#the kids got eddie a stepdad mug

[loveforpreserumsteve]

Begin Again (Mortician!Steve and Baker!Bucky Modern “Moving On” AU)

Ten:

Growing up in a funeral home had some downsides. One of which being no one wanted to hang out in a house where deceased individuals were stored in the basement before being disposed of. Apparently, it was creepy. Something that Steve never quite understood. Perhaps if he hadn't grown up in a funeral home, he'd find it creepy too. But who really knew. And although Steve had had only one friend and had been just fine, he still hated seeing Eddie go through the same loneliness that he had.

After all, Steve had assumed that with the rise of people interested in true crimes and other morbid curiosities, they'd find it endearing.

Another thing that Steve hated? Not being able to sleep in. It had been one of Steve's biggest pet peeves growing up. So, when Eddie trudged down the family staircase to the kitchen in his pajamas only to grunt at Steve, he understood. Understood and he simply poured Eddie a steaming mug of coffee.

"Dad rope ya into working?" Steve questioned, taking a drink of his own coffee.

"Eh," Eddie noncommittally answered. His face scrunching up in disgust at the black coffee. Crossing the kitchen, he made sure to scratch Vinnie between his ears. Grabbing the Oreo coffee creamer from the fridge, he shuffled back over to his mug on the counter. Steve couldn't help but snicker a little.

Rolling his eyes, Eddie deadpanned, "Eat me."

"Ooh, you kiss your mama with that mouth?" Sam, the funeral home caterer, mocked as he entered the kitchen from the family entrance with a stack of casserole dishes.

"Nah," Eddie took a drink and playfully corrected, "I kiss your mother with it."

Setting the dishes on the counter, Sam started unpacking the oven-ready prepared food. Amused, but feigning offense, "You better not be disrespecting Darlene Wilson like that."

"I don't hear her complaining." Always more arrogant when he was tired, Eddie simply shrugged a shoulder and suggested, "Better get used to calling me, 'Stepdad.'"

Pleasantly surprised by that, Sam turned to look over at Eddie. Appraising the teen as he nodded. Then, he looked at Steve and accused, "He gets this from you."

"Please," Steve scoffed. Hiding his smirk behind his floral mug, Steve argued, "He gets it from Nat."

Just staring at Steve for a moment as he thought of a rebuttal, Sam pursed his lips, finally conceded, "Fair."

Weakly raising his mug in victory, Eddie shuffled back over to the family staircase to head back upstairs. Not that anyone could blame him. With it barely being eight in the morning, Steve knew it wasn't an ideal time to wake up on a Saturday. Sam simply turned towards the wall oven, that had already preheated -- thanks to Steve. One of the upsides to morning services was Sam's French Toast Bake.

Just smelling a hint of the cinnamon sugar caused Steve's mouth to water. Exaggerating the whiff, Steve teased, "If you and Nat weren't perfect for each other, I'd propose right here and now."

"Well, you know what they say," Sam placed the glass dish into the oven, "Best way to a man's heart is through his stomach."

"That's funny, I thought the best way was on his dick."

Choking on his coffee, Steve looked over at the funeral cosmetologist, Wanda. Crossing her arms along her chest, she quirked a brow and smirked at Steve. Clearly amused by how coffee nearly shot out of Steve's nose at the surprise of her comment. Although Wanda had worked at the funeral home for years, she always found it funny how Steve reacted to crudeness. Which was probably why she kept making them.

Setting down his mug, Steve grabbed a napkin and started wiping his face and blowing his nose. Still coughing all the while, Steve cleared his throat and complimented Wanda, "You look nice."

"It's the same black dress I always wear," Wanda waved off, further entering the kitchen to pour herself some coffee. Giving Steve a side glance, she smirked, flattering Steve, "You look nice, as well."

"Thank you," Steve blushed, running his hand over his beard to smooth down the hair while also running his hand over his classic, plain navy-blue sweater. Dusting imaginary lint from his gray slacks, Steve asked, "When did you get here anyway?"

"An hour ago," Wanda answered, using the Oreo creamer as she questioned, "What about you?"

"Half hour ago," Steve took a careful drink of his coffee. Gesturing over to Vinnie, Steve teased, "Someone didn't want to wake up."

"I know exactly how that is," Sam confirmed, making sure that the five casseroles for the reception were ready to go.

Playfully, Steve rolled his eyes and said, "They're kids. Let them sleep."

"I know that," Sam answered with his own eye roll. The grin that accompanied it showed that he was still in a good mood as he thought aloud, "Which reminds me. I need to ask Eddie if he can babysit next Saturday."

Brows furrowing, Steve crossed his arms. Thinking about Sam's three sons from a previous relationship and how much the seven year old and five year old twins loved him, even referring to him as Uncle Steve. So, he offered, "Why don't I do it? The boys love me."

Pressing his lips together, Sam purposely didn't look at Steve. Sheepishly, Sam explained, "Nat and I were kind of hoping that you would be… getting out there…"

"Sam," Steve sighed, clenching his jaw in hopes of controlling his annoyance. Even though he was pretty sure that Wanda and Sam could hear the annoyance sprinkled in disappointment with simply saying his friend's name.

Taking on a more teasing tone, Sam asked, "Aren't you tired of three-wheeling?"

"Leave him alone," Eddie announced, entering the kitchen once more. Now dressed in a pair of khakis and a black sweater. His auburn hair still messy though as he reassured Sam, "He's happy."

Quirking a brow at Steve, Sam gave Steve's appearance an assessing glance. He must have seen something though because he didn't debate the subject anymore. Instead, taking out the French Toast Bake and placing it on the counter to cool.

Changing the subject, Sam asked, "When's the service?"

"Ten," Eddie, Wanda, and Steve all answered.

Amused, Sam blinked at the three of them and teased, "You definitely all need to get lives."

"I have a life, thank you," Wanda defended herself. Turning on her heel, she carried her mug into the business side of the house. Effectively ending the conversation. Steve really needed to take notes on that.

"So," Sam started, directing his attention to the teen. "Ya busy next weekend?"

"Date night?" Eddie assumed. Sam nodded and Eddie worried his lower lip with his teeth before disclosing, "I was actually invited to a movie night."

"My man!" Sam exclaimed, holding his hand up for a high five. Giving Steve a pointed look, in a, See?!, way.

Steve rolled his eyes. Then, it occurred to Steve, "So, looks like you're still in need of a babysitter."

"Looks like it," Sam agreed, weakly sighing in exasperation. All the while, Steve beamed. Especially once Sam started cutting the cooling breakfast treat. Plating a large slice for Steve, Sam playfully advised, "Don't let it go to your head, Rogers. I'm mostly agreeing because I know that I can pay you with food."

Happily taking a bite of the French Toast Bake, Steve closed his eyes and groaned. Around another bite of the delicious breakfast, Steve teased, "Let's go to Vegas. Get married. Right here and now."

"You only use me for my kitchen expertise," Sam winked. Tapping his finger against his chin, Sam suggested, "We need to find you a man who can cook."

"Or who can bake," Eddie muttered into his coffee.

A shit-eating grin broke across Sam's face as he asked, "A baker? Anyone in particular?"

"What? There's a secret society I don't know about where all bakers know each other?" Steve good-humoredly mocked.

"Bowling league, actually. We meet on Tuesdays," Sam gave as good as he got. Playfully rolling his eyes before redirecting his attention to Eddie, "So, who is it?"

"The guy from What's the Batter With You," Eddie slyly disclosed like some biddy over tea.

"You went to What's the Batter With You? Without me?!" Sam questioned, turning back to Steve. Placing his hands on his hips, Steve was reminded of being a child under Sarah's disappointment. All Sam needed to do was start tapping his foot while he waited for Steve's answer.

Gesturing towards Eddie, Steve defended, "We were celebrating Ed getting a D on his anatomy test!"

"You got a D?!" Sarah questioned, standing on the last step with her hands on her hips.

"Steve needs the D," Eddie muttered, narrowing his eyes at his brother. Still scowling, Eddie said louder, "It was a really difficult test."

"You have a tutor," Sarah exclaimed, wide-eyed. Heading for the coffee machine, Sarah asked, "Were you even going to tell us? Or were you just going to try and forge a better grade like Cliff used to?"

"Hey! I'm not like Cliff!" Eddie exclaimed, crossing his arms along his chest. Steve couldn't help but nod, agreeing that Eddie wasn't nearly as bad as their older brother. Until Eddie argued, "I'm worse. I take after Steve."

"Hey!" Steve scoffed, playfully glaring at his kid brother.

"I mean, you should see the way he gets all dopey around attractive guys," Eddie kept talking as though Steve hadn't protested at all.

"Trust me, I know," Sam good-naturedly rolled his eyes. Chuckling, Sam clarified, "First time that we met he was so flustered that he just stared at me, slack-jawed."

"I did not," Steve waved off Sam's comment, even though he was blushing. Especially when Sam reenacted the expression with jaw dropped unattractively open and wide-eyed.

"You should've seen him with the baker," Eddie chuckled, doubling over in his laughter. One hand clutching his stomach while the other held onto the counter top.

"Shut up," Steve complained while Sarah gushed, "You met someone?!"

Rolling his eyes, Steve grabbed his mug of coffee and left the kitchen. Following the hallway and pushing the door open to enter the business side of the house. Passing the dining room that had tables set up for the reception after the funeral. Passing the casket display room to find nothing out of place, Steve peeked into the parlor room that was set up for the service. He found Wanda there, putting some finishing touches on the woman. A Mrs., Steve looked to the side where an old photograph and floral wreath stood, proclaiming, Margaret "Peggy" Carter.

Just another Saturday.