AN: I haven't given up on writing "Within." I'm starting to reach the darker parts of it and I kind of wanted to write something a little less depressing. This idea has been on my mind for awhile and so far it's been a lot of fun to write, so I hope you enjoy. Oh-this is also an experimentation in first-person POV writing-sorry if it isn't your style! Henceforth, let it be known: 'I do not own the Avengers, Marvel, etc. etc. etc."
CH 1. Her mother named her...
Sarah Rogers was the only parent I really had ever known. I still don't know how she did it, between being a nurse at the hospital, caretaker of a frail son, the sole breadwinner and a mother during the depression. I could see the life wear her out. Then there would be times where I could see her come to life: when she played the piano, when she sang Irish lullabies, when she cuddled me in her arms with a good book. I would look into her eyes and see astounding will and love. She lived this life for me, so that I could live.
I never truly understood her sacrifice, until the day I found myself following her footsteps. There are a lot of single parents out there trying to find the line between work and family. It's bad enough to work full time, but then there's the constant travel, the danger of my job, and the fact that she will always be in the line of fire-especially now, now that everyone knows I have a daughter. How can I be both the superhero and the super dad? One night I'm knocking the teeth out of some power-crazed megalomaniac and the next I'm rubbing rum on a teething infant's gums, praying that she will finally stop crying, because I can't stand to see her baby blue eyes full of tears. I'm the guy everyone expects the answers from, the guy everyone counts on to prove that anything is possible with a can-do attitude and some good old fashioned work ethic. But I don't think I can do this. We've only just lost her mother-I can't lose her too. But I have to do it, because I love her too dearly. I'll put on tights, I'll carry my shield and I'll fight whatever comes to this Earth, and then I'll go home, change the diapers, read a bedtime story, and maybe get her to sleep for an entire three hours. I'll do whatever it takes to give her the life she deserves.
I'm sorry. Let me start over.
I am Captain America and my life changed exactly 10 months and three days ago. Evelyn Sarah Rogers was born at 3:21 am at 7 pounds, 5 ounces and 20 inches. Her mother named her Evelyn. I nick-named her Evy. I tell you, I never felt so happy and scared the first time I held that precious, bread-loaf sized being in my arms. My whole world was wrapped up in a pink blanket and thrust into my arms. I promised her right then and there that I'd take care of her always.