Chapter 6
16 Weeks Pregnant
Steve
Steve sat on Bucky's bed, watching the Omega get dressed.
When he arrived to pick Bucky and the kids up this morning he found Bucky asleep in bed, his alarm blaring.
It took Steve awhile to shake him awake, but as soon as the Omega was up he rushed around the house, getting all of the kids ready.
Bucky took a quick shower so his hair was still wet, slicked back on his head, and then through on a black sweatshirt and black pants.
Although, as Steve watched him he realized the Omega was struggling to close his pants.
Trying to keep himself from laughing, he watched as Bucky attempted to suck in and zip the trousers.
He accomplished everything but the button, which refused to close.
The Omega, giving up on closing the button, searched his desk drawers. Rummaging through them he made an "aha." Pulling out a green rubber band.
The Alpha watched as he wrapped one end of the band around the button, threaded it through the hole and back around the button. Effectively keeping his pants closed.
He pulled his sweatshirt down over the small bump, covering the rubber band.
Steve stood from the bed, walking over to the Omega and placing his hands on the others waist, thumbs stroking Bucky's belly.
"Let me take you to the mall today, get you some new pants. And some more that will fit as you get bigger." Steve suggested.
He could tell Bucky didn't want to go, but realized he probably needed too.
"Fine, after work?" The Omega asked, sighing.
"Sure, now come on, we're gonna be late." He said ushering Bucky out of his room, giving the Omega's ass a lite slap.
Bucky turned around, mouth hanging open.
Steve just grinned leaning down for a kiss, making Bucky giggle.
_-_-_-_
At lunch Sam was asking him if he was free today, to which Steve replied saying, "no, me and Buck are going to the mall."
Saying that ended up being a huge mistake.
"You're going to the mall?" Peggy asked.
"Uh, yeah." Steve said, glancing at Bucky. He wasn't sure if the Omega wanted everyone to know he wasn't fitting his jeans anymore, but Bucky didn't seem to notice the conversation going on at the table.
The Omega was to focused on his fruit cup (and the jar of peanut butter that Steve brought from home, seeing as it was Bucky's current craving).
Bucky's awful morning sickness had recently been replaced by a ravenous hunger.
"What are you going to the mall for?" Sharon asked, interest peeked just like her aunts.
"Buck needs knew clothes." He stated simply.
Tony grinned over at Bucky. "Is someone not fitting in their jeans?" He asked, a devilish look on his face.
Bucky's head snapped up at that, mouth still full as he mumbled out, "I can't help it."
That made everyone at the table giggle, sometimes Bucky was just to adorable.
"We're coming too." Nat said, indicating to Clint who sat on her right.
"Us too!" Sharon and Peggy said.
"Yeah I wanna come! I love shopping and am offended you two didn't invite me." Tony said, feigning hurt.
"Sorry we can't come, the three of us are going to see a movie." Jane said apologetically, speaking on behalf of Thor and Darcy.
Steve wasn't sure why she was sorry though, seeing as they weren't invited anyway.
"Well I'll tag along, might as well." Sam shrugged, as if this was a favor he was doing.
Bruce said he was busy tutoring someone, Pepper had plans with Wanda, (a small sweet girl who didn't talk to a lot of people, mostly sticking with her twin brother Pietro. But for some reason found comfort in Pepper, who was very intimidating.) and Rhodey said he had a family dinner because his aunt and uncle were in town.
Steve was dumbfounded by the time lunch was over, and feeling slightly guilty for letting so many people tag along with them when Bucky probably didn't want a lot of people to know.
And that's how they ended up at the mall with,
Peggy
Sharon
Tony
Sam
Natasha and Clint.
He and Bucky arrived last, because He had to pick up the Omega from his job at the grocery store.
He could tell Bucky was tired, the brunette walking slowly as he clutched onto Steve's arm.
"You okay?" Steve asked.
Bucky nodded, smiling a little at the Alpha.
"Mmhhm, just been really tired lately." Bucky said, leaning into Steve's side more.
"Okay, let me know if you're not feeling good alright?" Steve asked.
Bucky nodded.
_-_-_-_
Bucky
Peggy and Sharon lead the group into a modern looking store, with pictures on the walls of pregnant Omegas in maternity clothing.
Bucky held Steve's hand as they looked around, although he was a little put off by the clothing.
Everything was designed to accommodate to a pregnant body, and the male Omega section was lacking in style.
Bucky didn't want to be picky though, seeing as he wasn't the one paying for it.
When Sharon held up a shirt to him, with extra material and stitching to comfortably fit a pregnant belly, he couldn't help but cringe.
These clothes weren't for teenagers, they were for adults.
Steve must have seen his face, because he pulled him to the side and leaned down to talk to him. "Hey, maybe we could shop at a different store. You're not that big yet, you could just get the clothes you like in a bigger size." Steve suggested.
Bucky sighed in relief, he knew eventually he would have to come back to this store. The pants he likes don't have elastic paneling built in, but they did in this store.
They all agreed to go to a different store, one more fit for their age.
The sales guy was nice, smiling at Bucky and asked if he needed any help.
When Bucky told him his dilemma, Eric (his name tag read) gathered up different pairs of pants and escorted Bucky to the dressing room.
Peggy, Sharon and Natasha following.
After changing out of his current trousers, (setting the rubber band on the folded clothing, making sure not to lose it) he tried on a grey pair of jeans.
Happy to find that the waist fit comfortably, and the button closed with no problem.
He opened the dressing room door to find everybody waiting in the chairs, by all of the mirrors.
Steve smiled at him, looking him up and down. It made Bucky blush.
"Cute!" Peggy and Sharon chorused.
"Very nice." Eric said, eyeing him.
After trying on a few more pairs to find that they all fit well, and matched his style perfectly, they decided to eat at the food court.
Everybody getting something different, smells mingling unpleasantly.
They shoved two of the small square tables together, so they could all sit with each other.
Steve asked him if he wanted to split a sandwich, to which Bucky said "hell, no."
Ain't no way he was splitting food, he was eating for two after all.
So they sat and talked (well, Tony talked), Bucky eating his own sandwich happily.
"So even four months pregnant you could pick up a guy?" Tony asked Bucky, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.
Bucky looked up, speaking around the bite in his mouth. "What do you mean?"
"The sales guy, he was totally into you." Tony said, as if it was obvious.
Bucky swallowed his bite before talking again. "No he wasn't."
"He most certainly was, he kept smiling at you and touching your shoulderrr. It was painfully obvious." Tony said, drawing out his words.
"That's his job." Bucky argued.
He looked to his boyfriend for back up, only to find a disgruntled look on the others face.
"Steve he wasn't into me." Bucky said, stroking the Alpha's arm.
"Buck, he was definitely into you. Every time someone checks you out you don't even notice."
Bucky was starting to get really confused, people didn't check him out, he was invisible.
Natasha chuckled. "You really have no idea what you look like." She said, amused.
"What do you mean?" Bucky asked, this conversation wasn't making sense.
"James, you are quite attractive." Peggy said, ever since she learned his first name it's all she calls him.
"Yeah, you're smokin'." Clint agreed.
Even Steve chuckled at that, smiling over at Bucky, the Omega's eyebrows all scrunched up.
"Buck, babe, you're hot as shit." Steve said.
"Eloquent, Steven." Peggy said.
Steve just shrugged, putting his arm around Bucky and kissing the Omega's head.
Bucky sat there blushing. He knew he wasn't ugly, but was he really that oblivious?
_-_-_-_
Steve dropped Bucky off, giving him a kiss at the door before leaving. They both agreed it was best he didn't come inside, the kids would get to excited and wouldn't let him leave otherwise.
When he walked inside it was to the smell of food cooking and the sound of jazz music playing in the kitchen.
He set down his back pack, and the plastic bags containing his new clothes, then took off his sweatshirt before walking to the other room.
A man was standing at the sink, peeling potatoes and humming along to the music.
Bucky cleared his throat.
The man turned around, revealing a tall Alpha with dark brown hair and blue grey eyes.
"Dad?" Bucky asked.
His father, George Barnes, greeted him with a large grin.
"Buckaroo! Hey pal, how's it going?"
His father set the food and peeler down, wiping his hands on a towel before bringing Bucky into a tight hug.
Though the Alpha pulled back when Bucky's stomach pressed against his, eyes widening as he looked down to the small, firm bump protruding from the Omega's middle.
"Who did this? I'll kill them." George said, a protective stance coming over him.
"My boyfriend, and you're not going to kill him." Bucky said, giving his father a look.
"I want to meet this boyfriend, make sure he's not gonna hurt my baby boy." George said, like he had any say in what Bucky did.
His father may not be around often (ever), but he did love his children with a fierce passion. And he'd always been over protective of Bucky, he was his first baby, they'd only been teenagers when he was born.
"Why are you here?" Bucky asked, signing.
"Can't I drop by to see my beautiful family?" George asked, feigning hurt.
"Yeah, but you're not due to stop by for another four months." Bucky said, raising an eyebrow.
Not like he wasn't happy to see his father, he loved the man, but he was just so unreliable.
"I come bearing cash. 500 bucks to be specific." George said, a proud smile on his face, his chest puffing out slightly.
"How did you get 500 extra dollars?" Bucky asked, his dad never had money, always living with random girlfriends or sleeping on his buddy's couch.
"I've been saving, taking a little out every week. I know you deserve more, but this is all I can give." George said.
"Well, thank you. So, works been well?"
"Same ol' same ol'. Mechanic shop with greasy Jim, he's still the meanest boss in town." George sighed, shaking his head as he recalled on memories.
"At least you have a job." Bucky said, thinking of his mother. She's probably locked up in her room, avoiding his father.
"You still working at the grocery store?"
"Book store too."
His father looked to the floor at that, the man had always felt bad that he couldn't give his children a better life. Guilty that all of the responsibility fell on his oldest son.
The Alpha, cleared his throat before trying to change the subject. "So, how far along are ya? And what's this boyfriends name?"
"16 weeks, and his name is Steve. He's really nice dad, I think you would like him." Bucky said, chuckling at his fathers grimace.
"Maybe you should invite him over for dinner soon, I can give him a talkin' and make sure he doesn't break my little boys heart." George said, not able to let go of that protective instinct.
Part of Bucky was happy that his father was so protective, made him feel loved, safe.
"Sure dad, I'll ask him to come over. How about tomorrow?" Bucky asked.
"Sounds good. You don't mind if I crash on the couch do ya?"
"You know you're always welcome here." Bucky said, smiling reassuringly at his father.
"It's just your mother doesn't like me her-"
"Mom doesn't get a say, she hardly leaves her room so it's not like she's even gonna see you. It's fine, don't worry about it." Bucky wasn't going to make his father leave just because his mom didn't want him here, when she starts providing any use to this family that's when she gets her say back.
Later that night he brought out some sheets and blankets, and a pillow for his father. Laying it all on the couch, letting his father deal with setting it up.
All of the kids were asleep except for Luke, who sat up in bed chewing on a rubber toy. The poor baby was teething and couldn't sleep, so Bucky picked him up and brought him to his room.
He set Luke on his bed, the bedside lamp providing a soothing light to the room.
Pulling off his shirt, he looked in the mirror at his growing stomach.
Stroking the bulge lightly, he smiled.
He pulled his pants off replacing them with sweats and grabbed a long sleeve.
Climbing into bed with Luke he curled up with the baby. Luke was against the wall and Bucky near the edge so the baby wouldn't fall.
"Is your teeth hurting?" Bucky whispered. Luke pulled the toy out of his mouth, a long spit string attached from his lip fell on Bucky's arm.
The Omega sighed, not to disturbed by the drool, he was used to it.
"Night baby boy." Bucky whispered as he turned off the lamp, rubbing the baby's back soothing him to sleep.
_-_-_-_
Steve
Steve woke to his cell phone ringing, searching blearily for it. Smiling when he saw the picture of Bucky (he took it when the Omega had Fallon asleep on the couch, hand resting on his stomach).
" 'ello?" He said.
"Sorry, are you still asleep?" Bucky asked, and he could hear Luke in the background mumbling, his face probably buried in Bucky's neck.
"No, it's fine. Iz everythin' alright?" Steve asked, trying to shake the tiredness off.
"I just wanted to let you know my dad's here, and he wants to meet you so he can threaten you, to make sure you don't leave me and the baby." Bucky sounded so casual.
Steve was starting to freak out a little bit, it's not like he would ever hurt Bucky and the baby, but he had no idea what his boyfriends father was like.
"Stevie? You still there?"
"Yeah, yeah I'm here." Steve said.
"He wants you to come over for dinner tonight, would that be okay?"
"Uhh, yeah that- that sounds fine. I'll be there." He looked over to his clock, discovering that his alarm would be going off in another seven minutes. "Hey Buck, I should probably start getting ready. I'll be by to pick you up in an hour or so."
"Okay, love you."
"Love you too."
_-_-_-_
When Steve knocked on Bucky's door he was a nervous wreck.
Luckily the door was opened by his boyfriend, who greeted him with a kiss.
"Don't worry, my dad's at work. You won't have to meet him until later tonight."
Steve sighed in relief, picking up Jack, who was trying to climb him like he was a jungle gym.
"So what's your dad like?" Steve asked when they were having lunch.
"He's really nice, I mean he probably won't be to you. But that's just cause he's really protective of me." Bucky said.
"But he's never around." Steve said, he couldn't understand how a father wouldn't want to be with their children, but he's had a very privileged life so it was hard for him to relate.
"He loves me though, and my siblings. I know he doesn't come around that much, and I'm not trying to defend that, it's just... he's not a bad person, he's just irresponsible." Bucky sighed, hoping Steve wouldn't hate his father, and vise versa.
"He's not gonna try and beat me up is he?"
Bucky laughed, and Steve wasn't sure if that was a good sign or not.
_-_-_-_
Steve picked Bucky up from work and drove them to the Omega's house.
Bucky must have been able to smell how nervous he was, because his boyfriend grabbed his hand, giving it a little squeeze and a small smile in reassurance.
"It's okay Stevie, I'm right here with you." Steve stared into the Omega's stormy eyes, getting lost for a moment.
He nodded, collecting himself, and they both got out of the car.
Steve continued to hold Bucky's hand, seeking comfort from the Omega.
He'd never been nervous like this before, he wanted this to go well, for Bucky.
When they walked through the door, he could smell food cooking and heard music playing. Someone was singing along loudly, he could also hear Rebecca and Jack singing too.
Bucky tugged him towards the kitchen, squeezing his hand once more.
As they got closer to the room the music and singing got louder.
Pushing the kitchen door open, his senses were bombarded with noise and smell. Rebecca had her small hands in a mans (who bared a striking resemblance to Bucky) much larger ones and was jumping up and down, dancing.
When the man, an Alpha, caught sight of Steve and Bucky he walked over to the radio and turned the music down.
"Buckaroo, is this your guy?" The man asked.
"Yeah, this is Steve. Steve this is my dad, George." Bucky introduced them, lucky remaining in between the two.
A voice in his head (his mothers voice to be more specific) reminded him of his manners, so he stuck his hand out to Bucky's father, George.
"It's nice to meet you sir." The older Alpha eyes his hand for a minute, before sliding his palm in Steve's and giving it a firm shake. George was squeezing his hand so tight he was worried it would bruise.
Bucky had to grab his fathers wrist and pull it away from Steve, seeing as the guy didn't let go and showed no sign of doing so.
"Okay, maybe we should just eat." Bucky said, trying to relieve the tension.
And so they all sat around the dining table, Bucky feeding Luke with Steve sitting on his right. George sat across from Steve (staring holes into his head) with Rebecca on his left and Jack on his right, Julia was sitting in his lap.
This was how most of dinner went, Bucky would lead the conversation, talking about stuff that had happened at work that day (apparently some lady came in asking for books on witches, with rituals and spells and stuff. "A real wackadoo." As Bucky put it).
"I'm gonna get some water, do you want anything?" Steve asked Bucky, standing from the table. He needed a break from George's constant death glare.
"No, I'm okay. Thanks though." Bucky said, smiling up at him.
He'd had dinner here enough to know which cupboard the glasses were in.
He was at the sink filling the cup when he felt a presence by his side, turning slowly to the right he saw Bucky's father.
"Let's just get this over with shall we?" George asked.
Steve just stood there, ready to take whatever this man threw at him.
"I know I'm not that great of a father, but I love that boy so much. I would have preferred him not have to become a parent so soon, but this is happening, so we just have to roll with it. But I want you to know that if you ever hurt my baby boy, I will personally hunt you down and beat the living shit out of you."
By this point George was right in Steve's face, a mean glare on his face.
But Steve wasn't scared, intimidated yes, but not scared. He had no reason to be, because he would never hurt Bucky.
"I love your son, and I love our baby. They mean everything to me, and I'm not going to hurt them. Ever." Steve said, the words coming out calmer then he'd expected.
George slowly backed up, giving Steve his personal space back. Something like a smile (definitely not a smile, but not a grimace either) creeped upon the older mans face.
"That's good to hear, now, why don't we try and enjoy our dinner now? Hmm." George patted him on the shoulder, turning on his heels and walking back to the dining room.
Steve just stood there, in front of the sink.
He chugged his water, refilling it, and then followed into the other room.
It turned out to be a decent night.
Steve doesn't think he would ever be happy with the way Bucky's parents are, but he is glad to know that one of them is so protective. That there is another person out there that would do anything to keep the Omega safe, his baby too.
As long as his family's safe and happy, that's all that matters.