This final chapter is going to be written a bit differently and a bit shorter than the rest. Hope you all enjoy. Thank you for sticking around this journey. I can't believe how far this has come and honestly am so, so thankful to you all for supporting me in all of it ❤️❤️❤️😭😭
Amelia had a smooth pregnancy, thanks to all the connections and resources she had. The delivery was a bit more complicated. Their baby had twisted and the umbilical cord got tangled around the babes neck, dropping their oxygen levels, scaring both Amelia and Bucky
Thankfully the doctors and staff were skilled enough to deliver the baby with no other complications
Amelia gave a natural birth, and Bucky couldn't stop praising her the entire time. Telling her how in awe he is of what she's doing, how strong she is
She gave birth to a baby boy on November 19th at 8:43 PM. They named him Oliver Grant Barnes. And Bucky couldn't be more proud, and terrified. He didn't want to hold him at first, scared that the years of blood on Buckys hands would somehow taint this new life. Nearly crying the moment he did, mumbling 'he's perfect' to himself
Steve had unshed tears in his eyes when they told him the name a few days later when they allowed visitors, smiling down at the swaddled bundle in his arms. Tony, of course, gave them a hard time
"What's wrong with Anthony? Or hey, how about Edward? Come on." He joked, faking hurt at the news
"Maybe the next one." Amelia had said, biting back a smile and catching Buckys glance. The idea of having another baby with the love of his life sending his heart racing
They were officially parents. The fact hitting them like a train when they were gearing up to leave the hospital. And wow did they have new parent syndrome
Fretting over every little thing, every sound, every cry. Watching like hawks whenever someone else held or did anything involving the baby. Even the team, which they apologized for numerously. The team was understanding though, waving off their apologies and going with the flow of Amelia and Bucky, not wanting to stress them out further. No matter how ridiculous they might have been acting
Alpine wasn't a fan of the baby for a while, always just staring and bolting the moment he started crying. Or giving Bucky and Amelia a side eye glare when they'd enter the same room as Alpine with a wailing babe in their arms. She eventually grew to love Oliver though. Curling into his swaddled side while he napped, or just out of arms reach when he wasn't wrapped up
Sleepless and diaper changing filled nights ensued the new parents, both on edge constantly with the other. Amelia had severe separation anxiety, quickly recognizing the signs of it and signed herself up for counseling. Slowly, over a few months, she even started leaving little Oliver at home with Bucky while she went to her sessions. Then when she went grocery shopping. Then she stopped calling every chance she had while at work to check on things
Speaking of work, Maria and Elliot were excited beyond words when she came in on one of her mornings off with Oliver. The two elderly folks fawning over the babe. Sharing stories of when they had their firstborn
Amelia did her best to not use her power much, wanting to keep things a smidge normal. Unless she was too tired to grab a clean diaper she forgot before changing the baby or move laundry over. Oliver was a relatively happy baby. Only crying when he needed his diaper changed or was hungry. Bucky swore making the little guy laugh was his second favorite sound, the first being Amelia's laugh. He adored Oliver, always being extra careful when handling him in fear of hurting something just so... perfect and pure and fragile
He made sure they had matching outfits, including baseball caps, whenever they went out. Bucky was a little embarrassed the first few times going out with the baby harness on, but soon started wearing it with pride. Tuning out the taunts from Steve, Tony, and Sam whenever the couple went to visit the team
The newborn stage ended and the toddler stage came in at full force. Oliver beginning to say words and walk. Peter and MJ got to witness his first steps with Amelia and Bucky when they stopped by for a few days on their road trip around the states
Tantrums and screaming replaced the happy laughter as little Oliver teethed and grew, not understanding the world around him. Breaking things, not cooperating with either parent, and running around hurting himself by bumping into things or falling. The only way to get him to sleep at night was if they gave him child melatonin, and they ignored all other parents side-eyes as they purchased it
Don't even get them started on the potty training stage
After many grueling months, Oliver started to settle down and both Amelia and Bucky got a breather. Finally he was 3 years old, showing no sign of any genetic 'mutations' from either parent, they both thanked the gods. The last thing they needed was a toddler that could turn invisible or throw a toy train through a wall
The birthday party was filled with squealing laughter, bubbles, running toddlers, and too much sugary snacks for all the little ones. But overall fun and left everyone tuckered out at the end. Of course, not before Steve, Tony and Bucky put together the new jungle gym Pepper had graciously gifted. After the big birthday party with the whole team and a few of the neighborhood kids, everything was packed up, cleaned, and Oliver was put to bed, Sam raised the question:
"So, when's the next one?"
Amelia simply shrugged with an exhausted smile, taking a glance at Bucky who mimicked her shrug
Two months later she found out they were expecting again
And Bucky thought his heart might finally give out from joy
The second pregnancy went smoother, having known what to truly expect and learning from previous mistakes. Having the necessary tools already helped as well. They both knew what to do this time around. While Bucky converted their spare bedroom into Oliver's new room and keeping the nursery, Oliver was obsessed with Amelia's round belly. She swore he talked to it more than Bucky did
This time around they ended up having a mini gender reveal party, just the three of them, plus Alpine, but video chatted with the whole team. The look on Buckys face when pink confetti exploded out of the balloon was something Amelia could never describe. Tears of joy tinging both parents eyes as they celebrated. Oliver was just excited to have a sibling. Alpine swatted at the fallen confetti
And when the time came, Amelia gave birth to a healthy baby girl on September 7th at 5:22 AM. The labor process was much longer this time around, the babe being stubborn and not wanting to come out. They had to induce labor since Amelia was ten days past her due date
Harper Natalia Barnes
Both children with dark chocolate brown hair and blue eyes like their father
Oliver of course got jealous of the baby getting all the attention but slowly, over time, got used to it and even tried to help at times. Becoming Amelia's shadow around the house. Oh, she needs something to drink? Oliver was on top of it, running through the house shouting at daddy for water. Even handing her a clean diaper while she changed Harper or taking the wrapped up used diaper to the trash while Amelia redressed Harper. He'd sit on the floor with Harper while she laid on a mat and just tell her stories he made up, Alpine napped alongside them
And as much as Bucky wished for just one more baby, Amelia said she didn't want to go through it all again. He understood, being more than grateful for the family he has now. But let her know that if she ever changed her mind, he'd be more than happy to help make another
And as every parent says, time flew by. Somehow years passed and both Amelia and Bucky got to watch their children grow. Oliver was starting elementary school, and then Harper was. Then suddenly Oliver was in middle school
The awkward puberty stage hit, along with a surprise guest appearance of enhanced endurance from Oliver. He threw the fastest pitch at baseball tryouts, hit the hardest at football tryouts, ran the fastest at track tryouts. Stunning every coach, and other parents. And of course, Amelia and Bucky when they first witnessed it all
Bucky had a talk with him after dinner that first night, helping him figure out what was happening and how to maintain it
Harper reached her puberty stage a few years later and that was a whole other mess. Raging at everyone and crying. The dam holding back her floodgate of young hormones shattering. Bucky and Oliver didn't stand a chance against her. Amelia doing her best at guiding Harper through it as calmly as possible. Until Harper threw a glass of water at the wall without even touching it at dinner one night. A shimmer of something encasing her hands
Amelia and Bucky shared a knowing and wary look while Harper was stunned and confused. They explained everything to both children as Amelia used her own power to safely clean up the shattered glass. The kids weren't unaware of their mothers powers, or their fathers enhanced everything, having seen Amelia use them more frequently than she'll admit. But didn't suspect it would get passed down
Natasha, being the godmother, took great pride in helping where she could with Harper. Teaching her fighting moves and how to take down any pesky boy. Her and Wanda treating her like a Princess so she wouldn't be impressed by shitty men. Teacher her that she deserves the best. Steve, of course, was the godfather to Oliver. Though Sam was a close second. Both men helped tremendously through the awkward teen years, except when it came to dating. Then Sam had to really step up
Through it all, Amelia and Bucky were beyond words for happiness with where they were in life. Neither imagining it would end up this way. Falling more in love with the other with each passing day. Celebrating every milestone. Family pictures from vacations and sporting events lining the walls of their home. Sharpie lines on the bathroom doorframe marking the kids growth every year, the earliest one fading
Every scuff in the floor, scratch on the wall, stain on the carpet, a memory of their family through the years. They endured it all, one step at a time, together.
Their love story getting the happy ending they both deserved.
Fin.