Astral Lovers

CHAPTER 20

WARNING

This chapter contains explicit sex scenes.
If you are not comfortable with this topic please don't read.

Enjoy ❤

Lily POV

It's almost time to go.
Steve helped me pack the last few things in the suitcase and now we're getting dressed after giving in to passion for a moment.
We look at each other smiling.
Once dressed Steve approaches me taking my face in his hands.
"I love you" he whispers to me and then gives me a sweet kiss.
He kisses my lips, my cheeks, the tip of my nose.
He leaves dozens of little kisses all over my face.
I giggle amused.
For a moment everything seems perfect.
I am in the arms of the man I love, happy and sexually satisfied as he continues to tickle me with his lips making me laugh heartily.
But it all gets blown away in an instant.
In the time of the blink of an eye, our bubble of joy where we are locked up bursts.
Pop!
So violently to drag me into reality leaving me stunned.
A wave of nausea overwhelms me.
I feel my heart speed up and my head spin.
I rest my head on Steve's big chest and hope he doesn't notice.
He is so happy now.
He is stroking my back with his gentle and caring hands.
I try to breathe deeply with my mouth to prevent any scent in the air from completely triggering my nausea.
Breath in and breath out.
Breath in and breath out.
It seems to work.
The heart slows down its race.
A light knock draws our attention.
Steve lets me go not before kissing me again and pinching my ass.
I gasp hitting him in the arm.
"Steve!" I laugh amused as he goes to the door winking at me.
Once the door is opened Bucky and Natasha enter the room.
"Hey, love" Natasha smiles at me softly, holding me in her arms.
I reciprocate the hug but unfortunately the sweet scent of her, which I have always found wonderful, now hits me like a punch in the stomach.
I continue to hug her by stopping breathing through my nose and taking a couple of deep breaths with my mouth.
"I go to the kitchen to get a bottle of water.I'll be right back” says Steve.
I don't know which gods to thank for this lifeline.
So as soon as Steve walks out the door I push Nat away and run to the bathroom.
Everything happens quickly, I only have time to register the surprised expression on my friend's face.
She surely must be wondering what the hell is wrong with me.
I bend over on my knees in front of the toilet and get my stomach off.
I throw up for a few seconds without stopping, unable to catch my breath.
I can't breathe and my eyes water as I am shattered by the retching.
With my hands I collect my hair, moving it away from my face.
Suddenly a cold and gentle hand begins to caress my back in small circular motions.
Crouched next to me is Bucky.
I turn my eyes in his direction for a moment but another violent gag shakes me, forcing me to turn my attention back to the toilet in front of me.
"Everything is fine.Soon it will be over"
I nod wearily at the words of the former Winter Soldier.
In the room, the only noise present is the disgusting sound of my retching.
Then Bucky's voice sounds light and calm in the air.
"She is pregnant"
I close my eyes squeezing them tightly.
Obviously Bucky is answering to his girl silent question.
I can't hide it from her, not now that she has witnessed this scene.
From the lips of the redhead comes a sob of surprise.
When my stomach seems to have subsided I look up in front of me.
Natasha is watching me, her hands in front of her mouth as if she is trying to contain the surprise.
Her eyes, green like emeralds, are shiny and wide with surprise.
Does she seem…excited?
"I'm sorry Nat" I whimper sliding down until my ass meets the cold floor tiles.
"I'm sorry.I didn't want to cut you off again.I'm sorry I made Bucky lie to you again.I'm sorry” I burst into tears, covering my face with my hands.
I feel devoured by shame.
"I'm a very bad friend.You have every right to hate me” my words are distorted by the tears and the hands pressing on my face.
Bucky's hand continues to leave light caresses on my back trying to calm me down.
Suddenly two more hands close delicately around my wrists, pulling so I can free my face from the grip of my hands.
Nat's face is right in front of mine.
Her eyes, shining and veiled with tears observe me, only for a moment they move on to her life partner, and then immediately return to my person.
"I found out yesterday, in the morning.Bucky helped me and I'm sorry I forced him to cover up my lies"
"It's okay Lily" she smiles sweetly at me.
She lets go my hands and rest hers on my belly.
“I'll have a nephew” she murmurs.
Her eyes seek out Bucky's.
"We will have a nephew" she repeats, looking into his eyes and smiling.
I know what's on in her mind.
Some time ago she confided to me.
She confessed to me that it was not easy for her to accept that she had been deprived of the possibility of becoming a mother.
How she wished she could have given Bucky a child.
But now there is this child.
This child who will receive more love than any other person in the world.
This baby will be the hope of many of us.
I draw Nat into my arms, holding her tightly.
Now that my stomach is free, I feel like I can tolerate her scent a little more.
Then I immediately realize that Steve could return at any moment.
I get up quickly and get dizzy.
Bucky's hands grab me before I can fall.
"Take it easy" he chuckles but as soon as he sees my expression full of panic he immediately turns serious.
"What happens?" he asks me as he lets me go and holds out his hand to Nat to help her lift.
"Steve will be back any moment.Fome back or he might get suspicious if he finds us all in here” I tell Bucky pushing him out of the bathroom.
I go to the sink and quickly brush my teeth and rinse my face.
Nat continues to watch me in silence.
"Didn't you tell Steve?"
She looks incredulous.
I ignore her question as I continue to brush my teeth.
“But you will tell him right?In a few minutes you will go away, you don't have much time left to do it”
What should I answer her?
I continue undeterred in my silence.
“Lily!You can't keep it from him"
"You heard what he said last night right?Steve isn't ready for this baby” I spit through my teeth.
“And what would you like to do, huh?Do you want to escape?Oh my God…is that what you are about to do?Will you use the excuse of your Guardian training to disappear forever?" Natasha accuses me.
She towers behind me, watching me through the mirror and her eyes are filled with anger.
I turn incredulously to my best friend.
"What?Do you really think I can do such a thing?"
“I don't know Lily.I honestly don't know” she replies, letting her arms fall along her body.
Her gaze is now disoriented.
I approach her grabbing her hands.
“I could never do such a thing Nat.Never.You know I could never leave you, you are my family and I love you.And I love Steve more than my own life.I could never deny a father to my baby.You hurt me if you think I'm such a person"
"Sorry, I didn't have to say those things.I've been mean.I'm sorry” Natasha apologizes.
Her shiny eyes are the mirror of mine.
"I'm so scared" I whispered in a low voice.
“Is that why you don't want to tell him?Or because for what he said last night?That doesn't he feel ready?" she asks me softly.
“I can't force him.You heard him yourself.He doesn't feel ready, it's not the time for him"
I interrupt myself when I hear Steve's voice from the other side of the door.
“As soon as I leave, ask Bucky to tell you everything.I explained to him why I can't tell him now.And please...please don't say anything to Steve.I'll do it, I just need more time”
Natasha nods and hugs me.
A hug that is worth a thousand words.
"Ok.Let's go” I sigh grabbing my friend by the hand and leaving the bathroom together.
Steve and Bucky are chatting but as soon as Steve sees me come out of the bathroom he gives me a smile that breaks my heart.
Bucky looks at me sideways, he wants to make sure I'm okay so in response I dedicate a slight smile to him.
“Are you all right, girls?Have you cried?" Steve asks us.
“What do you think Rogers?My best friend will be gone for two months leaving me alone with you two.I have every right to cry" she exclaims pretending to be frightened by the idea.
We all burst out laughing.
The phone in my trouser pocket rings and I grab it.
It's a message from my father.
I read it and a sad sigh escapes my lips.
"What's going on honey?" Steve asks me, putting his arm around my shoulders.
"It's my father.He'll be here in ten minutes”
I detach myself from my boyfriend's body and approach my two best friends.
I hold them in a group hug.
"I will miss you.You too Buck.Even if you are annoying I will miss you” I murmur with a smile even though my cheeks are lined with big tears.
"I'll miss you too witch" he replies.
"Take care of yourself" Nat tells me, pulling away from me and looking into my eyes.
In her eyes there are the rest of the words that she cannot tell me now.
“I will do it Nat”
I will take care of my baby.
"Now we leave you alone" Bucky whispers, holding me in a last hug.
"See you soon" the redhead reassures me before leaving the room.
I just tremble.
Everything is becoming real.
I'll be leaving this place in a few minutes.
I turn slowly, Steve is in front of the large window and he looking at me sadly.
Then he spreads his arms and I run to meet him throwing myself between his strong arms.
I fasten my hands behind his neck and draw him to me by kissing him passionately.
The warmth of his body soothes me, his hands move all over my body and eventually land on my face.
Steve returns the kiss by putting so much fury in it that I feel dizzy.
He kisses me as if he wanted to imprint his mark on my memory and in my skin.
As if to remind myself who I belong to.
As if I could ever forget it.
As if this baby that growing in me wasn't already a sufficient reminder.
Suddenly I feel the urge to tell him.
I want him to know.
I want him to hold me in his arms and tell me that everything will be for the best.
That I, him and the baby will live a wonderful life full of love.
I detach myself from his lips.
His big eyes, clear and limpid like a summer sky, observe me veiled with tears.
"Steve..." I whisper as warm tears escape undeterred from my eyes.
I bite my tongue until I taste my own blood.
I can't.
I can't tell him.
His words ring loud and clear in my head.
I'm not ready.
It is a big responsability.
And so the courage fails.
"Tell me, honey" he urges me.
"I love you Steve.I love you more than anything in this world and I will miss you.I will miss you so much” I tell him instead.
"I will miss you too.Much.
Too much” he whispers and then he gives me another sweet kiss.
An orange flicker catches my attention.
A portal is about to open behind me.
Quickly I take off an earring and pin it on Steve's shirt collar.
He looks at me sweetly.
“These are your mother's earrings.You never get rid of it" he murmurs stroking the earring that is now on his shirt.
“One you and one me.So even if we are far away we will always be united” I reply.
My father's voice resounds behind me.
"Are you ready, darling?"
I turn in his direction and know I'm not a pretty sight.
Dull complexion, red and black-rimmed eyes.
My father's gaze softens.
"Let's go?" he asks me softly.
I nod.
My father grabs my suitcase and takes a step back as if to leave me one last minute of privacy.
“We will see you soon again Lily.I love you” Steve reassures me, holding my face in his big, warm hands.
"I love you too Captain" I smile with a trembling voice.
We exchange one last long and sweet kiss.
The door suddenly opens and an excited Tony enters the room.
"Thanks god!You're still here little Strange!"
After him enter Pepper, Sam and even Dr. Banner.
They are all here to say goodbye to me one last time, despite the fact that we exchanged hugs and greetings last night.
After smiling at everyone I turn and with my father through the portal that will take us to the Sanctuary.
My father and Steve are staring intently.
Then the portal closes, depriving me of the sight of the most important man in my life.
“I'm sorry Lily”
“It's okay dad.Could I go to the bathroom for a moment before we go?I need a minute to recover” I ask shyly.
"Of course!Go ahead and take your time”
I walk away from him and reach the bathroom.
Once inside, I put my back to the door and let myself go until I feel the cold marble floor beneath me.
I've spent so much time worrying about hiding my pregnancy from Steve that I've forgotten another equally important thing.
How the hell am I gonna keep it from my dad?
After all, he's a doctor, he might even notice.
Damn!
I take a deep breath and stand up.
I approach the mirror positioned above the sink.
My reflection is dull, inanimate.
I have to recover.
I have to be fine.
I have to do this for my baby!
I am Elisabeth Strange and nothing and no one can stop me.
I straighten my shoulders and charged with a new and unexpected strength I head towards my father who opens a portal when he sees me coming.
The portal that will take us straight to China.
Straight to my destiny.
"Are you ready?" my father asks me, giving me a smile full of pride.
I won't let you down dad.
I look up.
I won't let you down mom.
Then I look my father in the eye and firmly answer "I was born ready"
And so we cross the portal.
A new chapter in my life is about to begin.