Steve stared at his father in shock and confusion.

"Son, if she isn't accepting you" he put a hand on Steve's shoulder, "then let her go, free her" he said.

Steve chuckled, "Like you did? " he asked, bitterly, "We know you could have stopped that woman and make her stay but you didn't." Steve's voice was rude and deadly, "I am sorry dad, my love isn't selfless like yours, I love her and I own her. She has to accept me. Whether she likes it or not" he said, and stormed off.

Joseph sighed, "I can only pray he doesn't hurt that poor girl again" he said, helplessly, scared of his son's wild ways.

It was almost morning, and when Steve entered her room, she was already up and dressed after a bath. She stood by the mirror adoring her belly, and that made Steve grit his teeth.

She looked at him, and hesitantly walked to him.

"I need to talk.. Tell you something " she said, almost shaking, "but promise me you won't hurt me".

Steve looked at her, his anger vanished, "Speak, I won't hurt you, I promise " he said

"I... I am not getting fat.. I.. Actually I wanted to tell you but... I was scared.. I.. " she was finding it very hard to speak.

"Natasha, say it" Steve grabbed her shoulders.

"I am pregnant " she said, "more then three months".

Steve didn't reply, he stared at her, Natasha was breathing heavily.

"Please, I.. I wanted to tell but.. Don't hurt me please " she folded her hands and pleaded.

"Natasha! " he cupped her face, "I won't hurt you" he said, "not  any more, I have learned from my mistakes".

Natasha relaxed, and he smiled, "You are pregnant? " he asked. She nodded, "I am going to be a daddy? Oh Natasha! " he picked her up and spun.

"Put me down, I will get dizzy" she said

"Sorry, sorry" he said putting her down.

"I can't believe it, we are gonna have a child" he said, and pulled her into an intense hug.

Natasha smiled, she didn't know he would be so easy about this.

"I.. I need to tell you something too" he said pulling back

"Yes? " she asked.

"Not now, at night" he said, "you have to wait a little "

"Okay" she said.

"We need to celebrate our news" he said, she nodded.

He kissed her forehead and left.

In about five minutes, Maria came in.

"You told him? " she asked shocked.

"I had to, he had his doubts, and I don't want to hide it anymore, he deserves to know" Natasha replied.

"Natasha? Are you telling me you want a life with Steve? He is just using you, he would leave you" Maria tried to make sense.

"I don't have anyone besides him Maria, if he leaves me, we'll see then. But my heart tells me, he won't. " Natasha said confidently, "He may have wrong ways, but his feelings are genuine".

"Natasha? Are you back to Stockholm suffering? " Maria asked horrified.

"No, I am not. I was suffering from that before but now, I have accepted him, from my heart, truly " Natasha said, "he wasn't born a stone, he has his reasons, and now that I know, I understand him better. He is caging me so that he doesn't loose me. His love isn't selfless, its very selfish. And I understand where it's coming from. If I were in his place, I'll grow selfish too. He has given me space, he asked for my forgiveness, did he ever do that for anyone else? When he values me, I would value him back too. After all,  he is the father of my child. And I don't want my child suffering without a parent "

Maria helped her sit down, and held her hand, "If you are so sure, I would only support you, like a good friend. " she said. 

"Thank you" Natasha said.

"So, he's throwing a huge party in your and the baby's honor. Excited? " she asked.

Natasha blushed, "Yes" she said, "and he's going to tell me something too"

"Wonder what's that going to be? " Maria teased. They both laughed, loosing themselves to endless conversations.

_______

Steve went to Joseph, "Dad!!! She told me, she herself told me" he said cheerfully.

"I am glad son, I am very glad" Joseph replied.

"I am throwing a party tonight, and I am going to propose her" Steve said.

"You are what? " Joseph couldn't believe his ears, "you are going to ask her to marry you? "

"Kind of, she will eventually have to marry me, I will just get done with the formality, and see what her reaction is, so that we can decide if its gonna be sooner or later " Steve said, "okay dad have to go, need to buy a ring for my love "

"Son" Joseph called, "would you have hurt her? Had she kept this secret any longer? " Joseph asked.

"No" Steve replied confidently, "I would never hurt her again. I did it once and it tore my soul into two halves. The only pain I can give her is the pain of staying forever here, with me, in my prison" Steve explained.

Joseph pat his back, "You do love her son, even if its selfish" he smiled.

Steve nodded, "I do, and I always will. " he said, "anyways, don't waste my time old ma, I need to find the best ring for my sweetheart "

"Of course, of course. Go head, all the best son" Joseph said laughing.

"Thanks dad" he replied, hurrying away.

"I wish you were here Sarah. I wish my love was selfish too. Maybe today you had fallen in love with me then" Joseph shed a tear, and went back to his room, to live with his loneliness, grateful that his son wouldn't meet the same fate as he did.

On the other hand, Bruce and his neighbors were beaten up black and blue, and healing poorly when a card was thrown in from the window.

Betty picked it up and was shocked to read it.

You are invited to the engagement ceremony of Steven Grant Rogers and Natasha Romanoff.

****
Aww Nat, why are you so pure and lovely. And Steve, your love is amazing. What would happen now? Why has he invited Bruce? Do give your reviews.