Hey guys! I am updating this story, I'm working on its sequel Can't Stop Loving You. Which is a work in process right now and I'll probably be updating those chapters I've posted already. Anyway enjoy Instant Addiction, I hope you love these characters just as much as I do. Let me know what you think!
Chapter 1-
The city of New York was enjoying one of the first spring days of the season, and you could find Steve Rogers leaning against a tree in Central Park with a sketch book in his lap. It's been a month since he was freed from the ice and re-entered the world that left him behind. S.H.E.I.L.D got him a nice already furnished apartment 5 blocks away from their headquarters in New York. Close enough for them to keep an eye on the captain but also far enough away so he could live a normal life.
But how could you live a normal life when the world that you once knew, left you behind. New York may be the same city, but the people who live in it are not the same people. The clothes are different, the way they talk to each other is different. No one respects each other. There is rarely any laughter in the streets, even in the park. Everyone had the noses stuck in a phone, not paying attention to the world around them. Except for one women who was watching, he thinks is her little brother, as she looked too young to be a mother in his own opinion. But with how different the world was, he could be wrong. She was teaching him how to play catch. The little boy's baseball mitt was bigger then his head. As he was trying to open and close the mitt without his other hand every time she would gently toss the ball to him.
"Heads up!" Steve heard before looking up from his sketch pad and saw the baseball heading towards him. Raising his hand up the super soldier caught the baseball no problem. Standing up he brought the ball back over to the two.
"Here's your ball buddy." Steve said as he gently tossed the white baseball into the mitt, the little brunette boy was wearing.
Putting a huge toothless smile on his face. It was a smile that no adult could say no too. Steve figured that this little boy probably got almost everything he wanted. "Thanks mister!"
"I'm sorry about that. He apparently has a great arm but horrible aim." The young women said ruffling the little boys hair. Now that he had a good look between the two, he realized he may be wrong about the two being brother and sister. The little boy looked nothing like her other then his eyes were the same color, which was the perfect shade of light green. He had brown, almost black, curly hair while she had straight shinny blonde hair.
"It's alright." Putting his hand out towards the women. "I'm Steve."
"Emerson." The girl said shaking his hand with a slight smile on her face. "And this is Liam."
"Hi. Do you think my mommy is pretty? And thats why you keep looking over at us?" Liam asked looking up at Steve.
Seeing the look on Emerson's face, Steve realized he had to explain why he was looking over at the two without looking like a stalker. "Uh that uh that's not why I was looking over at the two of you. Not saying your mom isn't pretty. Because she is. She doesn't look old enough to even be a mom."
"See mommy I told you he thought you were pretty! That's why he kept looking over at us!" Liam exclaimed pulling on her shirt, before Steve could finish explaining.
Raising her eyebrow, Emerson looked at Steve. Knowing there was more to the story. "Well is that why you keep staring at us?"
"Well part of it." He said as he stood back to his normal height. "You two are the only ones in this park who don't have your noses stuck in a phone. And so I decided to draw the two of you."
"You draw? Can we see it? I mean if we're your models we should see the drawing." Emerson said staring at the strange, but handsome man in front of them. She had him pegged as the jock type. Not an artist.
Nodding his head he walked back to the tree he was leaning on earlier, noticing that they followed him, Steve pulled out the drawing. "It's not done yet, I still have to do some more shading."
Looking at the drawing in awe, Emerson was amazed. The picture looked just like them, Liam was laughing as he was looking at the ball and she was smiling while watching her son. He got their features perfect, not a hair was out of place. "Wow Steve this is amazing. Are you an artist?"
Shaking his head. "No it's just a hobby."
"Are you sure about that? Because this is amazing. I can only draw stick figures and even they aren't that good." She said handing him the pad back.
"Thank you." He said scratching the back of his nape. "Uh do you want it?"
"Of course. As long as you sign it at the bottom so if you ever become famous I will have an a drawing before all the fame." Emerson said with a small smile on her pink lips.
Nodding he did as she asked. Handing the drawing back to the women. He watched her gently put it in her bag. Making sure not to ruin the picture in anyway. Not too long after, Steve realized that they were standing in complete silence for more than a minute. Clearing out his throat, the super soldier nodded his head towards the mother and son. "Well I'll let you two get back to your day."
Feeling Liam tugging on her pant leg, Emerson knelt down to her son's height, instead of agreeing with Steve. "Whats up buddy?"
"Ask him to get ice cream with us." Liam said as softly as a 6 year old could. Which wasn't as quiet as Emerson would hoped it to be.
Looking up at Steve, knowing that he heard Liam. "What do you say want to get some ice cream?"
"Ice cream sounds perfect." Steve said with a smile on his face before picking up his notebook. "So where are we going to go?"
"We know just the place."
Walking four blocks away from Central Park in the most comfortable silence you could have with a complete stranger that your son invited. Emerson was excited when they made it to Scoops. Liam's favorite ice cream shop. The two came here so much that the owners thought of Emerson and Liam as their own family.
"Oh there they are! My favorite costumers!" The middle aged women said behind the counter. She had black hair with grey streaks that were around her hairline. Red framed glasses were sitting on top of her head, making her look like a librarian. She stood about four inches shorter then Emerson. So Steve felt like he really had to look down at her. Something he was still not used too. "Oh and you brought someone along? Is this a new boyfriend Em? I'm Karen."
Looking over at Steve, Emerson noticed a light blush raising from his neck into his cheeks. Shaking her head, the blonde knew that this was going to happen when Karen saw the good looking man she brought with her. It was rare enough whenever Emerson would bring her best friend, Sean with, let alone someone she just met. "No Karen, we just met like 10 minutes ago. Liam invited him along. But this is Steve."
"Steve it's nice to meet you. Do you have a girlfriend?" Karen asked shaking his hand.
Shaking his head he looked at her with a confused look on his face. "No ma'am. I don't."
"Really? You look like that and you don't have a girlfriend?" Karen said cocking her head. "Emerson make sure you fall for this one. He has a firm hand shake. Do you know what that means?"
"Karen really? That is no way to talk to costumers." An older man said as he walked over to the group. Saving Emerson and Steve from anymore embarrassing moments. "I'm Henry, Karen's much more thoughtful husband."
"Steve. Sir, this is a great place you got here." Steve said shaking his hand, making sure to give him a firm shake.
"Well you it would be better if you had some ice cream I'm sure. Go sit down and I'll get you whatever you want on the house!" Henry said ruffling Liam's brown hair. "Chocolate today Liam?"
"Uh huh, thank you Henry." Liam said climbing up on to the closest booth.
"What about you two?" Henry said looking between Emerson and Steve. Who were awkwardly standing next to the booth.
"I'll just have a chocolate milkshake." Emerson said shaking her thoughts away and sliding in next to her son.
Sitting across from the two, Steve nodded his head towards Henry. Making sure to keep eye contact with the man. "I'll have the same."
Watching Henry walk up to the counter, Emerson looked over at Steve. She studied him for a bit before she asked. "So Steve what do you do for a living?"
"Uh I used to be in the military." Steve said as simply as he could. Steve was already briefed by Fury, the Director of SHIELD, that he was not supposed to talk to civilians about his true identity. But he still couldn't lie to them, especially to someone as nice as Emerson. it was not part of his nature.
Nodding her head, she could tell that he had some training. She wasn't blind. His muscles gave enough away to narrow down what he did for a living. He was out in the park during prime business hours, so she knew he didn't do anything with having to wake up and put on a suit. Which in her mind narrowed it down to military or athlete. "So your on leave now then?"
"I guess you can say that." Steve said with a shrug of his shoulders. He didn't know what you could waking up from a almost 70 year nap. Leave sounded like the best way to put it. "What about you?"
"I actually have my own bakery called Bake Away, on the Upper West Side. Karen and Henry helped me out a lot when I first opened. It's doing pretty well actually." Emerson said as Henry came back with the ice cream and milkshakes. Steve could tell that she was very proud of her accomplishment. Even more so as she had a six year old son to take of as well. He was impressed with the modern women, they knew what they wanted and they weren't going to stop until they got what they came for. It reminded him of Peggy, who didn't let any man tell her she couldn't do something because she was a women.
Taking a sip of his milkshake to get rid of his thoughts of Peggy and the life he could've, should've, had. He was greeted by the most amazing thing his tastebuds have had in a long time. "Oh wow this is amazing. It's been so long."
Laughing softly as Emerson tucked napkins into Liam's shirt. The six year old was the messiest eater when it came to ice cream. "Haven't had a milkshake in a while?"
Shaking his head, Steve replied. "No actually I haven't. Its been awhile since I've had anything sweet."
"Well if you are ever craving anything sweet you are more then welcome to come to the bakery. We live right above it." Emerson said stirring her milkshake.
"I'll remember that." Steve said staring at the beautiful women in front of him. He took in her appearance. Her blonde hair was cut to her shoulders and she had side bangs that hit at her cheek bone. Her porcelain skin had freckles that were barely noticeable if you weren't studying her face. She wasn't that short either, at least 5'7 and her frame looked like she worked out a lot. For being a single mother she looked good. At least that's what he hoped.
"We better go." Emerson said pulling Steve out of his thoughts. "Liam has a big day at school tomorrow."
"Oh yeah? What are you doing?" Steve asked as they got out of the booth.
"We're going to Stark Industries!" Liam yelled as he hoped up and down.
Laughing at her son. "Iron Man is his favorite superhero. Mainly cause he's the only real one he's seen."
Nodding his head smiling softly at the little boy. If he only knew who he was talking to now. "Well have fun buddy. I'll see you around."
"Okay bye Steve." Liam said as Emerson hailed down a taxi.
Opening the door so Liam could get in. "See you later Steve. Remember if you want any sweets at any time, Bake Away Bakery."
"Trust me I'll remember." Steve said as she got in the taxi. "See you soon."
"Bye Steve." Emerson said before the taxi pulled into the busy streets of Manhattan.
The next day Steve found himself in front of Bake Away Bakery. He had been standing out side of the store for at least 10 minutes working up the courage to walk into the bakery. Anyone who has walked in and out of the bakery has been giving him weird looks. But they didn't know what was running through his head. Was she serious that she wanted to see him again or was it just a polite way of saying goodbye. But why would she continue to remind him what her bakery was called. He wanted to know more about her, spend more time with her and her son. He knew he needed to get accustomed to the new century he was in and this seemed like the right way to do it. The only problem was that Steve would eventually have to tell her who he is and he doesn't know how that will work. Taking a deep breath he walked into the bakery and was greeted by a warm smell of vanilla.
"Hi how can I help you?" A short red headed girl said behind the counter of any sweet you could imagine.
"Uh is Emerson in?" Steve said shoving his hands in his pockets.
Nodding her head, she gave him a once over. Before saying, "Yeah she is. Uh I'll go get her for you."
"Thank you." Steve said as she stepped into the back room. Looking around he saw all the variety of cupcakes, cookies, brownies, actual cakes and every other pastry you could like of. The bakery was decorated in light pink and mint green. There were a few tables for costumers to sit, relax and enjoy their bake goods.
"Steve hey." Emerson said as she walked into the main room. "You just couldn't resit, could you."
Smiling. "You caught me. Is Liam still at school?"
Nodding her head. "Yeah and then he with his dad for the rest of the week through the weekend. I have a couple weddings I'm prepping for."
"Oh is this a bad time?" Steve asked gently wiping the frosting off her cheek.
Shaking her head and trying to keep the blush from showing. "No I could use the distraction. Hey Kylie?"
Popping her head out from behind the counter. "Yeah boss?"
"Steve and I are going up to the apartment, call me if you need help. Noel should be coming in soon." Emerson said taking her apron off. "And take the cupcakes out in like 5 minutes."
"Will do boss." Kylie said nodding her head.
Steve followed Emerson into her apartment and couldn't help but think about Liam's dad. How much was he in the picture, enough to have his son for periods of time when Emerson needs the help, he was guessing.
"And here we are." Emerson said as they walked into her apartment. It was tastefully decorated with a red couch that had black and grey pillows on it. There were pictures of Liam all over the walls and on the mantel, by himself, with his friends and family but none with his dad. At least that he noticed. "Looking for a picture of Liam's dad? The wedding photo has him in it. Not our wedding thank god, but my sisters. It was when we were trying to make the whole family thing work."
"Why didn't it work out with him?" Steve asked as he found Emerson holding a two year old Liam standing next to a shaggy black haired guy. He was about two inches taller then Emerson herself, he had a smirk and for some reason he wanted to smack the smirk right off his face.
Snorting, she sat down on the couch. "He's an ass. I was 18 when Liam was born and thought he was the one for me. We actually broke up 10 minutes after that picture was taken. My sister was pissed that Josh is stuck in her wedding photos for the rest of her life."
"How often does he get Liam?" Steve asked sitting next to her.
"One weekend out of the month." She said while making herself comfortable. "His job makes him travel a lot, so he's rarely in town. So the weekend he's in town, that's the weekend he gets to spend with his son. He just came back early and I had this huge wedding."
Nodding, Steve turned slightly to face her. "Does Liam like him?"
Shrugging softly. "Yeah he does. I mean Josh isn't a horrible person, his personality is just ass like. But he's a decent enough father. Horrible boyfriend, but decent father."
"So since you know I don't have a girlfriend. Do you?" Steve asked as he could tell she was feeling uncomfortable with the father of her son talk.
"Have a girlfriend?" Emerson smirked. "No I can't say I even tried something like that before."
"Ah that's not what I meant. Sorry uh. Do you, do you have a boyfriend?" Steve stumbled.
Shaking her head. "No I don't. Usually once I tell them I have a son, they make up an excuse that they have to go."
"I'm sorry to hear." Steve said, even though inside he got a warm feeling. "It must be tough to be a single mother."
Nodding her head. She let out a deep breathe, it was rare when she could sit down and just take a break. Luckily for her Steve was nice to talk to and nice to look at. "It is, but I got a handle on things. My parents and sister help out a lot. Especially now that I have the bakery open. My mom watches Liam whenever I have to make deliveries. And now that I have the staff to work the front of the store I can spend more of the time actually baking."
"Well if you ever need any help watching Liam, I'll be more then happy too. Liam is a great kid." Steve said smiling at her, trying not to show the surprise in his face when he heard himself offer.
"Oh he's the best." Emerson said standing up and quickly changing the subject. "Do you want to help me make some cupcakes? I have a wedding that needs 300 cupcakes by tomorrow along with 300 cake pops. And an actual cake. I wasn't going to be an idiot and turn down that job."
"I don't know how much help I'll be, but I'll try." Steve said as he stood up to follow her back down to the bakery.
Smiling. "Don't worry. You are just going to be putting the balls on sticks then dip them. You'll be great. And if you mess them up I'll let you eat them."
Smiling back, he brushed her bangs out of her face. "Emerson I think this is a beginning of a wonderful friendship."
