Authors Note: Jesus christ this is long but I just needed to add the fluff and angst in this happy pile of mush😩 This probably my first TGM fandom work so I hope y’all like it Thanks for the request @astoryinblack23 !
P.S Got way to excited and didn’t fully proofread, just a heads up 😅
Warning: FLUFF and FLUFFF, Mention of childbirth, mention of slight bullying, angst, mention of plane crash (not even but eh), also SPOILERS.
Summary: The timeline of Rooster and Phoenix relationship and their life as parents to their baby girl 🥲
Pairing: Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw X Natasha “Phoenix” Trace X Daughter!Y/N
Y/N Bradshaw-Trace. The spawn of two of the most hardworking, passionate, and stubborn navy pilots. No one ever thought that Phoenix and Rooster would ever look at each other more than friends. But it happened.
It all happened after the dangerous mission back when Maverick was back to teach the best of the nation Top Gun pilots. The near death experiences and adrenaline rushes caused a spark between Phoenix and Rooster. They were the most stubborn and exhausting people to deal with, since it took half the friend group to push them into accepting their own mutual feelings.
As the months trickled, their feelings grew, before Bradley knew it he had fallen so hard for Natasha. He found himself daydreaming about having a family with her, a home of their own, and even the future petty fights they would have. He loved seeing Phoenix snap and be the affirmative pilot she was, especially when she was painfully honest (cough cough bagman cough cough). But he also loved seeing her with her guard down around him, the soft and emotional side of her. Natasha on the other hand was so scared of giving into her feelings towards Rooster. They were friends, hell- bestest of friends. She was afraid of these new feelings that brewed within her as she saw him sleep on the chair next to her hospital bed after her accident during Mav’s dogfighting activity, which had gone wrong. Especially after seeing Rooster and Maverick safely land back on the naval ship after their near death experience. She was practically holding her breath, white knuckles, and tears brimming as she heard every detail over the radio on the naval ship. Seeing him get tackled and hugged after coming back safely, she realized she would fucking die for him.
After being rudely pushed into these feelings, relief washed over her as she sat with a Rooster on the sandy beach next to The Hard Deck. They sat watching the sun set, the rest of the aviators watching from afar by the windows of the Hard Deck, practically gushing in excitement.
As minutes passed in awkward silence, Rooster brought up the day and time when he realized his feelings grew for her. Phoenix froze, pulling her knees tighter to her chest focusing on the waves. Her heart almost burst and eyes brimming in tears. Natasha doesn’t cry. No one has ever seen her cry. Hangman even would ask, toothpick sitting between the corner of his lips,
“Do you even express emotions, Phoenix? It’s getting quite boring seeing you recycle your only two emotions.”
Natasha wanted to run and cry, but she stayed. Bradley soon became anxious as she saw her demeanor next to him. Phoenix sighed softly, got up from her spot, looked down at Bradley and held her hand towards him to help him up. He looked at her perplexed, he was sure she would run or reject him. After taking her hand, Phoenix took in their height distance, breathing softly she finally spoke, “ Bradley….. Last one in has to do 100 push-ups!” She cried out running towards the beach. Bradley burst out in laughter as he watched her take her t-shirt and ran towards the waves with her black sports bra and shorts on. They both laughed as Bradley catches up to her carrying her over shoulder as she pleaded to be put down. Bradley only responded with smart remarks and then plunging into the water with her. As they came up for air, they held onto each other, just staring at the violet-orange sky, and then each other. “ I won.” Phoenix smirked, Bradley rolled his eyes holding her tighter.
“ For the first time ever, I will accept defeat.” He chuckled as he held his forehead against her’s. They smiled, as their feelings finally began taking the lead. She was so mesmerized, his hazel eyes, the salt water droplets dripping down his face, his scars, his freckles.
“ Forget the pushups….you owe me dinner.” Phoenix smirked confidently. His eyes widened and his smile couldn’t get wider. He twirled her in the water, her shrieks and his laughs enough to have the spectators in The Hard Deck tear up.
“ They grow up so fast.” Maverick said softly as Penny giggled by his side. The aviators cheered and some cried along with Maverick (Hangman, of course).
Over the months, Phoenix and Rooster began seriously dating, they wanted to make up for the time they lost during their stubborn time of denial. By the ninth month, Rooster had found the perfect home in San Diego near the base. They had the ability to continuously be stationed in San Diego. They had talked about the day one of them would be deployed or stationed in another city. They would work the long distance and they were so passionate in making every little argument and inconvenience work.
It didn’t take long for Bradley to curate (along with Hangman, Bob, Coyote, Fanboy, Payback, and Mav) his ideal beach proposal, where they both initially confessed their feelings (Actually it was Rooster, Phoenix was saving that for another day ;)). Phoenix was busy back at the base with one of the engineers of her plane. They both talked about the upcoming upgrades and parts that her plane needed in the upcoming maintenance check. Penny was assigned to distract and maintain Phoenix in the dark. After Phoenix spotted her she had a feeling of dread fill her up. Penny had calmed her down letting her know everyone was okay that she decided to invite Phoenix with her and her daughter for a ‘girls’ day. Phoenix was confused but she realized she had nothing better to do. She would rather spend some time out with her only female friends, then hang around all her male friends. Natasha had an amazing relationship with Penny’s daughter, she reminded her so much of her when she was younger. She also would wonder about what it would be like to have her own daughter.
After a long day, Penny was able to successfully dodge every question and suspicion from Phoenix until she was able to lead her to the most beautiful scene any girl could dream of. The beach had been decorated and adorned to frame the best proposal Bradley could think of. That night everything folded out the rest of their future together.
A year later, at her 5 month ultrasound, Natasha and Bradley found out that their long awaited baby is the little girl Natasha dreamed of. She was crying all over Bradley, he did as well, seeing the image of their little girl. The family of aviators cheered along as they made a surprise baby shower for them, adorning the closed off Hard Deck bar and decorating it head to toe with pinks and anything that future baby needed. Hangman and Bob fought over who deserved the “uncle” title. Maverick, once again crying, claiming he is gonna be a grandpa. Phoenix couldn’t help but admire with love as her small family was so excited. She was fearful of becoming a mom, especially with the career she’s in. She’s seen the effects it had on children who have lost parents in the naval air force. Bradley was petrified as well, of losing Natasha or even his own life and leaving behind his little girl. It’s a risk for sure, but the love and support she feels at the moment was enough to put her at ease. Penny was incredibly supportive with every doubt or question that crossed Phoenix’s mind.
The day Y/N was born was the most stressful day of Phoenix’s life. Well, for everyone actually. Y/N was supposed to be born in a week exactly, but she had decided to make her dramatic entrance. Phoenix was nesting, hardcore. Cleaning, rearranging the nursery, and most importantly letting every emotion she never showed, be put on full display. Rooster was the most calm and patient husband, always by her side, getting up extremely late at night to help her up and to get any cravings she was having. Her mood swings had traumatized her friends, her WSO Bob even claimed she had become “meaner” then Hangman.
“ Robert, do you really think I care?? I am literally carrying a child who makes me pee every 5 minutes! Also Hangman your cologne is horrid oh my god!” Phoenix yelled at both men who stood wide eyed hurt. Phoenix practically gagged after yelling at them in her fit of rage. A wave of relief settled within her as she mentally congratulated herself from throwing up her dinner.
“ Penny, can I have some water please?” Phoenix asked sweetly as she walked waddled towards the clean bar. Bob and Hangman held each other briefly as they comforted each other from Phoenix’s attack. “ Thank god she’s not allowed to fly.” Bob mumbled and Hangman agreed.
The aviators were set to make a test flight of the newly maintenance F-35’s. Phoenix never missed a day of work. Well, she couldn’t really work she would just sit and watch, at times she would feel sad, she missed flying. She missed her partner Bob and their fun codes they made up to confuse the other aviators. The thrill of beating the ego out of her male comrades. She sat in the file room, she had followed through with a task Cyclone asked to do, in reality he was tired of seeing her mope around the base. Baby Y/N was being overly active than usual, based on the billion baby books both Rooster and her shared, it was normal. It wasn’t until one of her kicks seemed to linger longer than usual. She winced and sat down, “ You better not make me a soccer mom…” She mumbled and giggled to herself. After the pain settled she began looking for the file and walked past the office, seeing aviators and engineers talk amongst themselves. The girls with their slicked back bun and khaki slacks. She missed her uniform, it stopped fitting her by the sixth month. She sigh softly and made her way back to Cyclone where she left the files on his desk. She made her way outside where she heard over the radio that Maverick was the first to begin his landing. She rolled her eyes, god he sure was a show off. “ That’s your grandfather for ya…” She sighed to herself. As she heard Hangman and Payback smack talk to each other on who would land second, Phoenix’s water broke. Panicking, she runs to Hondo who was helping Maverick out.
“ Hondo! Call Rooster!” She yelled after Hondo as he ran back to Phoenix. Hondo panicked as well. Mav ran as fast as possible once he hoped off the plane. Phoenix grew frustrated with Hondo nervously rambling about her water breaking and took his headset.
“ Is that Phoenix?” Hangman called over the line confused.
“ Is she flying right now?!” Bob exclaimed along with the other blurring out Rooster’s confused response. Um, Bob she’s pregnant
“ Last time I checked my husband was named Rooster, over!” She spat and doubled over in pain as her first contraction hit, Hondo and Mav soon took over the headset as they hurried her inside.
“ What is going on?! Phoenix, can you hear me, over?” Rooster anxiously asked.
“ Rooster, you better get here soon, you’re gonna be a dad!” Hondo called in, a huge cry of cheer came from everyone. Rooster practically lost his mind, it felt like he was experiencing a G-5 whiplash.
“ Guess I am no longer Baby On Board.” Bob called over, making everyone laugh.
Maverick and Phoenix speed to the Naval Base Hospital in the Cyclone’s car. By the time Rooster landed, Phoenix was being admitted into the hospital and Maverick panted as he reached for his phone. It didn’t take long before Rooster was on Mav’s motorcycle, that’s why he called him. Phoenix was then rushed into a room where nurses soon helped her out of her clothes and into her robe. Sweating as her hands held on the hospital bed rails. “ Fuckkkkk! If my husband doesn’t get here I swear I am going to k-.”
“ Mrs. Bradshaw? Your husband is here!” A nurse rushed in cutting Phoenix off and in mere seconds a sweaty fighter pilot in his green jumpsuit rushed in and right at her side. Her anger and frustration vanished and instantly felt calm.
“ Hey baby I’m here! I’m here don’t worry.” Rooster cooed as he held and caressed her sweaty hair and rosy cheeks. She smiled softly and sighed holding his hand and letting his presence and words fuel her up with energy to give birth.
“ Of course, I wouldn’t miss it, hell if I needed to land that plane next to the hospital I would.” He chuckled as he kissed the side of the temple. Before she could make a smart remark a contraction made her cringe in pain.
Through sweat and tears, Natasha truly felt powerless, her ego long gone. She was becoming a mother to this incredible and big baby girl. Rooster was by her side holding and comforting her as she pushed through the pain. It was all worth it. Y/N Bradshaw-Trace was finally in her arms. Small black hair, small nose, slightly red from the crying, she was swaddled and cradled in her arms. Natasha couldn’t stop looking at her. Rooster could not stop crying. Watching as his strong ass wife gave birth to the most beautiful thing he could have asked for.
“ You did that babe. All that.” He cried softly as he kissed her, She nodded but for the first time she did not want to take the credit. Because this was their win.
“ No, we did it, Bradley.” He sniffled and laughed softly afraid to awaken Y/N.
Y/N was greeted with open arms and lots of love from her many uncles. They all took turns carrying her, feeding her, and playing with her. Grandpa Maverick made sure to always be there for her. Bringing gifts and showing her pictures (Mav she’s an infant XD) of her grandfather Goose and her grandmother Carole. Soon enough Phoenix and Rooster found a perfect way to balance each other out as they both took maternity leave. For those 3 months the aviators had seen enough poop, spit-up, milk, and diapers. Luckily, Y/N was not that fussy, she was an early bird, like her mom. Her black hair soon curled at the ends, like her dad. She said her first word in Bob’s arms, while he held her for Phoenix, who was trying on her suit in the locker room.
Bob’s eyes widen in awe. Y/N giggled and said, “Baba.” He laughed along with her.
“ Bobby! Say bobby!” Bob encourage enthusiastically, Y/N laughed along and repeated ‘baba’.
Phoenix walked out with her suit on and watched as Y/N and Bob were giggling.
“ What’s so funny?” She asked smiling at her toothless baby.
“ She said Baba, she’s trying to say Bobby!” Bob said in glee, Phoenix soon called for Rooster who stormed over to hear the news on Y/N first word. He soon took Y/N from Bob and tried talking to her to say ‘dada’ instead. Bob frowned, and Phoenix laughed.
“ Babe, she’ll get it eventually…after she says mama.” She teased taking her away from a frustrated Rooster.
Soon enough, the baby became a running toddler that pretended to make plane noises while Hondo gave Y/N a piggy back ride. Grandpa Mav would take her on walks along the base and show off the planes. Her uncles would regularly drop by to give their little aviator a high-five after a successful landing. Followed by a big hug from mom and dad. Her family consisted of home, the base, the beach, and the HardDeck where Grandma Penny always made her favorite sandwich and ice cream. And of course the classical rendition of Great Balls of Fire as she sat on the top of the piano. Her uncles cheering as clapped in glee as her dad played and sang on the piano. Her mom standing close watching amusement as her curly black haired girl tried to sing along with her dad.
Soon enough, Y/N was in school, it was a hard transition for her. She was used to life on base and surrounded by planes and her uncles. Y/N was aware of who mom and dad were and how special they were to the world, Grandpa Maverick told her. It was when one day in the 2nd grade, Y/N sat in her assigned seat as she heard the teacher present the topic of this week show-and-tell. Instantly, Y/N got excited as she couldn’t wait to brain storm ideas with her uncle Hangman. Many of her classmates asked a variety of questions of what they could bring, so she decided she should ask too.
“ Can I bring my mom and daddy’s F-35 plane?” She innocently asked, soon the class erupted in laughs and the teacher stood shocked. How does a 6 year old know about a F-35. She was speechless. Y/N frowned at her peers.
“ It’s a fighter jet! My mom and dad fly it everyday.” Y/N defended herself. The teacher soon silenced the room.
“ Y/N, are these plane you are talking about real or like in the cartoons you watch?” She tried to ask as kindly as possible. Y/N shook her head. The teacher frowned, “ I am sorry Y/N but planes are not allowed in show-and-tell”
“ Only if it’s a toy plane!” A kid in the back teased and the class erupted in fits of laughter again. Y/N grew red with anger as she glared at the boy.
“ Yeah, shut up! I am not lying my mom and dad fly planes, they F-35’s! And I will too!” She practically growled as her anger bubbled over. She slumped in her desk avoiding the Oh’s from the class.
“ Y/N! I do not appreciate this language. We can talk later.” Embarrassment set in as she realized she was getting in trouble.
The teacher took the liberty of reaching through Y/N file and found her parents phone number.
“ Hello, may I speak to Mrs. Bradshaw?”
“ Hi, this is she!” A roar of an engine rang in the background of the call making the teacher wince.
“ Hi yes I am calling from San Diego Elementary, I am Y/N’s teacher.” Phoenix nodded and made sure to make her way to a quieter area on base. She instantly thought about the previous night and how Rooster had forgotten to sign the permission form for the zoo field trip.
“ Oh god! He forgot again, I am so sorry if this is about the field trip form my husband and can get that in before pick up!”
“ No that is quite alright Mrs. Bradshaw, It in regards to Y/N’s behavior today in class, would you mind speaking with me at pick up?” Phoenix instantly shut her eyes and winced. She new her stubbornness and personality would somehow genetically impact her daughter, she just didn’t think it would this soon.
“ Shoot, what did she do.”
By the time 2:30pm rolled around Phoenix and Rooster argued their way to the school on how her being around the bar and maybe even the base was affecting the way she was acting in school. Soon they realized that they were arguing over something they realized was basically the personality combination of both of them. By the time they arrived most of the parents were also picking up their kids. Rooster nervously swiped his sweaty palms against his khakis, his pins and ribbons moving along the windy day of San Diego. Phoenix as well wore her khaki uniform but held her head high and ready to defend her baby from who ever she punched. Who knows maybe they deserved it.
Y/N stood awkwardly next to her teacher as she glanced across every adult that passed by. Y/N soon say the familiar uniform and her eyes brightened.
“ Mommy! Daddy!” She beelined straight to her parents who instantly smiled and greeted her. The teacher and kids who stood back to discover who Y/N’s “ fighter jet” parents were.
“ Hi baby!” Phoenix crouched down and gave her a kiss. Rooster caught her and gave her a bear hug before setting her down. The teacher soon coughed and walked towards them.
“ Lt. Trace and Lt. Bradshaw.” Phoenix stated as she raised her brow at the teacher. Y/N was in the middle watching as the teacher met her parents.
“ Naval aviators. The best in the nation.” Rooster smirked and silently pointed to his TopGun patch, as well as Phoenix. The teacher stood surprised, she gulped and continued her speech.
“ I called you both to speak on behalf of Y/N behavior. It seems during our discussion of show-and-tell, she wanted to bring in a fighter jet.” She questioned, Rooster and Phoenix looked down at an embarrass Y/N. “ We as a class believed she meant a toy plane.”
“ Why would she lie? She knows about planes because of us.” Phoenix was not liking this attitude the teacher had with her small daughter.
“ She had mentioned she wanted to fly these planes as well.”
“ Really? Is that true baby?” Rooster scooped up the 2nd grader who nodded and crossed her arms.
“ I will fly planes like mommy and daddy.” Y/N stated determined as she looked at her stunned teacher and the kids in the background eyes glazed in astonishment.
“ Well it seems we got another aviator on our hands.” Phoenix teased her daughter before sternly looking back at the teacher.
“ So why are we here exactly.” The teacher gulped in embarrassment.
“ Well, she did say ‘Shut up’ to a kid in class when she was questioned about the planes.” Phoenix smiled and picked up her daughters backpack from the floor.
“ Well it seems like we are aware now, if you don’t mind we’re going to head out now.” Rooster stifled a laugh as they slowly walked away from the teacher.
“ I told her.” Y/N teasingly said under her breath as her parents laughed.
“ She get’s it from you.” Phoenix laughed and pointed to her husband who shook his head in amusement.
“ No way! All you honey.” Y/N giggled and watched as they drove back to the familiar base she called home.
That night, Rooster and Phoenix broke the news about Y/N’s predicament at school during dinner at the Hard deck. Uncle Hangman cheered, “ She put him in his place, I am proud!” He made sure to ruffle up her curls as he praised her.
“ Well, I think it still was wrong for you to say that work Y/N.” Uncle Bob said gently, tiny Y/N rolled her eyes along with her mom. Maverick laughed, “ God, she sure is dynamite.”
“Wait till she starts dating!” Penny chirped in, Rooster cringed.
“ God, please no dating till you’re 40, Y/N.” Phoenix smacked his arm playfully.
“ I swear she reminds me so much of you Phoenix.” Fanboy teased as he drank his beer, Phoenix took pride in that. She watched her color on the new coloring book her Grandpa Mav bought her of planes. The love in her eyes as she watched her concentrated face and dark curls around her face. Her small hand holding on to the crayon with precision. She was so lucky to have you.
“ She’s perfect.” Rooster whispered in her ear, as he followed her gaze, everyone else speaking on their request of seconds of Penny’s casserole . She hummed and leaned against her husband.
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