Our New Family (Stucky)

Chapter Nine

That's a paparazzi photo from when Lizzie was actually 15 that I randomly found. Thought I'd put it here. She looks 100% done with the paparazzi's bullcrap, and judging by what she's said about this time frame, she definitely was.

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Steve and Bucky walked into the living room to see Wanda sleeping on the couch. She was curled up, with the dog snuggled close to her. The couple looked at each other, smiling.

Ranger lifted his head, sniffling the air, before resting his head back on the couch.

"Hey, boy." Bucky smiled as he stroked Ranger's head. "We're gonna take Wanda to bed now, ok?"

Steve picked up the teenager. He cringed at how light she felt. He carried her to bed, and Bucky helped him tuck her in. They kissed her forehead before flipping off the light and closing the door most of the way.

They headed to their room, Ranger following. The dog climbed into his bed, falling asleep.

"Look how blessed we are, Steve," Bucky said. "We've got a great home, a dog, and a beautiful daughter. What more could we want?"

"Nothing, I think." Steve kisses him. "I love you."

"What a lazy kiss," Bucky rolled his eyes.

"What, you want a better one?"

Bucky shrugged.

Steve kisses him again, more passionately this time. Bucky happily returned it. The kiss grew heated.

Bucky smirked as he tugged off Steve's shirt. As Steve started tugging off Bucky's, a sudden scream interrupted them.

"What the h***?" Steve mumbles.

"Language." Bucky smiled mischievously.

Steve rolled his eyes. "Seriously, was that Wanda?"

Ranger had woken up, and kept his head up. He was alert for sure. Sniffing the air, his ears perked, his sense kicking into gear to make up for his lack of eyesight.

Another scream was all Ranger needed to run to Wanda's room.

"Why now?" Bucky grumbled under his breath. Then he and Steve ran to Wanda's room.

She was thrashing, sweat pouring down her face. Despite her eyes being shut, tears leaked down her cheeks. "Nie, Pietro!" She mumbled, gasping. "Nie!"

Steve reached over to grab her shoulder, but stopped himself. He wanted to wake her up so badly, but he knew that would make it worse for her when he did. So he just waited, flinching every time she screamed for the next five minutes until her eyes flew open, and she bolted upright, panting.

Steve put his hand on her shoulder. "Wanda, it's ok. It's ok, sweetie."

"Dad!" She cried.

Steve was shocked for a second, as was Bucky. She'd never called either of them that before.

Steve quickly swooped her into his lap. "It's ok, Wanda, it's ok. You're alright."

She sniffled, still a hot mess. Her eyes darted around until they rested on Bucky. "Ocko!"

Bucky knew very minimal Sokovian, but he knew that 'Ocko' meant 'Dad'. She must be using it to differentiate between Steve and him. "Yes, doll?" He asked.

She just stretched her arms out in response.

He took her from Steve, gently rocking back and forth in a failed attempt to get her to calm down. Ranger jumped into her lap, and her fingers curled into his fur. "Sweetheart, what happened?"