Love and the White Wolf - Book 2

1. Returning to Normal

Nick Fury had asked for James and me to stay one more week at Avengers headquarters.  We had arrived there in mid-October due to the threats of an entity referred to as The Group.  The stress of playing a waiting game finally forced James to leave less than two weeks later to personally search for one member of the group who almost succeeded in killing us.  The return of James on Christmas Eve was celebrated as he confirmed the threat had been liquidated.

Before we could return to our condo certain security features had to be installed and tested to insure our safety.  Hence the one week request from Fury before we could leave.  Additionally, in my husband's absence Nick Fury and Sam Wilson had waded through two boxes of HYDRA files searching for the truth behind his imprisonment and torture by that shadowy entity.  The recovery and delivery of video files by James were the final chapter to this part of the investigation that was to conclude this week.  It wasn't all bad.  In a few days we would undergo a 3D ultrasound of our child and finally see the little person growing inside of me. 

There was a goodbye that we had to make.  Sam's sister Sarah and her two boys were returning to Louisiana after being evacuated here at the same time in October.  Once the threat was eliminated they were free to leave while Sam stayed to complete the HYDRA investigation.  They were already in the garage loading their luggage into an SUV that would take them to a military base for transport home.  Sarah looked relieved as we hugged goodbye.

"It's been nice to have been looked after and not have to cook or clean but I want my own bed," she said to me. "Not to mention getting the boys back to school and out of my hair."

"Amen to that," I agreed. "This has been like a vacation that was at least a month too long."

"Well you text me the moment you get back," she said. "We'll have a party at the boat, introduce you to all the neighbourhood.  You two are family.  They all know Bucky but they need to know you too.  Plus I need another woman on my side when those two start to bicker."

She laughed that wonderful laugh of hers,  hugged me, then James and her brother before stepping into the SUV.  She yelled for her boys and they stopped petting Rowdy.  James and I got quick hugs, Sam got a longer one.  Then they were off.

"Finally I can sleep in now!" exclaimed Sam.  "I can drop a towel on the floor and not get yelled at!"

He was a little giddy.  James patted him on the back and they went for their workout.  I wandered around a bit and walked past the barber shop/beauty salon.  The owner was setting up a display of hair products.  When he noticed me he waved me in.  Earlier in the morning James had returned the barber's equipment and apologized on my behalf for breaking into the man's business and borrowing the tools of his trade.  Fortunately Nick Fury had already talked to the man and advised him that James had spent two months tracking a dangerous criminal.  If anyone needed a good haircut and shave it was James.  The barber had agreed to let the matter rest and had even cleaned up the hatchet job haircut I had done.  I still felt guilty, however, and it must have shown on my face.

"I'm so sorry," I apologized.  "My husband was gone for so long and when I saw him buried under that shaggy hair and beard I just had to do something."

"It's alright," said the owner. "Mr. Fury explained the situation and I'll be compensated for the damages to the door.  Your hair cutting skills are atrocious, by the way."

"Tell me about it," I replied. "When we saw it in the morning light, James said to just give him a brush cut and get rid of it all.  I can hardly wait for it to grow out."

"Yeah, you didn't have much choice," he laughed. "I was impressed with your straight razor work though.  That's not an easy thing to do.  There were no nicks that I could see."