Prologue
Already in the many years he'd been alive James Markson-Barnes had already endured so much more emotional heartache and pain than most children in his life. From witnessing his beloved mother being attacked by his biological father when he was a youngster, struggling with his own battles with PTSD growing up and the more recent loss of the man who he looked up to an adored. The one who gave him the protective father figure he longed for most of his life...Bucky Barnes...his Papa.
A year had now past since that devastating day that resulted in 50% of all living creatures being wiped in the blink of a snap. Turning everything to dust and devastating the place James had called home for the past three years. Life had changed now forever with devastating consequences and the world would never be the same again. James had felt nothing but sheer emptiness in his soul everyday since that moment. Not only had he lost his beloved Bucky but he also lost friends he played with at the village, friends he used to play hide and seek with at the palace. At first, James was hopeful that Bucky would return home just as he promised his mother. Returning with the likes of his Aunt Shuri and King T'challa and everything would be just as it once was. He longed to go back to those moments when Bucky would teach him about looking after the goats as they worked together on the farm, with Brogan soon joining them with a freshly prepared picnic as he and Rebecca would play chase in the long reeds of grass that surrounded the family home. It was moments like that that young James longed to happen once more. Yet as the days since the decimation slowly turned to weeks and then months, James's hope that his Papa would return to the family started to vanish all but together. Leaving the youngster a shadow of his former self.
The only thing that was keeping James from falling into a deeper despair and giving up altogether was the fact he could hear Bucky constantly in his head telling him "I made you man of the house James Markson-Barnes. I know you will always do me proud. I love you Buddy and you will do great things while I'm gone. So never give up hope James. Live and do me proud as I know you will" Whenever he closed his eyes, Bucky's words always spoke to him and it was from that the youngster drew his strength and courage to try and move foward. Yet, there was still a huge Bucky Barnes shaped void in his heart one year later and with that came a deep emptiness that would never fade
"Hey Buddy" came an all too familiar voice from behind the boy. Turning his head slowly, James could see that it was in fact his Uncle Steve, better known to the rest of the world as Captain America "Rebecca has literally fallen asleep so your Mom told me to come fetch you. Probably eaten too much of that party food. I can't believe that she's 4 now. Doesn't seem that long ago when I held her in my arms when she was born. I just wish that Bucky could see how much she's grown in a year..but..." pausing Steve edged closer to the boy and placed a loving reassuring hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze "I know Buddy...I miss him too. There hasn't been a day when I don't think about him"
Within an instant, James slowly looked up and forced out a smile to his unofficial uncle. With their eyes locked, Steve's heart broke instantly at seeing the deep pain and sadness etched firmly on the boys tear strewn glistening eyes. This was the face of a boy who felt like he had the weight of the world firmly resting on his shoulders right now. This was the face of a boy forced to grow up fast this past year following the devastation of the snap and a boy struggling to deal with its heartbreaking aftermath. Pulling him close, Steve tenderly took him protectively in his arms, stroking his back softly before planting a kiss on the top of his head. For several minutes neither said a word as Steve just held him, hopeful that he could give the youngster just that little bit of reassurance he needed
"Its OK to be upset James. He was a huge part of your life, just as he was mine too kid" reaching forward Steve took the boys head in his hands and gently began to wipe away his tears "Wherever Bucky may be right now, just know that he's watching over you with great pride and love. He knows that part of him will be with you always. When my mom passed Bucky's mom said to me that the ones we love truly never leave us and thats something I still totally believe to this day. Bucky may not be with us right now James but he lives on in you, Rebecca and your mother. Talking of which...how's she really doing? You know you can tell me the truth right?"
"not good Uncle Steve" sighed the boy heavily "She doesn't know that I know this but I hear her crying every night at bedtime. It makes me so sad that there's nothing I can do to make her smile again. She doesn't eat much either and it makes me scared... "
"Scared? What do you mean?"
"Couple of weeks ago, leading up to Papa's birthday she literally didn't eat for two days. All she did was stay in her room crying and calling out his name. When she did leave the room she fainted on the floor right in front of me and Rebecca..." the tears began to fall from his eyes once more as the flashback of that fateful day filled his head "With Becca's help I managed to get her onto the couch but I'm scared Uncle Steve. I lost my Papa and I'm scared I'm going to lose her too"
"Oh kid, why didn't you tell me this before?" cried Steve letting out a deep heartbroken sign "Brogan made you promise not to tell me didn't she?"
"Yes...I'm sorry" Nodded James sadly "Im so sorry Uncle Steve. I just don't know what to do anymore now. Do you think Papa will come home to us? I think that's the only way Mama will smile again. What with Rebecca changing too, I don't know what will make her happy now"
"her powers? The serum is emerging more?"
"Yes, she's growing more smart every day. She's changing physically too now. Remember when she was born she had green eyes like Mama? Well since Papa's Death..." James's breath suddenly hitched in his throat as he struggled to find the words. Yes Bucky was gone but still he just could accept that this was permanent "Since Papa was taken from us...her eyes have changed colour. They are now a similar blue to his. She's looking more like him every day Uncle Steve and I think that upsets Mama even more. She loves Rebecca of course but at times she doesn't see Rebecca now...just Papa looking back at her"
"Oh James you NEVER have to apologise to me. I'm so sorry your dealing with all this at the moment but listen to me now everything will be alright I promise" once again he reached over and gave the boys shoulder a tight squeeze "When Bucky told me about you guys one of the first things he asked me was to keep his family safe. I'll never stop fulfilling that promise to you all. I'll get him back somehow James. Whatever it takes I promise you. I vowed to Bucky to protect to all but as much as it pains me to say this..I can't do that from here in Wakanda. I know Brogan doesn't want to leave here as its her connection to Bucky and all that they shared and built up. She needs to realise that Bucky would want her to come home and be safe with me" he smiled reaching over to ruffle the boys hair "I want the three of you to come back to America with me...permanently. Do you want to come home with me James? Give up what you had here in Wakanda and join me and the others at Avengers HQ?"
"yes...yes I do but what about Mama? She won't want to leave here"
"leave her to me...Brogan needs to realise that its not just here that's changed James... Its the entire world. Come on let's head back" smiled Steve, pulling the youngest to his feet as the pair soon hugged "I never gave up on Bucky James and ill do the same for you...I'm Captain America...I'm a man of my word remember.."