Daddy? (Captain America AU)

Being a Father

"I'm sorry sir... She didn't make it..."

The man looked down at his feet and tried his best to keep in his tears. "And... The baby?"

The doctor gave a small smile. "The babe survived. You have a son. He's small, so we will need to keep him here until we are sure he can survive."

The man smiled slightly before tears began to fall.

"Would you like to hold him for a few moments?"

The man nodded before the doctor left, and soon after returned with the child.

The man sat down as he held his first, and only, child. The mother, only seven and a half months pregnant had gone into labor. She loved her husband so much. They were childhood friends and high school sweethearts. They married only a year after graduation, before he left for war. It broke his heart to leave her, but he wanted - needed - to serve his country. And it broke her heart when he returned to her, wounded. He had lost his entire left arm in an explosion. A doctor, the same who helped deliver the child, came to them saying that he, Zola as they later learned, was testing out a prosthetic limb that could give him a entire, useable left arm. The experiment worked, and the man was overjoyed. Though, he wasn't entirely thrilled with all of the unwavering stares from strangers. But it was all washed away from his mind when his wife said that she was expecting. Both of them were thrilled, until today. When she went into premature labor.

The man's tears began to stream down his face as he thought of his wife. He didn't know what he was going to do without her. He didn't know how be a father. Or a mother.

His thoughts were interrupted by the child's weak cries. He gently rocked him. "Shhh... It's okay. Daddy has you... It's going to be okay..." A name popped into his head. "Steve... It's okay Steve."

Steve began to calm down as he listened to his father's voice.

"Mr. Barnes?" Dr. Zola asked, "Everything will be alright. I promise."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bucky brought Steve home for the first time. His hand firmly held the handle of the carrier, his other hand gripped a bag full of various items for babies. The nurses had felt really bad for him, so they gathered some things to help him out. He was very grateful for it.

He set the bag down once he reached his apartment door and tried to dig out his keys. He soon had the door unlocked, but was faced with a new problem. Getting everything inside without putting Steve down.

"Need some help?" A feminine voice said from behind.

Bucky turned to see his neighbor, Sharon Carter.

"Uh... Yeah. That would be nice. Thanks."

"It's not a problem." Sharon picked up the bag and walked into the apartment with him.

"You can set it on that changing table over there."

Sharon set it down and walked over to Bucky, who was now holding Steve in his arms. "He's so... Tiny. What's his name?"

"Steve. His name is Steve..."

Sharon smiled. "It fits. May I?" She held out her arms slightly. Bucky nodded and gently handed Steve to her.

"Oh my goodness. He weighs nothing at all."

Bucky smiled a little and began to unpack. "He is. I just hope he can gain some weight... And care for him properly..." The smile left his face.

Sharon frowned as well. "I can come over any time you need me. I care for children all the time. One in particular is a little pain in the ass."

Bucky chuckled a little. "Nick or Peggy?"