I'm with you till the end of the line...

The sun shone brilliantly and the vibrant colours of the beautiful spring day under its glare, was offensively bright and cheerful. For Steve it was if they had conspired to show him how the world would go on without her. Saying goodbye to his beloved mother was one of the hardest not to mention most emotional moments of his life. A Nurse for most of her career it came completely out of the blue when she contracted pneumonia several months previously. Sarah Rogers, fort hard with the same fierce gusto she had imprinted on her son but alas it wasn't enough for the poorly woman. An on one warm spring afternoon, she closed her eyes for the final time, took one last breath and descended up on to the steps to heaven, taking that journey into the afterlife. Breaking the heart of her child into a million shattered pieces in the process...

Today was the funeral and Steve picked out of beautiful grass spot just by an apple tree in a quiet part of the small church not far from the family home for her final resting place. The service itself was a beautiful yet quiet affair with only Steve and the Barnes family in attendance. As he watched the Coffin lowered into the ground, Steve struggled to hold back the true heartbreak of his grief and soon a steady array of silent tears fell onto his immobile face. He felt nothing but the numbness in his soul and the bruised feeling of hurt inside hitting him heavily in the heart. Tossing a single rose onto the mahogany coffin, he whisper a silent goodbye as his soul began to acknowledging the finality of death. He'd never look on her face again, feel her embrace and see that loving warmth in her eyes. Everything should have been as grey and foggy as his emotions right now but the birds still sang and the flowers still bloomed as he stood there reflecting on a lifetime of memories of his much treasured Mother

" Bucky just go talk to him.." cried Rebecca Barnes picking up her toddler son and placing him on her hip " dad offered him a lift home but he just point blankly refused. Saying he didn't need any help from anyone. I'm worried about him Buck... you know how much he loved her and how important she was in his life..."

" worried? what do you mean?"

" dad said it was like he's convinced he can get by on his own. He thinks he's on his own... he thinks he doesn't have anyone now" she let out a heart breaking sigh " I just don't know why he's thinking like that but just go to talk to him please..."

"But he's not alone...where the hell did this come from?" The siblings looked over at the man with the weight of the world on his shoulders standing at the graveside " he's got me...I'll never give up on him Becca... I'll never.."

"Then go tell him that Bucky because right now he needs you more than ever..."

Heeding his sister's advice, Bucky slowly edged over to his obviously still devastated friend. Steve was so deep in reflection that he failed to realise Bucky standing next to him, only purely solely focusing on the name of his beloved mother carved on the marble headstone in front of him. Still feeling a deep despair and darkness of his heartbreak, Steve somewhat felt strength and reassurance at the feeling of a sole hand on his shoulder...

" I can't even imagine what you're going through right now Steve. she really was so special and at least Heaven has gained another Angel now" Bucky smiled gently rubbing Steve shoulder " she's probably up there now looking down at you with pride for sure... she loved you so much never forget that.."

" thanks Buck... it just doesn't feel real right now"

"She loved you Steve. But don't forget that so many other people out there do too...including me" with his hand still on Steve shoulder, Bucky slowly led him away from the graveside. Both men gave the grave one last look before Bucky raised his hand to his father in the distance " never think you're alone Steve. you'll get through this and we'll all be with you every step of the way, I promise... we're more than friends pal, we're family..."

The death of a loved one is one of life's most difficult experiences a person would ever face. Isolation and feelings of being alone in the grief constantly running throughout the soul. Yet Steve knew deep down that Bucky was right. He did have a family and a true blessed best friend that would never leave his side...

"Oh Steven, I'm so sorry my darling boy" cried Alice Barnes. Clutching his head in her hands, she kissed both his cheeks wiping his tears with her white lacy gloved fingertips " she may be with the angels now but she'll be with you in your heart always Stephen"

" thank you Alice.." Steve forced out a smile and nodded at the old woman "means a lot.."

" Love never dies Steven..." the old woman continued as she began adjusting and straightening his collar " the ones we truly love never leave us my darling... we are all here for you as long as you need us.. anything? just tell James and we'll be here for you always"

"Thank you Alice.."

" now are you sure Henry can't give you a lift home?" ask Alice comfortingly " the thought of you heading home on your own after today worries me greatly Steven"

" don't worry Mom, he won't be alone. I'll walk back with him" smiled Bucky " I'll make sure he gets back safe I promise.."

As they said goodbye to the Barnes family, Steve and Bucky began their long walk back to the apartment block. Through the entire journey back neither said a word. Bucky didn't want to force Steve to talk. If Steve wanted to speak then he would do so in his own time. After about 20 minutes the pair soon arrived back at the apartment

" it really was a beautiful service Steve. She'd of truly loved it" Smiled Bucky as together they headed up the stairs " well here we are.. safe and sound at home just like I promised mom" suddenly Steve demeanour changed. He began to fumble through his pockets for his key. He suddenly became confused and disoriented. Bucky new a lot of this was due to his grief " are you sure you're going to be ok?..listen why don't you come back to the house? Mom is making one of her famous Barnes casserole dinners and you know she'll always make a space at the table for you" he laughed warmly "Why don't you just come home with me? we can put the couch cushions on the floor just like we did when we had those sleepovers when we were kids. Mom thinks the world of you Steve and would love you to just stay with us.."

"Thanks Buck but I think I just want to be alone" cried Steve " been a tough day. Thing is I can get by on my own.."

" listen to me though.." Bucky kicked over a nearby rock and crouched down to find the secret key but Steve always kept safe. He was the only one who knew about that key and would use it regularly to visit Steve's apartment " thing is so you don't have to.." gently he reached for Steve's collar, giving it a tight yet deeply heartfelt reassuring squeeze " I'm with you to the end of the line pal..."