Again // The Winter Soldier

three.

As morning rolled around Julia got up and ready for her day. When she walked out of her room she had expected her Mom dressed for work and making breakfast but instead found her stuck in between the back of the couch and Steve Rogers. Both snoring peacefully with their arms wrapped around each other, Carmen's head lifting with Steve's chest.

Julia laughed and pulled out her Ipod to take a picture. For this was a sight to see and not one she had expected. After scrolling through the few she had taken she finally looked at the time and decided not to make her mother late.

"Hey sleepyheads" Carmen and Steve both felt a light shove, Carmen woke immediately but Steve just grumbled and stayed where he was.

"Oh God, what time is it?!" Carmen frantically yelled as she sat up. She quickly straddled Steve's lap and slipped off the couch. This woke Steve immediately and Carmen laughed.

"It 6:50 Mom, stop worrying" Julia said and Carmen sighed. She wasn't late, Thank God. Steve sat up as Carmen moved towards the kitchen and Julia moved to sit beside him.

"Sleep well?" she asked and he lightly glared at the mischievous little girl. For a 11 going on 12 year old girl she was very smart.

"Great actually" he replied and she laughed. After she and her Mom moved to D.C. Carmen agreed to tell her more about Steve since she never really mentioned him before. Every night before bed she would tell apart of the story and how close they were back in war. She even allowed Julia to keep the boxes of her WW2 momento's in her room.

"I want to show you something" Julia said as she stood and Steve looked at her confused.

"C'mon" she grumbled as she grabbed his hand and tried to tug his large body up. Steve stood and she dragged him down the hall to her room. Steve stood in the doorway to be polite as the girl ducked under her bed and pulled out a large cardboard box.

"My Mom let me keep these in my room. After I met you that is" Steve noticed the worn brown leather hanging over the edge of the box. Forgetting boundaries he moved in and pulled out the jacket. He hadn't realized he never got it back from her the day he saved her and Bucky.

"I didn't realize she kept all this" Steve said as he reached into the box to pull out every book they had ever read together. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn sat right on top and Steve hadn't even thought of once was his favorite book. The story seemed so faded now.

"My Mom hasn't let me look at the pictures yet. She keeps them in her room and she tells me once it's easier to stomach she'll show me. But for now I just have this Jacket and these books.... and these" Steve watched as her small hand dipped into the corner of the box and pulled out some silver chains.

"My dog tags" he snatched the tags as he dropped the coat and Julia chuckled.

"And Uncle Bucky's" Steve had thought they were around his neck when he fell. He didn't realize Carmen had them all this time. "Mom used to sleep with the coat and tags but since you've been back she doesn't really need it anymore"

"Thank you for showing me this kiddo" he told her and she smiled as they both packed away the box.

"Breakfast!" they heard Carmen call. Julia shoved the box under her bed and pulled Steve back out to the kitchen. Carmen set three plates on the table before rushing off to her room. Steve looked at the quick scrambled eggs and toast she managed up. Carmen, even as the Director of an agency, was still able to find time to do stuff like this for her daughter. Steve absolutely adored that. Just as Steve was beginning to dig in Carmen ran back out finishing the top five buttons of her blouse, revealing the white lace undergarments. Steve felt his face pale as he quickly retreated his gaze and clambered with his fork.