A/n: I only own Ellie, Grant, Beckie and Kasie, and Sarah; all other characters that you recognize are property of Marvel.

a/n2: Merry Christmas to those who celebrate. Happy Holidays to everyone. These last almost four months have been the hardest ones of my life. I'll admit, I haven't written a single thing since my Grandma's passing. We are off on Christmas break and I am hoping that the muses come back. I have five more chapters after this one is finished. I may have to take a break from posting but we will have to wait and see. WandaVision will be coming out soon though! Looks… interesting ;)

Thank you to the new follower: lexkenzie


Lady day has too much pain
It's such a lonely face
Such a cloudy sky
So many shadows in her eye
So many empty dreams
So many bitter times
Just a handful
Of broken rhymes
Poor lady day could use a smile, some kindness
Lady day has too much rain
Poor lady day could use some dreams, some flowers
Lady day has too much pain
Just too much to say
Just to much to know
Too little time to say hello
And then the evening comes
And now she doesn't cry
And it's too late to say
Good-bye

~ Lady Day by Frank Sinatra


*~*~* March 3, 2019- Irvington, New York *~*~*

Coming inside the front door, Steve kicked off his shoes after his jog. Walking into the kitchen, he looked around for Ellie figuring that she would be there, "Ellie?"

"Captain Rogers, Miss Ellie is upstairs," FRIDAY told him.

"Thank you FRIDAY," Steve said as he walked over to the stairs and climbed over the baby gate. He took two stairs at a time and walked to Ellie's bedroom. Steve didn't see her in the bedroom, so he walked into her wardrobe. Immediately he was hit in the face with an article of clothing.

"Umm hello?" Steve said as he held up the dress.

Ellie looked at him, her hair in a messy bun, with wild eyes, "Shit Steve, sorry… I just… god, Steve… why am I doing this?"

Steve looked around the wardrobe, "Destroying your closet?"

Ellie sighed as she sat down in the chair on top of a pile of clothes and put her head into her hands, "I am a fool to think I could realistically pull this off," Ellie mumbled.

Steve dropped to his knees in front of her, "Hey look at me."

Ellie looked up at him.

Steve took her hands in his and smiled, "You are a badass woman. You are a superhero with real honest to God superpowers. You are a single Mom of three beautiful kids. Hell, you can tell the girls apart without even truly looking at them."

Ellie chuckled, "They aren't exactly identical, Beckie's face is more narrow and Kasie has a rounder face. With those baby chubby cheeks," Ellie said with a grin as she sighed, "Plus Beckie has that bump on her ear as Buck had. Eventually, they will look less identical, maybe, but hopefully, by that time they will have two clear distinct personalities, and… well, we can identify who is who."

Steve laughed, "Beckie will catch up before that."

Ellie sighed, "I know. Steve, I'm going to miss them growing up."

Steve pulled her down into his arms, "No you won't. You will be like every other working Mom. Think of our Mom."

Ellie bit her lip then sighed, "I'll be Mom…I can do that. Mom did it on her own until we were eleven."

Steve squeezed her hands, "That she did, although we did have that weird neighbor."

Ellie bit the inside of her lip, "What was her name? Miss Ally?"

Steve nodded, "I think that is exactly what it was."

Ellie put her elbows on her knees and rested her chin on her hands as she looked up at him, "Can I do this?"

Steve smiled, "Yes, yes I do believe in you. What was your saying with Buck?"

Ellie let out a breath as she swallowed hard, "I just gotta have faith."


*~*~* March 4, 2019- New York, New York *~*~*

Ellie stepped off the Hudson Line subway and gasped as she was immediately jostled as people pushed past her.

"Fuck," Ellie mumbled as she nearly turned her ankle, "Why the hell did I wear heels?"

Walking up the stairs, she walked out onto Park Ave and looked around at the hustle and bustle of New York City. Immediately she saw the tall skyscraper that held Stark Industries. How could she not with the big STARK letters on the front that dwarfed the other businesses within the small area?

Pulling her bag tighter, she looked then crossed the street. A doorman opened the door for her once she reached it.

"Good day ma'am," He said as he tipped his hat.

"Thank you, sir, have a wonderful day," Ellie told him with a smile.

The man smiled, "You as well."

Ellie walked through the annex marveling at the inside of the building and walked up to the security desk, "Excuse me?"

A man looked up briefly from his computer, "How can I help you?"

"I am here to see Pepper Potts-" Ellie stated as he cut her off.

"Isn't everyone, if you don't have an appointment good luck sweetheart," The man behind the desk told her, "Make an appointment and come back later."

Ellie felt her blood pressure rise.

"Mike, this woman could kill you where you stand without moving."

Ellie looked over to see Happy walking over to her, "Happy!"

The man behind the desk frowned as he watched Happy walk over and accept her hug then Happy looked at the man behind the desk, "Mike, this is the new COO of Stark Technologies that you just insulted, plus she is a superhero with real superpowers-"

"Happy," Ellie interrupted as she placed her hand on his chest, "It's okay."

"No it is not," Happy told her as he looked at Mike, "You have been warned. Come on Ellie."

Ellie tried her hardest not to bite her lip and wreck her lipstick as she followed Happy to the elevator.

Once in the elevator, Happy sighed, "I'm sorry, that was unprofessional of me. I just outed you as a superhero."

Ellie laughed, "I'm not one anyway."

Happy scoffed, "You are and so much more, where are the kids? Tony said you just had the twins. Congratulations, by the way, you can't tell at all."

"Steve… he is trying to be super Dad and Uncle today. Has all four of them on his own," Ellie told him, "Natasha is off dealing with more Accords stuff," Ellie sighed, "Steve… Steve's retiring Happy."

Happy looked at her, "What?"

"Shit I had to tell someone, but you can't tell anyone. He hasn't even told…hell… who would he even tell? It's … just him and Nat now. Rhodey works with them on tips, Carol is out in space working on… leads or whatever she does," Ellie swallowed hard, "Bruce… since the girls were born and have been working with Hank, Clint is… who knows where. Thor is MIA."

"And Tony is… I don't know what he is doing honestly," Happy admitted, "He didn't take it well. He had PTSD before but this is so much worse."

The door dinged and Ellie looked up, "We are already up to floor 75 and we didn't stop?"

Happy grinned, "Pays to run the place."

Ellie watched as people ran around suddenly scrambling and tried not to laugh as Happy walked around pointing at his badge, "Happy I don't have a badge."

"It's on your desk," Happy told her.

Ellie frowned, "I have a desk?"

Happy stopped and laughed, "Oh Ellie."

Ellie frowned as she followed him down the hallway to a door with COO of Stark Technologies Elizabeth Barnes on the door, "Wow, my name is on the door and everything."

Happy led her into the office, "Here you go, and this is your office. It is empty, Pepper wanted to decorate it but I told her to wait for you and let you. No offense to Pep but I think you two might have different decorating styles."

Ellie walked over to the window and looked out, "Wow… look at this view."

Happy walked over to her, "One of the big perks. Hopefully, you aren't here at night but it's gorgeous."

Ellie looked over at him, "Happy, are you… happy?"

Happy looked at her, "We are in similar situations, Ellie. I lost someone very close to me in the Snap too."

"Oh Happy, I'm sorry," Ellie said.

Happy sighed, "Don't be. It won't bring them back will it?"

"No, but… I have faith that we will find a way," Ellie told him.

Happy gave her a small smile, "I'll go tell Pepper you are here."

Ellie looked around the empty office, "I guess I'm a-workin' girl again Buck."


Ellie let out a breath as she followed Pepper to their first meeting of the day. As Pepper entered the room at least ten men stood as she came in the room.

"Have a seat gentleman," Pepper said as she looked at a man about to sit on her right, "Except you, Jonathan move down… everyone meet our new COO of Stark Technologies. This is Elizabeth Barnes."

"Um excuse me but no offense, who is she to go straight to the top?"

Pepper looked at him, "Excuse me? She is who I elected to be in this position and I see her fit for the job."

"Sir, what is your name?" Ellie asked.

"David Newman, head of design," He told her.

Ellie looked at Pepper, "Hey Pep, do you have his number?"

Pepper looked at her and frowned, "Yes, why?"

"Can I have your phone for a moment?" Ellie asked.

Pepper handed it to her.

"Go ahead and continue, I'm listening," Ellie said as she closed her eyes for a minute and got through the password lock.

Pepper just grinned as she watched Ellie type on her phone, "Alright, so Ellie will be serving as our new COO and the design team will be reporting to her starting in a week every day instead of me just on Mondays. She will report back to me-"

Everyone stopped as David Newman's phone started going off.

"Sorry I swear I turned the sound off," David said as he silenced it without looking at it.

Again it started playing and he looked at it, confused.

Pepper looked at Ellie then grinned, "Well if it's so important David, do share."

David looked up and at Ellie, "Did you just hack my phone from Pepper's phone without me downloading anything?"

Ellie looked at him, "I don't know, did I? By the way, your son is adorable."

"Anyone have any other questions?" Pepper asked trying not to grin as some of the men in the room were unable to school the awe on their faces.


*~*~* March 4, 2019- Irvington, New York *~*~*

Ellie pulled her car into the garage after riding the Subway back to Irvington. She took a deep breath as she turned the car off.

What she wouldn't give for the garage light to turn on, as the door opened while Bucky stood in the doorway to welcome her home from her very first day. A hot cup of tea in one hand, flowers in the other. Taking her by the hand and leading her upstairs where he had prepared her a bath.

Ellie shook her head as she grabbed her bag and climbed out of the car. Her heels clicked against the concrete floor of the garage as she shut the door, echoing throughout the garage. She started towards the door and when it opened, she jumped.

"Shit Steve," Ellie said as he appeared in the doorway.

"How was your first day?" Steve asked.

"Long, exhausting but… I think I can do it," Ellie told him as she saw his hand behind his back, "What is that?"

Steve pulled a bouquet out from behind his back and Ellie lost it, "Shit I didn't mean to make you cry."

"No Steve," Ellie said as she touched his hand, "I just…" Ellie sighed as she took in the flowers, "I had this daydream of Bucky meeting me at the door with flowers and a cup of tea."

Steve gave her a sad smile, "I know I'm not Buck, but I'm here for you."

Ellie stepped into the house and kicked off her heels, "Shit I forgot how much heels were just so horrid."

"I don't understand how Nat can fight in them, but she can," Steve told her.

"She was a dancer, of course, she can," Ellie told him as they rode up the elevator.

Natasha was standing in the kitchen with Grant and Sarah eating in their high chairs, "Hey Ellie how was your day?"

Ellie sighed as she sat down at the island, "Wasn't as bad as I thought. There was an asshole but… he could have been worse."

The tea kettle started whistling and Ellie smiled.

"Want a cup of tea?" Natasha asked as she set Sarah's food down and went to the stove.

"Yeah, thanks," Ellie said as Beckie squealed.

Ellie walked over to the bassinets and picked up Beckie, "Hey Princess."

Beckie snuggled up to her.

"I think she missed her Momma," Natasha told her.

Ellie kissed the top of her head and inhaled, "I missed this."


*~*~* March 7, 2019- Irvington, New York *~*~*

Ellie stretched and rolled her neck as she sighed and reached for the Tupperware to put the leftovers into, after a dinner of steamed vegetables, with spaghetti and meatballs.

Opening the containers she put food inside to put in the refrigerator for Steve to have lunch tomorrow, and another for herself to take to work.

"You know, you are making half a million a year as the COO of Stark, and you are taking your lunch to work," Steve said with a grin as he walked into the kitchen, "Grant and the girls are asleep?"

"Yep, so I came down here to get ready for tomorrow," Ellie told him as she put a lid on her container.

"You know you can always order in," Steve suggested as he sat at the island.

Ellie looked at him, "Really? Why would I waste that kind of money? I have three college funds to save up for."

Steve laughed, "Like you haven't started them already."

Ellie sighed as she put the containers in the refrigerator and rested her head on the cool metal exterior of the refrigerator, "It was the first thing Bucky thought of when we found out about Grant."

Steve looked at her, "If you don't mind me asking… how much do you already have saved for them?"

Ellie looked at him, "Shut up when the girls were born I automatically started accounts for their college savings. There is only $11k in them. Grant has $18k. I have it set up so each of their accounts get $500 a month," Ellie swallowed hard; "I don't know what the future will look like Steve. College could be 100k a year or worse by that time… shit by the time Grant starts college it will be 2036," Ellie said as she ran her hand over her face, "If he isn't a Tony and graduates early that is. I'll be 115, Steve, with a high school graduate and two more the year after."

Ellie groaned as she braced herself on the island, "Fuck Steve, how am I going to do this?"

Steve placed his hand on hers, "Sarah will graduate the same year. We will do this together," Steve told her as he stood up and pulled her in for a hug, "How is work going?"

Ellie snorted as he rubbed her back, then stepped away, "Only the asshole the first day gave me issues. It was like the word spread fast," She told him with a grin, "They think I am an expert hacker."

Steve chuckled, "That's hilarious."

"So yeah, I need Nat to teach me some real skills." Ellie sighed as she stood up straight.

Steve pulled her into another hug, "Are you sure you are doing alright?"

"As I can be," Ellie told him, her voice muffled into his shoulder, "When I can get the kids in the daycare, it will help. I can see them during my lunch break."

Steve stepped back and frowned, "You are bringing them to daycare already?"

Ellie grabbed her lunchbox and put it on the counter next to the refrigerator, "Next month I have three spots for them," She told him noticing his frown, "I swear I told you."

"No," Steve said as he shook his head, "Are you going to the downtown office for a while?"

Ellie nodded, "Yeah, at least for the first few months. Pepper said that I could video conference in from the compound, but there is no daycare at the compound right now," Ellie told him as she sighed, "The local preschool that I talked to doesn't take kids until two years old. I want them there, but I want them together too."

"You don't have to waste money. I can watch them," Steve offered.

Ellie smiled, "Steve, you shouldn't have to put your life on hold for my kids. You wanted to go to school, go to school. Do something for yourself for once. If you don't, you are going to be so bored Steve."

Steve sat back in his chair and sighed, "Should I really retire?"

"Steve, you are not really…" Ellie sighed, "How do I say this? You deserve to hang your hat up so to speak. It is time for you to do something for yourself. God Steve since you were a teenager you've been looking out for everyone else. Defending the kids being picked on at school, trying to eliminate bullies in the neighborhood, saving… Bucky," She said as she swallowed hard, "Saving the whole world, multiple times over," She wiped a tear from her eye, "It's… it's time for you to rest, Steve. You've done your share in the grand scheme; it is time for others to step up. It is part of the reason why I agreed to help Pepper. I have talked to Shuri's team in Wakanda; talked to Carol … we are going to try to help others through Stark using Wakandan technology and some alien technology. Let me shoulder some of the responsibility, Steve."

Steve bit his lip, "I don't know what to do El."

Ellie pulled him to her, "Only you can make that decision Steve."


*~*~* March 10, 2019- Irvington, New York *~*~*

Ellie gasped as she shot up breathing heavily. Sweat drenched her shirt as she looked over at Bucky's side of the bed to see an empty bed. She wiped her face and noticed it was covered in tears.

Shaking her head, she looked at her alarm clock to see she had to be up in twenty minutes anyway, so she pushed herself up out of bed and decided to take a longer shower than normal.


*~*~* March 10, 2019- New York, New York *~*~*

"Ellie?"

Ellie jumped as someone put their hand on her shoulder.

"Sorry Pepper, what was that?" Ellie asked as she noticed that the room was cleared out, "Shit… did I drift off?"

"No," Pepper said as she sat next to her, "You were just lost in your head. Is everything okay?"

Ellie bit her lip, "Today is… was… Bucky's birthday."

Pepper sighed, "Oh Ellie."

Ellie shook her head as she blinked back the tears, "It's been almost a year Pepper; I keep… waiting for it to get easier. For it to hurt less. Every day I wake up, gasping for breath, Pepper. I think that I am drowning," Ellie admitted as she sucked in a shaky breath.

Pepper sighed, "Ellie, have you thought of speaking to someone?"

"About what?" Ellie asked confused.

"Everything, your loss since… well, the beginning," Pepper told her as she folded her hands in front of her, "Didn't you lose your Dad early?"

Ellie nodded, "I barely remember him. I just remember him being abusive to Mom and Steve."

"Then you lost your Mom young, then Bucky and Steve… then your identity," Pepper told her with a sigh, "Look because of Tony, not that he uses her, I have a therapist on staff. I think you should talk to her."

Ellie shook her head, "Pepper I was a psychologist way back when. I am just a normal human … human issues. I don't need to speak to anyone."

Pepper turned towards her, "Ellie don't you want to wake up without gasping for breath? Without having panic attacks? Without feeling like you are drowning and empty inside?"

"I never said that I was feeling empty inside," Ellie told her.

"But are you?" Pepper asked, "Tony always fell to the bottle to fill his void. What do you try to fill that void with?"

Ellie stood up and walked over to the large window overlooking the city below them.

Pepper sighed, "I didn't mean to make you mad."

Ellie wiped the tears from her eyes, "You didn't… you just… gave me a new perspective. You know the only time I can sleep, Pepper?"

"When?" Pepper asked.

Ellie chuckled a watery laugh, "When my kid climbs out of his crib and wakes me up with that little 'Momma?' Then climbs into bed with me on Bucky's side. He snores like his Daddy."

Pepper stood up and walked over to her, "Ellie, you are a strong and powerful woman but, even us strong and beautiful women need help. I see my therapist once a month and she is third on my speed dial."

Ellie looked at her surprised, "Really?"

Pepper nodded, "It doesn't make you weak to admit you need help."

Ellie shook her head, "But why do I feel so weak by admitting that?"


*~*~* March 10, 2019- Irvington, New York *~*~*

Steve watched Ellie as she moved around the kitchen, "El, go put Grant to bed. The girls are already down. When he is asleep go visit Buck, you need it."

Ellie curled in tighter to herself, "I will. Oh, shit… I almost forgot. I don't have all the details yet, but I have a new… client and they want to meet once a month to go over their accounts."

Steve sat down on the floor and Sarah toddled over to him, "A new client already? That is great."

Ellie chewed her lip as she sat down on the floor, "Yeah I have our initial meeting Monday, then they possibly want to meet the Monday after. It will want to meet on the Mondays after that. It will depend on what they say I guess."

Grant fussed and moved closer to her laying his head in her lap.

Ellie ran her fingers through his hair, "I think you are getting another tooth. You are drooly and cranky for the last few days."

"Momma," Grant mumbled as he tried to cuddle into her even more.

"Yeah, I am going to take him to bed then visit Buck. It's not his birthday then, but… I need to see him," Ellie told Steve as she rubbed Grant's back.

"When are you visiting?" Steve asked.

"January 1st. I… I found Bucky's journal. It didn't detail my visits but he mentioned the dates. January 1st is the next one," Ellie told him with a yawn, "I am going to get him to bed or I may not make it to visit Buck."

Ellie stood up and picked up Grant, "Night Steve."

"Goodnight El."

Ellie took the stairs and carried Grant to his room. Placing Grant in his bed, she sat down next to it and rubbed his back, thankful that she had put the side down to make it into his toddler bed already.

Grant grabbed her hand.

"Go to sleep little man," Ellie told him as she rubbed his back.

After ten minutes of some light fussing, he was lightly snoring and his hand relaxed in hers. Quietly as possible she got up and shut the door behind her.

"FRIDAY, baby monitor protocol."

Ellie walked down the hallway and stepped into her wardrobe. Shedding her clothes, she grabbed a pair of pajamas then changed into them. Walking into the bathroom, she washed her face, brushed her teeth then went back into her bedroom.

Climbing into bed, she pulled her Bucky pillow to her and thought of the last New Year's. Focusing on the area of her brain and their bed in Wakanda, she opened her eyes in bed in Wakanda.

She sat up and sat against the headboard as she looked over at Grant. She swallowed hard when she forgot how small he had been. Ellie looked up as she heard a click as Bucky turned the lights off while doing a sweep of the apartment as he always did before bed.

Bucky walked into the room as he pulled his shirt off, throwing it onto the floor.

Ellie sat up straighter, "I was wondering where you were."

"I was in the common… hey, baby" Bucky said as he leaned down and kissed her as he noticed her eyes sparkling.

"Hey," Ellie said as she ran her fingers through his hair as he knelt on the bed next to her.

Bucky sat down next to her, "When are you from this time?"

"March 10th, 2019… happy birthday, baby," Ellie told him sadly.

"Been busy?" Bucky asked.

"Really busy. Between running after Grant and Pepper asked me to help out with Stark Tech and the Relief Foundation, so I am Chief Operations Officer of both of those companies now. So between being a Mom and COO of a major international company… I'm a little busy," Ellie told him sadly, "But they have a preschool on-site for the kids of the employees so they will be right there. When I do have downtime I can go visit. Plus it's not like I have to leave work, go to school before home. Just load up the car and go home. But, so far it's been good just getting used to HOW to do everything. We are working with Thor and some other individuals to take alien technology and trying to build it here on Earth so simplify our lives as much as possible. The biggest problem is after… everything with the battle and the effects on the world… everyone is just… too busy to enjoy the finer things in life."

"It's that bad?" Bucky asked taking her hand.

Ellie nodded, "Yeah… a lot of people died that day, and… the world just doesn't move on that fast. To put it into perspective… Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty… they aren't tourist attractions anymore," Ellie swallowed hard, " Ellis Island is a refugee station for those who no longer…have their loved ones and don't know what to do. Sports were shut down because they don't have the people to run the parks," Ellie sighed, "its bad. It's slowly getting better but… the world isn't quick to recover."

Bucky bit his lip.

Ellie looked at their hands, "But… to give something for him to do, I'm letting Steve work on the house. It's nearly finished," Ellie told him, "Steve and Sarah live in the two guestrooms on our floor. Natasha lives there sometimes too."

Bucky frowned, "They aren't together anymore?"

Ellie licked her lip then bit it, "They are but… Natasha is taking it upon herself to run the Avengers out of the compound. She is searching for the Infinity Stones with the remaining Avengers hoping they turn up somewhere," Ellie told him sadly, "So far, no luck but she wants to be there in case something does turn up."

"The remaining Avengers? Some of them… die?" Bucky asked.

Ellie shook her head trying not to groan out loud, "I've told you too much already Bucky… I shouldn't be telling you this. Dr. Strange would have my head if he knew. We lost more than you that day," Ellie told him sadly.

Bucky pulled her into a hug and she smiled as she relaxed in his arms.

"I better be going. I think Grant is going through another growth spurt because he was cranky when I put him to bed," Ellie told him as she looked into his beautiful eyes, "One of these days, I'm going to get Steve to watch him so that we can just spend the whole night together."

"Sounds amazing," Bucky told her as he kissed her.

Ellie rested her forehead against his, "Until next month my love."

"See you then baby," Bucky told her as he helped her lay down.

She grabbed his hand and closed her eyes. Relaxing, she returned to their house in New York and stared at the ceiling, "I love you, Buck."


*~*~* March 15, 2019- Irvington, New York *~*~*

Ellie walked barefoot into the living room where she heard voices to see Steve with all the kids as they watched a Disney movie, "Hey."

Steve looked back at her, "Hey, first two weeks down. How do you feel?"

Ellie sat down on the couch behind him, "It's better than I expected honestly but… it is still a learning curve."

Steve leaned back against her legs, "How about you change and we go out to celebrate? I went to the grocery store yesterday and saw this cute little restaurant and ice cream parlor."

Ellie looked at him, "We take four kids to a restaurant for the first time?"

"Natasha is upstairs," Steve told her, "She is taking the weekend off. Let's do this El. You deserve it."

"Four kids, under two in a restaurant. Let's try this," Ellie told him.


*~*~* March 15, 2019- White Plains, New York *~*~*

Ellie sat back looking around the restaurant after finishing her food. People were coming and going to and from the buffet as they filled their plates and their bellies.

For the first time, she noticed the families. There were so many single-parent families in the restaurant. So many missing people.

Ellie swallowed hard, "I'll be right back. I am in the mood for ice cream."

Getting up, she swallowed down the tears as she walked over to the dessert area of the buffet. After looking over the multiple flavors, she picked chocolate and then walked back to the table. Sitting back down next to Grant, she looked at Steve, "They have about ten flavors here. Remember when we went to the parlor and there were four choices for the first time, and we thought that was amazing."

Steve sat back after his fourth plate of food, "Chocolate, vanilla, swirl, and then they added mint."

Ellie smiled as she took a bite of her chocolate, "Remember Bucky's first bite of mint?"

Steve snorted, "He hated it. Said it was like eating a tube of toothpaste."

Ellie chewed on her lip, "Mother made us mint chocolate chip cupcakes last time we were… there together. He loved them, but the icing was his favorite," Ellie told Steve with a smile.

"Was it because he ate it off you?" Natasha asked with a grin.

Ellie blushed, "Maybe."

Steve groaned, "I don't want to hear about this."

"You know they weren't innocent, Steve," Natasha snorted as Ellie went to get another bite and her spoon hit the table instead.

Steve laughed as Grant's little hand was on her bowl.

Ellie went to take it back; "No honey that is Mommy's," Ellie said as Grant hit her hand then grabbed her bowl again.

Ellie laughed in shock, "Grant! No, you are too young for chocolate."

Steve laughed, "I'll go get him some vanilla," Steve said as he got up.

"Sugar-free if possible," Ellie told him as she grabbed the bowl finally.

"No Momma!" Grant yelled trying to take it again.

"No Grant, this is Mommy's. Uncle Steve is getting you some ice cream," Ellie told him as Grant hit his hands on the table of his high chair.

"Grant Lindiwe Barnes, that is enough. I know you are upset and frustrated but you have to wait and be patient," Ellie told him, "You are getting your ice cream."

Natasha chuckled, "I think he is a little too young to understand."

"I know but… I want him to know the vocabulary of his feelings young to help him verbalize it when he is older," Ellie told her as Steve walked back over then set a small bowl on Sarah's tray and one on Grant's, "Thank you, Steve."

Grant clapped his hands as he stuck his hand down into the cold ice cream and squealed.

Ellie laughed, "Yeah baby it's cold."

Grant immediately stuck his hand into his mouth babbling before sticking his hand in the ice cream again.


*~*~* March 15, 2019- Irvington, New York *~*~*

Entering the gate code, Ellie shivered as the cold wind blew through the window as she pulled through the gate and drove down their driveway. She reached up above her head and hit the garage door opener as soon as they were in range.

Pulling the car into her spot, she parked it and turned the car off. Ellie looked back in the rearview to see Natasha trying to get out from the backseat.

"While I am glad you and Bucky bought this car, I think you should have gotten a bus or something," Natasha said as she climbed over Sarah's car seat.

Ellie snorted, "We don't need that much space," She said as she got out.

She yawned as she stretched, "I think this…" Ellie trailed off as she heard something, "Did you hear that?"

Natasha climbed out, "Heard what?"

"I heard it too, was it one of the kids?" Steve asked.

Ellie listened again and didn't hear anything, "Must have been."

Steve unsnapped Beckie and Kasie's carriers as Natasha got Sarah out, "Let's just get them upstairs and ready for bed. I don't know about you but I am wiped."

After the three of them had taken the kids upstairs, cleaned them up, and changed them into their pajamas. Ellie put the girls in their cribs after a double feed a little earlier than usual. Buttoning up her top, she walked into Grant's room to see Steve reading him a story.

"I got it, thanks Steve," Ellie told him as she traded him places and sat in the rocker next to Grant's bed.

Steve kissed her forehead, "Goodnight."

After finishing the book, it took an additional naptime story and some backrubs before Grant was asleep. Getting up, she quietly shut the door behind her then Ellie went to the girls' room and checked on them. After making sure they were still asleep, she went to her bedroom and realized that she did not have her phone.

"Friday? Where is my phone?" Ellie asked quietly.

"Miss Ellie, it is in your car."

"Thank you, baby monitor protocol in all the kids' rooms FRIDAY," Ellie said as she went to the stairs.

She took them all the way down to the lower floor. Opening the door to the garage, she opened the driver's door then grabbed her phone from the cup holder when she heard the noise from earlier.

Ellie slowly stood up and listened.

'Great we are going to have mice in here or something,' Ellie thought as she slowly shut the car door.

She was quiet for a moment and heard it again from the other side of the garage. Slowly she walked past Natasha's Porsche and Steve's Jeep to hear the noise louder than on the other side. Ellie held her hand out and the lights turned on. Looking around Steve's bike, she didn't hear anything until she heard the softest meow.

She dropped to her knees and behind the freezer box that they had was a tiny white ball of fluff, "Well hi there little one. You are okay. How long have you been in here?"

The small white kitten with eyes so blue looked at her cautiously.

Ellie held out her hand, "It's okay little one, no need to be scared. You have to be hungry."

It slowly walked over to her hand and butted it with its head.

Ellie smiled as she scratched its head and it moved closer to her hand. Gently she picked up the ball of fluff that was no bigger than Bucky's hand and cradled it to her chest. Slowly standing up, she walked back into the house after turning the lights off, being careful not to jar the small cat; she took the stairs and went to the kitchen.

Ellie grabbed a shallow bowl and some milk out of the refrigerator then set the small kitten on the island, "Go ahead sweetheart, you can get a drink."

The tiny kitten stared at it unsure what to do. Ellie stuck her finger in it then put it to the kitten's mouth.

It pulled its head back but licked its mouth then after a moment stuck its head into the bowl.

"There you go," Ellie said as it started drinking, "Let's find you something to eat now."

Ellie kept one eye on it as she went into the cabinet to look for chicken or tuna in a can.

"There is a cat on the island."

Ellie looked at Steve, who was frozen staring at the cat, "Found the noise in the garage."

Steve walked over to it, "It's so tiny."

"It's a kitten, Steve," Ellie told him as she opened a can of shredded chicken.

Steve ran a finger over its fur and it glanced at him before continuing to drink, "Do you think it is a stray?"

"I don't know but I think I'll take it to a vet tomorrow to get it checked out," Ellie said as she got a plate and put a spoonful on it to see if the kitten would eat it, "Maybe they can put some information out there to see if anyone is missing it or even if it has one of those chip things."

"And if no one claims it?" Steve asked.

Ellie looked at him as the kitten started eating some chicken, "Why are you grinning?"

"Because I know the answer. You want to keep him… it," Steve told her with a laugh.

"It's so cute," Ellie said with a sigh, "I always wanted a cat. They are pretty low maintenance and growing up you couldn't have one."

"A little kitten in this big house?" Steve asked.

Ellie bit her lip, "Well we have the baby gates, and we could keep it just to this floor until it gets bigger. I… I can also work with the developers at work to make a tracker for its collar so that we know where it is."

Steve laughed, "Don't go getting your hopes up. It might belong to someone… maybe Rose."


*~*~* March 16, 2019- Irvington, New York *~*~*

Ellie pulled back into the garage after visiting the vet's office in town. Looking in the passenger seat at the small cage that held the baby boy kitten, who now had a clean bill of health, and unless someone would come further was a new member of the Rogers/Barnes family.

Getting out of the car, she walked around to the other side of the car and noticed the brand on the side of the chest freezer.

Ellie smiled as she opened the passenger door and took the cage out looking inside at the small ball of white fluff with big beautiful blue eyes, "Little one, what do you think of the name Alpine?"

He looked up at her with a small meow.

"I'll take that as a yes," Ellie said as she shut the car door and walked into the house.

Taking the elevator, she went up to the first floor. Steve was in the kitchen with Grant and Sarah in their high chairs as they ate their lunch.

"What did the vet say?" Steve asked when he saw her.

"There is no microchip, HE has a clean bill of health and they took a picture of him, put him up on their bulletin board and Facebook but… the doctor is almost sure he was a stray," Ellie told him as she set the cage on the floor then opened it, "Go ahead Alpine, go explore."

Steve looked at her, "Alpine?"

Ellie bit her lip as she smiled, "The name brand of the chest freezer is Alpine and he is all white with those big beautiful eyes."

Steve tried not to laugh, "The cat of the Winter Soldier, named Alpine."

"Well shit Steve, when you put it that way," Ellie groaned.

Steve walked over to her, "Whatever you want to name it is your choice."

"You don't think it's too weird?" Ellie asked him honestly.

"Ellie it's your cat-"

"Our cat, Steve," Ellie corrected.

"Fine, our cat but you found it," Steve told her, "If you like the name Alpine it works for him. White like snow, those blue eyes."

Alpine rubbed up against her ankle and she reached down to pick him up.

"Well kiddos, looks like you are with us now," Ellie said with a smile.


*~*~* March 21, 2019- New York, New York *~*~*

Ellie adjusted her bag, juggling the cake in her hand and her phone, "Steve, I got the cake. Don't worry. I just hope the icing doesn't melt on the subway."

"You saved my ass, El. Thank you. That bakery is Nat's favorite," Steve said as Ellie went to walk by the bank that was closest to Grand Central Station.

As she passed the front window, she noticed that there were a couple of people on the floor with their hands behind their heads, "Shit Steve, I think the bank is being robbed."

She gasped as the window next to her splintered as a bullet hit it from the inside, "It is Steve."

"Get away from there and call the cops," Steve demanded.

Ellie went to the side of the building and looked in, "Steve, there are kids in there."

"Shit, Ellie you don't have backup or weapons," Steve admonished.

Ellie bit her lip, "No I don't, but I'm the weapon. I'll call you back."

"Ellie! Don-" Steve said as she hung up.

Ellie set down the cake and kicked her shoes off. Going into the small opening between the two buildings, she closed her eyes and felt the phoenix suit go on for the first time in a year. Holding her hands out in front of her they glowed. Rubbing them together she walked around the building, "EVERYONE CLEAR THE AREA!" she yelled and watched as people started turning away. She tried to open the door, and when it wouldn't open, she screamed and the glass in front of her gave way.

She turned as bullets flew past her, her hands up in front of her catching the rest and melting them before they hit the ground.

A masked man came closer to her and shot at her again.

Ellie grinned, "Good try. On the floor."

The man fell to his knees, "Shit you are one of them."

"Throw the gun over here," Ellie demanded then caught the gun with her sole as he slid it to her, "Where are the others?"

"Back at the vault," He informed her.

Ellie looked at the people in the bank, "Go! Get out of here."

The five people stood up and ran for it.

"Come with me," Ellie told the man.

He got up and went to the vault.

"Who the hell is that?" Another man asked as he sat them and went for his gun.

"STOP! Give me all your guns," Ellie demanded.

They promptly followed orders as they all slid their guns to her.

Ellie kicked the door closed and put her hand to the lock melting under her palm.

Turning around she went back out to the main part of the bank and groaned as officers with raised guns met her.

"I come in peace, the robbers are in the back," Ellie told them her hands raised.

"Who are you?" The officer asked, "The hostages told us that you helped them escape."

Ellie sighed and realized she should have listened to Steve, "Hello I am Ellie Barnes."

"Wait, Captain America's sister?" Another officer said.

"Yep," Ellie said with a sigh, "I'll give you a statement, but I need to get home. I have a cake melting."


*~*~* March 21, 2019- Irvington, New York *~*~*

Steve had Natasha pinned against the counter as they 'washed' dishes together when he frowned.

"What?" Natasha asked kissing his neck.

"Do you hear that?" Steve asked.

Natasha stepped back, "That's a Quinjet."

"Stay here," Steve told her as he rushed to the stairs, jumping over the baby gate. He ran down the stairs and out the garage to the side yard where the Quinjet had just landed.

The door opened and the ramp came down with Ellie talking to Happy, who had a cake box in his hand.

Steve rushed over to her, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, Happy happened to be passing by and he offered to fly me home, so I didn't have to ride the subway back. The cake couldn't have taken much more," Ellie told him.

"Thank you Happy," Steve said as he took the cake.

"I mean it Ellie; I can pick you up every day if you want. Just let me know, you shouldn't be riding the subway," Happy told her.

"I appreciate the offer Happy, I'll think about it," Ellie told him, "Go enjoy the rest of your night."

They waved at Happy as he flew off.

Ellie sighed, "Let's get inside, I'm exhausted."

Steve supported her inside as they went into the house. Steve helped her onto the elevator as she sagged against him.

"I forgot how exhausted I get after using my powers," Ellie told him.

Steve helped her into the family room and helped her onto the couch, "Want to tell me about it?"

Ellie sighed as she settled onto the pillows, "People know now Steve… I got caught."

Steve sat next to her, "People were going to find out eventually."

Ellie groaned, "Maybe the police will keep it quiet."

"Here lay here I'll get dinner for you," Steve told her as Natasha walked over to her as he got up.

"How are you feeling?" Natasha asked.

"Like shit," Ellie said with a yawn, "Sorry that your cake was late."

"It wasn't important. We are just glad that you are okay," Natasha told her as Ellie's phone rang.

Ellie yawned as she reached for her purse that fell on the floor, "Shit Pepper, hi."

"So our phones are ringing off the hook. People want information on the new Avenger. People know it was you," Pepper told her.

"Shit," Ellie groaned, "Do you think this will blow over?"

Pepper sighed, "Take the day off tomorrow. I will send someone over with some communications equipment to set up a little home office. You've been taking the subway, which is definitely not an option right now unless you want to be mobbed. Happy is out tomorrow or I'd have him pick you up, I can hold the fort tomorrow. Enjoy your three day weekend and… well, we will see how the press takes it."

"Thank you, Pepper," Ellie said as she put her arm over her eyes and hung up throwing her phone to the side.

"They know who you are?" Natasha asked.

"I am so stupid," Ellie said as tears came to her eyes.

"No you aren't you wanted to save those peoples' lives," Natasha told her.

"It was the two kids that were there. All I saw was the little girl crying as she laid on the floor scared… I was going to monitor the situation and standby but they opened fire…" Ellie trailed off.

"I get it. We will get through this together," Natasha told her.


a/n3: Alpine! Couldn't not include him ;) I hope FatWS does but we will see. Thank you everyone who read the last chapter and hoping that everyone has a safe and healthy 2021!

Now to the review: PrettyRecklessLaura: Thank you for reading and reviewing, hoping that you had a blessed holiday!


Preview of Chapter 102- Like I'm Gonna Lose You

Steve swallowed hard as he stared at Bucky.

"Dada!" Grant yelled kicking his feet.

Steve shook his head, "Yeah Bud, there is Dada."

"Wow…" Annabelle said as she stared