Author's Notes:

Hello! This my first ever fanfiction, although I have been a reader for years. I'm really nervous about posting, but I am a huge Marvel fan and wanted to write a romance in the universe. Understandably, the films are action packed and I always feel the love stories get a little bit forgotten. Steve is my favourite character, followed by Bucky, and I often read stories with a focus on one and then miss the other, so this story has a bit of both! Also, I really like Peggy, but I just feel like Steve deserves a little more story.

In terms of storyline, it is set after Winter Soldier and Age of Ultron, and somewhere in that time, Bucky made his way back to Steve and is living and working with him. Everyone still lives and works at the Stark/Avenger tower in NY.

A few apologies in advance, I'm not American, but I have tried to keep it authentic, if my geography is a little off, apologies! And if I use the word lift instead of elevator, sorry! I've worked hard and re-read it multiple times, but there could be errors floating somewhere.

As you read on (if you stick with it!) you will hopefully see the writing improves tenfold, as I get more comfortable with writing

In this first chapter we meet the OC's, familiar faces will appear in 2 onwards.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of it, it's just Marvel fan work, inspired by great characters.

Chapter 1: Three Ladies and a Cowboy

'Can you hurry up? Please?' Amelia groans as she looks at her sister, backing out of the cab. Amelia finishes paying the taxi driver what he is owed, he was pleasant on their journey, and yet she all but throws forty dollars at him and tosses a shouted thank you his way. She slams the door shut, secures her shoulder bag, ensures the tiny person in her care is still at her side and tucks a strand of stray brown hair behind one ear. She turns and catches her breath at the sight before her.

The building is tall, no question, but it is one of the most famous buildings in New York City and to say she has dreamt of this moment for the past three years, is a huge understatement.

Her train of thought has been momentarily derailed, and the small pull at her wrist and a frantic glance at her watch, reminds her they still haven't made it quite yet, and she has places to be. The sound of 'giddy up,' at her waist brings her back to reality. She looks down at the little girl by her side and wishes they had a horse, knowing that would speed things up.

'Look at this place! This is going on Instagram!' Andi beams, swinging in circles, an outstretched arm capturing photos. Blanking her sister's annoyed glare, pouting at the camera and smiling with an open mouth. Amelia sighs watching her sister, Andi seems in no hurry, as she munches on a croissant that she grabbed as they fled the apartment that morning.

Amelia waves a hand in front of the camera, 'No, no, no, no, NO! I'm sure in the thousand-page dossier they sent over it stated no social media. Take a picture of that croissant hanging out of your yap and shout about how breakfast is the most important meal of the day! You are going to get me fired before I've even signed in!' Amelia finishes quickly, running out of breath and energy, she is not in the mood for this.

'I've had breakfast!' A little voice states with pride, Andi halts and looks down, 'wait, do I know you?' she jests through a mouthful of pastry. 'Auntie Andi! It's me, Rosie.' Amelia looks down at the small but confident voice and despite running a couple minutes late, she always has time to smile at her daughter.

Rosie is coming up four and she's into everything; precious gems, digging through her mother's drawers, cartoons, bunny rabbits, space, cars and even cheeseburgers. She has an excitement for everything that Amelia envies. Rosie has dark brown curly hair and it's divided into two pigtails on either side of her head, she has baby-blue eyes and she is not afraid to use them. She is wearing a red dress with a thick white bow around the waist, with white polka dots adorning the skirt. She looks ready for the Fourth of July and Amelia wonders if it's too much. Her small white Mary-Janes are precious and she has a back pack strapped to her, crammed with snacks, toys and distractions. She's fiddling with a small cowboy figure as she canters next to her mother on an imaginary pony. Amelia shakes herself and once again remembers, they are women on a mission with places to be.

Amelia quickly notices something shiny in her daughter's hair that wasn't there this morning. At a jaunty angle sits a bow on one side of her head, red white and blue with a familiar shield in the middle. 'Wait!' Amelia calls, lurching forward and unclipping it. She holds it towards her sister and gives her a questioning side eye. No second guesses required for where it came from.

'So, where are we going?' Andi asks, finally clocking on to the fact they may be running behind. Amelia wipes her face and looks appalled at her younger sister, 'ugh, say it don't spray it, Andrea!' Andi stops abruptly, 'Amelia. Who peed in your coco puffs this morning?' Rosie's face creases in disgust, 'yuk, who would do that?' She looks between the adults for answers with raised eyebrows. Andi shrugs at her niece, and continues to tear at her croissant, she stands with one hand on her hip and stares at her sister, waiting for an answer. She stops chewing and pushes the food to one side of her mouth, jutting her chin forward and waving two questioning hands. Amelia realises in despair that sadly, this isn't a rhetorical question.

Amelia is a good few strides ahead of Andi and is practically dragging Rosie along behind her. She stops, sighing loudly and closing her eyes, taking a deep breath, slowly, she turns to her sister. Andi smirks, confident she knows how to push Amelia's buttons.

'This is a big deal to me. A big deal for us,' she gestures to the three of them. 'I have been plugging away behind the scenes to get into this place and get an interview with just one Avenger and by some minor miracle they have offered me eight! People love them! This is the opportunity of a lifetime and I am not going to be late! Here!' Amelia thrusts the bow towards Andi's chest.

Andi accepts it and looks up with her mouth open, 'hey, they retail at fifteen dollars on Etsy!' Amelia doesn't turn to respond, 'oh! so you are on Etsy now?' She questions with sarcasm. She stoops to pick up Rosie and storms ahead, marching towards the glass entrance. Andi calls after her, 'well, no not yet, it's concept.'

Amelia is trying not to let on too much, but she is blown away by Avengers' Tower. The path to the front entrance is lined with trees that look like lolly pops. It is so pristine that she wonders if the foliage is even real. The paving slabs are perfect, as if the birds have been warned to avoid the area, she wonders if Iron Man keeps them at bay. The entire building is glass and mirrors, meaning every time her sister stops to interrogate her, Amelia catches a glimpse of herself and remembers that this was the skirt she chose this morning, these are the legs God gave her and that pain in the ass snapping photos, is her sister.

Amelia's gone for her usual professional, below the knee pencil skirt with a bright pink belt for colour and a white shirt. She is wearing a black blazer and struggling with four bags, and a child. Amelia spots her reflection again and almost pinches herself that this day has come. Ahead she can see the mechanical doors and the co-ordinating water features framing the entrance. She wants to ooze preparedness and professionalism, but she feels tested already and she's not even signed in.

Amelia decides to take a calmer tone with Andi, as they near the entrance, 'look. I pulled a lot of strings to get here and to get you here! Remember the deal, you watch Rosie, I'll be upstairs with the team, doing the interviews and then we will swap, so that you can take some awe-inspiring shots for the posters. Ok?' Amelia looks frazzled, blowing hair out of her eyes and waiting for Andi to comply.

'Fine,' Andi pauses, 'you know you are going to kick ass, right?' Andi can sense the nerves and paranoia radiating from her. Amelia might be her big sister but she needs a little looking after too, some times. She has a habit of pinning hopes and dreams on things and sometimes the wrong things.

'Of course,' Amelia agrees flippantly.

'Oh good, just checking,' Andi deadpans and smirks at her sister.

The three pick up pace now that Rosie is being carried, she's busy walking the small cowboy across her Mom's shoulders and sticking her tongue out at Andi. As the three approach the glass doors, Amelia begins to slow and lower Rosie to the ground. 'Right, there's check in, let's regroup.' Andi rolls her eyes, that's a saying from her mother and God does she hate it when someone says regroup.

Andi and Rosie stand up straight and side by side, trying their best to look serious and inspection ready. Amelia casts an eye over both and decides Rosie looks perfect. She kneels, trying to balance the bags and not topple on her daughter. 'You look beautiful. Very sharp, Miss Miller.' She tugs on the dress and hoists one leg of the tiny girl's knee high socks up and finally tucks the strap of her left shoe into the buckle. She kisses Rosie's cheek and playfully pulls on one pony tail. 'Mommy!' Rosie giggles as Amelia stands up and appraises her sister, 'and what about me? Will I do' Andi asks with a flutter of her lashes. Amelia looks her up and down and summarises 'You? You get points for just showing up.' Andi and Rosie high five, 'right, Let's do this,' Amelia declares.

'Good morning, welcome to Avengers Tower, how may I help you?' the receptionist recites. 'Hi, I'm Amelia Miller, I'm here with Manhattan Matters Live for the breakfast interviews?' She awkwardly flashes her work pass and the lady smiles at her politely, 'ah yes, Miss Miller, the rest of your team is setting up on level twelve.' The receptionist looks past Amelia and quirks an eyebrow at the pair stood loitering at her heels. Andi is too busy gaping at the endless windows and internal water features to notice the scrutiny and Rosie tries to curtsy, one foot behind the other, nearly falling over. She steadies and flashes a gapped tooth smile, giving a small wave at the older lady behind the desk.

'Oh and this is Andrea Miller, she assisting with taking photographs, she's part of Darren's team? And this is my daughter Rosie, I spoke to, umm…ahh' Amelia fumbles for a piece of folded paper in her pocket 'umm a Miss Potts? who said it was no problem to bring her along? I've got all the right ID, I practically brought the filing cabinet.' Amelia grimaces and holds her breath. The lady is a little on the scary side and looks like she is trying to make her mind up about the three. At the mention of Miss Potts, she immediately brightens, holding her hand out for the documents, 'ah, I see, well, photos will be on level five, here are your ID badges, please wear these at all times. Please keep your luggage with you throughout the day, you will need to go over to the baggage check point, just to your left.'

'Yass!' Andi says, grabbing her lanyard off the desk, 'nice, we are professionals now, sis!' The receptionist looks at her sceptically, side glancing at security and smiling at Andi with a knowing grin that says, we'll be watching you.

While Amelia fixes her new lanyard, Andi calls 'right, well better get going. Thanks for squaring the passes Martha, catch you later!'

Amelia smiles down at Rosie, as she spins beside her 'it's so big Mamma and shiny!' She chirps merrily as her Mom clips the pass to her dress. The receptionist looks over the counter at the little girl and retakes her seat, advising, 'the elevator is right there, use the reverse side of ID card to access it. Is there anything else I can help with?'

Andi smirks and starts to walk away, 'that's everything, thanks, Linda,' she sings. Now it's Andi's turn to give her sister a gentle pull, as they head towards the elevators. 'I don't think that's her name…' Amelia whispers. Andi doesn't care and answers dismissively 'oh, well, she was being judgy, just because I'm not in a suit and I'm wearing boots.' Amelia looks down at her scruffy, lace up shoes, 'yeah about that' she queries as they arrive for the baggage checks, 'could you not have dressed up a little bit?' Andi looks at her sister in shock, 'Amelia, I'm an artist. It's important to wear my creativity.'

'Fine,' Amelia gives in, looking back towards her daughter, she whispers harshly, 'Rosie! Now is not the time for colouring, put it away.' Rosie has dropped down on the floor and started to spill the contents of her mini backpack. Andi just laughs and cries out, 'yet another artist you are trying to stifle!' Amelia throws her arms up in exasperation, 'AHH! Could you be any more you!' she shouts and dumps her bags on the conveyer belt and folds her arms across her chest.

The baggage clerk gives them a look and Amelia senses most people don't visit Avengers' tower and bicker with their siblings. As the three wait for their bags to be scanned, Rosie asks the clerk, 'do you need to see my cowboy? His name is Tomroy.' The man looks nervous to interact with the child, but politely declines.

Once they are through successfully, Andi shouts 'grab your bag, kid. We're in.' They head for the elevator and Amelia leans forward to swipe her pass. The elevator rolls to a stop and a makes a ding noise.

'Let's go over the plan again. Andi, you will set up and meet the photo team on your level, I should be about three hours. I just need to oversee the early stages and ensure everything is going smoothly. Once I'm done, I will meet you on five, take over with missy here and we can wait for you or grab a milkshake or something. Rosie has snacks in her bag, but please don't eat them the minute I leave.' She then looks at Rosie, 'and don't let Auntie Andi eat them.' Turning to Andi with a smug smile, 'oh, and I packed you a banana.'

'How kind,' Andi mumbles. The three have somehow shuffled into the elevator and Rosie starts walking her cowboy around the railings, muttering about horses, cows and holy smokes, Amelia wonders where she learns this stuff.

'Level five,' a polite robotic voice commands.

The Miller girls step out and once clear, Amelia bends down to Rosie's eye height and smiles warmly at her. 'I need you to be good for Andi, Mommy won't be long, I know it's not the most exciting way to spend the day, but I will make it up to you. Don't forget the toys in your backpack, don't colour the walls, don't steal anything and look after your Auntie.' Amelia smiles and tilts her head at her sister. Rosie giggles and Andi can't help but smirk, she looks down at her niece and winks. Rosie stands a little straighter, grabbing Andi's hand, with a defiant nod, she declares 'I've got it, Mamma.'

Amelia starts to back away, retreating into the elevator and shouts 'text me if you need anything, I mean it. Anything!'

'Yes, off you go. Goodbye, Mom,' Andi sighs in an exacerbated voice. 'Say hello to Hulkie for me!' Rosie cries at the top of her lungs. Andi can't help but laugh at her niece's innocence, which has just wrecked the serene moment and the peace of level five.

Once the doors close, Amelia takes a moment to breathe out and gather herself, she loves her family more than anything, but bringing one, let alone both of them to work isn't ideal. She's pulled some strings to get Andi into the photo shoot, she just hopes Andi can avoid putting her foot in her mouth for a couple of hours. Amelia catches a look at herself in a slither of mirror next to the elevator control panel, the windy day has blown her half up/half down hair doo to pretty much all down. Her hands are clammy and she wipes them on her skirt.

When the elevator slows to a stop on level twelve, she gives her shirt a tug and begins to step off. She follows the A-frame signs and audibly groans when she sees the sign labelled Breakfast with the Sinclairs, a breakfast opposition show. Spotting the sign for Manhattan Matters, she pushes through the large double doors.

'Good morning! Sorry I'm a little bit late,' she pulls her coat off and tosses it over a chair. 'Catch me up on where we are?' She says to a female colleague beside her.

Crew members are whizzing in and out of view, some with make-up, some balancing water and someone with a tray of pastries. The sound folk are plugging cables in and Amelia smiles at the happy hive of activity. It is a good team, a good day and everyone is where they should be. Amelia grabs a water from her bag and sips it, trying to calm herself and prepare for the day.

The older lady beside her announces, 'not late! Eight to interview, but just two today. One still in makeup, one, well, I'm not quite sure. The stage is set, green screen is up, the refreshments just rolled out and Beth is unwell,' she coughs and turns away in fear of the reaction.

Amelia had been nodding throughout the conversation, but at the last statement she catches her breath on a mouth full of water and stops still. She feels the blood drain from her face, a tingle in her fingers and a sinking feeling in her stomach. 'Beth's... ill?' She almost whispers to Natalie. Amelia feels faint and thinks everything is not where it should be and this is a horrible day, with a horrible team of people, out to sabotage her life and her career. Amelia can practically hear Andi's sarcastic, 'over dramatic much?'

'Yes, claims it was the noodles, but I've been going to the Ramen Kitchen for seven years and I've never picked anything up. Except a hot date,' she nudges Amelia with a slight laugh. Amelia doesn't hear anything else Natalie has said and turns to clarify, 'as in, Beth is not here? She's not coming in? At all?'

Amelia perks up with an idea 'well who did Mark send to cover?'

Natalie pauses and reaches for the bottle of water in Amelia's hand. 'Here's the thing, they didn't send anyone and they want you to run the interviews.' Natalie smiles and pats Amelia's shoulder, she pries the bottle top out of Amelia's hand and screws it on tight, turning to leave. Natalie is ready to be far away from the barrage of crazy ramblings that are about to begin following that bombshell.

Amelia grasps for Natalie's hand, 'me? Me? No. No way. I have no idea what I'm doing, I'm not trained for this, I'm behind the camera, not in front! I'm a part-time associate producer.'

'Come on, Mia, this is the biggest catch of your career, of all our careers. You're the one who has plugged away to get us here, I will talk about this day with my grandchildren, we can't back out now and say sorry, the kung pow chicken is to blame!' Natalie looks at Amelia seriously and reassures, 'I know you can do this, think how proud your girl will be to see you on the tube.'

Amelia takes a deep breath and stares at the wall behind Natalie, she wonders if she could knock her head hard enough to bring on a minor concussion? She needs a moment of peace and time to think. Sure, she knows what to do on both sides of the camera, but she naturally shies away from the limelight.

When she had Rosie, she became part-time and her career fell down her list of priorities. TV is all she ever wanted to do, but not in front of the camera, that's for sure. She catches a glimpse of a StarBucks coffee cup, knocked over on the floor and as she picks it up to discard it, she notices the marker scrawled on the side, 'Iron Man' and multiple smiley faces. She thinks she should just get out now, get back in the elevator, grab Rosie, Andi can find her way home, flog the cup on eBay and live off the money for twenty years.

She scolds herself mentally, deeming that she has spent too much time with her little sister. She decides Natalie's right, this is an opportunity not to be missed, she's lined up the ball, she was hoping someone else would pot it, but looks like if you want something done... She can do this, she's trained, she's pushed a human out of her body for heaven's sake. Amelia cuts off the dramatic prose in her head, turning to Natalie, 'fine, where do you want me?' From producer to new starter just like that.

Natalie grins at Amelia, grabbing both her shoulders and shouting, 'thank God! I thought you were going to back out on me then, I'm sure as hell not doing it. Well, it's seven thirty now, we start at eight fifteen, so just time for you to get a little blush on those apples. Oh, here are the questions, familiarise yourself, while I get David to brush the birds nest on your head.' Amelia looks up in shock, 'hey, I much prefer it when you are sucking up to me!' Natalie grins, 'you've agreed now, so no time for that. And where is young Rosalyn?' Natalie asks as she steers Amelia towards hair and make-up.

Amelia answers quietly, 'downstairs, with Andi.' Natalie gives Amelia a strained smile, 'I see.' Amelia picks up on the tone and pacifies, 'they will be fine.' Natalie smiles, placing a kiss on the younger's cheek, announcing, 'well, it is a day of firsts, I guess.'

Author's note: so here are some of my new characters, I hope you enjoyed it, comments and constructive criticism always welcome. We meet an Avenger in the next chapter x

Chapter 1: Three Ladies and a Cowboy