Chapter 18-

The soon to be Rogers were standing next to each other at Liam's birthday party. There was all things Minions everywhere. Emerson never thought she'd seen so much yellow in her whole entire life. All of Liam's friends from school were there, along with most of their parents. The only people missing were the Avengers. Steve promised her and Liam that they were coming. And Steve never broke a promise.

Looking down at his phone, Steve smirked softly. "I'll be right back. Gotta go to the bathroom."

"Thats not suspicious at all Steve." Emerson called out when he walked away. Looking back at the party some of the parents were giving her looks. Something she was used to. The first day she dropped Liam off at kindergarten most of the mom's would give her either a sad look or a look of disgust. But eventually the mom's finally stopped caring, or they just continued to talk about Emerson behind her back. Except for one mom, Audrey. She was also a single mother only a couple years older than Emerson. Her daughter Ava was the first kid Liam friended.

"You seem really happy." Audrey said pouring herself a drink. "And Liam seems to love him."

Nodding her head, Emerson looked over at the other mom, she considered her a friend. She had jet black hair with pink peek-a-boos matching her personality. It also helped she was a hairstylist, who could do whatever she wanted with her hair. Emerson had seen her with every hair color and had no idea what her natural hair color looked like. "Yeah we are really happy. We just got engaged and Liam loves him."

"That is so exciting! Have you set a date yet?" Audrey asked smiling at the blonde while looking at the engagement ring sitting on Emerson's left hand ring finger.

Shaking her head. "No we haven't. Still trying to figure out when are where we want to get married. I didn't realize how much actually went into a wedding, I just only had to deal with the cake part. But there are so many little things you have to figure out. Luckily both my mom and sister are wedding planners, so I kinda figured I'll let them do all the work and I just have to show up wearing the white dress."

"Well tell them to cross off finding a hairdresser. I will do you and your bridesmaid's hair. It'll be my wedding present to you. Your will be free and the bridesmaid's will be half off. I know weddings can be expensive."

"Oh my god Audrey, thank you so much." Pulling her into a tight bear hug. "You are the best."

"You are…" All of a sudden there was a crash in the back yard. "What the hell was that?"

Rolling her eyes, Emerson replied to her friend. "The last people to arrive are the superhero group Liam just had to invite."

"Yes because you can't not invite your future husband's friends." Audrey said as the two followed the kids to the back door. And there they found The Avengers standing there fully suited up. Except Bruce Banner, who didn't think he should suit up around children. All the kids, even Liam since he had never seen Steve exactly dressed up as Captain America yet, were in shock.

"Where's the birthday boy?" Steve asked pretending he couldn't find Liam, who was standing up in the front jumping up and down with his arm waving around.

"I'm right here dad!" Liam yelled.

Smiling at the younger boy, as the rest of the group laughed. "Oh there you are. There are some people who want to meet you. And each of everyone of you kids will get to take a picture with all of us."

As all the kids ran cheering as they went to go meet the superheroes. Emerson watched the children all try to pick up Thor's hammer, try to make Bruce turn into the Hulk. Which luckily none of them succeed. To then holding onto Iron Man as they flew around the backyard and holding Captain's shield. Which according to every kid, it was much heavier then it looked and bigger then most of the children.

"I think Liam just won best birthday." Audrey said hip checking Emerson. "Did you know this was going to happen?'

"Steve never told me, but I had my suspicions. All I knew was that they were all coming." Emerson said smiling while watching the insanity in front of her. "But its cold we should get them inside before the other mother's get more of a reason to hate me."

Nodding her head in agreement. "Well you still have me. Us young mom's gotta stick together."

Winking over at the other women. Emerson called out. "Hey guys we need to go inside! Its too cold to be outside."

All the kids started complaining and Steve saw the look Emerson was giving them. Signaling over to Stark, the billionaire exited his suit. "Come on kids, lets go inside. It's cake time!" Letting the kids pass him into the house, he stopped to talk to Emerson. "Your welcome for making your son the most popular kid in the first grade."

Smiling the blonde rolled her eyes. "Yes because that is what I was worried about Tony."

"I thought you would be." Tony said patting her on the shoulder before walking inside.

Emerson watched the kids surround Liam's minion birthday cake, which was a banana shaped cake with Minions standing on top. They sang happy birthday and received their slices of cake. She had never seen Liam this happy, being surrounded by all his friends. This was the first year Emerson could throw Liam an actual birthday party. Never having enough money to afford all the things she wanted for her son after paying rent for her apartment, then for the bakery. She would have to rely on her parents to help out with Liam. On an occasion, when the bakery would have a good month in the beginning, she would be able to splurge and buy Liam a new toy or a new outfit. It was never anything much, but it would still make Liam ecstatic.

"Hey doll, what are you staring at so intently?" Steve asked wrapping his arms around Emerson's waist.

Leaning into his touch, Emerson sighed softly. "Just watching how happy my son is."

"He does seem much happier than he usually is. Which is saying a lot because he is one happy kid." The super soldier said watching Liam eat his piece of cake, next to Ava and Thor. "Did you know Thor is actually his second favorite superhero now?"

"Oh and who's his first? Captain America?" Emerson asked turning into his arms.

"Iron Man. I can't be his favorite because he doesn't want to be biased." Steve sighed shaking his head.

Leaning up until her lips were almost touching his. "Well Captain America is still my favorite superhero."

"That helps a lot." Pressing his lips to hers.

"You two are at a children's birthday party. Stop it." Clint said as he walked by the kissing couple.

Pulling away from the kiss, Emerson looked over at Clint who unlike Steve was still in his suit. "I would say I'm sorry, but honestly I'm not Hawkeye."

Looking down at his clothing. "I should change shouldn't I?"

"Probably and keep your arrows far away from the children." Emerson said pointing her finger at the older man.

Walking away, Clint raised up his arm waving. "Yes mom!"

When the party ended and all the kids went home with their parents, Emerson was helping her mom cook an actual dinner for everyone that was left. Natasha not being much of a cook stayed in the kitchen with the mother daughter duo. After Natasha apologized, she and Emerson had become closer. The red head was surprised with how fast Emerson forgave her and wanted to move past it. As Emerson said 'There is no reason two women who are surrounded by men, shouldn't be friends.'

"So Natasha what got you into being a spy? I have always wondered how people got into that profession." Sarah said peeking over at the super spy.

Natasha took a sip of her wine before answering. "Uh I had a very rough childhood, rougher then most. I wasn't a good spy I guess you could say. Until Clint decided to let me live and give me a chance to redeem myself. Thats when I joined S.H.I.E.L.D, the first thing I thought I had going for me until it was pulled from right under me."

"Oh wow. Rough childhoods are what make good spies. The James Bond movies had it right then." Sarah said trying to lighten up the mood a bit.

"Smooth mom." Emerson said pulling out the potatoes from the oven. "Do you think we cooked enough?"

"You mean the 15 chicken breasts, multiple bowls of potatoes, broccoli, and a huge bowl of salad? Yeah I think there is enough and if there isn't the boys can stop at McDonalds on the way back to the city." Natasha said grabbing the plates off the counter.

Emerson followed the red head with the salad bowl. "Well if there isn't enough food, I am blaming you. Because you approved."

Setting the table, Natasha gave Emerson a smirk. "Just tell Steve that if he takes too much food he won't be getting desert."

"Yes because Steve would understand that." Emerson said smiling softly. "He will be thinking that he won't be able to get a cupcake."

"Well you gotta start saying more dirty things to him." Natasha said not realizing everyone walked into the dinning room.

"Why does mommy have to say dirty things? Do you have to talk about mud mommy? Thats a dirty thing." Liam asked climbing onto the chair that had a minion place setting just for him.

Nodding her head, glaring at Natasha, who was trying to suppress her laughter. "Yes Liam that is exactly what I have to talk about. Someone change the subject."

"We picked a month we want to get married in." Steve said resting his arm on the back of Emerson's chair. "We just don't know where or the actual date yet."

Clapping her hands together, Sarah looked over at the two blondes. "And what month is it? I will start looking at venues. I am a professional wedding planner after all."

"It's next April. We want to get married in the month we met." Emerson said smiling over at Steve. "It'll be 2 years in the making."

"That sounds perfect. Do you want to get married in the city? Outside of the city?" Sarah asked turning on her wedding planner mode. "There are so many things we need to discuss. How many bridesmaids and groomsmen?"

"Uh mom we haven't even thought about it yet. All I know is Jensen is my maid of honor and Sean told me he'll be okay with being a bridesmaid as long as he doesn't have to wear a dress." Emerson said looking over her mom.

Shaking her head at her daughter. "I taught you better then that."

"Well you also taught me how to use a condom. How did that work out?" Emerson said while giving her mom a pointed look.

"Touché." Sarah said taking a bite of her potatoes. "But we still need to get working on your wedding plans. Steve I need you to figure who your best man is going to be and your groomsmen."

Saluting the older blonde women. "Yes ma'am, I'll start figuring that out right away."

"Good." Sarah said not realizing the insanity that Steve will be put through.

"I should be your best man!" Tony, Thor and Clint said. Bruce looked over at the Captain and shook his head a smirk resting on his lips. Knowing fair well that Steve have each of them be a groomsman and didn't need four men fighting for the best man spot.

"Oh well this is going to be fun." Natasha said leaning in her chair, her arm resting on the back.

"Mommy do I have to wear a tux? Grandma told me I would have to wear a tux." Liam said looking over at his mom with a fear set in eyes.

"Yes Liam you will have to wear a tux." Emerson said looking at Liam. "But you'll look super handsome and it will be the same tux Steve is going to wear."

Dropping his shoulders, he let a long breathe release from his lips. Something he picked up from Steve. "Okay if I have too. As long as its not pink."

"Don't worry it won't be pink." Emerson said kissing the top of her son's head. "You are sticky, why is your hair sticky? You need to take a bath."

"Ava poured juice over my head in celebration. Like they do in football games." Liam said laughing. "Duh mommy."

"Yeah duh." Tony said winking at the young boy. "That always happens when ever I throw a fantastic party."

"See mommy even Uncle Tony does it." Liam said rolling his eyes.

Shaking her head. "Well I don't care what Uncle Tony does. You still need to take a bath."

"Fine." Liam said hopping off his chair. "Can I take a shower instead?"

"Yes, just make sure you get all the shampoo out of your hair. Call me if you need help." Emerson said watching Liam run off to her parent's bathroom.

"Don't worry about it Emmy. I'll help Liam." Jackson said standing up, following his grandson.

"Thank you dad!" Emerson called down the hallway before she walked into the living room to fall onto the couch.

Steve smirked standing up from his spot at the dinning room table to walking into the kitchen. Emerson was face down with a pillow resting above her head. This was Emerson's typical do not disturb unless you give me a glass of wine stance. Something Steve learned on accident. Pouring the wine to the top of the glass he walked back out to the living room.

"Emerson I got wine." Steve said setting the glass on the coffee table, he sat on the floor next to the couch.

Raising her head enough to look over at Steve. "Thank you. I'm tired, hosting a bunch of seven year olds is a lot of work."

"I know. Drink the wine and take a nap. I'll wake you when Liam is ready to go." Steve said kissing Emerson's forehead softly.

"Thank you hun." Emerson said taking a nice long sip of her wine. "Do you think I did good with the party?"

"I think you did great. Even before all the Avengers got here." Steve said watching Emerson continue to drink her wine.

"That was so great for you guys to do that. The kids will probably not be able to stop talking about it." Emerson said setting down the empty wine glass.

Pulling a blanket across her body the super soldier smiled. "It was our pleasure. Now get to sleep. I know you didn't sleep well last night."

"That was your fault anyway." Emerson said softly, snuggling into one of the throw pillows.

Shaking his head, Steve let out a small chuckle. "Yes blame it on me. Sleep well Em."