Annabelle Rogers - James 'Bucky' Barnes

Chapter Two

Like every other morning Annabelle was jolted awake with the loud screaming of her alarm. Never being an early riser it was the only fool proof way to get her up and out of bed before noon. Even James getting up at the crack of dawn didn't disturb her. To busy lapping up every moment of rest she could get.

Dragging her feet along the ground, peeping through her sqinted eyes she made her way to the ensuite bathroom. Turning on the shower as she let out a yawn, getting it as hot as possible before thinking about stepping in. The first hit of water sending goosebumps over her body, her breath hitching at the contact before melting into the water.

Lathering her body with honey and vanilla body wash she let the water carry any of her morning worries down the drain. Telling her brain to be quiet, trying not think about todays work load. Stepping out of the shower raw red she reached for her towel dabbing her self dry.

Looked over her bare body, she began to tidy up her long hazelnut hair. It was the vain of her existence. Naturally quite curly and thin but there was a lot of it which always resulted it in becoming a tangled mess most of the time. Over the years she has learnt to sleep with it in two French braids to avoid tangles and breakage.

Once the braids where untangled she threw her hair up into a large claw clip. Whipping on some tinted moisturiser before adding some light eye shadow and false eyelashes.

Finishing up with some clear bumble gum lip gloss. Heading into the walk in closet. The closet was always so neat and organised. Not by any of her doing but by James, he always made sure everything was neat, organised and clean. She was always thankful for that, knowing how messy she can be.

Stepping into a high waisted pencil skirt she tucked in an eggshell turtle neck before zipping it up. Finishing off the outfit with a deep latte over coat and knee high boots. Embracing the season change.

Greeted with a large ice coffee in the kitchen she admired the shirtless man in front of her. Noring at her bottom lip, imagining all the things she would do to him if she didn't have to rush off to work.

Catching on her thoughts James gave her a knowing look, as if to tell her to get to work before he sweeps her up into the bedroom and never let her leave the apartment. Without another thought she placed a kiss on his lips before picking up her set of bags and heading out the door.

Like he did every other day when Annabelle went to work James cleaned up the kitchen after his breakfast before putting on a load of washing. He then proceeded to make the bed before hopping into the shower.

It wasn't his ideal way of spending his day but after everything Annabelle has done for him, letting him stay rent free, feeding him and being there for him when he was feeling mentally unstable it was the least he could do.

He found it nice, having his own little bubble without the world he knows interfering. Just him and Annabelle. No war, no running, no-one controlling him. He felt at peace. The simplest of things started to bring him joy.

~

Finishing up for the week, Annabelle had specifically left the weekend free. Wanting to spend it curled up on the couch with James, maybe have a picnic.

Over the Summer period business was insane, everyone wanted to through events, making the most of the New York weather. Only thing was that she ended up working almost 20 days straight, not having much time for James.

He assured her that it was okay but she knew he missed her and truth was she missed him. She's adapted to having someone around her all of the time.

Breaking her away from the weekends thoughts Annabelle's phone rang. Fishing it out of her handbag she notice the caller I.D. Dad. She hadn't spoken or heard from him since she moved out, after having probably the biggest argument they've ever had. In saying that though she missed him a lot.

"Yes, Tony?"

She spat answering the phone, not letting him experience her weakness of missing him.

"Really, Tony? - Is that how it is?"

A sarcastic scoff followed after.

Not having a typical Father, daughter relationship she still called him dad from day one. It felt right, natural almost. Half of the time though he acted more of a child then she did. It was a tough adjustment on both ends when he decided to adopt her.

"I didn't ring to argue, I, I rang to see if you wanted to get dinner? maybe tonight?"

Rolling her eyes at the pathetic attempt of making up she still knew it was out of character for him to make the first move. Both as stubborn as each other, someone had to give eventually. Truth was if she didn't have James, she probably would of caved months ago.

Agreeing to dinner, Annabelle headed back home to change. Knowing it would get a little nippy later but also liking to break up her day with various outfits. She hated if she couldn't change between events like work and dinner or day and night.

Throwing her bags down on the kitchen counter she peered around looking for James, only to find him napping on the perfectly made bed. He look so sweet, even a little innocent. Being carried off into sleep without a care in the world.

Placing a kiss on his head she sat down on the bed slipping off her boots and crawling in next to him feathering more kisses over his skin. With a soft smile he looked up at her through his lashes before closing his eyes again.

Leaving him be, Annabelle walked into the closet to pick out an outfit for tonight. Knowing her dad, the restaurant would be high end and fancy.

Rummaging through her clothes, remembering most of her 'fancy' outfits where still with her dad she settled for a skin thigh body con dress. The black fabric hugged to her curves, length stopping mid thigh with sleeves down the arms.

Adding on some jewellery, a necklace that her dad got her for her 16th birthday. A simple gold chain with her birthstone in the pendent with matching gold hooped earring that where for her 18th birthday.

If Tony had it his way he would have brought her gift every day, but being the person she was they agreed to leave it to special occasions. It just meant more expenses spent when they came around.

Touching up her make up Annabelle peered out to the bedroom, noticing James was no longer asleep on the bed. Eyebrows pinched together with confusion as she slipped into her silver pumps before strutting out into the living area.

Filling up a glass of water James turned around, eyes widening as he drank in the goddess in front of him. It didn't matter how many times he saw her all dressed up, it never stopped taking his breath away.

"You like the dress?"

Spinning around on her heels, shaking her body in a little dance.

"I love the dress! but I am confused, do we have plans?"

Since their day of meeting it was rare that they did anything alone, causing James to question her attire and why he didn't know they where going out.

"I sent you a message on my way home-" Looking down she noticed his phone on the kitchen counter. Realising he wouldn't have gotten the message. "Dad called. He wanted to meet for dinner"

Annabelle noticed the sadness that spread over his face, almost as if he was scared of being left alone. She knew he has or had a traumatic life, leaving him with a string of mental illnesses such as PTSD and Anxiety but he never talked about anything from before they met.

"Why don't you call up one of the boys? You haven't seen anyone since we stated dating." She pressed a passionate kiss on his lips before picking up her bag and walking towards the door. "I'll be back late, it usually ends late and sloppy when dads involved"

Pacing around the apartment for a while, trying to convince himself that he can be left alone with his thoughts. He pulled out his phone and dial the only person that he slightly wanted to see.

A few agonising rings later a deep male voice answered the phone. Before he even had a chance to speak he got cut off by James.

"Hey, it cool if I drop in? like in 20?"

"Yeah man, We are having a few drinks on the boat. See you soon"

The line went dead, James tossed his phone back onto the counter to go get changed. It was always a lot cooler by the water when the sun wasn't out.