Bun in the Oven - Sequel to Cooking with Bucky

Chapter 20 -- California & Italy

"Is this OK to pack for the trip?" James asked and showed me what he wanted to take. I looked at his good leather jacket and tried not to laugh.

"I hope there's room for that. Besides I think it's going to be sunny and comfortable, like in the 70's. I'm taking a light jacket but you can take that. Just be sure to wear it when going outside! I think someone would want your jacket!" I said trying to stifle a laugh.

"I don't think anyone would want to steal this jacket. I have my name on the inside!" He remarked while showing me the inside of his jacket. On the inside tag, it said Bucky Barnes. I smelled the jacket too, it had that rich leather smell. I could also detect that musky scent from him wearing it. I almost wanted to wear the jacket and envelop myself in his body smell. I sometimes get that intense or acute smell for things now. I find it very intoxicating now at this stage of pregnancy. I'm five months pregnant now and my doctor said my sense of smell sometime get acute and some things I can really like or hate. James has gotten used to me being very close to him when he smells very good, like after he showers. I can only imagine what's going to happen in Italy. I'll probably die or pass out from smelling that very heady smell of Italian tomato sauce. When we cook at home, I've had some close calls when it comes to Italian food. Any spaghetti sauce is exhilarating whenever one of us is cooking.

"You want to hold onto the jacket for a while? I know it smells very good but for you, it's kind of turns you on or just very much exciting." He said and laughed.

"I just want to smell it for a few minutes." I said. James hugged me while I clutched to his jacket. I know I'm kind of being silly. I can smell some things more acutely now that I'm pregnant. I think I know how animals such as Lady find smells interesting. They have acute senses too.

"Sorry to interrupt but when are we leaving for our trip?" James asked as we tried packing some things in luggage in our bedroom.

"Um... we're leaving in less than a week. I think it's this week or weekend. I'll have to look at the calendar." I said as I took one final whiff of his leather jacket. I'll have a better chance later on, like at bedtime with him.

"And when is the baby shower? I remember Fury told us sometime in October." James asked trying to get a sense of timing and the months around our Italy trip.

"I think he said October 18th or 19th. All I know it's a weekend and it's at the one hotel near our neighborhood." I said as I put his jacket down. He came over and sat on the bed with me. Soon we kissed.

"Can you please write down the dates for me? You know I can get forgetful at times." He gently said.

"Sure, I will do that while we do some laundry. We need to get our clothes clean and ready to go with us." I giggled. I feel like a small child giddy with anything, another side effect for me with being pregnant. James smiled at me and took me in his arms for a hug.

"I know you're just being overjoyed while being pregnant and being somewhat delirious but we need to get ready for our trip." James reminded me.

"I know. I think I need a nap soon and this feeling will go away." I said.

"Tell you what, we go downstairs to do our laundry and while waiting on that, you can take a nap in the living room. I'm sure Lady will join you this time. I know I will too!" James said, reassuring me. With that, we went down and did some laundry. I parked myself on the couch and slept for some of the afternoon. Lady and James were my nap partners at some point. When I finally woke up from my nap, I felt better and very rested. I was lying with my head resting on James's chest. I could hear his heartbeat, a very calming sound to me knowing that someone is watching over me. It also had that effect of comfort and security. I laid there for a few more minutes just to revel in hearing Bucky's heart beating. I wonder how my baby's heart sounds now. We heard it last week at my doctor's appointment. James was more than surprised and mesmerized by hearing his offspring's tiny heart going to town. I think he fell more in love with me and our baby that day. His impending fatherhood is becoming more of a reality to James.