Part 11

The early morning sun was already well risen now and the grass around the house shone like it had its own gentle glow from within. Dawn had come with a musical silence, the soul hearing a melody that the ears could not. A new day had come, new possibilities for the family had arrived. Bucky Barnes was home and a fresh page in their story was ready to be written. A new start for them all. Together at last . It was just after 6am now and the glowing beaming rays of the morning sun literally kissed little Rebecca Barnes awake. Beams of warm sunlight peeped through the draw blinds of her room, casting thin golden stripes across her sleeping angelic face. After several minutes the little girl opened her eyes, let out a yawn and smiled

"Good morning Belle. Today is going to be a good day I know it" sitting up quickly the little girl stretched her arms up high and kissed her favourite teddy on the head "I have an idea...let's go and check on mama and Papa before we go practice... Shhh . we have to be very quiet remember.. Let's go"

There is something so intoxicating about an excited child. They bounce a squeal happily as they run with so much energy inside them. As the grin gets wider, everyone around them just can't help but smile. With her father now home, this was Rebecca right now. Literally bursting with liquid sunshine at the joy of finally having her Papa back once and for all. Routine was very important to Rebecca still now and although Bucky was back, she was determined to carry on with her early morning training routine. Since moving into the house, she usually woke up at just before 6am and would head to the huge barn next to the house to practice. Usually she would focus on several hours of gymnastics before attempting the climbing wall that her big brother had helped her create not long after the family moved in. With the rest of the house normally not waking up till at least 9am, this gave her the time and space to focus on her powers and train the "gifts" that she always said that her father had given her. On the day he taken, Rebecca vowed to use his gifts to the very best of her ability and promised to make him proud of her, wherever he was.

Creeping down the hall, the little girl soon now found herself standing in front of the door to her mothers room. The door wasnt fully closed and was propped open a jar. She had remembered spotting her father making a bed on the sofa before she went to bed last night but as she stood looking at the door, something inside her was telling her to go in. Still feeling drawn to the room, she slowly pushed open the door as the bright sunlight from the open window opposite soon filled the room. Rebecca's serum induced instincts began to kick in as she tucked her Teddy under her arm and slowly crept inside. There curled up on the huge oak pine bed lay Brogan and Bucky still fast asleep. Bucky was lying on his back, his long wavy hair fanned out on the pillow as Brogan lay next to him. Wearing just a pair of black boxers, he lay on top of the duvet as Brogan had her head rest peacefully on his toned torso. One arm was draped over his waist while the other was rest on his side. Bucky had his metal arm cupped over her shoulders as he held her close. Both sleeping soundly. Blissfully unaware at their little girl creeping to Bucky's side of the bed...

"Morning Papa..." being as gentle as she could, Rebecca leant forward and kissed his cheek. Slowly she began to caress his beard with the tips of her fingers "I just had to make sure that you was still here when you woke up. Sweet dreams with Mama now...I love you" Bucky stirred slightly and slowly turned his head on the pillow. Still remaining in a deep peacefully slumber next to his beloved Brogan. "see you later for breakfast... Here's to our happy ever after now you're home "

Giving her sleeping parents one last smile, the little girl slowly closed the door behind her. With the door closed shut fully, Bucky soon opened his eyes and smiled. He managed to lift his arm and touched the part of his face that Rebecca had kissed. At last...he was home

The barn had obviously seen better days and was on Brogans list of things to repair but sadly she never really got round to it. Many years of sleet, rain and baking hot summers had taking its toll. The structure that once kept the weather off the summer hay and the sheltering of "coco" the family goat was now more draughty than a railway platform. Tiles were missing , rotten and sticking up in awkward positions. Inside the barn was a ladder to the hayloft but it didn't exactly look like the safest thing to climb. Yes it needed a hell of a lot of work but Rebecca didn't care. This barn and everything in it was her safe Haven. This was her place to escape to. Yes she was different from other children now but here was a place where she could fully embrace the abilities that had been bestowed upon her thanks to the super soldier serum. Here she could be the very best version of herself. This barn was her sanctuary...

Taking a deep breath, Rebecca took a leap and now stood upright on her improvised balance beam. This was basically a plank of wood that was taped over two huge water barrels that she had found in the rear of the barn but it done its job. Closing her eyes, she geared herself up to focus. Slowly she opened them, her eyes now wide at the beam in front of her. Taking one last deep breath she soon completed 5 cartwheels across in quick succession. At the end, she placed her two hands on the wood and soon travelled back across this time on a handstand like manoeuvre. Getting back to her feet at the end, she managed one last somersault off the beam and landed it safely on her feet onto the ground below. On landing she was surprised to hear someone applauding her...there wearing just his jeans and a white vest top stood Bucky

"Wow. There's no mistaking you're the daughter of The Winter soldier" smiled Bucky proudly, still clapping her efforts "That was incredible.. I'm stunned"

"Hey I'm the daughter of James Buchanan Barnes. Not the winter soldier...silly Papa" teased Rebecca, racing to join him. The pair hugged as Bucky kissed the top of her head "The Winter Soldier was a bad guy so Mama told me..not you though. Not my papa"

"Well I'm glad you at least see it that way" he smiled, taking her hand in his as they headed deeper into the barn "You have amazing skills honey that's for sure. I'm just so sorry its all been forced on you...I mean if I didn't have it in me, you'd never of inherited the serum... Hope you don't hate for what you've become"

"Listen to me Papa.." Bucky dropped to his knees in front of her and looked sadly at the floor. Deep shame and guilt hitting him hard at the life he'd giving her. Reaching for his chin, she tilted his head up to meet her gaze. Greeting him with a warm loving smile that Bucky knew was identical to that of her mother's "look at me... You are my Papa and I adore you. Yes Mama told me that the soldier was a bad man but that wasn't you or the man you are now. I love you regardless. Never feel guilty for the gifts you have given me..i don't.."

"but I've ruined your life..." The distraught man bit his lower lip, struggling to hold it together and hold back the tears "I've missed so much of life Rebecca...you have every right to hate me...I mean I missed your first words.. Your first steps.. Not that much of a father am I? You must be so disappointed"

"Stop it Papa" she placed her hands on shoulders, almost as if she was planning to shake some sense into him. Bucky looked up and saw eyes identical to his own staring back at him. Eyes full of love for him despite everything of his past. She truly was a miniature version of himself and yet just as wise as her mother "I could Never EVER hate you. Nothing you could ever do would make me see you as a disappointment. You gave your life to save us all Papa...that makes me prouder than ever of you... You're my hero"

"your mother called me that once... Told me that all she needed to know"

"and Mama was right...I don't care that the bad men gave you that magic medicine and that I have it now...or whatever that bad soldier did. All that matters is that you're my Papa and you're home..."

'but...but what about the serum...I mean the magic medicine?" he cried, feeling his heart shatter "you're different from other kids...and its all because of what they did to me"

"Papa I'd be different from other children even if it wasn't because of the magic medicine" the little girl smiled "wouldn't life be boring if we was all the same anyhow? Yes they used the medicine for bad but I'm using it for good. Did you see what I can do? I love being athletic like this... Do I seem unhappy that I have your gifts? Do I seem miserable? "

"no..." he sighed "in fact you see! Like any other normal every day child"

"then there you go then! The only time I've been miserable was when you...when you died " she looked at him sadly before forcing out a smile as a flashback to that very moment she felt him leave hit her hard "But that was then and this is now! I'm happier more than ever and its all thanks to you"

"oh honey..." He pulled her close once more and smiled as he ran a trembling hand through the long curls of her hair "love you princess...always"

"I'm prouder than ever to have the name Barnes and I love you too" she smiled, her eyes glistening In the sunlight of the barn "Now. Want to see what I've been practicing?!"

"Go for it...should I be worried? " laughed Bucky, stroking his chin "what am I saying? The daughter of Bucky Barnes fears nothing! But I get the feeling we shouldn't tell your mother about this"

Sitting on a bale of hay, Bucky watched on as Rebecca managed to tie a long length of rope over the highest beam in the centre of the barn. Giving her a reassuring nod, his heart was in his throat as the little girl managed to climb to the top of it in record speed. Sitting at the top of the beam she secured one end in place before wrapping the remainder of the rope around her waist. Giving him one last look, she leapt off the beam and somehow the rope unravelled around her causing her to spin around in every direction possible on the way back down. Just before hitting the ground, she let go of the rope completely and landed safely on her feet. Raising her hands proudly

"wow...that was.." Rebecca watched on, almost waiting for his approval "amazing! Please don't tell me you've shown your mother that?. She would have a field day" he laughed getting to his feet "you really are incredible"

"No. She hasn't seen me do that... Because... " she almost breathed a sigh of relief as he pulled her into a deep hug "I wanted to show you first. I wanted to make you proud...I come here every day to practice for you ..only you"

"Well, I'm honoured to witness your first performance then young lady and you make me prouder than ever now trust me" he smiled, softly brushing the curls from her face so he could seen the sheer beauty of her piercing blue eyes "But there's always room for improvement " he cheekily teased and gave her a playful wink "you're the daughter of a super soldier and not to mention the niece of another... That's an awful lot to live up too...how bout this old man show you some moves?"

For Bucky Barnes his daughter was like a snapshot out of time. Scooping her up in his arms, She clung onto his back as Bucky raced around the barn and leapt from beam to beam in the celling. He could see her chestnut curls blowing in the wind as he ran as fast as he could. The little girls eyes wide with sheer joy as her laughter filled his ears. To Bucky Barnes right now she was the world itself and at this moment couldn't imagine what it would be like without her in his life. There was nothing he wouldn't do for her. Vowing to never leave her side and be there every step of the way as she shot for the stars go reach her dreams..

With her still attached to his back, Bucky took one more leap from another high beam but this time landed into a huge pile of hay that cushioned the fall. The two soon collapsed backwards into a fit of laughter as they both tried to brush the hay from the long wavy locks of their hair. Yes, he may of not been in her life much but that deep love and attachment they had for one another was plain to see to anybody. For several minutes neither said a word, choosing to just lay there in each others arms enjoying the softness of the hay the enveloped them. The little girl resting her head in the crux of his arm as she gently began to trace the gold veins of the huge vibranium arm he wore. Yes they was covered in hay, there hair looked a mess but none of that mattered. The bigger picture here was that father and daughter were reunited once more. Rebecca Barnes held Bucky's soul in her heart and his heart would forever be hers. She was a sacred gift. On that day when he first met her, the most perfect feeling in the world Swept through him. He knew he would do anything in the world for her. The Bucky Barnes of the past never expected fatherhood to be part of his life but here she was. His beautiful Rebecca... His precious baby girl. From that very first meeting when she was just a toddler, she rocked him to the core. He would be her hero, he protector, the one to give her cuddles when she needed it and the one to keep her safe. He would be her Papa...always

"it is great that you're back Papa" smiled the little girl, still stroking his arm "Mama has been so sad without you here...we all have"

"I know honey. I'll never forgive myself for leaving like I did" he let out a deep guilt ridden sigh "I hope that you understand why I joined Uncle Steve and the others. I'm just sorry it took 5 long years for me to come back to you all"

"but the bigger picture is that you did come back Papa and it doesn't matter how long it took" they both sat up as Rebecca picked at the hay In his hair "that's all that matter.. But"

"but what?"

"what's next? Are you going away again? " she looked sadly at the floor and bit her lip. Her body trembled at the thought of him leaving once more "That will make me very sad if you did... I've felt Mamas pain everyday since you left"

"im sorry Rebecca...I guess the magic medicine made you feel things more just like I can" Bucky sighed in disbelief "its a blessing and a curse isn't it?"

"yes, I felt you leave that day. It was almost like part of my soul died too. Not just for me but for Mama and James too. It hurt inside so much and I knew right then it would be a long time until you came home" She reached for his for his face "so are you going to go away again?"

"Nothing will take away the guilt I feel honey but I want you to do something for me. Look into my eyes...with us being the same all you need to look within and you know what I'm thinking" He took her tiny hand in his and kissed it softly. He reached towards her and tucked one of her curls behind her ear "You already know...so tell me then.. Tell me what's next for Sgt James Buchanan Barnes.."

Since Bucky's "Passing" and with the enhanced development of the serum in her veins growing every day, Rebecca's eye colour had indeed changed from emerald green to now icy blue to that of her fathers. Her eyes were now like stars that drew you in instantly and left you ready to explore the swirling emotions held within them. As she gazed at Bucky, the black of her pupils was surrounded by a ring of jagged silver fire swallowed by a sapphire blue. At first Bucky's eyes just shone but as Rebecca looked deeper it was like she had found that direct path into his thoughts and deep into his soul. She could see his sadness and heartbreak at being apart from his family, the guilt of his past crimes and the scars of the mental anguish that never fully healed. Bucky smiled reassuring at her, urging her on not to break her gaze from his. Soon the mood changed and she felt his happiness at being back, the joy of having a loving family at long last and the unprecedented excitement of his hopes for the future. At long last Bucky Barnes was determined to enjoy every moment of this second chance at life he'd been given. He was going nowhere now...

"oh Papa..." holding it together no more the little girl threw her arms round his neck, collapsing in a mountain of sobs on his shoulder and clung tight "Im sorry but I'm never letting you go again...I love you"

"im going nowhere " he smiled, brushing away her tears. Leaning forward he kissed her cheek "im so proud of you and the amazing perfect little girl you've become... I'm with you till the end of the line princess"

"ohh..." Rebecca's eyes drew wide as she beamed, clasping her hand over her mouth "Uncle Steve told me that you used to say that to him when you was growing up..."

"Yes. Yes I did and it was true...Uncle Steve and me faced any challenge together back then...I said it to him and now I'm saying it to you" smiled Bucky, he took her hand in his and together headed for the exit of the barn "it goes not only for you but for James and your mother too. I'm going nowhere now. Family comes first...I promise you Princess"

"Till the end of the line?" grinned Rebecca, giving him a cheeky wink as she looked up proudly at him "yes?"

"till the end of the end of the line Rebecca Alice Barnes...always"