Unexpected Sweetness

First of many dates

Shawna huffed as she put the finishing touches on her makeup, "So are we having Thanksgiving at momma's?" She asked her sister over the phone as she fussed with her hair, which her sister had walked her through both the styling of and the application of her makeup.

"Don't change the subject, Boo." Cassie scolded, used to her sister's antics. "You have never been this anxious about seeing someone. He must be special."

Shawna sat on her bed, Bekah getting in view of Cassie as she brought Shawna her shoes without being asked. "He is. He is so smart and funny. But not in a dirty jokes way. But like he embraces my silly, ya know." She spun her fidget ring on her thumb. "He is so very handsome, Cass. Movie star handsome."

Cassie cut her sister off, "Don't even think that. You are just as beautiful. You are not a six to his ten." She scolded, "Besides Momma and Uncle want to meet him. They are figuring out logistics when you come home for Meg's wedding and the holidays." She said, smugly, her house up to host her sister's beau.

"What?" Shawna squeaked.

"You have talked about him with everyone. You usually don't tell us about your dates. But it's "Bucky this" and "Bucky that." Her tone softened, "You seem happy. You have always seemed content, but not happy like you are now. We all want you to be happy, Boo-Boo."

Shawna fought tears at her sister's affectionate words. "Miss you, Sis." She said, touching her sister's face on screen.

"Miss you too." Cassie replied, truly happy for her big sister. A knock on the door interrupting the tender moment between sisters.

"Who could that be? Bucky has a key." Shawna muttered, leaving her sister connected. It was Bucky, a large bouquet of sunflowers wrapped in blue paper in his arms. His heart stopped at the sight of his date.

"Wow! You look beautiful." He stammered, holding out the flowers. "Not that you aren't always." He said, nervous he was putting his foot in his mouth. Shawna smiled, accepting the flowers and smelling them.

"My favorites. How'd you know?" She asked, inviting him in as she went to put them in water.

"Lucky guess." He said, with a smile. He had noticed the sunflower sundress she wore almost every week during the spring. He watched her pull out a vase and settle the flowers in their new home with a care. "You have done this before." He stated, curious.

"I competed in flower arranging in high school. Won silver at the state fair." She explained. "I was kinda a shy violet." When she was done and had tidied up. "Let's go." She chirped with a grin. She pulled on a cardigan and grabbed her purse. Bucky resting his right hand on the small of her back as they headed to his car, and off on their date.

"No way. Steve and you did not get in a fist fight with a street gang and win." She laughed.

"I swear, my hand to God, sunshine. They called me a mick and well Stevie, he didn't take kindly to bullies of any stripe. So he mouths off, as per usual, and I get drug into a fight with these Italian boys. God, Ma and Mrs. Rogers were so mad. I think I was grounded for a week." Bucky told the story, his blue eyes sparkling, his accent flavoring his speech and talking with his hands.

"Sunshine, huh?" Shawna teased, loving hearing about his life before the war.

"Thought it suited you." He mumbled, suddenly shy. "You always are so warm and try to cheer everyone around you up."

She blushed, "I'll allow it. On one condition. I get to find a nickname for you. Other than Bucky or Hunky." She laughed, remembering her friends' reaction to her having a date with him.

He grinned, "deal." He held out his hand to shake, but didn't let go.

Bucky walked her to her door, hand back on the small of her back. "I had a really nice time, Bucky." She said, as he unlocked her door for her.

"I'm glad. So movie night Friday and my turn to get pizza? And maybe a second date Saturday?" He asked, hopeful she would say yes.

"Of course. I was worried you might not want to." She admitted, looking away.

"No chance in hell, Sunshine. I would happily do boot camp over again just to take you on another date." He teased her, his right hand gently lifting her face. "May I?" He asked, softly. Smiling at her tiny nod, he brushed a soft kiss on her lips. "Goodnight Sunshine. Sweet dreams." He murmured, ushering her inside and waiting till he heard the lock click. He put his hands in his pockets as he strolled home, almost feeling like his old self again.