Bucky's Hope (A Bucky Barnes Love Story)

Chapter 55

Bucky's POV:

"Did you say that you love me?"

I froze in place when Hope said that, my mind racing, did I say that?"

"This is one of the reasons why I love you."

Oh shit, I did say that, and it is true though I didn't want to say it this soon let alone how I said it.

"Um okay, I didn't mean that."

"What?"

"Nononono, that's not what I meant, what I mean is that I didn't mean to say it like that and this soon, but it's true, I'm in love with you, have been for a while now too."

Hope was silent and it made me start to panic a little.

"I'm sorry, I'm not trying to freak you out, and don't think I expect you to answer right away."

"James, stop talking."

I instantly stopped.

"Good, now take a deep breath and let it out slowly."

I did as she said and calmed down at last.

"Better?"

"Yeah."

"Good, now listen, when Dad was talking to me earlier he said something and it's true what he said."

"What did he say?"

Hope gave me this breathtaking smile, "He said that he could tell I'm in love, and he was right, I am, I am madly and deeply in love with you James, and how could I not, you stole my heart away, little by little."

"You stole mine too, Hope."

Hope then took my vibranium hand in hers, "James, I want to make you a promise, okay, I promise you that I will guard and protect your heart always and give you the love that you deserve, to be your home and safe space, always and forever."

I was taken aback by what Hope said and there was only one thing to say to that.

Still holding her hand I took a deep breath, "And I promise to do the same, Hope, I will do everything in my power to show you that you can trust me, to make sure that you always feel safe and sound, and show my love for you, always and forever."

I leaned down and captured Hope's lips with mine, I started slow to give her time, and when a moan escaped her I deepened the kiss by running my tongue on her lower lip asking for entrance which she gave. I then slowly began to kiss along her jawline, the crook of her neck, ending at her earlobe causing her to giggle.

"Ok, you need to calm down because there is a pair of innocent eyes in our presence," Hope said.

We looked down at Emma still in her arms, when she saw she had our attention she let out a happy squeal making us laugh. Afterward, I grew silent and Hope noticed.

"James, what are you thinking?"

"Uh, nothing."

"Liar, what's going on?"

"I'm not sure how to ask you."

"Ask me what?"

"If you know when the funeral arrangements for Kaitlyn and Daniel would be done?"

Hope grew quiet for a moment before she spoke, "The attorney said that they left another separate account that would have enough to cover the costs and that he would begin that once the morgue releases them then the funeral home will take over."

"And are you okay with that?"

"Yes, in all honesty, I'm glad that they were prepared for this, not happy that it needs to be done but at least it's one weight off my shoulders, I will still need to go to their house afterward to start packing their things as well as Emma's so that I can get her moved in here."

"And you don't want to do this sooner,"

Hope shook her head, "No, I'm not ready for that just yet, even more, because it's all still fresh."

"Just remember Doll, that we are all here for you if you need us, alright?"

"Yes, and thank you again, James."

I held Hope and Emma close, kissing both their foreheads, we were like that for a bit when FRIDAY announced that dinner was ready.

"Are you ready?" I asked her.

"Not one bit but it's just best to rip the bandaid off."

"Alright, let's get going."

We left the office and headed to the kitchen where Mrs. Williams brought out the food and one by one, everyone came in, Hope got Emma situated in her high chair, and a moment later Mrs. Williams handed her Emma's dinner. Everyone else by now sat down and we all began to serve ourselves, well everyone but Hope, I gave her a questioning look but she gave me a reassuring smile and stood up to speak.

"Hey, everyone, I have some news that I need to tell you all so if I can have your attention for a moment that would be great," Hope said.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to Hope.

"Thank you, so you all know about what happened last night, well today I had a meeting with Kaitlyn and Daniel's attorney over their will and well sum it all up, they left everything to Emma, of course, but they named me as trustee until she turns 18, and the last part is that I also adopted Emma per their request in their will."

Everyone minus me, Pepper, and Tony had stunned looks as they processed what Hope just told them.

"WHAT???!!!"

"Yup, adoption papers were included in their will and I signed them, so I would like for all of you to officially meet my daughter, Emma Hope Stark," Hope told everyone.

Hope then took that moment, sat down again and turn her attention to Emma, and began to feed her while everyone was still in a state of shock until Morgan spoke.

"So, does that mean I get a baby sister?" Morgan asked innocently.

At that comment, Tony began to have a coughing fit due to him taking a sip of wine when Morgan said that, Pepper and Hope both laughed at that.

"No, Sweetpea, it means that you get to be Emma's auntie now."

"Wait, so that means that Tony is a grandpa now?" Sam asked with excitement.

"Yeah, but I'm gonna be a cool grandpa," Tony said.

"How is it that Tony is taking this so calmly?" Natasha asked.

"Because Hope had told me beforehand and I wasn't surprised when she told me, besides, I know that Hope will be a wonderful mother to Emma," Tony said giving Hope a proud smile.

"Okay, that's it for now, everyone can start eating," Hope said and we all dug in.

A few moments later I noticed that Hope still had an empty plate in front of her but I wasn't going to allow that, so I grabbed her plate and filled it up, placing it back in front of her. I grabbed her fork and added some food to it and then got her attention.

"Come on, you need to eat as well," I told her firmly.

"James, it's fine, I can heat my plate once she's done," Hope said.

"Not on my watch, you feed her and I'll feed us both."

"God you are so cheesy sometimes, you know that."

"Cheesy for you, maybe."

That made Hope laugh and she reluctantly took a bite of food at last.

"There, now was that so hard?"

"No."

The entire time, neither of us noticed that everyone was looking at us, some were a little shocked and others were grinning like idiots.

A/B: Ah, who doesn't love a cheesy Bucky, am I right? Also, I know this has been a slow burn, but how did you all feel about Bucky and Hope saying I love you, at last? Did it feel rushed at all or was it okay?