Bucky tried his hardest not to startle her when he entered their apartment, finding her standing in front of the mantle. Her arms were crossed over her chest, hair tied half up half down, and her fingers played with the elbow of her orange jumper.

She'd make a beautiful mother.

Her eyes were trained on the center picture, a printed out cell phone selfie of him, Sam, Laura, and Wanda at Kate Bishop's graduation.

"Whatcha doing, honey?" he asked, swallowing thickly.

Her eyes flicked to his, smiling lightly before turning back to the images. He glanced at them as well, swaying slightly as he took in images of their history. He looked so happy in all of them that she wasn't in, and he knew it was because she was the one taking the picture. She was always next to him in the photos, tucked into his side or holding his hand, her cheeks rosy with joy.

"Just...thinking," she replied, reaching out and touching a frame. The frame held an image of Laura and Wanda cooking, along with the Barton children running around their legs as they attempted to lick the bowls. "We have such a great family, don't you think?"

Bucky inched closer, touching her waist with his flesh hand. She pressed herself into his palm, which he took as a good sign. Looping his arms around her waist, he pressed his chest to her back, squeezing her to him as his chin rested on her shoulder.

She sighed, placing her hands atop his and closing her eyes. "You're back."

"Course I am," he replied, nuzzling closer. He had to bend slightly to reach her height, but he didn't mind. "Doubting me?"

She didn't respond right away, but instead rocked gently on the balls of her feet, and he wished he could see her face.

"Well, you were gone for a while," she pointed out, turning her face slightly so that she could look at him. "So I don't know what I thought."

He huffed a sigh, anger at himself rising, but gave her a smile. Lifting his hand, Bucky traced his thumb along her cheek bone, and her eyes fluttered in comfort. "I didn't...I thought you needed some time, some space. You didn't ask me to come back."

Leaning into his palm, she opened her eyes again and he had to gulp from the look she gave him. She kissed his palm. "And you listened because you're perfect. I just got in my head." She let out a small laugh.

"I am not perfect," Bucky countered. "Far from it."

"But you try," she responded quickly, pressing another kiss to his hand. "That's all I could ever ask for." She smiled at him, and he could practically feel her place her heart in his hands. "Besides, this is unexpected for both of us. You need time to process this change, too."

Fear gripped him like a vice, twisting around him like chains, a fear he hadn't identified before. This child was everything they could hope for, but it was also part of him, and he was dangerous. Would it have powers? Super strength like its father, or the ability to bend reality like its mother? Bucky had sworn to never allow Wanda to go through any more pain. She was done with being put through the emotional ringer. But he had no control over the physical, had no idea what this baby could do to her.

The dread and fear began to grow, and he clenched his jaw. "I'll always be here for you." Bucky assured her in a shaky voice. He dipped his head down, pressing his forehead against hers, hands against her back to hold her to him. He just needed to feel her, needed to know she was there after the anxious days.

She breathed out slowly, her breath fanning his face as she kissed his nose, hands moving to cup his neck. "What'd you come up with?" he asked after a moment, wishing this feeling, the closeness, didn't have to end.

Wanda craned her neck to look up at him as he straightened, pulling him to sit with her on their couch. "I thought about you, about...my boys. About how much I missed them." Her eyes looked far away, a faint smile on her face. "I thought about how much they'd love having a baby sibling to take care of."

Bucky nodded, clasping her hand. There wasn't much comfort he could say to that.

"But they're gone," she said quickly, eyes blinking. "I had my time with them, and I cherished it. I think I should cherish my time with our baby, too...with all of us."

"Wanda," he whispered her name, fingers curling around hers slowly, the guilt tracing up his spine. "Listen, I-I didn't know I could-- we could...that...it shouldn't be possible."

She was patient, waiting for him to take a breath over his stumbled words, her face calm and impassive.

He took a shaky inhale. "I just...I'm sorry I put this on you without warning."

"Bucky," her voice was gentle as she squeezed his hand in hers, and scooted closer to him. He welcomed the contact, pressing his nose into her hair. "Do you really think I blame you?" She ducked her head, forcing him to look at her. He knew there were shadows under his eyes and that he needed a good shave. Sleeping without her was like sleeping on a rock; nearly impossible.

When he didn't answer, she clicked her tongue.

"Bucky, this is not your fault. This is not a pain that you've inflicted on me," Wanda said, her voice strong. He patted her thigh with his hand nervously, not knowing where to look. "I never thought about kids for you and me because...well, it was impossible. But now...baby, we have a chance."

He swallowed thickly, nodding, and Wanda leaned forward to press her forehead against his once more. She smelled like cinnamon, her shampoo fresh in her locks. He didn't deserve this peace, didn't deserve this good.

Maybe she hadn't been thinking about blaming him, but she was certainly thinking about the future now, and did that have room for him? "You needa do whatever is best for you, baby" he murmured, drawing circles with his hand against her thigh, trying to soothe himself. He cringed at his own actions. When had he become such a fucking bitch?

"Hey, hey, stop it," Wanda told him, snapping her fingers in front of his face. He blinked, stared at her hands then glanced at her face. She was smiling, and he felt his heart settle just a bit. "Where'd you go?"

"Just thinkin'," he answered, looking down.

She sighed lightly, pressing her face against his shoulder." "Promise me something?" she asked, voice muffled.

She could ask for the Infinity Gauntlet and he'd try to get it for her. He nodded wordlessly.

"Promise we're in this together? I just..." She took a breath. "I just need to know you'll be by my side no matter my decision."

He swallowed the gravel of despair that had grown in his throat, focusing instead on her warmth as she cuddled into his side. "Of course, darlin," he breathed, giving her a lopsided grin. "Whatever you want."

She pressed her nose to his cheek, one hand cupping against his neck. "Tell me what you're thinking."

"I thought...I thought it was over," he admitted.

"What was over?"

"Us."

She tucked herself under his arm, nestling closer, and Bucky pulled her to him even tighter. "Never," she whispered. "I'm with you till the end."

It was like his chest had been converted from lead to mist. He felt weightless with relief.

"I just want you to know I'm here, whatever you decide," he breathed, shutting his eyes. "If you wanna family, then fuck it, let's have a family. But if you want our life to stay the same, say the word and I'll drive you to the clinic right now."

Wanda glanced down, taking his other hand into hers, caressing the metal. "Well, what do you want?" she questioned almost shyly.

He shook his head. "No, this is about you, your body. You're the one he's going to be carrying all of this. It's your health. I'm not taking that from you." He couldn't do that to her, could never take any option she wanted away from her. He remembered what it was like to not have control of your body, to have things done without his consent. Bucky would never let her feel like that.

"Thank you, I appreciate that you care so much," Wanda replied, smiling. "But I still want to know your thoughts. On the topic of health, we should probably give Bruce a call, ask some questions. Nice to have such smart folks on speed dial."

"What kind of questions?" Bucky asked, mouth tilting downwards.

She gave him a tight smile, a smile he knew was riddled with worry. "I had a few concerns because...well, I doubt this will be a normal pregnancy." She squeezed his hand, but he suddenly felt cold. He hadn't thought about that, not really. "He said it could be...difficult. But they don't know, since this has never happened before."

"The serum." Bucky gulped. "Because of me. This pregnancy is at high risk because of me?"

"Baby, a super soldier infant would be difficult for a normal girl. But I'm the Scarlet Witch," Wanda explained, her voice humorous, trying to pull him out of the dark hole she knew he was descending in. "I'll be fine, and so will she."

"She?" Bucky repeaked weakly. Wanda smiled, looking down at her still-flat abdomen, but Bucky couldn't join her in her joy. He had seen first hand what the serum can do. Was she really going to be able to handle that?

"It's just a feeling." Wanda whispered, almost to herself.

Bucky nodded, but his thoughts were so far away that he barely registered her words. All he could hear was high risk and difficult and he couldn't fathom the thought of something he did, taking her away from him.

In the past few years, Bucky had made great progress in self-worth and self-forgiveness. But as he heard more and more about Wanda's pregnancy, the only thing he could do was blame himself.

"So how can we help it? How can I help it?" he asked, fear leaking into his voice.

She took a breath, breathing out through her nostrils slowly. "Rest, monitoring the fetal activity," she replied calmly. "Probably gonna have to start eating a lot, but mostly just rest."

"You don't really eat much," he commented, scratching his head.

She laughed, the sound like little diamonds and rolled her eyes. "Yes, but think of how much you consume due to the serum."

Bucky nodded again, like he wasn't internally sick with worry, like his stupid sperm hadn't put her life on the line.

They sat in silence for a few moments, Wanda's fingers gently stroking his metal palm, the sound of the city streaming lowly from their open windows.

"I don't want this if it'll hurt you," Bucky said suddenly, words spilling out faster than she could capture them. "Nothing is worth your safety, nothing. Fuck, honey, I'm so sorry I never--"

He stood up with a frustrated grunt, tearing himself away from her. He wanted to pace, wanted to throttle himself for being the only thing he couldn't stop from hurting her. "I won't lose you. Especially like this."

"Bucky..." Wanda started to say, standing slowly.

He scowled in response. He hated when she did that, hated that he made her feel the need to treat him gently.

"We have to get a handle on this because...well you know S.H.I.E.L.D. will want to be involved."

"Fuck no," he responded, tone like gravel. "Absouletly fucking not."

Wanda sighed, placing her hand on the back of her neck and rubbing it, looking away. Suddenly turning on the balls of her feet, she looked at him with wide eyes. "We never talked about kids. Never needed to. Do you even want children? Do you see yourself as a father?"

Bucky felt his anger nearly explode at the idea of S.H.I.E.L.D. thinking they had any claim on Wanda or their child. But the image of little feet, bright brunette hair in pigtails and pink bows shifted to the forefront of his mind, Wanda making pancakes on Sundays while they watched cartoons, or walks in Manhattan as they shopped for presents to put under the Christmas tree.

He shoved the image away. He didn't want it, not without her.

"Buck?" Wanda was standing in front of him, her arms crossed loosely and her face a mask of concern.

He sighed, hating that she worries so much about him. Striding to her, he takes her in his arms.

She grinned, eyes bright with possibilities. "Tell me. Ever thought about fatherhood?"

"Sorry, I'm here. Yeah, I mean...I guess at one time, I thought about it," Bucky responded sheepishly. "But then, I was in a war and I had to let the majority of my wants go."

"Well, if it's still a want, the opportunity has literally fallen into our laps," Wanda muttered, craning her neck to look at him.

Bucky felt his eyes grow wide at her words. "You wanna keep it?" He leaned his forehead to hers. "Wanda, do you want to keep it?"

Silence stretched, and he shifted, pressing his mouth to her forehead. When he leaned back, she blinked rapidly and gave him a pained smile. "I think I do, but I can't do this without you. I don't want to do this without you. And I don't want you to resent me for it."

She thought he was gonna walk away from her? She was worried that he'd just leave?

He cupped her face, making sure she was hearing him and said, "I'm with you no matter what, darlin'."

"But do you want this?" she asked again, and bless her heart, she needed the clarification. Wanda had had her hopes dashed time and time again, her future ripped from her grasp, and now her fragile state was always skeptical.

"Yes," he answered, his voice strong enough for her to feel it. "Jesus, Wanda, I'll go with you anywhere. I want to do this with you, build this family if it's with you. It's...terrifying, but I'm with you."

She scrunched her nose in the way he loved so much, her hands gripping his t-shirt lightly. "What about the wedding?"

"Oh, we're still gettin' married,'' Bucky told her, lowering his hand to her backside and giving her ass a squeeze. She laughed in mock surprise and swatted at him. "Ain't nothing stopping that from happening." Wanda beamed in amusement and he wished he could freeze this moment to snap a picture. She leaned up to kiss him, but he grabbed her chin, keeping her a few inches away. "I have some stipulations."

She gave him an odd look, brow raised. "Go on."

"Firstly, we're putting you first," he instructed. "If it comes to it, your health is first. I won't lose you, hon."

Wanda nodded, taking ahold of the hand that gripped her chin. "Okay, okay, it won't come to that," she whispered in assurance, and he didn't miss the excitement in her voice.

"And you have to listen to whatever the doctors say. If they say vitamins, we buy every kind. If they say less walking, I'm carrying you everywhere."

"Absolutely."

"I'm serious."

She shook her head in light agreement. "Okay," she muttered, and he could tell she was holding back a grin. "So...we're having a baby?"

Bucky paused, and for just a moment, he allowed a little bit of happiness seep into his chest, and the image of a little girl with Wanda's eyes swaddled in his arms appears at the back of his mind.

"Yeah." He cleared his throat, pressing a light kiss to her lips. "Yeah, I think we are."

The look she gave him could be considered the definition of peace.