Hello, hope you are well! Thanks for reading and commenting. This one is tooth decay sweet, I hope you enjoy it, we all need something sweet at times. Lots of Rosie for those who like that aspect. The Usual disclaimer applies. Let's go!
Chapter 18: I Wrote it for You
Amelia squeezes past a row of parents, trying not to fall in any laps. Gratefully reaching her seat and smiling back at Steve, who is stuck between a woman and her oversized purse. He eventually arrives next to her and relaxes into his seat, muttering 'stop laughing.' Amelia smirks at him, looking around the school hall and spotting Rachel, waving across merrily. She checks her watch, leaning against Steve and telling him 'thank you for being here.' He straightens and also looks about, 'I can't wait, poetry finalist, that's pretty special. Have you heard her poem?' Amelia shakes her head, almost crying already, just thinking about Rosie stood on the stage. Steve chuckles at her, patting her arm, 'it will be fine, she's excited.' Amelia agrees keenly, 'what if she doesn't remember it? What she planned?' Steve squeezes her knee, offering comfortingly 'stop.'
Amelia looks up and politely explains to someone that the two seats beside them are taken and Steve gazes around, assessing the wooden stage with red velvet theatre curtains and a microphone in the middle. Parents filling row on row of chairs and children peeking out at the wings to wave hello.
He catches Amelia placing a coat across the seats, he asks casually 'are they on their way?' She nods, reaching in her bag and producing snacks. 'Of course they are. Better be…' Steve grins accepting the candy and asking her, 'are they all good now? Seemed a bit fraught there for a while.' Amelia just nods, 'well I walked in on them in a very compromising position on our couch, so yes, I think they are fine. I've also been given a date for dress shopping, so full steam ahead, I guess. She never told me what happened though.' Steve looks scandalised about the couch part, wondering why they don't do that at their own place. He looks about checking other parents can't hear them. He's glad things are back to normal, 'yeah, he never told me either.' Amelia throws a chip in her mouth muttering, 'you're a liar,' he smirks and discerns 'so are you.'
Amelia rummages for her favourite colour candy and sighs, 'she meant well.' Steve tilts his head from side to side, 'I'm sure. Hey, don't eat all the red ones!'
'Amelia!' She hears and looks up in time to see a parent she vaguely knows. 'How are you, dear? We miss you at the PTA meetings.' The woman is leaning across from the row in front. Amelia is confused, she's only ever attended one. Steve buries his face in the programme, waiting for the woman to leave. 'Such a shame we never get to meet your lovely husband.' Amelia smiles sadly, 'ah you know, work, work, work.' Steve listens in, unsure why she's lying.
Once she retreats, he turns back to Amelia 'uh, I didn't know you were married? That makes you and I very awkward.' Amelia rolls her eyes, 'it's just easier than explaining and you're wearing the glasses, I thought you'd appreciate an out.'
Steve sighs, 'so, how did you swing this off from work?' He asks and Amelia bristles, it's a sore point. 'Oh, umm I just swapped days.' She thinks back to Richard walking in on her adjusting schedules and his passive digs at her for missing her usual day. 'How's that guy?' Steve asks off hand, reaching for more snacks, Amelia nods, lying 'what guy?' They are interrupted before he can explain.
'Hey, we made it!' Andi announces, squeezing in next to Amelia and allowing Bucky to sit on the end of the aisle. 'Aww this is so cute!' Andi grabs a programme from her seat, flicking through and showing Bucky, 'there she is, Rosie Miller, reading a poem entitled Little me, Lots of them.' Andi's brow shoot up, 'smart kid, think she had help?' She and Bucky look to Amelia and she gets defensive, 'I haven't even heard it, she asked me how to spell something one time and what she wrote down wasn't what I said. That's it.'
Andi grins across 'got any snacks?' Amelia nods to her bag and Bucky looks at her in shock, 'it's only an hour, can't you cope? Lunch wasn't long ago.' She ignores him jokingly and looks down the row, waving at Steve, 'nearly didn't recognise you then, Steve. Out with us on weekday!' Amelia elbows her to shut up and Steve smiles bitterly, not grateful for the reminder. Bucky takes her programme, reading the sea of names, he can't believe how many kids there are and how many poems, songs, dance routines… Andi puts her chin on his shoulder, 'fun, hey?' Bucky exhales, muttering dryly 'yeah, so much fun.'
He shuffles in his seat, 'you're sure this is ok? Me at a school show?' Andi shovels candy into her mouth, 'yes, you haven't done anything and you have short hair now, so no one knows it's you. You were cleared, please remember that part. You've collected her from school, your picture is on their system!' Andi watches him, as he fidgets nervously, changing the topic 'I saw Victoria the other day, couldn't even look at me.' Bucky shrugs, 'no surprise there.' Andi watches him and he leans in with a smirk, 'she likes me, the mug was a great idea.' She rolls her eyes, 'should of put my name on it, not yours! I bought the damn thing.'
Amelia points animatedly, 'oh there's Rosie's teacher, Miss Penny, I met her at this orientation event, she's so nice.' The four look over at the brunette woman, Bucky double taking at the young, undeniably attractive teacher, 'right, makes sense.' He thinks back to Wilson's musings on the pretty lady, not quite sure how he would know that.
The lights are lowered and Amelia looks to Steve with excitement, 'it's starting!'
The principal takes the stage and welcomes everyone. Bucky's eyes flicking around anxiously at the entranced faces of parents, he wonders how they can fake interest in other kids, he's only there for one reason. He looks over at Andi rustling in her candy bag and he tells her to be quiet, knocking her knee with his. He finds Amelia's tear glazed eyes, before anything has even happened and Steve's proud as punch grin lights up the fifth row.
'So, first up, from the third grade, Mrs Ashby and The Recorders will be playing Three Blind Mice.' Bucky suddenly wonders why he is here and winces when the children finally manage to take the correct seats, stop waving at people they know and make something akin to music through their mouth organs. Andi chuckles a little beside him, cooing at the kids and mocking him.
Four acts in, even Steve is checking when Rosie will be making an appearance. Suddenly a ringing can be heard and he looks around in disgust before realising it's him. Fumbling with his pocket, he silences the device. Amelia watching him, unimpressed, he mouths an apology, Andi tutting dismissively.
By the sixth group of children, Bucky is just about falling asleep, a tambourine ensemble waking him with a jump. The lights turn back on shortly after and he panics if he missed Rosie. Andi knocks him with the programme, 'act two you dodo.' Adults stand, milling around and talking to one another. A woman appears chatting to Amelia and Steve, leaning across to their row. Steve seems to know her and Andi interjects herself as well, leaning across and waving.
Bucky peers about the hall, there's kids offering drinks and he decides best not scare them. Looking back to the stage he spots a smiling Rosie poking her head out of the curtain. She beckons him over. Bucky looks back but all three adults seem occupied. He stands cautiously, unsure if this is allowed or a good idea. He wanders to the front of the stage and she calls him to the middle. Reaching Rosie, she waves across, 'thank you for coming to see me, uncle Bucky.' She's smiling and munching on something. Offering him 'string cheese?' He politely declines something described as cheese that looks like a worm. He shuffles awkwardly and croaks, 'you ok?' She nods, sighing loudly 'yeah, bored, I want to say my poem now.' Bucky mutters, 'yeah me too, kid.' He quickly appears apologetic but she lights up, 'you did a poem too?' He chuckles, 'like hell I did.' A teacher walks by and coughs at his tone, he mutters a meek apology.
Rosie reaches for his shoulder, shaking him wildly, 'that's Ash, he's my best friend.' Bucky follows her finger, spying the little boy picking his nose, sat at the side of the stage with other kids, sucking a carton of juice. 'That's his mommy with my mommy.' Bucky turns back, 'ah, I understand now.' Rosie leans further out the curtain, her string cheese bobbing all over the place, 'that's Harrison, he's not very nice to me.' Bucky follows her gaze to a boy sat using a mobile device in the front row. 'He's not in the show, he didn't make anything.' Bucky nods slowly, he'd heard whispers of a school bully, but not much public discussion of it. He wonders just how mean the kid is and if it's appropriate to have a word. Rosie whispers his name harshly, regaining his attention 'are you having fun? Did you like the music?' Bucky can't lie to her, 'it was… unbelievable,' he says honestly. She waves brightly, 'there's Miss Penny!'
'You better go, Rosalyn,' he offers as teachers usher students back to their seats. She grins, 'more drinks and one more singer and then it's me!' She tells him proudly and his heart sinks at the words one more singer. She scurries off and he waves, retaking his seat. Andi smirks over, 'where did you go? Not chatting up teach, I hope?' Bucky blanks her, quickly counting only five more acts and getting comfy, 'I think I need those snacks now.' Andi shows him an empty packet, 'oops, sorry, snooze you lose.'
As the lights lower again, Andi drops her head on his shoulder, 'was she ok?' she whispers softly and he smiles that she was watching them. 'She's good.' She grabs his hand, 'I'm glad you're here.'
A choir begin to sing and Bucky closes his eyes, willing it to stop and quickly. Amelia bobs in her seat, her knee jumping with tension and Steve gets his phone out, thinking he might take photos.
As the children finish and bow, the adults clap and Amelia tells everyone she is sat with 'this is it, this is Rosie.' Andi straightens and the Principal returns, 'next, is one of our youngest students on stage this afternoon and runner up in our first grade poetry completion, Rosie Miller! Rosie is reading a poem she wrote herself with the help of some friends and Miss Penny, entitled Little me, Lots of them.'
Andi scoffs, 'well she didn't come up with the title.' Rosie walks onto the stage, grasping a piece of paper, she waves over at her family immediately, blushing coyly, her teacher creeping onto the stage and bending beside her. They whisper to one another and Amelia sniffs, wiping her eyes and willing herself to keep it together. She's sat on the edge of her seat and Steve smiles at her, she looks like she might slide off any moment. Rosie's shoes are shiny, like Steve polished them all night, her socks are dazzling white and her hair is split into buns.
Rosie's tried to memorise her poem, Amelia's heard her speaking it to her toys and Miss Penny flashes the first line at her, whispering it also. Rosie smiles at the sea of people, her innocence outweighing any nerves. 'Hi,' she says loudly and the audience laugh. She's stood on a gym beam in order to reach the microphone and her mouth is touching it, making fuzzy sounds throughout the hall. Her teacher shows her to step back a little.
'I'm Rosie Miller and I made a poem.' Amelia is full on crying now, Andi passing her a tissue. Steve and Bucky sharing a smirk.
'It's called…' she bends to her teacher for a reminder, 'Little me, A lot… no, lots of them.' She coughs and taps the mic like she's seen on TV, an high pitched noise echoing in the hall. Undeterred she shouts, 'my daddy is brave.' Andi looks at Steve in excitement, whispering loudly 'it's about you!' She pokes him and offers him a thumbs up.
'My auntie Andi is funny.' Bucky nudges her, nodding at her and Andi waves him off, bending forward, captivated by her niece.
'My un… my uncle Bucky is kind.' Bucky is taken aback by his mention and even more so by his adjective. Steve shrugs at him, mouthing 'she wrote it.'
Miss Penny whispers to her and Rosie nods, remembering this line 'my, my grandad is smart.'
Amelia chews her nails, wiping her eyes frequently, her nerves disappearing at the sight of the confident, bright little girl. 'My cat, Digby, is funny, no, furry. Sorry…'
'My… my, oh I forgot…' Rosie panics and Miss Penny whispers to her, 'yes! My Dana, no, my nana Dana is smiley.'
'My uncle Tony is rich,' there's laughter in the audience and Amelia blushes, wondering why she picked that. Steve watches Rosie, nodding at her teacher, doing her best to recall the poem they wrote together in the evenings, at bath time, at story time. He thinks back to her suggesting Tony as rich and him grinning as he noted it down. He spares a glance for Amelia, her face is bright red, her eyes wet with tears. 'My Uncle Sammy can fly,' Children laugh and snigger amongst themselves.
'My auntie Tasha has the red-est hair. And, and, I know this one! My best friend Ash is my best friend.' She waves at him in the front row and Rachel looks over at Amelia with a soppy pout. Andi whispers to Bucky, 'do you think they will get married? I ship them already.' He shakes his head and tells her to hush.
Miss Penny shows her the paper and whispers something close, Rosie nods, smiling at the sea of grown-ups. 'And my mommy is the best.' She waves at Amelia and her mother waves back. The other three chuckling at her over flowing emotions. Rosie begins to wander off and her teacher reminds her of something, she runs back, 'oh, I'm done now.' She skips away, waving again as the crowd applaud and Andi stands up, cheering loudly. Amelia wipes her eyes in between claps, leaning into Steve, 'I know you helped her with that.' Steve intimates just a little bit with his fingers, kissing her cheek. 'That was amazing!' Andi shouts and Bucky agrees, still clapping, a group of four children appear on stage, all with musical triangles, reminding him it's not over yet.
…
The four adults stand in the schoolyard, waiting for Rosie to appear. Parents mingle and chat, people constantly stopping Amelia to tell her how good Rosie was. With her distracted, Bucky and Andi tease Steve, 'great poem, Steve, you're a real Oscar Wilde.' He laughs a little, kicking the ground, 'I just helped her out, she knew she wanted to write about family, I just gave her the tools.' Andi smiles, nodding at him, 'she was good, wasn't she?' Bucky agrees as she continues 'and she thinks you're kind! Big day for you.' Bucky looks at her dryly, 'well, she got you right, funny is true.' Andi laughs loudly, looking over at Steve, 'be honest, did you write the brave bit?' He's offended, 'I would never tamper with the purity of her original text, just assisted when she was stuck.' Andi looks unconvinced, 'sure, you do know red-est isn't a word, right?'
Amelia re-joins them, Steve putting his arm around her and then quickly dropping it, 'sorry, should I not do that, don't you have a husband?' Bucky snaps his head their way, 'what?' Amelia ignores him, folding her programme into her purse, 'wasn't she amazing?' Everyone agrees as she waves goodbye to someone. Andi and Bucky chat between themselves, Amelia turning to Steve, nudging him 'nice poem.' He shrugs happily, 'it was a team effort, I didn't know she was getting Miss Penny in on it as well. Feel a bit put out now.' Amelia smiles earnestly at him, 'seriously, thank you, it was wonderful, we should frame a copy.'
Andi watches her sister and then leans into Bucky, 'think I could fit on that slide?' Bucky looks across the schoolyard, 'no, please don't try.' She accepts that, looking about, proud parents waiting for their terrors to sprint out. 'Don't you think it's funny, everyone's raising an Einstein or the next genius. I mean they aren't all gems, some kids are di… sorry, I mean...' Bucky tells her to be quiet, 'except for Rosie, she was amazing.' Bucky chuckles at the irony, 'what? Don't you think she was?' He nods, 'yes, the best. Not that we are biased.'
Rosie barrels their way, backpack tethered to her and a beaming smile on her face. Amelia bends to greet her, hugging her close and telling her softly, 'that was incredible, I'm so proud of you, I can't believe you wrote that all by yourself and stood up there and read it to everyone, so brave!' Rosie nods and Steve smiles at her taking all the credit. Rosie looks up, admitting 'daddy helped.' Amelia pulls her coat tight, zipping her into the jacket. Steve lifts her up and she waves at Bucky and Andi, he states coolly 'I liked your poem, Rosalyn.' Andi laughs at his stilted tone, 'maybe you can help me with my vows?' She nods happily, 'yay, when? Now?' She asks excitedly.
Steve lifts her to his shoulders, 'well we thought we might go for dinner, you hungry?' Rosie cheers, 'will Bucky be there?' Steve looks back, checking in, 'of course, he can't wait.' Andi grins at him, rubbing his belly and asking if she can get on his back.
…
Steve looks about the table at the busy pizza restaurant, Bucky chatting with Andi and Amelia re-reading Rosie's poem. Rosie taps his shoulder and he leans down, 'how did I do?' She asks in a sweet voice, 'you were perfect, Rosie, mommy couldn't stop crying, she was that happy.' She shuffles with excitement in her seat, 'Miss Penny said that was the best I'd ever done it.' Steve agrees, 'did you enjoy it, reading your poem?' She grins, 'yes! Can I read it again at home?' Steve nods, 'sure and for Grandad and Nana, next time.' Rosie smiles brightly, 'oh and uncle Tony!' Steve kisses the top of her head, sitting back and throwing his arm over the back of her seat.
Steve reaches over and rubs Amelia's shoulder, 'you doing ok?' She settles in her seat, storing the poem in her bag, 'yeah, I'm fine, I just loved it so much.' Bucky leans across to Rosie, clasping his hands on the table, 'so, Rosie, what was the inspiration behind your poem?' She's confused by the words and Andi elaborates, 'what gave you the idea?' She fiddles with her fork, awaiting dinner, 'it had to be about something you love and I wanted to do it about mommy.' Steve smirks, 'yeah, I made her put the rest of you lot in.'
Andi talks to Rosie about her teacher, Rosie can't hear her over the restaurant noise and she hops down, running across to sit on her aunt's lap. Amelia moves closer to Steve, 'I'm so glad you are here.' Steve agrees, 'was that work, on your phone?' Steve laughs, 'you know, for once, it wasn't, unknown number.' Amelia relaxes against him, watching Rosie count Bucky's fingers. 'That poem was very sweet,' Steve shrugs, 'I just helped her on the way, it was all her, she knew what she wanted to say. Just like her mother.' Amelia stares at him, thinking this is better than the date they spent in the restroom a few weeks back. Steve kisses her cheek, stopping beside her ear to whisper 'love you.' Amelia bites her lip nervously. She gasps, 'did you take a video of her?' Steve holds her gaze, 'no, I forgot in all the excitement.' Amelia holds in a laugh.
'You eager for pizza?' He asks and she nods, looking down to his lips. A smile forms and she knows she's been caught.
Amelia quickly braces a little on the table, Steve spotting the movement, 'you ok?' She looks over and checks Rosie is still distracted. She nods, exhaling steadily and regain her upright position. Steve is worried and she nods comfortingly, reaching for his hand. He's fearful and she reassures 'I'm fine.'
Placing his hand under the table, he looks about wondering what she's starting. He double takes when she places it on her tummy. 'Is everything alright?' He's panicked and she nods again, mouthing for him to hush. Steve can feel her forming bump, her dress hiding it from the nosy parents today.
He likes it, holding her, but not quite sure why she's offering this right now, but gladly accepting the invitation. He smiles across at her and suddenly it drops from his face. He frowns, looking down and softening his hold, waiting for confirmation of what he just felt. Amelia looks away, as if trying to hear something. She nods when she feels it again and this time, Steve is certain he just felt their baby move. He looks across to tell the others and she gently places her hand atop his, shaking her head discreetly, hoping to keep it a private moment for now. Steve keeps his hand there, waiting to feel more, but pizza arrives and before he knows it Rosie is wriggling back in between them. Steve and Amelia share a secret smile, as everyone tries to remember what they ordered. Steve finds himself staring at his food, trying to replay what just happened, he thinks that was a kick or a hiccup, but it was certainly something.
Amelia encourages him to eat and act normal.
Andi reaches across, stealing pizza from her sister. 'Steve, bet you're glad you didn't miss this.' He thinks she might be goading him, but she looks genuine, 'I'm glad I'm here, yes.' He looks around, Rosie happily humming as she fills up on pizza, 'don't think the girls would let me hear the end of it, if I missed this.' Bucky scoffs, 'no, that would give you a headache and just think, soon you'll be even more outnumbered.'
Amelia pauses, pizza to her mouth, watching the dark haired man across from her. Rosie continues munching, Bucky wiping his hands carelessly and looking up at Steve, who is staring at him. Andi laughs, 'wait, what? What happened?' She questions and Bucky's eyes widen, he flicks between the couple across from him, snapping his mouth shut, 'nothing, nothing happened, I said nothing.'
There's only silence and Steve knocks the table, everything shaking, 'but you just said…' Bucky shakes his head, looking down, rolling a piece of pizza, 'I said nothing, I don't know what you think you heard.'
Amelia ignores the food almost falling out of Steve's mouth, 'outnumbered? As in we are having a girl?' Bucky wipes his face, throwing his napkin down, 'shit, sorry.' Andi laughs loudly, as he rubs his temples, 'chill out, Chandler, I mean you're joking, right?' Bucky looks at her with wide eyes and slowly shakes his head, 'wait, really? They're having a girl, really? You genuinely let it slip?' She looks more and more elated, by both the news and the mistake.
Andi slaps her forehead, 'Bucky, Bucky, you loud mouth! But it wasn't me! It wasn't me, vindicated! No one can ever call me a loud mouth again.' Steve looks between everyone at the table, 'we are having a girl?' Bucky swings back on his chair, 'can't you forget this?' Steve shakes his head, gulping his drink, 'are you sure?' Bucky's frustrated, 'yes, the doctor showed me, trust me, I'm sure.' Andi jokes, 'well they trusted you to keep it a secret, look how that turned out…' Bucky hates her right now, Amelia can't believe it, 'I was right, I told you,' she grins at Steve. He looks as shocked as when she first told him about the baby at all. Andi calls to Rosie, passing her a napkin, 'here, fan your dad, he's feeling a little hot.' Rosie does as she's told, Steve gazes over at Amelia, 'we are having a girl, another girl.' Rosie beams, 'the baby's a girl, like me?' Amelia shrugs, a little confused, she looks to Bucky. Andi bites her lip to keep from laughing, 'oh please, just tell them properly.'
Bucky nods, giving up, 'fine, yes, it's a girl.' Rosie cheers and Amelia bobs proudly, 'I told you! All of you.' Steve looks down at Rosie thoughtfully, Amelia leans back and pokes him, 'you ok? Not disappointed?' He shakes his head, 'no, not in the slightest.' He breathes out, exhausted by the afternoon's events, 'I am however disappointed in you…' he looks across at his best friend with a playful smirk, 'I should have you fired, losing your edge, old man.' Andi laughs at poor Bucky, he looks fed up, the mocking only just beginning, she kisses his cheek. Amelia resumes her pizza, her hands shaking, her heart racing with excitement, 'so how long did you last?' Bucky sips his drink, swirling it in his mouth, before answering 'ten days.' Andi laughs loudly, banging the table, 'but! But in my defence these two idiots wanted to know! They have both asked me multiple times, I agreed I'd only tell if they both wanted to know.' Amelia and Steve look at each other in surprise.
She starts 'you told me you wouldn't ask!' Steve shakes his head at her in shock, 'you promised you wouldn't ask either!' Andi shrinks in her seat, hoping they leave her out of this, Bucky sighs, 'if it makes you feel any better Andi has tried to bribe it out of me, many times.' They look at her and she plays it down, 'only once or twice, how's everyone's dinner?'
Rosie chimes in, 'I'm having a little sister!' Steve and Amelia look down at her, smiling warmly. Bucky raises his drink, 'cheers to that. Never ask me to keep a secret again. God bless.'
Andi looks out the window of the restaurant, snow lightly falling as it darkens, 'you guys know Christmas is like next week, yeah?' Amelia yawns, rubbing her belly and staring outside 'yeah.'
AN: There we go, cat's out of the bag! It's a girl, according to Bucky anyway. Having a pregnancy in the story made me have to really think hard about timings, :S, it was strenuous some times, but it means we have arrived at Christmas and as I wrote an Avenger tower Xmas in the first part, I decided not to again. So the next chapter does jump ahead to just after December. It also brings with it some difficult story points, but I will warn beforehand and everything will be fine. I hope you liked this one, I know you have to suspend belief of the Winter Soldier being at a kids talent contest but hey-ho, it's fanfiction.
