The Fall - Book 1

196. So you'd repeat that, huh?

JANUARY 22, 2020 — AVENGERS COMPOUND — BUCKY

I knock on Pepper's door, and almost immediately, it swings open.

"Hi, Bucky. Come on in," she steps back to let me enter her suite.

Nat and Wanda are already here, seated on the three-seater couch; Pepper joins them while I settle into one of the armchairs.

"I'll just get right to it: I asked Réa what she wants to do for her birthday, and her initial response—which she was hesitant to give, because she's afraid the timing with...with me falling off the train being only a couple of weeks before her birthday—was that she wanted to go on a date like I'd have gone on in the forties. And then she followed it up by saying that the timing might make me uncomfortable, and said that she just wants to spend the day with her favorite people. And I had an idea pretty much immediately."

I hesitate briefly. "I'd like to combine the two: I'd like to take her to breakfast at Kellogg's...it's been around since nineteen-twenty eight. Steve and I would actually go there occasionally. Then maybe you could take her out for shopping or 'mani-pedis and fro-yo'," I grin as I quote Wanda's words from the phone call after my first kiss with Réa. "I'd like to take her to Bamonte's again for dinner, and then I'd like all of you to join us for dancing. The problem there is that a lot of the old places closed down, so I don't know where t—"

"Swing 46 is a good place," Pepper interjects. "And they do private parties. Which, if you want all of us to join, is probably the best option. And if you wouldn't mind, Tony and I would like to cover that as part of our birthday gift to Réa."

I nod. "Thanks, Pepper. That would be great."

"I think we all should dress vintage," Wanda says, earning nods from Nat and Pepper.

"I agree. And now I have a question," Nat says. "Pepper, Wanda, and I will find and order a dress for Réa, and keep it in one of our rooms until she needs it. My question is: would you be okay with wearing your old Army uniform? Or, I guess a replica, because you're a lot more...toned...compared to pictures I've seen of you back then."

I'm quiet for a moment, considering her question. "Yeah. Yeah, I'd be okay with that."

"Great! Pepper, I'm guessing you know someone who can handle that?"

"I do. If you," she looks at me, "can send me some photos of you in your uniform, I'll send them to Tony's tailor. He can call you to come in and get measured." She pauses. "He's amazing; I'm sure he can get this done within a week, week-and-a-half."

"Will do." I look at the three women, filled with gratitude for them. "Thank you. Not just for this...for everything that you do for Réa, and for all of the help and advice you give me. Thank you for being not only her friend—her family—but for becoming mine as well. I'm truly thankful for all of you."

Wanda speaks next. "We're thankful for you, Bucky. And I...we," she amends, and Nat and Pepper nod in agreement, "want you to know that we've always known Réa's been right about you. You are a great man. It's a privilege to call you our friend." She pauses. "And thank you for not only loving, respecting, and supporting Réa, but for showing her with your actions what she means to you."

I nod, and she continues. "Alright, that's my Hallmark-movie speech," she lightly laughs. "I guess we should finish up the logistics of this birthday outing."

"I'll just call Swing 46 and make a reservation for eight o'clock," Pepper says as she scrolls through her phone. "And according to Google Maps, it takes thirty two minutes to get from Bamonte's to Swing 46, so if you make a six o'clock reservation there, you should be good."