Gwen is not stupid, she saw Peggy literally at Ace or any other trusted loved one's side every day, not that she'd blame her, and she figures that the instinct of keeping her loved ones in sight is ebbing slowly with her being healed mentally, which would take years and years.
This is the first time she saw her alone even before she came down to join her, maybe because for the first time, Peggy felt finally safe with all of Ace's parents and Ace himself in the warehouse, since every other day, Gwen or Jean would accompany Jasmine on her duties while Peter goes on patrol, and Ace is literally the only one at times by Peggy's side.
"The second part... I think...", Peggy sighed. "You have to understand...", she looked away as Gwen nodded, "I understand... being alone for a century; not living or dead... can't truly imagine what that's like to deal with.".
Peggy sobbed, nearly dislodging the bowl of popcorn as Gwen was almost quick on her own, grabbing the bowl in time, placing it on the table before she wrapped her arms around Peggy, rubbing her back as best as she could, with Peggy's five-month-old baby bump against Gwen's three-month-old baby bump, murmuring in soft reassurance.
Halfheartedly blaming her hormones, Peggy cried in Gwen's embrace, almost desiring a mother's comfort as she didn't care that Gwen is almost physically her age. Being Ace's mother, and eventually Peggy's mother-in-law, as the wedding is set on Peggy's birthday in a few weeks.
"It's alright, Peggy... feel free to let it all out... I'm here for you...", Gwen assured her as Peggy continued to sob.
They ignored the low chatter of the TV as Peggy's breakdown lasted for at least 30 minutes before she eventually took deep breaths, and Gwen kissed her forehead motherly-like, "Good, breathe...", relieved that Peggy's son decided to go to sleep, realizing that his grandma got this.
"Thank you, Gwen... I'm sorry you saw me like that... I... I used to be a lot tougher, you know?", Peggy shakily choked out as she was still clenching into Gwen's embrace.
Gwen whispered, "You needed to be a lot tougher for the war, that's fair, but before that, you were just a young lady, trying to find a way to prove for yourself, and you were figuratively free despite the hard livings and your desire to help your country somehow, and you managed to be a wonderful person through and through. You don't need to be tough anymore...Your boy needs a loving mother, and this family needs a compassionate friend, daughter, wife, and more.".
Peggy exhaled deeply, taking Gwen's words to heart as she listened, and she whispered, "But how can I be that when I'm afraid of losing my baby, being alone, everybody leaving me when I mess up, unable to protect them?".
"Peggy Carter, you listen to me right now and listen well... you're not going to lose your baby, you're not going to be left alone, no one will leave you and you won't mess up, and we all can protect each other. We've done it for a long time now, and it won't change.", Gwen told her.
Peggy looked at her when Gwen took her chin up to face her, and her heart swelled as she teared up when she heard her speech, and Peggy knew that she spoke the truth as there wasn't a single lie at all in her eyes, only pure sincerity and strong determination.
She gave a thankful smile, hugging Gwen as she cried, and Gwen rubbed her back, smiling gently, and after sniffling and wiping her tears away, "I...I can't promise that I could be my old self again so soon, but I won't forget this...".
Gwen smiled warmly, "That's all I can ask for, Peggy...Now, come on, let's get you in bed, you need the sleep for yourself and my grandson, hmm?", and Peggy nodded as her smile grew considerably, and with support, Gwen walked Peggy to her and Ace's claimed bedroom which was one of the guest bedrooms.
Ace was half asleep, half worried about Peggy when he felt the familiar motion of his beloved sitting down, and he glanced to see his mum helping Peggy to rest with a motherly affection, and Gwen gave her son a soft reassuring nod as Ace soon were relieved, not needing to say anything as he gently cocooned Peggy who sighed exhaustedly and sleepily, snuggling into her beloved's arms and body heat, with Ace resting his hands over their child's home.
Gwen smiled warmly, watching Ace kiss Peggy tenderly on the cheek as she left the bedroom, and headed up carefully to her and the others' bedroom, warmly joining by Jasmine's side, with her by Peter's side, and Jean on the other side of Peter, and Jasmine gave her a sleepy glance, and Gwen gave her a reassuring smile, not saying anything as she kissed Jasmine on the cheek, and closed her eyes, going to dreamland as Jasmine tucked the blanket over them.
"Feeling better?", Ace whispered to Peggy as they snuggled. She gave a small nod, "Yes... Gwen certainly gave me some reassuring words...".
Ace smiled gently, "That's Mum, alright. Go sleep, my captain. I'll be here when you wake.", and Peggy gave a small smile and kissed him gently on the lips, "I love you, Ace.", before closing her eyes and went to dreamland in quick time.
Ace murmurs, "I love you and our son.", before joining her in dreamland. Indeed, Peggy felt safer, better, and loved in this remarkable family than she ever had remembered.
Weeks and months came and went, and the wedding of Peggy and Ace was beautiful, and Peggy was ravished lovingly and tenderly on their honeymoon wedding night. Before they knew it, the due date of their son is any day now within the first week or two of September.
With Gwen's powers temporarily gone, they used Wakandan technology to have an ultrasound over the past several weeks, and Peggy was much relieved to see her son growing healthy to full term, yet she's still afraid of the incoming birth. Oh, not the pain, but afraid of something happening with the process of childbirth yet she tries to be calm for the sake of her son, repeatedly remembering Gwen's words every day that she's already starting to believe it.
"I still say that you're a bit more worried about this than most folks...", Ace admitted to Peggy as she nodded, the two of them were alone in a room for the time being as they were waiting for another ultrasound in the final expected few days. They had this sort of conversation before but Ace thought it was always a good idea to at least talk about it again just to reassure her.
Peggy sighed softly, "I can't help it...It's one thing for high-risk women, and since I'm not a high-risk woman, this shouldn't be a problem, but I still am scared. I'm eating right, exercising properly, and our son's active and developed to full term...".
"Plus, the ultrasounds are showing that everything's going good... not to mention the genes in both of us... thanks to a family wish in my case and your super soldier genes...", Ace reminded.
Peggy nodded, "You're right.", with a tender smile as she leaned on her husband's shoulder, "I'm just...wanting everything to go right, you know?".
Ace wrapped an arm around her, kissing her on the forehead lovingly, "I don't blame you. I want you and our son to be safe and well, and you won't be alone, Peggy. Soon, you will have our boy in your arms, and he will be wiggling, loud, but he will be all ours...".
Peggy can see it in her mind's eye, and she felt a bit more excited, and she looked up at Ace, "I believe you, my ace of spades...", with a loving smile as she stroked her baby bump, and Ace smiled, proud of what he said, joining her in stroking the baby bump together.
They are in Agrabah, in a hospital that a Wakandan built together with his Agrabah lover, not too far from the palace, and as it's September, the weather is comfortable and nice.
They heard their names called, and upon the ultrasound, the baby boy is looking great, moving into the headfirst position, and that Peggy's body is prepping quite nicely for the birth and breastfeeding process.
Peggy was relieved to hear that, and with thanks to the hospital, she and Ace went on their way, not in any hurry as they strolled through the main street of Agrabah, taking their time to check out the marketplace.
"Sometimes it feels nice to not have so much attention on us... as opposed to others in the family.", Ace said as Peggy nodded, "Hard to act normal when everyone's mostly moving out of your way as opposed to when your parents do this.".
Ace chuckled, "True. You doing alright? Need a rest for the feet?", and Peggy smiled, "I'm alright. My feet aren't sore yet, but I'll let you know when I want a massage.".
"Okay. Shall we buy some bread for the warehouse?", Ace asked, and Peggy chuckled, "If you put in a few chocolates, I'm in for it.".
Ace smiled and kissed his wife on the lips, "You got it.", as he bartered for the bread at one stall, and then accompanied Peggy to the chocolate stall. Agrabah had fallen in love with chocolate ever since Wakanda came in with cacao trees.
As she browsed through the chocolates for the next few minutes, she felt mild contractions starting up, taking a deep breath, and Ace noticed, "Our boy kicking again, Peggy?".
Peggy gave a smile as she pointed to a few chocolate choices, and she replied as the stall attendant went to grab the chocolates into a Wakandan cooler-lined doggie bag, "Our boy's eager yet taking his time. I think we better get on our way to the palace.".
Ace gave her a look, "Wait... did you just say-", connecting the hints instantly. Peggy replied with a small nod, "Not sure yet, actually... but I think I just got a pretty good sign that we should get things ready within the next few hours before it all kicks off.".
Ace nervously yet excitedly nodded, and with a few coins to the stall attendant, he grabbed the bag of chocolates, carrying it along with the bag of bread as he held Peggy's arm like a gentleman, not quite rushing, but like a brisk walk, to the palace.
For the next few hours, Peggy ate, drank, and used the bathroom normally as the mild contractions steadily got stronger, and unintentionally kept to a tradition from her old time as she asked for female help to aid her.
Her water bag broke on the third hour, and the contractions became fierce, and it went on for another hour as she slowly got dilated, and she is getting scared as her female help which is Jasmine, Gwen, and Jean, had noticed.
"Peggy, honey, I know it's not normal as of your tradition from your past, but do you want Ace to be here?", Jasmine asked gently as Ace has been a nervous wreck outside the delivery room, hearing his wife's cries of pain.
"Please... I think it would do well for the both of us mentally if he was here.", Peggy said as Jean nodded, "Good idea... certainly couldn't hurt anything after all...".
Jasmine nodded, "Right, I'll get him. Stay with her, my loves.", as Gwen and Jean are heavily 6 months along, and they nodded as Jasmine got off the end of the bed, and sprinted to the doors, opening them, looking around as the rest of the family is in the hallway, and saw Ace, "Come on, son, she wants you.".
"You sure?", Ace asked. "I'll be okay?". He honestly didn't know if that would be the case, despite Jasmine telling him.
Jasmine raised an eyebrow, "Ace Edward Carter, get your ass in here, and be with your wife!", and Ace swiftly obeyed her, hearing the Sultana tone in her voice, sprinting into the room as Peggy cried out in pain from a fierce contraction.
Ace all but pounced quickly into the bed, right besides Peggy, holding her hand, "I'm here, Peggy, I'm right here.", as Jasmine rejoined the small gathering around Peggy after closing the doors.
Jasmine checked the progress, replying, "Barely 3/4 dilated. We're getting close.", as Ace kissed Peggy's sweaty forehead, brushing her hair back, "Hear that, my captain? We're almost there.", as Peggy gave him a small smile, "Thank god that you're here, Ace...I'm scared.", before crying out in pain again.
"I am too...", Ace told her. "But we'll get through this... you're almost there already... everything's been going well.", he tried to assure her but even he couldn't help but allow worry to take hold at times. But he had to make sure that everything was okay with her... he didn't want to make things worse.
Peggy gave a small nod, taking deep breaths as the fierce contractions quickened up over the next 30 minutes, unable to hold back her cries of pain, with Ace kissing her on the face, wiping the sweat with a warm rag, caressing her shoulders.
Finally, Jasmine announced, "You're all dilated, Peggy! Push when you're ready!", and Ace whispered to her, "You can do this, Peggy...I'm not going anywhere...", holding her hand, and Peggy kissed him for reassurance and need, thankful for him and his mothers to be there around her.
She started to take deep breaths, and grunted, pushing, almost fighting back against the fierce contractions, whimpering and gasping in pain as she felt her son moving through the birth canal slightly slow, trying to remember Gwen's words to face her most relevant fear, praying to God, Allah.
"Doing good, Peggy... doing good.", Ace held her hand tight as Peggy continued her pushes, the light at the end of the tunnel could be seen with the childbirth.
Jasmine called out, "That's it, honey! You're opening up!", as Peggy cries in pain upon fierce contractions when she's trying to take deep breaths, her other hand squeezed together by Jean and Gwen.
Gwen reassured Peggy, "That's it, Peg, you got this!", using her nickname for Peggy that she came up with several months ago.
"Almost there!", Jean replied as Peggy pushed some more, tears prickling at her eyes as she gave her first shout of pain, feeling her vagina stretching out, and Jasmine laughed, "I see hair! He's crowning!".
"Just a little more, Peggy, you're almost there... we've almost got our son!", Ace smiled as he kissed her cheek, and she kept making her pushes.
Jasmine called out, "Good! The head's almost out!", as Peggy pushed, shouting out in pain, panting heavily, with Jasmine quickly holding her grandson's neck gently, "Take a deep breath, you still got the hardest part!".
Ace kissed Peggy on the temple, "You're doing great! Almost there!", as Peggy drew up her legs, taking a big deep breath, and grunted, screaming out in pain as she heaved, pushing for her son's shoulders and body to pop free.
Her tears fell in joy and exhaustion as she panted against Ace's chest, hearing her son's first breath of life by wailing, and Ace cried happily as he held his wife, seeing the baby boy wiggling, shivering, almost goopy and dappled in blood, with his mama cleaning him up, crying loudly.
Jasmine quickly handed her grandson over to Peggy who is half sobbing in joy, reaching out as she held her crying baby boy, kissing and gently rocking him, shushing him lovingly, "It's okay...I'm here...Mommy's right here...", never taking her eyes off him...
Their son is beautiful, having tawny soft strands of hair, a healthy shade of warm tan skin, having Ace's nose, and Peggy's cheekbones/smile. Ace was in awe, gently stroking his son with a finger, "Oh, Peggy...He's like you...".
Peggy kissed him happily on the lips, "No, he's like both of us...He's perfect...", as their son's cries gradually lessened, realizing that he's in a safe, warm place, blinking blearily before opening his eyes to reveal bright teal in them.
Ace laughed softly, "He got one of my eye colors...And that tawny color in his hair...do you think it's gonna be darker over time?".
"Perhaps...", Peggy sighed. "Only one way to find out and that's to properly raise and care for him.", she chuckled. "Yep... that's about right... but... he's here with us, Peggy... see, it all worked out right.", Ace grinned warmly as he caressed his son's head.
Peggy gave a loving smile at her husband and then her son, "You were right...But I think having this one is enough for this century...This pain of being in labor and giving birth is a close second to being injected with the Super Soldier Serum...I might consider doing it again next century...".
Ace chuckled, "That's more than fair...So, what are you gonna call him?", and Peggy sighed deeply as her son gave a hungry cry, and she contentedly adjusted him to her breast, suckling immediately, relaxing at last, feeling that he's finally safe, healthy, and happy...which is more than she had ever wished for...
She looked at her mothers-in-law, particularly Gwen, appreciating their support, their love, and much more, and she whispered warmly, "Guinn...", as she knew that her grandparents were born in Wales before migrating to New York City.
