Mercury // S. Rogers (Book Six) ✔

Not Again

It's been seven months since the ordeal in Westview. Freya's only heard from Wanda a few times, but Wanda assures her that she's fine and training. Freya's stomach has grown to full term since as well. Her now protruding belly her most prominent feature.

"How are you feeling, Doll?" Steve asks. He walks into the living room with a cup of tea and sits on the couch next to her. She looks up from the parenting book in her hands and smiles.

"Aside from the nausea, I'm good," she chuckles. She takes the tea from him and hums in content when she takes a sip. "Mmm, thank you, Spangles. I needed this."

"Anything for you," Steve smiles. He presses a kiss to her head and rubs her belly fondly. "And how are my kiddos doin'?" He receives two small kicks in response and laughs. "That's my boys."

"Will you get over that whole boy thing," Freya rolls her eyes. "I already told you, it's a boy and a girl. I just know it."

"Well, whatever the genders, I will love them just the same," he smiles lovingly.

"As it should be," Freya boops him on the nose. Making him chuckle. Her face suddenly falls when she thinks of something else. "Have you heard anything from Bucky lately?"

"No," Steve frowns. "Sam has been trying to get a hold of him too, but ever since the government forced him into therapy he's been closed off. And I don't blame him."

"Neither do I," Freya nods. "I just wish we could help him. Or that he'd at least let us."

"He was still struggling with everything even after T'Challa helped him. But maybe this might be good for him," Steve offers.

"I hope so," Freya sighs. She suddenly gasps and holds her stomach. "Oh, ouch."

"What? What's wrong? What is it?" Steve panics.

"Calm down, Spangles," she laughs. "It's noth-" Her eyes widen and she quickly gets up from the couch. Looking down, a dark patch of liquid begins to soak her blue pajama pants. Her wide eyes meet Steve's bulging ones and she lets out a small, nervous chuckle. "My water just broke." In a flash, Steve is rushing around the house.

"Okay, we need to call Pep and Happy, and tell Carol. We need to get the room ready upstairs and-"

"Spangles," Freya smiles. He pauses to stare at her, his breathing heavy. She motions to take in a deep breath, which he does. He finally calmly nods.

"Okay, I'll call Bruce and Nat. You get Pep and Carol."

"On it," Freya smiles. He pulls her to him and presses a kiss to her lips.

"We're having our babies," he smiles tearfully.

"Well, I am," she says playfully, making him snort. "Go, I'll call the others. Oh! Don't forget Clint, Rhodey, Sam and Bucky."

"I got em!" Steve calls back to her as he runs out of the room. She shakes her head with a chuckle and waddles upstairs.

A few hours later, their house is filled with their family and friends aside from Bucky. Who isn't able to attend due to his court-ordered therapy. Sam had been able to catch a private flight out to them. He stands next to a pacing Steve while they listen to Freya's yells of pain from upstairs. Bruce, Pepper, Carol and Natasha are the only ones upstairs with her.

"I hate not being in there," Steve sighs. "Hearing her like that is killing me."

"I know buddy," Sam nods. "But there's nothing you can do right now."

"I know, I know," Steve mumbles.

There's a quick flurry of footsteps from the floor above them before Carol appears at the top of the stairs in her uniform.