Steve POV

It's been two weeks since I told Steph that I wanted to talk about our 'future'. So much has happened since then. We talked about being in a committed exclusive relationship, neither of us wanting to be with anyone else. I don't know her feelings exactly, but she is it for me. I have found my life partner, that is if she will agree to it.

I asked her last week to move in with me in my apartment at the Tower, she asks for a little time to decide. I agreed. I'll give her anything she needs, including time.

This morning we're going to meet the others for a late brunch. It's a late meal because I let Steph sleep a little later than usual this morning, she's been kinda tired lately. The rest of the team agreed to meet us in the kitchen area of the common floor.

Just as I'm about to go her room and check to see if she's ready to join the others, she appears from down the hall. She still looks a little drowsy to me. I voice my concerns to her.

"Are you okay sweetheart? You look like you could use another hour's worth of sleep."

"I'm fine love, don't worry. Right now, I'm starved." Just as she says this her stomach roars to life. She laughs and shakes her head. "See, let's go feed my beast of a stomach before it decides to take a bite out of you."

"You can nibble on me anytime you want Doll, but you're right, I'm hungry myself; so let's go join the team." I tell her. I take her in my arms for a tight hug and a short kiss, no time to get demanding at the moment. I then wrap my arm around her shoulder and guide her to the elevator and down to the common floor.

As we stepped off the elevator onto the common floor, Steph nudges my side and whispers. "Why are they all looking at us like that?"

I scanned the room and took in all of the looks on all of our friends faces. I'm having trouble understanding the meaning of her words. All I see are looks of love and acceptance, with a touch of concern on Tasha's face. I finally break the ice for her.

"Hey guys, what's up?"

We continue walking toward the breakfast bar where Tony still has food laid out. We start making our plates and keep the conversation going. Tasha speaks first.

"How are you both feeling this morning?"

"Pretty good actually," Steph answers around a bite of pancakes.

A knowing smirk passes over Tasha's face. I wonder what that's about. I hear the slide of the elevator doors closing as I ask Bruce. "How's Bucky holding up?"

"I'm fine punk." I hear from behind us, making me turn my head to see if he's telling the truth. I see a familiar smile on his face, yeah, he's good. And the fact that he's currently filling a plate with enough food to feed 4 people is further proof that the old Bucky is back. I'll talk to Sam privately later to make sure he's on track for his mental health.

Steph asks him as he sits down to start eating. "So what exactly have you been doing all this time you were hiding? I know it has something to do with HYDRA, if you don't mind me asking." She adds shyly.

Bucky swallows the mouthful of food he's currently chewing before he answers.

"You're right. It was HYDRA related. I was tracking down the last of the ones that were holding me captive and feeding me different versions of several serums for the past 3 years. I escaped a couple of months ago, but so did some of my captors. I had to track those guys down. That was the last of my original captors that we took down in Boston. Now I can concentrate on catching up with you all and living out my life."

"Well, we're all glad to have you finally back home again for good this time." It was Steph who replied to him first, but we all agreed with her sentiment with nods and verbal tones of 'yes', 'absolutely', and 'I need you jerk' from me.

We all got quiet for a while, finishing up our fabulous meal. A rumble of thunder disturbs the silence and a flash of lightning announces Thor's arrival. His booming voice startles Steph a bit.

"Aye, my brothers and sisters in arms, it's so great to see you again. And is this our newest brother Sgt. Barnes?" He asks while looking at Bucky.

"Yes, this is my oldest and dearest friend Sgt. James Barnes. He prefers to be called Bucky." I inform him.

"Then welcome to our family. I am honored to make your acquaintance and add you to the list of allies and true friends I have here on Midgard. Also for you Lady Stephanie, I have spoken to Heimdall, the gate keeper of the nine realms. He has enlightened me of your gifts. Your 'spider sense' as you call it, is actually a rare gift of sharp an acute intuition regarding danger to yourself and those you care for the most. This is the reason why you were able to see the danger Sgt. Barnes was in. You are connected to him by way of the Captain and your dreams are in actuality visions, the fate's way of warning you of impending peril. This is a truly rare and glorious gift that I know you will honor and appreciate." He finishes with a bow and kiss to her hand.

"Wow, that explains things. Thank-you for talking to Heimdall and telling me exactly what was happening." Steph tells him honestly.

"It was truly my honor and pleasure to serve you milady." Thor says.

Tasha shocks us by addressing Steph. "Steph, can I talk to you privately for a few minutes?"

"Sure Tash. We'll be back in a few minutes guys." She lets the room know. They walk toward the restroom at the entry way and enclose themselves in the small room for privacy. I can hear the hushed voices but cannot make out what they are saying.

SPOV (Steph)

I have no clue what Tasha wants to speak to me about, but I have to admit I am curious. "Something wrong Tash?" I ask with a hint of fear in my voice.

"I was about to ask you the same thing. Are you sure you're feeling okay?"

"Yes, I feel great. Why do you ask?"

"Well, you seem different somehow. It's the way you're carrying yourself now and you're glowing too. If I didn't know better, I'd swear you were pregnant." Tasha utters.

"What?! You think I'm pregnant?" I stutter out.

"Well yes, is it possible?"

"No ... " Then I think back to our first time and cringe. Oh shit, it IS possible.

Tasha sees the recognition in my eyes and speaks aloud to the ceiling. "JARVIS please have a pregnancy test picked up and delivered to Captain Rogers suite."

"Certainly Ms. Romanoff, it will be there within the hour." The AI responds.

"Oh, and JARVIS," Steph puts in. "Please do not tell anyone about this, especially Stark!"

"As you wish Ms. Plum."

I decide to spend some time with the others before I go see if my life is changing. We re-enter the common room the looks on our family's faces, curious and concerned. I smile reassuringly to Steve. We spend the next hour chatting about small stuff, then I announce to the room at large.

"I'll be back in a few minutes. I have to take care of something right fast." Tasha gives me a knowing look that silently probes, 'you need me to come with?' I look her in the eye and shake my head 'no' in response. She gives me a short, curt nod in return.

I head to the elevator, up to Steve's floor, and to my destiny.

I walk into the bathroom, shaking like a leaf, then I spy the ominous box lying on the counter. 'Let's get this over with.' I think to myself; taking a few deep, calming breaths, thankful now for all the juice I drank with my breakfast. I really do have to pee. I pee on the little white stick, set the alarm on my phone, and await the results.

Three minutes later I look down at the two pink lines telling me that I am indeed pregnant with Steve's baby.

This would normally scare the crap out of me but I feel at peace. I honestly want to have kids with Steve. Although it's unexpected, I feel he will be happy and would never desert us. Now to find the right time and the perfect way to tell him that he's going to be a father.

I ride the elevator back down to the common floor, after leaving the test lying on the counter in our bathroom.

As soon as I exit the elevator, Tasha walks over to me and whispers, "the verdict?" My answering smile tells her all she needs to know. She grins back just as big. We stroll across the room and to the others.

After a few more minutes of small talk, Tony and Bruce leave to go work in their labs. Thor has already left to go visit Jane in London. Now Sam, Tasha, and Clint announce that they have new recruits to go train. Bucky informs us that he needs some rest and leaves us to take a nap. This leaves Steve and I alone. I'm glad of this because we have important things we need to discuss.

"Let's go upstairs, Doll. We need to have a private conversation." Steve shocks me by saying.

"Sure," I tell him.

I am lost in thought and don't realize that we are once again in the living room of our floor.

"Sit down and relax Steph. I'll be right back." Steve commands while tilting his head toward the sofa. I nod and comply.

He walks down the hall way toward his bedroom and returns within a couple of minutes. I wonder what he did so quickly.

He sits down on the sofa beside me. He picks up my hands in his, looking into my eyes with apprehension etched throughout his gorgeous face.

"Steph, about that future, Doll. These last few months with you have been the best of my life. I honestly care about you more than any other person I have ever known. You know how much I love you, right?"

"Yes I do and I love you too, Steve." I answer.

"Well," he starts as he drifts down to the floor on one knee. He then reaches into his pocket and pulls out a red velvet box. He continues. "I love you with all that I am Stephanie Michelle Plum. Are you willing to change that last name to Rogers and make me the happiest man in the world? Will you please be mine forever? Marry me Doll?" He finishes with a flick of his wrist opening the box in his hand showing me a beautiful 2 carat marquis diamond with surrounding baguettes. I have tears in my eyes when I look up to his and give him my answer.

"Yes my Captain, I would be honored to be your wife. I have some news of my own. Follow me." I say to him as I take his hand. I lead him to the bathroom. I'm still scared of what he will think of my news.

I drag him over to the sink and pick up the stick to show him. He looks down at it, then back up with confusion on his brow. "Is this ..." he starts.

"Yes Mr. Rogers, you're going to be a daddy." I say with a smirk.

The most adorable smile comes to rest across his face, right before he literally sweeps me off of my feet to spin me around. The world felt like it tilted on it's axis, but I knew I was safe in his strong embrace.

Suddenly the world stopped spinning as he let me down on my feet again and gasped out.

"Oh my stars and stripes, I should remember to be more gentle with you now. I got carried away. A baby! I am over the moon happy."

"Steve, I'm not a porcelain doll that you have to handle with care. Don't you dare become one of those over-protective husbands that is afraid to touch me." I scold him.

"I'll try. How far along are you?"

"Well, I'm pretty sure that this little peanut is the result of our first time together, remember what happened then? A doctor would be able to tell us for certain." I explain.

"Then we best get you set up with an OB-GYN immediately." He kisses me softly, then adds. "Our future is looking brighter than ever, Doll."

6 months later ...

It's been a month since little William Aaron Rogers was born. He is an exceptionally quiet and laid back child. He only cries when he's hungry or he needs changing. He looks just like Steve, but his eyes are more my shade of blue, without Steve's touch of green. He has started to show some signs of taking after Steve super-wise also.

Just last week he accidentally pulled his baby monitor down on his face, causing a bruise to appear. Steve was out training when I called him to tell him about it. By the time he returned home an hour later, the bruise was completely gone and healed.

The week before that after I fed Will his bottle, I was holding him, bonding with him by playing with him. He had my pinkie finger grasped in his small fist while I was touching and tickling his tummy. When I was tickling him he jerked, laughing, and promptly dislocated my finger, proof of Steve's super strength he inherited.

So we're all watching him closely for other signs, and if Tony mentions 'tests' on my child again, I'm gonna shoot him; Iron Man or not!

Bucky seems to be adjusting just fine. Dr. Banner assures us that he is in peak physical form. Sam is working him through his PTSD and reports that Bucky is improving more each passing day.

So everything in our life is looking up. Our friends and family are doing well, we have a beautiful, not to mention super son, and we have no money worries. All in all our future is looking bright as the sun. ####################

A/N : I am truly sorry it took so long to get this final chapter, the epilogue out to you; my faithful readers. I have been extremely busy with very little time to write, not to mention a few weeks ago, my computer deleted over 2,500 words I had written; so I had to start from scratch. Reviews are always welcome and appreciated. Thank-you for your support with this, my first JE/Avengers cross over. Something new (the sequel to "First Hot Case") is coming soon! Rain (Jackie)