I'm writing this note on Halloween night but I know this chapter is going to go up well after all the little peanuts have gone to bed. I just want to say that I'm sad that I didn't get very many trick or treaters. I was giving out literal handfuls of candy and I still have a fuck tonne leftover. So sad. On another note, this chapter contains graphic depictions of birth and a new arrival. I'll see you at the end.


It was either really early or really late depending on how you looked at it. It was 1 in the morning and Tony had woken up, thrown up, then asked Steve for a snack because he was hungry and the baby wanted cheese puffs. So, Steve went to the kitchen to make some cheese puffs while Tony lay in bed and rubbed at his aching belly.

"JARVIS, can you tell me the difference between Braxton-Hicks contractions and real contractions?" asked Tony as the pain ebbed and flowed. He was getting really annoyed with it so he wanted to make sure he wasn't about to make any rash decisions. He still had another couple of weeks before his due date anyways.

JARVIS went and rattles off some information. The more JARVIS talked the more concerned Tony got. He hadn't timed anything but he did notice that he was cramping at regular intervals and that it had been progressively getting worse since the day before. Tony decided that he needed Steve here with him like right now.

"JARVIS! Call Steve, please. I think he needs to be here."

A moment later Steve had returned looking a bit frazzled. Tony tried to smile at him but ended up grimacing. Steve rushed over and crawled onto the bed next to Tony.

"Hey, sweetheart, what's going on? Is everything alright?" asked Steve as he took Tony's hands in his.

"Um… I think I'm in labour. I'm not 100% sure. I'm going to have JARVIS time the next contraction for me. Just uh… just be ready to maybe go to medical. Hey JARVIS when I give a thumbs up can you start timing things?"

"Certainly Sir."

Steve just sort of sat there dumbly for a second before the information really sunk in. Then he panicked a bit. There may have been a bit of yelling and Steve frantically pulling things they might need together into a bag while Tony sat there in the bed and tried not to laugh.

The second another contraction hit Tony gave a thumbs up and JARVIS began timing everything. Tony also let out a groan and Steve stopped his packing and immediately was at Tony's side holding his hand and trying to comfort him.

"Alright. Nope. That's been 5 minutes we're going to medical."

Steve nodded and grabbed the last few items they needed for their stay before shouldering the bag and physically picking Tony up to carry him down to medical JARVIS had already sent down an alert. The second they arrived they got Tony into a hospital gown and onto the bed where the doctors were waiting. It didn't take long before they were able to confirm that Tony was in labour and that the baby was on his way.

This information, of course, made Tony and Steve very anxious. Tony's due date wasn't for another two and a half weeks and they were worried that something was wrong. The doctors said that they would monitor the whole thing closely but still, they were worried.

The upside of having an AI that was able to track vitals was the fact that Tony didn't need to be tethered to the bed to monitor things. He was allowed to move around a bit to ease the pain. Sure, Tony had an IV in, but he could still move about the room. About two hours after they arrived in medical Steve was helping Tony stand up so that gravity would do something helpful. Once Tony was on his feet He groaned out in pain. The change of position helped a bit but he knew that things were going to get worse before they got better. And by better Tony meant that he would finally be holding his precious little baby and no longer caring about the pain.

"Here, I've got an idea to help distract you a bit." Spoke Steve as he put Tony's arms around his neck and his own hands on Tony's waist. "JARVIS, can you play us a good slow dancing song."

JARVIS was quick to listen and seconds later the song "It's been a long long time" began playing. The two swayed together and Tony rested his head on Steve's collarbone and tried to focus on just being with Steve and not the pain he was in.

Two hours later found Tony back in bed and laying on his side while Steve held his hands and rubbed at his sides. There was a light conversation going between the two to keep Tony distracted. It didn't work very well. Every few minutes Tony would gasp in pain and clutch harder at Steve's hands. Steve could only kiss his forehead and offer words of comfort.

Around 5:30 am there was a knock at the door to their room. They knew it wasn't any of the doctors because they would just come in without knocking.

"I think that's the team Sweetheart. Do you want to see them?" asked Steve and Tony shook his head. He had no desire to see any of the others when he was this vulnerable. Rhodey, maybe. But the others not so much.

"Maybe just Rhodey." Sighed Tony as another contraction passed.

Steve nodded and got up to the door. Sure thing, right as he opened it and stepped out all their friends including Happy and Pepper were there and waiting.

"JARVIS said that Tony went into labour so we're all came here as fast as he could." Responded Pepper and everyone else nodded.

"How's he doing?" asked Bruce and a few others nodded in concern.

"He's doing alright. He's in a lot of pain and we're worried because he's two weeks early, but everything seems to be going normally." Spoke Steve and there were a few frowns.

"Can we see him?" asked Clint and Steve shook his head.

"He's not really up for visitors at the moment. Tony said that he would like to see you though Rhodey. You can probably relay more information then I can at the moment. I don't want to be away from Tony for very long."

Rhodey nodded and followed Steve back inside the room while the others commandeered all the comfortable chairs in the Avengers Tower Medical waiting area. Tony had rolled onto his back and had his eyes squeezed shut as another contraction hit. Steve practically ran back to his side to hold his hands and wipe his brown.

"Hey, there Tones. I take it you're feeling pretty shitty right about now." Spoke Rhodey in only the way that people who have know each other a very long time have.

"This part sucks. I just want my baby to be here already." Complained Tony after the contraction had ended.

Tony didn't talk much after that. He was feeling really shitty and wanting to throw up from the building pain so he just decided to focus on breathing. He was so focused that he didn't hear Rhodey leaving not even 10 minutes later after he'd gotten some information to share with the others.

Tony spent all morning labouring. He'd thrown up twice from the pain and from nausea but every time a doctor came in to check on things everything was going smoothly. They'd probably have their baby before the end of the day barring any unforeseen complications.

Tony still didn't talk too much as the day moved on. Steve did most of the talking. He would just hold Tony and sing little sings or tell stupid stories. They did talk a bit about all the things they were excited to teach Nicola as he got older or speculating on what he'd look like.

"I'd love for him to have your big doe eyes, Anthony. I just love your eyes."

"Well, then I want him to have your hair. Having curly hair is a mess. I don't want him to have to struggle with hair when he's a teenager."

"But your hair looks great Tony."

"Practice and expensive product that's all I can tell you. Plus you've seen my hair in the morning. I'd like for Nicola to not have to deal with "the puff" first thing in the morning."

At one point, around 3 pm, Tony was sitting cross-legged on the bed while Steve sat behind him and rubbed his back. The massage felt nice and Steve was glad that he could do something for Tony that helped lessen the pain if only for a little bit. But, just as Tony was really getting into the massage, he was rocked with a very sharp pain and the feeling of liquid pooling around his legs.

"Shit! Fuck! Oh God!" cried out Tony as his hands went to clutch at his abdomen.

"Tony! Anthony! What's wrong?" worried Steve.

"I think my water just broke."

Steve was quick to call a doctor and get Tony laying back down so the doctor could check on things.

"Alright Mr. Stark, you're almost 10 cm dilated. Your baby is going to come pretty soon so we're going to get everything ready to go now." Tony nodded and just held Steve's hand and tried to remember to breathe.

There were doctors all throughout the room now. Tony was laying on his back with his feet in stirrups while Steve held his hand. He felt absolutely helpless. He was a fighter, a leader, a problem solver, yet all he could do was hold Tony's hand and give encouragement. He couldn't do anything about the pain. He couldn't make the baby come faster to spare Tony any more pain. He couldn't do anything when all he wanted to do was make things better.

About 30 minutes after Tony's water broke, Tony was fully dilated and ready to push. The pain was unbearable and Tony couldn't help but scream in pain with every push. Steve's job was to help Tony count each time he had to push as well as to remains him to breathe. It was scary. Neither would deny that. This whole experience was terrifying. They just wanted both Tony and the baby to make it out alright on the other end.

"Shh Anthony sweetheart. You're doing great. You're almost there. Not much longer." Soothed Steve as he helped support Tony's back.

"Steve. It hurts so much. I can't do it. I can't do it, Steve." Cried, Tony. Tears were falling from his eyes Steve wanted more than anything to take the pain away.

"You can do it, Tony. I know you can."

"You're very close Mr. Stark. We can see the head. Just a few more pushes and you'll have your baby." Encouraged one of the doctors.

So, Tony kept pushing and crying and screaming. He didn't know how much more of this he could take. He felt horrible. The only silver lining was getting to finally see his baby after all this time. Luckily after one more big push, Tony felt something slip from his body and a piercing cry cut through his own. Steve helped immediately to pull down the fabric around Tony's chest and seconds later an impossibly tiny baby was placed in his arms. And right there on July 4th, 2014, at 4:49 pm, baby Nicola Joseph Stark-Rogers was born. And he was perfect.

"That's our baby!" smiled Steve as he looked at the tiny baby on Tony's chest. Tony just nodded and cried while looking at his son. His son! He couldn't believe it.

One of the doctors came around and helped Steve to cut the cord. Steve's hand was shaking the whole time. He was just so overwhelmed with emotions, and he couldn't even begin to imagine how Tony was feeling. Luckily, so far both of them were healthy. Tony was in pain but that was about it, and baby Nicola had a very healthy set of lungs on him. He definitely got those from Tony. They'd have to wait a little bit to see if Nicola inherited any of the illnesses Steve suffered from as a child, but for now, everything was going great.

A couple of minutes after Nicola was born Tony delivered the placenta and he was finally allowed to have some much-needed ice packs and medication. Tony didn't care too much about what the doctors were doing. He only had eyes for his son. Nicola was perfect. He had such tiny hands and feet. There was a small patch of downy blonde hair on his head that made Tony smile.

"He's so perfect." Whispered Tony and Steve couldn't help but agree. They made perfect babies.

"He is. God, I love you both so much. You did so well Tony. You're so strong. I'm so proud of you." Cried Steve as he gently placed one of his hands over Tony's on Nicola's back and kissed his son's head.

The doctors lingered around for a bit longer cleaning up and making sure that everything was alright. They also got the birth certificate sorted out while they were there. But, after a little while, they left, leaving the two new parents to bond with their baby.

"Happy birthday Steve." Smiled Tony a bit as he held his son in his arms.

"What?"

"Today's July 4th. You and our son share the same birthday."

Steve felt elated. His birthday had always been a mixture of good and bad memories. He never really cared for the day himself after his mom had passed. But now, now he had a reason to celebrate, not his own birth, but his son's. His precious baby's birth was way more exciting to him then counting his own confusing age on a calendar.

Steve got up for a moment to go grab one of the super soft blankets that they'd brought down with them. Steve tucked the blanket around Tony and the baby and smiled as he watched them interact. Nicola had stopped crying and was gently snoozing on Tony's chest and Tony was kissing his little head. Steve smiled at the sight and went to go sit on the bed next to Tony so he could hold his family.

Half an hour later, their friends were allowed to come in and visit with struck instructions to keep the noise to a minimum.

"Hey, Tones. How you feeling?" asked Rhodey.

"Sore, but it's so worth it." Smiled Tony and Steve gave him a little kiss.

"Is that the baby? He's so small yet so mighty." Smiled Thor as he and the others got a little closer.

"Yes. Guys I'd like you all to meet Nicola Joseph Stark-Rogers." Smiled Steve and everyone's eyes lit up as they watched the tiny little baby in Tony's arms.

"He's so cute and squishy." Smiled Clint. In fact, it was almost a squeal.

"Did you just call my son squishy Barton?" joked Tony his eyes never leaving his baby.

"He's a baby, therefore, he's squishy."

"Can I hold him?" asked Pepper but Tony shook his head. He wasn't ready for anybody else other than himself and Steve to hold their baby. Everybody understood. They could hold Nicola later. Right no he needed to be with his Mama and Dada.

"You look exhausted Tony. We should leave you to get some rest." Spoke up Happy and everyone else nodded. They'd all gotten to see how Tony was doing and see the new baby. It was time for them to leave and get ready to help out where they could. And with some more well wishes and a few hugs and kisses, the others left the room leaving only Tony, Steve, and baby Nicola.

"We should probably make a post so people won't stalk us to see if you had the baby yet." Sighed Steve as he looked around the room. Their friends hadn't been gone long but they needed to figure this out before Tony passed out.

"I don't care. Just make sure that Nicola's fact isn't in the picture. I want to keep him out of the press as much as possible."

"Agreed."

The picture Steve posted was one JARVIS was able to get only a few moments after Nicola's birth. Tony was crying and giving Nicola a little kiss on his head while the baby rested on Tony's bare chest, his face facing away from the camera. Everything about that moment was precious.

capamericaofficial The best gift I could ever receive. I love you both with all my heart. This evening Tony gave birth to our son, Nicola Joseph Stark-Rogers. The birth went well and both Mama and Baby are doing just fine. I'm so thankful for everything I've been given and I can't wait to take the journey into parenthood with the love of my life at my side. Thank you all for your support.

After Steve made the post he put his phone on silent and went back to just holding Tony and the baby. There wasn't much talking. The two new parents just wanted to savour these moments with their son. Their perfect little bundle of joy that they would love no matter what. But soon enough Tony was yawning and more than ready for a little nap.

"You should hold him, Steve." Encouraged Tony and Steve looked over with wide eyes.

"Can I?"

"Of course you can. He's your son too. You're Dad." Smiled Tony tiredly

"I'm Dad." Spoke Steve in awe. Things were really starting to settle in. He was a dad now. He had a baby. Steve very gently scooped Nicola out of Tony's outstretched arms and held him on his own after removing his own shirt. The doctors said that skin to skin was good for the baby. There were tears in his eyes as Steve held his son for the first time. Tony smiled over at the two as he pulled the nice warm blankets close around him.

"You should get some rest, Tony. You did all the hard work getting Nicola here, let me handle things for a while." Soothed Steve from his seat in the chair next to Tony's bed.

"You'll wake me if Nicola needs any food right. Last I checked you're amazing pecs couldn't make food." Joked Tony tiredly.

"I will sweetheart. Now get some rest."

It didn't take very long for Tony to fall asleep after that. He was exhausted after giving birth. The sleep was very much appreciated.

"Hey there Nicola. I'm your Dad." Whispered Steve with a smile as he held his son close.

"I'm so glad you're finally here. Your Mama and I are so excited to meet you. Your Mama is the best. You're really lucky. He loves you so much already. The same goes for me. I never thought I'd be able to have kids and now I have you. My perfect little baby. I can't wait to show you the world. I can't wait to play games with you and to teach you how to paint and draw. Your Mama will show you all the things to do with science but I'll show you all the things you can do with art. I think you'll like getting messy. God, I can't wait to see you grow up, but not too fast. I love you so much, Nicola. Never forget how much your Mama and I love you."

Steve smiled and kissed the top of his son's head. It had been a long day but everything was worth it. Tony and Nicola were healthy and Steve had the family he'd always dreamed of. Sure, his family was put together like a patchwork quilt, but each stitch was made with love and trust. Two things that Steve was going to make sure that Nicola always knew.

God, he was so happy. So damn happy.


AAAAHHHH! How cute is baby Nicola? And Tony and Steve and everyone else just being so in love with the baby. Nicola's going to grow up surrounded by love. And Steve being such a good partner. I can't even and I wrote the damn thing. Let me know what you all think. I'll see you soon. -Shadows