Carousel of Time - An Alternative Bucky Barnes Story

Chapter 19. Hot and Bothered (Sexual Content)

As promised the couple didn't sleep all night after they returned home from dancing.   When Kate explained the stamina of super soldiers they put the theory to test in person and lasted until almost daybreak.  They both got in a few hours of sleep before getting up.  Kate woke up first and went down to the kitchen in her robe, putting the coffee on.  Bucky, who got up about twenty minutes later put his arms around his wife from behind and kissed her on the neck.

"I feel like it was my birthday last night," he said.  "I don't even feel tired."

"You would if you did that several nights in a row," she said back.  "It was fun."  She turned around so she could put her arms around his neck.  "I do love your body, Sergeant Barnes."

Bucky buried his face in her neck.  "I love how you say that."

The phone rang interrupting them and Bucky answered, then mouthed the word "Mother."  They spoke for several minutes and he hung up.

"We can come over any time to get John," he said.  "He was good as gold for them."

They both ate breakfast, dressed and walked over to the Barnes' house with the baby carriage to pick up their son.  Mrs. Barnes commented that they both looked a little tired.  Bucky attributed it to staying out dancing until after midnight.  They spent the rest of the day relaxing and even napping when John went down for his nap.

The following day they followed through on their date at the Central Park Carousel.  Bucky watched as Kate took John onto the carousel, sitting him on one of the horses and holding him in place as it circled around and around.  When it slowed down and finally stopped she lifted John into her arms and stepped off the platform, seeing Bucky standing beside the carriage.  He looked at her with a soft smile and kissed her tenderly. 

"When you came off the platform it was just like in my dream," he said, taking John from her and kissing him.  "Right down to the dress you're wearing."

They began walking while he continued to hold John and she pushed the carriage.  There were several artists painting nearby and they slowed down to look at their works.  As Kate looked closely at the finished paintings she felt a hand on her arm and turned around to see a young woman, the artist whose paintings they were looking at.

"It is you," she said.  "I was there the day the gallery owner asked you to bring all your pieces in to be displayed in his gallery.  You're Kate Horn, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am," she replied in a low voice.  "What's your name?"

"Nelly Blake," said the young woman.  "I've been painting here for almost a year and you got noticed within days.  What was your secret?"

"I was lucky," admitted Kate.  "Nothing more than pure luck."

"Sweetheart, you weren't lucky," said Bucky. "You're good.  So are you Miss.  You'll get noticed.  In fact, I want to buy one of your paintings.  What do you think, Kate?"

They looked together at several paintings and Bucky pointed at one, a seascape, set on winter's day with the empty boardwalk prominent.

"That's Rockaway Beach," he said, his Brooklyn accent suddenly prominent.  "But not in the summer.  Did you sit out there in the winter to paint this?"  Nelly nodded and Bucky looked at it again then looked at Kate.  "That's the one.  It makes me feel like I'm right there in the middle of winter, freezing my behind off."

Kate smiled, knowing that Bucky was right.  "How much do you want for the painting?" she asked of Nelly.

"You're serious?  Kate Horn wants to buy my painting?"

"Bucky Barnes wants to buy your painting," said Kate.  "He's my husband.  But I like it.  You have a talent, Nelly.  We're going to buy this and I'm showing it to John Nash.  How can I contact you?"