First Love || Bucky Barnes

Chapter Twenty-Three: The Honeymoon

~December 12, 1942~

"Are you ready Mrs. Barnes?"

Elizabeth glanced over at her husband who held a hand out toward her. 

"More than anything Mr. Barnes." 

Bucky grinned as his wife took his hand. Together, the two pushed the large oak door opened and were instantly met with smiling faces of their friends and family. Everyone cheered and started tossing rice up into the air as Bucky and Elizabeth walked down the steps of the church. Bucky and Elizabeth's infectious laughter filled the air as they ran down the steps. The married couple stopped at the bottom as they looked at each other with admiration. Bucky brought up his left hand to Elizabeth's cheek, caressing it before pulling her in for a kiss. Elizabeth smiled into the kiss as Bucky dipped her.

Steve wiped his eyes before joining in on the applause. 

Elizabeth pulled away, a smile etched on her face as she and Bucky ran over to the car they rented for the day, a classic Jaguar car. There was a sign on the back that read "JUST MARRIED". Bucky opened the door on the passenger side, allowing Elizabeth to climb in gracefully. Bucky closes the door, jogging around the car. As he places his hand onto the handle, he pauses as Richard runs up, out of breath.

"I got it."

Bucky grins as he pulled Richard into a hug, patting his back. "Thank you. I owe you." Bucky tells his friend, taking the small jewelry box out of his hand and placing it carefully in the inside of his suit jacket. "She'll love it," Richard promises him. "Now go!" Bucky opens the car door, hopping inside. Richard closes the door, stepping back as Bucky started the car up. 

Elizabeth turns around in her seat, staring out the rear windshield. Her eye catches her grandfather who blows a kiss toward her. Elizabeth catches it, bringing her hand down to her heart. Tears welled up in Grandpa Jack's eyes at the action. Elizabeth's eyes trail over to Steve who had his hands cupped around his mouth, letting out a holler. Elizabeth brings her hand up, waving bye to her friends and family as Bucky pulled the car away from the curb, driving down the road.

Elizabeth tears her eye away from the rear windshield when Bucky takes her left hand into his, bringing it up to his lips, pressing a soft kiss on her knuckles. Elizabeth smiles as she leans over the gear shift, pressing a swift kiss onto his cheek.

"Easy now doll. We're almost at our destination."

"Drive faster then."

Bucky glances over at Elizabeth, biting down on his lip. Oh how he couldn't wait to start their honeymoon.

++++++

Night had fallen as Bucky pulled into the parking lot at the Skytop Lodge in the Pocono Mountains. Several months ago, Elizabeth and Bucky had come across this place in a brochure when researching top honeymoon destinations. Bucky stepped out of the car, shutting the door behind him before jogging over to the passenger side. He opens the door, holding his hand out for Elizabeth to take. 

Elizabeth accepted the offer and carefully steps out of the car, not wanting to slip and fall to the snow that was starting to stick to the ground. Together the married couple walked hand in hand to the reception. Bucky opened the door, feeling the warm air bask him in as Elizabeth stepped in first, her eyes immediately drawn to the view.

Bucky headed over to the reception desk where an older gentleman stood. The gentleman looks up, greeting Bucky with a friendly smile. 

"Hello. Welcome to the Skytop Lodge. How can I help you today?" 

"Hello. I have a reservation for two under the name James Barnes."

The man opened up his reservation log and scanned for the name James Barnes under today's date. His finger hovered over the name before tapping it. "Yes. I have your name on here." He turns around and grabs a room key from the wooden Hotel Room Key letter box.