A/N: Hey guys!, this is the chapter before a crazy milestone for me. I've ever even made it to 50 chapters in a story, let alone 100! And as a special treat, the next chapter will be super sweet and sappy because it's the wedding of Brock and Wanda! If only Sera didn't have to for Vienna leave soon... I'm hoping that Christmas weekend will be a two chapter weekend :) Christmas Eve, you get their own Christmas Eve chapter. And you'll get a Christmas Day gift too in the form of their own Christmas Day festivities.
Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel, Disney, ABC or the Avengers.
"We end our time with Breaki. Secretary of State, Thaddeus Ross has been arrested on counts of espionage, treason, and for aiding HYDRA, the Nazi Science Division. Our sources confirmed that Ross is the son of Dr. Werner Reinhardt, alias, Daniel Whitehall, a former head of Hydra. If you recall, four months ago, the Avengers with the help of SHIELD, the CIA and the U.S. government, arrested a substantial amount of Hydra members at an undisclosed location. Ross was believed to be swaying the UN towards a treaty that would force the Avengers from responding to international incidents, without the approval of a UN committee. Now previously, we had gathered from Ross's appointment with President Ellis that he was implementing this treaty, coined the Sokovia Accords, to help keep the number of casualties and the cost of destruction done by the Avengers, down. But we got an inside scoop at just what Ross's plans were for the Avengers that did not sign."
Pictures flashed across the screen, along with video feed of the inside of the RAFT.
"Ross was planning on using these high tech, enhancement disabling cells in a undisclosed location, to cage the Avengers who stood in his way. I also have a very reliable source that says he was planning to recreate the Avengers powers, much like his father was trying to do to InHumans back in the 1940's, starting with the Super Soldier Serum given to Captain Steve Rogers. His failed attempt at recreating the serum, via Bruce Banner, are what pushed him to explore other avenues. Ross will be held until his date in Supreme Court, January 12th. He is looking at a life sentence without the chance of parole. In his place, President Ellis has appointed Jeffrey Mace as acting Secretary of State for the time being. Christine Everhart, WHIH, goodnight."
The scene cut to video of Ross's arrest, with Jason standing off to the sidelines as the FBI stormed Ross's home and pulled him out. I could tell he was screaming obscenities, and he had a crazed look in his eye as the camera got in his face. Letting out a breath I had been holding, I turned off the news. Looking at my children, playing on the rug next to the kitchen window, with Joey lounging behind them, I smiled. My babies were safe.
I had an inkling that if I hadn't signed, Ross would have done everything in his power to try and take my kids. Hydra still wanted them, and I was going to do everything in my power, to protect them.
"Now, how did you get her to say nice things about us?" Dad said, arms folded over his chest.
"If you'll notice, she didn't really say nice things about us, rather showed how we were going to be inhumanely treated if we didn't do what he asked for. And she owed me a favor for running that piece in Vanity Fair about being your other woman on the side, before I came out as your daughter." I smirked, as I cut up lettuce for tonight's salads.
"It's almost over," Steve said, as he stirred the pot of alfredo sauce for the pasta.
"Well, you all need to go wash up for dinner. Take Joey back to the apartment for his food. He keeps sitting between the kids and they think it's funny to feed him."
"Or Joey can sit by the window while we eat." Steve suggested, reaching over to kiss my shoulder.
"Fine, but if they call him over, you get to scold them. They cried the last time I did. I hate being the bad guy." I sighed, tossing the lettuce in the bowl and looking up. I almost gasped, and Steve noticed my silence as I had stopped moving. As I looked out the window, I watched the few snowflakes falling fast, drift through the wind.
Smiling I looked over at the kids and said, "Babes, look outside!"
I had stopped what I was doing to see the joy in their eyes as they realized it was snowing. Their little noses were pressed up against the glass as they giggled.
"Momma, can we go play?"
"After dinner, okay?" I said, smiling as Steve wrapped his arms around my waist. They nodded, still chatting to each other about their snowmen they were going to build.
Tomorrow was the wedding, and I knew that we all needed a good night's sleep, but I couldn't help the idea that the five of us should go outside and play. They needed memories of innocence and not just being told that Mommy and their Daddies had things to do, so they were being dumped with Jane and Pepper while they went on a mission. Or that their mother had to leave them after Christmas.
Steve pressed the signal for dinner, as I shook my head and grabbed the kids to wash their hands, and seat them at the table. As I set out the food in several serving dishes, I saw Brock and Wanda come in, hand in hand.
"Hey there lovebirds. Time for your rehearsal dinner," I smiled, hugging them both.
"What better way to celebrate than with family," Brock smirked, kissing my forehead as more of our teams came through to greet them.
"Well, go sit in your places, I'll grab the champagne," I said, shooing Wanda over to their place of honor at the table. I had decorated the chairs and hung fairy lights around the kitchen.
A few well-placed centerpieces, low lighting, and glittery silverware, I had transformed the kitchen into a beautifully decorated dining area. Of course, Natasha had used the ladder and hung the lights. I wasn't allowed near anything dangerous where I could fall or worse. I thought she was going to move to Vienna with me when she heard I was leaving for a few months.
As everyone seated themselves, and I dished our food for my kiddos, I noticed Steve stand up and clink his knife against his flute of champagne.
"Before we eat, I'd like to say a few words."
"Uh oh, Captain speeches," Dad smart-mouthed, making the whole table chuckle.
"Dad," I said, flicking a piece of lettuce at his head. Steve ignored us both and said, "Tomorrow is a new chapter. In Brock and Wanda's lives, and in our own. The threat of the Accords was overpowered, but there are still those who are going to stand in the way of our freedom and happiness. But I can promise you all, I won't be one of those people. We each deserve love, no matter who it's with. We deserve the chance to be better than we were yesterday. Brock is testament to that truth. Wanda is a testament to that truth. We are behind you two, cheering for you. To the happy couple," Steve said, raising his glass to Wanda and Brock. We all grabbed our glasses and I hear a few chorus, "To the happy couple."
As the food was passed around, the conversations started. I was glad that I was having the wedding catered, and Dad was gracious enough to bankroll the whole thing. It was his way of making up for Wanda's parents not being there.
He was still beating himself up about his past, but I was trying to get him to accept that we can't change things. Time travel doesn't exist so we need to accept our mistakes and work to be better. Just like Steve said.
Bucky's metal hand dropped from the table to my thigh as I ate, and I tried to keep an impassive face. Steve's eyes drifted down as he felt me tense beside him, giving Bucky a questioning look. The kids were oblivious, thank God, as they talked to their Aunts and Uncles. But I gave Bucky a death glare through my lashes. He just smirked, pushing his hand further up my dress. To stop him, I crossed my legs, blocking his path. He got the message, but his eyes said, "Later."
"That would have been appreciated," I whisper growled at him. He just smiled at me, and I couldn't help but smirk back at him.
But when Maria jumped up suddenly from the table, everyone watched as she ran from the room. Jumping up, I said, "I'll be back in time for dessert!"
Racing after her, I watched her dash into her apartment, not bothering to close the door. I slowed down to walk in cautiously, waiting for her to give me a signature Agent Hill death glare.
"Maria?" I called quietly, as I heard a soft sound coming from the bathroom. Peering in, I watched as she wretched into the toilet. Quickly coming to her side, I pulled her hair back, and rubbed her back soothingly. Between wretches, I heard her sob softly.
"I… I need some water." She said, flushing the toilet, and sitting back on her heels. Nodding, I went to the small fridge in her living room, and grabbed a bottle of water. As I moved back to the bathroom, I watched her trying to collect herself.
"Sera, thank you." She said, as I sat down next to her with the bottle. I smiled at her, knowing if she wanted to explain further it would take a bit more for her to open up. My mind raced back to think of anything she could have had in the last few days that would have made her sick. I cooked most of the meals, and I carefully went through the fridge to determine if anything had turned.
I watched her slowly, as her hand shook, and her faced turned pale. I followed her line of vision to her sink, where an opened non-descriptive box sat. I looked back at her and gently gestured if I could look at it. She swallowed, and I watched as her head slowly inclined. Moving slowly, I got up to peer at the box. I was wrong about it being non-descriptive, because I couldn't see the writing on it.
My eyes lit up in understanding, and I turned to her, keeping my expression neutral.
"Do you know yet?"
"No. I got the call for dinner before I could look." She sighed, as I closed the bathroom door. Locking it, I said, "Maria, whatever happens, I'm with you. I would ask you what you're hoping for, but I know that's not fair. Would you like me to read it?"
"Yes," she said, tucking her feet underneath her thighs and leaning her temple against the cool wall of the shower glass. I nodded, picking up the box, and pulling out the test inside. As I saw the result, I had to school my face again, as I turned to her.
"You're pregnant." I said softly. I studied her face, watching as she digested that. It wasn't right away that she reacted. Hell, when I found out I was pregnant, I took a whole 24 hours to think about it.
But her face relaxed as I sat down beside her, test forgotten on the counter.
"Whatever you want to do, I'm here for you. If you don't want this, we can take care of it discreetly. If you do want this, I'm gonna be here to support you."
"I'm keeping the baby," She said, expression neutral. I raised an eyebrow at her and she gave a smirk, "I am. I wanted this for a long time. No better time than the present."
"That baby is part Frost Giant, right?" I asked in a stage whisper, and she chuckled.
"Yes. I'm gonna tell him. Tomorrow." She said, and I nodded.
"I'll tell them you aren't feeling too well, but you are resting for now. Did you want me to have Jemma discreetly ask you to the labs for a blood test?"
"Without people overhearing, yes."
"Do you want me to bring you some crackers later?" I asked, placing my hand on top of hers.
"Please. It's probably the only thing I can keep down."
"I'll bring you the ones I like. Plain with a tiny amount of salt. Just enough to satisfy the hunger without over stimulating your senses." I smiled, patting her hand once and getting up.
"Go rest," I said softly, "Process."
Leaving her quietly, I made my way back to the kitchen. But Loki was standing outside her door and startled me. Closing it, I said, "She's okay. She might be getting sick."
"Just because I'm no longer Asgardian, doesn't mean my hearing has decreased." He said, looking pale himself.
"Oh god, you heard that?" I whispered, before shaking my head and saying, "Okay. You are going to go process on your own. This is something that she needs to digest before talking to you about it. It's a big step. So you need to decide if you're going to man up, or take off."
"Why would I leave? That's my child. That's the woman I lo-" He stopped himself as the door opened to Maria.
"It's okay," She said when I held up my hands in defense, "You weren't exactly whispering."
"Maria, if you'll have me, I want to be part of this baby's life. I love you, you know that to be true." Loki said, getting on his knees to take Maria's hands. She gave him a small smile and a head nod, "I know that. And you know I love you too."
"Marry me," He whispered, as I slowly backed away. Maria's smile was his answer because he shot up and gently hugged her tightly, kissing her forehead.
"Okay, okay. I'll leave you two to talk." I smirked.
"And-"
"I won't say a word," I promised, and Maria's smile was my reward. Turning as I heard them shuffle into her apartment, I mentally filed that I was to bring crackers later. The conversation around the dinner table was in full swing when I got back, so I sat down, texting Jemma. Her head looked up at me in confusion, but I just put a finger to my lips. She nodded, and went back to talking with Pietro.
As I dished out dessert, I watched the kids start crashing. All the excitement meant that they wouldn't be joining us out in the field today, unless they suddenly got a second wind.
As if reading my mind, they perked up, remembering the snow outside. Everyone was aware they needed a good night's sleep, so they excused themselves after dessert was done. To be safe, Tripp and Pietro were bunking together tonight, and Wanda was staying with Daisy and Jemma in Jemma's room. Wanda and Brock has their final kiss of the night in the doorway of the kitchen. She winked at him and walked off, leaving him along with Steve, Bucky and I in the kitchen.
"Big day tomorrow. Go get some sleep." I teased, hugging him. He chuckled, "I hope you three remember that later. You guys are not discreet at all."
"Well, the kids take priority tonight," I said as Bucky chased the kids down to our apartment. Steve clapped Brock on the back and said, "We've been married over a year, so we haven't quite mastered sneakiness."
"Yeah, you certainly haven't Rogers. You are about as subtle as a train," Brock teased.
Pushing him off, I said, "I'll come to you tomorrow morning. Sleep well Brock,"
"You too Princess." He winked, before walking down the opposite hallway. Steve and I walked, hand in hand to our apartment where Bucky bundled Steve up in layers, with scarves, and mittens. I just stood back with the kids laughing at the 'mother hen' that was Bucky when it came to Steve.
After arguing with Bucky about the ridiculous of wearing two scarves and a parka, we set out with Joey to find the snow had stuck. We had about a foot of snow, and Joey was as pleased as punch to hop through it. The kids screamed and took off after him. I was gently picked up by Bucky, who was trying to keep me from Steve. And then I realized that Steve was trying to pelt Bucky with snowballs and I was the human shield.
The kids giggled as Steve showed them how to make a snowball, while I busied myself with building a snow fort. I looked over the top of it, to find the kids pelting Steve with their snowballs now, after Bucky got them to turn on him, screaming, "Mutiny!"
Laughing myself silly, the kids seemed to remember where I was because the next thing I knew was I was being chased. The kids knew that I was carrying a baby, and that they had to be extra careful because the baby was Auntie Nat's, so I wasn't worried about them tackling me. But when I collapsed in the snow, tired from all the running, the kids landed beside me. Waving my arms out, as well as my legs, I showed them how to make snow angels. They were so excited they started making more and more.
Watching them run around, with their Daddies, laughing, and smiling, it almost hurt. I knew that this was probably going to be one of the last memories of their 'younger years', but I would remember this forever.
