Hockey Rules (Bucky Barnes AU x NHL)

Remembering

*~* Four Months Later *~*

*~* Emma *~*

It's the day before the season opener and I'm sitting in my office, looking over the new travel schedule.  I heard a knock on my door.  I looked up to see my handsome fiancé, holding flowers and food. "Hey! Whatcha doing Brooklyn?"

"Bringing flowers to the cutest Duck in the building."  He gave me that trademark smirk.

"I'm pretty sure Steve is in the locker room," I replied with a smile.

Bucky rolled his eyes.  "Smartass. You're hilarious, doll." He held up the paper bag.  "I brought you lunch."

"Thanks love.  It smells good."  We sat down to eat.

Bucky cleared his throat, "Are you ready for tomorrow, doll?"

I didn't answer him right away.  I thought back on the last few months.

Brock Rumlow pleaded out for a shorter sentence.  He found out that since Alex crossed state lines when he kidnapped me, his help would be considered a federal offense.  He took the state deal and sang like a bird.  He explained Alex's entire plan for me and how he helped him get a house.  The deed had been transferred the same day as I was taken.

The policy found Alex's stuff.  They found pictures of me, at the arena, with Bucky at dinner, with my dad.  I knew I was right in feeling like I was being watched.  They found the deed to the house in Canada.  He had tickets to move me from that house to Russia after that.

The part that really scared me were the notebooks.  He had notebook after notebook of his delusions. Thoughts of the family we would have; what he wanted to do to me.  They really hadn't started until the day he saw me with Bucky.

I ended up selling dad's house.  I couldn't be there without him.  I put the money away, knowing dad would want me to save it for our future family.  We decided to buy a small cottage on the beach for Winnie.  She wanted a space to come visit and not be a burden to us, which she couldn't possibly be.

Becca decided to stay in New York for school.  She got a full scholarship to Columbia University, which made Bucky so proud.  I got her an internship with the Islanders for some experience.  Bucky and Steve were not happy that I sent her to the "enemy" but I reminded them that she needed to bloom outside of their shadows.

I brought myself back to the present.  I smiled at Bucky.  "No, I'm not ready.  But I will be."

He kissed my cheek.  "That's my girl.  I'll be right next to you, love.  Never alone."

*~* Bucky *~*

I watched as Emma get dressed for the game, slipping her Niedermeyer jersey on. I watched as she went to her jewelry box, put on her ring and reached for the St. Sebastian medal.  She looked at it closely and kissed the medal. She turned to me.  "I want you to have it."  She held out the medal.

"Doll, are you sure?"

"Dad told me at the party, before everything, that you were the best man he could have asked for to marry me. He was so happy Bucky, that we were going to get married.  You are the best man.  I want you to wear it.  Because only the best men deserve to wear it."

I slipped the necklace on.  Emma came up to me and adjusted it, put her fingers to her lips and then on the medal and then tucked it under my dress shirt.  I slipped on my suit jacket.  "Ready doll?"

She grabbed her bag and took my hand.  Steve was waiting for us downstairs, his new girlfriend, Elizabeth with him. The four of us left the house in Coto and made it to the arena with time to spare.  Emma stayed with Elizabeth in the family area since she needed to be on the ice after warmups.

I finished getting ready and Ryan came up to me.  "Hey Bucky, how is she?"

"She's ok.  We'll see once we get on the ice."

We finished warmups and headed to the bench.  The arena guys set up a carpet on the ice so people could walk around.  I heard the music play for our opener but then the tribute video to Scott started.  I felt a hand slip into mine and looked down to see Emma standing next to me.  Her eyes were shiny as she watched the package.

Tony came out on the ice and said some words about Scott.  He then introduced Emma.  I skated on the ice while holding her hand as she walked to center ice.  I stayed by her side as Rob, Steve and Ryan joined us.

"You know, tonight was supposed to be a celebration for the amazing win this team had, winning our second Stanley cup.  And I know my dad would want it to be.  He is my hero.  He saved not only my life but the life of my fiancé and best friend."  She took a deep breath.  "My dad loved this city, and he loved this team.  And it's only fitting that tonight, while we start our next run for the cup, we raise our championship banner and retire his number to the rafters."  She wiped her eyes.  "Dad, I know you are here with us, and I know that you are proud of this team. I miss you; I love you.  Bucky and I will honor your life, especially with the next generation of Ducks." She patted her stomach.

We hadn't told the team that Emma was expecting yet.  We found out the night of the shooting.  She was only a couple of weeks in.  So, at 16 weeks, we decided that as a tribute to her dad, we would tell the world that we had a Niedermeyer/Barnes coming into the world.  We had told Steve and my ma and sister after the funeral but to everyone else it was a clear shock.  Ryan was the first to lift up Emma and swing her around. 

"Hey Cap! Precious cargo!" I yelled at him over the cheers of the crowd about our news.  He gently put her down as the rest of the team gathered.  After the hugs and congratulations, we got ready for puck drop.  I took a minute to give Emma a kiss before she headed up to the box.

The game was emotional, knowing Scott wasn't with us for this celebration.  But we played like we always have, smart and aggressive.  I manage to score a goal on a breakaway against Vegas, celebrating with a tear in my eye.  I could feel the medal against my chest.  I pointed to the ceiling.  "This is for you Scott," I said aloud. I looked over to Emma's box and I could see her wiping a tear away before blowing me a kiss.

We finished the game 3-0 and Vegas came over to congratulate us after the game.  Theodore made a point to come over to me.  "I'm really happy for you, Barnes.  Please let Emma know."

"Thanks man.  I will.  No hard feelings."

"Only on the ice," he replied with a smile.

I got changed and saw my Emma waiting for me.  I grabbed her for a hug and a kiss.  "Let's go home doll."

"I love you, James."

"Love you too, Emma."