Only one true love

Part 3: Chapter 4

When I woke up on Christmas Day, Steve was not here. I was confused because I was pretty sure I fell asleep in his arms. I got up and went to the kitchen to make myself something to eat.

"Merry Christmas," Steve said when I came into the kitchen.

"Merry Christmas," I said.

"Sit down," he said. I sat down.

"How are you feeling today?" he asked as he put a plate with eggs and orange juice in front of me.

"Thank you and I'm better," I said. He sat down opposite me and started eating his eggs. I started eating as well. The eggs were surprisingly good. You wouldn't expect a muscular man to know how to cook.

"The eggs were very good," I said when we finished eating. 

"Thank you."

"Thank you for listening yesterday," I said.

"No problem, that's what friends are for," he said.

"What happened last night when I fell asleep?"

"I put you in the bed, tucked you in and went to my room to sleep."

"Oh," I said, "Well... thank you."

"I think we should get going soon," Steve said, looking at the clock on the wall behind me, "You go get dressed and I'll wash the dishes, and we will be going."

"Okay," I said.

I was already in the hall to my bedroom when I remembered something. Something important. I ran back to the kitchen in panic.

"Steve!" I said when I came into the kitchen.  

Steve was washing dishes.

"What?" he asked, not turning around.

"I don't have presents for anyone! In Asgard, we don't do that, and I completely forgot!" I said, panicking. How am I supposed to find and buy six presents on Christmas Day?!

"It's fine. I forgot to tell you that we agreed on no presents this year," he said.

"How come?" I asked, confused.

"We are making our own present."

"The headquarters?" I guessed.

"Yes."

"Oh, thank God," I sighed in relief.

I went to my bedroom to get dressed. I chose a red dress Nat chose for me when we went shopping and ballerinas. They were so much comfortable than heels. I put on a necklace Bucky gave me. Looking at myself in the mirror, I remembered when Bucky gave me that necklace.

***

I was making dinner when I felt someone wrap their arms around my waist and kissing me on the neck. I smiled.

"I didn't hear you come in," I said, turning around to face the person.

"I wanted to surprise you," Bucky said. He kissed me.

"I have got something for you," he said. Taking a small, thin and long box out of his pocket.

"You shouldn't have," I said, flattered.

"Go on, open it," he said, giving me the box. I took it and opened it. Inside was a necklace with a heart.

"Turn it around," he said. I turned it. Something was written on it. I looked closer at the words engraved on the heart. It said: 'My one true love'. The tears filled my eyes.

"It's beautiful," I whispered.

"Why are you crying?" he asked anxiously. 

"They are happy tears," I said.

"Thank you," I looked at him. He was smiling

"Do you want me to put it on?"

"Yes, please." I turned around and held my hair, so it was easier for him to put it on. I felt his hands brush my neck as he was putting the necklace around my neck.

"Here, all done," he said. I turned to look at him.

"Do you really like it?" he asked me.

"Yes. I love it," I said, "But I love you more."

"I love you too," he said and kissed me.

***

The knock on the door brought me back to reality.

"Rose! We need to go!" Steve said from the other side of the door.

"Coming!" I said. I wiped off the tears from my eyes and went out. 

***

"Merry Christmas everyone!" Steve said when we came.

"Merry Christmas," Tony and Bruce said. They were decorating a Christmas tree.

"Rose! Come here, help me," Nat said when she peeked from the kitchen. I went into the kitchen.

"Merry Christmas Nat," I said.

"Merry Christmas. Nice dress. Whoever picked it had a great taste," she said.

"I know. I really like it. What are we going to have?"

"Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and vegetables. And cake and gingerbread cookies for dessert," she said.

"Ok, what do I need to do?" I asked her.

"The turkey is in the oven, and I'm doing gingerbread cookies. You can make a mash potato and vegetables first."

We were singing Christmas songs while working. When everything was done, we went to the dining room to set the table, but it was already set.

"At least they did something," Nat said.

"They were decorating Christmas tree in the living room when we came," I said while going to the kitchen to get food.

"Oh yeah? I thought they were drinking," she said, following me.

"They were doing that too."

When everything was on the table, the dining room door opened. Bruce, Steve, Thor and Tony with Pepper came in.

"We smelled something nice from the living room and decided to come," Tony said.

"Merry Christmas Rose, Nat," Thor said.

"Merry Christmas," Pepper said.

"Merry Christmas," Nat and I said.

"Can we go eat now? I'm starving," Tony said, and we sat down to eat.

***

I woke up the next morning and looked around, confused. There were people around me. After a second, I realized I was in the living room in the tower. We must have fallen asleep here last night. Tony and Pepper were sleeping, cuddled, on the one side of the sofa, and Bruce on the other. Steve and Thor were in the armchairs, opposite the sofa. Nat was leaning on the sofa, and I was between the two armchairs. There were bottles of wine on the coffee table. I thought about yesterday. It was fun. We were telling jokes, life stories and so much more. We were singing, dancing, and playing games. I smiled. Then I thought of Bucky. We would spend Christmas together. We would wake up and stay in bed until 1 pm and then we would exchange presents. We would get up and make something to eat while listening to Christmas songs and singing. After eating, we would go out for a walk and, if it was snowing, we would make a snowman. In the evening, Steve would come, and we would eat dinner together and play games until late at night. I was sad Bucky was not here. I think he would have liked this. I sighed. I got up and went to the kitchen to get a glass of water. While drinking, I remembered my promise to Loki and decided to go and see him. I left a message on the coffee table and went out to call Heimdall.