The Fall - Book 2

232. He's aware that nesting is a thing, right?

JULY 19, 2020 — AVENGERS COMPOUND — RÉA

Caroline and I step into my suite, and as soon as the door closes behind us, she begins to cry.

"I'm s-so sorry," she sobs. "F-for what Ste-Steve s-said."

I immediately guide her to the couch then wrap her in a hug, lightly rubbing circles on her back. "It's alright. Thank you, for standing up for me, and for Bucky. That can't have been easy."

She shakes her head against my shoulder. "I-it wasn't. B-b-but I d-don't...I don't rec-recognise h-him. Tha-that's n-not...not m-my Steve."

'Oh, Caroline,' I think, my heart aching for her.

I don't say anything else, just let her cry it out. Bucky enters the room while she's sobbing, and he quietly places her bag by the door then goes into my bedroom, returning with a box of tissues. He places the box on the coffee table, then heads out onto the balcony, giving us some space.

Once Caroline's tears have subsided, she releases me and grabs a handful of tissues.

"Thank you," she sniffles.

I nod. "You don't have to thank me, Caroline. You're my friend, and friends support each other." I pause. "You needed to get that out."

Bucky knocks softly on the balcony door; when I nod, he opens it and steps back into the suite. He taps his temple, and I hesitate for a few moments, then open a link between us.

"I don't think Caroline should go home tonight," he says.

"I agree. Adam's at summer camp, so she'd be going home to an empty house. What if we sleep in your suite tonight, and she can stay in here?"

"I was going to suggest the same thing."

"Well, go ahead." I hesitate. "I'm, um...I'm going to hang up now."

I reluctantly close the link. I don't want to end that connection with Bucky...I'm just...I'm afraid to leave it open after what happened last night. I push that thought aside for now, planning to talk with Bucky after we get Caroline squared away.

"Caroline, I know you don't want to stay with Steve—understandably so—but I know that Adam's at summer camp, and I...well, this is going to sound horribly old-fashioned of me, so please forgive me...I just don't like the idea of you going home to an empty house when you're not only this upset, but also pregnant." My husband pauses. "And I have this gut feeling that you'd like to avoid that as well."

Caroline nods. "I would. I'd like to be alone...I just don't really want to be alone."

Bucky and I both nod in understanding.

"Réa and I would like you to stay in here tonight; we'll be in my room, just across the hall."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, we're sure," I tell my friend.

She's quiet for a brief moment. "Okay. Thank you."

"You're welcome," my husband and I say in unison.

"Give me a couple of minutes to change the sheets and quilt, th—"

"I can do that, if you give me the linens. It's no trouble," Caroline interjects.

"Oh god, there're two of you," Bucky chuckles softly. "I'll be right back."

He disappears into my bedroom, and I hear the opening and closing of my closet door followed by the rustling of fabric.