Shadow of the Past (Captain America) // ✔️ //

Chapter 22: Her Father's Daughter

As Antonia loved porches liking to lay out in the sun, they were required for everyplace she lived. Feeling the sun beat against her delicate skin and the wind gently blowing through her long dark wavy hair was the best feeling. She could lay out for hours (well with sun block and a nice cold drink). Sometimes she would sleep or read a magazine or book.

At the moment, she was sitting in a beach chair at her Malibu mansion reading an interesting article about herself. When she saw it on the racks at the store, she plucked it right up as she wondered what they were gossiping about her now. Some of the stories were quite funny and they could always lift her spirts if ever needed; however, even if she didn't, it was always a good laugh. Right now for example, she was very chirper and was reading it as she spotted a fascinating article in it. It was one of those 'how did they know that.'

Putting the magazine down, she reached for her cold beverage and took a slip. Her eye twitched as she tasted the lemonade, which seemed to be missing something. She took another slip and swirled it around in her mouth as to figure out what was missing. "Where's the alcohol?" she asked annoyed. She glared and whirled the glass, spilling some of the liquid on her. "J.A.R.V.I.S." she yelled, annoyed. She wanted alcohol, damn it. "Hello, J.A.R.V.I.S." She yelled again, when he didn't answer her. Why didn't that stupid AI answer her?

"Are you okay, Antonia?"

Antonia jumped as that voice didn't belong to J.A.R.V.I.S. Shifting her weight, she turned toward the French style glass doors leading into the house to see who it was, and to her shock, it was James Barnes. For a second, she wondered how the hell he was at her house, but that only lasted a second as her annoyance at the lack of alcohol was growing. "I want to know why there isn't any alcohol in my drink," she shouted, holding her glass toward Barnes. "Maybe, you could add some?" she asked, putting on a smile.

Barnes gave her a weird look, while adding, "Not in your condition."

"What do you mean my 'condition'?" she asked, confused as to what he was talking about. She didn't have a condition, well... besides the shrapnel in her body; however, that didn't affect her drinking ability.

"Antonia," he mumbled in a laughing tone, as he turned and walked back into the house. "Sometimes..."

"What condition?" she asked, jumping to her feet to follow him. Was he playing with her?

Barnes was a good few feet in front of her and for some reason, she had trouble closing the distance between them. It was like her body didn't want to move and she tired too easily. What was wrong with her? Did something happen to her and she not know it? "Bucky!" she yelled, running into the house. "B-"

"She's being crazy today, Steve," Barnes stated as he stopped by the water feature in the living room.

Antonia looked pass Barnes to Rogers, who had walked through the front door, and her eyes twitched as J.A.R.V.I.S. scanned him like it did everyone, who entered. "I see you're working now, J.A.R.V.I.S." she muttered.

"What's she doing now, Bucky?" Steve asked, giving her a look, as he disarmed himself.

"Trying to drink...though she could be messing with me," Barnes said, teasing. A bright smile was present on his face.

After sitting his shield down gently, Steve took a few steps toward her while giving her a narrowing look. "Antonia, you know you can't drink in your condition," he stated.

"What condition?!" Ton snapped, tired of this game.

Both of them looked at her, as if they couldn't believe she was playing this game; however, it was Steve who spoke, "You're pregnant, Antonia."