The sound of AJ and Cass arguing as they stepped into Sam's room awakened Bucky. They were each claiming custody of a tie to wear for the wedding and were going to wake Sam to settle the argument. He sat up in bed and glared at the boys.
"You know that Uncle Bucky was sleeping here, right?" he said. "The wedding isn't for ..." He peered at his cell phone. "...seven hours and you thought it would be okay to come in here and wake us both up to settle your argument?"
"It's okay," said Bucky. "I should get up anyways. Make sure my shirt is ironed and all that. Did either of you notice if it was nice out?"
"It's sunny," said Cass. "But much colder than yesterday. Uncle Bucky, how did you know you wanted to get married?"
He sat on the cot looking at the boy. "I guess when I didn't want to leave here and come back to Louisiana," he said. "As much as I liked hanging out with you guys I wanted to stay with Julia more."
Cass nodded. "I like Aunt Julia," he declared. "She's very nice and makes everyone feel welcome. Maybe we can visit you in the summer when it's warmer."
"I would like that," replied Bucky, smiling.
"Boys, let Uncle Bucky and I wake up properly," said Sam. "I'll help find the missing tie and you can decide then which one you're wearing. Go on now." They left and Sam looked at Bucky. "Today's the day. Julia said I could invite Anna for the ceremony and the reception. Did you know she was setting me up?"
"She mentioned she might try before we went skating," admitted Bucky. "I think she went with whoever was at the rink. You like Anna."
"Yeah, I do," he replied. "She wasn't here when I was helping you out with the repairs. Arrived for a temporary accounting job about a week after I left then met Julia a week after that. Told her all about me and what a good guy I was."
"She didn't tell me that," said Bucky, smiling. "But you are a good guy. Julia said so and you know she's perceptive. Are you angry with her?"
"Hell no," laughed Sam. "We clicked at the rink and even more at the bar. I definitely want to keep seeing her when she returns to Mobile."
Bucky offered his fist to Sam, happy for him, and received a fist bump in return. By the time they both got dressed the whole household was up and eating breakfast. Bucky put up with some good natured ribbing from his Avengers teammates about balls and chains, leashes, and other teasing comments on married life. Laura Barton leaned towards him.
"Don't listen to them," she said loudly enough for them all to hear. "I'm the best thing that ever happened to Clint and he knows it. You're marrying a wonderful woman and I think you'll both be very happy together."
Bucky smiled at her and drank his coffee, noticing that Clint wasn't disagreeing with her. He had already made known his feelings on that first mission when he picked Bucky up at the airport, complimenting him on finding someone. When he finished eating he went back to the room and opened the suit bag, checking once again to make sure everything was how it should be. He pulled out the dress shirt and noted that it had already been pressed and looked crisp. All he had to do to get ready was have a shower, a close shave, and get dressed. There was a knock on the door and he opened it to find Janey.
"Hi, everything okay?" he asked.
"Yes ... well no," she said, then she looked away for a moment. "Julia is having a bit of a meltdown. It's been a long time since she had one, just after the divorce actually. I know you're not supposed to see each other before the wedding but she's insisting that only you can help her. Are you okay with her coming up and seeing you? She's downstairs waiting."
"Yeah, I'll see her," he said. "I've actually helped her through a couple already. What brought this on?"
"Let her tell you," said Janey. "Really, it's just her emotions catching up with her and overwhelming her."
Janey stood up and brought Julia in, leaving her with Bucky while she closed the door. He could see she had been crying and he put his arms out to her.
"What's wrong?" he asked gently. "Why the tears?"
"I hardly slept last night," she said emotionally. "I was missing you so much. Then I finally fell asleep and had a dream where during the ceremony you got a call for a mission and had to leave me at the altar before saying "I do." I woke up crying. I know I'm being silly but I just couldn't shake it and this whole morning I've been waiting to hear that you have to leave."
She began to cry again and Bucky moved some things from a chair in the bedroom. He picked her up in his arms and sat in the chair, curling her up into his lap. He didn't say anything at first, just stroked her hair and pressed his lips against her forehead.
"Remember when I got emotional when I realized that I loved you?" he began. "You told me about your fears leading to some OCD behaviours. Do remember what you told me you did to get over those fears?"
"Yeah," she sniffed. "I voiced them out loud, over and over again. Do you think I should do that?"
"No, instead of voicing your fears I want to hear you affirm what is going to happen today," he said gently. She raised her head and looked at him. "Repeat after me. Today I am going to marry Bucky."
"Today, I am going to marry Bucky," she repeated.
"We are going to stand in front of the officiant and declare our love for each other." She repeated it. "We will kiss each other in front of our family and friends." She repeated that. "Then we'll have a big party and dance, having a great time." She said the words, waiting for the next declaration. "Then we will go to a special place for our wedding night and make love." Smiling, she repeated the words. "Then we will begin our married life together." Julia said the words. "When Bucky does get called on a mission, whenever that is, I know that he will come back to me." She hesitated but he smiled at her to encourage her to say it. "Because he loves me more than anything and will always come home to me." She said the final words and Bucky kissed her tenderly.
"Take a deep breath and tell me how you feel," he said.
Julia took a deep breath, then another and looked at him as if he was a genius. "Much better," she said, then laid her head on his shoulder.
Bucky kissed her forehead again and stroked her hair. After a time her breathing became regular and he could tell she was calmer. Finally she sat up and looked at him.
"Thank you," she said smiling. "You helped me through a meltdown once again. I feel a little stupid." Bucky gave her a look. "I felt a little stupid but I'm good now. I'll leave you to get ready."
"Just a few more hours," said Bucky gently. "Then we'll be married and you won't sleep alone again."
"Except for when you're on a mission," reminded Julia, to which Bucky nodded. "But then you'll come home to me and it will be wonderful when you do."
She hugged him hard, kissed him again and stood up. He walked her through the bedroom door and downstairs to where Janey was. Her sister smiled at Bucky with appreciation and they left.
"Cold feet?" asked Rhodes, sympathetically.
"No, occasionally she gets overwhelmed," said Bucky. "It's part of her autism. She feels things differently sometimes. I've dealt with it before. I just have to help her see things in a different light. It will be better when this day is over."
"I'm glad you understand her," said Sarah, gently. "It seems like she needs you as much as you need her."
Bucky smiled at Sarah, knowing she had read the situation well. "I was quite broken after HYDRA. Julia helps me feel normal. If she has a meltdown every once in a while I don't mind sitting with her and helping her through it. That's part of what marriage is, isn't it?"
Everyone smiled kindly at him and nodded their heads. Laura and Sarah made some snacks for everyone and they all talked about various Avengers missions they had been on together. Then Sam stood up and looked at everyone.
"It's time to get ready," he said. "I don't know about all of you but I'm really looking forward to this."
Rhodey brought out some shot glasses and poured a shot of bourbon for all the adults. "Here's to Bucky Barnes who proved that you can't keep a good man down," he said solemnly, looking Bucky in the eyes. "He's found a wonderful woman, a good place to raise a family, and from what I've heard the respect of many people living here. You already have our respect. Bucky, you deserve this. Good luck to you and Julia in your life together."
They all downed the shot and then the men shook his hand while the women hugged him. He went upstairs, had his shower and shaved. Then he began putting his wedding suit on. Dark charcoal in colour, he wore a white shirt and dark grey tie with it. On someone else it might have looked severe but on Bucky it accentuated his dark and handsome features, especially his blue eyes. As he tied his black shoes up Sam came into the room and stopped.
"Wow," he said. "That's some suit."
"Julia chose it," said Bucky. "I thought it was too dark for a wedding but she said I looked more handsome in it than any other suit I tried on."
"I think she's right," said Sam. "But don't take my word for it. Janey brought the boutonnières over. I'm sure the women downstairs will fall all over themselves to pin it on you."
Bucky grinned slightly and left Sam to go downstairs. The women were still getting ready but a couple of the men were there and they said the same as Sam. Julia had chosen well. Sarah was the first woman to be ready and she walked around Bucky, inspecting him closely. Bucky handed her the boutonnière and she smiled before expertly attaching it to his lapel. When Sam came down in his dark grey suit she nodded her approval and fastened his boutonnière. Bucky received a text on his phone.
"We can go over now," he said. "Everyone else is there. They want us to come in through the front door."
Sam and Bucky led the way and walked to the front door of the Devin house. There were several doormats already laid out so everyone could clean their feet before entering. When Sam and Bucky entered Julia's brother John led them to the upper family room to wait. The Justice of the Peace was there and shook their hands. He confirmed Bucky had the marriage licence and Sam had the ring. The others were escorted by the older nephews to the living room where all the furniture had been cleared out and chairs set up. A classical guitarist was in the corner providing background music. When the Justice of the Peace walked to the front he nodded at the guitarist who began playing Fields of Gold by Sting. Slowly Bucky walked from the family room to the living room to take his place in front of everyone. Sam went to the bottom of the stairs and took Janey's arm as she was Julia's matron of honour. They walked slowly to the front where they split apart and Sam stood beside Bucky. Then everyone was asked to rise. The guitarist began playing Grow Old With Me by John Lennon and Julia came down the stairs to take the arms of her parents. Bucky felt a lump of emotion in his throat when he saw her. Her dress was simple; a boat neck with short sleeves, and plain bodice that fit her closely. The lower part of the dress flowed from the waist encircled by a thin beaded waistband. Her short train trailed behind her. Wearing a flowered headband with white sweetheart roses and carrying a small bouquet, also with white sweetheart roses made her look like the most beautiful bride in the world to Bucky. She wore his gift of the pearl necklace and pearl drop earrings which totally completed the look. When the three of them reached him Bill shook Bucky's hand then put Julia's hand in his while Lydia kissed him on the cheek. Then they stepped back and everyone else sat down.
After all the greetings to those assembled the Justice of the Peace spoke. "We are gathered here to witness the joining of these two individuals," he began, "Julia Anne Devin and James Buchanan Barnes. Before we begin does anyone have an objection to this couple marrying?"
There was no objection and he looked at Bill and Lydia. "Who gives this woman to this man in marriage?" he asked.
"We both do, with love," said Bill and Lydia together, smiling at the couple, before taking their seats.
"Bucky would you say your vows to Julia at this time?" asked the Justice of the Peace.
Bucky looked down at Julia and took both of her hands in his. "Our first time speaking with each other didn't go well. In fact, it was disastrous and I left you standing almost at this exact spot. I went for a run to work off my anxiety. When I returned you were sitting on the step next door with a plate of cookies. We started over and within days I knew I wanted to stay here with you. I recognized that you had a gentle soul, with a great capacity to love and to be loved in return. I vow to be the one who loves you, to accept and cherish your love for me, to be faithful and truthful, to protect you from harm and to support you in life until death do us part."
"Julia, will you say your vows to Bucky?" asked the Justice of the Peace.
She looked up at Bucky and smiled. "That day we met was quite the day," she began. "My marriage had ended, I had lost some contracts, and just wanted to be alone in my misery. Then my cat dropped a mouse on me and I screamed. The next thing I knew you, this incredibly handsome man, had jumped over the deck, and ran to my aid. You laughed at me and I analyzed you, offending you in the process. So I baked you some cookies by way of apology and you accepted them after apologizing yourself. Like you said, we started over, became friends, and within days I wanted you to kiss me. When you did, it was really good." There was some laughter. "When you first asked if you could live with me I panicked a little. I was afraid of opening myself up again but you were so patient, and kind, that when I did open my heart to you I found the true love of my life. You've been in my heart ever since and I have never felt so loved, or safe, as I have with you. I promise to love you, to be true and faithful to you, to be your anchor to the normal life you've always wanted, to support you when you're on a mission, to be here upon your return, to have children with you ... " Julia's voice trembled for a moment. "... and to grow old with you until death separates us."
Bucky smiled fondly at her, and wiped away her tears before wiping his own away. "The symbol of eternity is a circle, as it has no ending and no beginning," said the Justice. "As these two people have made their vows for eternity they will now seal them with the exchange of rings, the physical manifestation of a circle. If I could have the rings, please?" Sam and Janey gave him the rings and he handed Bucky the ring for Julia. "Bucky, would you place this ring on Julia's ring finger and repeat after me?"
The Justice said the vow and Bucky repeated it as he placed Julia's ring on her finger. "With this ring, I thee wed and pledge you my love now and forever," said Bucky, looking intently at her.
The Justice gave Julia Bucky's ring and said the vow for her to repeat. She took Bucky's right hand in hers and placed the ring on the ring finger of that hand. "With this ring, I thee wed and pledge you my love now and forever," she said, looking up at him.
"By the authority vested in me by the State of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife," said the Justice with a smile. "You may now complete the ceremony by the sharing of a kiss."
With a smile, Bucky cupped her face with his right hand and bent over her kissing her tenderly, before pulling her closer to him with his left arm. She embraced him in return then laid her head on his chest after the kiss. Everyone clapped. As they signed the register with Sam and Janey, the guitarist played some Vivaldi. Then the Justice of the Peace came to address the assembly once more.
"Normally, at this time I would introduce the married couple and they would walk down the aisle and out the ceremony location to be celebrated by the guests as they followed," he began. "Since we're in a private home and it's very cold outside Julia and Bucky suggested they stay up here and you come up to give them your congratulations. After which you can retreat to the family room which has been set up with refreshments. Then this area will be cleared and you will have the main floor to circulate until it is time for the reception. Can I just say that this wedding has been memorable not just for those in attendance but also for the level of love and support that has been shown this couple. They are truly a match made in heaven. So, without further ado, it is my pleasure to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Barnes, Bucky and Julia."
He stepped back while Bucky and Julia stepped forward. Her parents came forward first, hugging and kissing both of them, followed by Rhodes, and Thor. Alternating between family and Avengers they received the congratulations of everyone there. When the last ones had retreated to the family room, a small army of the kids in attendance came and folded up most of the chairs, leaving only those around the perimeter. The photographer took pictures of the wedding party in front of the tall Christmas tree which had formed the backdrop of their wedding. With the living room clear more people came back in, including Julia's brother John with a double scotch for Bucky and Sam. Jake brought a drink for Julia and Janey.
"At last I can tell my friends that my brother is an Avenger," said Jake. "All kidding aside, you are my brother now, Bucky. Welcome to the family."
"Thank you," said Bucky, genuinely touched. "I'll do my best to live up to your high standards."
Julia burst out laughing, knowing how her brother could be. He tried to look offended but he couldn't pull it off and instead kissed his sister on the cheek. Bucky looked down at her at almost the same moment she looked up at him.
"You looked beautiful today," he said softly. "I don't think I'll ever forget how you looked when you came down the stairs."
"Thank you," she coloured slightly. "I almost cried when I saw you, you're so handsome. Now to get through tonight."
"Piece of cake," replied Bucky. "You'll be fine because I'll be with you."
He took her hand and squeezed it. The photographer came and said they should be heading out to the indoor garden centre for the photos. Bucky nodded and went to get Sam. Janey went to get her and Julia's coat. Bill got everyone's attention.
"We have to go and take some photos," he said. "Stay here, eat our food, drink our booze ... responsibly. Cocktails at the burger bar at 5. Dinner is at 6 and then we'll have a great party. Thank you all for making this memorable. I don't think we've ever had this many people in our house. See you all later."
The wedding party was followed outside to where Bucky's truck waited. He laughed when he saw Greg standing next to the truck which had been covered in ribbons and balloons and Just Married written in washable paint on the rear window.
"This better not peel any paint," said Greg, with a big smile. "Congratulations again, you two."
He opened the back door for Bucky and Julia to get inside and they were suddenly covered in edible confetti. While Sam and Janey got into the front Bucky pulled Julia close and kissed her passionately before helping her inside, providing a perfect opportunity to those taking pictures. With Sam honking the horn they pulled out onto the highway followed by Julia's parents and the photographer. On the highway to South Lake Tahoe every oncoming vehicle honked their horns at them, celebrating the day. When they arrived at the indoor garden centre the last few customers were just leaving and the wedding party was ushered in. Amongst the Christmas flower displays and indoor fountains that were set up to tempt customers to begin planning their summer yards the couple were posed and positioned in order to take advantage of the beautiful indoor scenery. As it grew darker outside the owners of the garden centre turned on fairy lights that had been draped everywhere. The photographer smiled broadly and took some photos that bathed them both in the glow of the lights. The others waited patiently thinking the resulting photos would be beautiful. When everyone was satisfied it was time to go to the reception. A parking spot had been reserved for them and as they stepped out of the truck word was given inside that they had arrived. Bill and Lydia parked then took the coats from Janey and Julia.
"Time for your grand entrance," said Lydia. "Make it good."
Sam looked at Bucky and Julia. "What song are we walking in with?" he asked.
"All You Need Is Love," said Bucky. "What can I say, Julia likes the Beatles."
"Works for me," said Sam, with a smile.
They waited for their MC, Jake, to announce their arrival then they heard the opening sounds of the strings and began walking in holding hands with Sam and Janey. There was clapping and cheering and they walked the perimeter of the room. Someone started singing along with the song and before they knew it everyone was singing along. By the time they reached the head table Julia was laughing and Bucky had a big smile on his face. The song finally ended and they took their seats. Jake took the mike and looked out over everyone.
"Thank you all for coming out to the reception of my baby sister, Julia, and my new brother Bucky," he began. "As most of you know Bucky is a little famous, being one of several people, also here tonight, that risk their lives for the betterment of mankind. Twice, Bucky and the other Avengers, faced off against Thanos and his band of extra-terrestrial thugs, coming out victorious the second time. Bucky, or as I like to call him, The Muscle, has proven to be the perfect man for my sister. I met him, along with my brother John and sister Janey, just a few days after he met Julia and we could tell even then that there was something special between them. That it has resulted in them getting married has pleased us immensely as we all can see how much love there is between them. So, I am going to propose the first toast before we begin our meal. They say you don't marry the person you can live with, you marry the person you can't live without. That sums up Julia and Bucky perfectly. To the happy couple!"
The toast was repeated and the meal was served. Throughout there were calls for kisses, which Bucky and Julia obliged. After the meal there were more speeches congratulating the couple until it was finally Bucky and Julia's turn. He stood with his arm around her and looked at everyone.
"I haven't had the easiest of lives," he began. "But meeting Julia and deciding to stay here with her then get married were two of the easiest and best decisions I ever made. You see, with her I feel normal, like I used to before the war. I feel like a man, a good man, her man. When I look at Julia I see total and unconditional love being given to me and it will be my goal to be deserving of that love as we grow old together."
He tenderly kissed her and she wrapped her arms around him. Jake announced that the band would be starting up in 15 minutes. There was a lot of mingling and Bucky found himself with a double scotch courtesy of Jake, who hugged him for what he said. Finally the time for their first dance arrived and the lead singer asked everyone to take their seats.
"We're going to slow the tempo down on this one a little," he said, then the drummer counted down and the lead guitarist began the opening chords of And I Love Her by the Beatles.
Bucky glided over the dance floor, his eyes only on Julia. Even though many in attendance had seen him dancing in the venue before, to watch him and Julia alone on the dance floor was something different as they saw a graceful couple in perfect harmony with each other. They stepped forward and back, side to side, as Bucky showed how it was done old school. When the song was finished they received a standing ovation and he lifted her up off the floor to kiss her. Throughout the evening, even when dancing with friends and family members they always had eyes for each other. After the cake cutting and bouquet throw Julia placed her hand in Bucky's and looked at him.
"You want to go?" he asked, reading her perfectly. "Okay. Let's say goodbye to everyone then I'll get your coat and our bags."
The announcement was made, the goodbyes said, and Bucky helped Julia on with her coat. No one complained about them leaving the party early. They went out to the truck, followed by the closest family and friends. As they pulled out of the parking lot, Bucky kissed her left hand and received the loving look from her that would please him for the rest of their married life. They were happy.