A few months later

Her fingers brushed over the bump that had grown large enough for the world to notice. The stretching of her skin had begun, leaving it slightly sore as her body worked to accommodate the life growing within her. Natasha's pants no longer fit, and she'd resigned herself to wearing shorts and Steve's oversized shirts. Not that he minded—in fact, he seemed to encourage it, always offering a fresh shirt whenever she needed one.

Despite the changes, their relationship remained carefully platonic. Friends, nothing more. Neither had dared to step beyond the unspoken boundaries. Yet, moments of intimacy still found their way into their lives. On occasion, they would fall asleep together, tangled in each other's arms, listening to the steady rhythm of their heartbeats. Steve's hand would rest lightly on her stomach, as though he could already feel the child's presence.

Their days had settled into a quiet routine. Natasha handled paperwork and housework—tasks she never imagined herself doing. Steve, when not away on SHIELD missions, spent his time working on the baby's room or chopping wood outside.

The sound of the axe splitting through logs broke Natasha from her thoughts. She glanced out the kitchen window to see Steve in action. His powerful arms swung the axe with precision, muscles rippling beneath his sun-kissed skin. Sweat trickled down his chest, catching the light as it ran between his defined pectorals.

Natasha bit her lip, her gaze lingering. She wasn't a woman prone to indulging her desires, but something about the sight of him stirred something deep within her.

Determined to snap herself out of it, she grabbed a pitcher of freshly squeezed lemonade and a glass from the fridge. As she walked outside, she felt the weight of his gaze shift to her. Those piercing blue eyes seemed to see straight through her, and her fingers trembled slightly, the cool liquid sloshing in the pitcher.

"Hey," Steve greeted, his voice breathless from exertion.

Natasha poured the lemonade into the glass and handed it to him, forcing herself to meet his eyes. "Thought you could use a drink."

Steve's lips curved into a grateful smile as he accepted the glass. "Thank you," he murmured before taking a long gulp.

She glanced at the pile of wood he'd split. "What are you working on this time?"

A shy smile touched his lips. "It's a surprise."

Natasha's lips quirked upward. Something about the soldier always sent her heart fluttering. Maybe it was his sapphire eyes, or perhaps it was the sweet, caring demeanor hidden beneath his formidable exterior. She suddenly felt self-conscious about her own unkempt appearance, dressed in his loose shirt and worn shorts.

"Why don't we go out today?" Steve suggested, handing the empty glass back to her.

She raised a brow. "Go out where?"

"Someplace that sells baby stuff," he said, rubbing the back of his neck as a pink blush spread across his cheekbones.

Natasha smiled softly. "It's a date."

******

"You sure you don't want help?" Natasha asked, eyeing the mountain of shopping bags Steve carried with ease.

"Nat," Steve replied, his tone teasing, "I've got this. You just relax, okay?"

She huffed, rubbing her growing stomach beneath the flowy maternity dress she wore. "I'm pregnant, Steve, not an invalid."

He shrugged. "I know."

The baby store had been an unexpected adventure. Steve insisted on pushing the cart, his excitement almost childlike as they navigated the aisles. Natasha watched as he carefully examined every item—cribs, blankets, tiny clothes. He held up a onesie with a tiny red star emblazoned on the front, a grin spreading across his face. "What do you think? Too patriotic?"

Natasha chuckled. "It's adorable. But we might need something less... obvious for everyday wear."

Steve nodded seriously, placing the onesie in the cart alongside several other items he'd deemed essential. Natasha found herself smiling more than she had in weeks, watching him so wholeheartedly embrace the idea of becoming a father.

Before she could comment further, the enticing aroma of sizzling beef wafted through the air. Natasha's stomach growled loudly, betraying her hunger. Her cheeks flushed as she noticed Steve's amused gaze.

"Guess I'm hungry," she admitted, sheepish.

Steve grinned. "Come on. You're eating for two now."

*****

Natasha's red hair was pulled back, leaving her glowing face unobstructed as she dug into her steak with relish.

"Mm, this is so good," she moaned, savoring each bite.

Steve watched her, his own plate barely touched. He couldn't tear his eyes away from her—the way she devoured each bite, feeding both herself and the child they had created together. The thought of becoming a father filled him with a strange mix of excitement and trepidation. For the first time in years, he felt like he could belong to a family again.

You and Nat aren't married, a nagging voice reminded him. Their current arrangement was functional, but he knew it couldn't last forever. Not without taking the next step.

"Steve?" Natasha's voice broke through his thoughts. She wiped a stray drop of sauce from her lips, her green eyes narrowing slightly. "What are you thinking about?"

He smiled faintly. "Us."

Her brow arched. "What about us?"

His heart pounded in his chest. This was it. "Nat," he began, reaching across the table to take her hand. "Our relationship didn't start out like a normal one, but I think it's time we took another ste—"

"Steve! Nat!" a familiar voice interrupted. Steve's head snapped up, his heart sinking as he recognized the face before him.

Sharon Carter approached, a bright smile on her lips. Her features bore a striking resemblance to her grandmother's, stirring memories Steve had long tried to put to rest.

"Oh my goodness, I didn't think I'd see you two here," Sharon said, tucking a blonde strand behind her ear.

"Hey, Sharon," Steve replied, blinking away the ghost of Peggy's image.

"Carter," Natasha said curtly, sipping her sweet tea.

"How's the baby coming?" Sharon asked, her grin widening. "Do you know the gender yet?"

"We want to be surprised," Steve said, forcing a polite smile.

Sharon nodded. "So, do I hear wedding bells?"

Steve's cheeks turned crimson, and he opened his mouth to respond, but Natasha beat him to it.

"No wedding," she said coolly. "We're just together for the baby. Right, Steve?"

His heart twisted painfully, but he nodded. "Yeah. Just for the baby," he said softly.

Just for the baby.