Hello! Hope anyone reading (and those beyond) are doing ok, such a weird time and it feels like it's only getting harder and harder for so many. In the UK we are yoyo-ing all over the place. But oh well.

It's been a couple weeks since I updated, just busy Xmas time, I guess. But I've not abandoned ship and I have this story all written and finished. This will possibly be the last update before Xmas. So happy holidays and stay safe. Stay merry.

Some Bucky/Steve/Rosie fluff at the start, I thought let's throw in some more wedding planning etc. and there's a shock for Amelia.

Chapter 25: Shock to the System

Steve looks over to his friend, 'where first?' Bucky shrugs, remembering he has a list, rummaging in his back pocket, 'yeah, umm flowers, this way, she's written the address down.' Steve follows Bucky along the busy Brooklyn street, Rosie perched on his shoulders, pointing things out animatedly. It's a bright, warm day and the familiar part of town looks the best Steve has ever seen it.

'This is nice, right? When were you and I last in Brooklyn together?' Bucky shakes his head nonchalantly, 'not sure.'

'Don't forget me!' Rosie calls cheekily and Bucky jokes, 'who said that?' Rosie taps the top of his head and he grins up at her, offering the smallest of winks.

Bucky continues perusing his list from Andi, casually offering 'the venue is around the corner, if you wanted to take a look?' Steve nods and watches his friend with a warm grin, 'what?' Bucky asks, unsure what he's looking at. 'Nothing, just you, the venue. So grown up, when did that happen?' Bucky smirks, 'what about you? Any plans for a venue?' His eyes drift to Rosie and he hopes he was subtle enough, Steve stares at the sidewalk 'maybe, I'll keep you posted.' Bucky seems disappointed, Steve asking 'you're not regretting it at all?' Bucky shakes his head, 'no, I'm doing ok. It's surprising to me too.'

A couple of teenagers look over at them and Rosie waves, Steve tugging his cap down further. Bucky straightens his dark sunglasses and keeps his head down.

'Anyway, old man, you're the one with a kid on his shoulders and another on the way.' Steve smiles like an idiot, 'yeah. Speaking of, Rosie, time to get down, one of us is getting too old.' She pouts and he lifts her to the floor, 'you all say that!' She runs ahead of them, stopping to look in a bakery window. 'Hey, remember when we did that?' Bucky just laughs, 'yeah, splitting a cake with you and you eating the bigger half, that's the bit I remember.'

'You miss it? Brooklyn?' Steve asks pensively and Bucky shrugs, 'nah, I think I still have roots here, always will, but it's only a stone's throw away. Ask me again next year, when we are upstate.' Steve smiles at the ground, people looking at them as they pass, trying to figure out where they know them from. Bucky straightens his own baseball cap and watches Rosie, running up brick steps and dancing along railings.

'So, Mia and this problem at work?' Steve just sighs at the reminder, 'yeah, not good. She doesn't seem to love it anymore, I told her to walk away, she's not keen, says she needs to stick it out, stand tall.' Bucky smirks, 'since when have you ever said walk away?' Steve considers, 'yeah, but I'm not six months pregnant.' Bucky exhales, 'I still wouldn't take her on, pregnant or not.' Steve thinks about her at the office today, hoping she's doing ok. 'Well, you understand, relationships at work and all that,' Bucky looks over in sudden fear and panic, 'what do you mean?' Steve nods, 'you and this Victoria girl, you couldn't make it work, she asked to be moved. It doesn't always come easy.' Bucky relaxes, admitting quietly 'no, guess not.' He looks over at Steve, pondering if he should mention the kiss. When he refocuses, Steve is talking about Amelia happily and he can't bring himself to talk about it, ruin the moment and see that stern frown decorate Steve's face. '…she's definitely eating for two, it's all she thinks about, oh and…' Steve flushes pink and Bucky chuckles, 'you're still a teenager, still embarrassed by S-E-X.' Steve looks off, flustered, 'it's just not right, lurid details of my pregnant, you know, girlfriend.' Bucky stops walking and stares at him, 'girlfriend is the bit that's not right, you need to fix that, even I have a fiancé.'

They fall into quiet, watching Rosie hopscotch on paving slabs, meandering tourists and locals.

'So, the guy from Mia's work, you looked him up?' Bucky asks and Steve shakes his head, Bucky murmurs, 'nah, me neither.'

There's silence and then Steve admits, 'couldn't find anything,' Bucky nods, 'I drew a blank as well.' Steve cringes in embarrassment, 'that's an abuse of power, right there.' Bucky agrees, 'well, we didn't find anything, so not really. Better to be safe, in case Hydra have infiltrated her office.' Steve stops walking, Bucky shouting back to him, 'I'm kidding, don't be insane.'

Bucky rechecks the address and stares up at a store sign, arriving at the flower shop as Steve calls Rosie back from up ahead. 'Why do we even need flowers?' He asks Steve with a frown, his friend ignores him. 'No running inside, please,' he warns Rosie, 'no running away,' he jokes, turning back to Bucky.

Bucky peers around the sea of assorted flowers, like a rainbow of petals. Peering up at the floral display draped from the ceiling, he can hear Rosie asking Steve endless questions, 'what's that? And that? What are those? Why can't I run?'

The shop is snug, and Bucky knocks an orchid in a pot, catching it and moving away quickly, disassociating himself. He feels like a thorn is a rosebush, unsure he's ever been in such a shop and thinking back to all the flowers he gave to girls before the war. Plucked straight from Mr Merton's back yard three doors down, until that day he appeared with a shotgun.

He spots the register and ambles to the desk, his jacket catching on flowers in buckets. A woman appears in a floral apron and he smiles a little, still nervous around new people, tugging free of the hitched bouquet.

'Hi, yeah, I need to pay.' She looks confused, 'oh, is it James?' He's surprised and his back straightens, concerned how she knew. 'Your fiancé phoned ahead; said you might be a little lost.' He relaxes, grateful to Andi.

'It's all picked out, you just need to settle up. The not so fun bit, hey?' He shrugs, reaching for his wallet, 'just seems a bit pointless, they will just die. Nothing beautiful about that.' He looks up slowly, scared he's offended the young woman, who does this for a living. He tries to apologise and she laughs lightly, 'you are not the first groom to say that, believe me, actually, I've had a couple brides as well, maybe when you see them in situ, you'll be persuaded.' Bucky shrugs, 'sorry, just weddings aren't really my thing, this is all new to me.' She accepts his credit card and grins, 'well, hopefully you will only have to do it the one time.'

Bucky swallows anxiously, waiting.

'I remember your partner, blonde, right? Her sister is pregnant?' Bucky's impressed by her memory, Stark would probably offer her a job right now. 'Yeah, that's her, how did you know?' She laughs, 'she knocked a stand over, she was very apologetic.' Bucky smirks and rolls his eyes, 'sounds about right.' She smiles kindly, 'you two are quite the pair…' once again, Bucky's arm brushes a bucket of lilies and he briskly steps away.

'Is that a Brooklyn accent I can hear?' She asks and he's stunned, she explains 'I'm born and bred, you pick up on these things.' Bucky nods, 'well, I'm born and bred, but not lived here for a very long time, things look very different now.' He sighs, gazing out the window behind him.

The woman is smiling as she waits for the machine to respond, Bucky frowns, wondering if he's being too friendly. Is he giving her the wrong signals, is this how he ended up in the entire mess with Victoria? He takes a small step back again, hoping she won't leap over and kiss him too.

Across the shop, Steve is holding Rosie's hand, in a bid to keep her from accidentally destroying anything. 'I like flowers, it's so pretty in here.' An elderly man walks through the shop, newspaper in hand, staring at a crossword. 'Jilly?' He calls absently, Steve tugging Rosie out of his way. 'Oh, hello there,' he nods down at the small child and looks up at Steve, he pauses, his mouth opens in surprise. 'You're…' Steve can't believe his luck, two employees and no customers and he's still been spotted, should have kept the hat on.

Rosie grins, 'he's Captain America,' she announces proudly, 'I'm Rosie!' Steve shuffles awkwardly, patting her head 'not right now I'm not. Just Steve, nice to meet you, sir.' He offers his hand and the old man scrabbles to accept, 'an honour, an absolute privilege, you're a hometown hero, son. Brooklyn born and raised and here you are, back home and stood in my shop!' Rosie looks confused, 'this isn't our home,' Steve just smiles and nods. The older man continues, '1943, Camp Lehigh, worst year of my life, discharged with a duff leg and been wrapping flowers ever since, at first for my old man and now I make my kids do it. What I wouldn't have given to be you. Even more so looking at you now, time has been kind to only one of us.' Steve is surprised, touched to be recognised for more than the star spangled outfit. 'It's a privilege to meet you too, sir.' Rosie scrunches her face, 'can I call you Steve?' He shakes his head, 'no.'

'What are you doing here? What can I do for you?' Steve looks unsure, 'uh, well, my uh, my friend is getting married, we stopped by to pay the bill.' Rosie tugs at Steve's hand, dancing beside him 'and to get flowers for mommy! She's having a baby!' Steve looks down and then back to the man, 'sure, why not, can you deliver?' The man stops, looking frustrated, 'we have a delivery youth, he's fairly hopeless, wouldn't hold your breath. Kenny, the delivery youth, that's what we call him. Lock your doors and hide your sons and daughters, he's a pest, fancies himself a Romeo...' Steve grins, finding the man amusing, his blunt and easily irritated personality reminding him of Bucky, the old men they could be now. 'Well, let's get you some flowers, shall we? Such an honour. Say, you don't happen to know this clue? Just can't put my finger on it, it's my age. Howard, discovered King Tut's tomb.'

Steve smiles weakly, thinking of Peggy 'sure, Carter.' The older gentleman lights up, excited and scribbling the answer down. 'Bravo, son. Now, tell me about the girl the flowers are for.' Steve blushes, feeling seventeen again, unlike Bucky, if he had had a girl to buy flowers for, he would have come somewhere like this, not jumped a fence. Steve liked to do things in what he believe was the right way.

Bucky stares about for Steve, unsure what's keeping him. Jilly across the counter watches, smirking at his blatant discomfort. 'Do you want to see what she went for?' Bucky turns back to her, 'uh, sure, why not.' She rummages beneath the desk for a portfolio and Bucky looks for Steve again, desperate to get to the next stop.

They can hear the screech of a bike outside and Bucky peers out the window, now what? The bell above the door rings and a young man strolls in. He saunters for the register, leaning on the counter top and smiling up at the woman. 'Hey, Jilly, you're looking deadly. Anything for me?' He bats his eyelids and Bucky now realises, this is what asking for trouble looks like. He peers between the two of them, she seems to know him, she's unphased. He's chewing on gum over dramatically and oblivious to Bucky beside him.

A booming voice interrupts them. 'Start the ticker tape parade, Kenny's on time.' The three look back at an older man, rounding the corner, Steve and Rosie at his heels. Bucky shrugs at them, asking dryly 'where were you?'

'Buying flowers,' Steve motions, unsure how they are now making a purchase. The man's arms are full of fresh flowers and Bucky shakes his head.

'Kids, you know who this is?' Fitz asks, Jilly smiles warmly and Kenny appears disinterested. The older man bangs the counter with his palm, 'stand up, Kenneth, you'll be delivering Captain Rogers' flowers to his girl.' Steve's cheeks colour and Bucky shakes his head again in disbelief, wondering how Steve has made a friend in ten minutes. Fitz muscles in beside his granddaughter, wrapping the flowers in simple brown paper. He peers up and meets Bucky's eye. 'Well, I'll be damned, you're Sargent Barnes.' Bucky whitens, Jilly concerned, looking between all the men, none the wiser 'Pop, you feeling ok? Finish your crossword already?' He shakes his head, not wanting to talk about that. Kenny chews on his gum, nodding, 'who are these guys, Fitz?'

'Real life heroes and I've told you, Mr Fitzwarren to you! Stand up straight.'

Once outside the flower store, Bucky exhales, 'that was an experience. One I don't hope to repeat. Where now?' Steve checks the list again, 'uh, suits, she's suggested a place. Close by.' Rosie waves goodbye to the flower shop, whining to be carried again, she drags her feet and complains she's hot and thirsty. Bucky takes pity and offers her a lift, not as reluctant as he was once upon a time. 'Tony could have set all of this up, we didn't need to come down to a shop, you know?' Bucky doesn't like the sound of that, 'no thank you.'

A young woman suddenly runs over to them, 'oh my God, are you…? Aren't you Captain America? You are!' Steve looks at Bucky, who shamelessly hides behind Rosie, walking ahead sharply. Steve hesitantly nods and the girl produces a phone, 'can I have a picture?' He glances over at Rosie and Bucky, now sat on a bench across the street.

'umm yeah, sure.' People flock around, desperate to meet him, take a photo, have him sign their old receipts, newspapers, anything. Steve eventually manages to break free, finding Bucky and Rosie, staring down at the pair wearing their sunglasses, acting too cool for school. 'Oh, hey, friend, we thought you'd gone home,' Bucky jokes and Rosie grins, 'yeah, friendddd.'

Steve shakes his head, 'that's dad to you, come on, we have places to be.' Bucky rushes to catch up with Steve, Rosie on his back, she laughs as she grips on 'no way, is it you? Can I take your picture?' Steve shuts his eyes, frustrated with his friend's mimicking and teasing.

'Any more thoughts about… quitting?' Bucky mouths lowly. Steve looks up at Rosie, 'no matter how quiet you are she will hear and no, not really, it was just an idea. Just a rough patch, besides, need to keep an eye on you, don't I?' Bucky shrugs, 'maybe I won't do it forever either, you know the deal. We could retire together, open a flower shop, like that old crooner.' Steve chuckles, 'that shop was in his family, it's his legacy. You and I gave that up, when we ran head first into trouble.' Bucky smirks, 'well, we were separate for those bad decisions, so you can't blame me, I am the victim in all of this.' Steve chuckles, 'you're right, thank you for your service.' Bucky nods nobly, 'you're most welcome.'

'What colour suit you thinking?' Bucky pulls a face at the question, 'black, what else is there?' Steve shrugs, 'blue, burgundy, grey.' Bucky stops at the word burgundy, 'don't be ludicrous.' Steve laughs loudly.

'Can we go back on the bridge?' Rosie asks, Steve explaining, 'I told her we were going to the bridge place, she only came for that.' Bucky tugs on her shoes, hanging over his shoulders 'and here I thought you liked me, Rosalyn.' She giggles, 'nope. Just the big bridge.'

Bucky sighs, 'I'm up for a detour, not like we have a list to achieve, what about you, Cap?' Steve looks back at the nickname, 'maybe we could be the old version of us, just for today? No more "Cap."' Bucky grins, 'sure, Stevie. But you need to slim down, maybe an entire person or three and I need to grow an arm, feels like a tall order.'

'Hey, Rosalyn, you know your dad and I grew up here.' She looks around, 'did you ride your bike here?' Bucky nods, 'well I did, your dad sat on the back.' Steve chuckles, shaking his head at the tall tales. 'Did you have a basket like my bike?' Bucky nods 'mmm hmm.' She thinks hard, 'was it a pink bike?' Bucky agrees, 'yes, it was a bright pink bike.'

Bucky looks about, happy to be there. Realising where they are, he crosses the street, Steve double taking, 'where are you going?' He wanders behind him, head down as a group of tourists pass by. Rounding the corner, the men stop. Staring up at the old factory where Bucky will soon be saying his vows. Steve appears stunned, 'wow, I haven't been here for… I dread to think. Fairly sure I got beaten up in this neighbourhood.' Rosie looks worried and Bucky lies, 'he's kidding.'

'You want to see inside?' Steve looks unsure, 'we haven't booked.' Bucky flashes a grin, 'it's us, come on, we can sweet talk our way in there.' Steve grins, 'fine, I'd love to see it.' Steve points to the warehouse building, explaining to Rosie that's where Andi and Bucky will be marrying in just over three months.

Amelia sits at work, it's gone two PM and she's ready for a nap, or lunch again, she's not sure. Leaning back in her chair and rubbing her tummy, she's horribly uncomfortable and all the time. She stretches and spots Richard, chatting with Mark. Cosying up to him like a couple of teenagers at the back of the bus. She grimaces at them; she feels one step behind all the time. She grabs a snack bar from her desk and thinks screw it, chomping on the bar, ogling the bosses and pretending to keep up. She yawns, blaming it on her pregnancy. She feels bad, she blames everything on her unborn baby.

She quickly returns to her emails, trying to look busy. There's an email with perfect Richard's name on it, she groans before clicking read. 'Spare me,' she mutters to herself, there's some crap about tomorrow's show, how well Beth is doing in her new anchor slot, she doesn't really care anymore about anything he has to say. Scrolling down, she notices the thread is huge and she wonders if this was even meant for her to see. It doesn't mention her, it's not addressed Hi Amelia. Looking around as if she's been caught snooping, she keeps reading on the sly.

She halts when she reaches an element pertaining to her. She stares at the chain, her brows coming together, her heartbeat increasing. Skimming the email and pulling out only certain words, she takes a deep breath and endeavours to read it properly. Trying to calm herself, convince herself that she's misread.

Mark,

Terrible news about Amelia. I sent flowers from us all.

She scoffs, of course it was him, the type who thinks flowers make everything ok. She suddenly feels guilty, flowers would be lovely from someone she actually liked. Going back to the email, she reads on.

But forgive me for suggesting, exclusive story, 'Captain America's unborn child, not such the superhero genes?' or something to that effect, what do you think, too close to the knuckle?'

Hit me back,

Richard

Amelia whitens, her breathing getting more and more shallow. 'Oh my God,' she mutters into her palm. She looks over again and watches Mark and Richard, joking over a coffee. She wonders who would do this and who would suggest something like that, scrolling down she can see her boss thankfully said no. But nothing else, no warnings or firings, just a polite, civil no. Amelia swallows, feeling queasy, 'fuck.' She finds she can't swallow her mouthful of oat cereal bar and almost chokes on it, trying to finish it.

She panics, thinking she should quit right now, she should hit that guy, call Andi, call Steve, she should do anything, something. She looks over at his smug face and pictures the punching she did with Natasha. She feels a cramping in her side and curses that awful man for getting her in such a state.

She looks down at her hands, they are shaking. She places them on the desk, her sweaty palms sticking to the surface.

She stands up as quickly as she can, toppling a little, not used to the weight distribution, strolling as casually as possible to the conference room. She can feel Richard's eyes on her. She needs to get him alone, but she can barely control her breathing right now. She closes the door and takes a deep breath, suddenly freaking out and thinking she can't do this. Her emotions feel like they are about to tumble from her. She grips her stomach willing herself not to throw up and not on him again, or maybe that would be perfect. 'We can do this, we can do this… I've got this…'

There's a gentle tap on the door behind her and she instantly knows it's him. This is it.

'Hello, saw you come in here, pregs. All ok? Feeling alright? Just checking I don't need to call a janitor again.' Amelia keeps her back to him, biting her nails. 'No, I don't feel good. I feel sick.' Richard creeps closer to her and she closes her eyes, tension in every part of her body.

'Why don't you put it on the morning news, tell the whole damn world,' she spits. He watches her and questions what she means, she turns around slowly, 'I saw your emails, you absolutely evil asshole.' Richard holds his hands up, 'woah, somebody is having a rough day. Come on, mama take a load off, let's chat.'

'No! Tell me, in what world you think it is ok for you to suggest my baby is a breaking news story, on some fucking trash TV show?' Richard blanches, but quickly resumes his positive stance, 'look, I don't know how you could possibly know about that…'

'You emailed it to me, you prick!' Amelia pants loudly, staring at him, pinning him with a furious glare.

His eyes widen, 'Amelia, come on. Take yourself out of the situation and ask yourself, would you not have suggested the same thing?' His arrogance is sickening.

She inhales shakily, 'no, not in a million years, this is people's lives, women's bodies, you can't treat people like that. You're soulless. Soulless.' She wipes her hair, hyperventilating a little and shaking her head in disbelief.

Richard tilts his head, 'harsh, but what most people think about the press and oh, don't forget that includes you. You work for that same trash TV network.' Amelia snarls at him, he just grins smugly 'unless you want to quit and I'll take over full time?' Amelia double takes, understanding 'that's what this is about? You want my job? Well trust me, I'm about this close to saying take it, but I know how fucking delighted that would make you, so I'll stay, but I'm watching you. I could have you fired for this, you deserve to be. Don't ever talk about her or me again. Got it?'

Richard just watches her, not backing down, 'maybe you should have a seat,' he reaches for her arm and she snatches it away. 'Do not touch me, I don't need to have a seat.' Amelia flops down into a chair, holding her stomach and looking up at him, 'get out, now!' He opens his mouth but nods and bids her goodbye.

'Look, there's nothing you can do about this, it was just a suggestion, I'm not saying they are all good ones. But freedom of speech and all that, I had an idea, Mark said no, it didn't run, no harm, no foul. I was merely thinking out loud. Other news outlets would run it, so in a sense you're lucky. HR won't care, even if you do "report" me and who will keep an eye on your boy's interests if you leave. With no you, I could run with whatever story I want.'

Amelia stares at him cynically, disbelieving that he's trying to justify this right now. Richard looks her over, smiling smugly 'I hope she's as fiery as her mom.' Amelia pauses, when did she mention it's a girl, shit.

He stops at the door, 'enjoy your week off next week, you really deserve it, I will keep things running here.' Amelia opens her mouth to respond, but he counters 'and don't do anything rash, you and I could be a great team. Imagine the things I'd run with if I had free range and no you to ground me.' He smirks and leaves swiftly. Amelia stares after him, was that a threat, is he right? Do I need to be here to protect Steve? Bucky? Our friends?

She can't think, can't finish those questions internally, let alone answer them. Suddenly banging the table with her fist.

She watches him through the blind and she chokes on a sob, crying into her hand and cradling her bump. Pacing the room, she's not sure what to do next.

She digs in her jacket pocket, grabbing her phone. She switches off the recording mode and sighs. Crying again, her phone flickers off. In the black screen she can see her crumpled face. She quickly unlocks it and finds her contacts. Holding the phone to her ear and waiting for him to answer.

'Hey, you ok? Everything alright?' Steve answers with a panicked tone.

Amelia inhales deeply, feeling bad. She doesn't want to put anything else on him. She sniffs 'yeah, yeah, I'm ok.'

'Really, you don't sound it?'

Amelia nods as if he was there, 'just feeling a bit queasy, wanted to hear your voice.'

Steve is gentle with her, 'well as long as you are sure. I'm sorry, the timing isn't great, but I'm not going to be home tonight, maybe not until the end of the week, will you be ok? I spoke with Tony, you can have my room at the tower, if you want the company.'

Amelia's eyes flick around the room, reminding her that she's alone again. 'No, I'll be fine. Be safe, yeah?'

Amelia arrives home, Rosie following her into the house, chatting about school 'you take the teddy bear home and write in his little book about where he's been.' Amelia nods in agreement, her arms full of groceries and she backs up, pushing the door shut. 'He's coming home with me, but not next week, because I'm not there. Are we really going on a Vacation?' Amelia groans, lugging the shopping through to the kitchen, 'nope, juts lots of crafts and stuff at home.' Rosie looks disappointed, 'oh.' Amelia calls to the cat and Rosie continues, 'is daddy home tonight?' Amelia bangs the cat dish on the counter, Rosie covering her ears, 'no, he's not home for a couple days, sweetie. Sorry.'

Rosie keeps talking, Amelia mentally listing what she needs to do next. 'Ash is going to the beach with his daddy,' Amelia nods, not really listening.

'Digby!' Amelia calls and Rosie laughs, 'maybe he's sleeping. Or not hungry.' Amelia looks around for the furry critter, wondering where he is, 'can you go look for him, please?' Rosie scampers off, calling to the kitty.

Amelia sighs, trying to look out the window into the dark night, 'where is he…' Her phone begins to light up from inside her handbag. She ignores it, but it pings and buzzes constantly, she gives one final call to the cat, before dropping the bowl on the side.

Rummaging in her bag, she finds her phone, clicking one of many messages, her screen fills with reports of 'It's a girl! Captain America and the first baby Avenger.' Amelia stares at the device, she grips it hard, shrieking a little and slamming it face down on the island table. 'No, no, no, no,' she mutters angrily, her blood pressure rising, her pulse echoing in her ears. She wonders how this keeps happening to her, what will Steve say, what about the people she forgot to tell.

Rosie reappears, her lip wobbling, her eyes wide, 'he's gone, he's not here.' Amelia looks up, forgetting who she means, 'oh, Digby, right, sorry. Well, I'm sure he's here somewhere.' Amelia wipes her face and opens her arms, hugging Rosie close. She looks around and thinks this is the last thing she needs. Her eyes notice the fridge and she can see new baby names in different writing, including Andi's. She reaches over and rips it down, the magnet falling to the floor with a. clatter.

'What was that?' Rosie asks, Amelia brushes her off, 'nothing. Hey, why don't you go watch some TV while I get dinner going. Digby will be back, I bet he's creeped out a window.'

Amelia watches Rosie leave again, dragging her feet sadly. Feeling guilty for getting rid of her, but quickly snatching the phone and dialling her sister. 'Oh, come on, pick up…'

'Hello, oh pregnant one,' Amelia cringes, her sister is never serious. 'Have you been here today?' Andi gets distracted and Amelia can hear her wishing someone a nice evening, 'Andi! Have you been to the house today?' Andi returns to the call, 'no, that was yesterday.' Amelia sighs, 'the cat is missing.'

Andi cottons on 'oh, actually, yeah, I did stop by, just grabbed some stuff. Yeah, he was crying at the door, so I let him out.' Amelia groans, pulling the phone away and stomping her feet immaturely, 'he's gone! I normally let him out when I get home, now I can't find him, Rosie's upset. He's missing. There's a system, Andi!'

Andi tries to cut in, 'I'm sorry, ok? He will come back. Bucky popped by after me, maybe he let him in, I'll check, hey Bucky?' Amelia is now pinching her nose, 'no, don't ask him, I'm talking to you…'

Andi disappears off the phone, 'Andi?' Her voice comes through again, 'sorry, he didn't see him either.'

'Mia, while I've got you, I've been meaning to catch up with you, sorry I've been all over the place this week, Tony and I went to Washington and Bucky and I have been wedding planning in the evenings. But I just wanted to say… I'm moving into the tower, properly, with Bucky. And then the new compound. It's time.'

Amelia freezes, she can't believe this, why is she telling her this now and over the phone. Amelia says the only thing she can think of, 'where's my cat, Andrea?' Andi is shocked by the tone and no formal acknowledgement of what she just said, 'he's technically my cat, I chose him.' Amelia groans, swinging the kitchen window open and calling 'Digby!'

Andi interrupts her, 'hold the phone away you idiot, I'm still on the line, I'm deaf now. Hang on, Bucky's showing me something.'

Amelia waits with bated breath, tapping her foot angrily. 'Shit, we are in the lobby, on the TV… they know it's a girl, it's everywhere. Oh shit, did you know this?' Amelia closes her eyes, 'yes, I've just seen it myself, who knows where they got that from.' Amelia pauses, suddenly she knows exactly where they got it from. She pales, 'I have to go.' Andi stops her, stuttering 'hey, do you even care about me moving out?'

Amelia shrugs to herself, 'well, we need the room. You're getting married, probably best you live with the guy properly.'

'Huh, ok. Thought you might care a little more, but thanks.' Amelia can hear her sister's despondent tone, but she just doesn't have the energy.

She takes a deep breath, ready to wrap this up. 'Oh, come on, this has been on the cards for ages, now, I need to go and find my cat.'

'Our cat! God! Look, Amelia, are you ok? What's wrong? I'm coming over.' Amelia bristles at being asked such a big question, that she's fairly sure the answer is no.

'Nothing! I just need to find Digby and I don't want to be your sounding board right now, woe is me, I have too many options and places to live.'

'You're not being very nice to me. I'm trying to stay calm, I know you've had a rough time and Steve's away again and it could eek into next week…'

Amelia looks up at the last part. 'Wait. Next week? What?'

'Tony said… never mind, just hearsay. I will always be there for you, no matter where I live. It hasn't been an easy decision for me…' Amelia's fed up now, cutting in. 'Yeah, whatever. I have to go. Digby.'

She interrupts her sister again, hanging up, 'goodbye!'

'Mom, have you found him?' Rosie calls. Amelia grips the counter, breathing deeply and wondering if she's in labour, she's so worked up. Steve, away another week. Her sister, moving out, right this minute. Her job, a disaster. Her colleague, a complete wan… Her cat, missing. Her daughter, calling. She remembers Rosie, looking up.

'No, not yet, sure he's around.' Amelia walks briskly through the dining room, Rosie appearing by the front door, 'I'll call for him out here,' she reaches for the latch and Amelia begs her, 'no you won't, go back inside please.' Amelia is a little forceful and Rosie wells up again. Amelia sighs and races up the stairs, as quick as her tired feet will take her. She nearly drops down and crawls the last four steps. She looks around for the cat, pushing both hands through her hair. Rushing into her bedroom, she stops suddenly at the sight of Digby asleep in the middle of her bed. He meows and shifts, going back to sleep. Amelia exhales, the baby kicking and Rosie calling to her again. Amelia feels like there's no escape and she finds herself envying the cat right now. Rosie is clambering up the stairs, she's wailing now, worried about the pet and Amelia sags against the wardrobe, energy draining from her.

'He's here, Rosie,' Amelia calls lamely. The little girl appears, ecstatic, squeezing the life from the poor four-legged animal and crying into his fur. 'You came home, Digby.'

Amelia watches sadly, thinking back to shouting and blaming Andi. She tilts her head back and spots something on top of the wardrobe. Having a thought, she makes a rash decision.

'Hey, Rosie?' She says wiping her face, 'do you fancy that vacation, you mentioned?'

AN: There we go! Some light fluff at the start, which was soo fun to write, Bucky seems to be warming up to the wedding idea, but THAT kiss still lingers in his mind.

I wanted Amelia's colleague to be a real A-Hole and I wondered when I wrote it, would someone really do that? But quickly decided, yes, definitely. It's a low, low move, but anything for the story.

Please don't hate Amelia for her flight tendency at the end of this chapter…. I know when I'm uncomfortable, I have a flight alarm that sounds and I get out of dodge and quickly!

We will see where her and Rosie end up in the next chapter.

Merry Christmas! xx