A/N: A little late but a Christmas chapter for our trio before we get back to the story. Hope the holidays were good to you if you celebrate.

Steve and Bucky were returning from a two-week mission and Chris hummed as she placed finishing touches on their apartment. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve and they were getting home on time. She couldn't be happier.

When Chris had still lived with her Aunt Jenny, Christmas had been a big deal. They put up a tree, lots of decorations, they baked, watched Christmas movies, and wrapped presents. It had been years since Chris had done any of it but this year, now that she had her boys, the baby on the way, Christmas hit her hard and once the idea was set in her mind, she had to do it.

Obviously, she wouldn't be allowed out of the compound to get a tree and she didn't want to wait until her guys came home. Tony and Pepper went out themselves to a tree farm, Tony showing her the landscape on StarkTime and letting her pick one out. An hour after it had been delivered, it was decorated in all the ornaments that had arrived the day before. Chris was nothing if not methodical.

The tree she was proud of. Chris had found a small store in Mississippi that had sold vintage Christmas decorations and she grinned every time she stopped to study all the porcelain and glass ornaments from back in the '30s and '40s. She'd mixed in a few contemporary Hallmark ornaments that she just liked and finished it off with sparkling lights and red satin bows.

There were other, subtle decorations, around the apartment and her presents were wrapped. Each night, alone in their huge bed, she cuddled up with her boys' pillows and enjoyed all the Christmas movies she remembered.

The baking? Well… The first two batches of burnt cookies? Completely justifiable. The next several batches of cookies saw her getting better until finally… finally… Chris hit a perfect batch. She'd been so proud of them she'd taken them down to the office and got the ultimate praise and endorsement of her cookie-making skills from none other than Phil Coulson himself. If Phil Coulson complimented anything anyone did, it was high praise.

Hell, he'd pretty much polished off half the batch all by himself. Tony certainly helped since he'd agreed to sit the mission out to watch over her and Pepper.

It worked great because it gave her something to do besides work and miss them.

The morning sickness had even finally backed off for the most part.

All she needed were for her boys to come home.

Chris awoke that morning, got all of her presents wrapped and under the tree. Her attempt to make breakfast as Steve did was ambitious, she'd admit, so she got rid of the burnt evidence, cleaned up the kitchen, and headed down to the food court for sustenance. When she came back, she got "dolled up" to use her boys' old-fashioned term, wearing a simple, festive red dress, curling her hair, taking her time on her makeup.

Pepper called, asking her for her help at 3 and by 5 everything was ready for dinner. While they were getting everything coordinated, the jet arrived, and Chris knew it wasn't likely that she'd beat them to the apartment to see everything so she decided to wait until they came down to dinner.

Wanda and Vision wandered down first, holding hands and looking tired but pleased to be there. Wanda hugged Pepper, then Chris.

"You both look good." Wanda's eyes dropped, looking for baby bumps. Chris did have one though it was slight. "When are you due?"

"If all goes well, the middle of July," Pepper told her.

Chris shrugged. "Depends on a few things. If things are more normal, same. If not, well, we'll see."

Wanda nodded while Vision nodded politely.

"How did it go this time?" Chris asked.

"Long," Wanda told her. "We're all exhausted. But everyone made it."

There was something in her emotions. "Are you okay?" Chris had to ask.

"There's been some fighting," Wanda told them in a lowered voice. "There are some tensions."

Chris blew out an exhale. "What happened?"

"There was a fundamental disagreement about how the mission was deployed between Captain Rogers and Mr. Stark," the Vision explained. "Since the mission parameters have been met, it's difficult to understand why the emotional aspect is still unresolved."

Pepper rolled her eyes. "Sounds like we need to direct traffic and maybe abbreviate tonight's dinner then?" she said to Chris.

Well, shit.

Chris nodded, knowing how stubborn Steve could be and if Bucky were in agreement with him…

Sam was next to head down with Bruce who looked pretty beaten up. Chris ran up to hug both of them.

"You look beautiful, Danforth," Sam said grinning.

Chris felt her face warm. "Thank you, Sam. But what happened out there. Surely someone didn't best the Hulk?"

Bruce honestly managed to look embarrassed. "I'm okay."

"You would have been okay if you guys had listened to Cap. You wouldn't have had a building dropped on you," Sam said in a polite voice, but he still made his opinion known.

Bruce shook his head. "We had to, Sam. We couldn't risk that explosive set up. It could have leveled the entire city."

"We had it handled," Sam told him, his smile fading.

"Guys, it's Christmas," Chris reminded them, taking the arm of each man. "And here comes Natasha. Doesn't she look beautiful?"

She did. Nat was all lush curves and red hair in a sleek, midnight blue dress that only showed off her assets. Her makeup was perfect but didn't entirely hide the bruise around her left eye.

"Yeah, she really is," Bruce said almost to himself, the look of longing in his gaze unmistakable.

"Natasha," Chris called out to her, freeing her hands and holding her arms open for a welcoming hug.

And Nat did hug her, but the warning look she shot Sam told her which side of the argument her friend was on.

"Well, would you look at that," Chris winked at Sam and pointed over their heads. "Mistletoe. Bruce, Nat. I'll leave you to it."

Taking Sam's arm, Chris steered him away from the two who stared at her with surprised.

"Did you really just say that out loud?" Sam asked her, smirking.

"Yes, I did," Chris laughed.

And as they stood and watched, Bruce leaned down to give Nat what appeared to be a chaste kiss.

When Nat wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened that kiss, Chris grinned at Sam.

"About time," Chris said happily.

"You know there was a time, miss FBI agent, that you were all business," Sam told her, steering her towards the bar. "Now look at you."

"Now look at me," Chris went along with him, reading his emotions and finding only fondness. "I guess it is a bit of a change."

"Not a bad one," Sam told her. "You still take care of business when you need to. But…I hope those two old men you hang out with make you as happy as you make them."

Chris didn't know immediately how to respond to that but that wasn't a bad thing. "They do."

Sam's grin was sly. "I'm being serious. Steve before you came along, well, he was a good leader. A good guy. Once all of you got together, he became a better leader. He's always cared about doing the right thing but he cares more. It's a powerful thing. I think you gave him something to fight for."

Her eyes misted as she nodded. "And Bucky?"

"I can tolerate him now." Sam laughed. "He's still an asshole but now he talks about you more than he's an asshole. That's an improvement."

That had Chris laughing.

"I wanted to thank you, Sam," Chris told him. "Not that I think anyone was going to have a huge problem with us, the three of us, but your acceptance, I think, helped that along. Just thank you."

Sam nodded, ordering a drink at the bar for himself and a sparkling cider for her. "I was concerned at first, I'll be honest. I didn't want to like you because we all thought you were jerking Bucky around and when he's upset, Steve tends to be upset. Then you came back, and I was afraid you and Steve would fight over him."

"So you knew about them?" Chris took her cider from the bartender.

Sam shrugged. "We all suspected. But then the three of you were all together and then we all waited for that to implode. But it didn't… I'm glad it's working out for you guys. It shouldn't matter what anyone thinks outside of that."

Chris watched him down most of his drink in one go and shrugged. "It doesn't. But I'm happy that you support them. I really appreciate it."

"Here for you too, little Mama," Sam told her. "How are you doing?"

"Morning sickness has backed off," she told him. "Everything is great so far."

"Are they taking care of you?" Sam's smirk reappeared.

"Yes," she assured him. "Sometimes almost too well."

"My offer is still open," he told her, teasing. "You ever want to trade up for a younger man, I'd better be your first stop."

Chris laughed and watched his gaze catch someone behind her. She turned to find Pepper wrapped in Tony's arms, a look for delight on his face as he placed a hand on her tummy. Then his gaze scanned the room, finally landing on Chris and Tony headed straight for her.

Tony's emotions were a curious mix of annoyance and regret. When he reached her, he fixed a glare on Sam and then gave her a hug, kissing her cheek. He left eye was black and slightly swollen.

"How are you, Chris?" he pulled back to look her over. "You look good. Too good for the likes of Barnes and Noble."

Chris exchanged a glance with Sam before smiling at Tony. "How are you?"

"I'm hoping I haven't put a damper on your Christmas, Danforth," Tony admitted. "Steve and I got into it and…"

"And now is not the time and place for this," Sam advised him.

Tony looked ready to retort but Chris held up a hand to stop whatever he was going to say.

"I understand," she told Tony. "Don't worry about it. Perhaps it would be best if I retired."

Tony looked ashamed. "Chris, I'm sorry. You look amazing and I know you helped Pepper with all of this and…"

"I know when whatever happened went down, this wasn't your intention," Chris said to him and Sam. It's really okay. I'll just head up, okay?"

Pepper reached them, looking beautiful in her emerald green dress. "No, you're not going up. I've been planning this for weeks and everyone needs to grow up and enjoy it. Don't you think, Chris?"

Pepper, thanks to years with Tony, was a formidable force. Lovely in her blue gown, Pepper's chin lifted and Tony looked ready to flee the room.

"Tony, we're going to put this aside and have a nice evening," she told him then looked to Chris expectantly.

Chris couldn't help grin. "And I'm going to go get my guys and bring them down."

"I'm going with you because I want to see this," Sam said, grinning.

"Actually, maybe you and Tony can get a head start on working everything out," Pepper told him, and both men now looked ready to flee the room.

"I'll be back," Chris told them, heading for the elevators.

When she reached their apartment, she heard her boys yelling before she walked in.

It stopped the minute two pairs of blue eyes spotted her. Bucky rose from the couch, while Steve, fresh from a shower and dressed in jeans and navy sweater headed in her direction. His gaze held a similar regret to Tony's as it moved over her. His jaw was bruised.

Steve gently wrapped himself around her, holding her against him, his lips moving in her hair. "Hey, Sweetheart."

Bucky had reached her, dressed for bed actually and hugged her next though not as carefully. He pulled back and his face fell too.

"You look beautiful, doll," he said, exchanging a look with Steve.

"Thank you," Chris told him before returning her gaze to Steve. "When are you coming down?"

Steve winced.

"Sweetheart, I'm so sorry… we ruined the evening for you," Steve said, regret rolling off him. "Tony didn't say anything did he?"

Chris nodded as she regarded them both. "Yes, he apologized and told me there was some sort of disagreement. It's okay. I don't know what happened out there. I don't really need to know. I'm just glad to see you and I'm looking forward to our Christmas dinner with everyone."

Bucky wrapped his metal arm gently around her, his good hand gently lifting to her tummy, gently touching the slight swell there and in an instant, her mind was clear of everything else.

His dark blue eyes were rounded in wondered. "We've only been gone two weeks, right? Look at this…"

Steve's expression eased into a smile.

Chris sighed, nodded. "Yeah."

"What?" Bucky's smile widened.

"If I'm showing this early, I'm going to end up as big as a house," she tried to joke but it fell flat.

"Hey," Steve pressed a hand to her face, his thumb stroking her cheek, "it won't be that long even if you do end up a little… bigger."

"How are you feeling?" Bucky's delight melted into concern in three seconds.

"The morning sickness has backed off," Chris told them. "I'm able to eat more, finally, so I'm looking forward to dinner."

Oh, she wasn't letting them off the hook so easily.

Steve stuffed his hands in his pockets, looking more upset with himself by the minute. "I don't think it's a good idea for me to go."

"Why?" Chris asked innocently.

"It was a pretty good fight," Steve explained, "and considering how everything went down, I'm not sure Tony would appreciate my being there."

"You were wrong about something?" Chris wanted to know.

"No, Stevie had it right –"

"Tony wouldn't listen –"

She held up her hands to cut them both off. "So you were right? If you were right, why are you planning on hiding up here?"

That got Steve's attention. "I'm not hiding," he snapped. "I just don't want to see Tony for a few days and I'm tired. I'd prefer to stay right here."

Bucky, standing there in his sleepwear, looked from her and back to Steve.

"And it looks like you've made up your mind to stay here too," she told Bucky who was looking less sure by the minute.

Chris had been prepared to do a little acting but realized then she didn't have to act. She realized she was blinking back tears as they stood there collectively wondering where to go from there. They'd been gone for two weeks while she'd been there getting ready for Christmas. She'd helped Pepper get everything ready for the evening, and had a wonderful evening planned, and now some fight with Tony mattered more?

She was feeling sorry for herself and she knew it.

They were out there making a difference in the world, saving lives. Chris knew that such work, albeit on a smaller scale, was tiring and draining as much as it was rewarding. If they truly wanted to stay home, what could she do?

Nodding, she turned back to the door. "I won't stay long," she said quietly, then fled the apartment before she did something she really regretted like bursting into tears.

Bucky shook his head, wishing Chris could see the look of defeat on Captain America's face once she left. What Iron Man and legions of HYDRA couldn't pull off in decades of battles and wars, one small blonde managed in a few words and with the defeated way she fled their apartment.

"Happy now?" Bucky grumbled.

"Buck, don't." Steve's tone held a note of warning. "I can't just turn it off."

"It didn't have anything to do with her," Bucky picked up the argument they were having when she arrived. "You're pissed at Tony, fine. Leave it out there."

Steve's jaw tightened.

"Look at everything," Bucky held his hands out at the apartment before heading over to the tree. "These look familiar?" Then he took a closer look, plucking one ornament from the tree.

Then he held it up to Steve, wanting him to take a closer look. It was a drawing Steve had drawn of Chris reading on the couch. She'd had it made into an ornament.

Steve's gaze dropped to the floor.

Bucky shook his head, putting the ornament back on its hook. "Where did doll baby find ornaments from our time?" he mused to himself more than Steve.

Everything around them, all the Christmas décor, looked amazing. It was a lot nicer than what he and Steve had in their day but still, it was obvious her intent had been, and it had his heart clenching in his chest.

He knew what he had to do. With nothing further to say, Bucky headed for their bedroom to change clothes. He wasn't proud of the fact that he just didn't want to go to Stark's latest party. They had way too many special events in his opinion. They'd all taken a beating and he was sore with a couple of broken ribs. Sure, they'd heal by morning. But he'd really been hoping to stretch out under the tree with Steve and their girl, exchange gifts and go to bed.

As it was, their girl wanted to go to Stark's shindig and she had two guys. It wasn't asking for much that at least one of them went with her, was it?

Steve followed him back to the bedroom, sinking down on the end of the bed and watching as he selected clothes from his closet.

"You're going now?" Steve demanded.

"One of us should," Bucky told him. "For her."

Steve dropped his head in his hands. "I didn't mean to snap at her… You're right. But Stark…"

"Stark is down there," Bucky told him, pulling off his tank off and dropped it to the bed. "He doesn't want to see you either."

"He's the host." Steve blew out an exhale. "He has to be there."

Bucky pulled off his sweats, drawing Steve's attention when he stood there naked though Steve was trying to be sly about it.

"I'll be there too," Bucky told him resolutely, picking up the slacks he selected.

Steve moved too quickly for him to see him coming. Bucky found himself pinned beneath his pissed off Captain on the bed. Steve's head dipped low until he was speaking against Bucky's mouth.

Bucky grinned, seeing how Steve's eyes were darkened with need. He let go of the slacks for the moment. "Oh, I see. Need to blow off steam?"

Steve was on him then, a hurricane of rough kisses and hands. Sore as he was, if that was what Steve needed, he was up for it. Steve took his breath away, his mouth all over him until getting his mouth around his cock. Bucky could only hold on as Steve loved him, took what he needed without holding back.

Later than he intended, Bucky rushed down to the gathering, just in time to see everyone getting settled at the table for dinner. Their girl stood talking to Phil and his girlfriend, one arm wrapped around her midsection like she was trying to comfort herself.

He passed Pepper on his way to Chris, Stark's fiancée smiling sweetly at him as he passed her. Phil saw him coming as he wrapped his arms carefully around Chris from behind, pressing a kiss into her hair.

"Hey, doll," he said quietly, smiling. "I'm sorry I'm late."

When she turned in his arms, her smile was blinding. "But you're here."

"I'm here," he told her, kissing the tip of her nose. "I'm always going to be here for my best girl."

They talked with Phil and his girlfriend until Pepper announced that it was time to eat. Bucky had just gotten her seated and taken his assigned seat on her left when he saw the punk walking in.

Steve was sporting a deep bruise at his jaw and nobody needed to tell Chris Tony gave it to him any more than Pepper needed to know Tony's black eye came from Steve. He'd put the navy sweater and jeans back on, but he was there. Taking his seat on the other side of Chris and looking glad he'd come.

Bucky had thought about Pepper's fondness for assigned seating. How sad would it have made their girl to be sitting between two empty seats for Christmas dinner?

Chris's gaze swung to Steve, surprised and pleased to see him there. Steve, who was quite a bit calmer now, pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek.

"I'm sorry," he whispered in her ear.

Bucky smiled at the way her breath drew in.

"You look beautiful, Sweetheart."

"You really do," Bucky offered on the other side.

The flush on her cheeks had Bucky interested in more than just dinner.

There was some tension, but Steve and Tony got through dinner politely and without incident. Pepper had only intervened once, and it wasn't because of anything his guy side. Bucky would have handled that before Chris could even think about it.

They enjoyed talking with Sam, Wanda, and Vision for a few moments after that with Nat and Bruce coming over eventually before Steve decided it was time to leave.

When they returned to the apartment, Chris sank down onto the couch and sighed happily.

"Thank you both," she told them with shiny eyes. "It… meant a lot to me."

Steve took a knee in front of her, taking her hands in his. "It's what I should have done from the beginning. I'm sorry I lost my temper with you. Forgive me?"

Chris nodded, leaning forward to press her forehead to Steve's. Bucky's heart swelled to see his blondes make up.

Ducking into the bedroom, Bucky grabbed the presents they'd gotten her and brought them back to the couch, sitting next to their girl.

"We're doing presents?" She asked with a grin.

Steve nodded, watching as Bucky handed her their first present. Chris wasn't surprised to find several pairs of very expensive-looking lace topped stockings in several colors.

"I can't imagine whose idea this was," she smirked at Steve who turned red to the tips of his ears.

"Is that okay?" he asked shyly.

"I love them." Chris leaned forward to kiss him first, then Bucky. "Practical. I'll be able to wear these while I'm pregnant."

"Oh, wow. This is perfect!" The second gift was an apron since the only one they had was huge and on her. "I baked while you were gone. I finally had a couple of wonderful batches of cookies!"

"How many attempts did that take?" Bucky asked with a chuckle.

"Don't worry about it." She winked at him.

The last present was a small box and her brows shot up at that. Her hands shook slightly as she opened it to reveal a beautiful silver bracelet, a single strand of twinkling diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. Bucky took the delicate jewelry piece and secured it around her wrist.

Now her eyes grew misty. "It's beautiful. Wearing both of your colors. I love it."

Her gaze flew to Bucky and it never failed to amaze him how she could read them so well. She just knew it had been his idea.

"Let me get my presents for you." Chris looked to Steve who sat at her feet and he rose up onto his knees, but instead of moving, he pulled her knees on either side of his narrow hips.

"In the morning," Steve told her, smoothing his palms up under her thighs, beneath her dress. "We only opened one present on Christmas Eve at my house."

"Same for us." Bucky pressed a kiss to her temple. "Good idea, Stevie."

Steve's groan combined with watching her red skirt ride up to reveal the stockings Steve loved her had him growing hard fast. The snap he heard next got his attention.

"What's this?" Steve slid the skirt up higher. "What's under the hood here, doll?"

Bucky helped shove the skirt up just a little higher to show off not only lacy stockings but garters too. Red satin garters with a matching belt and panties.

"Now that's a good Christmas present," Steve told her, pulling her up from the couch, her legs wrapped around his waist. Turning, Steve walked on his knees until he could gently press her onto her back just beneath the Christmas tree.

Bucky sighed happily, loving how the flashing lights played upon her pale skin and hair, across her red dress. Gently they pulled off her dress, her strapless bra. Bucky tasted her lips, teased the tender flesh of her neck, her breasts. He loved her breathy little sighs and the way her hands clutched at them, trying to hold on.

All the while Steve watched him tease her, his hands smoothing over the tops of her thighs and pressing kisses to her soft flesh as he went. He watched their guy unhook the garters at the tops of her stockings, pulling the panties down and off her. One of the red pumps she'd worn had fallen off to the side and Bucky grinned, teasing one of her nipples with his mouth, as he watched Steve place it back on her dainty foot.

Steve surprised him then but reattaching the garters to her stockings.

He didn't have a chance to focus on it too much because Chris pulled him back up to kiss him, her hands tugging at the shirt he wore. Bucky pulled it free of his slacks, had it unbuttoned quickly while she struggled to pull it off him. She stroked the hard length of him as he struggled to get out of the slacks next, shoes and socks shoved off too.

"Need you," she begged him. "Please."

Bucky was aware that Steve headed for the bedroom as he moved down her body, pressing wet kisses along her flesh to reach the apex of her thighs.

"Bucky," she pleaded. "Need to feel you."

"Just want a taste," he whispered, smoothing his hands over her hips and situating himself between her creamy thighs. "I'll treat you right, doll. Promise."

Bucky had buried his face between her thighs by the time Steve returned, sitting close by but not joining them. Chris didn't seem to notice, she was writhing beneath him, her hands sinking into his hair and the gems from her bracelet catching the light as she clutched at him.

Once he'd made her come on his tongue, Bucky moved up her body, eager to be inside her. Chris wrapped around him as he made love to her, enjoying the tight heat of her around his cock. He did everything he knew to make her come undone, teasing her throat and ears with her lips, angling his thrusts to hit her g-spot with each thrust. Bucky loved her gently, taking her breath away as he made her come twice more on his cock.

He'd almost forgotten about Steve and when he glanced over at their guy, he found him sketching them furiously.

My sentimental little punk, wanting a souvenir.

Bucky could have brought their girl off again, but came himself instead, holding her close when he'd finishing and loving her as they both recovered.

"What are you doing?" Chris asked Steve from beneath Bucky.

Steve grinned at them over the sketchbook from where he sat on the carpet. "You both look so beautiful," Steve told them. "I want to remember tonight."

"You're sketching?" Chris stiffened beneath him, the concern in her tone easy to hear. "Can I see?"

Steve nodded, crawling to them. Here they were with her self-conscious as he was but for different reasons.

Gently he showed them the sketch, a loving view of Bucky making love to her beneath the Christmas tree. It was erotic but tasteful and the tears in her eyes caught the tree lights as she gazed at it.

"Steve, that's beautiful," she whispered, laying a hand across his cheek. "That's so beautiful."

"You're beautiful," Steve claimed her mouth for a heated kiss. "Both of you. You looked so gorgeous there beneath the tree. I just… I wanted to capture it. It's just for us."

Sliding the sketchbook under the tree next to him, Steve scooped her up in his arms, rising from the floor.

"Did Bucky wear you out?" Steve pressed a kiss to her lips.

"Not entirely," she told him, hanging on as he carried her back to their bedroom.

Bucky grabbed the sketchbook, it was the time of the year when people came to visit after all, and brought it with him, securing it in a drawer as he joined them on the bed. Bucky held their girl for Steve who loved her so gently. Way more carefully than he'd loved him earlier.

Bucky had loved it.

As he fell asleep that night, both of them tucked around Steve in the middle, Bucky smiled in the darkness. Honestly, he could barely remember any Christmases before this one. And he didn't care.

Tonight had been the first Christmas with his family and it was perfect.