Moments in Time

Man + Man = ? (Part Two)

Bucky was miserable most of the time, but he tried not to complain or grumble. Steve was always worrying as it was and adding to it wasn't going to be helpful. They both read baby books, trying to get a vague idea on what they would need to do once their kid was born. They set up a nursery (Steve painted and did all the decorating while Bucky tended to the furniture and more practical things), and made announcements for their friends.

Bucky was already experiencing horrid hormonal spikes which made things a real rollercoaster. The other night he'd yelled at Steve for being "Too friendly with the cashier," which apparently was smiling at the poor lady. Steve had rolled his eyes, which only made Bucky angrier so Steve was banished to the couch. However, at two in the morning, Bucky had come crying to Steve, begging for forgiveness and asking him to come back to bed.

Steve knew that Bucky couldn't really help it, so he was easily forgiven. In fact, anything that Bucky did that was a bit over the top Steve didn't seem to mind. It was like the man had infinite patience. Bucky was thankful.

~

One thing that concerned Bruce was that the baby was growing much faster than normal babies. At four weeks along, Bucky already had a small baby bump, instead of barely showing.

Bruce estimated that at the rate of growth the baby was showing, it could arrive as early as six months. Bucky was always in pain, mostly because the baby was forcing his stomach to stretch at an impossible rate, his organs were shifting to accommodate the baby, or his hips were slowly loosening and creating a birth canal.

~

"Are you okay?" Steve asked, hands covering Bucky's as they rested on the small baby bump.

"Yeah. Are you excited for tomorrow?" Bucky asked, avoiding the subject.

"Yes!" Steve beamed. "I don't really care which it is, but it'll be so exciting to know!"

"Oh my Lord," Bucky groaned, staring at Steve.

"Bucky? What's wrong?" Steve gasped, slipping an arm around his waist.

"We didn't even think of names! What are going to call them? We should make a list! We can each pick some we like and then try combinations. Get some paper and pens!" Bucky practically ordered, an unexplained urge coming over him.

"God, Buck! Don't scare me like that!" Steve reprimanded him, pressing shaking fingers to his chest.

"Steven! Paper! Pens!" Bucky practically yelled.

"Okay! Okay! Sheesh!" Steve threw up his hands.

~

The next morning they had narrowed the list down to six names.

Isla Rose.

Carly Faith.

Mera Ann.

Jackson Lee.

Oliver West,

Or Patrick Evan.

Bucky was leaning toward Mera and Oliver, but he didn't want to say anything because Steve would let him have his way and that wasn't fair.

At the Tower, the two waited on pins and needles as Bruce applied the gel for the sonogram. Bucky gasped as the cool substance spread around the top of his swollen belly. He winced as the baby kicked a bit too hard for comfort.

"Okay..." Bruce grinned, as the sound of a heartbeat filled the room. "Let me just look over here real quick..."

Bucky waited for what seemed forever, as Steve curled his fingers tightly around his metal ones. Bruce let out a small sound that didn't sound too good, and Steve's grip made Bucky's hand creak.