Wait for the Signal: A Royalty Steve Rogers Story

Twenty

I sat in bed with Steve one night. He was half asleep. I had stayed up.

"Steve.."

"Mmm."

It was late. I knew he had a long day. But I had held this in for too long.

Ever since hearing that say about his brother, I had bitten my tongue.

"Do you have a brother?"

He turned. "Who did you hear this from?"

"I- umm. Well...so I was going to tell your mother about the baby the day we found out. But her and your father were fighting. She had already known from Banner that I am pregnant. Anyways, I stayed too long listening. I'm sorry.."

"What did she say?"

"She was talking about how Matthew is dead. And your father said he wasn't."

"He is dead. He died of Scarlett fever. That's what my mother told me when I was young."

"Wait but your mother said that she was pregnant with you before they were married."

"Lie. It was Matthew. They're both older than they look. Matthew and I are six years apart. We never really talked. He was cruel."

"Well your father explained that Matthew isn't dead. He has a wife and a child and he wants to bring him back."

"You...are you sure you heard it right?"

"Yes."

"Good god."

"I'm sorry. I just had to ask."

"No you're fine. He wants to..bring him back though.."

"So that means you won't be king."

"I could care less about king. I'm worried about the kingdom. If he's worse than my father..."

"We will be alright."

"Why would my mother lie to me about him?"

"How old was he when he left?"

"Seventeen. I didn't think anything of it."

"Steve I...I don't understand what your family is hiding."

"There's so much hidden. It's best left unsaid."

"Alright."

I was not going to pry anymore. I kissed his head, resting back.

"Maybe he was just trying to get a rise out of your mother."

"Perhaps."

"I love you." I said.

"Come here." He whispered. He pulled me in, reaching over me to put out my lamp.

"I love you too." He said. "I will not let this cloud the fact that we are expecting. You have been doing great for a month. This is a joyous occasion."

"Right."

I buried my face in his chest. I felt safe there.

"Get some rest. For the two of you now."

~~~

I woke up feeling sick. I had thrown up three times. I decided to have a bath and wash myself up. I did my morning routine as best as possible.

For something so small in me, it did so much.

I did my hair and got into my outfit. I knew I had to eat soon.

I went out to the kitchen to get food.

Some of the girls I knew. None really talked. Some knew who I was but did not say a word. Others knew what I used to do. Most ended up just filing in and out. Maids rarely lasted longer than a month. Most became mistresses.