Just a short and sweet chapter to help tide you guys over until I post a longer chapter later tonight. Enjoy…reviews are always appreciated. Thanks

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Friday Morning- Bucky's POV

When I reached my arm across the bed the next morning to pull Eden close to me, I found her side empty but still warm.

She hasn't been out of the bed too long.

I opened one eye and looked at the clock to see it was only 6:45. I didn't have to be awake for another 45 minutes but I rolled over and got out of bed to search for her. I could smell the freshly brewed coffee before I even opened the bedroom door so I knew she hadn't left the apartment.

I had always been a light sleeper…trained to be alert and aware of my surroundings at all times, so it bothered me that she could get out of bed so easily without me noticing. Before Eden, any small noise or movement would have awoken me from sleep.

You're slipping Bucky…getting too comfortable.

I shook those thoughts from my head…I deserved to get comfortable after the years of hell I had went through. Sleeping next to Eden provided the most relaxing, deep sleep I could imagine existed and her sheer presence kept the nightmares at bay.

I entered the living room and found her sitting in the chair next to the window, sipping her coffee with a smile. I watched her for a moment…feet curled under her, hair still in a messy bun, her small hands wrapped around the cup of coffee as she closed her eyes and inhaled the aroma.

She's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

I made my way over to where Eden was sitting and she turned when she heard my approaching footsteps. Her smile brightened and she placed her coffee cup on the window sill and stood up.

"Good Morning" she said, reaching out to wrap her arms around my neck and pull me in for a kiss.

"Good Morning…you're up pretty early" I replied as she pulled away and picked her coffee back up.

"Yeah, I couldn't sleep anymore…there is a lot of stuff I want to get done today before we leave tomorrow. I need to get started on my clients early so I can be finished before noon. I want to clean the house and do the laundry and then later I was planning on going out to get a present for Lilah. Would it be okay if I dropped you off at work this morning so I can keep the car? I can pick you up when I'm done shopping and then maybe we can get a bite to eat"

I nodded my head, "Sounds good. I'll be done today by 2:00"

The birthday party for Jill's niece was tomorrow afternoon and I was a little nervous about going. When I heard Eden telling Jill on the phone last night that she would love to visit her this weekend, I was initially disappointed. I didn't want to be away from her…not even for one day. It was a pleasant surprise when I heard her ask Jill if it was okay if she brought me with her.

I don't have anything against kids…I just haven't had many opportunities to be around them. In my mind, most children would be scared of a guy with a metal arm…who could blame them, I was a scary guy. Before leaving for the war, I was looking for the right woman to start a life with. I always planned to get married one day and looked forward to having a house full of kids…boys and girls who would be just like me. After Steve had helped me to start to remember who I was, I knew that dream would be lost to me forever. I had given up the idea of having a family of my own until I met Eden.

She smiled before turning away from me and looking back out the window. I came up behind her and let my hands rest on her shoulders, pulling her back against my chest. The sun was just starting to rise and it looked like it was going to be a beautiful day. I heard her sigh and I looked down at her face as she stared out the window.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?' she said softly, watching the sunrise in awe.

"Yes" I said back. I wasn't talking about just the sunrise…that comment was meant for her too. I had spent the last two days thinking hard on the words Eden had said to me on Tuesday.

I had told Eden that the Winter Soldier was still there…still inside my head, just under the surface. I fully expected her to be upset and even shocked when I told her that he loved her to. In the end, it was me that was surprised by her reaction.

"He helped make you the man you are today…and I can tell you right now Bucky, I like the man sitting in front of me"

"I guess it's safe to say that I fell in love with both of you"

Those words had been echoing in my head that night and every night since then. I don't know what I had done to deserve her, but by God, I would make sure I spent the rest of my life making her happy.

"I want to be a part of your future"

She had no idea how much it meant to me to hear those words from her mouth. I desperately wanted her to be a part of my future too. I had spent the last week running a ridiculous notion through my head. It was so ridiculous in fact, that I hadn't even told Steve what I had been contemplating. I just assumed he would think I was crazy to be considering asking such an important question after such a short amount of time. I knew how I wanted the rest of my life to play out…there was no doubt in my mind. For now, I would keep my thoughts to myself and just enjoy each moment and each experience with Eden.

"I love you" she said softly, turning her face up to look at me.

"I love you too…more than you could ever know" I said, brushing my lips lightly against her forehead.

We stood in front of that window until the sun had completely risen. It was the perfect way to start the day.