A/N: Hey guys! It' been a long time, and I'm sorry. I got a little caught up with unpacking our new place and taking care of my parents house at the same time. Plus like 10 animals. Anyways... HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEW THOR TRAILER? It's AWESOME! Makes me wish I could incorporate it into the story somehow :P We shall see... For now, enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel, Disney, ABC, or the Avengers. Just Sera and the chaos her presence creates :)
When I got into the kitchen hours later to start dinner, I watched Darcy, who was sitting in the common room reading. She was wincing in pain every so often, and I timed them secretly. After the mac and cheese was put in the oven and the salad prepped and left in the fridge, I called Helen and told her about my suspicions. She said she would come up with Fitz calmly to take Darcy down for an exam, but to expect her not to come easily. Apparently trying to get Darcy into the medical wing is like pulling teeth.
"Hey Darce," I smiled, handing her a small bowl of fruit to munch on.
"YAASS," She said loudly, before stabbing a piece of pineapple with her provided fork.
"How are you feeling?" I asked gently, laying her book down with the bookmark in.
"Good, I think. Just feeling some back pain," She said, rubbing her stomach lightly.
"Darce, do they feel like they are all the same, or are they getting worse?"
"Uh, worse, I guess," She shrugged before another wince.
"Darcy, I think you are having contractions. Dr. Cho and Fitz are on their way here. Let's get up and meet them halfway," I suggested, and she kind of gave me a weird look.
"No freakin' way," She said, astounded that she was feeling contractions.
"Yes, and the sooner you get your butt down to the med bay, the faster we can check on your boy," I smiled, before I wanted to hit myself. I hadn't heard if she had told anyone the gender, or is she even knew herself.
"Hey, it could be a girl," She smiled, and I was able to school my face before she realized I was panicking.
"I have a good feeling it's a boy, but we will see," I chuckled, helping her stand up.
"We have names for both, but we wanted to be surprised," She said before another contraction hit her. She moaned a little in pain, before Fitz and Helen came running around the corner.
"Darce, are you okay?" He said as I helped Helen move her into the wheelchair she brought up.
"Just peachy," She joked, looking up at Fitz with a pained smile. He kissed her forehead and said, "We are gonna take you down now, okay?"
"Please. All I want is to have our baby in my arms already so I can play with their chubby cheeks," She said, making Fitz chuckle.
"Darcy, if you need me-"
"Would you?" She asked, looking panicked when I didn't follow, "Would you come with me?"
"I can if you want me there. Don't want Jane there?" I said, texting Steve to come up and watch the mac and cheese.
"Jane is practically useless with this stuff. Love her to pieces, but she can barely feed herself, let alone help someone manage their pain," Darcy winced.
"I hear you. Okay, Just give me a moment to make sure that Steve isn't going to let dinner burn and I'll be there."
I waited until Steve came around the corner to ring the dinner alarm saying, "Kids should finish their homework after dinner, and I'll have a sandwich after I'm done with Darcy," I said, kissing his cheek. He nodded, "T'Challa wants to speak to you when you have a chance, but I'll tell him that Darcy is in labor and you're with her."
"I'll text him if I get a second. Did it sound urgent?"
"No, but I can never tell what he's feeling," Steve teased.
"He's my bestie for a reason. I can read him like an open book," I winked as I walked backwards down the hallway.
Darcy was moaning lowly in pain when I entered the medical lab, as Helen and her team set up a bed for her. Fitz was rubbing her back soothingly, saying that it wouldn't be too long now.
"It's a good thing you were watching Sera, she's already 6cm dilated," Fitz said softly as Helen came back into the room.
"Wow, that's impressive Darce," I smiled, helping her up and to move to the birthing bed.
"Shouldn't be more than another hour at the rate she's going," Helen said, as Darcy moaned, "Another hour?! I want this baby out. I want to hold them so badly."
"Darcy, repeat after me: My body knows how to have this baby, just as my body knew how to grow this baby."
"My body knows how to have this baby, just as my body knew how to grow this baby," She said, taking a deep breath.
"The more I relax, the more my body softens and expands," I said softly as she took another deep breath.
"The more I relax… the more my body softens and expands. Holy shit this hurts," Darcy moaned.
"Just breathe. It's not pain, its progress."
Darcy repeated all the affirmations I supplied her with, as Fitz wiped the sweat from her brow lovingly.
Helen asked me to help keep Darcy's knee up, as she suspected Darcy was almost ready to push.
"Almost there Darcy. Only a couple more minutes of the pain and it will all be over," Helen said, dropping the sheet over Darcy's knees.
"I feel like I need to push!" Darcy said, making Helen nod.
"And you will. Breathe in, and on the next contraction, bear down. Conserve your energy for the end. You will need it," Helen said as I moved to take Darcy's free hand.
"I heal fast, Fitz doesn't," I teased when she gave me a look.
"Right. Oh boy," She said, as her hold on my hand tightened.
"Bear down Darcy, you can do this," Fitz said supportively as she took a deep breath. I watched her face scrunch up in discomfort and she leaned forward slightly to help herself push.
"Okay Darcy, now," Helen said, as Darcy's hand squeezed around mine. She didn't yell, or moan in agony, which I was proud of her for. Her hand stayed tight around mine as she pushed, over and over again. And for 10 minutes, it felt like time was moving in slow motion. Darcy and Fitz were a good team, with him supporting her shoulders as she struggled to get comfortable between contractions, and her reassuring him that he would be a good Dad.
And then the bubble broke.
"Darcy, one more and then the head is out," Helen said, looking up supportively at her. Darcy smiled through her pain and took a deep calming breath.
"Give it all you've got girl. Slow and steady," I said as I felt her tense. And that last push was enough to bring out their beautiful little boy's head. Helen used gentle pressure as she pulled his shoulder free, and the rest of him slipped out with ease.
"Darcy," I sing-songed as she caught her breath. She looked up at me expectantly before I said, "You have a boy."
"A boy?" Fitz said, tears glistening in his eyes as Darcy's eyes widened.
"A boy!" She said excitedly as their son's first cries sounded. Fitz kissed her temple as she sagged against the pillows tiredly, reveling in their newborn's cries of life.
"A healthy baby boy," Helen said, placing him on Darcy's chest, swaddled tightly and face wiped clean.
"He looks like a-" Darcy said, as Fitz finished for her, "Jeremy."
"Jeremy Leo Fitz," She chuckled, fingering his cheek softly. I helped Helen clean Darcy up while Jeremy was held by his father for the first time. Once Darcy was settled again, I stepped back to let them have their family moment, but Darcy saw me and said, "Sera, wait."
"Would you do something for us?" Fitz asked.
"Anything," I said honestly.
"We talked long and hard about who we wanted for his godparents. But we always came back to you. We know you have your own kids, and several other babies here you are godmother to, and a new baby on the way. But if something were to happen to either one of us, or Odin forbid both of us, we want Jeremy to have the best. Would you be his Godmother?" Fitz said, as my eyes teared up.
"Me? What about Jemma or Jane or even Daisy?" I asked confused, "Aren't you closer with them?"
"We are, but you also brought Fitz and I together. You helped Fitz heal from the incident, and you made me feel like your own family, always. We know you would raise him like we would want, to be whoever he wants to be and with all the love in the world," Darcy
"I'm honored you guys. I will," I said smiling at the new family.
After the announcement had been made via ARSENAL, the whole base came down to see the new baby, and congratulate Darcy and Fitz. But when the excitement died down a bit, I stepped away to check my phone. Callie was at my side as I left the room, asking, "Momma, where are you going?"
"Just checking up on Uncle T'Challa. He called your Daddy and asked that I call him back when I had a chance," I smiled down on her, as I dialed his number. After connecting to the palace switchboard, I heard a voice ask me to wait while they connected me to the Prince.
"Sera?" T'Challa's voice sounded, as I heard the line pick up.
"T? What's wrong?" I said, picking up on his distress. I knew Steve wouldn't have heard the tone of his voice, but it was clear as day to me.
"It is my father."
"King T'Chaka? How can I help? I can be there in six hours."
"He is dying," T'Challa said, sounding resolved in his father's fate.
"Do you need me?" I asked, sincerely.
"I could not ask that of you. You are needed by your family. I simply wished to let you know myself."
"T'Challa, you are part of that family. Do you need me?" I repeated. Silence on the other end told me everything I needed to know.
"How long does he have?" I asked, motioning to Bucky and Steve I needed to speak to them. They nodded and separated themselves from the celebration.
"Doctor's have given him a week, but he could go at any time. His heart is failing and there is nothing he wants done about it."
"I'll be there by 10 am tomorrow morning. I promise T, I'll be there." I said, making Steve's eyebrows furrow.
"Thank you Sera. I will see you tomorrow." He said before hanging up.
"What's wrong?" Bucky asked, noticing the tears in my eyes.
"King T'Chaka. His heart is failing and the doctors gave him a week. He's refusing treatment from what T'Challa has said."
"We've got the kids," Bucky said, putting a hand on Elijah's head, while Steve pulled me in for a hug.
"When would you be leaving?" He asked when I pulled away to dry my eyes.
"As soon as I can. I need to pack, and I don't know what would be appropriate for a Wakandan funeral," I said, as Natasha rounded the corner.
"Funeral?" She inquired.
"King T'Chaka's. He's got a week and I want to be there for T'Challa at the funeral as well."
"Send our condolences," Steve said, as Bucky brought me in to console me. Elijah hugged me tightly as well and said, "I love you Mom."
"I love you too Buddy," I replied, kissing his head and trying to make sure he didn't see how that made me tear up more.
"Could you let Darcy and Fitz know I didn't just takeoff afterword? I need to be on a Quinjet in less than an hour," I explained.
"No worries, I will let them know. Just remember to pack your prenatal vitamins," She teased gently.
"Of course."
And without another word I nodded to the group and started fast walking back to our apartment. I heard another set of feet behind me the entire time, and knew I had a shadow in the form of my daughter. Getting to the apartment, I grabbed the biggest suitcase I could, and started pulling outfits from the closet. Callie packed up my bathroom things, without me needing to tell her what to pack. Quickly looking up Wakandan funeral ettiquitte, I knew I would need a black dress. But I was having trouble fitting into the ones I already had.
Deciding I would pick something up there, I threw in a comfortable pair of black flats, and a pair of black heels to be safe. Callie brought back my toiletrie bag and I double checked the contents before saying, "You are the best pumpkin."
"Uncle Loki asked where you were at dinner, by the way."
"All your Uncles need me today," I said sadly.
"Give Uncle T'Challa a hug for me please?" She asked as I zipped up my suitcase.
"Of course babe. Do you need one?" I asked, seeing how sad she looked.
"Please," She said, wrapping her arms around my waist.
"What's wrong love?" I said holding her tightly.
"I just miss you. We usually would go out and feed the horses about now, and I was hoping to go for a ride. But Uncle T'Challa needs you. I'm okay."
"I promise, when I get back, you and me will have lots of girl nights. We can sleepover in the barn apartment, and go for long rides, just the two of us. Does that sound fair?"
"Yes," She said, drying her eyes and smiling at me.
"Okay, well I need to get going now. You be good for your fathers and remember to do your-"
"History paper, I remember," She smiled.
"I was going to say your Science project. Your Auntie Jemma takes her job as your science teacher very seriously. Remind your brother!" I said, as she pulled out her homework book.
"I will. Love you Momma," She called as I pulled my suitcase towards the door.
"I love you too sweetheart," I smiled, pulling my suitcase out the door and closing it tightly. I wasn't stopped on the way to the hangar, except for a very concerned Loki in the hangar, carrying my godson Halvard.
"I was surprised you weren't at the barn," He said, noting the suitcase with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm sorry. King T'Chaka is dying and T'Challa needs me," I said, still walking.
"How long will you be gone?" Loki asked, bouncing Halvard a little to keep him from getting frightened at the sound of a Quinjet ramp lowering.
"Probably two weeks at most. Would you mind-"
"They are in good hands. One less thing for you to worry about," He smiled as I leaned down to kiss Halvard's forehead goodbye. I placed a quick peck on Loki's cheek and said, "You are a life saver and I will babysit in exchange for this!"
