Hi! Thanks so much for reading and sticking with my story Disclaimer applies, don't own anything. As always, not a Doctor but tried my best x

Chapter 16: Flying Elephants

'So, what did Andi tell you to say?' Bucky double takes at the woman sat beside him. He sits low in his chair, as if it may camouflage him a little. However, looking around at the white walls and fresh flowers on the desk, he know he sticks out beyond the pastel background. He looks down at himself, practically wearing all black and cussing his choices.

He remembers Amelia asked him a question, 'oh, right, she said, pay for lunch.' Amelia chuckles, nodding kindly. She looks about the waiting area, feeling more relaxed than last time she was here and trying not to focus on Steve's absence.

She notices Bucky's jumping knee and asks, 'you ok? If you want to wait here or outside, I don't mind, honest.' Bucky sits up quickly, 'no, I'm committed, let's get this done.' He winces immediately at his wording, 'sorry, it's not work. I'm happy to be here.' He offers an awkward grin and Amelia laughs, 'well, don't lie.' Bucky shrugs, sinking low again.

He eyes the waiting room, some people are alone, some with partners. He looks at Amelia and pictures her here alone, he feels a protective streak prevailing, thinking back to Steve pleading with Stark to send another. Eyeing her, he knows she doesn't need Steve, she's strong. 'What did you two decide about the uh… gender thing?' Amelia sighs, looking down at her hands, 'we didn't, I don't know what to do, hopefully in the moment I'll just know what to do. Maybe if he wants to know, I should just find out.' Bucky waves his hand, 'pfttt, if that punk can't be here, he doesn't deserve to know.' Amelia appreciates his joke, 'I know he didn't want to go, he tried his best, but I can't help this feeling that there is more to it.'

Bucky pinches his brow, trying to act disinterested, shuffling, lifting a leg and cradling his ankle 'such as?' Amelia squirms a little, looking around, leaning over to him dramatically 'this guy at work, he had this story, about a rift at the tower, government level involvement. I tried to stop it from running. I ran it past Steve, he just said there was some heat, but nothing out of the ordinary. He's mentioned this "heat" twice now.' Bucky watches her concerned features 'and he said it came from inside the tower, a source from Stark's place.' Bucky wonders why Steve hasn't mentioned this. 'I know that Steve thinks I worry, I invent stories, dramatise. But I've worked in the news business for over ten years and rumours that reach the daily news, tend to take flight.' Bucky listens carefully to her, nodding slowly. He finds himself thinking who might share something like that and why?

'Either way, I don't feel good about it.' Bucky questions, 'you're a pretty big gun, aren't you? And you couldn't get it pulled?' He reaches for a magazine on the next chair, pretending to flick through. Amelia shakes her head, wiping her brow, 'I'm an associate producer. He's really good, I mean really good. My entire department is wrapped around his finger, I'm up against it this time, trust me I'm no big gun, he certainly sees me as a little gun, one that he intends to kick aside.' Bucky chucks the magazine onto a coffee table, poising his hands, looking her sternly in the eye 'who is good, Amelia?' She looks at him in shock, unwittingly having dropped herself in it. She sighs loudly, muttering, 'shit.' Bucky tilts his chin, trying to encourage her with the details, 'this new guy at work, he's… I don't know. There's just something going on. Something isn't right. Everything out of his mouth is so damn passive that I have nothing concrete on him, take this story thing, he's only doing his job, I guess…' Bucky looks concerned and Amelia gently touches his knee, 'it's not like that! Chill out.' Bucky stares down at her small hand against his black jean clad leg. He refocuses on her, 'if you are in trouble…' Amelia laughs, 'Bucky, we are at an OBGYN office, please tone down the Pulp Fiction act.' Bucky takes her advice, sitting back and smiling a little, 'I've actually seen that one, we could get a burger after this, if you fancy it?' She giggles at him and checks her phone. Messages from Andi and Steve. She skips the good luck one from her sister and zeroes in on Steve's message.

I love you. Good luck. I'm sorry again.

Amelia stares at it. It makes her feel warm for a moment and then the chill of disappointment sweeps across her. She looks to Bucky, he's watching a TV in the corner and she wonders aloud, 'am I too hard on him?' Bucky looks at her, realising who she means, 'he needs it, trust me. Do you know how many times I told him to give up on enrolment, that it was illegal, that he'd get thrown in jail. Nothing could stop him. Stubborn ass.'

Amelia feels her stomach drop, Bucky didn't mean it, but he just confirmed her worse fears, whatever she says it won't make any difference.

Amelia forces a smile, looking over at her friend, 'you're around a lot.' Bucky nods distantly, leaning in and confessing, 'I like it that way, but don't tell anyone.' Amelia toys with her sleeve, considering if that means Steve doesn't.

Bucky's phone buzzes and he wriggles it free from his jean pocket. 'Ah, trouble's calling.' Amelia peers over and catches the name on the screen. Bucky answers 'hello?' Amelia smirks as he closes his eyes, rubbing his brow. 'Yes, we are here now. Yes, I'm being nice. Yes, and understanding, she's fine. She's here, you wanna speak to her? Ok, so why did you call? … Just to check up on me, we are fine, thank you! Look, I gotta go, someone's shaking their head at me, I'm in trouble now. Bye.' He hangs up and Amelia stifles a laugh, 'I can guess who that was.' Bucky just sighs, 'oh, it was Fury, he sends his best.' She laughs loudly and they are both surprised when someone calls her name.

'Miss Miller?' She hears the words and waves at the nurse politely, looking back to Bucky, 'sure you're coming in?' He nods, shoving his hands in his pockets, 'lead the way,' he says, hiding his uncertainty.

Bucky looks around the room, a seat that makes him think of torture in the centre. All he can see is stirrups and restraints, it's making him even more uncomfortable. He spots the flying elephants on the ceiling. He slowly looks to his side, seeing an anatomical model, a plastic woman's pelvis, complete with crowning infant. Looking away quickly, he spies another set of womb cross section figures, each with a bigger and bigger foetus. He creeps over and bends, looking at the statues. He spots the sixteen week-er and peers at it at eye level for interrogation. He reaches out a gentle finger and pokes the plastic foetus, suddenly it jars and falls to he floor, the super soldier grabbing it at the last moment. He fumbles with it, trying to shove it back into the womb, head first, upside down, legs first, back to front. He's confused. He looks at the others and can see how they fit and wonders why this one doesn't.

'Amelia… oh, hello. I'm Dr Kareen.' Bucky looks up from his position, still cradling the plastic baby. 'Ah, she's just changing. I'm… this fell out.' He produces the small figure in his palm and the doctor smiles, walking across and gently accepting and replacing it. 'Yes, they are very popular with our younger visitors.' Bucky cringes, knowing he's not in that category. 'And you are?' Bucky begins to sit, but stands back up and panics, 'I'm… James. Just James.' She smiles at him, 'is this your first scan, Just James?' He laughs a little, 'how did you guess?' She chuckles, 'you look pale, it's normally the people in your seat that need fanning, not the one in this.'

Bucky nods anxiously, 'I'm a friend.'

Amelia opens the door, reappearing in her hospital gown and dumping her clothes beside Bucky. He shuffles away, suddenly regretting ever offering this. Amelia hides her underwear in her jean pocket and looks over, 'you ok?' He shakes himself, annoyed that she's looking after him. 'Fine,' he exhales and calms a little. 'James had some trouble with our sixteen week foetus.' The doctor points across at the figures and Amelia looks at him comically, as he avoids her eyeline. Amelia mumbles, 'I don't bring my daughter because there will be plastic babies all over the floor.'

'How have you been, Amelia?' Dr Kareen asks softly.

Amelia climbs onto the chair, lying back, 'fine, ok, achey, very tired. But no sushi for lunch, I swear!' Dr Kareen looks at her, 'I meant more in yourself, are you well?' Amelia considers it, 'yes, I get umm sickness at the worst moments and I find myself over thinking every little twinge, but that's normal, right? I feel pretty crappy if I'm honest.' The doctor nods, tapping on a keyboard, Bucky is surprised she's in pain, she never mentioned anything. 'Any kicking yet?' Amelia shakes her head, quickly panicking 'is that bad?'

'No, not at all, could be a little early, everyone's different. Everything you have described is to be expected and sounds like you've been quite fortunate so far, we would class those as some very mild symptoms.' Amelia smiles in relief, looking over at Bucky and quickly realising how this might appear. She bites her lip, watching the awkward and undeniably attractive man in the corner of the room, during her sixteen week scan.

'He's away!' The doctor focuses on her, 'who, sorry?' Amelia blushes a dark crimson, 'sorry, Steve, my… the dad, the guy here before, he's away, we are still together.' Bucky laughs to himself at her justifying herself, clearly concerned what the Doctor might think. She just smiles, nodding politely. Amelia's feels her cheeks flush red with shame, now it appears like she's prudish, old fashioned or just plain weird or actually sleeping with this other guy.

'So, the big question, are we finding out the baby's gender?' Amelia nibbles her lip worriedly, unsure of the answer. She can feel herself tearing up a little, she wanted this to be perfect.

Bucky leaps up, he doesn't know why, 'tell me! I'm going to be the point of contact on that one.' Amelia and the doctor look over to him, Amelia splutters at his wording, it's like he's at the tower.

Bucky catches the doctor's unsure gaze and adopts a laid back pose, joking 'these crazy kids can't decide, so you tell me and we will see who cracks first.' He looks over at Amelia and she nods encouragingly, 'yes, yeah, let's do that, is that ok?' The doctor agrees, 'we can do whatever you like. We have had all sorts of situations in here, you couldn't imagine. Why don't you come on over James and have a look. Mom, if you keep your eyes that way, just incase.'

Bucky nervously closes in, 'uh, what am I looking for?' He whispers to the doctor and she jokingly hushes back to him, 'I'm going to type it, so it's really clear.' The doctor explains there's no guarantee and Bucky nods across at Amelia. She feels the most settled she has in days, trusting Bucky right now, knowing he's the perfect person for this job.

'Ready, James?' Bucky reads what she has input on the screen and his face remains impassive. He strolls back to his seat and says nothing. Amelia looks up at him, 'that's it? Does he know?'

Turning the screen around for Amelia to see fully, the doctor explains how everything looks good. Amelia looks back at the screen, placing a hand on her chest and melting a little at the sight of her baby. It's undoubtedly bigger and clearer, she sniffs a little, whispering 'hi there.'

Bucky watches Amelia from his plastic seat across the room, she looks smitten, truly entranced by the view. When he stood beside the doctor, his own breath caught as he looked at the tiny human, growing inside his friend. Hiding it quickly and memorising the gender for later.

'Don't cave too easily, James,' Dr Kareen warns, as she stands to leave. She points at the screen, looking back to Amelia 'have a good look and then we can get you a picture for dad and I'll be back in five to chat.'

Amelia lightens, watching the baby, feeling no loneliness or disappointment, only fulfilment. She beckons Bucky back over, 'look, come look, it's a baby!' He pulls himself up, enjoying her childish voice, her sappy smile and weepy eyes. He sits in the seat beside her, watching the monitor. She reaches for his hand and he's surprised by the gesture, she grips him tightly, too involved in the image to even notice. She leans against him as if it's automatic and he worries that she's forgotten it's not Steve. But when his eyes focus on the black and white image, he stills, taken aback again.

'See, there's some toes. I read in my book, she has toes and fingers,' Amelia looks down at him subtly, waiting for a response.

'Nothing? Really?' He pulls back, 'what? I'm not a rookie, Miller, try harder.' Amelia laughs, sobering a little, 'thank you for coming and for finding out.' Bucky looks down at her and there's a moment when he feels like this could be his life. Amelia peers up at him with blue eyes and a small smile. He watches her gaze back at the screen and feels her squeeze his arm. 'Rosie will love this, it looks like he's waving.' Bucky is broken from his trance by her second attempt, 'I didn't think you wanted to know?' He asks with a smirk and she bristles, 'I don't, but what a claim to fame, breaking Bucky Barnes, military man. Can you imagine?' He shakes his head at her, chuckling, straightening and pulling away.

She stares at the screen, 'do you think it looks like me or Steve?' Bucky leans in close. 'Definitely you.' Amelia giggles, 'I agree.' She settles back in her seat, counting the elephants again.

Amelia watches him from the corner of her eye as he retakes his seat, perching on the flimsy plastic chair. She bites her lip, wondering if she should say this out loud. 'Did we just have a moment?' Bucky looks up at her, holding his breath, but failing and exhaling.

'Yeah, sorry, I dunno what that was, just a bit surreal, I guess.' He runs a nervous hand through his hair.

Amelia laughs, 'me too, it's fine, I felt the same. Just checking, it's not a good day to elope, I gotta collect Rosie from school at three. Blame the hormones.' Bucky looks at her dryly, but he can tell she's flustered. 'Bucky, it's fine, it's a big deal, you were here for me and I'm grateful. It's emotional. It's ok.'

Amelia watches him wringing his hands, 'you going to cope with the secret keeping?' Bucky straightens, insulted she would doubt him, 'that bit I can cope with, Miss Miller.'

Amelia looks around again, 'you know, Andi came with me to a place like this for Rosie, not as nice. We were just kids ourselves, we weren't, but it felt like it, I had no idea what was about to transpire.' Bucky smiles, his mind straying to the dad that never gets mentioned. He wonders why he would walk out on this. Amelia's voice cuts through his thoughts, 'think you could be persuaded on the kids front, I thought you looked a little choked up then.' She smiles wickedly at him, teasing him for fun, 'no, I like my sleep too much, missed out on it for too long.'

Dr Kareen opens the door slowly, 'sorry to interrupt, found this straggler causing a scene in reception.' Amelia sits up confused, her first thought is Andi, but as the door opens wider, she spots Steve rushing in. He looks out of breath as if her ran there. Bucky shoots out if his chair, almost standing to attention. 'Hey, I'm so sorry, I'm late.' Amelia relaxes in her seat, shaking tears away, 'you're not late. You weren't coming!'

Steve inhales deeply, 'I made it, just. Doctor very kindly said she'd show me.' Steve marches for Amelia, looking down at her side, nodding and checking in. 'All ok? You're ok? You're Sure?' Amelia nods vigorously, 'yes, just happy to see you. Thought it was just Bucky and…' Steve double takes over his shoulder, the prompt reminding him of his best friend. He offers him a warm smile, 'hey,' then turning back to Amelia quickly.

Bucky very quickly feels like a spare part, redundant and not not needed. He considers what he should do. Watching a giddy Steve peer over at the screen and the image.

Bucky stands awkwardly and conspicuously creeps for the door. 'Hey?' Amelia calls slightly too forcefully, Bucky looks back at her with a wince. 'I'll just wait in the chair area.' Steve looks across at him, his brow pinched in concern, 'stay, it's fine, thank you for...' Bucky waves him off, 'no, you do your thing. I'll see you guys in a minute.' Bucky offers a polite nod to the doctor and matches Amelia's unsure smile. 'Great kid. Good job,' he mutters as he leaves.

Amelia watches sadly as he goes, feeling guilty. Steve grabbing her hand and sitting beside her reminds her that he made it, he's here. 'Are you sure you've got time for me to have a look?' The doctor nods, 'I have some things to run through with Amelia, well, both of you. But sure, I'll leave this up for you while we chat. Your prints will be at the front desk.'

'So much bigger…' Steve mutters in wonderment. The doctor points across at the plastic womb models, 'the fourth one, there, that is where we are.' The women share a knowing look and Amelia looks to the door where Bucky went, feeling bad for abandoning him. 'He's fine,' Steve reassures her with a squeeze to her hand.

Amelia pulls on her clothes, watching Steve as she hops into a boot. 'You should sit down and do that,' he warns and she breathes, 'how did you get here? What are you doing here? You haven't quit have you? Or been fired?' Steve can't keep up with her questions, standing and offering her the stool. Amelia resists, squeezing her foot into the leather shoe. 'I made sure I was back as soon as I could, of course I haven't been fired.' Amelia sighs, starting with the second shoe. 'So, all the kills were over quicker than expected?' Steve tells her to hush, 'it's not like that.' Amelia apologises, Steve sighs harshly, 'oh damn, we didn't find out the gender.' Amelia successfully pulls on her second boot and straightens, 'Bucky knows.'

Steve looks over at her in bewilderment, 'Bucky? My Bucky, I mean…' Amelia laughs loudly, 'my Bucky? Oh, you are never living that down, besides he's my Bucky now. Scan together, die together.' Steve looks at her, not quite understanding, 'you're serious? Bucky knows if it's a boy or a girl.'Amelia shrugs, 'yes! So, if we want to know, we have to go through him, now come on, there are other pregnant people in this world.'

At the front desk Amelia gratefully accepts the envelope of baby scan photos. She smirks back at the murmuring Avengers behind her, Bucky and Steve chatting to one another. She bids goodbye to the lady behind the desk, strolling towards the exit.

'She thought I was your surrogate, you could totally tell.' Bucky and Steve look at each other, not understanding.

'Daddy?' Steve looks up from a daze, looking around for the small voice. His eyes catch the time on the oven.

He's stood in the kitchen, the lights out, only the street light shining into the house. Carton of juice in one hand and the newest scan in the other.

He turns and spots Rosie, her pyjamas mismatched and rolled up one leg. He wipes his mouth, quickly replacing the drink in the fridge.

'Hey, what are you doing up? It's very late.' He replaces the scan and bends down beside the little girl. She twists her ankle, toying with her spotty shirt. 'I heard something.' Steve feels bad, thinking he scared her. He was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling for what felt like hours. Listening to Amelia's snoring and thinking about the scan he mostly missed today.

'That was just me, Rosie, I'm so sorry that I woke you. Come on, let's get you back to bed.' Rosie shakes her head and tugs at his arm as he begins to stand. 'Can I ask you a question?' Steve leans back down, 'sure, you can always ask me anything.' Rosie takes a deep breath, 'will you… do you still love us?' Steve is taken aback, surprised by her meek voice asking such a big question. 'I love you more than anything.' Rosie nods anxiously, 'and mommy?' Steve strokes her tangled hair, 'yes, and mommy, very much.' Rosie itches her nose, 'and the baby?' Steve strokes her cheek tenderly with the back of his finger, 'yes, and the baby, all of you, we are a family.' Rosie looks a little more settled, agreeing, 'a family.' Steve feels terrible, guilt carving away and hollowing his stomach. 'I know that I'm at work a lot.' Rosie looks past him, talking to the wall. 'Uncle Bucky isn't moving in?' Steve's eyes widen and his brow pinches, 'no, of course not, why would you think that?' Rosie bounces nervously on her feet, 'he's here and you aren't.' Steve looks down, a pang of pain in his chest. Steve takes both of her tiny hands in his, 'I'm always here, even when I'm not. I'm always with you, Rosie.'

'Can I see the new baby again?' Steve is grateful for the distraction and stands up, lifting her. He walks her over to the fridge, tugging at the image, releasing it from the magnet holding it in place. 'There, he or she is.' Rosie giggles, 'how come you don't know?' Steve sighs, 'I don't really know… I mean, we decided to be surprised.' Rosie giggles, trying to grab the picture. Steve allows her to hold it and he points out arms, legs, toes.

'I think the baby is smiling,' Rosie decides, Steve grins at her, placing his head atop hers. 'I think it's a boy!' Steve opens his mouth in surprise, 'do you now, why is that?' Rosie looks up proudly, 'mommy says I know everything.' Steve laughs, 'well, we will have to wait and see, won't we?' Rosie thinks about it, returning the picture, 'how long do we have to wait?'

Steve sighs, 'oh, a while yet, twenty four weeks, that's about six months away.' Rosie exhales, 'wow, that's a long time.'

Rosie yawns into his shoulder and Steve gives her a shake, making her jump. 'Come on, let's get back to bed.' Rosie sits up, pinching his nose cheekily, 'can I show you something?' Steve nods and she wriggles to get down. He places her on the cool tiled floor and she runs into the next room.

She returns dragging her Captain America backpack behind her, rummaging through it and eventually shaking the contents to the floor. Steve winces at the loud noise, hoping Amelia sleeps through. Rosie hums in contemplation and then finds a piece of paper, it's folded and she nearly tears it, flattening it and passing the tattered copy to Steve. He gratefully accepts, reading it carefully. 'A poem. You have to write a poem for school, about…' he flips the page over, '…something you love. Sounds like fun.' Rosie nods shyly, 'I have an idea, could you help me? Will you be here?' Steve is touched, nodding firmly, 'of course, I can't wait.'

Steve returns to bed, climbing in gently. Amelia rolls over, 'hey, where did you go?' She mumbles into her pillow, half her face hidden. Steve glances at her, surprised she's awake, 'just for a water.' Amelia hums to herself and Steve confesses, 'got distracted by our baby on the fridge and then our other child made an appearance.' Amelia chuckles with her eyes closed, she could hear Rosie and Steve chatting in the distance.

'I was looking at the scan, I still can't get my head around it,' Steve stares at the ceiling, placing his hands behind his head. 'A baby boy…' Amelia's eyes snap open, she gasps, lifting her head, 'what? Did Bucky tell you?' Steve laughs, pulling her against him, 'no. I'm just testing.'

Amelia relaxes and snuggles in close, 'it's a girl, mark my words.' Steve pulls back, 'oh yeah? Want to bet on that?' She rolls her eyes, 'honestly, one weekend in Vegas and look at you.'

Steve turns to face her, stroking down the curve of her back and pulling her leg over his. Amelia moans as he stares at her in the dark of their room. He moves a stray hair from her face and kisses her softly. Amelia's eyes flutter closed, softly reopening as he pulls away. She looks disappointed and mutters 'uh, no,' quickly pulling him back to her, crashing her lips against his. He squeezes her bare thigh and traces circles on her smooth skin. Amelia tugs at his hair at the back of his head and kisses him passionately, moaning loudly. Her slight bump just kisses his stomach. She's suddenly rocking back and climbing on top of him, her tatty band t-shirt, half tucked into her pale pink cotton underwear. Steve looks up at her in awe, two hands on either hip, gently massaging her. Amelia groans aggressively, titling her head back, her wild curls showering her back and her shirt rising. Steve stills and smiles at her developing baby bump. He's always thought she had curves in the right places, but this is a new one that he can't get enough of. He's dazzled that she's growing their child right now.

She distracts him, grinding against him and lifting up and down. He panics, 'should we be doing this?' he asks in alarm, holding her thighs still. Amelia nods vigorously, not even looking at him. 'Amelia? Is this ok? What about the baby?' She halts and sighs, sat atop him, straddling his waist, 'Steve, this is happening, with or without you! Baby is fine.' Steve watches her, unsure what that means, but not unsure by the fire and passion in her eyes. She quickly tugs at her shirt, pulling it over her head and dumping it on the floor, 'now, can we please continue?' Steve stares at her, hypnotised by her almost naked on top of him. He nods desperately, suddenly forgetting what he even asked.

AN: I hope you liked it, I enjoyed writing awkward Bucky at the Dr's office, dropping plastic models. I guess this is kind of a spoiler, but I don't have any plans for Bucky and Amelia to become an item, they are just friends! It did cross my mind, but nooo.

Next chapter, Andi is back and there's some upset… Take care, stay safe xx