Chapter III

John Walker had been touring the States in the last week so America could meet their new Captain and Natasha had turned off the TV every time he'd appeared. Steve had told her that the government had taken the shield from him after he refused to be still Captain America and they hadn't been too keen on the idea of Sam becoming Cap. A bunch of old white men not wanting a black man to become Captain America, what a surprise...

At first, she had been shocked that Steve would just hand over the shield, sure it was technically property of the government, but Steve had alluded to some things, and then she'd done her own digging and she'd found out why he'd given them the shield and she hadn't been surprised anymore. It made perfectly sense and she'd promised him that she was going to keep quiet.

Things with Chloe on the other hand were going well. They'd found a rhythm and Natasha was now able to recognize Chloe's different cries. She was sleeping a lot and started to move her little arms around to bat at her mobile. She started cooing which was the most adorable sound in the world and last night she'd even smiled a little bit.

Today, the two of them would finally visit Steve at his house. Natasha had packed Chloe's bag (it was insane how much stuff you needed for a baby), put Chloe in a cute outfit and then into her stroller and they left for Brooklyn.

"Hey, you two!" Steve greeted them with a big smile and carried the stroller into his house while Natasha had Chloe in her arms. She looked around. Steve had finished the floor and painted the hallway and living room. She loved his color concept, it were actually her favorite colors. The kitchen was almost done as well.

"Wow, I didn't think you'd already be this far with your place!"

He chuckled. "Not that far. Upstairs looks horrible. I did the floors but that's it. But the master bathroom is done and it's great to have a shower with enough water pressure."

"I saw the cot in the living room..."

"Yeah, I'm not picking out beds anytime soon. It's gonna take some time until my bedroom is ready. But speaking of beds, I got a porta crib for the munchkin in case she gets sleepy."

Natasha smiled at him. "That's very thoughtful of you."

"I just want my girls to be comfortable. I got that almond-oat milk that you like so much for your coffee."

Her heart fluttered again. Chloe made a delighted coo and Steve grinned at the baby.

"Thank you, Steve." She came closer and pressed a kiss on his cheek. His soft beard tickled her skin. Without thinking she ran her fingers through his beard. His breath hitched and his hand landed on her waist. Her gaze fell to his lips and when she looked up again, she saw that he was looking at her mouth. Okay, it was happening. And she wanted it, she wanted him. She wanted him so much, it was embarrassing. Steve bent down and she rose to her tiptoes to meet him in the middle, it was happening-

Chloe sneezed in her arms and they both pulled back, startled by the baby. Shit, she'd completely forgotten that she was carrying a child in her arms. Steve rubbed the back of his neck and Natasha felt her cheeks flush. The spell was broken.

"So-" Steve cleared his throat. "Coffee?"

"Yes, please."

They sat outside on Steve's patio, drinking coffee, and Chloe was in her stroller trying to grab the tiny mobile in front of her. Steve's garden was still a mess, but the patio was almost done, so they could sit outside and enjoy one of the last warm days of the year.

They didn't talk, they just sat there in a comfortable silence, watching Chloe play with her mobile.

"She looks happy." Steve said with a warm smile. "I knew you'd be great with her."

She watched Chloe trying to reach the star plushy of her mobile. She loved taking care of her, she loved cuddling with her, she loved her. It was crazy, she'd only known Chloe for a week, but she knew she loved her. She wanted to keep her, but she knew that she couldn't. It wouldn't be right for Chloe.

"You okay, Nat?"

"Yes." She smiled at him to stop him from worrying. "How are you?"

"Good." He answered quickly.

"Steve."

"I don't want to talk about it. I just want to enjoy sitting here with you and Chloe."

"Okay." She wanted him to talk with her about the whole Walker thing, but she wasn't going to pressure him. He was going to talk with her about it when he was ready.

"Thank you."

"Steve, you're here?" Barnes' voice suddenly came from inside the house. "Hello?"

"Patio!" Steve shouted back. Natasha sighed. Looked like their alone time was over.

"Hey Ste- Oh, hi, Natasha." He nodded at her and then his gaze landed on Chloe. "Uh, who's that?"

"That's Chloe." Steve said simply like it was obvious before Natasha could say anything. He winked at her and she suppressed a grin.

"Aha, Chloe. And you two have a baby since..." He looked at them expectantly.

"She's a friend's baby and I'm watching her." Natasha didn't want to get too deep into why she had a baby with her.

Barnes didn't look completely convinced but he also didn't call her bluff. He sat down on the empty chair next to Steve. "So, when are we getting the shield back? What's your plan?"

"We've been over this. We're not getting the shield back." Steve shook his head. "Walker is the new Cap."

"What is wrong with you?" Barnes barked. "I thought you wanted Wilson to carry the shield!"

"And he didn't want it. I can't force him. And I can't just keep it in my closet." Steve crossed his arms. "I'm done talking about it!" He yelled and Chloe started to cry. "Shit! Sorry, Nat!"

"It's okay."

She got Chloe out of the stroller and went inside to calm her. Maybe Barnes wouldn't press so much if he knew why Steve had handed over his shield... It sounded like Steve and Barnes were still arguing and Natasha went further inside and cradled Chloe and sang to her. Her eyes fell shut and she put the little one into the porta crib that Steve had gotten for her.

"How can you play house with Romanoff when this guy will ruin everything you stand for? You need to talk to Wilson again!"

"Let's just give Walker a chance, Buck. We don't know him."

"I can't believe this!" Bucky stormed past by her. "Call me when you're yourself again." And with that he left.

Steve sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. "I'm sorry that I scared Chloe. I didn't mean to."

Natasha came over to Steve and placed a hand on his arm. "Tell him the truth. He'll understand it better if he knew why you've done it."

"No, he doesn't need to know. He'll feel guilty and I don't want that for him." He looked around. "Where's the munchkin?"

"Sleeping in the porta crib. You need help with your house? Is there anything that I can do?"

"Hm... We could paint the dining room? Should be quiet enough so Chloe can sleep." He looked at her body and she started to feel hot. "I've got old clothes so you won't stain yours."

Right, he wasn't checking her out. Thank God, he couldn't read minds. Or she would have to leave the country and Steve would have to look after little Chloe.

This was the first time she painted a wall and after Steve's instructions she was acing it. Okay, maybe not acing it, but it also didn't look too bad. And she had fun helping him, she should do it more often.

Chloe woke up when Natasha was done with her wall and Steve asked if he could give her her bottle. They looked so good together, Chloe looked so tiny in his strong arms. Who knew that guys holding babies was so freaking hot?! It seemed that Natasha was now in that stage of her life where she found men who were good with babies very attractive. Who would have seen that one coming? Certainly not Natasha.

Steve kissed Chloe's cheek before he sat her into her stroller. "Thank you for visiting me, sweet girl."

" And what am I? Chopped liver!?" Natasha joked, ignoring how much she liked to see Steve and Chloe together.

"Of course." He grinned and kissed the corner of her mouth. Natasha's pulse started to race. Steve had never been so brave before.

"Steve." She rasped out. "I-" She didn't come any further because he pressed his lips against hers. It was a soft and sweet kiss. The sweetest kiss she'd ever had.

"Wow." She mumbled like an idiot when they pulled apart.

"I've wanted to do that for years." He smiled and cradled her face with his big hands. "Let me walk you two home."

"Yes, okay. Right." She still wasn't sure what was happening to Steve and why he was acting like this, but she wasn't going to question it, not when she'd wanted him for so long.

He carried the stroller down the stairs of the house, Chloe making her cute cooing noises, before he took Natasha's hand and pushed the stroller with the other one.

"Do the two of you have time to stop by a diner?" Steve asked her, pressing a kiss to her temple.

"Yes!" She exclaimed and Steve chuckled. He was asking her on a date, right? Drinking a milkshake together like they did in those movies? Actually she wanted her own milkshake when she thought about it, she was hungry.

He stopped walking and turned to her. "I want this." He pointed at her and then at him. "I'm not hiding my feelings anymore. I'm tired of it."

She was never good at words. She was a woman of action so she grabbed his face to kiss him. "I can't believe you made the first move." She mumbled against his lips and he laughed, kissing her again.