The Choice (Steve Rodgers x Reader)

Thirty nine

For your sake they decided to be civil. They greeted each other when Bucky came to see Dot, and they even shared a drink every now and then when you were busy.
But it was never easy. Especially for Bucky. It seemed the total responsibility of being a father to a child you barely knew was catching up to him and he didn't know how to cope.
"Dad." Dot said quietly. Both him and Steve turned to look at her. She smiled and pointed at Bucky. It felt like a win in his books. Something to feel like he was superior to Steve. "Can we please go to the park?" She asked sweetly, almost sadly, and Bucky couldn't say no.
You had agreed straight away that she could go, and settled comfortably with Steve to watch a movie.

An hour later, Bucky burst through the door with a crying Dot in his arms. You jumped immediately and ran to her. "What happened?" You yelled in panic at the sight of your daughter.
"I-i don't know. One minute she was on the slide. The next she was at the bottom of it screaming.
Steve took Dot off of Bucky and checked over her, seeing if he could see any injury. "Where does it hurt?"
She sobbed and clung to him. "My leg." She whimpered. He looked over the one she was pointed to and saw a slight bruise forming on her knee. He bent it and sighed in relief when she didn't scream.
"Just a bruise." He said triumphantly. "Come on. Let's get you a magic plaster and some ice cream."
You watched them leave and turned to Bucky straight away, who looked immediately upset. "I'm so sorry." He croaked.
You placed a hand on his shoulder. "Hey. It's not your fault. Kids fall over all the time."
He nodded and closed his eyes. "Sometimes I don't know what to do."
You squeezed his shoulder for reassurance. "We all get like that. I don't think any parent feels like they're good at this."
"No." He cut you off, looking right at you. "Sometimes I don't know what to do about being a dad." He sighed when he saw your shocked expression. "It just feels like it's been thrusted on to me and I've had no time to prepare." You gave him a pointed glare. He seemed to understand that he couldn't complain when he literally played dead.
"If you don't want to be a dad. Fine. It takes a lot of time, love and effort. But if you're going to pack up and leave again, I suggest you do it soon so Dot doesn't get attached." You said in a neutral tone.
"I'm not leaving." He reassured. "I'm here for you." He smiled softly.
"I don't need you, Bucky. But Dot might." You reminded him before going to check how Dot was.

He had stayed, true to his word, but every second he didn't run away, the more tense you felt. Because the more time he spent with the Dot, the more she became settled with having two dads. You were happy. Truly, you were. But this feeling wouldn't leave you alone, and last time you felt a feeling this strong, it came true.

Steve wouldn't be back from work until later in the evening. Upon hearing this, Bucky was adamant that he should stay with you. With you two weeks overdue, he couldn't stand the thought of you in labour on your own.
Of course you had resisted, told him you'd be fine, but Steve thought it would be a good idea too.
To be honest you were thankful Steve was working late. The more pregnant you got, the more worried he became. You loved how much he cared, but he was driving you crazy.
Dot had been asleep for an hour when you finally sat with Bucky on the couch. It was silent. There was no radio or tv filling the quiet that had settled comfortably between the two of you.
And it just let your mind wonder of to those dark places that you tried to keep in control. The worries the doctor said to deal with because it wasn't good for the baby. But how can you deal with something that refuses to be tame?
"I can hear you thinking." Bucky mumbled as he watched you. You smiled slightly and turned to look at him. The smile dropped when you saw how upset he looked. "You haven't spoken to me properly for three months, Y/N. I'm not dumb. I know you're scared I'm gonna run off."
"It's what you're known for." You shrugged. "Bucky, I could deal with you going away again. I could. But Dot's so happy to have you in her life."
He placed his hand on yours. "I'm not going anywhere." He reassured. "Plus you can say it all you like but I think you want me to stay too." He said hesitantly.
You didn't look up at him. "You were my first love, Buck. You'll always have a piece of me." You admitted.
It was silent again. The type that made tension grow even more.
You were about to say something, anything to make it stop, but you were silenced by his lips pressing on to yours.
He cradled your face in his flesh hand hoping it would keep you there, but you pushed against his chest as soon as the kiss had started and by the look on your face, you weren't happy with his decision.
"You're unbelievable." You grumbled, starting to struggle and get off the couch. "What part of not wanting to be with you do you not understand?"
He let a hand fall down his face as he watched you wiggle and groan trying to get up. He put a hand out to help but you swatted it away.
And as soon as you stood up, your waters broke.