Unexpected Sweetness

Meeting the family

An/ photo is actually one my mom took at our family farm.

Bucky woke to the sounds of a busy house. A vacuum was going and he could smell biscuits and sausage. Shawna was still sleeping, her two dogs plus two cats sprawled over her. He smiled, pulling himself off the couch, a orange tabby cat protesting from his stomach. "Hi there." He petted the offended feline.

"That's Toesley. I call him Toaster. Or Turdley. Depends on what he is up to." The sleepy voice of his sunshine came from the bed.

He smiled, "I'll walk the girls." He offered. She sat up, stretching. She yawned, ambling to the front door, both girls zooming out as she opened it.

"They'll be back in a bit." Shawna yawned on a shrug. "Come on. Food." She ordered, leading him into the kitchen. She rested her chin on the shoulder of the woman cooking. "Morning momma."

The woman turned, patting her daughter's face. Bucky could see the resemblance immediately. Though her mom's eyes were almost as blue as his own. "Morning boo. Cody said you had a friend coming with you to help."

Shawna took a breath in, grabbing a coke and clicking on the coffee maker. "Not just a friend, momma." She gestured to Bucky who was standing in the entryway. "This is James. He was my neighbor and my boyfriend." Shawna said, sipping the soda to wake up.

The vacuuming stopped. "Is Boo boo up?" Another female voice came from the living room, a petite elderly woman coming into view.

"Morning Gram gram." Shawna said, as the old woman hugged her tight.

"And who is this?" She said, letting go to study Bucky.

"Bucky, this is my grandma, Lucille. Gram Gram this is Bucky." Shawna said, surprised as her grandmother hugged Bucky.

"We have heard so many nice things about you. And thank you for taking care of our girl." She gushed, Bucky looking uncomfortable. "Sit down and breakfast will be in a bit and then we can get Shawna moved in." Grandma led Bucky to the kitchen table and fussed over him. Shawna fought snickers.

"He's handsome." Her mother said, soft enough normal people couldn't hear.

Shawna came over to help. "And he probably heard you." She said, as Bucky blushed. "How bad is it gonna be?" She asked, pragmatically.

"Uncle is coming, Cody won't, Cassie said she would come help unpack since you know she isn't as much help with lifting. Megan and Caleb will help when they can. Lauren is at school, but will be home tonight. She is curious about him." Her mom listed. "Your dad said you can call him and as long as Cody isn't here he'll come."

Shawna sighed. "One drama filled family at a time momma. I'd like Bucky to not run all the way to KCI screaming."

Her mother studied her daughter. "I don't think you could scare him away, but your dad does stress you out." She patted her daughter's cheek.

Shawna nodded, pulling out the biscuits and popping another can. "I'll make a grocery run later with Bucky. He eats enough for a few folks. Part of the downside of his super soldier-y-ness."

Her mother nodded, stirring the gravy and flipping the hashbrowns.

Bucky was watching this all with fascination as his sunshine fit into a routine with these women like she had never left. Shawna's grandmother had gone to get photo albums out. A pair of little feet came running from the direction of the bedrooms.

"Nani! Nani! Nani!" Came the voice of a little girl, who was hugging Shawna around the knees.

"Hey, bug." She greeted, picking the child up and kissing her face. "I have someone I want you to meet." Shawna brought the girl to Bucky. "This is my friend, Bucky. Can you say hi and hang out with him while momma and I cook? Grandma is looking for pictures of me when I was little I bet." The little girl nodded solemnly, her big brown eyes studying Bucky carefully.

Bucky put out his hand to shake and the little girl took it. "Juice and Spidey cup, please." The kid asked, leaning to watch the women.

"Coming right up." Shawna chirped, kissing Bucky's cheek as she dropped off the requested drink.

Soon breakfast was on the table and Kenzie-bug had warmed up, climbing all over Bucky like she would any adult that would let her. More of the clan showing up and just walking in, something that unnerved Bucky. Shawna noticed, patting his right hand. "We are really relaxed and this house is the main house where we all meet and have family time." She explained. Soon the family was seated and passing the bowls of sausage, bacon, eggs, hashbrowns, biscuits and sausage gravy around the table, everyone taking their fill. Kenzie had picked Bucky to sit by. Shawna's mom on her other side. Shawna's cousin and her fiance had come to help as well as her uncle who was as tall and broad as Bucky. "Cass had to work?" Shawna asked, as her mom nodded.

"She'll be here after though. I planned on making tacos. How much more should I make for Bucky you think?" She asked, smiling at the man who was a bit intimidated by the curious looks.

"I think another pound of meat should do. We always have too many toppings left over." Shawna replied, putting strawberry jam on a biscuit. "And like I said. We'll make a run to town for groceries and such. Pull our weight." She bit into the biscuit, with a sigh.

Grandma volunteered to clean up the kitchen while the rest started unloading Shawna's things into the trailer house across the driveway. Bucky and Shawna dressed quickly, so she could direct and he could lift.

They got half the uhaul unloaded by lunchtime. Shawna starting to get tired as was everyone else. "Mazzios?" Her cousin asked, as Shawna laughed.

"More pizza." She explained to a confused Bucky. "But they have a good lunch buffet."

Bucky nodded, picking up his sweetheart from the sprawl on the ground. "Sounds good. And we can make the grocery run while we are there."

Megan shook her head, "Make a list, hand over your card and Caleb and I can get it. That way everything here is Nani approved." Shawna nodded, Megan made sense. "Let's go." Megan cheered as the family piled into vehicles. Bucky ending up sitting next to the kiddo in her car seat. Kenzie handing him a dinosaur to play with on the short ride into town. Shawna was in the front seat and her mom driving, the women talking some minor improvements and decor choices.

Bucky smiled, "I'm pretty handy. I can help with the improvements, as long as no mission comes up." He offered.

Shawna's mom, Lisa, as she introduced herself, smiled. "That would be nice, Bucky. Also give you some time to get to know the family and vice versa."

"My thoughts exactly." He agreed, smiling at his sunshine.