos and brought half of the population back. Of course, for Steve, that was the event that triggered him returning the stones and coming back to the 40s and starting a life with me.

"Maybe next time bud." Bucky said and gave Steve and I a look that could only mean Washington might not be the safest place for him right now. "But!" "Will. Next time." Steve said. Will huffed and started angrily eating his chicken nuggets. I sighed and felt Steve rest his hand on my thigh.