After my first doctor's appointment with Dr. Gittleman, my stomach began to expand extraordinarily.

Twelve weeks soon turned to twenty and before I knew it I was a few weeks short waiting for my babies.

And my heart broke as I realized that Bucky would not be here to receive our kids as they came into this world.

"Arie?" Tony called, as he walked into my room.

"Yes?" I asked, looking up from my place in the chair in the corner of the room.

"Pepper is downstairs with Wanda and Pietro, she brought you something…" he said as he looked down at his ring.

I smiled, as my eyes flickered down to it.

Shortly after I told everyone that Bucky and I were married, Tony finally pulled his head out of his ass and asked Pepper to go out.

That date ended up with them eloping in Atlanta, Georgia.

Now, everyone finds it amusing that they're the ones who tried and failed to hide their elopement from the world.

"Woah. Are you alright there?" Tony asked as he saw me wince, moving to help me.

"I'm fine, Tony. I've been having Braxton Hicks for the past week and a half." I said, inhaling and exhaling slowly as I tried to stand.

"Just around this time. It should be normal. How often would you say you're getting them?" He asked me curiously.

"Every fifteen to twenty minutes." I replied as I finally got to my feet.

His eyes widened as he looked down at his watch for a moment. "Does the pain hit your stomach or back?" He asked.

"It varies…" I said, with a shrug, looking down at my watch.

"Alright, let's go see what Pepper brought you, and I will be monitoring to see if your Braxton Hicks are a reason to cause alarm." He said as he guided me out the door.

"What's going on?" I asked as we began moving towards the sitting room instead of the usual place we all usually gathered.

"Nothing, we all just wanted to see you. Sam came to visit, along with Steve, your brothers, and Nat. Bought food and everything." He said as we walked into the room.

I gasped as my eyes fell on the blue and pink decorations littered around the room, and the two tier cake that sat next to an assortment of gifts on the counter.

"What is this?" I gasped, as my eyes began to water.

"It's a baby shower." Tony commented dryly.

"I know that, stupid. But- but why would you all want to—?" I asked, as my voice cracked.

"Because we all love and care about you…" Nat said as she and Pepper pulled me into a hug, before Wanda pulled me into a tight hug.

"You're getting so big!" She squealed, as she reached down and rubbed my bulging stomach.

I wince as one of the babies kicked her hand in response, as I felt the twinge in my back appear.

"Another one?" Tony asked, looking down at his watch.

I nodded, biting my lip as I exhaled slowly and tried to stay calm.

"Arie, it's been ten minutes. How long ago was that last one?" He asked, concerned.

Everyone suddenly moved towards us concerned, as I felt my stomach tighten this time.

"One fifteen." I muttered, breathing through the pain.

"One fif— that wasn't twenty minutes ago! That was ten!" He gasped.

"What's going on?" My brothers asked.

I turned to smile at them, strained, as the pain finally subsided.

Charlie held Little Bella in his arms, as she played her pacifier.

"She's been having Braxton Hicks contractions all this week… and about half of last. She's timing them but failed to mention that she's getting them every ten minutes." Tony explained as the girls gasped.

"Ok, let's not panic. Let's sit her down and time them ourselves while we keep an eye on her." Nat said as she began guiding me towards the love seat.

I groaned as I sat down, watching everyone surrounded me concerned.

"Arie, how long have you been having these?" Clint asked me, concerned, as he knelt beside me.

"They started last Monday while I was out jogging." I said, continuing my breathing exercises.

"You went jogging? The doctor told you not to go alone." Clint said.

"I wasn'talone, I went with Pietro." I replied, scowling at them.

Everyone turned to Pietro, giving him a questioning look.

"What? She needed some fresh air. Running is good for circulation." He replied with a shrug.

"Alright, have you gone jogging anymore?" Nat asked.

"Nope." I said, popping the 'p', as I rubbed my stomach, and winced again.

"How long did that one take?" Nat asked, looking at Tony.

"Eight minutes." Steve said, looking down at his watch.

Nat and my brother shared a look before turning to look at me.

"Arie, I don't think these are Braxton Hicks contractions. These are the real thing. We need to get you to a hospital, from the looks of it…" she told me.

"Wait, but I haven't reached forty weeks… I've barely reached thirty two weeks!" I sputtered.

I felt my stomach twinge painfully again and winced.

"Arie, listen. We need to get you to the hospital. We have to make sure you are all safe… Ok?" Steve said as he kneeled in front of me.

I bit my lip, to keep me from crying out, as I felt my eyes welled up.

'Bucky, where are you?' I thought as my brother and Steve helped me get to my feet.

"Do you have a bag ready?" Nat asked, as they began to lead me towards the door.

"Black duffle bag, in the closet by chair." I called back breathlessly.

"On it!" She called.

"Oh my god, We're going to have babies!!!" Pepper exclaimed excitedly.

"We're going to be aunties!!!" Wanda gasped.

"Not the time, Wanda…"I groaned, as I leaned forward in a poor attempt to soothe the pain that shot through me.

"Oh my god." I whispered as I felt a fish of water run down my legs.

"Is that—?" Steve said.

"Shit!! We got to move!" Tony said as Steve picked me up and we all rushed towards the SUV.

"Clint!" I groaned.

"I'm right here, sis. Everything is going to be alright. Just breathe and stay calm." He instructed from the passenger's seat.

I had three contractions on the way to the hospital. Steve was the only one willing to hold my hand as I breathed through it.

"That's it, you're doing great, Arie, just breathe…" he instructed.

"I need Bucky…" I cried, when the pain subsided.

"I know, kid, I know. We'll find him. I promise." He whispered as Nat pulled my hair into a messy bun.

"He can't miss this …" I whispered, tearfully.

"Arie, I need you to focus. Okay. We are all here for you. Bucky would be beside himself if he were here, and knew you were in pain. Focus on your babies and getting them here safely. Then we l can focus on finding him" Nat instructed, holding onto my other hand.

As Tony speedily parked the car in front of the hospital. Three nurses came rushing out with a gurney.

Nat hopped out and allowed them to help me.

"Patient is dilating at a quick pace, water has already broken. We need to rush her to the delivery room, there is no time to waste." One of the nurses said as they rushed me through the hospital.

"Clint!" I called as we sped away.

We moved through the halls and up through an elevator.

"Ma'am only family can go in with the patient." One of the nurses said as we arrived in the room.

They quickly helped me out of my clothes, before they checked my vitals and the babies, before placing the catheter in my arm.

"Who is it?" I groaned, as I adjusted the bed.

"Someone by the name of Natasha." The nurse said

"She's my sister in law. My brothers Clint and Steve are out there." I gasped.

After the nurse cleared them, the three rushed into the room.

"How are you doing?" Clint asked as he rushed to my side.

"Pain. So much pain." I replied breathlessly, as I tried to stop crying.

"I promise the pain will be worth it." He said.

"I know Bucky would've given anything to be here…" Steve said, as he patted my arm.

I nodded, trying to keep the tears at bay.

I felt like hours passed before Dr. Gittleman finally arrived.

Taking his sweet time to wash his hands and slip on the gloves, before checking my vitals again.

When he checked me before looking at me expectantly.

"Are we ready to have the babies?" He asked.

"Noo. I'm just here for the comfortable beds." I snipped groaning.

Clint snorted as he pulled out a camcorder.

"Arie, you are about to have the babies do you really need to be so sarcastic?" He asked as he pointed the camera to me.

"Noooo!" I replied, wincing.

The doctor gave me a small pat on the leg before slipping on his mask, and visor. "Let's begin shall we?" He said

The nurse who had been monitoring me spoke. "Ok, as you feel the next contraction. I'm going to need you to push down onto your butt, as hard as you can… Tuck your chin to your chest and push as you exhale…" she instructed as she told Nat and Steve to grab onto my legs.

As the next contraction hit I pushed as hard as I could, biting back the need to scream as I did.

"Good, good. The first baby is almost here… Good job, Marie. Keep going." The doctor coaxed.

I continued to push, harder than before. With each pain that hit.

"The baby is crowning… the next push don't stop pushing." The doctor said,

I nodded in response before taking a deep breath and pushing as hard as I could.

Crying as I finally heard the baby's squealing cry.

"It's a boy…" the doctor said, turning towards me.

I gasped, looking at Clint, as he smiled behind the camera.

"He's here …" I whispered, as another contraction began, causing me to wince.

The doctor looked up at me shocked, " You need to start pushing, the other baby is coming in fast." He said as he looked back down.

I gasped, before bracing myself on the bed, and taking a deep breath.

Five minutes later the baby arrived.

"It's a girl!" The nurse gasped excitedly as the doctor handed the baby over to get her cleaned.

"Congratulations." The doctor said as he continued to work, safely helping me deliver the afterbirth.

Clint smiled at me, pointing the camera at me, "Any words for the audience?" He asked with a smirk.

"Yeah, I do. This wasn't a free peepshow so either pay up or get out." I groaned tiredly.

Nat laughed, shaking her head at me before giving me a hug. "They're adorable, Arie! They look just like you and Bucky." She said, smiling.

One of the nurses helped me put in a large pad and helped me to my feet.

"You need to use the bathroom." She instructed as she guided me towards the bathroom.

I nodded, heading inside to use the bathroom, wincing as I did.

When I made my way back out, two bassinets were waiting for me.

The nurse smiled as I slowly made my way towards them, hesitating for a moment.

"They're waiting for you…" I heard my brother say from behind me.

I nodded, taking a deep breath before taking a step and looking over at the first one. My son.

He looked just like Bucky. From the shape of his eyes to the shape of his nose and lips. It was as if he was born again.

"Steven Anthony James Barnes." I whispered, tearfully.

"He looks just like his dad." My brother whispered, pulling me to his side for comfort.

I swallowed thickly as I ran a gentle hand over his cheek.

"He's … just like him." I brokenly said, as he whimpered.

"We'll find him, Arie." He whispered, but I knew better than to disagree.

So, I sighed and slowly turned to look at the next bassinet, as a sob escaped my lips.

My daughter.

She had the shape of his eyes, but my nose, and lips. Her hair was curly, and brown, and she was tinier than her brother.

"Rebecca Jacqueline Samarie Barnes." I whispered, touching her cheek too.

"They're beautiful names." Clint said with glassy eyes.

"For beautiful babies." Nat said, smiling at me.

"Are you ready to head to your room?" One of the nurses asked as she brought in a wheelchair.

I nodded, giving the babies one last glance before walking over to the chair and sitting down.

Moments later, when we were all settled in, I sat on the bed, after feeding them, feeling overwhelmed.

"I called Charlie and told him you and the babies are doing great." Clint said as he sat down on the couch.

I nodded, smiling at the two, sleeping soundlessly after I changed their clothes and hats, before snuggling them.

"Has Tony dropped by?" I asked, curiously.

"They're waiting outside with Steve and Nat to come in." He said pointing towards the door.

"Who is we?" I asked, confused.

"Wanda, Pietro, Tony, Pepper, Charlie, Sharon, oand...Zemo." He said, raising a brow at me.

"Zemo?! I'll kick his ass." I grumbled trying to get out of bed, but found it difficult as my body was sore.

"Relax. He's here barring gifts for the two munchkins." My brother said,

"If Charlie is here… where's little Bells?" I asked him confused.

"She is here too. Just tell the nurses she's yours and all will be fine." He said with a smirk.

I gaped at him as he went to call everyone in.