The Guide To Moving On

Chapter 55 - 'Til the End of the Line

Steve's POV

The last few days had been hell. Worse than hell. The pain has been intense, however I am glad that it is slightly lessening everyday. I am still coming to terms with Nat's pregnancy, I couldn't be more overjoyed. 

I can't wait to have my very own family, hell I have been wishing for it for 100 years. I can't wait to have family picnics, family beach days, family movie nights, family cuddles, famil-.

I was pulled from my thoughts by a sudden, short knock on the door. I frowned for a second as I stared at the white hospital door. Who could it be? Nat, of course, walks straight into the room, as do all of the doctors and nurses. And I know that the team were on a mild overnight mission together. So who was at the door? 

"Come in." I called anyway, cringing at how hoarse my voice still sounded. I guess a broken jaw and bruised windpipes will do that to your voice. 

The person slipped inside quickly and I froze, realising who it was. 

"Which Bucky am I talking to?" I asked cautiously, very aware that the last time I had seen Bucky, he was a brainwashed super soldier. 

"Your mum's name was Sarah. You used to stuff newspapers in your shoes." He whispered softly, giving me a wide berth as he made his way to sit in the plastic chair that Natasha usually occupied. 

I smiled at his words, and I felt myself physically relaxing as he said this. I had my best friend from the 40s back again.

"How have you been doing?" I asked weakly, hating how much my throat still throbbed when I talked too much. 

"Alright I guess. Your girlfriend has been helping a lot." He replied.

"Wife." I quickly corrected him, smirking. Bucky's eyebrows shot up and he faltered. 

"What!? When?" He asked quickly, his eyes looking at me in disbelief. He then glanced down at my hand where my gold wedding band lay and his eyes widened. 

"Last spring." Was all my voice would allow me to say but I looked over at him with an expression I hoped was triumph. 

"Damn. Who would've thought that you would get the girl before me? I'm presume your the father then?" He asked and my eyes widened. 

"How did you know about that?" I croaked, bewildered.

"Please, I am an assassin, trained to recognise even the smallest of expressions and changes in someone. The other day she was looking positively peaky, when she raised a gun on me one hand instinctively went to her stomach which an assassin never does when they are threatening someone unless they have something to protect and when Tony offered her a vodka the other day she refused. All of the signs point to pregnancy." He finished matter-of-factly. 

I just nodded in response, my head still spinning as he relayed how he had figured it out as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. 

"Wow, you even knocked someone up before me. Punk." He teased, causing my cheeks to colour slightly. 

"Jerk." I retorted, reciting the very line I used on him 70 years ago. His expression turned into a wistful one as I said this. 

"You know, I have to hand it to you mate. You never gave up. I didn't in a million years think that you would have made it into the army, let alone be here now still fighting the good fight." He told me quietly.

"And I'm sorry. This is the second time that I have beat the shit out of you and your wife." He said softly, looking down at his hands in shame. 

"Language." I murmured on instinct causing him to smirk. 

"You can take the man out of the 40s, but you can't take the 40s out of the man." Bucky smiled. 

"Have the team been good to you? Cause if they haven't I'll-" I started but Bucky snorted, cutting me off. 

"They've been good." He said, but I could tell there was something he was hiding from me. 

"Don't lie." I wheezed before launching into a coughing fit. Gosh I hate my vocal cords right now. 

"I'm not. I mean, it was rocky for the first few days especially with Stark's kid and bird man." 

"Clint and Tony?" I weakly clarified and he nodded before continuing. 

 "But your wife is a feisty little sh-" He stopped when he caught sight of my glare. "Anyway, as I was saying, she gave the team a lecture about the ins and outs of brainwashing and told the team to play nice. I think by the end of it, she had the team cowering and there hasn't been an issue since. So yeah, the team have been good." He finished and I smirked. Of course she did. 

I hummed in response, trying to stop my eyelids drooping. Just another thing to add to list of frustrations I have about being in this condition; getting exhausted way too easily. 

Bucky seemed to notice because he nodded in understanding before getting out of the little chair. 

"Buck?" I called weakly as he started to make his way toward the door. 

"Yeah?" He replied turning around to look at me fully. 

"Its good to have you back man." Bucky smiled at this. 

"Good to be back. I haven't got any intentions of going back on what I said all those years ago." I quirked an eyebrow waiting for him to continue. 

"I'm with you 'til the end of the line, pal." He softly said and I smiled in gratitude. 

"'Til the end of the line." I murmured back causing Buck to smile one last time before leaving the room and closing the door softly behind him.