Shadows of Trust || A Bucky Barnes Love Story

Chapter 12 - A New Kind of Mission

The next day, the team gathered in the briefing room as Nick Fury began to assign roles for the upcoming mission. Everyone listened intently, waiting for their station assignments. Bucky and Diana sat close together, hands intertwined under the table. Diana could feel the nerves building inside her—not because of the mission, but because of the news they were about to share.

Fury continued with his usual stern tone, detailing the plan and the positions everyone would be taking. When he reached Bucky and Diana, however, he paused, glancing over at them with an unusual softness in his expression.

"Barnes, Valentine," Fury said, meeting their eyes. "Dr. Cho filled me in on your... situation." He glanced briefly at the other team members before continuing. "I'm giving you both sick leave for the next few months. I'm also arranging for your salaries to be paid during this time to help with what's coming."

Bucky and Diana exchanged a look—her smile wide, his filled with warmth as he reached over and kissed her lips softly, several times, the joy between them unmistakable. The rest of the room started to stir with curiosity, especially Natasha and Wanda, who exchanged knowing glances.

"Wait, what situation?" Natasha asked, leaning forward, eyes narrowing playfully. "You guys haven't said anything."

Wanda nodded in agreement. "Yeah, what's going on?"

Bucky smirked and, without a hint of hesitation, turned to the team. "We're expecting a baby."

For a moment, there was silence as everyone processed the news. Then, almost all at once, the room erupted into chaos.

"No way!" Sam blurted out, eyes wide in disbelief. "You're going to be a dad?!"

Natasha's mouth fell open, her usually calm demeanor disappearing as she turned to Diana, practically glowing. "Diana, are you serious? You're pregnant?!"

Wanda grinned ear to ear, rushing over to Diana's side. "This is amazing! Congratulations!"

The banter flew across the room as Tony leaned back in his chair, a slow grin spreading across his face. "Well, I'll be damned. Barnes is going to be a family man. Never thought I'd see the day."

Steve, sitting beside Bucky, was quiet for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, he broke into a broad smile, standing up to pull Bucky into a tight hug. "Congrats, Buck. This is... this is amazing, man."

Bucky returned the hug, his grin growing as he looked at his best friend. "Thanks, Steve. I couldn't be happier."

Meanwhile, Diana was receiving a flurry of hugs and excited chatter from Natasha and Wanda, who were already planning out how to help her through the pregnancy. Natasha's hand rested protectively on Diana's shoulder. "You just say the word, and we're there. Anything you need."

Diana laughed, overwhelmed but happy to be surrounded by such love and support. "Thank you, guys. Really, it means a lot."

Fury, ever the stoic, cleared his throat to regain control of the room. "Alright, people, settle down. Barnes and Valentine may be out of the action for now, but that doesn't mean the rest of you get to slack off."

The room quieted, though the energy remained buzzing with excitement. As the meeting wrapped up and the team dispersed, Bucky and Diana were swarmed by well-wishes and congratulations from their teammates.

As they left the room, hand in hand, Bucky leaned down and kissed Diana's cheek again. "Guess we've got the whole team behind us now, huh?"

Diana smiled, leaning into him. "It feels good to have that support."

Bucky kissed her temple, his heart swelling with pride. "And I've got you. That's all I'll ever need."

Together, they walked down the hall, already looking forward to the next chapter of their lives—their new mission, one they'd face together, not as soldiers or spies, but as parents.