The Choice (Steve Rodgers x Reader)

Forty

Can I just have a little rant and say that I don't appreciate people telling me in the comments which names I shouldn't and should use and what plot points are good and which aren't. I wrote this book because it's fun to write but lately I feel like I've had to do a lot of people pleasing and I'm not having it.
So, for the people who read this book and continuously show support, I thank you very dearly and hope you enjoy these following chapters (which will now be more frequent due to quarantine) and please just remember to be nice. :) love you all.

Pepper had met you at the hospital, Tony already in the waiting room. You had left shortly after Wanda had turned up to watch Dot, and the whole ride you tried to call Steve, but he wasn't picking up. You couldn't decide whether it was because you needed Steve, or to stop any conversation forming between you and Bucky. Maybe a bit of both.
You lay in your hospital bed, wearing your gown and trying to even your breathing after a contraction as Bucky and Pepper both sat with you.
Pepper stands quickly and looks between the two of you. "I'm going to go and get me and Tony some coffee." She states, not bothering to ask Bucky if he wants any. You don't blame her. You know she took a distaste to Bucky ever since he faked his death. You didn't blame her for that either.
Then the room was silent and you clenched your teeth together and closed your eyes. Where was Steve?
"You know it's kind of funny? Steve helped you deliver my child, and now I'm helping to deliver yours." He smiles, trying at a conversation you want no part in.
"I didn't know you were a doctor." You snap, creasing your eyebrows as your tongue is drenched in sarcasm.
He sighs and bows his head slightly. "It was just a kiss."
"Fuck you." You snap, looking away from him. "You are constantly trying to pull me and Steve apart and you know it. You can't stand that I'm happy with someone else." You sneer, finally looking at him.
He shakes his head. "I don't mind you being happy with someone else. But my best friend?" He asks in a pleading way, asking you to see why this is so bad for him. You rub your temples to try and relieve some of the stress he was causing you. "Where is he now? Huh?"
You almost groan, growl at his stupidity. "He's at work, and he'll be here. Where were you when I had our child? You were off, running away from something that wasn't even chasing you." He looked hurt, but it didn't stop you. "Everyone always tells me how brave you and Steve were, but all I see is a coward who makes up excuses when things get a little too real." He doesn't reply, and as the words leave your mouth, another contraction starts.
Pepper comes back as he stands up to hold your hand, but you only attempt to push him away. "I don't want you anywhere near me!" You yell through gritted teeth as you clutch the sheets, groaning afterwards.
Pepper puts a gentle hand on his shoulder and pushes him back. "You should go." She simply says before turning back to you and grasping your hand, breathing with you as you try to get through the pain.
Bucky does as he's told and sulks out, kicking himself for every decision he's ever made.

Your contractions are two minutes apart when Steve comes crashing in to the waiting room, looking around until he sees Tony. He stands and rushes towards Steve.
"I've been trying you all night! Where have you been?" He seethes, as Steve looks around for any sign of you.
"I was working and my phone had died. I was charging it and then it turned on and then I saw all the calls- it doesn't matter, where is she?" He asks desperately and Tony begins to herd Steve in the right direction.
Bucky watches from afar, observing the mix of worry and excitement on Steve's face.

You cry when you see Steve, panting and grasping onto Pepper and the doctors tell Steve that your crowning.
He rushes to your side, takes your free hand and kisses your forehead. This is all Bucky sees before the door closes, and he's left to realise that a family is only growing due to this baby, and he's the one who's tearing it apart.
Pepper leaves to join Tony as you rely on Steve for support. He reaches around the back of you to grab your other hand and lets your squeeze as much as you can, crying out in pain, agony, as you try and bring your child into the world.
Steve is muttering words of encouragement in your ear but it's wasted on you.
Your head lolls against his chest and you sigh. "I can't do it. I can't, Steve." You sob, looking utterly exhausted.
"Hey, hey." You look up at him. "You've got this. I'm here and you've done it before. Look how great Dot turned out." You clench you're eyes shut.
Steve begins to worry and does the only thing he knows will calm you.
"I've got sunshine," he begins to sing in your ear, only above a whisper, and you let your shoulders relax against him. "On a cloudy day. When it's cold outside, I've got the month of May." The midwife smiles at the couple in front of her, chuckling to herself. "Well, I guess you say, what can make me feel this way? My girl. Talking bout my girl." He kisses your temple and he swears he saw you smile.
But it's gone quickly as another contraction hits, you push, grit your teeth, clamp Steve's hands in yours and the nurse declares that it's nearly over.
You fall limp against his chest, the sound of wailing filling the room as Steve laughs loudly.
"You did it! It's a boy. We have a son." You smiled weakly, eyes hooded as you watch the nurses bring him over.
You cradle him against your chest and immediately feel your eyes begin to well when you see his face. "Hi." You sob, looking up at Steve to plant a soft kiss to his lips. You look back down to your son. "Hi little guy." You whisper to him, shushing his cries.
Steve watches you and reaches to hold his sons head.
His son. It was something he thought he'd never be able to say, and yet here he was, living his dream with the one girl he couldn't live without.
Steve felt a whole new level of responsibility, a new meaning to his life as you let him hold his child. With Dot, he felt he was stepping into shoes that didn't belong to him, but he was happy to do it and he loved Dot as if she were his own, but now he was stepping into another pair of shoes, and they felt perfect, as if they were made for him; as if he was made to have this family with you.