Part 17
With her parents now occupied inside the house, Rebecca Barnes soon decided to head outside and go explore the beautiful well kept gardens that surrounded the woodland retreat that pepper and Tony had called home. Now outside, the sun was now high above her head and was igniting the world deep in brilliance and elegance. The air becoming sweeter, birds singing in the trees, softening and lifting the sadness of this tragic day just that little...
Skipping happily, Rebecca's mind became more clear and resolute with every stride. Hopeful and happy at long last she finally had her beloved father back at her side. With her family reunited as one at long last. As the sunlight continued to caress her skin, a new dawn had been officially promised to the Barnes family and Rebecca was ready to embrace every part of the new beginning that await. Continuing with her skips, she paused briefly to take in the Dewey air that enveloped her. The Barnes family was getting their happy ending and one they deserved. Rebecca knew it was coming. She felt it in every part of her soul. The future now looking that bit more brighter. It was a future the youngster was ready to mould, to build and to direct with the family she adored. Yes she was now at that age where she indeed understood that the super soldier serum run through her veins but right now she felt like she was in control. She was Rebecca Alice Barnes, daughter of Brogan and Bucky. Younger sister to James. She was a girl now walking to her own destiny and that destiny in her own hands.
She was just about to head back to the house when she spotted a little dark haired girl sitting solemnly on the floor at a tent like fort on the bank near the river. Despite the sadness of the day and saying a final goodbye to her father, little Morgan Stark was smiling happily into the distance. She soon looked up to the sky and blew a kiss up to the heavens. Here at her little fort, she was the master of her own peace. She had pitched the tent several days ago with her father and with him now gone, this would be her own personal sanctuary. Just as Rebecca had the barn at home, this tent was now Morgan's
"So you come here to think too then?" Smiled Rebecca, kneeling down to the brown eyed little girl "you're Morgan right? My names Rebecca.. You can call me Becca if you like. My brother sometimes does.. Pleased to meet you "
"Yeah Mummy said I could come and play while she was busy with daddy's friends. Happy said he will buy me a cheeseburger later.. Do you like cheeseburgers?" said Morgan innocently "I always come here to play...Daddy helped me build it... Do you want to See my dolls inside? "
"I love cheeseburgers and yes. I'd Love to see your dolls"
The tent was a soft beige canvas. As Rebecca crawled inside, she could see that the tent even had several windows sewn inside with great care. With little Morgan frantically scrambling through a toy box, Rebecca's eyes fell at a small inscription written in a black sharpie on the side of the tent...it read "This house was lovingly created by Morgan Stark and her totally awesome Daddy. This tent is a place of make believe and a place where imaginations can fly". Feeling overcome, Rebecca reached to the inscription and traced her hand over the signature "daddy" and the child-like scrawl "Morgan". Rebecca noticed within seconds that under Morgan's name was a date. A date on closer inspection was only 5 days before Tony Stark's tragic death. Closing her eyes, she placed her hands over the writing. Her mind soon becoming full of sweet joyful laughter as images of Little Morgan at play with her Father filled her head. The sound of the little girls laughter was sweet, innocent and pure. Like the sound of tinkling bells. Removing her hand, Rebecca felt her heart break instantly for the youngster. Yes for 5 years she believed Bucky was dead but as if by some divine miracle he returned. Shed been given a second chance with Bucky and was determined to never let him go. Yet for Morgan it wasn't easy. Her father would live on but only in her memories and in the hearts of everyone he let into his life. She felt guilty sitting here Now. The little girl had lost her beloved Daddy and would never see him again... While here she was embracing a second chance at life with hers...
"Hey are you OK?" Asked Morgan concerned. She smiled handed her a plastic teacup "you look a little pale ..drink this tea. Daddy always used to tell me that a tea party makes everything better"
"Im sorry, I was just thinking about how cool your Daddy was" smiling at the youngster as she took the teacup and pretended to drink "I see you guys made this tent together... You should be so proud"
"yeah...we was going to cut out the windows so you could actually see out of them but I guess..." the little girl paused and looked sadly at the floor "guess that now he's gone.. It will never be finished.."
"Morgan, listen to me...your Daddy may not be here now but he will always be with you. Today I know he was looking down with so much love and pride" leaning towards her, Rebecca squeezed the little girls hand and smiled "trust me Morgan Stark you are going to go onto great things and your Daddy will be with you every step of the way...I promise you"
"hope so...I miss him already.. "
"let me tell you something that my Papa told me just before he went off to join Uncle Steve and the others. I was very young when he went away but even all these years later its something that stayed with me" peering out the tent, Rebecca could see Bucky and Steve talking in the distance "he said that whenever we needed him all we had to do was close our eyes, focus and find that connection. When you find it that's where he would be waiting for us. He said we just had to look there and that's where he would be...and you know what? It worked...whenever I missed him or felt sad I just had to look within... Try it Morgan"
"you're funny..."
"just try it... Trust me. Close your eyes" Cried Rebecca, reaching for Morgan's hand. Morgan just smiled, squeezed her hand and took several deep breaths. Instantly relaxing "can you see him yet? Is he there?"
'No...this is silly"
"Trust me...he's there Morgan...keep looking" continued Rebecca stroking her hand "He's there... Waiting for you to find him... Think of it like hide and seek.. Bet you used to play that with him"
"yes we did play that...hold on.. I SEE HIM" Her smile was instantly one of glowing happiness, much like a spring flower opening. Rebecca instantly could see that the joy had come from deep inside the little girl. Her eyes were so full of light and love. Her smile was like a true ray of sunshine "YOU WAS RIGHT BECCA...I SEE HIM.."
"told you it works.. " Rebecca smiled "what's he doing? "
'He's making suits in his workshop as usual...now he wants to know what story to read me at bedtime...love you 3000 Daddy" Morgan cried. Opening her eyes she literally threw herself at Rebecca, pulling her into a deep crushing hug that nearly knocked her off her feet "thank you...thank you. Thank you..."
"Told you it worked" Rebecca took Morgan's head in her hands and kissed her forehead "Papa taught me that and you're more than welcome sweetheart"
"your Daddy sounds the best. Is he here today? There's a ton of people I don't know " she whispered shrugging her shoulders "mummy said they all knew Daddy though... So what one Is your Daddy then?"
"see that man in black with long hair talking to Captain America? That's my Papa. The lady holding his hand Is Mama and that's my big brother James" Pointed out Rebecca. At that exact moment, Brogan was obviously feeling the cold and being the perfect gentleman. Bucky took off his jacket and draped it over the shoulders of his wife . looking on Morgan gasped as she soon caught sight of the glowing gold veins of his arm "Can I tell you a secret Morgan? I haven't told a soul this...can I tell you?" The little girl nodded furiously "Mama doesn't know it yet but I'm going to be a big sister very soon"
"you are? That's awesome" Morgan smiled happily "you are going to be the coolest big sister ever... Your Daddy has an amazing arm by the way"
"Thank you... I hope so... I can't wait " The girls continued to watch Bucky and Steve talk. Bucky soon met their gaze and gave a jokey salute to the giggling youngsters "Im going to be going home soon but till then how bout I grab the scissors and add those windows for you that your Daddy didn't get to finish"
"oh will you? Thank you so much Becca"
'anytime...now where's those scissors"
Standing from afar, Bucky watched on as the two girls emerged from the tent with Rebecca taking Morgan's hand and beginning to dance. Her long wavy hair blowing in the Breeze, her youthful face turning towards the sky why. Even though she hadn't had the greatest start in life with him, with Bucky being relatively absent for most of it, the little girl danced and played happily as if the joy of life within her couldn't be tamed. Bucky Barnes couldn't help but watch in awe at his beautiful baby girl. To him she was the world itself and without her in it now life just wasn't worth thinking about. Despite his absence in her life in the early days, there was nothing he would do to keep her safe from harm. In fact that went not just for her but for his whole family too. He was here now ready to be at her side and help her reach for the stars...
"having fun girls?" smiled Bucky crossing the garden to join them "who taught you those moves Rebecca Alice Barnes...it sure as hell wasn't me or your uncle Steve that's for sure" he laughed "too much standing on toes"
"Hello are you Rebecca's Daddy?" Morgan's eyes once again fell to his arm. She found herself transfixed at the glowing gold veins "wow your arm is so pretty...you was right Becca. Your Daddy is awesome"
"Thank you miss " smiled Bucky, raising out his hand to the youngster which she shook. He couldn't help but laugh at how she couldn't stop staring at it "yes I am Rebecca's Papa...I'm really sorry about your Dad. He was a good man...I'm sure he loved you very much too"
"yes...Rebecca has been showing me how to look inside my heart to find him when I'm feeling sad" said Morgan warmly "Rebecca is amazing! And she is going to be an amazing big sister "
"MORGAN!" Rebecca gasped, blood drained from her face as she clasped her hand over her mouth. Looking over to Bucky she hoped he hadn't heard but judging by the expression on his face, he did "I told you that was a secret"
"im sorry... You're still going to be my friend right?" pleaded Morgan
"Course I'll still be your friend" Rebecca pulled the little girl on for a hug and smiled as Bucky watched on more confused than ever. "Always"
"right...we need to talk Rebecca Alice...what do you mean big sister?" cried Bucky, waiting to confront her once Morgan had gone "talk to me..."
"um the thing is..." with it now just father and daughter, Rebecca began to bite her lip nervously and began to twirl a loose lock of her hair round her finger. Bucky's instincts told him instantly that this was her tell that she was hiding something "oh look...Uncle Steve is here...guess we are going home now. Oh I'll go wait with Mama"
Watching her flee, the sigh that escaped Bucky's dry lips was slow and it was almost as if his brain needed that time to process what little Morgan had said. Did Rebecca truly know that he was going to be a father again? Did Brogan even know that their was a pregnancy on the horizon? So many desperate questions filled his head that he needed answers for. He know the serum had effected her physically but maybe its true effects went even deeper. She was already way smarter than other kids her age but maybe the serum had enhanced her thought process too. Leaving her with the ability to know things before they actually was going to happen. She'd seen the future and there was another child on the horizon. Letting out a sigh, Bucky sat on a log and held his head in his hands. Could he really bring another child into the world that had his super serum inside them? Guilt at having it flow within Rebecca's veins hit him hard last time. Yet seeing Morgan and his little girl interact just now, he knew that if it was true and he was gonna be a dad, he'd be ready. Weather that child had the serum in them or not, he'd love them regardless and for eternally. He trusted Rebecca's thoughts and was ready for whatever the future hurled at him...
"You OK Buck?' Steve looked on concerned at his friend still sitting on the log. Deep in thought and emotionless "listen I know today's been tough and couldn't have been easy for you but you got through it and can move toward now"
"its not that... Its something that Rebecca apparently said.. Its got me thinking. Thinking about the future.. My future" sighed Bucky, running a hand through his hair "Steve...Rebecca told Morgan Stark that she's going to be a big sister soon..."
"What?" Steve gasped "Is Brogan pregnant again? Are you know...trying?"
"not that I know of but Steve I think Rebecca knows things...she knows things before they happen...but am I ready to be a dad again?. I've missed so much of her life... Could I do that again to another child?"
"Listen to me Bucky Barnes...I'm going to tell you something. Something I should have told you from that very first moment since you came home...Bucky you right now have everything I want in my life. You have met the love of your life...your soulmate... You have been blessed with two incredible children" Bucky smiled at his friend and knew every word he said was coming from the heart "I wish that I had even a tiny portion of the joy and happiness you have with Brogan. There was a time I thought it was possible but now I'm not so sure. If you're indeed going to be a father again soon then my advice to you is embrace it...embrace the moment.. Live for now Bucky Barnes...not the past...'
"Steve Rogers are you jealous of me?" Bucky teased forcing out a smile "Thank you man"
"maybe a little...you have everything I ever wanted..." he reached into his pocket and pulled out the compass that had never left his side. Handing it to Bucky, he opened it slowly and there inside was Peggy Carter "Not a day has gone by when I don't think about her...she's gone now but will always be with me... Happiness is impossible for me now... "
"Steve... Nothing is impossible...even Captain America deserves a happy ending... The Steve I know wouldn't give up that easily" Bucky laughed "if someone as damaged as me can find happiness then so can you... Don't give up. You'll find a way..."
"You're right as always Buck. You always knew to say the right thing" Bucky handed him back the compass and smiled. The two men hugged a silent goodbye before Bucky got to his feet and headed over to Brogan waiting by the car. Alone, Steve reached into his pocket and pulled out a small red vial. With the vial In one hand, he reached one more time for the compass. The red vial was intact PYM particles, the things that made to time travel possible. It was these that Steve and used in the quantum realm when they went on the time heist. Bucky was right. Nothing was impossible and even he deserved a happy ending "you've given me a lot to think about"