Unexpected Sweetness

Fairy Princess and Dinosaurs

Shawna blew a strand of her hair that had escaped from her braids. She was waiting for the rest of the family so they could head to the Kansas City Children's museum and Kenzie could get her first picture with the Fairy Princess. She had even dressed nicer for the occasion, the whole family having a fun outing together. 

Bucky came out in a sweater that made his eyes look so much bluer, if that was even possible. A soft smile crossing his face at his girlfriend in her white sweater. "Welp, I saw the fairy princess I wanted to see." He teased.

Shawna putting her hands on her hips. "Very funny. It's a family tradition and a tradition unique to Kansas City. It's almost as old as you." 

Bucky stroked her cheek, "I know. I was teasing. I just hope this helps to cheer you up. Your dad hasn't stopped texting?" He asked his girl, who nodded. "You reply when you are ready. I'll be right here." He assured, kissing her forehead. 

Kenzie came running in dressed in her Christmas dress. "Ducky! Look what Gram Gram got me." She held out the skirt of the red velvet dress and a little gold purse. 

"What a lucky guy I am! I got the most beautiful girls in the whole city to show me around." He exclaimed, making the little girl beam with pride. 

Kenzie twirled, before Shawna's grandmother knocked on the door. "Come on, love-birds." Shawna grabbed her coat and gloves, just in case. The couple followed their charge to the cars.

Bucky was enjoying the day. Kenzie had been so good in the line, looking at all the exhibits of old furniture and dishes. Shawna had promised there were more interactive exhibits and a treat downstairs. Kenzie had told the fairy princess her Christmas wish, and had got a present of her very own tiara and magic wand. 

The four year olds favorite game was putting Shawna under a sleep spell and Bucky having to play the handsome prince with true love's kiss. Not the worst game in his opinion. Shawna was currently playing at a make believe grocery store with Kenzie. She turned and gave Bucky a smile, and he felt his heart stop. She waved before going back to playing. 

Kenzie soon was exploring the little play city in the basement of the museum. Her eyes lit up at the real soda fountain and ice cream parlor. "Surprise!" Shawna chirped. "Gram Gram and Papa used to bring us here after we saw the fairy princess for ice cream. And now we are going to have some too." Kenzie clapped her hands excitedly. 

Soon the munchkin was settled with her strawberry ice cream, Gram Gram enjoying a scoop of chocolate. The old woman had shooed them to a two seater table across the shop. "Go on. Make a mini date of it." She encouraged with a grin. So Shawna was enjoying a scoop of peach ice cream in a waffle cone while Bucky ate his chocolate swirl out of a sugar cone.

"So ice cream is part of the tradition?" Bucky asked.

Shawna nodded. "Gram Gram and Papa took me and Cass a lot as kids, so Mom could work or go to school. They made sure we didn't miss out as much and ate healthy meals and had someone there to watch out for us. So we got spoiled a lot. And then when Megs and Lo were born we spoiled them too. But also Mom and Uncle wanted us girls to be close and as you see we are, even as adults." She stopped, giving a half laugh. "Sorry, probably more than you wanted to know." 

Bucky took her hand in his. "No, Sunshine. That is exactly what I want to know. I need to know you had parts of your childhood that were happy. I want to know about the people who make you happy and make you feel safe. Because I need to know who to ask for advice when I don't know how to care for my sweet girl." His other hand cupped her cheek, thumb stroking her cheekbone. She nuzzled her face into his metal palm, trusting him completely. 

As usual Kenzie spoiled the moment, "You guys, Gram Gram says we are going to eat barbecue and then go to Science City to play more, come on!" 

Shawna smiled, "Come on, I think Science City might be up your alley." She gently tugged Bucky's hand, not realizing that the big soldier would follow her anywhere, his heart in her little hands.

Bucky smiled at the two girls in the backseat napping. Shawna's cheek rested on Kenzie's head on her shoulder. Kenzie had spread her blanket over the two, a sweet gesture of sharing. They had run and played all over Science City, both enjoying the dinosaurs. Bucky had taken Kenzie up to ride the sky cycle, finding out that his Sunshine hated heights. Her Grandmother told him about the day they learned that fact. Apparently when Shawna was 13 they had gone up into the St. Louis arch and she had had a meltdown wanting "down, now." The old woman laughed. "She was much better when we got to the ground. But never again." 

Bucky nodded, "Not a fan myself. Fallen from more than I like." He admitted, the plates in his arm whirring with his agitation. 

Gram Gram patted the prosthetic. "Understandable, dear." She soothed, glancing at her granddaughters. "You are so protective of them. Thank you. It does my heart good to know Shawna won't be alone." 

Bucky glanced at the old woman, "Never. She's stuck with me until she says to go. Even then, I doubt I would be able to leave her unprotected." He glanced back at the sleeping pair, before turning to the matriarch of the family. "Something hit me today, I want to be here, every year. I want to marry her." He confessed, the woman's face breaking out in a smile.