Books, Teas, and Good Cooking: A Bucky x Reader Fanfic

Chapter Two

I smile as I put the kettle on the stove to make some fresh iced tea for dinner. As soon as I am done making the iced tea, AJ and Cass arrive home from school. They smile at me. I look around to see Sarah has her back to the cookies. I motion them close and quietly snatch three cookies. I had the boys each one and save the last one for myself.

"Don't you dare eat those cookies," Sarah says. "They're for dessert."

The boys and I freeze in place for a minute before I whisper shout, "Abort!" I shove the cookie the best I can into my mouth while the boys giggle and run away with theirs. I can practically hear Sarah's eyes roll at the sound of her boys running away to go do homework and eat their "stolen" cookies. I can't fight the smile as I go wash my hands.

"You're like Mom," I comment. "Always had eyes on the back of her head."

Sarah laughs. "I guess that's just what happens when you become a mother."

I laugh and dry my hands. I go back to make the hush puppies. Sarah and I have both these recipes memorized from helping Ma in the kitchen when we were little. I smile at the recollection. Soon the whole house smells of hush puppies and gumbo. It is just amazing. The boys have settled in doing their homework and Sam and Bucky are still out there fixing the boat. It is almost 5:30 when dinner is about done.

"Boys!" Sarah calls. "Can one of you set the table and the other grab Uncle Sam and his friend from the docks?"

I hear a muffled sound of them calling "Not it." I laugh as AJ rushes out the door to get Sam and Cass sulks over to set the table. Soon the table is almost fully set and AJ comes back soon with Bucky and Sam in tow. Bucky breaths in the air and smiles.

"Smells good in here," Bucky says.

"Smells like my childhood," Sam responds.

"Our childhood," I correct. "AJ, go help your brother get drinks for everyone. There should be some fresh iced tea in the fridge that I made."

"Awesome! Your iced tea is the best, Aunt (Y/N)!" AJ exclaims.

"Because I put in a few secret ingredients," I say with a wink. "Also don't forget to put out the lemon slices in case anyone wants them with their tea."

"Already got them, Aunt (Y/N)!" Cass says.

"Cute kids," Bucky comments.

"Yeah, they're all Sarah's," I smile.

"Are we gonna eat or what?" Sam asks. "I'm starving."

"Alright, Sam," I say. "Foods coming."

"Good!"

Pretty soon we are all sitting at the table. Bucky sits next to me at the table. Food is passed around and we all start to eat. Bucky takes one bite of the gumbo and his eyes go wide.

"This is really good," Bucky says.

"Told you that it is the best," I comment. "Try the hush puppy."

Bucky takes a bite of the hush puppy and hums in content. I giggle as I continue to eat. I listen while Cass and AJ ramble on about their days. I smile when they talk about their friends and how they've been doing. As soon as dinner is done, I clean up the table. Sam and Sarah both try to help, but I refuse. I prefer to be the one to clean up. It's therapeutic for me. I finish clearing away the dishes and fill the sink with soapy water.

"Are you sure you don't need any help?" I hear Bucky ask behind me.

"I'm sure," I say as I grab two rags from the drawer. "Thanks, Bucky, but I'm fine."

"At least let me dry the dishes," Bucky insists as he gently takes one of the rags from my hand.

I look up in slight surprise. I didn't realize how close he had been. His eyes have a gentle gleam in them. I can't help but nod my head. Bucky smiles at me and releases my gaze. I clear my throat and turn to the sink and dirty dishes. I start to clean them.