Chapter 44- Birth and Checking Facts

*Flashback*

Diana laid on the hospital bed, James holding her hand tightly. She had been in labor for three hours. The baby had decided to come early, but the doctors said that the baby was perfectly healthy. A contraction nearly ripped her apart and she squeezed James's hand tightly. "Hold on, Diana," James said, trailing his metal fingers over her sweaty forehead, pushing back her wet bangs gently.

"I'm so tired," Diana groaned as the contraction passed.

"It's going to be all right. On the next contraction we need you to push," the doctor said, putting his hands on her knees. The next contraction came and Diana bore down, with a combination scream and cry.

"Doctor, I see the head," the nurse said as Diana bore down again. The sound of a slap and a baby's cry filled the room.

"It's a girl," the doctor said as the nurse cleaned the baby and settled her in Diana's arms.

"Elizabeth," Diana said breathlessly.

"What was that?" Karpov said, reminding her that he had been there, watching the birth.

"You said I could name my daughter or son. I want my daughter's name to be Elizabeth," James said in Russian as he lightly stroked the baby's cheek.

"I did say that. Very well," Karpov said as he left the delivery room, followed by the doctor and nurses.

James looked back at Diana and kissed her gently, his kiss gently teasing her mouth. "Are you all right, doll?" James asked after they spent a few minutes kissing each other.

"Sore and tired. Are you upset she's not a boy?" Diana asked, weakly touching her husband's stubbled cheek, wishing he would be quiet and kiss her some more.

"No. The next one will be a boy," James said, pressing his forehead to hers and gently kissing her from her temples down her nose and to her lips. Diana gasped softly as he bit her lower lip gently and she opened her mouth obediently to deepen the kiss. She was told never to deny James kisses when he wanted them.

"I love you, James, Diana whispered against his lips as they explored her mouth and her lips explored his.

'I love you too. Now be quiet and kiss me, James said as he molded his lips to hers again after putting the baby in a cart provided for her. He lifted her into his arms and kissed her. Diana felt herself get lost in his warm, gentle kisses and she raised her hand to dig her fingers into his hair. These kinds of orders weren't difficult to obey as her husband really did love her and said as much every time he kissed her or took her in his arms.

"James?" Diana asked as he kissed her ears.

"Hmmm?" James mumbled as he nipped his favorite ear.

"Do you ever wonder about who you were before HYDRA?" Diana asked. James lifted his mouth from her ear and, before Diana could think what was happening, he slapped her hard across her mouth.

"Don't ever say that!" James whispered harshly as Diana raised her hand to her face. James had never really struck her before. If he was angry at her, he'd glare. This was the first time he had ever raised his hand to her and Diana felt ashamed for it like a child being punished.

"James, I'm sorry. I didn't know you'd get upset," Diana said, with tears in her eyes. Having her husband mad at her was the worst thing that could happen. He could decide he didn't love her anymore and it would be all her fault as she now couldn't live without him.

"Now you do. Just don't say that again. If they find out you are asking, then they will either wipe you or kill you," James said, stroking her hair gently and giving her gentle pecks on her lips.

"Yes, my love. I promise I won't ask again," Diana said as she obediently kissed his lips. Her husband was right. He and Elizabeth was her life now and thinking about what her life might have been was pointless as she couldn't remember. Her husband and child were all that mattered. Diana had given the Winter Soldier a child. She had accomplished her mission. She found herself wondering if James was serious about her getting pregnant again with a son the next time. She would love to give him a son the next time she got pregnant.

Bucky stood in his daughter's bedroom and watched her read. Elizabeth apparently liked books as much as he did, but he never would have thought she would read a 600-page book either. She had said this was different. Star Wars was worth it. Bucky had no idea what Star Wars was, but he had heard of it from HYDRA guards. It sounded too much like the "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast on Halloween in 1938 before the second world war had started.

"Looks like your sister Rebecca, doesn't it?" Steve asked behind him.

"I don't remember Rebecca much, Steve," Bucky said.

"You had about four sisters and you were the oldest. Your sisters worshipped you and you protected them. Rebecca was the youngest, I think, and you acted as if she was your baby since day one," Steve said.

"I loved children, didn't I?" Bucky asked.

"Yeah, you did. Diana told me that you fussed over Liz after she was born," Steve said, clapping Bucky's shoulder.

"We were in Siberia. I couldn't allow Elizabeth to be cold on my watch," Bucky said as Elizabeth turned a page.

"Of course not. You always made sure your sisters stayed warm and myself. You used to bury me in blankets in the middle of winter," Steve said with a snort.

Bucky smiled briefly as Elizabeth's eyes rose from her book. "Okay. Does everyone watch me when I read?" Elizabeth asked, sticking a bookmark in her book and standing up.

"Not everyone, Liz. I was just saying you look like your aunt Rebecca while you were reading," Steve said.

"Oh. Is Aunt Rebecca still alive, Uncle Steve?" Elizabeth asked.

"I don't know, but I think we can get Jarvis to look. Jarvis?" Steve asked, looking up at the ceiling.

"Yes, Captain Rogers?" Jarvis's voice asked in his precise British accent.

"We are looking for my friend Bucky's sister, Rebecca," Steve said.

"I will get right on it. Do you, Agent Markova, and Sergeant Barnes wish to know anything else?" Jarvis asked.

"No. But my name is Elizabeth Barnes, Jarvis," Elizabeth said.

"Noted, Miss Barnes," Jarvis said as he signed off.

Bucky cupped Elizabeth's cheek in his flesh hand and pulled her into his chest. "Elizabeth, I am so sorry," Bucky said, kissing her through her hair gently.

"It's okay, Dad. You didn't know," Elizabeth whispered into his chest, fisting her fingers in the material of his shirt.

"I never want to lose you again," Bucky whispered.

"You won't. I gave up going to Europe with Fury and Agent Hill to hunt down HYDRA bases because I thought the same thing," Elizabeth said.

"Buck, we should go eat. The pizza is here," Steve said, interrupting the moment.

"Sounds good. Did one of you idiots order a pepperoni and bell pepper?" Elizabeth asked, raising her head from Bucky's chest.

"Yes, we did. Barton says you either eat plain pepperoni, pepperoni and bell pepper, or everything on it," Steve said.

"Should I remember pizza?" Bucky asked, twisting his fingers in Elizabeth's hair.

"Probably not, pal. It was peasant food, eaten mostly in Italy. It didn't get popular until the 50's," Steve said as they left the room.