—6 months later/Bucky's POV—
"You ready for everyone tonight?" I asked Dani as we sit together on the couch watching Nat crawl around the living room playing with her toys.
"I am, actually. Nat got a clean bill of health, so I'm excited for everyone to finally meet her. I know some of them already have, but others haven't. So it'll be nice to see how they all react with her." She said, sitting up to grab her water from the table.
"Is Tony bringing Morgan? I know he mentioned it last week that he was thinking about it but wasn't sure since him and Pepper have never had Morgan around babies. He's worried she may get selfish with any toys." I said and let out a chuckle.
"Yes, he's bringing her. Him and Pepper talked to her last night about everything and with her being his daughter, you know she's smart and will learn to share. Clint and his wife are bringing Lila too. So even if Morgan doesn't play nice with Nat, she'll understand how to play with someone closer to her own age." She said and leaned back against my shoulder.
We had planned with everyone that we would all get together at our place tonight now that Nat has an official clean bill of health and we don't have to worry about her getting incredibly sick. Everyone agreed to come and most of them are bringing their families even. Dani has been so excited to see everyone. We haven't had anyone over since Clint was here 6 months ago. Sam decided to love in with his sister to help out with their family business when he's not out on missions. So it's just been us here. Our beautiful little family. I still can't believe that it's all mine. That I, James Barnes, have a family of my own. After the whole Winter Soldier thing, I never imagined I would ever be able to have this kind of life. And I'm happy. So incredibly happy.
"I'll get it." Dani said as someone knocked on the front door. She got up and stepped over the baby gate blocking Nat in the living room and headed to the door.
"Come in come in! Nat and Bucky are in the living room, jackets can be left here in this closet. Oh and take your shoes on if they have laces. Nat has a thing for them and I don't want her choking on them." I heard Dani say as a few of our guests came in the door.
"Hey Bucky, how you been?" Tony asked as he stepped over the gate and sat on the couch opposite of me.
"I'm good. Enjoying fatherhood and not being out on missions. Actually, I was wanting to ask you how you would feel about me retiring from it... I'll always be around to help if ever needed but I'd like to be taken off the official list of Avengers that get sent out on missions. Dani too. We're ready to settle down completely with our little girl here and I'd rather not ever leave my daughter in a world where she's constantly worried about her parents." I said, sitting up to properly look at him. A smile formed on his face and he looked over at Nat.
"Bucky, I already retired you both from the Avengers. Ever since Dani got pregnant, I took you both off the list. Dani may not be my biological daughter, but I do consider her one. I want you all to have a wonderful life. Hell, even I don't get in my suit very often anymore. Ever since Morgan was born, I promised Pepper I would stop. That I would only go out and fight if I was absolutely needed. And it's been wonderful towards not just our marriage, but also our family." He said happily, embracing Morgan who ran up to him as soon as Pepper lifted her over the gate.
"Tony... you... thank you. So much." Dani said from behind me where she had apparently been standing and listening to our whole conversation.
"Dani, honey, it's not a problem. I want you to be happy and for this sweet little girl here to grow up with both her parents." He said and smiled at her. I may not be able to see her face with her standing me but I already know she's smiling.
An hour later and everyone else has arrived. The girls are all playing happily in the living room, Lila being the oldest of the kids has opted to keep an eye on Nat for us while we spend some time with the adults. Only once has she come over to let us know that Nat pooped and needed her diaper changed.
"Sam, how is it now that you're the new Captain America? I saw you on the news the other night and saw you with the new suit and the shield." Dani asked, as if reading my mind of the same question I was getting ready to ask him.
"I'm gonna fight for our country. If we don't, then who will, right? Bucky here is actually the reason I have the new suit, he called in a favor with the Wakandan's. Thank you, by the way. The suit is great, man. And I know you hated Redwing so the fact that you made sure to have them make me a new one means a lot." Sam answered after taking a sip of his drink.
"Still hate that thing. But I know he's important to you and what you did as the Falcon, so I figure he'll be just as important to you as Cap." I said and clapped a hand to his shoulder.
"For what it's worth, the shit looks good on you, Sam." Dani said and hugged him. He quickly set his drink down and returned her hug.
"You just give us a call if you really need us. But only if you've run out of any other options." I said and made my way over to the bar for another drink. Or at least made it seem that way but really, I have a tiny red velvet box hidden back here that only Clint knows about. He helped me pick it out. I grabbed the box and made my way back around the counter and kneeled down on one knee behind Dani who is too focused in her conversation with Clint to notice me. He grabbed her by both shoulders and turned her around to face me, everyone around us taking a few steps back and pulling phone cameras out.
"Daniella Cassius Barton.... I have known you for a long time now. You have changed me into a better man. You took a huge part in making me a father. You make me so incredibly happy every single day. You have been there for me when I didn't think I could go to anyone. The winter soldier in me believing for so long that I wasn't allowed to have this kind of life... but because of you, I have it. And I can only hope that I can make you the happiest woman on the planet by vowing to be yours forever. Dani, my love, will you do me the complete honor becoming my beautiful wife?" I asked, trying so hard not to choke on my own words. Tears filled her eyes instantly, a smile plastered on her face bigger than I've ever seen.
"Oh my god, James Bucky Barnes, of course! Yes! I will marry you!" She said happily and kneeled down in front of me, taking my face into her hands and kissing me. I pulled away briefly to place the diamond ring from the box on her ring finger.
"I love you so much James Barnes. You and our beautiful daughter are my entire world." She said breathlessly into my ear. I smiled and we both stood up, still in each others embrace.
"I love you so much more, future Mrs. Barnes." I said and pulled her face to mine to kiss her again. Everyone around us cheering for us.
YOU ARE READING
Time Bomb
FanfictionDaniella Ackles is the daughter of one and only Soldier Boy. She's 22 and has only just recently discovered that she unfortunately was born with the same abilities as her father. Thought she doesn't remember him much. She hasn't seen or heard from h...
