Chapter 41 An Avenger Christmas

Steve whisked eggs for breakfast as bucky filled Darcy in on Tasha's ultimatum and secret love.

" Wow talk about soap opera turn of events, are you going to talk to Mary after presents?" She asked as she sipped ridiculously strong coffee, bucky nodded then stood.

" I'm gonna shower , leave you two be , figure out what I gotta tell Mary." He said as he headed out of the door.

" The truth punk, be ready if she trys to break your face." Steve calls after him, buck's shouted response of

" I damn well deserve a pop to the nose." Had Darcy in giggles, she couldn't imagine Mary punching bucky hide form him, yes hit him no. That was more her style than her twins. But hell Mary might surprise her, what did she know. Steve came over with two plates, each had eggs and bacon and a fancy looking fruit salad and her man thought he couldn't cook.

" Someone is spoiling me." She said happily as Steve kissed her cheek.

" Of course doll, you deserve it and more" he said softly, Darcy felt her stomach flutter. How did she get so lucky, she wasn't sure, After breakfast which was wonderful. Steve always surprised her in little ways like that, little tender acts of kindness that made her heart melt every time. Now she was getting dressed in a fuzzy red Christmas sweater that hugged her girls, paired with a set of super comfy form fitting jeggings, God bless spandex. Grabbing a star spangled pillow case she started dropping presents into to it. Leaving the ones for Steve on the night stand a few were for his eyes only and some were NC-17. She was pretty sure he'd turn five different shades of red by the time he opened all of them. Sliding her feet into pair of obnoxious multi colored monster slippers, she slung the case across her shoulder and headed out to the living room.

Steve was sitting on the floor feeding Pollo, teddy grahams.

" You shouldn't feed him that sugary crap babe, he'll get as big as a turkey." Darcy said shaking her head, Steve laughed giving another s'more teddy to pollo.

" Sorry to say dolly he's already a 16 pounder" he stroked pollos back and the flamingo trilled.

" flamingos are suppose to only eat brine shrimps, algae and little crustaceans. This fool eats everything its a wonder hes even pink, but this freaking chick is bright ass pink." She grumbled, Steve laughed

" Tony regulates his diet mostly he's on a special nutrients." Darcy blinked , she hadn't wanted to leave pollo. But that chick wouldn't leave Bruce, so he stayed at the tower ,pet to the avengers. And from what she could tell he was ridiculously spoiled rolling her eyes, she dragged them both downstairs.

The tower common room was full of laughter , smiles and booze Christmas morning was in full swing, presents everywhere. Tony was in Santa mode handing out presents and singing Christmas carols. Thor was perched on a big chair soaking up the atmosphere. Natasha was perched next to Bruce, which pollo didn't seem to like as the chubby flamingo wiggled it's self between them. Darcy couldn't help but crack up, Mary was on a long squishy red couch with pepper who was cooing at Edith. Bucky watching from the breakfast bar not twenty feet away like a big ol 'creeper he was. Darcy started to pass out presents, being a Santa like Tony. Steve had settled next to Bucky, helping the solider look less like a creep. Before long the floor was covered in paper and the room full of chatter, Tony dropped to his knees declared Pepper Potts his everything and asked her to be his wife and grossly better half. Pepper was silent for about five minutes seemingly gobsmacked before bursting into tears and loudly saying

" Of course I will you fool." Tony slid a decent sized diamond onto her finger , it was actually classy and not gaudy at all in Darcy's opinion. Once they sealed it with a kiss the room broke into cheers.

After Christmas lunch most of the avengers were laying around lethargic on turkey and ham with all the trimmings and the six different types of pie Darcy and Mary had made. Mary was washing dishes , as Edith, Darcy and Steve were napping on a large comfortable couch . Bruce and Natasha had went off to the labs the flamingo right on there heels. Thor was out like a light in his club chair holding a stuffed rhino Edith wasn't found of. pepper and tony where off celebrating, bucky was sitting at the breakfast bar watching her like a hawk. Mary was feeling a little uncomfortable after yesterdays kerfuffle. Natasha had been eerily nice and draped over Bruce she'd even seen her kissing him. She knew bucky had seen it too and it never seemed to faze him, he'd been her stalker all day staying very close almost too close.

" It doesn't bother you Natasha kissed Bruce?" she asked as she laid dessert plates in the drying rack. Looking over at Bucky who was lounging on the bar stool. He shook his shaggy head.

" No. She aint my gal no more, we were just going thru the motions you know." He said softly fiddling with the edge of his dessert plate which still had a fourth of a slice of his favorite cherry pie.

"oh?" was all she really could say it wasn't any of her business who he was with she had tramped down her growing feelings? what ever the hell they were.

" we ended it last night , she made me choose you or her." he said softly ,the cup she was washing slipped from her soapy fingers shattering in the sink and slicing the palm of her hand.

" Shit." she hissed softly grabbing a dry tea towel warping it around her hand bucky was already off his stool coming to her side lifting her up and away from the few shards of glass on the floor. he sat her on the breakfast bar checking her stocking covered feet for glass with his gloved hand. then moved to her hand carefully unwrapping her hand to check the cut.

"Its not too deep Darling, you need to be more careful." he said softly as he went to get the first aid kit off the top of Tony's fridge. Carefully he cleaned and bandaged her hand kissing her finger tips once he was done.

" I chose you Mary Lewis , because we fit and you make me whole. I know I'm mentally unstable , dangerous and have ptsd. I'm working on that and you sweet girl are bright honest full of joy and slowly falling part like a glass doll." He kissed her forehead " Lets walk the road of disaster together and keep each other from falling apart." he squeezed her uninjured hand. Mary wasn't sure part of her wanted to shriek yes another part worried she may just be a rebound.

" Bucky I need some time ."She whispered softly, he nodded stroking her curls

" I'll wait however long you need my darling." He looked so sad, jumping off the counter she scampered over to the couch scooping a waking Edith off Steve's chest trying to make a beeline for her room. However Steve wasn't awake and sleepily pulled her onto his chest draping his arm across her and Edith. And Mary came face to face with her sleeping older she settled until comfortable because she knew Steve wasn't going to let her go. Bucky ghosted into the room and settled onto a club chair seemingly un-bothered by Mary napping with Steve and Darcy. Tho'rs snores in the back round with out realizing it Mary drifted off.

hi guys and dolls , I know its been a while and its really late for a Christmas chapter. Anyways I hope you enjoy it none the less. Thank you to all of you that reviewed my last chapter. It makes me happier than a gnome in a mushroom field! Next time we see Darcy, Mary and Phil spend some quality time as besties. Please please review! - love you all Dizzy