Chapter 27. Changes
Contains mild sexual content describing foreplay on a wedding night.
Friday, April 6, 1945
The knock on the bedroom door was followed by Winnie Barnes' voice. "You boys okay in there? Do you need help with anything?"
Bucky opened the door, his tie deliberately undone. He smiled at his mother.
"I could use some help with this. Steve's hands are shaking too much."
She smiled back, knowing full well he was capable of doing up his military uniform tie, while Steve grinned and shook his head. There was no comment from her, she just fixed the tie up and tightened it against his collar, before smoothing her hands over the lapels of his uniform.
"Thanks, Ma, it looks perfect," he said, leaning over to kiss her on the cheek. "Maybe check Steve's tie as well."
She looked at the man who was like a second son to her, hurrying over when he faced her with his arms open. It was obvious his tie was perfect, but she still touched it, patting him on the chest.
"Still not used to how big you got," she said. "Your mother would be so proud of the man you became."
"Thank you for being there for me after she died," he answered, leaning down to give her a kiss on the cheek. "You're family to me."
"Now, you boys get downstairs before the taxi arrives," she said, at the door.
"Yes, ma'am," they both replied, in unison, making them chuckle.
"You ready?" asked Bucky.
"I am," smiled Steve. "We're getting married, Buck. Both of us."
With a pat on each other's back the two lifelong friends went down the stairs, joining Bucky's parents and sister in the parlour. His father had a brownie camera and placed the two men so the light from the window illuminated them. Then he took a picture of them. Next, he put Winnie and Rebecca next to them, snapping another picture. After showing Rebecca how to take a picture he posed with them and Winnie.
"I better save some film for the girls," he said.
"After the ceremony could you take a picture of us in front of the Brooklyn Bridge?" asked Bucky. "Gladdie was never on it until the day I brought her home for dinner. It would be nice to have it in the background."
"Sure, son, we can do that. Any word from her parents?"
Bucky shook his head. "Her father was pretty definite that he wanted nothing to do with her. I phoned her Ma, but she didn't say yes or no. How could they do that to her? Their own daughter."
George put his hand on Bucky's shoulder. "I don't know, son. Don't you worry. We're her parents now and when you go back to Europe, we'll take care of her."
"I know, but you didn't see how she cried in the taxi home from her dad's bank," said Bucky. "It broke her heart. The things he said to her were terrible. Took all of my strength not to grab him by the collar and shake some sense into him."
The face his parents made showed Bucky they were just as concerned as him about Gladdie's parents' lack of support for the marriage. All of them would just have to work extra hard to show her that she was part of the Barnes family now.
"Taxi's here!" Rebecca was looking out the window.
Bucky helped his mother on with her coat, her hat already on. She picked up her purse and went outside with the two soldiers, sitting in between her two boys, after Bucky introduced her to Daniel Levinson. They would stop off and pick up the bouquets on the way. George was driving Rebecca, Peggy and Gladdie. After locking up the house, he and Rebecca went up to the apartment, knocking on the door of the third floor flat. When Peggy opened it, she was wearing her SSR uniform, proof of how proud she was of her service.
"You look wonderful."
"Thank you, Mr. Barnes," she replied. "Please come in. Gladdie is almost ready."
She came out of the bedroom wearing a grey suit, a white silk crossover blouse underneath, with a small gold hummingbird pin on her lapel. He thought that Bucky was very lucky to find such an elegant woman to commit his life to. There was no doubt in his mind that they would be happy together.
"My dear, you are a vision," he said warmly. "What a lovely pin."
"It was my grandmother's," she said. "Left it to me after she died. I always loved it when I was growing up. She told me many times it was a symbol of hope and good luck."
For a moment, he thought she might cry, at the thought of her grandparents being happier for her on this day than her own parents were. But she took a deep breath, smiled at him and he knew she would be alright. Several of the tenants in the building came out of their doors to wish the two ladies well on their wedding day as they walked down the stairs. George opened the back door of the car for them, holding his hand out for them as they stepped inside. Then he did the same for Rebecca, bringing a pleased smile to the face of the 15-year-old girl. A short time later they arrived at the city clerk's office, parking nearby. Once again, George offered all three of them his hand as they stepped out of his car. As they crossed the street, Gladdie recognized the woman waiting next to Mrs. Barnes, and bit her lip. Her mother looked at her daughter then opened her arms to her, murmuring gently.
"Don't cry, my darling. You don't want to smear your makeup, today of all days." She looked up at Gladdie with love. "I don't care what Charles said. I'm here to see my daughter's wedding and no one is going to tell me otherwise."
"You already met Mrs. Barnes, Bucky's mother?" asked Gladdie, then gesturing to the others. "This is Mr. Barnes, his father, and Rebecca, his sister, and this is Peggy Carter. She's getting married to Steve Rogers."
Her mother nodded at them, then looked up at her daughter again. "I saw Mrs. Barnes get out of the taxi with two good looking soldiers and knew one of them was your Bucky when he came right over to me. You know he phoned me and asked me to come, for your sake. Charles was there at the time, and I couldn't say yea or nay, but once your father left for work, I got dressed and took the trains here. Bucky is a good man and I know he'll be a good husband. That's all I ever wanted for you."
"Thank you." Gladdie breathed deeply, then looked up at the building. "We better get in there."
"Here are your bouquets," said Mrs. Barnes, handing them each a small arrangement of flowers. "The boys are inside, waiting for you."
As they walked into the building, Gladdie took her mother's arm, holding on to her as they sought out the chamber where the marriage ceremonies were held. An anterior room was half full of people waiting their turn, all of them noticing how Bucky and Steve's faces lit up at their arrival. Within moments Bucky and Gladdie were called. With a glance at Steve, he asked if the ceremonies could be combined, considering their close friendship. It took a moment to bring out the paperwork for Steve and Peggy's wedding but when it was brought the clerk announced that they could begin. The two men took their places in front of the clerk, while George took Peggy's arm and Mrs. Norton took Gladdie's, walking them up to the two men, and placing their hands together.
The ceremony itself seemed not as important as the fact they were all there together, sharing this most important piece of the friendship between the two men that had started when they were boys. When the vows were made by each of the couples, it was done with great feeling, leaving no doubt of their commitment to each other. As the rings were placed on their respective fingers, Bucky gazed at Gladdie's face, still thinking of how lucky he had been to meet her. Then the clerk announced the two couples were now husband and wife, and neither man wasted any more time, each kissing their bride lovingly. The register was signed, and the permanent marriage certificates issued, then they stepped outside into the anterior room, where Daniel Levinson waited for them.
"I think someone who was already here phoned the newspapers. They're out front waiting for you. I have my taxi in the alley if you four want to get away without the press."
"I want some pictures of you four together," said Mr. Barnes. "How about we meet somewhere? They don't know us so I can take Winnie, Rebecca, and Mrs. Norton."
Bucky told his father where he thought a good picture could be taken with the Brooklyn Bridge as a backdrop. With that, the two couples followed Levinson out to the back, while the Barnes family and Mrs. Norton went out the main door. It was true; there were at least half a dozen photographers there. Walking right past them they went to the car and drove to the viewpoint of the Brooklyn Bridge. George used up most of the film taking pictures of the couples, asking Mrs. Norton to take the second last picture of the whole Barnes family, with Gladdie as part of it, then last picture of her with the couple. When that was done, Steve asked Levinson to take him and Peggy to his parent's graves so he could share the day with them. While the newlyweds went to the cemetery the others returned to the Barnes brownstone and began to prepare for the luncheon, with Mrs. Norton not taking no for an answer after she offered to help put the food out. The cake was delivered, and the neighbours began to arrive, as did several from the SSR, including Dr. Erskine, Dr. Waslewski, and Lt. Hay.
"They're here!" Rebecca yelled from the living room window. "Where's the rice?"
Several of those waiting picked up small bags of rice and assembled on the steps of the brownstone, tossing some at the newlyweds as they exited the taxi. The commotion drew the attention of passersby who watched the happy couples as they laughed and kissed before hurrying up the steps into the small reception. There were many congratulatory greetings given to both pairs. Rebecca put some music on the gramophone and helped her mother serve the guests, going around with a plate of fancy sandwiches. The taxi driver, Daniel Levinson, who had been asked to join them, gratefully took some, putting them on a small plate he was handed. Positioning himself in a corner he watched contented, as the two couples and their families seemed very happy. When the doorbell rang, and no one seemed to notice he took it upon himself to answer the door finding a delivery man with two boxes, one of them with a dry ice label on it, indicating the contents were chilled.
"I have a delivery here for a couple of weddings, Rogers and Barnes?" said the man, offering a sheet. "Sign here."
Daniel tried to get someone's attention then shrugged and signed for it, bringing the colder box into the reception area to where Bucky was talking to a neighbour.
"This and another box just got delivered," he said, pointing towards the door.
Taking the box into the kitchen, Bucky opened it to see a case of chilled champagne. Daniel followed, having gone back for the other box. Inside that one was two dozen champagne glasses, with a card on top.
Captain and Mrs. Rogers, Sergeant and Mrs. Barnes,
Congratulations on your nuptials.
I hope you all have long and happy marriages.
With the greatest of respect,
Howard Stark.
"The billionaire, Howard Stark?" asked Daniel. "You know him?"
"Yeah," chuckled Bucky. "I punched him the other day for making a move on Gladdie. Guess he's still trying to apologize." He pulled a bottle out of the box. "Pol Roger Brut Vintage 1934. Is that supposed to be good?"
Daniel shrugged. "One way to find out."
They took the wrapping and wire off the top then Bucky looked out to where Steve was, gesturing for him to come into the kitchen. Showing him the champagne and the card, Bucky handed the bottle to his friend.
"What did Dernier say about opening a bottle of champagne properly?" he asked.
"I think he said you have to ease the cork out," he replied. "If it's done right, there will be a small amount of vapour visible. If it foams out, you haven't opened it right, even though it looks spectacular."
Carefully, he worked the cork stopper out, smiling when a small puff of vapour escaped the bottle. Daniel handed him a glass to pour into then handed it to Bucky who took a sip. He made a little face then took another sip.
"It's definitely alcohol." He drank it all, wrinkling his nose as the bubbles tickled the insides of his palate. "Not bad. I could get used to it. What do you say? I'm guessing these 12 bottles are meant to be shared."
"Well, let's pour it when we're ready for speeches," suggested Steve.
With agreement from the other two he replaced the cork in the opened bottle, and they rejoined the party. When it was time for the speeches, they brought the champagne out, sharing it with everyone who wanted some. Even Rebecca was allowed to have one glass. Steve proved he had the touch as he successfully opened each bottle without wasting any of the precious liquid to foam. After George Barnes toasted the couples, and his wife for all of her hard work in preparing the luncheon, the floor was given to the two soldiers. Steve went first.
"First of all, I want to thank the Barnes family for being my second family," he said gratefully. "Ever since I was a kid, they've been there for me. Next, I would like to thank my wife Peggy for marrying me. She loved me before I became the man you see before you. She loved the skinny, little guy, with asthma, who never knew when to stay down. She's the best. To Peggy Carter ... er, Rogers."
Everyone sipped their champagne, then it was Bucky's turn. He looked around at everyone, seeing some former girlfriends there, married now and either pregnant or already mothers.
"I guess a lot of you wondered if I would ever settle down," he began. "I wondered myself. I suppose I was looking for someone particular and I found her, Gladdie, a girl from the Bronx, at a dance in Queens. As soon as I saw her, I knew I wanted to be part of her life forever. She saw me when I wasn't at my best, still dealing with the loss of my arm. But there was no pity in her eyes, just understanding and love. I'm a lucky man to have found her and I will spend the rest of my life making her happy. To Gladdie Barnes, my wife."
They all toasted her, as Bucky kissed her on the cheek. With the first dance coming up, the cake was relocated to a table in the corner and the remaining food consolidated on another table. Everything else was cleared away as Rebecca placed a record on the gramophone. The Man I Love began and the two couples started to dance to it. Bucky could see both of their mothers dabbing at their eyes with handkerchiefs. A neighbour who brought their camera snapped a photograph of them dancing, promising to deliver the print when they got the roll developed. When it was over, more music was put on and Bucky pulled his mother to dance with him as George danced with Gladdie. Steve danced with Rebecca, while Peggy pulled Dr. Erskine to the floor despite his protests that he was a terrible dancer.
It finally became time to wind things down, so the cake was brought out from the corner. Both couples posed in front of the large cake, cutting into it simultaneously. Gladdie held the plate with their small pieces, feeding one delicately to Bucky. He watched her carefully as she took the morsel from his fingertips. Steve and Peggy did the same. The two new wives served out pieces on the extra pieces of fine china that were borrowed for the occasion.
At some point Bucky made eye contact with Daniel Levinson, who nodded his head, put his cap on and went to retrieve his taxi. He pulled up in front of the house while the guests came outside and gathered on the sidewalk. With their new husband's each carrying a shared suitcase with a change of clothes, Peggy and Gladdie stood side by side on the stoop then faced the house before tossing their bouquets behind them. A cheer went up when they were caught by two single women who raised them as trophies. Then, with more rice showered upon them, the couples kissed the Barnes, with Mrs. Norton also receiving one from her daughter and new son-in-law. They hustled down the steps to the taxi, with Gladdie once more sitting on Bucky's lap. Pressing his horn, Daniel Levinson pulled away from the house as those left behind waved to the couples.
When the taxi pulled up to the Hotel St. George, Gladdie looked out the window, wide-eyed before turning back to her new husband.
"Bucky, this is much too grand," she said.
"They've always been good to military personnel," he noted. "Steve was right that for our wedding night it would be nice to have some privacy. Besides, you're worth it."
Daniel Levinson came around and opened the door for the two couples, before opening the trunk and pulling out their shared suitcases. He held them out to Bucky and Steve, who each took out their wallets to pay the driver who had been so helpful to both of them since the day he witnessed Bucky proposing to Gladdie in the back seat.
"Keep it, Sergeant, Captain," he said. "You two, and Mrs. Barnes and Mrs. Rogers just have a good start to your marriage. I have good feelings about all of you. Call me in the morning for your ride back to your flat."
They both insisted he take something as a tip, agreeing on 2 each, then both couples approached the front desk where Bucky gave them his name first.
"Ah yes, Sergeant and Mrs. Barnes," said the clerk. "Honeymoon suite."
"I didn't book the honeymoon suite," interrupted Bucky. "Just a regular room."
"That's true, sir. A Mr. Stark insisted on the suite for you and your bride. Said it was a peace offering for the misunderstanding."
Bucky looked at Gladdie, then Steve and shrugged. If Howard Stark wanted to give them a case of champagne and pay for a premium hotel suite to apologize for trying to make a pass at Gladdie, then he was willing to take the guy's money. Nodding his acceptance of the change they waited for Steve and Peggy to be checked in, finding Howard had paid for a better suite for them as well. At first, Steve put up a fuss about accepting it, but Bucky gently shook his head at his friend.
"This time let someone do something nice for you and your wife," he said, glancing at Peggy.
Both men guided their wives onto the elevator then were joined by two bell boys who carried their luggage. Steve and Peggy's room was several doors down from theirs. Following the other bell boy to their room, they waited while he opened the door for them then stepped aside, allowing them to enter first. He pointed out the bedroom, bathroom, and closet, and showed them the menu for their breakfast to be delivered by room service in the morning by 9 am or later if they wished.
"Just leave your menu choices on the door handle of the suite before 11 pm," said the bell boy. "It's part of the suite. Checkout time is noon. Good evening, folks."
Without waiting for a tip, the young man left the couple there and Bucky locked the door behind him. When he turned around Gladdie was at the window, looking out over the East River towards Manhattan, with all the skyscrapers on the far shore still visible in the late afternoon sunshine.
"It's quite the sight," said Bucky, taking his cap off and coming up behind her. "Better from the 15th floor than from the ground. The Brooklyn Bridge never looked so good." Gladdie didn't say anything, but she did turn her head slightly towards Bucky, fully aware of his presence. "Did I tell you that you looked beautiful today?"
She nodded. "Several times." Her voice was very soft. "You looked handsome." She turned towards him. "Were we crazy to get married so quickly?"
He shook his head emphatically and searched her face carefully as he held her one shoulder. "No, I couldn't wait any longer. In basic training there were guys who met a girl on their first night of liberty and married her the following day. At the time I thought they were crazy but when I saw you, I knew why they did it. It was like everything inside of me was yelling that you were the one, the only one for me. Are you nervous?"
"A little," she admitted, "but you always make me feel better and stronger."
"You make me feel braver," he added. "Gladdie..."
He pulled her close with his right arm and kissed her deeply, as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. Everything about how she melded her body into his felt right, as if they were made to fit together. It felt as true now as it did the first time he kissed her under the tree on the street in the Bronx. When they broke apart, she smiled shyly at him then undid her jacket, revealing the crossover blouse she wore underneath. With his right hand he undid his jacket, fumbling a little then smiling as Gladdie took over the task. She slipped it off his shoulder and placed it on the back of an armchair.
"It's strange but I feel like my first time again," he said, then he frowned. "That maybe didn't come out right. I just want you to like it. After what you went through in England, I don't want you to be afraid of me."
"I'm not," insisted Gladdie, then she sat on the bed and patted the spot next to her, waiting for Bucky to sit. "Steven Grant stopped them before they were able to do anything other than get me down on the ground and begin to undress me. Never have I compared how you've treated me with how they did. You're my husband and I want to be with you. When I look at you, I want you, Bucky. I want you to touch me in every way possible."
"I'm still damaged goods," he replied, in a low voice.
Grasping his face in her hand Gladdie looked deeply into his eyes, shaking her head. "No, don't think that way. Why don't you take my stockings off and I'll take your shirt off. Then we'll kiss a bit and go from there."
His smile showed how much he liked the idea of taking her stockings off, so Gladdie kicked her shoes to the side while Bucky kneeled before her. Lifting her skirt and slip up so that the garter was visible Gladdie smiled as he tried to undo it. While she anchored the clip, he pushed it out of its wire clasp and undid the top of the first one, then she changed position to expose the side of her leg, allowing Bucky to undo that one. Looking up at her he slid his hand onto the soft skin of her thigh, caressing it then gently pulled the stocking down before removing it from her foot. Leaning forward, Gladdie kissed him, as he touched her thigh again, daring to go as high as her crotch which brought out a soft whimper from her when he brushed against it.
"Is that alright?" he asked, once again feeling like the first time he ever made love to a girl.
"It's more than alright," she said softly, caressing his face. "You have a gentle touch. Did you like how I felt?"
He nodded and put his right hand on her neck, pulling her lips to his again, before running his hand down the front of her blouse, feeling the fullness of her breast in it. Gladdie was responsive to his touch, and they stroked each other some more before he returned to her legs, to remove the other stocking. Like before he touched her thigh, then pressed his palm against her mound, massaging it with the heel of his hand. The second stocking was removed, and he waited as Gladdie began to undo his tie, removing it over his head, then unbuttoned his shirt, pulling it out of his trousers before taking it off and tossing it onto the chair, leaving him in an undershirt. For a moment, Bucky was a little fearful when her eyes landed on the stump of his left arm. Even though they had slept together in the same bed for the past week, he was still nervous about finally making love with her.
"It's alright," she said softly. "We'll be fine."
They both stood up and she placed her palm against his face before moving her hand to his shoulder. As her touch grew into a caress, he visibly relaxed, even closing his eyes when she began kissing his shoulder, then moving her lips down the remnants of his arm. When she stopped to face him, she ran her palms over his chest and down his abdomen, undoing his belt and unbuttoning his trousers. Once they fell to the floor, he kicked them out of the way.
"I'm going to take my slip and skirt off," she said. "You can help whenever you want."
He sat on the bed as she stood before his spread knees, unbuttoning the skirt at the waistband and undoing the zipper. Sliding it down her legs he breathed heavily when he saw the curves of her lower body before him, covered with her slip. Hooking her hands at the waist she pulled it over her hips, letting him finish the movement, gracefully stepping out of it. Her garter belt came off next.
"Give me your hand," she murmured, taking it and placing it on her hip, then stepping closer as he touched her over it.
Placing her hands on the hooks of her blouse, she opened them to reveal the view of her bra, making soft sounds as his hand reached up to it. She took her blouse off and posed before him, in all of her voluptuous beauty.
"You're so beautiful," he whispered. "Gladdie, I don't deserve someone who is perfect like you."
He pressed his lips around her navel, while cupping her bottom in his right hand. Her hands went to her hair, and unpinned her French roll, letting her locks fall loosely over her shoulders. Running her hands from his head down over his shoulders, she bent over and kissed him.
"You're perfect in my eyes," she answered as she looked at him from above. "I don't care about the arm, Bucky. You're the man I want."
Pulling him up to his feet, Gladdie faced him and willingly moulded her body against his as they kissed fiercely. With all the trust and love they had developed since Bucky came racing into Grand Central Station on Monday, they both gave themselves fully to each other. Lost in the lust of their first joining it was still an experience neither would ever forget. To Gladdie, who had only ever been with one man, her former fiancé, it was like seeing the sun rise for the first time, as she felt what it was like for someone to put her first. Bucky's attention to her physical needs and wants were a revelation of how it felt to be truly loved and cherished. For Bucky, all the other women he had been with before paled in comparison to the woman he now held in his arms. Arms, because he felt like he had both of them, so closely were their bodies pressed together, merging as if they were one. With Gladdie, he felt complete in ways he had never felt before, almost like a missing piece of his soul had been found.
Several hours later, when he awakened, seeing it was dark outside, he realized Gladdie wasn't in bed with him. Then he saw her, silhouetted in front of the window, almost as if she was posing for a picture, looking across the East River to the lights of Manhattan. The curves of her body seemed to be lit up by the glow coming from those lights. Her pale blonde hair was loose down her back. Rising from the bed, he approached her, sliding his right hand around the softness of her waist and pulling her back against his chest, resting his head next to hers.
"Beautiful," he whispered.
"It is," she replied, softly. "I've never seen the lights like this. It's so much nicer from Brooklyn."
"I wasn't talking about the city," he murmured, nuzzling his lips against the side of her head. "I was talking about you."
She turned then, seeing the soft look on his face as he gazed at her, both of them illuminated by the same glow of the lights from across the water. Gently, she traced his face with her fingertips.
"Promise me," she said.
"Anything."
"You'll always be mine."
As if any other woman would ever be enough for him. "I'll always be yours, forever, in whatever universe where we're together, it will be just you and me. I finally found you my darling and I'm never losing you. You're stuck with me throughout eternity."
With a kiss to seal his promise, Bucky led Gladdie back to the bed, then remembered something, promising to return. Turning on a lamp, he picked up the breakfast menu and checked off everything. Then he quickly opened the door, placed it on the doorknob and closed the door again, noticing it wasn't yet 11 pm. He was sure they would be hungry for food in the morning. Tonight, was a different type of hunger to satisfy and by the looks his wife was giving him, she needed more. He was only too happy to oblige.
Author notes: Yes, Bucky and Gladdie knew each other less than a week before they got married but during the war it really did happen as people seized a chance at happiness, knowing they might not survive. If you think it never happened in real life I can relate my own family's experience, as a couple were married less than a month after meeting in early 1940. Recently I watched Masters of the Air, a 9 part series about WW2 pilots. The main characters, based on real individuals, included a pilot, Robert "Rosie" Rosenthal, a lawyer by profession, who stayed as part of the prosecution team during the Nuremberg Trials. He met another prosecutor and married her two weeks later. They were married for over 60 years until his passing.