Happy ending AU where everybody got through the war without dying/ fake dying and they get to go home
…
Bucky couldn't believe it was over. He couldn't believe that they had won. It almost felt too good to be true, HYDRA was finished and he and his best friend were heading home to where the girl that Bucky loved was patiently waiting for them. He was waiting until someone rudely woke him up.
The path to victory hadn't been easy for any of the trio. Bucky still shivered when he thought about the time where Ella was captured by HYDRA, and the image of her tied up on the train would never leave his mind.
He had nearly died as well, hanging off that train. He was sure he was going to fall down into icy nothingness, but in a surprising feat of strength, it was Ella, not Steve, who dug her heels into the ground, letting out a mighty cry of effort, and tugging him out of the biting wind and into the cabin. Bucky had landed on her hard as they collapsed onto the metal ground, but she didn't seem to mind, the moment that she realized that they were both safe, she gave him a nearly bone crushing hug.
Of course, Ella was less than happy that Bucky decided to go back into battle so close to what could have been a fatal accident, but she understood why he was doing it.
Ella was beyond nervous the night before they were to head out and fight in what they believed would be the last and largest battle against HYDRA. She had worried herself sick, literally, ambling to the bathroom sometime in the night and losing the contents of her stomach.
She had been spending her nights in a shared room with Bucky since they returned, and he heard her distress that night, kneeling beside her on the cold tile of the bathroom, brushing her hair out of her face, and murmuring encouragements to her.
"I'll be alright," he assured her yet again.
"You better be," Ella said with as much strength as she could muster in her weak voice.
They still hadn't informed Steve about the nature of their relationship, but were certain that after this mission they would, not ifs, ands, or buts. It would happen.
Ella waved off her boys again, actually shedding a few tears, only able to think about how close she had come to losing Bucky and couldn't imagine losing either of them. She willed herself to be strong as she watched them sail away.
She waited for a few days in the SSR base, until Peggy finally contacted her.
They had won. Steve and Bucky were both fine, perhaps a bit tired and bruised, but alive. Ella had found a quiet room and wept in joy.
The wait for them to get back was excruciating, but the thought that every minute brought Ella closer to seeing them again managed to keep her going.
When the ship came to the harbor, Ella pushed her way to the front of the crowd, for once not caring about what the others thought. They could think her rude, she didn't give a damn today. Her heart was racing with anticipation as her wide eyes scanned the faces of those coming off the ship until they landed on those she was waiting for.
When she finally spotted them, her heart leapt. She cried out their names, shoving past the thick crowd until she could reach them. When they saw her, they wasted no time pushing their own way through the packed crowd.
Steve reached his sister first and drew her in for a tight hug which she returned enthusiastically. When he released her, she then threw herself at Bucky, simply melting in his embrace. They drew back rather quickly, but Bucky still had his hands planted on her waist. There was a look in his eyes that told Ella he was about to do something foolish.
"Steve, you're my best friend, so I gotta tell you," Bucky began, looking from Steve back to Ella. "I'm in love with your sister,"
Ella hadn't expected him to do it so quickly and in such a blunt manner, and also didn't expect him to kiss her right there, but he did, drawing her close in his arms. Ella could feel his relief at finally being out in the open, which caused her to smile against his lips.
Steve blinked dumbly at the pair, jolted out of his surprise when Dugan slapped his shoulder hard.
"What's with the surprise?" he laughed. "Everyone knew what was going on!"
Ella's face was flushed as she looked at Steve, muffling a laugh behind her hand.
Finally, Peggy appeared behind Steve, noting that Ella and Bucky were still quite wrapped up with one another, and if their flushed faces and Steve's bewildered expression told her anything, they had finally admitted their feelings.
"Took long enough," Peggy said.
Ella didn't miss how she intertwined her fingers with Steve's.
"Right back at you,"
…
The war was all but over.
They told Steve and Bucky that they had done all they needed, that they could finally rest. Bucky took this opportunity gladly, tired after all the fighting and dealing with the kidnappings and the near-death experiences. Steve stuck with Peggy and cleaned up the last few Nazis and led the final battles to a sure victory.
Ella and Bucky spent their time in England, waiting for Steve to return. They spent VE day together, among the cheering crowds, feeling the euphoria of the world running through their veins. Ella almost couldn't believe that it was finally over, the fighting, HYDRA, Steve and Bucky in danger. It was done. She kissed Bucky over and over for good measure.
Steve arrived back in England during the VE day celebrations, and was met by a deafening cheer from the crowd. He was smiling almost nervously, not having this much attention since he was in shows. He was a real hero now. He and the rest of the Howling Commandos were honored, being herded onto a stage. Ella tried to stay below, but was dragged up with the rest of them by both Steve and Bucky, and she didn't have the strength to resist them both.
Her face was flushed as she stood up there, hiding her face in Bucky's shoulders as he waved at the crowd, hamming it up and enjoying the attention while it lasted. It would all disappear in a few days time.
And then, they finally got to go home.
Steve bought a new apartment, larger and cleaner in a better neighborhood. Ella felt amazing being back home, there were days were she thought she would never see it again. It took her a while to get back into the rhythm of Brooklyn.
She and Bucky embraced their open relationship, going out together without fear of anyone knowing. Ella had never been happier, he made her happy. She could see their future playing out before her every time she looked into his eyes.
Bucky took her to dinner at a lovely restaurant one night. Ella wore her finest dress with her locket displayed proudly on her chest. It was a lovely time, probably the most expensive date she had ever been on.
"What's this all about?" Ella had asked.
"Because you're amazing and I love you," he answered with a smile, holding up his glass in cheers.
They finished their meal with plenty of laughs and good food. When they were done, they walked the shores by Coney Island. The night was dark and the pair was lit by the silver moon. Ella held her heels in her hand, holding Bucky's with her other. She walked in the shallows, feeling the cool water lap over her toes. She looked up at Bucky after a while, seeing a strange look on his face. His forehead was dotted with beads of sweat and he was swallowing hard. She noted that his palm was damp and was clamping on hers tightly.
"Are you feeling alright?" she asked.
He looked almost startled by her voice. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just…" he stopped walking and looked at Ella. "The time I've spent with you had been fantastic, and every time I say 'I love you', I mean it even more."
Ella didn't know what he was going with this, but she was nervous looking at his expression.
"So, I need to ask you something…" he continued before swallowing hard. He reached into his pocket before dropping her hands.
Ella's hand slapped over her mouth as he dropped down to one knee and opened up a velvet ring box, revealing a simple but elegant ring with a shimmering diamond displayed in the middle, but she hardly cared for the gem at the moment, looking instead into Bucky's just as bright eyes.
"Ella, I love you," he said earnestly. "I've spent my entire life with you, and I want to keep spending the rest of my life with you… would you marry me?"
Ella's eyes burned as her throat constricted. She couldn't get words out of her mouth, her heart fluttering wildly. She knew she had wanted this, but she didn't expect it to happen tonight.
She wasn't saying anything. Bucky felt like he was going to be sick. He didn't know what he would do if she turned him down. He didn't think he could take another moment of her stunned silence.
Ella's hand dropped down from her lips, her head nodding a miniscule amount before she could finally speak. "Yes," she whispered almost too soft to hear. "Yes, yes, of course!" her voice grew louder with each syllable.
Relief and joy filled Bucky. He stood and kiss Ella, quickly grabbing her left hand and sliding the ring on her finger. Ella laugh and cried happily, throwing her arms around Bucky. There weren't words to describe how she felt, they wouldn't do her emotions justice. She was going to get married. It was almost unreal.
Bucky peppered her face with kisses, lifting her up. He began wading into the water.
"What are you doing?" Ella laughed as the went deeper.
"We're going swimming," he informed her. "Because we're getting married." He said it, almost to make it real to himself.
Ella didn't care that those things didn't make much sense together, and she didn't care that her dress was getting wet. They fell into the water and splashed around, laughing together with smiles too wide for their faces.
They went back to their apartment building dripping. Ella had still been living with Steve, because an unmarried woman living with a man, even if they were in love, was frowned upon. Peggy had moved in with Steve, making quite a crowded apartment. The pair had been working with the SSR after the war in the base in New York.
Ella and Bucky still held one another's hands as they walked into Ella's shared apartment. Steve and Peggy were sitting at the table, finishing some work and a small meal. They looked surprised when they walked in.
"What happened to you too?" Peggy asked, seeing the soaked pair.
"I thought you were going out for dinner, not for a swim," Steve laughed.
Neither Ella or Bucky said anything for a moment, meeting each other's eyes. Instead of explaining, Ella lifted her left hand and tucked a piece of damp hair behind her ear, making sure to flash the back of her hand at the pair at the table.
Peggy gasped loudly, standing up quickly, the legs of her chair squeaking against the wooden floor. "My god!"
It took Steve a moment longer to realize what was happening before his lips parted in surprise. He wasn't quite sure what to say.
Peggy closed the distance between her and Ella before drawing the girl into a tight embrace. "Congratulations!"
Steve hugged Bucky as well, holding his best friend at arms-length and furrowing his brows. "Why didn't you tell me you were planning this,"
"Steve, I've known you my whole life," Bucky said. "And I know you're a terrible liar. Couldn't risk it."
After a few more minutes of talking and good tidings, Ella and Bucky announced they were leaving.
"Where are you going?" Steve asked. "It past midnight,"
"Oh, Bucky's apartment is just a floor away, you know that," Ella said.
Steve, not getting the hint right away, opened his mouth to ask another question, but shut it abruptly when Peggy hit his shoulder.
"See you two tomorrow," Peggy said with a smile.
…
The months leading up to the wedding were a whirl wind, with all the planning. It would be a modest affair, with close friends and what little family they had. It was in the church that Ella and Steve's mother had taken them to when they were younger. It had been decorated with white flowers with strong fragrance. It looked like a dream.
The Howling Commandos had been invited, along with Steve's other friends from the war. Howard Stark made an appearance and was determined the leave the largest and most expensive wedding gift. Peggy was the maid of honor, Steve was the best man.
"Are you nervous?" Peggy had asked when she was helping Ella prepare.
Her hair was twisted up in a graceful knot and her cheeks were smudged with blush. Her dress was elegant with delicate lace decorating the sleeves and the collar. The veil was long and flowed like a white river.
Ella examined herself in the mirror, seeing her locket glimmer in the light. She wasn't scared, she was excited, thrilled for the new life that would be waiting for her once she left the church.
She looked towards Peggy. "Not the slightest."
…
Bucky wanted to see her. He wanted to know what she looked like, what kind of dress she wore. He hadn't seen her all day, fearing the superstitious bad luck that would follow. He felt as though he had been standing at the altar for days.
When the music finally started, he felt his heart skip a beat. He felt rather alone up there, because although Steve was his best man, he was also the one to give Ella away.
It was getting close.
…
Outside the old, oak doors, Steve saw his sister for the first time. He knew one day she would get married, and yet, seeing her there dressed in white, it almost felt like a surprise. She smiled when she saw her brother waiting for her, clutching the bouquet even tighter.
"Hi," she said softly.
"You look wonderful," Steve said. "Ma would have thought so too,"
Ella gave a wry smile and tried to force her tears away. "Thanks, Steve."
He kissed her forehead. "Ready?"
She nodded enthusiastically. "Definitely,"
…
Bucky's breath hitched when the doors finally opened. The organ began playing the traditional music as he finally got a glimpse of Ella. She looked beautiful, angelic in her white gown. She smiled at him, and it was so bright, that it darkened everything else in the room except her.
When she finally stopped before him, he could hardly hear the preacher as he spoke, he was simply going through the motions. The only point that gained his interest was when the preacher finally stated he could kiss her.
There were cheers from the crowd as their lips met, and Ella felt amazing. They were married. Bucky wasn't a friend, or a secret lover, he was her husband. She loved that thought. Bucky Barnes was her husband, which didn't make her Ella Rogers anymore, she was Ella Barnes.
They were later met by plenty of well-wishers, Ella was unable to wipe her smile off her face. She embraced and shook hands and kissed cheeks… it was almost overwhelming, but she managed to get through it.
When she finally threw the bouquet, it was Peggy who caught it. Bucky laughed at that sight and slapped Steve on the shoulder.
"Better get moving there,"
When the festivities finished, Ella and Bucky finally left. He helped her with her skirts as they climbed into the car, both looking at one another and seeing a wonderful future.
a/n:
I hope you all liked it. I thought it was a good 'what if' situation.
Don't forget to review!