Hello Everyone! It's baby time!
Disclaimer: Would Marvel consider selling the rights to me for 20$ and a few pieces of costume jewelry?
Best of Us
Peggy Carter had been in explosions before. She had been shot at. She had been cut. She had broken numerous bones. Heck, she had even been impaled with a rebar.
If one were to take the sum of all the pain of all of those injuries, and multiply them by ten, they still wouldn't equal the pain she was feeling now.
She scrunched up her face and gripped Daniel's hand like it was her last hope. She held back a cry as the contraction rippled through her midsection. She was vaguely aware of something breaking in Daniel's hand as she squeezed, but the pain forced her to push her concern away. The contraction finally passed, and she leaned back, sweat pouring down her face.
Daniel winced as Peggy let go of his broken hand. It hurt, but he knew that what Peggy was going through was 10,000 times worse so he chose not to mention it until after the baby was born. He leaned back in his seat too, and watched Peggy. She was glistening with sweat, her eyes closed. The doctor said that she was getting close, and it wouldn't be long now until she would have to push.
Peggy caught her breath and turned her head to face her husband. "I'm sorry, is your hand alright?" she asked, her exhaustion was evident in her voice.
"Its fine." He gave her a reassuring smile.
Peggy knew he was lying but was too tired to argue the point. She closed her eyes, "I'm so tired, Daniel. I'm not sure if I can do this." Her voice broke a bit.
Daniel reached out and put his good hand on her cheek. "Hey," she shifted her bleary eyes to look into his, "if anyone can do this, it's you. You are the strongest, most confident, most resilient person I've ever met." He smiled. "I love you so much." he leaned forward and kissed her forehead.
Peggy reached a hand up and squeezed his hand gently. Suddenly, her grip changed and tightened. She scrunched her face up as another contraction passed through. Daniel bit his lip to keep from crying out as he felt a finger break under her iron grip. Now both hands were injured.
The contraction passed, and the nurse turned to Daniel. "She is about ready to push, so I'm going to have to kick you out." The nurse made a sympathetic face.
"What!? No! I'm not lea-"
"Daniel." Peggy's voice was quiet, but firm. "It's alright. I'll be alright." She gave him a small smile.
Daniel was quiet for a moment, but nodded. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "I love you."
"I love you too."
He stepped out into the hall, where Jarvis and Ana were sitting. They both looked at him expectantly.
"The nurse said she is ready to push, so it won't be much longer." Daniel turned and began to pace.
"Wonderful!" Jarvis said. He and Ana grinned at each other. They had managed to take a nap during the 17 hours that they had been at the hospital and were quite energetic, which somehow made Daniel feel even more tired.
A loud cry came from Peggy's room, causing Daniel to spin around. It was Peggy. He would recognize that cry anywhere.
He suddenly felt like he was back to the night Peggy had been impaled. He had felt so helpless, so worried. His heart had been sick, and he couldn't think straight. She had cried out the same way she was now.
He was helpless.
The cry stopped, and Daniel resumed his pacing, aware of the Jarvises' eyes following him. He hoped this would be over soon; he wanted this pain to end for Peggy. He wanted to stop being worried. He wanted to be back at her side. He wanted to kiss her. He wanted to hold her.
And gosh darn it, he wanted to meet their child.
A nurse came and bandaged his broken hands, telling him they would heal quickly. He nodded, but felt no relief inside. Another cry rose from the room, setting him further on edge.
It was a long while before the door finally opened (15 excruciatingly long minutes). When it did, Daniel jumped to his feet, his eyes asking a hundred questions that his lips were unable to form.
The doctor smiled at him, "Mr. Sousa? Your wife would like to see you."
Daniel stumbled toward the door with his crutch, but stopped abruptly as his eyes fell on Peggy. She was glistening with sweat, and the bags under her eyes were evident of her exhaustion. To Daniel, she was the most beautiful being in the universe.
The second most beautiful being in the universe was currently lying in her arms, whimpering softly.
Peggy smiled up at him, "Daniel."
Daniel broke into a grin and sat in the chair next to her bed. He kissed Peggy and reached a hand out to touch the baby. He felt tears in his eyes as he touched the baby's forehead. Their child. He was touching their child.
He tried to blink the tears away as he looked back at Peggy with a smile. "Beautiful. Both of you."
Peggy also blinked tears away. "Sap," she said with a laugh. "She is beautiful." She looked down at the baby.
Daniel straightened a little in surprise. "She? It's a girl?"
Peggy smiled. "Yes. It seems you were right after all."
Daniel kissed his daughter's forehead. "We have a daughter."
"What? You aren't going to gloat about your victory?" Peggy teased.
Daniel chuckled. "No. I'm a bigger man than that."
They were quiet for a moment.
"So, Peggy Sousa is capable of being wrong. I told ya Peg, I have never been wrong about these things." Daniel said with a smirk.
"What happened to 'I'm a bigger man than that'?" Peggy turned to him, indignant.
"What happened to 'mother's intuition'?" He shot back.
Peggy punched him in the arm.
"Ow! First my hands, now my arm."
"Sorry about the hands." Peggy looked a bit sheepish.
"It's alright. I'm just glad that inflicting pain on me causes you some comfort." He teased.
"I take it back. I'm not sorry." Peggy said, laughing.
They settled back into staring at their child, who was wriggling happily. Her eyes were blue like all babies when they were born, but they would turn brown. She had slight wisps of dark hair on her head. She was on the small side, but not so small as to concern the doctors about her. Daniel reached a finger out and let her grab it in her tiny hand.
"Hi there. I'm your Dad." His eyes crinkled as he smiled, making Peggy's stomach flutter. Just when she thought she couldn't love him any more, he would do something that would completely melt her heart.
The baby tightened her grip on Daniel's finger. "Ah. Trying to break my finger like your mother, huh?"
Peggy chuckled. "She needs a name."
"Right. We never decided." Daniel leaned back. "Should we call her Margaret?"
"Heavens, no!"
"Ok..." Daniel looked thoughtful for a moment. "How about..." He paused, "How about Stephanie?"
Peggy looked at him.
"I mean- I understand if it's too close to... you know." He gestured awkwardly. "I just thought it could be a tribute to him. He saved my life and- well, I know he was important to you. I think it would be good to honor that somehow."
"You would do that?" Peggy looked at him in wonder. "You would name her after Steve?"
"Yes." Daniel looked into her eyes. "He was important to you. He saved my life. That deserves tribute."
Peggy leaned forward and kissed him softly.
"Stephanie it is." She said.
"And for the middle name?"
Peggy thought for a moment. "Danielle."
Daniel laughed, "So we can't name her 'Margaret', but her middle name can be 'Danielle'?"
"Yes."
"Ok. Stephanie Danielle Sousa." Daniel smiled down at the wriggling baby.
The doctor opened the door and leaned his head in. "I think there are some people out here who want to see you, if you two are ready."
Peggy nodded her head, "Send them in."
Apparently "some people" meant a crowd.
Peggy and Daniel smiled and laughed as Edwin, Ana, Howard, Jack, Rose, Angie, and Jason filed into the room.
"Hello." Peggy said.
"Well, isn't this picture perfect." Jack smiled.
"Aw, aren't you a cutie!" Rose smiled at the baby.
"Everyone, meet Stephanie Danielle Sousa." Peggy smiled at the name. Her daughter's name.
A resounding "Aw!" went around the room, making the couple laugh.
"A girl, huh?" Angie said.
"Yes." Daniel said.
Jack turned to Rose, and held out his hand, "Pay up."
Rose scowled at him, but reached into her purse and pulled out 25 dollars.
"Thank you." He grinned and stuck the money in his pocket.
Ana turned to Edwin, who had already retrieved 15 dollars from his wallet., "Have fun with those dishes!" She said as she plucked the money from his hand.
Angie held 30 dollars out to Jason, who looked at her in surprise. "You don't have to do that."
"Yes I do. We made a deal and I am a woman of my word."
"I know, but that is a lot of money. How about you let me buy you dinner instead?" Jason asked cautiously.
It was Angie's turn to be surprised. "Uh, yeah. Ok!" He face grew into a grin. Jason smiled back.
Meanwhile, Daniel and Peggy looked on in amazement. "Did you all make bets on the gender of our child?" Peggy asked.
"Yes."
"Yeah."
"Uh-huh."
"I didn't." Howard said with a glare at the others. "Why didn't anyone let me know there were bets going on? I want in on this next time."
Peggy and Daniel nearly choked. "Next time?!" They said simultaneously.
"Well, I mean-" Howard started.
"Daniel, you are definitely going to have your hands full with two Peggys running around." Jack said, thankfully preventing Howard from saying more.
"I'm not sure if I should be offended or flattered." Peggy said dryly.
Jack smiled, "But seriously though, congrats, you guys. I'm sorry but I have to go back to work now."
"Thank you, Jack." Peggy smiled and Jack left the room.
The others oogled the baby for a while longer, taking turns holding her. One by one they left, until it was just Daniel, Peggy, and Stephanie.
Peggy had fallen asleep, so Daniel held Stephanie, still wondering how something could be so perfect. This was his daughter, his own blood. He was a father. He could already feel a fierce need to protect her. But, even stronger, was the overwhelming feeling of love for her. His heart was so full.
He looked at Peggy; she looked so beautiful as she slept. His heart felt somehow fuller as he watched his wife.
He got up, and leaned over to place the sleepy baby in the cradle they had brought for her. Once he was sure she was secure, he sat in his chair and drifted off to sleep.
...
Peggy woke to the quiet fussing of Stephanie. She groaned as she got out of bed, careful to avoid disturbing her sleeping husband in his chair. She walked to the cradle, surprised at how sore she still felt from giving birth. She carefully lifted the baby out and settled back into bed with her, propping herself up on the pillows.
Peggy fed Stephanie, and then rocked her a bit in her arms. She smiled as her daughter gripped her finger in her tiny hand. She wiggled her finger a bit, which caused the baby to let out a happy squeal. Peggy chuckled softly.
"Hello, little one." She wiggled her finger again, which caused the Stephanie to squeal a bit louder. "Shhh, we don't want to wake dad."
Peggy was suddenly struck by the situation. She was holding her beautiful daughter; a being that she had carried for nine months. She was a mother, and Daniel was a father.
Worry washed over Peggy for a moment; Would she be able to do this? Was she cut out to be a parent?
But as she turned and looked at her sleeping husband, who somehow looked even more handsome as he slept, she felt at peace. She could do this, especially with Daniel at her side. They would figure it out together.
And knowing that Stephanie was equal parts each of them (the best parts, hopefully), she would be the best part of their lives.
GOOD HEAVENS THIS IS SAPPY
I apologize, as this chapter is dripping with sap. But considering that the author is the sappiest sap that ever sapped, what were you really expecting?
So, it's a girl! And her name is Stephanie (probably going to call her Steph since Stephanie is a really long name and hard to type repeatedly)!
Thanks to all who have been reading this! Especially those who review. You guys are lit.
So, you might be wondering "What's next?" I will assure you that there is more to come. And I'm not sharing spoilers.
Also, this chapter was super long, but I was inspired and really didn't want to split it because it was hard to find a breaking point.
Have a good week!
-Fish
