"They always are," Elaine said. She noticed his expression and blinked. "Oh. Sorry. My nephew Landon. Jess handed him off to me for whatever reason, so I'm holding him for a bit."

Steve chuckled quietly and shook his head. "At least he's cute," he offered cautiously.

"He barely has his feet under him," Elaine said. "I'd say 'at least he's Jessie's' but you're right, he's adorable." She cuddled her nephew for a moment. "I can't believe Jess has another one on the way, though. Landon is barely a year old."

Steve blinked, startled. "Already? That seems a bit... soon." That was diplomatic enough.

Elaine grinned.

"Good, you caught that too," she said. "You and the rest of the family. Not that many of us are surprised, though."

"Ah." One of those. They'd existed even in Steve's time, and he'd done his best to avoid dames like that.

"Jess is a year younger than I am," Elaine said, handing Landon off to an aunt that walked by. "Hopefully she'll stop at two. There might be words to be had if she doesn't."

"I can understand that, especially if she's struggling." Steve watched the little one go before he shook himself.

"She's not, for the moment," Elaine said. "I think she lives with her boyfriend right now, so they're doing alright." She tucked herself against his side. "And the Clan will help out if we need to. It's not like she's alone."

"That's good." Steve had seen too many single, struggling mothers to wish that on anyone. He kept his arm around her, content to just watch everyone else for the moment. So far everyone seemed to be getting along.

Elaine sighed softly and cuddled him a bit.

"I saw that look on your face," she teased gently. "When I was holding Landon. What were you pondering?"

Steve blushed faintly at being caught but smiled after a moment.

"Just wondering what our children will look like," he said quietly, shaking his head a bit. "Not that I want any right now, but someday."

Elaine couldn't help but blush faintly.

"You... want children?" she asked. "I mean, I know I do, but I wasn't sure if you did."

Steve nodded. "Eventually," he agreed. "Maybe two. Or three." He smiled sheepishly. "I just never thought I would actually get a chance."

Leaning up, Elaine gave him a small kiss.

"Well, we'll just have to reach that point where we can have them, then," she said.

"Agreed." Steve smiled and relaxed there with her, keeping his arm around her. Life was good.

And likely only going to get more entertaining.

The rest of the evening was, predictably, loud and boisterous and fun, as per usual with the Clan. Putting the younger kids to bed was a chore, since it was Christmas Eve, but they managed well enough, and Elaine took the opportunity to slip a few more presents under the tree while people were distracted.

Steve noticed but he didn't say anything. He knew the Avengers group was going to exchange presents between them at the hotel, since it was easier that way, and he knew that Tony had gifts for the Clan as well.

Kae finally gave up on trying to stay up and yawned, leaning against Bruce. "I think I'm ready to go to bed," she murmured, glancing at him.

Bruce nodded and nudged her a bit.

"Lead the way, then," he said.

Kae led the way back to the car they'd used, settling into the passenger seat. Bruce was more awake, and at this hour there wouldn't be any traffic to stress him out.

It didn't take long for the others to start drifting out too, since they all had to be up fairly early the next day.

Steve was one of the last to filter out, and Elaine gave him a kiss.

"See you in the morning," she said.

"Bright and early," Steve teased, grinning at her.

"Wish you could stay with me," Elaine said, smiling a bit.

"Maybe tomorrow night you can come back to the hotel," Steve suggested quietly, kissing her briefly.

"Maybe," Elaine said, returning the kiss.

"Your beau can stay, Lainey," Kenny called from the next room. "It was cleared with Grandpap already."

Elaine had to smother a snort.

"Of course it was," she murmured, grinning. "Why wouldn't my Marine grandfather approve of Captain America staying for Christmas Eve?"