A/N: Hello my lovelies! Chapter 4 is here and in two parts to make this story extra-spicy :) I think this will be the tipping point in the book because, if you are unaware, I'm planning three. That's right! Three stories! This current book will perhaps be the shortest for background/origin purposes. We're only on Book One, though, so I'm just going with the flow on this one. As always, enjoy, follow, favorite, review, whatever makes you happy! :)

Book One: Antebellum

Chapter Four: Birthday, Part One

"Must be nice having your hands in that all day."

"Sure is, but then I have to worry about it melting."

Vernetta and the ice cream man exchanged light smiles. She had been strolling down the street when she noticed the ever growing line to a small, portable stand. When she joined into the flowing line, she noticed there was a glass protector guarding the ice cream and that the stand was a beautiful blue and white. When it was her turn to order, it was a nice older man at the helm with a white beard perfect for ice cream.

"What'll it be miss?"

"I don't suppose you have chocolate, do you?"

"Well I got ten flavors and chocolate's the second best."

The ice cream man grabbed a cone and dished up two standard scoops. Vernetta thanked the man whilst exchanging coin for cone. She would have been on her way down to the apartment if two brunettes, a living mirror image of each other, hadn't blocked her with arms locked together.

It startled Vernetta even more when they licked their own cones in unison.

"Erm...hello?"

"You're Steve's girl, right?"

"I'm...no one's girl?"

Such an odd pair. Vernetta motioned them to follow and all three found shade against one of the nearby brick buildings.

"Who are you two?"

"You're the girl?"

Vernetta rolled her eyes. She didn't particularly fancy a pair of odd twins asking quite personal questions on a bright and hot day.

"It's an attraction at most. Steve's too-"

"-awkward...?"

"Doubtful...?"

"Insecure...?"

"Ner-"

"-look, I get it, okay?"

These twins were quite the critical pair.

"Now answer my question."

Before any response, they exchanged several looks; that weird mental connection twins have or something. But they faced Vernetta with small smiles.

"I'm Doris..." The one on the left spoke first.

"And I'm Dorothy..."

"You were at graduation..."

"Although you were more interested in our sister Hazel..."

Now it made sense. Vernetta nodded, licking her ice cream while studying the twins. They were Barnes'. It was oh-so clear: handsome features, mischievous expressions, kind green eyes, a bold personality to approach a woman in such ways. She pointed to Dorothy first.

"You're the one who beat up Steve?" That earned her a smile.

"Well, what's a girl suppose to do when a boy walks in her room?"

"And you," Vernetta focused on Doris, "you did something. You can't be the miracle good twin."

"I told Steve to draw you that day he was looking for Bucky. Said girls love that."

Doris got her response with the woman's twisted face. Her eyes squinted as her nose crinkled.

"He drew some diamonds, but…"

That would explain a lot.

"Maybe so…"

"...But you're the diamonds he wants."

Smooth-talkers just like their brother. How lovely.

"So you're just going to stand here and ask me ridiculous questions?"

"You know, I expected a bit more snark." Doris turned to Dorothy.

"Yes. She hasn't been as snobby as Bucky described."

Snark? Snobby? Vernetta's jaw tightened as her brow arched. She's noticed she had to that quite often the past couple of months with anyone with the surname Ryan, Rogers, and Barnes. Lately she's had to add her own surname to that list and these girls weren't doing anything to help shorten it.

"I don't care what Bucky says. You can't trust the word of a womanizer."

"Womanizer? Why, Dorothy! Our brother's scorned a woman without ever wooing her!"

"My! We should buy him a medal!"

"Yes, well, you wouldn't be mocking me if you found out he cheated on your best friend."

Oh yes. Underneath all the charm and beauty was a man who decided to betray her friend rather than break things off like she suggested. Vernetta had entered a local bar to find Bucky and a woman. Obviously, she assumed it was her friend but several more glances proved otherwise. Her skin was tanner than what a woman stuck in a store all day should look like. Her hair, the dirty blonde Vernetta herself has styled in the past, was a dark brunette far curlier than it should be. She stood at the end of the bar watching this Amelia imposter touch Bucky's arm and he her thigh. The seductive smile on his face was wiped clean when he looked up and saw his girlfriend's best friend staring back. They hadn't even been together for a month.

Both Dorothy and Doris tamed their expressions upon that awful revelation, sinking into their small bodies and awkwardly waiting for Vernetta's words to air out. But like the humid air, it was uncomfortable.

"Well, that definitely changes the perspective." Dorothy broke the silence. Her twin added onto her words.

"He meant that in a nice way. You know, he does speak highly of you. More so than usual…"

"I really don't care what he says. If I wasn't such the lady I am, I'd tell him to go fu-"

"Vernetta?"

The woman responded to her name, turning to find a much welcomed person enter the conversation. Steve was a smiling fool with an ice cream in hand. It was an infectious feeling and Vernetta couldn't help but smile.

"Steve? I haven't seen you in ages!"

"I guess that's a thing between us, huh?"

Steve's laughter and innocent happiness made Vernetta forget the anger over Bucky's rather loose morals. She was so completely focused on him that she failed to see a bony finger pointed at her hand.

"Your, uh, ice cream is melting."

She was dazed for a moment, smiling and starstruck. When the words finally reached her brain Vernetta snapped to her hand to find chocolate running down on all sides. A low guttural groan escaped something far too beautiful to make that noise.

"Great."

"Here." Steve offered his napkin and a sympathetic smile.

"You know we're here too, yeah?"

The young man's body language became rigid. Apparently he hadn't noticed Doris and his mortal enemy Dorothy. He honestly couldn't look her in the eye after the incident, so he went on choosing to look at the tip of his shoes.

"Oh! You two."

"Yes, us two. Feeling a bit sheepish?"

"Alright, both of you need to run along." Vernetta waved them off with a soggy napkin. "Now."

Dorothy pouted. It seemed, to Vernetta anyway, she enjoyed teasing Steve and derived pleasure from it. Doris was the one to finally tug her twin and they waltzed off past the Brooklyn mobs.

"Thanks." He took a breath.

"You're welcome. Now tell me, you're a fuddy-duddy?"

"A what?"

"A fuddy-duddy! They had some exciting flavors and you chose vanilla!?"

"Says the girl who has chocolate! Sometimes the classics are the best."

"Chocolate is a classic! Vanilla is bland!"

"Chocolate is a culinary abomination!"

"How dare you!" Vernetta feigned offence but couldn't contain her hysterics for long.

This may be perhaps the first time Steve openly joked with her. Now if that isn't a milestone she doesn't know what is. Her free hand found itself on her chest. An impulse she grew up with and one Steve noticed.

"You try to blend in, yet you dress rich and use your hands rich." The young man himself copied her movements. "No one in Brooklyn does this."

"Well you shouldn't, that's for sure." Vernetta giggled. "I'm sure some of the much older women believe it so."

"The traditional ones who preach corset over girdles and all that nonsense."

The laughing was non-stop. Vernetta wouldn't take Steve as someone who makes lingerie jokes; or even somewhat disrespecting elders. It feels as if she had finally tore down some wall he had been building since childhood.

"If you don't mind me asking…" Steve said.

"I don't."

"Where have you been?"

"Well."

She came back for a reason and wasn't going to let Steve, as much as she liked him, hinder her from her goal.

"Walk with me and I'll tell you." She motioned.

They slowly traversed the hot sidewalks and Vernetta was careful to remember she had a cone in need of devouring. Shame on her if she had forgotten a second time.

"It's Eddie's birthday today." She began. "Bobby basically begged me to spend at most a week with the two of them."

Steve pondered upon her words. They had known each other for over a couple of months and he certainly got an earful about the infamous Holbrook family. He could only counter with the times his mother would smother him in public when he was smaller.

"What about your parents?"

"Oh, I forced Bobby to make sure they weren't in New York. Luckily, they're in Hollywood so it wasn't difficult."

"And Albert?"

"In England with that horrid wife of his. As I'm told, anyway."

She looked at Steve. This family drama made him retreat into his inner self. He wasn't one for rivalries and dangerous gossip. He prefered the honest way of living.

"Eddie wanted to be normal. He can't exactly move into a new borough like me, so he asked for a good ol' Yankees game."

"Which is why you're back?"

"You make it sound like I moved." Vernetta snickered. "But yeah. Amelia said I can borrow something of hers. My wardrobe's too lavish for such an occasion."

Their heels clacked on the concrete, a beautiful and crisp sound. It only became thuds when they crossed the street, and their footsteps was the only sound between them. Steve and Vernetta were silent for some moments. She thought he'd make some remark or laugh a bit but he didn't. It wasn't a necessarily bad moment, though. Glancing down, their hands were only inches away. As bold and romantic as she was, Vernetta didn't know if it was time. She could only imagine startling Steve causing him to move further away.

"You should come. I'd like you to meet the family I'm proud to be with." Vernetta couldn't help but blurt out her words.

"I mean, your birthday is the next weekend and I know Eddie would love it if you were there."

"What? I don't even know the kid."

"But you're a regular guy. They like you as much as I do, Steve."

She saw him go red and couldn't help but smirk. She wasn't even trying; it was the hopeless romantic stealing her words.

"You told your family about me?"

"Naturally to the ones I like, yes."

They arrived to the apartment building and they zigzagged the staircase until Vernetta knew they were on the fifth floor. She pulled a set of keys from her purse unlocking the door and stepped in. "What? Are you a vampire?" Vernetta noticed Steve's stillness. "You can come in."

She went storming into Amelia's room whether or not Steve actually stepped in. Most of her wardrobe was day dresses so she had to find some way to narrow it down even more.

"How can I drown myself out?" She mumbled.

She pulled out the slim few and their hangers that could even come close to being worthy of Vernetta Holbrook. Tossing them onto the bed, she noticed Steve sulking in the doorway.

"Make yourself at home. I'll need help in choosing." Vernetta gestured to the bed.

He in all his awkward glory shuffled into the bedroom. He specifically chose to seat himself at the end of the bed, causing smiles to erupt on Vernetta's face.

"Just a fair warning, this will be a challenge."

"I don't understand why you just don't settle. It's only for a night."

"Oh, sweetheart, I don't settle."

The dangerous chuckle made the hairs on Steve's arms stand straight up. Her eyes suddenly became dark that glistened with a mischievous spark.

"You don't mind if I ask why I'm here then?"

Her hand froze once she grabbed a hanger. She thought for a moment and more, formulating the right words and order of words to get into Steve's head that she legitimately is attracted to him. She threw the dress next to Steve. In his surprise, she actually approached him and leaned over to look him straight in the eye.

"I don't settle. Everything I want, have, and pursue is up to my standards."

Their blue eyes locked. She made sure Steve would not look away to avoid embarrassing himself. No, she kept his attention with her playful smirk. Vernetta tilted her head with a sigh and a pout.

"Except for this stupid dress. I'm settling on a dress. Like you said, it is for a night."

She straightened her back, grabbing the dress that could not possibly work from Amelia's closet.

"But I simply cannot wear this. Do you take me for a woman who would wear white polkadots on navy?"

"If I know you well, you're in love with stripes."

"That you do."

She turned back to the closet.

"Yet Amelia hates them. I suppose a solid dress will do."

From the dresses she had chosen, Vernetta had held them up to her person and made Steve critique the look before him. Whether it was a cringe, a nervous groan, or a straight up "No", they went threw all the dresses.

"I must hand it to you Steve; you have an eye for fashion despite your distaste of it."

"That's Manhattan for 'You have good style', right?"

She rolled her eyes whereas he laughed. Yet, he stood on his feet and joined Vernetta at the shoulder.

"I am an aspiring artist, remember? Even if it isn't fashion."

Rummaging through the closet, Steve examined some potential choices before pulling out one grey piece.

"You should wear this."

Vernetta nodded. She didn't know a man who would help her find something to wear. The most help she's ever had was advice from her brothers. A man, completely opposite of her might she add, physically chose and handed her something to wear. She respected that more than she would like to admit.

"I do look ordinary, right?"

Steve didn't take Vernetta to be a woman who fretted about her looks. She does when she looks her best, which is every day, but that wasn't the fret he was thinking of.

"Like an ordinary and beautiful girl." He reassured her.

Somehow, she was a more dazzling thing than normal. Less was more to Steve and he certainly saw that in Vernetta. They sat on the warm steps leading to the apartment's entrance. The sun was finally behind the building, adding much needed shade.

"If you see a Rolls-Royce, let me know."

"A what?" Steve's jaw fell.

"A Rolls-Royce?"

Vernetta was confused for a second. The world she was brought up in clouded her reality in the world without her wealth and grandeur. Her expression fell, ashamed that for some reason, it was normal to see that type of automobile riding the streets.

"Like myself, Bobby understands the concept of blending in but can't actually wrap it around his head." She laughed.

"Well, you're known as the most fashionable woman in Brooklyn. That's gotta be something, right?"

"Helps my store, yeah."

They continued to speak, delving into simple conversation and lived in the moment. That is until they heard their names being called. Steve was in front of the growing voice. Her turned his neck only to see Bucky smiling and waving.

"It's Bucky." He turned back to Vernetta.

His high mood was lifted even more but looking at the woman, the corners of her mouth dropped. It was concerning. Bucky had always been sweet on Vernetta and respected the limits set by all three of them. But now, she didn't look a bit happy.

"What's wrong, Vernetta?"

"He-"

"Steve! Vernetta! Fancy seeing you here."

Bucky was all smiles, standing at the bottom of the steps. He seemed a bit antsy and his eyes kept looking at the woman nervously.

"So uh Vernetta, you look a bit-uh-dressed down?" He stammered.

"Obviously." Venom clung to the one word.

Now Steve was just confused as ever. The unexplained hostility between them made him feel like he was in the middle of No Man's Land. At any moment, he could be shot with their words.

"I'm celebrating something special today, Steve." Vernetta turned towards him. "I'd rather not spoil it with the likes of him."

"Is it a birthday? I thought you'd be the one to pull out the ballgowns for that."

"Who gave you the right to speak?"

"Well then I beg for forgiveness, Queen Vernetta."

"Okay, you two need to stop!" Steve jumped to his feet and held up open palms.

He found ground between them with Bucky at the bottom and Vernetta at the top. He felt as if he were an adult coming between two children. This wasn't the Bucky and Vernetta he knew.

"Okay." Steve hesitated. "Bucky, what did you do?"

His handsome features molded itself into grave offense. He gestured to himself and Vernetta mumbling and gasping.

"What makes you think I did something, huh?! You're gonna let some broad come between us?"

"Never! It's just...I know she wouldn't do anything."

"You don't even know her, Steve!"

"I know you have a reputation, Buck."

Vernetta was staring daggers into Bucky at this point. Arms crossed, face painfully scrunched up, she was waiting to slap him.

"Oh? So it's chronic, huh?" Vernetta slowly descended. "You being the filthy liar you are?"

"Tell me what you did, Buck."

His fists and jaw were clenched. For the first time in history, Steve was against him. He prayed this would be the only time. He didn't blame Vernetta for her behavior but he couldn't forgive turning his best friend against him.

"You know I was tired of Amelia. Didn't know how to break it, so…"

"He 'moved on' without a care!" Vernetta thrashed a finger at him. "He broke her heart and he hurt her terribly!"

"Hey, you know what they say Vernetta. Don't cry over spilt milk."

She practically lunged at him, swatting and hitting, hoping she'd leave a mark.

"You foul, loathsome, evil little cockroach!"

"Vernetta!"

Steve rushed to push himself between the two. Bucky kept trying to grab her wrists but she was too fast, pummeling him with her nails and knuckles.

"I thought you were a good man!"

"Hey! You leave my sister alone!"

Bucky was tossed aside and a man of similar appearance replaced his spot. His hair was a bit lighter and eyes that matched Vernetta's but still awfully looked like the man she was beating.

"Hey, you ain't a part of this!" Bucky growled.

"The hell I'm not!"

"Your sister is one crazy broad!"

In an instant, the man had pulled out a shiny silver pistol from behind and pointed it right at Bucky's chest. Bucky himself held his hands in the air. He nodded, slowly slinking away and accepting this defeat.

"Goddamnit." The man growled, retracting his pistol. "I was hoping I didn't have to pull this out tonight and the fun hadn't even started yet."

"Bobby…"

"Vernetta," Steve softly touched her arm, "are you alright?"

She rubbed her forehead with one hand, eyes tightly closed.

"He didn't even care, Steve." She sighed. "That's the worse part about this."

"That the guy who cheated on Amelia?"

"Yes, Bobby…"

If one didn't have anything nice to say, they ought to not say anything at all. Bobby chose that path, but not before spitting on the concrete.

"What a dick."

Steve still had a hand on Vernetta. He wasn't planning on letting go anytime soon. Sure, he couldn't believe that she could fall to such levels. Then again, he didn't think the same of Bucky.

"We should go." Bobby addressed his sister. "Eddie's in the car."

His eyes trailed down to Steve.

"You must be Steve. Unfortunate that we had to meet under these circumstances."

A big talker, just like his sister. Steve could only muster a nod and few words

"Steve."

"Vernetta."

She refused to look at him. Something in her made her feel ashamed. Never before had she been under the mercy of such a cold, terrible emotion.

"You don't have to come if you don't want to. I doubt you'd want to be even near me…"

"Hey, you don't say that."

Steve cusped her soft hand, feeling her well-kept nails graze his skin.

"To be fair, both you and Bucky were being jerks." He chuckled. "It takes courage to confront someone. I like that about a person."

"Says you. You like to get into fights from what I'm told."

Relief rushed over both Steve and Bobby once they heard the tiny laughs hiccup from her throat.

"We get it." Bobby grew impatient. "Now let's go!"

A/N: Well that was fun! And it's only the first part! I felt this fanfic needed some drama so I hope I delivered! Again, thank you to everyone who's reading and following! This story and my inspiration wouldn't be here without you! :) Of course, I had to add some banter and my most favorite Hermione quote to bring the pizazz!