We walk through the park like just like a normal couple. This break from SHIELD is exactly what we needed. Bucky and I walk with our fingers laced together.
"Hey Bucky do you mind if we do a little shopping?" I ask.
He shrugs his shoulders.
"Sure. I don't care. Whatever makes you happy."
"Just being near you makes me happy." I say.
We walk out of the park and hail a cab. It takes us to the mall and we get out. I stop with Bucky just outside the doors.
"Okay there are a lot of people in here. Is that okay with you?" I ask.
"Yes, I will be alright. None of them know who I am."
I kiss him on the cheek and we walk inside. I feel his fingers tighten around mine as he sees how many people are in the mall. I reassuringly stroke his fingers with my thumb and smile at him.
"We can leave any time you want." I say.
"It's okay. I'm alright." He replies.
I wanted to come to the mall to look at some new clothes. My clothes are tighter on me now so I need to get some things that fit better. We are walking to the store I usually go to when we pass a baby store. I stop and Bucky jerks back.
"What is it?" he asks looking concerned.
I look at him and then look at the baby store.
"Do you mind if we go in here?" I ask.
He smiles at me.
"Sure Evy. Let's look around."
The whole store is an explosion of pastels and I hate to admit that I love it. I've become so used to my black wardrobe that sometimes I forget how much I used to like colors. I used to live in floral dresses. I remember buying so much pink when I found out I was having Mia. I put my hand on my bump as I think about this little one. It is still too early to tell but something inside of me tells me that it is a boy. This pregnancy has been so different in every way already. The store is a little overwhelming with the amount of baby things. Bucky looks like a deer in headlights. An associate comes over and smiles at us.
"Hi can I help you two in any way? Looking for anything specific?" she asks.
"We are actually just looking around." I say.
She notices my hand on my bump and smiles.
"How far along are you?" she asks.
"12 weeks." I say with a smile.
"Oh still early then. It's all so exciting. Well my name is Lisa so please let me know if you need help with anything." She says before she walks away.
Bucky and I look around the store and I can't help but love everything. It's all so tiny and precious. I lose track of Bucky for a moment and when I come around the corner I see him staring at a rack of baby clothes. He looks like he is thinking very intently. I come up beside him.
"What are you thinking about?" I ask.
He pulls an outfit off the rack and holds it up.
"I know we don't know yet but I really like this outfit. Do you think we could buy it?" he asks.
I look at the outfit he is holding and instantly fall in love with it. It is an outfit for a boy which means that Bucky feels the same way I do. The outfit is a little pair of jeans with a navy blue sweater. It is a very simple outfit but it is completely adorable. I love it even more since Bucky picked it out. I hug Bucky because I can't control myself.
"I love it so much. Almost as much as I love you." I say smiling up at him.
He smiles down at me then kisses me sweetly. I let go of him and we take the outfit up to the register. We could go a little crazy in this store but until we find out for sure what we are having we don't want to buy too many things. Lisa smiles at us when we come up to the register.
"Find everything you need?" she asks.
"For now yeah." I reply.
"So is this your first?" she asks.
I feel the tightness in my chest that I always feel when I think about Mia. I nervously tuck my hair behind my ear.
"Uh no. This is my second pregnancy." I say.
She smiles even wider.
"Oh so you have another little one at home?"
I can feel that Bucky is uncomfortable next to me and I feel the same way.
"Oh umm no. I used to." I say.
Lisa's face suddenly drops.
"Oh my goodness I'm so sorry sweetie. I didn't mean to make you upset. Here is your bag. Keep your head up love and good luck with the new baby."
"Thanks." Bucky says taking the bag from her.
We walk out of the store and Bucky stops me before we go too far. We step to the side of the walkway and he pulls me into a hug.
"Are you alright Evy?" he asks.
"Yeah I will be okay. Let's go."
We had just started to walk to another store when my phone rings. It is Steve so I answer.
"Hey Steve. What's up?" I ask.
"Thor is back. He wanted me to call you."
Thor is back! He is finally back!
"Thanks Steve. We will be there as soon as we can."
Bucky is watching me looking concerned. I hang up the phone and smile at him.
"We have to get back to SHIELD."
"Why? Is everything alright?" he asks.
"Yes, let's go."
The taxi ride back to SHIELD feels like the longest taxi ride of my life. I am anxious to hear what Thor has to say. I go right up to the floor where I know he will be. Bucky is watching my every move and I know he is trying to figure out why I am so happy all of a sudden. The elevator doors open and I see Steve standing with Thor. I stride right over to them and Bucky follows behind me.
"Greetings Lady Evy. You look well. You are rounder than the last time I saw you." Thor says.
"What did they say?" I ask.
I ignore the rounder comment and don't bother with formalities or greeting. I just need to know. Thor smiles at me.
"Are you ready to go to Asgard?" he asks.