Part 9
With James and Rebecca busy testing out the kite, the sun began to set for another day, ending the birthday of young Rebecca Barnes for another year and closing the very first that her father could be part of. With dusk approaching there was a brisk sudden chill in the air but thankfully Bucky managed to assemble a small fire close by so the adults could continue to sit and talk while the children were at play at the edge of the forest.
Resting her head tenderly on Bucky's shoulder, Brogan watched with an unwavering gaze at the fiery ball of mass slowly sinking beneath the horizon. The heavens above were at first dyed orange then red, then a dark blue until all that was left at the sunset was a chill mauve skyline. Sequin like stars soon began glowing brightly down at her from above. There truly was something special about Wakanda at night. It was breathtaking
"So do you want to tell me what's going on then?" Steve asked concerned turning to Bucky " what's happened to Rebecca?"
"Ok, its early days but the serum that's in me..." Bucky let out a deeply painful heartbroken sigh "She's inherited it... it's inside her Steve. She's showing signs of powers that both you and I have thanks to the serum. Not only have Hydra ruined my life because of what they did. They've ruined hers now and it's all my fault..."
"WHAT? It can't be true..." cried Steve stunned "She's just a kid...a little kid"
"Bucky, we've talked about this! There's nothing we could have done to stop this from happening. You didn't know, neither of us did... it's not your fault so stop blaming yourself for what's happening with her" Brogan reached for his still distraught face, stroking his beard and lifting his head to lock those heartbroken eyes on hers "Its all true Steve. It's part of her and just like it is with you both. We just have to accept it and be there for Becky as much as we can from now on... love and support her always"
"But how did it happen? I don't understand" Steve sat holding his head in his hands and shook his head over and over "how?"
"Steve, I know you don't have much experience with women but I thought even you knew how babies were made" Brogan teased desperately hoping humour would ease the awkward silence between the two men "As Bucky said it's early days but it's there... it's in her veins and is part of who she is"
Seeing as Bucky was still distraught and too upset to talk about Rebecca any more, Brogan filled Steve in all about the incident at the lake with the leopard involving the children. At her tale Steve sat stunned and completely lost for words, struggling to take it all in at the devastating news of the precious little three year old. He absolutely adored Rebecca. He tried to imagine what it must have been like for his best friend hearing all this especially after everything he'd been through in the past. His heart truly when out to both the parents. Little Rebecca's life would be turned on its head forever now
"So you don't know if it's confirmed then? I mean it might not be the serum" said Steve "You hear stories of moments of adrenaline rushing through people in times of need... maybe it was that?"
"Steve...listen to me" Bucky reached for his distraught best friend shoulder and squeezed gently "You're reacting the exact same way I did when Brogan told me... we don't need it confirmed we both know the facts" he placed his palm over his heart and turned to Brogan "In here..we both know its true..."
"But you should still get it confirmed for sure "
"No Steve..."
"You know its the right thing to do, maybe talk to Shuri"
"Steve...NO..enough already...NO"
"At least you'll know for sure...I would want to know"
"ENOUGH..." yelled Bucky, slamming his fist through some crockery on the blanket shattering it instantly. Steve stopped instantly in his tracks at the anger in Bucky's words. Slowly Bucky looked up at him, forcing out a smile "I'm not letting my little girl, my precious princess be subjected to become nothing more than a science experiment. Yes, she may have my blood in her veins but she is going to still have a normal loving childhood" Bucky reached for Brogan's hand. Lifting it slowly he kissed her palm gently "We both will be there for her and that's all she needs. Nothing, not even this news will tear this family apart..."
"Well Rebecca is truly lucky to have such great parents in her life... talking of which..." he smiled "Here is the birthday girl"
"Mama, the kite landed in the tree and is stuck. Can you help us get it please?" Asked Rebecca innocently "I tried but I'm too tiny to reach"
"Ok Baby on my way.." Brogan quickly got to her feet and headed over with the children "See you shortly boys"
Now with the two men alone, they continued to sit by the fire and watched the flames. The fire crackled before them projecting long shadows on the surrounding areas. The moonlight cast by the flames began to dance across the dark trunks of the trees twisting and curling in various obscure shapes. The fire itself was pulsating the glowing embers seemed to move in rhythm with the flames. It was almost hypnotic to watch with colours of orange and red giving way to yellow at the centre of the fiery war mass in front of them
"It must have been difficult to get your head around Buck. Got to say you're taking it better than I would" Steve smiled "I'm so glad you've got Brogan to help you get you through this. Great you got each other and James"
"Yes, so am I. Even now I can't believe that she still wants to be in it with me after everything I've done" continued Bucky smiling and content "I honestly never thought I'd finally find peace but here I am. Could you ever imagine 40's me settling down like this? The old me would have just laughed off the very thought but here I am. I've got the love of a good woman, 2 amazing kids and loving the quiet life as a farmer"
"She's a special young woman Bucky. If anyone deserves true happiness in their life it's you. You missed out on so much because of the past but I think you have well and truly redeemed yourself now pal" he smiled reaching for his shoulder "I'm so pleased for you"
"Steve.. I..." Bucky's body language began to suddenly change. He grew nervous, anxious and struggle to breathe. His eyes grew wide and his pulse began to race "I can't believe I'm going to tell you this but... I want to marry her"
"Wow, if the Bucky Barnes of the past told me that then I a billion percent wouldn't believe it. I mean I remember what you were like with the women back then" Steve couldn't help but laugh as Bucky began to turn a deep shade of crimson and fidget nervously looking at the floor "But the Bucky right in front of me now I believe for sure. She's your match Buck. She's your soulmate. I may not have met mine yet but seeing what you have with Brogan makes me have faith in finding love at last. You both deserve each other that's for sure"
"Not even the kids know I've been thinking about this" Bucky reached inside his pocket and pulled out a small black velvet ring box. Taking a deep breath he handed it over to Steve. Flipping it open a warm proud smile soon filled his best friends lips "I went for emeralds as that's what her eyes always reminds me of. What you think then Steve? I was going to wait until her birthday and ask her but something inside me is telling me that I need to ask her now. I just feel that the winds of change are coming. If I don't ask her now I'm going to regret it... do you think she will like it?"
"Bucky its beautiful. She is going to love it" he stared intently at the glistening ring in the moonlight above "I honestly can't imagine a better woman to be at your side. I've got to go soon but if you're serious about proposing why don't I take the kids for a ride in the jet before I leave so you two can be alone?"
"You mean it?"
"Yes, I'll take them out in the jet and you can ask Brogan then"
"Ask me what?" interrupted Brogan returning with the children
"Nothing, just that I have to go now as Natasha and Sam are waiting" smiled Steve, turning to Bucky "So I thought we could go for one last jet ride over Wakanda...my treat. You all know how beautiful it is at night here" playfully he tapped Rebecca on the nose "Bucky just wanted to see if that was alright with you...right Buck"
"Fine by me" smiled Brogan edging forward. Instantly Bucky grabbed at her arm, stopping her dead in her tracks "What are you doing Bucky? I thought we was going to the jet?"
"They are going to the jet with Steve...Brogan...not us" he smiled, taking his hand in hers "lets take a walk"
With the busy daily running of the farm and caring for the children, it had been quite a while since Bucky and Brogan had managed to spend some quality time together. Yes, the children would only be with Steve for short space of time but Bucky hoped it would be just enough for him to pop the question to Brogan at long last.
Taking her hand in his, he led her away from the picnic area and down to a small stream not far from their home. Coming to a stop, they both looked up at the black star covered sky and smiled at the sight of the jet speeding across the huge white full moon above their head. They waved immediately as the bright lights of the jets flickered several times acknowledging the pair on the bank below
"Brogan, remember how we met?" whispered Bucky slipping his arm around her waist as the jet vanished from view. Brogan rest the head on his chest pulling him closer "That day at the museum..."
"How could I forget" she laughed clinging tight onto him almost like he was a security blanket and snuggling deeper into his chest "You knocked me off my feet literally. I thought I'd been hit by tank that day but no it was you"
"True but I think I knew from that very moment you was the one that I wanted to be with. I felt that spark instantly as soon as I looked into your eyes that day" Brogan slowly turned to face him and smiled. Moments later, Bucky raised his good arm and stroked her soft ivory cheek with his thumb "I knew you were special and I knew you was the one I wanted to share my life with. I was terrified that once you knew the truth about me and my past that you'd run a mile in fear but you didn't. You never gave up on me even after I hurt you. I'll never forgive myself for what I did to you that day back at the compound. It broke my heart seeing those marks on your neck that I caused, especially after I promised to protect you" pained at the memories flooding back he looked sadly at the floor "any other woman would have given up on me after that but you didn't. You've never doubted me Brogan. You gave me hope that I might finally find redemption after all that I did in the past as the winter soldier"
"I never doubted you Bucky because I loved you. I just couldn't imagine my life without you in it" there was a deep look of devotion in her eyes as they stood bathed in the light of the moon. Brogan reached up and moved some of the locks away from his face. She looked deeply into those piercing blue eyes and could still see the intense guilt he carried for his past crimes and for also what was happening with little Rebecca. Slowly she placed both her hands on the centre of his chest and greeted him with a warm loving reassuring smile "I always knew in here you was a good man Bucky Barnes. You will always be my hero and with our family complete we can look to a bright future together..."
Before he could even process what to say next Brogan slipped her two hands around his neck and pulled him close until their lips locked. At first the kiss was small but soon grew more passionate and intense between the pair of them. She ran her hand through the long wavy locks of his hair as she pulled him even closer in a tender embrace. Bucky tasted her with his tongue as he traced it across her lower lip. The caress of her lips was soft gentle and full of love. Brogan moaned his name as he moved to her neck and began to nibble softly on her collarbone. Brogan's fingers we're still tangled in his hair as she held him in place. As another kiss ceased Bucky leant forward and pressed his forehead to hers
"Brogan...I.." he reached up and cupped her cheek once more. His pulse now racing as his anxiety levels slowly began to rise. The colour soon drained from his face as a sudden intense rush of nerves took over. He began to kick himself. He loved this woman so much but why was it so difficult to say what he was feeling inside? "Its...I want..."
"Bucky... Are you OK?" looked on Brogan concerned "not like you to get this tongue tied"
"What I'm trying to say is..." taking a deep breath he managed to reach for the small box in his side pocket. Brogan's eyes grew wide and she instantly class a hand to her mouth as he slowly opened the black velvet box in his hand. The moon caught sight of the Emerald jewels of the beautiful ring and sparkled brightly. Slowly he dropped to one knee in front of her and immediately Brogan burst into tears "Brogan, you've given me so much since we first met. You gave me the greatest gift of all in our beautiful Rebecca. You also gave me something I never dreamed of having... a loving family" he managed to reach up and take her now trembling hand in his " so now I want to give you something in return... my soul and complete devotion... what I'm trying to say is Brogan... will you marry me and do me the honour of being my wife?...well?"
"YES...YES...YES..." she sobbed, tears continued streaming down her cheeks "Yes Bucky...I'll marry you"
With his good arm Bucky, struggled slightly to get the ring out the box and onto her finger. He almost dropped the box briefly and Brogan went to take the ring from him but Bucky stopped her
"No, I want to do this. Let me Brogan" he got to his feet and after several anxious minutes managed to slip it on her finger proudly "Its official now... I love you Brogan and here's to our future the soon to be Mrs Barnes"
"Oh Bucky" immediately she threw herself at him and kissed him with so much passion it took his breath away. He managed to lift her off her feet and spun her around slowly before she slid down his torso as they were still locked in a tender kiss. Standing in front of him, she reached up and held his head in his hands and smiled. Full of love for the man she adored "The future Mrs Barnes right? I could get used to that... I like it"
In the distance they could see the quinjet beginning to land signalling Steve's time to leave and ending Rebecca's birthday celebrations
"Well... I best go ask you know who if he wants to be the best man then" smiled Bucky, handing her his arm "shall we?"
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