A/n: I only own Ellie; all other characters that you recognize are property of Marvel.
A/n2: So I have been sick. For nearly three weeks now, haven't been thinking straight. Coughing so hard I couldn't sleep and when I finally could sleep, I couldn't stay awake. So I haven't wrote as much as I wanted to. I was hoping last week to post a chapter, that didn't happen. I am in between classes right now so I hope next week I can write more. So I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Thank you to the new followers: somebodywhocares, polaculenswan2627, Wispynauticalphoenix, and Half Winged Angel in Despair. Also 200 reviews! Thank you guys so much!
Glory days
well they'll pass you by
Glory days
in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days
~ Glory Days by Bruce Springsteen
*~*~* April 12, 2018 – West Virginia*~*~*
After a relaxing day in Richmond, Virginia at the Richmond Zoo, they had driven to West Virginia to Blackwater Falls State Park. Ellie pulled the car up to the cabin that was assigned to them and parked it.
"This cabin is cute," Bucky said looking around as he opened the door to a wall of heat, "Holy shit, are we back in Wakanda?"
Ellie laughed, "It's not that warm," Ellie said as she got out of the car, "But it is much warmer than yesterday. Why couldn't Nags Head have been this warm?"
Bucky opened the backdoor, "Might have helped the water be warmer," He told her as he pulled Grant's car carrier out of the car and Grant woke up.
Grant screamed then threw his arms around.
"Whoa, whoa Grant buddy. It's just Daddy," Bucky told him as Ellie walked over.
Ellie frowned as Grant started crying, "What's wrong, Grant?"
"Here take him and I'll go unlock the cabin. He might just be tired still," Bucky said as he handed the carrier over and kissed Grant's head.
He quickly opened the trunk and took the Porta-crib out then went to open the front door.
Ellie followed Bucky inside and looked around as she rocked Grant, "This is a nice little cabin. Reminds me of our cabin."
Bucky kissed the side of her head then started opening up the Porta-crib to set it up, "A bit smaller."
"It has a larger upstairs than we do from what I saw online," Ellie told him as she took Grant out of his carrier, "What's wrong, little man?"
Bucky kissed her again, "I'll go get our bags"
Ellie walked over to the couch and sat down on it, then pulled her shirt up, "Are you hungry?"
Grant whimpered but latched on so she sat back watching him feed.
"It's okay Grant honey, Momma is here and Daddy is here and we will keep you safe. I worry what is going on in that little head of yours sometimes. How much you understand. I cannot wait until you can talk," Ellie said as she ran a finger over his cheek as he sucked away.
Bucky walked back in and set their bags down, shutting the door behind him. He glanced over at them on the couch, "He happy now?"
"A little, but he is whimpering every once in a while. I hope he isn't coming down with something," Ellie said as she looked at him, "Set everything down and sit down with us. I'll figure out dinner in a bit."
"Is there food?" Bucky asked walking over to the kitchen and opening the cabinets, "There is boxed stuff."
"The lady when I called to confirm yesterday said that she was getting some food for the refrigerator," Ellie told him as he opened the refrigerator.
"Eggs, bacon, ground turkey, that was nice of her," Bucky said as he shut the door and came over to sit down next to her.
Ellie moved over to lie her head on his shoulder, "I think he is coming down with something Buck."
"Let's hope not," Bucky said as he put his arm around her.
*~*~* April 13, 2018 – Wakanda*~*~*
Steve looked at his phone and frowned.
"What is wrong?" Natasha said looking over at him as she mixed bottles for Sarah.
"Ellie didn't call me yesterday," Steve told her, "She said she would call me every night."
Natasha laughed, "She is an adult Steve. She and Bucky… not only is this their second honeymoon but… it's a goodbye trip."
Steve sat back and watched the TV "Is it selfish of me to want to spend time with him too though?"
Natasha looked at him, "Steve."
"No… it's stupid," Steve said with a sigh as she came to sit next to him, "I don't want to seem like a whiny brat but… sometimes… they forget about me you know? I know they have their family and they want to spend time together… before it is too late. But I… they are my family too."
"Speak to them," Natasha told him, "You need to talk to them before it's too late."
"No, no… Ellie… Ellie deserves happiness. They said they will come back before the end of the month. Hopefully, nothing happens before then," Steve told her.
*~*~* April 13, 2018 – West Virginia*~*~*
Bucky was woken up to a sneeze in his face.
"Shit, sorry Buck. When I set him on the bed, I didn't think he'd sneeze in your face," Ellie said as she picked Grant up and he started to fuss again, "I don't think our hiking plans are going to happen."
Bucky sat up and lay back against the headboard, "So he is sick?"
"At the very least a cold, but you go out Buck," Ellie said rocking Grant, "Go scout out where we should take Grant tomorrow."
Bucky ran his fingers through his hair, "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, probably better if we know what paths would be easiest to use," Ellie said as she looked down at Grant, "I hope this is just he getting another tooth. Although I don't know if my breasts could take two teeth. I hope they are at least together."
Bucky got out of bed and looked down at Grant, "His gums are red again like they were last time. So hopefully it's just that."
Ellie looked up at him, "Go and enjoy yourself, but shower first… you stink and if you want a chance to see any wildlife… you don't want to scare them off with your stink."
"I don't stink," Bucky said as he lifted his arm and sniffed, "Okay never mind, I'll take a shower."
Ellie laughed, "Go I'll make breakfast before you leave."
*~*~* April 13, 2018 – Wakanda*~*~*
Natasha walked into the living area of their apartment to see Steve sketching on canvas and smiled, "You are doing art."
Steve looked up at her, "Yeah, Ellie got these for me for Christmas. They've sat in the closet so I figured, why not get them out."
Natasha curled her feet under her after sitting on the couch, "What are you painting?"
Steve looked at her, "I was going to paint our living room growing up, but I ran into one problem."
"What is that?" Natasha asked.
"I don't know what the colors were," Steve told her sadly as he looked at the sketch on the canvas, "I couldn't see colors back then so everything was grays, tans and just… drab"
"Paint it as you saw it," Natasha suggested.
Steve looked at her with a smirk, "How about I paint something more… interesting?"
"Oooh, Steven Rogers do you do risqué artwork that I don't know about?" Natasha teased.
"Well we did have to do nudes in art class, but that's not what I was meaning," Steve said as he walked over to her, "There is something that I've been wanting to try but… haven't yet."
"What is that?" Natasha asked interested.
Steve took the paintbrush from the jar of paint and smeared it on her cheek, "Pop art."
"And what exactly does this… pop art entail?" Natasha asked.
"Me… painting you… as if you were my canvas," Steve told her as he kissed her.
"Mmm… the bedroom now," Natasha told him.
"Hell yes," Steve said grabbing all his paints.
*~*~* April 13, 2018 – West Virginia*~*~*
Walking through the brush and trees, Bucky followed a few other people as they came to a clearing. The people he had been following went to the left but Bucky noticed a small pathway to the right, so he took it.
The path took him out on to rocks that looked out onto the mountains and valley all around him. With a smile, he sat down to take in the sights.
"Beautiful isn't it?"
Bucky looked back and had to double-take, "My goodness… you look so much like your mother when she was younger I couldn't believe it."
She smiled as she sat down next to him, "Hi Dad."
"Am I talking to Kasie?" Bucky asked.
"Yes, I'm the only one that can travel," Kasie told him.
Bucky stared at her for a moment, "How old are you?"
"16 years old, Mom would kill me if she knew I came here but… in your future, my past. You and Mom brought us here. But, it was in the Fall," Kasie explained as she looked at the scenery in front of her, "So I was looking through pictures and I thought I would come to visit you… before it happens."
Bucky sighed, "How long do I have?"
Kasie sighed as she looked at him sadly, "15 days."
"Shit," Bucky said as he groaned then looked at her, "How much do I miss?"
"You can't tell this to anyone Dad… even Mom," Kasie told him as she bit her lip, "2023."
"Fuck," Bucky said as tears came to his eyes, "I missed so much of your lives."
"But you are here now Dad. It wasn't your fault. Without you, so many more people would have died that day but they didn't. People came back with Mom and Uncle Steve and all the Avengers help," Kasie told him looking over at him as she turned her body towards him, "But I do need you to do something."
"What?" Bucky asked.
"Call Uncle Steve," Kasie told him sadly, "He… he held it in for most of the time you were gone but… he missed you."
Bucky frowned, "Steve? We talk to him every night."
"Tonight try video calling him. Uncle Steve used to talk about you and Mom going into your little happy bubble and how no one else existed when you were in it. You two don't even realize you do it. Now that we are older, I've seen it myself. It's kind of sickening," Kasie told him, "I better get back home. I am supposed to be babysitting tonight, and I need the money to buy my new tablet."
Bucky laughed, "And you don't have one?"
"Of course I have one, a Stark Tech one, but… Aunt Shuri makes the best ones," Kasie told him, "But Mom told me that I had to pay her for it."
"I agree, you shouldn't just ask her for one," Bucky told her.
Kasie frowned, "God you sound like Mom."
"Because your Mom is very smart," Bucky told her with a smile.
Kasie rolled her eyes then gave him a small smile, "You need to get back to Mom and I need to get back to… my version of Mom. Give her a hug for me?"
"I will honey," Bucky said as he pulled her into a hug.
"I love you, Daddy," Kasie whispered.
"I love you too, now go before Mom gets suspicious," Bucky told her as he let her go.
"Mom being suspicious? Never," Kasie said as she stood up with a smile, "God I wish I could see Mom and Grant. Grant being tiny."
Bucky looked at her, "How tall is your brother?"
"Well last I knew he was six foot three inches tall but I think he has grown because Mom tells him she needs him to go get new jeans and he hates shopping with Mom," Kasie told him with a laugh, "Anyways love you, Daddy."
"Love you too," Bucky said as she disappeared.
*~*~* April 13, 2018 – Wakanda*~*~*
Wanda stood in the kitchen of the common area just short of midnight and started making herself a cup of tea.
A noise behind her made her quickly turn to see a figure standing behind her in the darkness. It stepped forward so she could see them in the limited light.
She grabbed her chest, "Vis, you scared me. What are you doing here?"
Before her eyes, he turned to his human form that he had been working on perfecting.
Wanda walked over to him, "You look wonderful"
He pulled her into his arms, "Come with me"
"Where?" She asked staring up at him.
"Edinburgh, Scotland," Vision told her as he pushed a piece of hair behind her ear, "I have reserved a place for us, one of those… AirBNBs, for the next two weeks."
Wanda smiled, "Let me get my bag."
*~*~* April 14, 2018 – West Virginia*~*~*
"Be careful not to track too much mud in," Ellie told Bucky as she took her shoes off at the door to the cabin.
"What do you want for lunch?" Bucky asked.
"Just sandwiches would be fine with me," Ellie said rubbing her stomach, "I don't think my stomach could take much else"
Bucky glanced at her, "Go lay down, I'll make something."
"No, I think I am going to use the bathroom," Ellie said as she took Grant out of the carrier and set him on the carpet.
"Let me know if you need me," Bucky told her.
Ellie looked back at him as she walked into the bathroom, "Why are you going to help me wipe? I'm not that old."
Bucky went to putting sandwiches together and finding chips. When he heard Ellie swear in the bathroom.
Bucky walked over to the bathroom, "What's wrong?"
Ellie opened the door, "I need to go to the store."
"We can after dinner," Bucky told her.
"No, I need to go now so I can purchase some things. Shit… Pads have to have changed since 1987," Ellie told him as she shut the door.
"Oooh, do you want me to go?" Bucky asked, "I will go get the stuff for you."
Ellie came out of the bathroom, "No, I can go."
Bucky took her arms in his hands, "No, you stay here; I'll go get some… supplies. Can't be too hard," He told her as he pushed a piece of hair behind her ear, "I used to go to the pharmacy to get them for you before."
Ellie smiled at him, "You are too good for me."
Bucky kissed her forehead, "No, it's just what a husband should do for his wife. I'll call you if I need help," Bucky said as he grabbed the car keys.
"Are you sure?" Ellie asked.
Bucky looked back at her as he went to go out the door, "I've been driving with you, is my driving that bad?"
"No, but do you know where to go?" Ellie asked.
"There was a market as we were driving in," Bucky said as he shut the door.
Ellie looked over at Grant, who had curled up on the floor with his little butt in the air, "Okay Grant, I won't argue. Let's go lay down in the bedroom until Daddy gets back."
Ellie picked Grant up who protested then grabbed onto her shirt, "I know, little man."
She walked into the bedroom and laid him down into his Porta Crib.
Opening up their suitcase, she found an outfit to change into. After quickly changing, she climbed into bed turning on the TV.
Bucky walked back into the cabin with a bag in his hand, "El?"
"In the bedroom," He heard her mumble.
Bucky walked back to the bedroom to see her cocooned up in the covers and smiled, "Warm enough?"
"Getting there. After I got my feet wet, I just couldn't warm up" Ellie said as Bucky sat next to her on the bed.
"So I found the basic pads now. There was this little older lady and she was calling me a young man… she was probably in her late 60s and was raving about how young men should be more like me," Bucky told her, "I didn't have the heart to tell her I was nearly 40 years older than her."
Ellie snorted as she took the package, "Thank you," Ellie said as she untangled herself from the sheets, "Thank goodness there isn't a belt anymore. I hated that thing."
Bucky waited for her to come back out of the bathroom then stood up, "I think I am going to shower. I did get a little sweaty on that hike."
Ellie curled back up in bed, "I'll be here."
"Open up the bag, there is a surprise," Bucky told her as he pulled an outfit out of their suitcase.
Ellie looked into the bag, "Reese Cups… god, I love you," She said as she unwrapped the first Reece cup and put it into her mouth and moaned.
"I'll be showering now," Bucky said as he went into the bathroom, "A very cold one," Bucky said as Ellie moaned again after stuffing another into her mouth.
Bucky walked out of the bathroom toweling his hair off to see Ellie sitting up against the bed watching a movie on the TV, "Find something good?"
She looked at him with sparkling blue eyes.
"Hey baby," Bucky said as he got in bed next to her.
Ellie curled into his side, "Hi," She breathed out.
Bucky frowned, "Are you okay?"
"As I can be," Ellie said sadly, "We don't have long left Buck."
Bucky sighed, "When are you coming from?"
"May 25th, 2023," Ellie told him sadly, "I'm in Hawaii… we were going to have our wedding here. I had to push it back by the way. So you have another year to get ready. So you better make the wait worth it."
Bucky thought about Kasie and her sister, "Well… another year, Grant will be old enough to be my best man, I'll have to bump Steve down a notch."
Ellie laughed then sighed, "He is five and a half Buck. He… he comes up to my chest. Where he is getting his height from is beyond me. I guess that is what happens when you eat well from the time you are an infant and don't have to scrimp and save to get by. At least we were able to provide better than our parents were."
Bucky kissed the top of her head, "Our parents did their best and you are doing your best, which is all we could ask for."
Ellie looked up at him, "I'm only where I am because of you Buck."
Bucky pulled her close again, "Everything will work out Angel, believe me… trust me. Don't lose faith. I'll be back with you soon."
"It's hard not to lose faith," Ellie mumbled into his chest.
"I'll be back before our next anniversary and we will have that grand Hawaiian wedding you were planning," Bucky told her, "That way I can say I've been out west."
Ellie chuckled, "You've been here with us, this entire time Buck. I don't do it in front of Steve that is, but I swear that I feel you. I tend to talk to you and I know that Grant does. He talks to your picture. It is like you are here we just can't see you. No, before you say it, not a ghost. Not a haunting feeling," Ellie said interrupting him, "I don't know how to explain it. I've felt it stronger since the accident. It's almost like I was close to the other side so I feel… the other side stronger I guess."
Bucky bit his lip, "Do you think it's a new power?"
"No, yes… I don't know Buck but… I've tried to figure it out. You know, going to cemeteries thinking I'd feel spirits there… all I feel is you," Ellie told him, "Maybe it's just… mental, and I'm hoping I feel you and I don't actually."
"Well if I was stuck on this world as a ghost or spirit or whatever it might be, there would be nowhere else I would rather be," Bucky said as he kissed her.
"But I don't want you to choose to be here Buck, I am hoping it's just my mind playing tricks on me," Ellie told him, "I've never found evidence that it is you and I hope I don't. I want you here with me physically."
"And I will be," Bucky told her as he tried not to cry resting his chin on top of her head, "I will be."
*~*~* April 16, 2018 – Maryland*~*~*
Ellie stood at the ocean edge thinking about the sermon they heard yesterday at the church they attended.
Ellie smiled at Grant, who was awake and playing with Bucky's hands.
"I'm going to go take him to check his diaper. I think he left us the wrong kind of gift," Bucky said as he quickly kissed her then got up.
Ellie settled back into the pew listening to the Priest's words.
The priest stopped and looked out at the congregation, "Here a saying of Saint Paul can help us: "One believes with the heart" (Rom 10:10). In the Bible, the heart is the core of the human person, where all his or her different dimensions intersect: body and spirit, interiority and openness to the world and others, intellect, will, and affectivity. If the heart is capable of holding all these dimensions together, it is because it is where we become open to truth and love, where we let them touch us and deeply transform us. Faith transforms the whole person precisely to the extent that he or she becomes open to love. Through this blending of faith and love, we come to see the kind of knowledge in which faith entails its power to convince and its ability to illumine our steps. Faith knows because it is tied to love because love itself brings enlightenment. Faith's understanding is born when we receive the immense love of God which transforms us inwardly and enables us to see reality with new eyes."
Ellie swallowed hard then sighed as she sat in the sand then closed her eyes listening to the waves crash around her.
"I am truly impressed by the way"
Ellie looked over at the astral form next to her, "I'll take that as a compliment"
Strange nodded, "It is and I don't give many of them. Your skillset is what took me months to do."
"But let me guess, it's still not enough," Ellie stated.
"No, but we are always learning. You know what you will need to know. That is what matters. I didn't," Strange said as he shook his head, "I didn't mean to train you as a supreme sorcerer like me. Just a master of the mystic arts and you are there. When you need to use them, you will be able to."
Ellie glanced over at him, "But you will be there to train me after the threat right?"
Strange looked at her, "My future… is spotty after this month. Some futures, I survive. Some, I don't. It is ever-changing."
Ellie sighed, "The world will end after this month… won't it?"
"As we know it, yes," Strange told her.
Ellie walked back into their hotel room and took her shoes off. Bucky sat up in the bed, "Hey," She said.
"Where were you?" Bucky asked sitting up.
"Just went down to the beach to think," Ellie told him as she took off her hoodie to leave herself in the t-shirt she had underneath.
Bucky pulled Grant out of the Porta-crib and sat back on the bed, "Did it help?"
Ellie climbed back into bed next to him, "Did what help?"
"The quiet peaceful time to yourself?" Bucky asked as he held Grant up and Grant planted his feet into the bed.
"It did," Ellie said as Grant started bopping his knees as if he was jumping and she laughed, "Are you trying to jump little man?"
"Now Bud, this is the only time we will let you jump on the bed. Bouncy, bouncy, bouncy," Bucky said with a smile as he gazed at his son.
*~*~* April 17, 2018 – Maryland*~*~*
"Why is it that whenever we go to the beach, it turns cold?" Ellie shivered as she put her hoodie back on.
Bucky laughed, "Sure seems that way doesn't it."
"Yeah," Ellie said as she turned the TV on, "Let's see if we can get lucky and a good movie is on."
Bucky walked over to the kitchenette, "What do you want for lunch?"
"Macaroni and Cheese sounds amazing," Ellie told him as she pulled her feet under her to keep them warm then looked down on the blanket where Grant was playing with his toys, "Wait where is-"
"Bud, you just about pulled my pants down!" Bucky exclaimed with a laugh as Grant laughed when he picked him up, "Well babe, I think we officially have a crawler"
"With how fast he got over there, I would say so," Ellie said as she got on the floor and Bucky set Grant down, "Come to Mommy, Grant"
Grant crawled faster than Ellie thought should be possible to her and she put him in her lap.
"Shit, we have to watch everything now," Ellie told him.
Bucky nodded, "What did Pepper say about the baby proofer people?"
"Shit," Ellie said with a sigh, "Probably should take her up on that offer. I don't know the first thing about it"
Bucky threw her cell phone to her and she caught it. Bringing up Pepper's phone number, she put the phone to her ear as she set Grant down for him to crawl over to Bucky who was preheating water.
"Hello?"
"Hi Pepper, this is Ellie Barnes," Ellie told her watching Grant.
"Hi Ellie, how are you?" Pepper asked.
"Good. How are you and Tony?" Ellie asked.
"Full swing in wedding preparations honestly I feel like I will lose it before the wedding happens," Pepper told her.
"If you need help let me know. Bucky and I are going to have our big renewal ceremony on our 80th anniversary so if you want help, I'll be glad to assist you," Ellie told her, "I need to start looking into stuff."
"Wow, 80th? That sounds so weird" Pepper said with a laugh.
"Exactly, doesn't help that we were asleep through most of it," Ellie joked, "Anyways the reason I am calling. We have a crawler."
"Grant started to crawl?" Pepper asked surprised.
"Well he was scooting for a few weeks now but now he is crawling so fast we didn't realize he was doing it," Ellie told her watching Grant chase Bucky around, "Not that we are going to be ready to move into the house anytime soon but-"
"Oh! The baby proofers!" Pepper said, "Hold on."
Ellie watched as Bucky held Grant up so he was standing on the floor and smiled as Grant bounced his legs again, 'I hope you remember some of this Grant, even if it's a fleeting memory. Your Daddy loves you so much,' Ellie thought.
"I'm back, I found the number of the service and I will set up an appointment. Do you want me to tell them to do the whole house?" Pepper asked.
"Just stick with the master bedroom floor and the basement and kitchen floors. The top floor isn't… isn't necessary right now. He won't be up there much" Ellie told her, "I am not sure how much is even done on the house right now. The contractor said it probably wouldn't be finished until July."
"I am heading that way later this week. I'll look into it and see what they can do. The best floral company in the area is up near there," Pepper told her, "I have another call so I have to let you go but I will let you know what they say."
"Thank you, Pepper," Ellie said as she hung up.
Bucky came over and sat next to her with Grant on his lap, "So she knows who can do it?"
"Yep, she is. She is planning the wedding and she has to go up near our house so she said she would call them and set up a time," Ellie told him as she grabbed the remote and started flipping through the channels, "How much longer until it's done?"
"About three minutes," Bucky told her, "Wait! Go back."
"What?" Ellie asked as she went back one channel, "Holy crap."
"So not only does Steve have another superhero that is a doppelganger but an actor too," Bucky stated, "Who is that?"
Ellie hit the info button on the remote, "The movie is called Gifted. Frank Adler (Chris Evans) is a single man raising a child prodigy - his spirited young niece Mary (McKenna Grace) - in a coastal town in Florida. Frank's plans for a normal school life for Mary are foiled when the 7-year-old's mathematical abilities come to the attention of Frank's formidable mother, Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan), whose plans for her granddaughter threaten to separate Frank and Mary."
"So his name is Chris Evans… why does that name sound so familiar?" Bucky asked.
Ellie shrugged, "I don't think we've watched anything with him in it before have we?"
"No, I know what it is. You mention him in the future. The life story of me and Steve… he plays Steve," Bucky told her.
"Well, I can see why there is an eerie similarity to him and Steve," Ellie told him as Bucky got up to check on their pasta and set Grant on the floor.
Ellie got up off the couch, "Here sweetheart, let's get some of your toys out."
She pulled out his piano gym and set it up. Grant quickly crawled over to it and started batting at the things that were hanging from it.
She sat back down as Bucky brought her a bowl of macaroni and cheese, "Thank you."
Bucky sat back eating as he watched the screen, "The guy even has a beard as Steve does now. It's just… weird."
Ellie pulled out her phone and sent a message to Natasha, "Hopefully they aren't asleep yet."
*~*~* April 17, 2018 – Wakanda*~*~*
Natasha yawned and reached for her phone as it went off.
Steve rolled onto his back as she reached for her phone, "Who is it?"
"Like I know, I haven't seen it yet," Natasha said as she looked at it, "its Ellie."
"Ellie?" Steve asked confused.
"Look up Chris Evans, you will thank me for it," Natasha read.
"Who is Chris Evans?" Steve asked as she typed something on her phone.
Natasha grinned looking at him, "The man of my dreams."
Steve frowned, "What?"
Natasha showed him, "This is Chris Evans."
"Shit," Steve said as he took her phone, "Wow."
"It is kind of bizarre how we all have someone in this world that looks like us," Natasha told him.
"As Bucky says 'It's a Small World After All,' Steve said pulling her close.
"Of course he would, him and his Disney obsession," Natasha said throwing her phone to the floor and snuggling into his side.
"It all started with Snow White all those years ago," Steve said kissing the top of her head.
"Someday my prince will come… is that you?" Natasha asked looking up at him.
"Nah, did you know that Bucky is now considered a Prince? By marriage, Ellie is a Princess of Wakanda," Steve told her.
"Shit" Natasha mumbled with a grin in his chest, "I should have stayed hooked up with Bucky."
"What! I'll show you," Steve said as he flipped her on her back and she laughed.
*~*~* April 19, 2018 – Pennsylvania*~*~*
After a day traveling from Maryland, through Delaware and stopping at the Brandywine Zoo, they had decided to skip New Jersey at Bucky's insistence, "Why would we go into that horrible state on purpose?"
They decided to stop in Philadelphia to see the Liberty Bell, and Ellie also had planned a surprise for Bucky.
"Where are we going?" Bucky asked as she signaled to get off at an exit barely a mile after they had gotten on the highway from the Liberty Bell.
Ellie smiled at him, "You will see," She told him as she looked over her shoulder and merged into the lane that she needed to be in.
"International airport? Are we flying somewhere?" Bucky asked.
"Nope," Ellie said as they drove a little further.
"Wait… sports complex? Are we going to a sports complex?" Bucky asked.
"I don't know are we?" Ellie asked with a grin as she made a right-hand turn as the directions had said.
They started driving past ball fields with little league games going on.
"You are taking me to a baseball game? How did you even know that these kids were playing?" Bucky asked.
"We aren't going to their baseball game," Ellie told him shaking her head.
Bucky looked at a sign as they crossed an intersection, "Walt Whitman Bridge?"
"We are going bungee jumping Bucky off the Walt Whitman Bridge," Ellie told him sarcastically.
"Seriously?" Bucky asked surprised.
"No," Ellie said laughing as she turned the opposite direction, "You think I'd do that?"
"Never know," Bucky said as Ellie slowed down and got into a lineup of cars, "Wait… is that a baseball stadium?"
Ellie looked over at him, "It's not the Dodgers, but its Phillies versus Pittsburgh… what do you think?"
Bucky grinned, "I love you. God Steve will be so jealous."
"Oh, I have that handled too," Ellie told him as she pulled into the parking lot and paid the attendant.
Bucky stood at the top of the stands taking in the field below him.
"Looks a little diff-" Ellie said as he kissed her, "Mmm so you like this?"
"God El, this is amazing," Bucky said as they found their seats.
"I made sure that there was no one around us when I asked for these seats. I told the lady I didn't want to worry about Grant bothering anyone but the truth is," Ellie said as she called Steve on her Kimoyo Beads.
"Hey sis, what's up?" Steve asked.
"I have a surprise," Ellie told him as she took the Kimoyo bead and set it on the seat then moved her hand up.
"Whoa, you guys are at a baseball game?!" Steve asked his image projected onto the seat.
"Steve man, things have changed so much since our last game. Look they have backs to the seats now! All over the stadium! Not just the expensive seats," Bucky said excitedly.
Ellie walked down the steps and came to their row to hear Bucky and Steve chatting about something that had happened while she was taking Grant to change him.
"Can you believe they missed that?!" Bucky asked as Ellie sat down.
"I bought you some hot dogs," Ellie told him holding them out to him.
"Thanks, want one…" Bucky trailed off as he laughed and Steve laughed back in Wakanda, "Shit Steve, it's like you are right here."
"It's like I am not even here again," Ellie said.
Steve snorted, "Please, it was always like I wasn't there when you two are together. Still is"
Ellie looked over at him, "That's not true."
"Yes, it is," Steve told her as he shrugged, "That's okay."
"Steve, when all this is over. We will go as a family to a lot of stuff," Ellie told him as the wind blew again, "Shit, it's cold. We should have bought heavier jackets."
Steve grinned at them as he saw Bucky pull his coat closer as well, "Oh, it's cold? It's a balmy 75* here."
"You suck," Bucky said as Steve laughed, "I'd push you over if I was there."
"But you…ah!" Steve said as he felt out of shot and Natasha's face appeared out of thin air.
"You are welcome," Natasha said with a grin.
"Thank you, Nat," Bucky said as he laughed.
*~*~* April 20, 2018 – Hershey, Pennsylvania*~*~*
Bucky drove past the ZooAmerica, "Look they even have a zoo."
"Whoa, this is a bigger amusement park than I thought it would be," Ellie told him as they pulled onto the road for it.
"What the… shit, it's closed!" Bucky exclaimed seeing the closed off gates.
"It is still early Spring Buck," Ellie told him, "Let's just go back to the zoo. I am sure it's open. Then we can go relax at the hotel. I heard they had a ton of chocolate there. You can never go wrong with chocolate. The museum also has a chocolate tour."
"Yeah," Bucky said disappointed, "I just really wanted to go to the amusement park."
"Next time," Ellie promised, squeezing his hand.
*~*~* April 20, 2018 – Wakanda*~*~*
Natasha looked down at Sarah as she fed her as Steve came into their apartment, "Can you believe she is 8 weeks old?"
"No, wasn't she just born?" Steve asked as he sat down next to them.
"Sure feels that way doesn't it," Natasha said as she checked the bottle then put it back to Sarah's mouth again.
Steve looked pensive and Natasha looked over at him, "What's wrong?" She asked.
"I just wonder where Wanda went," Steve said.
Natasha laughed, "Somewhere with Vision probably. She usually tells me that she needs some time to herself before she disappears though."
Steve sighed, "With everything possibly happening soon... I just wish we knew where she was."
"She is an adult Steve. Nothing about what may be coming is guaranteed. We know what Ellie said we were okay. Bucky has never mentioned anyone else," Natasha said sadly
Steve closed his eyes dejected, "Bucky has never mentioned anyone else has he?"
"No, but that doesn't mean they are gone. Ellie is back living in New York after the disaster. Sam, Wanda... They might go back home or stay in Wakanda. I think Sam is seeing someone here," Natasha told him.
Steve laughed, "I think you are right. He has been coming back late sometimes."
"He had a bite mark on his neck the other day," Natasha told him with a smirk, "Then he wore that tall turtleneck shirt to cover it."
Steve sat back on the couch thinking for a moment, "I wonder who she is."
"Probably one of the girls from the village," Natasha told him as Sarah finished her bottle, "Take her for me. I am going to go make dinner."
Steve took Sarah who stared up at him with wide-eyes, "Um… what are you making?"
Natasha slowly turned around, "Why?"
"No reason, just wondering," Steve said.
"For that, I am making fish," Natasha told him.
Steve groaned, "Nat I wasn't saying that I didn't like whatever you were making, I was just wondering. Right, Sarah?"
"Bringing our daughter into this" Natasha mumbled, "So low Steve."
"Shit, I can't win," Steve said shaking his head.
*~*~* April 20, 2018 – Pennsylvania*~*~*
Bucky pulled the car up to the carport of the Hotel Hershey.
A man walked over to Bucky's door, "Check in sir?"
"Yes sir," Bucky said.
"Feel free to leave your vehicle here to go and check-in. I am Bernard," He introduced.
"Thank you, sir," Bucky said as he got out and opened the backdoor to get Grant out.
A man held out his hand for Ellie as she stepped down from the car, "Thank you, sir."
He handed her two chocolate bars, "We hope that your stay is a sweet one ma'am."
"Thank you," Ellie said as she looked at Bucky impressed.
Bucky took her hand and after locking the car they walked inside.
"Wow," Ellie said looking around, "This reminds me of Disneyland Paris."
Bucky led her to the check-in desk and set Grant's carrier down, "Barnes family checking in."
"Welcome to Hotel Hershey. May I have your first name please?" He asked.
"James," Bucky told him.
"Reservation for two adults, one infant in our King Suite for one night" He stated, "Your room is ready and when you are ready we can take you up to your room. Just sign here."
Bucky took the paper and signed it.
"Here are your keys, feel free to take a cart and load up your luggage. We can park your car or you can, it is your choice," He told them.
"Thank you," Bucky said as he looked at Ellie, "I can go park the car and you can go up to the room with Grant. Then I'll bring the luggage up"
Ellie nodded as she looked down at Grant, "He does need to be changed"
"Ma'am I can take your luggage up for you," A teenager named Mark, according to his badge, said.
Ellie looked at Bucky, who looked at Mark, "Sure, thank you" Bucky said.
Ellie picked up Grant and followed Bucky to the car. Mark came out with a luggage cart and helped Bucky load their luggage into it.
After pushing the cart to the elevator, Ellie rode up with Grant, Mark and the luggage cart when Mark turned to her.
"Ma'am, I have to admit something," Mark said sheepishly.
Ellie looked at him, "Yes?"
"You are Captain America's sister aren't you? Your husband is Bucky Barnes too," Mark told her, "I promise not to tell anyone I just… I think it's so cool."
"Oh, well thank you I guess. I've never really had someone recognize me before," Ellie told him.
"I just have to say, you are beautiful ma'am," Mark told her as the elevator stopped on the correct floor, "Mr. Barnes is a lucky man."
Ellie stepped back and let him push the cart out, "I am a lucky woman as well."
Braiding her hair after coming back from her spa appointment that Bucky had booked for her, she called Steve as Bucky showered.
"Well good morning, well good evening there," Steve answered.
"Hey Steve," Ellie said with a yawn, "I thought I'd call you before we went to bed."
"Where are you guys at right now?" Steve asked.
"Pennsylvania for the day, we came here to Hershey. It is amazing here," Ellie told him as she lay back on the bed, "I had a chocolate facial, chocolate massage, and this amazing spa shower… I think I might have fallen asleep during it. What have you been up to?"
"Not getting massaged," Steve said.
"Aww, Stevie you sound bitter" Ellie said with a grin, "I'll treat you a massage for your birthday, how about that?"
"Or I can give him a massage anytime," Natasha said, "Hey Ellie."
"Hi Nat, how are you?" Ellie asked as Bucky came back out of the shower.
"Not bad. Just… surviving," Natasha told her as Bucky came up behind Ellie and put his arms around her, "Any word on… well, the future?"
"No, nothing either way. No news is good news right?" Ellie asked as Bucky started kissing her neck.
Bucky grinned against her neck, "Mmm chocolate, your shower missed a spot," Bucky mumbled against her skin causing her to get goosebumps.
"Are you fucking kidding me right now?" Steve asked, "Bucky give my sister a break!"
Ellie laughed as Bucky stared at the phone.
"Damnit Steve, can't you turn your super hearing off for one fucking second?" Bucky asked.
"Not when you are trying to get the hanky panky on with my sister while I am on the phone with her, rude. Just rude," Steve said as Natasha and Ellie laughed.
"What you don't know is, I've made love to her while she is talking to you before," Bucky told him.
"Bucky!" Ellie said shocked, "We have not!"
"Close enough," Bucky said as he kissed her.
"Mmm Steve… I have to go," Ellie said as she pulled back breathless.
"Damnit Bucky," Steve said as Bucky hit the end button.
"Sorry I couldn't help myself," Bucky said pushing her onto her back causing her to giggle.
a/n3: There is it. Hope you enjoyed it! Now to the reviews:
Tucketjnp1: Thank you for your continued support and reading!
Gingin1975: Thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed this one!
Here is your preview of Chapter 81- Smile:
"Hello"
Kasie gasped and looked at Ellie wide eyed, "Hi."
"Hi," Ellie said looking at Bucky.
"This young girl here isn't a huge fan of Tony and I was trying to convince her that yes despite everything that has gone down. We are friends with he and Pepper," Bucky said looking at Kasie.
Ellie looked at her suspiciously, "Yeah we are close to Tony."
