Rebecca whispered, "But I sinned...Mom and Father, they were probably disgusted while watching over me and him...how could I face them if they are upset for what I did, when I am banned from heaven for this sin?...I...he seemed so funny, nice, and so charming...I'm 16, Jamie...", with a sob as she used Bucky's real name as a nickname as she often did, yet not feeling better when she used it now.
Bucky bit his tongue as he was almost about to say it wasn't like she was the first 16-year-old to get pregnant; it wasn't a true rarity these days, but obviously, he was smart enough to know not to say it and make Rebecca, well, it would make everything worse, that was for sure.
"Well, you know we're still here for you; you know you're not having to go this alone... ", Bucky went to start to reassure his sister, worried for her.
Rebecca turned around and revealed her five-month baby bump, "How? I...I never wanted to be a murderer by...by a-abortion to this innocent soul, and I'm scared that I couldn't be a good mother, or that they turn out to be him...And you know the rumors of women not getting jobs because of being single, pregnant, and young! And I ain't stupid...Those eyes, all those gossipers, those people anywhere in this neighborhood, the marketplace...And I'm upset because I am ruining my sister's life by living with her...Oh, I know she loves me, and she always say that I'm not a burden or anything, and I kept an eye on the rascal twins, but she doesn't deserve that!".
Bucky was stunned for a moment as he knew that Rebecca was observant, but immature when he left, and now, this made her smart, mature, as she clearly learned a lesson, sadly...
Rebecca sniffed, rubbing her baby bump, "Maybe I'm a clingy, emotional, stupid, greedy, only a pretty face of a teenage slag who doesn't deserve to have a family...He...he never wanted kids, and he only played nice for the little ones here and all, calling them brats and...this little one...a word that I won't say, but I think you get the gist.".
Bucky shuffled across on the bed and sat next to her before taking her into a hug and kissing her forehead. His rage was slowly building again at what she had just said; wishing so much he could take it out on the man.
Rebecca froze for a moment as she felt her brother's long-missed embrace and brotherly kiss, and then sobbed as she tucked her face into his shirt, feeling his hand of his good arm gently and tenderly on her side of her baby bump.
Bucky whispered, "You're not all of those things, Rekki, and he doesn't ever know who you truly are...You are the beautiful daughter of Winnifred and George Barnes, and the wonderful sister of Catherine, Julia, and mine, Rebecca, and this little one would be treasured as a niece or nephew, and I will make sure that they would know the true meaning of family and love.".
Rebecca hiccupped, "You...you mean that?", and Bucky replied, "On our parents' graves, I swear, and they wouldn't be mad either, for they love you, and with grandchildren from almost all of us, they're happy, and with this little one, they are half of you, and they are part of this family, never that man on this day and foreword on.".
"Jamie...", Rebecca sniffled, looking at her brother in awe, shock, and hope, and he gave her a warm smile, and she had to smile, erasing her tears with a hand before she remembered something, "Did it hurt?", glancing at the stump that now she is feeling a bit better and more observant.
Bucky replied, "Took medicinal anesthesia and didn't feel a thing.", reassuring her, and Rebecca nodded, whispering, "I'm happy that you're alive, big brother...How are you going to help me?".
"For starters, I have great friends, and I'm certain that with better food and all, you could relax better, and I'd have to talk with one of my friends, but I'm sure he'd not mind giving help as he literally has room.", hoping that Whitmore would be fine with an extra guest in the mansion.
Perhaps Whitmore could offer her a job if she shows what she's best at...Or maybe housesitting Steve and Peggy's cottage after the two-month vacation of leave ends, and she'd be safe to give birth and all from judgmental eyes in this damn neighborhood.
"Jamie...", Rebecca whispered as Bucky hugged her. "Hey, you know I'm always here for you... even when I'm away... I try my best...", he told her as she sobbed a bit.
"I just hate this... that you always have to go... I know; fighting the Germans and all, that's what they say on the radio and the drives but...", Rebecca said.
Bucky replied, "I don't have to go anywhere into war right now...I...I'm on break, checking on your sisters and you, and...well, I have a ladylove, and no, it's no fling...I'm in love, can you believe it?", with a chuckle.
Rebecca widened her eyes, looking at him in the eye, and saw that he's serious, and she whispered, "Is she here with you?", and Bucky smiled, "She is. She's back there with Julia and our twin nephews...Wanna meet her?".
Rebecca replied, "She...she knows?", biting her lip, and Bucky replied, "Audrey's an amazing woman, and she never would judge you, Rekki. I told her so many stories about you and the others that she felt like she practically knows them, and she is honestly like me on some aspects, so believe me, she'd happily clobber the bastard like I would, if we knew his name and all, not that we don't deserve to know his name, but still.", with a fond, wistful grin.
"Can... can I meet her?", Rebecca asked him as he chuckled, "Of course; I actually intended you to meet her the moment we got back... just a moment...".
Bucky got up from the bed for a moment, and went to the door, opening it as he called for Audrey, and after a response, and a minute later, Audrey came into the room after Bucky closed the door, and Audrey smiled at Rebecca, "Wow, I knew Bucky told me that Catherine and Julia is mostly taken after his folks and him, yet you are unique with that hair color, through you got Bucky's nose and dimples.".
Rebecca smiled shyly, "Thank you...So, you're Audrey?", and Audrey grinned, "Audrey Ramirez, and I ain't leaving this lunkhead for anything, as I intend to be there for him.", glancing at Bucky who groaned dramatically, "I ain't a lunkhead!", as Rebecca giggled.
"So, any feeling that it'd be a pretty niña like you?", Audrey asked with a smile, and Rebecca tilted her head, "Niña?", noting the Spanish accent, and Bucky chuckled, "Spanish term for little girl.".
"You learned Spanish?", Rebecca asked as Bucky blushed, and Audrey shook her head, "Had to drill quite a bit of it into that head of his during times being off the lines...".
Bucky chuckled sheepishly, "Took some time, but with motivation and such, I got pretty good.", not going to reveal that it was a gift from Mole and the Great Kings.
Rebecca smirked, "I can see why.", and Bucky said, "Oi!", shaking his head, and Audrey laughed, "I love this one already, Bucky!", with a grin as she squeezed Rebecca's hands, "I think we're going to get along famously, Rebecca...that is, if you hadn't told her the idea yet of staying at Whitmore's place?", glancing at Bucky.
"I swear you know me so well, Audrey. Yeah, I told her the idea...You're already fine with it, then?", Bucky smiled, and Audrey smiled, "Bucky, one of those days, I'd have to be a Barnes. Family is family, and Rebecca and her little one is part of it.", with a firm nod at Rebecca who gasped softly, tears swelling in her eyes, as her big brother was right...She isn't going to be alone, and to have the support of someone who truly loves her big brother through and through, it's...it's like a miracle.
Bucky chuckled, "When Audrey declares something with her heart, she means it. I'll talk with Julia while you help Rebecca pack.", and Rebecca flushed in embarrassment, "It ain't much...Are you both really sure that I'd...I'd be welcome?", with a concerned look as she absentmindedly rubbed her baby bump, feeling a fluttering motion.
"Trust me, it'll all be good; I trust the man with my life... Steve does, probably even more than me.", Bucky said. "I can confirm.", Audrey added. "And trust me, you and your child will not have any trouble whatsoever.".
Rebecca nodded softly, "Okay...", and so, Bucky went to inform Julia while Audrey went to help pack luggage with Rebecca. Indeed, after the train ride and a long day back to Washington, D.C., Whitmore was so kind to offer a room and all, and at dinner, Rebecca was welcomed warmly by Cookie, Packard, and the visiting Rogers family with Peggy's parents, since Sweet was already on his way to meet and get his folks.
It was a wonderful week and half for Rebecca as she seemed to feel better, eat more food as it was no trouble for Whitmore's chef and all, resting better, and enjoying interactions with the people, and then a night, she, hungry for a snack, had overheard a conversation with Whitmore and Bucky and Audrey, peeking through a door, confused by the conversation yet curious to listen.
Whitmore replied, "You sure you'd want a week to get down to Detroit or Mexico if Manuel is in either place, and get to know the family?", as he was sitting in a chair, facing Bucky and Audrey on the couch.
"I know it sounds a bit long, Whitmore, but I'd at least want my father to come along to Atlantis if he wants to, since he was on the Iceland expedition and all, and perhaps he could help out on Bucky's prosthetic arm with me and the Atlanteans, since it's technically a machine he could understand.", Audrey replied.
Whitmore hummed, "I'd be happy to care for Ms. Rogers in the meanwhile until your return with Manuel in tow, Bucky, as she seems to be blooming like a flower, but she'd be worried for you, Bucky, if you went for Atlantis with the others, are you sure you couldn't tell her the truth?...I know it's the plan, and I'm slightly disappointed that I can't go with you this time, and reunite with Abraham and Thaddeus and be the grandpa or uncle for their twins, but I'd never abandon such a darling woman on her own, especially as she is in the middle of her pregnancy, and she deserves the best maternity care to deliver the child safely.".
"Look; the way I see it, she's already dealing with quite a lot to begin with.", Bucky said, in regard to Rebecca. "And I think the Atlantis stuff would be too much for her. Besides, I don't think she's in much of a state to travel down to the deeps of the Atlantic, especially without a crystal. If she had one, then maybe she'd be fine but...". He shook his head, "Look, she'll know sooner or later, but right now, I think we want to at least keep things... 'somewhat normal' that she's grown up knowing.".
Rebecca narrowed her eyes as she wasn't helpless or fragile as of yet, and she ain't the thirteen-year-old, almost fourteen- year-old he saw before he left for war, she's sixteen, older, and able to take of herself!
She slammed the door open, her hormones firing up, startling the adults as she marched over to Bucky, "James Buchanan Barnes, I ain't 13 years old, and I'm 16 years old, almost an adult, and I can take care of myself! You have been nearly gone for three years in this fucking war, and I can't have you leave me for a trip longer for months if you're right about the timing for this Atlantis...I can't...I'm scared of having this child without you nearby at the door outside, which I hate, with those rules in the house or hospital...I wish you could be able to be by my side, hold my hand...You may not be the father, but you're as close to one to me, next to being my only and best brother...".
Bucky was obviously a bit stunned at the moment; he didn't expect her to be hiding by the door and overhearing everything. And obviously, he couldn't lie or mislead her, she pretty much sort of caught the secret.
"Rebecca...", Bucky whispered as she shook her head and tried to fight the tears in her eyes, "I can't... I can't have you gone again...".
Audrey went to squeeze his good arm gently, "One of us can always have her borrow one of the crystals during the travel underwater until we reach the cave, and if the crystal is sending vibes of her pregnancy in a sense of soundwaves to the Levithan, he then wouldn't dare dream of scaring her into an early birth or anything, Bucky...She really needs you...And besides, we don't know how exactly long it would take to fit the prosthetic, and train with it for safety reasons. After all, you wouldn't want to crush a friend's hand or something.".
Bucky exhaled, finding the logic in his lover's words, and seeing how Rebecca is...He knew that she has been blooming under better care and better food and of course, with him around, and she can handle weekends, even a long week without him if he's visiting Steve and the family at the cottage lately, and with finding Manuel and getting to know Audrey's family in their plans for this week, she'd be okay, but it's true that he's essentially stuck for a long time, since he isn't technically fit for war until he has a prosthetic, and training again...
"I don't think you'll be able to truly keep her from staying now, Barnes...", Whitmore made a small chuckle as Bucky rolled his eyes before glancing back at Rebecca who is finagling her fingers nervously.
Bucky looked straight into her eyes, "As you have clearly overheard, I'll be gone with Audrey this week to find her father and know her family. If you really want to come so badly, you must promise me that you'd eat healthily for your appetite, and sleep well, and take good walks around the gardens or mildly, and I mean, mildly use the gym equipment to keep in strength for your legs and back as the kid will keep growing and the baby weight would throw you off if you aren't strong enough, for all this week until I get back, is that clear?".
Rebecca nodded. "Just try not to be gone too long...", she whispered as Bucky smiled and cupped her cheek. "Wouldn't dream of it... I'm much too scared of you being angry at me...", he laughed.
Rebecca blushed, "Sometimes I wish Mom hadn't told stories about Grandma having a terrifying temper when she goes on the rampage...Apparently, I have her temper, through it's less mild if Cathy and Julia were right...", her temper gone with the breakdown.
Bucky smiled, "Hey, having you fiery and strong makes me feel happy than seeing you sad and moping around. Listen to Whitmore, okay? He may be our friend, but we have to respect our elders, eh?".
Rebecca moved to hug him gently, "I will...", and Audrey glanced at Whitmore with a smile as he nodded with a returning smile. And so, that night, with the Rogers family visiting and Peggy's folks home to spoil and babysit Brookyln, Bucky and Audrey told everyone of the plan, and the surprise of Rebecca going with them, everyone went to share lighthearted stories of Atlantis to Rebecca who was intrigued and awed, and she herself hoped that everyone was right that Atlantis wouldn't care for social norms or such to look down on a young, pregnant, and single girl like her, and went to sleep, with Bucky's necklace on her to get used to it temporarily for protection and such, unknowing, even with the far distance of the Great Kings and Atlantis, that a young Atlantean man by the name of Dazinish aka Dazis, is having his first vision of a clear yet blurry picture of Rebecca, clearly showing that he has a possible mate in her, not definite, but possible, which is still good in a way for him, but he's curious either way why it's not definite.
Meanwhile in Bucky and Audrey's room, Bucky looked at Audrey as he traced shapes on her hip, almost nude in their underwear as it's a warm night, "So, we hit Detroit first, then?".
Audrey smiled, "Yeah. The second shop is in Papi's name on papers and all, being the owner, but he switches between shops sometimes, and he makes sure that good people get jobs at either shop, short-term or long-term.".