A month and a half. This is the time that Natasha is in an induced coma due to her fragile situation.

Today, Fury and Hill were in the hospital, accompanying Cho to inform Steve about the health of Natasha and the babies.

Fury: Captain? Could you come out here for a minute?

Steve, who was still in Natasha's room, got up from the couch and went into the hall. Hill looked at Steve's expression, it had no despair, it had concern and he seemed very calm with all that is happening, and this is not normal for Steve.

Cho closed the bedroom door and led Steve into another room. Hill and Fury accompanied them.

Cho: Steve, Hill talked to me about the abortion, that Natasha stated that she wants that.

Hill watched Steve, but his face was focused, as if he were only using reason at the moment, which is very rare, since that when it is about Natasha, he only thinks with his heart.

S: Are the babies killing her?

Cho: N-no... that was not what I was going to say.

Cho was surprised by the direct question.

Cho: They... They make her more fragile indeed, but we're managing to control her and the babies' health. She is more than three months now and having an abortion now, it would be a bit risky, since she is too weak at the moment, but you being the father... You can decide if we interrupt as she wants.

Steve heard Cho and walked to a corner of the room, he folded his arms and seemed to be thinking. Everyone respected the silence and the time Steve needed.

S: If she remaings pregnant, will she be okay?

Cho: Based on the tests and the response that she has given to the treatment we are doing, yes, she will be fine.

Steve took a deep breath and shook his head. He didn't think in anything else for the month that passed. As much as he hates abortions, that's what she's already decided, and he's not sure whether or not he has the right to authorize it.

He feels as if the twins were his children and allowing this to occur, it hurts him too much, and on the other hand, he does not want to impose the pregnancy on Natasha.

The anger he feels about her for not wanting the babies increased every day, even though she was in a coma and that changed his feelings and his way of acting.

Cho: You seem in doubt.

S: Yes. I want the babies, but she doesn't. It's complicated to decide without her.

F: Captain... She wants it.

Steve looked at Fury, surprised.

F: She won't say that, tho, she would never admit it, and maybe she doesn't know, but she wants the babies.

H: That's true.

F: She aborted Clint's child once.

S: I know.

F: She discovered the pregnancy in the morning and in the afternoon she was no longer pregnant. It was quick and easy like that. She discovered this pregnancy and didn't end it.

H: I'm her friend, Steve. I know her, maybe better than you. If she wanted to take them off, she would have taken them off. At first, she didn't want to have James too, but then she loved him immensely.

S: So, do you think if she was awake she would keep them?

F: I think she was going to say she would not keep it, but she would come up with countless excuses to postpone the abortion until someone said that abortion would no longer be possible. Myself, I offered to help her and she turned it down promptly. She is in doubt because she wants the babies.

H: Maybe not the babies themselves, but I don't think she wants to kill a part of you that lives inside her.

S: I don't know... I mean, she doesn't know if they are mine.

H: It's okay, Steve.

F: She will remaing pregnant.

Fury looked at Cho and decided instead of Steve. Steve looked a little more relieved.

F: You should go home and stay with the kids for a bit, get some rest and stay away from this environment.

H: I'll stay here with her.

Steve looked at Fury and Hill, then nodded. He needed a good night's sleep and needed to stay with his children. Steve left the hospital and went home.

When Steve arrived, he opened the door and as soon as Sarah and James saw him, they were super happy to have their father at home.

J: Did you come to take a shower?

S: No, I came to sleep at home.

Sarah: Really???

S: Really.

J: What about Mom?

S: She's still in the hospital, but she's getting better.

Sarah: Why can't we see her today?

S: Because she was a little sick, but she'll wake up and I'll take you there.

L: Steve, I didn't know you were coming and I didn't leave lunch ready.

S: Laura, don't worry. You can take the rest of the day off, I'll stay with them.

L: You must be exhausted.

S: I'm fine. Don't worry.

L: Are you sure?

S: Yes, yes, I am.

L: Okay ... Bye, bye guys. See you tomorrow.

Sarah and James waved to Laura, who left.

Steve sat on the couch and opened his arms, Sarah and James sat on the couch next to Steve, hugging their father. Steve kissed their foreheads.

S: You know there's nothing that I love more in this world than you two, right?

Sarah smiled and nodded, but James analyzed Steve's behavior.

J: What happened, dad?

S: I can't hide anything from you anymore, James, can I? You're becoming a very smart boy...

Steve smiled.

S: Let's say that dad is a little tired.

J: Why?

S: Things of life, James. You're too young yet to understand.

Sarah: Are you sad?

Steve looked at Sarah and he was going to nod, but no, he's not sad, he's just dispirited.

Steve actually feels more confident and determined about what he wants in his life, what he needs to have in his life. Unfortunately, he sees Natasha as an evil to his emotional state now. It is still impossible for him to not love her, he loves her too much, but he no longer needs to love her with every bit of his soul. The basics he needs to live are his children.

S: No, Daddy is tired, but not enough to not do a lot of tingling on those tummies.

Steve tickled Sarah and James, they both laughed a lot

S: I'm going to take a shower now and when I get back, let's watch a movie and eat popcorn.

Steve got up and went to his bedroom.

James was still confused with Steve.

J: Daddy's strange.

Sarah: Strange how?

J: I don't know. Different.

It's no use trying to talk to Sarah because she's too young to understand.

After the shower, Steve went into the living room and then in the kitchen, preparing a microwave popcorn.

James chose the movie and the three spent the afternoon watching the movie.

After the movie, Steve helped each with their homework, he even played ball with James a little, inside the same apartment, breaking a few stuffs and then he spent some time teaching Sarah drawing tricks, since she is also fascinated by drawing, just like him.

Sarah: I'm going to draw a heart for Mommy. Are you going to give it to her?

S: Of course I will.

Steve smiled and then made the dinner, the three of them dined together, as usual, and Steve noticed James's ear that was all black with dirt.

S: James, did you shower?

J: I did.

S: And that ear, boy?

James shrugged, Steve went to the bathroom and noticed that it was all very dry and James's towel dry too.

S: James...

J: Oh, I took a shower in the morning! I don't need two.

S: But you played, went to school, you did a lot of things and if you got dirty, you have to bathe again. Come on, go take a real shower.

James complained and crawled into the bathroom.

Steve looked at Sarah.

S: And you, lady?

Sarah: I did!

S: Really? Let me see.

Steve tickled Sarah's neck and she laughed a lot.

S: It's time for bed!

Sarah ran into her bedroom and threw herself on top of the bed. Steve came in shortly after and he missed the days when she asked to go to bed, but with Laura sleeping there for days, Sarah got used to going to bed alone, just as she was getting independent in other things, like tying shoes, brushing the teeth, tidying the hair.

Steve stood for a while at the door, looking at Sarah, he was smiling and Sarah was intrigued.

Sarah: You look like a fool, daddy.

S: Am I?

Sarah nodded, Steve approached her and covered her, he knelt beside Sarah's bed and stroked her face.

S: Would you like to have a little brother?

Sarah: Yes! Jamie!!!

S: No... Not James, I mean another brother, a baby...

Sarah: A baby?

Steve was afraid of Sarah's reaction, she was too thoughtful, but then she grinned and nodded.

Sarah: I love babies!

S: What if it's 2?

Sarah: Who's going to have two babies?

S: Your mommy.

Sarah was thoughtful again.

Sarah: Well... Okay, I guess, if it's just her.

Steve smiled relieved.

S: What do you mean?

Sarah: I can share mommy, but I don't want to share my daddy.

S: You share me with James.

Sarah: Yeah. Only him!

S: Sarah...

Sarah: The babies are yours too??

Steve nodded and Sarah frowned.

Sarah: Then I don't want to!

S: Don't be silly, that does not make you stop being my daughter and my princess. Now go to sleep, it's already late.

Sarah: Daddy?

S: Yes?

Steve was already on his way to the door.

Sarah: Did you call Mérida for my party?

Steve looked at Sarah, confused, not knowing what she was talking about.

Sarah: Princess Merida.

Now Steve realized that tomorrow is Sarah's birthday and she has been talking since last year that she wanted a party with the theme of Brave and that she wanted to get to know Mérida.

Steve completely forgot about Sarah's birthday.

S: Sarah... I'm going to bring Merida to you. But could it be another day?

Sarah: But it's my birthday.

S: I know, princess. I just need to find the little bears.

Sarah: Merida's brothers?

S: Yes. You'll want them at your party, won't you?

Sarah smiled and nodded.

Sarah: I've already called everyone from my school.

S: Did you? For tomorrow?

Sarah: Yeah.

S: Sarah...

Steve did not know what to say, the feeling of guilty for forgetting her birthday was too big.

Sarah: It's going to be really nice, right, daddy?

S: Yeah, yeas, it will... Nite-nite, baby.

Sarah: Nite-nite pretty daddy mine.

Sarah smiled then closed her eyes.

Steve could not deny a party anymore, he will have to give this party somehow. Steve turned off the bedroom light and entered James's bedroom.

S: James... I need to tell you something, son.

James looked at Steve.

S: What do you think about having another sister?

J: Another Sarah?

James frowned.

J: God forbid that from happening!

S: James, she loves you, don't talk like that.

J: She's very boring, I don't want another.

S: Listen, your mother is pregnant.

James's eyes widened.

S: Of twins.

James snorted in anger, but then he became pensive, and changed the look on his face.

J: Actually, I want brothers. Will be nice.

Steve frowned, surprised by the sudden change, but he was glad James accepted it fast.

James thought systematically... If his parents have more babies, they'll have to take care of them together and they'll get married again, that's the logic for him.

...

The next day Steve asked the help from Sarah's teacher to have her party at the school, she agreed right away. The other moms from school who are crazy for Steve, volunteered to help arrange everything for Sarah's party, they were going to provide candy and snacks. Steve thanked them very much, he had a lot of help, but he still needed to take care of the birthday cake.

As Steve looked across the street to see Elisa's diner, he had an idea.

Steve walked into the diner and Elisa noticed, but she didn't rush to greet him, nor did she smile, because he didn't look for her in these last few days, not even a call.

Steve waited for her to finish serve a table and approached her when she went to the counter.

S: Elisa... How are you?

E: I'm good, what about you?

S: I'm ok. I want to say that I'm sorry if I hurt you.

E: Steve, yes I am hurt, but at least you were sincere with me, which most men are not. This is the loveliest and most hateful thing about you! If you were a jerk, it would be easier to not have feelings for you.

Steve smiled.

S: I know it's not my right to ask you this and in a rush, but today is Sarah's birthday and I completely forgot about. I already got a space for the party, it will be at her school, but I need a cake and I was wondering if you could do, kind of urgent...

E: Um... Yes, but just because I love Sarah. Cake with a shield on it?

S: No, she likes a movie of... I forget her name. She uses arrows and the brothers turn bears, she has red hair too...

E: Oh yes, I know what is it. You can leave that to me, she'll be happy with the cake I'll make.

S: Thank you. And I want you to come with me to the party.

E: Me? Are you sure? But what about her mom...

S: Elisa, I'm not dating Natasha, I'm just keep company to the mother of my children in the hospital, I told you that. You have to believe me.

Elisa was thoughtful, but she nodded, after all taking her ans his date to his daughter's party is a big step and she's already full of hope of winning Rogers' heart again.

Steve called Maria Hill and explained about Sarah's birthday, and Hill said she would solve the princess's issue and the bears to show up at the party.

...

Hill hung up the phone.

H: Your ex.

Natasha looked at Hill.

H: It's Sarah's birthday today.

N: Today is already 4th?

H: Yes.

N: God! I didn't buy her anything.

H: Of course you didn't, you were in a coma until a few hours ago. But Steve forgot about her birthday and her party, but he's running after everythin to do it on time. By the way I have to go and get a princess Merida for the party.

Hill rolled her eyes and prepared to leave the room.

N: Hill? Can you do me a favor?

Hill stopped and looked at Natasha.

N: I need to buy her something.

H: Do you want me to buy what for her?

N: She likes Merida so much, so I think you could get the same dress as the princess for her to wear at the party. I know she will love it.

H: Oh, and a bow and arrows!

N: Only if it's a toy, Hill...

H: Boring! That's not funny at all.

Natasha looked at Hill, who began to laugh.

H: I know. Is it okay if you stay here alone while I run after those things?

N: Yes, sure.

H: There's something sad about you.

N: I'm fine and I'm not alone.

Natasha pointed to her belly that was already huge.

...

One hour after Hill left, Steve entered Natasha's room. He didn't even knock before coming in because he thought she was still in a induced coma and it was a shock to see her awake.

Steve could not even say anything, he was just standing there looking at her.

Natasha decided to break the ice.

N: Hi...

S: Hi...

Steve finally moved and walked closer to the bed, he kept looking her.

S: How... how are you? Since when, you're awake...?

N: Just a few hours ago.

S: And the pain?

N: I'm feeling nothing.

S: Natasha, look... about the babies... Fury told Cho to keep the pregnancy, I...

N: It's okay.

Steve approached Natasha even more and stared at Natasha's belly,

Natasha stared at Steve.

N: It's yours.

Steve looked in Natasha's eyes.

N: They are yours. I mean... the babies.

S: Are you sure?

Natasha nodded.

Steve started to smile, even though he didn't want to. Steve took a deep breath, showing relief, he almost cried..

Natasha reached for a glass of water and in that movement, she felt a little bit of pain. Steve approached and made her lie down on the bed.

S: Don't move, please.

N: I'm just thirsty.

S: I'll take it for you.

Steve took the glass of water, and put the straw. Natasha lifted her arm to take the glass, but Steve himself placed the straw in Natasha's mouth, she took a sip and laid her head on the pillow.

The slightest movement still tires her.

N: Hill told me about Sarah's party.

S: Yeah, I forgot, but I figure out something.

N: It's your specialty, isn't it? Solve things...

Natasha gave a small smile.

N: I want to go to ther paty.

S: No way. You can't leave the hospital.

N: She'll be sad if I'm not there.

S: She will understand. I'll bring her here later. I promise.

Natasha nodded and suddenly she opened her eyes wide and opened her mouth too. Steve was startled.

S: What??

N: I don't know.

S: Pain?

Natasha shook her head.

N: Something strange. I don't know.

Natasha frowned and then put her hand on her belly. She returned to feel normal, but a minute later the same strange sensation again bothered her.

S: I'll get help.

Steve called a nurse who was passing by in front of the room, she entered the room and checked Natasha's vital signs.

- She is fine. What did you feel exactly, honey?

N: I don't know how to explain, it was something weird, like... uh... a tingling in my stomach, I don't know...

Natasha made the same expression again and put her hand on her belly.

N: It's happening now!

The nurse put her hands on Natasha's belly and then smiled.

- Is this your first pregnancy, right?

N: Yes.

S: No.

Steve and Natasha responded at the same time, the two looked at each other.

S: It's just... Yes, technically it's like her first pregnancy, but she has two other kids, but she lost part of her memories.

- Oh, it's fine! Don't worry, the babies are just moving inside you. It feels new to you, but you get used to it fast. That's the best part, you can be sure they're alive.

N: Do them already have legs?

- Oh yes, for sure, honey.

S: Is he moving yet?

- Yes, they are both. They are very agitaded. Do you want to feel, dad?

Steve was smiling so hard he looked as if he was going to tear his face, he looked at Natasha who nodded, allowing him to touch her belly.

- I'll leave the couple alone.

Steve and Natasha were extremely embarrassed and the nurse withdrew.

Steve sat on the edge of the bed and laid his hands on Natasha's belly. Steve waited minutes and the babies seemed to have gone to sleep.

S: They don't want to move for me.

Steve removed his hands, but Natasha took his hand and put it back on her belly. They both looked into each other's eyes when their hands touched. Natasha didn't remove her hand from Steve's.

N: You have to wait and be patient.

And they waited... Almost ten minutes until one of the babies kicks. Steve smiled again and Natasha smiled, charmed by Steve's happiness with beings that are not even yet born.

N: You were like this in the pregnancy of James and Sarah?

S: Like what?

N: Smiling like that.

S: I don't know. It's likely.

Steve smiled and Natasha smiled back.

Natasha sighed and she had something important to say to Steve, but his cell phone rang just when she would open her mouth.

S: Just a minute.

Steve walked to the couch.

S: Batman balloons? But it's a princess party, Sam. She is a girl. Sam... Sam... All right, it's all right, if you only found these, take it anyway? I know it's late, I'm sorry and thank you.

Steve hung up.

N: Batman?

Natasha questioned afe listening to his call. Steve looked at her.

S: That's what he could find for the party...

N: I bet she won't even notice that.

S: Certainly not.

N: Steve?

S: Yes?

Steve was answering messages on his cell phone, which made him ignore Natasha.

N: Steve?

S: Hmm? Just a minute.

Steve got into another call.

Natasha kept noticing Steve's way, he was extremely happy to feel the babies, but he didn't show the same happiness at seeing her awake.

Steve asked the person to wait and looked at Natasha.

S: What is it you were going to say?

Natasha opened her mouth to speak, but she needed his full attention, so she made negative with her head, since he didn't end the call.

Natasha felt bad for Steve not directing all his attention to her, he is always extremely atencious with her. She first, the others later.

Steve stayed for almost twenty minutes, just making calls and receiving calls. When he finally stopped, Natasha felt irritated by the lack of attention, and couldn't say what she wanted.

S: I'm sorry, I've never had a party so fast in my entire life.

N: I believe so.

S: Did you think of a name?

N: Huh?

S: For the babies...

N: No... I don't even know what they are.

S: I think they're girls.

N: Both?

S: Yes. I love the name Charlotte. And Lindsay.

N: What if they are boys?

S: Boys? Well, I don't know, I think I'd like to pay homage to Sam, since he complains that Bucky was honored and both are my best friends.

N: Samuel? No... Not my son, sorry.

Steve laughed.

S: Didn't think of a name?

Natasha shook her head.

S: I'm already thinking about moving to a bigger house. You should think of a bigger apartment for you too. You gonna need it.

Natasha was serious again as Steve got another call.

Why is he making plans without her? She's going to have his babies, so why is not he including her in his future? He seems happier now than during all this time that she was living with him. Could his love be finally over? Is he in love with Elisa? Does he hate her now?

Being in love with another woman, Natasha can handle it. Not having his love anymore... well, she can also handle it. To have his hate... It's difficult, but she could bear it, there's only one thing she can't stand and it's hurting her immensely: Steve's indifference.

When one person loves or hates someone, it is still all about feelings, and having feelings means that that person means something, otherwise it wouldn't have a feeling of hatred or love.

Indifference hurts a lot more than hatred, it's the level that a person does not make any difference in another person's life anymore, there is no link that connects them anymore. It's like no matter if the person is alive or dead, sick or well, sad or happy... it doesn't matter at all and it's highly devastating.

Natasha frowned and looked down, thinking exactly about it. Did she provoke it? Did she provoke Steve so mucht that he reached that point with her? Was the abortion thing responsible for this wall of ice that Steve built against her?

Is she hurrying? Is it too soon? Is it too late? Why does it hurt, anyway? This is hurting her so much, she can even feel her heart shrink.

What is this, Natasha? Natasha thought she was so emotional, she was not hadleling this situation well, she can't find a logic in all of that pain. Why is she in pain?? Is the pregnancy making her feel more emotional than she should?

The answer is yes because Steve is busy with Sarah's party and Natasha can't judge his actions for just one day. The problem is that it was not just that particulary day, it was the next day, and the day after that and the next...

**Natasha got what she wanted...**