Disclaimer: Sadly, I own nothing associated with Marvel, Captain America, the Avengers, etc. Only original characters and ideas are mine.

AN: Here's a cute Rogers family chapter. Enjoy, and please don't forget to review. Thanks!

Family Moments:

"She's so beautiful," Steve happily declared as he handed my hungry child to me. "Just like her Mommy."

I rolled my eyes and popped the nipple of the bottle into Ellie's mouth. As she started to greedily suck down her lunch, I leaned back in the cushy recliner and sighed in relief. At three months, my baby's appetite had increased to the point where I was only able to produce enough milk for a couple meals for her a day. The rest of the time, we had to supplement it with formula.

"I wish I knew whether it was because I'm simply unable to make enough milk naturally, or if it's because she inherited a high metabolism from your Soldier Serum," I thought out loud.

"T'Challa's scientists are still running tests on her blood," Steve reminded me. "They said we won't see the effects of it until she's older, remember?"

"Yes, but they also said that she has traces of the Serum in her blood," I said, looking down at Ellie as she went through the bottle at a healthy pace. "That's what worries me."

Steve sighed and reached to put a hand on my shoulder. "That's no guarantee that she'll be anything like me," he whispered, pressing a kiss to my cheek. "Even if she's got a little extra strength, or fast healing and metabolism, it might not be nearly as strong as mine."

Then again, she might. Who knew what might happen when Ellie hit puberty and her body chemistry began to change? Would it kick the production of the Serum into high gear, giving her the same abilities as Steve? Or would she be more 'normal,' like me?

Either way, things could go sideways. If Ellie got even half of Steve's ability to heal, or his strength, it would make her a notch higher than the average human. It might not be too noticeable, but it could be evident enough to make her want to be a superhero, like her dad.

'Cross that bridge when you come to it,' I reminded myself. 'She's only a few months old; you have years to go until she shows any kind of those traits. Right now, she's a happy, healthy baby.'

Even though we hadn't been entirely sure whether or not to do it, Steve and I had already gotten Ellie some of the required vaccinations -which, of course, she had hated. There is honestly nothing worse than hearing your child scream while getting a shot from the doctor! Luckily, I'd had a binky and a bottle with me, so after about five minutes, Ellie calmed down enough to take the bottle and drink herself into a doze.

And speaking of bottles: the one I was holding was now empty, and as I pulled it away, Ellie gave me a look that said she either wanted more, or she had gas. Steve handed me a burping rag, and I immediately hoisted her up, positioning her just so on my shoulder. As I began patting her firmly, but gently, I silently prayed that my shirt wouldn't get ruined this time.

I felt Ellie shift a little, and a small, loud, rather bubbly burp sounded, followed by a smaller one. She gave a small cough, and I knew that some milk had to have been spit up.

Slowly, gently, I moved my baby away from my shoulder, and saw a small trickle of milk running out of the corner of her mouth. With a quick movement, I had the rag off my shoulder, running it over her face to catch as much as I could.

A minute later, her face was clean, her stomach was full, and I was on the receiving end of a gaping baby smile that melted my heart. "Who is my precious?" I cooed, giving her face one last wipe. "You are! Yes, you are!"

Ellie's smile widened, and instead of milk, drool began to slip out. Oh, well; she was still adorable to me, and from the way Steve was grinning, he clearly felt the same way.

"Time for a change?" he asked, eying her diaper closely. "It's been a while."

I gently patted her bottom, testing to see if he was right. "I don't know; you can if you want. If she's wet, it's not much, but we can't risk a rash, Super Serum or not."

Quick as a flash, Steve had her, the two of them heading to the changing table while I went to check my clothes. Mercifully, this time I was unscathed.

"Yup, she's wet," Steve softly called back. "I'll take care of it, if you want to head downstairs."

Since I'd changed her diaper earlier (and it had been a nasty one), I decided to make a break for it, in case this one got worse. I got to the bottom of the stairs in time to see Anna and Bucky walk through the front door.

"Oh, am I happy to see you!" I jokingly exclaimed. "Please tell me I don't smell like baby vomit or diaper cream?"

Anna gave a few exaggerated sniffs, then laughed. "You're fine," she said, wrapping me in a hug. "Actually, you smell like baby powder and wipes."

Yup; a true sign of a new mom. "Well, better than the alternative," I muttered, hugging her back before turning to Bucky. "And how are you two doing?"

He shrugged. "Fine. Anna wanted to see how you were, and to coo over Ellie, so here we are."

As if on cue, Steve called from upstairs. "Adena? I need to give her a bath."

I winced. That meant that the diaper changing had gone badly. "Um, you two sit tight, maybe have some coffee. I'll be back."

Not waiting for them to answer, I rushed upstairs to help Steve.

Most men would cringe at having to give a poopy baby a bath, but Steve didn't mind –much. The smell was terrible, of course, but after he gave Ellie a quick pre-bath rinse in the tub, it wasn't too bad.

Smiling, Steve watched Adena pick up the damp washcloth and dribble a bit of soap onto it. "Here you go," she said, wrinkling her nose a little. "I hate it when she just messes everywhere. I know she can't control it, but it's one of the grosser parts of being a parent."

He chuckled and began to gently rub the cloth over Ellie's bottom, trying to get her as clean as possible. "I'm waiting for the day when we start feeding her mushy foods. That'll be fun, won't it?"

His wife crinkled her nose again. "Oh, yes; that'll be when she starts spitting or throwing it all over the place. Maybe we should have Cyan be a maid, instead of a caregiver or bodyguard? I don't think that sort of thing bothers him."

"That might help," Steve admitted as he inspected his daughter. "I think I got the worst of it rinsed off, but the washcloths will have to be thoroughly washed, or just tossed in the trash."

"Trash," Adena immediately said. "We've got so many washcloths; I think we're set for life. Tossing out ones we can't save shouldn't be an issue."

He agreed, and dropped the filthy ones into the trash can by the tub. "Time to get a full bath, sweetheart," he cheerfully told his daughter.

Adena smiled and kissed them both. "Bring her downstairs when you're done. We've got company," she excitedly informed them, before slipping out of the room.

As he headed towards the tub, Ellie looked up at him with wide blue eyes and drooled as she partially stuck out her tongue. Steve laughed and kissed her on the cheek as he tested the water in the tub. It was a bit cooler than when he'd poured it, but still pleasantly warm.

"In you go," he whispered, setting her down on the bath cushion. "There; isn't that nice?"

As usual, Ellie gave him the same frustrated look she always did whenever he bathed her. She didn't like baths, but at least she didn't scream and cry, like he expected her to. For the most part, she put up with it, and as a reward, she got wrapped up in a cozy onesie with her favorite binky.

After he finished washing her up, Steve gently lifted his little girl and carried her over to the two-person sink, where her towels sat, perfectly warmed by the one of Adena's many baby shower gifts.

"I love this towel warmer," Steve whispered as he dried her off. "It keeps you nice and toasty, doesn't it, princess?"

Adena hated it when he called Ellie that. She didn't want Ellie being spoiled, and from her point of view, that particular nickname seemed to indicate where things were headed.

"There's nothing wrong with a dad wanting to spoil his little girl," Steve whispered as he put her into a new, cozy yellow onesie. "But Mommy is right –I should try and be a bit firmer with you."

Smiling, he popped a binky into her mouth and watched her eyes grow drowsy. He wanted to let her drift off to sleep, but it was the time of day where he would have to put her through the exercise routine that she hated most.

"Tummy Time," he crooned, lifting her into his arms. "I know you hate it, but it's doctor's orders. You're going to work out, just like your Dad."

Headed for the living room, Steve heard the sound of female laughter and a familiar heavy male sigh. Poor Bucky; like most men, he didn't know how to handle giggling women.

The minute he stepped through the doorway, Anna was up like a shot. "There she is! Come here, little one!"

"Anna, it's Ellie's Tummy Time," Steve said, trying to fend off her reaching hands. "You can have her in fifteen minutes."

Puzzled, Anna pulled back. "Tummy Time? What's that?" Since Anna never visited during the afternoon, for fear of waking Ellie during a nap, she didn't know about their little 'training sessions.'

Adena sighed and went to spread a blanket on the thick carpet. "Babies need to build up their neck muscles, so that they can hold their heads up on their own. Fifteen minutes a day makes all the difference in the future."

Wincing, Steve gently put Ellie on the blanket, and slowly rolled her onto her stomach. "Okay; start the countdown," he muttered to his wife, as he waited for the inevitable.

Both he and Adena took places close to their daughter, sitting quietly as Ellie began shifting around on her blanket. First, it was arms and legs moving back and forth, followed by little whimpers and whines. Finally, Ellie lifted her head and looked around, her pacifier dropping from her mouth. Since the first person she spotted was her mother, she began whining a bit harder, hoping to be picked up.

"It's okay, precious," Adena crooned, quickly placing a toy within their baby's reach. "Here's the duckie Aunt Anna bought you!"

Luckily, it happened to be Ellie's current favorite toy, so as soon as she saw it, her distressed cries turned to happy gurgles as her tiny fingers grasped the soft, fuzzy duck by the leg. Two seconds later, the stuffed animal's foot was in Ellie's mouth, and magically, all things were right in the world.

Bucky heaved a heavy sigh. "Whew; that was a close one! I don't think I could stand a meltdown."

Steve nodded his agreement, earning a stuffed bear tossed at his head by his wife. "Hardly a meltdown!" Adena retorted as he caught the toy. "Things have been a lot quieter since we started keeping toys nearby to distract her. The only time she really fusses is right after we put her down -after that, it's not so bad."

Grinning, Steve set down the bear next to Ellie, and watched as her attention shifted. "There you go, sweetness," he softly encouraged her.

His heart lifted as Ellie gave him a gummy smile, a small hand reaching for the bear. With both fists full, and her attention focused on something other than her exercise session, it was easy to get Ellie to hold her head up and play with her toys.

"I'm thinking she's going to be a soccer player," Anna commented, kneeling on the floor with her cousin. "Look at how she kicks those legs!"

Bucky laughed, drawing Ellie's attention away from her toys. "She's got strong arms and legs. I think she's going to be a gymnast. Aren't you?" he said, giving his godchild an indulging look, and earning a gaping, drooling smile in return.

For fifteen minutes, the four adults hovered over the active baby. Steve couldn't help but be jealous that Bucky managed to snag most of Ellie's attention, though he couldn't understand why. Bucky and Anna had been over many times, and he couldn't figure out why this time was different.

Seeing his friend's discomfort, Bucky grinned. "It's the shiny arm," he said, flexing the metal skin a little. Some sunlight caught on it, attracting Ellie's attention and making her reach for it. Bucky chuckled. "See? Babies and cats love shiny things."

What Bucky said was true. Plus, he usually avoided wearing short sleeves, so as not to attract attention. Today, though, Bucky had worn a short-sleeve shirt under a thin jacket, which he had taken off.

"Gah!" Ellie cried, reaching for Bucky's arm while kicking her feet. "Gah!"

The alarm on Adena's phone beeped, signaling the end of Tummy Time. In the blink of an eye, Steve had his daughter in his arms, pressing kisses to her cheek while whispering praises into her ear.

"Steve, don't spoil her," Adena sighed. "It was fifteen minutes of baby exercise; she didn't climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower!"

Before a parental argument could break out, Bucky cleared his throat. "Can I hold her?" he timidly asked, holding out his arms.

Steve was surprised. It was the first time since Ellie had been born that he'd made that request. "Sure, Buck. Here, let me help you."

It took a few awkward moments to get Ellie comfortably settled in her godfather's arms, but when Steve stepped back, all he could feel was happiness and relief. It was cute, seeing his daughter gazing up at Bucky with wide, curious eyes as she reached out to grab his stubble. Steve was always clean-shaven, so facial hair was a rare sight for her.

"Ouch," Bucky grunted as Ellie's tiny fingers found a grip. "Jeez, Steve, I think she's got some of your strength. You won't have to fight off potential boyfriends –I think she can handle them on her own!"

"Not funny," Steve muttered as he went to retrieve his daughter. "No, sweetie; leave Uncle Bucky's face alone."

Once again in her daddy's arms, Ellie unleashed the full effect of her superpower: a sad face.

Steve immediately felt the full effect of it as her eyes began to fill with tears and her face crumpled. Any hope he had of being a stern disciplinarian vanished instantaneously.

"It's okay, Steve," Bucky insisted, holding out his metal hand to Ellie. "See? Shiny!"

Watching his fingers, Ellie's tears vanished, her expression changing to one that was fascinated and curious. Her little hands reached out to grab his fingers, eyes closely studying them. When she had hold of them, Bucky flexed them a little, causing her to jump.

Then, without warning, Ellie stuck one of Bucky's fingers in her mouth, her mouth working steadily as she gnawed on it with her gums.

"Ellie, no!" Steve cried, trying to pry his daughter off of his best friend. "I'm so sorry, Buck!"

The women, meanwhile, were laughing their heads off. After a minute, Adena stepped up and managed to get Ellie to let go of Bucky's forefinger. "I'm sorry; it was just too cute and too funny. Are you hurt?"

Bucky, who had handled all of this with a grin, shook his head as Anna grabbed some tissues from the coffee table. "Nah, it's tough stuff. I'll have to remember to be more careful with her, though, especially when she starts teething."

Adena managed to head off any possible crying fits by slipping a binky into Ellie's mouth, and rushing her upstairs for a nap. "No more chewing on family members," they heard her lecture. "That's a big no-no."

Turning back to his friends, Steve watched Anna try to wipe baby drool from Bucky's hand. "Just a taste of family life," she teased her husband, who gave her a quick kiss on the nose.

"Coffee?" Steve offered. "Or iced tea? We've got plenty of both."

The three were comfortably seated when Adena returned ten minutes later, a baby monitor in hand. Seeing the tall glass of iced tea waiting for her, she dropped into a chair and took a deep drink. "Well, she's asleep. I think Tummy Time finally wore her out."

For the rest of the afternoon, as Ellie slept, the adults sat and chatted quietly, exchanging news and relaxing.

Then, Anna decided to change that.

"You know, I heard that Tony managed to wrangle a pardon for you, from the new president," Anna casually commented. "Apparently all you have to do is perform a lot of hours of community service, and you'll be free to go back home."

I practically dropped my glass. "What?" I gasped, setting the cup down with a heavy thud. "Are you sure? Where and when did you hear that?"

My cousin grinned. "Pepper called. Apparently the new administration has a lot of patriotic folks who want their local-grown hero back, fighting to protect the U.S.A. Plus, they know how important you are to the Avengers, and that you're one of the few who isn't afraid to put Tony Stark in his place."

She paused. "Not that Tony actually listens when you try to put him in his place, but at least he respects Steve's authority in most things. So, they're willing to take you both back, with a few conditions. I think they'll send the paperwork over to you in the next few months, after the lawyers get through with it."

Stunned, I looked over at Steve, who seemed just as shocked. "It's too good to be true," I said out loud. "I don't trust this as far as Ellie could throw it. There's got to be some kind of weird catch."

Bucky shrugged. "We know that, and agree with you. But if there's a chance for you to go home, would you take it?"

"Not if it endangers my family," Steve firmly declared, reaching to take my hand. "I do not want them locked up or hidden away like hostages, just to make sure I do whatever the government wants."

Squeezing Steve's hand, I calmly replied, "We'll think about it. Tony's lawyers are some of the best in the world. If they say that it's okay, I'll believe them, but only if there aren't any obligations that are unreasonable."

Steve looked over in Bucky's direction. "What about you? Did they include you in the paperwork?"

Bucky shook his head. "I'm still considered a dangerous terrorist and assassin. Don't worry; patience is something I've got, as long as I've got Anna with me."

Even though the two Barnes' looked content, Steve seemed particularly upset by the conversation.

After Anna and Bucky left, Steve followed me upstairs to check on Ellie. She was awake, but quiet, sucking happily on her binky as she watched the mobile above her crib slowly spin.

"What do you think, about what they said?" he quietly asked me. "Should we risk going home?"

I sighed and leaned over the crib to gently stroke Ellie's head of dark hair. The softness of her wispy locks made me smile. She was so small, so fragile and precious. Her eyes, blue like her father's, were sleepy, and full of blissful innocence.

"I want to take her home," I whispered, drawing both Steve's and Ellie's attention. "I want my parents to hold her, and the family to spoil her rotten with love and attention. But I don't know if I want to risk that just yet."

A strong, loving arm wrapped around my waist, holding me close. Together, we watched Ellie stare at the mobile, the glowing planets a rainbow of colors that created a beautiful, calming distraction. When it stopped moving, she began to fuss, a sure sign she was hungry.

"I'll take her," Steve offered, leaning down to scoop her up. "Dinner time, huh, sweetie?"

I put a hand on his arm. "We'll both feed her. I'd like to have some time together."

Minutes later, Ellie was snug in my arms as Steve held the bottle with one hand, and the other draped behind me, resting on the back of the couch. It was one of the most perfect moments of my life.

AN: A bit of a jump forward in time in the next chapter. The one after that will wrap up my Avengers series, so that I can start on something new.

If I decide to write up an Infinity War story, I'll let everyone know.

Thanks, and please don't forget to review.