IN THE SILENCE: a Steve Rogers Story

31

Steve came over and kissed my head. "I'm gonna go help Tony."

"Okay." I said as I finished drying my hair.

Steve wrapped his arms around me in the mirror. I smiled and set my towel down.

"You wanna talk now?"

He looked at me in the mirror. I smiled softly.

Steve stroked my stomach lightly.

I should tell him what I've been meaning to say.

I felt like he knew.

"My dream was that you died while pregnant. And we fought about you having it."

I stared at him.

"Steve..."

"I know you're pregnant. I saw the test." He said.

I sighed and looked down.

"I can abort." I whispered.

He sighed and rested his head on my shoulder.

"I don't know what to do." Steve said.

I turned around to look at him.

"I'll keep it if you want. I'll abort it if you want." I whispered.

He sighed. "We will take time to think."

I nodded softly. Just then someone burst through.

"Sorry- uhm- aria..Tony said you're a good cook and you could help me."

"Of course." I said. Steve grabbed his shirt and threw it on.

I smiled softly at Steve as he left.

"He's a keeper isn't he."

"Mm. We're gonna be three." I whispered. Laura gasped.

"Really?"

"Yeah. We just don't know with him being a super soldier...."

"What have doctors said?"

I gave her a soft smile. "That I should abort." I whispered.

"Well I mean you are pregnant from the one super soldier known to man."

I chuckled.

"Yeah. It would be nice to have one with him but...I think I need to put my health first."

"Always." She whispered.

I smiled and walked out with her. "I don't think avengers are aloud to have kids either. Except for you and Clint."

"Kids?" Nat asked in the doorway. I turned around.

"Uhm." I said. Nat gave me a small look. I nodded.

"You can't with Steve though." She whispered. I nodded.

"I'll get it figured out. Don't worry." I said.

She smiled weakly. I knew what I had to do.

————

That night was sat around the table with fury. He had come back.

Steve was standing in the doorway. He would always glance at me. I had one of his sweatshirts on.

"So how to we stop him? What does he want?" Fury asked as he sat down. He passed me a drink but I wasn't feeling well.

"To be better than us." Steve said.

"To evolve." Banner said.

Laura and Clint's daughter, Lila, came up and sat on my lap. I chuckled lightly and moved her hair out of her face. Steve caught my eye. He looked away.

"Has anyone been in contact with Helen Cho?" Banner asked.

Everyone looked around.

"Ultrons evolving." Banner said. "We gotta go."

"Arias not going." Steve said.

"Steve-"

"No I'm serious. You can't get-"

"Okay buddy let's step outside." Tony said. He brought Steve out. I could hear Steve yelling.

I sighed and rested my head back. Lila hugged me. I chuckled softly.

"What is with him?" Nick asked.

"Umm. It's nothing. There's just some stuff going on. He's been worried about me going on missions."

"Why? It's not like you're pregnant or anything." Bruce said.

Nat, Laura, and Clint went quiet. It was like they held their breath.

"Wait-" Nick said. I looked down.

"Aria!" Tony yelled. I sighed.

Lila got off of me and ran to her mom. I got up and went outside.

"Will you guys stop? This is embarrassing. Now everyone knows that I'm pregnant! I'm literally going to abort it so stop!" I yelled.

Steve and Tony stayed quiet.

"You've decided?"

"I should've been more careful anyways. I'm an avenger, you're a super soldier, I'm not gonna kill myself over it." I said.

Steve nodded. "Okay."

Tony just stood there. "You're not gonna have it?"

"No. I can't." I said. I looked out in the distance.

Steve walked inside. Tony stayed there. He pulled me by my side into a hug.

"How far are you?"

"Three weeks. Steve's doctors have said that I should abort by five weeks for my own safety."

"Okay." He whispered. "I'm proud of you. This is hard."

"Thanks. It's hard for Steve too. I know he wants a family but he can't."

"Maybe someday with extreme watching and testing."

"Maybe."

Tony pulled back and looked at me. "You can come on the mission." He said. I laughed.

"Thanks."

Steve came back out. He gave us a look. He looked like he was gonna cry.

"I'm gonna give you two a second."

Tony left. Steve sat down on the porch swing. I sat with him.

"You have a mission to go on." I said as I rested my head on his shoulder. He put his arm around me.

"I feel awful." Steve whispered.

"Hey. It's not your fault."

"Well..." he whispered. I chuckled.

"Okay well maybe yeah but I don't blame you. This is my decision. It's gonna be okay. But...can you be there with me?" I whispered.

"Aria I want nothing more then to be there for you." He said.

I sighed and held his waist. "Let's get through this week."

"Of course."

I pulled up and kissed him softly. "Go suit up."

"Okay. I lo-" he stopped himself. I smiled and nodded.

"I know." I whispered.

He smiled softly before getting up and going inside.

Leaving me to cry alone.