Chapter I

Steve Rogers was late. He thanked the universe that he had been fast enough and caught the subway that would bring him from Manhattan back to Brooklyn but he would still be late to pick up his daughter Wanda from her dancing class at the community center near the block where they lived. Usually his mother picked her up but she was out of town this week and it was his turn. And he would have been punctual if Thor Odinson, the star author of the children's book Steve illustrated, hadn't shown up at the publishing house last minute to go with him over his new story. He looked at his watch and sighed. He would be at least 15 minutes too late. God, he hated it when he failed his little girl.

Wanda wasn't his biological daughter but he couldn't imagine that he would love her any more if she were. One look into her green eyes and he had known that he was supposed to be her father. That they were meant to cross paths. He had been stationed in Sokovia protecting an orphanage when he'd met her. He had fallen in love with her and his whole life had changed in that moment. He'd left the army and set everything in motion to adopt her. It hadn't been easy as a single man but shortly after Wanda's first birthday he had been able to take her home. To the States where she would be safe and could have a better life. His mother had been supporting him from the first second and they'd lived with her during Wanda's first year in America until he'd found a job as an illustrator. He wasn't rich but he made enough money for him and his daughter to live a comfortable life. Wanda was now seven and there wasn't a day where he wasn't thankful that she came into his life.

He checked his watch again and yes, he would definitely be too late and he couldn't even call the community center because his phone'd died earlier today. Great! He sometimes wondered if all parents felt like a failure from time to time.

His gaze fell on a couple a few feet away from him. The man was holding onto the the support strap and the woman had her arms wrapped around his middle looking up at the guy. Steve couldn't even remember the last time he had been on a date. No woman really peaked his interest and he wasn't the guy for casual flings and he had to think about Wanda. He couldn't just introduce her to someone and then the woman disappeared out of their lives a few months later because it didn't work. No, he couldn't risk Wanda falling in love with someone.

He didn't need a girlfriend. No matter what anyone else said. His mother sometimes mentioned that Wanda needed a female influence in her life besides her grandmother and Bucky'd told him more than once that he needed to get laid. He'd rolled his eyes at Buck since sex wasn't everything but he did wonder if his mother was right. Wanda did look sad sometimes when she saw other girls with their mothers. His bond with his daughter was strong and special but what if she needed a mother? His own mother was great with Wanda but what if his little girl needed more? And he had to admit deep down that it would be nice to have someone to share his life with. To raise Wanda with someone, to share this bed with someone. But that someone would have to be perfect to let her into Wanda's life (and heart) and he didn't think such a woman existed. He knew that women were attracted to him ever since his miraculous growth spur in high school but he always doubted that those women would have looked twice at him if he were still a shrimp.

The subway finally reached his destination and he jumped off his seat and ran through the subway station, up the stairs and down the street until he finally saw the community center. Wanda would mostly likely be mad since both Steve and his mother always told her that punctuality was very important. He opened the double door and looked around. His little one wasn't waiting in the entrance hall. She was probably still in the gym. He hadn't been at the community center in ages but he still remembered from his childhood where the gym was.

He walked towards the gym and music was blasting through the open doors. He was pretty sure that it were the Spice Girls. Bucky's sister had been obsessed with them and listening to them 24/7 driving her older brother insane. A woman was with her back to him dancing to the music. Her red hair was in the way on top of her head that Wanda always wanted and he failed every time. Why was a messy bun so damn complicated?! Before he could stop himself, his gaze landed on her bottom and legs and they filled out her yoga pants really nicely. Woah, since when was he the guy who stared at a woman's ass? He wasn't like that!

He quickly looked up and the woman turned around and Wanda came into his view. The red head was dancing with his daughter! They were holding hands and Wanda tried to mimic the woman's moves. He couldn't stop his lips from curving into a smile. It was a beautiful sight before him that warmed his heart. The woman was smiling at his daughter and he now only realized how beautiful she was. Wow, this woman was stunning! She looked up and her smile vanished. Her face darkened and she pushed Wanda behind her. Why?

"What do you think you're doing here, buddy?" She barked still hiding his daughter behind her. She was at least a foot smaller than him but she still seemed dangerous in that moment. "Get lost before I call the cops!"

Wait, what? Did she think he was some creep? "Uh, I.."

Wanda's head peaked around the woman's waist. "That's just my daddy, Miss Natasha!" She giggled and stepped forward. "Hi, daddy!" She ran forward and slung her arms around his waist.

The woman's face was now almost as red as her hair. "Oh god! I...I had no idea! I'm sorry! It's just that Sarah always picks up Wanda." She looked mortified and the urge to comfort her surprised him. And his mother let this woman call her Sarah?

"Don't worry. She usually does but my ma's on a cruise with some friends. I'm actually glad to know that my daughter is safe with you." He laughed and ruffled Wanda's hair. "I'm Steve Rogers, ma'am." He offered her his hand and after some hesitation she shook it. Her skin was warm and soft.

"Natasha Romanoff. Nice to meet you. Wanda has told me quite a lot about you." She said with a smile and Wanda looked up at him with a grin on her face. His daughter had also mentioned a Miss Natasha from time to time, but he had no idea the woman Wanda had been raving about would be like this. So beautiful and...Okay, stop right there, Steve!

"Daddy, can Miss Natasha come with us? Pleeease?" She looked up at him with her big green eyes and he was tempted to say yes.

"That's very sweet of you, Wanda! But I already got plans." She said with a smile to Wanda and then looked at him with an understanding look. What, did she think he didn't want her to tag along? The truth was he wouldn't mind if she did and that surprised him. But she probably really had plans. With her boyfriend. A woman that beautiful and with a nice personality from what he could see was definitely not single. Why did he care if she was taken or not?

"Oh." Wanda looked disappointed and he kinda shared the sentiment. "Another time?"

"We'll see. Don't forget your tutu." She told his daughter and Wanda walked over to the bench to get her backpack and tutu. "It was nice to meet you, Mr. Rogers."

"Please call me Steve." He said immediately and hoped he wasn't blushing.

She smiled warmly and she looked even more beautiful. How was that even possible? "Only if you call me Natasha."

He nodded. "Natasha." Wanda was back and pushed her backpack into his hands. "Have a nice day." He said to Natasha and chided himself mentally for not saying something better. Have a nice day, how original! He wished in that moment that he was as smooth as his best friend Bucky.

"You, too. And I see you next week." She said to Wanda who beamed brightly.

"Yes! I can't wait! See you, Miss Natasha!"

He took Wanda's hand and walked with her to the open doors and turned around before they walked through them. Natasha was watching them with a smile on her face and waved when she saw him looking. He hoped he was hiding his blush and gave her a quick nod before he left with Wanda the gym.

They were already halfway home when Wanda tugged on his hand. "Daddy?"

"Yes, sweetie?"

"Miss Natasha is single."

His eyes widened. "What?"

"Granny asked her if she was single and she said yes. Granny seemed to be happy about that. Aren't you single, too?"

He stopped dead in his tracks. "What?"

"Can we watch Moana when we get home?" Wanda asked like she'd forgotten the first part of their conversation.

"Uh, sure."

She smiled and tugged on his hand to get him walking again. What on earth was his mother up to now?

Welcome to a new story! The idea for this AU had been in my head for some time now and I thought it was time to finally write it. I hope you'll enjoy it and don't hesitate to tell me what you think!