Bucky's Anchor

Chapter 48 - Promises of Forever

The day was bright, with a cool breeze sweeping through the countryside. It felt like the perfect day for something that we'd both been dreaming of—a day that felt so distant at times, I wasn't sure we'd ever get here.

I stood by the mirror, adjusting the simple white dress I wore. It wasn't anything fancy, but it was perfect for today. My hands shook a little as I touched the fabric, smoothing out imaginary wrinkles. Nerves fluttered in my stomach, not from doubt, but from the magnitude of what was about to happen. I was about to marry Bucky Barnes—the man who had been through hell and back, and who had still found a way to love me through it all.

Shuri had come into the room earlier, her warm, encouraging smile easing my jitters. "You're ready for this," she'd said, squeezing my shoulder. "You two were made for each other."

Now, standing here alone for a moment, I could feel the weight of her words settle into my heart. I was ready. We both were.

The soft sound of music playing outside reached my ears, signaling that it was time. I took one last deep breath and walked out, stepping onto the path that led to Bucky.

As I walked down the makeshift aisle, everything faded into the background. The trees swayed gently in the breeze, the sky above us clear and endless. But all I could see was him. Bucky stood tall, dressed in a simple suit, his hands clasped in front of him. His eyes were locked on me, and the moment our gazes met, the world stopped.

I could see the emotion in his face—his eyes glistened slightly, but his smile was steady, unwavering. It felt like we had been through so much just to get here, and now... now, this was our moment.

I reached him, and Sam, standing next to Bucky as his witness, gave me a warm smile and a nod of approval. The small gathering of our closest friends, the people who had fought alongside us, watched quietly as we took each other's hands.

As soon as Bucky's hand touched mine, the nerves disappeared. I felt calm. Safe. Whole.

---

We stood facing each other, hands clasped, and Bucky's blue eyes were filled with so much love and emotion that I thought my heart might burst. He cleared his throat, his voice soft but steady.

"Emily," he began, his voice trembling slightly with emotion, "I didn't know I could ever have this. A future. A life. But you... you made me believe that I could. You saw the good in me, even when I couldn't see it myself. You brought me back from the darkness, and for that, I will always be grateful."

Tears welled up in my eyes as he spoke, his words reaching deep into my heart.

"I promise to love you," Bucky continued, his hand squeezing mine gently, "to protect you, and to stand by you for the rest of our lives. I'm not perfect, but I'll spend every day trying to be the man you deserve."

His voice cracked, and I felt a tear slide down my cheek. I wiped it away quickly, not wanting to miss a single word. His sincerity, his vulnerability—it was everything I loved about him.

When it was my turn, I took a deep breath, my voice trembling with the weight of what I was about to say.

"Bucky," I started, my heart swelling with love for the man standing before me, "you are my heart, my home. You've been through so much, more than anyone should ever have to bear, but you've never lost your ability to love. You've taught me what strength really is, what it means to fight for something—someone—you love."

I paused, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I promise to stand by your side, to love you unconditionally, and to be the partner you deserve. You've given me a future filled with hope and joy, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."

As I spoke, I saw the tears in Bucky's eyes, the way his jaw tightened as he tried to keep his emotions in check. We were both holding on to the moment, letting the weight of our vows settle between us.

---

Sam stepped forward with the rings, his usual grin replaced by a quiet, reflective smile. He handed Bucky the simple silver band that we'd chosen together. There was nothing extravagant about it—just a circle of metal that symbolized something much bigger than ourselves.

Bucky took my hand, and his fingers were steady as he slid the ring onto my finger. The cool metal felt warm in his hands, as though it carried the heat of his love for me.

"With this ring," Bucky said, his voice steady but thick with emotion, "I give you my heart, my soul, and my life. For as long as we both live."

I watched the ring settle on my finger, and it felt like everything we had fought for had led to this moment. The battles, the pain, the healing—it was all part of the journey that had brought us here.

It was my turn now. I took the ring from Sam, my hands trembling just slightly as I held Bucky's left hand in mine. His Vibranium arm had always been a symbol of his past, but today, as I slipped the ring onto his finger, it became something else—a symbol of our future.

"With this ring," I said, my voice soft but certain, "I give you my heart, my love, and my promise to be yours for the rest of our lives."

Bucky's fingers tightened around mine, and for a moment, we just stood there, holding each other's hands, letting the enormity of what we had just promised sink in.

---

After the ceremony, the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a golden glow over the quiet countryside. There was no big party, no grand reception. Just a simple meal shared with the people who had become our family.

Sam raised his glass, giving a heartfelt toast that made both Bucky and I laugh through our tears. He was more than just a friend now—he was family. And he was there for us, just like we would always be there for him.

"To Bucky and Emily," Sam said, his voice filled with emotion. "May your life be filled with love, happiness, and peace. You both deserve it."

The others raised their glasses, and Bucky pulled me close, his arm around my shoulders as we sat down together. We shared quiet smiles, shared looks that spoke of the love we had for each other, the gratitude for the life we were about to begin.

Later, as the night wore on and the stars appeared overhead, Bucky and I found ourselves alone, sitting on the porch of the small cottage we had rented for the night. His arm was around me, and I leaned into his warmth, my head resting on his shoulder.

"I still can't believe we did it," I whispered, my voice soft.

Bucky chuckled, the sound vibrating through his chest. "Believe it, doll. You're stuck with me now."

I smiled, closing my eyes as I soaked in the moment. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

We sat in comfortable silence, the only sounds the soft chirping of crickets and the distant rustling of trees in the breeze. It was peaceful, serene—a far cry from the battles we had fought to get here. But in this quiet moment, I knew that every struggle, every hardship had been worth it.

Because this was our beginning. And it was perfect.