IT HAD BEEN a few days since the attack on the GRC in New York. Y/N and Wanda were at their home, getting minor chores done before going to the Wilson family's cookout that they were invited to.

Sam was going to meet them there around the same time, since he was currently with Isaiah and Elijah at the Smithsonian to show them the memorial he had dedicated to the elder Bradley.

Wanda was in the middle of doing the dishes when Y/N snaked his arms around her waist.

"I'll finish this up. Don't worry." He spoke close to her ear.

"I got this, darling." She replied with a light chuckle.

"You've already folded the laundry. You could honestly get things done with the snap of your fingers so let me be of use for once."

"Awww." She stopped and turned her head towards him, "Do I make you feel useless?"

"You're the lady of the house. Only thing here that depends on me is the garden outside." He responded.

"The lilies...lavender..." She began to list.

"They're my babies." He interjected, then grabbed her arms and gently pulled her away from the sink. He started taking her to the island beside them.

"You sit. Enjoy the fruit from the bowl we have here. And let me finish up." He said, then continued his girlfriend's chore.

Wanda chuckled as she sat on the stool and grabbed a pear from the bowl, "You're so cute when you take charge."

He laughed as he washed the plates. He then remembered the events from days ago and sparked a conversation.

"You really saved our ass back there." He said, mentioning how Wanda showed up to stop Batroc and the Flag Smashers.

"I had a feeling something was wrong..." Wanda began, "Vďaka Bohu (Thank God) I arrived when I did."

"Did you get a look at their faces? Batroc's? It was priceless." He remarked with a light chuckle.

"I did see Walker's. He better appreciate the fact I didn't have them fire at him instead."

"I'm sure he's grateful."

Wanda thought back at that time. She took it upon herself to save the three men and also stop what remained of the Flag Smashers. The world was starting to see her as a hero again.

"I did what I had to do to help. I need to keep doing that." She said, "It's my destiny to bring chaos...but I want to change that."

Y/N paused for a moment before letting out a sigh, "You're not a chaos-bringer to me, Wanda. You never were. Whatever Agatha said is not true. You're a good person, you always were."

Y/N was about done with the chore. Wanda appreciated his words. She rested her elbow on the counter and laid her head against her palm.

"You thought it was hot?" She asked, recalling Y/N's remark when she stopped Batroc and the terrorists.

Y/N smirked as he started drying his hands and he turned to face her, "Oh, definitely. Huge turn on."

Wanda laughed with her lover as he added one last thing, "You should conjure that dress in the bedroom. It'd spice things up."

Wanda shook her head as she stood up from her seat. She took a bite of her fruit before walking off, "You're something else."

• • •

IN THE EMPTY courtroom, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine waited along with John Walker's wife, Olivia, as her husband changed his outfit. She took out her phone and read the report of the prison transport containing Flag Smashers being blown up a couple days ago.

"Looks like our friend, Zemo, kinda got the last laugh, right?" She remarked as she showed Olivia.

Val continued, "Couldn't have worked better if I planned it myself." She paused for a moment, "Oh. Well, maybe I did. No, I'm kidding. I didn't...or did I?"

Olivia didn't respond, mostly weirded out by the older lady.

Val exhaled as they continued waiting for John, "What is he doing in there?"

"It's probably the helmet." Olivia said.

"Walker! My God! Let's go!" Val exclaimed.

Soon afterwards, John walked out of the room sporting his new uniform given to him by Val.

"Now this is more like it." She remarked upon seeing him.

"It's the same, but black." John said as he looked at himself.

"Yeah, well...things are about to get weird." Val began, "So, when they do, were not gonna need a Captain America. We're gonna need a U.S Agent."

John nodded, "That's great."

"Keep your phone on." She said before walking away.

"Will do, Val."

"Don't call me that."

"Copy." He apologized, "Thank you!"

She left the room, and Olivia smiled at her husband.

"U.S Agent." She said with a laugh, then hugged him. He parted from her and started pacing around the room in excitement.

"I'm back. I'm back. I'm back. I'm back!"

Once again, John Walker was able to do what he does best, which is to serve those who needed him. To help those who appreciated what he can do.

Not under the name of somebody before him, like Captain America, but as himself.

U.S Agent.

• • •

PEOPLE FROM THE community of Delacroix, Louisiana attended the cookout. The celebration was for the revival of Wilson Family Seafood, which was now possible because of the family boat having been fixed.

A/N: Listen to the track On And On (linked it in the banner above) during this section for maximum enjoyment :) if you want, of course.

Attendees played music using their personal instruments...some even makeshift. Food was being served, conversations were being sparked between friends and acquaintances. Even pictures were being taken with Sam, who the community was proud of to be their Captain America.

Y/N and Wanda sat with Sarah, Sam, and his nephews at a table on the dock. The younger Wilson sibling loved talking to Wanda, and the witch appreciated that somebody outside of her Avengers circle enjoyed her company.

Bucky arrived as well, holding a cake that he bought from a local bakery. Sam's nephews ran up to Bucky, greeting him as he played around with the kids.

"Now the party's getting started." Y/N remarked as Barnes walked up to the table.

"I come bearing gifts." He said as he placed the cake down.

"Oh, you brought dessert as well? Wanda made cinnamon rolls." Sam told him.

Bucky glanced at the witch, who smiled as she sipped her drink.

"Well...I...baked this too." Bucky lied, "I bet mine's better."

"I cannot picture the Winter Soldier baking." Y/N jested, which garnered a laugh from the rest.

The celebration continued, with Sam making sure to mingle with family friends and neighbors of his. Even Bucky took the time to speak with Sarah, all while making sure the kids had their fun as well.

Some of guests even talked with Y/N and Wanda, appreciating their work as Avengers and also seeing them as family. If they were friends of the Wilson's, then they were theirs too.

Sam continued taking pictures, and Y/N quickly joined in during one of them. Sam playfully pushed him away but getting rid of Y/N was no easy task. Sam then brought him in close so they can take a real photo together.

Sam decided to call over Wanda and Bucky as well, the four of them taking a picture in front of the family business sign.

Afterwards, the four friends sat at a table talking and eating what was probably their third plate of the day.

"I gotta ask, Buck..." Sam began, and Bucky faced him, "Did you specifically tell the Wakandans to design my suit with American colors?"

Bucky chuckled, but Wanda chimed in before he can answer, "He probably had a whole notebook of sketches that he gave them."

"Haha." Bucky replied in a deadpanned manner, then looked at Sam, "I gave some input. I told them about what you stood for, the kind of person you are..."

Sam listened along with Y/N and Wanda as Bucky continued.

"They already knew you were a good man. They knew what Steve thought of you. So in their eyes, there was no other person who can uphold those colors and that symbol."

Sam nodded as he took a swig of his beer. He chuckled, "Aww, you're going to make me cry."

"We should see Wakanda again some time. Would the White Wolf care to be our tour guide?" Y/N asked Bucky, who in turn snickered.

"I don't know if that name will stick." He replied.

"It's a nice change. Rolls off the tongue well, too." Wanda remarked.

Bucky nodded. He wondered if he'd keep the Winter Soldier name or change it. He did have his programming removed and completed his amends, which was a burden off his shoulders.

Y/N tapped his fingers along the side of his beer bottle, then looked around at the people still enjoying the party.

"This is nice." He began, "A good way to bookend the last couple weeks."

"Yeah...it was pretty hectic." Sam replied, remembering back at how he first recruited him for the mission.

"The Blip changed a lot. And we have to live with what came of it." Y/N said.

The three of them agreed with his statement. Y/N thought back at the Flag Smasher situation, the Power Broker still at large, and criminals similar to Batroc and Zemo possibly being out there.

Who knows? Maybe there are other threats looming in the future.

"With how the world is now, they need people like us. Heroes." Y/N spoke.

"Agreed." Sam replied.

Bucky gave a simple nod.

"Wise words, moja láska (my love)." Wanda ran her hand along the back of his neck, "Maybe you can be the next Captain America."

Y/N laughed as Sam scoffed, "Sorry, he missed his chance."

Later on, Y/N and Wanda stood at the edge of the dock looking on at the sunset. They took in the scent of the salt water, an aroma which filled the air. It relaxed them.

"What a beautiful sight." Wanda said as she nestled against her lover.

Y/N looked at her, "Not as beautiful as you."

She giggled, "Those simple compliments always get me. It's cute."

"I'm a simple man." Y/N replied, then remembered how Steve Rogers would often say that, "Jesus, Rogers really rubbed off on me."

They both laughed before joining their lips together and kissing. It lasted a few moments before they heard somebody call out to them nearby.

"Don't fall of the edge, love birds." Bucky jested as Sam had an arm around him. Y/N and Wanda laughed as they parted and walked towards them.

"I thought you and Wilson were busy romantically looking off into the sunset too." Y/N remarked as he pointed towards the other end of the dock.

Sam and Bucky chuckled as the latter pulled them into their embrace as well, putting his arm around the couple.

They shared a laugh together as the four of them walked along the dock.

• • •

HEELS CLACKED AGAINST the concrete as Valentina walked on the sidewalk outside of the D.C courthouse. Sunglasses shielded her eyes from the afternoon sunlight as she made her way to her car parked nearby.

Her phone rang, and she immediately took it out and answered without seeing who was on the other end. She already knew who it was.

"Calling at this time of day? Must be important." She remarked.

"Opportunities are meant to be taken when presented with it. Did you talk with him?" Her boss asked.

"Walker is on board. He'll be awaiting our call when the time is right."

"Good. Also, the Power Broker's contact just informed me that they have tech prepared for the right price. I think we'll give it a go."

"That's swell."

"Things are coming along just fine." The man replied, "You think you can get in touch with Belova? Preferably as soon as possible."

"She's currently on holiday, but I think I can meet up with her." Val responded.

"I'll try to get in touch with Ross about Helmut. From what I've seen so far, he intrigues me."

Val reached her car, but chose to stay outside of it as she continued to talk with her boss.

"I gotta say, you're working quite fast."

"Like I said before, the opportunity is there to take...and take it I shall."

Val nodded as she listened to him speak. Her boss continued.

"Let me know when you get in touch with Belova. We might need to kick off this initiative rather soon."

She agreed, and opened her car door before bidding farewell on the call.

"Of course, Mr. Osborn."

• • •

HER LOVER WAS away when Wanda decided to continue her studies on the Darkhold. She didn't have to astral project herself like most times before, and simply levitated in the room along with the book.

It's been months since she first began reading from it. Still, Doctor Strange nor Y/N knew about her studies with it, and she was willing to keep it a secret, fearing that her mentor or her boyfriend would advise against it.

She needed it.

Powers, spells, and much more information that Strange didn't even know were contained within that book.

Once she masters it, then she could find her children and get them back. She knew they were out there somewhere...in the vast multiverse that even the Master of the Mystic Arts knew minimally about.

Or maybe Strange did know more about it...but kept it from the witch.

Either way, she would find out.

As she read...as she mediated...as she traversed the various spells...she sensed something.

There were faint echoes, and after focusing in she could hear what they were saying.

"What are you so afraid of?"

"Me."

They sounded like they were from far away. Either from space...or maybe even further out. After a pause, Wanda heard a couple more echoes.

"We just crossed the threshold."

"See you soon."

Then, she heard a shout that was all too familiar to her. It's the first time she's heard it since she began reading the Darkhold.

"Mom!"

"Mom, please!"

"Mom! Mom!"

Her children.

They were calling out to her again.

At this point, she had to act. These shouts felt more real...more genuine and fervent. As a Nexus being, she felt as she could reach out and take them back.

She shut the book, and quickly used her magic to vanish out of the room. She was poised to get to work.

Her quest, which would've been almost impossible before, was now possible. Since unbeknownst to her...

...the timeline was freed.

And the multiverse had expanded.

• • •

I hope you all enjoyed Book 1! At the time of publishing this chapter, No Way Home nor Multiverse of Madness have released yet, so it's up to me to tell my version of the story for the next book. Can't wait to show you what have I have in store for that!