The Choice (Steve Rodgers x Reader)

Forty one

The apartment felt smaller with a new presence, and despite it having enough rooms, you didn't feel like it was big enough for a family of four.
You had told Steve of your worries and he only told you that it was natural to feel unsettled after a baby. You always sighed. What does he know?
You hadn't heard from Bucky in the week after having the baby, but with midnight feedings and school runs, you had no time to care.
Everyone from the team had come individually to see the new baby, who had Steve's eyes and your cute nose, as everyone had told you. 'Maybe the next child will have my eyes', you'd always respond, making Steve laugh in disbelief.
You had made Tony and pepper godparents, again, because if something were to happen, why wouldn't you want your children to be together? Everyone seemed to like this idea.
And that only leaves one detail of the child after it was born. The name. Something that took your three hours to decide.
Steve had sat next to you on the hospital bed, the baby in a bundle of blankets between you as you marvelled at him. "I have nothing." You stated as you stroked his small cheek. "With Dot I had so many ideas, all to do with Bucky, but now, having this child in easier times, I don't know." You shrug. "There's nothing to tribute."
Steve laughed lightly. "We don't have to honour anything. He's ours. We're together, and we're a family. So let's just put it down to names we like." He suggested.
"Not Alfred." You reminded him.
He chuckles. "Not Alfred." He thinks and his face morphs into a frown. "You're right, it's hard without a tribute." It's your turn to laugh.
Ultimately, you decided to choose a first name that was just something you liked, and a middle name that honoured someone else. Parents from both sides were a no go, but you had someone in mind that was more like a father to you than anyone.
Tony and Pepper had met him first, Tony pushing in front of Pepper to get the 'first cuddle'.
He had cooed at him as if someone else was holding your child, but it was proven with Dot that Tony went soft with your offspring.
"What's his name?" Pepper asked softly as she handed you a glass of water.
You looked at Steve. "Well, we wanted to run it by you guys." Both of them looked confused. "We were thinking of Joseph Anthony Rogers." You looked at Tony and waited for his response. He froze from rocking the baby and stared at you, looking at Steve for reassurance.
Steve only nodded and he chocked a little. He clears his throat and sniffles, looking down at the bundle of gurgles in his arms. "What's the Joseph for?"
You smile. "We just liked it. We can shorten it to Joey."
Steve looks over at you. "Joey and Dot, dream team." He muses. You laugh a long and lean forward, placing a small kiss to his cheek.
Tony rolls his eyes playfully at the affection and begins to rock the child again. "If you're going to name him after me that means I have the right to be the one he loves the most." He smiles, eyes still a little watery. You nod. "Why?"
"Why what?" Steve asks.
Pepper joins him and rubs his back as she looks at Joseph. "Why the middle name? Sentimental honouring and all that."
You get up and join the pair. "Because you were there for me when no one else was. I was alone when I joined the team and you took me in, made me one of the many children you somehow now have." He laughs and a tear falls from his eye, causing Pepper to wipe it away.
"Oh, allergies. I'm allergic-"
"To hospital chemicals, we know." You smile, hugging him as best you can with your child against his chest.

This current afternoon, Steve had fallen asleep with Joey on his chest, Dot under his arm and the TV playing one of Dots shows.
Dot had taken kindly to her new brother, always wanting to hold him, play with him and sing to him while he slept. It melted your heart to see the sweet, generous girl you and Steve had raised.
You joined them after finishing the laundry, pulling Dot onto your lap so she rested her head against your chest, still half asleep, as you rested your head against Steve's shoulder.
With eyes still closed, he pulls you in, wrapping his arm around your shoulder and kissing your forehead. "I love you." He mumbles, resting his cheek where his lips were.
Your about to respond when someone interrupts. "I love you too, daddy." Dot sighs as she cuddles you.
You laugh out which causes Steve to, making Dot smile up at you in confusion. "And you mommy." She says as if she didn't want to hurt your feelings for forgetting you.
"I love you too Dot." You smile, kissing her head and settling her back down against you. "How about we watch How To Train Your Dragon?" She beams at you and nods.
"I want Joey to see my favourite film." You settle her between you and Steve and he gently places him into her lap, cradling his head as you find the film.
When the film is playing, you look to your left to see Dot and Steve watching it with their full attention, your son still asleep in your daughter arms.
You felt a wave of emotion hit you as your eyes watered slightly. What a beautiful family you had made with Steve. Life was beautiful, and you sniffled at the overwhelming feeling of love.
Love you had for you children, for Steve, for the people who surrounded you all with care and devotion. Love that was reciprocated and love that you never wanted to loose.