Only 70 Years

1946

1946

"Peggy! Where is the cake? It was supposed to be here an hour ago!" Adeline shouted across the room as she hung another streamer.
    "Adeline! She's one! She won't even care if she has a cake!"

"I designed it specially for her! Who doesn't have cake on their first birthday!" Grace pushed herself up onto the little pink push toy. She was just learning to walk and took every opportunity to stand up and wander around. This time, however, Grace pushed herself up, but fell back down and started to cry. "Oh, sweetie! Are you alright?" Adeline picked her up and balanced her on her hip. Peggy walked in.

"Don't kill yourself before Daddy gets home!" She kissed Grace's cheek. Adeline smiled and went back to setting up.

"Peg? What time are Steve and Bucky getting here?"

"Anytime now. Steve called and said-" She was interrupted by a knock on the door. Adeline smiled.

"Do you think that's daddy?" Grace set her head on Adeline's shoulder looking at the door. She slowly opened it and Steve came barreling in

"We are here!" He shouts and kisses Grace, "Happy birthday to you my dear!"

Bucky stands outside still and smiles at Adeline and Grace. "Hi!" He steps up to them taking Grace into his arms, "Happy birthday Pumpkin."

She giggles, "Dada!" She squeals and Bucky kisses her.

Adeline hugs him, "Welcome home." He puts his arm around her and walks into the house. Adeline set the streamers aside and looked at Bucky.

"Well. The cake was supposed to be here an hour ago."

"That's alright! She won't even remember!"

"That's what I said!" Peggy trots into the room, "Nice to see you again, Barnes."

"And you too Carter." He laughs at the formality hugging her. "How have you been?"
Adeline smiles as she takes Grace back into her arms, "Peggy can you pick up the cake?"

"Yeah sure. Give me a moment and I'll be out of here."

A loud knock echoed throughout the house minutes after Peggy left. She called and strolled over to the door she opened it quickly and her face went pale. "Bucky!" She called shakily. Men stormed into the house. Adeline shrieked and Bucky ran into the front room.

"Ade-" Bucky looked at Adeline who was in the arms of another man. And another one had grasped Grace, who was now crying.

"Surrender yourself to us!" The man called. He nodded quickly with fear all over his face.
    "Don't you dare hurt either one!" He said without a moment's thoughts. Adeline struggled to get free from the man's grip.

"Bucky!" She screamed finally pulling his hand off of her mouth, "Get Grace!" Was all she could finish before the man pushed her onto the ground. The men advanced towards Bucky. Bucky swung his arm and hit a man, Steve caught on and the two started to take down the group one by one. Steve grabbed his shield.

"Buck! I'll take left. You got right?" He nodded stepping to the right to continue fighting. Steve gasped as a knife sliced his forearm, but he continued anyway. Bucky dodged bullets and grabbed a kitchen knife. This was the best weapon he had at the moment. He locked eyes with a man in the back, Zola. Bucky gritted his teeth and turned around to continue his battle with a man who couldn't seem to stand straight.

Adeline scrambled to her feet and grabbed Grace in an instant pushing back towards the door. A hand pushed her down onto the ground again, "Where to you think you're going?" She tried to lean back, but he pulled out a gun pointing it straight at Grace. Adeline gasped, clutching her tighter. "Nobody move!" He shouted. Bucky looked up and went pale, "Either you surrender yourself now or I'll kill her." Bucky's stare dropped to Adeline who mouthed the words, "Grace. Save Grace."

Bucky ran forward and tackled Zola. Steve went to stop him, but it was too late. The gun went off. Bucky's heart dropped. He turned around in an instant and started to cry. Adeline's eyes seemed to dry out, "Take Grace," she muttered and Steve grabbed Grace as he killed the last soldier. All who was left was Zola. He turned down the block and ran into his car.

Bucky held Adeline shaking. She smiled at him, "It'll be alright. Take care of Grace for me."

"Adeline! No, stay with me!" He screamed. Steve lightly rocked Grace and tears rolled down his face. Bucky cried and pulled Adeline's body close to his, "Don't go..."