Chapter 49-Christmas

By: MysticFantasy

.

.

"James?"

The nine year old kept his eyes looking out the window in hopes of seeing a jet or helicopter heading to the tower. Bringing his father with it.

"James." Natasha repeated as she walked over and sat next to her son. "He'll be here. He's never missed a Christmas with you before and he won't start now."

"I know." Jamed replied but didn't sound too certain.

Natasha didn't blame James for feeling this way. It was already a little past eight in the evening. Just a few hours left before Christmas was officially over. She had to admit that she was a little worried.

Ever since James was born, Steve had never missed a single Christmas or birthday. But even trying to have a simple domestic life couldn't be that easy for the two Avengers.

Just the day before, on the morning of Christmas Eve, Steve had been called by SHIELD to go on a mandatory mission. They had promised to get the soldier back in time for Christmas but it was starting to look like their promise would be broken.

She could only imagine how Steve must be feeling. Worried that he might not make it back to celebrate Christmas with his family for the first time in nine years.

Natasha had done her best to keep James' hopes up of Steve returning soon. She had even taken him to the Midnight Mass that Steve hated to miss. They'd taken James to it every year.

The spy had been a little nervous at being at church without her husband but she had seen how much it meant to James. She's seen how hard he had prayed for his dad to come home for the holiday.

Steve, where are you? Natasha asked herself.

"Come on, James. You'll get sick if you stay next to the window like that."

James nodded and left the window. He went with his mother to the common floor where the rest of the Avengers were gathered.

The large Christmas tree in the corner of the room was still glowing brightly and still had a few wrapped presents lying on the tree skirt.

"Hey kid, he'll be here." Clint said and handed James a cup of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Normally, such a sugary treat wouldn't be given to the young boy but everyone could see that he was in need of cheering up.

"There's still a few presents with your name on them. Why don't you open them up?" Tony suggested.

"I want to save some for when dad gets back." James answered.

"He'll be back in time." Pepper assured as she led James to the couch. "I've known your father for a long time and he's never broken a promise."

James lightly smiled and drank his hot chocolate.

A nearby clock alerted the team that it was nine o'clock. Only three hours left until Christmas was over.

Against her better judgment, Natasha allowed James to stay up for a while longer. She knew he wouldn't go right to sleep if he went to his room anyway. At least this way, he would have his family around trying to assure him that his father would be back in time to have a few hours of Christmas with them.

Another hour went by and still no sign of Steve.

James was beginning to get really upset and he made his way back to the window he'd been staring out of earlier. But he had promised to have a blanket with him in order to keep the chills away.

His blue eyes kept darting around the parts of the sky that he was able to see. With the tower being so high, lights from other buildings didn't block out the sky and stars.

Soon, eleven o'clock came and James was having a hard time keeping his eyes open for longer than three seconds.

"James, you should go to bed." Natasha said.

"But, mom..."

"James," Natasha insisted as she sat next to her son and looked him directly in the eyes. "I know that you want your father home while there's still time. I do too. But it's late and you need to go to sleep. I know that it won't be in the same in the morning but we know he'll be here then."

"Who will be here?"

James instantly perked up at the sound of the familiar voice. He smiled when he saw his father walk into the room, still clad in his Captain America uniform but was missing his cowl and gloves.

"Dad!" he exclaimed as he jumped down and rushed over.

Steve chuckled as he scooped his son into his arms and hugged him close.

"I thought you wouldn't make it." James admitted.

"I thought I wouldn't either." Steve replied. "But I did. I'm sorry it took so long."

"You're back and that's all we care about." Natasha said as she joined the two.

"Hey, I care about the reaction he'll have to the present I got him." Tony exclaimed.

"Come on, dad. You gotta open your presents." James insisted.

"Wow, he is like you." Clint said to Tony who grinned proudly.

"Don't get any ideas you two." Natasha lightly warned as James led Steve to the brightly lit tree and was handed a present.

"She's right." Pepper agreed. "We're together as a family on Christmas. Let's enjoy it."

"As long as I get a picture of Capsicle's reaction to my present." Tony stated as they all moved over to the tree.

.

.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! HOPE YOUR DAY WAS BLESSED.