Trapped in her own Web

The Wedding

It was their big day and Natasha and Bucky were both a bundle of nerves, though neither showed it. They were getting married on the Barton's farm and then taking a normal jet from a normal airport to Malta. It was a place they had dreamed of going to since the earliest days in the Red Room. Officially Natasha was going to the Barton's for recovery time and Bucky was going to stay in Brooklyn with Steve. They even had aliases strong enough to fool Stark. Nothing was going to mess this up for them.

Natasha was in Laura's and Clint's bed room. The boys had left about half an hour ago to get to the small church. Natasha and Bucky had not been allowed to see each other since last night. Natasha was borrowing Laura's dress for the occasion. It was a beautiful, sleeveless, floor length gown that seemed to radiate timeless elegance. Laura, Lila, Nathaniel and Cooper were all dressed smartly. Clint was Natasha's maid of honour, something in which he had insisted on, and Steve was Bucky's best man. Lila was flower girl and Cooper was ring boy. Laura was the witness and babysitter.

It was soon time to go and Lila babbled happily the whole way to the church commenting on everything from Natasha's dress to how she always wanted a real cousin. Natasha chuckled as Cooper realised cousin Bucky was now uncle James. Laura alternated between bouncing Nathaniel gently and soothing Natasha's nerves. The church was a cute stone structure. Laura shuffled the kids into the main area whilst Clint met Natasha in the front bit.

"You ready Tasha?" She had no one to give her away but that was ok, she had Clint the best bridesmaid you could ever have.
"I'm glad you didn't wear the dress." He'd had a melt down when Natasha refused to let him wear a bridesmaid dress. It was only when Laura threatened him that he finally gave in. However it didn't seem that he'd completely given up. He grinned as she rose an eyebrow at the red heels and flower crown. "Only you Barton."
"Only for you Romanoff."
"It's Barnes now."
"Damn." They laughed and Natasha heard the music strike up.

Butterflies erupted in her stomach and she suddenly felt sick. "Clint, I'm not sure I can do this."
"What?"
"You saw what happened with my last marriage and what about the team? What if -"
"Tasha, stop. Does Barnes make you happy?"
"Yes."
"Do you love him?"
"Yes."
"Then go get him."

They walked down the aisle. Natasha couldn't keep her eyes off of James and it was likewise for him. All the nerves vanished as he smiled at her and she returned it, genuinely happy. She spotted Steve in her peripheral vision trying not to laugh at Barton and Laura just giving up and smacking her palm against her head. Lila and Cooper were giggling quietly and Natasha felt ecstatic. Here she was, getting married to the only man she'd ever loved surrounded by her closest family. It was only a shame she couldn't have the others knowing.

Clint took her bouquet as she held hands with James at the altar. Light streamed in through the stained glass windows and highlighted his face in varying shades of rainbow. The priest began the ceremony as Clint and Steve took their places behind them. It was beautiful. When it came to the vows at the end there was no hesitation from either of them, they'd waited too long for this.

"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride." They shared a small kiss that still filled her with warmth and broke apart as the others applauded. They filled out the required legal documents and were presented with their wedding certificate. Natasha couldn't keep the grin off of her face and neither could James. They held hands and walked down the isle together bursting out into the sunshine and being showered with petals as the kids and Clint went crazy with the confetti. They got into one of the cars and drove back towards the farm.

One of the barns had been converted into a dance floor. Hay bales were stacked around the edges, being used as tables and chairs. Coloured fairy lights and lanterns were strung up around the place along with bunting and streamers. A music station had been set up on one end and a bar/buffet at the other. The newly wed couple stayed entwined as the doors opened and revealed a few extra guests. Nick Fury, Maria Hill, Bobbi Morse and Phil Coulson.

Bobbi and Laura were chewing Clint out on the flower crown whilst Coulson was trying desperately not to fanboy as Steve talked to him about possible ideas if he was going to retake the position of director in SHIELD. Nick looked very out of character with baby Nathaniel in his arms and Maria was definitely off duty, chasing the kids around the hay bales and playing hide n seek. Bobbi was the first to notice the couple and launched all 6"3 (plus the heels,) at Nat and engulfed her in a sweeping hug. She wasn't normally a touchy gushy person but seeing one of her best friends in a wedding dress achieving the one thing she'd always wanted had set her over the edge. She immediately began yelling straight after about how her invitation to the wedding must've gotten lost in the post. Natasha grinned cheekily and let Maria pull her away.

Steve was next, smiling happily for his friends. He pulled Bucky into one of those man hug things and kissed the top of Nat's head. Coulson only kissed Natasha on the cheek and turned to Bucky, prepared to give him the dad talk. Thankfully Nick arrived and proceeded to lecture them on the importance of not letting themselves become compromised for each other. Natasha swear she heard James mutter "already have."

Maria descended with a bottle of Heineken and rose it in a toast to the new couple. Everyone followed suit and music came through the speakers. James took Natalia's hand and they stepped onto the dance floor. Everyone was silent as they watched the two twirl, dip, lift and glide. Eventually Clint grabbed a squealing Lila and joined in. She stood on his toes.

The rest of the night consisted of talking, laughing and dancing. Laura and Clint put the kids to bed at around eleven whilst everyone else stayed up until three. Laura had set up the guest rooms for everyone and they all crashed as soon as they could, most not even bothering to undress. Natasha and Bucky were going to get a few hours of shut eye before Steve dropped them at the airport.

It was 5am when Natasha shook the two awake. Their luggage was put in the trunk and they tried to make as little noise as possible. Natasha and Bucky had changed into casual civilian clothing and Natasha had a purse with their fake identities. The ride to the airport was a silent one and their goodbyes to Steve was short. They were ushered through security quickly and there wasn't even a second glance at their passports or Barnes's arm. They sat in the right gate number and waited for the aeroplane to arrive.

Natasha was curled into Bucky's side, nodding off against his shoulder. Her red hair spilled everywhere and he smiled down at her softly. The clicking of a camera made his head snap up and he locked eyes on a teenage girl. She went red in embarrassment of having been caught and quickly stuffed her camera away. She nervously gave a half wave before setting a Polaroid photo on the seat next to him. "Sorry, I thought you guys looked cute together." Natasha mumbled sleepily and Bucky kissed the top of her head soothingly. The picture was taken at the exact moment that captured Bucky's adoration for the sleeping red head. He picked it up and slipped it into his wallet.
"Thanks kid." The girl nodded her head before ducking away and pulling a book out of her bag.

It was time to board and he begrudgingly woke Natasha. She gave him a half smile and grabbed her bag. She insisted on sitting next to the window and even threatened to fight him for it. He just chuckled and double checked her seatbelt when they were plugged in. Dawn was just peeking over the horizon and Bucky watched Natasha marvel at the sunrise. In their line of work they counted each day as a blessing. Natasha once again used him as a pillow and fell asleep almost instantly. Bucky took a bit longer but he eventually drifted off too, his head resting on hers and his arm protectively around her waist.

A/N You guys still with me? A nice fluffy chapter before the real shit storm. ;) I'm thinking maybe a cliffhanger. Anyways hope you're all good :) (for any confused people the video at the top is an au where Bucky and Natasha get married, Bucky is drafted into the army and they fight about it. Bucky leaves and is KIA. The Bucky at the end is his ghost comforting Natasha who visits his grave.) Foreshadowing? Spoilers? Or is it it simply a red herring? :)