Two weeks after receiving the shield, Sam said goodbye to them for a while to see his family in Harlem. After that Steve, Natasha, and Bucky tried settling into a routine that worked for them and it did not take long for the three of them to find their groove together. Steve and Bucky took turns in cooking, chores, and errands.
Shuri was very satisfied with Natasha's recovery. Two months in and she finally gave her more freedom on her activities. But still, Steve could not help to be a bit protective of her. He knew Natasha would sooner or later get tired of him waiting on her all the time but until then, he would spoil her and let her not lift a finger.
Steve was very grateful that Natasha and Bucky got along. As a matter of fact, they got on pretty well that they ended up teaming up in teasing and pulling pranks on him. He did not mind of course, but it did make him miss Sam and even Clint. Steve had a feeling that Clint would be on his team because Clint would do anything to defeat Natasha in a prank war.
Things were pretty much laid back. Days were too leisurely, not that Steve was complaining, that was pretty much what he expected out of retirement, but he was nervous that Natasha and Bucky would eventually get restless and bored. It was true, the two were similar in so many ways that Steve could not believe he did not realize it before. Aside from their almost identical and equally horrible pasts, their personalities overlapped as well and their unfiltered views of the world matched most of the time. While that amused Steve, it also made him wonder if future disagreements with Natasha would be more difficult to handle because Bucky would probably back her up.
Of course, he anticipated arguments and disagreements with Natasha in the future. He realized that disagreements have hovered and lurked around their relationship ever since the beginning. They just did not end up fighting or biting each others' head off because they were constantly negotiating, compromising on everything. And it worked!
But Steve knew he could not be focused on worrying about the future right now. He did not know how well he and Natasha would handle retirement so they would take it one day a time. And today was a break from the usual mundane.
Steve sat on the porch, sketching the Wakandan city in the distance and Natasha and Bucky were on the porch steps, Natasha braiding Bucky's hair, when a pillar of light appeared from the sky and landed on the front lawn. The light had streaks of colors in it.
"Thor," Steve said as the light eventually faded and revealed the god and the racoon on his shoulders.
"There she is," Thor exclaimed and beamed at Natasha.
He stepped out of the Bifrost and walked up to her on the porch steps, arms wide open. Steve smiled as Natasha hugged Thor back. But then he worried a bit when it seemed like Thor hugged her too much that she stopped breathing.
"Thor," Steve called out.
Thor realized it and released Natasha. She clearly almost ran out of air. Then Natasha turned to Rocket, still on Thor shoulders.
"Still not a hugger?" Natasha teased him.
Rocket hugged her too then pulled out something from his bag. It was a small ball of twig, peppered with leaves and flowers and buds.
"Nebula says she'd come soon but Groot says hi," Rocket said as Natasha took the gift then petted Rocket on the head. Steve knew Rocket did not like people doing that but he guessed Rocket had made that exception for Natasha, just this one time.
Steve invited them inside the cabin and said he would phone T'Challa to inform him of their arrival. Then Steve noticed Bucky hanging back on the porch, hands on his hips and was looking at something at the lawn.
"I just mowed that this morning," Bucky said.
Steve followed his gaze and found the scorches on the grass left by the Bifrost. Steve clapped his friend on the shoulder and they both laughed.
Thor and Rocket stayed for a week. Rocket spent most of his days in the palace, working on some science project with the princess. Bucky was relieved by that because the raccoon badgered him about his arm all the time. Rocket would only cease whenever Natasha would glare at him. And that made Steve realize why Bucky seemed to never leave Natasha's side when Rocket was in the cabin. Thor meanwhile enjoyed the sights in Wakanda, especially his tour on the rhino farm. The beasts reminded him of bligesnipes.
One day Steve arrived from his errands and saw Natasha sparring with Thor.
"What are you doing?" Steve asked, sounding a bit angrier than he realized and looked at Natasha incredulously.
Natasha, Thor and Bucky, who was napping on the porch were taken aback by his tone that it made Natasha a bit irritated. "What does it look like?" Natasha asked.
They stared at each other for a few seconds, both assessing their next words or actions. But Steve sighed and simply walked inside the house. He sensed that Natasha followed him. They went inside the bedroom. He stood by the dresser, hands on his hips and Natasha closed the door behind her.
"Natasha," Steve started. His voice was calm but firm.
"Wow, whole name and hands on the hips," Natasha teased him. "I'm in serious trouble, then."
Steve smiled a bit and sat on the bed. He looked at her and said, "You should still be taking it easy."
"Oh, that? Don't worry, Shuri cleared me for -,"
"Already? Did she do that freely or you gave her no choice?"
"Really, Rogers?"
"Sorry, I didn't mean -," Steve said, his voice sounded upset all of a sudden and it confused Natasha even more. Steve tried to offer an explanation but could not articulate it because he was being ruled by his emotions right now. He felt more like crying than talking. Of course, Natasha sensed it. She knelt in front of him, calmer now too, and steadied herself with her hands on his knees.
"Steve, what is it?"
"I guess, I just panicked to see you on your feet like that again, you know, throwing punches, kicking around. Since you came back, I couldn't shake off this idea that what if dying doesn't scare you now, that you're oblivious to it because you've beaten death already."
"Making me reckless and even foolish in my decisions?"
Steve nodded, "I can't lose you again, Nat."
Natasha held his hands and looked at him straight in the eyes.
"I promise you, I am beingcareful and part of that is building up my strength again. Steve, believe me, I have more reasons to live than to die, now more than ever."
Then she smiled. It was that smile again. She cupped his cheeks and kissed him. He tried to pull her on the bed but Natasha convinced him that they should it to the showers instead.
One day before Thor and Rocket left for Asgard, Thor invited them. Steve knew Natasha found the idea exciting but they had to decline it.
"Sorry, Thor, we already have plans for this weekend," Steve said.
"We do?" Natasha asked, surprised.
"Yeah, it's been set even before Thor arrived. Sorry, I made it without consulting you."
"Well, that's been our system, right? You make the plans and I check if they're stupid enough to go through," Natasha said, putting an arm around his shoulder and giving a quick kiss on the cheek.
They all laughed especially when both Thor and Bucky agreed.
They were in bed that night when Steve finally told Natasha of that weekend plan of his. Natasha was curled at his side, head resting on his arm, her arm draped over his chest. He pulled her closer and said, "We're going to see Pepper."
She did not say anything else but she tightened her hold on him and Steve felt her tears on his chest.
T'Challa arranged a jet to take them straight to Pepper's. Steve, Natasha, and Bucky also said their goodbyes to their hosts because after their visit to Pepper, they would be going home to Brooklyn. Steve thought a change of pace and surroundings would help Natasha's recovery too. Shuri agreed but not without a slew of doctor reminders and of course making Natasha pinky promise that they would come back.
"Of course, we'd come back," Natasha said. "This is home, too."
The flight from Wakanda to New York was tiring and long. But Steve welcomed it nonetheless since it would give Natasha time to prepare, emotionally. But to his surprise, he was worrying about the wrong person.
"One question, sweetheart. Have James and Pepper met before this?" Natasha whispered to him.
He thought she was sleeping in one of the more comfortable passengers seats in the back as Bucky kept an eye on her. But here she was, belting herself in the co-pilot seat.
"Yeah," Steve said casually, then he faltered, "once."
"He's restless, Steve. I honestly don't know how you're not seeing it."
"What are you saying?"
"I told you I'd help you figure things out with him. And this is me doing that. Remember what I told you about people like James and me making amends?"
Steve nodded but still confused.
"Tony's gone, Steve. Shit, I can't believe I just said that," Natasha paused and contained her emotions.
Steve realized it was the first time she verbalized her grief over Tony's death. They did not talk about it while they were in Wakanda because he was waiting for her to open up. She was grieving like the rest of them but she was also Natasha, and dealing with emotions as powerful as grief was something she was trained to wrestle alone.
Now Steve thought if that was his cue to get through her and make her open up more. But Natasha did not give time to finalize a decision.
"Tony's gone," Natasha repeated, her voice slower and more resolved, "but James' guilt is not. I hope I'm wrong but I think he's planning to tell Pepper the truth."
"Shit," Steve cursed under his breath.
"Yeah, shit. Look, I know Pepper, at least I think I do. She's kind, generous, and patient. But grief can change people. I'm not sure how this is going to play out for James."
Steve set the jet in auto-pilot and unbuckled himself. Natasha followed suit and they sat Bucky down for a talk. Natasha was right. Bucky was indeed planning to tell Pepper the truth and that he was not expecting forgiveness. Steve was proud of him, truly. But he realized this might not end well for all of them because apparently, the ll three of them knew the truth and he and Natasha chose to protect James by keeping Tony in the dark.
"There are other ways to go about this, James," Natasha tried to explain. "You don't necessarily have to go around making personal apologies to make peace with -,"
"I know," Bucky cut her off. "But I have to, with this one."
Steve watched the two. He knew what Bucky was feeling but he would not go as far and say that he understood it because he did not. He was not brainwashed, had his memories removed, then broken into compliance and watched helplessly as he lost control of his own life. But Natasha was.
Throughout the flight, they helped Bucky with his 'speech'. Steve was good with speeches but this type of speech was more in Natasha's alley. That made Steve wondered how many times he had to make one for herself.
"Just one or two," Natasha confessed. "Like I said, there are other ways to make peace with the past."
"Like what?" Bucky asked.
"Like choosing your battles, making sure you're in them for the right reasons. Then if you find yourself in one that made you uncomfortable or endangered the greater good, you fight to end it. I picked that up from this old man my old boss ordered me to baby sit."
Steve blushed when Natasha smiled at him. When there were all satisfied with Bucky's speech, they went through the last stretch of their flight in silence and Steve wishing all would end well.
Finally, they arrived and Steve found Pepper, Happy, and Morgan waiting for them by a car. The closest clearing for the jet to land was ten minutes away from the cabin.
Steve and Bucky stepped out first to greet them. Over the phone, he told Pepper that he had a surprise for them but did not elaborate. Only now did he tell them about his trip to return the stones and his last stop in Vormir. He said he came back with a gift from the stone. Then Natasha came out of the jet.
Pepper gasped, "Oh, my god!"
"Cap?" Happy called out to Steve just for assurance.
"Auntie Nat!" Morgan yelled and ran to Natasha. Natasha stooped down and picked her up then she embraced her tightly.
"Hi," Natasha greeted Morgan and tucked her long hair behind the little girl's ear. She peppered the little girl's face with kisses. Morgan giggled and copied her, cupping Natasha's cheeks and kissing her all over her face.
Then Natasha put her down when Pepper started to come to her. Pepper was already crying. Natasha wrapped her arms around her and finally cried.
Steve saw Happy walk to the women. Pepper let go of Natasha so Happy could get his hug. Then Morgan clutched Natasha's hand and tugged her to the car yelling 'cheeseburgers'.
When they arrived at the house, Happy assured them that he would take care of dinner so all of them could catch up. But Steve volunteered himself and Bucky as his sous chefs so they could leave ladies to themselves. Steve knew Pepper would take Natasha to the living room and show her Tony's hologram message. He wanted to be by Natasha's side, hold her hand if she needed courage, but Steve had an inkling that if he saw Tony's message again, he was the one ending up a mess and Natasha would need to take care of him. So it was the kitchen for him.
"Aren't you afraid they'd talk about you behind your back?" Happy joked.
Steve laughed and said, "No, because anything they talk about behind our backs, they'll surely tell it to our face sooner or later."
Steve engaged Bucky in as much activity as possible to distract him for a bit. As much as he wanted to end Bucky's agony as early as possible, Steve did not want to ruin Natasha's reunion with Pepper. Natasha was Pepper's friend before she was theirs.
Steve was at the stove, working on Happy's gravy recipe when Natasha entered the kitchen asking for a refill on their chips. Happy refilled the bowl. Then Steve felt Natasha behind him. Her arms wrapped around his waist and her chin rested on his shoulder, which meant she was on her toes to reach that height. He was about to tease her about it when she reached further to his ear.
"I told Pepper there was something else we need to talk to her about. We'll do it after Morgan's gone to bed."
"Okay," Steve whispered back.
Natasha planted a kiss on his jaw, because that was the only thing she could reach, then another quick one on his shoulder. "It's going to be okay, Steve." She gave him a squeeze and let go.
"What was that?" Happy asked in shock.
Steve and Natasha laughed. Steve could not stop his ears and cheeks from burning. Clearly, he still had to get used to people's reactions to some PDA.
"Uncle Steve and Auntie Nat, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G," Morgan started singing. She was peering through one of the windows.
Steve and Natasha forgot about Happy's question and looked at Morgan in amazement. Steve remembered what Natasha said about Tony teasing the two of them.
"Oh my god, it's like he's still here," Natasha said, half jokingly and half endearingly.
After dinner, Happy said goodbye. He did not sleep at the cabin during the weekends. But there was nothing to worry about because the cabin was secured with perimeter defenses.
Like what Natasha said, she had prepped Pepper for some heart to heart talk that evening. So Pepper decided to put Morgan to bed early so they could all talk. But Steve was surprised when Bucky requested that he talked to Pepper alone. Steve did not agree, of course. Bucky's request confused Pepper.
"It's about James and Tony, Pepper," Natasha clarified to her and Pepper seemed okay with it.
Steve was adamant that it was a bad idea, but Bucky was decided that he would do it alone. He did not need Steve nor Natasha cleaning up his messes for him. Natasha was reluctant too but Bucky pleaded to her and there, Steve lost to the two of them.
Natasha offered to tuck Morgan to bed while Pepper and Bucky talk. Steve followed her and the girl upstairs gingerly. He asked Bucky one last time if he was sure and Bucky gave him a reassuring nod.
In Morgan's room, Natasha went on helping Morgan with her nighttime routine before bed while Steve just sat on the girl's bed and worried for Bucky. When Morgan was finally ready, she jumped on the bed and Steve helped her get settled under the sheets. Natasha laid down beside Morgan while he sat on the other side.
"What are they talking about?" Morgan asked.
Steve and Natasha looked at each other. Natasha smiled at him, telling him that she would take this one.
"They are talking about your dad," Natasha replied.
"Oh, is he daddy's friend, too?"
"Sort of and he's here because he wants to be friends with you and your mom, too," Natasha said.
"Is he nice?"
"Yeah, he is, and if you want, you can call him Uncle James," Natasha said.
"Bucky, he'd like Uncle Bucky," Steve interjected.
"Yeah, Uncle Bucky sounds more fun," Morgan said with a huge smile. Steve smiled in victory and Natasha rolled her eyes at him.
"Mommy said daddy chose my name. She said she didn't really like it at first but daddy likes it," Morgan continued. "I like my name. I can be a girl and a boy!"
"Yeah, it's very practical," Natasha chimed in.
"If you and Uncle Steve had a baby, what would you name it?" Morgan asked.
Steve froze at the question, it was a soft spot for Natasha. He remembered that one time Wanda forgot about it and made remarks that upset Natasha. It was unintentional of course, Natasha knew that, but it rattled her nonetheless that it took a couple of days for Natasha to push the pain back deep inside her.
Steve looked at Natasha, ready to handle this one for her. But he was surprised to see her smiling at Morgan.
"Well, if it's a boy, I'd like to call it James Anthony," Natasha said.
"That's my dad's name!" Morgan exclaimed.
"Yeah, and if its a girl, I like - Sarah," Natasha said and looked at Steve. "So she'd grow up to be a great mom and then she'd raise a really nice guy."
Then all of a sudden, everything felt right in the world for Steve. His heart just swelled in happiness. He smiled back at her.
"I like it too!" Morgan said.
Five bedtime stories and twenty minutes later, Morgan finally fell asleep and Steve could not get any credit for any of it. He just sat there and watched Natasha do her magic. She clearly had a lot of practice with Cooper and Lila.
He and Natasha carefully removed themselves from the bed and sat side by side on the floor, leaning against the bed frame. He had one arm around Natasha's shoulder.
"I'm sorry," Steve whispered. Natasha looked at him wondering why. He continued, "I don't know. I'm just sorry because they didn't give you a choice on the matter, which is too bad because I truly believe you'd be a great mom."
And in an instant, Natasha started to tear up. Steve reached for her cheeks and wiped the tears away. He did not notice that he was crying too. He pulled her face to his and kissed her.
"You're perfect, Nat. I love you just the way you are."
"Thank you," Natasha whispered then curled into his hug. Steve did not see it but Natasha had that smile on her face again.
The door creaked and Pepper emerged. Steve and Natasha woke up. He did not realize they feel asleep and did not know how long they have slept sitting up against the bed. He wanted to ask Pepper how the talk went but she immediately asked for Natasha. Her eyes were red so Steve was already thinking of the worst possible scenario. Natasha gave his hand a gentle squeeze and followed Pepper in the master bedroom.
Meanwhile, Steve stood up, switched off the lamp and slowly made his way downstairs and found Bucky sitting in front of the fire.
"Hey," Bucky greeted him first. His eyes were red too but there was an unmistakable smile on his face.
Steve sat beside him and asked, "So it went well."
"Better than what I deserve, Steve," Bucky said and he started to tear up again.
Steve put an arm around his shoulder and uttered a silent prayer of gratitude.
Steve and Natasha were properly in bed in Pepper's guest bedroom when they talked about what happened between Pepper and Bucky. Just as Bucky had planned, he told the story and apologized. He did not ask Pepper to forgive him nor beg her let to him make it up to her.
And Natasha was right about Pepper being kind and gracious. While she could not forgive Bucky because forgiveness was not hers to give, she could however give him a chance. Tony was gone but he could start making things right by Morgan. Pepper was sure the two of them would hit it off. He just show his metal arm and they would be best friends. That was when Bucky started to cry.
And Pepper was right. The next day, Bucky and Morgan were inseparable. Morgan explored every inch of his arm and Bucky was more than happy to show her some tricks. Steve, Natasha, and Pepper sat in the porch, watching them.
"Thank you," Steve said.
"The past is set on stone already, Steve, and it's heavy. I wouldn't get to where I want to if I let those drag me down."
"You two okay here?" Natasha asked.
"Yeah. I can run things from here and Morgan can grow up close to nature. Don't worry, the shed in the backyard has more than just shovels. There's a legion in there."
That eased up Natasha's worry about security.
"So, what about you, guys, what's next? Back to Brooklyn?"
Steve and Natasha looked at each other, smiles on their faces and nodded.
"You still in that two bedroom apartment?" Pepper asked and Steve nodded. "I'm sure it's nice but have you considered moving into a bigger one? Have one or two more bedrooms?"
"Well, we don't need that much space."
"You'll never know," Pepper said and shot a knowing glance at Natasha. But before Steve could say anything, Pepper stood up and called for Morgan. It was time for her bath.
Steve watched Bucky pick Morgan with his metal arm and bring her inside. When they were gone, Steve turned to Natasha and saw her smiling at him.
"You know what," Steve said and moved to sit next to her, "I think it's time you tell me why you keep smiling like that at me."
"When we get home, I promise, I'll finally tell you."
They spend one more night with Pepper and then Happy drove them to their home in Brooklyn. It was the same apartment Steve moved into when he left the compound five years ago. It was three blocks from his childhood neighborhood, although, he had to admit, the place did not look the same anymore. But it was still Brooklyn and its history invisibly lingered in the air, in every corner, in the pavements, so it was still home. Plus he had Bucky and Natasha back. It was perfect.
After they toured Natasha around the apartment, Steve went on to make her fulfill her promise to him. She was standing by the window, talking about how strategic the window was because it gave them a view of their neighbor's bedroom across the street, when Steve gently pulled her close to him.
"Okay, a promise is a promise. I believe you have something to say me."
She was flushed closed against him that he easily sensed she was suddenly nervous. He looked at her eyes and found her excited too. She looked around nervously and at Bucky who was now lounging on the couch.
"Buck, can you give us -,"
"No, no. He can stay. Stay, James."
Bucky sat back down on the couch but was now as nervous as Natasha. Natasha looked back at Steve and Steve gave her time. He felt like she was mustering her courage right now, not because she was scared but because she wanted to do it right. So he gave her his dopey, boyish smile hoping it would ease her up.
"Okay, so, we kind of assumed that the stone restored my body, rebooted it, right?"
"Yes, that's why you don't have your scars anymore."
"Well, I thought if the soul reversed my old wounds, you know, those that did not come naturally with a human body, then that thing could have been reversed too. And so I asked Shuri to check and it was, Steve. It was reversed!"
"What are you talking about, Nat?"
But Natasha did not answer, she just starting crying and judging by the smile on her face, her tears were of joy. Steve wrapped his head around what she could possibly meant. Natasha did not make a big deal out of her scars, she wore those with pride. Those were battle scars and he did not think she would have made a fuss about removing them. So what was in her old body that Natasha would be so elated to find out was reversed?
Then it hit him. Memories of Natasha playing with Nate flashed in his head, Morgan peppering kisses on her face. Then the names James and Sarah rang in his ear. His eyes widened in realization and he looked at Natasha and she had that smile. Now he knew why was she had that smile.
"Really?" Steve finally asked, he was starting to cry too.
Natasha nodded and Steve hugged her tightly, burying his face in her neck and hair. They were laughing and crying together now.
"I love you," Steve whispered.
"I love you," Natasha whispered back.
"Yeah, I love you, too guys, but what's going on?" Bucky asked.
Steve and Natasha pulled away from each other and looked at Bucky's confused face. Natasha laughed at him.
"We'd name our son after you, Buck."
"Okay, but please, use James. I don't think a kid nowadays would appreciate Buck - wait, what?" Bucky screamed and ran to Natasha, an arm reaching out ready to feel her stomach. "But it's been just two months, you got knocked up on your first time?"
"No, James. Well not yet," Natasha said.
"Then why are you two bawling like it's happening already," Bucky asked, confused again.
"Because it was never a possibility for me - until now," Natasha explained.
"And you were perfect even then," Steve said and hugged her again.
Bucky finally understood, "I'm happy for you, guys. Just one question. Am I the first to know?"
"Well, no. Shuri of course, her assistant, then there's Laura and Pepper, I had to talk to someone who'd done it before."
"Okay, let me rephrase the question, then. Aside from Steve, am I the first to know who isn't a woman?"
"Yes," Natasha said.
"Yes! Suck it, Wilson!" Bucky exclaimed.
Bucky then lifted Natasha and ran around the living room. Natasha laughed and laughed that no matter how many times she told Bucky to put her down, he did not. And when he finally did, they slouched on the couch, both out of breath.
Natasha reached out and asked Steve to come and join them. Steve sat beside her and she immediately leaned on him to rest. Her forehead was beaded with sweat and he brushed loose hair away from her face.
He could not believe where he was right now in his life. He indeed have come a long way. He still had miles to go and he had Natasha with him until the end of the line. There was nothing he could ask for more.
A/N: Okay, so like what I said in the early chapters, I did not intend for this story to extend and expand like this so I'm not sure how 'right' this ending is or if this is even the ending. Haha! I'm not sure so I'll keep it open. But right now, I think this one's a good way to close this chapter. Thanks for reading!