Bucky's Hope (A Bucky Barnes Love Story)

Chapter 69

Tony's POV:

Once all the intended guests arrived chaos ensued though it wasn't too bad. Morgan immediately wanted to show Pepper and me what she did to the rescue pony, Shadowfax.

"Look, Mommy, look, Daddy, I turned Shadowfax into a unicorn for Emma."

"Oh wow, Morgan, he looks amazing, did you want to ride him as well?" Pepper asked her.

"No, I'm too big for Shadowfax," Morgan said as she stroked the pony's main.

"I doubt that Little Boss, I'm sure he would love to give you a ride," Matt said.

"Really?" Morgan asked.

"Of course, no come on over here and get on your loyal steed," Matt instructed Morgan who giggled.

Morgan walked over to Matt's side and with ease got on the saddle.

"Well look at that, another natural, you gonna take after your big sis?" Matt asked her as he began walking the pony.

"Mm, I don't know," Morgan said matter of fact, we couldn't help but laugh.

"Big smile for me, Morgan," Pepper called out to her so she could get a picture, "Beautiful."

Matt walked Morgan and the pony around for a few more minutes and then stopped, he held his hand out to help her, but she didn't take it and dismounted the pony all by herself.

"Is she starting to get independent on me already?" I asked Pepper.

"I think it's more she just wants to be like her big sister is all, so I don't think you have to worry about letting go just yet," Pepper said reassuringly.

After the unicorn ride, Morgan moved on to the slide and ball pit, where she was joined by Barton's two oldest while he joined Pepper and me.

"I see some major changes have happened since I was later here?" he motioned over to Hope And Bucky with Emma.

I let out a heavy sigh, "You have no idea, Clint, but she's taking it day by day, we all are."

"And are you okay with him being with your daughter?" Clint asked.

I chuckled, "Yeah, I saw that coming from a mile away, and everyone thought I wasn't going to notice."

Clint smirked, "You planned that?"

I shrugged, "I hoped."

"Who knew the great Tony Stark could be this cheesy," Clint chuckled.

"When it comes to his girls it oozes out of him," Pepper chimed in.

"Hey, who's side are you on anyways?"

Pepper only shrugged, I turned my attention back to Morgan when I heard Pepper gasp

I quickly turned to her, "What, what is it?"

Pepper didn't answer but I noticed the tears, "What's going on, Pep?"

Still not speaking, Pepper pointed toward something behind me, Clint and I both turned and were stunned by what we saw.

Hope and Bucky had taken Emma into the bubble tent and noticed that Emma was standing.

"I think she's about to walk," Pepper whispered.

Together we watched the moment unfold as Emma took her first steps into Bucky's arms, Hope was behind him catching the moment on video.

A few moments later they came out of the tent, and both Hope and Bucky were wiping tears away but had on the biggest smiles I had ever seen.

"Mom, Dad, did you see that?" Hope asked.

"We did," Pepper said.

"That was not all she did," Bucky said.

Clint, Pepper, and I looked at him confused, "What do you mean?" I asked.

"Emma said a new word," Bucky said.

"Yeah, she uh, she said Dada," Hope told us.

Pepper gasped, "She did?"

"Yeah, she did."

Pepper pulled Hope into a hug.

"Wow, Barnes, how do you feel about that?" I asked him.

"Surreal, like it didn't happen," Bucky said.

Emma took that moment to confirm.

"Dada!" she wrapped her little arms around Bucky's neck, snuggling against him.

"Believe it man," Clint told Bucky.

"I said the same thing, now I'm sure all this excitement has worked up some appetites so I'm to check how the food is coming along," Hope said, she turned to Bucky, "Want to join me?"

"Sure thing," Bucky took hold of Hope's hand and they headed over to where the guys were grilling.

Hope's POV:

Emma ended up repeating her new word the rest of the day, shocking everyone whenever she would say Dada and then cling to James. For the rest of the day, she would not let him put her down, anytime he tried she would throw a tantrum.

The only time she allowed him to put her down was when it was time for her nap, she had at least let him put her in her crib, and the moment she was laid down she was out for the count for an hour or so, and when Emma woke up afterward she was ready for her cake along with everyone else.

We got Emma into the highchair I had decorated and gave her a cupcake letting her go to town as she smashed the cupcake and took a few licks of the frosting, which was also her taste of sugar that led to a sugar high and crash.

After the party ended and everyone minus the Bartons left, James and I got Emma ready for bed, and luckily it did not take too long for her to fall asleep.

James and I stood over Emma's crib watching her sleep.

"So today was full of excitement, huh?" I asked James.

"You can say that again."

I looked at James and he was watching Emma with a soft smile.

"She already has you wrapped around her little finger, huh?" I asked James.

He softly chuckled and he pulled me into a hug, my back touching his chest.

"You both do, Doll," James whispered into my ear, "Now how about we get out of here so I can complete a promise I made you earlier today."

My body shivered in response.

I giggled with excitement and took James' hand, "Let's go."

I tugged his arm as I walked out of the room pulling him along my side. When we got to the hallway, I quickly checked around to make sure no one saw us, I was still a little shy about this but with his gentleness and patience, James made this side of me come out more often.

When I saw that the coast was clear I made a dash to my room pulling James along, I locked my door as soon as we were inside.

"FRIDAY, soundproof please."

FRIDAY: of course.

"You making me feel like a dirty little secret," James said smiling as he took me into his arms.

"Did you want my dad to see us coming in here?" I asked him.

James was silent for a moment, "Okay, you're right about that."

I was beginning to feel nervous and James must have sensed it.

"Hey, remember, you set the pace so don't overthink it, and like you told me earlier, be in the moment."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

A/N: Yes I'm evil for stopping there but it was the perfect moment.