(A/N: Song for this chapter is 'The Gambler' by fun.)

Darla Lorraine smiled prettily at a patient as she took their pulse. She was now eighteen and a full fledged nurse. Some of the baby fat of her face had melted off to make way for sculpted features, though her dimples still remained.

Her family life was now drastically different, for her ma and pop had died the year before. Both of them catching pneumonia. Darla had used all she had learned from nursing school and did all she could for her parents, but they still passed. Her father died first, then her mother was soon after, though Darla thinks that she died from a broken heart rather than pneumonia.

Now it was just Roselyn and Darla in the apartment. The only thing that changed in the apartment was that Roselyn now slept in their parent's bedroom while Darla stayed in their old one. They both contributed to the rent and bills, Darla with her job as a nurse and Roselyn with her job as a maid. The house would get a little crowded soon however, since Roselyn was now three months pregnant.

The Frederick sister's had done alright for themselves and each of them had their own role in the household. Roselyn would clean and Darla would cook. Darla cooked just like their mother and would bake a pie every Friday. Occasionally, Steve would join Darla for dinner since Roselyn was almost never home for supper and he had nowhere else to go. Sometimes the boy would even spend the night at the Frederick's home, always sleeping on the couch of course. Steve always seemed to get into trouble, sometimes coming to Darla's apartment bloody and bruised, but the young nurse would always patch him up and fix him a plate. The Barnes' had unfortunately moved sometime after Bucky left, not being able to afford the rent anymore.

Bucky and Darla had kept in touch by letters, though they were few and far between since they took so long to reach their destinations. But the couple still would write letters, Darla's always being over three pages long while Bucky's were only two at the most. Darla always sprayed her letters with perfume and would press lipsticked kisses by her signature.

Darla missed Bucky an awful lot and sometimes, when the letters were late, she would worry that something happened to him. But that feeling would always go away when the postman came. Like many of the other nurses, she had a guy in the war and her colleagues would be a support system for her.

"Bye Shirley!" Darla's voice rang out as she grabbed her purse. Her shift was finally over and she was off for the weekend. She planned to sleep for at least eight hours and stay in bed all day. Pushing her bangs out of her face, the young woman waited for the two other nurses that got off at the same time as her, for they would walk together. Marilyn and Vivian laughed with Darla as they all skipped down the stairs, chatting away. When they reached the bottom of the steps, they turned to walk, but was interrupted by a voice.

"Hey nurse!"

Darla's smile dropped at the voice and her two friends looked at her confusedly. The young woman slowly turned around and put a hand over her mouth as her eyes met familiar blues. Leaning against a light pole with a smirk on his lips and a cleft in his chin was James Buchanan Barnes. He was wearing a light green military uniform with a brown belt around his waist and his hat on slightly lopsided. He bounced on his feet and smirked at her once more, looking at her expectantly. Darla let out a scream as she ran to Bucky, the soldier catching her and lifting her up. He lowered her to his lips, the pair nearly sucking the life out of each other.

When he put her down she had tears in her eyes. With a frown, Darla hit Bucky's arm, "Where ya been idiot?! I haven't gotten a letter from ya in weeks!"

"Cool down cookie," Bucky grinned at the short woman, pressing a kiss to her nose. "I was workin', tryna find my way back to ya!"

Her dimples made an appearance as she smiled, her hands cupping his cheeks. "Oh I'm so glad to have ya back in one piece, Jamie!"

"I'm happy to be back with ya too, dimple." Bucky said, pinching the woman's cheek. He offered her his arm and she wrapped hers around his as they began to walk home.

Darla looked up at her guy with a smile, sighing happily. "Ya look different, soldier." She noted and Bucky smirked.

"That's Sergeant to ya, civilian." The man smugly smiled, "Sergeant James Barnes."

"Ooo well excuse me, Serg." Darla teased, before asking, "Does that mean I can't call ya Jamie anymore?"

"Ya can call me whatever ya like, baby." Bucky acquiesced with a grin, leaning down and pecking her cheek. Darla smirked but said nothing, reveling in the fact that he was home with her.

"Ya know," He started, glancing down at her. "Ya look different too, dimple. More 'woman-like'."

"What does that mean, Serg?" Darla implored with an offended look on her face. "What did I look like before? A man?"

Bucky threw his head back in a laugh and shook his head. "No darlin', I just mean ya lost some baby fat and ya cut ya hair, that's all. Ya look like a proper woman now."

Darla rolled her eyes and squeezed his bicep. "Ya look like a proper man now, Jamie. Ya finally gained some muscle."

Bucky grinned and retorted, "It's all for you, my darlin' Darla."

When the pair reached the apartment, Darla unlocked the door and they hurried in. Darla put her things away in her room while Bucky took off his hat and looked around the place.

The copper girl leaned against the doorframe and watched him with a fond grin. He had drastically changed from the boy who used to live across from her; he was now a man. It honestly seemed quite silly for her to call him Jamie, he looked more like a James now.

Darla stood up straight and walked to the kitchen. "Ya hungry, Serg? I got some apple pie with ya name on it."

Bucky nodded enthusiastically and sat at the kitchen table, placing his hat on the wood. "Sure could go for some of ya pie. Now I can finally judge it to see if it's as good as ya ma's."

Darla rolled her eyes as she cut a slice of pie for the sergeant. Like old times, she put a scoop of ice cream on the plate and poured him a glass of milk. She sat the meal in front of him and sat down, her knuckles under her chin.

Bucky ate a forkful of ice cream and pie, slowly chewing. Darla's bright eyes looked on eagerly, anxiously anticipating his reaction. After the first forkful, Bucky divided right in and finished the pie within moments.

"So?" Darla asked, a smug smile on her face.

Bucky held up a lone finger as he gulped down the glass of milk. When he was finished he leaned back in his chair, a hand on his belly. "Fantastic… Can I have another slice?" He breathed out and Darla laughed, taking his plate from him.

"Sure Jamie." She fixed him another slice and a dollop of ice cream, placing the plate in front of him. She got the milk out and poured him another glass then sat down in front of him once again.

"Ya not going ta' eat?" Bucky asked with his mouth full, crumbs falling.

Darla scowled at him and gingerly wiped his chin with a napkin. "No, I'm just happy to see ya eatin' in my kitchen again." The copper girl smiled, brushing the bangs out of her eyes.

Bucky paused for a minute and sat back, grinning at little Darla Lorraine. He could get used to this, her serving him food and wiping his face. The image of the girl with a rounded belly, barefoot and baking came into his mind and he smiled behind his milk glass.

"Whatchu' over there smiling about Sergeant?" Darla asked, taking his empty plate from him.

"Nothin' darlin'. Just happy." He surmised as he covered his mouth to burp. Darla rolled her eyes but giggled nonetheless as she washed the plate.

Bucky got up from his chair and stood behind her, his hands on her hips. Darla's head tilted to the side and Bucky nuzzled into her neck.

"I missed ya Darla." He muttered, swaying them back and forth. "Ya always smelt so pretty."

Darla laughed and turned around his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and as she caught sight of the milk on his upper lip she snickered. Standing on the tips of her toes, she kissed him, licking the milk off his lip. Bucky groaned and tilted his head to the side, sliding his tongue in her mouth.

The Romani man lifted the young woman up and sat her on the countertop, her legs spreading for him. His hands ran up her legs, groaning when he felt a garter belt beneath her uniform. "When does Rosie get home?" He breathed the question, nibbling on her neck.

"She's probably on her way now." Darla moaned out. Bucky pulled back with a smirk and pulled her to the edge of the counter. "We've got time then." He began to shrug his jacket off but Darla placed her hands on top of his.

"Keep it on Sergeant Barnes." She demanded with a wicked grin.

Bucky nodded to her and smirked. "Whatever ya say nurse." He muttered as he popped the buttons of her dress. The tall sergeant peppered kisses along her chest, pulling the cups of her brassiere down and nipping at her nipples. She reached down and unbuttoned his trousers, slipping his cock out of the hole. Bucky pulled her panties to the side and was inside her in one quick beat.

The couple let out a shaky breath together, the both of them not having had sexual contact in a long while. In less than fifteen minutes, Darla and Bucky had both came.

Bucky pressed a long kiss to Darla's lips before buttoning his pants. The copper girl buttoned her dress back up and ran a hand through her, now sweated out, hair.

"I'm gonna go find Stevie." Bucky informed her, fixing his hat on his head. "When I get back I'm takin' ya out Darla Dimple."

Darla replied by raising her hand in a mock salute and winking, her indented smile lighting his heart. He bit his lip and saluted back, closing the door behind him.

The young woman smiled to herself as she took a bath, cleaning her work day away. She almost wanted to stay dirty, liking how the smell of Bucky was on her. When she was clean, she dried herself off and put on some sexy lingerie; a dark red bra, panty and garter set. After she secured her garter belt to her stockings, she sat at her vanity and spritzed perfume on her neck and wrists. She brushed her hair out before rolling small curlers into it, wanting big, voluptuous bangs for the occasion. She lined her eyes with black liner and curled her eyelashes with a curler. She then applied bright, apple red lipstick to her lips, puckering them playfully in the mirror.

A knock sounded at the door and Darla looked up, surprised that Bucky would be back so quickly. She hurried to the door and opened it, only to shriek when she saw Bucky wasn't alone. She quickly slammed the door shut, her cheeks tinted red.

Steve sure got an eyeful when Darla opened the door in red lingerie. It seemed to have shocked both of the boys because they were both standing there with wide eyes. Bucky came to first and hit Steve in the back of the head, making the short boy jump.

Darla ran to her room and wrapped a silk robe around herself before opening the door once again. "Sorry." She muttered as they passed by her, Steve staring a little too hard. Darla did a double take when she saw the short boy was bleeding. "Steven Grant Rogers!" She exclaimed and his face turned red.

"Yes?" He asked, embarrassed, thinking she had caught him staring.

"Ya got into another fight? I thought I told ya to take it easy!" The copper girl reprimanded him, a glare in her almond eyes.

"I saved him from some bozo in the alley behind the movie theater." Bucky informed her, removing his hat.

"I had him on the ropes!" Steve insisted, only to grimace when Darla hit him over the head.

"'Had him on the ropes!' He says coming to me with a busted lip!" Darla chided the blonde like he was her child. "Get in the bathroom so I can clean ya up, Stevie."

Bucky grinned at how his best friend obeyed his girl with his head down in shame. It was almost domestic.

Darla dabbed at Steve's lip with a cloth, shaking her head lightly. "Christ Stevie, ya gonna get really hurt one day. Ya need to be more careful."

Steve's blue eyes looked up at Darla with a frown. His long eyelashes fluttered as he whispered out, "Sorry for makin' ya worry."

The copper girl's glare softened, "What am I gonna do if something happens ta ya, huh? With Bucky gone, who's gonna take care a' me?"

"It's more like ya takin' care of me, Darla." Steve muttered, wincing as the alcohol hit his lip.

Darla's thumb brushed over his cheek and she shook her head. "Look, ya lip doesn't look that bad, the swelling should go down with a bowl of ice cream." She smiled at the boy and he managed a smile back, placing his hand on top of hers. "Let's go big shot." She helped him off the toilet and ruffled his hair, the pair of them walking in the kitchen where Bucky had fixed himself another piece of pie.

"Lord have mercy Jamie!" The copper girl exclaimed as Steve sat down. "Ya only been back one day and ya already eatin' me out of house and home!"

"Oh don't be like that dimple!" Bucky pouted, a mouthful of pie, "I been eatin' concrete for the last two years."

Darla rolled her eyes and placed a bowl of ice cream in front of Steve, along with a piece of pie.

Steve shook his head at the portion she gave him. "I can't eat all this, Darla."

She smiled sweetly, pinching the older boy's cheek. "Eat up Stevie, don't insult me."

"Why does he get ta' eat so much?" Bucky asked with a teasing frown.

Darla sat on his lap and pecked his cheek. "It's because I like him better than ya." She said, winking at Steve. "If you'll excuse me gentleman, I gotta change."

The copper girl got up from Bucky's lap and he smacked her bottom, making her smack his head. His laughter boomed through the apartment and Darla shook her fist at him teasingly. She went to her room and closed the door, then took her dress out the closet.

It was a dress that was white with black polka-dots and quarter sleeves that went to her knees. The skirt was full and flowy, moving every time she did, and a black belt was wrapped around her waist. The dress was cut low into her breasts, but it did not show enough cleavage to be considered indecent.

After Darla put her dress on, she put on sheer, white stockings and got to work on her hair. She pulled out her curlers one by one, her hair falling to the middle of her neck. She then pined half her hair back, leaving her bangs hanging in her face. The copper girl placed faux pearls in her ears and a pearl necklace around her neck before standing up and sliding a pair of black heels on.

With a final spritz of perfume, she was ready. She grabbed her purse and opened the door, walking into the living room.

Bucky and Steve were sitting on the couch chatting with Roselyn, the elder boy feeling her rounded belly, when all the noise stopped. The two boys stared at Darla in shock, their mouths agape.

Roselyn looked at her little sister with a smirk, raising herself off the couch. "I suppose you'll be out late tonight?" Darla nodded at her sister with a smile and the elder girl stuck a finger in one of her cheeks. "Ya were always the cute one, Darla Lorraine." She quipped as she walked into her room, shutting the door.

Darla turned back to the boys with a grin. "Ready ta' go?" She asked excitedly and they both nodded, Steve nudging Bucky inconspicuously.

The trio of friends then took their leave, walking downtown. Darla was totally in the dark to where they were going until they arrived. They were at the 'World Exposition of Tomorrow' exhibit, sponsored by Howard Stark himself. The bright lights of the sign and the fireworks above excited Darla and the young woman was practically buzzing.

"This is going to be so fun!" The copper woman exclaimed her eyes going from one attraction the the next. She accidently left behind Bucky and Steve, skipping down the steps and running to an exhibit.

Bucky chuckled at the girl and shook his head, turning to Steve who was looking at him with a frown. "What?" The Romani man asked with a quirk of his eyebrow.

"Ya need to tell her." Steve urged quietly.

The sergeant shook his head, "I don't wanna spoil her night." He said as they caught up with a grinning Darla.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Howard Stark!"

Darla looked back excitedly at Bucky as the car lifted off of the ground. "Holy cow." The sergeant muttered dryly and Darla nudged his arm, only to jump back when the car suddenly hit the stage. Bucky smirked down at her smugly and she rolled her eyes. "Hey Steve," The blue-eyed boy said turning around, only to find that his friend was gone.

Darla looked behind her, searching for a short man with blonde hair, but she had no luck. "For a little guy he's always gettin' into trouble." The copper girl chatted to her boyfriend, shaking her head.

"I'm sure he'll turn up," Bucky comforted, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "Let's go play some games, eh? I'll buy ya a candied apple."

The sergeant's words fell on mute ears as the nurse bit her lip, her eyes still darting around for Steve. "He's probably at the recruitin' station…" She muttered, more to herself.

"He'll be fine babe," Bucky stressed, standing in front of the short woman. "Now how's about you and me go dancin'? I got some new moves I wanna show ya."

The nurse shook her head, "He's going to get caught forgin' documents and be sent to prison! God Stevie can't survi-"

"Marry me."

Darla paused and her almond eyes widened. She licked her lips, looking up at Bucky's blue eyes. "What?" She whispered, barely audible.

Bucky took off his hat and ran a hand through his brunette hair, swallowing thickly before beginning to ramble. "Doll I haven't been completely honest with ya, and it's entirely my fault but I have to tell ya that they're shipping me off to England tomorrow and I was scared to tell you because I didn't want to ruin ya night, but I've loved ya since I was seventeen and every time I thought I wasn't gonna come home I'd look at ya picture and pray to God above that I'd be able to come back to you and give you those babies ya wanted and I want to spend the rest of my life with ya, even if I only live a day more." Bucky paused and finally took a big breath before getting down on one knee. He grabbed her hand in his and breathed, "Darla Lorraine will ya marry me?"