Part 21

2 months later..

"Bucky? Hey Barnes you home?" called out Brogan struggling with several large bags of groceries as she desperately fumbled with her key in the front door "anyone here? Anybody want to give Mama a hand? James? Becca?. Anyone?" eventually letting out a frustrating groan as a small oblong box that had been strategically placed on top of her shopping as it fell to the floor "Dammit"

With her hands still full with groceries, she slowly dropped down to one knee and reached for the box, failing miserably with multiple attempts. Soon losing her footing as she lost balance and landed on her back, groceries cascading all around her. Cursing herself, she rubbed her head and as she sat up was soon met by the smiling face of Sam Wilson standing in the doorway. Despite everything he'd endured over the last few years, Sam still persisted to smile always and be that one person that could always end up brightening the saddest of days

Quickly Sam helped Brogan to her feet and flashed her a deep warm smile. There was a kindness in the man's smile as he quickly picked up the scattered groceries, a smile full of gentleness. It was the smile of one who laughed with ease and was the smile of truly a good man. Together they soon managed to make it to the kitchen table. Bucky called it the dining room but this was somewhat misleading. They just ate at it that was all. Around the table was a mix of chairs and in the windows was a pair of blur checked curtains, curtains that let the heat escape. The Barnes family lived a simple life now complete with Bucky's return but sitting around the table was something they always made time for...

"So how's things?" Asked Sam, his eyes soon glanced at the small oblong box that Brogan had innocently placed on the table "where's the big guy then? "

"napping probably. His insomnia is back with a vengeance since Steve left" Brogan sighed. Peering over Sam's shoulder she could just make out his feet draped over the side of the sofa in the lounge "He misses him so much its breaking my heart. I know he said he respected Steve's decision but I'm worried about him Sam.. Its like he's lost part of himself now. Steve was the only link to his past. The only link to who he was before Hydra and The winter Soldier...I don't know what to do"

"Listen B, me and him are never going to have what they did but times have changed. I promise you that the link to the past may of gone but I will shape the future with him...her judging by that...he's doing a fine job of doing that himself... " laughed Sam, pointing at the oblong box "so like that is it"

Taking the box in his hand, Sam's eyes scanned the words "pregnancy test" in huge black letter, grinning furiously as he handed it to Brogan. Instantly the blood drained from her face, leaving her as white as a sheet as she bit her lower lip nervously. Her snowy face, still beautiful and almost like an ivory carving. With trembling hands she grabbed the box and quickly slipped it into her pocket. Her hands, too were bone white but soft and elegant as pale hands often were. She looked almost like a porcelain doll...

Like hail on glass plane, the drumming of Brogan's fingers on the table was as relentless as it was loud. Each click of nails on the echoed the tumultuous thudding of her heartbeat. Her stomach turning in knots as she hugged herself. After one more reassuring smile from Sam, she released her hand's and held them in front of her. Almost like she was in need of constant touch and reassurance. Her nerves only easing some what as he squeezed her hand

"OK, you're probably going to find out at some point...several months ago at the funeral, Rebecca said to Morgan Stark that she could see herself as a big sister at some point" Brogan sighed "i kind of dismissed it at the time as you know Bucky and I are...you know...careful" she bit her lip as she blushed furiously much to Sam's amusement "but these last couple of weeks I haven't felt great and just wanted to be sure. I haven't taken it yet and he doesn't know "

"why are you afraid to tell him?" Asked a confused Sam "it doesn't take a genius to see how much he adores you"

"I know. I know" Brogan's emerald eyes began to glisten with damp salty tears as Sam pulled her in for a hug "he didn't know when i was first pregnant with Rebecca before. If it is positive, I'm scared how he will react again at the prospect of bringing another child in the world with the serum in their veins. He just about handled it when it came out about Rebecca...how's it going to effect him going through that again? He's come so far...will it tip him over the edge going through this again?"

"listen to me, Yes me and him have a past and yes we will most probably never be the best of friends. Yet I know one thing that's truer than ever...that man loves you and will love the prospect of another spawn of his coming into the world " Brogan pretended to be shocked at Sam's words as he picked up a smiling portrait of the family from a dresser. He couldn't help but smile at the image of little Rebecca nestling on her father's lap as she draped her arms around his neck "if your new mini me is half as incredible as short stuff here, he will be over the moon. Don't be afraid B. Things are going to turn out fine in the end...the future Is bright...I know it"

"Thank you Sam" leaning toward Brogan kisses his cheek "You're a good man Sam Wilson. Steve saw it in you...that's why he chose you for the shield... You'll do him and the world proud"

"well if it was only that easy " sighed Sam "That's what I needed to talk to the big fella about...I..I...I've been told I have to give the shield back. I've been told that because I stood with Steve during the accords, I'll never be recognised as Captain America in the governments eyes"

"WHAT? They can't do that can they?"

"they can and they have " forcing out a smile, Sam shrugged his shoulders. Brogan instantly could tell how gutted he was "I just don't know what to do...there will be a new cap apparently but it's not going to be me"

"this isn't right...I'm so sorry Sam. Steve would hate this! It was you he chose" feeling her blood boil she shook her head furiously "you don't deserve this"

"its OK..that's why I came round. I have to talk to someone about it. I want to take the government on but I can't do it on my own. I thought he would help me or just listen. But I guess he will have a lot on his mind now even more so..."

"im going to have a lot on my mind why?" interrupted Bucky entering the pair in the kitchen. Leaning to Brogan he kissed her cheek as she smiled awkwardly "sorry I guess I fell asleep. Was just looking at old pictures. Bought a lot flooding back...you OK Brogan?"

"yeah I'm fine Bucky. Sam was just asking about Rebecca's big competition next week. I mean the daughter of a super soldier going for a gymnastics championship.. Big thing right?" smiling at Sam, brogan soon headed for the hallway "well I'll leave you boys to talk.."

"Brogan hold up.. " cried Sam, just as she placed her hand on the bannister ready to head upstairs "positive or negative... Everything will be alright I'm the end" he smiled "look after yourself... Give short stuff my love when she gets home"

With the two men talking downstairs Brogan headed upstairs to the bathroom. Her hear twisting and sinking with nerves as she nervously sat on the toilet. The bright light above her head enveloped her coldly as with shaking hands she removed the little white stick from the pregnancy test box. Her breath coming in sharp pants as she tried to gain control and all she could do was now wait, setting her watch on a 5-minutes timer. In five long minutes she would finally discover if her gut instinct was true, that Rebecca was right and she was going to be a mother for the third time. Brogan tried her best to breathe calmly but every time she saw that there there was no change on the test her body couldn't help but Shake with nerves. Her eyes closed and aimed towards her clasped hands resting on her lap. Trepidation swelled through her as the five minute mark soon drew to a close. Slowly, she raised her eyes to the stick resting on the sink. Taking a deep breath, she turned the stick over as the overwhelming feeling of numbness hit her hard. With her eyes glistening with damp ivory there was one word.. One word that would change her life forever...

"PREGNANT +"

Wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her Cardigan, Brogan smiled at her reflection in the mirror before looking down at her abdomen. She laughed between her tears and began to softly stroke her stomach proudly. Once again part of Bucky was growing inside her. A product of their love and devotion to each other. In about 8 months she would be holding her new baby in her arms. With Bucky back in her life, the thought of him being at her side every step of the way filled her with joy

"cant wait to meet you" Brogan wept once again, still caressing her stomach "you are never going to be without love little one I promise you" she smiled "you are going to have the most amazing big brother who will always look out for you. Your big sister will love you so much you won't know what to do" wiping her eyes she smiled at her wedding band "Papa can't wait to meet you too...I already love you with all my soul and heart...so will your papa when I tell him about you later... I promise you little one "

Respect is more than passing pleasantries. More than nice words. It takes effort to look at the other and take in who they are. To show them you regard their point of view with compassion and seriousness. It is listening without judgement, getting to know them with as few assumptions as possible. In this way respect is foundational for trust, just as the same way trust is foundational for love. Since their time In the soul world, Bucky and Sam had indeed bonded with mutual respect for one another. With Steve's departure still ringing in the ears of both men, they needed each other more than ever yet even if they both never admitted it publicly. An unlikely friendship but still a friendship never the less and one that nobody would have seen coming.

Handing Sam a beer, Bucky soon greeted him with a smile and sat opposite him. Despite their history. Mainly due to him being under his winter soldier guise at the time, Bucky liked Sam. He had a kind of brutal honesty that would have tested most friendships but Bucky appreciated that about him. Ever since they returned from bring dusted, Bucky knew where he stood with Sam. He always got the feeling that Sam had few friends and so his loyalty to those he stuck by was always so fierce. It was plain to see in his loyalty to Steve and it was this was another reason why the two shared an unlikely common bond. Some friends are for a reason, some are for a season and some were for life...and Sam Wilson was for life!

"so you want to tell me why you're really here?" said Bucky running his hand through his hair "not that I don't mind you dropping by"

"this... "

Reaching inside his jacket, Sam pulled out a flyer and let out a deep sigh as hr handed it Bucky. Hand shaking slightly, Bucky took the flyer and gasped. On it was a man wearing a suit that was identical in every way to that of Steve's Captain America outfit. The Man was clutching the shield proudly as on the paper was the words "John Walker: Cap is back". What the hell was going on? The more Bucky began to mull over the image, the more his brain became that of a spinning top. He didn't understand. This wasn't how Steve's legacy was meant to be. Dwelling on the image, he found more questions than answers...

"who the hell is this guy?" Bucky could feel his blood boil as his piercing blue eyes continued to lock onto the striking image "This isn't what Steve wished...this wasn't how it was supposed to end...he gave the shield to you.. It was your turn. Not this guy"

"I know man...I had to give them the shield. It killed me to do it but they made me. They said they would make it that I'd never be recognised as the next Cap" Sam sighed sadly "that's the government for you...you for one should know the power these guys have... This walker guy Is the governments choice for Cap"

"im sorry Sam but you're right...they are Strong" Bucky crumpled the flyer in his metal hand and hurled it away "but what can we do? I'm not exactly popular am I? "

"yes you're right but just listen, I can't take them on by myself but if we joined forces...Bucky we are never going to be the best of friends but I sure as hell respect you man" Bucky's eyes drew wide as for the first time ever he referred to him by his real name, slightly taken aback he soon smiled "I may not have the super human strength that you have but with you in my corner in this... I'll feel like I can...so how bout it big guy? Fancy teaming up with the bird man and shaping the future? Let's make sure that Steve will have the legacy he wanted...the legacy chose... Well then man?"

Sam extended his to Bucky and smiled. Bucky's hand shook slightly as he took it and nodded in agreement. As the two shook hands, this was probably the first time ever that Sam could feel that vulnerable side to Bucky. The good man that was always within him and didn't deserve or ask for anything that had been inflicted on him as The winter soldier

"its time..." cried Bucky "you got me...who'd of ever thought this would happen? If Steve could see the pair of us now"

"oh for sure...well here's to the worlds newest tag team" Sam laughed. Peering over Bucky's shoulder he spotted a flushed Brogan coming back down the stairs. As she caught his eye, she smiled giving him a small nod in the process "well, I'll leave you two love birds alone.." pulling Brogan into a tight hug, he tucked a loose lock of hair behind her ear. Softly in a voice no more than a whisper he spoke to her "congratulations... He's going to be over the moon...trust me"