56 : PART OF HIS LIFE

The doctor let Steve out of the hospital after they checked him again. His neck injury will take 2 more weeks to fully heal and by that time, he shouldn't do anything to extreme or avoid any activity that might cause concussion.

Nat and Sarah took him back to the penthouse. Nat's family was there to welcome him back too. They knew about Steve's injury from Nat. Nicholas laughed hysterically when he saw Steve wearing a soft collar. Nat elbowed her brother very hard to stop him. Steve rolled his eyes and silently walked out of the room.

Aliana spent good half an hour to lecture her son while Nat, Sarah and Alexandre prepared dinner.

Nat went to get Steve in their bed room. She found him starring at himself in the mirror.

"I'm look stupid with this collar on." He said as if he sensed her presence.

"No, you are not." Nat replied and walked to him. "Come on, babe. Dinner's ready."

"I don't wanna eat. I'm not hungry."

"You got to eat something before you're taking the medicine."

Steve turned to face his girlfriend, "I noticed one thing, you know? You are so deliberately tell everyone that you're my fiancée."

Nat's face turned bright red, "It's the easiest excuse to get rid of someone or got something that I want."

"What if I don't want it to be just an excuse anymore?"

"Steve…we talked about this. I will give you an answer sometime later."

"Okay…"

"I love you." She said and hugged him tightly. "Shall we?"

The dinner was the closest thing to family dinner in Steve's mind. Nat's family became very close to the Rogers especially Aliana and Sarah. Nicholas was closer to his sister and Steve was loved by Nat's parents. They didn't have a chance to meet Joseph but Steve secretly wanted to see his father's face when the General learned that Nat was the future Grand Duchess.

Everyone went home. Sarah had to head to Paris tonight. Nat let Steve take a shower first because she knew he will take some time in it due to his neck. Steve got in and failed to completely shut the door. Nat heard the sound of the shower and looked at the door. Biting her lower lip, she slowly crept inside the bathroom where it was filled with stream from hot shower.

Nat was gauging whether she should jump in and join him or she should leave something for her boyfriend and hope he got her point. Nat waited until Steve turn the shower off and quickly write something the mirror before slipped out the door.

Steve wrapped towel around his waist and stepped out of the shower stall. He smiled when he saw the message Nat left for him on the mirror.

'I'm hot for you'

His little red already send him an invitation. He quickly dried himself off and wrapped only the towel. Why bothering put on any clothes when you will tear it off anyway, right?

Steve found his girlfriend on the bed, waiting for him. He went straight to her and got on top off her, pressing his lips hard on hers.

"You're hot for me, huh?" He whispered between the kiss.

Nat broke away and gave him a seductive smile, "Last time I check, the doctor said you should avoid extreme activity."

"It's my neck that hurt, not my groin. Besides, you give me the invitation first."

Before Nat could protest anything, Steve kissed her again but she managed to flip him on his back.

"Precaution" She told "And I still didn't give you your victory sex."

"Anything my lady wants."

It took Bucky a week to finally call Steve to tell him that he will come to New York to visit them. Steve couldn't be happier and announced this to everyone. Nat was happy when she saw her boyfriend was happy but that she realized something that shook her entire world.

Steve reunited with Bucky might result in his reunion with Peggy too.

But she kept her concern to herself. She didn't want to over react on something that didn't happen yet. Besides, Steve Rogers was completely in love with her, right?

Bucky arrived on Monday and Steve personally picked him up at the airport. He didn't want to bother Natasha with this so he went alone. He was elated to have his best friend back with him even for a week that Bucky agreed to stay.

He took Bucky on a tour around campus and tried to persuade his best friend to move here. Buck said he will think about it but Steve could tell that Bucky was really interested in his offer.

They met up with Nat at the auditorium. Since the football season was over, Steve could spend most of his time with her and gave her his undivided attention. He spoiled her a lot with all of this and when she had to share his attention with someone else, she took it pretty hard. They picked her up and when to the bar to meet up with the rest of the group.

Steve officially introduced Bucky to everyone. Everyone was warmly welcomed him into the group even last week he still tried to break Steve in half.

"Come on, Barnes. I know you could take a little challenge." Clint said.

"Fine."

"That's the spirit, buddy" Tony cheered.

"Do you wanna come to, babe?" Steve turned to his girl "It's gonna be fun."

Nat smiled a little, "No, I will stay here. You go have some fun and do a little catch up with him."

The boys took Bucky to the pool table and spent time to get to know each other except for Thor who sat at the table because he didn't feel well. Jane told Nat earlier today that Thor was food poisoning from last night dinner date.

"Don't you feel a little jealous, Thor?" Nat asked when she was sitting at table alone with Thor.

"Jealous of what, my lady?" He asked back.

"You are Steve's best friend but suddenly Barnes was back in his life and he kinda forget that you are his best friend too."

"I've never been jealous of such thing, Lady Natasha. Steven is my friend and I'm honor. I knew I only know him for five years and I don't have the same bond Steven and James shared."

Thor's answer hit home. The bond there shared, huh? Should she be worried about it? If Steve suddenly decided a reunion with his two old friends whose share a much deeper bond than she had with his.

Damn it, she should think about any of this.

If she compared herself to them, she probably be a stranger to Steve. Comparing to the bond he had with Bucky and Peggy. Oh yeah, she was worried but she will try her best not to worry about it.

"Don't worry, my lady. Steven's love for you is undivided. He just reunited with his long lost friend. The sudden shift of attention could happen. I suggest you should be patient. At the end of the day, Steven is all yours and you will find your worry is just a waste of time."

Nat knew she said she wasn't gonna worried about the whole thing but this time she couldn't help. Even with the wise word Thor told her yesterday, she still felt a little neglected by her boyfriend since he spent most of his time with Bucky and tried to catch things up. She tried to understand it. It had been like almost ten years they didn't hear anything from each other.

He really did spend most of his time with Bucky. Steve always clung with her during their usual dinner at the bar but now he was with Bucky and the guys at pool table, laughing and enjoying their time. Steve had Bucky stayed with them at the penthouse but he came home late after the guy decided to closing down the bar for the first time.

"Babe, are you sure you don't want to party here with us?" Steve asked as Steve walked her to the limo.

"No, it's okay, baby. You boys should spend some time together."

"But I want you here. Come on, it will be fun."

But Nat insisted she should head back. Steve could only pouted and kissed deeply before sent her off. Nat regretted her choice the moment she reached home and found herself alone in the penthouse.

She waited up for him until 3 AM when he and Bucky barely walking straight, helping each other into the living room. She had to let them sleep on the couch.

To be honest, some part of her wanted Barnes to just go back to his home because since he was here, she barely had some time alone with Steve. They still had their moment like kissing, hugging and doing it together at night but something kinda feel off about it. She felt it but she couldn't identify what it is.

To be even more honest, she wanted her boyfriend back all to herself. It was a little selfish, she knew but she had the right to feel this way. That's when Nat learned she didn't like sharing her man with anyone too.

She watched him closely as he and Barnes spent the entire evening playing old video game. She sat with them and they talked to her too but she couldn't relate to any of their topic. The only thing that kept her from breaking down was the smile on his face.

He was happy and she couldn't take it away from him.

On the third day of Barnes's visit was when Nat reached her breaking point. Steve and Nat was in the kitchen alone while Bucky was still sleeping. He was preparing them breakfast and she sat on the countertop watching him.

Nat took this opportunity of being alone together pulling Steve closer and wrapped her legs around him, kissed him hard and he reciprocated with the same passion. The kiss that helped lift some weight out of her heart.

"Eww!" A voice came from the kitchen door. "There goes my appetite."

The couple broke off but didn't break their embrace. Bucky who had an annoying face standing there watching them.

"Fuck off, Barnes." Nat hissed.

"That's what I thought too, sweetie." Bucky replied "I just came here to get my breakfast. You two can resume devouring each other."

Bucky did as he said and left the kitchen immediately. The couple let out a sigh but resumed their lips lock again.

"Babe, I have to tell you something." Steve said between the kiss. "I will have a little reunion with Peggy and Bucky today at the coffee shop. It will be a small dinner and I want to know that you're okay with this."

"Steve…"

"It's alright, you know? Because you are my girlfriend and if you feel uncomfortable with me meeting up with Peggy again…"
"You can go…It's alright. I know you need this, Steve."

"Are you sure? I don't want to bother you or make you feel uncomfortable with it."

"Just go and meet up with them, okay? I will be here waiting for you."

"Thank you, baby. Thank you for understand me." He said and kissed her "If it's not too much to ask, do you want to come along and meet them with me? I know they would be thrill to finally get to know you."

"I will cause a little awkward situation with me and Peggy being in the same room." Nat replied "Perhaps, next time."

"Okay."

Even Nat said she was okay with this. She really wanted to feel okay with this but she's not. She worried about Steve. She afraid Steve might fall back into the same old feeling of having two of his childhood friend back in his life. The same old feeling, the same old bond she didn't share with them.

What if Steve still have feeling for Peggy?

Steve left with Bucky to the coffee shop. Nat tried to calm herself down but curiosity got the better of her. She took Steve's truck and followed them.

Steve arrived at the coffee shop with Bucky without noticed that there was a car following him. Once he opened the door and the bell sounded, the girl at the cashier turned and a smile broke out her face.

"Bucky!" Peggy called him and ran to them before hugging Bucky tight in her arms. "It's been so long!"

"Hey, Peg." Bucky greeted back gently "Still look the same as I remember."

"How did you find him, Steve?"

"At the championship game which he spend most of his time tackled me to the ground and laughed in my face."

"And I almost…got him paralyze."

Peggy shocked, "Why? What happened?"

The guys looked at one another before Steve spoke up, "Well, He's with the opponent team and his duty is to stop me."

"I'm hit him really hard from the back. Almost broke his back and neck."

"You two should stop playing football before one of you really kill one another."

They laughed before moving to sit at the table near the window. Bucky began to tell them of how he discovered all the truth his parents had been hiding from him. They moved him to the west coast because they wanted Bucky to be safe without having to protect Steve in every turn. They got Steve's letters and hid them away from Bucky. Steve told Bucky about the procedure of curing him and everything that happened afterward, how he became a bully. Peggy told them of what she been doing after she broke up with Steve and moved to the new school.

They did a lot of catch up over their small dinner. But at the outside of the coffee shop was another story with Natasha who did a full on stake out at her boyfriend. Nat even ordered a pizza and ate her dinner in the car.

Nat could see a smile on Steve's face the way she never make that happen with him. She felt her heart heavy. What if Steve had everything he ever want back and goes back to them and leave her?

Damn it, Romanoff. Get yourself together.

Nat was on the verge of breaking down when she noticed the ring Steve's gave to her, his mother's ring, a promise of his unconditional love for her and only her.

She found herself smiling when she looked at it. The simple thing lifted all the weight out of her heart with the realization of how important it was to them.

She didn't have to worry or fear or anything because he was all hers.

Nat started the engine and drove back to their penthouse.

Back inside the coffee shop, Steve was trying to persuade Bucky to study here with him.

"Tell him, Peg. He should move to Marvel."

"Yeah, you should, Bucky. It will be fun. Steve and you could play football together like you always talk about when you were kids."

"So you don't have to kill me again. Besides, I want us to hold the champion trophy together.
"I don't know, man. I will think about it."

They respected Bucky to make his own choice and moved on to the next topic.

Peggy turned to Steve, "Bring Natasha with you sometime, Steve. We really want to know her and learn how she conquering the number one womanizer like you."

"I thought you told me everything!" Bucky

"No, not everything."

"You really love her, huh?"

"Yeah, even I feel a bit weird saying this in front of my ex-girlfriend but yeah, I really love her."

"Don't mess this one up, Steve. Someone like her is hard to come by."

"I know."

"And what the hell are you waiting for? Go back to her, you dumbass. Do you notice that you are neglected her this past two days." Bucky scolded.

Steve smiled "Guys, see you tomorrow. I have to go home to my beautiful girlfriend."

"See ya." Bucky and Peggy said at the same time.

Steve came home and found Nat was sitting in the living room waiting for him. He came to her and swiped Nat of the coach, hugged her and kissed her passionately. Nat immediately melted into him, let him conquer her mouth over and over again.

She didn't know when her body was laid on bed and Steve was on top of her.

"I love you so much." He whispered "I'm sorry for all of this. I know you feel uncomfortable with the whole thing."

"It's nothing, Steve. Really, I understand you just get your best friend back."

"Nat, I know you must have thought that I still didn't let go of my past but I can ensure you that I really am already move on but they are parts of what make me become who I am today."

"Steve…I know. You love me."

"Yes, I am but I'm still feel bad from not spending much time with you in the past three day and might be neglect you."

"Apology accepted."

"I will make it up to you after all of this end, I will make up to you." He promised.

"Okay"

"Please remember one thing, my love. You're the only important thing to me. You're the love of my life. I might do something that make you uncomfortable all the time but please remember one and only fact, I love you more than anything in this world."

Nat smiled and kissed him lovingly. Steve smiled to as they broke away. His smile was bright and affectionate.

Then Nat realized something. The smile he gave her was the one he never gave it to anyone but her. The smile that full of love and admiration. The smile that made his eyes soften the most and filled his blue orbs with love and passion.

"How could you possibly love someone like me?" He spoke out of nowhere. Eyes looking at her the whole time.

"Your abs. I can't get enough of your abs or your biceps or your chest. That's all"

"I have to keep myself in shape, haven't I?"

"Yeah, I will dump you as soon as your abs aren't a wash rack anymore."

Steve chuckled and proceeded to tell her how much he loves her with his body, making her feels good. The sweet and gentle love making only made her heart even more fluttered.

Her worry is just a waste of time like Thor said. Steve was all hers.

"Did she really want me to be there?" Bucky asked "She hates me."

"No, she wasn't."

"Dude, I can see it in her eyes."

"She hates you only when you interrupted me making out with her." Steve corrected. "Besides, Nat needs all support she can get."

Steve and Bucky were arguing about this over and over again. Steve wanted to take Bucky to Nat's play because it was the opening night and it was a step for them to finally get along.

Nat was fantastic as usual. Everyone was in awe by her performance. Steve went back stage to get his girlfriend after the show. Nat ran to him and kissed him. Steve gave her a banquet of rose before led her outside where everyone was waiting for them.

The gang congratulated her but Steve will take her for dinner with Peggy and Bucky. Nat was uncomfortable at first but they got along rather well after Steve tried to feed a conversation for all of them. To Nat surprise, they were pretty friendly than she expected.

It wasn't awkward at all. Nat could see that Peggy and Steve were keeping their relationship to only close friend now. Bucky was actually nice that she thought if he didn't act like a jerk the way he did back a couple day ago and Nat finally get over her hatred of him for hurting Steve.

Bucky will stayed at Peggy's tonight to give the couple sometime alone. They were really appreciate it and before they parted away, Peggy spoke up first.

"Take a very good care of each other, alright?" She said "I can clearly see that you are madly in love with one another."

"We are" Nat replied with a gentle smile

"Take good care of this punk alright, Romanoff. He's a troublemaker. Keep him away from it alright?"

"I will."

Steve smiled at his two oldest friends and wrapped his arm around Nat's waist tightly. Bucky and Peggy began to walk away. Nat leaned up to kiss his cheek. Steve gave her a loving smile that he only gave it to her.

It was a fool of her to think that Steve might had a second thought about their relationship.

Bucky finally decided to go home after he spent time with Peggy, Steve and Nat. He told them he finally have enough closure from his past and he was thankful that Steve forgave for what he had done and the misunderstanding.

Now that everything was back to normal, Nat had Steve back all to herself once again.

He still devoted to her with his unconditionally love and undivided attention. He told her that he too finally had the closure with his past. With every mystery resolved, he could finally admitted to her he finally moved on with his life and there was nothing holding him back again.

"I love you." He kept telling her that every moment they were together. "There is only you and no one else could take you place in my life."

"Why you saying that?"

"Nothing. I just want to remind you in case you have a doubt."

He gently traced his hand on her cheek, looking into her beautiful green orbs that he knew she could use it to get whatever she want from him.

"Do you think we need something to spice up our love?" Steve asked "It's been like a life time that we did something crazy together."

"You tell me that the little kinky experiment we did wasn't spice up our love enough."

"That's not what I mean, babe. We are acting like a boring old married couple. We stayed in, we barely stayed up late or closing the bar or doing anything crazy at all." Steve explained "We didn't do anything like what we did back went we just be in the relationship together."

"What do you think, Rogers?"

Steve paused for a second and then a sly smile widened.

"I have a perfect plan." He said. "You gonna like it."

Steve's genius plan was a drive-in movie date. They took his pickup truck because they wanted to cozy at the flat bed. Steve filled the flat bed with blankets and pillows and snack.

"This is the craziest thing you can figure out?" She teased.

"I'm a bit rusty." He replied as the movie started to roll "Besides, I started to think we should stay in and be an old boring married couple."

"Doing something crazy once a week would be fun."

"Anything you want."

They watched Casablanca. Nat admitted she never watched it before because she had to keep up with more current film. Halfway through the movie, Steve diverted his attention from the screen to her neck as he pressed his lips on her soft skin.

"Focus, Rogers."

"Nah…you smell too nice." He replied and his hot breath only made Nat squirmed.

"Is this your plan or you improvised it?"

"A bit of both."

Ten minutes later, after Steve kissed her everywhere his mouth could reach, it turned to them making out and he pushed her down on her back. They enjoyed their lips lock session way too much to notice that the film finally ended.

"Do you think…maybe…we could find a motel to crash for a night?" Nat asked.

"Sure, maybe after we went to the dive bar half a mile down this road."

"Sound great."

A not so wild night turned into the wildest night they could imagine. They went to the dive bar, drinking and dancing and ended up in a motel room, fucking each other's brain out.

Nat had her little secret that she didn't tell Steve. It's been going for a week and a half now since they were doing it to celebrate his victory. She discovered that she forgot to take her contraceptive pills for a month now. Everything was quite hectic for her in the past month. Her rehearsal, her work, her life with Steve. It was a bit too much that she forgot to take the pills.

She was a week late now and there was a chance that she might get pregnant again.

The thought scared her because last time she thought she was pregnant, she discovered that she was his bet but now that they loved each other. She still scarred about it. She didn't know if Steve ready for this next step of relationship.

The step where he had to be a father of a child.

Damn it, she shouldn't stop him when he said he want to use condom but in her mind, she thought that doing it without condom feel more special and more intimate.

Damn you, Romanoff!

She was too scared to tell Steve because she didn't want to think about his reaction when she told him she was pregnant.

What if she told him and he want to re-consider their relationship? What if he immediately ended things up with her? What if he didn't want the child because he still had a bright future ahead of him? What if he wasn't ready to be a dad and disappeared on her?

She was too scared to tell him. She couldn't lose him but she couldn't also do this alone.

But this was Steve, her Stevie who loved her enough to give his mother's ring to her. Her Stevie who asked her to marry him like three times by now.

But then again, what if?

Nat could keep this a secret to herself for four more days until it almost made her explode.

It was a normal Saturday morning. Steve was in the kitchen prepared their breakfast. She was sitting across the kitchen island, peeling fruit and set up the plate for them. After their quiet peaceful meal, Steve started to do his choir. Mia was out of town again but her boyfriend could operate the washing machine without making a bubble bath in the laundry room.

She came in and found Steve sitting on the table sketching something on his sketch pad.

"Hey, baby." Nat called. Her voice was unsure.

"Yeah?"

"I have something to tell you."

"Hmm?" He looked up at her. His blue eyes locked with her green ones and it scared her again.

Nat hesitated to tell and it made Steve turn into his high alert mode. He got off the table and came to her, his hands held hers gently.

"What is it, little red? Is there anything bothering you?"

"Steve—I" Nat didn't know how to tell him and looking at the floor.

"Nat, you know you can tell me anything." He sounded worry

"Baby, I'm pregnant."

His blue eyes blown. Steve was silent for at least three minutes and it was the reaction that scared Nat the most. He was in complete shock and she could see a million of thoughts ran through his mind.

Nat could only pray at that moment. Finally, Steve spoke up.

"Let's go to the hospital."