A/N: Where have I been? I know, I haven't updated in forever, and for this I profusely apologize. Therefore, I would like to thank everyone who continues to read my writing, you guys are awesome! Lastly, I wanted to say that I may write a sequel chapter to my previous chapter, but I'm not sure where I want to take that story yet (thoughts?). Anyway, I've gone on long enough. I hope everyone enjoys this fluffy chapter!
"Okay guys, I think it's time for bed," Steve mused quietly to himself. Natasha had fallen asleep on the living room couch hours ago, and he had been preoccupying their children on the floor. For once, Lucy was being cooperative—the eight month old had fallen asleep in his arms. On the other hand, James was still wide-awake and playing happily with his stuffed monkey. "James," Steve tried to gain his attention. The baby looked at his father and smiled. "Hey, Buddy, it's sleep time. Let's go night-night."
Steve stood up carefully, not wanting to wake up Lucy; that would bring all kinds of trouble. Once he had her settled in the crook of his arm, he then scooped up James into his other arm. Almost immediately, James twisted his body around to look at Natasha. "Say bye-bye to Mama James," Steve whispered. Upon command, James gave a small wave to his mother; but Steve didn't miss the concerned look on his son's face.
As quietly as possible, Steve entered his daughter's room first. He gently placed Lucy in her crib, letting out a sigh of relief when she stayed asleep. Steve closed the door to Lucy's room and moved into James' room next door. The baby had gotten more of his dinner on himself than in his mouth, so Steve laid him down on the changing table and changed him into a pair of striped blue pajamas. Steve had to admit, James looked adorable, even in pajamas.
"Okay James, it's time for bed," Steve whispered to his son—bright blue eyes staring back up at him.
"Sleep?" James questioned.
"Yes James, sleep. That's very good," Steve praised. The soldier walked over to the white crib and gently laid his son down. James immediately stood back up. However, Steve ignored it. Usually, James and Lucy would sleep through the night. Natasha was insistent that the twins be Ferberized, and it worked out really well in the end. Nonetheless, it was extremely hard for Steve to follow through with the method; the thought of leaving one of his children alone and crying pained him.
"Mama?" James questioned eagerly.
"No, James, it's bed time. Night-night," Steve couldn't help but give one last look at his son's sad face as he left the room and shut the door behind him.
He soundlessly returned to the living room where Natasha was still sound asleep. She had been on a mission for the past five days and was exhausted. Steve took a moment to observe her. Her breathing was steady and even, and he admired the innocent look on her face. Even in her sleep, Natasha fascinated him. Steve brought himself back to reality a moment later, but he didn't have the heart to wake her. He carefully leaned over her and picked her up bridal style. Much to Steve's astonishment, she didn't wake up. She must be exhausted, he thought to himself. Natasha stirred and snuggled into Steve's side as he carried her to their bedroom. She was so delicate in his strong arms, and he didn't ever want to let her go.
He moved over to their bed and debated holding her for a while longer. He decided against it, but only because he knew that she was in desperate need of a good night's sleep. He gently laid her down on the mattress and pulled the covers up to her shoulders. Next, he climbed in bed next to her. Without warning, Natasha turned over on her side to face Steve.
"Steve how—" she said groggily, waking up.
"Shh, it's okay I brought you to bed," he couldn't help wrapping his arms around her. The feeling of her body against his was familiar, and he always slept better protecting her.
Natasha didn't protest, she snuggled into her husband and dozed off once again.
Steve awoke abruptly a short forty minutes later. He immediately recognized his son's cries flowing through the baby monitor on the nightstand. Evidently, the screams had waked Natasha too because she was no longer in his arms. It sounded as though James had been awake the entire time, so Steve and Natasha agreed to go to him.
Steve groaned audibly. "I've got him Steve," Natasha said as she started to get up from the bed.
"No, you stay here. I'll get him. It's weird though, he hasn't done this in weeks," Steve insisted, getting out of bed.
"Maybe he's sick or something," Natasha said quietly. Her eyelids were starting to droop.
"I'll take care of it Nat. Please go back to bed and get some sleep," he persisted.
"Mmhmm," she didn't argue. She was really tired, after all.
"Hey Buddy, what's the matter?" Steve questioned as he entered his son's room. James was standing up in his crib, gripping the railing, and screaming at the top of his lungs.
"Daddy!" James said through his cries, reaching both arms up to his father.
"Alright, come here you," Steve lifted James into his arms and began rubbing his back in circles. He was trying to get James to stop screaming—he didn't want him to wake up Lucy or Natasha. "What's wrong James?" Steve mouthed as he sat down in the rocking chair with James in his arms. The soldier felt his son's forehead for any signs of an illness but found none. James continued to look up at his father, wide-awake.
Steve sighed audibly. It was 4:00 in the morning, and Natasha hopefully wouldn't be up for another three hours. "Okay James, since you're up, I need you to help me with something for your Mama. Do you think you can handle it?" Steve questioned seriously, fully aware that the baby had no idea what he was saying.
"Mama?" James questioned.
"Yeah, that's right. All right, come on little man. Might as well get a jump on things."
Natasha awoke to cries for Mama and the smell of coffee at six in the morning. She was slightly startled that Steve was no longer next to her, but then remembered that he was up early to take care of James.
Begrudgingly, Natasha sat up in bed. She pulled her loose curls into a messy bun before padding down the hallway to her daughter's room. Lucy was sitting down in her crib, calling for her mother.
Natasha snuck up to the crib, and popped up, asking, "where's my Lucy?"
The baby smiled and clapped her hands upon seeing her mother. Natasha couldn't help the smile that came across her face. She would have never thought this possible in her previous life. She loved being a mother, and she loved being loved by Steve and her children.
The spy easily lifted her daughter into her arms, and headed off to the living room to find Steve and James. "Mama, sun," Lucy exclaimed as she pointed out the hallway window.
"Yes, that's very good Luce," Natasha quickly kissed her daughter's head. "Now come on, let's go find the boys."
Natasha passed the living room without a trace of Steve. She moved on into the kitchen where she found James babbling happily to himself in his highchair. She walked over and put Lucy in the high chair next to James'. If the baby was here, then Steve couldn't be far.
She was about to call for him when she realized that James was holding something in his tiny hands. "James? What do you have there honey?"
The baby thrust his hands out towards Natasha. In them, he clutched a teal blue jewelry box with a white satin ribbon tied around it. Natasha lightly took the box from James and unfolded the note that was attached to it.
Nat,
Happy anniversary! And before you flip out—I know it's not our wedding anniversary, but to me this day is just as important. Seven years ago today, you came into my life and changed it forever. I love you more than I thought was ever possible, and I love the life we have built together. I know this past year hasn't been an easy adjustment, so I just wanted to thank you for everything. Thank you for being my wife, tolerating me, and the thousand I love you's that I will never get tired of hearing. Thank you for being you—smart, beautiful, deadly, and sexy you. And most importantly, thank you for James and Lucy. You have given me everything that I have ever wanted, and I will be eternally grateful. I love you, Nat, and I don't know where I'd be today if I hadn't met you today, seven years ago.
Love always and forever,
Steve
P.S. Wear these and think of us when you're feeling alone. Remember that we're always close to your heart.
Natasha began to tear up at the letter despite her efforts not to. She sat down at the kitchen table before undoing the ribbon around the Tiffany & Co. box. She slid the lid off the box, and pulled out Steve's dog tags on their chain. He had told her that he had lost them a few moths ago—she used to wear them whenever she went away on missions.
"Do you like them?" Steve questioned from the kitchen doorway. Natasha was confused at first, but soon realized the two new silver rings slid onto the chain. The rings hung next to the tags, the first one engraved with JSR 06.18.14 4:42 around it, and the second one was engraved with LMNR 06.18.14 4:48. Each ring had the initials, birthday, and time of birth of their children.
Natasha stood and put the chain around her neck, letting Steve's tags and her children's rings lay over her chest. "Steve," she said breathlessly as she approached him. "I love them."
Steve cupped her face and leaned in for a tender kiss. "And I'm impressed," she said slyly. "You lied about losing the tags and I didn't pick up on it. I think I'm losing my touch," she smiled.
Steve chuckled softly. "Well, I guess I've learned a thing or two from you. And I'm glad you like them."
"Steve, you didn't have to. I didn't even think to get you anything, and—"
Steve cut her off. "Stop. I wanted to do this for you. I know you've been doing a lot lately, and I wanted to let you know that I, that we, appreciate it. I love you so much, and I never want you to feel alone."
"I know I'm not alone. Not anymore," Natasha leaned in again for another passionate kiss.
The couple was rudely interrupted by James screaming "food?" The two just laughed it off and wondered, certainly not for the first time, how this became their life.