Seventy years too late

Prologue

Edit: October. 2024 (Grammar/detail edit(s)) 

Alex was born on July 1st, 1920. She was born to proud parents Sarah and Joseph Rogers, and even prouder brother Steve Rogers. She was the apple of her family's eye, having each member wrapped around her tiny fingers. She was loved by all hated by few. 

Her father died when she was young. Leaving the role of father figure to her brother. But when their mother passed away, Alex was the one to truly take over. She got a job as the mayor's dog walker, and house keeper. It wasn't much money, but it was enough to put good food on the table and keep the roof over their heads. 

When she first met Bucky, she wasn't sure of him. But after he saved Steve multiple times, she eventually warmed up to him. She would make sure to by an extra pie from the local bakery, when she could afford it. She also made good friends with Bucky's two sisters. The three girls would always play pranks against their brothers. Especially when Bucky stole Alex's scarf that her dad shipped to her from England. 

When Bucky got drafted, neither his sisters, brother, or Alex would speak to him for a few hours. The night before Bucky got shipped out, the group went on a group 'date'. Alex knew that this could be the last time that she would see Bucky, so she took him aside from public view, and confessed her feelings for him. 

......

" James, I don't know when I'll get see you again, so I'll tell you now."

"Alex, whatever you need to tell me, can wait 'til I get back." Bucky said.

Alex shook her head, tears forming in her eyes.

"That's the thing, it can't! Because you could go overseas, and I'd never see you again. If that happens, I wouldn't be able to live with myself."

"Well, okay then. What is it? What's got you so worked up?" Bucky asked, placing his hands on her shoulders.

She took a deep breath, and basically word vomited what she had been wanting to say.

"I love you. I've loved you since we were children. I hate it, and love it at the same time. I hate that my thoughts are so clouded by you, and what you could be doing at that very moment. I hate that I can't think straight when I'm around, and can't form proper sentences.

But at the same time, I love it. I love the warm feeling I get, whenever I think about you. I love the feeling of your arms around me when we hug, and I love how you would go the ends of the earth to protect my brother. I'm in love with you James Buchanan Barnes, and it scares the hell out me." 

.....

As it was, that was the best/worst Alex had ever made. Bucky told her while her feelings were flattering, he couldn't accept them as he didn't feel as strong as she did. He did oblige her on one request though.

After Bucky left, Alex threw herself into anything that would distract her. She wrote letters to Bucky every few days, and carefully the ones he wrote back. She also wore Bucky's class ring on a chain around her neck. She hardly ever took it off. 

When Steve left, Bucky's parents had Alex move in. She moved into Bucky's old room, and made it known to his mother that she was gonna help around the house as much as possible. As time went on, she started to feel ill. Initially thinking it was from stress, Alex pushed it to the side. This went on for a while until she went to the doctor. A few months after Alex moved she gave birth to twins. A boy and and a girl. The boy was named after his dad, as was the girl in a way.

Joseph Edward Barnes, was the spitting image of his father, and Sarah Hyacinth Barnes was the spitting image of her mother. After she gave birth sent letters with a picture attached to each letter to let her boys know of the new additions.

Fast forward a year later, the twins are beginning to talk, and Alex was a proud mom. She was always smiling, and always had an open heart and ear for the families for the soldiers who served over seas. Then, those spouses were there for her and Bucky's family, when the time came. 

Fast forward a few more years, and Alex is on a vacation with a few of her friends. She left her kids with their grandmother, and gave her Peggy's number in case something happens, or she doesn't come back. That is one phone call that Peggy never wanted to make. Ever.