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Summary: While celebrating another Mother's Day, Steve Rogers follows his ritual, remembering his mother's last words of love and hope. Inspired by the movie Captain America: The Winter Soldier, but without any spoilers.

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She's Next To Dad…

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Sunday, May 12th, 2019.

It was a warm afternoon, and a gentle breeze worked its way into the studio, through the white billowing curtains. After the festive lunch, Steve took a few moments to rest before following his Mother's Day ritual. Sitting at his desk, he carefully opened his oldest and most precious sketchbook. Deft fingers slid over the fragile cover, reaching for the first page. Carefully, he caressed the drawing, closing his eyes as if he could feel her. Mom.

It had been his first drawing after he woke up – the last image he had from his mother, his last memory of her. Although already consumed by the disease, she was always absolutely beautiful. I miss you, Mom.

Next to her image were the words from the last letter she wrote for him. The original was found in his uniform pocket, close to his heart, but after sixty-six years under ice, the paper was too fragile to be handled, and he kept it safe in a special box designed to preserve old documents. Although he knew the words by heart, he had hurried to write them down, worried that he would forget them. He wouldn't. That letter had accompanied him everywhere, giving him hope and strength through all his life. But it wasn't until a few years ago that he had fully comprehended what she had meant. I wish you could be here now.

Teary eyes started to read the words, but he kept it quiet to not disturb his precious cargo.

My dear Steven, I love you so much.

I know you know it. But I need to say it a thousand times more. Never ever forget it. Mom loves you.

You are in pain and I'm sorry I can't be there for you. It is like life has cheated you again.

I know how you feel.

When your father died, I was devastated. Scared. Angry. I didn't know how I could live without him, or how to raise a child by myself.

But then you were born, and the celebration of the Independence Day was nothing next to the joy within my heart the first time I held you in my arms. My dearest son. At that moment, God answered all my doubts and eased all my pains. You were His blessing to me. The most precious gift I could've ever dreamed in my whole life. And then I knew that I was born to be your mom. That everything in my life made sense, because I had you. I never felt so strong, so happy, so fulfilled before. And I also knew everything was going to be okay, because if I was worthy of the honor of being your mother, God would be on our side, supporting me in my task.

He never left me.

And there you are, a fine young man, with your whole future ahead of you. Your 18-year-old heart is crushed now, but you have to believe me, everything is gonna be fine. I know, I can see it. A mother's heart is never wrong.

Promise me that you'll remain good and noble, and that you will never give up. Promise me you will seek for your happiness wherever it is.

I know your father is waiting for me, and together we'll be looking for you. Praying that you find the same love we had for each other, and for you.

I love you, my baby,

Forever in your heart, Mom.

Every single time he read her words, tears fell free on Steve's face. Through the years, they changed from tears of pain and mourning, to tears of pure love. I love you too, Mom.

Then, a tiny hand touched his watery cheek softly. Instantly, the caring father took the place of the lamenting son. "Hi, sweetheart."

But at seeing her daddy so emotional, the ten-month-old narrowed her green eyes, with her little chin quivering, ready to cry.

Steve gave a wide smile and held her close, kissing her neck, making her giggle. "Who's daddy's princess?" And her tears were quickly forgotten. Gently, he turned her in his arms and showed her the painting. "Look, Sarah, this is your grandma. You're named after her. She is beautiful, isn't she? Like you, my princess."

The blond baby blinked softly for a while, but turned back to him. As she had learned to do a few days ago, she grabbed his ears and pulled him close to her, foreheads touching, rubbing her tiny nose on his. He couldn't stop smiling, "I love you, daddy loves you, my little angel."

Father and daughter played for a while before the studio's door opened abruptly.

"Mommy! Daddy is here!"

With all the energy of his almost four years of age and even more, James Joseph jumped into Steve's arms, who had to use all his enhanced reflexes to catch his son without harming his daughter.

"Hi, JJ. Be careful with your baby sister, okay?"

James was already looking at the sketchbook. "Nana Sarah."

"I told him that you were showing grandma's picture to Sarah, but he couldn't wait," Natasha arrived panting. "He's faster each day, only Sneg can keep up with him." The dog was already by Steve's side, happily wagging his tail. Since James was born, Sneg had been his guardian angel, following him everywhere. They were inseparable.

Noticing her husband's moistened eyes, Natasha stood by his side, holding him from behind, resting her head next to his. Holding each child on a leg, Steve leaned to his wife's tender touch, "I was missing you…"

Since she was closer to the desk, Sarah stretched out her little arm to catch the sketchbook, but before her parents could react, James grabbed his sister's hand with surprising softness. "She doesn't know she can't touch it, right Daddy?" The redhead boy said proudly.

The couple sighed with joy, and Natasha kissed her son, "Yes, James, she's too young."

Steve held them tight, "But she has the best big brother in the world to take care of her." He whispered softly against his son's ear, "Remember our plan?"

Sarah was already trying to get up, looking for her mother, when James jumped and ran away. Sneg followed him instantly.

"Do you think she's gonna have the same energy as him?" Steve asked as he pulled his wife to sit on his lap.

"I'm afraid she's gonna be even faster." A small laugh escaped from her lips as she held their baby daughter, who started to breastfeed peacefully. Looking back to the picture, Natasha smiled, "I love her words. It's exactly what I felt when they were born."

It was only after James' birth that Steve realized the magnitude of his mother's feelings for him. Being a father himself, he truly understood the depth of love that a parent has for their child. He smiled gratefully as a silent tear fell from his eyes, "I love you," drawing Natasha to him for a loving kiss.

She whispered between his lips, "I love you too."

Feeling pressured between her parents, Sarah began to protest, then James came running back again, "Mommy, mommy, this is for you!" Steve pulled his son to his other leg, before the boy put his drawing on the desk and began to explain, "Mommy, me, Daddy, Sneg, Sarah and Nana."

This time Natasha couldn't hold back tears, "Oh, my sweetheart, I love it." Natasha leaned down to kiss her son. "This is beautiful! Thank you."

James continued happily, "And these are my words, like Daddy's."

Looking at the unintelligible gibberish, Steve asked, "What are they saying, JJ?"

Baby blue eyes, matching his father's, responded as if that was the most silly question in the world, "Happy Mother's Day, Daddy."

Delighted, the couple smiled and seeing her brother hugging their mother, Sarah straightened up to hug her too. Natasha struggled to find words, "Thank you, James, Sarah. Mommy is very happy. This is the best Mother's Day ever."

Holding his children and his wife, more than ever Steve understood his mother's wise words. No matter how many worlds Captain America was meant to save, Steve Rogers had found that his true happiness was in his family.

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Author's note: After watching Captain America: The Winter Soldier again, I thought about that flashback scene after Steve's mother's passing, and his words, "She's next to Dad…" My children are almost at the same age he was, and I couldn't help but think what would I do… if I was Sarah Rogers… Between lots of tears and a few words, I hope the message is clear: a mother's love is unconditional, and no matter where she is, eternal. I hope you enjoyed it!

Many thanks to my dearest friend Lovedrr. Love your words! Romanogers, check his amazing love stories!

God keep you and your families blessed.

xxoo Mari

Ref: Animated movie: Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow – James Rogers is the son of Steve Rogers & Natasha Romanoff.
Ref: Comics: What If? Vol 2 #114 "Brave New World" – Sarah Rogers is the daughter of Steve Rogers.