Finding Love in France (Alternate Version)

Part 28: Keeping Secrets

Mila woke up in the infirmary, her abdomen on fire. She looked down and saw Bucky asleep on a chair at the foot of the bed. She tried to get out of bed but was so dizzy she almost fell over. What the hell was happening? Her head felt strange from pain killers. She climbed back into bed and started crying uncontrollably.

Bucky woke up and ran over to her. He was afraid to hurt her, but he put his arms around her and she cried into his shoulder. She was sobbing. He had no idea what happened, but was relieved she was awake.

The same older doctor who had given her the news the first day walked into the room. "Is this him?"

Mila's head snapped up, eyes popping out of her head. "No! What is going on? Appendicitis?"

The doctor cleared his throat and motioned towards Bucky. "Should we ask him to leave?"

Bucky piped up. "I'm not going anywhere, Doctor." He looked back at Mila. "Is that okay? Whatever's going on, I want to help...you shouldn't be alone."

Mila looked at him and nodded. "What is this?"

"Miscarriage, Dr. Abrams. You're lucky enough that someone found you or you might have bled out. We did a D&C to stop the hemorrhaging. You should still be able to have children, but I'd wait a while before trying. I want you to stay here for a bit so we can keep an eye on you, is that reasonable, ma'am?" The older man looked sympathetic.

"Yes, quite. Would you please let Mr. Stark know that I am alright? Thank you, sir." Mila looked down at her lap. Once the doctor left the room, she started crying again. "I can explain..."

Bucky was trying to think of something to say, but was blank. He just put his arms around her again.

"Please do not tell Steve." She cried into his chest. "He doesn't know...I couldn't do that to him...he belongs with Peggy..."

Bucky sighed. "How long were you two together?" He knew something was up with them.

"A couple of weeks?...but his heart belongs to her. I know, I was so stupid..." she cried. "I thought I could keep it a secret...I thought it would be okay, if the war ended and I could hide in the lab..." she looked up at him, bracing herself for what he might say.

"It's okay, Mils..." he kissed her forehead. "You're okay, that's all that matters." He rubbed her back. "It's not my place to say anything."

"Thank you, James. Thank you, thank you, thank you..." she held onto him for dear life.

"This is not exactly how I thought I'd get my arms around you, but I'll take it." He chuckled.

He had started calling her 'Mils' a few weeks ago, when she took offense to him calling her 'doll', and she wasn't sure if she liked it. Today, it was everything. "Thank you for staying with me...you are wonderful, do you know that?"

"I'm trying my best..." he kissed her head. "I think you're amazing, Dr. Mila Abrams, and your secrets are safe with me."