Final Lap - Sambucky AU

170

Qualifying was something else.

Bucky got pole position with Clara and Anthony. Bucky smiled as he got his award with Clara and Anthony.

Bucky got caught up in an interview. "Mr. Barnes, how do you feel about setting the new record for pole positions?" The interviewer asked him.

Bucky rubbed his neck. "Cool! I mean, I already have so many records. I can't wait for them to get dethroned." He said with a chuckle.

"Any idea if your daughter will take the podium this season!?"

Bucky nodded. "She will before the season. If she's anything like me, she will show her excellence at the end of the season when no one expects it."

Bucky finished his interview and headed back to his garage. Romanoff stood there and looked at him. They were the only two in there.

"Are you not going to tell me what's going on until it's too late?" She said. Bucky just grabbed his water bottle and sipped some of it.

"Bucky...." She said.

He just started to walk past her. She grabbed his arm. "James..."

He paused and took a deep breath. "I'm tired..." he pulled his arm away and was about to go to his drivers room when suddenly someone ran into the garage.

"Dad! Wanna have dinner with father and I ?"

Bucky looked surprised. "Oh, uh yes. Any dress code?"

"Formal." She smiled and ran out.

Bucky got to the hotel and got dressed. He put his rings on as he heard a knock at the door.

Sam opens it and smiled as he saw Natasha. "Well, don't you look beautiful!"

Natasha had a long black glittery gown and her hair combed back. She was wearing the necklace they got her for her birthday.

"Thank you! You look snazzy!" She said with a chuckle.

"Snazzy?" Bucky said as he came into view.

"I just wanted to say it." She said.

Bucky looked at her and smiled a bit. "So, why are we going to dinner? Not that I mind." He said with a chuckle.

"You'll see!"

They got to the restaurant. She made her parents close their eyes. She brought them in and made them pause.

"Open your eyes in 3... 2... 1!"

They did and Sam gasped. "Mom!" Darlene ran over and hugged him tightly. "Hello my handsome baby!"

Paul walked over and hugged Bucky. "How'd you plan this!?" Sam asked.

"They wanted to see the Vegas race since they wouldn't be able to be in Abu Dhabi." She said with a smile.

Bucky smiled as he saw everyone around. He just enjoyed everyone's company.

Everyone ate dinner. They all cheered and laughed around the table. The family was all together, everyone felt so at peace.

Natasha then stood and tapped her glass. "I wanna make a toast." She turned towards her parents.

"Guys, thank you for being right there by me no matter what. You both have supported me, pushed me, and taught me to fight for myself. Thank you... I can't wait to keep seeing you in the pits dad, and father... I can't wait to keep racing you." Natasha said.

Bucky smiled sadly and raised his glass. "I can't wait sweetheart."

The group danced to some music. Bucky sat by himself as he watched the others dance. He sipped his drink as he thought about the following day.

As he got too deep into his thoughts, a hand appeared in front of him. He looked up and saw Natasha.

"Yes?"

"Can you dance with me?" She asked. Bucky looked at her. "I..." he sighed and smiled.

"Of course." He held her hand and walked out to the dance floor. He spun her around with a smile.

His mind drifted back to when he would dance her with her when she was just a little girl. She would stand on his toes and let him swing them around.

He just saw a little girl in front of him. Natasha laughed as he spun her again. He loved seeing her smile...

He didn't want to see it go away. He simply pulled her towards him and hugged her. Her eyes widened. "Dad?"

"I'm so proud... I'm so proud of you." He said tearing up. She pulled from the hug slightly and looked at him. "Are you okay?" She asked with worry.

"I..." he just looked at her as she wiped his tears away. "I'll be okay..."

Sam watched knowing how hard this was for Bucky. "Keep making me proud. Okay?" Bucky said, he walked away and stepped outside.

Natasha watched him confused. She looked at Sam but he motioned for her to stay and let him handle it.

Sam rushed after Bucky and found him sitting on some steps, holding his head. Sam stepped towards him and saw tears drop to the concrete.

Sam sighed and sat next to him in silence. He just needed company.

Eventually everyone got ready and headed back to their rooms. Darlene, Paul, Sarah and the boys were ready for the race the following day.

Natasha entered her room. It was dark. Which meant Clara was asleep already. Natasha pulled her heels off and ruffled her hair.

She walked to her room where Clara was in bed. She grabbed her bed clothes as the image of her father tearing up played in her head again.

She didn't know what she did.

She tried to get out of her dress, until Clara unzipped it for her. "Everything okay?" Clara asked quietly. Natasha nodded as she let the dress drop.

"My dad cried in front of me." She said as she pulled her shirt on, and then shorts.

"What happened...?"

"No idea...he's been so... on edge as of late. Not like he's mad, but he's dreading something. Like something's going to happen that he doesn't want to happen." Natasha responded as Walked into the bathroom to brush her teeth.

"That's strange... well. If he cried when he saw you, maybe it had to do with you?"

Natasha just had no idea what she did.