Mo came out with one of the pizza boxes, blinking in surprise before chuckling, "I knew I smelled your scent in the cub as soon as you came in.", with Susan at his side, blinking in shock as she held her baby brother, Henry.
"Tara...", Susan whispered as she obviously could see that Bucky and Tara were fairly close to each other. Tara said nothing for a few moments before she walked up and took Susan into a tight hug.
"I'm so sorry...", Tara started to sob. "I'm so sorry I never listened to you at all... when Derek and I got back together... I know you warned me that maybe I should've reconsidered... and especially that night before the wedding!".
Susan shushed her, "It's okay, it's okay, Tara, it isn't your fault or anything. He was the one behind it all...", kissing Tara's temple, "You're my big sister, always and forever, and no one or nothing's gonna change that.".
Henry babbled between the sisters, blinking curiously as he touched Tara's baby bump, calling out, and a kick answered him, and Tara chuckled, "Feels like she likes her cousin in you, Henry. Look at you, I can't believe you grew so big from the moment I saw you in your father's arms when you were born...Hello, little baby brother. I am your sister Tara.".
Henry blinked, tilting his head before giggling, "Sisa Tara!", smiling gummily with a few teeth showing through, and Tara smiled, "That's right, Henry.".
Mo spoke warmly, "I don't know about you, but how about pizza?", laying the pizza box on the table, opening it up, and Tara rubbed her baby bump with a laugh, "I think Reva agrees with you, Mo. I'm so hungry!", stepping over to sit back down on the couch, with Bucky sitting next to her, along with Wendy next to her on the other side.
Carl commented, "Looks like we are gonna have to get a L-shaped couch or something. We already have so many seats already!", as Steve went to the dining table and back, with more chairs, with Mo and Susan taking up the stuffed armchair, with Henry being passed over to Peggy, babbling hungrily for his mum's milk, in the recliner, with Carl and Steve sitting in the extra chairs.
Much of the evening was mostly catching up and explaining some things, clearing the air; especially amongst the recently arrived dimensional guests in Peggy, Steve and Henry. Certainly, Wendy and Carl were surprised to know that apparently Susan and eventually Tara had kept seeing Peggy and Steve through the years a secret, while to them, they had lost Susan for only two years.
"It's really only 1946 for you?", Carl asked as Steve nodded. "It really was quite strange at times to see the future; to see what events will happen when Peggy and I should be almost reaching 100. Of course, the Quantronium seems to have been extending our lives as Bucky's proven...", Steve said.
Peggy nodded, "That's for sure. In all the months, Steve never grew a beard or anything, through that it would make you look even handsomer, Steve.", and Steve chuckled, "Thank you, my queen. And same thing for Peggy. She doesn't have stretch marks or anything, through you would still look beautiful with them or not.".
Peggy chuckled, "Thank you, luv.", and Tara exhaled, "So, when I give birth to Reva, all those stretch marks disappear and all?". Peggy nodded, "Pretty much, through you'd still have lots of milk to feed the baby...Susan had a big appetite.".
Susan blushed, "Mum!", and Peggy smiled, happy to tease her daughter, "I meant it, sweetheart.", before Henry popped off, giving out a burp from his meal, and giggled at Peggy with a smile. Peggy chuckled as she then covered her shirt back over, along with her bra piece, "Of course, this one does love to talk and listen between snippets of his meal, is that right, Henry?".
Henry giggled, "Muma milk good!", and chuckles rang around the room before Henry yawned, rubbing his face, with Peggy smiling, "You sure had a long day, darling.", warmly passing him over to Steve, with Henry curling up against Steve's chest, already falling asleep to Steve's body heat with another yawn before giving out little adorable snores.
Steve chuckled, "When he's like this, he's practically deaf to the world...Apparently, my body being like a furnace is like heaven to him.", with a fond smile as he warmly caressed his son's blond hair.
"I wish it was the same with Tara... Susan always seemed to be much different as a baby, now, of course we know why but Tara was typical. Always crying and never really knowing what she wanted until it was like the last thing we suggested.", Wendy joked as Tara went red faced.
"So...", Mo cleared his throat. "I mostly knew things through Bucky, but I guess there's certainly one thing we'd want to know... mostly, how you ended up here and well, if you're heading back?".
Everyone suddenly got silent as that thought was now on everyone's head. Mo made a good point through.
Peggy sighed heavily, "We certainly have a few people back there, but they don't have Quantonium, and Stark closed the portal after us when we made him promise to keep it on the down-low...We cannot afford to spill the beans, and it will only open when it's very, very important on that side of the wall...".
Steve nodded, "Especially with the arc reactor, but it is the only one functioning thanks to Stark, and we have brought the only remnant of Quantonium over with us.", reaching into the satchel he had brought along in the crossing, bringing out the movie-reel stone which is only black with a bit of green now.
Susan blinked, "That feels familiar...Was that how you watched over me and Uncle Bucky?", and Peggy smiled, "Indeed. Of course, when we talked to the stone when we left, apparently, it is not going back into us, but it's waiting for someone worthy, just like how the other cousin of Quantonium did with Bucky.".
Bucky gave a small nod as he sighed, "Well, I do at least want to go back, at least just to let my sisters see me after so long. I said goodbye to most of them when I shipped out for Italy. I have to assume that at least you were keeping them in touch, Steve?".
"Yeah, I made sure to at least let them know that you were still alive, just... not able to be reached.", Steve explained. Suddenly, there was a flash of a white-blue light, and letters & pictures appeared in a bundle, landing on the table.
Peggy blinked in surprise, "That was the color of the arc reactor's energy.", before picking up the note on front of the bundle, reading aloud, "Hey, Peggy and Steve. Glad that it worked out. Only been 7 days here when you were there for seven hours already. Got pictures and letters for Bucky from his sisters. And letters from your parents, Peggy, after you guys hugged them goodbye. Apparently, the arc reactor can track by hair DNA, hence Peggy's and Steve's, and with your pardon, but with Henry's as well.",
"I gotta agree with you. We can't afford to spill the beans...I mean, after all, you guys achieved your goal of reuniting with Susan and Bucky...And I am sorry, Bucky, but your sisters do not want to cross over. Not when they have families already. They feel like they belong in the 1940s and all, and they saw you on the portal when the arc reactor was on earlier on the 5th day, soon after you got to the house. ",
"By the way, they love Tara, and they are sad that they couldn't meet their niece, but they know that they are growing older, literally, realizing that they cannot be like you...So, their letters and pictures are their souvenirs of the past and present before and during the war. And Peggy, same thing for you from your parents. and for Steve, General Phillips's gifts.",
"And as for me...as I know the arc reactor...if I have a kid...I will have to tell him or her the truth as well, my legacy will continue on...But if I don't, I'm afraid I would have to destroy the portal for the sake of this Earth...I mean, I can't help but remember what Schimdt did...When you're reading this, let me know if you really want to stay forever with your family. I'd be watching.",
"I mean, 21st century doesn't look bad to me...But up to you. Either way, you are the best friends this man has ever had. Your favorite engineer and scientist, Howard Anthony Walter Stark.".
"So now time is going faster over there?", that amazingly was the first question to come out of anyone's mouth, and it was from Susan. "Seems that way.", Steve said as he looked over the note.
"Well, at least things aren't really bad here.", Wendy shrugged. "I would get it if you wanted Susan back from a world overwhelmed by the Nazis or aliens or something like that.".
"That's true.", Peggy chuckled. "Honestly, this world isn't too much different in terms of history; the Allies still won, just not like how we did it.".
Bucky exhaled, "At least I know they loved me, and they can be at peace, knowing that I got my other family back, and now are making it bigger with you and Reva.", tenderly rubbing Tara's baby bump.
Steve nodded, "And we have watched Susan and all of you over the years here of the past two decades...We have definitely learned fast about the technology. Sure, we'd have still a bit of culture shock when it hits us, but we are adaptive.".
Mo blinked, "Does that mean that you, all of you are staying?", exhaling, and Susan bit her lip nervously. "Well, I suppose we probably are then.", Peggy chuckled.
"At least now since everyone here has been let out of that prison. If that wasn't the case, we might have just come by to pick up Susan and Bucky and bring them home. The rest of you as well, certainly.", Peggy looked over to Mo and Tara. "I think we'd be able to better protect you from the other Earth's US government from trying to imprison you all.".
Susan gave out a happy cry, hugging Peggy, and Steve smiled, "Well, that settles it. Stark, until for a very, very good reason, you must unplug the arc reactor, and tell General Phillips to censor everything, and I mean, everything. If you have a kid, which would be a surprise for me and Peggy, don't tell the kid until he or she is old enough to understand, and tell them the rule. Only turn on the arc reactor if there is something far bigger than the world to threaten it, like a giant alien robot or something. Send a letter to us, or maybe an interdimensional phone call through I don't think that wouldn't come as easily. And Howard, you are the best of the best of any world. Just don't get your ego in the way.", looking up to the air with a nod and a smile.
"Guessing he's probably seeing that?", Carl chuckled as Steve nodded. "Well, I suppose so since we don't have our own portal to easily message him back.", Steve said.
Susan smiled widely as Peggy hugged her back, "Don't worry, Susan, looks like you are going to be sick of us eventually.", and Susan giggled, "Oh, Mum, no way! I can't wait to share all my favorite places with you, for real! I want to know everything about you, all of you! I can't wait to play with Henry at the playground, show him the best stuff!".
"Well, take it easy, sweetie...", Steve chuckled. "At least give us a few days to get settled.", with a warm, patient smile. "And a few for us since we've been locked up for decades.", Mo added as Susan nodded.
"Right, right... I suppose there is quite a few things that need to be taken care of first.", Susan chuckled sheepishly. Carl nodded, "Indeed...Like the sleeping arrangements. We got Susan's bedroom, Tara's bedroom, and this couch.".
Wendy replied, "We got a pull-out bed under this couch.", and Peggy smiled, "We can take this pull-out bed, Wendy...Through do you have like a sleeping bag or something for Henry here, since we have no crib-toddler bed?".
Wendy smiled warmly, "We certainly do, and to make Henry comfortable, we can layer some of the sleeping bags, have him close to you.", and Steve smiled, "Sounds perfect for the time being.".
Carl chuckled, "Good. And as for you two, Bucky and Mo, I know you are gentlemen of good morals, but this is my house, my rules, unless something changes during the night, for a very good reason. You two take up Susan's bedroom, in the extra sleeping bags while Susan sleeps over in Tara's bedroom.".
"Understandable, Mr. Murphy.", Bucky smiled. "It'll just be like before then.", with a nod. "At least until we maybe have some better living arrangements.", Mo said. "I get a feeling Monger might be trying to work on something there. Perhaps a small bit of compensation for our imprisonment.".
Susan smiled warmly, "That would be nice. And what about Skull Island?", and Mo sighed deeply, "I don't know where the island is. I only know when it's nearby, thanks to the Quantonium inside me, but it's not anywhere near California right now.".
"Don't worry, Mo, we will find Skull Island, and bring you home to your tribe...", Susan reassured him, squeezing his hand tenderly. Mo smiled, "I know...I just need to be patient, that's all.".
Tara spoke, rubbing her baby bump, "I don't know about you all, but I had a long day, and I'm tired.", and nods of agreement rang around the living room.
Soon, after getting out all the sleeping bags, and the pull-out bed, everybody went to sleep, and everything was fine, the air quiet and peaceful until about midnight when Susan woke up to Tara's sobs and cries.
"Tara?", Susan whispered as she gently got up; the two of them were somewhat cramped in the room since it obviously wasn't designed for 10ft tall superhumans. "Tara, is everything alright?", she asked; knowing the answer clearly but she felt she needed to ask just in case she might have been wrong.
Tara sobbed, looking at her, "B-bad dream...I w-want James!", half curled up, holding into her baby bump, feeling kicks, knowing that her daughter is upset, feeling Tara's emotions.
Susan shushed gently, rubbing her back, "Okay, okay. I will get him...", looking around and reached over to the shelf that held Tara's stuffed animals, and grabbed Tara's most favorite and most beloved stuffed animal, which is a teddy bear dressed as Lady Liberty, "Here, Tara, remember Brooklyn?".
Tara grabbed Brooklyn, hugging her. Brooklyn was a birthday present from her parents when she was 7 years old, soon after she saw New York City on tv. Susan smiled bittersweetly, "I will get him.", hearing Tara's sniffles and sobs, and Susan kissed her on the temple, leaving her to open the door, and blinked in surprise to see Bucky standing literally before her.
Bucky spoke, "Tara's my mate. I felt her.", and Susan nodded softly, "Alright. Dad will understand.", passing by him as she patted his shoulder, heading for the kitchen before stopping in surprise again, to see Mo heading up her way.
Mo smiled, "I guess you are thinking what I am thinking...Wanna talk in the kitchen and have some hot tea or something?", and Susan smiled, nodding, "Yeah. Let's go.", with them heading for the kitchen, knowing that Bucky is going to comfort Tara.
"Don't try anything tonight, Mo.", Bucky chuckled as he whispered to himself before he got up to Tara. "Hey, aurora... I'm here now...", he gently rubbed her back.
Tara shook slightly, hugging Brookyln to her chest while rubbing her baby bump, "J-James...", and Bucky shushed her softly, joining her hand on the baby bump, "It's okay, it's okay, I'm right here...Our baby girl is right here...What happened?".
Tara gave out a half-sob, half-cry, "D-Derek...He...he forced you...to watch...raping me and tearing into me...He cut into me...Reva was crying and bleeding...He...killed her in front of us...you were helpless, screaming. Trapped in silver chains...He...He stabbed you...I woke up as he was going to kill me...".
Bucky took a deep breath as he kissed her cheek, "It's okay, Tara... he can't hurt you; he can't hurt me, and he certainly can't hurt Reva; he's not that stupid; we'd squash him like a bug easily.", caressing her arm. "I know...", Tara sobbed. "But it just felt so real..."
Bucky nuzzled into her hair gently, "Shh, shh, it isn't real...You're alive, you're breathing, you're carrying our daughter, you're with me...Come on, give me a smile, T... You are stronger than this, you know it...We're all here; your parents, your adoptive parents, Susan, Henry, Mo, our daughter, and heck, also the boys too...".
Tara slowly rolled over, gently watching herself, looking at Bucky, giving him a small smile, and Bucky smiled, "There you are...Never forget that you are loved, Tara.", before kissing her on the lips, gently holding her as he scooted a bit closer, massaging her baby bump, feeling the kicks slow down.