Steve inhaled deeply, as if trying to contain himself from bursting. "Bruce said something about your hCG levels being at 5,000. That means you've been pregnant for three weeks." He glanced at the paper in her hands, the definitive proof of something nearly impossible for someone like her.

Her heart swelled with hope, but her mind remained in shock. "I don't understand. How is it possi—Oh."

Steve leaned closer, his brow furrowing in concern. "Romanoff," he said, his voice gentle yet firm, "what is it?"

A thought flirted through her mind, and a blush rose to her cheeks. "Super serum, super sperm," she muttered under her breath.

The soldier's eyes widened, and he instinctively straightened in his chair. "Oh," he said, blinking as the realization hit him. "Well, that does make a certain kind of sense."

Before Natasha could respond, Tony Stark made his grand entrance, the door swinging open with characteristic flair.

"Well, hello, father and mother-to-be! What's it gonna be? A boy or a girl?" he quipped, popping a bottle of champagne and raising the glass in a mock toast.

Natasha's eyes flicked to Steve, whose posture had grown noticeably uncomfortable. His back was straight, his hands clasped tightly in his lap as if bracing himself for something monumental. Their gazes met, but she quickly looked away. Did he like her? Did he want to be with her? Did he even want the baby?

Her hands instinctively moved to her stomach, where she could feel the faint stirrings of life growing inside her. She didn't need Steve's approval to decide. She was keeping the baby—of that, she was certain.

Steve's heart felt like it might burst. Everything he'd ever wanted was bundled up in one incredible woman. A woman who had been occupying his thoughts for nights on end. He'd always been a man of duty and honor, but now there was a different kind of duty calling him—one that felt deeply personal.

Tony's voice faded into the background as Steve's eyes fixated on Natasha. Her hands brushed over her stomach, a dreamy expression softening her sharp features. She looked vulnerable, yet determined. It was a side of her he hadn't seen before, and it only deepened his admiration.

"Mr. Stark," Steve said politely, clearing his throat. "Might I trouble you for a moment of privacy?"

Tony raised an eyebrow but shrugged, taking a long sip from his champagne before sauntering out with a wink. "Alright, Cap. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Once they were alone, Steve turned his full attention to Natasha. Her green eyes locked onto his, her expression unreadable. "I'm keeping the baby," she said simply, her voice steady but guarded.

Steve exhaled, relief washing over him like a tide. "Natasha" he said, his voice soft yet resolute, "I want you to know that I'm here for you. For both of you. Whatever you need, you have only to ask." He pulled a chair closer, careful not to disturb the machines monitoring her vitals.

Her fingers brushed against his as she hesitated. "I don't want you thinking I'm keeping the baby to trap you, or to..." she paused, searching for the right words, "use the child as leverage."

Steve's gaze dropped to their joined hands, her slender fingers peeking through his rough ones. He'd been through battles, faced down foes unimaginable, but this moment felt more significant than any of them. The image of a ring on her finger flashed in his mind, unbidden but persistent.

"Miss Romanoff," he began, his voice trembling slightly. "Natasha. Marry me."

Her emerald eyes widened, her lips parting in surprise. "Steve, I—"

"I know it's sudden," he interrupted gently. "But think of the child. They'll need both parents, and I want to be there. For them. For you." His thumb traced soft circles over her wrist, his touch as steady as his resolve.

Natasha took a deep breath. "I don't want to trap you in a marriage, Steve. We're friends. You deserve someone who can make you happy."

You make me happy, he thought, but the words caught in his throat. He wasn't ready to let her go, not without a fight. "Then live with me," he murmured. "Allow me the honor of taking care of you. I'll provide whatever you need."

She laughed softly, a sound that was both genuine and tinged with disbelief. "Steve, we live in Avengers Tower. We practically live next to each other already."

"I'll buy a house," he countered, his determination unwavering. "A proper home, like Clint's. I've got money saved up, and I'd like nothing more than to use it for you and the baby."

Natasha pursed her lips, pulling her hand away as she fell deep into thought. "Let me think about it," she said finally.

She couldn't do this alone. Clint would help, of course, but he had his own responsibilities, especially with little Nathaniel. The rest of the Avengers had enough on their plates. No, this was her burden to bear—hers and Steve's.

Her hand rested on her stomach while her other clutched the grainy ultrasound picture. It had been a week since Steve made his offer, and he'd given her the space to decide. Still, her mind wrestled with the implications of living with him. He was kind, strong, and hopelessly lost when it came to matters of the heart. The thought of being around him every day stirred feelings she wasn't ready to face.

Her phone vibrated on the bedside table, cutting through her thoughts. Fury's name glared up at her. Reluctantly, she answered. "Director Fury."

"What the hell is going on, Agent Romanoff?" His deep voice growled through the speaker, making her wince.

"I'm not sure what you mean, sir." She forced her voice to remain calm and emotionless.

"I'm talking about the fact that you're pregnant. Honestly, Romanoff, I thought you were smarter than that."

Her jaw clenched. "I'm not going to abort the child, if that's what you're getting at."

"I'm not. But you're on desk duty until maternity leave. That's final."

"But, sir—"

"But nothing," he snapped. "In your line of work, we can't have you fainting on the job. This isn't up for debate." The line went dead.

Natasha stared at her phone, her contact list now glowing on the screen. She was going to go stir-crazy in the coming months. And the more she thought about it, the clearer her choice became.

Her finger hovered over Steve's name before tapping it. She raised the phone to her ear, her pulse quickening as it rang.

"Hello?" His voice was steady, but she could hear the faint undercurrent of hope.

"Hey. Um... I'm taking you up on your offer," she murmured, her voice trembling more than she wanted.