Bucky replied, "Understood, sir.", and Manuel nodded, "Good. Secondly, I have observed you with the family and Audrey those last few days, and you have quite a natural learning advantage to work around cars and motorcycles and even village children's bikes. You have respected the rules, and you stayed of boundaries around my daughter when I'm around, and I'm not mad at the few times you two sneaked into the forest for some deeper intimacy, but all the same, you haven't disturbed the family or leered at any village women, due to the family reporting back to me occasionally. I ask you of this, do you still swear to keep what you've said back in the locker room?".
Bucky nodded. "On my life, sir.", he told him. "I'll admit, I very much was what you had concerned about at one point; but Audrey... well, she really set me straight.". He bit his lip as he glanced away, obviously wanting to avoid in telling him of the incident that happened.
Manuel looked at him, "You speak the truth, yet there's something else that is making you avoid me in eye contact, Barnes. Is it involving your past, or the recent month?".
Bucky looked at him, "Sir?", confused by the question, and Manuel replied, "I see...You must tell me what's bothering you, and I'll tell you later on of why I have asked that way, does that help you understand now?".
"Okay...", Bucky sighed. "It is in regard to the past... and my previous ways that came back and hurt Audrey, in a way that I never wanted.", he admitted to him.
Manuel looked at him deeply, "Was it a fight Audrey had to do?", and Bucky proudly smiled for a moment, "She was incredible as the bastards ended up more worse than she was, but it was one on one for a bit as I wasn't there, I was going to visit her, to help her clean up after her day of working, and as I got in, I overheard the fight...Then the one on one became unfair...it was then two against one...", his smile then becoming an ashamed yet angry grimace...
"The crowd was drunk and such, didn't care to help her, and I was running to her as I heard people calling her names and she...she was pinned under one of the guys, making her helpless as she wasn't able to fight back then...He came close to assaulting her, but I stopped it in time, shooting off my pistol and as I was higher than them in rank, I commanded them to get up and all before I threatened intentionally...Her clothes were still on, thankfully, but it was clearly signs of...of assault, and...if I didn't make it...I...I would have worked harder to show her that I wouldn't leave her if...if she...yet it didn't, as she reassured me a few times that I came in time and saved her...The crowd was arrested, with the assailants in question discharged dishonorably, punished severally from never working in any related service jobs ever again, after trial and such.", Bucky finished with a sigh.
Manuel raised an eyebrow, "There's more to that, right?". Bucky nodded, "Yeah.". He sighed, "What started it all was an ex of mine that got extremely jealous with Audrey... and then it just all spiraled.".
Manuel replied, "Yet you still ran to save my daughter, soldier...That's another point to earn on the way to giving my blessing.", and Bucky's eyes widened as his heart skipped a beat.
"Now, lastly, I understand that it's due to the war and the risk of danger once again if the prosthetic fits successfully and the training with it goes well, you go back to the front lines once more, but right now, I ask you this, are you willing to do everything including marrying her in a Ramirez style wedding, if she ends up pregnant?", Manuel asked firmly.
He didn't mean to, but combined with the urge to use the bathroom and checking on his daughters due to habit, thanks to the fact that they were in a family friend's guesthouse and in one of the guestrooms, he wanted to make sure that they were safe, and seeing that the light was still on under the door, and that it was very late, he was about to tell them to go to sleep when he heard everything Audrey said.
He was upset at first, but as he heard the angst and all in his youngest daughter's voice, he calmed down, feeling shocked and bittersweetly understanding to see what she meant, and then hearing about Bucky's support and concern, respecting her first to talk before doing anything, and heard that Bucky is scared of being a father, because of his situation with his limb, yet he's willing to try as he loves Audrey clearly.
"Very much so.", Bucky told him. "Audrey... she's one of a kind, sir, and honestly, I can't see anyone else now other than her in my life. Besides, I already put her through hell once being MIA presumed dead, I wouldn't dare force her to go through anything like that again.".
Manuel nodded thoughtfully, looking at him for a moment before smiling warmly, "Then I am pleased to say that you've earned the right to have my blessing, Bucky.", as Bucky smiled so widely, "Thank you, sir!".
"No more calling me sir. Manuel or Papi will do just fine. Now, I believe I still have my wife's treasure box of engagement/wedding rings somewhere. Consider it my first gift.", Manuel replied, and Bucky nodded, "Sounds good to me, Manuel...I honestly thought the rings up north were just too flashy or too delicate, as that's not Audrey.".
Manuel chuckled, "You're thinking like a man in love, indeed. Come.", as he got up from his chair, and so, the men left the office, locking it up and all. After finding the perfect ring, and returning to the shop, Bucky waited for the perfect moment.
It was perhaps a couple hours later and some change as Audrey complained by the side of a car, speaking in Spanish, "Darn it! Bucky, need a 1/8 wrench! This lug nut ain't budging!".
Bucky knew he found the moment, intending to propose in Spanish, as he had proposed in English that wonderful night under the stars in the sea, and smiled as he purposely grabbed the wrong wrench, grabbing the ring from his pocket, unknowing of Manuel subtly nudging the family to watch the moment.
"Sorry, a little hard to tell when they get to a certain point... they almost look identical when you shrink them enough.", Bucky told her as she cursed again in Spanish. "Need me to come under there and try to yank it off?".
Audrey replied, "No, better try a bit of oil to loosen it up, and you handed me the wrong wrench. I'll do it myself.", as she moved to get back out from the car, grunting as she moved the wheelie, resting a hand on the side of the car as she got up, stretching her back and neck, "Hand me that can of oil, Bucky, and-", as she turned around to look at Bucky before her eyes widened, and she gasped in shock.
Bucky is kneeling down before her, holding a strong silver ring, almost feminine with a Mexican gold vein through it, with a simple diamond in the middle, and he smiled at her, speaking in Spanish, "Best to do it properly. Audrey Rocio Ramirez, daughter of Manuel and Ana, sister of Nena, will you take this gringo to have your heart in marriage, to be my wife forever and ever?", as the family watched in anticipation, awe, and excitement.
Audrey was a bit stunned for a moment as she then chuckled. "Well, of course...", she told him. "Though, you mind if I clean up my hands first before you put that on? Not very romantic with them covered in grease and oil.".
The family laughed good-heartedly as Bucky blushed, forgetting that little detail, and Audrey went to clean her hands with a wet rag, and then Bucky finally put the ring on her left hand, on her ring finger.
Audrey admired it, recognizing it from her dear beloved mother's treasure box, and went to kiss Bucky happily and lovingly as the family cheered, clapping and smiling. Manuel saw sense to end the workday, and after cleaning up the shop and all, it was especially a celebration feast, Ramirez style.
"Oh, Bucky, this is wonderful...", Audrey danced with Bucky as some of the cousins played music, "I'm so happy that Papi gave his blessing.", their left hands intertwined as Bucky is wearing a crafted ring of silver, almost masculine, from a local American who moved to the village here.
"Yep... still things that have to be done, of course.", Bucky hummed. "Of course, get you a new arm hopefully, get married... win the war.", Audrey chuckled at that last part.
"Hopefully soon; I think many of us can start smelling victory already in Europe. Just keep hammering on the door of the Reich and then we're blitzing right into the Fatherland itself...", Bucky grinned with a nod.
Audrey sighed softly, "Indeed. I can't believe that I'm an honest to truth fiancé, yet I am, and you are my future husband...", and Bucky smiled, kissing her on the lips softly, "And I'm a fiancé, and you are my future wife...You know, I think I'd get used to saying that...", with a chuckle.
Giggling, Audrey rested her head on his shoulder as they danced, smiling, and soon, the party and feast got the younger cousins tuckered out, next to the elders, and so, respecting the rules of the house, the couple had to split up, hugging and kissing each other until Manuel suddenly came up to them, smiling approvingly, "As you two have respected the rules of this house, and kept to boundaries around me and the family those last few days, and since you two have to leave tomorrow, I will let this go just once. As you're engaged, you are free to use the guesthouse tonight...Just keep the door and windows shut, would you?", as he said the last part awkwardly.
Both of them blushed hearing that as Bucky squeezed her hand. "Uh, sure...", he said as Audrey rolled her eyes. "Papa, you don't say that sort of thing!", she countered as Manuel chuckled, "Well, how exactly would you have me say what I said?"
Bucky chuckled, "He's got a point, Audrey.", and Audrey sighed, nodding before looking at her father, "We'd probably have a little breakfast, but we can't waste time in the morning...Just be careful when you get to the mansion in the next few days after us, okay, Papa?".
Manuel chuckled, "I can take care of myself just fine, daughter. Now, git. It's late, after all.", before leaving the couple, and Bucky smiled, "You heard him...And besides, I've been uncomfortable without you by my side.", kissing Audrey's cheek before teasing her neck and by her earlobe.
Audrey shivered and moaned, "You're darn lucky that I enjoy this teasing, otherwise I'd pull you so hard to get to our bed.", before they eagerly and carefully left the family quarters, and got to the guesthouse, keeping smart to close the windows and door, and went to have a glorious, amazing mega round of lovemaking as engaged fiancés for the first time before going to sleep in each other's arms from exhaustion and bliss.
Indeed, the couple had a good breakfast early, and then went off in their rental car, heading back up north, and at the Mexico border, returned the rental car before going through, and taking up the train once more, heading back to Washington.
Bucky had a sweet reunion with Rebecca who is looking quite well and healthy, thanks to Whitmore and the others watching over her, with Sweet back in the mansion, having already introduced his parents to the others, and such, and after a few days within the third week, Packard announced that the sub is stripped of spying equipment from the Navy and such, having plenty of seats and seeing that it has outfitted a few more windows next to the front wide viewing window, and is ready to deploy.
Manuel made it into Washington after arranging duties and emergency numbers for his family between the Durango shop and the Detroit shop, and warmly greeted the new people in the makeshift group. Whitmore is finally happy that he's going with the group, while Cookie and Packard went to watch over the mansion, with the Rogers family staying back, still on the plan to talk with the President and General Phillips when he's in America sooner or later in the new month, with Harrison and Amanda babysitting Brookyln at times.
And so, with a private plane and careful precautions, they made it to the private docks under Whitmore's name, and knowing where the sub is exactly, they went to a secret underwater bunker.
Rebecca widened her eyes in awe and stunned astonishment as she saw the remarkable big evac-sub, and Whitmore smiled, "Took years to build that along with others, dear Rebecca...You never took off that crystal Bucky gave you, and so, you still must keep wearing it for the upcoming ride...I won't change your mind, but do you still want this?".
Taking a deep breath as much as she could, with the developing baby in her belly, Rebecca nodded, "Yes, I do...I want Bucky to be there by my side and everything, and this may sound strange, through you might have been used to it by now from hearing so many strange things already, but I feel like I could find a new start for us in Atlantis, a place where my baby wouldn't suffer the stigma of being looked down as...you know what I mean...", rubbing her baby bump.
"I know.", Whitmore nodded. "Still, this isn't exactly something as easy as say, moving to another part of the country... I mean, if you really have any doubts, you can stay with me for a while and then I can get you set up somewhere else where no one knows you; you could then pass yourself off as a few years older with your child and just say that their father died in the war.".
Rebecca sighed deeply, "Perhaps if I said that enough times, I would believe it, but deep down, I'd still know that...that he wasn't someone worthy of anyone. And I appreciate the offer, Mr. Whitmore, but I must decline...Even if posing as your granddaughter, I wouldn't want to ruin your legacy and all. No, I need to do this...I want to do this...".
Whitmore looked at her, "You truly are a Barnes, indeed. Alright, then...Let's not keep them waiting. We only have a few hours of darkness before anyone gets into patrol time in the early dawn hours, and hopefully, by then, we will be far deep down where it's impossible for radar to pick us up on their equipment.".
She nodded as Whitmore took a deep breath. "You sure there's anything you need to take care of first though?", he asked. "It's not exactly a one-way trip but returning to here would be... very difficult.".
Rebecca sighed softly, "I am still wrapping my mind around the fact that the crystals slow down aging and such, but after wearing this crystal, I feel less anxious and once I get to Atlantis, I will give it back to Bucky as I need to age to maturity, and after a few years, I'd consider wearing a new crystal...And as for my sisters...I'll miss them, but they knew that I'd need someplace where I wouldn't be judged, being safe like they wanted for me, though they wouldn't know about Atlantis, as I have a peculiar feeling that they prefer to be normal than I do.".
"Perhaps...", Whitmore said. "Of course, they're welcome to change their minds too; though, I'm not exactly running a delivery or taxi company here with this.", he chuckled at his small joke.
Rebecca gave a small giggle, and replied, "Let's go, Mr. Whitmore. Bucky's already looking impatient.", with a smile, and so, with care and supervision, Rebecca managed to get into the evac-sub, along with Moses and Jerika as they were sort of elders like Whitmore, while Manuel had no problem, taking up the second driver's seat next to Audrey, with Sweet and Bucky helping to buckle everyone up, along with some nearby rations of fresh water and food.
The rest of the sub was packed with aired crates of chickens and goats that took a sleeping travel aid from their food, hoping to help with farming husbandry for Atlantis, along with cleaning up weeds and such that people don't want, and a couple of bicycles in adult and child size to see if Atlantis would appreciate some technology to experiment on, since there are people bound to be scared of flying on hovercraft or being on boats, and with walking being a long time across the city and the bridges, bicycles would be harmless and easier to get around.
Audrey called out, "Everybody buckled in and ready?", and the others called out, "Yes!", and she nodded at Manuel, "Alright, Papa, let's do this.", before revving up the sub, pulling the levers and pushing the buttons as the sub dived under the waters, leaving the secret bunker harbor, into the bay of New York City, and then south to deep sea.
