All characters from Marvel belong to Disney as well as all characters from Twilight belong to Stephanie Meyer. I own nothing except my version of events.

Chapter 16 A Thousand Shades of Love

It was a peaceful morning. Steve and I had trapped ourselves in my apartment since we'd made up over a day ago. After being apart for so long we just couldn't get enough of each other. I was currently too lazy to get out of bed and Steve didn't seem to oppose to the idea as he lay peacefully underneath me. He was reclining against the headboard, leaning his tablet on his thigh and holding it up with one hand as he read. His other hand soothingly played with my hair while I lay my head on top of his chest. I too was reading a book, except I had a physical copy in my hands. It was strange that the man born in the early 1900's was reading a book on an electronic device while I preferred a physical copy.

"You know, you haven't turned the page in some time and I can feel the burn of your stare on my face." I informed him as I titled my head to the side to look up at him.

He chuckled in slight embarrassment at being caught. "I can't help it... you look beautiful in this lighting." He announced.

I giggled, finding it all so endearing, "Such a romantic." I teased.

He suddenly flipped us over. I lost track of where my book had landed and his tablet but the thought quickly floated to the back of my mind as he hovered over me. He brushed the hair out of my eyes and gently caressed the side of my face with the back of his hand, trailing lower until he reached the sheets and pulled them off of me. Our bare skin connected and I bit my lip, already feeling the heat of his body boiling the blood in my veins.

"Only with you, Sunshine." He replied, lovingly gazing down on me.

I tried to say something but ultimately closed my eyes as I felt his hand continuing to slowly hover over my skin until his hand reached my ribs, he wrapped it around my side as his thumb slowly stroked the underside of my breast. I hummed in delight, hoping he would keep going but he didn't. I opened my eyes again, finding him watching my face intently, I shook my head and smiled. He always regarded me with complete wonder in his eyes, as if he still couldn't believe I was currently here with him. I leaned forward and pressed my lips to his lightly, he tilted his head to the side to slip his tongue into my mouth. He caressed my tongue gently and I loved it when he kissed me so tenderly.

Faster than I would have wanted he released my lips, pulling away with a small smile on his face. "I was wondering..." He started to say trailing off.

"Wondering what?" I asked, coaxing him to continue speaking.

"I was wondering if you would come with me to visit Peggy today." He asked quietly.

I was slightly thrown off by the way he'd requested that, as if I wouldn't agree to it somehow. "Sure... but why did you seem so hesitant to ask? We've visited her together before."

"I don't know... It just feels… different somehow."

I smiled at him curiously. "You mean because this will be the first time we'll see her together as an official couple?"

He nodded slightly.

I really didn't think it was a big deal. I mean, I doubt she'd be upset that he'd moved on. If anything I knew she would be delighted. From what she's told me she was eager for him to find someone to 'start a life with' as she put it and so I didn't understand why he would be so worried about it… unless because he thought she wouldn't approve of me as his partner. "Why are you worried? Do you think she won't approve of me?" I asked, now slightly worried that her lack of approval would affect our relationship somehow, even though he's never given any indication to that before.

He laughed at me, shaking his head at the absurdity of the question. "Of course she will. She knows how I feel about you." He said reassuringly.

"Really? You've told her?"

He laughed loudly this time. "I wish I could say yes but no. She realized it even before I did." Huh, I didn't expect that. "It was kind of funny now that I think about it. At first she couldn't believe that Howard's son had a secret daughter and then she couldn't believe that I had fallen in love with her so quickly. She told me that I should ask you out on a date but I told her how young you were. To which she replied, and I quote, 'Age is just a number. When you find the right one you hold on to her for dear life and you never let her go.' I, in turn, told her I didn't feel comfortable doing that. It took a while to convince her it wasn't the right time and she eventually let it go, but only slightly, she told me to wait for you and that if I did it would be worth it in the end. And when I told her we had become friends she begged me to take you to see her, she was dying to meet you in person after hearing the endless things I've said about you over the years. She wouldn't take no for an answer." He said, slowly rolling his eyes at the absurdity of it all.

I bit my lip trying to contain the giant smile trying to break out on my face at hearing his words. "And? Was it worth the wait?" I asked.

He looked at me like I was crazy as he spoke, "What do you think?"

He leaned forward playfully nudging his face into the right side of my neck. I released a loud squeal trying to push him away from me while trying to block him from continuing to tickle me but it wasn't working. After Steve discovered how ticklish I was there he took every opportunity he could to attack me. I laughed as I pushed away from him again until the hand he'd placed on my ribs slipped away from my squirming body.

Not happy with the outcome he stopped, pulling his head back grumbling his displeasure, but once I was settled again he slid his hand back into its previous position except this time he didn't stop there. He slowly reached higher, grabbing onto my breast this time and squeezing, lightly plucking my nipple. I released a shaky breath at his prodding touch, my blood dancing for him in anticipation for what I knew would come next. He hummed deep in his throat as his eyes glided hungrily over my body, making me squeeze my legs together in an attempt to add some friction. He could easily turn me on with that needy noise and hungry look in his eyes.

"Steve..." I moaned out, squeezing my eyes closed, I both hated and loved waiting for his next move.

He didn't leave me waiting for long as his hunger won over and he crashed his lips down to mine, devouring me and capturing my moans as his hand slipped lower until he pushed his fingers roughly into my folds, rubbing over my sensitive bud. I squeezed his hand in between my thighs at the intense pace he had set. All I could do was hold onto his neck and bicep as I tried to keep up with his ferocious kiss and not lose my breath. It all felt so intense, especially after he slipped two of his fingers inside and curled them upwards. His thumb circled my clit working in tandem with his fingers and the stirring in my lower belly rose quickly. I was so close but I still needed that extra little push to get me where I was dying to be. Taking things into my own hands, literally, I unwrapped my arms from around his body sliding them down to my chest. I cupped my breasts, squeezing my nipples in between my forefingers and thumbs, making me arch my back at the sensation.

Steve pulled away from my lips to watch me, "Jesus, Bella." he groaned out. He pulled away further until he was kneeling in between my thighs. He spread my legs open even further with his free hand to get a better view as he watched his fingers sliding in and out of me while simultaneously watching my hands pleasuring myself. His breathing picked up and I caught his hungry expression as he devoured me with his eyes and without another warning my orgasms crashed into me. He leaned down, capturing my scream with his mouth as he shifted completely over me, removing his hand and replacing it with his shaft.

I threw my head back and screamed out this time. I was still riding the waves of my first orgasm and yet he was fucking me with a wild abandon, forcing me to reach new heights. He captured my mouth again trying to trap every scream I produced into his own body, as if it were even possible. I wrapped my legs behind his back and wrapped my arms around his neck holding on to dear life.

I had given up trying to keep up with his ferocious kisses, as he pounded into me. My hands instinctively squeezing his back and my nails digging into his skin. He moaned loudly at the feeling and I quickly stored that bit of information for future reference before coming back to the present, finding myself so caught up in the intense feeling traveling throughout my body.

He suddenly reached behind his back, unwrapping my legs from around his waist to hook them over his arms making my body curl upwards. He grunted at the new position, giving me his all and crushing me further into the mattress in the process but god did it feel so good. I would melt into the mattress if it meant feeling this again. I felt like my whole body was going to explode, as if my incoming orgasm alone wouldn't be able to release all of this pent up energy inside of me as he pounded roughly into me. Without a conscious thought I felt my body thrum with energy, I could feel my body losing control of my power and I couldn't even stop it. I feared hurting Steve but he surprised me when the sounds he was previously making became louder until he finally exclaimed, "Oh fuck!" Tensing so tightly I could see the strain on his neck. The muscles on his arms, his back, and his chest flexing and tensing, going from one to the other repeatedly until he cried out his release. I don't even know how it was possible but the sound he'd made burst lighting through my body and I crashed into an overpowering orgasm, holding on to him like an anchor, the only thing able to keep me on this earth. We were both spasming together but not in a painful way, if anything it was prolonging my orgasm and by the look on Steve's face it was doing the same to him. I don't think I will ever forget that look on his face in my entire life.

Slowly the feeling dissipated until it was just us again but we remained tightly intertwined still trying to catch our breaths. Somewhere along the way Steve found the energy to pull away from me far enough to look me in the eyes. Something passed over his face, a look I could never come close to describing and then he suddenly burst into laughter, making me laugh too in surprise. We both laid there stupidly laughing at what had just happened, probably not believing it had actually happened in the first place. We were both drenched in sweat but we refused to let go of each other. When we finally came back to reality he peppered my face with a thousand kissed, "I love you, Bella, you have no fucking idea."

I smiled happily in response but couldn't help tease him in the process, "I fucking love you too, Steve." I said, laughing at the fact that Steve normally didn't cuss on a daily basis, at least not like I did, but when we were intimately together it just flew out of him so effortlessly. He grinned at me as he slowly slipped out of me. "I have no idea what that was but I think we need a shower after that." I commented, now realizing how sweaty we were as I felt the wet sheets underneath me when he moved away. He remained on his side still analyzing me with his eyes but at the word 'shower' he perked up again. "Oh my god Steve, no! You're going to kill me." I teased, laughing as I pushed him away when he tried to suck my nipple into his mouth. I rolled out of bed and he groaned as he watched me walk away naked into my bathroom. I could hear his quick footsteps as he followed after me and squealed as he swept me off my feet. Round 1,644 here we come.

It was late afternoon when we finally emerged from my quarters fully clothed, walking together heading straight for the kitchen. We were both starving but our hunger for each other had trumped everything else all this time. We'd been living off of the snack bar I had in my private living room.

"Well, look who finally made it downstairs!" Emmett teased, his voice reverberating through the open space.

I laughed as I reached him, peeking over his giant body to see what he was preparing. "I hope you made enough for us too because we're starving." He swatted my hand away as I took a piece of raw carrot from the cutting board. "Mmmm…" I hummed in delight, "I love it when you make your stir fry."

"Lucky for you I made a ton, I knew how ravenous you'd be when you finally emerged from your love nest." He announced, lewdly wiggling his eyebrows at me.

I laughed, zapping him with my finger as I poked his side. It's not like I could hit him without hurting myself. He flinched away from me, groaning in annoyance and batted me away with his foot. I laughed, moving away from him and going into the pantry to grab some crackers to keep my empty stomach from eating itself while we waited. I threw Steve a packet as he sat at the bar, smiling as he watched our interaction. He looked wistful, with a hint of jealousy, but I knew he wasn't jealous of Emmet per se but jealous that I was able to play like that with my best friends and he couldn't anymore. I mean, he had Sam and they were very close but you could never just replace a brother with another. I understood completely. I couldn't imagine my life without Emmett or being able to replace the person that he was with anyone else.

"So where are the twins?"

"They went to Pietro's home base at SHIELD to pack up his things. They left after breakfast, they texted me a half hour ago letting me know they were already coming back. He didn't have much to pack but he needed to talk to Fury before leaving."

"I find it surprising that Fury's letting him leave SHIELD at all." Steve commented.

Emmett shrugged his shoulders unaware of the coldness in Steve's words. "Tony's already talked to Fury about it, he wasn't necessarily happy but he understood why he wanted to leave." Emmett said.

I spoke up, coming to Fury's defense. "I believe that. Fury's a good man under all of that leather. He wouldn't force him to stay, Steve. I know you don't particularly like Fury or trust him but he actually cares for Wanda and Pietro, or else he would have never sent them to me in the first place. Besides dad, he's the only other person they see as a father figure… Pietro more so than Wanda, but still." I finished, shrugging my shoulders. It was a hard and complicated thing to explain and I hoped I'd done enough to get my point across.

He hummed quietly, choosing to keep his mouth closed so as not to say something inappropriate.

Dropping the subject we made casual conversation until the twins arrived, by that time the food was ready. We ate together and as always, Emmett's food had been delicious and we all thanked him for cooking for us when we knew he would never be able to taste it for himself. We left earlier than the rest in the aircraft Steve had arrived in to have enough time to make a visit to Peggy's home, taking the boxes Pietro had packed from my closet and the one's Steve and I had managed to pack in between our love making. Not that it really mattered, I knew I could come back whenever I wanted, I wasn't going to actively live here anymore but that didn't mean this house wouldn't remain mine.

We got to the tower earlier than expected and had enough time to drop off my boxes in my apartment with the help of Clint and Sam. Once done we wasted no more time hopping onto Steve's bike and taking off. We parked in Peggy's driveway and I found myself eager to see her, I hadn't been back here in about a month or so.

I watched Steve unmount his bike as I stood nearby admiring his form. I could see his muscled arms ripple and flex at his movements, his thighs flexing even through his jeans… it was sexy as hell. I practically wiped the drool from my mouth as he turned to look at me, he smiled brightly, pulling me into his arms. I stood on my tippy toes to wrap my arms around his neck, welcoming the passionate kiss he graced me with as his hand grasped onto my neck sliding his fingers into my hair. I moaned in delight, but realized what a bad move that was when his other hand slid from my waist down to my ass and squeezed. I giggled, pulling away from him before he decided to bend me over his bike and ram into me in front of Peggy's neighbors.

"Down, boy." I chastised, grabbing onto his hand and pulling him behind me.

"You started it, you were practically eating me with your eyes." He defended, catching up to walk beside me.

I giggled but didn't say more, knowing full well he was absolutely right this time. I rang the doorbell and we both waited patiently as Peggy's nurse opened the door. Her face immediately brightened at the sight of us.

"Oh I'm so glad you're here, she's been asking for you these past couple of days. We were getting ready to call. Come on in!"

Steve smiled at her enthusiasm. "Thank you, Mila. Is she awake?" He asked as he nudged me forward, wanting for me to enter before him.

"Oh yes. She's just had dinner, I'm glad you're both here. She'll be absolutely delighted, you know she asks for you almost as much as she asks for Steve, Bella." She said happily as she shut the door behind us.

"Aw, well let's not keep the beautiful lady waiting then, huh?" I commented pulling Steve behind me again not bothering to wait for Mila to guide us when we already knew the way. I could hear Steve chuckling behind me but he indulged me by letting me take the lead.

I opened the door, finding Peggy lying peacefully under the covers looking out of her window. You could hear birds singing right outside her window, bathing in the fountain on the other side. She heard us enter and slowly turned her head, her eyes instantly brightening up at the sight of us, her mouth curving up into a beautiful little smile. Peggy was probably in her 90's already, I could only assume because I'd never asked, not that it mattered because her beauty remained intact even after all these years. She was bedridden now, needing a nurse with her 24/7 but her wit and spirit never died.

"Bella." She greeted me, with her low raspy voice.

"Hi Peggy! I'm so sorry I haven't visited in a while." I apologized, letting go of Steve and making my way over to her. Gently grabbing her hand and leaning down to place a gentle kiss on her cheek.

"Oh pish-posh, no need for an apology. I am glad to see you." She responded in her British accent. Honestly I loved hearing her speak, it was low and raspy because of her age and I had to strain my ears to hear her but the gentleness and love in her voice was like a balm to the soul. I pulled away, giving Steve enough room to do the same and I took the opportunity to move the chairs in her bedroom closer to her bed.

I sat down and Steve thanked me, sinking down into his seat next to me and grasping onto my hand. At the sight I could see Peggy's eyes brighten even more with happiness. "Oh thank god." She muttered out. "I thought I would die first before Steve would get the courage enough to admit his feelings to you. I was starting to think he would remain alone forever."

I giggled, covering my mouth with my hand so as not to burst into laughter. "Yes, he did take his sweet time, didn't he?" I commiserated. He side-eyed me unhappily in betrayal making Peggy chuckle too.

He covered his face with his free hand and groaned, "It's not fair. I'm outnumbered here."

I giggled again, watching his cheeks slightly pink at our teasing.

"You make it too easy, Steve." Peggy said with a smile, "I cannot tell you how happy this news makes me. From the first moment he spoke about you Bella, it was like he had suddenly come back to life." I smiled, squeezing his hand and feeling the gesture being reciprocated as Peggy continued to speak, "Not even the defrosting from the ocean had managed to do that."

I smiled at her honest words, "That's beautiful, thank you." I admitted, a little emotionally.

She smiled again, it's like she couldn't stop "Come now. Tell me how it happened." She demanded. Again we told our little love story with as much detail as we possibly could, of course giving her the PG-13 version like we'd done to the family. "Oh, I am certain it did not go exactly as you have said but I will accept it nonetheless." She declared, with an indulgent tone in her voice.

I laughed at her words, nothing could get past her. She was after all one of the founding figures who helped establish SHIELD after Steve disappeared into the ocean. If I thought about it, it was still kind of weird to think that my boyfriend was born in a different time period. Frozen, not aging a single day while trapped underwater and thawed out to life again. If things had gone how they normally should have, Steve would be lying next to Peggy right now. It was kind of a sad thought for me so I inwardly shook it away.

"How are your grandchildren, Peggy? Last I heard Beatrice was ready to pop, has she had her baby yet?" I asked.

"Oh yes." She said happily, pointing to a picture frame on her nightstand. Steve reached over to grab onto the frame to take a closer look. "Her name is Clara. She was born a few weeks ago, Beatrice brought her last week for me to meet."

I smiled as I took the picture from Steve. "Oh wow, she has your eyes!" I declared in wonder. "You're officially a great-great-grandmother. You must be so proud."

"Indeed I am." She said, extending her hand out as much as she could silently asking for the picture. I placed the frame in her hand, helping her lift it up to her eye level so she could see it as well. When she was done I took it out of her hand and stood up to place it back onto her nightstand. Before I could sit, I felt her brush her fingers against my hand. I looked down at her and turned my hand to make it easier for her to grasp onto it. "Sit." She ordered me.

I laughed, "Yes ma'am." I responded, sitting gently on the edge of her bed trying not to jostle her in the process. We continued to talk for a while longer until I got a message from my father asking me to return to the tower.

"I'm sorry I have to cut my visit short but my dad is asking for my assistance in the tower, something about my suit." I said dismissively, rolling my eyes. We had told her I was joining the Avengers and she had berated Steve for 15 minutes straight for the way he'd handled it. He looked thoroughly admonished by the end and I was happy Peggy had been in my corner for that. I decided I'd be sending Steve to talk to Peggy to get his head on straight whenever he did something stupid. "I'll come visit you soon, even without Steve if he's too busy." I said, leaning over to kiss her cheek before departing.

I felt her hand in mine tighten in response, keeping me in place. She whispered lowly in my ear, "Promise to take care of him."

"I promise." I said quickly, not even needing a second longer to think it over. She let me pull away this time and I stood up, Steve standing up with me. "Hey, you sit. Stay with Peggy and keep her company a while longer." I ordered.

"Are you sure?" He asked with slight worry in his tone.

I shook my head and rolled my eyes. "Of course. I know how to get home, Steve. Geeze." I lightly admonished, hearing Peggy lightly giggle at our interaction.

He looked incredibly unhappy as he responded, "Ok."

I shook my head at how absurd he was being, I reached up on my tippy toes to place a kiss on his cheek before moving my chair back and making my way to the door, I could still feel his stare as he watched me depart. I inwardly laughed, I don't know how I was ever going to get used to that, although his worrying did make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I couldn't wait to live the rest of my life knowing that Steve would be by my side always. When I promised Peggy I would take care of him, I'd meant it. There would never be anyone else but Steve… ever.

I said goodbye to Mila, finding her reading a book in the living room and made my way outside surprised to find a car waiting for me. I shook my head, they acted like I couldn't use my phone to call an Uber or something, but I didn't protest as I easily slipped inside.

"So what's up dear father?" I asked, stepping into my dad's lab.

He side eyed me looking completely irritated. "It's been two days and I haven't heard from you. Pietro and Wanda called yesterday with their chosen names and still nothing from you." He admonished.

"Ugh, sorry, I know. It's just harder than I thought it would be. It's super important. I mean they will call me by that name for the rest of my life. What if I pick something stupid?" I asked in irritation.

He broke into a laugh as he watched my expression. "You are being so dramatic right now. Just go with Iron Jr. And call it a day." He joked.

I outright laughed at that, "Talk about a stupid name and it shall appear."

We laughed together for a bit longer and I pulled a chair to sit next to him.

"You can have a couple more days but if you still come up with nothing then Iron Jr. it will be." He warned.

"Thanks Daddy-o."

"So you and Steve ok now?"

"Yup!" I confirmed with a bright smile. "You were right, he was scared, but after he apologized he promised to support me and I begrudgingly accepted." I joked sighing out tiredly. "What we do for love, eh?"

He smiled and shook his head at me, wrapping his arm around me to pull me to his side. "Yes, it's insane… but we wouldn't want it any other way." He said sincerely, turning his head and kissing the side of my head. "Have I told you that I love you recently?" He suddenly asked.

"Not today but you tell me every time I see you. I know you love me, Dad, just like I love you."

"No matter what happens and whatever mess we get into, you will always be the original reason that brought me back from my own self-destruction. My father and mother couldn't manage to do that but finding out that you were coming into this world and gracing me with your presence, a wonderful gift I immaturely thought I would never want, finally placed my head firmly on my shoulders. I'll always have you to thank for that, Elly."

I angled my head to look at him and frowned slightly at his expression. "Is everything ok dad?"

He'd been staring at the wall in front of him but at my question he blinked back looking down at me with a small smile. "Better than ok… just reminiscing I suppose. I've been thinking a lot about Renee lately and I miss her... She would be so proud of you, Elly."

My eyes teared up instantly and my tears unwittingly slipped out without permission. "Thank you, Daddy. I miss her too... I just wish she could be here with us and it sucks that she's not."

His eyes misted as he witnessed my pain. "She is... in a way. She's not physically with us but our memories of her will remain always, Sweetheart." He said honestly, then abruptly shook his head to release his sadness. "Sorry, I didn't mean to suddenly dampen the mood. It just kind of slipped out. Anyway, Pepper should be home in time for dinner today and we were thinking you guys could join us. I've already told the rest of the family. Emmett and the twins are already making their way home."

"Ok. I'll text Steve to let him know. I practically forced him to stay behind to keep Peggy company before leaving, I'm pretty sure he'll be here in seconds."

He laughed at my annoyed expression. "Can't blame the guy. You're amazing to be around."

"Whatever. You have to say that cuz you're my dad." I teased.

"That's true." He teased back.

I laughed and texted Steve before I got distracted. I ended up helping Dad with ideas on Wanda's suit since I knew what she liked. We were keeping her outfit almost the same but adding a few things here and there. I remembered she complained about the boots the most so we focused on making those more comfortable for her.

"Put your hands in the air and step away from the table." A voice warned making both dad and I startle at the intrusion. We both looked up at the same time finding both Steve and Pepper standing at the entrance to the lab. "Told you they'd be here." Pepper told Steve.

"Oops. I guess we lost track of time." I said, scratching the side of my head. It was just so easy to do whenever I worked with dad. I stretched out my limbs and idly wondered how he did it for days on end. I mean, I understood how he lost track of time but my body wasn't used to being hunched over like that for long periods of time. "Are we late for dinner?"

"Almost. We waited for a while to see if either one of you would appear but after 15 minutes of waiting we offered to look for you before the masses revolted in hunger." Pepper joked.

Dad scratched the back of his head as he walked towards Pepper, "Sorry. We forgot to set an alarm." He said, knowing full well it was our own mistake. We tended to get lost together most of the time and to prevent being late for things we would set an alarm to remind us of our duties.

I followed after him kissing Pepper on the cheek and sidling up next to Steve who in turn pulled me to his side. They guided us into the elevator heading for the communal floor.

"Dear god they're alive! We were starting to wonder if you had both been murdered by one of Tony's new inventions." Clint joked.

We apologized to the table as we took our seats but before we could start my dad interrupted clearing his throat. We all looked at him, wondering why he looked so nervous all of a sudden while Pepper looked excited.

"We wanted to take this opportunity to announce something... really big. I still can't quite believe it myself to be honest. We weren't planning for it but we're both excited to let you all know that… we'll soon have a little someone joining our family." Most of us looked on in confusion until both my dad and Pepper turned to look straight at me in expectation.

My eyes widened as I watched Pepper slightly nod at me and suddenly our conversation we'd had that one Christmas, a couple of years ago, came rushing back. "Oh my god! You're pregnant?!" I screamed, jumping out of my seat and hugging them both as I squealed. "This is so exciting! How far along are you? When do we find out if I will have a little sister or brother? Oh my god I'm going to be a sister to someone!" I finished in slight shock but elated nonetheless.

"I told you she'd be thrilled at the news." Pepper lightly chastised my father.

"You thought I'd be upset?" I asked my dad in confusion. "No way, Dad! You know I've always wanted a sibling and I think I'm old enough to not be jealous that I'll now have to share your love and attention with some one else. I mean, I already share you with the twins anyway."

"Are you sure about that?" Pietro teased as he pushed me out of the way to congratulate them.

I giggled, swatting at him as I moved further to let everyone else join in on the celebration.

Once my dad was released he pulled me into his arms. "Thank you for joining in our excitement. I love you, Elly." He said emotionally. "You'll always be my first miracle... but hopefully I'll do better at raising this next one better than I did with you." He joked, not being able to help himself in the end.

I laughed as I hugged him tightly. "I'm sure you will, Daddy."