The Fall - Book 2

260. Alpine and Vale

DECEMBER 25, 2020 — AVENGERS COMPOUND — RÉA

I stare across the corridor at Bucky, taking in the sight of him holding a black cat.

"Vale?" I ask.

"Alpine?" my husband speaks at the same time, nodding his head toward the white cat I'm holding.

"Yeah," we say in unison, before we begin to laugh.

My husband crosses the corridor, carrying Vale into Wanda's suite.

"This is grossly adorable," Nat mutters as she follows him, her tone full of mirth. "You two need to cut out the cute."

"How did this even happen?" That question comes from Wanda.

"Well, when I went to the shelter the other day," I begin, "to drop off that donation, I just...I felt drawn to these two." I gesture between the cats. "And something within me said that Alpine and Bucky are supposed to be together...and that Alpine and Vale are both supposed to be with us. I also knew I couldn't just spring two cats on an unsuspecting Bucky. So, I adopted Alpine, with the intention of going back for Vale as soon as the shelter reopened after the holiday." I pause. "According to the shelter director, they're littermates, of a very small litter: it's just the two of them. She was fostering their mother during her pregnancy, and was there when they were born. Their mom was adopted several weeks after that, but Vale and Alpine have been at the shelter just about a year—it's a no-kill facility," I elaborate at Wanda's slightly puzzled look, "and though by all accounts they're well-behaved and very loving, they just kept getting passed over. Of course, they're supposed to be with us, so that makes sense...and it's sad that they were ignored, time and again."

"Okay," Wanda nods after a long, quiet moment. "But how did you," she turns to Bucky, "wind up with Vale?"

My husband lets out a short, quiet chuckle. "Well, after you three went out to do that round of last-minute 'see what we see' shopping, I realised that I'd missed loading one of the bags of dog food and a couple of the cat beds; they'd gotten wedged behind some of the presents for Steve, Caroline, and Adam. Anyway. I didn't want to interrupt your 'bestie time'," he makes air quotes, "so I took them to the shelter myself." He pauses. "Like Réa, I felt drawn to Vale...Alpine was already adopted. As I'm sure you know," he grins. "And I just felt like he belonged with Réa. And me, and Conall...but mostly Réa."

"So, what I'm hearing is that you both trusted your guts, and now you have two cats," Nat quips.

"Two very adorable cats," Wanda coos, scratching Vale then Alpine under their chins. "To go with a very adorable baby."

"Here, doll," Bucky passes Vale to me, taking our son from Wanda as I situate both cats in my arms. "Look, buddy," he holds Conall so that he can see the pair. "Cats! This is Alpine," he strokes the top of her head, then does the same to her brother, "and this is Vale. They're going to live with us, and we're going to take care of them." He pauses. "What do you think?"

"Ba-aaah," Conall happily—and sleepily—babbles.

"'Ba-aaah'," Bucky nods. "Well-said, Little Wolf."

"Alright...why don't Nat and I help you two carry everything to the car?" Wanda asks. "That way, you can get these three little ones home."

"Thanks, Wanda," Bucky and I reply in unison.

When we finally leave the compound and arrive back home, I carry Conall inside while Bucky brings Alpine and Vale. He places their carriers on the floor of the foyer, and opens the doors.

"Welcome to your home, you two," he says as they both tentatively emerge. "You have pretty much free run of the place...just please, don't claw the furniture to shreds, or go outside of the litter box."

"You heard the man," I giggle. "House rules."

When Conall gives another yawn, Bucky scoops up the cats and all of us make our way upstairs. We get our son ready for bed, kissing him goodnight before placing him in his crib, telling him how much we love him before leaving the room. My husband, our two new, furry additions, and I return downstairs. We show Alpine and Vale where their litter boxes—tucked inconspicuously away while still being easily accessible for them—food, and water are, then follow them through the house as they explore.

Eventually, we both head to bed; Vale and Alpine follow us up the stairs. In our room, they immediately jump onto the bed, curling up together in the bottom corner.

"Aww, Bucky, look at them!" I snap a picture before placing my mobile on my nightstand. "They're cuddling!"

"I think they missed each other."

"I think so too. I hated to separate them, even for a short time...because I was absolutely going to convince you to adopt Vale," I look up at him and grin before returning my gaze to the cats, "I just knew I had to wait. I'm glad it worked out this way, though. It just feels right."

"Yeah, it does." Bucky's voice is soft as he nods in agreement.

With that, we go through our bedtime routine; once we're settled under the covers, holding each other close, my husband brushes my hair back from my face, his steel-blue gaze fixed on mine.

"Merry Christmas, Réa. Thank you for a wonderful day."

"Merry Christmas to you, Bucky. And thank you." I rest my hand on his cheek. "I love you."

"I love you, too, sweetheart."

He gives me a love-filled, gentle kiss, which I return. When we pull apart, I snuggle closer, resting my head on his chest so I can hear his heartbeat.

"Good night, mo grá. Sleep sweet." I hesitate briefly. "Good night, Alpine and Vale. You sleep sweet, too."

Bucky echoes my sentiments—to me, and to the cats—then brushes his lips over my hair, gently tightening his arms around me. As always happens when he holds me, I feel safe and cherished, and it doesn't take me long to drift off. With our son asleep down the hall, and our cats curled up by our feet, I slip into slumber with a soft smile curving my lips, my heart filled with more love, gratitude, and joy than I could ever have imagined.