Chapter 7
20 Weeks Pregnant
Steve
"Don't look so grumpy Buck, after the baby's born you're gonna love having these pictures." Steve said, trying to cheer up his boyfriend.
The Alpha had been reading a baby book, and in each chapter it had tips for the dad. Suggestions like, (for instance) taking pictures of the mother while their still pregnant.
Steve's only trying to be helpful, and if he somehow gets off seeing Bucky like this? Well, win win.
Recently the Omega had 'popped' and it had quite the affect on Steve, it was confusing for the Alpha.
When he sees Bucky's belly, part of him has this overpowering feeling to protect run through him, and the other part wants to rip the Omega's clothes off and take him against the nearest surface.
Steve was currently leaning against the wall and having Bucky stand in front of him, the Omega still wearing his sweatpants while he took pictures.
It was Sunday, Bucky's day off, so Steve is spending the day at his boyfriends house.
"Steve why do we have to do this?" Bucky whined.
"Because, don't you want to remember what this was like. What if our baby wants to see these pictures when they're older?"
"But I'm all big and gross, I don't want pictures of me like this." Bucky said, his cheeks heating up.
For some reason the Omega couldn't see how beautiful he was right now, no matter what Steve said it wouldn't change his mind. But Steve supposes if he had a little person kicking around inside of him he wouldn't feel to hot either.
That's another thing, their baby? It kicked now. What started off as little nudges that only Bucky could feel (he thought he ate something weird and had gas, but when it kept happening for a few days he called his doctor. She explained that it was the baby kicking) turned into little kicks that Steve could slightly feel from the outside, and the Alpha wasn't ashamed to admit he shed a few tears at that.
He also found it adorable how Bucky was starting to have trouble standing up, especially when he sat on the couch. But the Omega was stubborn and refused help, and Steve was just waiting for that moment when Bucky would actually need his help.
"You're not gross Buck, you're glowing." Steve said with a smile, and it was true Bucky did have a glow about him. His hair had gotten thicker and softer, and his skin was smoother (not like it wasn't smooth before). He just glowed, like the freaking sun.
"I'm pretty sure that's just sweat."
There was a knock on the door, and George, Bucky's father poked his head in.
The two were surprised to find that the older Alpha hadn't left yet, George claimed that he wanted to be there for his children.
Steve was pretty sure it had something to do with Bucky's pregnancy, he realized that George was very protective and loving towards his son. It made him happy, although he may not be around that often, at least Bucky had one parent that seemed to care about him.
His father staying here had been a huge stress relief on Bucky, when George wasn't working he stayed home with the kids, allowing Bucky and Steve to go out and have fun. The Alpha cooked dinner almost every night, and he made store runs too.
Even helped Bucky out with a few house bills.
"Hey, breakfast is ready." George said.
"We'll be down in a minute, thanks dad." Bucky said.
George smiled, and left the room.
"Can we be done with this and go eat?" Bucky asked, and Steve could tell he was completely over this.
"Sure Buck." Steve said, putting his hand on Bucky's lower back and guiding him downstairs.
_-_-_-_
Bucky
It was 2:30 in the afternoon, and they were laying on the couch. Steve was on his side against the back of the couch, and Bucky was laying on his back, Luke laying across his chest.
Luke was disgruntled with the recent development of his belly, finding it harder to get comfortable with the Omega.
Bucky thought this may be a good thing, Luke has always been clingy when it comes to Bucky, when the baby arrives he's not gonna have as much time for his little brother.
At least his fathers been around, taking some of the heavy load off of Bucky. And Steve's been a big help too.
Currently Steve's head was resting on Bucky's right shoulder, face right in front of Luke, making silly faces at the baby.
Luke giggled each time, reaching a small hand out to lay it on the Alpha's cheek.
When Steve went to fake bite Luke's hand the baby cried out, "no Steve!"
Steve chuckled. "I'm sorry buddy, did I scare you?"
Bucky was really glad Steve and Luke got along, the baby didn't really talk that much, especially to people he wasn't comfortable with.
So when he started saying Steve's name, it was special.
Luke was gonna be two next month, and Bucky was gonna try and plan a little birthday party for him.
Hopefully he could get his mom to be in the same room as his dad.
George squatted down on the floor next to Bucky, that way they were eye to eye.
"You know there's a little carnival thing going on tonight, I was thinking we could all go out, have some fun. And maybe you could convince your mother to come too?" George asked, his voice turning into a slight mumble at the end.
"I'm sure the kids would love to go, but mom? I don't see her leaving her room to spend time with you.. no offense."
"None taken. It's just, I miss her so much. I just want to make it up to her. Show her I can be the man she wants, you know, woo her." George sighed.
"What happened between you guys anyway?" Steve asked, Luke was holding his index finger, smiling.
"Oh um, don't worry about. So are we going?" George dismissed Steve's question and changed the subject.
Bucky looked to Steve, who nodded.
"Yeah, but how are we gonna get there?" Bucky asked.
"We'll walk, it's not to far from here."
"Okay, and I'll ask mom, but I can't guarantee that she'll say yes though." Bucky said, rubbing his palm on Luke's back.
"That's all I ask, thanks Buckaroo. We'll leave at five."
And with that he left (to the kitchen, probably making cookies or something with Rebecca).
Steve tilted his head up to look at Bucky.
"What happened with your parents?" The Alpha asked.
"I don't know, neither of them would ever tell me. Always said it was best I didn't know." Bucky explained.
It was true, whenever he asked his mother why her and his dad weren't together she would shrug it off, claiming they just weren't meant for each other. That it wasn't Bucky's problem to solve and to leave it be.
It always bugged Bucky that she wouldn't tell him, she acted like she was sparring his feelings, yet she had no trouble complaining about his father to him.
"Do you think your dad cheated?" Steve asked, his voice low.
"Maybe, I don't think he did but, it's possible. They never really had the most healthy relationship, I'm pretty sure my mom got together with my dad because her father was super religious and conservative. My dad was the 'bad boy' when he was younger, I think my moms motive was an act of rebellion. But then she got pregnant and her parents shunned her, so she kind of had no choice but to live with my dad." Bucky explained.
"Jeez, is that why she doesn't like me so much? She thinks I'm just playing you or something." Steve asked.
"Probably, I'm honestly surprised she payed you any mind. Usually she doesn't care what I do, but for some reason she just doesn't like you." Bucky sighed, his mother could be a real pain in the butt.
"I'll win her over, may take awhile, but I'll do it." Steve said, confidence surging through every word.
Bucky giggled. "I'm sure you will, Stevie."
Steve grinned, leaning up to kiss him. When the Alpha's lips touched his Luke slapped Steve's face, frowning up at him.
"I can't give Bucky kisses? Why not?" Steve asked.
"Mine." Luke said, hugging Bucky tight.
Steve just laughed. "Why can't we share?"
"No! My bubby." Luke said, pushing himself up with his arms and crawling to give Bucky a kiss.
Bucky happily excepted, giggling at the evil glare Luke gave Steve.
The baby may be more comfortable with Steve now, even liked playing with him sometimes, but he was also really possessive of Bucky.
"What about me, can I have a kiss?" Steve asked, giving those adorable puppy eyes.
Luke leaned over, kissing Steve's nose. This resulted in Steve tickling the baby, and blowing raspberries against his tummy.
"No! Hewp! Hewp me!" Luke laughed, calling to Bucky for savior.
It made the Omega grin.
It was 3:58, and Bucky decided now was as good a time as ever to talk to his mom.
He was almost certain she would decline, but he told his father he'd try.
Bucky knocked on her door, opening it after he heard a quite "come in."
"Hey ma, how's it going?" Bucky asked, he needed to remember to be patient and kind, it was the only way to get through to his mother.
"It's fine." She said, never looking away from the tv.
So Bucky walked further into the room, sitting on the bed so he could look at her.
"So, we're all going out tonight, and um. I was wondering.." Bucky took in a deep breathe, confidence was key. He needed to assert himself.
"I wondering if you would like to join us?" Bucky said, glad to find his voice strong.
She looked over to him, raising an eyebrow. "No thanks." She said.
You know what, screw patience and kindness, Bucky was gonna make this happen. Not for his father, but for his siblings and for himself.
"Actually, you don't get a say. You're coming, I don't care if you don't want too. It's not okay for you to abandon your children, especially when you live in the same house. You need to get over whatever your deal with dad is, you don't have to like him but you do have to be civil. Because you're coming tonight, got it?"
He made sure to stare her in the eyes the whole time.
She stared at him for awhile, her mouth slightly open.
Bucky could understand why, he'd never in his whole life talked to his mother like that.
Once she'd regained her composure, she spoke. "You can't talk to me like that, I'm your mother."
"Well you're not a very good one. you do realize I'm the one who pays the bills. I'm the one who takes care of your children. And I'm the one telling you to get your ass out of this bed and get dressed, because you're coming out with us tonight, and you're gonna smile and be happy." Bucky said, his eyes set in one of the most intense glares his mother has ever seen.
Winifred opened and closed her mouth a few times, words just couldn't come to her.
Bucky stood from the bed and walked to her closet, pulling out a simple black dress with small pink roses on it, it would fall just below the knee.
He laid the dress on the bed, and then grabbed some black flats. He dug through her bedside drawer, successfully finding a makeup bag, setting that on the bed as well.
"Be ready and downstairs by five." He said, not glancing at his mother the whole time.
He left the room, head held high, until he shut the door and leaned against the wall. He was breathing fast and his eyes were wide. He couldn't believe it, he'd just told off his mother.
It was liberating.
_-_-_-_
It was now 4:55 and Bucky was sitting on the couch starring at the stairs.
If his mother didn't come down those steps in the next five minutes, Bucky was gonna be pissed.
"Are you sure she'll come?" George asked, he was down on one knee, helping Jack tie his shoes.
"She better." Bucky said, eyes never leaving the stairs.
Both Becca and Julia were dressed, sitting next to Bucky. Jack just needed his shoes and a jacket, and Luke was in Steve's lap. The Alpha was helping the baby into his little converse (which were adorable).
Luke didn't like to walk much, but it was getting harder for Bucky to carry him for long periods of time.
The Omega sat there, waiting. He felt the baby kick and tried to sooth it by rubbing his palm over his stomach.
4:57
"What did you say to her?" George asked, it wasn't accusatory, just curious.
"I was just honest with her, hopefully it actually got through."
4:58
"I hope so, I just want us to have a family night out. We haven't all been together in a long time, since before Lukey was born." George said sadly, realizing he and Winifred had completely split when she was still pregnant with Luke.
"You guys don't mind me being here do you? If you want a family thing I could go home." Steve said, eyes wide thinking he was intruding on something.
Bucky was about to reassure him but George beat him to it. "Nonsense, you are family Steve."
Steve looked at Bucky with the largest grin plastered on his face.
In the past month George and Steve have really bonded, mostly about sports but, bonding was bonding.
It made Bucky happy to know at least one of his parents was so excepting of Steve, because the Alpha meant so much to him. And his father was right, Steve was family. The Alpha had somehow ingrained himself into their little world, he played a part in their daily routine.
Bucky smiled, before looking back to the stairs.
4:59
Nothing.
He watched the clock, seeing the seconds near closer to the planned time.
Only 23 seconds remained.
She could not do this, it's unfair.
14
She really didn't care about him. He thought, hoped there was at least something in her that still cared.
8
It hurt, that his mother couldn't spend one day with his family. It hurt that she didn't want too.
3
It just, hurt.
5:00
Bucky felt his eyes water, but he refused to shed a tear because of her.
Bucky stood up, sniffing once before smiling at the family.
"We can still have fun." Bucky said. he could tell everyone but Julia and Luke were disappointed, but that was only because they didn't quite understand what was going on.
The two youngest didn't really care about their mother that much, only because all they've really known is Bucky. He gives them love, he cares for them, he's basically their parent.
Steve gave Bucky a sympathetic look, the Alpha standing with Luke in his arms, the blue baby bag strapped on to him like a backpack.
Luke clutched onto Steve's wide shoulders, resting his head against the Alpha's neck as he stared at Bucky with a little smile.
Bucky smiled back, and then grabbed Julia and Becca's hands.
The family started towards the door.
"Wait!"
Bucky turned to the top of the stairs, where his mother stood. She was wearing the dress and flats, her makeup done (lightly, but beautiful). She clutched a small black purse in her hand, and a sweater was thrown over her arm, for later.
She walked down the steps, the dress sashaying around her.
Her face remained neutral, but Bucky could smell the nerves wafting off of her.
It was almost comforting to know that she was nervous, it meant she cared about how this night would go.
She cared.
When she reached the bottom of the stairs Bucky walked over to her, her face was cautious until he pulled her into a hug.
"Thank you." He whispered in her ear.
She didn't say anything, but gave a slight nod when he pulled away.
Steve stepped up behind him, (Luke still in his arms) setting a hand on Bucky's lower back.
"Shall we get going?" The Alpha asked, a small smile on his face.
Bucky nodded. "Yeah."
_-_-_-_
Steve
When they got to the carnival, (it wasn't big or anything, mostly a few games and food. But it was colorful and the kids loved it) they had to stop at the ticket booth.
Steve grabbed his wallet before George could and payed for the family.
"Oh, Steve you don't have too. I can ta-"
"No really, I don't mind." Steve said with a smile.
They each received a stamp on the hand, it was of a purple monkey.
Luke leaned out of Steve's arms, reaching for Bucky. The Omega grabbed him, the baby resting on his stomach.
It was adorable.
"Lets goooo!" Julia said, jumping up and down impatiently.
They wondered around for awhile, looking at all of the lights. Steve kept his left hand on Bucky lower back the whole time, rubbing gently when he could tell the Omega was getting uncomfortable.
Luke may be a small baby, but he was heavy.
Rebecca tugged on Steve's hand, and the Alpha looked down.
"Can you win me that panda?" She asked, pretty blue eyes wide as she pointed at a big stuffed animal.
Steve smiled at her. "I can try."
She grinned, pulling him towards the game.
It was simple enough, you got three baseballs and you had to knock over three rows of three stacked tin bottles.
Simple.
Steve stood back a little, making sure there was no one he was gonna hit. He pulled his arm back, drawing his leg up, and followed through.
The first ball hit dead center the stack on the left.
Becca cheered, clapping her hands.
"You can do it Steve!" Jack shouted. It made the Alpha chuckle. "Thanks buddy."
He wound up the pitch again, letting the second ball fly into the stack on the right.
The kids cheered more, and Steve looked over to find Bucky smiling at him.
It was Steve's favorite smile, all teeth and dimples.
Now encouraged by the sunshine grin, he wound up the pitch, taking in a steadying breathe before letting the third ball hit right into the center stack.
It was a nerve racking few seconds as one of the tin bottles wobbled, debating wether to stand or drop.
After coming to almost a complete stop, the bottle fell, clinging to the ground.
Rebecca screamed, running into Steve's legs with a tight hug. He picked her up, and walked over to the booth, letting her grab the giant panda.
It was way bigger than her and totally impractical, but she loved it and that's what matters.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I love it!" She kept saying, smiling up at him.
"No problem." He gave her a kiss on the cheek and set her down. She ran over to Jack and Julia to show off her new toy.
He turned when he felt a hand on his left arm, smiling when he saw his boyfriend.
Luke was dosing against Bucky's chest, holding onto the Omega's shirt.
"That was really nice what you did for her." Bucky said, a loving look in his eyes.
"It made her happy, I'm glad that I was the cause of that." Steve said, holding his hands out to Luke, hoping to relieve Bucky for awhile. But the baby just shook his head, holding onto Bucky tighter.
"You wanna go sit down?" Steve asked, concern readable in his voice.
"Actually that sounds great, can we get some food too?"
George came over at that.
"I'm paying for the food, you just go sit down and relax okay?" George asked, eyebrow raised when Steve went to open his mouth.
Bucky nodded, and started to head to a bench with his mother and siblings.
Steve was about to follow when George grabbed his elbow, bringing him close to whisper in his ear.
"Sorry about that, I'm trying to look good in front of Winnie. You know, woo her."
Steve smiled at that. "It's no problem, if I'd have known that was your plan I could have been helpin' you out sooner."
"What do you mean." George asked, confusion masking his face.
"Help talk ya up." Steve said.
"Really? You'd do that?" George asked, a smile spreading across his face.
"Of course, George."
The older Alpha slapped him on the shoulder with a big grin, before making his way to all of the food stands.
When George came back with a bunch of hotdogs, they all sat in the grass around a tree.
Winifred hadn't spoken the entire time they've been out, but she has smiled a few times. Steve wondered what Bucky must have said to get her to come.
"So, George where did you get the money to pay for this?" Winifred asked, she didn't look at the man but her tone showed that she was unimpressed.
"I have a job at the mechanic shop, remember? Where I've worked for the last ten years." George said, clearly a little irritated.
"Then why haven't you been helping out with bills this whole time?" She asked, eyes finally meeting her ex's.
Steve tried to diffuse the tension.
"George has been helping a lot Miss Barnes. He's been trying to help Bucky out, been really great about it too." Steve said, making sure to keep his voice neutral. He didn't want her to think that he was accusing her of not being helpful, even though she wasn't.
"Really? Why is it you've only been helping out for the past month?" She asked.
"Well, Bucks pregnant now. And it's a lot for him to take on, he's only seventeen. Just want to make sure you guys are alright." George shrugged.
"So you think he can't handle it?"
"Of course he can handle it, it's just. He shouldn't have to do it alone."
"He has me." Her voice was starting to rise now.
"What do you do for him? Nothing!" George's voice escalated with hers.
"I've worked hard since I wa-"
"Yeah, yeah. Since you were sixteen! You know what so have I! That doesn't give you an excuse to leave everything to your son!"
"Maybe if you didn't leave me-"
"Me leave you?! You kicked me out!"
They were right in each other faces now.
"Because you broke my grandmothers hand painted plate!"
"It was a stupid plate!"
"Wait!" Bucky piped in, holding his hands up. "This is about a plate?"
"My grandmothers plate, he broke it!" She said, pointing an accusatory finger at George.
"It was an accident! It's not my fault!" George yelled back.
"What exactly happened?" Bucky asked.
Winifred scooted over to her son, grabbing his hand as she explained. "Well, it was thanksgiving. And I decided to bring out the good plates, and at this point I was about seven months pregnant with Lukas. So I'm walking to the dinning room with my grandmothers hand painted plate, it was one of a kind. And your father comes flying around the corner and knocks it right out of my hand. And it shattered!"
Winifred was basically crying at this point, still glaring at George.
"It was an accident, I was walking not flying around the corner, and I didn't know you would be there. I bumped into you, and it fell and broke." George explained, clearly irritated.
"This has all been over a plate? Mom you don't even like your grandmother." Bucky said, starring her down.
"Yes, but it was all I had left of her. And you know what he said? 'Whoops sorry' that's it! He hardly even cared!"
Bucky was clearly over this.
The kids had all scampered over to Steve, sitting next to him and holding his hand. Or in Luke and Julia's case, sitting on his folded legs.
"I said I was sorry what's the big deal?!" George asked.
Before Winifred could say anything Bucky cut her off.
"Mom, your parents and grandparents didn't want you when you got pregnant, I remember you throwing out a ring your mom gave you as a kid. Why is this plate such a big deal?"
She looked to the grass, fat tears falling down her face.
"Because, (sniffle) my grandmother gave that to my mom, who gave it to me. She said it was special and that someday I would give it to my daughter, that was... it was the last good conversation we had before I told her I was pregnant. The last good memory, and he ruined it!"
Bucky looked exasperated.
"The last good memory I had with you was over a bowl of lucky charms, you don't see me saving a goddamn cardboard box!" Bucky shouted back.
"James you wouldn't understand, my mother didn't care about me." Her voice had gone quite.
"No mom, I understand that very well." Bucky glared at her.
She looked up, shock clouding her features.
"I care about you." She whispered.
"Do you?" Bucky asked, accusation clear in his voice.
"Of course." Her voice was so soft it was hard for Steve to hear.
She crawled forward and threw her arms around Bucky, even though he resisted at first.
"Baby boy, I care about all of you." She said, her face buried in his hair.
It took a minute, but eventually Bucky wrapped his arms around her.
Rebecca and Jack walked over, hugging Bucky's back.
Winifred let out a tearful laugh. "I'm so sorry my loves."
George put his hand on Winifred's shoulder. "I'm sorry Winnie, I really am."
Julia stood up and whispered in Steve's ear. "Why's everybody sad?"
Steve smiled at her wide eyed face.
"I think they're not so sad anymore." Steve said.
"But they're crying." She whispered back.
"It's, happy tears." Was the best Steve could come up with.
The family stayed there for awhile. And when they finally went home, George still slept on the couch and Winifred still went to her room. But they did smile at each other, and she hugged all of her kids before heading up to bed.
She still had a long way to go, but this was definitely a step forward.
Steve texted his parents that he was staying at Bucky's (they'd been pretty lax about him staying the night here, considering Bucky was pregnant already).
Once all of the kids were put to bed, him and Bucky went to the Omega's room and laid down on the bed.
"Quite the day, huh?" Steve asked, they were both on their sides facing each other. Steve was on the edge of the bed and Bucky against the wall.
"Yeah, as eventful as it was, I'm glad it happened. And I'm glad you're here with me." Bucky said, leaning forward to kiss the Alpha.
They continued kissing for a little bit, until Bucky let out a "huh."
The Omega broke apart from him, setting his hand on his stomach.
"He moving a lot in there?" Steve asked.
Bucky nodded before pausing. "He?"
"I don't wanna call the baby it, or they. It sounds impersonal."
"But what if the baby's a girl?" Bucky asked, raising his eyebrow teasingly.
"Then we won't tell her, she or he would never know." He leaned down and pulled up Bucky's shirt, so his lips were against the soft skin of his belly.
"You wouldn't mind would you sweetheart? You know even if you're a boy or a girl, it doesn't matter to me. Because daddy loves you very much, yes he does." Steve was whispering, trying to be quite to not disturb the baby.
He felt Bucky's hand in his hair, the Omega's other resting on his stomach, drawing small circles with his index.
"Are you happy? With how everything is working out?" Bucky whispered.
"Yeah, I'm scared, but I'm happy. You make me happy." Steve made sure to whisper too, not wanting to break their quite atmosphere.
"Me too. I love you." Bucky said, and Steve knew the Omega was smiling.
"And I love you. You too my little one." Steve kissed Bucky's belly once more, resting his hand next to the Omega's.
Steve was happy, and he was terrified for what was to come. Sometimes he felt like his heart would explode by his impending fatherhood, but then he'd see Bucky, or feel the baby kick and he realized that none of that mattered as long as he had these two people by his side.
As long as he had his family.
His happiness.