Certainty (A Bucky Barnes Fanfic)

━◦○◦6.7: Final Steps◦○◦━

episode 6 - One World, One People

Tearing himself back to New York was hard. Shuri repeatedly told Bucky that Shamara was fine, and they would keep her safe if anything happened. He had watched her fight Ayo and laugh off her bruises, learning quickly. And he had laughed at jetlag messing with her sleep when she woke at midnight. He still worried. And he had selfish reasons too; their apartments felt horribly lonely without her.

He arrived back in New York midmorning, and Angie picked him up from the airport with a big, I-told-you-so smile. To Bucky's surprise, he couldn't keep himself from smiling back.

"Congratulations," Angie gave him a quick hug. "How's Shay doin'?"

"Healing," Bucky patted her back and stepped to the back of the car.

He threw his backpack in the trunk, then sat in the driver's seat. It was about equally illegal for him or Angie to drive. She hadn't been to an eye doctor in years, so her oncoming blindness was unofficial, but Bucky noticed. Unfortunately, he hadn't been able to tell her he would just get a taxi.

"Sergeant Barnes, what did I tell you when you moved in?" Angie's New Yorker Italian accent grew stronger when she was sassy. "I told you to talk to the girl next door. I told you to try dating. And you didn't listen to me for far too long but look what happened when you did."

"To be fair, Shamara didn't want to talk to me either," Bucky started the car and pulled out of the airport.

"You two are so good for each other," Angie ignored the point.

"Thanks."

"How did you ask her? Where and when will you have the wedding? Tell me everything."

So Bucky tried to explain as he drove to Brooklyn. However, Angie usually asked questions to answer them herself.

"So Louisana? So far away," Angie clucked. "Do you have a place? Of course, you do. I'm sure you have for weeks."

"I called the realtor and bought it last night," Bucky nodded.

"Have you seen it?"

"No. But Sam has."

"How did you get it, though? Well, I suppose everything is through the internet these days. So, you'll marry there? What about a honeymoon? Don't tell me you'll just have a honeymoon at home."

That hadn't been a question at all. Bucky knew Shamara wanted to settle in as much as he did, and they had spent weeks just traveling through different time zones. Which they both were trained to deal with, but it got old. But being confronted with the question was a little more uncomfortable.

"Shamara and I have spent most of our lives without a home. We are ready to just settle down," Bucky shrugged, hiding his discomfort. "Besides, everything has happened so quickly that it feels weird to make a big deal out of it.

"I guess that makes sense. So long as you make a big deal out of Shay," Angie winked at him as they pulled up to the apartment. "Make your first week as husband and wife special, even if it's at home. There's an old woman's advice for you."

"Always. And I am technically older than you," Bucky parked and rubbed the side of his face.

He stepped out of the car and over to her side. He offered his arm to her as she struggled to her feet.

"Doesn't count until you are struggling to stand like me," she grunted, then steadied herself. "Plus, I was married."

Bucky grabbed his backpack, then offered his arm again as they neared the stairs, "I'd ask for more advice, but I think you are a little too blunt for my comfort."