Prologue...
Although he'd moved out several years previously, James Buchanan Barnes was still a frequent visitor to his childhood home back in Brooklyn. The eldest of Henry and Alice Barnes's three children, James was always a popular child growing up. With his confident attitude and his athletic good looks, he was the one that all the boys wanted to hang out with and all the girls desperately hoped would take them to prom. James's best friend though was Steve Rogers, who lived close by and whose mother was also very good friends with his own. James was a year older than Steve but had known him his whole life, mainly thanks to the friendship between their mothers. Both mothers regularly organised playdates with their children and both had joint birthday parties every year where the whole apartment block would come out to celebrate with a huge party. They just loved hanging out with one another and letting their imaginations run wild just as most kids at their age did. When they were in their teens they used to love playing at the docks together, waving at the tugs going by and riding their bikes through the busy streets of Brooklyn as they avoided the crowds of people on their daily commutes through the city. They were so close that even Steve's mother referred to James as her "other Son".
As the years went by the boys remained close and their bond of friendship was stronger than ever. Even with the imminent threat of war and the tragic death of Steve's mother, James was a rock to his friend and was determined to be there for Steve. While James was athletic, handsome and popular, Steve was pretty much the polar opposite. He was small, shy and quite scrawny indeed.. This made him a easy regular target for bullies around town and left him quite a loner with James only his true friend. Steve didn't care though, he may of had nothing but as long as he still had his friendship with James, nothing else mattered anymore. With James telling him constantly "im with you till the end of the line "
With the war soon fast approaching and after giving it some thought, James immediately signed up to join the army. His younger brother Jack constantly teased him that he only joined up so women would like how he looked in uniform. OK, that might of been slightly true but James had a good heart and just wanted to do his bit for his country, supporting it the best way he knew how. Steve tried also to sign up for the cause but although he had a big heart, his ever-growing list of medical problems failed him on numerous occasions. Steve was gutted at the failure but was happy that James had got his wish. He knew how determined James had been in his quest to join the army and in his heart knew that James Buchanan Barnes would make one hell of an officer. He hoped one day, he would too but right now he couldn't of been more prouder of his best friend.
Before he knew it, James quickly made it to the rank of Sergeant. The Barnes family, along with Steve, looked on with so much pride during the achievement ceremony being held in his honour. Both Henry and Alice, watched on in tears at the amazing achievement of their first born. James was now also an inspiration for his brother in more ways than one. So much so that as soon he was of age Jack Barnes, like his big brother, too signed up to do his bit for his country. Having both their boys in the army now made Henry and Alice even more proud. Sadly, after only several months with his regiment, Private Jack Barnes was tragically killed by a sniper behind enemy lines in Italy. Even now, a year after his brothers death, James could still hear his mothers heart-breaking sobs as she clung onto his father as the news was broke to them...he'd never forget the pain and anguish that overwhelmed her at the prospect of burying her youngest child. No parent should ever go through the mental anguish of losing a child.. Especially to war...
Walking through his old room, a warm smile filled James's face at the so many nostalgic reminders from his childhood in front of him. James's mother had kept the room pretty much as he'd left it when he moved out. The bed still had the tiny bit of folded up paper under one leg that he'd put their to stop it wobbling, the top window was still broken from when he and Jack smashed it while they were playing baseball in the front yard and he could still see the words "Bucky" carved into the dresser that he did when he stole his Dad's knife one time when he was a teenager. It truly was like he'd never left. All that was missing was Jack bursting in and hanging on his every word as James told him all about his life in the army. He missed his brother so much and a day hadn't of gone by when he didn't think about him. Taking off his hat, he reached for a photo of him and his brother both in full military garb that took pride on the dresser. Both men, were saluting at the camera with their proud father by their side. He may have now gone from this world but for James, Jack Thomas Barnes would live on in his big brothers heart and within all those treasured memories they shared together. James had an angel at his side now and with the fact that he'd just got his latest orders through, he needed that guidance more than ever...
"Listen Son, Don't worry about your mother...she's still pretty cut up about Jack that's all" smiled Henry Barnes, tenderly placing a hand in his eldest sons knee "just know that she's so proud of you...just like I am"
Indeed the reason for James's visit today was that he had received his orders and was joining the 107th regiment back in England. He had no idea how long he'd be based there for or where he'd end up stationed next. But he as much as he tried putting it off, he had to tell his parents that he was leaving in the morning. His dad took it better than he expected but his mother was devastated beyond words. Ever since Jack's death she had been plagued by nightmares of losing her eldest son in the war now. As James broke the news she immediately burst into tears and begged him not to go. She clung onto his collar pleading with him not to leave her like Jack had. James held her close and tried to reassure her as best he could but Alice just couldn't face the prospect of losing another son to the devastating consequences of war and fled to the garden
"Thanks Dad," smiled James, hugging his father close "I miss the little punk too. No matter where my journey takes me, Jack will be with me always...with us all...forever...will Mom be ok?"
"she'll be fine but go see her before you leave.. " the old man smiled, reaching for his shoulder "have you told Steve yet?"
Getting to their feet, both men exited the room and gazed out the huge window overlooking the garden. In the distance, James could see his mother kneeling at a small tree that they had planted in honour of Jack when he died.
"not yet, think he said he was going to the picture house," he further looked out at the distraught woman in the garden "am I doing the right thing dad? I mean maybe I should just stay here with you and Mom. I could settle down with Dot, start a family and work down with you at the factory...oh I don't know what to do anymore"
"Bucky listen to me.." James smiled at the nickname that his father had given him since childhood. Henry clutched his head in his hands forcing his son to look up at him "I have been nothing but proud of you James Buchanan Barnes ever since they day you was born. We both have. Regardless of where your journey takes you...know that me, your mother and even Jack god bless him will be with you always..."
"Thanks Dad...I love you" smiled James pulling the old man close in a crushing hug "I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you guys"
"oh I know trust me.. You and Steve drinking yourselves silly as you try and impress the women that's where...I was the same at your age Bucky Barnes" he'd laughed, as they headed down stairs "listen to me James...your Grandfather was a wise man son. He told me that life is just a highway and the soul is just a car. Your soul was meant for great things Bucky and as you go on that great highway of life...know one thing...I'll be with you till the end of the line...I love you Bucky and am so proud of you son...now go talk to your mother...you'll only regret it"
"Thanks Dad..."
James Buchanan Barnes may of dated many women over the years but in reality there was only ever one that he loved more than life itself and one that had been by his side from day one. That woman being his beloved mother, Alice. It truly broke his heart seeing her in so much pain like this right now. He wanted to take her in his arms, hold her close telling her that everything would be OK but in reality he didn't know what was next for him now his orders had come through. Part of him wanted to just leave without saying goodbye but as he looked over at the distraught woman he knew he couldn't do that to her. Slowly, he sat next to her by the tree and reached for hand. She trembled slightly but felt reassured at being this close to her son. For a brief few seconds there was an awkward silence between them until James turned to look at the tree, his gaze dropping to the tiny plaque with his brothers name inscribed in silver italics on it...
"Im sorry James...I shouldn't have fled like that...I am so proud of all that you have achieved in the army now..." The old woman whispered softly turning to her boy "it doesn't matter what age you are. You'll always be my baby boy" a sole glistening tear slowly fell down her cheek "with your sister all married and jack well..." there was a lump in her throat as she remembered her youngest boy and his tragic death "I guess you don't need me anymore now"
"mom just stop there right now..." cried James, slightly stunned at her words 'I Need you now more than ever. I'm going to need some of your strength and courage to get me through those dark times once I ship out tomorrow... I need to know that regardless of what happens to me, I can look to my heart and you'll be there...will you be there mom?"
"oh James my precious boy..." sobbed Alice, throwing her arms round his neck "you know I will be...but it's just when I think about Jack...I..."
"Mom, Jack will be with us always " he smiled, linking onto her hand reassuringly "with him as an Angel on my shoulder and you and Dad in my heart... Those Germans will know not to mess with a Barnes..."
"promise me you'll be safe..." the old woman tenderly cupped his cheek "be careful Son..."
"of course... I love you Mom..."
"I love you too my darling boy " she pulled him close in a deep crushing hug and stroked his hair "whatever happens next...I know you'll do me proud"
"Alice, are you going to let the boy go enjoy his last night of freedom for goodness sake?" came a voice from behind them both "let him go enjoy himself..."
"your fathers right..." laughed Alice getting to her feet. She linked onto James's arm and together they headed through the white picket fence that led to the main road "as always...go have fun James...you'll write won't you?"
"all the time...you know that" cried James giving her one last hug "I promise..."
"Alice, let the boy go.."continued Henry " be safe and look after yourself son..."
Standing on the sidewalk he looked over at his parents gazing back at him. Alice was crying again but was wrapped up tight in her husband's arms. Giving them one last look, he blew his mother a kiss and saluted up to his father. It broke his heart whenever he did have to say goodbye to them like this. It was difficult at the best of times but little did James know that this time would be the last time he'd ever see his parents or his childhood home ever again..