"Nobody out to bother you, then," Elaine said. She snuggled close. "That's good. You've been tense lately, I doubt you wanted anyone bothering you on your run."

"It was nice," Steve admitted. "I don't mind, but today it was nice to be able to run without people trying to stop me."

Elaine leaned up and gave him a kiss.

"I've noticed you've been stressed lately," she said. She snuggled close.

"I'm just worried," Steve admitted, letting her cuddle in and getting comfortable there. "Things have been too quiet, if you know what I mean."

Elaine nodded.

"It's been too quiet since Amora," she agreed. "And it probably doesn't help that you're worried about the little ones and I as well." She rubbed her belly a bit.

"Yeah." Steve sighed. "I know you all are fine, but I can't not worry right now."

Elaine cuddled close, offering some comfort.

"You know," she said, "we can probably find out if the little ones are girls or boys, if we want."

Steve thought about it for a few moments before he shook his head. "I think I'd prefer not to know. But if you want to find out, go right ahead."

"You don't want to know?" Elaine asked, a little surprised. "I thought you would, if you could."

Steve looked a bit embarrassed. "I think I'd rather be surprised." Besides, he knew he'd love the children no matter what.

Elaine smiled a bit.

"Alright," she said. She snuggled with him. "I might find out, but if you don't want to know, I won't tell you."

Steve nodded. "That's fine." He stayed there with her for another minute before he shifted.

"Let's go get some food. I'll make snacks for us."

Elaine grinned and nodded.

"Good idea," she said. "Something to eat sounds like a great plan. It's been a while since the last time I had anything."

Steve nodded and led her up to the kitchen so he could make some food for both of them.

Elaine went up with him and sat at the counter, watching him in the kitchen.

"You're going to be a great dad, you know," she commented.

Steve blinked, startled by that, and turned to look at her. "What brought that around?"

"Just watching you," Elaine said. "The way you look after everyone, especially us. You're going to make a really good father."

Steve smiled a bit. "I hope so," he said quietly. Because he really wanted to be a good father.

Elaine smiled.

"I know you will be," she said. "Our children are very lucky."

Steve smiled and brought food over before kissing her once quickly.

"Thanks." Elaine returned the kiss before digging into the snack. It hadn't escaped her notice that the snack was very healthy, so she waved her fingers a moment and teleported a chocolate pudding cup from the fridge to the table in front of her. That was better.

Steve snorted but didn't say anything. Hey, if she wanted chocolate pudding, she could have chocolate pudding.

Things went on like that for a few more months. Elaine steadily got bigger as the twins grew, and she was delighted when they started kicking. As they got stronger, though, they started leaving bruises.

Steve saw and was extremely worried about that. He didn't want them hurting her, after all. So he fussed over her more, if possible, wishing he could make the kids stop kicking.

For the most part, Elaine was taking it easy. It was one of the days she really hadn't even bothered getting out of bed, except to move to the couch, and she was curled up comfortably testing out a new tablet for Tony. The twins rolled and shifted occasionally, but they weren't actively kicking for the moment, and she was grateful. There were a few bruises scattered across her belly already, and she didn't want to encourage the little ones to leave any more.