AN: Hello, thanks for reading! Usual disclaimer applies. Only a week until Falcon & Winter Soldier, so excited, but WandaVision could be hard to live up to!

Chapter 35: The Full Monty

'I'm serious, it was so good. I can't stop thinking about it. He was really funny, I've never seen anything like it, he was a poet, not a stripper. He had this girl that Andi works with… it was… I told Bucky… that… they tell a story with their bodies.' Amelia snorts in between her tales of last week's bachelorette party, laughing to herself. She slouches down the sofa, reaching for the TV controller and her glass of milk from the side table. She rustles in the Oreo packet beside her, balancing two on her belly and then going for another two. 'Are you even listening to me?' She waits and Steve calls back, 'yes, story with his body, I'm listening.'

Amelia laughs loudly, thinking about the party, she pushes her glasses up her nose. Amelia keeps talking, 'and it was huge, I mean huge, even Andi was embarrassed, but then it was pretty close to her face...' Amelia looks between the cookies on her tummy and her glass of milk, concerned how she will dunk the Oreos in. She gently balances the milk on her tummy, laughing with pride as it works. She's licking a cookie when Steve walks in, 'there was oil, whipped cream...' She looks up at him with a mouthful of food, choking a little. 'Ummm, what's going on?'

Steve stands before Amelia in his brown military uniform, she hasn't seen him in it since they got caught arguing and making out in a coat closet.

'Rosie is at Ash's, we have the house to ourselves for once, I'm sick of hearing about this stripper, I'm sure I can do just as well.' Amelia suppresses a laugh, he looks offended, 'oh, I'm sorry, I know you could, it's just, well, don't soil the history of your uniform. You're better than that.'

He puts his hat on slowly and asks her 'but are you?' She stops licking her cookie, eyes wide as saucers 'actually, no, I'm not better, put the hat on, do your worse, soldier.' She gets comfy as he puts on some music, struggling with the controller. It blares out loudly and she cringes, 'sorry, that was me, cleaning earlier.' Steve finds a semi suitable song and Amelia stops him, 'wait, wait.' She quickly finishes her milk and discards the glass, sitting comfortably, 'I'm ready, give me the good stuff.'

Steve looks at a loss, her eyes on just him. She helps him out, 'you know, dance, take your hat off, tease!' She's verging on heckling and he looks embarrassed, 'why am I doing this?' He asks no one, she giggles, 'I love it, this is the best thing you've ever done. Keep going.'

Steve looks at her and thinks he can't straddle her, he might squish her and their unborn daughter. He offers her his hand, and she looks surprised, quickly moving her cookies and saving them. She allows him to pull her up and she grins, standing toe to toe with him. He holds her hips and begins to dance, 'like this?' he asks and she nods, croaking 'yep.' He takes her hands and places them on his chest, dragging them down. He's removed the pins and she stares at him, admiring everything about him. She tugs him by the tie and tries to kiss him, but he shakes his head, 'sorry, that costs extra.' Amelia laughs raucously. He turns serious, 'no laughing.' She acts guilty, biting her lip and apologising. She doesn't want this to end, 'sorry, sure, I'll be good.' He places his hat on her head and she giggles, biting her thumb and keeping her hands to herself. He unhooks his jacket buttons and she laughs, biting her lip harder this time.

He nods down and she gets the message, slowly pushing his jacket off his shoulders. 'Am I doing it right?' Amelia nods, 'yes, I'd sell everything I have to afford this show, don't stop.' He looks at her proudly, 'you're ruining it with that goofy grin.' Amelia laughs as he tugs his shirt out, swaying his hips a little and she wonders what he will do about the buttons. She watches in amusement, 'rip it.' She suggests and he looks worried, 'I can't rip it, Amelia.' She utters sorry and takes a seat again, watching him slowly and steadily unbutton each one. The song changes and he groans, fumbling for the remote and playing the last one over again. Amelia covers her mouth, trying desperately not to laugh out loud. Finally finishing with his shirt, he pulls it open and nods at her, as if to check if this is right. She looks encouraging and groans at the sight of his vest. She taps her belly excitedly to the beat and Steve pauses, looking at her pregnant bump. She coughs and drags his attention to her eyes, nodding encouragingly. He snaps back and puts a leg either side of hers. She grips the sofa, suddenly enjoying things a lot more. Steve looks down and almost double takes at the size of her breasts and he wonders how he hasn't noticed that, then he wonders who else has. A voice in his head starts, Accords, Rumlow, Bucky…' he shakes that away and watches her, glazed eyes and clearly enjoying herself. Amelia's eyes flick for her cookies and he knows what she is thinking. He reaches up slowly behind his head and tugs his white vest off. She watches as his toned torso is revealed and suddenly her oiled-up stripper is a distant memory.

She thinks the only thing that would make this better, was if she was still eating that cookie.

She sits forward, trying to kiss him again and he resists, pushing her back gently. She strokes his arms and then drags her nails down his chest. He's not really doing anything, no dancing or grinding, unlike the stripper. But this is enough for her.

He begins to unfasten his belt and asks her 'you having fun?' She nods keenly, 'you want more?' She groans 'yes, now.' Steve smiles at her impatience and she throws her head back, her feet dancing behind him. He allows her to tug at the belt and she pulls it slowly, discarding it. Steve demands she moves her legs and she does just that. He turns around and she laughs, checking out his tight behind in his khaki pants. He lifts one leg onto their coffee table and bends over slowly to untie his boot. Amelia reaches for him, but he switches foot, repeating the motions. 'You're pretty good at this.' Steve straightens and looks at her over a shoulder, 'oh, really?' Amelia giggles loudly. He faces her again and strokes his thighs a little, Amelia can't control the laugh that spills from her and he straightens 'well, that's mean.' She waves her hands 'I'm sorry, don't stop, keep going, it's amazing.'

Steve gives in and slowly unfastens his pant button and then tortures her, slowly dragging his zip lower. 'Do you have any oil? Or spray cream?' She looks hopeful and he stops, 'Amelia, what more do you want from me?' She feels like she's been told off and she pictures him taking her to task for her disrespect. She looks away, wondering what's come over her, that's not normally her thing. 'Sorry…' Steve looks her in the eyes, 'you want this?' She nods, 'how bad?' Her toes curl and she sighs, 'soo bad.' Steve tugs his pants down slowly, she squeaks at the sight of his black boxer briefs. With his pants around his ankles, he kneels on the sofa beside her and she stares up. Steve looks down and feels a little blind sighted by her flushed cheeks, her soft pout and the way she's watching him. He looks down her dress and feels his mouth go dry. 'You want to go upstairs?' He asks and she nods, 'sure, but I'm not paying.'

Suddenly they hear noise and Steve panics, stepping away and struggling with his clothes, bunched around his ankles. Amelia hides her face, laughing loudly, wheezing behind her palms. Andi and Bucky call hello from the hallway and Steve jumps around, trying to pull his pants up, bumping the coffee table and almost falling. Amelia looks over the back of the couch and trips him with her legs, looking back he's on the floor and Andi rushes in, 'shit, what was that, Mia? Are you ok? Mia?' Amelia laughs loudly and Andi peers over, 'Steve, what the… oh my God. Bucky, come look.' Amelia waves them away, 'no, don't, you're horrible.' She checks Steve's ok and then rolls over, grabbing a quick cookie. Speaking with a full mouth, 'be nice.' Steve lies on the floor and leans up on his elbows, 'this is never happening again.'

…

Steve returns, now fully dressed, he steps off the final stair and looks about, the hallway full of boxes. Bucky comes out and they share a look, 'all good?' Steve asks and Bucky nods shyly. 'Sorry for the interruption, she wanted to move as much as possible.' Steve peers about, Andi's belongings filling their hall. 'No, problem,' he scratches his head, 'just thought you were done for the day.' Bucky cracks a small smile, 'yeah, gathered that. No judgement.' Steve blushes, 'Amelia, won't stop talking about this stripper, just thought I'd… you know.' Bucky stifles an almost laugh, 'actually I don't know. But you earnt the uniform, it's yours to do what you will with.' Steve looks away from his laughing friend. He pushes the urge down to ask how Bucky's doing, remembering the promise they made, bury it.

Andi comes out and looks at Steve with a scoff, 'damn, you got dressed! Shame we were late, let us know the start time, next time.' Steve looks at her dryly, 'Rosie is out and I thought you were done for the day.' Andi nods, 'we are now, this is the last of it. Oh, just that big lamp by my bed, Bucky, think you can go?' He nods and exhales racing up the stairs. Steve watches him leave and Andi softens, ushering 'is he ok? He seem ok to you?' Steve nods quickly, 'sure, why?'

'I dunno, he's just been a bit quiet the last couple of days. Then with the email…'

'What email?' Steve questions in confusion.

Andi looks up, 'oh, you don't know. This will be fun. Well, Stark is saying that anyone not signed up to the dreaded a-word, can only work with the team in a non-field based capacity. But no quarters, no rooms and apartments, which are to protect the people who have signed. Just not needed anymore. So, looks like Bucky will be bunking with me at the new place.' Steve is surprised that Tony's acted so quick and that it wasn't run past him at all. 'I… I didn't know that.' Andi sighs, 'yeah, not the best time to be moving, but I'm aware you need to get ready and soon. Go for a nice yellow or peach, no pink and blue crap. Please, be better than that.' Steve feels guilty, 'painting the nursery has been on my long list for eight months, it's not just on you that I haven't done it.' Andi smiles at him, 'hey, you're here more and more, you kept your promise. That's all you can do.'

Amelia comes out of the kitchen, sadly sniffing 'I can't believe you're moving out, I thought it would take longer.' Andi hugs her sister and Bucky appears with the lamp. 'Uhh, no you don't, that's mine,' Amelia calls and Andi winces, 'sorry, better leave it then, could you, Bucky?' He frowns, annoyed, having wrestled the plug out from behind some drawers.

'Will you be ok at the tower?' Amelia asks and Andi nods, 'yeah, it's five star, you know that and I'll keep my key, just in case I can walk in on the peep show again. I'm looking at you completely differently now by the way, Steve.' He hangs his head and Amelia strokes his arm, 'I loved it. I'm glad they saw.'

Amelia leans against her sister, 'oh, hey, I'm picking up the dresses tomorrow.' Andi looks momentarily happy, but then her smile slips quickly. The wedding is creeping ever closer and everything has been soured. Her eyes stray to the direction Bucky went it, she hopes he is still excited. 'Are you ok?' Her sister asks and Andi blanches, swallowing and composing herself 'yeah, just nervous, you know? Getting close now.'

Bucky can hear her upstairs and he stares into Amelia's room again, spying the dress still hanging there.

He feels the familiar butterflies, but now it's more like a murder of crows. He replays Steve's voice, telling him to bury what he did. He puts the inner turmoil down to nerves as well and heads for downstairs.

Amelia hugs her sister, 'I'll miss you,' she whispers as Andi pats her back, she looks up at Steve, 'still, I'm leaving you with the best guy and thighs of steel apparently, who knew?' Steve shakes his head, getting the front door for her, 'yes, thank you, Andrea, off you go.' She laughs, poking her tongue out and Amelia tells him off.

'I'm only at the tower, you know that, yeah?' Amelia nods, 'of course.' Bucky appears again and looks about at the stuff, heaving a box up. 'Probably best Rosie isn't here, she didn't take it too well, did she?' Andi asks and Steve sighs, 'uh, no, we had tears most of the day.' Bucky grumbles, 'I'll pack the car.' Steve watches him go and Andi shrugs, squeezing his arm 'he'll be ok, I'm sure.'

She follows Bucky outside, one last small wave, blowing a kiss to her sister.

Once they are done, Amelia shuts the door softly, leaning against it 'well, that's that.' She shrugs sadly and Steve steps closer, hugging her tightly. Steve closes his eyes, his head atop hers. He can just hear her mumbled words, 'is he ok? Bucky? He's not right. Something's off.' Steve's eyes open wide and he squeezes her tightly, pulling back and looking at her seriously, considering something carefully. 'I uh, I need to tell you something,' he admits sombrely.

…

Natalie wipes her eyes with a tissue, 'I can't believe it's your last day, I'll miss you so much, but brunch at the weekend, yes?' Amelia is packing up her desk, clearing her personal effects. Beth walks past and offers a small wave.

Amelia looks back at her dear friend, 'I'm still in in the same city, don't get upset. Brunch sounds great.'

They both look up to see Richard walking into their boss' office. Amelia decides this is it, this is the moment. 'Give me a minute, yeah? You can clear my notice board, if you like.' Natalie pouts, 'if I refuse, will you stay?' Amelia shouts back, 'nope!'

Amelia reaches the office, a deep breath in the hallway and tapping gently. Her boss, Mark looks up, 'hey! Last day! You made it!' Amelia smiles, shuffling in, rubbing her tummy 'yeah, it's sad, but I'm ready to go.' Richard smirks, looking at the ground. 'Time to take it easy,' he offers and she shrugs. 'Yeah, stay home, cook my man dinners and get back in my box, right, Rich?' He just shakes his head at her, chuckling, 'your words not mine.'

Amelia bites her tongue, regaining her composure.

'I umm, I have something for you, an exclusive actually.' Richard's head snaps to her, folding his arms 'really? Do tell.' Amelia beams at him, 'Stark Tower just sold. Official statement from the man himself.' She places a piece of paper on the desk and Mark grabs the email up and reads it slowly, shaking his head, 'she isn't lying. Good job, Amelia. I know you've always been reluctant to go behind the scenes, but see, this is proof we can make it work for everyone.' She nods, smiling sweetly, 'another thing… I'm not coming back, I'm taking my entitlement and then I'm looking for a new job. That's the last report I'll be working on and well, Richard, you are welcome to my job and my desk, amongst the lowly staff you look down on so much.' Both men argue over her and she speaks up louder 'it will be paid leave, because if not I will go to another news station and make sure that everyone knows this place is run by misogynistic assholes, who tried to use my baby's trauma for a headline. Take me to court, do your worse. I have recordings…'

Richard cuts her off in disbelief, 'that's entrapment!' Amelia shrugs, 'maybe, so don't make me use them. And I'll see you both, umm… oh well, never! I think that's everything. No, baby brain, one other thing, Stark Industries and The Avengers don't want to be part of the Breakfast with Heroes segment anymore either, so… yeah… Guess that ends with my career here and Richard's, if you have any sense, Mark.' She points at her colleague furiously and the pair just stare at her, shocked by the outburst. She pats her tummy and smiles in relief, she thought she'd be nervous, but this feels really good. 'There's cupcakes in the canteen, go crazy, help yourself.' She turns to leave and stops, 'also, Mark? Richard is sleeping with half the office and just generally treating people like shit. Think there's a policy about that, but hey, what's a policy amongst friends!'

She backs away and smiles, 'thanks for the leaving card, I see neither of you managed to sign it.'

…

'It was amazing, their faces, honestly I feel so empowered, I had my say, did my thing, told them where to stick it and I'm done there. Jobless but done. And it feels mighty fine!' Amelia celebrates and Andi grins at her, they toast mix-matching mugs in the lab as Tony walks in. 'You really think you will get paid?' Amelia shrugs, 'I don't know, but it felt great. I've been saving just in case, I dunno, but I'm done.'

'Hey, my favourite Miller,' Andi pulls a face and Amelia waves, 'thanks for the exclusive, Mr Stark, it was perfect.' He smiles at her, 'no problem, but R&D is not really suitable for mimosas and babies, what is that? Orange juice?' Amelia looks awkward, 'I can go, sorry.' Tony waves her off, 'sit down, take the load off, no one's here anyway, they are all at your place, having a paint party.' Andi looks over in horror, 'Tony, that was a surprise!' He covers his mouth, saying oops, not really very apologetic at all. Amelia smiles, 'really? At my place? The nursery?' She looks so excited and Andi nods, 'but act shocked, ignore this guy, Steve made a real effort, poor fella.'

Tony chuckles to himself at Steve's 'efforts.'

'When will the newest Miller be here?' Amelia grins, 'four weeks.' Tony frowns, 'why do you look so excited, isn't it pure torture? Like a swift kick to the gonads, so I've heard.' Amelia laughs, 'it's harrowing, but you forget that part very quickly. Having said that, as we get closer it does seem to be coming back to me in waves of nausea. But mostly, I'm ready now, I want to meet her and I want to feel a little lighter.'

Andi frowns at him, 'a kick in the gonads? Are you serious?'

Tony shuffles through paperwork on his desk, 'what's this?' He holds something up and Andi races over, ripping it from his hands, 'shit, those are my vows, just working on them in-between scheduling. Sorry.' Tony laughs, having seen her notes briefly 'come on, you can't mention his hair!' Amelia looks embarrassed for her sister, offering 'can I see?' Andi sighs, 'it's really hard, what I want to say is probably not what he wants to hear. I'll stand there and say he's the love of my life and he will likely shrug and mumble yeah, she'll do.' Amelia bites her lip, 'aww, he won't, he's a big softy secretly, I bet he surprises you.'

'Barnes has a big softy?' Tony asks from across the lab, 'sorry, too easy, like low hanging fruit.' Andi ignores him. Amelia laughs a little and Andi tells her off, 'don't encourage him!'

'Where's Happy?' Tony asks and Andi waves, 'he's out on some errands, didn't look very happy, hates me even more now.' Tony doesn't bother denying it. 'Have you booked somewhere for the rehearsal dinner?' Amelia asks and she watches as Andi drops her head onto the metal work bench. 'There's no end, I don't think Bucky even knows about that bit. Do I need a dress for that? Can I just wear the white one and get double the use?'

Tony strolls over, 'I know a place.' Andi looks up dryly, 'somewhere that us mere normal folk can afford, please!' Tony shrugs, 'fine, I won't get you in, suit yourself. So, you looking for a job?' He turns to Amelia, she shuffles awkwardly 'no, thank you but no, I think that might finish poor Steve off, it's better if I'm at home, none the wiser of his antics.' Tony nods, 'fine, but I'll keep trying. Hey, you want to see a bionic arm?' Amelia lights up, 'really? Hell yes.' Tony looks back to Andi, 'where is one-two Buckle my shoe of late? I feel like he's dodging me.' Andi shrugs, 'he's been a bit quiet, but he seems ok, just working through everything, you know? Oh, and you did make him homeless!' Tony cringes as her tone turns, 'this again! It's always my fault, why is it never Rogers' fault, Hey? Tell me that?'

…

Steve steps back, only one wall fully painted. Sam grips a roller and Bucky is sat idly with a paintbrush. Steve sighs, 'we need to pick up the pace, it has to be done by the time she gets home.' Sam breathes out with a whistle, 'you're kidding? No, we can't do that!' Bucky peers up at them, adding 'at lunchtimes there's this show, where they do a home makeovers in sixty minutes.' Sam and Steve stare at him, 'just saying, watched it a couple times on my…' he coughs, 'data breach suspension.' Sam nods, 'well maybe if you stand the hell up, Barnes, and contribute a bit more. You've given that sad little corner six coats and it will be behind those drawers we spent twenty minutes shifting.'

Bucky accepts that and stands, 'fine, give me the roller, you have the brush.'

Steve smiles, 'thanks for this, it's really good of you both.' Sam shrugs, 'well, we're almost out of a job, I assume you're paying us. Maybe this could be our back up, painting and decorating.' Bucky shakes his head, dragging the roller up and down the wall in long strokes.

'You picked a name?' Sam asks causally, the three resume painting. Steve grins, Sam smirks 'oh, that's a yes.' Bucky turns around in shock, he didn't know this, he wonders if it was one from the list, maybe one of the two he contributed. 'We have a name, yes, but it's top secret, can't say.' Sam gives up, 'I'd like a slice of this, you've got it made, man. The girl, the kids, I might not like it, but I can see why you might consider signing.'

Steve pauses, 'hey, I'm sorry again about what I implied…' Sam waves him off, 'forgotten.'

'Today is Amelia's last day of work, my last chance to surprise her.' Bucky keeps painting steadily, Andi's pale grey walls, slowly being covered in a creamy yellow.

Sam grins, 'I think you shocked her eight months ago, but this is nice too.' Steve scratches his head, 'right, well if you can start on the crib, Sam?' Wilson pauses, 'uh, sorry, I never agreed to flat pack, that's a bridge too far. Got a date tonight.' Bucky laughs, his back to the pair, 'what poor innocent female are you taking to dinner tonight, Sammy?' Sam bristles, 'her name is Rhia, she works at the bookstore across the street from my old flat.' Steve relaxes, relieved it's not an internal affair again. Bucky shakes his head, 'I've never seen you read anything, maybe the calories on your bag of nuts.'

Sam ignores the jibe, poking back, 'not long now then, Barnes. Started on those vows? Roses are red…' Bucky rolls his eyes, 'you clown, even I can do better than that and no, but I will.' Steve rushes them on, 'paint and talk, paint and talk.' Sam nods, 'alright, I'm doing it. God, what a way to spend a day off, hey?'

Steve steps back smiling at the freshly painted walls. 'Uh, don't be a hypocrite, please!' Sam warns, clapping back 'paint and talk!' Steve nods and quickly picks up the pace.

'So, Steve, you going to be there when the baby is born?' Sam asks and Steve licks his lips nervously, 'I hope so, I keep thinking, what if I'm not here, what if… I dunno, but yes, it's in the birthing plan.' Sam and Bucky just stare at him, looking confused and gormless. Steve elaborates, 'it's a plan of what Amelia wants, which hospital, who will be there, that kind of thing.' Sam and Bucky nod, 'oh right, sure, sounds logical.' Steve smirks at them both, 'it's a lot to think about, water births, pain medication, feeds. I can barely keep up sometimes.' He exhales, wiping a tired hand through his hair, Bucky smirks at his friend, enjoying his flustered face at the endless list of things to do, not long now.

AN: There's a wedding around the corner

Stay safe.

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