The House in the Field

Ava woke up slowly with the desperate need to stretch her muscles out. Pushing up against the headboard and bending her toes out she was sure every bone in her body was groaning and cracking at the pain of the change. She rubbed her eyes slowly preparing to open them and get hit by the light, desperately trying to remember what happened.
“Hey you.” She heard from the side of her, causing her to open her eyes quicker and seeing Natasha sat at the side of her bed. “How you feeling?” She asked, her voice full of concern she’d never heard before.
“Sore, how long have I been asleep for? Where’s my baby? Where’s James?” She asked all her questions quickly.
“You’ve been asleep for a day and a half. Baby Barnes is having a bottle downstairs watching so nature documentary and James is downstairs too.” Natasha filled her in causing her to smile.
“James is feeding her?” She remembered before he tucked her into bed that he wouldn’t hold the baby so although she missed she was happy he was bonding. She noticed Natasha hesitate and she looked away. “Will you help me downstairs?” She tried to hide her pain with a smile and even though Natasha could see through it she didn’t push any further. She grabbed Ava a change of clothes and helped her change into the sweatpants and one of Bucky’s t shirts before walking carefully at the side of her in case she needed to be caught. They finally made it downstairs and that’s when she saw an unexpected sight, Clint slouched on the sofa with the baby resting protectively on his chest, the soft sounds of crickets playing from the tele with the nature programme playing away. She smiled at how content her baby was but the sadness struck again when she realised that wasn’t James doing that.
“Hey Clint if you’re not careful you’ll get broody.” She smiled making her way over to him slowly as he held the baby carefully sitting up and holding her out to her mom.
“There’s no chance of that.” He laughed, glancing at Nat who shook her head. “Besides we’ve got this little one now.” He smiled stroking the tiny foot.
“Thank you.” She smiled softly not taking her eyes off her baby. She was so tiny, so vulnerable and pure. “Do you know where James is?” She asked slowly finally tearing her gaze off the precious little girl.
“I think he’s in the kitchen.” Clint smiled sadly at her and she nodded, Natasha starting to walk towards there.
“It’s ok I’ve got this.” Ava spoke out causing Nat to stop and look at them both with an unsure glance but making no move to stop her from walking through the door.


Ava got into the kitchen to see Steve, Sam and Bucky all sat around with paper in the middle of the breakfast bar. “Ava, you’re out of bed.” Steve sounded surprised, all eyes on her.
“Yeah. Can we talk?” She looked over at her husband who had only glanced at her.
“I think Tony’s just shouted us.” Sam spoke out looking over at Steve and nodding to the door, both of them standing up and walking out quickly leaving the married couple alone.
“What’s going on James?” Her voice was quiet but stern causing him to look up with a nervous look in his eyes. “Why won’t you hold her? Why was Clint feeding her?” She looked over at him questioningly.
“I erm” he paused struggling to come up with a reason.
“No BS James.” She looked up at him, the hurt on her face tearing him up. “You’re not going to hurt her. You are doing now by not bonding with her.” She whispered out looking away from him and stroking her cheek softly.
“How can you be so sure?” He whispered watching his girls.
“What did you feel when you first saw her?” She asked, catching him off guard completely.
“I fell completely in love with her. I wanted to protect her at all costs. She is just, perfect.” He whispered, unconsciously moving closer to them both.
“That’s how I know.” She whispered looking up at him, tears filling her eyes. “When I first saw her I fell completely in love with her. I wanted to protect her at all costs. She is perfect.” She shuffled closer to him, the perfect bundle of joy separating them. “James, she needs us both.”
“This is the scariest thing ever. I’d rather be in the chair over and over again.” He whispered, spilling out his secret.
“Think about it James. Growing up you always had something to prove. To your parents, to your siblings, to yourself. Don’t have her growing up the same way. Don’t have her growing up spending her life proving to you that you can’t hurt her.” She judged his reaction, wondering if she’d took it too far. He didn’t say anything for what felt like eternity and Ava wasn’t sure whether to give up or not. She heard the shift in his metal plates of his arm as he brought them out, carefully touching Ava’s arms underneath the baby with his flesh arm. She gently shifted so that the baby rested into his one arm, his strength meaning that he could hold her with just the one. Moving away she couldn’t help but let out the tears of her happiness in finally seeing the man she loves holding the baby they both thought wouldn’t happen. She pulled out the two chairs and sat down carefully as Bucky did the same, not taking his eyes off the tiny bundle of joy in his arms.


“I’m sorry.” He whispered, finally looking over at his wife with a sheepish smile. “I should have told you before it came to this.” His gaze shooting to the little girl when she started to move.
“I have been asleep for a while I guess.” She smiled. “She needs a name James.”
“What was the name you used to love back in the 40’s?” He asked pulling the blanket up a little more to keep her covered, he was carefully to make sure the metal of his free hand didn’t touch her but the little baby had other ideas and quickly gripped on to the forefinger of the super arm and wouldn’t let go. Bucky’s face was a mixture of horror and happiness, if that was even possible. He was so happy that she didn’t burst into tears from the cold harshness of the weapon, but, terrified that it had happened.
“Ida.” She laughed grabbing the abandoned phone on the island that one of the others had left and opened the camera. “Look up James.” She smiled snapping a picture of him and his daughter.
“Ida Alice Barnes.” He whispered out after she’d taken the picture, remembering that all the girls in Ava’s family had Alice as their middle name.
“Really?” Ava asked surprised he wanted to carry on with the tradition.
“Of course.” He smiled causing Ava to blush. Nothing could take away this happiness.
“Well Ida, I’ve just set you and daddy as Uncle Steve’s new wallpaper on his phone. I think he’s going to love it.” She whispered leaning over to kiss the little baby’s head before pecking James on his lips.

Notes