Wanda really didn't want to call him. She really, really wanted to avoid it and soldier through it all on her own. But as she heaved up for the fourth time in under ten minutes, she figured it was very logical to ask him to pick her up some ginger ale.

"Hello?" Bucky's voice came through the receiver.

"Hey, you," she said weakly, holding her face over the toilet bowl just in case the nausea hit again. "Can you pick me up some ginger ale?"

"Sure, anything else?" he replied, and she leaned against her forearm.

Wanda opened her mouth to reply, before she felt a new wave hit her and she lurched forward, spilling her contents into the bowl.

The sound Bucky made was incomprehensible, but the line went dead and she groaned, knowing he had dropped everything and was making his way home at lightning speed.

Ten minutes later, the front door busted open, with Bucky racing into the bathroom, footsteps heavy and purposeful. She heard him pause at the door, his breathing quick.

"Hey, sweetheart," he said softly, squatting beside her crouched figure before reaching up and pulling the toilet handle. "What's wrong?"

"Morning sickness," Wanda whispered, her cheek leaning against the rim. "Really kicking my ass today."

Bucky chuckled, and she noticed how his shoulders sagged in relief that it wasn't something serious, something deadly.

Nearing the end of her first trimester was proving to be anything but smooth. Her temperature was constantly elevated, not anything to be worried about, but just enough that it was uncomfortable, and her dizzy spells had doubled.

"How're you feeling?" His voice was soft, and she sighed contentedly as his hand pressed against her forehead.

"Still warm but the uneasiness has slowly melted," she muttered, eyes shutting in exhaustion. She felt his hand move from her forehead to her abdomen, smoothing over the fabric that covered the now slight protrusion. The tiny beginnings of a bump had nearly made her lose her breath when she first noticed, and she adored it.

Placing her hand over his, she gave his palm a squeeze. "Ginger ale?"

"I got Sam to get some. He'll be here soon," he replied, his fingers moving below her own against the bump. "I shouldn't have left you."

She opened her left eye, gives him a look. "You were gone for barely an hour."

"Still."

"We needed groceries."

"I'll send Sam next time," he retorted, settling beside her on the floor, waiting until she's ready. His fingers pushed her shirt up, pads pressing against her skin as his eyes dipped down.

Wanda watched him quietly as her breathing evened out. Sometimes, she wondered how much she could sense when he touched her, how much of the baby he could feel or hear. Could he hear the heartbeat?

"I've been thinking, maybe we should stay at the compound for a bit, have you monitored there?" he suggested, giving her a questioning look.

Wanda shook her head, completely hating the idea of being anywhere but her home. "I like my things, our things, our space," she protested, sitting up. "I don't...I don't want to be treated like a lab rat again."

He looked like he was going to argue his piece, but when the word 'lab rat' exited her mouth, he immediately stopped. "Of course, sweetheart," he replied, scratching from her hairline into her scalp the way he knew she liked. "How about they come check up on you here, then? A little compromise never hurt anyone."

"Hm, that last bit is debatable, but sounds okay to me," she said, pushing herself off the toilet rim. "Besides, I might be sick like this the whole nine months, or worse."

Bucky smiled, but it was tight around the edges. Things had gotten better when Wanda suggested he do some self-research, and the more books and articles he read, the more relaxed Bucky had been. The knowledge of understanding pregnancy and the change it put on a woman's body began to melt some of his fears, allowing for slivers of hope to creep in. His protectiveness for his soon to be wife and unborn child had grown to a massive proportion.

"Sweetheart, as much as I want to marry you, I feel like we should wait till after the baby," he murmured, helping her stand and guiding her to their bed.

"Absolutely not," Wanda shot back, sitting down slowly. "No. I can do it, I promise." He gave her a pitting look and she bristled. "I've been waiting for this moment and I'm not gonna let little love interrupt that." She placed a hand on her tummy, rubbed a singular circle. "Sorry, baby, not gonna happen."

Bucky took a step forward, cradling her face as his hands angled her neck up. "God, I love you."

"Then marry me tomorrow, idiot. Clint will make sure I don't fall."

He sighed in defeat. "Fine. But you're sitting in-between dances."

"Yes sir."

To help with all her symptoms, Wanda had reluctantly handed over bridal duties to Laura, and Bucky had instructed rather fiercely that everything be done the way his fiancé wanted.

The entire lead up to the big event the next day happened in a whirlwind. Pepper and Laura had truly outdone themselves, and Wanda was forever grateful that she didn't have to decide what they had as food for the venue.

"Don't move, I'll be done momentarily," Laura summered as she focused on Wanda's hair, twisting the strands and pinning them.

Wanda huffed, straightened hair back and looked at her notes in her hand. With all the fuss, she'd barely practiced her vows, and with the ceremony hours away, she was beginning to panic.

"What did you guys say?" she asked, looking in the reflection behind her. Pepper was wrapping their bouquets in baby blue tulle, and she looked up from her task. "For your vows?"

"I think we kept ours short and simple," Laura replied, sticking a pin against Wanda's temple, and she shook her head. "I said something like, 'I never knew what I wanted but then I had you, and the answer was so clear.'"

Wanda beamed. "That's so sweet."

"What about you, Pepper?" Laura asked, not looking away from Wanda's head. "I'm sure Tony said something absolutely out of pocket."

Pepper laughed, standing from her position and walked to stand beside them. "He was...sweet. Out of character, I know, but...he just held my hands and said a few words from the heart." She paused, and Wanda reached out, circling her friend's wrist lightly. She knew how Pepper felt more than most. "And after he'd finished, he had winked and said, 'Hey Pep. You're a Stark now."

Pepper's voice was watery, and the women nodded in an understanding silence. They had all lost so much, between people or time, it was a wonder at all that they could have something as simple as a wedding.

"How long do we have before the ceremony?" Wanda asked suddenly, straightening up.

Laura checked her phone, holding up a curl as she did so. "A little less than two hours?"

"Is Clint busy?" Wanda said, standing as the other women gave her an odd look. "I need him to do something for me."

-

Clint drove quickly and didn't ask many questions as Wanda directed him. In the passenger seat, she rang her hands nervously, glancing out the window before looking down at her dress. Pepper had really outdone herself with the designs; it was covering, the little baby bump nearly invisible, and the sleeves rested right below her shoulders, meeting together in a sweetheart neckline. The fabric was breathable and made it easier for her to move; the thought of dancing in it made her vibrate with excitement.

"Right here," Wanda instructed, pointing to the still-empty lot.

Clint nodded, maneuvering his car and putting it in park. "Let me know if you need help," he said. "But I'll be waiting right here for you. You've got about fifteen minutes before Bucky starts to worry, or worse, thinks you're running away."

"I'm not running away," Wanda assured him softly, hand grasping the door handle. "I just...I need to say my goodbyes."

While still covered with dirt, there was slight vegetation growing in the lot as she stepped into the middle of it. Turning slowly, Wanda took in the ground that was supposed to be her home, gripping her hands tightly.

It had been her home at the time. Maybe in another universe there was one where she and Vision had found this lot and built their life. Raised a family, booked soccer tournaments, sent their boys off to school. Maybe another Wanda was out there, growing old with him. And while she couldn't have that luxury, she knew she was grateful. Grateful for the time she'd been given with him, however little, because it had been real love.

"Hey, Vis," Wanda spoke, turning again slightly. "I don't think I have to tell you what I'm doing here. You either know, or you can't hear me and I'm an idiot and making myself late for my own wedding." She laughed, taking a shaking breath. "The truth is...I love him. I'm having his baby, and...I-I get to be his wife!" Wanda covered her mouth, a watery laugh escaping between her fingers. "I'd like to think you'd be happy for me, as I would be for you. Because...well, Vision, I am so happy."

She stopped, lifting her head to blink away the tears. This was so much harder than she had imagined, so difficult to see where so much beauty could have grown, but didn't. "But please, if you're listening, just remember, however much I grow to love him," She whispered, hand placed on her chest. "I will always love you."

Pressing a hand to her lips, she blew a kiss, then walked back to the car. Clint began to drive back the way they'd come, glancing at her from the corner of his eye.

"He'd be so proud of you, kid."

Wanda nodded her head. "I know."