Memories || Bucky Barnes

Epilogue

I was fully back within the next couple months and everything couldn't be better. We are really happy, no more pretending or secrets. Bucky and I even went back to therapy to keep it this way.

We moved back into our house. Many people have come on and off this land since 1945 when I let it go and disappeared. On the old houses's place sits an even more beautiful home now. Bucky and I fell in love with it instantly. The layout is similar to what we were used to and the memories started flashing before our eyes. This is our home.

We also got a cat. Her name is Alpine. The story is that one day during gym class, JJ found this all-white kitten under the benches. She fed her and let her there. When it was pick up time, she grabbed her on her way out. She begged Bucky to let her take it home.

Bucky can't say no to JJ. She has him wrapped around her finger and she knows it. Sometimes I get frustrated by it. Luckily, when I say it to him, he puts his foot down for once in a while.

Unlike today...

It was JJ's fifth birthday. He was basically running behind her all day, making sure she wasn't hurt. She had a big party with all her friends, and it was the first time we had guests in our new house.

When I had to step away in order to get the cake ready, Bucky started playing with the kids to keep them busy. It was a beautiful moment to watch. They were all admiring his metal arm that was exposed. He looked so relaxed and happy. He wasn't worried about scaring them off or hurting them, even accidentally.

Tears form in my eyes as a realization sinks in me; He trusts himself and his own mind again.

Several hours later, it still brings tear to my eyes as I rest on the couch.

"She fell dead asleep" Bucky says as he comes down the stairs

"I told you she was tired" I remind him as he sits down with me.

He takes my legs on his lap "Thank you for everything" he says

"So you liked the party today?" I wonder

"Despite the music, yes"

"I didn't see you complain when you were enjoying yourself outside" I laugh

"I like 40's music. Not Taylor Swift"

"You can lie all you want to the others but not me. I saw you singing under your breath multiple times today".

"It's your fault" he says

I smack him "Can we go back to the part where you were thanking me?". He takes my hand and kisses it.

"Do you have the energy for one more thing today or are you too tired?" he wonders

"It depends"

"Well, the bathtub is filled with hot water and I lit your candle--"

"I'm already there" I almost jump out of the couch.

This was exactly what I needed in order to relax after this day.

~

Getting out of the tub I was so much more sleepy than when I went in. I barely made it to the bedroom, but weirdly enough Bucky wasn't there.

So, I drag myself downstairs. Before even reaching halfway, I see candles and rose petals everywhere in the living room. There is a bottle of champagne and two glasses set on the coffee table.

"Finally, I was about to come get you" Bucky says as he appears

"What is all this?" I ask

"Just little surprise for you. You deserve it" he walks to me and touches my cheek gently.

"I'm so in love with you, Emmy. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. You saved me more times than you know. You gave me a safe place. You made me believe that I still have some good in me and showed me that I can trust my own mind again. You are the reason I got through it all. You have stayed and supported me through the worst when you clearly didn't have to.

"No one has ever done that for me before, everyone else has either abandoned me or died. But you gave me a reason to not give up. And until very recently I was stupid and it almost cost me everything. I promise that I will be making this up to you and JJ for the rest of my life. You two are my whole world.

"Getting here was definitely not easy. You and I have been through so much, and maybe we came out different people than we were when we started this relationship. But that doesn't mean that I love you any less now than I did back then. I will always love you. You are still the love of my life.

"So allow me to do this properly this time. The last one was crappy anyway..." he says as he gets to one knee and reaches for his pocket

"Bucky stop..." I whisper

"Do you want to spend the rest of our new lives together, Emmy?" he asks as he opens the small box revealing a beautiful diamond ring.

"Yes, Bucky. The answer is always going to be yes" I say and the biggest smile appears on his face.

He gets up and hugs me. "I love you so much" he says

"I love you too".

We stay in each other's arms for some time. His embrace is my safe place.

"Do you want to try the ring on?" he suggests

"Yes please" I say as I wipe my tears.

He slides it on my finger and I can't stop looking at it. "I didn't know if you'd like it. I didn't even have a ring the last time. I just went for something a bit classic, not something too much or something too little--" he starts saying

"It's perfect, I love it" I say and I kiss him.

We could feel our smile in the kiss. His hot tongue slips in my mouth and he doesn't let me pull away until we are both out of breath.

He look at my face. "I meant everything. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. And you gave me the greatest gift anyone could ever ask for".

More tears roll down my cheeks and he wipes them for me. He kisses me softly.

"Champaign?" he suggests as he leads me to the table

"I would love to but... I may be... Well, I'm pregnant" I announce

"You... You are?" his eyes get glossy

"Yes. While I was making JJ's cake yesterday, I had this craving; whipped cream and cheese. I used to eat this combination when I was pregnant with her, so I took a test just to be safe" I explain.

"You're pregnant..." he repeats

"Yes, Bucky".

He hugs me tightly and picks me up. I start laughing as I keep my arms around him.

"I love you Dr. Emily Kendall Barnes" he says

"And I love you Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes".

Timeless (Taylor's Version) (From the Vault) plays in the background as Emily and Bucky dance in their living room.

The end.