Helping Ellis

15. Onwards

They were sitting drinking a cup of tea which Ellis had since she found out she was pregnant had discovered she didn't mind so much, making lists of the things a baby would need. Because she had decided not to ask she didn't know whether it was a boy or girl so they were planning a neutral nursery. As they discussed terry or disposable nappies when they heard the banging on the door and she knew with dread it was Loki.
"Bedroom" Barnes ordered sending a text to Rogers and Eliss slipped into the bedroom, she paused for a moment and looked at Bucky
"Be careful" she pleaded, resting a hand on his chest for comfort. Then reluctantly she closed the door behind her leaning against it sighing. Part of her still wanted Lokis attentions but she knew she needed to get completely over him if she was ever to be happy again. Taking a deep breath she waited resting her head against the wood.

Barnes waited until there was another flurry of banging. Slowly he opened the door and leaned on the frame effectively blocking the door way.
"Where is she?" Loki demanded harshly scowling at the smug looking human. "I know about the baby"
"My baby" Barnes informed him mildly, staring him straight in the eyes. Growling Loki tried to enter the apartment but couldn't get past Barnes.
"Bucky" Ellis soft voice spoke from behind them and the two men immediately stopped struggling. Instantly Barnes moved to her side,  his face showing his concern. As she smiled softly at him before turning her attention to Loki. Ellis moved her head to one side as she stood beside him staring at Loki.
"What do you want Loki?" She asked flatly. Considering the last time they had spoken she had literally been on her knees begging him not to leave her, her composure shocked him. The way hwr hand rested on Barney for comfort was devastating. Her eyes had never seemed so sad.
Swallowing Loki searched her face hoping for some sign she was still his.
"I heard about" Loki motioned towards her stomach. "It didn't take you long" he began with a sneer.
"And how is that any business of yours?" She interrupted harshly. "Go away Loki. This is nothing to do with you."
"Really Pet are you telling me you don't desire me anymore?"
He smirked. Ellis sighed laying a hand on the tensing man beside hers arm  and spoke.
"You made your choice Loki and that wasn't me. I will never be anyones second choice. If you had really loved me you wouldn't have behaved the way you did. Now if you'll excuse us the doctor told us today I need to rest more so goodbye Loki. Don't come back." she motioned towards the door and walked silently back to her bedroom and softly shut the door having nothing left to say. Barney silently followed her leaving Loki alone staring at their door.

"What did you expect man?"
Barton sighed as he placed a glass of whiskey in front of the devastated God. Shaking his head Loki realised he had really thought Elis would welcome him back with open arms. When Breeze her half sister had sat him down and patted his hand to tell him he was really lovely but needed to let her go, he was she said, boring. Who in their right minds read so much or wanted to stay home all the time?  he had then watched the bewitching woman climb into the limousine of the man she had met the previous evening hwr eyes dancing for him, he had realised what an idiot he had been. Breeze had simply used him, mainly he realised to annoy her sister and destroy her happiness. He had planned to get on his knees and beg Ellis to take him back believing for certain she would but now it seemed he had lost everything. Tony had very coldly pointed out that he knew when her husband had done something similar she had immediately divorced him and moved on not looking back. Pop He also suggested he go back to Asgard or find a new home as he wasn't welcome at the Tower after the termoil he had caused.

Ellis sat in the rocking chair the tiny sleeping baby in her arms feeling at peace and content for the first time in a long time. Humming gently as she watched the two men trying to build the crib. Once they went for their daily run she would sort out the mess and rebuild it. Steve was convinced Baby Barnes was a minature of Bucky and Ellis admitted he did look like his Daddy.

Bucky had moved from the sofa into her bed and they were exploring their relationship. What ever it was between them it wasn't as fierce as what she had felt with Loki but it was stronger she knew he wouldn't cheat on her or lie to her. He also made her happy, just being near him made her heart beat faster. She couldn't say she loved him yet but he was the father of her tiny boy so how could she not?

"We burned so bright" Loki murmured as Ellis walked with the pram through the busy Brooklyn park in the sunshine, Dennis trotting beside them, no one was getting near that baby while he was on duty. As he watched her, Bucky ran through the park passing her and causing her to laugh as he waved at her, followed by Steve Rogers. Who yelled "on your left" making her laugh even harder. They had taken to making this their running track and as far as he could see they were happy. He didn't like the fact that her eyes lit up and she smiled softly when she saw Barnes running towards her. They were not as in love as he and Eliss had been but, sighing he realised for the first time he thought of their love as in the past and his heart broke at the idea she was now waking up in someone else's bed, sharing her intimate thoughts with Barnes and he was holding her at night, making her gasp his name softly. Hanging his head he wandered away unaware that Ellis had seen him and realised that he just wasn't important to her anymore. Shaking the her head slightly as she reached the parks café she pointed out Bucky to the baby and clapped as he ran past smiling simply ignoring her ex as her future was sitting on her lap and running past her.
"On your left" she called grinning her eyes only looking for Bucky as he and Steve joined her at the table. Loki paused to look back but turned away unable to watch as Barnes leaned in to kiss her and he heard her say "hello love" tenderly, their baby sat in her lap squealing in delight and a broad smile on her face as she looked up at Barnes adoringly touching his face.