First We Were Friends - A Bucky Barnes Novel

Chapter 24. The Bigger Picture

They barely slept that first night, making love for hours.  In the morning Julia got up early to see to Rebecca, content to let Bucky sleep but when he awoke shortly after and she wasn't in bed he got up as well.   He came downstairs to find Julia inserting photographs into the photo album, "assisted" by Rebecca, who sat on top of the kitchen counter.

"My two favourite girls," he announced as he stepped off the last stair.  "My baby girl, Rebecca and my best girl, Julia."

He kissed both of them.  Rebecca gave him a sloppy kiss back which he and Julia beamed at.

"Dada, look," she said, waving a photograph around.  "Pitchers."

"It's been a while since I updated this so I thought I could get it done before you got up," said Julia, also giving him a return kiss.  "You weren't supposed to get up right away."

"And how much sleep did you get?" he asked, rubbing her back.  "We kind of made up for lost time last night.  You must be exhausted."

She shook her head.  "You're home," she replied.  "That energizes me.  How did it go, or are you allowed to tell me?"

"Well, technically no, I'm not supposed to tell you anything," he stated, "especially that the first person we arrested was the man who ordered the kidnapping.  Nor am I supposed to tell you the last man we arrested led us to a HYDRA training and serum making facility which we destroyed so I think we did really well.  If there are any sizeable HYDRA cells left they're deep underground.  We'll get them all someday.  Anything from Rick Garcia?"

"Mason is pleading guilty," she said with a gleam in her eye.  "Since the arrest was announced there have been quite a few women that reported similar assaults.  About half of them reported it to the police at the time and they have even more evidence against him.  He'll never get out of prison."

Bucky hugged Julia and kissed the top of her head.  "Good riddance to bad rubbish," he said.  "You know, after we met, and you told me about him accusing you of fraud I just had a feeling that there was something driving him to be so cruel to you.  Really, he was afraid you would out him.  He knew that your abilities would reveal his crimes.  I think he married you to keep his enemy close.  You know that saying?"

"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?" she replied.  "You're likely right.  That's the last I'm going to say about him.  He's not part of my life anymore."

"That's my girl," said Bucky with a smile.  "Have either of you eaten yet?  What do you say we go out for breakfast?  Let someone else cook and clean up."

While Julia got herself and Rebecca ready Bucky stepped over to the Devin's house to see where they were on it.  Jason was in the kitchen and unlocked the deck door when he saw Bucky through the window.

"You're back!" he said.  "Long mission.  You accomplished your objectives?"

"We did, thanks," replied Bucky, looking around.  "You're almost done and it looks great.  What's left?"

"Appliance installation, some finishing carpentry, and some painting," replied Jason.  "Come on up to see the bathrooms."

Both men went upstairs to the master ensuite and main bathroom.  Bucky nodded his approval of them.  The powder room on the main floor was also finished as was a laundry room that hadn't been on the original plans.  Jason explained that Lydia asked if it was possible to relocate the laundry from the lower floor to the main, just so she wasn't using as many stairs once they retired.  They took some space from the garage to do it. 

"Julia said her grandpa built that garage as it was originally the cabin he and his wife lived in," said Jason.  "I have to say the man did a great job.  That structure was solid."