Begin Again | Sam Wilson

Chapter Forty Two

"You've been crying." Sam grinned at Brianna when he found her standing next to Bucky near an ambulance.

"Tears of joy." She told him softly before kissing him slowly. His hand wrapped around her waist briefly and pulled her into him.

Bucky gagged behind them. "I'm going to give you two a minute."

"So," Sam said as he pulled back so Brianna could get a better picture of his uniform. "What do you think?"

"Hmm, a little cheesy, but...it's you. Sam, there are no words to describe how much I love you and how proud I am that you did this." She told him.

"Well, I couldn't have done it without you or Sarah or Bucky. I have to admit, I do look pretty damn good." He said and slung his arm around her shoulders.

"I disagree." She said with a teasing tone. "You're incredible. You're kind. You're smart. You could have done this all on your own, but I am happy to be able to witness you do it."

Sam was just about to draw her in for another kiss when a police ran up to them. "Hey, Cap. The body of the last Flag Smasher is in the river. Think you could get it out?"

"Yeah. I can do that." He turned back to Bri. "Duties call."

Brianna kissed him softly. "Go get 'em...Cap."

****

"Look at you." Sam said as he entered his family home. He found Brianna standing over a stove cooking something with an apron on while Sarah gave her instructions. "My sister just might domesticate you yet."

"I'm going to kill you." Brianna threatened, but sealed with one of her charming smiles that Sam couldn't resist.

It had been days since the fight in New York. Things had mostly gone back to normal, but Brianna supposed things would never go back to normal fully. At least in her world. For days she watched the world embrace the new Captain America. Sam's picture was plastered along every website and news channel. His speech had been viewed a million times. Of course, there were a small amount of people that didn't agree with, but they didn't care.

They would be having a community cookout down at the dock to celebrate numerous occasions. Sam becoming Captain America. Their family boat being fixed. The fact that they had saved the world, again. It was also just to spend time with people. Sam had informed her that the cookouts were a regular thing. There didn't need to be a special occasion just to get together. Brianna just didn't know how much preparation went into it.

It felt like she had been assisting Sarah in the kitchen for hours. Well, she had been. She had cooked more dishes than she ever did before. She had helped make things she had never made before and for the most part, she was enjoying it. She enjoyed spending with Sarah and she enjoyed learning some of their families' recipes. She did have one small plan. She still had not shown Sam the house she had bought.

It was beautiful down by the water as they carried food down to the tables. The sun was just starting to set. The humidity was dissipating. It was feeling comfortable outside. People were beginning to gather around the table and talk. Most of the people flocked to Sam. They either wanted to take pictures with him or simply shake his hand. Brianna hung in the background, but she didn't mind. She was just happy watching him in his element.

Out of the corner of her she caught Bucky walking in with a cake. He set it down on the table and walked over to where she was standing. "You aren't going to stand with him?"

"I'm letting him have his moment. He deserves it. It must be pretty cool. You've watched two men become Captain America." Brianna told him as she folded her arms across her chest.

"Let's hope this one doesn't get frozen for seventy years." Bucky joked. "I, uh, took that girl Catherine out for a date."

Brianna raised an eyebrow up at him. "You did?"

"I did. She's...she's nice. Talks a lot, but I don't mind." Bucky admitted.

"Good. Now come on. I'm starving." Brianna said and ushered him towards the crowd.

She took her seat next to Sam who kept his hand rested on her thigh the entire time. They sat at the table for hours, talking, eating, telling stories. It was in that moment that Brianna realized she had never been so happy in her life. She remembered Sam asking her months and months ago when was the last time she was truly happy and she answered 'eight years ago.' She was wrong though. She had been happy the entire time. She just needed Sam to ignite that happiness.

"I have a surprise for you." Brianna spoke as they walked hand in hand along the wooden dock.

"A good surprise?" Sam asked.

"I think so." She told him. "But I need to blindfold you."

She watched as his lips spread into a cocky smile. She regretted her words instantly. "Not that kind of surprise, Sam. Get your mind out of the gutter."

Brianna was nervous as she tied one of his ties around his eyes before getting in the truck to drive him to house. Buying a house was a big decision and she didn't exactly consult him on it. She didn't think he was going to made per say. She was just worried that he would be disappointed that he didn't have a hand in making the decision. When she pulled into the driveway, she slowly helped him out of the car. With nimble fingers, she reached up and undid the blindfold.

When it dropped from his eyes, Sam looked at the house in front of him and then back at Brianna. "I don't understand. Where are we?"

"Our house." She simply answered.

"Our...house?" He asked, still very confused.

She nodded her head. "I bought it. For us. Umm, let me show you inside."

She reached out and took his hand before taking him up the stairs. She had finally gotten the keys a few days ago. "Now, I know it needs work, but I'm up for it if you are."

"What about DC?" Sam asked.

"I thought about that. We could split our time up between DC and here. I mean, the house in DC is already paid off. I just wanted someplace that is our's. Are you mad?"

Sam chuckled and shook his head. He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around. "Bri, I could never be mad at you. Thank you for doing this and you're right. It will be a fun project. I love you."

"I love you too." She kissed him softly before taking a step back. She slowly began to unbutton the shirt she was wearing. "You know...I haven't exactly tested the...integrity of the house. Is that something you could help me with?"

"I think I can do that." He said before scooping her up in his arms.