Sweet nodded softly, and with a slow, deep breath, with focus in his eyes, he went to gently, steadily, and firmly jabbed the needle of the syringe, at an angle, deep through the belly flesh, muscle, and into the womb as Peggy held both Steve and Bucky's hands tightly, gritting her teeth as she kept still as possible.
Sweet looked through his eyes of the crystal's map, as he reached the water bag, and seeing that the baby is far on the other side, safe, he pierced the water bag gently as he knew the needle, the whole syringe was in the healing water, and as he made past the membrane of the water bag, he slowly pushed the syringe pressure, releasing everything of the herbs, the crystal love of Steve and Peggy, and the warm healing water.
After a few minutes, the syringe was empty, and he gently left the water bag, seeing something happening as the healing water glowed stronger yet gentle enough, coming upon the cord, the baby, and seeming to seem into the water bag, to the placenta, and the womb.
He slowly pulled the syringe out of the womb, back out through muscle and flesh, healing the injection points all the way, leaving flawless skin as he left the belly, resting the syringe back in the bowl, as he listened and watched.
The herbs seemed into the cord, into the baby, welcoming the brain booster, the development of the body, and immunity as the cord healed from all the bruises, with the baby growing bigger and heavier, opening its eyes, exploring around as it seemed to realize the healing water as it made the water bag stronger and nearly indestructible to handle the baby's young super-strength, and the placenta even more nutritious to help food flow through the cord to the baby, and somehow with the love of the parents doubled into the healing water, they felt it all, and started to cry happily, which is a non-vocal sound in the womb, becoming soft hiccups.
Peggy gasped as her baby bump became a bit bigger, almost becoming a curve, feeling soft kicks, "Is that...Are they okay?", tears falling, and Sweet chuckled, "They are out of the danger zone, heck, about a month free of it, apparently, they are stubborn and determined like their parents, and they're not quite kicking yet for real, as they are actually having hiccups which is normal, probably thanks to all the excitement. They are surprisingly a tad bigger than usual for a 4-month-old baby, though they look like they might hold that weight and size for some time before growing some more later on, considering that they're technically half Atlantean super soldier.", taking off his crystal, taking the earpieces out, smiling warmly, "And their heartbeat's strong and healthy...", giving the earpieces to Peggy, knowing that she needs proof, not that she is already seeing proof, but she needs to hear it too.
Peggy took a deep sigh of relief hearing that as she started to tear up. They had done it at least... she had a baby and hopefully there would be little in the way of complications now... hopefully, she and Steve would be able to have it.
"We... we're going to be parents, Peggy...", Steve whispered as he teared up a bit as well. Peggy smiled, kissing his cheek as she took the earpieces of the stethoscope in, and gasped in joy as she heard the fast, strong heartbeat of her baby, now sobbing lightly, "Steve, listen...", giving one of the earpieces to him.
Steve took it in, and his eyes widened as he heard the heartbeat, "Oh, they're strong and healthy...We're parents...We're not exactly having the baby yet to hold in our arms, but we're actually parents!", with a laugh, as Peggy whispered, tears falling, "Yes, we are, Steve...They're like you...Determined...", as she stroked her baby bump, feeling something press against her.
"Oh, baby, are you trying to hug me? You're sorry that you were hurting me, baby...", Peggy spoke softly, and they heard the heartbeat humming as Steve chuckled, "And they're just like you too...Got their brilliant smarts from their mother...", with a smile.
Bucky laughed, "Way to go, guys! You really are glowing like a mama, Peggy! Right, Audrey?", smiling at Audrey who is crying happily, "Oh, Audrey, are you crying in joy?", squeezing her hand gently.
"Sorry...", Audrey wiped her face. "Just... after what happened last time; it was so painful to even be a part of it... hearing how things are hopefully going to be okay now... just got to me.".
Bucky got up from his seat to hug Audrey warmly, kissing her on the forehead, "Everything's going to be okay, Audrey.", and Sweet nodded, "That's right. With proper care of yourself, Peggy, the baby's going to be fine, and the water bag, everything, it's going to stand every little milestone the baby will do, just extra stronger in Atlantean energy from the healing it gave the baby and the entire womb. All the same, if I'm going to be your doctor in a way to check the progress, would you want me to check once or twice per week between being on missions with the boys, if you are still anxious, even when I told you that the baby is well out of the danger zone for miscarriages?".
"Very much so...", Peggy said. "I'll take every precaution that needs to be done and every check out to make sure this little one makes it... I don't want to go through that pain again...".
Sweet nodded, "Understood. Well, Audrey, Bucky, why don't we go out, and leave the lovebirds alone? And oh, it's okay that you can have my stethoscope. Just bring it back to me when it's time for a mission, Steve.".
Steve smiled, "Will do, Sweet.", as Audrey and Bucky smiled, leaving the barrack tent, and Sweet smiled, getting up, taking out their crystals from the bowl to them, and took the bowl, the syringe, and his doctor bag, and winked, "And oh, lovemaking is fine as long as you aren't doing it too rough, you two.".
They blushed as Sweet left the tent, and Steve stroked Peggy's baby bump as they kept listening to the heartbeat, "You are even more beautiful with a true baby bump, Peggy...I can't believe that I'm a father...a father to a baby who is making beautiful music with their heartbeat...Do you think they're tired now from all the excitement?", with a smile.
"Probably...", Peggy said. "I mean, I certainly hope so after all the worry and stress we all went through... I swear, that's going to show up sooner or later with this child...".
"The stress, you mean?", Steve chuckled as she nodded, "Yeah, even if they have quite a lot of your genes...".
Steve smiled sheepishly, "At least they're having your genes too. And you heard Sweet. The womb and everything are tripled in strength and flexibility and all to help an active baby if they are going to show you that they are fine by kicking and moving around within time.".
Peggy chuckled, "True, and I suppose I'm lucky that I don't have the aches and such yet, but I think the morning sickness is lingering around, though not as strong as before, yet still.".
"And cravings?", Steve asked softly, and Peggy hummed thoughtfully, "You know what? I think I better see if I do have cravings, that is, if you don't mind spending a dinner date with me later after taking a nap and all...After all, it's Easter Sunday today, and all the restaurants in town are mostly empty thanks to folks having their own food to celebrate Jesus's resurrection.", as she smiled, resting her head on Steve's shoulder, listening to her baby's heartbeat as it seemed to slow slightly, almost like the baby's falling asleep, yet still strong in beating.
"I'm sure we can find something...", Sweet smiled. "Though, don't be upset if what we have for our dinner date is nothing but stale army rations from the mess hall.".
Peggy giggled softly, "This baby survived on army rations for the past few months...I'll manage, and I'm keeping positive that the baby will too.", before yawning softly, and Steve smiled, wrapping his other arm around her, "Rest, Peggy...It's not just the baby that got tired from all the excitement...I love you, my amazing wife...", kissing her on the lips.
"You're my incredible husband too, Steve...", Peggy smiled before closing her eyes to the lullaby of the baby's heartbeat through the stethoscope as she shuffled lower and easier on the bed, curling into Steve's side.
Steve stroked her baby bump as he kept listening, smiling as he watched her sleep, knowing that once she will wake up, she will see that it wasn't a dream or a nightmare, but rather real, and that Sweet saved their baby...
Steve chuckled softly, figuring that Nola will be proud of him once she hears the story later on when Sweet gets down there after checking up on things for the gang and all.
Indeed, over the next several weeks, with one or two times checking on the baby and their progress, the couple was relieved to realize the milestones of the baby, as Peggy slowly became to show more obviously yet subtly hiding so well, since the base was blind, being busy and all with missions for the Howling Commandos, but there was another who knew Peggy well, thanks to having her as the advocate to the SSR and all.
Peggy knocked on the door, "General, you wished to see me?", as she is dressed considerably to hide the bump and all. "Ah, yes, I do, Carter. Please close the door.", Phillips nodded, and Peggy closed the door tightly.
"Is it a private matter about Hydra, sir?", Peggy asked, and Phillips shook his head, "No. And please take a seat. I know you are strong, but you must be tired on your feet from carrying all that baby weight.".
"Guess word has been spreading around a bit...", Peggy blushed as Phillips chuckled, "Well, was getting harder for you to hide it.". Peggy gave a small nod in agreement as she took a deep breath. "Anyway, what's the issue?", she asked him.
Phillips looked at her, "I know how determined you are, Rogers, so do not argue with me once I am finished, understand?", and Peggy blinked before nodding, and Phillips then replied, "With your condition showing, the base are putting two and two together, and I'm afraid that the rumors of you ...ah, how could I put this nicely without the kid overhearing even from their cozy home?...that you have taken advantage of Rogers since you have been called Carter for your job and such all this time, and that Rogers had taken advantage of a widow since he is technically hiding his ring under his glove on his missions and such...".
Peggy widened her eyes as Phillips exhaled, "So, it's best to lay debris on those rumors if you reveal that you have been already married to each other, and that Steve has to show his ring around any base now, since the kid is stirring those rumors, which I ain't blaming the fault on, honest.".
"I...I see...So, you want us to announce at the mess hall or something to set things right and stop gossipers talking?", Peggy exhaled as she asked, and Phillips nodded, "That's what I was thinking...Now, here's the hardest part, and please do not stress yourself too far if you are to argue back at me...It's far too dangerous to fly if you are very much along in your condition, but since you're somewhat in the middle of your pregnancy right now, you are ordered to fly home back to Britain in a week as I'm working on arrangements without the Axis noticing and such, even if France has been liberated most everywhere, with people delegating campaign missions to rescue prisoners and destroy Hydra/Nazis bases in Italy as of late, thanks to Captain America and the Howling Commandos' victory.".
"Honestly feels like the war is almost over...", Peggy said as Phillips sighed.
"Almost seems like it, but we're still bogged down at the gates of Germany itself, barely hanging on to what we've liberated though thanks to control of ports as well as influx of new units, we'll end up outnumbering the Germans. Plus, they're cracking on the Eastern front and the Italians have ousted Mussolini and now the Germans have to spread their reserves to hold what they can in Italy as well as what the Italians left from their occupation in the Baltics. Still, all that means is HYDRA's going to be more dangerous as they'll probably nab more and more resources as the Reich gets desperate.", Phillips explained.
Peggy connected the dots, "And you think Hydra would kidnap me and all if the rumors aren't stopped, as soldiers and all practically know that Captain America can't be just a captain, but also a soldier named Steven Rogers...And Hydra would know sooner or later, if not already since the victory over the factory and all...", instinctually and protectively holding a hand over her baby bump.
"Partially, yeah... but it's also all the stuff we've been finding. If HYDRA can get what they're working on actually functioning and in large enough quantities; they could turn the war right back around in the Nazis favor.", Phillips explained.
Peggy exhaled, remembering Audrey's words about Steve being a mother hen in a way if he sees her staying in Toulouse Base much longer than necessary, being in danger of being plucked in town and all, and sure, she really wanted to help Steve easier here, but if being in the London base keeps her safe and far away from Hydra, with all of liberated France in the way, and of course, the English Channel, and still doing things in a way to help Steve and the others, and she couldn't feel alone essentially as she has her baby to keep her company, and of course, her parents to visit when Steve is on his missions. She would be furious if it was just her, forced to go to England, but for her baby, everything changes...
She looked at Phillips directly, "I won't argue against you, General...Am I grounded from doing reports and the progress of the missions physically on the London base when I get back to Britain?", and Phillips shook his head, "No, not yet until you are heavily along, like 7 months or so, and then you are grounded to your house apartment, and you are only allowed to decipher morse code papers and some paperwork, less physical work so you couldn't stress the kid out, though I know you must keep fit to have strength for the big day, so I will allow you a walk for outside every day, but supervised by your parents or Steve, or the others, is that clear?".
Peggy nodded, "I understand. It's understandable...". She then rubbed her belly, "Not exactly like we were truly planning this sort of thing; at least the first time around. After... well, you know... then Steve and I really tried to hopefully get things to go right the next time around. At least in this case, it did.".
Phillips sighed, nodding, "And I'm very relieved it did...I hate to see such a great and respectful and honorable woman like you looking lifeless that week...I ain't much of a religious person compared to any other people, but I actually prayed for you, you know.".
Peggy gave a sincere, surprised smile, "Thank you, General...", and Phillips smiled before clearing his throat, "You and Steve better get to clear the rumors before they get worse by today or soon before you fly out at the end of the week. Sweet will go with you both for company and safety reasons for the kid if they ain't taking good to the flight. And don't worry, I will have Steve and Barnes and the others on a simple mission for a while without needing Sweet, and after checking if the kid is doing alright then, Sweet will come back here, and after a couple of days for the rest of the cargo plane pilots, Steve will then visit you for the weekend then or after the first week of next month.".
"Thank you very much, sir...", Peggy sighed. "I know that I'm probably getting a lot of favoritism here with all this...", with a small, sheepish smile. "I'd say you've earned it. Besides, not like this group of ours is fairly conventional in the first place.", Phillips chuckled.
Peggy nodded with a chuckle, "True.", and Phillips replied, "You are dismissed.", as Peggy got up from her seat, saluting him, and then left his office, opening the door.
So, after talking with Steve, and hearing Phillips' points from Peggy, Steve agreed, and so in the mess hall during lunchtime, all the soldiers who were there, on shifting schedules of lunchtime with patrols and all, had gotten the law laid into them, and rumors were squandered hard when they witnessed a hardcore, viciously protective, and loving couple of Steve and Peggy Rogers, with their rings on show, and glaring at anyone who dares to be even suspicious of the baby.
Not wanting a vengeful, hormonal and scary woman or even the usually polite-mannered and brave and strong captain on their backs, they agreed to keep a lid on the rumors around Captain America while betting secretly on the gender of the baby, even winning bets on the theory that they were right that Captain America was actually Peggy's husband secretly.