Christmas In Holly Oak {Bucky Barnes}

03

That's all it took. Two words for all of the past years events to come back to Annabelle. The blip. The alien attacks. Hydra. The Avengers. "Shut up" Annabelle said looking wide eyed at Bucky "Wait... That was you?"

Bucky sighed softly but nodded his head "It was me. I...I spent some time getting g my head straight. I'm not like that anymore"

Annabelle instantly pouted when she noticed the defeated look on Bucky's face "Did Hydra really do to you, what the reports say?"

Bucky looked in the opposite direction avoiding any eye contact. Annabelle's answer filled the silence making her sign before reaching her hand out and laying it on top of Bucky's "Hey, that part is over. From what I can tell you're a whole new person who's ready to start over again"

Bucky then turned to fixate his eyes on Annabelle "Even for a semi stable 106 year old man?"

Annabelle smiled "Even at 106 James Buchanan Barnes"

The sound of his full name coming off of Annabelle's lips made him smile. It sounded nice. Almost as nice as the warmth radiating off of Annabelles hand, which was still on top of his. Annabelles eyes flicked down to her hand making her gasp quietly as she removed her hand from Bucky's making him instantly miss her warmth. Maybe Luke was right, maybe just maybe, Bucky did have a crush on her.

Bucky let out an awkward cough "Right, so the robotic arm..." Annabelle flashed Bucky a soft smile "You don't have to tell me, it's okay"

Bucky returned the smile "Actually I do want to tell you. It's time I told someone other then Luke the whole story" Annabelle smiled and nodded her head letting Bucky continue "I was born in New York. March 10th, 1917. I met Steve who became my best friend, back when he was a scrawny little shit desperate to serve his country. We served in the army together, or well, He rescued me after HYRDA had captured myself and my unit after he became Captain America. And well, long story short we were on a mission together, I fell off a moving train on the side of a mountain which caused me to lose my arm in the fall" Bucky took a slow deep breath "I was found by the Soviets and Hydra who gave me a silver metal arm and turned me into the mass murdering Winter Soldier, and kept me on ice through out the years. But now, I moved to a small town to find myself again. I fix things up around town and work for Luke when he needs it"

Silence filled the room. Annabelle wanted to speak but wasn't sure what to say. What do you say after that? Things get better? Things could be worse?
Bucky opened his mouth to continue when Annabelle stopped him and placed her hand back in top of his "Hey, I'm sorry I asked. Like I said previously, you're a new person now and that's all that matters. I think, I think this version of James Buchanan Barnes anyway"

Bucky couldn't help but smile as he gave Anna's hand a soft squeeze "That honestly means a lot. Now, what about you?"

"Annabelle Margaret Hayes. Born and raised in Philadelphia on December 19th, 1985. My favorite holiday is Christmas. I love old movies and music. My parents died when I was 6 months old in a skiing accident and my grandma raised me my whole life, she passed about 5 years ago"

"Because of the blip?"

Annabelle let out a shaky laugh "Thankfully no. She peacefully passed in her sleep before the blip started happening. I've been on my own since"

"It's not a walk in the park to be alone"

"It's really not. She was the only family I had. But I'm used to being alone. Went to college and got a degree in the bachelor of the arts for photography and now I work for a very successful food blog. It's not the best, but I like taking pictures and helping out when I can"

Silence filled the room again, making Annabelle bite her bottom lip as Bucky smiled softly "Middle name is Margaret huh? It's old fashioned I like it"

Annabelle couldn't help but smile "You can thank my Grandma for that. Apparently she had a really close friend named Margaret or rather Peggy. She originally wanted to use Carter, which was Peggy's last name but Margaret sounded better with Annabelle"

Bucky sat there shocked. Peggy Carter? The Peggy Carter from S.H.E.I.L.D? Steve's long lost love? That Peggy? That cant be! "Bucky? Are you okay?" Annabelle's soft and concerned voice flowed through Bucky's ears making him shake his head in disbelief "I... I think I knew her. Peggy that is"

Annabelle furrowed her eyebrows "What? That's Impossible....right?"

"Can you show me a picture of her?"

Annabelle nodded her head as she got out her phone and quickly looked through her pictures, then turned her phone to Bucky "This is Peggy. I think I wanna say I was in my teens in this picture" Bucky moved closer and analyzed the picture. Holy shit, that's definitely the Peggy that Steve was in love with.

"You're not gonna believe this"

Annabelle raised an eyebrow "Believe what?"

"You know of Captain America, Steve Rogers?" Annabelle gave Bucky a 'duh' look making Bucky laugh softly before continuing "Right, dumb question. Anyway, This woman right here, Peggy Carter, is the same woman Steve was in love with back in the 1940's. I mean I tried my way at her but she was all about Steve. Man, Steve would love to talk to you about her"

Annabelle smiled "Maybe one day he can. Now, let's change the subject to something else"

"Like that?"

"Christmas Traditions!"

Bucky out a short snicker "Oh Doll, I dont have traditions"

Annabelle gasped "What?! Oh come on, everyone has Christmas Traditions!"

"Well, I'm not everyone"