Postbellum

Five

"How is everything going?" James asked in German through one of Scarlett's many burner phones. She leaned against the door frame to the sunroom while Peter, Eve, Bucky stood outside talking together.

"It's going okay, but this is starting to seem risky," Scarlett told him. Her doubt was starting to manifest in her.

"What are you talking about, we've planned this for years," James argued. Scarlett didn't hear the front door in the hallway open. Peter stepped inside and heard the German coming from her, instantly confusing him as to why she would be doing that now.

"Yeah. What did you want?" Scarlett gave up on the subject knowing it wouldn't go anywhere but trouble.

"I need you to finish something I should have just had you start to begin with. Charles Stanley was hospitalized after Levi's failed assassination attempt. Memorial Hospital, room 5306," James informed her. Hesitation creeped up on her.

"Dad," Scarlett pleaded.

"Karen, translate," Peter asked her. Peter then held his watch closer to his ear to hear her translation.

"Come on, we've come this far. Now is not the time," her dad scolded her. "You know what happens to people who back out. I love you, but rules don't bend."

"I understand," Scarlett told him and hung up. Peter watched her drop the phone on the floor then crush it under her foot.

Peter quickly ducked into the bathroom and acted like he was just walking out of it as Scarlett turned around.

"Oh, hey, I didn't know you were in there," Scarlett greeted him.

"Yeah, I was just headed back to Eve," Peter said and walked back out of the front door and walked down the porch. He let out a breath as he realized what he heard. What were they planning?

"Should we get a lake house next?" Bucky asked in a daydream manner to Eve. She smiled with a small laugh and leaned into him more.

"Wes would love the water, that's for sure," Eve told him. Bucky's heart warmed at the thought of Eve and Wes playing in the water together. His little boy, three years old now, and his wife having a carefree day together.

"Why don't we check up on the little trouble maker?" Bucky suggested and looked down to see Eve's eyes go white. Suddenly, the little boy covered in freckles with jet black hair appeared before them.

"Wesley Steven," Bucky said playfully as he watch him twirl water in the air. Wesley immediately dropped it and turned around to see his parents, his face immediately lighting up.

"Momma! Dad!" Wes exclaimed and rushed over to them, clumsily.

"Are you starting trouble?" Bucky joked as he dropped to his knees to meet Wesley's level.

"Maybe," Wes dragged out with a mischievous grin on his face while swinging his hands back and forth. His face brought even wider smiles to his mom and dad.

"That's my boy," Eve winked at him.

"Hey, Eve?" she heard Peter asked to she let Peter join their vision. Peter's eyes immediately found Wes' causing a chain reaction of excitement.

"Wes," Peter yelled and earned a joyful squeal out of the kid.

"Pete," Wes answered in the same tone.

"What's up, little man?" Peter greeted him kindly. "Eve, I need to talk to you guys."

"Hey," Scarlett said, catching them all off guard. The vision of Wesley faded as the three turned to see Scarlett on the porch. Peter's heart nearly bursted out of his chest in fear of her hearing what he said.