Viscount (Steve Rogers AU) 18+

31

Steve had been pacing his study since the early hours, trying to resist the urge to run upstairs to the bedroom where he could hear his wife's cries of pain and occasional yells. His mother was up there with her, helping her in any way she could. Down here though? He felt helpless, even though he'd had a few glasses of Brandy to try and calm himself.

He could have really used Bucky and Sam's presence right now. At least they would've taken his mind off things. Instead here he was trying to distract himself with a game of chess against himself.

The doors opened and Sarah walked in, smiling lightly at him. "Mother - how is she?". He began but she stopped him.

"She needs you".

"Then I'll go to her". He then looked at her. "She is ok, isn't she?" For all he knew his wife could be on the verge of death and his mother keeping it from him.

Thankfully this wasn't the case and he heaved a sigh of relief at her next words.

Sarah nodded. "She is strong, but having you by her side will only make her more. She's getting tired but she is almost near. Jocelyn needs encouragement and she needs it from you Steven, she will not listen to me".

He was out of the study in a shot and up the stairs, into the bedroom where his wife was braced against the side of the bed in pain, her brow glistened with sweat. "I'm here". He pushed some hair from her face and rubbed her back. "I'm here".

She nodded, breathing through the pain and gripping onto the bed. "The midwife says it won't be long now, then we can finally hold our baby". She breathed her way through another wave of pain, and then eased herself onto the bed, fed up of being told to continuously take a turn of the room to help the labour along. If anything she would like nothing more than to throw some profanities at the midwife, but had so far managed to contain herself .

"Not long". He took the damp cloth the midwife had in her hands and dabbed her brow. "And just think, this time tomorrow he or she will be here, safe and well - all because of you".

"Stay with me, please? The midwife would not let me send for you - and I am frightened".

He kissed her gently. "In going nowhere sweetheart. They'll have to physically try and remove me from the damn room, and I'd like to see them try".

The midwife came over and checked her, then nodded to Doctor Banner, telling him that it was time. Jocelyn looked to Steve worriedly, but he knew now that he needed to put his nerves to one side and focus on her. With Sarah now coming back and taking her place one side of Jocelyn, he took the other, taking her hand and kissing it.

"Go on". He encouraged. "You can do this".

She nodded as the midwife now instructed her to push and did so, her only focus now on one thing.

Their child.

**

He had never been more proud of his wife as he was now, both of them looking down at the baby that was swaddled and sleeping in her arms.

A son.

He had only been in their lives for a mere few hours, but already they were in awe of him. Never taking their eyes from him. From the moment Steve had first held him, he knew that he would never let anyone harm him. He was the heir to everything he had - and he was finally theirs to dote on.

"He is so small, I'm afraid I'll hurt him in some way". Jocelyn trailed her finger down the baby's nose gently. "But so very perfect".

"He will not be small forever, sweetheart". Steve smiled, admiring the wisps of hair on his son's head. "Perfect? Yes, he is - our perfect boy".

Jocelyn turned and kissed him, "And our perfect boy needs a name", passing the baby to Steve who now took him, hushing him as he began to fuss.

He looked down at his son and then to Jocelyn. "Would you hate it if we named him after my father?"

"Not at all - I believe your mother would love it". She knew that Sarah would certainly not oppose the choice.

Steve nodded turned back to the baby. "Joseph it is".