The Fall - Book 2

228. My own personal lullaby.

JULY 4, 2020 — AVENGERS COMPOUND — BUCKY

Réa blinks us back to the compound, straight to her suite.

I drop my backpack of dry clothes by the door, then scoop my wife up and carry her into the bathroom, setting her on the counter before stepping into the shower and turning the water on to heat. Once the water is comfortably hot, I grab the teak wood shower seat and place it near the cascade, then make my way back to her; she's still in the same spot on the counter, but she looks like she's about to fall asleep.

"Come on, sweetheart. We'll take a quick shower, and then we can take a nap."

"But it's almost five o'clock."

"And you're exhausted." I pause. "Tell you what, let's shower, then I'll put our swimsuits in the washer. After that, we can cuddle on the couch, and I'll order your favorite take-out...and if you fall asleep before it gets here, I'll wake you up. Then, after dinner, we can go to bed early. How does that sound?"

"Really, really nice. I'd like that a lot."

"Okay then. Shower time."

I help her off of the counter, and we both strip off our swimsuits, piling them on the counter. I once more lift Réa into my arms, carrying her into the shower and setting her on her feet beneath the cascade.

"Can I wash your hair for you?" I ask.

She nods. "That would be nice."

I grab her shampoo, squeezing a dollop into my vibranium palm, then working the soap through her hair. She lets out a soft sigh of contentment, and I can't help but smile.

"You're adorable," I whisper.

"So are you," she murmurs.

I rinse her hair, then insist on washing her body. She's practically asleep on her feet and, when I finish rinsing the last of the soap from her, I get her settled on the shower seat, then wash up as quickly as I can while actually getting clean.

Once I'm finished, I step out of the shower and lay a towel across the counter, then return to my wife, again lifting her into my arms. I carry her to the counter, placing her on the towel, then wrapping a bath sheet around her shoulders. I quickly dry off, then grab another bath towel and dry Réa's hair as much as I can.

"Bucky, I can do it," she softly laughs, her tone sleepy.

"And I've told you before: you're growing our child. And I can't help with that, so I can at least wait on you hand and foot. Besides, you know I love taking care of you."

Her gaze softens, and she gives me a beautiful smile. "Thank you. I know you do. And I appreciate every single second."

I place a quick kiss to the tip of her nose, then help her stand so that I can dry her off. Once that's finished, I hang our towels to dry, then scoop her up and carry her to the bedroom, setting her on the foot of the bed. I open the dresser drawers where I keep my things, and quickly pull on a pair of boxer briefs, sweatpants, and a t-shirt before grabbing another shirt for Réa. I open one of her drawers and take out a pair of her underwear, then help her dress.

"Bucky. You said 'cuddle on the couch'," she says.

"Yeah. And?"

"And I need pants!"

"No you don't. This is perfect," I reply with a playful grin.

"Bucky!" she scolds through a laugh, smiling and shaking her head. "You're—"

"Charming?"

"I was going to say 'ridiculous', but yes...you are charming. Even when you're being incorrigible."

I hang my head back and laugh. "God, you're cute," I say when my laughter subsides. "And here you go."

I return to the dresser and take out a pair of my sweatpants, handing them to my wife. I watch her stare at the fabric for a second before she bites her bottom lip, and my pulse spikes before she lets out a quiet giggle.

"So, I know that the expression is that you get in my pants...but now I can say I've gotten in yours," she says, then begins to laugh in earnest.

"You...wha-...you are such a goober!" I tickle her sides, earning more beautiful laughter.

"Okay, I won't make any more terrible jokes!" she gasps between giggles. "Even though I know you think I'm cute when I make them."

I stop tickling her, looking into her eyes. "I really do," I say, my tone soft. "I especially like your puns."

"So I guess that means we're both goobers." She grins, then presses a quick kiss to my lips. "Cuddle time?"

"Yeah, doll...cuddle time."

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Though we had a late lunch with the others at the cabin, Réa and I both make quick work of the take-out. She manages to stay awake until it arrives—a feat I'm impressed by, given how tired she is, and that she's cuddled against me, which almost always makes her fall asleep—but she drifts off not long after I settle back onto the couch after clearing the dishes.

We're in our usual position—her between my legs, her back against my chest—but then she rolls onto her side and snuggles closer to me. Though she's done this countless times since the night of our first date, my mind flashes back to that evening. Just like it did then, my heart soars as I take in the sight of Réa asleep in my arms, her head resting on my chest. I rest my cheek on the top of her head and inhale the calming fragrance of vanilla-, ginger-, and citrus-tinged spun sugar and raspberries.

After several minutes, I carefully gather her into my arms and rise from the couch, carrying her to bed. She stirs as I adjust my hold so I can turn down the covers, telling me she needs a minute. I set her down and she pads into the bathroom; when she emerges a few minutes later, she slips off my sweatpants, folding them and placing them on top of the dresser, before settling into bed. I quickly strip down to my boxer briefs and join her, pulling the covers over us both. I pull her to me, and she snuggles close, tucking her head into the crook of my neck.

"I love you, Bucky. Sleep sweet," she murmurs drowsily.

"I love you, too, Réa. Sleep sweet."

It doesn't take long for her to fall back asleep.

I lie awake, once again in awe that she's with me; that she's my wife, and I'll get to have moments like this with her forever. As always, so many feelings wash over me: love, happiness, peacefulness, gratitude, joy, comfort, and a sense of belonging.

'I still can't believe that I deserve you.'

The thought pops into my mind unbidden, but I'm not entirely surprised. Even now, after everything, there are still times where I'm sure that all of this is nothing more than a dream; that any second, I'll wake up and be back in HYDRA's grasp, these wonderful moments just fictions of my fractured mind. Although I know that's not the case; although I know that this amazing, incredible life I have is real, I can't always help the small wisps of doubt and fear that weave their way into my thoughts.

Réa murmurs something unintelligible and cuddles closer to me, pulling me out of my musings before I can spiral, grounding me completely in the present.

Warmth fills me, and I feel my lips curve into a small smile, because—even in her sleep—she's absolutely adorable.

"I love you, Réa." I press a gentle kiss to the top of her head, then rest my cheek on that spot. "Mo réalta, mo rabhcháin, mo mhíorúilt, i gcónaí agus go deo." (My star, my beacon, my miracle, always and forever.)

I hold my wife close, enjoying this moment with her. Eventually, I begin to drift off, her sugar-sweet scent, the steady beating of her heart, the even cadence of her breathing, and the faint 'whoosh-whoosh-whoosh' of our son's heartbeat acting as my own personal lullaby.