Loving The Captain

Chapter 9

Cora finished piping the icing on the cupcakes just as the door bell rang.

"I got it!" Sam yelled from the other room.

A few moments later Sam entered the kitchen followed by the Avengers. Pointing to each one he said "Alright. We got Tony Stark, Pepper Potts, Natasha Romanoff, Dr. Bruce Banner, and Clint Barton."

Cora shook everyone's hands "It's great to meet all of you! Thank you so much for coming."

"What can we do to help? I'm not one for decorating, but I can help cook." Pepper stepped forward.

"And she's damn good at it too," Tony waggled his eye brows. "Seriously. Best omelet you will ever have."

Pepper playfully slapped Tony on the arm.

"Sure, I'd really appreciate the help. Pepper, since you can cook there are a few things in the fridge that need finishing, and the rest of us could get the decorations put out. Oh, and Mr. Stark, Sam did mention the birthday present for Steve?"

"Please call me Tony. And he sure did, I've got all the stuff I'll need out in the car."

"Great! I'll show you where it is," Cora led Tony outside where the large shed stood on the North side of the property. It housed things like the lawn mower and other yard work items. There was also a decently size work bench with lighting and various other tools. Sitting by the work bench was Steve's gift.

"Do you think this will be okay?" Cora stood by the gift, giving it a good look.

"Oh yeah," Tony nodded appreciatively. "I can get this baby working no problem."

Cora made her way back towards the house. Sam, Clint and Bruce were all working on decorating the outside of the house. While Bruce was placing little American flags along the walkway up to the porch, the other two were using the ladder to hang red, white and blue banners.

"You must really like the 4th huh?" Clint asked as Cora made her way onto the porch. "That or a certain someone has a crush on the good ol' Cap."

Cora frowned. "Didn't Steve tell you we are dating?"

Clint blinked. "Well...yeah. I just didn't think it was true. So you guys are....actually together?"

"Yeah. We are." Cora giggled. "Why didn't you believe him?"

"Well, for a while there, we all thought he was gay because he never ever showed any interest in any woman...ever."

Natasha came out the door at just that time. "He's not gay. And he has shown interest he just never went on any dates with anyone. And he never asked anyone out either..." She trailed off for a moment, lost in thought.

"Did you come outside for a reason?" Clint asked.

Natasha shook her head, clearing her thoughts. "Oh! Yeah, Bucky texted me. He said he and Steve will be back in, like an hour. He said Steve is getting suspicious as to why Bucky has been keeping him out all day."

"Oh crap! I still have to change, and finish decorating. And Tony is still working on the gift..." Cora went inside followed by Natasha.

"You go ahead and get ready, I can finish the decorating. I'm almost done anyhow."

Cora looked around at the decorating that Natasha had done. Red, white and blue decorations were everywhere. Streamers hung from the ceiling, tinsel lined the banister on the stairs, there was even a wreath hanging on the wall on the way into the kitchen.