A/n: I only own Ellie; all other characters that you recognize are property of Marvel.
A/n2: So I did it. I wrote Infinity War and it is finished. It was hard but it is done. Looking back at my timeline tracker for the story, Infinity War was supposed to end in chapter 74. So it will be about three months from now out from the point we are now in the story. With that, I am hoping with the track of the story, we will definitely get to when Falcon and the Winter Soldier is released. I may even be able to post a couple weekly chapters so keep your eye out every week. I am not only a full time teacher but now a full time master's student so time is managed… a lot. I am hoping this next class is easier and I can write more. *crossing my fingers*
Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go
So make the best of this test and don't ask why
It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time
~Time of Your Life by Green Day
*~*~* March 25, 2018 – Wakanda *~*~*
Bucky woke up and looked over to see Ellie sound asleep. He moved onto his back and looked up at the ceiling. Ellie rolled over and rubbed his chest, "Hey hun."
Bucky grabbed her hand and kissed her, "Hi Angel… how are you doing?"
"As well as I can… It's my birthday," Ellie told him, "I am… God Buck, I am 103 today. We are in Niagara Falls and… it's just not the same as when we went together."
"How is Grant?" Bucky asked.
"He is five years in development, 4 years 9 months for real. He knows all his letters, can sing his alphabet with no issues, counts to 50, retells stories. He loves to exercise with me. Keeps me going. He is still really into hockey and soccer too. When I am not working, I am the traditional soccer Mom now. Steve coaches his soccer team. Sarah is also on the team," Ellie told him with a smile, "Oh so I discovered a new power."
"Really? What is your new power," Bucky asked interested.
"If I hold onto someone, they can go back into their past consciousness and … well, Natasha left herself a message," Ellie told him, "If I keep working on it maybe I-"
"Don't do anything that could jeopardize something El, it's not worth it," Bucky told her.
"We have less than a month left Buck," Ellie told him sadly burying her face in his chest.
Bucky closed his eyes and pulled her to him, "You never have visited me after this… maybe you guys figure out how to bring everyone back?"
"I hope so… but I doubt it. Nothing ever sees to go right for me," Ellie told him sadly.
"How is your leg?" Bucky asked rubbing her leg that was over his.
"So, what they did was they opened my leg. Tony, Dr. Cho, and Bruce with all the specialists that they know got together and they cast my bones in Vibranium particles. The pain is gone, the limp is gone," Ellie told him, "It took two weeks and I was walking normally again."
"I thought it would make your leg too heavy?" Bucky asked concerned.
"It is heavier but only about 4 pounds. I just have a reason to be called a lead foot now," Ellie told him with a grin, "Steve doesn't want me to drive anymore though."
"He is scared you'll wreck again?" Bucky asked.
"That and the first time I started driving again… I was still having issues so I… kind of forgot how to get home. Now I have to check in with him when I get there, wherever I go," Ellie told him.
"Are you still having memory issues?" Bucky whispered.
"Only when I am really tired and it's not like it once was," Ellie told him as she snuggled into his chest then kissed it, "It is honestly, very rare when I do have a memory lapse. If I do, its short term memory. Not long term. Just, a lot of going to the kitchen and standing in there going, 'What was I going to make again'. Nothing major just… normal human memory lapses," Ellie told him as she looked up at him, "Even that is getting better. I just have to learn to get sleep and rest. Try not to take everything on for just me."
Bucky smiled, "You have a hard time with that."
"Steve helps but… yeah, I do," Ellie told him with a smile as she rested her head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat.
"Come here," Bucky said as he rolled her onto her back.
Ellie smiled as she reached up and moved his hair behind his ear, "What is it, Mr. Barnes?"
"Well Mrs. Barnes it is your birthday," Bucky said as he leaned down and kissed her then started to kiss down her neck.
"Hell yes, it is," Ellie said with a grin.
Bucky stood in the kitchen and watched Ellie and Nat push the kids out the apartment door laughing. He waited until he couldn't hear Ellie anymore then set his mug on the counter.
Walking down to the apartments, Bucky walked up to Wanda's door and knocked.
Wanda opened the door, "I figured it had to be you. I still can't read your mind to know who is there. Come in."
Bucky walked in, shutting the door behind him, "I kind of forgot what this looked like. I'm never in your apartment."
Wanda batted her eyelashes, "Because it's unbecoming to have a gentleman called when I am an unmarried woman."
Bucky laughed, "Well either... it's wherever you go or you're in our apartment or the common area if we are all together."
Wanda sat down and pulled her legs up under her, "Have a seat. What do you want to talk about?"
Bucky sighed as he sat down next to her on her couch, "We don't know-how… whatever will be going on, is going to go down. Can... Can we try to work on the shield in my brain again? We have seen with Grant, that it can be expanded past my head. I want to work on it again. If... I can protect people when it happens... I want to be able to."
Wanda turned towards him, "you need to relax. Don't expect too much of yourself."
Bucky sat and tried to relax.
"Imagine your happy place. Where you are completely and utterly relaxed and happy," Wanda told him.
Bucky thought about their honeymoon when it was just the two of them, no superhuman strength and no powers. Where they just camped under the stars and skinny-dipped in the lake as the moon glittered across the water.
He felt a light heat take over his body and suddenly a red tinge was to the sky as Ellie from his memory swam over to him and put her arms around his neck.
"How about we dry off and go make use of the tent?" Ellie asked in his memory.
Bucky smiled as he leaned down and kissed her, "I like your thinking Mrs. Barnes."
Ellie was starting to stand up and to protect her modesty, Bucky tried to push Wanda out of his mind.
Opening his eyes, he saw her on her back looking at him from the other side of the couch.
"Well you projected me out, that is progress," Wanda told him, "Grant was afraid of Tony, and he didn't know him. I think it's partially fear-driven. Let's try again. Think of something innocent this time that it would be okay for me to see."
Bucky closed his eyes and thought of what he had imagined for the cliffside panther renewal ceremony that he and Ellie had been talking about.
"What was that?" Wanda asked with a smile when she pulled out of his mind.
"Ellie and I want to renew our vows," Bucky said opening his eyes, "It was something I imagined how it would look"
Wanda grinned, "Now that we can do, let's me talk to Shuri."
Bucky shook his head, "No, Steve is just getting better and we don't want-"
"No, if something is going to happen next month to you…. We are going to do this for her," Wanda told him.
*~*~* March 27, 2018 – Wakanda *~*~*
Ellie yawned as she stood over the stove making dinner.
"Are you okay?"
Ellie jumped, "Shit Wanda you scared me. Where did you come from?"
"From sitting right here for the past five minutes. You seem exhausted Ellie. Are you having a hard time sleeping?" Wanda asked.
Ellie sighed as she put the lid on the pot then turned around, "Just... dreams and nightmares."
Wanda walked over to her, "I can help. I can look into your mind-"
"No, no... I am alright," Ellie told her with a yawn as she ran her hand over her face, "It's just you know the impending end of the world as I know it," Ellie told her with a sigh, "I have only about a month left with him."
Wanda pulled her into a hug, "We will all be there for you."
Ellie tried not to cry, "So many people...are just wiped from existence. It's not fair."
Wanda stood back and looked at her, "Not if we have anything to say about it."
"It's hard not to lose faith, but I pray every night... for us to change just one thing. Save just one person," Ellie told her.
"Do you know who all... is gone?" Wanda asked.
Ellie leaned on the counter, "No, I don't think I've ever told Bucky everyone who… perishes. I don't know if I want to know. I think it is better that way. To know a list of people who die and there is nothing I can do to change it but if I tell them… what if they do something to cause someone's death that wasn't supposed to die in the first place."
Ellie wiped her tears from her eyes as she heard the main door open.
"Steve, you still need to take it easy," Bucky's voice carried into the kitchen.
Ellie turned back to the stove and took the lid off the pan to flip the steaks.
Wanda stood up and went to place her hand on Ellie's shoulder and Ellie shook her head, "Don't Wanda, please."
"Buck, I am back to normal. Sadly have no powers but my strength is coming back. My heart is strong and I can breathe again," Steve said as he came in the kitchen, "El this smells amazing. What is it?"
Ellie cleared her throat, "Country fried steak with sautéed mushrooms and vegetables."
Steve leaned over and inhaled, "God it smells good. Do you think I can suddenly cook as well as you?"
Ellie chuckled, "You wish."
Bucky frowned as he walked over and put his hand under her chin, "Are you okay?"
Ellie looked at him confused, "Of course I am, why I wouldn't be?"
Bucky pulled her into his arms, "You don't have to lie to me, Angel," He whispered, "it's okay to be sad."
Ellie looked into his eyes, "I'm okay Buck."
Bucky walked into their apartment after hanging out with Steve for a bit, to see Grant scooting his way to him. Bucky picked him up and put him on his hip, "Grant, where is your Mommy?"
Grant squealed and smacked Bucky in the face.
"Yeah yeah," Bucky said as he walked deeper into the apartment and found Ellie on the floor, "Oh God, Ellie."
He fell to his knees next to her and rolled her onto her back as her eyes snapped open.
"What happened?" Ellie asked rubbing her eyes, "Oh God… did I fall asleep?"
Bucky sat back and laid Grant on the floor, "Shit El, I thought you had passed out."
Ellie groaned as she put her arm over her face, "I fell asleep. Grant! Shit is … he's okay," She said as she laid back down.
"Why are you so tired?" Bucky asked concerned, "You sleep… well, you seem to sleep fine."
Ellie's lip quivered, "I can't tell you. I want to but… I promised someone I wouldn't."
Bucky pulled his knees up to his body, "Is it… is it about who you've been talking to? The ghost?"
"He isn't a ghost… he is a master of mystic arts," Ellie said with a sigh, "He… he thinks that there is some… prophesy or something that says I will save everyone. So he is trying to teach me mystic arts to see… maybe just maybe I will need to use them."
"No, I don't want you part of… whatever happens. The battle, if there is one," Bucky told her.
Ellie sat up, "Bucky I am much more powerful than people realize. Why can't I-"
"No, if I am going to be gone, we can't risk Grant losing us both," Bucky said as he stood up.
"But what if I can win it for us, Buck?" Ellie asked standing up next to him.
"No… I won't let you risk it. What if winning it all means losing you? No," Bucky told her shaking his head, "You weren't part of the battle. You stayed in New York with Pepper. You told me."
"You just don't want me to be out there because you want to be in control," Ellie told him shaking her head as she walked past him and he grabbed her arm.
Bucky yelped as she shocked him.
"Leave me alone," Ellie said with tears in her eyes, "I thought I meant more to you than just being your housewife but I see that was different."
"Ellie!" Bucky said as she left the apartment.
Ellie sat on the cliff, overlooking the panther as she looked out at the sunset.
She heard footsteps coming up the hill and looked over to see Ramonda walking towards her, "Mother," She said as she went to stand.
"No my child, sit. You have found my favorite spot to come to think," Ramonda told her as he came to sit next to her, "I see tears."
"I… I can't handle this Mother. The pressure of what might be coming next, the knowledge that I am going to lose him, knowing that I am going to be a single mother... I feel… inadequate. I feel like the weight of the entire universe is on my shoulders," Ellie told her as she wiped a new round of tears away, "I didn't handle the first time I lost him well… so I am… I am scared. I have Grant depending on me and I can't let him down."
"Voice this to him," Ramonda told her.
"I can't… he knows I'm scared about it, but… he's the one dying," Ellie told her, "To know that you are going to die in a month but not know how or how to prevent it… I can't burden him with my fears."
"They aren't fears. They are genuine concerns," Ramonda told her.
Ellie sat there in silence for three minutes until she heard rustling on the edge of her hearing, "For being a sniper and a former super-assassin you never have been quiet on your feet."
Bucky came through the clearing sheepishly, "Hello Mother."
"Hello my child," Ramonda said as Bucky walked over to them, "Ellie has some concerns."
Ellie gasped, "Mother! No offense but butt out."
"It is true and you need to voice them," Ramonda told her.
Ellie sighed as she put her hands over her face.
Bucky walked over and knelt in front of her, "Ellie, baby… look at me. I can take it; tell me what is bothering you. Please."
He pulled her hands away from her face and she looked at him sobbing, "I can't take it," Ellie told him.
"Take what?" Bucky asked.
"Losing you again," Ellie told him as he pulled her into his arms, "I know about it this time but… what if… what if it is final? I don't want to burden you because… God Bucky, you are the one leaving. I am sounding so whiny because I'm not dying, you are."
"No, sweetheart… you shouldn't have had to put up with all of this. You aren't whiny, you just don't want to lose me, but you know I am just going to be a visit away," Bucky told her.
"It's not the same," Ellie told him sadly.
"We have a month left, let's make it count," Bucky told her, "Steve is healed. Let's go cross as many places off our bucket list as we can"
Ellie looked down at the ground.
"Come back to the palace with me and we will start planning," Bucky told her, "We will do it together. Let make it fun. Start a plan."
Ellie nodded as she looked at him, "A plan... I can do that. It will help things seem more normal."
Bucky held out his hands and pulled her up off the rock into his arms, "Angel... I can't take the sadness away. I wish I could... But we might be superhuman but we still have to have human emotions."
Ellie gave him a tearful smile, "It sucks."
"Well yeah it does but we can't all be Vision," Bucky told her with a grin.
Ellie laughed, "Poor Vision... Doesn't know what he is missing."
Bucky looked at Ramonda, "Thank you, Mother."
Ramonda pulled them both into a hug, "You two might not be my blood but you are my children and that is what mothers are for."
*~*~* March 31, 2018 – Wakanda *~*~*
Shuri walked into the common room as Ellie sat with Bucky and Grant watching a movie.
"Well isn't this boring," Shuri said as she saw Ellie curled up against Bucky as Grant played on the floor.
Ellie looked up at her, "Hi Shuri."
Bucky frowned at her, "Are you calling us boring?"
"Its 10 am on the day before Easter Sunday... And you are watching some movie," Shuri said with a smile, "It's a beautiful day. I know, Ellie, get Natasha and Wanda...let's have a girl's day."
Ellie frowned, "I don't know."
Bucky looked at her, "Go do it. You deserve it."
"I don't know Buck," Ellie said biting her lip.
"Angel, I am not going to just disappear into thin air. Go do something for yourself," Bucky said as he kissed her, "And quit biting your lip... I'm the only one that's supposed to do that."
Shuri looked at them disgusted, "You two are so weird."
Bucky looked at her with a grin, "Thanks, now go talk to Natasha and Wanda… if she's here."
Ellie shook her head as she got up and Shuri followed, "You know you don't have to follow me."
"I know but its fun," Shuri said as Ellie put her hand on Steve and Natasha's door.
"Knock, knock I'm here," Ellie said as she opened the door and yelped turning around, "Shit! Sorry!"
"About damn time!" Steve yelled laughing standing up completely naked.
"Put some damn clothes on!" Ellie yelled reaching out to cover Shuri's eyes.
"Sorry, what do you guys need?" Natasha said as she stood up putting a shirt on.
"Damn photographic memory," Ellie said staring at the door, "Steve do you have damn pants on at least?"
"Yes, why did you just barge in like that?" Steve asked her.
"Because I figured you weren't getting busy in the freaking living room!" Ellie retorted.
"It's our apartment!" Steve defended.
"Now you know how Bucky and I feel!" Ellie told him.
Shuri rolled her eyes and looked at Natasha, "We are doing a girl's day," Shuri told them, "Want to come with Nat?"
"Sure," Natasha told them as she patted Ellie's shoulder, "You are safe."
"Wait, what? What about me?" Steve asked.
Natasha looked back at him with a grin, "A cold shower might help. See you later sweetheart."
Ellie snorted as she walked out of the apartment.
Ellie looked over at Shuri, who was flying the Flyer over the city, "You are up to something."
Shuri looked at her affronted, "Me? Why would I be up to something?"
"I just have this suspicion that for no reason, we don't just get our hair and nails done… along with our makeup, and you have dresses for us to wear?" Ellie said looking down at her white dress.
"Well let's be honest, the dress part is normal," Wanda told her looking down at her dress, "At least they are long this time."
"Okay you have me on that," Ellie said as she looked at Shuri, "Where are we going?"
"Somewhere close," Shuri told her as they went over River.
Ellie sat down and sighed, "Shuri I know I'm old and boring but all I want to do is go home and curl up with Bucky and Grant to take a nap,"
"You can… but no one will be there," Shuri told her as the Royal Talon Fighter descended.
Ellie looked out her window to see the waterfalls and river below them, "Why are going lower?"
The backdoor to the flyer opened and someone walked up the ramp.
"Steve?" Ellie asked confused as she noticed his dress pants, "Why are you dressed up?"
"Are you ready?" Steve asked holding out a bouquet of roses.
Ellie looked at him then at the girls, "Noooo," Ellie said in disbelief, "You guys didn't."
Shuri grinned, "Yes we did. Wanda was a huge part of it though."
Ellie looked at Wanda who was smiling.
"Bucky and I have been working on his mental shield. When I was working with him to guard his memories against me, he imagined your Cliffside wedding that you two had been talking about. I talked to Shuri and we got this thrown together over the last few days," Wanda told her, "I know it might not be what you imagined but it has Bucky's input"
Ellie hugged Wanda then Shuri, "Thank you"
"Come on, let's get you married," Steve told her with a smile, "I didn't get to walk you down the aisle the first time. At least I can now."
Drums started playing and Ellie looked at Shuri, "Couldn't have a wedding without music now, could we? Let's go, girls," Shuri said as Wanda walked off the ramp first, "Oh and by the way, I'm your sister, so I am automatically a bridesmaid."
Ellie laughed through the tears as Shuri followed after Wanda then looked at Natasha, "I guess that makes you my maid of honor."
"Hell yeah, the maid of honor has to hook up with the best man after the wedding you know," Natasha said as she pulled on Steve's tie and kissed him then walked down the ramp.
Steve tried to fix my tie, "I just got some flashbacks there from the past."
"Loraine?" Ellie asked with a grin.
"Shut it," Steve told her as he looked at her, "You look just as beautiful as the first time."
"This is just a small little renewal," Ellie told him, "We… after everything gets better in the future we will have the big one."
Steve laughed, "Oh Ellie. Let's go."
Putting her arm into Steve's, he led her down the ramp to the beat of the instruments playing and she saw for the first time where they had landed.
"The River Province ceremonial grounds," Ellie breathed out as she saw many people from Wakanda amongst the rocks and cliffs. Thousands of people chanting Wakandan songs from various tribes. Amongst them on the edge of the rocks stood Ramonda in full ceremonial dress with Shuri and Wanda. Grant was in Ramonda's arms with Sarah in Shuri's.
"They don't do anything half-assed here El," Steve told her as he kissed her cheek, "Now your feet are going to get a little wet but it's been nearly 75 years, I don't think they can get cold."
Ellie laughed as she saw Bucky standing in a nice Wakandan suit next to T'Challa who was also in a Wakandan suit.
Steve led her out to the shallow water where Bucky and T'Challa stood.
T'Challa held up a hand and the crowd quieted.
"I, T'Challa, Son of T'Chaka, give you Prince James, son of Queen Ramonda!" T'Challa yelled holding up Bucky's hand.
The Wakandans cheered.
"I also give you Princess Ellie, sister of Captain Rogers!" T'Challa yelled.
Ellie grinned at Steve, who kissed her cheek then walked over to join Ramonda taking Sarah from Shuri.
"While talking to Bucky, he told me that 75 years ago, he and Ellie stood in the famed Central Park before he went to military training and they recited their vows to each other in a private ceremony. Just he and Ellie against the world. He told me that is how he always preferred it. Their actual ceremony happened in a courthouse in front of family but their favorite was their own in Central Park," T'Challa announced.
Ellie smiled at Bucky as he took her hand.
"Bucky wrote his own words to confide in, so he will get to say them," T'Challa said as he looked at Bucky.
"Surprise," Bucky said with a grin, "Many people do not get married anymore. They live together with no ties to each other, no obligation. When people feel something is going wrong, they move on because there is no guilt or promise broken. But we grew up in a different world Angel. Our hearts aren't only tied together they are forever sewn with Vibranium thread."
Ellie laughed.
"It's more than that through. Marriage is a lot of put up with and we have gone through more than… most people ever have to deal with. People have tried to tear us apart for years, and it's never worked. Our love is stronger and bigger than… life itself," Bucky told her.
Ellie lost it at those words and he reached over and ran his thumb across her cheek.
"You are all I could ever ask for. A love bigger than life itself. Bigger than time. I never have to worry ever, despite anything I know because I know that your love will always be there for me on the other side, wherever that might be," Bucky told her.
Ellie wiped her tears as T'Challa looked at her once Bucky finished, "Well one I didn't know this was happening and two… how can I go after that?"
Everyone laughed.
Ellie looked at Bucky, "All I will say is, people, scoff at the aspect of soul mates. That there is one person that we are truly meant for in this world. But it's obvious to me… they've never found theirs. When I was 11 years old, I found mine… and my life has… been complete since. You are the other half of me and without you, I'm not a whole person. You are the reason I breathe… you are…everything to me. Time will never change that."
"Well… there is nothing else really to say after that so, you may kiss your bride. Again," T'Challa announced.
Everyone laughed as Ellie threw her arms around Bucky's neck and kissed him.
Ellie looked out over the crowds below, as she stood on the balcony of the palace after putting Grant down for the night.
"Finally, a moment to ourselves," Bucky said as he walked out onto the balcony.
Ellie turned and put her arms around his neck, "I can't believe you did this."
"Of course I did. It wasn't Central Park… a lot more people noticing," Bucky told her as he tucked a curl behind her ear, "Baby, listen… we might only have one more month… but my heart will always be with you. I just wanted to show you how much I love you."
"I know you do," Ellie said trying to blink back tears, "I am going to figure it out. Well, we were going to have our grand wedding but… really how can we beat that?"
Bucky laughed as he pulled her into his arms and looked over her shoulder at the people of their new home country celebrating their lives, "Who would have thought… we would be Prince and Princess of an African country."
Ellie laughed, "What would Mom think of this?"
"What was that name the Elder gave you earlier?" Bucky asked.
"Princess Nuru… while I was feeding Grant I looked it up. It means filled with light," Ellie told him as he laughed, "If they even knew."
Bucky kissed her neck, "What do you say, Princess? Start our honeymoon earlier?"
"Mmm I would say yes, but Nalia is coming up here in a few minutes so I can head back down," Ellie said as she turned in his arms, "We have all month next month, as our honeymoon. Just you, me and Grant traveling. This… this might be our last night to enjoy with our family Buck. All of us together, new and old. In less than a month, some of…some of these people could be gone forever, you included."
Bucky pulled her close, "Okay… we will go down and enjoy time with everyone. T'Challa did say that they had some wine that was made specifically for the Black Panthers that he wanted to try on me to see if it affected me."
Ellie laughed, "For the first time in years, you might have a buzz."
"Oh honey, I won't be the only one, you are going to have some too," Bucky told her touching her nose.
"Oh no, I can't. Breastfeeding remember?" Ellie told him as there was a knock on the door, "That's our cue. Come on."
"Hi baby," Bucky slurred as he came up behind her as she talked to Natasha.
Ellie laughed as he kissed her neck then turned in his arms, "Well hello there."
"I am drunk," Bucky stated.
"Yes, you are. So that stuff T'Challa gave you worked?" Ellie asked pushing a piece of hair behind his ear.
"Yesss," Bucky told her as he nibbled on her ear, "Want to go upstairs? So I can…ravish you?"
Natasha laughed, "So this is Bucky relaxed?"
Bucky looked at her and squinted, "Hi Nat."
"Hi Buck, how are you feeling?" Natasha asked.
"Amazing, I feel like I am flying. This is some good stuff," Bucky said with a grin.
"You two go ahead and head up. Enjoy your second wedding night," Natasha told them.
"I'll sweep you off your feet, my dear," Bucky said dramatically as he went to pick her up.
"I think I will walk. Come on," Ellie said as she took his hand.
Steve walked over to Natasha watching them go, "Buck… looked happy."
"He's drunk," Natasha said as she put her arms around his neck, "Of course he is happy."
"Hmmm I think I need to go find some of this magic alcohol," Steve said burying his face in her neck.
"Let's go get T'Challa," Natasha told him with a grin.
*~*~* April 1, 2018 – Wakanda *~*~*
After Ellie had finished making dinner for everyone, she put Grant in his high chair and pulled him over to the table.
Steve looked at her as he set his book down, "Whoa Grant, big boy in the high chair for dinner."
Ellie laughed, "I figured it would be better in the chair," Ellie told them, "After we got back last night, I was able to have a long conversation with Nalia."
Natasha snorted, "I can't believe he fell asleep after he was so worked up."
"He always did that when he was drunk," Ellie told her with a laugh, "Anyways, Nalia said last night that with his development that it would probably be good to try to introduce him to baby cereal and baby food."
Natasha looked at her, "He is old enough?"
"Developmentally yes, and he wants to feed lately a lot so Nalia suggested we try it," Ellie told them as she put a tablespoon of the cereal in with the four tablespoons of breast milk as Nalia suggested, then mixed it inside the bowl.
"So are you trying baby food too?" Natasha asked.
"Yeah, Nalia said if he doesn't like cereal, try sweet potatoes," Ellie told her as she opened the jar of sweet potatoes.
Grant looked at her, "Mmmmm babaaa."
"I hope you do find this Mmmm," Ellie told him as she yelled for Bucky.
Bucky walked into the room, "You are trying it?"
"Yeah, here goes nothing," Ellie told him, "Grant honey, this is yummy… want a bite?"
She put the spoon to his mouth with a small amount of cereal and he mouthed it then spit it out as he blew bubbles.
Steve laughed, "Guess he isn't a fan."
"Here let me try," Bucky told her as he sat down in front of Grant and took it, "Hey buddy, let's try this yummy food. Here see Daddy is going to take a bite," Bucky said as he put the spoon to his lips, "Yummy… now you want a bite?"
Grant held his mouth open and Bucky put the spoon in.
He smacked his lips together then squealed as he reached for the spoon.
Bucky tried another spoonful and Grant ate it.
"Try the sweet potatoes," Ellie suggested.
Bucky took a spoonful of sweet potatoes and put the spoon to his mouth again, "Try this one."
Grant let Bucky put it into his mouth then made a face.
"I'm not sure he…" Ellie said as Grant spit it out and it was all down Bucky's shirt, "Yep, not a fan of sweet potatoes."
Bucky looked at her with spots of orange on his face, "Nope."
Grant reached for the bowl of cereal and Ellie took the spoon from Bucky, "Let's try this again."
Grant opened his mouth and she put a small amount in it.
Bucky swallowed hard, "I can't believe how fast he is growing."
"Kind of scares me," Ellie said as she looked at him, "What if he is a teenager at 8 years old?"
"It has to slow down some time. He is only a few months ahead anyways," Bucky told her. He is 4 months and Nalia said that he is about six months in development."
"I have a question," Steve said after Grant finished his cereal and Ellie started wiping down his face.
"I might have the answers too," Bucky told him sitting back.
"Jerk," Steve said, "When are you guys leaving?"
Bucky sighed as he looked at Ellie then back at Steve, "Tomorrow morning."
"Oh," Steve said wide-eyed, "I didn't realize it was so soon."
"We want to stay Steve but…we need this," Bucky told him as he watched Ellie take Grant to their apartment to change him, "She needs this Steve."
Steve sighed looking at his hands, "I know she does but is it bad of me that I want you to stay here so I can spend time with my best friend?"
Bucky scoffed sitting back in his chair, "I'm not your best friend anymore Steve."
Steve frowned, "What?" He asked him confused.
"We both know the truth to that. Its either Natasha or Sam now. We are still friends, good friends but you are more than my best friend now … you are my brother," Bucky told him.
"Damn you," Steve said as he pulled Bucky into a hug.
"Take care of her for me," Bucky told him trying to hold back his emotions.
"Of course," Steve told him squeezing his shoulder, "I won't let you down."
Ellie opened her eyes and looked around to see she was alone in the apartment in Wakanda. Getting out of bed, she looked into the crib and grabbed Grant when she saw him inside, then walked out of the apartment and knocked on Steve and Natasha's door.
Steve opened the door, "Hey sis"
"I need your help," Ellie told him as she looked around Steve, "Hey Nat, can you watch Grant for me?"
Natasha nodded, "Sure, I'll just put him in the crib if he is still asleep."
Ellie handed Grant off to Natasha, "Thank you, Nat. I appreciate it."
Natasha looked at her noticing her eyes, "When are you from?"
"Awhile from now, I don't have long to talk but thank you," Ellie told her as she took Steve's arm.
Ellie led him to the common area, "I need your help to bring Bucky into the future," She said as she stopped in the kitchen.
Steve frowned, "Is that possible?"
"Yes, I know how to now, but I need both of you and he will use your body," Ellie told him looking out to make sure no one was around, "I can't hold it for long either."
"Why do you want to bring him into the future?" Steve asked.
"I want to show him that we are okay," Ellie told him as she looked at Steve, "Grant is old enough to ask questions now and… I just want him to see… our life. That his sacrifice meant something."
Steve frowned, "What year are you from?"
"I'm from December 2022. This is my Christmas gift to Bucky…. So that he knows that we are okay. Things haven't changed and I want Grant to be able to talk to him. My Christmas gift to Grant as well," Ellie told him.
"Have you done it before?" Steve asked.
Ellie sighed as she leaned back on the counter, "Well not exactly in this way, but I brought Natasha back to the past before to leave someone a message, but that was only going a few months into the past. I hope that I can bring him into the future I've never tried to do that at all."
Bucky walked into the apartments, "Hey guys, what are you up to?"
Ellie and Steve looked at him and he walked closer to Ellie.
Bucky placed his hand on her face, "Hi"
"I want to try something, but I need you and Steve to trust me," Ellie told him as she placed her hand on his.
"Of course I trust you," Bucky told her, "What do you need?"
"I need you both to sit on the couch," Ellie told them as she took Bucky's hand and led him towards the couch.
Bucky looked at Steve as he followed them over to the couch, "What are we doing?"
Ellie looked at him as she stood next to the couch, "Do you trust me?"
"Why do you keep asking me that? Of course, I do." Bucky told her as he followed Steve to the couch and sat down.
"This is going to sound weird but I need you to hold hands," Ellie told them.
Bucky looked at their hands as Steve took his hands in his, "What are we doing?"
"Like I said… trust me," Ellie said as she put her hands on each of their heads, "Bucky you have to relax and try to drop your shield."
"I am still not sure how to do that. It's never been a big success when Wanda and I do it," Bucky said as he tried to relax as he closed his eyes.
Suddenly he saw his body sitting in front of him, eyes closed as from Steve's perspective then the next time he opened his eyes, he was in a different room.
Ellie looked at him as she held his hands, "Who am I talking to?"
Bucky bit his lip as he looked over the Ellie in front of him. Her hair was much longer and she was more tired in appearance but she was still as gorgeous as the day he had met her, "Hey Angel."
Ellie smiled, "Although, hearing that come out of my brother's mouth is too weird for me. God, I want to kiss you right now but… no. Not looking like that."
Bucky laughed as he looked around, "So this is the future? God, you are still gorgeous."
Ellie shook her head, "Listen I don't know how long I can hold this… technically we are all asleep back in Wakanda and I am splitting my energy between both my bodies, but its Christmas. I wanted to show you that… we still miss you but… we are okay. I want you to see Grant."
Bucky stood up and she held Steve's hand tighter and he marveled at the flesh hand in front of him.
"We can't let go. If you let go of my hand, I lose connection," Ellie told him as she let him pull her up and into his arms, still maintaining their grip on each other's hands. Ellie let out a shaky breath, "You don't know how long I've been waiting for this."
Bucky kissed her cheek, "I won't try anything more… I promise."
Bucky took in their bedroom, "This looks amazing."
"Thank you, I've worked hard to make it a good home for you… when you come home," Ellie told him, "Come on… I don't know how much longer we have."
She led him out of their bedroom and down the hallway outside their bedroom. Ellie turned to look at him, "Are you ready?"
Bucky nodded.
Ellie knocked on the door, "Grant honey? Can I come in?"
"Yeah mom," Was the answer from inside the room.
Bucky tried to hold back his tears as they walked into the bedroom.
On the bed reading a book was a little boy. He saw them and sat up, "Hey Uncle Stevie."
"Grant honey, we need to talk," Ellie said as she pulled Bucky over to the bed and they sat down.
Bucky just stared at Grant marveling at the mixture of him and Ellie staring back at him.
Grant frowned, "What?"
"You know how mommy has some powers right?" Ellie asked him.
"Yeah," He said as if it was obvious, "You can make things light up and you can charge Uncle Stevie's phone when he forgets to charge it," Grant said with a grin looking at Bucky.
Bucky laughed as he heard Ellie's personality shining through.
"Well Mommy can do something else; I can mentally travel into the past. You know how Hermione had a time turner in Harry Potter?" Ellie asked.
"You can time travel?" Grant asked amazed.
"When I travel, I go into my body in the past and this body stays here asleep. I go back and visit Daddy a lot and keep him updated on how you are doing. But Mommy wanted to do something special for Christmas for you. This isn't Uncle Stevie," Ellie told him as she looked at Bucky, "Back in the past Uncle Stevie is sharing his… body with Daddy so Daddy could come to visit you."
Grant looked at Bucky looking up at him with his big blue eyes, "Daddy?"
Bucky swallowed hard, "Hey Buddy," Bucky said with a smile as he tried not to cry.
Grant launched himself into Bucky's lap and with a little help from Ellie, Bucky hugged him back tight.
"Grant honey, mommy can't hold Daddy here very long, but I wanted you to be able to talk to him," Ellie told him wiping her tears with her other hand that was not holding Buckys.
Grant looked at him with tear-filled blue eyes, "I love you, Daddy, to the ends of the universe and back."
"I love you too Buddy so much. I might not be here but I still love you," Bucky told him as he kissed the top of his son's head.
Grant snuggled into his chest.
"Daddy, what is your favorite food?" Grant asked into his chest.
Bucky laughed, "Hot dogs, why Bud?"
"That is what Mommy tells me but I just wanted to be sure. Did you and Uncle Stevie really spend all your money buying hot dogs and have to travel back in a pig truck?" Grant asked looking up at him.
Bucky smiled as he kissed Grant's forehead, "No, it was a freezer truck. It was the only truck heading back to Brooklyn and your Uncle Steve nearly froze. He was tiny back then."
"Mommy has showed me pictures," Grant said burying his head in Bucky's chest again.
"Grant, I want you to know that I love you and Mommy more than you know. I wouldn't have gone into the battle if I didn't know it was to keep you and Mommy safe," Bucky told him as he rested his head on Grant's and saw a picture of Ellie at the edge of the pool with Steve and Natasha in the pool with Grant, a little girl with strawberry blonde hair that had to be Sarah, then two younger girls next to them with dark blonde hair. What stood out the most were the Rogers blue eyes and his chin.
"Buck… I can't hold this much longer," Ellie told him sadly, "I'm getting tired."
Grant looked up at him, "I love you, Daddy."
"I love you too Buddy, so much," Bucky told him as he kissed the top of his head.
"Grant honey, Mommy is just going to lay down real quick but Uncle Stevie will be back in a second," Ellie told him.
Bucky gasped as he was suddenly back in his own body and Steve sat up from where he was slouched on the couch.
"I'm sorry it couldn't be longer," Ellie told him sadly, "I… I will try again soon maybe."
"No, thank you," Bucky said as he kissed her.
Ellie rested her forehead against his and sighed, "My energy is waning, and I need to check on Grant. I love you."
"I love you more Angel," Bucky told her as he ran his hand over her face, "Just so you know, you are still as beautiful as the day I met you."
A tear slipped down her face as she laid down on his chest, "Hold me until I go."
Bucky pulled her into his arms, "Of course, I'll be waiting for you. Sleep tight, my love."
"Buck?" She whispered.
"Hmm?" He asked as Steve got up and left the room.
"We need to leave tomorrow," Ellie whispered, "We… don't have much time left."
"Ok… we will," Bucky told her, "I promise."
Ellie sighed as she went limp in his arms. Bucky let the tears fall from his eyes as he kissed the top of her head.
a/n3: There it is. Leave me a note to tell me if you liked it.
Now to reviews:
gingin1975: Things are going to become much bleaker. Thank you for reading and reviewing!
puppy24610: Thank you for reading and reviewing. I like Loki but not a huge Loki fan but never know what the future may hold!
a/n3: Preview of Chapter 79- Live to Rise:
"What is it?" Strange asked exasperated.
"Look I know this doesn't seem weird for you but it is for me," Ellie told him as she looked up at him, "I grew up in the 30s where all this…" She said looking around her house, "This was a dream. This wasn't the reality. Even millionaires didn't live like this. Time travel and astral projection? Science Fiction. So give me a bit of a break already damnit."
Strange sighed as his cape flew off his back as he sat down next to her, "I'm sorry. I was in your place once."
Ellie looked at him, "Not an asshole?"