A/N: Hello faithful readers! second chapter of today's four. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel, Disney, ABC or the Avengers.


I woke up the next morning, with Steve spooning me, and Joey's nose pressed to mine. Glancing at the clock, I shooed him from the side of the bed, and pulled myself from Steve's arms. I unlocked the door for Joey, and he bolted down the hall to go outside. Glancing back at the bed, I noticed Bucky wasn't there. Looking inside the twins room, I found they were also missing. I pulled on a t-shirt for the morning, and quickly went out to feed the horses. They were happy to see me, as I let them in from the pasture. Loki must have put them out last night and not brought them in. I did see the remains of a bale of hay on the ground, so he at least fed them. Joey was still playing outside, chasing birds, and barking loudly when they wouldn't come down from the sky.

"Silly dog," I laughed at him, before heading back inside.

Padding down to the kitchen, I realized was the first morning I hadn't woken up queasy, so I was going to enjoy it. When I got there and noticed that no one was, I asked A, "ARSENAL, where are Bucky and the kids?"

"Sergeant Barnes wished for me to inform you when you woke, that Mr. Stark invited himself and the kids to stay in New York for the night. They took in a musical and enjoyed themselves. They are just leaving Stark Tower now, and they should arrive home in 15 minutes."

"Thank you ARESNAL," I said, grabbing a mug for my tea.

"You're up?" Steve said, as Joey trotted in beside him. He panted heavily as I grabbed him a bowl of water.

"I was a little hungry, as were the horses," I smiled.

"After last night, I am too," He teased, moving to make himself some breakfast.

"Nope, sit down with your coffee mister. I have a craving for frittatas, and I don't want to gorge alone," I commanded. He did as he was told, pulling a Stark Pad from further down the table, and reading up on current events. I pulled the pot from the coffee maker, and poured him a cup, adding a dash of hazelnut creamer. He thanked me with a kiss, before looking back down to his news story.

"Ham and veggies?" I said, pulling out my ingredients.

"Anything sounds wonderful Angel," He smiled up at me. I went to work quickly, dicing veggies, ham and whisking the eggs, while the pan heated up. Sautéing the veggies and meat quickly, I poured the prepared eggs into the cast iron pan, watching it carefully for a few minutes. Once I was sure it had set underneath, I added the cheese on top, putting into the preheated oven to broil. I grabbed two plates for Steve and I, and peeked in the oven. I heard a Quinjet landing on the other side of the building, and I figured that the rest of our brood was home.

Pulling it out and cutting it into a good sized portion for Steve, I quickly put a few slices of bread to toast, because I knew he would be hungry again after, before serving his breakfast with a smile.

"Mmm, delicious as always Angel," He said after a bite.

"Well I hope so. I haven't deviated from the original recipe much," I smiled.

"Mmm, something smells good," Bucky's voice floated in from the doorway.

"And something looks even better," He said lowly to me as I padded over to him with my portion, and a kiss.

"Thank you ангел," He said, giving me an easy smile, as he sat down.

"Bucky, that's Sera's," Steve said lowly, as I poured Bucky an identical cup to Steve's coffee. What weirdoes my men were that they couldn't take their coffee black. They've gone soft being out of the Army, I thought to myself with a chuckle. And then I thought of a song from White Christmas and laughed to myself again.

"Really? I can make my own breakfast, I don't want you to make yourself more because of me."

"Nope, just eat mister. And you, don't cause trouble," I said pointing at Steve with a fake stink eye.

"Mom!" Callie said as she and Eli came in.

"Hey my troublemakers. How was your night with Grandpa?"

"It was awesome. We saw the Lion King and we got to go to a fancy restaurant with Grandpa, Grandma and Dad, for dessert."

"Well I'm quite jealous. Your Grandpa has never taken me to a musical," I said, moving to chop up some more ingredients for another frittata.

"Steve, your toast," I called as the toaster popped.

"Mom, we already ate at Grandpa's," Callie said, before I saw her eyes gleam. Damn super soldier serums.

"Speak for yourself, I'm starving again," Eli said, sitting down beside Bucky.

"I know, but I have two super-soldier children that grow like crazy. Sit down and it will be ready soon."

"Yes ma'am," She smiled, sitting beside Steve, and leaning on her Dad's arm. He dropped a kiss to her head as he pulled her under his arm.

"I'm glad you and Mom are good again," I heard Callie say to Steve quietly. I watched as Bucky and Steve stiffened slightly before I gave them a gentle smile.

"I'm sorry if our brief separation caused you guys pain," I said, watching my children look confused.

"No, it's just, everything feels so strained when you guys are disagreeing. Everything. Like Auntie Nat glares will Dad or Daddy because you are gone, and it unbalances the whole base. They don't know whose side to take."

"I understand. But you two should never feel like you have to choose. Do you understand me?" I said seriously.

"Yes Mom," They nodded. As I finished the frittata on the stove, I pulled the oven door open to finish letting it puff up with the cheese topping. I looked over to my family, sitting at the table, happy and carefree. Joey underneath, getting fed bits of Steve's toast, Elijah explaining to Steve the weird dish Grandpa made him try last night at dessert before the show. There was nowhere else in the world I wanted to be right now.

I felt a flutter in my stomach, making me drop my spatula as I set the frittata down on the stove.

"Angel?" Steve said, concerned as I put my hand to my stomach gently.

"Uh, I think I felt the baby," I said, as Steve got up, "But it's earlier than normal."

"He kicked?" Steve asked, and when my eyes snapped up to his, he realized his mistake. I watched his eyes close, and his features indicating his was wincing.

"He?" Bucky said, picking up on the very detail I wanted to surprise him with later.

"A baby brother?" Elijah said, getting excited as Bucky stood up to come hold my stomach.

"Yes," I smiled, as one of his hands cupped my cheek. He kissed me softly as Elijah cheered.

"Another boy? We are already outnumbered Mom," Callie said, sounding upset. I was about to get upset with her, before I remembered that she would feel neglected in the future.

"Callie, apologize to your mother," Steve said, chastising our daughter.

"No," I said, gently leaving Bucky's hold, and moving to hold her, as she looked embarrassed for her comment.

"Bucky, can you dish up for us? I need to talk to Callie in the other room."

"Sure ангел," He said, looking conflicted, wanting to scold Callie as well.

I lead her out to the common room, asking her to sit next to me.

"You know this already, but you are the oldest. Elijah didn't want to be separated from you for long, because he was born not even four minutes later. And to me those four minutes felt like an eternity, because all I wanted was to hold you, and be able to take a breath. And while Elijah was handed to me first, I will let you in on a secret."

"All mom's want a daughter, a mini version of themselves. And that's exactly what you are. You have my curls, your grandma's cheekbones and your Daddy's smile. But you have your Dad's 'talk first, back peddle afterwards' attitude," I smiled teasingly. She smiled sheepishly at me, "I am sorry. I guess I just wanted a little sister. Vera and Anna are so sweet, I wanted a sister to look up to me."

"And you may still. I only know the future up to our battle with Thanos, but after that it is a mystery. But we can't live our live on 'what if's'. And it isn't that you wanted a little sister. I know your future self, and she told me that it's because you feel I won't have time for you anymore, and that is simply not true."

"Stupid future knowing self," She muttered before looking up at me, "But it is. You are always somewhere working, and once this baby is born, you'll be giving him all of your attention."

"Callie, I will love you until the mountains tumble down," I said, feeling tears prick in my eyes, "Always. I may have to focus on some things for awhile, but I will always make time for you. For the next 7 months, I am here."

"I love you too Mom," She said, as I hugged her close.

"I mean it. Don't wait to blow up. If you feel neglected, tell me," I said, resting my cheek on her head.

"I will."

"Don't worry about your Dads. I will explain to them our little heart to heart. And you know certain secrets are still safe with me. How was spending a little time with Peter?"

"It was really nice. He asked me questions about school, and he seemed genuinely interested in getting to know me."

"He will be more in coming months. Don't lose heart. Man, I am craving bubble tea all of the sudden," I said, my face screwed up in confusion.

"Mom," She laughed, "You need to eat breakfast still."

"Ah, that's why my stomach growled just now. I thought it was talking back at me for the casserole yesterday," I teased sarcastically, "Let's eat, and then see if we can all go out today as a family. I'm thinking a little trip to Canada."

"Where though?"

"Niagara Falls is always nice. And a little inside information, it's nicer form the Canadian side of the water. And they have the best fudge ever at this little shop about 20 minutes away."

"Mom," Callie said, pulling me up to stand, "Breakfast?"

"Oh right," I laughed, following her back to the kitchen.


We did end up flying in to Toronto, grabbing bubble tea from a place I found on assignment, when I was still with SHIELD, and then popping over to Niagara for the kids to see. Of course we were spotted, even in disguise. I don't understand why the guys even attempt to hide in public. Steve's arms and distinctive form, and Bucky's arm, are like a homing beacon for fan girls. The kids and I left them to fend for themselves, until I was bombarded myself. We escaped into a tacky little gift shop and purchased a different disguise for the men and baseball cap and sunglasses for myself.

And later that day, we did buy fudge, mainly for me to gorge myself on. Steve paid, on the basis that he would spend a lot of time making it up to me for blabbing the gender.

And that night, we all sat on the balcony of the Hard Rock café, having requested it be sectioned off for privacy, and we ate as a family. The kids obviously enjoyed themselves, watching the falls light up. And it was there I looked over at Steve and said, "Okay, a promise is a promise."

"What promise?" Bucky asked, confused.

"I promised Steve once you and the kids knew the gender of the baby I would tell him the name."

"Well, don't leave us on pins and needles," Elijah said, smiling at me expectantly.

"Please Mom," Callie said, a little more muted in her excitement, but her eyes told me that she was trying after our conversation earlier.

"His name… is Oliver Hayden Rogers-Barnes," I smiled.

"Oliver?" Steve smiled, taking Bucky's hand beside him.

"It's perfect," Bucky said, trying to hide his watery eyes.

"Ollie," Callie smiled, actually crying.

"While it means 'olive tree' in it Latin origins, it also signifies peace. And I realized why I named him Oliver the first time, because we will bring peace. I am believing that more than ever."

"And after that, I think we need to step down. Let the younger generations deal with things for a little while. Just deal with the bureaucratic messes and PR."

"Retirement?" Steve asked, a funny smile on his face, "It should have happened for me awhile ago."

"Hey you old geezer, I've been working longer than you," Bucky laughed, before addressing me, "Are you sure ангел? You have always said SHIELD was your family, that the team is your family."

"But we can't be expected to be around forever. If they need us, and I mean really need us, we go. But I want a chance to breathe after this. And who says this will be the last baby? We actually don't know that. I don't think I'm done being a brood mare for Natasha either," I joked.

"If you are sure Angel," Steve said, trying in vain to hide his look of pure glee that I would slow down, "We all will."

"Of course, our newest SHIELD agents will have to remain where they are. But we remain together as a family," I said, taking Callie's hand.

"Till the mountains tumble down," She said softly, making me tear up.

"Until the mountains tumble down," I echoed. And in the midst of all the happy feelings swirling around our conversation, one thought still tore at me.

I would sacrifice myself a million times over to ensure their survival.

And I might just have to.