The Fall - Book 2

216. How's that arrow treating you, buddy?

MAY 31, 2020  — WAKANDA — BUCKY

Eventually, Peter decides he's taken enough posed photos, and he gives me and my wife—and the rest of the wedding party, plus Pepper and Tony—the 'okay' to join the reception festivities. Réa briefly disappears with Nat and Wanda; when she returns, she's wearing a dress that makes my heart rate speed up. It's low-cut, plunging into a deep 'v'; the bodice is powder blue and opaque over her breasts, but the rest is sheer mesh, embellished with embroidery and crystals, while the gauzy skirt is powder blue and a soft gray.

She makes her way back to my side, and I rest my right hand on her back, pulling her close.

"I really, really like this dress," I press my lips against her ear as I whisper, my tone husky at the feel of bare skin and just the smallest bit of fabric beneath my hand. "I was thinking about how good the other one was going to look on the floor later...now I'm just thinking how good this one will look when it's up around your waist."

Her breath hitches. "Bucky."

'Oh fuck,' I think, the throaty whisper of my name falling from her lips turning the heat simmering in my veins into fire. I'm about two seconds away from sneaking the two of us away when her stomach growls.

'Your pregnant wife is hungry...keep it together. There will be time for that later; right now, you have to take care of her.'

Réa smirks and raises a brow at me, then her gaze softens; as I watch the expressions pass over her face, I realize she's heard all of my thoughts through our still-open link, and I feel my cheeks heat just slightly.

"And you say I'm adorable," she says.

I can't help the grin that forms on my face. "Come on, doll. Let's sit down so that they'll start dinner."

"Good idea, because I'm starving!"

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Réa practically inhales the first course, her little happy dance extra-happy as she eats her salad. I watch her, a smile on my face, still in awe that someone like her—so vibrant and joyful, who doesn't hesitate to celebrate all of life's moments, no matter how large or small—was destined for someone like me.

I open my mouth to tell her how perfect she is, but before I can, Tony stands and lightly taps his fork against his glass; Shuri brings him a microphone, and he offers her a quiet 'thank you' before she returns to her seat.

He clears his throat, then begins to speak, his eyes moving amongst the guests.

"Before I begin my official speech, I just want to thank everyone who made today possible, and to thank everyone for supporting Réa and Bucky. Seeing the respect and love all of you have for both of them, and for their relationship, is truly amazing."

His gaze settles on us, and he inhales deeply.

"Tomorrow will mark five years since Réa first came into my and Pepper's lives. She appeared—quite literally—out of thin air. She was lying in the grass, flapping her arms and legs like she was making a snow angel, and I remember thinking that she was crazy...my exact thought was 'crazy pants'." He chuckles lightly. "When she shared her story with us—when I understood why she was flapping about—Pepper and I immediately knew that we wanted to help her...that we wanted her to be part of our family. That turned out to be one of the best decisions either of us ever made."

He smiles at Réa, his expression warm and fond; the look slowly fades, replaced with his serious face as he turns to me.

"As for the groom, well...we all know that story. It took me a long time to see past who Manchurian Candidate over there was—Réa played a large part in my ability to do so—and to accept him for the man he is. And so, what began as perhaps the rockiest relationship anyone's ever had has morphed into mutual respect, admiration, and, dare I say, camaraderie. Bucky is someone I am proud to have not only as my son-in-law, but also as my friend." He chuckles softly. "Of course, if anyone had told me I'd be saying this four years ago, I'd have laughed in their face...and hit 'em with a repulsor blast."