"The toughest sacrifices are the ones we don't see coming. When we don't have time to come up with a strategy, to pick a side, or to measure the potential loss. When that happens, when the battle chooses us, and not the other way around, that's when the sacrifice can turn out to be more than we can bear."
— Meredith Grey

Stood in the doorway Steve bestowed his gaze upon the two beings who, unequivocally, possessed his resolute love and devotion, Natasha and their newborn son, James Rogers. He watched as Natasha cradled their son in her arms, her verdant eyes sparkled as they observed her son, and although Natasha would never have been described as maternal, in this moment she was made for it. Looking up Natasha's eyes met the glassy sapphire orbs of Steve's, pulling him back to the present and coaxing a gentle smile to befall his face, causing two charming dimples to appear. With steady and slow steps Steve walked into the room, grabbed a chair and placed it at Natasha's bedside before placing himself cautiously into the seat, as if any loud or sudden noises would shatter this moment revealing it to be the dream he so thought it was. The child had dark hair however in the welcoming glow of the early evening sun it glistened with the fiery red his mother also possessed, whilst they also shared delicate alabaster skin which framed the enchanting azure eyes that his father famously bore. He was perfect. Leaning into Natasha's side Steve observed his son as his eyes wandered scanning the faces of his parents and absorbing the gleaming surroundings of the medical room,

"I think it's your turn to hold him." Natasha whispered into his ear, an amused smirk graced her lips as she saw the astonished look on his face, as if he was shocked to be included in this intimate scene despite his every right and reasoning to be there. With his sturdy arms straight out in front of him and his strong hands cupping the child's head he beheld his beautiful son, and felt the overwhelming surge of pride and love push against his chest. Natasha now leaned into Steve and had linked the arm closest to him around his holding lightly onto his bicep in a tender embrace, allowing her head to rest on his shoulder as she looked upon father and son. However this tender moment was soured by the looming presence of the impending future that this new family would now have to endure, as Steve felt his chest start to tighten painfully and his eyes start to slowly brim with tears. He and Natasha were to be separated from their son. James would not know of his parentage and of the unequivocal love that they both felt for him, they would all feel the never-ending after effects that this separation would induce. That for Steve was more than he could bear. It wasn't until he felt Natasha's thumb lightly brush away a stray tear from his cheek, that he realised he had no longer been able to contain his tears. Pulling his gaze from his son, he proceeded to cast his attention onto Natasha as her thumb lingered on his cheek, as he felt the dangerous tightening within his throat alerting him to the threat of more tears, he managed to utter,

"Nat... maybe we could..." Before Steve could finish his sentence, and despite the painful thickness to his voice and the way his eyes were now framed by an agonizing sorrow of red she firmly stated,

"No." With James now only cradled in one of his arms he gently placed his hand behind Natasha's head and pulled her towards him, placing a kiss on her forehead as he tried to hide the pain that threatened to consume him and the tears that were now stinging his eyes. As he allowed a quiet sob to wrack his entire body he managed to pull away from the protection that was Natasha, she emanated strength, courage and tenacity; although he was renowned for his physical strength right now he needed the mental fortitude that Natasha seemed to implement so easily. Placing her hand softly on his cheek she guided his line of sight towards her, forcing him to meet her eyes, despite his refusal for her to see him this vulnerable,

"Steve... look at me... okay. We decided that for the benefit and protection of our child that we would allow him to be relocated to another family, to take on another identity in order to shelter him from the enemies we have. It's what is best for him; we can't take that away from him for our own selfish reasons. This is the best option we have to keep him safe." Although the steady firmness that Natasha always conveyed when talking was predominant it was garnished with a softness that tried to provide comfort to the soldier, she then slowly let her hand fall from its place on his cheek and ripped her gaze away from the sorrowful eyes of Steve that had now degenerated into a dull mournful grey, she could no longer endure the heart break mirrored in those usually bright and sparkling orbs. Feeling Natasha thread her arms back round his, he felt her softly place a kiss to his shoulder before resting her head back on it in the manner she previously occupied, before once more returning his eyes to the exquisite little being he held before him. This was it. He had fought a war, he had frozen in ice, he had sacrificed his past happiness to ensure that the people and families of the future would not be threatened and separated by the evils of humanity. Yet it was still happening. Yet again Steve Rogers had to sacrifice his own happiness for the future of the ones he loved. For his son. Although he had the ever grounding presence of Natasha and he prayed that in the aftermath of this, God would be kind on them both and he would aid the heartbreak that they had so sorely endured. At this thought he found the strength to lower his head towards his sons, placing a chaste kiss to his forehead before whispering, into the haunting silence of the room,

"I'm so sorry... I love you James."