Sexual content. This chapter has been edited to meet 's terms and conditions. Unedited versions are available on Wattpad and AO3, under the same user name and title.
By the time they were finished skating the area was nearly empty as people left to get home for Christmas dinner. Julia checked her messages and found several asking for everyone to get back so she called all of them together and gave them the news. Once they were all in the vehicles it didn't take long to drive back and she apologized to everyone who had been preparing dinner at the house for not checking her messages sooner. She was quickly forgiven and everyone was told to take a seat. Every available table from both houses had been brought in and laid end to end stretching from the living room through the dining area and into the main floor family room. The food was distributed evenly, drinks were given out and everyone sat waiting for someone to say they could begin.
Bill Devin stood up and tapped his beer glass with a spoon. "As the oldest I was going to say some wise words but I realized my future son-in-law is older than me," he said. "So imagine my surprise when I found out someone was even older. I'm going to ask Thor if he would like to say something for the occasion."
Thor stood up and looked at everyone. "Well, my people didn't start celebrating Christmas until we found our new home here on Midgard, or Earth," he said. "In Asgard we did have a winter solstice celebration that lasted for 12 days and included drinking, feasting, songs, games, and banquets. We've certainly had that since our arrival here in Lake Tahoe and I've enjoyed it very much. Our solstice greeting to each other in Asgard was Glaðligr Jól which translates roughly to Glad Yule. I wish you all a Glad Yule and a Merry Christmas. Let's begin the feasting part of it."
Everyone clapped and wished each other a Glad Yule. The filling of their plates began, followed by some serious eating. Both Thor and Bucky took seconds and thirds. The Avengers were used to it but the Devin grandchildren watched spellbound as both men continued to eat. The youngest, Jake's 4 year old son Tim looked at his dad.
"Why aren't they fat?" he asked in a loud voice.
"Tim!" said Jake. "That's rude."
Bucky smiled. "My body needs lots of food to work," he said. "Touch my hand."
He offered his hand to Tim who reluctantly touched it.
"It's very hot," he said.
Bucky nodded. "My body is like a steam engine," he stated. "It needs lots of fuel to work properly. My fuel is food. I can go with less for a time but then I get very sleepy and grumpy."
"Are you strong?" asked the little boy.
"Very strong but Thor is stronger because he's not human, he's a god," said Bucky. "That's why he can eat so much."
Bucky could have said Thor could still get fat but didn't, not wanting to embarrass his friend. Tim looked at both men, processing the information.
"How high can you jump?" he asked Bucky.
"If I try hard about as high as the cell phone tower on the church," replied Bucky. "I jumped out of an airplane once without a parachute and it was about 200 feet in the air."
Tim looked at Thor. "Higher," was all he said.
"How fast are you?" Tim asked Bucky.
"About as fast as a car on the highway," replied Bucky.
Tim looked at Thor again. "Faster," he said, wondering where this was leading.
"You're going to be my uncle?" asked Tim.
"On Sunday when your Aunt Julia and I get married,"
"Would you be mad if Thor is my first hero and you're my second?"
"No, he's my hero, too," said Bucky straight faced, to Thor's delight as he roared in laughter.
Tim smiled and Bucky held his hand up for a high five. Tim slapped it hard and Bucky pretended that it hurt, making the little boy laugh. As the table was cleared several pies were produced and groans were heard from the others at the prospect of having to eat pie. Bucky and Thor looked at each other smiling. With a straight face they each took a single slice of pie; apple for Bucky, cherry for Thor.
"You're not going to have more?" asked Jake.
"No," said Bucky in an understated way. "One slice is enough."
Julia had watched all of it with amusement, knowing that Bucky could eat a lot more if he wanted. As the kids started drifting away from the table to play with the video games she called all of them back up and told them they were on kitchen duty, seeing as how they played all day. There was some whining from the younger ones but Jordan and Lila set the example with both of them loading the dishwasher with as much as they could then starting it. Lila filled up the sink with soapy water and washed while Jordan dried. Julia helped the other kids put leftovers away then the clean dishes, separating the ones that came from the Johnson house so they could be returned there. Shaun and Katy took control of that. They returned with the TV and the second video game system setting it up in the family room. Janey found all the board games. Clint helped her set them up on the now cleared tables and noticed both Jordan and Lila were gone from the kitchen.
"I saw them taking the garbage out," said Janey quickly. "Jordan's a good kid, Clint. Since my husband died he's become the man of house. He's an honour student, responsible, and respectful."
Clint grunted but said nothing more as he didn't want to offend Janey. A few minutes later Jordan and Lila came back in and Janey knew with her sixth sense that Jordan had kissed her. She also knew that Lila didn't mind one bit. They each sat at the same game table and waited for others to join them. Within 15 minutes everyone was either playing a board game or a video game. It was organized chaos but everyone was smiling, laughing and having a good time. About an hour into it Bucky noticed Julia put her jacket and boots on, stepping out onto the deck. He excused himself and followed her.
"Getting too noisy in there?" he asked from just outside the door.
"A little," she said, leaning against the railing facing towards him. He came up to her and put his arms around her. "Okay, a lot. It's alright. I just need a little break from it."
Bucky looked at the night sky then pointed across the lake to the east side. "Look, Orion the Hunter," he said. "Always loved that constellation. It was visible even in Brooklyn when I was growing up. Out here it looks amazing."
He looked at Julia's face as she turned and looked across the lake. Her breath came out in little puffs as she breathed. Then she turned back to him.
"You know Betelgeuse, the red giant on the upper left of Orion, is 642 light years away," she stated. "It could already be in a super nova and we wouldn't know until the light of the explosion reached us. That would probably illuminate the entire night sky."
"It still wouldn't be as beautiful as you," he said softly. She smiled but said nothing. Then Bucky spoke softly.
"The beauty of a woman
isn't in the clothes she wears,
The figure that she carries,
or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman
must be seen from in her eyes;
Because that's the doorway to her heart,
the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman
isn't in a facial mole;
But true beauty in a woman,
is reflected by her soul.
It's the caring that she cares to give,
the passion that she shows;
And the beauty of a woman
with passing years only grows."
"That's beautiful," said Julia, looking at him in surprise. "Who wrote that?"
"A man named Sam Levenson," replied Bucky. "Apparently it was read at Audrey Hepburn's funeral. I've read some poetry from time to time and that one stuck with me. It definitely applies to you. I look forward to you becoming more beautiful over the years."
"You constantly surprise me," she stated, looking up at him with luminous eyes. "How did ..." She stopped, overcome for a moment and Bucky gently touched her cheek. "How did you ever get past all the anger and fear of your past to become such a loving and caring man?"
Tears were falling from her eyes as she struggled to say the words and he gently wiped them away before answering. "It wasn't easy," he replied. "I had issues, serious anger issues. But at some point I realized that because I chose to stay here instead of going back with Steve, that if I wanted a relationship, of any kind, not just romantic, that I had to let the anger go. The loving and caring ... that came from you. You have such a gentle soul that you made it easy to love you back. Now, you're embedded deep in here." He touched his heart firmly. "I can't conceive of a life without you. You're my everything."
He bent over and pulled her up in his arms so their faces were equal, kissing her with all the love he felt for her. If either had opened their eyes they would have seen almost everyone watching them from inside with little half smiles on their faces. Then Bill and Lydia pulled the curtains closed, feeling that some moments were better experienced in private.
Boxing Day passed quickly and Julia was able to successfully plan for most of the adults to go out to the burger bar. Her parents stayed in, as did Colonel Rhodes, and they decided to have a movie night with all the kids then have them all sleep over in both of the Devin family rooms. The adults arrived early at the burger bar and took over an entire quarter of the space. Like Bucky promised the drink menu alone impressed them and when the band started playing most of the group were soon up on the dance floor. Elinor and Amanda arrived early, pulling Thor up for some close dancing that raised some eyebrows. Only one of the women, Anna, that helped Sam with skating came. It turned out she was originally from Mobile, Alabama and knew New Orleans quite well. Although she had never ventured to Delacroix she seemed interested to hear about it. Neither of the men who helped Sarah came but she had lots of offers to dance and took most of them up, saying no only to have a break and a few sips of her drink then talking animatedly with Janey. Julia's brothers were all over the place alternating between the family and their friends. Bucky saved himself for the slow dances but watched Julia dancing with her friends with fondness. Like Bucky, Clint and his wife Laura saved themselves for the slow dances and the occasional country tune. When Tennessee Whiskey came up Bucky just smiled at Julia and she pulled him up to the floor wrapping her arms around him. After the song ended Julia grabbed their jackets and told the door person they needed some air. It helped that she knew him from their teen years and he waved them outside telling her to take her time.
"Did you bring the extra blankets?" she asked Bucky on the way to the truck, holding his hand.
"Yes," he replied. "We're going to do this?"
"I told you we would," she said as she walked.
Bucky unlocked the truck and they both got in. She directed him out onto the highway and into Nevada. Then she told him to pull into the nude beach turnoff. He looked at her in mild surprise.
"We're not going all the way to the nude beach," she said. "There's a turnoff up ahead that they keep clear because during the winter it's where they keep the gravel to scatter on the roads during a snow fall. It's not guarded and as long as it doesn't snow no one should be coming around."
"How do you know about this?" he asked, genuinely curious. "Did you come here before?"
"I wish I could say I did but I was a virgin until I married Mason," she admitted. "I would overhear my brothers talk about it. So far as I know nothing has changed."
Bucky pulled into the spot, saw the different piles of gravel and backed in between two of them so they could pull out quickly if they had to. With a grin Julia opened her door and switched to the back seat. Bucky followed her, putting one blanket down on the seat and pulling the other blanket on top of them.
"Just in case, keep our tops on," said Julia. "It's been 20 years since my brothers came here."
Bucky burst out laughing and kissed Julia, running his hands under her shirt. Quickly he undid her jeans and she pulled them off followed by her panties. She undid Bucky's jeans and pulled them down to his knees along with his with underwear. He was already aroused, mostly because it had been over 5 days since they last had sex. Grasping him she lowered herself and sighed as he filled her up.
"Oh Bucky," she moaned as she began to ride him. "I've missed having you in me."
Firmly he grasped her hips thrusting himself into her and trying to keep in control so he wouldn't come quickly. Julia brought out her wild child, vocally expressing her pleasure as she came closer to orgasm. Between teasing Bucky with deep kisses and riding him hard he was finding it hard not to come before her. Looking intently at his mouth Julia pressed herself into him to increase her pleasure. With a gasp then several cries she came and crashed her lips onto his making him come just as loudly. He grasped her waist running his hands under her shirt as they kissed deeply. Then slowly she relaxed and rested her head on his shoulder. The inside of the truck windows were fogged over and the only sound was their breathing as they both came down from the bliss they shared.
"My sweet wild girl," whispered Bucky. "The things you do to me."
Julia caressed Bucky's face and sighed. "I guess I'm making up for the years wasted on Mason," she said softly. "I wish I had known you before."
"I was dust," he replied. "Lost in the Blip."
She looked sympathetically at him. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "After all that you went through then you were lost because of that monster."
Desperately she held him so that her face was close to his. He kissed her forehead, trying to comfort her.
"The important thing is we did find each other," he whispered back. They were quiet for a time. "We should go back. Your dad has asked if I'll stay at the other house tomorrow. This will be it until our wedding night."
"I know, my mom asked as well," she replied, sitting up. "This should tide me over."
She reached for her panties and Bucky helped her put them and her jeans on. Then he pulled his clothes back on and stepped outside to zip up. On the way back he held her left hand as he drove, looking at her every so often in the interior glow of the dashboard. Even now, so close to their wedding day, he found it hard to believe that he had found this incredible woman. When they arrived at the bar the parking lot was full and they had to park some distance away. The door man nodded at them as they went back inside. Janey and Sam both smiled at them when they returned to where everyone was sitting. When the others asked where they had been Bucky just said "out." They both ordered new drinks and Bucky sat with his arm around Julia's shoulder, his left hand idly playing with her hair.
"Where's Thor?" he asked suddenly, not seeing him on the dance floor.
Clint leaned forward, motioning to Bucky to come closer. "He's gone for the night," he confided, "with his two lady friends. Said he will see us in the morning."
Bucky looked at Julia, who had a sly smile on her face. "Those two have always been ... adventurous," she commented. "He'll be okay."
"It's not him I'm worried about," replied Bucky.
A slow Motown song came up and Sam offered his hand to Anna who took it. Bucky watched the couple dance then noticed Sam whisper in her ear and a soft smile appear on her face. He looked at Julia again and she grinned back at him.
"I thought they would hit it off," she said. "Anna is working here on a temporary contract. She goes back to Mobile at Easter. She won't be far from him if they want to continue seeing each other."
"She's a nice lady," interjected Sarah, as she overhead them. "He's told her everything about Delacroix and she's listened to every bit of it."
"What about you, Sarah?" asked Julia. "I did try with Morris and Chris."
"I appreciate that but I've had a good time tonight," she replied. "I've danced more than I have in years. I'm like Janey, still too much in love with my husband to look at someone else that way." She noticed the look Bucky gave her. "You were just easy to flirt with and irritate Sam."
"It was fun irritating him, wasn't it?" he asked. He noticed Julia seemed puzzled by their comments. "When I first met Sarah I put a little bit of my ladies man into talking with her. It was more to bother Sam than anything. We were still in our becoming friends stage."
Julia smiled, seeing the fondness they still had for each other in a friendly way. As the night wore on they danced some more as did the others. Shaun and Katy had made friends with some others closer to their age and were invited to an all night karaoke event at another bar. Waving their goodbyes they went off into the night, promising to see everyone the next day. Just before midnight Bucky noticed Julia was yawning and he quietly mentioned to the others that maybe it was time to leave. Julia's brothers surprisingly agreed, saying they had planned to take their kids skiing the next day and had to be up early. As they slowly made their way outside Sam asked if they could drop off Anna in South Tahoe. Anna pulled on Julia's hand briefly as they walked to where the truck was parked. She whispered something into her ear and the two women hugged. When they arrived at her apartment Sam got out to make sure she got into her apartment okay. As Julia, Bucky, and Sarah waited for him to return Bucky asked what Anna had said. Julia glanced at Sarah briefly before answering.
"She likes Sam, a lot," admitted Julia. "Don't say anything to Sam as Anna wants it to happen naturally. She likes you, too, Sarah. Said she admires you looking after two boys and running a business."
"I like her," replied Sarah. "I'm pretty sure Sam does as well."
Sam arrived at that moment and got back into the truck. Nothing was said on the trip back but Bucky could see by the way Sam looked out the window into the dark that he was thinking of Anna. Both houses were dark when they all arrived back. Knowing that all the kids were in the Devin house they all took extra care to be quiet as they entered the code to unlock the door, remove their jackets and go to their room. As they undressed Julia came to Bucky and kissed him, pulling him to the bed.
"I know how you feel with my parents in the next room but I still want you," she whispered. "I can be quiet if you can."
He ran his tongue over his teeth knowing that he wanted her as well. Already he could feel himself harden at the thought of feeling her skin against his, of his mouth tasting her, of entering her fully as her legs wrapped around him.
"Okay," he whispered. "I can't say no to you on this. I want you, too."
Turning off the light they both got under the covers and touched each other desperately as if it had been forbidden. As best they could they kept the sounds of their pleasure quiet, occasionally covering the other's mouth with their hands to stifle the moans that threatened to come out. When they both came they pressed their mouths together muffling the cries of ecstasy. Afterwards, in the moments of soft caresses and kisses they whispered their love to each other before falling asleep.
The sound of a cat meowing strangely woke Bucky up and he looked on the bed for Jasper. Since the arrival of everyone the cat had made himself scarce, watching from a safe place instead of finding a warm lap to sit on. Now, his faint but urgent cries had wakened Bucky and he knew something was wrong. Quickly pulling his underwear and jeans on he opened the bedroom door quietly so as not to waken Julia and stepped out. Following the sound down to the kitchen he realized the cat was outside and he opened the curtains to see Jasper pawing at the deck door.
"What the ..." exhaled Bucky, as he unlocked the door and picked up the cold cat. "You're freezing."
Quickly he grabbed one of the throw blankets, covering the cat, and cradled Jasper against his chest, hoping his body heat would warm him. He sat on the couch and gently began to examine Jasper. As he feared the cat's ears were hard and unyielding to his touch as were his feet.
"How did you get outside?" he asked out loud. "Why didn't someone let you in?"
For at least half an hour he sat with Jasper, warming him and gently talking with the distressed animal. He heard the sound of a door opening upstairs and someone going to the bathroom. Then he heard them coming down the stairs and he turned to see Lydia. Startled to see him she came into the living room.
"What's wrong?" she asked, then she saw Jasper. "Is he okay?"
"I heard him crying in my sleep," he replied. "He was outside, probably all night. I think he froze his ears and possibly his feet. I've been using my body heat to warm him up but I think he needs to see a vet."
"Oh my god," she said, lifting her hand to her mouth. "He wanted out last night so I let him out. Then we went downstairs to settle the kids. I must have forgotten to let him in again." She started to cry. "This is my fault. Poor Jasper, I'm so sorry."
"Why don't you go get dressed, then come down and hold him while I get dressed," said Bucky. "I can drive us to the vet. There's an emergency one nearby, isn't there?"
"I'll look it up," said Lydia. "How could I have been so stupid to forget about him?"
"Don't blame yourself," said Bucky. "It's been a crazy week here."
Lydia went upstairs and Bucky continued to hold the cat. While he was sitting there he heard a soft knock at the front door. Still holding the cat he went to the door, opening it to see Thor standing there.
"I don't know the code to get into the other house," said Thor. "I was hoping you knew it." He noticed Bucky had no shirt on and was cradling the cat. "What happened?"
"The cat was accidentally left outside all night," said Bucky. "He's quite cold, likely has frostbite. I'm keeping him warm. Lydia is just getting dressed so we can take him to the vets."
A look of concern crossed Thor's face. "May I see him?" he asked.
Bucky stepped back and Thor entered, removing his jacket and shoes. Gently he took the cat from Bucky and cradled him stroking his head and back as he looked thoughtfully at the creature. Moving to the couch he removed the blanket and gently laid his hands on Jasper, first on his head and ears. Taking a deep breath he concentrated on the cat and Bucky watched as a soft glow emanated from Thor's hands transferring itself into the cat. Slowly he moved his hands down the cat's body, making sure he included Jasper's legs and feet. As the glow moved on to a new part of the body it faded from where it had been. Finally, he came to the tail and although the glow from his hands wasn't as strong as it had been on the head or body it still made the tail glow softly before fading.
"What did you do?" asked Lydia, who had come upon them just after Thor started.
"I have given him some of my life force," said Thor, quietly. "He's a small creature and didn't need much. It was the least I could do for your hospitality. He will be a little tired today, as will I, but tomorrow he should be back to normal."
"I didn't know you could do that," said Bucky quietly.
"It takes a toll on me," said Thor. "Loki could do it easily with magic but I have to give it directly. It shortens my life but for the amount this creature needed it would only amount to minutes, perhaps an hour at most. I would ask you to keep this to yourselves."
Lydia threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. Thor looked uncomfortable with the gesture but he accepted it. "Thank you so much," she said. "It was my fault he was left outside all night. I owe you so much."
"No, lovely lady," protested Thor. "It is I who owes you. I have been welcomed into your home openly and with pleasure. I had contemplated being alone this holiday season but instead have enjoyed being with a group of old and new friends. You have touched me."
"You're always welcome in our home," she said emotionally. "Not just here but in San Francisco. Now, let me at least make you breakfast, both of you. Both of my old boys."
Bucky smirked, then put his hand on Thor's shoulder as Lydia turned towards making breakfast. "I trust you enjoyed yourself last night," he said in a low voice so Lydia didn't hear. "You were gone when we returned to the bar."
A full smile erupted from Thor's face. "The two ladies were very accommodating," he admitted. "It has been some time since I was shown such ... hospitality. I would have stayed longer but they both had to get ready for work. Can you believe they are both police officers? Interesting place this Lake Tahoe. I will have to come and visit you more often."
"You're always welcome," said Bucky, then he stood up to return to his room to get dressed.
Quietly he entered the room and took a quick shower before changing into clean clothes. Julia still slept and Bucky kissed her head before leaving her to sleep more. Lydia had breakfast all ready for the three of them and they sat talking about many things. Thor told her about Asgard, his parents and brother. She listened raptly to his stories of growing up, then held his hand as he told her about the destruction of his home and relocation of his people to Norway. Much of it was new to Bucky as well as it had happened either before he escaped HYDRA or while he was still in Wakanda. It gave him some insight into the big man and the pressures he had faced being forced into a role he didn't want.
Sounds of people waking up downstairs made their way to the kitchen and Lydia quickly began making more breakfast for the horde of children that she knew were coming. Bucky watched as her grandchildren came up the stairs and received kisses and hugs from her. Even the Barton kids, Cass and AJ received quick hugs and inquiries about their sleep. Jake and John's kids remembered they were going skiing and began getting excited about that. Jordan looked at Lila.
"I don't have to go skiing if you want to just hang out," he said. "We can go bowling or swimming, if you brought a swimsuit."
"Bowling sounds fun," she said, looking at Bucky. "We would need someone to take us there."
"I'm sure your dad would love to," he replied. "Julia and I have some things to take care of for the wedding."
She accepted Bucky's observation and told Jordan she would ask her dad about driving them. He smiled at her and nodded. As the kids ate and the other adults got up people from the other house drifted over with breakfast dishes to contribute to the Devin's table. Lila asked her dad about bowling and he agreed it would be a good activity to do for those who weren't going skiing. He looked at Jordan critically.
"You'll show me the way to get there, I hope," he stated. "What else is there we can do here?"
Jordan rattled off a number of indoor and outdoor places they could go before Clint finally said he had heard enough. He smiled at both teenagers and shook his head. The rest of the adults finally started getting up and after some harassment from their children Jake and John got their families together for skiing. Janey's other kids, other than Jordan decided to go skiing as well so she made sure they had enough money for the ski rental and sent them on their way. Several of the adults, including Scott, Hope, Lydia and Bill said they would go bowling with the others so those cars were organized. Thor excused himself to get some sleep, Sam said he was spending the day with Anna, and Janey asked Sarah to go shopping. Shaun and Katy wandered in having only a few hours sleep after their all night karaoke session. They told Bucky that Rhodes was catching up on work emails and they were going back to bed. That left Bucky by himself in the now quiet house. It was late in the morning when Julia came down the stairs and kissed him good morning.
"Where is everyone?" she asked, surprised to see the house empty. He listed off what everyone was doing. "You were up awfully early. What was that about?"
"Jasper wanting company," said Bucky, deciding not to distress her about what really happened. "He's snoozing on the couch right now."
She took a deep breath. "Well, I guess that leaves you and me to do all the wedding errands today," she stated. "This has been a crazy week but I've liked having everyone here. My family and your friends really got along well together."
"Yeah, they did," replied Bucky, pulling her onto his lap. "Several have said they want to come and visit us here."
"They're always welcome," she repeated what her mother said, looking into his eyes. "We're so lucky to have these people in our lives."
"We are," he agreed. "As lucky as we are to have each other."
They kissed and as Julia made herself something to eat Bucky cleaned up what was left of the breakfast dishes. Then they got into the truck and did all the wedding errands; picking up the flowers and Bucky's suit, paying for the reception, confirming their wedding night accommodation, plus several other small but significant stops. By the time they arrived back home there was only a few hours before the rehearsal. Sam had already set up a cot in his room for Bucky to sleep, joking that after all those months of sleeping with Julia he would have a hard time sleeping without her. It was true, he did have trouble but only because he was eager for the next part of his life to begin; the part where he was legally and formally bound to a woman he loved, where they would buy the house next door and begin a family. For Bucky it couldn't happen soon enough.