CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR – The Courage of an Open Heart

[OCTOBER 2017]

The massage gradually loosened Bucky's shoulder muscles, unlike Michael's frazzled attempts to assist Mariko through another contraction. We watched via video link, waiting patiently for the arrival of our granddaughter.

"How long you think this will take?"

"The nurse said she's almost dilated, could be minutes or hours still."

"Babies come when they're ready, Barnes, not on military time." Michael rolled his eyes.

"You sure he's not really your kid?" Bucky cast me a suspicious glance.

"That would be some miracle."

"So, he just adopted your attitude?"

I shrugged. "The stubbornness is strong in my family."

My arms curled around him as he relaxed against me, every movement without the fear once threatening to part us. We'd settled into our humble farm life, encountering something new, learning as we went and enjoying a peace uncomfortable to handle at first, but now a welcomed normal.

The annoying hum of a cellphone vibrating on the bedside table drew Bucky from my grasp.

"I gotta get this."

"Who is it?"

"I need to push!" Mariko cried.

"I'll take this in the other room, you focus on them."

"Okay." I nodded scooting to the edge of the bed, transfixed on screen as I prayed for an easy birth for both Mariko and my granddaughter.

The idea of being a grandmother made me laugh at first, and Bucky's grannie jokes eventually scored him a bloodied lip, but as the months went by and Michael proudly showed off each scan, I couldn't help but to embrace the excitement. An overwhelming love for her already bloomed in my heart, and I swore to every God I could think of that I'd protect her until my last breath.

"Come on, Mariko, you can do this!" I cheered from my side sides, an almighty scream from Mariko drew Bucky back into the bedroom, followed by the cries of a newborn.

"She's here." Bucky dropped beside me as I reached for him, planting a kiss on his cheek.

"We're grandparents!" I laughed.

"Now I feel old."

I bit back tears of happiness, watching nurses go about their work, eventually handing Michael his daughter.

He moved closer to the screen, holding up his precious bundle, her scrunched up features the most beautiful sight I'd ever been blessed to see.

"She's beautiful," I whispered.

"We've already picked out a name for her." Michael glanced back over at Mariko who nodded. "We decided to name her after her grandmothers, Sara Genevieve."

"We can only hope she'll grow up to be as great as the two of you," Mariko added.

"No," I murmured reaching for Bucky's hand as his arm dropped around my shoulders. "She'll be so much more."

"We gotta get them out here. We've gotta spoil that kid."

"And we will, she's our mon Coeus."

"If she's your heart, what am I?"

"L'amour de ma vie," I replied drawing a smile to Bucky's face.

"That always sounds better in French." His warm breath skated down my neck, spreading a tremor of arousal through me.

"Dear God! We can still hear you!" Michael groaned drawing Bucky off the bed.

"We'll call tomorrow, rest up Mariko." He turned off the screen, facing me with a mocking glare. "You sure he's not yours?"

"You know it's impossible."

"Maybe we should test that theory."

I playfully shook my head as he prowled towards me.

-x-

Dawns light woke me. automatically I rolled over, expecting to cuddle into Bucky's warmth, only to find the space empty. Not surprised and assuming he was tending to the animals, I buried my face in the pillow, inhaling his scent with a dreamy smile.

"I really hate being around people in love."

I jumped up, the rough jolt of my heart relaxing seconds later as I shook my head at Natasha standing in the bedroom doorway, dressed in civilian clothing.

"I really hate when you sneak up on me."

"I made breakfast."

"Hopefully, there's a side of explanation with it." I slipped out of bed, pulling on a satin robe as I joined her in the main living area.

The small dining table dressed in breakfast items – coffee, fruit, and bowls of cereal waited for my arrival. I shot Natasha a frown as she poured us each a coffee.

"I'm beginning to think I should be worried." I sat down studying the apartment for something amiss, a vital clue explaining Natasha's sudden appearance.

"What's to be worried about? We're just having breakfast."

"You're not the pop around for breakfast type, the closest we've ever come to this is sharing a protein bar on a Quinjet."

"Well, I'm not the only one, company's coming."

I jumped again as the door opened, Michael waltzing in, Mariko behind him wearing a baby sling cradling Sara.

"Michael!"

Getting up from the table I rushed over to embrace the couple.

"So, who's going to be the first to tell me what's going on?" I looked between them, lingering on Michael knowing he'd crack long before Mariko.

"You didn't tell her?" Michael questioned Natasha who shook her head.

"That wasn't part of my to-do list."

He sighed, fighting an eyeroll. He left the luggage beside the couch and faced me. "Okay, mom, don't freak out –"

"Never good to start a conversation off with don't freak out. I freaked out the moment I caught Nat watching me sleep."

"What Michael means to say, is that we've all been asked here by Bucky," Mariko explained gently unwrapping Sara from her protective cocoon. "He's arranged a party to celebrate Sara's arrival and all of us being able to get together."

"Why didn't he tell me? I would've helped with arrangements."

"It's meant to be a surprise, he wanted to show off a little bit." She smiled. "You do so much for everyone, we thought we'd return the favor."

The thunderous beat of my heart calmed considerably to hear a solid explanation. I smiled, gently taking Sara off Mariko's hands. She helped herself to the coffee and breakfast spread.

"My part was just to buy you a dress for the event, which you will find in your closest." Natasha added.

"How long were you sneaking around here?"

She merely smiled; a thousand secrets hidden behind those soulful green eyes, and lips that would never reveal any of them.

I glanced down at Sara. "Anyone would think I was hard to deal with."

"Sometimes you are." Michael statement drew nods from the other two. "But this is all Barnes, mom, let him have his moment."

"Maybe you should be off, Michael," Mariko nudged Michael in the side. "Y'know, to help out."

He glanced at his watch, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, on my way." He kissed his wife and planted another on Sara's head. "I'll see you girls later."

"And we should probably start too." Natasha suggested rising from her chair. "You need to shower." She gently took Sara from my grasp, nodding her head to the bedroom.

"Fine," my defeated sigh was meet with chuckles, everyone seemingly on the joke but me.

-x-

"Oh, Nat," a breathless sigh parted my lips, hands moving over the blush-colored chiffon dress. "This is beautiful."

I admired Natasha's choice of a column style; it allowed some breathing room while remaining classically beautiful. I didn't imagine picking something as elegant for myself.

"I thought you'd like it," her knowing smile reflected in the mirror as she tackled my hair.

Mariko lingered in the background, watching over Sara in the cot we'd set up. "Gin, you should probably know someone else has been invited –"

"Hello? Anyone home?"

"Tony?" I frowned rising from the chair as my Godson appeared in the doorway. "Tony!"

We moved toward each other, arms enfolding the other.

"You didn't think you could have a party without me, did you?"

"I can't believe you're here… so much has happened, I tend to farm animals and we're growing a small crop of vegetables –"

"Hang on, a career spy is now a farmer?"

"I know," I laughed. "It sounds mad, but it's true."

"So, you're happy then?" His dark eyes bored into mine, an intensity of seriousness not often presence appearing. I cupped his face in my hands, unable to fight the smile forming.

"I am so happy, even more to see you here." I planted a kiss to his cheek. "You haven't met my granddaughter."

I took his arm leading him over to the cot.

"I'm happy for you, old girl. You deserve all this."

"So, do you. Is Pepper with you?"

He shook his head. "I can't stay too long, but Michael convinced me today I needed to be here with you."

"Enough talk, we need to finish getting ready."

"I'll see you later." Tony smiled heading off.

I placed myself in Natasha's care. The three of us left the apartment just before noon, the two of them leading the way. It wasn't until we were on the familiar route to the farm my interest turned to nerves, the uncomfortable flip flop of my stomach.

Coming over the hill, a gathering of sorts was coming together. Colorful tents shaded some tables and chairs, steam wafted up from a fire pit beside it, the delicious smells hitting my nose. A makeshift arch of wood and wildflowers stood out clear as anything because Bucky and Steve waited there together. Suddenly the mornings events became clear, the real purpose of the gathering unfolding before my eyes.

"You're not angry at us, are you?"

I turned to Mariko, blinking away the tears burning behind my eyes. "You all planned this?"

"Yeah, but it was Bucky's idea. He said you've been more than patient with him and deserved a nice wedding with all your family present."

"She's speechless for the first time in her life," Natasha smirked.

Michael and Tony waited for our arrival, wearing telling smiles they couldn't hide if they wanted too.

"So, we didn't exactly tell you the whole story…" Michael motioned to our surroundings, the happy murmurs of guests in the background.

All I saw was Bucky. Standing before the handcraft archway he stood in a lightweight suit, the navy color brightening the blue of the eyes I adored. The smile curving his lips brought instant comfort and I was ready for this long-awaited moment.

"It's not too late to back out."

I playfully shook my head at Tony. "Another world war couldn't drag me from here."

I linked my arms through one of Tony's and Michael's, drawing my boys close.

Seats taken, T'Challa took his place at the head of the alter, motioning to the choir who sang at Michael and Mariko's wedding to begin a soulful hymn. Exhaling my butterfly nerves in a long breath, the three of us walked to the archway, my sole attention on Bucky, fearing the moment I looked away I'd wake up from this surreal dream.

Michael's gentle nudge snapped me from my thoughts. He kissed my cheek and Tony the other before releasing me.

Steve gave me a curt nod, drawing a smile to my lips as I stood beside Bucky.

"You mad?"

"I can never be mad at you."

T'Challa cleared his throat as the choir finished, taking their seats. "Friends we have come together to celebrate a lasting love. These two before you have found each other through time, weathering war and evil only present in our nightmares. Their love has guided and protected them, strengthening an unshakable bond to last a lifetime. And today, we are all blessed to be present as they come together in marriage."

"About time." Steve muttered from Bucky's other side.

"Do you have the rings, Captain Rogers?"

"Somewhere," he teasingly patted himself down before removing two gold bands from his pocket, handing them to T'Challa who placed a blessing over them.

Bucky took my hand, gently sliding the gold band on my finger. "With this ring, I give you my heart and all that I am. I promise to be at your side no matter what comes our way, and if I can't, I'll do whatever it takes to find my way back to you."

My free hand rose to his cheek, thumb wiping away the tear rolling down his tanned flesh. For so long this moment appeared like a mirage in the distance, tempting yet unattainable with each barrier placed in our path.

"I promise the same."

"That's it?" Bucky choked on a laugh.

"I've waited seventy-four years for this moment, I don't want another minute to come between me becoming your wife." My hands lowered to take the necklace from T'Challa and place it over Bucky's head, his wedding band catching the orange hues of an afternoon sun warming my back.

"It is my honor as Wakanda's King and your friend, to pronounce you man and wife." T'Challa smiled at us. "You may kiss –"

I grabbed Bucky's face, planting my lips to his.

Laughing as we parted, Bucky took my hand as we faced our family and friends.