Memories || Bucky Barnes

Chapter 27

This is the dream.

Waking up, and finding Bucky in the kitchen making breakfast with JJ. Being in the bathroom and hearing her laugh at whatever game they are playing in the living room. Finding them asleep on the couch. Letting her draw all over his metal arm with erasable markers. Helping him figure out how to do her hair while following video tutorials.

Sometimes I sit back and debate in my head if this is really my life now.

Sure there was a couple weeks adjustment period, but now everything is running smoothly. I started work again, Bucky has been attending therapy -he hates it, but it is mandatory- and JJ has started school again.

We have started falling into a pretty good routine. Bucky wakes JJ up and gets her ready for school every morning, giving me an extra hour of sleep. I drop her off on the way to work, but I don't stress anymore to get my work done in time, because Bucky picks her up. When I return home, JJ is already taking her midday nap and there is warm food waiting for me. Bucky and I lunch together, enjoying as much alone time as we can get.

He is basically a stay-at-home dad and says he couldn't ask for anything better right now. It's funny how the tables have turned since we got married. Not that I was ever planning on being a stay-at-home mom, but that was the expected back then.

"Mom!".

This little scream was my sign to stop wasting time and finally get out of bed on this Saturday morning.

"What is it, baby?" I ask as I enter the bathroom where she is with Bucky

"I can't for the life of me figure out dutch braids" Bucky admits defeated

"I got it" I chuckle.

Bucky has already split her hair in two perfectly, so I begin braiding immediately.

"I didn't want to wake you" he says and kisses my lips

"It's alright. I was already awake" I reply. "Are you ready for today?" I wonder

"I don't know. I guess I'll find out when we get there" he answers

"It'll be fine" I kiss him again.

"Gross" JJ complains

"It won't be gross when it's your turn, missy" I whisper

"You have my permission to freeze me again when that time comes" Bucky says, causing me to chuckle. "I'll go finish up breakfast" he kisses my cheek and hers before leaving the room.

We have breakfast, we dress up and we get ready to leave the house. Bucky and JJ wait for me at the door, equally complaining.

"I'm here. Looking decent?" I ask as I show off the outfit. Burgundy jumpsuit, black heels and black leather jacket on top.

"You look great" Bucky kisses me and takes my hand. He picks up JJ with the other and we leave. He always keeps her in his arms on the way out, so she'd be tall enough to look herself in the mirror of the elevator.

He puts her down as soon as we cross the front door. I take JJ's hand, pulling her inside the sidewalk as we walk. Bucky also moves to my other side, putting me in the middle so he'd be by the side of the road.

~

We stood in a corner and watched as Sam Wilson placed Steve's shield in its own case inside the Smithsonian. I had picked up JJ so she could see over the crowd, and leaned against Bucky.

I know this can't be easy for him. It feels like the final goodbye to Steve, since he chose to go back in time and live with Peggy. Bucky is more emotional than he lets on.