Escaped

“Steven Howard Barnes, stop jumping on the couch before you break your arm again!” you yelled at your son. “Timothy, go grab your sister for breakfast.” You sighed, watching your twin boys. You swore they were truly the reincarnations of their namesakes, especially Steve.

You turned to Bucky. “Remember, the cat needs fed at 10 or he gets irritable. Last time I didn’t feed Bean on time he shredded a whole box of tissues. Shuri and Pepper are supposed to be stopping by around 11 to make some upgrades to your arm, as well as bring me a new one since this one is starting to wear out and stick. Steve and Timothy have soccer at 2, and we’re in charge of after-practice snacks this week. I have apple slices and carrot sticks and water bottles in the fridge, they go in the cooler with the bags of ice to keep them cool. Natalia has ballet at 4:30, and they’re in dress-rehearsal season, so you need to pull her hair into a really tight bun on the top of her head. And-”

“(Y/N), calm down,” Bucky laughed, putting a pancake on a plate and setting it in front of Stevie. “I got it. It’s like I’m their father or something.”

You smiled. “You sure you got this? I’ve never had to work on a Saturday before, but we can’t lose this lead. We’re hoping to bring a new Avenger to the team.”

“Should you really be going?” Bucky asked you. “I mean, you’re eight months along. Stress isn’t good.” Bucky placed his hands gently on your stomach.

“I’ll be fine,” you assured him. “I’ve done the whole pregnancy and field-work thing twice before, I know what I can handle.” You kissed his cheek and started making sure you had everything. “Keys, wallet, what am I missing?” you muttered.

“Mommy!” your three-year-old girl said, running up to you. “I can’t find my tu-tu.”

You sighed. “A mother never rests. Sit and eat your breakfast while Mommy looks for it, okay? Buck, can you make sure the twins have their soccer uniforms? They almost lost them last time.”

“On it,” Bucky said.

The two of you split up to conquer your children’s problems. You found the tutu buried under a pile of stuffed animals and Bucky found the identical uniforms stuffed under the bunk beds of your twin sons.

“Okay, is everything good now? Nick’s sent me at least four angry texts about me not being early.”

Bucky smiled. “I got this. Any other catastrophes I can handle.”

“Okay. And if Sam gets a mission alert he needs you on, call Jonathan. He said he’d be on standby all day if you need him for anything. And Peter offered to take the twins to the park if they start getting too rowdy while Natalia’s napping. I know tonight was guys night with Sam and Scott, and I should be back in time for it but-”

“Hey, it’s okay,” Bucky assured you. “Family’s the most important thing to me. These kids are my life.”

“You’re perfect, Buck. What did I do to deserve you?”

Bucky kissed your forehead. “You were you.”

You smiled at your wonderful husband. “I love you.” You grabbed your bag off the counter, holding your keys on the other hand.

“Uh, (Y/N), love?”

“What?”

“That’s the activity bag for Nat.”

You sighed. “Thank you. Where’s my actual bag? There it is. Okay, I think I’m ready now.”

“Okay, get out,” Bucky laughed, pushing you towards the door. “Get out. Go to work. And remember-”

“I know, I know. Call you if anything goes wrong with the baby or me.”

“I love you,” Bucky said, kissing your cheek. “Now, go. Before Fury texts me. Or worse, calls.”

“Okay. Oh, before I forget again, I have chicken thawing in the fridge for dinner, make whatever you want with it. I should be home in time, but don’t wait for me, okay?”

“Got it. Now get out before I kick you out.” Bucky kissed your forehead and shoved you towards the door again.

You smiled and slipped out of the house before your kids could distract you anymore.

“Nice of you to show up, (L/N)-Barnes,” Fury said to you.

“Sorry. Kids are distracting.” You started loading your weapons and attaching them to the holsters. “And you can drop formalities, Nick. it’s just us.”

“Why don’t you do that before you get here?” Fury groaned. “You’re wasting time.”

“Listen, I have a three year old and two six year olds, one of whom wants to go into the military like his dad was.” You strapped a knife to your flesh forearm. “I can’t keep loaded guns and knives lying around. It’s not safe.”

“That’s why I only have a cat,” Fury said. “Let’s go. We’re on a time limit.”