A few months later
It is now September; you have been having Braxton hicks' contractions for the past few weeks but nothing more than that.
You have been at home and nesting while trying to keep Bucky calm.
'Ok James calm down my love. You're making me nervous.' You giggle as you grab him to stop him panicking about small things. 'We have everything, we've got all the apps, the toys, the diapers. We are more prepared for these babies than most parents are!'
Bucky laughs and holds your stomach. 'I know doll, I'm just nervous. The last time I helped with a baby I was only a child myself. Now there's gonna be two and they're gonna be ours.' You cut him off with a passionate kiss and wrap your arms around his neck. 'Whoa what was that for doll?'
'Our babies. Our daughters. I just love hearing you say that. We're gonna be a family. And can you imagine how adorable they're gonna look in flower girl dresses. It's going to be the best wedding! I'm so ex- ouch!' You stop mid-sentence as a sharp wave of pain travels through your stomach. You try to breathe through it and hold onto Bucky to stop yourself falling over. 'Wow, that felt like a real one.' You say as the wave lets up. 'Should we call Bruce? Or do you think it was just a one off?'
Bucky rubs his hand over your stomach and smiles. 'I can call him if you want? Could be just a one off but I'll get my phone, gimme a sec.' He moves away to grab his phone and calls Bruce. 'Hey Bruce, you busy? Mia thinks she just felt a real contraction and we wanna know if it was just a one off or not.' He waits while Bruce talks. 'Ok we'll come down now. Ok thanks. Bye.' He puts the phone down and turns to you. 'He says it could be just a one off but if we wanted to come down to the lab, he's happy to check for us. Come on, let's go find out if we're having a baby!' Bucky says with a giant smile. He grabs your hand and pulls you towards the door and towards the lab downstairs where Bruce is waiting.
'Hey guys, how you feeling Mia?' He pauses and you tell him you're feeling ok, just nervous. 'Well, you have nothing to worry about, we'll find out what that pain was then I can call your midwife, or you can relax here, whichever you want to do. So, first thing hop on the bed for me please?' You do as he says with help from Bucky. 'Lift your shirt for me? I'm gonna check externally first to rid ourselves of any unnecessary removal of clothes.' Bruce warms his hands up by rubbing them together before placing them on your stomach and feeling for the babies position. 'Ok so it definitely seems like they're lower than they were last week. That doesn't mean you're in labour though, it just means you're closer to labour. I'm gonna have to check internally, I think. Ok, you know the drill Mia, I'll wait outside. Just call me when you're ready.' He says while holding out a gown for you to wear. You take it from him, and he walks out. Bucky helps you down and you strip naked to change into the gown.
'Now this brings back memories doesn't it doll?' Bucky says with a chuckle. '8 months ago, right? Ow ok I'll stop!' He says as you hit him hard. You start feeling the pain again and hold onto the table to steady yourself. 'I'll go get Bruce.' Bucky runs to the door and lets Bruce in to help.
'Ok Mia easy now. Hold my hand and squeeze as hard as you need. You won't hurt me; I've got a big green guy that won't let me get hurt remember. So, squeeze, its ok, you're ok.' Bruce holds your hand with one side and your waist, so you won't fall over with the other. He turns to Bucky. 'How long was the first one? Did you time it? About a minute? Ok that does sound like the beginning of labour, but I will check you to make sure if that's ok?' He asks when you let go of his hand a little as the pain subsides.
'Yeah of course. Give me just a minute for me to catch my breath and I'll jump on the bed.' Both men nod and rub an arm each. When you start to feel better you start to get up with the help of them both and lift your legs up to let Bruce examine you. 'Oh, that's cold Bruce! Warn me next time please.' You say with a laugh. 'Also, when did you put gloves on? I don't even remember you putting any on!'
'Sorry Mia, I'll try to warm my hands up before I check you again. And I'm just that awesome of course. I've become a pro at putting gloves on quickly these past few months since you've been coming to me more regularly. Ok let's have a feel now. It seems you're only a half to 1 centimetre dilated, not that much so I'm not worried. I would say you're not quite in labour yet, another week and I will check you again. In the meantime, if you keep getting contractions try a warm bath, not hot. Just warm. Try to have small snacks and rest as much as possible. You're having twins, that means they could come at any time and because it's your first pregnancy it could progress a lot faster or slower, there's really no telling. I will call your midwife and tell her what I've told you and if she agrees with me and she's happy to leave you here then that's what we will do. That sound ok to you Mia?' He turns around to put his gloves in the bin and then back to face you.
'Yeah, that's fine. Can I put my pants on please? It's getting kinda cold in here?' Bruce nods and both him and Bucky laugh. 'Ok great. James can you pass my clothes please?' He hands you your clothes as Bruce says goodbye to you both. 'Bye Bruce, thanks for the help. We'll see you at dinner.' You say with a big smile as he walks out, leaving you to get dressed.