Hello Sergeant (Bucky Barnes)

Proposal

James' POV

I smiled at Steve as his fingers tapped his leg in a staccato rhythm, kicking him again under the table when it annoyed me. "Calm down already, punk. You don't have nothin' to worry about." I said, leaning in close to him and slinging my arm around his neck. "So quit stressing, Stevie."

"Easy for you to say, jerk," Steve said with a sigh. "You were the one who always had a way with words."

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started. I don't know who said that, but it's true."

"Mark Twain, I think."

Trust Steve to remember something like that. "Doesn't matter. Ask you to face over whelming odds - no problem. Need to say a few words to the girl he loves - cowering in terror. That's my Stevie." I patted him on the back roughly and grinned at his exasperated expression.

"You know, Buck, we've been friends for so long I don't remember which one of us is the bad influence, but I'm pretty sure it's you."

I snorted, taking my arm from around him and elbowing him. "Quit stalling and say your piece, Romeo."

I nudged Natalia surreptitiously with my foot, our signal for her to get ready. She'd threatened bodily harm if I didn't give her enough time to get Steve's proposal on video. Actually, now that I thought about it, it wasn't so much of a threat but more of a promise. Either way, it was just easier to comply with her than try to avoid retribution.

"Okay, I'll do it already." Steve got to his feet, holding his wine glass in his hand, a slight flush on his face.

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Steve's POV

I raised my glass for a toast and everyone looked at me expectantly. "Roger, Jessica, Betty and Archie - I'd like to thank you and your families so much for letting me and Bucky into your lives. There aren't words enough to express exactly how much it means a lot to us. To family," I said as we clinked glasses and drank.

I set my glass down, waited until everyone was finished, and then spoke again. "I have something else I'd like to say while I have everyone's attention, if you don't mind." Heads nodded in encouragement and I glanced over to see Bucky giving me a thumbs up.

"The whole reason we're here today is all thanks to Sarah. Who'd have thought that a new neighbor would bring so much change to my life in such a short amount of time? I thank God every day that he put you in my path - and that I dropped my keys at exactly the right time. Granted, I probably would've met you eventually even if you hadn't tripped over me, Sarah, but it would've taken longer."

Many chuckles were heard around the table. "Well, you certainly got my attention, Steve," Sarah said with a grin.

"Since that day, you have never once ceased to amaze me. You've taught me so much about what it feels like to live again." I smiled at her, seeing her eyes starting to shine. "The fog I'd been in lifted and it was suddenly clear that the real reason I was frozen for so long was because I was waiting for you. Now I know this is where I'm meant to be. Someone wise once told me that I'd regret the chances I didn't take," my lips quirked as her eyes widened, "and I'd be lying if I said that I could live this life without you. I love you, Sarah Maria Stark Evans." My use of phrases Bucky always said to Sarah was deliberate, and I heard his quiet intake as he realized how I'd worked him into what was 'our' proposal.

I pulled the ring box from my pocket and opened it as I knelt, taking her delicate hand in mine. "You're already my best girl; would you do me the extraordinary honor of becoming my wife?" She nodded, struggling to find her voice, her free hand flying to her neck.

"Yes," she managed to say as I slid the ring onto her finger. I stood up, pulling her into my arms and kissing her, laughing when I heard the twins saying 'gross!' and 'ewww!' while everyone else applauded and cheered.

Bucky stood up and put his arms around Sarah, kissing her on the cheek and then pulling me into a hug, grinning from ear to ear as Natasha tugged Sarah away from us.

"Hell, I'd even say yes to you after a speech like that!" he said, smiling that crooked grin I knew so well. "You did good, Stevie."

"I can't believe she said yes," I said, lowering my voice so only he could hear me. "To a life with both of us." His grin only widened, but I didn't hear what he said because everyone else wanted my attention as well, but knowing Bucky, I'm sure it was something along the lines of 'better you than me.'

"Who knew you were such a romantic?" Natasha said, pulling me away from Bucky and hugging me. "I got it all on video."

"For next year's scrapbook?" I asked teasingly. I still wasn't quite sure what I thought about her ability to acquire photos of us from everywhere, but the sentiment was nice.

"Or your wedding video."

"I think this is one of the best moments of my life, next to getting Bucky back."

"The best is yet to come. This is only the beginning, you know."

I kissed her cheek and let her go. "I hope so, Nat." I felt a sharp pain in my leg and looked down to see the twins standing there looking sulky.

"Why the long faces, boys?"

"We're not babies! We know what weddings mean, Steve," Jamie said.

"It means we have to dress nice," Grant continued. "In fancy suits."

"And carry the ring," Jamie piped in.

"And be nice to the flower girl!" Grant whined.

"And dance with her, don't forget that," Jace said teasingly as he came over. "Both of you this time."

"Yuck! You owe us big, Steve." Grant said, his blue eyes glaring at me. "Don't you know girls got cooties?"

"Did you know Iron Man and the rest of the Avengers will be there?" Jace said, redirecting them expertly.

"For real?" Grant asked.

"No way!" Jamie squealed. "That's awesome!"

"Yes, for real. You see the man with the dark hair and goatee over there, Tony Stark?" I said, impolitely pointing him out to them.

"What about him?"

"He's Iron Man," I said and was instantly abandoned by them to have them go clamor at Tony. I smiled unrepentantly as Pepper laughed at their antics.

"Welcome to the family, Steve," Jace said, pulling me into a hug. "Sarah's pretty much my sister, so along with her you get all of us, too."

"Huh," I said in surprise. "I never looked at it quite like that, I guess. I've been on my own since I was 18 when my Ma died. I don't know how a family works anymore."

"That's what you've got Sarah for," He said as he clapped me on the back and let go. "And me."