A/n: I only own Ellie, Grant, Beckie and Kasie, and Sarah; all other characters that you recognize are property of Marvel.
a/n2: This week starts WandaVision… new content! I did get a little written during the break but definitely not what I had hoped for. Graduate school starts back up soon so I hope to get more written before classes.
Thank you for the new follow: itsclarea and ellahale101
So I'm gonna love you like I'm gonna lose you
And I'm gonna hold you like I'm saying goodbye
Wherever we're standing
I won't take you for granted
'Cause we'll never know when, when we'll run out of time
~ Like I'm Gonna Lose You by Megan Trainer
*~*~* April 4, 2019- Irvington, New York *~*~*
"You want to try it next week?" Pepper asked on her side of their video conference.
Ellie sighed from her spot in her home office at the house, "I can't hide here forever Pep," Ellie told her as she laid her head on her desk, "I'm an idiot."
"No, you were trying to save all those people's lives, and you did save them. The mayor has been trying to contact you through us to give you a big ceremony," Pepper told her.
Ellie looked up at her screen, "I don't deserve a ceremony."
"The Queen sure thought you did. She spoke out by the way. Did you see that?" Pepper asked.
Ellie sat back on her chair and rubbed her eyes with the heels of her hands, "Yeah, I saw that," Ellie moved her chair back and forth slightly, "I tried going to the park with the kids yesterday. We got about ten minutes of quiet uninterrupted time… then a parent recognized me," Ellie cleared her throat, "Even when I went on National TV, no one knew who I was, no one cared."
"You were also hiding in Wakanda at the time anyway. A new story came along and then Bucky, people focused more on Bucky than you," Pepper told her.
Ellie chewed her lip, "I'll be there Monday."
Pepper smiled, "I'll have Happy there at 7:30 am to pick you up."
Ellie shook her head frowning, "No, no I'll drive."
"No, think of it as a COO perk. At least until things calm down," Pepper told her, "Now I'm actually hungry, so I'm going to go try to find something that I might be able to handle."
Ellie smiled, "See you tomorrow Pepper."
"Bye Ellie," Pepper said as the screen shrunk and CALL ENDED appeared.
Ellie turned her screen off then looked down at her lap, scratching Alpine behind the ears, "You love having me home all the time don't you?"
Alpine purred louder as he pushed his head into her hand.
Picking him up, she put him on her shoulder and went downstairs to wait for Steve and Annabelle to get back from the mall.
*~*~* April 4, 2019- White Plains, New York *~*~*
Steve pushed the twins in their stroller, as Annabelle pushed Grant and Sarah in theirs, through the mall after taking Sarah and Grant to get a new pair of shoes.
"I can't believe how much their feet grow," Steve said in disbelief, "We just got Sarah a new pair of shoes for Christmas."
"Well normal kids grow fast and these kids aren't…" Annabelle trailed off as she slowed down and looked at Steve sheepishly.
"They aren't normal, you can say it," Steve sighed as he took in the storefronts, "You are right."
"But you can still treat them normal," Annabelle told him.
"That is what we are trying to do," Steve told her as he saw a Build a Bear store, "In fact, let's go in there. Let them pick and… Build a Bear. Tony mentioned there once."
"They are adorable in there," Annabelle said as they pushed the strollers into the store.
"Look Grant it is Cinderella," Steve said as he picked up a premade Cinderella bear, "Ellie's been going through the Disney storybooks before bed," Steve explained to Annabelle.
"Dada!" Grant yelled clapping.
Steve looked ahead and his heart jumped as Bucky was standing in front of him. A cardboard cutout of Bucky, with Sam hanging from the ceiling, Vision, and Wanda to Bucky's right, and Spiderman crouched down in front with T'Challa on Bucky's other side.
Steve swallowed hard as he stared at Bucky.
"Dada!" Grant yelled kicking his feet.
Steve shook his head, "Yeah Bud, there is Dada."
"Wow…" Annabelle said as she stared at the cardboard standing in front of them, "I've never seen them like that before."
Steve sighed, "Me neither. It… it's too weird."
"Look, you can make a bear of each of them though," Annabelle said as she saw the tiny Winter Soldier shirt, "There is an option of a silver arm or a black arm?"
"Bucky's new arm," Steve told her as he swallowed hard, "Shuri, Prince… King T'Challa's sister gave him a whole upgrade… before everything happened. How… how they knew though?"
Annabelle held up the two shirts, "Grant which-" She said as Grant grabbed the blue shirt with a black arm and held onto it in his tiny fists, "Guess we have an answer."
Steve let Annabelle take Grant and Sarah's stroller and blinked back the tears looking at Bucky's face.
"I'm sorry."
Steve looked down at a smaller woman, "Excuse me?"
"For your loss, I know you were close to all of them," She stated as she looked at Annabelle showing the kids' choices, "I heard the little boy yell Dada… was that the Winter…. Bucky Barnes' son?"
Steve nodded unable to form words at the moment.
"God, he sacrificed being able to see his son grow up for us," She said sadly.
Steve cleared his throat, "These are his daughters as well. He… he didn't even know about them at the time."
She looked at the girls, "Poor things, how is your sister? I know she is in the news right now."
Steve gave her a small smile, "Being swarmed when she goes out so she is at home. I appreciate you asking about her though."
The young girl smiled, "She saved all those people. She is more like you than anyone realizes. When you guys are ready to put the bears together let me know."
"Thank you," Steve said as she went off to the register to ring someone up.
*~*~* April 4, 2019- Irvington, New York *~*~*
Ellie was standing at the stove cooking beef stew when she heard Grant laugh, "Hey guys."
Steve set both twins down as Annabelle guided Grant and Sarah to their play area in the kitchen.
"What are those bears that they have?" Ellie asked noticing the top of the bear's head.
Steve smiled, "Captain America and his trusty sidekick."
Ellie frowned as she put the lid on the pot and walked over to Grant to see him with a bear with long brown hair and a blue jacket with…one dark arm.
Ellie looked at Steve, "What is that?"
"So… Build a Bear… they had Avengers bears. Even one for Buck," Steve told her slowly gauging her reaction.
Ellie looked at it again as Grant babbled to Sarah and occasionally said Dada, "Who…I don't understand… how did they know what is what it looked like?"
"Someone knew, someone…" Steve groaned, "Outside of me, who else has the technical rights to the Avengers?"
Ellie sighed, "Tony."
"Can you call him?" Steve asked her switching his feet.
Ellie glared at him, "Seriously?! Why does it have to be me?"
Steve sighed, "He is still mad at me, El. At the wedding, he wouldn't talk to me at all."
Ellie growled in frustration, "You men and your pettiness! You are worse than us," Ellie said, "FRIDAY call Pepper."
"Calling Miss Potts."
"Hey Ellie," Pepper answered.
Ellie sighed, "Pepper, Steve has a question for Tony, but he's too chicken shit to call him."
Pepper groaned, "Not him too. Tony is being stupid about it too."
"I know, so high school, anyways go ahead Steve, you can at least talk to Pepper. I have to pee," Ellie said as she stormed off to the bathroom.
"Hi Steve," Pepper said.
"Hey Pepper, how are you?" Steve asked with a sigh.
"I'm sure she has told you, but we are expecting," Pepper told him.
"No, Ellie didn't," Steve said surprised, "Congratulations."
"Thank you; Tony… he wanted to call you but…" Pepper trailed off.
Steve sighed, "We need to take time to sit down and talk."
"Yes, you two do," Pepper told him, "One of these days, maybe we will come down there and everyone have lunch or dinner or something."
"That would be nice," Steve said as he bit his lip, "We miss you guys. Me and Nat."
"I miss you guys too, Tony does but… his pride… ego…. Whatever. Anyways you needed to talk to us?" Pepper asked.
"I took the kids to the mall today and we went to Build a Bear. I was met face to face by Bucky," Steve explained.
"Say that again?" Pepper asked.
"A cardboard standup of him, Wanda, Vision, T'Challa, and Spiderman… Peter, Sam hanging from the ceiling," Steve told her as he glanced in the direction Ellie went, "It threw me for a loop but… there are others that I think would be more affected by it."
Pepper sighed, "Ellie."
"Yeah," Steve said as he sat down at the island, "I didn't give… permission, rights whatever to do it. I don't even know how they got the pictures. It was how they looked on the field in Wakanda."
"Really? You didn't have FRIDAY there. Well, Rhodey had his software," Pepper said as she trailed off, "Hold on, tell Ellie I'll call her back."
"Call ended Captain."
"Thank you FRIDAY," Steve said as he glanced at the kids, "Annabelle, you can go ahead home."
"Are you sure Mr. Rogers?" Annabelle asked.
"Positive, and remember, it's Steve," He told her, "FRIDAY monitor the kids for me."
"Yes, Captain."
After walking Annabelle to the door and watching her as she walked down towards the gate he had installed in the fence, he shut the door.
Steve walked through the kitchen back to the laundry room where the large washer and dryer were and heard Ellie crying in the small bathroom, "El?"
The door opened, "Sorry," Ellie said drying her face, "I… I… I am just hormonal," She told him as she let out a breath, "I am glad you took them because if… If I'd see him like that in front of me I'd have lost it."
"I almost did," Steve admitted as he pulled her to his chest.
"I miss him so much," Ellie told him with a watery laugh, "It's that… time for me. I just remember one of the first ones after Grant was born. We were traveling and he went to the store for me… came back with all these Reece Cups," She laughed then swallowed down another round of tears.
"Want me to get Reece Cups for you?" Steve asked kissing the top of her head.
"I have a stash in the freezer," Ellie admitted.
Steve looked at her, "Where?"
Ellie blushed, "In a bag that says Brussels sprouts," Ellie admitted, "I know no one will touch it."
Steve laughed, "Get some Reece Cups, go upstairs and take a bath. I'll finish dinner."
"The first timer is for the bread, the second timer is for the stew. When the first timer goes off, the potatoes will be done and can be mashed," Ellie told him.
"Go," Steve told her.
Ellie hugged him, "Thank you, Steve."
Steve sighed as she left. Turning the bathroom light off, he walked back into the kitchen. He checked on everything then went into the family room where Grant was trying to get onto the couch, "What are you doing Grant?" Steve asked as he put him up on the couch.
"T!" Grant said pointing at the TV.
"What do you want to watch? You haven't watched anything today. How about some Sesame Street?" Steve asked not expecting a response.
"Yel mos," Grant replied.
"Yes Elmo," Steve said as he put one of the saved episodes up on the screen and grabbed Sarah then sat on the couch next to Grant.
Sarah put her thumb into her mouth and settled onto his chest.
"Captain Rogers, it is time to take out the bread," FRIDAY told him.
Steve sighed, "Thank you FRIDAY," Steve said as he got up and put Sarah in the playpen then put Grant in with her, "You guys can still see."
He checked in on both girls in their car seats, who were still asleep then went into the kitchen to finish dinner. After taking the bread out, he turned the stove off on the potatoes and was looking for the masher when his phone started vibrating in his pocket.
Not looking at it, he put the phone to his ear, "Nat babe, can I call you back?"
"It's not Nat but sure," Tony's voice said.
Steve paused, "Wait, Tony, hi."
There was silence on both ends for almost a minute, "Tony you still there?"
"I'm sorry," Tony said quietly as he sighed, "I was hurt."
"I understand that," Steve told him, "I'm sorry how it went down but… I was trying to protect you, protect Bucky and Ellie even though I thought she was dead too. Protect the team. I knew there were other super-soldiers worse than Buck… when you got there and what went down… I'm sorry. With the Accords-"
Tony scoffed, "None of this would have even happened if those damn things wouldn't have happened. Ross… damn Ross. He got his way. He wanted to have control over the Avengers and when he couldn't he got us split up."
"Tony I'm retiring," Steve informed him.
Tony was silent for a minute, "I figured it was coming. There is no need for us anymore. After a year, looks like Thanos at least snapped most of the bad guys away. Things have been quiet. There is one guy… but… not sure if he is a good guy or bad."
"The one that is killing the drug cartels?" Steve asked.
"Yeah, he's been on your radar too?" Tony asked.
Steve swallowed hard, "Tony, we think it's Clint."
"Wait what?" Tony asked.
Steve sighed as he sat down, "His whole family was wiped out. He went to Tokyo, we know that. Trained with some guy that Nat used to work with, then the guy's family was killed by some gang. Clint was gone and the whole gang was dead. Clint has been off the radar since and groups have been killed in a similar method."
"Fuck, Barton," Tony swore, "Natasha can't find him?"
"No, Rhodey has even been helping when he can," Steve told him, "But Nat… she taught him well."
Tony was silent for a minute, "So how is it being a stay at home Dad… Uncle?"
Steve laughed, "It's better than I thought. She told me that Pepper is starting a daycare at the compound for those there and when she moves upstate that she will take the kids up there too. They were going to go downtown, but Ellie decided against it."
"We can find something for you to do Steve. Office work or-"
"No, retirement means just that… retirement. I'm happy being here at home, cleaning, and cooking well… normally Ellie prepares everything and all I have to do is actually put it in the oven. I get to see Sarah grow up. I'm not in the field, I know there is no threat that I might not come home from," Steve told him.
"Pepper is pregnant," Tony told him.
Steve grinned, "Now you get to be the stay at home Dad."
"Shit Steve, my Dad messed me up. Who says I won't mess this kid up?" Tony asked.
Steve thought of it for a second, "It's a day by day thing. You learn from the day before what works, what doesn't. You will only have one at least."
"How are you taking care of four kids?" Tony asked in disbelief.
"It's a challenge at times but… I'm happy to do it for her, for them… for him," Steve told him quietly.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the whole Build a Bear thing. They are the first ones that actually used the marketing stuff," Tony told him with a sigh, "I'm doing it for them. I hope that we figure out how to bring them back in the future. Then what money we make off this merchandising… they will have money. When we were on Thanos' planet, Strange said that there was one way… one that we won. He told me when we first went into space that… if it came down to me or Parker or the Stone… he'd choose the stone," He was quiet, "He chose my life over the stone and gave it to him. I have to believe there is a reason for that."
Steve chewed his lip, "Ellie thinks in 2023… something will change. She never visited Bucky after that year."
"Let's hope. Until that time, I made LLCs for each of us so that the money for their merchandising will go to them, plus the Avengers as a group. We can divide that out between everyone," Tony told him, "There is even a comic group that wants to do comics of all of us. They just want some of the stories. I'll admit this snowballed from what I thought it would be but… if we retire Steve… these royalties… they can set up our families for a long time. No need to worry about government funding, Stark industries funding… we can set up our kids for a long time."
"How did they get that picture of Bucky?" Steve asked.
Tony sighed, "When Ellie started working for us, she…her contacts in Wakanda… some of them for the medical development and such have moved here to New York. Since I wasn't there, I asked them if they knew if there was footage of the battle. I just… I wanted to see it for myself. Steve… their technology far surpasses ours. I'm not stealing what they don't want to help us improve, but… Stark Tech could be the number one company in the world easily if they helped us… but I digress. Their videos of all of you lined up to fight as T'Challa said those words before everyone charged, that is where I got the pictures of Bucky and Sam flying, T'Challa… whose money is going back to Wakanda. The Queen said she is making a scholarship fund for education. Wanda as she did that badass landing when she stopped those big ass things. Then I had the picture of Peter. Everyone else is their Stark Industries photo. The Ant Man guy, only photo I had access to was when he became… giant man? Is that what he called himself when he was big?" Tony asked.
Steve laughed, "No clue. I honestly never got a chance to know Scott sadly. He was apprehended and had a daughter at home so he took a plea deal like Clint. I think he was a free man for all of a week before he… was dusted. His whole team in San Francisco was from what I understand."
"He had a daughter?" Tony asked quietly.
"Cassie, she is ten now I think," Steve told him.
"Shit," Tony said inhaling through the phone, "I wish there was a way I could figure out how to fix it."
Steve looked towards the stairs, "Ellie has been researching, driving herself crazy with every book she could find that may have an answer. Nothing is factual. Whether it is time travel or bringing people back from the dead."
"Plus they didn't just die. They disappeared from existence," Tony said as he groaned, "Anyways; yes you will see more merch with everyone on it. Just try to prepare her for it. I know… it may be sensitive for her. I… I haven't seen her since she started working for us… my fault but, I can just imagine how it would be to see…him there in front of her."
"Thank you, Tony," Steve said, "And thank you for the call."
"I'm just a phone call away if you guys need me," Tony told him, "And I'm sorry. I'll try to be better."
*~*~* April 10, 2019- New York, New York *~*~*
Ellie was typing out her reports about the software teams' discoveries when someone knocked on her office door. Looking up she saw her assistant Amanda, "Hey Mandy come on in."
Amanda 'Mandy' Johnson was quiet but had immediately clicked with Ellie. She was her young 30 -year-old but an eager assistant. Her dark red hair was a warning to everyone around her that she was someone not to mess with. Already in the month that they had been working together, she had made deals that Ellie was impressed with. She was quiet, but when she was in work mode, she was not one to be messed with.
Mandy walked in and set a pile of files on Ellie's desk, "Mrs. Barnes, here are the specs that you asked for from the development department. I also have some messages for you," She told her showing her some sticky notes.
Ellie sat back and sighed, "How many from the President's people?"
"Two," Mandy told her with a grin, "One from his staffer and another from someone in the secret service. I told him that we were not interested in a visit at this time."
"Thank you," Ellie said as she ran her hand through her hair.
"I think it is kind of funny actually," Mandy said as she motioned to the chair, "May I have a seat?"
"Of course," Ellie said as she opened the first file, "Why do you think it's funny?"
"The government was so… anti-superhero until those damn accords fell and now that they can… legally ask for help and you can tell them no… that is when they are reaching out to you," Mandy told her.
Ellie folded her hands in front of her and leaned on her elbows as she rested her chin on her hands, "You don't have to tell me but… do you know any enhanced?"
Mandy sighed, "Yes, it wasn't passed down to me, but my father has some… abilities. My grandma doesn't age and neither did my grandfather but my father… I remember when I was little, the first time I really noticed it. We were at a family party and the tent fell over on me and my little cousin. My Dad bent the bars and lifted it as if it were a pillow. I was a teenager and I'd heard of people lifting cars off loved ones when it was an emergency… adrenaline and all that," Mandy told her, "But that is when I really started paying attention. Great-Grandma was alive then, told me that Dad was just very strong and lifted weights and exercised. He didn't though, I mean just for work. After great-Grandma passed… the family kind of fell apart but at her funeral, great-granddad, my Dad, my Uncles carried the casket with the help of just a couple of friends. I finally got the courage to talk to Dad. He told me that I needed to keep it quiet. My Granddad had the same strength and passed it down. We don't have other abilities though," Mandy told her as she looked up at her, "I've never met them because they stay to themselves but my Great-Aunt, Granddad says she has abilities though. Not sure what but… that she stayed to herself because of them."
Ellie sighed, "I couldn't imagine having the powers I have now when I was younger. I could just imagine how hard it had to have been for her. You probably have what they call mutant DNA down your line," Ellie cleared her throat, "I do. It was passed to me by my mother."
"Really?" Mandy asked interested.
"It's passed down through the mother usually; your grandmother doesn't have any abilities does she?" Ellie asked.
Mandy shrugged, "Not sure, she never showed anything weird if so."
"As far as I know, my mother didn't show anything either but she was… excuse me for saying this but a badass in her own right," Ellie said with a smile, "My brother was determined to die from birth, both in health and by being a dumbass."
Mandy laughed out loud, "Isn't your brother Captain America?"
Ellie looked at her, "Before being Captain America he was 95 pounds soaking wet and could barely breathe. Becoming Captain America nearly killed him. Honestly, he being so stubborn is what saved him, because he refused to die from the procedure."
Mandy smiled.
"We didn't have money. My father died when I was young so it was me, Steve, and our Mom. She worked long hours as a nurse. Because she was a nurse, the doctors would see Steve when he was sick and she could buy the medications cheaper but even cheaper… it was still expensive for us. Thank god for modern medicine. My daughter has lung issues and if she ends up with asthma, medicine is so much better now," Ellie told her with a smile.
Mandy looked at her watch, "Shit! We need to get you to your next meeting with the design team."
Ellie stood up and grabbed her binder for the design team, "I'll walk in and Barry will be arguing with Johnny over the watch face… just wait."
Mandy followed her down the hallway to the conference room.
"I still think that a round watch face is best suitable for this series of watch," One of the designers said.
"Barry, Johnny are we still at this?" Ellie asked shaking her head as she walked to the head of the table.
"Mrs. Barnes, I've looked at the stats from the Apple Watches-"
Ellie held out her hand, "Johnny… are we Apple?"
"No ma'am," He said shaking his head.
"No, we are not, we are Stark Tech. Apple does not have the technology to go into the third dimension display yet. We do. Honestly, I disagree with both of you. A rectangular display in my option would be best," Ellie told them.
Both men looked at each other.
"It could work easily with the dimensions," Adele, the highest woman in the design department stated, "I will talk to Taylor in software and it should be easy to convert."
"Great!" Ellie said as she opened her binder, "What do you have for me outside of that?"
*~*~* April 24, 2019- New York, New York *~*~*
Ellie was sitting in a meeting with the Development team and Pepper going over their new tablet that was launching in three months. Pepper looked over the papers in front of her, "I like this, but can we up the memory anymore?"
Thomas, the lead, went to open his mouth when the door opened and Mandy came in nearly tripping, "Sorry, sorry," Mandy said standing up straightening her dress.
Ellie smiled, "It's okay Mandy, what's the fire?"
"Umm… the President is on the phone," Mandy told her.
Pepper groaned, "Damnit Tony, what does he-"
"No Miss Potts… I mean the President of the United States, for Mrs. Barnes," Mandy told them.
Ellie looked at Pepper then groaned, "Fuck a Duck, he knows I can't ignore him directly."
Pepper snorted, "Go I got this."
Ellie stood up and followed Mandy back to her desk, "Thank you, Mandy. How long has he been on hold?"
"Almost four minutes," Mandy told her biting her lip, "Line two."
Ellie sighed, "Thanks. Give me strength God," Ellie said as she picked the phone up and hit line two, "Ellie Barnes."
"Mrs. Barnes, it is a pleasure finally to speak to you. This is President John Hixson," He said.
"Hello sir, nice to speak to you," Ellie told him.
"You are a difficult woman to get in touch with," He stated.
"Well sorry sir, I am a little busy assisting in running a billion-dollar company during the day and being a single Mom of three by night," Ellie told him.
"Say that again?" President Hixson said, "You are a mother?"
"Yes sir, I have a son who is one, and I had twins in December," Ellie stated as she motioned for Mandy to have a seat.
"My God, you really are Super Woman," President Hixson stated.
"Nah Supergirl is a comic book. From what I understand she can shoot lasers out of her eyes. Nothing comes from my eyes," Ellie told him, "I'd love that X-Ray vision though if my son put something in his mouth."
President Hixson laughed, "The reason I have been trying to get a hold of you. I have also been trying to contact your brother but… he is even harder."
"Yes sir, he has retired from active duty," Ellie said as she sat back.
"Officially?" President Hixson asked surprised.
"Sir, he hasn't been in the Army since his…supposed death. He received a posthumous honorable discharge with his medals. Technically the moment he woke up he was retired," Ellie told him, "After… Thanos, Steve is tired, sir. So he is a stay at home dad now."
"Captain Rogers is a father?" President Hixson asked surprised.
"Yes sir, he has a daughter as well," Ellie informed him, "We had to keep our lives private sir because we had to live in fear with the accords."
"Those damn accords, it was the least I could do when I came to the office to get rid of those damn things," President Hixson told her, "Talking about that, I would like to invite you and your brother, Mr. Stark and Miss Potts as well here to the Capitol."
Ellie motioned to Mandy, "What date sir?"
Mandy handed her the phone with her calendar on it.
"This weekend," President Hixson told her.
Ellie froze as she looked at the date, and as if her ears had been taken over by bees, she barely heard him telling her of a ceremony honoring the fallen from the day of the Snap, what the government was calling the Decimation.
"Sorry sir but I'm not available this weekend," Ellie said quietly.
Mandy frowned.
Ellie cleared her throat, "I will speak to my brother and see when he is available."
The President's sigh was audible through the phone, "I honestly didn't think you'd say yes anyway, but I wanted to extend the invitation. Would you be able to speak with your brother tonight to let me know tomorrow what works best for you both? Mr. Stark and Miss Potts as well."
"Yes, if I am unable to give you a response tomorrow, my assistant will be able," Ellie told him.
"Alright, well it was nice speaking to you Mrs. Barnes," President Hixson told her.
"You as well sir," Ellie said as she ended the call with a sigh putttng her head on her desk.
"How dare him," Mandy stated as she stood up pacing, "He expected you to go there for the anniversary?"
Ellie raised her head and nodded as she wiped a stray tear then cleared her throat, "Could you possibly ask Pepper to come here?"
Mandy nodded and left the room.
Ellie put her face in her hands.
"What did the asshole say?" Pepper asked as she came into the office.
Ellie looked up at her as she breezed in the room, "He wants to invite us to a ceremony… this weekend."
Pepper slowly sat down, "You didn't say yes, did you?"
"Hell no," Ellie said as her chin quivered and the lights blinked, "I forgot what this weekend even was."
Pepper placed her hand on Ellie's, "You've been busy."
Ellie wiped her eyes, "How has it been a year? How has it only been a year?"
"Well, you have been busy in this last year," Pepper told her.
Ellie closed her eyes, "I think I'm going to head home."
Pepper nodded.
"He wants to see you, me, Tony, and Steve no matter what, at some point, I guess," Ellie told her.
Pepper frowned, "Steve and Tony in the same room?"
Ellie shrugged, "They had a good call I guess."
Pepper stared at her, "When did they talk?"
"A week or so ago. Maybe two weeks now," Ellie told her as she picked up her phone, "After the whole merchandise thing."
Ellie dialed Happy, "Hey Happy, are you available? Perfect. Wheels up in 15."
*~*~* April 24, 2019- Irvington, New York *~*~*
Ellie stared out the window as Happy landed the Quinjet in her backyard.
When she didn't move, Happy turned it off and turned around to face her, "You okay?"
Ellie shook her head, "Not really… but I have to be," Ellie told him as she looked at him, "Thank you Happy."
Happy helped her stand up then pulled her into a hug, "Want me to walk you up to the house?"
"No, thank you but… I can walk up on my own," Ellie said as she looked towards the new garage in the backyard that housed the Dragon Flyer that mother had sent back telling her to use it whenever she felt she needed to, "Happy… while I love these little trips. I can fly myself you know."
"I know," Happy said looking at the garage ahead of them, "But I don't mind doing it at all."
"I appreciate it," Ellie told him as she sighed, "You won't have to get me on Friday… I'm taking the day off."
Happy squeezed her shoulder, "I figured."
Ellie nodded as she wiped the tears from her eyes then went down the ramp. The cool dew on the blades of grass grounded her as she walked across the backyard with her bare feet. On the stairs of the back of the house, stood Steve, waving to Happy as he flew off.
"Who called you?" Ellie asked walking up the stairs.
"Pepper, so the President called you?" Steve asked.
Ellie nodded as he pulled her into a hug, "I can't do it, Steve."
"I already had plans for us for this weekend," Steve told her.
Ellie looked at him in the moonlight, "What are those?"
"We take the kids, Nat if she will go… we go see Ramonda," Steve told her.
Ellie smiled, "I love that idea. She'll need us for the anniversary."
"Exactly. Now… go, take the night off. The girls are fed and asleep. Grant is asleep. I have two bottles left for their 9:30 feed. Go visit Buck," Steve told her, "And… if you have to call off in the morning or go in late, I'm sure Pepper would be fine."
Ellie giggled, "Are you seriously telling me to go spend the night with him?"
Steve blushed even in the darkness, "It's not like it's some other man, it's Bucky."
Ellie smiled and shook her head, "Let's go eat first. I'm starving."
After changing into her nightgown, Ellie got ready for bed then laid down in her bed. After locking her bedroom door, she closed her eyes and relaxed. Thinking back to the January night that they had in this house. She concentrated on Bucky.
When she opened her eyes, she was lying next to him on the inflatable bed in the very spot she had just left. Rolling onto her side, she put her hand on his chest and almost sobbed when she felt his heart beating under her hand.
She couldn't help but run her fingers over his chest and abs, making sure he was real. Looking up at his face she saw his eyes flutter open as he inhaled, "Didn't you get enough?" He asked grabbing her hand.
Ellie grinned as she kissed him then straddled his waist, "I never can get enough of you, but that wasn't me… it was a memorable night but I just wanted a refresher."
Bucky pushed a piece of hair out of her face and looked up at her, "Hey baby."
"Hey," Ellie said as she started kissing down his chest, "There were two condoms left in that box right?"
"Yeah," Bucky moaned, "Good memory… it is now… April right?"
Ellie swallowed hard as she quickly tried to compose herself, "Um huh," Ellie said as her teeth scraped his nipple, "Steve has Grant for the night…so I thought we'd just have some Mommy and Daddy time. I've been working with Pepper and pulling long hours," She told him as she kissed down his chest licking and nipping at spots, "Pepper told me to go home… ironically," She said as she pulled away and looked around the darkroom, "Lying basically in this very spot right now on our bed."
Bucky bit his lip as he placed his hand on her face, "Do…do I get to spend the night in it?"
Ellie gave him a small smile and hoped that he didn't notice the tears in her eyes and nodded, "We order it in the morning and don't worry… we christen every damn room in this house, but one… so," Ellie said as she moved her face and nipped at his thumb, "Want to go christen it?"
"Which one is that?" Bucky asked with a chuckle.
"The solarium… the moonlight shining through the windows will provide enough light," Ellie told him with a grin.
Bucky took her hand, "Come on, we have to fix that."
"What about Grant?" Ellie said as Bucky grabbed the box of two remaining condoms.
"He will be fine. He has been sleeping longer," Bucky told her as he kissed her neck.
"Oh god… it's been too long," Ellie moaned as she reached back and grabbed his neck then turned around for a kiss, "I might not make it there."
"We have two" Bucky grinned against her lips.
"Race ya," Ellie said as she took off towards the steps giggling.
Bucky growled as he chased after her.
Ellie glanced back at the top of the stairs and he caught her picking her up. She put her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist as he walked down the stairs.
After making it past the first floor, Ellie kissed him hard and Bucky turned towards the wall to steady her.
Ellie gasped against his mouth, "I can't wait, on the stairs."
Bucky chuckled, "On the stairs?"
Ellie reached down between them and grasped him, "Why not?"
"Fuck Angel, you are going to kill me," Bucky said as he gently laid her down on the stairs.
Ellie moved forward and handed him the first condom. The package tumbling down the stairs as he threw it to the side. She sighed in relief as he slowly entered her.
Bucky kissed her neck, "Miss me?"
"You don't even know," Ellie said as she ran her hands down his back, "Move."
Slowly Bucky pulled out then slowly thrust back into her.
"Bucky it has been too long and I am too emotional for this slow shit," Ellie told him.
Bucky chuckled as he started moving faster.
Ellie reached behind her bracing herself on the steps behind her, "Fuck… that feels so good and so bad at the same time. Now I know why we recarpeted these stairs."
Bucky lost it in a fit of giggles, "Rough on your back?"
"The worst," Ellie said as she kissed his chest.
Bucky slipped out of her then picked her up trading places with her, "You pick."
Ellie straddled his lap, "Shit this is more challenging than I'd imagine."
Bucky snorted and she pinched his side as she turned to sit on his lap and with a little aid from him sunk down on him.
"Fuck," Ellie said her head falling back against his shoulder.
"Mmm, I like this. We haven't done this since you were pregnant," Bucky said as she slowly moved her hips.
Ellie pouted, "Because I like seeing your face," She told him as she turned her head and kissed him as she started moving harder.
Steve rocked Beckie as she finally stopped fussing and laid her gently into her bassinet. Slowly stepping away he turned his head quickly as his phone went off.
Diving for it he picked it up, "Hello?" He said quietly looking over at Beckie.
"Bad time?" Rhodey asked.
"No… well yeah, I just got Beckie asleep. Can I call you back in five minutes? I'm going to take them to their room," Steve told him.
"Sure," Rhodey said as he hung up.
Throwing his phone onto the couch, he slowly picked Kasie up and walked her to the twins' room. Gently placing her into the crib on her back, he stood back and watched to make sure she was settled. When she didn't move, he left the room and went back to his own.
Watching Beckie for a moment, he gently picked her up and cradled her to his shoulder. She fussed slightly so he rocked her a bit and she settled back in on his shoulder.
Slowly walking down the hall, he saw Ellie standing looking in the girls' room.
"What are you doing?" Steve asked.
Ellie jumped grabbing her chest, "Shit Steve… don't do that to me."
"I thought you said that you were going to visit Bucky?" Steve asked confused.
A small smile graced Ellie's face as she looked at Beckie, "I…did," Ellie said slowly.
"How… how was he?" Steve asked feeling a little melancholy, it wasn't fair that he was here taking care of Bucky's girls, and Bucky… was unaware that they even existed.
"Happy… I went back to the first night we spent in this house in January," Ellie told him as she looked up at him, "Before Sarah was born."
Steve watched as she reached out and touched Beckie's back. Then he noticed that her eyes were still sparkling, not light blue like normal but gold.
Steve bit his lip, "Can you put her in her crib for me? I know you wanted the night for yourself but Rhodey was just trying to call me and I wanted to put her down before he tries calling back," Steve told her.
Ellie took Beckie and smiled, "Go, I got this."
Steve kissed her cheek, "I'm glad you had a good visit with Buck, you seem much happier."
Ellie sighed as she looked at Beckie in her arms, "Me too," Ellie said as she walked into the twins' room.
He pretended to walk away and looked in the room as she looked into Kasie's crib. She then walked over to Beckie's crib and laid her down into it.
She leaned on Beckie's crib, "You know… your daddy always did want a big family, we never thought he would have one with his health."
Steve walked back down the hallway and into his "apartment". Grabbing his phone he heard Grant's door open.
Dialing Natasha's number he heard Grant, "Mama?"
"Go back to sleep Little Man," Ellie replied.
Steve walked over to the wall and leaned against it listening.
"Wuv ou Mama," Grant mumbled barely within Steve's hearing.
"I love you too and Daddy loves you very much," Ellie told him.
"da staws," Grant mumbled.
Steve hit send and waited while it rang as he watched Ellie leave Grant's room then walked back to her room.
"Hey Steve," Natasha answered.
"I think Ellie traveled into the future," Steve told her.
"What?" Natasha asked.
Steve leaned back against their couch, "Her eyes were gold… sparkling gold and she was staring at Beckie in total disbelief. Maybe I'm crazy but…" Steve sighed, "Nevermind, I'm tired I'm probably wrong."
"Steve, do you want me to fly home? I can. I don't have to stay here tonight," Natasha told him.
Steve walked into their bedroom and looked at her side of the bed that hadn't been slept in for almost a week now, "It's up to you Nat."
"I'll be home in 30 minutes," Natasha told him.
Ellie sighed as they made it to the solarium, "Note to self, definitely need new carpet on the stairs… that wasn't very soft."
Bucky laughed, "It wasn't when you made me switch places with you."
Ellie smacked him, "Made you? You were plowing my back right into that stair… I'm old. It couldn't take it," Ellie said with a grin.
"Old my ass," Bucky said as he laid the blanket out on the solarium floor that was in the laundry room, "We are using our son's blanket to have sex… is that weird?"
Ellie put her arms around him and grabbed his ass, "Nope, doesn't feel old" She said as she moved one hand around to grasp his penis, "This doesn't feel old either and it's only weird if you make it that way."
Bucky kissed her hard.
"Come on, let's dance," Ellie told him as she put her arms around his neck and they swayed back and forth.
Ellie felt as if her heart would burst with the sheer happiness that was flowing through her body.
"We don't have music," Bucky told her rubbing her hips.
"We don't need music," Ellie said resting her head on his chest to hear his heartbeat, "I had no idea how much I missed this until now."
"Once a month, from now on… you and me," Bucky told her as he kissed her forehead, "You need it doll. I don't know what it is like… in the future but, I can tell you are pulling yourself too thin."
Ellie looked up at him, "It's a date"
Bucky lowered his face to hers and pressed his lips against hers. She bit his lip and begged for entrance to his mouth.
Ellie pulled back and lay back against the blanket. She tried not to shiver at the chill in the air as he gazed at her, "Are you going to just stand there, or are you going to come over here?" Ellie asked as she grinned, "Because I want you doing that in me."
Bucky laid down next to her and rolled her onto her side to kiss her.
"Fuck Bucky… Fucky Bucky… that rhymes," Ellie said with a laugh.
Bucky flipped her onto her back then kissed down her body, pulling apart her thighs.
Ellie moaned as he latched onto her clit and moved one finger into her.
"God you are still so wet," Bucky moaned.
Ellie moaned, "I'm so close already."
"Come on baby, you can do it," Bucky said as he added another finger and she screamed as she crashed over.
Ellie looked up at him, "You still got it."
Bucky kissed up her body then covered himself with the condom, "Are you ready?"
"I'm always ready for you," Ellie told him gazing into his dark eyes.
Bucky kissed her as she wrapped her legs around his waist as he thrust into her.
Ellie fought to catch her breath as Bucky kissed her neck, "What are you doing?"
"Enjoying it," Bucky told her.
"Buck, you have to move," Ellie told him.
Ellie felt as if she were on fire as he moved in slow, torturous movements. His hands, one hot and one cold shocked her body as it felt as if they were everywhere at once. She was breathless as his mouth never moved away from hers.
Ellie moaned as her orgasm built up to nearly the edge and Bucky slowed his thrusts drawing out the building orgasm, "Bucky, move Damnit."
Bucky grinned against her lips and then started slamming into her, causing her to throw her head back as he hit the perfect spot inside her that made her see stars, repeatedly.
"Buck…oh god," Ellie moaned as she felt the familiar overwhelming tingling all over her body.
"I got you, baby, just let go," Bucky said as he kissed her hard as she screamed.
For a moment, she left her past body and went back to her present, to only find she wasn't in the same place that she had left her body, before she pulled herself back to Bucky. She was on a different side of the bed.
"You alright?" Bucky asked grinning as she came back to the past.
"My God… that was… wow," Ellie said gasping catching her breath.
"Literally my pleasure," Bucky said cheekily.
Ellie sighed as she laid against his chest, "I don't want to leave."
Bucky rubbed her back, "You said Steve was watching Grant right? Let's go back upstairs and you can stay with me until you fall asleep," Bucky told her kissing her forehead.
Ellie sighed, "I guess… I can't stay here forever as much as I want to. It's not fair on… present me."
Bucky wrapped her up in the blanket then picked her up.
"What are you doing?" Ellie asked putting her arms around his neck.
"I don't want you to get too cold," Bucky told her as he carried her all the way upstairs to their room, stopping to check on Grant and seeing he was still asleep.
Ellie noticed the handprint on the wall and stared at it, "Wait… oh my god."
"What?" Bucky asked as he set her down.
Ellie held the blanket close to her and walked over to it.
"Oh, I accidentally touched the wet paint earlier and we were-"
"Fucking against the wall," Ellie said as she looked at him and bit her lip as he rolled his eyes, "Don't even say it, I know… making love. That's not what I meant though. I just remembered… old me… this Ellie… is in my future, my body right now," She told him as she looked at the handprint again.
"What?" Bucky asked surprised.
Ellie shook her head, "I remember it now; I used the connection and switched places. I saw Grant and Steve and…" Ellie said as she bit her lip as she thought of the girls, "I kept the handprint there…" Ellie swallowed hard, "I sound so stupid," She told him trying to stop her voice from quivering, "But I put my hand on it and pulse my energy so it feels like your heartbeat sometimes."
Bucky pulled her into his arms, "That doesn't sound stupid."
Ellie lost it and sobbed into his chest as she listened to his heartbeat.
Bucky picked her back up and carried her to the inflatable mattress and laid down with her.
"God… I am so weak," Ellie told him against his chest.
"No, you aren't… it's perfectly okay to lose it sometimes," Bucky told her rubbing her back, "You are just human, Angel"
"I miss hearing you call me that," Ellie told him as she cuddled back into his side, "Now I am either Mrs. Barnes or Mama," Ellie told him wiping a tear, "He looks at your picture every night and talks to you. I wish I could record it and show you. He's done it since he could talk. Some nights I find him cuddling up with your picture. Steve bought him this bear; at Build a Bear, after… things that happen, happened. They made bears of you and the others. Steve said that he had to have his little Bucky bear. He always has it with him. I wish there was a way for you to visit."
"One day, you will figure it out," Bucky told her as he drew shapes with his fingers across her skin, "Have Wanda help."
Ellie snuggled into his chest feeling relaxed and warm for the first time in a long time, "We lost her Buck… she is gone with you."
Bucky frowned, "Who else is gone?"
"Hmmm too many," Ellie said as she felt sleep overtaking her, "I love you"
"I love you too, Angel," Bucky said as he kissed the side of her head, "So much,"
Ellie breathed in his scent and listened to the calming sound under her ear of his heartbeat and drifted off comforted by his warmth.
a.n3: Hope everyone is doing well and staying healthy. Please remember to review! Even if it is a more soon!
To the review:
PrettyRecklessLaura: Thank you for reading and reviewing! Enjoy!
Preview of Chapter 103 Goodbye
"I cannot wait until all the kids can safely use the stairs," Steve mumbled.
Natasha grinned as she looked at Ellie, "He tumbled down the stairs last night."
Steve hit the button, "Natasha," Steve warned.
Natasha grinned, "What just telling the truth. For a superhero with great coordination, you sure get defeated a lot by baby gates."
