A/N: Here's Chapter 21!
Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel, Disney, ABC or the Avengers. Just Sera.
It was silent after they left. Too silent, because I fell unconscious. When I woke, it was to my father's chuckle.
"How did I know you'd use a Game Of Thrones name? It was definitely not going to be Sansa." He said as I opened my eyes. He was sitting in my favorite chair, stroking Callie's head softly.
"I always saw Sansa as weak, and pitiful. She couldn't stand up for herself," I muttered, sitting up slowly.
"Well, we can discuss that when you aren't grumpy. How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay. Sore, but that is to be expected," I said, looking over at my daughter.
"She's got your hair," My Dad said, gazing down on Callie's hair. I had been surprised that she was born with hair, let alone dark brown curls. It was very short, but just long enough to see what they were forming.
"I can't wait to braid it," I thought fondly.
"Elijah is beautiful too," Dad said smiling at me.
"It's what mom was going to name me, if I had been a boy. I thought it was a nice name for my son."
"Bruce brought us the results not long ago." My Dad said, making me sit up straighter.
"And?" I asked nervously.
"They both have the genetic markers of the serums used on Steve and James." My Dad said, making my eyes water.
"They'll be in danger," I whispered.
"No more than they would have been already. Hydra wouldn't have stopped until every last one of us was dead." Steve said as he and Bucky entered the room with Elijah. He was fussing, so I grabbed my nursing blanket and motioned for Bucky to hand me Elijah.
"When Bruce brought the results we asked him how long until they started showing symptoms."
"It's hard to tell but they could have accelerated healing, and a bit of strength already." Bucky said, sitting down on my left, kissing my shoulder. Elijah was struggling to latch on, but eventually understood what I was offering him, and ate greedily.
"Well, we need to be careful. Hydra could be anywhere," My Dad said.
"It's probably safer here because Hydra doesn't know our location." Steve said, nodding.
"Can we not talk about this now? I just want to be with our little ones right now. They just came into the world, and even if they don't understand what we are saying, they can feel the negativity."
"Don't tell me you're into the whole 'body energy' and aura crap," My Dad said, looking confused. I stuck my tongue out at him, before I heard Callie's gurgle. Smiling, I realized that Eli had fallen asleep. Carefully slipping him out, I handed him to Steve so he could hold him.
"Come here Callie," I said as she started to fuss.
"Where's Mom?" I asked in general.
"She's gone to make you something to eat," My Dad said smiling sadly at me.
"I'm not calling her that because you married her. It's because she chose to be there for me. She's not a replacement to Mom. She's like my best friend, role model, and protector all in one. She was meant to be a mother. She's gone Momma bear on me a few times," I laughed, as Callie fed. She was quieter than her brother, but just as greedy when it came to food.
"It means the world to me that you've accepted her into your heart," My Dad said, getting up to kiss my forehead.
"It's her that's accepted me into her heart Dad. I knew you'd find another woman to love, but I'm so happy it's Pepper. I think she's better for you than Mom ever was."
"I loved your mother, but not the way she needed me to love her. Not the way I love Pepper." He said, as I watched Pepper come in silently with a tray of food.
"That's good to know." I said smiling at Pepper. Clearing her throat, my father turned to find Pepper smiling at him sweetly.
"I bet you're thirsty," Pepper said handing me a smoothie with a straw, before kissing Dad's cheek.
"Shall we give the love birds some space?" My father said, before taking Pepper's hand and giving Elijah's head a gentle stroke, from his resting place in Steve's arms.
"I'm not going out into the field for at least 6 months," I joked, covering myself up after burping Callie.
"You aren't leaving base anyways. Not even to go to the Tower," Steve said, as Bucky gently pressed a kiss to Eli's forehead.
"Unless my sword skills are needed, I'm staying here," I confirmed.
"You know, I haven't actually seen your sword skills," Bucky said smirking.
"And you don't want to be at the end of my sword," I threatened jokingly.
"And Dr. Russo says bed rest for two weeks." Steve said, giving us a look.
"Fuck that, I'm getting up whether I can or not. I'm not sitting around for two weeks," I said annoyed.
"Language Angel," Bucky chuckled as Steve handed him Eli.
"I haven't held my daughter yet," Steve said softly as I stroked Callie's head. Smiling, I maneuvered her to a position that wouldn't disturb her through the transfer.
"Hello baby girl," Steve whispered, kissing her forehead. She fussed as his stubble scratched her nose. Kissing the abrasion he caused, she settled, cooing softly. I watched with rapture as Steve and Bucky each gazed at their children in wonder. Bucky had taken up a spot by the window, watching our son in the moonlight, and Steve had drifted towards the rocking chair. He looked to be memorizing Callie's face, looking to be thinking about how to capture her perfectly in a drawing.
I breathed silently, feeling every inch of my skin had been stressed out and the shock beginning to wear off. My eyes drifted closed of their own accord, and the last thing I remember, was seeing Bucky kiss Steve's forehead.
They hardly woke up the first night, which made me restless. I wondered if they were still breathing, but Bucky and Steve assured me they took turns keeping watch over them. I was allowed to sleep off my exhaustion and only get up when one of the Twins needed feeding. Steve and Bucky were so good to me the first two weeks. I hated being on bed rest, but Dr. Russo said that if I didn't allow myself to heal, I would have trouble carrying anymore children. Once he gave me the all clear, I put the twins down for a nap, had Simmons keep an eye on them, while I went to work out.
"I'm a little rusty," I said, stretching while Skye did the same.
"You'll probably go easier on me than May does." She joked.
"May was my S.O. Even if she was on Admin at the time. She said she saw something in me that needed to be taught properly. I still to this day, think Fury ordered her to." I said, taking a stance. Skye did as well, and we circled. Once she assessed the situation, she struck, going for the offense. I blocked every hit, and even got in a few of my own. She tried to grab me in a hold, but I flipped her off and rolled away.
"When will this ever get easier? May's been training me for what feels like years, but I still can't seem to take her down." She panted, wiping her brow.
"Don't worry, my training was a little more advance than yours. Natasha taught me when May was busy. I had twice the training than you did, but I couldn't hold my own against either for months. You'll get there," I said grunting as I stood up.
"You okay?" Trip asked from over on the treadmill.
"I'm good. One more go and then I'm moving on to swords. I've missed them," I laughed.
After Skye and I had finished sparring, I happily went to down practicing with my katana's. The dummy I practiced on was in pieces by the time I was done, but I felt accomplished for my first day back at training.
Of course I was missing my little ones, so I dashed out, but not after witnessing a passionate kiss between Trip and Skye. I mentally gave myself a high five, chuckling as I left the gym. Between the Avengers and the agents we already had, the new SHIELD was becoming a formidable force. Steve and Bucky were doing recon on Hydra bases in the States, with Coulson having eyes and ears on the known bases in Europe.
I grew stronger each day, knowing we were going to make it. This fight was bound to happen, but we had skill, advantage, and superheroes on our side. Hydra was going down, and I would gladly be the one to cut off the last head.
"Callie girl," I cooed as I entered the lab. A bassinet had been placed in every room, in case I had to put the twins down for whatever reason.
"They are growing fast," Simmons comments with a smile.
"That would be their Daddy's genes," I laughed, picking up my daughter.
"Dr. Banner and I have been trying to come up with a formula that would suppress those genes for a time, to allow them to grow naturally." Jemma said sounding hopeful.
"I really appreciate it, but I don't want to change them." I said, before kissing Elijah's head softly. Callie and him were complete opposites. She was wide-awake all the time and he slept like the dead. Scared me half to death the first couple days too.
"Alright, but if you change your mind," Jemma said, sounding hopeful.
"Okay you two, let's go back to our room," I said, carefully picking up the two carriers. Fitz waved goodbye as I left and Darcy quickly ran out the door to say goodbye to the little ones.
"They are frickin' adorable." She said fawning over them.
"So, how are things with Fitz and you?"
"He's still being shy. I swear, if I didn't like him so much I'd think he didn't like me. I know, because everyone has told me. Apparently it's obvious to Simmons too, as she doesn't particularly like me." She said, as we walked.
"He's been through a lot Darce. Has he told you about the plane?" I asked, softly as Elijah's eyes opened.
"Yes and no. He told me former Agent Ward pushed him from a plane. Skye explained to me that Ward is Hydra, and now I want to push him from a plane."
"It's more than just that Darce. Ask him, gently. If he likes you as much as we all know he does, he'll want to be honest with you. Don't pity him, but don't be unresponsive." I said, as we approached the stairs.
"When she isn't around," Darcy said, a touch of resentment in her voice. Turning around she quietly walked back to the lab.
"Darcy," I called, gently rocking Elijah's carrier. She turned back, looking sad, and I gently pleaded, "She broke him. And I just finished putting him back together. Be gentle, and patient with him."
As she nodded, a small smile came to her face.
"Thank you for helping him," She said, before turning back around. I sighed, before turning myself, to climb the stairs. Elijah made soft coos, and Callie just looked up at me with wide eyes.
"Let's go wait for your fathers," I said, smiling as I heard the approach of a Quinjet.
"Need some help?" Melinda said, picking up Callie's carrier.
"Thank you. After months of not training, I felt like my arms will fall off from just today." I groaned as I stretched my now free arm.
"How about tomorrow you and I have a round?" She smirked.
"I would like to be in one piece for my children and hubbies," I teased.
"I'll go easy on you. Like ole times," she joked.
"We both know you never went easy on me." I quipped.
"When do you think is a suitable age for them to start training?" I asked, randomly thinking of the offer Melinda made to train the kids how to fight.
"Basics at five, progressively getting more advanced until they are 15, and pulling out all the stops." She said immediately, as if she had given this some thought.
"Okay, well, this is me." I said, stopping in front of the door.
"Hey," Melinda said, gently catching my arm, "We aren't going to let Hydra anywhere near Elijah and Callie. You have my word."
"That makes me feel better," I smiled as I opened the door and took Callie's carrier back. She nodded before turning back down the hallway.
"Okay you two, it's just us. You guys can have a stimulating staring contest with your mobile again, while I shower."
"Bucky's in there," Steve said scaring me.
"One of these days, one of you is going to give me a heart attack." I said, putting both carriers next to the large crib.
"I'm sorry Angel," Steve said, coming up behind me and kissing my neck, "Am I forgiven?"
"Maybe," I joked, taking Elijah out of the car seat, and into the crib, Steve copying me with Callie.
"Were you training today?" Steve asked, noting my tank top and the katana's strapped to my back.
"No, I went for a run. Of course I was training, light stuff with Skye. I needed to assess her anyways." I explained.
"Was that a good idea? How healed are you? You just gave birth a month ago," Steve said, sliding a hand across my belly. I know he missed the look of me carrying his child.
"Dr. Russo gave me the all clear this morning. Said that he didn't know any better, he wouldn't have known I had been pregnant," I pulled fresh onesies out for the twins, while Steve grabbed two fresh diapers. Bucky came out just as we settled them in their cribs.
"Hey Angel," He said kissing the side of my neck. Moaning, I pushed him away, "No fair. You guys can't get me hot and bothered for another 2 months."
"Well, that's going to be difficult. You get hot under the collar when you see us kiss." Steve chuckled.
"True," I hummed, before moving to the bathroom.
A/N: Okay... one more :)