A slightly short chapter but I wanted to post something for you guys since I kept you waiting so long before. Feedback is welcome as always...and please let me know what direction you would like to see the story take. The wedding is here...the proposal idea has been put in place...Christmas is right around the corner...Kaine is coming! I think I have decided how I want the big battle to happen and I'll tell you this, I think it's going to keep you guys on your toes.

The end is near...

-ECorley

Eden POV

"Goodnight you two...try to behave yourselves" I said in a sing song voice as I watched Brooke and Steve make their way down the hallway towards the stairs. Brooke's right hand was clasped tightly in Steve's but that didn't keep her from holding up her left and giving me the finger.

"Brooke", I heard Steve chide softly.

"What?! She started it..." Brooke's voice faded out as they reached the end of the hallway. Steve threw his hand up in a wave before they disappeared down the stairs. I let out a chuckle before closing the door and sliding the lock into place.

I smiled at the closed door for a moment before reaching over and flipping the light switch off. The room was quickly cast into darkness...the only light in the room coming from the moon shining in through one window where the curtain was still drawn back. Bucky was sitting on the couch, perfectly still and watching me through hooded eyes. The moonlight shining through the window was casting an almost an angelic glow over him. Well, it seemed that way to me at least. Anyone who didn't know him like I did might say he looked like some evil entity lurking in the shadows...the Winter Soldier waiting in the darkness like the boogeyman.

I knew better.

"Well that was fun" I said, breaking the silence and making my way over to the couch.

He nodded his head and gave me a small smile before lifting his right arm so I could scoot in against him. I draped my arm across Bucky's stomach and then let my head rest on his chest...smiling to myself as I listened to the steady beat of his heart. I felt him shift ever so slightly and then soft lips brushed across my forehead. I closed my eyes, relaxing completely against his warm body and finally realizing exactly how tired I was. Training...working...preparing for the holidays...I needed a break from everything before I completely crashed.

We sat in silence for a few moments before Bucky finally spoke up, "I'm talking to Fury tomorrow"

I raised my head from his chest to look up at him, "About what?"

"About making tomorrow my last day training until the New Year" he said.

I should have known he was going to decide to do that the moment I told him I was taking time off from training. Part of me was actually happy to hear him say that. The next three weeks were going to be busy for us...a wedding...meeting my parents...Christmas...New Year. The idea of having him entirely to myself was exactly what I wanted. At the same time though, I knew Bucky's life had been changing dramatically the last few months...him and I meeting, remembering his past, making a new future, finding his place in this new world. I knew it was overwhelming at times for him. Working for SHIELD, training Roland, gave Bucky a sense of purpose and that was something I didn't want him to miss out on.

I took a deep breath before answering, "Bucky...you don't have to do that. I know that training is important to..."

He cut me off, "Not as important as you..."

I smiled. I couldn't help it. Hearing someone you care about...hell, hearing anybody say that there is nothing more important that you would bring a smile to someone's face.

"... and besides, Roland is ready Eden. There isn't much more that I can teach him. I'm going to inform Fury tomorrow that it is my recommendation that Roland is ready for active duty. He's been working so hard..."

I sat back and watched Bucky as he talked about Roland and all that he had accomplished during his training. As he spoke, I noted the pride Bucky exuded. His first trainee had been a success, despite the entire mess with Christine. I had to admit, I agreed with Bucky...Roland was ready. Sparring with him on Monday had been an interesting experience. Fighting with Clint had become second nature because we had been working together for a while. Roland fought with skills learned from Bucky but there was also something else there, a part of himself mixed in and it had been new and exhilarating.

"Yeah, I got to admit he's a pretty good fighter. He might even give you a run for your money one day old man" I said, nudging him playfully in the stomach.

Bucky let out a grunt of disapproval as my elbow connected with his abdomen, "Old man?! Did you just call me an old man?" he said, twisting to face me and then grabbing me around the waist playfully.

All I could do was giggle and try to twist away, "If the shoe fits..."

With a growl, Bucky stood up, pulling me up in the process and flinging me over his shoulder. I was laughing, struggling against his hold as he carried me from the living room and down the hallway to the bedroom. I heard him let out a grunt as I smacked him hard on the ass and tried to wiggle my way out of his arms. His metal arm wrapped tighter around my legs until I could no longer kick my feet and finally resigned to letting him carry me into our bedroom.

"Could an old man do this?" he said chuckling as he kicked the bedroom door shut and then tossed me on the bed.

I sat up quickly, pushing my hair out of my face and trying to get my laughing under control. Bucky was facing me, hands at his side, eyes narrowed on me.

"Take it back Eden Paige" Bucky said, pointing a finger at me, a small smirk on his lips.

"Take what back? That you're old? It's not a lie, your pushing nearly a 100" I said playfully.

I let out a yelp as he stalked towards the bed, scooting away until I felt the wooden headboard against my back. Bucky crawled onto the bed in front of me, seizing one of my wrists in each of his hands...the cool metal of his left and the heat from his right sending shivers down my back. He jerked me forward until we were face to face, his eyes locked on mine.

"Take. It. Back" he said each word slow and precise, his lips just an inch from my own.

I shook my head slowly, a small smirk of my own forming on my lips, "Nope" I said, popping the p at the end.

The next words out of his mouth send a warm rush of heat through my body...directly to all the right places.

He leaned forward, the scruff on his face grazing my cheek as he whispered in my ear, "Do I need to prove I'm not old?"

He pulled back and looked at me, waiting for my reaction. I nodded my head and leaned in for a kiss but felt him instantly release my wrists and pull away.

"Well too bad" he said, standing up from the bed. He shot me a coy smile before making his way over the bathroom and shutting the door.

I sat there for a second in shock before laughing to myself and jumping off the bed. I walked over to the bathroom door and knocked, "I won't fall for that again" I said, repeating the words Bucky had said to me weeks ago when he had fallen for a similar ruse.

All I heard on the other side of the door was the water running in the sink and a deep chuckle from Bucky.

"Jerk!" I said loudly, smacking my hand on the wooden door once before turning around to head to the dresser to get ready for bed.

I had just pulled a sleep shirt out of the drawer when I heard the door to the bathroom open again. I turned around quickly to see Bucky poking his head halfway out, toothbrush in hand.

"Punk!" he said, before slamming the door shut again.

"James Buchanan Barnes, I'm gonna get you" I said to myself as I discarded my clothes and slipped on the night shirt.

While I waited for him to finish up in the bathroom, I pulled the covers back and set my alarm for the next morning. It was going to be a busy day tomorrow. I had three big clients I needed to finish up tomorrow before sending out the email to let my customers know I was done for the rest of the year. I still needed to pack mine and Bucky's suitcase so we could head home for Jill's wedding this weekend. During dinner tonight, Bucky and Steve had agreed they would go tomorrow afternoon with Brooke to find something nice to wear to the wedding so that was one thing off the list of things that needed to be done. I knew Brooke would make sure both of the boys looked good, her taste was impeccable.

I was reading the news on my phone when the door to the bathroom finally opened and Bucky walked out. I looked up from my phone and saw him smile and wink at me before he started to undress and throw his clothes into the basket by the dresser

I stuck my tongue out at him and got up from the bed to head to the bathroom. Once I had brushed my teeth and used the bathroom, I flipped off the light and headed back into the bedroom. Bucky had already turned off the lights and was in the bed, scrolling through his own phone. As soon as I crawled into bed with him, he placed his phone on the side table and rolled over to face me. I quickly rolled over and scooted away from him as far as I could go, smiling as I heard him let out a long sigh. Minutes passed and I laid curled up on the edge of my side of the bed, leaving a large amount of space between myself and Bucky. I was smiling to myself, resolute that I would not be the one to give in this time.

I nearly laughed out loud when Bucky began to clear his throat, showing his obvious annoyance at the game I was playing. I heard him let out another long sigh and mumble to himself before wrapping his arm around my waist and dragging me towards him. I let out a yelp as my back collided with a muscled chest. I didn't struggle against him or try to pull away. I was exactly where I wanted to be at that moment...in bed with the man I love.

We laid in silence, my hand resting over Bucky's arm and his face nuzzled into my neck...his scruff grazing against the most sensitive skin. We lay there, the stillness and silence of the night lulling me into sleep.

"Night Bucky" I mumbled sleepily, pushing myself back more and pulling the blanket up to my chin.

I felt another brush of lips against my neck and Bucky's body relax even further against mine, "Goodnight Eden" he whispered into my ear.

It didn't take long for me to fall in a deep and comfortable sleep.

Bucky POV

I was already wide awake long before my alarm was set to go off. I was lying on my back, staring up at the ceiling and thinking about the woman lying only a foot away from me. I raised my head and glanced over at Eden. In the middle of the night, she had rolled over, pulling herself from my grasp but still managing to stay close to me. She was now lying on her side facing me, her hair shrouding most of her face. I rolled towards her and brushed the hair off her face and over her shoulder. I watched as she slept, thinking about all the things the next 3 weeks held for us.

I was going straight to Fury's office this morning to speak to him about Roland. My trainee had learned all he could from me...he was ready. Roland had worked hard and earned every ounce of respect I had for him. He would make a great agent for SHIELD. I was proud of all he had accomplished in my time working with him and I knew to expect great things from him in the future. I had no worries about approaching Fury about ending my training with Roland. In the months I had been working for SHIELD, the Director had never once shown any distrust in me. I was a great solider and he knew deep down I would train other great soldiers for him.

Eden let out a soft moan in her sleep and it drew my attention to her once again. Tomorrow morning we would leave for the weekend to head to her hometown for Jill's wedding. I was surprised at how comfortable I had become with the idea of attending the wedding this weekend. Generally the idea of spending any significant amount of time around a large group of people, especially strangers, put me on edge. For some reason though, I was okay with it this time...maybe because I wouldn't be alone in it all since Brooke, Steve, Clint and of course Eden would be there...or maybe because it was important to Eden and that meant it was important to me...either way, I was strangely fine with it all.

After training with Roland today I would be meeting Steve and Brooke to go shopping for something to wear at the wedding this weekend. I cared nothing about shopping but I had already decided that today was going to be the day I looked for the ring I wanted to buy for my proposal to Eden. It was finally time to tell Steve what I was planning and I knew he was going to be happy for me. I could already picture how excited Brooke was going to be when I told her the time had finally come for her to help me pick out the perfect ring.

Despite the threat of Milton Kaine...despite my past as the Winter Soldier...despite all the pain I had experienced and caused...I knew none of it mattered because I had her...my sweet Eden.

I reached over and ran my fingers across her cheeks, smiling when she stirred slowly awake and opened her eyes. She blinked a few times and reached up to rub her eyes before raising her arms up in a stretch.

"What time is it?" she yawned.

"Still early, 7:00am" I said, shifting on my back once again as she scooted up against my body and laid her head on my chest.

She let out a groan, "It's too early" she said, reaching down and pulling the covers over her head.

I let out a laugh and reached up to pull the blanket back down slowly, "Don't you have a lot to work on today?" I asked gently.

She let out a moan of frustration but kept her eyes closed, "Yes"

"Don't you want to get it over with and finish packing for tomorrow?" I said softly.

A few seconds passed and she didn't speak, only nodded her head slowly, her eyes still squeezed tightly shut.

I finally leaned down and kissed her forehead...Eden definitely did not enjoy waking up early but I knew she would be mad at herself later if she wasted her morning away instead of finishing up her work.

"Tell you what...after I finish with Steve and Brooke this afternoon, I'll come home and help you pack and then you and I are going to have a date night...alone" I said.

That piqued her interest and she opened her eyes slowly and looked up at me. Lately, we had been going on double dates with Steve and Brooke. It had been weeks since her and I had went out and did something alone.

"Really?" she asked.

"Really" I replied.

That got her in gear. She suddenly threw the covers back and sat up in bed...leaning over to kiss me on the cheek before jumping out of bed...leaving me to watch as she pranced off into the bathroom.

I shook my head as I heard the water in the shower suddenly turn on. I got out of bed and stretched before making my way to the bathroom door and testing the door knob. I smiled when I realized she had left it unlocked and took that as an invitation. I entered quietly and shut the door behind me, leaning against it as the steam from the shower filled the room. I could hear humming coming from the shower and slipped out of my boxers before making my way to the glass door. I eased it open but the cool air hit Eden's skin suddenly and she turned around, a coy smile on her face.

"What took you so long?" she said slyly. She reached her hand out to me and I took it, feeling her tug me inside the shower with her.

Yeah Bucky, you're exactly where you need to be.