It started out as two free weeks in a Lake Tahoe cabin. All Bucky Barnes had to do was fix up a few things for the owner, an employee at the Avengers compound who inherited it from his parents. The owner even threw in free groceries for the durati...
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This was an emotional chapter to write and may trigger some strong emotions in the reader. Only six more chapters after this one. I hope you like it enough to vote and comment.
The results of the genetic testing done on Rebecca and Billy confirmed what they already suspected. Rebecca, although not a recipient of the super soldier serum did inherit other qualities from both Bucky and Julia that together made her a unique individual. Her fearlessness, although not unlimited, was incredible for someone so young. Additionally, they believed much of that came from the genetic quirks of her mother's autism, as did her precociousness and intellect. The Wakandan scientists confirmed that a physical outlet for Rebecca's tendencies, like the swimming and skiing activities they already did with her, would allow her the freedom to explore but teach her to pull back when her limits were reached. What she did inherit from Bucky was the good health he already benefitted from plus the ability for her body to recover quickly from stress or injury. Although her abilities in that were not as rapid as his it still put her into an upper level of endurance and recovery already noted in exceptional human athletes.
The results of the testing on Billy were astounding. They forecast that his abilities as a super soldier that were already strong as a toddler would likely grow exponentially once he reached puberty. In their testing of the genetic samples taken from him it was believed that his abilities as an adult would surpass even Bucky's for the simple reason that his physical development would not be interrupted by cryostasis as Bucky's was. The Winter Soldier's body expended great energy in repairing damage done by the freezing and thawing cycles he was subjected to over the years he was a HYDRA captive. The physical effect the memory suppression machine had on his body was also noted as a factor. As strong as Bucky was his body never reached its full potential because of HYDRA's need to keep Bucky under their control. The consensus was that Billy would be taller, heavier, faster, and stronger than Bucky with exceptional reflexes, endurance, and recovery abilities.
The final part of the report made suggestions for the social development of their children. Praise was given for the decision by the couple to include the children in play groups of their social peers, as well as their own attempts to keep a calm and nurturing environment in the home. Both children displayed high levels of empathy and concern for others, a trait that would serve them well in their emotional development. Shuri added her own comment in the report saying "Keep doing what you're already doing. Your children are wonderful."
The couple waited until they were home and everyone settled back into their routine before they went through all the findings. As they sat on their couch after they closed the final holographic display Bucky put his arm around Julia and kissed the side of her head.
"You're a good mother," he said. "You're also the best thing that ever happened to me."
She smiled then looked up at him. "You're a great father," she said, "and a good man. I think living here, away from the stress of the city makes us better people and that we model good behaviour to the kids as a result."
