Brooklyn, New York, March 10th, 1942
Josephine felt like she was scrambling. She was hosting Bucky's 25th birthday party at her apartment and she wanted everything to be perfect. Steve was bringing Bucky around in about an hour and Josephine felt like she was running out of time.
"Josephine, the house looks great and so does the cake," Anna assured, trying to calm her daughter down. "And you know that no matter what, Bucky will love it. Because he loves you."
"I know, Mama," Josephine replied. "But you only turn 25 once, and he deserves the very best."
"Oh honey," Winnifred hugged Josephine. "Everything is perfect. He's going to be so happy, sweetheart."
"I'm just nervous," Josephine hugged Winnifred back. "And I don't even know why, we've been dating for a while now."
"He'll love it," Winnifred assured as she pulled away. "And it was so sweet of you to plan this, honey."
Josephine blushed slightly and shrugged. "He deserves the world. I wanna give him everything."
Winnifred smiled and rested one of her hands over her heart. "Oh honey, I'm so happy that you two got together."
"Me too." Josephine beamed. "Let me put together the finishing touches, Steve will probably be here with James soon."
Josephine scampered off to set the table and Anna looked at Winnifred knowingly.
"When d'you think Bucky will propose?" Anna asked curiously.
"Funnily enough, he asked for my engagement ring the other week," Winnifred answered in a hushed tone. "I gave it to him, of course. He was so nervous just asking for the thing."
Anna had to practically stop herself from squealing. "Oh, that's such good news!"
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door and Josephine stiffened. They were a little earlier than she expected…
"Oh, they're early!" Josephine's eyes widened. "Okay, everyone gather around."
Winnifred, Anna, George, and Bucky's sisters all gathered around while Josephine made her way to the door. She opened the door and smiled at Steve and Bucky.
"Hey, angel-face," Bucky smiled flirtatiously.
"Happy birthday, James," she stood on her toes and pecked his lips. "Come inside, you two."
Steve and Bucky walked inside and Josephine closed the door behind them. Bucky grinned as he saw everyone inside.
"Happy birthday, Bucky!" everyone shouted in unison.
"Happy birthday, Buck," Steve smirked up at his best friend.
"What is all this?" Bucky asked with a grin still on his face. "Angel-face, were you behind all of this?"
Josephine just smiled up at him and shrugged. "Maybe."
"Oh, sweet girl," he leaned down and kissed her softly. "Thank you."
"You only turn 25 once," Josephine murmured against his lips. "Just wanted you to have the best. Now c'mon, I made a cake."
Josephine grabbed Bucky's hand and led him to the kitchen. The rest of the group followed behind and Josephine lit the three candles that she had placed on the cake.
"Didn't have 25 candles?" Bucky teased as he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.
Josephine giggled. "More like I didn't wanna accidentally start a fire."
"Mm, my smart girl." Bucky pecked her cheek, making a blush spread across her face.
"Okay, one… two… three… go!" Josephine looked up at the group.
The group sang a very off-key rendition of 'Happy Birthday' and Bucky blew out his candles. He leaned down and pecked Josephine's lips a few times.
"Make a good wish?" Josephine raised her brows.
"The best wish." Bucky grinned.
Bucky had to admit that he was definitely nervous. He and Josephine had been dating for a few years at this point and he knew it was time. Bucky had asked his mother for her engagement ring the other week, and she had given it to him. Now he was just trying to find the perfect time to propose to Josephine. He felt the heavy weight of the little black box in his pocket and chewed on his lips nervously. Tonight. It had to be tonight.
Josephine pulled away from him and ran into her room to grab something. She came back holding a photo album and held it out to Bucky. "Happy 25th birthday, James. I made you a photo album, it goes all the way back to when we were kids."
Bucky took the photo album and flipped through it in awe. He noticed that Josephine had written little anecdotes throughout the album. "Oh, angel-face. I love it, thank you." He murmured as he leaned down to kiss her again. "I love you so much."
Josephine looked up at him lovingly and pressed another soft kiss to his lips. "I love you too, James. More than anything."
~/~\~
A few hours later after a lot of mingling, everyone had left the couple alone in the apartment. Steve and Bucky's sisters had left while Anna and Winnifred went back to the Barnes' apartment for tea. Josephine and Bucky sat on her bed and Josephine rested her head on Bucky's shoulder.
"Did ya like the party, James?" Josephine whispered.
"Like it?" Bucky's brows pulled together in disbelief. "Josie, I loved it! It was the best party a fella could ask for."
"You're just trying to boost my ego." Josephine giggled.
"No, Josie, I mean it," Bucky promised. "You worked so hard to put it together and I loved it. I love you."
"I love you too, James, so much." Josephine replied, taking his hand in hers.
She played with his fingers and Bucky looked down at her lovingly. This was the moment, this was when he needed to propose. It was perfect, just the two of them.
"There's only one thing that could make this day even better," Bucky whispered.
Josephine sat up straight and furrowed her brows. "What is it? Let me know and I'll make sure it happens, James."
Bucky smiled and shook his head slightly. God, she really would go to the end of the Earth to make him happy, wouldn't she? Well hell, he'd do the same for her. He pulled away from her and got down on one knee in front of her. Josephine's eyes widened in disbelief. Was this happening? Was this really happening?
"James—
"Josie, I would go to the very ends of the Earth to make you happy. I mean, seeing that smile on your face, it'll bring a fella to his knees. I've loved you since I met you. Even when I was a little kid, I think deep down I knew, even though I didn't quite know what being in love meant. It was always going to be you," Bucky looked up at her and pulled the little black box out of his pocket. "I don't even want to imagine a life without you in it. And I am so glad I met that little girl who had just moved to New York all the way from California. Josephine Marie Howard, will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?" he popped open the box to reveal his mother's engagement ring.
Josephine let out an excited squeal and nodded excitedly. "Oh, yes, James, yes! If I could say yes a million times, I would." She leaned down and kissed him deeply, holding his face in her hands.
Bucky beamed and he felt all of the nerves fade away immediately. He took her left hand and slid the ring onto her ring finger carefully.
"There," Bucky whispered. "It was made for you, angel-face."
"Oh, James, it's beautiful." Josephine breathed out. "It was your mother's, right?"
Bucky nodded and pressed a kiss to her lips. "Mmhmm. A gorgeous ring for an even more gorgeous girl."
Josephine got on her knees and hugged Bucky tightly. She was so excited to one day be able to call herself his wife.
"I am so excited to marry you, James," Josephine whispered into the crook of his neck. "I love you."
"I love you too, baby doll." Bucky kissed the side of her head feeling happier than he's ever been. "I'll love you forever and then some."
A/N: I hope y'all enjoyed this chapter! Reviews are much appreciated :)