Oh brother...

DarylDixon'sLover: Yeah, they needed to be comforted.

chibichibi98: Thanks! They gotta take it slow, relax after everything they've been through.

Tiphanie: You'll love this chapter then! It's fluffy and got all the feels. They're getting closer...or at least for a while...muahahaha.

Enjoy!

It was Christmas Eve and I was excited. James hadn't really taken to decorating, but I had put up a couple stockings I'd bought at the store. I'd also bought him a present that I thought he would like. Neither of us were really feeling a big Christmas dinner, so I'd made ham, mashed potatoes and a salad. I'd baked some sugar cookies, making him decorate a few of them with me. Who knew James Barnes was good at decorating cookies? He enjoyed it, even if he wouldn't admit it.

We both sat on the couch, my head leaning on his arm as we listened to the quiet world outside. Most everyone was off the streets now, at home with their families. And I was with mine.

"I'm sorry this isn't like a normal Christmas." James said, looking down at his glass of eggnog.

"What do you mean?" I asked, sitting up slightly.

"We don't have a tree, or lights, or music. Not really Christmasy."

"Well we don't have to be. Christmas isn't just about decorations and food and doing last minute shopping with the other crazy people. It's about being with the ones you love. Spending time together. And I wouldn't rather be anywhere else, doing anything else. We don't need a tree, or lights or music to have Christmas. This is more than enough for me."

James wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his side. I curled up against him, leaning my head on his shoulder. "I'm glad you think that. And I'm glad you're here with me."

I smiled as we drifted off into silence once more, just enjoying being with each other.

We slept in Christmas Day, not waking until the sun was shining in through the newspaper covered windows. I was leaning against James' back, my arm thrown over his waist. I nuzzled in closer, tucking myself completely against him as he shifted, waking up.

"Merry Christmas, James." I whispered.

"Merry Christmas, doll." He said, voice rough with sleep. He took my hand in his, lifting it to press a kiss to my knuckles.

I hummed, relaxing again. "Can we stay here all day?"

"Maybe after we get some breakfast." He said, still holding my hand.

"I was gonna make soup with the leftover ham."

"Split pea soup?"

"Mhm."

"Steve's mom used to make it. Or a version of it. Best split pea soup ever."

"You haven't tasted mine." I said, leaning up to kiss the side of his head.

"Hmm. We'll see." He said, before sitting up, stretching his arms over his head.

He got up and went to the bathroom while I started on breakfast. I was anxious to give him his present as I scrambled eggs, and flipped the bacon. James grabbed one of his plums when he got out of the bathroom, plopping down on the couch with it as I finished up breakfast. I handed him a plate as I sat next to him, both of us eating in relative silence.

"Don't be mad, but I got you a present." I said after we'd finished.

"You didn't have to do that." He said, looking at me.

"I know...but I wanted to." I said, getting up to grab the wrapped present from my backpack.

I handed it to him, and watched as he tore the paper off. It was a horrible wrapping job, but it was the best I could do. Wrapping wasn't my forte.

"The Great Gatsby? The Wonderful Wizard of Oz? All Quiet on the Western Front? The Hobbit?" He read off the titles.

"I know you don't read much, but I thought maybe having something from the past could help you."

He pulled me into a hug, pressing a kiss to the side of my head. "Thank you, doll. I remember reading these way back when." He turned, smiling at me. "I got you something too." He said, reaching into his pocket.

He handed me the small wrapped box. His wrapping job made me feel slightly better about mine, but I gave him point for effort. I opened the velvet box, gasping lightly at what was inside.

"Oh, James, it's beautiful." It was a necklace, a simple silver chain with a teardrop diamond in the middle.

"It reminded me of one my 'Ma had. It was her most precious possession. She loved it more than her wedding ring. I saw it and I knew I had to get it for you."

I smiled at him, blinking back the tears. "Help me put it on." I said, taking it from the box.

I held my hair out of the way as he clasped the necklace behind my neck, his fingers trailing lightly over the back of my neck, making me shiver slightly. I turned, looking up at him.

"How does it look?"

"Beautiful." He cupped my chin, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "Just like you."

I blushed, looking down at my lap. He sure was being awfully sweet on me.

James knew he was being sweet on her. After what had happened over the past couple weeks, he felt he needed to do it. She'd been through hell, and deserved so much more. So he'd spoiled her. He sat on the couch, reading through The Great Gatsby while she worked in the kitchen, putting their soup together. His heart was still fluttering a little. The way she'd blushed when he'd called her beautiful. The soft skin on the back of her neck...how it had felt under his rough fingers. He felt butterflies in his stomach as he tried to concentrate on the book in his hand.

He couldn't deny he was starting to grow something...some feeling towards her. When she'd asked him if he'd ever...with her...he knew he was a gonner. He wanted to scream yes, but he knew they weren't in a place for that right now. She'd been through so much, he didn't want to risk pushing her away by moving too fast. He wasn't entirely sure what he was feeling. Maybe it was just the Christmas spirit, and the fact she'd done something so sweet for him that had him feeling this way. He sighed, stretching his legs out in front of him as she sat down next to him, curling up with her own book.

"What are you reading?" He asked, looking over at her.

"Pride and Prejudice."

"I remember my youngest sister reading that. In school. She kept going on and on about it."

"Well, it is a good book." Olivia shrugged.

"Hey Olivia? Can I ask you something?"

"Sure." She put her book aside.

"Did anyone ever call you Olive?"

She laughed. "My sister did. When she was annoyed with me. Why?"

"Just curious. I remember a neighbor girl named Olivia. The fellas used to call her little Olive."

"Mine was always Libby. My dad coined that one. I don't know why...but it stuck." She shrugged. "But you could call me Olive if you want. It won't upset me."

"I'll try to remember than when you annoy me."

"Hey...I don't annoy you, do I?"

"Never. I actually enjoy your incessant need to talk. Keeps me out of my own head."

"Thank...you? I think?"

"I was being serious. I don't mind listening to you. You keep me entertained."

The next week went by quickly, New Year's Eve approaching. James and I were sitting out on the balcony, watching the fireworks, counting down to the new year. I was excited, feeling like I could start off fresh. Forget everything that had happened over the last year, and wipe my slate clean. I looked over to James as the timer counted down the last minute. He looked so handsome then, the fireworks lighting up his face. He turned to look at me, eyes shining as the last few seconds counted down. His hair framed his face, curling slightly at the ends. He was beautiful. All hard muscle and power. I bit my lip, tracing his face with my eyes before I leaned forward, pressing my lips to his as the timer hit 1.

It was short, quick, but I couldn't help but feel a shiver shoot all the way down to my toes. My lips were tingling as I pulled away. He was shocked, his eyes wide, lips still slightly parted as he looked at me. I felt my stomach drop, the reality of what I'd just done hitting me.

"I...I'm sorry...I don't know why I did that." I said before getting up and rushing inside, my face burning, humiliation hitting me over the head.

What had I done?