She giggled as she felt some bouncing motions, "You like bubbles, huh? Well, I don't blame you, little one. All children love bubbles. I used to love bubble baths, and I think your father did too...Through I believe that boys seem to enjoy baths better if there are bubbles after getting into messes like mud and such, and girls behave better in baths if the bubbles smell nice.".
A little pensive kick answered her, and she smiled, "Oh, you don't know what you are, little one? That's easy...If there's nothing between your adorable legs, you're a girl, but if there's a little something between them, you're a boy. One kick for girl, two kicks for boy.".
There was no response for a few moments before she felt a softer kick; it felt more like it was just simple moving rather than a response. "Hmm... maybe still a bit too soon for them to tell.", Kida said, "Maybe another month or so and you should know better... but either way, I certainly think you'll be a smart one.", she chuckled. "More than likely just like your father...".
An eager kick came, and she laughed warmly, "I don't blame you, darling. I adore your father for his brains, not his brawn. Well, enough of the water for now. I'm starting to wrinkle up.", before heading out of the water, and exhaled, "Oof, well, you were certainly lighter back there in the water...", stroking her baby bump, and then heard the faint rumble of a Ketak, looking up to see and smile, "Your father's back with quite a few bags of food.".
Milo landed the Ketak carefully and looked over to see Kida standing up with a smile, glowing beautifully, even with droplets of water on her, and he pushed the urge back to grab Kida and ravish her as he got off, smiling as he held bags of food, "Room service, your majesties!", walking up to his wife and kiss her on the lips while stroking her baby bump.
"Why, thank you, your majesty.", Kida giggled, teasing right back as they took to sit again in their spot, and went to happily eat as there was continuous kicking, and Milo chuckled, "They're sure impatient like you are sometimes, my love, eh? Relax, kiddo, your mother's eating, and there will be food on the way to you via the cord.".
Kida smiled, "I think they will be a lot like you, while being like me somewhat...", and Milo smiled, "You know what, I wouldn't mind that...So, did you ask them if they know what they are?".
"I did, and nothing. I think it's still a bit early yet to really know.", Kida replied, and Milo raised an eyebrow, "Really? Rachel and Klaus were clearly announcing themselves properly, and they knew what they are, and they are five months like this one. Baby, do you really know what you are, and you are keeping it a surprise for us?".
An eager and strong kick replied to his question, and Kida widened her eyes, gasping and playfully glaring at the baby bump, "You little sneak! I swear, you are a prankster like Sia, and smart like your father!".
"Now I'm going to worry about them...", Milo admitted. "Being that sneaky, I dread what they'll be like when they get older.".
"Probably a good idea to quickly get them under control as soon as we can, less that we end up having a real renegade on our hands.", Kida teased.
Milo laughed warmly, "True, through maybe having a few other friends in Korbyn, Rachel and Klaus, it would help rein them in.", and Kida chuckled, "That's a very good point...Still, they will know that they are loved greatly...", smiling as she kissed a couple of fingers and stroked her baby bump.
"Couldn't agree more, Kida...", Milo smiled tenderly as he kissed her on the cheek, and then kissed the baby bump as the baby is now quieting down as food is now in the cord, feeding it, and the couple chuckled as Kida replied, "Now we are having a peaceful breakfast...I wonder if the others on the surface are doing alright...".
Milo smiles, "They got each other's backs, I am sure they will be fine...Sure, we will think about them every day, through Sia will have it worse about Jacques, but she will have us to support her and the boys...".
Kida nodded, "You're right, my beloved husband...Everything will be alright.", and so, the small family ate, and after getting dressed herself, Kida was helped into the Ketak, protected within Milo's arms, as they went home to the palace.
Soon, the palace was knowing about the new advance of the newfound family, and Sia was happy for her sister and brother-in-law, with Nola soon telling them that the baby is still to be born long after Abraham gives birth to Klaus and Rachel, for Kida has 11 months still, making her only two months after Abraham's time to give birth in whereabouts.
Kida was glad that it's more of a mix of a surface and Atlantean pregnancy, as it is counted as 16 months for her while it was supposed to be 18 months, but Nola reassures them that the baby's strong for it.
Meanwhile, Steve Rogers and Preston Whitmore are finally let into the White House, ready for the private meeting with President Roosevelt and Stimson, actually heading for the Oval Office much to their surprise.
"How are you feeling?", Preston asked Steve as he took a deep breath, "Nervous. I mean, I guess it's easy for you, you've been here before, you've met so many in Washington's circles that the nerves are pretty much at ease from now on...".
Preston chuckled, "Some things are plain if you know what you look for, and things are easy then, but there's still a bit of nervousness for me compared to you. After all, our situation is far different than a depression or politics, or even building up a foundation.".
"Right, basically trying to keep half the US Navy from being sent out and trying to take every last thing from Atlantis. I mean, we could end this war in less than a month or two if we could have a whole massive fleet of the Ketaks and the technology they have on them. War Department's not going to be happy about that one.", Steve said.
"Yes, but we could easily make the excuse that the further they are from the Heart or something, the more they perhaps lose their power and become worthless. Then it's placing the burden of willing to wipe out the remaining Atlanteans for something that might take years or even decades to solve. The war, God willing, would probably be long over by then.", Preston told him.
Steve nodded, "Much agreed on that, and especially with the fact that we cannot put stress on Kida and the others, especially Abraham...I ain't going to let any bigots make my father figure miscarry and all in harm's way.", with a glint of determination, "And I have a feeling that Jacques would agree with me, as Korbyn is barely starting his life, and he can't be cut short...".
"We'll figure it all out, I promise. Let's just hope at least things stay calm for the meeting.", Preston said before a staffer motioned them to follow him towards the Oval Office. Preston and Steve sat down where Stimson was already waiting for them. Nothing was said for a few minutes until Roosevelt was rolled into the room and placed behind his desk before the meeting began.
"Well then...", Stimson spoke up. "Sergeant Rogers; I know you weren't at our previous meeting when we set this whole expedition but I'm sure Mr. Whitmore quickly filled you in on everything.". Steve nodded. "Very well then.".
"I just want to say, sir...", Steve briefly interrupted. "I volunteered to take leadership of the group after, well, I'm sure you've already seen our after-action report on the whole thing.".
"Yes, very much so. Lost much of the task force near the start of the journey from the infamous Leviathan.", Stimson cleared his throat.
"It also appeared to get a few U-Boats that were a bit close: if that's any consideration. But in terms of the Leviathan itself, it very much is on its own and I doubt we'll be able to do anything with it; except for wasting the lives of so many more sailors in a foolish attempt to try and capture it. Best course of action, in my opinion, is to just leave it alone and stay away from its territory.", Steve clearly said.
Roosevelt replied clearly, "I see, and it's true when you shed light on the seafloor, there were centuries of shipwrecks and such, yes?", and Steve responded, "Yes, sir. The infamous Levithan is truly a beast. It is clear that the territory wouldn't dare been touched by U-Boats in reach at all with the Leviathan on the prowl. We were lucky ourselves, but we were deeply affected by the great loss it brought, and the journey wasn't easy either...You have received the lost souls' names on list, sir?".
Stimson nodded, "Yes, and the story we've given the families should be satisfactory. Part of a special operation in the European theater of engagement and was intercepted by German forces; almost all lost at sea. Should at least keep any questions from truly being raised, especially considering the lack of remains to bring back.".
"It's a pity that the families won't receive their loved ones; but not like there was much that clearly could be done.", Preston said. "Exactly; we had no idea the Leviathan was real... or a machine... or able to last all these years.", Steve added.
"Yes... now then, from the report; the journey was mostly without real incident with the remaining survivors expect for one incident with some sort of worm like creature that took out a whole squad.", Stimson continued.
"With the report and all, we think that perhaps Rourke was trying to reduce our numbers as best as he could without looking too suspicious. He just got lucky that some men encountered the monster.", Steve said.
"I knew Butler was telling the truth about the whole fascist plot that had secretly been drawn out when I first took office...", Roosevelt sighed. "But I never suspected that Rourke was a part of it. Was originally planned to be appointed in your position, Henry, if it had gone through.".
"Not to mention Helga turning out to be a Nazi agent herself. Shook me to my core practically learning that. I never suspected a thing from her.", Preston said.
Stimson sighed deeply, "It's a disappointment to America that we are not as strict on double checking migrants and such...", and Roosevelt replied, "Do not be worried, Henry. I am sad to put more pressure on the migration points, but we do need to be changing our routines better, if we must keep America safe from any more Nazi agents...I will talk more of this with you later, but right now, I am curious to keep listening to this young man here. Mr. Rogers, please continue.".
"Thank you, sir.", Steve nodded as he continued. "Aside from that incident, everything else was a fairly quiet journey until we reached the end of the journey; according to Milo Thatch where we camped out. But our camp was beset by these firefly-like creatures that ignited much of our tents and in a rush to get away, we lost most of our remaining equipment and lost a few more men.". Steve then glanced over to Preston as this was very much part of the story where things would get a bit blurred with the whole truth.
"Erskine got separated from us for a little bit, but we managed to reunite at what pretty much could be described as the outer edges of Atlantis itself. It... there's no doubt about it; it very much is like the Amazon in a way but even more magnificent.", Steve said. "And then of course, we encountered the Atlanteans.".
"Now, this... this wasn't a mistake or anything, there were actually still people there... after all these thousands of years?", Roosevelt asked.
Steve nodded firmly, "Yes, sir. And they were on the brink of survival, for the people was slowly dying, their culture wearing away like a stone by the sea, yet they fought to survive, and it's not a democracy, sir, but rather a kingdom, even if it's a crumbling, ancient place of ruins. The King, bless his soul, was blind and old, but he was strong and stubborn, and if it wasn't for the leaders of the scouting band of Atlanteans, the princesses themselves, they could never have convinced him to listen to Erskine. ".
"We should have seen it, but Rourke was inwardly pissed off that, excuse me, sirs, for us to realize that Erskine pointed out that it was technically his fault to be in charge of the group even with Milo Thatch's involvement, which was rather a sign that we should have realized that something was off with Rourke and Helga in the first place, but we were too excited and anxious to literally meet the royals, even if they were the remaining last ones of the royal family of the city.", Steve sighed softly.
"It's alright.", Roosevelt assured him. "No way anyone could've known that. He made very sure that no one would ever doubt his loyalty.".
"Yeah, well, he and Helga obviously returned to the volcano where we had set up our final base camp and slaughtered the remaining troops that we had with us before they got into contract with HYDRA forces. All the while we were distracted with the Atlanteans...", Steve sighed.
Stimson replied, "I could not blame you nor your team when the King gave you a day, as you thought you didn't have the time to fully know the kingdom...You said that there were two princesses?".
Steve nodded, "Yes, sir. They took up different tours of such, with I, Agent Carter, Milo Thatch guided by the eldest princess, while the younger princess guided Jacques Dernier, Erskine, and a couple of others.", not daring to mention Vinny as he was literally a stowaway on the ship and on the journey, and of course, Thaddeus Thatch, as Roosevelt and Stimpson and the Smithsonian was on the mindscape that he is dead, and Steve wanted to protect Thaddeus as he's young again, alive, and married to Abraham Thatch, formerly Erskine, which is forbidden up here and all.
And of course, he ain't going to bring up the obvious, embarrassing part of him basically distracted with Peggy as that was extremely personal. "I see.", Stimson nodded.
"Yes; eventually the eldest, took Milo away from us, as she had him read off inscriptions. He apparently was the only one that could read their own language now as they had forgotten over the years since the Great Flood. It was thanks to that knowledge that helped us in the end because while we were still looking around the ruins that the people lived amongst, Rourke and Helga returned as the forward guard of an entire platoon of HYDRA stormtroopers.", Steve said.
"How did they get down there again?", Roosevelt asked.
"Our original escape route was through the top of the volcano that we had made camp in; as it turns out, it would've led us to a small island in the Azores chain. It's honestly a bit unbelievable to think that they weren't too far below the surface, but I digress. They got in touch using our radio equipment to contact a large HYDRA zeppelin that blew the top of the volcano and lowered down into the chamber before offloading their troops and pretty much taking us all hostage.", Steve answered.
Stimson then asked, "What happened next?", and Steve took a deep breath, "The King was determined to protect his city, his people, but his walls fell down when Helga and Rourke threatened to kill the princesses, right in the throne room after Rourke had his people damage the palace further with stealing a bit of Jacques Dernier's explosives. The King was trying to stall, only saying hints and angry words, and then Helga shot the King to the point of dying from internal bleeding and all later on, despite Dr. Joshua Sweet and Erskine's help with all they could've...", with a sigh.
Roosevelt shook his head, "The evils are the same even in an underground world...I would've similarly done the same if my children was in danger...I suspect Rourke and Helga didn't stop then...".
"You are right, sir...They never cared, and the princesses themselves were horrified, in grief, yet to our shock, they never blamed us as we technically led Rourke and Helga here, and they were enraged at them...Then Milo Thatch, he was forced to help, along with the eldest princess as she was the heir of the throne...Apparently, the source of Atlantis, which I was told that Erskine was hoping to use to help his equipment out to give me a booster in health and such, wasn't some sort of gasoline like our world, or even biofuel...", Steve reported.
"It was a sort of strange electrical crystal technology that I wouldn't even begin to try and understand.", Steve told them, as he wasn't wrong; even the King couldn't truly explain the Heart. "It, in a way, was the heart of Atlantis and was helping it keep going despite everything over the millenniums. And of course, Rourke and Helga took it, and basically would doom the Atlanteans without it.".
