Chapter 30. Together

Content warning: Contains sexual content which may not be suitable for readers under the age of 18. Also includes emotional content discussing the eventual death of a life partner.

The results of the genetic testing done on Rebecca and Billy confirmed what they already suspected. Rebecca, although not a recipient of the super soldier serum did inherit other qualities from both Bucky and Julia that together made her a unique individual. Her fearlessness, although not unlimited, was incredible for someone so young. Additionally, they believed much of that came from the genetic quirks of her mother's autism, as did her precociousness and intellect. The Wakandan scientists confirmed that a physical outlet for Rebecca's tendencies, like the swimming and skiing activities they already did with her, would allow her the freedom to explore but teach her to pull back when her limits were reached. What she did inherit from Bucky was the good health he already benefitted from plus the ability for her body to recover quickly from stress or injury. Although her abilities in that were not as rapid as his it still put her into an upper level of endurance and recovery already noted in exceptional human athletes.

The results of the testing on Billy were astounding. They forecast that his abilities as a super soldier that were already strong as a toddler would likely grow exponentially once he reached puberty. In their testing of the genetic samples taken from him it was believed that his abilities as an adult would surpass even Bucky's for the simple reason that his physical development would not be interrupted by cryostasis as Bucky's was. The Winter Soldier's body expended great energy in repairing damage done by the freezing and thawing cycles he was subjected to over the years he was a HYDRA captive. The physical effect the memory suppression machine had on his body was also noted as a factor. As strong as Bucky was his body never reached its full potential because of HYDRA's need to keep Bucky under their control. The consensus was that Billy would be taller, heavier, faster, and stronger than Bucky with exceptional reflexes, endurance, and recovery abilities.

The final part of the report made suggestions for the social development of their children. Praise was given for the decision by the couple to include the children in play groups of their social peers, as well as their own attempts to keep a calm and nurturing environment in the home. Both children displayed high levels of empathy and concern for others, a trait that would serve them well in their emotional development. Shuri added her own comment in the report saying "Keep doing what you're already doing. Your children are wonderful."

The couple waited until they were home and everyone settled back into their routine before they went through all the findings. As they sat on their couch after they closed the final holographic display Bucky put his arm around Julia and kissed the side of her head.

"You're a good mother," he said. "You're also the best thing that ever happened to me."

She smiled then looked up at him. "You're a great father," she said, "and a good man. I think living here, away from the stress of the city makes us better people and that we model good behaviour to the kids as a result."

They kissed for some time, taking advantage of the kids being in bed for the night. Standing up then straddling Bucky's lap Julia took his face in hers and kissed him sensuously before looking him in the eyes. Smiling softly at her he stroked her hair then ran his hands down her back. He lifted her T-shirt off and pressed his lips into the tops of her breasts that showed over her bra. With a smile Julia removed her bra and tossed it aside then sensuously kissed Bucky again as she pressed herself into his groin.

"My beautiful wild girl," Bucky whispered as he raised his arms for Julia to remove his T-shirt. He caressed and mouthed her breasts as she raised herself slightly on her knees to look down on him. "Take your jeans off."

Julia removed her jeans then stood there with her thumbs hooked into the sides of her panties, looking at him but not saying anything. Bucky shook his head no then undid his jeans, sliding them off as he stood up. Picking Julia up she wrapped her legs around his waist and they kissed fiercely as he walked them both to the deck, opening the door.

"Bucky, what are you doing?" she whispered, then she looked over at her mother's house where a light was still on.

He looked at her then grinned. "You'll have to be quiet," he said in that low voice he reserved for moments like this. "You can be quiet, can't you?"

"Can you?" she retorted then she giggled and Bucky's cock responded, making her giggle some more.

He laid her down on the round sofa bed they had on the deck. They used it often to watch the stars but hadn't used it for sex yet until now. Stepping back into the house Bucky brought back a throw blanket then got on the sofa bed with Julia, covering them both up. There was a chill in the air but he wasn't feeling it and soon Julia wasn't either. She snuggled in close to him and he put his right arm around her drawing her close to the warmth of his body.

"I still can picture you in the back seat of the truck on the plateau," whispered Bucky. "Just the silhouette of your body with the stars behind you through the windows. Makes me hard just thinking of it. That was the first time I saw the wild girl. You surprised me that night."

"Really?" she said. "I did some impulsive things when I was teenager, none of them sex related. But that night when we kissed on the bench by the lake it just hit me that I never had someone I wanted to go up to the plateau with. Not until you. There was only Mason before you and sharing that place with him never entered my mind."

"You know I had a lot of partners back in the day," he said softly. "Sex while skinny dipping was probably the wildest thing I did with a girl, although I remember just now an encounter below the bleachers at a football game while I was in my football gear." He chuckled at that memory.

"At your age I expected you would have more experience than me," she replied. "I never really felt sexual urges until you. Not even with Mason, he just did it to me and expected me to go along with it. It took me a while to realize that's not how it should have been. But I feel comfortable initiating sex with you and I like how you give me the lead in what we do."

She looked like she wanted to say more but didn't know how to word it. "Do you want me to be more adventurous?" he asked. "I'm satisfied with your autonomy taking precedence. God knows I had none for years. But we don't have to go into kinky or degrading sex to keep things interesting because I'm not into that. It's not how I feel about you." He waved his arm around them. "This, doing this outside, under the stars, is romantic, and beautiful, and very satisfying to me."

"What if I want to try something more adventurous," asked Julia. "Not for your sake but to satisfy my curiosity? Would you go along with it?"

Bucky got up on his side, propping himself up on his elbow, not expecting this question. "Like what?"

"Like getting a vibrator and playing with that, or watching female friendly porn and trying some of the things they have in it," she answered, looking him directly in the eyes. "You satisfy me, Bucky, you really do. I just want to try some other things that we can do together, consensually."

He lowered himself back down to her side and grasped her head in his hands before kissing her sensuously. "Absolutely," he said after their lips parted. "But we do it because you want to, not because you think I will like it. If you like it so will I. Julia, there is one caveat to all that."

"What?" she asked.

"Don't ask me to hurt you," he replied. "No whipping, or spanking, or anything like that. I can't do anything that is painful to you. It would break me."

"I wouldn't," she promised. "I had enough of that with Mason and I will never ask you to do to me what he did. I promise you."

She gazed at him, then placed her hand on his cheek, confirming her promise. Gathering her into his arms he kissed her deeply, before mouthing her neck and shoulders. Her hands caressed his face and neck then moved down his back taking warmth from him in the cool outside air.

"You warm enough?" he asked softly. "I can get more blankets."

"I'm alright," she answered. "Looking at you from this perspective and seeing the stars behind you I can understand why you wanted to do this. It's erotic."

He smiled and ran his fingers down her cheeks to her neck, stopping at her collar bone. She could feel his hardness pressing against her leg and slowly moved it against him. Briefly he closed his eyes and breathed out a soft moan. Running her hands down his back again she slipped them into his briefs, grasping his cheeks and pressing them towards her before working his briefs off. Sitting on his heels Bucky grasped himself as Julia put her hands over her breasts, then down into her panties.

"I'm so wet," she whispered. "I want you in me."

She slipped them off one leg then the other and raised her one leg to his shoulder before reaching to his hand and pulling him towards her. Sliding into her Bucky began thrusting, keeping her one leg over his arm. He did that for a few minutes then he stopped, pulled out and asked her to roll over onto her belly. Raising her hips up with his hands he entered from behind and began thrusting again. From that angle he was hitting her g-spot and she gasped. Leaning over he ran his hands over her back and she raised her hips even higher pressing herself into him. She looked back over her shoulder, and he leaned close to her, kissing her from that acute angle.

"Slide one leg forward," he whispered, then he licked her neck just below her ear before shifting slightly so he was centred over her other leg.

Now he was thrusting deeply into her and Julia started making louder cries and gasps. She grasped his metal arm to anchor her counter movement to his thrusts while propping herself up slightly with her other arm and Bucky whispered into her ear.

"You feel that, don't you? It's different, more intense. It's okay to give into it."

She didn't answer, just kept countering his thrust. With his right hand Bucky began stimulating the nipple on her right breast while kissing her ear and neck, mouthing both. Julia's cries grew louder and more desperate and he pressed harder into her while increasing his pace. His own climax was building and he began to moan in her ear as he got closer.

"Harder," Julia gasped and he obliged.

Suddenly she stiffened and cried out several times as she felt her orgasm rip through her core and legs. Bucky felt his own climax breaking and he thrust several more times, emptying himself into her before he stopped and lowered himself to spoon behind her. Reaching for the blanket he covered them both up and caressed her underneath it while kissing her back than her neck.

"You alright?" he asked.

She nodded. "We've never done it that way," she stated. "Why haven't we?"

"I just learned about it," he replied. "I've been looking at other positions on the internet. We are doing that again, aren't we?"

She rolled over and kissed him. "Definitely."

He enclosed her in his arms again and they kissed for some time before lying together and looking up at the stars. Even though he was still quite warm he could tell she was starting to get chilled so he grabbed his briefs and put them on. Then he picked up her panties and wrapped her up in the blanket, carrying her through the door, which she locked as he held her. Giggling she turned off the lights next and he carried her up to their ensuite, where he drew a bath for both of them. Lighting some candles and starting up his sexy playlist he got in behind her and they sat in the flickering light.

"We weren't very quiet out there," noted Julia.

Bucky chuckled and she laughed with him for a few moments. "I've been thinking," he said quietly. "You told Ayo about going camping with a trailer when you were a teenager. Maybe it's something we should be doing with the kids. We could go to Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon, or Yellowstone. We could even drive to Louisiana and stay with Sam."

"I would like that," she said. "I haven't seen much of the country but if we had a trailer it would be a familiar place for me. Both kids are so open to new experiences. I don't want to hold them back just because it takes me time to adjust to new situations."

"Do you think you could handle it?" he asked.

"With you? Always."

He put his arms around her and kissed her neck. They would need to have a separate bedroom for themselves and bunks for the kids. Hopefully the truck would be strong enough to pull a trailer, if it was allowed on the lease. That would be something he could discuss with Greg, knowing he had a trailer for his family. A small laugh escaped from his throat as a thought occurred to him. Julia turned her head.

"What's so funny?" she asked.

"When I was a kid camping was something that Boy Scouts did to get their Camping Badge," he said. "I remember going on the school bus out to someplace in New Jersey to camp in the wilderness. Steve couldn't go because his Ma was afraid he'd come in contact with poison ivy. We had to assemble our tents and cots ourselves then had to go find deadfall in the woods, bring it back, cut it up, and build our fires. Only then could we make our food to eat. It was awful. I hated it but I got my badge. Nowadays you buy a house on wheels, with a kitchen to rival that of your own home, a refrigerator, real beds, a bathroom, all the comforts of home ... and it's still called camping."

"People still do it the other way," replied Julia. "But I like having a home away from home. For me, it's the only way to go. It will be fun, and good for the kids. You'll see."

He kissed her head, because he was looking forward to it. The idea of sitting around a campfire with Julia beside him and each of them having a child on their lap, staring into the flames, making s'mores ... It was normal and the longer he was married the more "normal" he craved. At that moment Tony Bennett singing Moon River came on and he began to hum to it. It was a good song and made him feel very mellow. Julia rolled over so she could lay her head flat on his chest and feel the vibrations of his hum. He stroked her hair and allowed everything he felt for her to come to the surface. Then she looked at him with her hazel eyes and just stared into his blue ones.

"I love you so much," he whispered. "I didn't want to come here but Rhodey and Sam said I should to learn how to relax. Then I met you and you changed my life. You and the kids are my world."

She smiled and brought her face closer so she was looking at him from above before she kissed him tenderly. Then she laid her head on his shoulder so it was cradled next to Bucky's neck. She lifted her knees up so Bucky was holding her in his arms.

"You're my world," she whispered back then she was quiet for a few moments. "You don't know how long you'll live do you?"

"No," he replied. "It could be a normal life span, or a hundred years or more. I don't know what I'll do if you die first." His voice broke slightly and he coughed to get his emotions under control. "I don't want to live without you, not with how I feel about you now. If the kids are still little, I'll stay for them but it won't be easy."

"I feel the same," she said quietly. "What do you think happens when you die?"

"When I was one of the decimated there was nothing," he said. "There was barely enough time to say anything and then I was gone until I suddenly was there again 5 years later. Didn't even have time to deal with it, we were just rearmed and sent to fight Thanos again. When I was a prisoner of HYDRA I wanted to die so many times but they wouldn't let me. There was so much pain, and I had no choice but to accept it."

"Realistically," said Julia, as she looked up at him, "I will die before you. If there is any sort of afterlife or consciousness I'll come back for you and take you with me so that you're not alone." She began to cry and Bucky held her as his own tears fell down his cheeks. Julia took several deep breaths to calm herself then placed her hand on his cheek. "I won't leave you here on your own, I promise."

He kissed her desperately, their tears mixed together as they accepted that someday they would be faced with the unthinkable, the death of one of them and that it would likely be her. Eventually they cried themselves out and stepped out of the tub, drying off and putting on pyjamas. Then they got into bed, and held each other tightly, until Julia fell asleep and Bucky watched over her. Before he fell asleep he promised her that if she didn't come back he would take care of it himself. Once he voiced that, even though she didn't hear it Bucky felt calmer and slept well.

As the months of 2030 passed Bucky continued to go on missions, or to work in house construction as a general contractor with Greg. Julia, after the success of helping the Wakandans with their serial killer advised the police departments she had contracts with that she was ready to begin consulting again, having worked through her issues. Both children continued to grow and thrive, and although Billy broke a few things when he had a tantrum, neither Bucky nor Julia ever lost their temper with him, instead working him through his frustrations by talking calmly and carefully with him.

Their discussion about buying an RV to pull behind the truck translated into reality when Greg suggested they borrow his for their first camping trip as a family. He walked Bucky through all the features of the trailer and how to hook it up to the truck, then set up the electrical and water services when they were in a serviced RV park. They drove to Yellowstone National Park in June, staying in the Fishing Bridge RV Park, recommended by Greg. For the week they were there they used the site as home base while Bucky drove them in the truck to the various sights in the park, including Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. They also took a fishing boat tour for cutthroat trout which Bucky fried up for dinner, cooking the first fish that both Rebecca and Billy caught, with some help. Because of the threat of forest fires they weren't able to have their open fire but they used a propane barbecue to heat marshmallows and make s'mores. Then they looked at the stars until the kids fell asleep in their arms and were carried into their bunks, tucked in lovingly by Bucky and Julia. Their last night there, they quietly made love, so as not to wake the kids, and decided they liked camping enough to buy their own trailer.

Because of Avenger missions they weren't able to go looking for a trailer suitable for their use until late August. They were able to get a spot in a campground across the lake on the Nevada side for their first trip in their trailer. It wasn't far from home but just the camping experience with the kids was more important and they still had a good time. Bucky had a concrete pad poured beside the house to store the trailer on during the winter months, placing it in such a way that the trailer wasn't visible from the road. When the National Park Service opened their online campground reservations over the winter they made plans to go to Yosemite, and Sequoia, separately, and then to the KOA Santa Cruz, not far from San Francisco so that Julia's family could easily join them in a week long camping trip. They would have booked more but with Bucky's schedule didn't want to face the possibility of being cancelled because of a mission.

Rebecca's fourth birthday was celebrated in October with a party attended by some family, some friends, and a surprise visit from her Uncle Sam, Aunty Anna, and their baby boy Paul Michael Wilson, named after both grandfathers. When they arrived from the airport and brought the baby inside the house in the baby carrier both Rebecca and Billy crowded around the little boy. They both peppered Sam and Anna with questions about him, including whether he was up to playing with them.

"He's only a few months old," said Sam. "He hasn't even started crawling yet."

"Mommy, can you have another baby?" asked Rebecca. "I really want a sister."

She looked at Bucky and raised her eyebrows. He nodded slightly and she smiled at her daughter. "We'll start trying but I can't promise it will be a girl. Our bodies decide that."

When the cake came out at Rebecca's birthday party, all lit up with four candles, Lydia told Rebecca to make a wish and blow out the candles. She closed her eyes, thought of a wish then blew with all of her might. All four candles went out and she clapped her hands with joy. After eating her cake she opened her presents and happily played with the toys she received, even sharing them with Billy. It was an incredible weekend that she remembered for a long time.

The following week Julia had her IUD removed and after a few days for her body to reset she and Bucky began trying for their third child. As Christmas and their 5th anniversary approached they were unsuccessful as every month Julia's period arrived. As always Bucky remained supportive emphasizing that it would happen when it was meant to happen. After celebrating their anniversary with an overnight stay in the same cabin they spent their wedding night they returned back to their house. As they walked to Lydia's house to pick up the children, who were staying there as Julia's family was visiting Bucky received a text on his cell phone. He stopped mid-stride, clicked on a link in the text and read it, then he looked at Julia, shaking his head.

"What is it?" she asked. "Not a mission."

"Actually, it is," he replied. "Come back in the house. I have to talk to you about this one."

Julia looked at her mother's house, seeing her in the window holding Billy and waving at them. She waved back and turned to Bucky.

"Can't I get the kids first?" she asked.

"I don't want them to hear what I'm going to tell you," he replied, then he dialled Lydia's phone number. "Lydia? I just got a text for a mission but it's one that I need to talk to Julia about first. Can you watch the kids for a little longer? We'll be over right after."

He looked right at Julia as he spoke then to Lydia in the window nodding as she agreed. Grabbing Julia's hand he returned to their house and opened the door into the kitchen. He paced back and forth for a few minutes until Julia put out her hand and touched his arm. Grimly he smiled at her then brought her over to the armchair, sitting in it and patting his lap for her to sit on him.

"You remember when I took those two days to deal with the kidnapping attempt?" he asked. "I confronted the woman who sent the two men, warning her never to reveal our home location to anyone, ever, or I would deal with her personally."

"Deal with her, as in hurt her, or worse?" asked Julia, her face serious.

"Worse," he replied. "There is another super soldier that works for her. He was briefly Captain America before Sam but he was unfit to carry the shield. Sam and I fought him to take the shield back. Now he goes by the name of U.S. Agent, and he's basically a super soldier for hire." He took a deep breath then focussed his eyes directly on Julia. "Someone kidnapped his son and it's sent him into a rage. He's trying to find his son but in the process he's hurting a lot of people, unnecessarily. The woman that he works for has asked for the Avengers help to find him, contain him, then help to find his son. It could be HYDRA that's done it."

He could see the fear in her eyes once he mentioned that name. Placing his hand on the side of her face he stroked it gently while looking at her with understanding. When she processed the information she looked steadily at him.

"Does his son have super soldier abilities?" she asked.

"Apparently so," replied Bucky. "He's a little older than Rebecca and his wife is pregnant with their second child. They tried to take her as well but Walker fired on them forcing them to make a decision and they left her behind."

"What do you want to do?" she asked, and he noticed a little crinkle between her eyebrows as she spoke.

"I don't like the man," said Bucky. "He took the serum recklessly, not understanding that the frame of mind he was in would be intensified by it. He's arrogant, condescending, and he doesn't restrain himself when he fights. In his mind, the end always justifies the means."

"But..."

Bucky smiled slightly at her. "But his son is an innocent and if it is HYDRA it's my duty ... my personal duty to help him," he replied solemnly. "The things they can do to that child are barbaric and I can't in good conscience not help, just because I don't like John Walker."

"Then you have to go," she said simply. "Because I couldn't be married to a man who would let them do to a child what they did to you."

He held her tightly for some time, then kissed her, before looking her deeply in her eyes and stroking her hair.

"There's more," he said. "They want to know if his wife can stay with you. She's alone, pregnant, and terrified for her son. They'll bring her to the airport when they send the quinjet for me. But this is your call. I don't know her as I've never met her but someone who has says she is the yin to Walker's yang."

"Will HYDRA be able to track her here?"

"No, it's a new quinjet with better stealth technology," he said. "I'm not even rated on it yet so Yelena is piloting it. An old friend is coming to stay here as protection if you agree to take Walker's wife into our home." She cocked her head and Bucky allowed himself a small smile. "Clint has agreed to come out of retirement."

"Alright, she can come here," replied Julia. "When do you go?"

"Tomorrow morning," he said, then he stroked her hair gently again. "So we'll have tonight to try again. I don't know how long this mission will take."

This time she stroked his hair and gazed deeply into his eyes. They kissed passionately, breaking apart with the promise to resume it after the kids were in bed. As they walked back to Lydia's house holding hands Julia glanced up at her husband, concerned about the mission, but also proud that he would put aside his personal feelings about John Walker to help him find and rescue his son. It was the right thing to do and she loved him even more because of it.