A/N: Hello faithful readers! Last chapter for today. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel, Disney, ABC, or the Avengers.
Ellen sent us home with an Ellen gift set for Oliver. I promised her I would Instagram the baby in all their new clothes and merchandise for her to share. Then we had Conan that night to tape, just the guys and I. Kimmel the next day, Fallon the next and Meyers the following. Corden was okay, the best part being the Carpool Karaoke and then I had a week for rehearsal with the cast of SNL. The guys weren't up for any guest appearances, and the kids were too young looking. It was mainly an adult show after all. But instead, they got to spend the evening with my Dad before we all hopped over to England for the last of our press tour.
Graham Norton was by far my favorite, after Ellen, making the whole experience fun. Plus Halsey was performing, so I got to enjoy some live music for once in my life. And the next day we put on somber faces to match our somber hearts as we visited Peggy's grave. The kids wanted to leave her flowers, and my Dad in typical fashion bought the biggest bouquets possible of her favorite flower, yellow roses. It was a last minute decision for him to follow along with us, but he was glad he did. Steve and Bucky showed us around London, little places they remembered from their time between missions in the 40's.
And when I thought I couldn't have a more relaxing trip, T'Challa offered a chance to see Wakanda. For the kids, they had read every piece of Wakandan history that they were gifted for their last birthday. So they were over the moon to actually see the beautiful country in person. Since T officially opened the country up to outside trade and visitors, it was slowly evolving. A hotel or two in the main city, would slowly integrate them into the outside world for now, expanding once it showed promise.
"Sera," Shuri said, waving at me as we stepped out of the Quinjet. I hurried over to her, as she did to me, uncaring off royal etiquette, hugging me tightly.
"I only saw you a month ago, and I think I missed you more than T'Challa," I snickered to her, as the King himself walked up.
"Do not make me take back my offer of hospitality," He joked, pulling me in for my own hug.
"Missed you T. I'm glad everything is over," I said quietly as the guys and twins caught up to us.
"Uncle T'Challa!" Callie smiled, hugging T's waist tightly.
"How are my favourite American Twins?" He said, pulling Eli in for the hug too.
"We've been on vacation for two weeks now," Eli said pulling away to smile at T.
"This is the most time it's just been us, just our family," Callie said, making me frown. I was sure we had spent more time just the five of us. Oh, nope. Great, now I feel like a horrible mother. If I didn't already from being away from them four months in Vienna, the inter-dimensional travel, all our missions…
"May I present my sister, Princess Shuri," T said, gesturing to her before looking to the kids and the guys, "These are Elijah and Calliope Rogers-Barnes, Captain Steven Rogers and Sergeant James Barnes."
"Why the full names?" I whispered to him as they all greeted one another.
"Force of habit. I am still getting used to your nicknames," He said.
"My nickname is Sera," I smiled.
"Seraphina is more of a ceremonial name. Meant for government ID's and when you are in trouble," He teased.
"Isn't that the truth? My Mom used to only call me Seraphina when I did something especially bad."
"Our Talon Fighter will bring us to the palace," T'Challa said, getting our groups attention and leading us on, with Okoye following behind the group.
"How are you General?" I asked as I stood next to the dais where the pilot's seat was.
"I am well Ambassador. I hope you are as well," she said, as she sat.
"I have been. Morning sickness is over, but now it's all stress over our upcoming battle."
"We will be victorious."
"Wakanda forever," I smiled. She smirked, "You American's catch on fast."
"I've been told I do. We will make sure he comes home. Both of us. I have a promise to keep," I said, looking out the window as we lifted off.
"To whom was this promise?" She asked quietly.
"King T'Chaka."
She was quiet for a moment as she guided us through the city. I understood why T'Challa never got tired of the view, because our base and mountains looked bland compared to Wakanda's natural beauty.
"There may come a moment where I have to put his safety before helping others," She said softly, trying not to be overheard.
"I understand."
"Sera, I made these for you, so we can talk easier," Shuri said, coming up and slipping my own bracelet to Kimoyo beads around my wrist, next to my permanent wedding band.
"I thought they couldn't leave Wakanda," I said, confused.
"I fixed that glitch. Just for you," She smiled, "We can talk all the time now."
"I am so grateful. These always looked like so much fun. I promise not to let my Dad have them," I smirked, showing my wrist off to T'Challa.
"I know. She wouldn't stop going on about them on the ride over to your Quinjet," He said, making a face at Shuri.
"T'Challa, you are annoying me today, so this white man is my new brother," She said, sidling up to Bucky as he walked up.
"Wait, what?" He asked, making me giggle.
"Don't worry. Sibling rivalry at it's finest," I said, as Shuri lifted Bucky's short sleeve up to get a better look at his arm.
"Who made this thing? It looks like a child designed it," She said, frowning.
"Well, Hydra, and then my Dad tried to improve it," I laughed, "But I'm pretty sure he is a five year old at heart."
"That's true," Bucky smirked, as Shuri scanned his arm with her own Kimoyo beads.
"I will fix this," She said, before hurrying off to sit and work. I laughed to myself as Bucky put his arms around me.
"It's beautiful here," He said, looking out the front of the Talon fighter, a peaceful smile on his face.
"Soak it up. There is so much more to see," I said, leaning against his shoulder.
As we landed, I saw the Queen Mother standing waiting to greet us. I gave the twins a quick lesson on royal etiquette, and they followed behind T'Challa as he walked out first.
"Queen Mother," I said, curtseying low.
"It is good to have you back in Wakanda Sera. We have missed you, but none as much as the King and Shuri."
"Mother," T said, closing his eyes in exasperation.
"Just wait until we figure out a portal between our base and the golden City. You won't be able to get rid of me," I smiled.
"We would love that. But the King may need some advice on how to ask Nakia-"
"Mother," T'Challa said, a slight warning to his tone.
"The woman you call your best friend would know how to help you, if your mother can't," She said, sassing him. Shuri laughed behind her hand a bit, as we all walked towards the palace.
Shuri basically kidnapped Bucky the next morning, relieving him of his arm, and showing the Twins how she was going to improve it. I know they weren't into the tech of it like Dad and I would have been, but they followed along well enough. Shuri was a wiz with tech, giving my Dad and even me a run for my money.
Bucky's arm was a master of ingenuity. A slightly darker shade of grey, almost black, it had the same abilities as T'Challa's suit, holding in kinetic energy. But the part that endeared Shuri to me, was how she rigged the arm to produce a skin like T's suit, but giving the appearance of a real arm. Bucky did everything but weep at the sight of skin for the first time in 74 years. Shuri looked a little misty eyed as well he blubbered thank you's to her.
"You are officially my favorite," I said to her, as Steve and the kids took a look at Bucky's arm. T was beside me, proudly smiling at his genius sister.
"Ha!" She said, sticking her tongue out at T'Challa.
"You won't hold that spot for long, sister," He teased, as Shuri went to explain to Bucky how to use his new arm.
"T, I don't know how to thank you. For what you have done, and will be doing in the future for us. Helping us with Thanos, gifting us this wonderful piece of tech," I said, looking at him with watery eyes, "And allowing us all into your home as our vacation spot."
"As you have said before, you considered yourself Atlas with the weight of the world on your shoulders. I now take some weight for you," He said, before gesturing to a mannequin.
"Shuri has been busy, making armor for under your team's suits. Much like my own and Sergeant Barnes's arm, they will protect against fatal blows by blades and Chitauri weapons," He said, making me sob. Putting my face in my hands, I tried to control my crying, but it just kept coming I was a blubbering mess lately. And I don't think it was the pregnancy hormones. T put his arm around me, holding me as I cried.
"Thank you," I sobbed, trying not to cry on his jacket.
"I know the anxiety it gave you when your children came to you in Vienna, and Callie was injured. If I can prevent it from happening, I will. You are my best friend, and those children are like family. You all are," He said, rubbing my back.
"Hopefully Nakia doesn't find us like this," I laughed as I cried.
"She understands our friendship. She is happy I found someone to confide in that isn't a Royal advisor," He said as I pulled away to dry my eyes.
"You okay Angel?" Steve said softly, as he appeared by my side.
"Yes. T has just given me the greatest gift. Protection for our family, our team."
"The suits and body armor hold the same energy as the arm and T'Challa's suit," Shuri said, as she came back with Bucky to explain the tech. The kids were marveling over the designs, when Shuri pulled out three specific mannequins.
"Well it's hard not to recognize who that one belongs to," I teased Steve. It was reminiscent of his SHIELD tactical suit, muted navy blue, no stripes, but an embossed star on the chest. The sleeves were shorter, no longer at his wrists, but mid forearm. I was kind of curious to see what it looked like on him, so I begged him to try it on. Shuri pointed out the way to a washroom for him to change as Bucky looked over his.
The black tactical jacket had a layering of vibranium on the inside, and like most of his suits, showcased his left arm with no sleeve. Obviously the artificial skin on his arm was more for his personal taste, when he didn't want to look like Robo Cop.
But Shuri pulled me over to the last mannequin, showcasing a plunge neckline suggestive of a Grecian dress. The golden accents at the shoulders where just the tip of the iceberg. Shuri had designed the suit in mind for my wings, where they would sprout from my back was cut outs tastefully showing off my shoulder blades. Instead of my normal holster for my swords, she had integrated the suit to hold them, delicately between my wings.
And the pants would be snug like my SHIELD tactical suit, with holsters for ICER's and my Glock's.
"And these are my favourite part," She said, coming up with a case beside me. I watched in fascination as she opened it to reveal two new swords. As soon as I touched them, she held her Kimoyo beads up to my neck, satisfied when they glowed.
"Are these…"
"Like the sonic spears of the Dora Milaje," She beamed.
"So, how do they work?" I asked, excited to use them.
"They will only respond to you. The cannon is activated through your Kimoyo beads. Press this one," She said pointing to the bead with the star on it, "And it will charge up. The charges take a few seconds each, but they are powerful."
"Hmm, where can I try it?" I asked. She pressed a button on her holotable and a wall moved revealing a target.
"Seems easy enough," I said, bracing myself as the sword charged up. Thrusting it forward, I felt the kickback in my shoulder as the sonic blast shot out and hit its intended target.
"Yikes. I need some practice. Haven't used my swords in… since before my surrogacy for Natasha," I said, wondering if I could still move like I used to. Shuri backed up, as I charged them a second time, this time slashing downward from my right side to my left hip. The blast stayed true to target, but instead of stopping, I kept going, slashing through the air. The target dummy was pretty much decimated to pieces from the blasts. I stopped, crossing the swords in front of me, but apparently that was a bad idea. T caught me as I flew backwards, caught in a powerful blast. Shuri powered them off quickly, as T'Challa rushed me over to her table.
"Angel," Steve said coming to my side, along with Bucky who had heard Shuri's cry of surprise.
"Note to self, brace for impact," I said, a little dazed. Shuri sighed, "No harm has been done. Your baby is fine."
"Good," Bucky said, "Cause you aren't touching those until after he is born."
"It is a boy?" Shuri said, clapping her hands in excitement.
"Way to blab, Bucko," I said, raising an eyebrow at him.
"Hey, Steve blabbed first!" He smiled as said super-soldier picked me up from the table to help me to my feet.
"Damn, you guys look good!" I smiled, noticing their new outfits.
"You think so?" Steve said, looking down at his suit.
"Oh yes," I smiled, humming contently. Bucky straightened up, puffing out his chest a little at the knowledge I found their new looks attractive. Once Shuri assured me the suit would fit over my bump for now, I tried my own on, testing the cutouts for my wings and holsters for my swords.
"You look stunning," Steve's voice stated as I look in a reflective surface, with my wings spread.
"I feel so exposed. My bump is bigger than I thought it was. Skintight clothing," I sighed. Bucky came up and whispered in my ear, "You look sexy as hell ангел."
I smiled deviously turning to 'pose', "I do love it. I'm sure I will feel better once our boy is born."
Callie and Eli chose to look up from their fun on Shuri's Holotable saying, "Mom, you look kicka-"
Steve's withering look stopped the word from full forming in Eli's mouth, making me snicker.
"You look awesome Mom," Callie said, smiling victoriously at Eli, who sarcastically smiled at her in return.
"Thank you guys. Now, does this have the same tech as the other suits?" I asked.
"I wasn't sure how your powers would affect the nanites in the fabric, but I think I figured out a way to harness the heat energy, to make it more effective combined with the kinetic energy your suit absorbs," Shuri smiled cunningly. I was going to enjoy working with Shuri.
