The Louisiana sky’s the clearest and the brightest blue he’d seen in a while. Wind whipping past his head as he carefully twirls, flips, and glides; hands holding the strapped and secured bundle closer to his chest. Her little giggles like music to his ears, that is, until her mother makes herself known.
“Nu-uh, no, no, no. Samuel Wilson, I know you don’t have my baby up in the sky with you!”
Heart dropping into his stomach, the former Falcon turns enough to see his sister below him. Hands on her hips with her right foot tapping, a posture he’d seen directed towards the boys many times over the years.
“Of course not.”
“Okay, then answer this, little brother.”
Sam already knows the look she’s wearing. His mothers firm tone replicated perfectly by her as she clicks her tongue. Impatience getting the better of her.
“Where is my baby?”
“Buck must have her.”
“James is helping the Thatcher’s with house repairs,” Sarah smirks confidently. “AJ and Cass are with him too, so don’t even try it little brother.”
Sighing heavily, he finally makes for a landing. The smiling face of his niece as he unstraps her from his chest bringing much needed peace before the wrathful footfalls of his sister come into earshot. The little girl’s eyes finding her mother. Her chubby hands reaching out as she puts her fathers smile on full display.
“In my defense, she seems to have had a good time.”
The small ‘speaking before thinking’ moment for Sam to wish he had a time machine as Sarah levels a glare on the same level as her husband his way.
Only hers is much scarier.
The innocent six-month old in her arms none the wiser. A stuffed blue and white rabbit given to her by her father, going by the name Spangles, now sits at the mercy of Lila. Drool covering the arm that’s nestled between her gums.
“I didn’t labor for twelve hours and push for two just to have you risk dropping her while flying.”
“I – I’m sorry, Sarah. I’ll ask next time.”
“Thank you. Now come on, James and the kids are bringing lunch.”
The silence between them is deafening as they walk along the trail, both focusing on the gentle breaths of the now sleeping baby. Sarah’s bright yellow shirt clenched between her tiny fingers; hair caressing her forehead with the gentle wind. Finally, after making it to the front porch of his childhood home, Sam can’t stop himself from asking the question he’d had for the last six months.
“Why didn’t you take anything when you had Lila?”
Sam swallows down a small lump in his throat as he watches his sister place her daughter into a small swing. The slow rocking enough to keep Lila calm and sleeping. Taking the advantage of the free time, the two Wilsons sit back on their parents old rocking chairs, almost elbow to elbow.
“Why are you asking this now?”
“I just… I’ve been busy with so many missions, I find my personal time is limited. Not to mention, you and Buck have had your hands full. I guess it just got left on the back-burner.”
“I understand all that, but again, I ask why?”
Sarah hasn’t had the time to really observe her brother in a while. The small lines that come with extra stress and limited sleep etched into his face; eyes drooped with an exhaustion she’s only seen in her husband. The complete mental drain that’s afflicted him since fully taking on the mantel Steve Rogers had left him with.
“When I was waiting in that hallway, and I heard you I just felt helpless. I remembered how quiet you’d been with the boys, and this time… I’ve never heard you scream like that, Sarah.”
Sam’s voice is shaken, their eyes locking as he takes a steadying breath.
“I felt like I was failing you all over again. That, my baby sister should never sound like that.”
“Well,” the now eldest Wilson sibling reaches to her right. Sliding her hand into Sam’s with ease and squeezing it tightly.
“I guess because Lila’s likely the last baby I’ll ever have. When the boys were born, I was okay with the epidural, and it was wonderful, but this time felt different.”
“How so?”
“Like I said, she’s the last baby I’ll probably ever have. I wanted to know what it felt like to bring a child into this world without medication. I wanted to cherish every moment with her, and in a strange way, I think it helped James too.”
Planting his feet firmly to the wooden porch, Sam holds the rocker in place as he stares at his sister. Confusion evident.
“You didn’t see old blinkless wonder wearing a hole into the floor.”
Sarah can’t help her small chuckle, “no, I mean. I think it did him some good to see that despite all the pain I was in, it led to something wonderful. All the pain he’s endured and caused because of Hydra put him on the path to meet you. You helped him find himself and the home he always wanted. I can't thank you enough for that, Sam.”
Sam, unable to find his voice, merely pulls his sister in for a hug.
The sound of Sarah’s car coming up the drive pulls Sam’s attention from her just long enough to lock onto Bucky as he sits behind the wheel. Even from here, the smile stretched across his face is one that Sam would’ve never imagined possible four years ago.
“I guess I see your point.”
“Can I get that in writing?”
Sarah’s smile is close to bursting at her brothers eye roll, and, giving his hand another squeeze, springs from her chair. Both her boys wrapping around her body with ease as Bucky makes his way to her.
Sam watches on silently as his former enemy pulls Sarah in for a kiss. His eyes full of affection as he pulls away long enough to approach Lila, the ladder of which had started stirring at the familiar sound of the family’s vehicle. The baby, still half-asleep, cooing into her fathers’ arms as he lifts her to his broad chest. His brother-in-law pressing his lips to her hair before he talks quietly to her. Clearly wanting his words for her ears only.
“Uncle Sam! We brought your favorite!”
AJ and Cass, lunch bags clutched in each hand, run towards the porch.
“Good, because I’m starved.”
Bucky pulls his attention from Lila long enough to notice Sam’s intense gaze has settled on him.
“You good?”
Rubbing his eyes and stifling a sniffle, he takes a mental picture of the family he'd been blessed with.
“Yeah man, I’m good.”