I came across this photo by chance, and I immediately thought of the Carrick's cat, Pietro. I haven't been able to get this silly story out of my head, and finally got to write it down! I hope it brings some smiles!
Book: Open Heart (Post-Series)
Pairing: Tobias x Casey Carrick (F!MC)
Featuring: Pietro - (Original Cat)
Rating: Teen
Words: ~1,600
Summary: The Carricks are enjoying a cozy family morning when the doorbell rings and a scandal ensues. Will it be a cat-astrophe?
A/N: Regarding the photo, I thought it was funny that the adult cat on the right has a smug little expression (a la Tobias) and the other adult cat is blonde ( a la Casey!) 😂😂
After trying to finish this for over a week, I gave up on editing. So please forgive any blemishes. :)
It was a typical, lazy Saturday morning in the Carrick home. Tobias was cleaning up the remains of their pancake breakfast, while Casey finished her tea on the couch in the adjacent parlor. Her hand absentmindedly stroked her swollen belly as she watched little Samantha belt out what was sure to be a Grammy-winning performance of "I'm a Little Teapot" with her favorite teddy bear, Mr. Wiggly. It was the picture of domestic bliss - so peaceful, so idyllic - that no one could have imagined they'd be thrust into the center of an illicit paternity scandal by day's end. But as the doorbell rang… that was precisely what was about to happen.
Tobias entered the room, drying his hands on a dish towel. "Are you expecting someone?" he asked.
"Nope," Casey replied, already waddling toward the door with her six-month bump leading the way. "But I swear if it's a salesperson or someone trying to convert me, I'm going to let the hormones take control."
Tobias stifled a laugh as Sammy clung to his leg, then Casey opened the door to reveal a vaguely familiar middle-aged woman. Her greying curls were neatly tucked under a wide-brimmed hat that perfectly matched her jewel-toned paisley dress. When she spoke, it was clear that her energy was just as vibrant as her attire.
"Good Morning," she chirped, waltzing past Casey and into the foyer as if they were lifelong friends.
Bewildered, Casey took a step back. "Good morning. Uhm, can I help you?"
"Yes. As a matter of fact, you can," The woman said, placing a bedazzled magenta folder on a side table with a flourish. "My name is Ursula. I live two townhomes away, and I thought it was about time for us to become better acquainted. We are about to be family, after all.”
Casey arched a brow. "Uh – I'm sorry – but what?"
Tobias stepped to Casey's side as Ursula reached into the folder and pulled out a photo with dramatic flair. She handed it to Casey, and Tobias peered over her shoulder to find a peculiar-looking... sonogram?
Tobias looked at Casey anxiously, then tapped the photo in his hand. "What's this about?" he asked, his patience wearing thin.
"That’s Persephone!" Ursula proclaimed with pride. "Well, at least it's her sonogram. And those six adorable blobs are her little babies. She's due in just a matter of weeks now!"
Casey’s brow furrowed as she attempted to make sense of things. “Uh...congratulations?"
"Thank you!" Ursula beamed. "But the congratulations aren't all mine, they're yours, too. After all, we're all about to be grandparents!"
“Grandparents?” she asked, completely befuddled.
“Yes. Grandparents. After all, your Pietro is the father of Persephone’s kitties.”
"Pietro?" Casey blinked. "Our cat, Pietro?"
"Yes! Your handsome little Lothario knocked up my darling Persephone."
Casey turned toward the window ledge, where Pietro lay licking himself with all the nonchalance of a man who definitely wasn't concerned about the specter of impending fatherhood.
"Ma’am,” Casey said politely. “I’m afraid that’s impossible. Pietro is a house cat. He never goes outside – I mean – he doesn’t even like fresh air. There is no way he could have done... this... to Persephone.”
She waited for Ursula to retort, but the only sound in the room was that of Tobias nervously clearing his throat.
“Tobias?” Casey questioned, eyes narrowing.
“Okay,” he winced. “So, funny story. It’s possible – theoretically - that Pietro may have gotten out of the house one morning recently.”
“What?”
“I found him wandering in the yard before you and Sammy came back from her dance class. I never told you because I didn’t want to stress you out,” he added sheepishly. “That was the morning you had been crying because I picked up strawberry jam instead of raspberry preserves.”
“Well, that makes perfect sense,” Ursual interrupted. “Raspberry preserves are far superior! Persephone and I would never settle for strawberry jam!”
“Uh, yeah...” Tobias stammered - wondering if he had been transported to the Twilight Zone. “But as I was saying...Pietro made it back home safely. I thought no harm, no foul. I didn’t tell you because it’s my job to keep my pregnant wife happy, and I didn’t want to worry you over nothing.”
Casey rubbed her temples as a headache began to brew.
“He seemed fine afterwards, Case,” Tobias protested.
“Of course,” Ursula injected, unfazed by the domestic tension. “He was fine, he had his fun, but the same couldn’t be said for my beloved Persephone! In any case, obviously, I could never part with any of her precious little angels. So I will be keeping them. I’m sure we can agree on a fair settlement for kitten support. Wet food is preferred—organic, of course. And I only use Pretty Litter. We could work out regular visitation if your schedules allow.” She eyed Sammy, then Casey’s belly. “I mean, you do seem to have your hands full already.”
Tobias and Casey were slack-jawed. Too dumbfounded to address their neighbor’s apparent jab.
“Kitten support?” Casey groaned.
“Visitation?” Tobias added.
“Yes. I created spreadsheets, which you can find in the folder; however, we should consider creating a shared Google calendar instead. I’ve already created a birth plan with Persephone’s veterinarian – and it’s lovely! There will be soothing harp concertos playing during labor, and I think it would be best if Pietro remained at home. I don’t think his presence would bring any comfort to my girl.”
Casey sank onto the decorative bench that lined the wall – the one she had told Sammy was never to be sat on; it was just there to look pretty, but this – this was a special occasion.
As if on cue, the previously unbothered Pietro pounced onto the floor from his throne and walked to the center of the foyer with a detached air of indifference. He circled the spot where the sun beamed in through the decorative window above the door, and then he plopped on the floor with a big yawn.
“All right. Where are the hidden cameras?” Casey asked. “Is this some weird TikTok trend I’m not aware of? Something where we trick very pregnant ladies. Because this can’t be real.”
“Oh, I’m afraid it is, darling,” Ursula grinned. “While I understand having grandchildren the same age as your children might be difficult for you, I think with the right amount of therapy, we’ll all survive – no, flourish!”
“Oh, therapy is definitely needed,” Tobias agreed.
“Very well!” Ursula stated, placing the garish folder in Tobias’s hands. “I’m sure the two of you will need some time to look over the papers and discuss. We can talk again tomorrow. Ta-ta!”
Casey wasn’t wasting any time; she turned to Tobias – glaring. He looked over his shoulder, unable to fathom that look could be for him.
“What?” He said, a little defensive. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Why?” She said, rising to her feet. “Because this is your fault! Your son is apparently just...like..you.”
“Excuse me?” He squinted. “I don’t think I like what you’re implying.”
They both looked at Sammy, who was blissfully shoving crushed goldfish crackers into Mr. Wiggly’s mouth. Pietro was quick at her feet to lick the mess up. Casey stepped closer to Tobias, her voice low.
“Pietro escapes for twenty minutes – twenty minutes – and he knocks someone up!” Casey pointed to her own belly, and Tobias raised his hands.
“Hey! Our baby was planned,” he said, resting his hand on Casey’s bump. “I mean – at least this one was. And my feral tomcat days are ancient history.”
“Ah!” She said, triumphantly jabbing his chest. “But you admit you were a feral tomcat!”
He opened his mouth, closed it quickly, and smirked. “I think I’m going to plead the fifth.”
“Look,” he said, kissing Casey’s cheek. “You domesticated me, and maybe this is just what Pietro needs. I’ve seen Persephone, she’s a feisty little thing – and quite a beauty – just like you. I think she’ll make an honorable cat out of Pietro.”
“Mmhh,” Casey hummed. “Perhaps, but after this, you and Pietro are both getting fixed. The virility of the men in this family is nothing to be trifled with.”
“We can go to different doctors, though, right?” He asked nervously.
Casey had to laugh at the absurdity of it all. “I don’t know,” she shrugged. “You may want to talk to Ursula. She probably already has it scheduled as part of Persephone’s post-partum plan.”
~~~~~
A month later, the kittens were born - all six of them. And there was no denying they were Pietro’s. They looked just like him, down to the permanently unimpressed expressions fixed on their tiny faces.
Samantha was obsessed with them. Every morning, she’d pull the photo Tobias had taped to the fridge and point to a different cat, declaring. “I want that one!”
But Ursula held firm. “Samantha. They’re Persephone’s babies. They stay with Persephone.”
When Sammy pouted, Tobias decided to lean fully into the insane drama.
“Well,” he said. “I did have my lawyer, an official kitten support agreement. Pietro has not missed a payment, and if necessary, I’ll pursue legal visitation.”
“Absolutely not,” Casey said, turning around in horror. “We are not hosting six kittens in this house!”
Ursula exhaled a deep sigh. “Fine. Miss Sammy and Pietro can visit the kittens at my place once per week... as long as the visits are supervised.”
Tobias nodded as he sipped his coffee. “Fine. But Persephone is the one who will need supervision. I’ve been watching her – she can’t keep her paws off of Pietro. She finds him irresistible, and we don’t want to end up with more mouths to feed.”
“Tobias!” Casey scolded with a laugh. But he just winked.
Chapters: 8/8
Fandom: Captain America (Movies), Captain America - All Media Types, Marvel Cinematic Universe
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: James "Bucky" Barnes/Steve Rogers, Alpine the Cat & James "Bucky" Barnes, Alpine the Cat & Steve Rogers
Characters: Steve Rogers, James "Bucky" Barnes, Alpine the Cat (Marvel)
Additional Tags: Other Avengers (mentioned) - Freeform, Canon Divergence - Post-Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Domestic Fluff, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Just Two Supersoldiers and Their Cat, Slice of Life, Everything is Beautiful and Nothing Hurts
Summary:
Bucky Barnes likes talking to his cat.
Fortunately, she likes talking to him too.
Snippet:
“The Gerber is good, yes, serrated or smooth?” He asks as he looks over at Alpine.
Alpine stares back, blinking at him slowly as if to ask ‘Are you that stupid?’
“Okay yes, Papa is just being silly now, I’ll keep both.” Bucky smiles at her. “What would I do without my smart girl?”
Before Alpine can dignify that with a response, however, Steve calls out, “Stop asking the cat about weapons and get a move on, will ya? Extraction from the roof in 2 minutes!”
Bucky scoops up Alpine then, detours to the kitchen for those protein bars before hurrying out to the living room.
“For your information, she had some really valid opinions,” he tells Steve, airily.
