Warning! This is part one of two!

 My father was a greedy, self-absorbed man but he was also immensely wealthy, co-owning one of the biggest shipping companies in America. He was also a very traditional man, wanting to have a son to pass the business onto but all he got was me. I thought, when it was revealed that my mother couldn't have any more children, that he'd simply divorce her and seek another wife but he didn't. Instead his became desperate to set me up with a suitable match, someone who could take over the business - after all, in the contracted job woman weren't allowed to be the successor.

I couldn't care less about becoming the co-owner of such a company, but all I wanted was a happy life and I knew I wasn't going to get that whilst my father tried setting me up with all of these uptight wealthy men. Unfortunately for me however my idea of a happy life fell through, as I had met a man I liked, not from wealth and I had fallen head over heels for him. After six months we found out I was pregnant, and he bolted.

Heartbroken, I told my parents and unsurprisingly my father was close to exploding with anger. He threatened to cut me off from the family altogether, leaving me and the 'bastard child' alone but mother convinced him otherwise. Still he neglected me, even after I had given birth to Tommy but I received support from my mother and even from my fathers business partner Paul Miller. Mr Miller was always kind to me, helping me whenever my father neglected me, always making time to talk to me and quietly supporting me on the side, no matter how much I told him I couldn't take his money.

My bad luck only continued however, as a year after Tommy was born both my mother and father died in a car crash. I was beside myself with grief mainly towards my mother, and there was no way I was going to make it through if it hadn't of been for Mr Miller. The whole business was now his but he didn't want it to be, nor did he think I should be left with none of my fathers fortune as I wasn't married. He tried multiple times to find loopholes in the contracts signed up when the business originated but there was no way I was able to get my hands on that money unmarried so, despite him being double my age, we agreed to get married.

It wasn't out of love, we both knew that. He was a father figure to me after all, our marriage was simply so that I could inherit some of my fathers wealth and his shares in the business. Without the certificate of marriage, there would be no support for Tommy who was my main priority. Mr Miller understood that there was no love, after all he was still grieving the loss of his wife who died to an illness. We were simply supporting each other financially and mentally. We lived in the same house but had separate bedrooms. We were never physical. We were simply friends, however the world had to believe we were something of a couple otherwise our plan would probably fall through so when we attended events I'd simply link my arm with his, the two of us standing by each other for the night.

One such event was happening now to celebrate Christmas; it was a fundraiser for the world famous group called the Avengers. Paul was one of their sponsors, so he attended their events they held to butter up to rich people like him. They were okay events, but both he and I were usually bored by 23:00 and would end up going home.

Currently, with my arm linked with Pauls, we sauntered around the room greeting various people and laughing at their bad jokes before talking business. Tony Stark soon sauntered over to us, greeting us and talking business with Paul whilst I offered to get us drinks. Leaving the two men to talk and focussing on my role as the rick housewife. Heading to the bar I was served almost immediately thanks to the dress I wore.

"Hello, I don't think we've been introduced," a deep, cheeky voice said beside me and I turned to see the Falcon stood with Captain America.

"Good evening to you both," I said politely. "I'm Mrs Miller."

"Mrs Miller? Your husband is Paul Miller?" Captain America piped up and I nodded, holding my hand out to shake. We exchanged introductions, Sam being particularly charming but he was simply faking flirting. Steve on the other hand was more awkward. "So what do you do Mrs Miller?"

"Oh, nothing at present... I guess I help my husband with the business," I shrugged.

"Of course you do," Steve said and I furrowed my eyebrows.

"What does that mean?" I asked defensively.

"A young girl married to an older wealthy man, don't they call that a 'gold-digger'?" He asked as though it was a genuine question and anger boiled in my body. Before I could stop myself I landed a slap on his cheek, his head snapping to the side out of force. Beside him Sam tried hard to stifle a laughter.

"You have no idea what you're talking about," I whispered threateningly, glaring at the man who wire a shocked expression. "You have no idea the pain I've been through. I suggest you learn how to talk to women before opening your mouth again Captain America," I finished harshly, storming away and trying to settle my anger before reaching Paul and Tony again. It didn't quite work as as soon as I was back with the pair of them they noticed my sour mood.

"Everything okay my dear?" Paul asked and I sighed, handing him his drink and I sighed, glancing over to the bar was to see Steve and Sam still stood there.

"Ah, you've had the pleasure of meeting Cap then," Tony said sarcastically, eating the olive from his drink.

"I'm not sure 'pleasure' is the right word for it," I scoffed before I could stop myself. "Oh, please forgive me Mr Stark-,"

"Honestly I'm just glad someone's willing to say a bad word against America's golden boy," he chuckled. I felt a little embarrassed so remained glued by Pauls side for the rest of the night, but I did glance over to Steve Rogers every now and then and each time I ended up catching his eye. It seemed as though he was staring at me all evening, muttering to Sam who stood beside him.

"I hope you will both be joining us for our New Years celebrations?" Thaddeus Ross, who worked closely to keep the Avengers in check, said to us.

"We will be attending, it's good to support those who look after our country," Paul said and I nodded in agreement. "Now however, (y/n) and I will have to bid you goodnight Secretary Ross," he added and I sent Paul a 'thank you' look.

"Of course. Goodnight to the both of you, we look forward to seeing you again," he said. My arm linked with Paul's, we left the building towards his car, the driver opening the doors for us.

"Is everything okay (y/n) dear? You've seemed quite on edge all night," Paul asked carefully.

"Yes- well, I don't know. I guess I'm tired of people thinking I'm just a trophy wife. They don't know the real story," I sighed, twiddling my thumbs.

"If you're ever unhappy with this arrangement we can always 'divorce'," he held my hand and I smiled at him.

"It's not that I'm unhappy Paul, I promise. In fact I'm grateful, truly grateful. It was just Captain Rogers, I guess. Too quick to assume," I huffed and he chuckled. When we arrived home to our large Manhattan house, Tommy jumped straight into my arms. We relieved the babysitter and I put Tommy straight to bed, reading him a book as he fell asleep. He shouldn't of been up this late anyway, so he drifted off very quickly and after a quick shower I too fell asleep dreamlessly.

- Timeskip -

Paul had bought Tommy a new bike for Christmas, so now that it was boxing day we were in our large local park, him riding to chaotically around. I called out to him multiple times to be careful but he wasn't listening, just focussing on riding but I became distracted when I saw a particular man walking up to me.

Captain Rogers stopped nearby, his hands in his pockets sheepishly. "Hello," he greeted bashfully and I just let out a humph. "I'm sorry for my words on Christmas Eve, it was unnecessary... but you said you're going through pain. Does Mr Miller hurt you?" He asked and my jaw dropped.

"No! How- how dare you! Paul cares about me and my son very much!" I exclaimed and panic spread across Captain Roger's face.

"Okay! Okay I'm sorry-,"

"You know nothing of my situation Captain," I growled and he blushed bright red, clearly embarrassed. Suddenly my sons voice snapped me from my irritation and Tommy came peddling up to the two of us at speed, breaking to a halt right next to us.

"Whoa, it's Captain America!" Tommy said excitedly and I took the helmet off of my son and ruffled his head.

"Please accept my apology Mrs Miller, I didn't realise you and Mr Miller had a son," he rubbed the back of his awkwardly and I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. He looked incredibly embarrassed at the mistakes he'd already made, so what was one more?"

"Tommy's not Paul's son, he's only mine," I said softly.

"Oh god, I keep making it worse don't I," he placed a hand on his forehead but I couldn't stop myself from laughing.

"It's okay. Thank you for apologising. It's just everyone thinks that I'm only with Paul to be some sort of trophy wife, and that it's just for the money- which I suppose technically it is but not like that... it's complicated," I rambled.

"You seem quite... overwhelmed," he observed and I chuckled.

"You don't want to hear about this crap. Have a nice day Cap-,"

"I'm always willing to help a dame," he said sweetly and I raised my eyebrows. "I mean I can listen... if you want me to."

"The question is can I trust America's golden boy?" I said, tapping my chin but his charming smile and sparkling blue eyes finally convinced me. We walked whilst Tommy rode his bike again, Steve and I finding a bench that kept Tommy in my sight. "So I guess technically I am with Paul for money... but not his money. Plus he was the one that suggested marriage."

"Okay..." Steve looked confused, understandably so.

"My father was Paul's business partner, but dad was very traditional. His side of the business could only be passed to a male heir, and the only child he was able to have was me. Then I screw up dates with 'respectable' men he had set up for me, hoping that they would be able to take over but I end up getting knocked up by an idiot. So now not only does he have no one to pass his side of the company on to, but he's got a 'bastard' as a grandson. Then he and my mother die in an accident, so all of the business goes to Paul."

"So you married Paul to get ahold of your half of the business?" Steve asked and I nodded.

"It wasn't my idea though, it was Paul's. He was always so kind to me and still is. We're not in love, we're not in a relationship, we simply signed a certificate. He's actually trying to change the companies traditional contracts so that I can get ahold of my fathers shares, then the two of us can part on amicable terms and everything would be okay. To be honest I don't give a damn about the money, but I want the best future for Tommy so I guess if there's a chance I can get it then I'll try it."

"I had no idea, I'm sorry for judging you so quickly," Steve said softly but I shrugged it off.

"It's okay, my reaction wasn't exactly grown up either," I chuckled awkwardly but he smiled.

"So you're not being forced-,"

"No, I am not," I said firmly and he quietened down immediately. "Paul is like a father-figure to me, and I'm like a daughter to him. That's really it."

"It's sad to know that there's still issues with sexism. It was bad in my day, it's a shame that seventy years later there are rules like that, where only a male heir can get your fathers company."

"Paul's trying to find some sort of loophole, whilst trying to contact lawyers to get it changed but it's easier said than done. Plus I've got Tommy to think about," I nodded towards my son who was riding around, mastering his new bike.

"He looks like a good kid," Steve said and I nodded fondly.

"He is. He's my whole world," I said, Steve nodding in understanding. "Thanks for - er - listening to me. I bet you had much better things you wanted to do with your Boxing Day," I added, twiddling with my hair awkwardly.

"Sat here talking with you is definitely better than sitting at home watching a movie which was all I was gonna do anyway," he said and I laughed. We remained in each others company for a while, getting to know each other a little better and I definitely judged him too quickly. He was a gentleman, incredibly kind and soft-spoken. I was happy, his company made me smile and time seemed to fly in his company. Somehow I felt comfortable enough to open up about everything, and he opened up to me as well despite us only really knowing each other for a few hours.

I soon knew it was probably best for me to head home, but a part of me didn't want to. Steve's company felt comfortable, and I was a little worried when I realised I didn't want to part ways with him. It was clear that Tommy was getting tired however so I bade him a goodbye, my son and I heading home to my husband.

"You're in a cheery mood," Paul said when he noticed me smiling uncontrollably.

"Yeah, I... bumped into Captain Rogers actually. He apologised for how he spoke to me at the Christmas party," I said, not realising I had seemed so happy. I tried to hide it but judging by Paul's smile I wasn't doing a good job.

"He can be quite the charmer, can't he dear?" He teased.

"I-I guess," I muttered awkwardly.

"It's okay dear, you know it is," he assured me and I sighed. "I've got a meeting with my lawyers in fifteen minutes so I'll be in my office if you need me," he headed towards his office and I watched him go, feeling lucky to have someone who cared about my happiness. For the first time I was actually looking forward to one of the charity events we had to attend, simply because it would be when I would next see Steve - New Years Eve.