Author's note: It would be nice to hear your thoughts and if you left a review after reading! I know that 44 people read the last chapter and only 2 or 3 took their time to leave a review, which is really sad. People that write fanfics put effort and time into the chapters, which you read for free. And all we ask is to hear about your thoughts or feeling or requests and wishes in a review. So please be fair and leave one after reading! Thank you!
So here it is. The definite end. I checked my files on here and I started Changes way back on June 11 2006. The original plan was to write 10 chapters in order to practice my English and because I simply hated the end of X-Men 3 The Last Stand. I never thought it would turn into this huge thing and a universe of its own. Thanks for sticking with me. I will add some stuff after the end, like unused scenes.
Changes Sequel – III. War + Epilogue – Epilogue Part 90
Future July 2054
Lily fussed with her dress in nervousness. She had already thrown up and felt like throwing up again. So she heaved a very deep breath and closed her eyes to stifle the nausea. Her mother was closing the zipper on her dress, Rachel and TJ were busy doing her hair, Isa the make up; so literally hands were everywhere. If she suddenly passed out because of nerves, there'll be enough hands to catch her.
"You okay, honey?" Jean asked and straightened the white dress on the back.
"I feel sick…," Lily cried and tried to fan herself as she became emotional. Yeah, it was a great idea to marry while being pregnant. As if her hormones weren't already running wild without pregnancy hormone on top of it. "What if he says no?!"
Isa cackled. "As if… He's probably scared shitless that you will say no."
"Who has Becca?!"
"You father has," Jean said and squeezed her hand. "Baby, it will be fine. I was nervous as hell too and pictured the worst outcome possible and your father felt even worse. It's normal." She smiled at her eldest daughter reassuringly. "Are you doing alright?" she asked Rachel, who needed to catch her breath for a moment. In the end she was almost due and the twins were already low in her pelvis.
"Yes, just needed to take a breather," Rachel waved off.
"You sure? Don't overdo it!" Lily said concerned. She thought back on their bachelor parties and how she had opted to stay home with her girls and have a gossip and movie evening, while Sam and Tony had dragged Steve and Bucky into the city for a surprise party. Clint had the ingenious idea to play beer pong with the Asgardian met Thor had brought with him and they had all ended up completely wasted. Her girl group had decided, after Happy had dropped off a hungover Jake, Jack, Steve and Bucky on the next morning, that they had done the right thing and proven once more that girls were smarter. Well at least Daken, Jamie and Tommy had been smart enough not to drink the strong stuff.
"Don't worry. I'm determined that these two stay in until you are officially off to your wedding night!" Rachel joked and Laura, who sat on the bed and was watching them snorted.
"Good luck with that."
Lily sighed and looked at herself in the mirror. "What if he doesn't like the dress? Or the hair?" she cried nervously.
"You look gorgeous!" TJ assured her.
"Bucky will probably pass out because you look too gorgeous," Is added and Lily sighed.
"Honey, you look fine. Really," Jean said and Lily looked at herself once more. The dress had to be adjusted to her now definitely noticeable pregnancy bump and she still loved it and the floral pattern. Same went for the dress to have a top with an o-neck and that it was tight on top and wide at the bottom. She could still hide her belly a bit, but if someone knew they could easily tell she was expecting. Isa and Rachel had pinned her hair partially up, used an iron to make waves and were now busy to put the veil into her hair. Jean had given her an old necklace, the same she had worn to her wedding. From TJ she had received a blue garter. Laura had given her a new silver bracelet that also had a nice floral pattern and fit her dress. And Isa had borrowed her her old hair brooch that she had worn to her own wedding and also had a floral, silver pattern. She looked good, she knew that, but her nerves…. "I gotta puke…," she cried and Jean used her powers to settle her daughter's stomach.
"Heave deep and slow breaths," she advised Lily and nodded as she did.
"Any words on Bucky and if he is still alive?" Laura snickered and Jean gave her a "Seriously?!"-look. "Well you know how good he is with anxiety." She shrugged and Jean shushed her.
"According to Jake," Hope, who had busied herself with ironing the lower part of the dress before, said, "he is white as a ghost and Steve and Sam are busy talking him out of a panic attack."
"See?" Laura said with a shrug.
"Oh God…," Lily sighed.
Meanwhile, Bucky was watching wide-eyed how everyone had sat down on their assigned chairs and feared his heart would give out any moment. His eyes scanned the crowed and he was shaking. Too many questions were busying his brain and the white noise had kicked it. What if she wouldn't come? What if she had realized he was not marriage material? What if she came but said no? What if he accidentally said no but meant yes? What if he fucked this marriage up?!
"Jesus Buck!" Steve said and put a hand to his friend's shoulder. "Breathe!"
Bucky looked at him with utter fear in his eyes. "I can't do this, Steve! I'm gonna fuck this up!"
"No, you won't!"
"Yeah, I will! I'll ruin this!"
"No, you WON'T!" Steve insisted and looked aside as three people approached. "Oh thank God… Tell him he'll do well!"
Shuri laughed. "Why? Is my favorite white brother getting cold feet?" she asked and hugged Bucky tight. "Ndiyavuya ukubona, ubhuti!"
"So good to see you too, sister," Bucky muttered into her shoulder and she playfully slapped his arm.
"I let you out of my sight and you forget our language?" Shuri said playfully shocked while T'Challa shook Steve's and Sam's hand, greeting them with a wide smile.
"Akunjalongo noko, usisi," Bucky smiled at her and turned to T'Challa. "Ubhuti."
"Halala emtshatweni, ubhuti!" T'Challa replied and hugged Bucky tight.
"Thank you both for coming," Bucky said and was really glad they had come all the way.
"Of course," T'Challa smiled.
"Azani is already waiting for you." Bucky pointed at the young man who was sitting in the second row right behind Bucky's family.
Shuri took them in and noticed the brown hair and blue eyes of the older man, the young woman and the two young girls, who were patiently sitting on their mother's and sister's lap. "Is that them?" she asked and Bucky nodded. "I can't wait to meet them. You sister is very pretty. Looks an awful lot like you."
Steve looked aside as he noticed once more how Sam was smiling at Rebecca and quickly avoiding the woman's gaze when she looked up. He hid his amusement at how hard Sam tried to look at him innocently. He watched how T'Challa and his sister sat down next to their son and brother and saw how Logan hugged Daken, who had accompanied them, tight before he also greeted his son-in-law with a quick hug. Both, Daken and Jean-Paul sat down next to Logan and the younger feral was about to take Becca from his father as he spotted one of his sons next to Matt. So obviously, he figured they were still dating. His other two children sat next to their brother and waved at their two fathers. He then spotted one empty stool next to Jake. "Is Jace not coming?"
Logan shrugged. "He said he would."
"He actually did…," Jean-Paul said and pointed down the aisles, which had been marked by a red carpet that lead down to the white makeshift altar where Kurt was already waiting. The stools were decorated with a mix of summer flowers and white ribbons. White rose petals were scattered on the carpet and the white chiffon canopy was at the front where Bucky was currently standing with his two best men and still looking sick to his stomach because of nerves. "And damn, you'll be surprised…"
"Why?" Logan grunted and turned his head, unable to spot his youngest son because Matt was busy hugging his best friend tight after not seeing him for so long. He hadn't seen Jace for months either after his boy had left for Europe for a theater job offer and the last he had heard was that he was doing great in London and people loved him there.
"Damn, I missed you guys so much!" Matt cried and let go of Jace to hug Sara next, who hugged him tight too.
"We missed you too," she said and spotted her mother and father over his shoulder. Of course her twin sister was also there and looking at her with an eyebrow raised. If she had missed Ruby, Sara couldn't tell.
Matt let go of her and looked at with tears in his eyes. "This is such a big surprise. I'm happy for you."
"Thank you," she smiled and looked aside where Shinji was smiling at them. "Happy for you too."
Matt smiled bashfully at Shinji. "Thanks. Me too."
"Well talk later at the party. My mom and dad are getting impatient obviously," Sara said and followed Jace to the front where he went to hug his father and siblings and she went to greet Raven and Scott.
"You didn't tell us you were coming too!" Raven complained and looked at her daughter, who shrugged sheepishly.
"Good to see you though. Are you guys doing okay?" Scott asked after hugging her again.
"Yeah. Jace is doing well and in talks of receiving an award. He also got offers for some Broadway shows. And a musical movie," Sara told them and looked over to smile at Jace, who had turned to look at her. He smiled back.
"Uh huh…," Scott said and smirked at his wife, who smiled back knowingly. "Anything else you might have to tell us?"
Sara shrugged innocently. "Maybe," he said and headed over to sit next to Jace.
Logan cocked an eyebrow at her after sniffing the air. "Seriously?" he asked.
"What?" Jace asked.
"Ya know exactly what!" his father grunted and Jace exchanged a nervous look with Sara, who took his hand into hers.
"You know?" she asked and Logan snorted.
"'f course I do, Ya smell it," he said and looked at them. "Please tell me it's just one…"
Jace swallowed hard and looked at his father and siblings, who were all looking at the couple. "Two….actually…"
"Identical like us," Sara added sheepishly. "Due at the end of the year."
Logan sighed and lowered his head with a shake. "Yer really tryin' t'kill yer mom 'n me, is that it?" he asked jokingly and added two more to his grandkids list. God, Christmas was going to be expensive as fuck from now on… Birthdays not included…. "Congrats though."
"Way to go, buddy!" Jake said and hugged his little brother tight.
"We're also engaged…," this one said afterwards, shyly.
"That's awesome!" Jake smirked and bumped his shoulder. Jace smiled back and squeezed Sara's hand.
Logan turned to look at Scott. "Yo, Slim!" he called and Scott frowned at him.
"What?!"
"Yer in the family tree. AGAIN!" Logan playfully put disgust in it. He hid his smirk when Scott clearly understood and exchanged some obvious happy words with Raven before he looked back at Logan.
"What am I getting punished for to be forced to put up with you, Logan?" Scott asked back, acting annoyed, but smirked back when Logan did so.
Meanwhile Bucky was checking the time and felt his stomach drop. "God, I'm gonna be sick…"
"Don't puke on the carpet!"
"Sam!" Steve sighed. "Not helping!" he said and put a hand to Bucky's shoulder. "You'll be fine. Deep breaths. She's probably nervous too and that's why she's late."
Bucky looked up. "Probably?!"
"Is nervous," Steve quickly corrected himself and exchanged a nervous look with Sam.
"Not helping!" this one teased him and Steve groaned. He looked up when George Barnes came over, obviously seeing his son's distress and took him by the arm to have some words with him again. It had helped before, so Steve hoped it would be the case now too. He checked his watch again before he looked at Logan questioningly. When the feral turned his head, clearly listening to something and got up to walk down the aisle, Steve let out a sigh in relief. "Thank God…"
"You didn't really think she'd run off, right?" Sam muttered amused.
"No, but I didn't look forward to cleaning the carpet," Steve mumbled back and watched how George Barnes squeezed his son's shoulders and went to sit back down next to his family. Steve checked if everyone had arrived and exchanged a smile with Peggy. He couldn't believe he'd be in Bucky's place next week. "Feeling better?"
Bucky sighed and wrung his hands. "For now…," he muttered and looked down at his hands again. It still amazed him to have two flesh and blood arms now. The moment Jamie had checked and taken off the bandages and the way it had made him almost freak out would be forever burned in his mind…
He sat on the metal table in the med bay, upper body shirtless except for the thick bandage and cast that were holding his literally new left arm together. The bandage also covered his whole upper body. Lily sat in the chair to his left and Steve to his right. His heart was pounding with anxiety. Jamie had warned him that, due to being forced to remove the whole metal plate and all artificial muscles and metal bones, the scarring would probably be bad. He just prayed it wasn't. The scaring around his old metal plate had been bad enough. Bucky heaved a deep breath and kneaded his knee nervously.
"It's gonna be okay, Buck," Steve tried to calm him and before Lily could add anything the door opened and Jamie came inside.
"The scan shows that your bones are definitely healed. The rest looks good too. Blood is flowing nicely, nerves are reacting as they should, muscles too." He came to a halt in front of Bucky. "So…you ready?"
"Not sure. But…go ahead," Bucky muttered and tried to smile but it showed how anxious he was. He closed his eyes and counted his breaths as Jamie began to remove the bandage around his torso where literally his whole left side had to be replaced, then his shoulder and arm, before Jamie began to open the cast and began to cut open the bandage underneath.
Jamie heaved a deep breath and Bucky squeezed his eyes shut. "Okay… Here we go. I'm actually curious myself because I added healing factor serum to the wounds. It was kind of trial and error…," he said and opened the hard bandage carefully.
Bucky sucked in his breath as he felt the cooler air hit his still sensitive new skin and he waited for a reaction, but there was just silence. His anxiety began to rear its ugly head and the shaking kicked it. "How bad is it?!" he muttered and gripped his knee hard. From their reaction it must have been pretty bad.
"Well… I'm…," Jamie began and was still only able to stare. "Actually…" He exchanged a look with Lily, who had tears rolling down her cheeks in shock.
Bucky dared to open his eyes and looked at her, a complete mistake, because now he was truly freaking out. "Fuck…," he said and quickly reached for his shirt with his right hand. He needed to get out of here, but Steve stopped him.
"No, Bucky!"
"Let me go, Steve!" he begged with tears in his eyes.
"No, look!" Steve said and had tears in his eyes too. "Please. Just… Just look!"
"How horrible I look?" Bucky mocked and snorted. "No thanks!"
"You don't!" Lily piped up and got out of the chair. "That's why we are so shocked." She reached out to touch his left arm but as her hand touched his skin he jerked back. "Baby, please. Look!" she asked but he could only shake his head and shake all over. "Please. I promise it won't be bad!"
"Take a look!" Jamie encouraged him too and Steve nodded, so he closed his eyes, heaved a deep breath and psyched himself up to take a look at the horrible scares that….weren't there.
Confused Bucky traced the line of skin from his left peck to his shoulder and all the way down to his hand and…turned it and searched and turned it again and… "This isn't real… Right?"
"It's real, Buck!" Steve assured him and put his hand to his friend's shoulder.
"No… NO! This can't be real! You can't fool me!" Bucky said and stared at them wide eyes before he was suddenly off the bed and glued to the wall, staring at the terrified and in panic.
"Breathe!" Jamie told him and went in front of his sister, but Steve was already invading Bucky's space, who was kneeling on the ground by now and scared out of his mind, and assuring him that he wasn't back with Hydra, that this was real, that no one was playing tricks on him, that he was save.
"This is real, Buck. I swear this is real!"
Bucky shook his head and traced the unblemished skin with his right hand. "This… It… It can't be…can't be real, Steve," he cried and felt the warm skin under his hand, the muscles contracting and relaxing as if that arm had always been there. "It can't…"
"It is!" Steve said and held him tight. "We'd never lie to you. Jamie can explain why. I am sure of it." He put Bucky's head against his chest. "Breathe with me, okay? Calm down and breathe with me. That's it. Just breathe…"Steve waited a bit longer before he helped him back to the table and handed him a tissue. "Breathing okay?"
Bucky nodded and wiped his face. "I'm sorry… But they…they pulled that shit on me before… After they cut off my arm while I was awake."
"It's fine. You don't need to apologize," Lily said and kissed his cheek. "If it's such a shock to you, I can't even imagine how you must feel. So it's okay," she assured him and Bucky looked at her as if she was the second coming. He still couldn't wrap his head around how supportive and understanding she was of him.
"It's true," Jamie nodded and took his left arm to examine it more closely. "I expected a lot, but not…that." He traced the parts of the shoulder down to the hand and made sure the reaction was accordingly. "My guess is the healing factor serum and your serum repaired the while damage. If Hydra hadn't botched your shoulder that much, you wouldn't have had that much scarring before."
"That wasn't just Hydra…," Bucky muttered and looked down. "When I woke up and suddenly had that metal arm I… I tried to tear it off. Couple of times. The serum kept on healing the damage and I teared into it again."
"Then that's probably why there's no scarring at all," Jamie concluded. "Dr. Cho's machine did its work too. Oh, and…Tony wanted me to tell you that he built a safety mechanism for you."
Bucky frowned. "Like what?"
Jamie nodded at Bucky's left wrist. "But your thumb against the bone of your wrist. But don't startle. It only works with your finger prints." Bucky did and suddenly silver metal seemed to seep out of his skin and covered his arm and shoulder. "It's for emergencies. In case you ever need to defend yourself or someone. It's nano tech. The same Tony uses for his suit. It's bullet proof, as strong as your old arm and not detectable when unused. So in case you are ever at an airport, you'll be fine. Press your thumb against the spot again and it'll disappear."
Bucky watched the process. "That's amazing…," he said and traced the skin. "I… I can't thank you enough… Honestly," he told Jamie with tears in his eyes.
Jamie waved off. "You have no idea what your trying this procedure might accomplish for building prosthetics. The data I got from your surgery is game changing, Bucky. So I actually have to thank you."
Bucky sighed and looked up as the music began to play. His blood was rushing in his ears as he watched Jean entering first and aiming for her seat, then Lily's bride maids walk down the aisle, each of them dressed in nice looking dresses of their choice and he thought he would faint for good when he spotted Lily in her wedding dress being led down the aisle by Logan. She looked so damn beautiful and stunning that he was only able to stare and tear up. Steve had actually to elbow him in the ribs to realize that Logan was waiting for him to take Lily's hand into his. Bucky did and felt like he hadn't breathed in ages. "God, you're gorgeous," he breathed and Lily uttered a laugh and sniff at the same time.
"You too," she managed to say and tried to wipe her eyes without smudging her make up.
On her seat Jean grabbed Logan's arm and leant into him with tears running down her cheek. She couldn't believe that her baby girl was going to get married and only realized it just now. Logan pulled her close and heard Bobby muttering in the back why he got a sermon to treat Jubilee well or else…and Bucky hadn't. Logan turned around and glared at him. "Yer really askin'?" he grunted, hinting to the fact that Bobby had cheated on Jubilee in the end. "Coz he doesn't need one!" Turning back to the front he watched Kurt beginning the ceremony and pulled Jean closer. She was still sobbing quietly and he too shed a tear or two. Manly tears, mind you. If he had to wipe his eyes more than once, he was sure no one had noticed. And the tissue that he had used was merely coincidental! Jean rubbed her cheek against his suit jacket and sniffed once more as the vows were exchanged and it got only worse when Kurt pronounced Lily and Bucky husband and wife and announced they could kiss now. The bridal paid grinned brightly with tears in their eyes and Bucky cupped Lily's cheeks before he pulled her into a gentle kiss. On the other side of the aisle Logan could hear Bucky's mother and sister sobbing loudly and he wondered if Steve was this much of an emotional wreck now, what he'd be like on his own wedding next weekend. The guests cheered and applauded loudly and Jean smiled as Bucky's two youngest sisters, who were both dressed in white with flowers in their hair, threw petals eagerly on their way down the aisle back to the garden where the party would be. The newlyweds linked arms and grinned all the way down to the party corner where many hugs and congratulations were exchanged.
Much later after gifts were revealed, photos were taken and dinner was done the dance floor was opened. Lampoons were hanging all around the dancefloor, 2 long tables with food and drinks were on one side and enough white chairs and seats to sit on the other. Everyone gathered around and watched Bucky and Lily dance for a good while to All of Me by John Legend before Logan requested to dance with his daughter and Bucky offered Jean to dance with him.
"Ya happy?" Logan asked and Lily nodded smiling brightly. He smirked back. "That's all I need t'ya, pumkin."
"I hope you did learn how to dance by now, darling?" Peggy asked and Steve gulped.
"Well… I mean… Kind of…," he tried to smile and she just sighed and watched how Bucky now danced with his mother and Lily with his father.
"James looks so happy," she noticed and he nodded.
"He deserves this. All of this…" Then it was announced that everyone who wanted to dance could step on the dancefloor and do just this. Peggy looked at him expectantly. "Don't complain if I step on your feet!" Steve warned and took her hand, which made Sam laugh aloud.
"Well…. James has a week to teach you, darling. So I expect better next weekend," Peggy smirked and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor.
Sam shook his head still chuckling and his eyes roamed the crowed. It made him happy to see X-Men next to Avengers, Fantastic Four, Alpha Flight and so many others. When his eyes froze on someone with pinned up, dark hair, light blue eyes and in a royal blue dress he waited a bit longer, but obviously no one was about to ask her so he went over instead. "Would you like to dance?" Sam asked politely and Rebecca Barnes startled, not reckoning with someone talking to her.
"Oh, ehm… I don't know. I'm used to a different kind of dance. And this dress…," she sighed and looked down. Maybe she shouldn't have gotten such a modern one? She felt so out of place.
"…looks really good on you," Sam assured her and she stared at him with wide eyes. "I'm serious."
"Really? I feel so out of place here…" She looked into the round nervously, how laid back and happy everyone was, how at home her brother and Steve were. Hell, even Peggy was enjoying herself and that woman looked gorgeous in her modern red dress and pinned up hair.
Sam shrugged and leant against the tree next to her. "It must be hard… Being over 100 years in the future."
"It so is…" She sighed and hugged herself.
"So let's forget about it for a moment and go dance. Trust me. It'll help," he said and offered his hand. Rebecca looked at it and contemplated. If she had only been remotely seen with someone like him in her time… She was glad times had changed and they were both save here. Finally, she took it and returned the smile he gave her.
Bucky went over to get a drink after dancing what felt like forever. He looked around the crowd, smiled as Steve joined him. "You so need practice before your own wedding, pal!" he commented and chuckled as Steve threw his head back with a groan.
"I know… I stepped on her feet so many times…"
"I noticed!" Bucky nodded, grinning. Steve grinned back. "You know what I remembered just recently?"
"What?" Steve asked and sipped on his drink.
"A couple of years ago… Hell, Jack and the others were still children back then," Bucky began and laughed at that though, "we watched Logan with Jack and Rachel. You said that you realized we had nothing. No partner, no family, no kids… That we only lived from one mission to the next… And now look at us."
Steve remembered that moment too well. "We finally came home from the war, huh?"
"Well… Over one hundred years too late with lots of detours, but yeah, pal," Bucky nodded and clasped his shoulder. "We finally arrived home." They exchanged a smiled and hug and it was then that Bucky noticed. "Is Sam dancing with MY sister?!"
Steve checked and chuckled to himself. "Well, he likes her a lot…"
Bucky stared at him wide eyed. "It's MY sister!"
"Yeah, I know. But look, she is happy," Steve shrugged, trying to hide his grin and it was true. Sam twirled Rebecca on the dance floor and she laughed in joy.
"Birdbrain won't be dating my sister!" Bucky grumbled and crossed his arms.
"Oh, c'mon, you LOVE Sam!" Steve laughed and bumped his shoulder.
"Not anymore!"
Steve chuckled under his breath and watched the party and how much fun everyone was having. He couldn't believe that he'd be in Bucky's place just one week from now.
"Getting nervous?"
He snorted and sipped on his beer. "You've no idea, pal…"
"If you think that feeling's bad?" Bucky asked with a smirk, "then wait until Peggy goes into labor and YOU are utterly helpless!"
Steve lowered his head with a sigh. "Don't remind me… Just punch me in the face when I get too much of a wreck…"
"Oh, I will!" Bucky assured him and they fell into a companionable silence. He smiled as he watched Lily dancing with Jack, both laughing and yes, he had to admit, his sister looked happy dancing with Sam too.
"So… Did you think about it?" Steve suddenly asked and Bucky looked at him in confusion. "College? Getting your degree in Mechanical Engineering?"
Bucky sighed. Ever since Jamie had figured out that yes, he did understand higher mathematics very well and had tricked him into solving a test Jamie had taken at college once and that yes, he had always been interested in science – thank you, Steve, for spilling the beans – Jamie was bugging him to get the college degree he had never been able to. And of course it had been Tony who had found out that Bucky had gotten his late high school diploma with top of the class grades and had accused him of cheating, upon with Steve had gotten angry and told Tony right to his face that Bucky had always excelled at school, was damn smart and to shut his face.
"He has an honors diploma, Rogers, with perfect straight As! STRAIGHT As!" Tony cried and Steve just shrugged, telling him that he already had these back in the 1920s.
So since then Steve and Jamie AND of course his parents too were bugging him to go to college. He had tried to apply for courses, back then after his name had been cleared and even with his perfect grades no one wanted the Winter Soldier on campus, cleared name or not. So he had simply given up. "Steve…"
"You always wanted to do this, Bucky! Jamie found a way in for you, so take that chance!"
"Yeah? So what about art school, huh?" Bucky countered and Steve sighed.
"You know I haven't drawn anything since the war…"
"Then get back into it!"
Steve remained silent until an idea came to his mind. "Okay. I'll apply at art school if you apply for college too." Bucky looked at him in sheer annoyance. "Okay, then I won't."
"Fine! I fill out that damn form, Rogers. There, happy?"
Steve grinned. "Yeah!"
"Punk!" Bucky cursed and sipped on his beer.
"Jerk!" Steve returned the favor and that was it.
Close by Logan and Jean sat on one of the many chairs that were all around the dance floor and watched pairs dancing. They had been dancing too for a good while and wanted to just relax for a moment. Jean held a glass with red wine in one hand, while Logan had a beer and their free hands were linked. Both looked up when Shuri came over and knew that it was about Jaden.
"Hello," the woman greeted and sat down after she was invited to.
"How is he?" Jean asked and turned a bit to have a better look at Shuri.
"Akihiro is helping. A lot," the woman said. "Jaden refused any help until Akihiro talked to him and spent time with him. It seems to help him a lot that his brother shares the same experiences. I managed to get those awful triggers out of his head, also the adamantium. Hydra did a pretty number on his healing factor. Physically he is fine though. Mentally not so much."
Jean heaved a deep breath and looked at Logan, who squeezed her hand. "What about therapy?" he asked.
"He is finally cooperating. Also thanks to his brother. He still has a long way to go though," Shuri said and watched Akihiro dancing with Jean-Paul. "Akihiro told him that he wants him to be back home for Christmas. So I hope that will work out." She smiled at them and turned her head to watch Lily hugging Bucky with a bright smile. "I'm happy that Bucky found his peace. I hope it will be the same for Jaden." She stood up again.
"Thank you so much for your help!" Jean said and Logan nodded.
Shuri smiled. "My pleasure."
They watched her join her brother and T'Challa's son again, who was in a discussion with his father. Logan knew it was about TJ and that Azari wanted to stay longer for her. It was no secret to him that the young man had no interest yet to become king any time soon. And TJ didn't want to leave her home anyway. He sighed and emptied his bottle. "Let's hope he'll be back by Christmas then…"
"Yes," Jean said and put her glass aside to take both of his hands into hers. "I'm glad he trusts Akihiro though…"
"He already told me he'll be flyin' back t'Wakanda in two days. T'Challa'n Shuri will be staying the whole week."
Jean leant her head against his shoulder and watched the dance floor for a while longer. "45 years, Logan…"
"Yup," he smirked. "Thought ya would be able t'tolerate me that long, darlin'?"
"Actually….yes."
He cocked an eyebrow at her. "Really?"
"Yes. I knew if you didn't run off at some point…, that this would work out."
"Hm…"
She leant her head back to look at him. "You didn't?"
He shrugged. "I was pretty sure at the beginnin' that ya would get sick of me…"
"Well….Too bad for you. Didn't happen," Jean leant back against him.
Logan watched the group in front of them thoughtfully. He felt her squeeze his arm and guessed he had been sending. "Let's be real, darlin'… We'll be the only ones left standin' at the end. Whenever that end might be… Hopefully some of the kids too. 'n some of our thousand grandkids…"
"Mhm…," Jean made and it was a fear they shared. "Jamie and I discussed it once. He thinks the others… Scott, 'Ro, Hank… That I or he or even both of us must have done something at one point when we battled Apocalypse and that part of us split. He thinks it's possible that I did it after I killed Apocalypse and used Wanda to look for a reality that had everyone in it. That part of my power is in them and that's why they live longer than they should… But they will be gone one day… That's true…" She rubbed her cheek at his shoulder and fought back tears, dreading the moment already. Sniffing she wiped her eyes and tried to give him a small. "But today's not a day to think about it, Logan. Let's go dance."
He groaned. "Again?!" he cried playfully but allowed her to pull him up.
"Yes. Again!" Jean said and dragged him to the dancefloor.
The party lasted long well into the night. A week later, after Steve and Peggy were married, the two couples set off on their honeymoon and the roundtrip through the US they had planned. They had rented a bigger car that gave everyone and the two small children enough space and Steve and Bucky took turns driving. Their plan was to go from the east coast to the west and then fly back home. The Grand Canyon was a must since Bucky had always wanted to go and Steve had promised to take him one day. And Steve wanted to go to Disneyland in California. Lily wanted to see some national parks and Peggy didn't care as long as long as they would see a lot. They had planned 2 months for the whole trip, so that they would be back by mid September and had enough time before Lily's due date on October 2. Meanwhile Alpine was with Rebecca and Jean, Logan, Ororo and Scott had promised to help Bucky's family to settle further in.
Daken had returned two days after the wedding, whereas T'Challa and Shuri remained in the US and flew back to Wakanda a day after Steve's wedding. While he went to the palace, she went to her lab first and later to check up on her "patient". She was surprised to find the room empty and contacted the therapist, who had told her that they were out and on the market. So Shuri decided to come back later when she was surprised by finding Daken in her lab, a book on science in his hand.
"I heard you were back. How was Rogers' wedding? Did he cry?" he asked and turned the page.
"He was close," Shuri confirmed and came closer. "You are…not with your brother?"
Daken closed the book with a sigh. "No. He's with his boyfriend."
Shuri made a surprised face. "When did that happen?"
He shrugged and got up from where he was sitting. "Apparently the day after we left," he replied. "His therapist wanted Jaden to try and move around people, to work on staying calm and focusing on good things."
"So he is good…so far?"
Daken shrugged. "That's what his therapist wants to test. She's connected to him via ear piece. He had one bad day last week. Other than that…he seems okay."
"Good." Shuri nodded and used a screen to display the office of the palace's therapist, who was sitting at her desk, a tablet in hand and calmly talking to who she guessed was Jaden. She and Daken watched until the couple was obviously on their way back and went to meet them in the hallway upstairs. Jaden looked ashen and his therapist went his way immediately.
"That was good. Really good!" she said with a smile and he sat down on the ground with a huff, pulling Damiel with him because their hands were still linked.
"It was hell. Too many people around. Too many accidentally bumping in me," Jaden muttered into his knees and tried to get his breathing under control again. "Please don't make me go outside again tomorrow!" he begged.
"No, I won't. This was just a test to see how you can handle the situation. Your heartrate and stress level were alarmingly high. I think we should try tasks with less people for now," his therapist said and checked her tablet. "Your dinner is ready by the way. You should rest for now. I'll see you tomorrow."
Jaden watched her leaving and let Damiel pull him up. "You're back?"
"Yes," Shuri said with a smile. "How are you feeling?"
"Horrible," Jaden muttered and aimed for the door opposite of him behind which his room was.
"It was your first time out and among people again. Give it time," she said and he typed in the code for his room whereas Damiel took the tray with their food and drinks.
"I don't believe that will ever get better…," Jaden said and entered the room. The door went shut behind him and Daken sighed.
"Make it two bad days. He's been cranky all day," he said and began to walk again.
Future September 2054
Rachel's and Alex's twins were born in mid August. The text message with the attached pic reached Lily as the group reached the Grand Canyon and Steve and Bucky were standing arm in arm, looking at the sight they had wanted to see for so long. Their road trip took them all over the US and it wasn't before late September that they returned to New York. Their baby was due in 3 weeks and even with a healing factor the pregnancy was exhausting for Lily by now. They had decided to stay one night at the Tower after using the Quinjet to fly back from L.A. to New York. Peggy and Steve were staying in Steve's room on Steve's floor, Bucky and Lily in Bucky's room on the same floor. He was already sleeping, Becca was also sleeping, but she felt restless, so Lily got back up and paced the room, then the living room, then she drank a glass of water and finally settled on the sofa, but it didn't help at all. In the end, she went back to bed and tried to doze.
On the next morning she woke up with the worst pain possible and Lily got scared. Her healing factor prevented her from this. She had felt pressure but no pain the last two times and now the pain was everywhere and it was just plain awful. She managed to get up and moved to the living room where the others were having breakfast. Bucky looked up in concern and was immediately at her side guiding her to the sofa, while telling the A.I. to call Jamie. "Do you need anything, doll?"
Lily held on to his hand and sobbed. "It hurts. It's not supposed to hurt!"
He pulled her close and rocked her slowly. "It's gonna be okay. Jamie will be here soon," Bucky whispered, but the look he gave Steve and Peggy over Lily's shoulder spoke volumes. He was scared too. Jamie was thankfully teleported by Tommy and they migrated back to Bucky's room where Jamie checked up on Lily and everything went pretty fast afterwards. If someone had told Bucky that he would find himself supporting his laboring wife today, he'd have laughed, but he was indeed sitting behind Lily right now, who was panting during a break and then immediately back to pushing as the next labor hit her. If Jamie was concerned, he didn't show it, but when Steven James Barnes was finally wailing 5 hours later, Bucky could tell that everyone in the room was utterly and truly relieved. Bucky held his son, who was now wrapped in a blanket and cooed at him while Jamie was taking care of Lily. They already knew that as soon as Sarah Rogers was born their kids would be inseparable trouble makers.
Future December 2054
On Christmas Eve the plan was to gather at the mansion and celebrate the holidays and New Year together. Everyone was invited, the tree decorated, Logan and Scott had once more put up the lights on the roof (and fallen off said roof. Again.). Jace and Sarah came over from England again and Logan was very surprised to see Akihiro at the mansion. He was hopeful that his eldest being back meant that Jaden was also back and the more relieved he was to see Jaden in the living room with Damiel next to him. Jean too was happy to see their son back and obviously in much better health. Celebrating Christmas and New Year together, with their whole family and their family made both mutants incredibly happy.
When Logan watched their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and friends opening their gifts on the next morning, leaning against the doorframe, he opened his arms for Jean to cuddle into his side. He smiled at her and leant in to kiss her. "We did good, huh?"
"Yes, we did…," Jean agrees and hugs Logan's waist.
THE END
So this is it. The very last chapter of Changes. Thanks for sticking with it and especially thanks to all those that took their time and left a review.
The update took a while because I am mostly working on a Marvel RP on Twitter. I write Bucky, Logan, Deadpool, Tony Stark and Becca (Bucky's sister). If you are a Stucky shipper feel free to add my RP account: metalfistofdoom
My friend, who writes Steve, Steve's mom, Sam Wilson and a couples therapist started this project way back in June. Since we write and post every day I was quite busy.
Thanks again!
