Winter's Daughter

Chapter Eight

You were scrambled for time. Killian's party started in two hours and you hadn't finished decorating or cleaning. The party is being hosted in your three-bedroom upstairs apartment and the theme is pirates (because of course, it had to be). You are currently trying to make the table look like a pirate ship when there was a knock on the door. You rush to the door and open it to reveal Bucky and Rebecca.

"Hey," you greet.

"Hey, doll," Bucky smiles. "Hope you don't mind us being a little early. Rebecca was in a rush to get over here so she can hang out with Killian."

"You call two hours a little early?" You muse.

Bucky looks shocked and turns to Rebecca. "You told me it started at three."

"It does, but it's only just turning one o'clock now," you laugh. "Come on in any way, you two."

"Okay, sure. Sorry about this. I think my daughter tricked me into coming so early," Bucky says. "Must have reset all the clocks in our house to read 2:30 instead of one o'clock."

"It's alright, Bucky. I don't mind," you laugh. "I needed the help anyway. Everyone else ditched me."

"Miss (L/N)? Where's Killian?" Rebecca asks as she lifts up a gift bag. "I have a present for him."

"I'll take the present for you and call him down," you smile at the girl. You turn to call into the apartment. "Killian? Rebecca and Sergeant Barnes are here. Come say hello!"

Killian can be heard running overhead and down the spiral staircase. He skids to a stop right in front of you with a big smile on his face.

"Hi, Becca! Hi, Sergeant Barnes!" Killian greets.

"Hello, Killian. Happy birthday!" Bucky smiles at the boy.

"Happy birthday!" Rebecca echoes as she hugs Killian.

"Thanks!" Killian smiles as he hugs back. "Come on, Becca. I wanna show you my play space!"

"Stay out of the office and my bedroom!" You call after them as the two race towards the steps.

"We will!" Killian calls back.

You smile and shake your head. You know full well that they probably aren't going to stay out of those rooms, but you can at least try. After you set Killian's gift off to the side, you turn to Bucky to see him examining your outfit. You were wearing an Elizabeth Swan pirate costume and a pirate hat with the biggest feather stuck to it.

"What? Like the costume?" You giggle as you strike a random pose.

Bucky laughs and shakes his head. "It's great, but maybe a bit much."

"Who cares? It makes Killian smile so I'll go with it," you smile. "Anyway, I need help setting up. My friends apparently decided to ditch helping me."

"Okay. What can I help with?" Bucky asks.

"You can start by hanging the decorations for around the breakfast bar up," you state as you hand him the decorations. "I also may need help with the pizzas and decorating the banister on the stairs."

"Sounds like a plan," Bucky smiles.

It surprisingly takes you and Bucky an hour and a half to finish decorating. You both collapse on the couch. Bucky's arm is casually resting on the back of the couch and your head is leaned back against it. Bucky looks at you like he is about to say something but is instantly cut off by the sudden blasting of Avicii's "Hey Brother" through your speaker system. You both flinch at the sudden noise. Killian and Rebecca come running back down the steps, giggling. The kids try to pull you two of the couch, but you and Bucky were not having it.