The Soldier's Goddess

"That's it, good girl, come to Aunty Kari." Kari and Steve were babysitting nine-month-old Astrid and Amilie, so Pepper and Tony could have a night off in a hotel. Amilie had started crawling the week before, and Astrid hadn't been far behind her.
"That's Amilie down for a nap," said Steve, taking off his shirt. "I never realised how messy changing a diaper was. I had to chase her round the room and - it's not funny. Kari stop laughing at me, she peed everywhere, I'm covered."
"Just throw it in the washing machine," she said, wiping away her tears of laughter. He went back downstairs to their quarters to get a new shirt, while Kari and Astrid carried on with crawling training. Ten minutes later, he walked back into Stark's penthouse living room, to see Kari led on the floor, encouraging little Astrid to come towards her on her hands and knees with Astrid's favourite Tigger teddy. He leant against the door frame, just watching the two for a few moments, a little smile full of pure joy on his face.
"Come on, sweetheart, come to Uncle Steve." He got down on the floor next to Kari and wiggled Tigger a little. Astrid's little face lit up at the sight of her favourite uncle and she started to flap her arms and legs, giggling away. She pushed herself up onto her hands and knees and slowly, bit by bit, crawled over to him. He picked her up and rolled over onto his back, lifting her up in the air. Kari sat up and watched the pair of them, knowing at that exact moment she wanted her own family, a family with Steve.

A few days later, she was chatting to Natasha.
"Does he know?" Nat asked. Kari shook her head.
"No not yet," she said, biting her lip. "I haven't worked out how to tell him yet."
"I'm sure it will come."
""Yeah but how? What do I say? 'Oh babe you know how I'm an Asgardian and you have that super soldier serum inside you? Well now there is a life growing inside me with a mix of our DNA.' He's gonna freak out."
"Yeah I see your point. But isn't this what you both wanted?"
"It is, I'm just worried he's going to turn his back on me."
"Steve's not like that, I promise." Nat said, reassuring her.
"I know, I just worry, that's all. How am I going to tell him?"
"Tell me what, sweetheart?" No-one had seen Steve walk into the room. Nat jumped up.
"I, er, I have to go and see Clint." She smiled at Steve and ran off. Steve sat down next to Kari with a curious look on his face. Kari took a deep breath, her palms were sweaty and she didn't know what to say for a minute or two.
"Kari, is everything ok, you're starting to worry me."
"Ok, here goes. I -I'm...... we're having a baby." She looked at Steve expectantly, but he just froze for half a second. Her heart dropped, but he broke out in a massive grin, stood up and swept her off of her feet.
"We're having a baby?!" he cried, tears in his eyes. Kari had started to cry too, through happiness, and they both just stood there wrapped in each others arms. He bent down to kiss her, and when he pulled away a few moments later, he kissed her on the forehead.
"I love you," he whispered.
"I love you too," she murmured.

Later that evening, they were curled up in bed, just talking.
"Steve?" she asked softly.
"Mmm?"
"You know you asked me to marry you?" Steve nodded. "Do you think we should get married before the baby arrives?" she asked. "I've been thinking about that," he said. "How does New Year's Eve sound to you? One year since I proposed?" Kari turned round to face him, smiling.
"That sounds perfect."

When they told the others the great news the next morning, there were squeals of delight from all over the room, Steve was being patted on the back and Tony walked up to him, with a look of pity, wishing him all the luck in the world.
"Ha ha, thanks, Tony," grinned Steve, while Pepper playfully slapped Tony on the arm.
"Um, there's one other thing we have to tell you guys too," Kari said. They all turned to look at her, confused. Steve walked over to her and wrapped his arms round her shoulders. "We've set a date for the wedding. We're getting married, one way or another, on New Year's Eve."
"But thats only 3 months away," gasped Pepper.
"We know it's short notice, but we want to be married before the baby arrives." After a moment of silence, there was huge round of applause and more congratulations. Pepper took Kari and Steve to one side.
"I don't care what Tony says, our gift to you will be wherever you want to get married, we'll pay for it."
"Pepper, we can't," said Steve.
"No arguments," she replied, holding up her hand. "I want to do this, we ARE doing this."
"Ok, sweetie, thankyou so much," grinned Kari, hugging her best friend.

Notes