First We Were Friends - A Bucky Barnes Novel

Chapter 16. Grow Old With Me

Please note incorrect year on moodboard.  It should read 2025, not 2015.  Mea culpa.

The sound of AJ and Cass arguing as they stepped into Sam's room awakened Bucky.  They were each claiming custody of a tie to wear for the wedding and were going to wake Sam to settle the argument.  He sat up in bed and glared at the boys.

"You know that Uncle Bucky was sleeping here, right?" he said.  "The wedding isn't for ..." He peered at his cell phone. "...seven hours and you thought it would be okay to come in here and wake us both up to settle your argument?"

"It's okay," said Bucky.  "I should get up anyways.  Make sure my shirt is ironed and all that.  Did either of you notice if it was nice out?"

"It's sunny," said Cass.  "But much colder than yesterday.  Uncle Bucky, how did you know you wanted to get married?"

He sat on the cot looking at the boy.  "I guess when I didn't want to leave here and come back to Louisiana," he said.  "As much as I liked hanging out with you guys I wanted to stay with Julia more."

Cass nodded.  "I like Aunt Julia," he declared.  "She's very nice and makes everyone feel welcome.  Maybe we can visit you in the summer when it's warmer."

"I would like that," replied Bucky, smiling.

"Boys, let Uncle Bucky and I wake up properly," said Sam.  "I'll help find the missing tie and you can decide then which one you're wearing.  Go on now."   They left and Sam looked at Bucky.  "Today's the day.  Julia said I could invite Anna for the ceremony and the reception.  Did you know she was setting me up?"

"She mentioned she might try before we went skating," admitted Bucky.  "I think she went with whoever was at the rink.  You like Anna."

"Yeah, I do," he replied.  "She wasn't here when I was helping you out with the repairs.  Arrived for a temporary accounting job about a week after I left then met Julia a week after that.  Told her all about me and what a good guy I was."

"She didn't tell me that," said Bucky, smiling.  "But you are a good guy.  Julia said so and you know she's perceptive.  Are you angry with her?"

"Hell no," laughed Sam.  "We clicked at the rink and even more at the bar.  I definitely want to keep seeing her when she returns to Mobile."

Bucky offered his fist to Sam, happy for him, and received a fist bump in return.  By the time they both got dressed the whole household was up and eating breakfast.  Bucky put up with some good natured ribbing from his Avengers teammates about balls and chains, leashes, and other teasing comments on married life.  Laura Barton leaned towards him.

"Don't listen to them," she said loudly enough for them all to hear.  "I'm the best thing that ever happened to Clint and he knows it.  You're marrying a wonderful woman and I think you'll both be very happy together."

Bucky smiled at her and drank his coffee, noticing that Clint wasn't disagreeing with her.  He had already made known his feelings on that first mission when he picked Bucky up at the airport, complimenting him on finding someone.  When he finished eating he went back to the room and opened the suit bag, checking once again to make sure everything was how it should be.  He pulled out the dress shirt and noted that it had already been pressed and looked crisp.  All he had to do to get ready was have a shower, a close shave, and get dressed.  There was a knock on the door and he opened it to find Janey.

"Hi, everything okay?" he asked.

"Yes ... well no," she said, then she looked away for a moment.  "Julia is having a bit of a meltdown.  It's been a long time since she had one, just after the divorce actually.  I know you're not supposed to see each other before the wedding but she's insisting that only you can help her.  Are you okay with her coming up and seeing you?  She's downstairs waiting."