Into the War || A Captain America Love Story

58

TORI

I hang the last curtain in James's nursery as Steve finishes building the crib. Light grays and blues fill the room, creating a nice place for a newborn. It's complete with the crib, changing table, chair, bookshelf, and so many other necessities that are hidden away neatly in the closet or in drawers. My due date is in six weeks, so we're pushed for time. I'm already feeling minor Braxton Hicks, and that is just making me think that we aren't going to have as much time as we think we do. Even though we are more than prepared with a hospital bag ready as well as the car seat in the car, it's still extremely nerve racking. Then again, no seems as nervous and panicked as Steve.

Steven has been the same way throughout the entire pregnancy — making sure that I'm okay every four seconds, being even more protective than we has beforehand (if that's even possible), and just being a worried future dad. He wants to be sure that every little thing is ready before I go into labor and James is born. He knows that I'm okay now because I couldn't possibly go into preterm labor based off of what the midwife and everyone else has been saying, but he can't keep the thought away and neither can I.

"I think we're done here," Steve breathes out, setting his hands on his hips as he proudly scans the room for any last minute things to do. The crib is set up and there is a stockpile of diapers, clothes, and other things that are enough for ten children, so there definitely isn't anything else extremely important.

"I agree," I sigh, brushing a lock of hair off my face and behind my ear. "Now we're just missing James."

"And my sanity," Steve smiles.

"That has been gone for a while now, so it's a lost cause."

Steve scoffs, shaking his head at me. "Well, you aren't wrong," he says. He steps over towards me, quickly pecking a kiss on to my forehead. "It's like how Tony says the best people are lunatics,'" Steve recalls, smiling at the memories. "If anyone knows what it's like to be insane, it's you. You've had to deal with him and me."

"Hey! I've dealt with you by choice," I remark. "We're all a little bit crazy though."

"You're welcome," Steve smiles cheekily.

I roll my eyes, taking my phone out of my pocket to check the time. It is almost noon, so Tony should be getting here soon. He claims that he hasn't visited in a while, even though he came over for dinner last week. I think he just wants an excuse to escape all of the missions and work he has been focusing on. There are always cuts and bruises when I see him after he's been on missions. Granted, he is quite accident-prone and always has been, but he wasn't getting punched all the time back then. That isn't true either, but oh well.

"You okay?" Steve asks me, brushing his hair out of his face.

"Hm?" I hum. I glance over at him, and raise an eyebrow. "Oh, yeah, I'm good."

Steve nods. His bright blue orbs scan the room, and he is obviously still musing. "I still can't believe it," he mumbles, a cute half-smile spreading across his lips.

"Can't believe what?" I ask him. I take a step towards my husband and find his hand, interwinding my fingers with his.

"I'm really hoping that was a rhetorical question," he scoffs.

I smile, resting my head on his broad shoulder. I know what he's talking about. He is having difficulty believing that this is all real. There is probably more than just that, but those are the basics. I'm still having a hard time thinking about it all, even though I'm the one carrying the child.

"Just six more weeks," I smile. "Just six."

Steve smiles back, kissing my forehead tenderly.

I hear a knock on the front door, and it echoes through the house.