Chapter 18. Arrangements

Bucky

The only other time I asked a woman to marry me was because I thought I was being responsible, being a man and trying to make things right. At the time I really was too young and immature to fully understand that commitment and within a few years we were divorced. When I asked Jane to marry me it was because I loved her and wanted a formal declaration of what she meant to me. When she said yes I felt like I had come full circle. With her I envisioned a life together, a family, and the belief that with what we had already been through we were strong enough to face whatever would come in the future.

As we in lay in bed after she accepted my proposal, kissing and touching each other, I realized there was one small problem with my timing... I didn't have a ring. A small groan escaped my throat and she looked at me, slightly amused.

"What's wrong? Didn't we just have a memorable moment?"

I kissed her forehead, then her lips lightly. "I just asked you to marry me without a ring to seal it. I'm not much of a fiancé if I didn't plan to give you a ring along with the proposal."

"I'm not bothered," she said, looking over my whole face with her beautiful eyes. "It's not like we're in a normal situation. We're in hiding, isolated, and in bed. But I'll never forget this."

Her soft hand cupped my cheek and she kissed me, trying to make me feel better. It did. No wonder I loved her.

"Then I promise to get you a beautiful ring. What's more important is whether you agree to get married as soon as we can. Even if it's just you and me in front of a city clerk, I don't want to wait."

"I don't want to wait either," she replied, kissing me again. "We'll have to go and apply for a marriage licence, then it's 24 hours before we can marry legally. Are we going to tell the others?"

I laid on my back, looking up at the ceiling in the dark room. My first instinct was to do this alone, just the two of us, but logistically that wasn't possible. We weren't prisoners per se, but we were hidden and for good reason. Just to get the marriage licence we would need help to get out, and the only one on the team who had free reign to come and go was Happy Hogan. But he was Tony Stark's employee and would likely feel obligated to tell him what we were up to. Then we needed someone who could legally perform the ceremony. In New York that meant a clergyman, but I wasn't a church goer, although I had dealings with the police chaplain from time to time. A judge could do it but considering what we were investigating I couldn't be sure we could find someone who wasn't compromised or implicated in this ever-deepening conspiracy. The mayor, governor, or a member of the state legislature could do it, but I wasn't acquainted with any one of them. That left the city clerk where we would have to line up along with everyone else waiting to get married that day and hope that our attendance wouldn't draw attention to our location. Jane laid partially on top of me as I contemplated our choices, her eyes bright even in the darkness as she gazed down to me.

"Well?" she asked. "What are we going to do? I don't think we can get the legalities done without help and if we ask a couple of them for help, we'll have to tell the others. I mean, we are a team, right? Since our families can't be there, they can be our witnesses."

"Maybe our families can be there," I said, looking up at her, brushing her hair behind her ear. "We're in a location with computer geniuses. Perhaps they can find a way to broadcast it to where our families are so they're with us. I haven't even met your parents yet but I think they would want to see the man you've chosen to spend the rest of your life with. You're right about including the others here. They are our friends and we should have our friends with us. We'll also need their help to get the legalities done, like you said. There's no other way to do this."

Her body shifted so that she was right on top of me. Immediately I could feel a physiological response to the way her breasts pressed into my chest, and the way her hips were definitely stimulating me. In response I ran my hands down her back until they were on the soft skin of her bottom. A smile greeted me as I caressed the tempting mounds of her cheeks.

"We'll find a way then," she said, kissing me deeply and bringing a little moan out of me. "Because I want to marry you just as quickly. We're going to do this."

"Uh huh," I answered then I kissed her back, hoping to get the same reaction out of her. "We're going to get married."

We lost ourselves to the moment again. It was so easy with Jane. Everything I felt for her was shared as we made love again. She was more than my love. In the short time we had known each other she had become part of my life, the one I wanted to wake up with, the last face I wanted to see before I went to bed, the person I wanted to think about when we were apart, and the one I wanted to touch when we were together. It was some time before we finally fell asleep but when I woke up early the next morning all I could think about was that soon we were going to be married. There was no "if" or "maybe" about it. We were going to make it happen.

It was tempting to stay in bed and wake Jane up for more but she looked so peaceful that I thought it better to let her stay in bed without that risk. Instead of sleeping in with her I had a shower and went out to the common area where just the man I wanted to see was already there, taking care of our needs again. Happy was putting away groceries that he must have pre-ordered and picked up. He looked up at me as I came into the kitchen area.

"You're up early," he said.

"And you're someone I want to talk to," I replied.

"You okay if I keep putting things away?" he asked, stopping in mid-stride. I nodded and he continued. "What do you need?"

"I need you to arrange for Jane and I to pick up a marriage licence and some wedding rings," I said. "Then if you could maybe talk to the police chaplain at the precinct to see if he can perform a marriage ceremony. Finally, is there any way you can arrange for a video call with our parents so we can actually meet them before we get married? A bonus would be if you could arrange for a video conference session that would allow our families to watch the ceremony."

As soon as I said marriage licence he stopped what he was doing. When I said marriage ceremony I swear he stopped breathing. The request for a video call and video session saw him walk around the kitchen island to face me.

"You're kidding me, right?" I shook my head and he let out a loud breath. "Well, first of all, congratulations. Secondly, you're asking a lot. You understand that no one other than me and a few trusted people know you're here and no one other than me knows where your families are."

"I know that," I said, "which is why I'm asking you first. If you have to clear this with Tony, that's fine, but I want to be married to Jane before the week is out. I figure that Tony and his people will know the logistics of how to do a video call and session for the families, without letting our locations be revealed to them."

"Okay," he replied, seeming more accepting of my request. "What about a suit and a dress, flowers ... do you want an actual wedding or just a quick official, make it legal, ceremony?"

I placed my hands on the tops of his arms. "Whatever works for you is fine, as long as it's legal and we can say what we have to. If you could send someone to my place, like Steve Rogers, my captain. He has a key and the code for the security system. Ask him to get my grey suit, white dress shirt, navy tie, black socks and black dress shoes as that's what I would like to wear. I'm sure Jane has something in her apartment that can be picked up. The rings are just to make it official and don't have to be anything fancy, just plain gold wedding bands. My ring size is 10 but I don't know Jane's. Flowers, surely, you've ordered flowers for Tony before, or perhaps Peggy has. We can have the ceremony here. We just want to make what we have legal as soon as possible. That's all we're asking."

A small smile formed on his face. "Sounds easy when you say it that way. Let me see what I can arrange for getting a marriage licence. I have some contacts and I may be able to get someone to meet us at a safe location. I like the police chaplain idea but I would like to run a security check on him first. If he checks out I'll bring him here but he'll have to be masked. In the meantime, you find out Miss Peterson's ring size and what clothes she wants to wear. Mr. Stark would be the one to ask about the video call and session from this end as we took the phones away from all the family members. I'll see if my contact there has a secure connection on their end. It's going to be a few days to get this done quickly. That's the best I can do."

"Happy, you make me happy," I joked. "Seriously. If you can arrange everything I'll be in your debt. You name it."

"It's okay Sergeant Barnes," he grinned. "Just part of my job as head of security for Stark Technology."

I helped him with the rest of the groceries, wanting to do something for him. It felt good to know that there was someone like him, who took his obligations seriously. Even though he worked for Stark he had accepted responsibility for the safety of everyone on the team, and our families. It was an incredible load for a single man to carry but it was obvious that he was the man for the job. As other people slowly came out to the kitchen, all in various states of readiness for the day I went back to our room to see if Jane was ready to get up. She was already in the shower and I knocked on the door before opening it.

"Hey," I called. "You alone in there?"

A quick laugh told me that she thought I was being a smart ass. "Just me and my imaginary hot boyfriend," she replied. "You scared him off."

I sat on the toilet seat. "Happy is more than happy to help us," I announced, still stuck on using his name more than once in a sentence. Jane stuck her head out of the curtain, making sure I saw her roll her eyes before she ducked back in. "He thinks it will take a few days to set up. I told him we were both okay to wear nice clothes that someone could get from our places and that plain gold wedding bands were fine. Is that alright with you?"

The water turned off and I handed her a towel for her hair, then grabbed the bath sheet, holding it open for her as she stepped out of the shower. Gently I used the ends of the towel to blot out some errant drops of water on her face and shoulders as she wrapped it around her.

"That's good," she said, looking up at me. She smelled so good. "What about the marriage licence and the ceremony?"

"He's going to check with his contacts to see if we can meet someone in a safe location to apply for the licence," I answered. "I suggested the police chaplain could perform the ceremony. I'm not religious but I've spoken to him a few times and he's a decent guy. He should be qualified to marry people. As long as he passes Happy's security check then he could be brought here in secret."

"Who would get our things?"

"Steve has a key for my place and I gave a description of the suit I want." Her face lit up in surprise. "I do have more than one suit. I might prefer to live in jeans and T-shirts, but I know how to look good for special occasions. I figured Peggy could do the same for you, if you have a pretty dress that you could get married in. If you don't, then maybe we'll have to get a personal shopper to find you something dazzling to wear. Also, what's your ring size?"

"Are you always this much of a take charge kind of guy?" She was grinning, so I knew she wasn't put out that I went ahead and began organizing it. "I take it you got up early and Happy was already here."

"You were snoring away," I smiled back. "We're going to have to do something about that." She made an annoyed face so I kissed her. "Nothing bad, I promise. It would involve a lot of kissing and touching, you know, married people stuff."

"I love you." Her whole face lit up when she said it and I repeated it right back to her. We almost started getting into the married people stuff until she pulled away. "Now go, let me finish getting ready. You haven't told anyone else other than Happy, have you?"

"No, for that I definitely want us to present a united front," I replied. "I'll wait for you."

Twenty minutes later Jane's makeup was done, her hair dried, and she looked great in the clothes she picked out for the day. Holding the door open for her we held hands as we walked out to the bustle of everyone eating or preparing breakfast. Happy looked up at us from whatever he was searching for on his cell phone, a little smile on his face. We received some good morning greetings from a few people then Jane looked at me and nodded.

"Good morning, everyone," I stated loudly. "We have a small announcement to make and since you're the closest thing to family we have here it's only fitting you're the next people to know." They were all looking at us, some with anticipation and some with puzzlement. "About eight weeks ago, give or take a few days, I was sleeping on the streets as part of an undercover assignment. A car with a flat tire pulled up nearby driven by what I thought was a clueless person who didn't realize the danger she was in being in that neighbourhood. Turns out she wasn't clueless, just destined to be in the same spot as me on that particular night. I changed her tire, sent her on her way, and a week later I met her in much better circumstances. From that encounter grew something special, so special that I asked Jane to marry me last night and she said yes. Neither of us wants to wait so with help from Happy for the necessities, and hopefully help from all of you tech geniuses here, we want to get married here in the next few days and arrange it so that our friends and families can watch the ceremony virtually."

There was literally no sound for the next few seconds then it was like the celebration of the greatest moment in sports as everyone cried out and surrounded us with hugs and kisses. It took several minutes of hearing their congratulations before everyone gave us some breathing room.

"Where's the ring?" asked Thor, gently taking Jane's left hand.

"An engagement ring will have to wait," I replied. "But we'll go with plain wedding bands for the ceremony."

"I call dibs on walking the bride down the aisle," said Tony.

"No, I'm older than you," countered Bruce. "It should be me taking on the role of the dad."

"How about you both represent my dad?" said Jane. "You were both there for me at FBI headquarters. I don't mind you sharing. Is it true you can arrange a way for everyone to watch? I'd also like to call our parents first so that they meet each other and us."

"Absolutely," said Tony, his face set in a soft smile. "We can arrange that." He looked back at Happy who was back on his phone. "I think someone knew before anyone else here."

"Well, I figured he should know first so he can get the logistics out of the way," I answered. "We need to apply for a wedding licence, arrange for someone to perform the ceremony, and get some nice clothes from our places to wear."

"Maybe I can help with a short honeymoon in a secret location," offered Tony. "We'll make sure you have no worries for a couple of days at least."

Sam and Joaquin came over, hugging Jane first before shaking my hand. "You'll stand up with me, right?" I asked Sam.

"In a heartbeat. Why now?"

I put my arm around Jane. "She's the right person and it's the right time. I think we could all use a happy occasion after the past week."

"Well, I'm very pleased for both of you," said Sam, smiling. "You're going to make me look bad to Natasha, but I forgive you."

"You need to commit to her, Sam," I replied. "You have to stop stringing her along."

"I know, I know," replied my partner. "I think it's something that will happen after this is all behind us."

Jane and I started making our breakfast, joining the others at the large table to eat. The atmosphere was certainly more buoyant with our announcement and the agenda for the day was set with the goal of acquiring more information. After we finished up eating, then cleaning up, most of them went over to their computer stations and began their searches. Thor, Sam, Joaquin and I were marking the cross connections on the big board between the people and companies we already had tacked up there. Tony, Peter, and Happy disappeared into one of the suites then the two older men came out together with big grins on their faces.

"First of all, I need to know what clothing you would like picked up for you at your apartment," Happy said to Jane. "Then your ring size." Jane gave him a description and her ring size then Happy looked at Tony who extended his hands back to his security chief, allowing him the pleasure. "We've set up a video call with both of your parents so you can break the news to them. We haven't given them any clues. Just go to the empty suite. That's where Peter has it set up. When you're done, you two will come with me to get the marriage licence and your wedding rings."

We walked down the hallway finding the suite door open where Peter was sitting with an open laptop. He asked us to sit on the sofa and placed the laptop in front of us, then found something to sit underneath it so it was elevated a bit. Satisfied with our position on the screen he opened the program, then we waited for a minute or so before suddenly my parents appeared, followed by Jane's parents. We smiled at each other then Jane and I held hands, both of us clasping both of our hands together.

"You go ahead," I said to her.

"Hi Mom, Hi Dad," she said to the couple. "How are you doing?"

"Well, can't complain about an all-expenses paid vacation but we would be happier being in our place," said her dad. "Who is this with you?"

"This is James Barnes, but you can call him by his nickname, Bucky," she said. "He's a police sergeant with the New York Police Department. Bucky, these are my parents Bob and Rachel Easton."

"I'm pleased to meet you sir, and ma'am," I said. "If you'll give us a moment I want to introduce Jane to my parents. Then we'll share some news with you all." I looked at Jane and she smiled, encouraging me. "Mom, Dad, sorry, Winnie and George Barnes, this is Jane Peterson. We've been involved for about seven weeks and I had hoped to bring her to meet you at your anniversary celebration but because of the investigation we're both involved in we had to go into protective custody."

"You're with our daughter to protect her, I hope," said Jane's father.

"Yes sir, I'm committed to protecting her but things happened and we became involved," I said, suddenly second guessing how to tell them we were getting married.

"Mom, Dad, Mr. and Mrs. Barnes," started Jane. "I'm just going to come right out and say it. Bucky and I are getting married, within a couple of days. Neither of us want to wait as there's no quick resolution to this investigation in sight. I wanted us all to meet first and we hoped to get your blessing."

She looked at me and I pulled my one hand out of hers and put it around her, kissing the side of her head. We both looked at our parents, waiting for any comment. Mine were looking at each other, no doubt recalling when I blindsided them when I announced I was marrying Connie. Jane's parents didn't look much happier.

"Bucky, are you sure this is what you want?" asked my mom. "I know you've been looking for the right one since your divorce and Jane seems nice but this is awfully quick to decide that you want to get married."

"Mom, I've never been happier," I said. "Jane was hurt deeply by her ex-husband, who's a person of interest in this investigation. We've shared things with each other that we've never shared with anyone else, ever. As far as I'm concerned she's the woman I've always wanted. Mr. Easton, Mrs. Easton ... Jane told me how you had reservations about John Walker before they got married. I've been a police sergeant for five years, a patrolman for ten years before that, and a soldier before that. I was also a teenage father. My daughter is 21, a 3rd year journalism student at NYU. Her mother and I are still friends and I consider her, her husband and their kids as part of my extended family. I own my own home in Brooklyn, and I have no debts to my name. When I see your daughter, I see someone I want to grow old with, have a family with, and have a good life where we support each other. In a perfect world I would have come to Edmonton first to meet you and the rest of Jane's family. After this is all done, I look forward to that. But we don't want to waste any more time to start that life together. We want to say those words, to commit to each other as soon as we can."

I squeezed Jane's shoulder with my hand and we waited. Jane's mother cleared her throat.

"My own parents married only two weeks after they met and had a month together before my father went off to Korea," she said. "They were married for 52 years and were the best example I ever knew of a happy couple. The fact is you're both adults and you're both there, with only each other for comfort. I can see you care about each other, just by how you've shared the burden of telling us this surprising news. I'm giving you my blessing and Bucky, I do look forward to meeting you in person some day. Something tells me you'll be a very good husband to Jane."

Jane's dad smiled and took his wife's hand. "I can't argue with her," he said. "You're right about how we felt about John. I don't get the same vibes from you. You were truthful with us about your past and I appreciate your honesty. You keep our daughter safe, and yourself as well, for her sake. I can see you mean a lot to each other and that means everything to us."

I smiled at them then switched my attention to my parents. My mother was smiling but I could see my dad was still a bit of a tough sell. Then he coughed and looked at me with the look he reserved for telling me some tough truths when I was growing up, including when he thought I was making a mistake marrying Connie while still in high school.

"Although you weren't there for our anniversary, Steve and Peggy were," he said. "Steve told me about Jane and how taken you were with her. Peggy knew her better from working with her. Both of them thought she could be the making of you. I don't believe that for a second." I got ready to disagree with him, but he put his hand up. "Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying she's not good enough. Far from it. You made some questionable choices when you were young, but you always took responsibility for them and tried your best to do right. I think that over the years you've been the making of yourself. We're both so proud of the man you've become. It's obvious by how you look at each other that you two have something very special together. So, your mom and I are absolutely going to welcome Jane to our family, but you better be more than just good enough for her. She deserves the best from you, Buck. Don't let her down."

"I won't, Dad," I said, meaning it with all my heart. "I promise."

All six of us talked some more, getting to know each other better. An invitation was extended by both sets of parents to each other to visit. When Peter tapped his watch, we knew we had to wrap it up. We shared our love with them, promised to see them again in a couple of days at the most then said our goodbyes. As Peter closed the laptop and headed out, I thought of something and turned to Jane.

"They're in different places," I said. "I was under the impression they were in the same location but they aren't, otherwise our parents would have met each other already."

"That's good, isn't it?" asked Jane.

"Yes, and no," I replied. "It means Tony's security people are split up to watch over them. Depending on how many are at each site they could still be at risk." She looked at me, worried and I was suddenly sorry I said anything out loud. I took her hands. "I'm just being overly cautious. I'm sure they're all fine."

Happy was ready for us when we came out. Jane stopped to grab her purse as we needed our identification. Outside, one of Happy's guys was at the wheel of the SUV. All three of us got inside the vehicle and the driver went to the Kings County Clerks Office while Happy continued doing work on his phone. About a block away, Happy made a phone call and got the okay he wanted, directing his driver to go to the back of the building. A man was waiting there, and he waved us into an office just inside the back door. He obviously knew Happy very well as they shook hands then he left, returning shortly after with a woman, carrying several stamps with her.

"Hey, Sherry," said Happy. "Thanks for this. These people are in witness protection and we have to limit their outside exposure."

"You owe me, Harry," she said, obviously using his real name. "Box seats at the Mets games, at least, for your favourite cousin." She looked critically at me and Jane. "You both have your identification with you?" We put our identification down in front of her. "Any previous marriages?" We both gave her the information and she asked if our divorce decrees were finalized. Then she looked at Jane. "Do you plan to take your husband's surname as your own? Legally, you don't have to. It's your choice."

I looked at her, not wanting to pressure her but she smiled. "I do want to take his last name," she said.

"Okay, uh, Freddy, can you go get the portable bank machine to process the payment?" she asked. She started stamping the different sections of the application, finishing just as Freddy brought the bank machine. I offered him my bank card to pay for it. "I'll take this in, enter the information and print out your copy. Make sure whoever fills it out does it completely then get it to us as soon as possible for the registration and issuing of your official certificate. I'll just be a few minutes."

She left, leaving us there with Happy and Freddy. "So, Harry is your real name?" I asked.

"Don't want to talk about it," he said tersely. "Don't share it either. Even Boss doesn't know, although Pepper does, being HR."

Jane smiled at me and we didn't say anything more. A few minutes later Sherry came with the copy of the licence, told us to go over it now to make sure there were no mistakes as we would have to apply again if any errors were discovered after the wedding, plus it would make the wedding invalid. It was valid for 60 days and only in New York State. We went over it, finding no errors, and she shook our hands, then hugged Happy quickly. Freddy ushered us out the door and we got back in the car.

"Next stop, jewellers," Happy said, pointing his hand forward before burying his face in his phone again.

Just like before we went to the back door and ended up in the office where the manager brought a tray of plain and not so plain wedding bands. Happy glared at him and he shrugged, saying business was slow. We picked out the bands then he noticed Jane didn't have an engagement ring.

"I have some very nice engagement rings that are just the lady's size," he said. "I find when couples come in, they know right away what they're looking for. Just by looking at you I can tell you're a solitaire type of couple. 1.00 carat, plain gold band. Am I right?"

I looked at Jane and she smiled, slightly shrugging her shoulders. "He's not wrong," she said. "I've never been one to want something flashy. We don't have to get it; I'm willing to wait."

"I want it," I said. "Even if it's just for a couple of days until the wedding."

I looked at the manager and nodded. He came back with several rings, describing each one. The third ring was described as having a polar bear diamond from the Canadian North. Jane's face lit up and he gave it to me to slide on her ring finger. When I saw it on her I knew it was the right one. She nodded, and almost began to cry. Even Happy could see how it affected her.

"We'll take it," I said, bringing my wallet out.

As we left through the back door I looked at Happy and touched my hair. He sighed loudly.

"Where's your barber?" he asked.

"About six blocks away," I answered then looked at my watch. "He can probably get me in right away. I just want it cleaned up a bit."

He handed me his phone. "Make sure." Then he looked at Jane. "You want to make a stop at a beauty salon?"

"No, I'm good," she smiled, as I phoned Aldo's Barber Shop.

Half an hour later we were on our way back to the secure location. Jane had her engagement ring, I had a haircut, we had our wedding rings and the marriage license. All we needed now was 24 hours, some nice clothes, and the chaplain to make it all legal. After our arrival everyone came to take a closer look at the ring. I saw Happy draw Tony and Thor aside. They tried not to look at us but I could tell that we were the topic of conversation. Whether it was something good or not was more difficult to discern. We were in too deep for me to be concerned now and I put it out of my mind. No matter what anyone said we were getting married. Of that I was certain.