Chapter 6: Three Years Later

Bucky sat near the window that glowed from the afternoon sun, warming him and his room and the paper that nested on his thigh. It was a bit cramped but it was a nice place that he could relax alone not that he didn't like company—in fact he loved company, but this place was perfect to think, read and more importantly to write. The leather embedded in corner where he sat started to heat up more, he tried to block it with his legs as he continued to sit like a semi fetus position, his legs prompt up for him to work on. He then sighed, not feeling the comfort to write, pulling himself up and then jumping down on his wooden floor, making a slight thump. Straightening his dark jacket and opening the buttons, revealing his dress shirt allowing his blue tie to flow freely, sliding back down, taking support to the window seat's bottom wall, the wall window faced the opposite side to the white bedroom door along with a bed in between the space which had a darker wood bedframe and reasonably big enough bed for him to sleep in.

Normally, he would have pictures of his favorite musician and other things like records and baseball teams, but had long ago packed it up, leaving his light chocolate brown room wall now bare. This wasn't because he was growing up, well, he was grown up in terms of being 18 now, but that wasn't the reason. It was the fact his favorite things had started to remind him of a certain friend of his. He stared at his notepaper, writing out or rather reading out loud, "I hope you come home soon. Steve and I have been missing you like crazy that he's started to see me as you—" he crumpled the paper into a ball. "That sounds too needy," he said to himself, shaking his head slightly. He looked at the wall that used to held his old stuff

"That can't be it, there's no way that this is the original record of Frank Teschemacher," Lilly spoke, standing near his wall that held shelves with his stuff including some trophies.

"Nope, it is the truth, you don't believe me than ask Steve" he said. She gave him s look of disbelief but with playful smile.

"It's true!" a voice quipped in as he raised a thin arm in the air as if listening to the two.

"My God, you guys are just messing with me," Lilly added, turning to the blonde friend who happened to be Steve laying half way with his legs dangling and upper body lay on his friend's bed, he gave a shrug.

"And I suppose, Lou Gehrig taught you to bat correctly?" she inquired skeptically, turning to Bucky, he leaned near the empty space.

"Give me a bat and maybe I could show you."

She lifted her head, giving him a nod. "Alright, I'll indulge you both," she walked over to his closet that was in front of his bed.

Steve raised his hand again, "I hate to admit this, but I think Buck is right about this, Lil," still laying on the bed and seemingly reading comics. She stopped, taking the bat that was leaning next to the door of the closet, and she then walked back to him.

"Teach me," she said, holding onto the bat, her hands grabbed the end but left a gap below. Catching sight of this, Bucky stood up, signaling her to come over to him.

"Come here, you need to put both hands lower," Bucky said. She looked at him, shaking her head, but appeared to comply.

"Well, is this better?" She adjusted her hands position a bit.

"Nah, Lil, a little downer," he said causally coming from behind her, making her bend a little. "Like this," he said, taking her hands and adjusting them both lower. "You don't want to leave them like that; you'll feel the vibrations and possibly shatter your wrists."

"This better not be a girl only advice," she straightened up and glanced at him. Her eyes seemed a bit annoyed.

"Of course not, I told this to Steve too," he protested, pointing at the blonde who has seemingly falling asleep the comic book gentle rested on his face.

"Let's promise when Steve wakes up that we play some baseball!" she added, the two of them chuckled.

"Sure," he agreed, turning to the now asleep blonde who can be heard sleeping.

He continued to stare at the distance, his grip on his pencil began to loosen, causing him to feel it almost fall and instantly snap out of his flashback to grab it again and began writing again, saying outload. "Dear, Lilly, I don't know if you have been getting our mail, we haven't heard from you in a while and are concerned about you. We miss you a lot and if it takes us ten million mails to reach you, we will write until our hands fall off—" he scratched out the bottom part to the letter. "Yeah, I think that sounds good." rewriting the sentence when realizing this is Lilly that he was talking to, it didn't matter how cheesy it would sound, Lilly should know how much they miss her and how much they were willing to write to her. He continued on with writing his thoughts that was plaguing him until a sudden knock on the door came, causing Bucky to stop writing. He lifted his head from the paper that lay on a book, "Yeah, come in!" he shouted as the door opened.

"Buck, you free?" the blonde stationed himself near the door, resting his hand on the brass knob.

"Yeah, what's up, bud?" he got up. "I'm ready to mail this letter and all the few others that didn't get apparently mailed." he went to search for an envelope, near his nightstand, which he found hiding under his alarm clock. He swiftly turned around to see Steve fumbling through his inner dark blue pockets in the suit coat. "It's alright, I got it," Bucky flashed him a smile, showing him his envelope.

Steve walked in and then headed towards his friend. "Well, you can count this from me for Lilly then," handing Bucky his letter.

The dark haired man looked down, taking it, "Got it! We should run down to the post office unless you wanna stay with my Barnes farm," he joked, knowing that his sickly friend knew he was addressing his three younger siblings: his two cute sisters and one little brother.

Rising up his head, Steve said, "You won't have to do that, Buck, the mailing that is."

He couldn't help but furrow his eyebrows in confusion, "What you are talking about?" he inquired to the little friend of his who seemed to see the confusion that Bucky held.

"I heard from Cece that Lilly is coming back today." He announced, "She is coming in about an hour and a half from now," the blonde added, taking a peek at his watch, the same watch that their Lilly gave to him.

"Wow, Lil is coming back now? The brown haired looked back in surprise. "We didn't prepare this day," he spoke, rubbing his chin in contemplation.

Steve shook his head, "It's Lil, and she wouldn't mind that. The only thing she would love would be for us waiting for her."

Hearing his friend say that, he nodded, "True," he paused a bit then reached over to the door, opening it for the two subconsciously. "We can surprise her with the letters we wrote. Hope our Lil didn't change," he said slowly closing it as Steve strode past him.

The duo had driven to the New York train station, parked to its usual cramped and busy parking lot, hurriedly running to wait for Lilly who would also travel and wait for the boys, so it was no problem that they were going to be waiting for her and traveling to meet her train. Inside, it was bustling as the traffic in New York, under a big area with a green semi dome like roof and brown walls-bright orange brick walls with black destination boards hung above. None saying that Lilly had arrived, with a sigh Bucky stared at the board taking in the place, he let his hands sit in his pants' pockets, not noticing the blonde staring at him.

"Buck, relax. She will understand, she won't get mad," he spoke. He reached over to lightly knock Bucky's arm. His taller friend kept looking ahead, wanting to wait for the name of the train that Lilly was on to come on the board. He didn't feel the small punch as his mind went into wonder, blocking the sounds of the cluttering suitcases and people talking.

Where on earth was she? Was this anxiety he was feeling? Or excitement? Either way, Bucky waited for this—they waited for this day for a long time. How they missed their Lilly. He turned to face his friend, feeling the second punch the blonde let loose.

"You okay?" Steve asked, he was ready to send a third coming, holding his hand in a set fist.

"Huh? Yeah I'm fine, sorry," He answered, smiling to show reassurance, reaching and grabbing the shorter friend into a light headlock, he then looked up again at the board as he heard a calling of a destination spotting the train name, his smile dropped, letting go of the blonde who gave him a look of doubt. "You sure Buck? You've been acting a little off since the mention of Lilly's return," Steve inquired, he didn't seem to let go of Buck in his gaze, furrowing his brows in concerned

"Yeah, I'm fine, nothing to worry about," he took one of his hands out of his pocket and absent-mindedly gave the blond a pat on the shoulder. Re-putting them back in his pants as he walked away, heading to the train, Steve squinted, watching the brunette striding away, the smaller man fast walked up to his friend.

"Buck, come on you can't hide that something is bothering you," he stepped in front of Bucky. "I'm worried about you," not moving from his spot, Bucky merely glanced at him, he always thought Steve was a good friend and really admired his tenacity even though it was way better to let things go especially in a fight that he can't win. He didn't want to worry his friend, to explain him about his unsupportive fact about his worst fears Lilly becoming one of those 'people', meaning the rich and privilege but more importantly losing what makes her Lilly. This was probably because of the missing letters they didn't send. He let out a smile.

"I know that's why you're a good pal," he told, "Come on, let's get Lil," he signaled Steve with his head. He looked reluctant but still perceived to follow and talk about Lilly as both traveled to the boarding station, an area with a half roofed place to keep the waiters of the travelers covered from rain and sun with train tracked lined below the cement ground they stood on with it to guide the train safely to the boarding or in this case un-boarding place.

His attention was pulled when his blonde little friend stationed himself next to him, catching him by surprised when he spoke, "Buck, you do this every time you are mad or in this case avoiding the possible problem," Bucky whistled a bit then stopped.

"I'm not mad, Steve," he answered and gazed at him and looked around to see when the train was coming, almost tiptoeing on his feet while he stood.

"Yeah, well, doesn't change the fact you're advoiding the problem." Steve plainly said, looking at his nails and scrapping the inside as acting if he was actually busy. "If Lil was here right now she'd tell you are lying," Steve continued on that when it hit him as he let out a sigh.

"Alright, Steve, what you want me to tell you? That I'm scared of Lilly? Scared she got turned into some doll loving fingernail painting girl and that she is gonna take over her father's legacy by leaving us behind for some chump and class and act like nothing happened. Like friendship wouldn't matter because it will all, be about money?" he explained, letting go of his pant pockets and throwing his hands in the air frustrated. He then took a breath, staring at Steve, who then looked at him.

"Least you being honest now," he replied, realizing what he did. Bucky then lowered his gaze.

"I'm sorry, man, I just don't know what to do," he added, putting his hands back in the pockets and shaking his head. "It's just some fear of mine."

Steve glanced at him, "But it's Lil we're talking about. Lilly Farina Fontana, she's not gonna change," he explained, turning his body in full view to face the other man.

"How you know, Steve? Huh? How do you know? We haven't sent any letters and got none in return at least the newer ones," he continued on, placing his tongue against his cheek as he looked down at the ground.

The small blond placed a firm hand on his shoulder and nodded, "I just know," he spoke.

Suddenly Steve and Bucky lifted their heads catching sight of an incoming train approaching, making the blonde to loosen his grip and call out of excitement. "Lilly is back!" he shouted. Bucky lifted his head as the train came in closer, slowing down and finally reaching a full stop. He looked around aimlessly, trying to see where Lilly would be at, the doors finally opened releasing many of its passengers, all of which they were greeted by friends and loved ones. None at all was Lilly.

"Where is she?" he asked, yelling at his friend due to the sudden sound of people chattering.

"I don't know," screamed the blonde as both he and Steve turned facing the train. Slowly and surely all the its occupants left, leaving only the stragglers behind. And with it a sudden blonde, she carried with her a suitcase in one hand—one that had wheels and was decorated with exotic flowers that popped with bright vividly colors. In her other hand, she kept a suitcase big and squared. Bucky squinted to try and register the suitcase, until suddenly people walked in front of him and past him, causing him to lose sight of the possible indicator.

"I can't see with some of these people," Bucky shouted. Steve just gave him a nod, Bucky began to look around above them as he was the tallest among the duo so he tried to do his best until he heard a voice call to him.

"Hello," it said, he peered around the people who walked in front, obscuring his vision only to stop when he met eyes with the passenger who was now in front of him. He stood still for a moment, feeling a sudden rush of fear that made his heart beat fast as he quickly glanced down, not wanting to look this could be 'stranger' in the eye.

He then heard Steve announce, "Lilly!" taking a hold of Bucky's shoulder and shaking it. "She's finally here. Come on, Buck, let's say hi to her."

"I'm good though," he kept his eyes downward, only spotting the white heeled shoes, reminding him that it is probably Lilly. The same Lilly, the one that gets dirty, Lilly, making him feel a little safe.

Until she spoke, "What's the matter? Did I scare you?" she said. "If so, I'm sorry," laughing a little

"Buck, come on, look up," said Steve who shoved his shoulder, causing him to glance up.

"I'm sorry," he stated finally, getting a heads view of the one he waited to come home. "Lil?" he said, suddenly looking at her.

"Yes? It's me, who did you expect?" she said.

"Nothing, just you," he answered. His eyes locking on hers and then her face, she looked different, her eyes seemed to stand out more, her hair was seemingly long as it was tied in some kind of fashionably side bun. She wore light pink lip-stick which seemed to highlight her lip shape more, making him gulp a little more. Looking further down her body, it wasn't that of a fifteen year old, having with it the shapes and curves of a full grown woman and with it legs to boot. "Whoa…" he uttered out. Steve came in front, waving a hand in front of him.

"I know it's been a long time," she said. "Bucky and Steve, you both look great," she glanced at Steve and then at Bucky smiling, "Anything new with you?"

"Define new?" asked Bucky, his eyes never leaving hers only leaving when she glanced back at him. He took a hold of his blue tie, adjusting it. Steve thankfully drew her attention the most when he would talk but occasionally she would just be found staring back at Bucky. It was like meeting someone new and as much as he found himself looking at her, he would be relieved when she didn't stare back. It still bothered him with that idea—meeting a new Lilly.

She giggled a bit, her eyes shifting to the two. "I mean if you made new friends or more importantly…." She paused for a bit, "started dating?" she held her suitcase in front of her in a rigid fashion, if her eyes looked down some might have thought she looked scared.

Steve looked around and then shook his head, giving with it a light sigh. "Sorry to disappoint, but as much as you hoped, Lil, I haven't yet."

The blonde girl looked sympathetic. "Well, I'm sure you'll find a nice girl soon… I mean both of you look so handsome now." She stated, the smaller man gave a slight smile and then looked back at Bucky. Bucky found himself looking down again, this time head lowered when the question was asked. Rubbing his neck he felt it was awkward since the whole staring at her thing happened.

"Um, I don't know."

"What do you mean, 'you don't know?'" she asked, tilting her head and letting her suitcase in front sit on its own, moving her hands to her waist. "I bet the girls would be flocking to you now." she spoke causing him to look back up.

"It's not anything serious. Buck is just trying out a few," answered quickly the blonde who had been watching the two.

"Oh …" she replied, giving a light nod, she then glanced down.

"It's been a few here and there's," he answered. "What about you?" he slid his hands in his pockets. "Got a boyfriend now?"

She looked at him, half amused. "What? No, of course not, I went to an all girls' school, remember?" she answered.

"Right," answered Bucky, he then stood there quietly, "Forgot."

Silence filled the area between the two, the smaller male glanced at the two, only to knock the wind out of the taller male, hitting his stomach. "Bucky, you got to tell Lilly about the mail," the brunette looked at him then at Lilly, giving a little smile.

"Uh yeah, we got some mail for you. The ones that failed to be sent…" he explained.

Lilly instantly blinked at him. "I didn't know there was—" but before Lilly could explain, an unexpected person came popping in next to the elegant blonde.

"Ack, the trains! I don't know why they have such small room even though they be long like a snake, got my luggage finally out. Oh, there yee are, Lilly! What you doing standing around? Shouldn't we be meeting yeer family? Who are them? Is these the boys yee been talking about?" she went on, giving no mind to the fact Lilly was talking. Who the heck was this? Lilly's new friend? If so, why didn't she announce she was bringing some Scott to America with her and what does she know about them?

Bucky gave her a nod and glanced at Lilly. "Who's this?" he asked, feeling now a little annoyed to see such an overly talkative girl and more importantly not really knowing who he or Steve is.

"Uh…well, this here is Juliet. She is my friend, my best friend from England and from the girl school I was sent to," Lilly answered. She looked awkward now, it almost made Bucky feel a little relief and happy now it wasn't just him who was dealing with this.

"Huh? I see, well, this here is Steve—" he was cut as the blonde leaned over to show a hand.

"Hi, nice to meet you Juli—I mean Juliet," he laughed nervously.

"Oh, that's adorable, pleasure is all mine," the other female spoke, fixing the red hair on her head and reaching to shake his small hand.

Bucky gave her another nod, now staring back at Lilly who started to look like a little like her old self. "Any reason why she came?" he asked inquisitively. He began to sway back and forward in his stance.

"Buck!" said Steve, looking up and giving him a sharp look.

He then looked down, "Sorry, just didn't expect to see someone else," Bucky explained as Lilly looked down.

"I didn't—" she began until suddenly the trains horn went off and ride away, taking the words that look like was about to come out with it and with it sudden voices came bustling in behind the four, all murmuring and calling out "Lilly!"

"Oh, yee're family's here!" shouted Juliet. "Let's go meet them," she walked away with Lilly who turned her head to face the two men, leaving the two to stare at Lilly as she was pulled away…

The crowd gathered around her, greeting her and giving her kisses and hugs from Mr. Fontana to his wife and the others which seemed to be the older brothers, little sisters and possible other relatives he didn't know off, all showering the once low profile Lilly with love. it was a family reunion and to Bucky it was a rejection. His jaw tightened a bit, watching them as he sighed and turned to Steve.

"Come on, let's go," he began to walk off, not letting the blonde to respond until he ran after him, shouting.

"Buck! Wait! What the heck's gotten into you?"

Bucky continued to walk away until he felt a hand on his shoulder, causing him to whip around. "What's gotten into me? What's gotten into Lilly? She dolled up and let us meet her friend," he explained, lifting his right hand and pointing to the group which the blonde followed. "Face it, It's happened, Steve. Lilly Fontana replaced us. Goodbye, Brooklyn boys, hello what's her name," he let out, slowly gazing at the group and looking past the short friend.

"I don't think she did that beside I thought she looked really pretty," he spoke.

Bucky continued to look back, not registering the blonde's lowered head. "She did look really nice," he agreed.

"See? Now just wait until tomorrow—" Steve got cut off when a small girl ran into them.

"Big brother Bucky! And Steve! Hiya, how are you?" she smiled, giving a hug to the brunette and then to the blonde.

"Cece, hi, saw you earlier today," Steve turned around, letting her to let him go.

"Yes! You did, but seeing you both always is nice to see," Bucky smiled from her earlier embrace. "Well, look at you, must be glad that your sister's back, huh?" he asked.

She nodded her head, "I am," she turned around and waved at Lilly who gave her a wave back. Her eyes seemingly, catching sight of Bucky's as he wanted to look back down but Cece continued to speak. "Lilly told me to tell you that she looked forward to seeing you later today," she said.

"Did she now?" Bucky said sarcastically felt a light nudge from Steve who gave him that reprimanded glare.

"Sorry, Cece, Buck's having a—"

"I am so sorry, you guys," a voice cut the blonde off. It was Lilly who ran towards them.

"I told them of your plan, Lilly," spoke Cece as Lilly bent down and ruffled her sister's hair, causing her to giggle.

"Lillian! Cecelia! Get back here!" shouted a voice from behind.

Bucky merely lifted his head and spotted Mr. Fontana coming towards them. "And there's your cue," muttered Bucky. Lilly must have heard what he said as she shot him a glance, but before she could say something her father wrapped his arms around her shoulder giving Bucky a glare of his own.

"Come, Lillian," her father said.

"Of course, Papa, I will see you guys later today at the Tabber's coffee shop the usual spot at six," she announced, leaving Cece to look at the two.

"Sorry, you guys, see ya later," she said until she heard her name be called again, causing her to run after them, leaving Bucky and Steve to hear Mr. Fontana go off asking how they knew when Lilly's was coming home which made Cece to giggle, signaling to Steve and Bucky a quiet sign who nodded in response..

"You've been getting quite close with Cece," Bucky teased at Steve who just waved his hand of dismissal.

"Buck, she's a kid. I think we are just friends, she wouldn't be into me even if she was old enough," he explained. "Besides I wanna know what Lilly's been doing all this time."

Bucky merely scoffed, "Then be prepared for disappointments."

"You don't mean that, Buck, if I was correct you were looking a bit taken back," explained Steve who fixed his dark blue overcoat.

"She caught me by surprise besides did you see that she didn't tell off her dad?" he explained he looked at his friend

"Then we'll ask Lilly," responded Steve glancing at Bucky who went back to look at her.

"I guess we will," he said distracted

Steve sighed and patted Bucky on his arm. "Come on, we should leave. She's going to be waiting for us," he started to walk away. Bucky followed after him.

For the first few chapter before this, they were 15 if anyone wanted to know how old they were. Now, they're 18 (except Steve whose a year younger). Please read and review!