The Fall - Book 2

252. 'Sparklewing'

DECEMBER 18, 2020 — NEW YORK — RÉA

The waiting room of Doctor Lawrence's office is surprisingly empty; typically, the facility is abuzz with activity at nine-A.M., though I suppose many people are travelling for the holidays. Beside me, Bucky has Conall's car seat on his lap, and is playing peek-a-boo with him. I smile fondly at the pair, watching as Bucky once more covers his face. My gaze lands on his left hand, and a memory pops into my mind.

"Alright, it's my turn to hold the baby!"

I can't help grinning as Sam approaches Bucky, making grabby hands for our son.

"Give him here, Buck!"

"I've told you, you can't call me that," my husband mutters. "And remember, be careful with him," he says as he passes Conall to Sam.

"I have done this before, y'know. With less indestructible babies." Sam's brow furrows, and his expression turns quizzical. "Lemme see your hand."

"What? No. You're so weird," Bucky replies, but there's no real bite in his tone.

"Bucky...."

"Drop it, Sam."

"What about Bucky's hand?" Steve asks as he joins the pair.

"Hold it up and let me see it. I'm pretty sure it's dented." Steve complies, and Sam looks from Bucky's hand to me. "Ooo, Shuri's gonna be so mad at youuuu."

I know he's just teasing, but I can't help feeling guilty over leaving a handprint in my husband's vibranium hand. Even though he assured me that it doesn't hurt, that it's fine, and that he doesn't mind, I still feel bad about it. Bucky gives me a soft look, and opens his mouth to say something, but Shuri interjects.

"What are you on about, Sam?"

"Bucky's han—"

"It's nothing, Shuri," my husband cuts Sam off, giving him a stern look and shaking his head.

"I dented his hand," I quietly say.

Shuri's eyes widen, and she immediately grabs Bucky's vibranium wrist, lifting his hand close to her face for inspection. "I see. I'm assuming during labour?" I nod, and she continues, releasing Bucky's wrist as she turns to Sam. "Have you ever gone through labour? Hmm? No!"

Sam starts to speak, but Shuri keeps going. "You're lucky I don't dent your precious Redwing! Teasing Réa about Bucky's hand...she didn't even dent it enough to trip any of the pressure sensors. Right?" she looks at my husband, who nods in confirmation. "And I'm sure Bucky has reassured her that it's fine, just like I'm sure she still feels guilty about it. Why on Earth would you tell her I'd be mad at her?!"

"I-I...I was just—"

"Just what? Joking? Teasing?" She mutters something in Xhosa that I don't quite catch, but I see Bucky's eyes widen before he covers a laugh with a cough. She gives him a look, then turns her gaze back to me. "Did Bucky make any comments about his arm?"

I look from my friend to my husband—whose eyes have gone wide—and back. "Umm..." I give Bucky an 'I'm sorry' look, then nod. "But it was before labour. He was reading What to Expect, and looked at me and asked if I'd squeeze it...I...just let me show you."

Shuri nods, and I open a link between us, then let the memory replay so she can see it.

"James Barnes!" she snaps when the memory ends. "I don't care that you were not serious, and that your wife thought it was silly...you don't get to use me as a threat."