DISCLAIMER: This fanfiction will follow its timeline, however, I've tried to stick to the movie timeline as much as possible. It must be noted that this story is rated M as there will be some explicit content mentioned later in the story (depictions of sexual intimacy, and also mentions of rape and abuse) but forewarnings will be provided at the beginning of the respective chapter.
It must be noted that I don't own any of the Marvel characters or anything affiliated with the Marvel Universe. However, all OC and original content have been created by me.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
"The One with The Party Invite"
Not taking her eyes off James, Sophia shoved the clipboard into Lilah's arms and proceeded to take a step toward him. "I cannot believe it. It's you. You're him! I'm finally getting to meet thee, James Goddam Barnes" Sophia held her hand out for James to shake and with a slight fit of laughter continued, "After all these years, I was starting to think you were a figment of Lilah's imagination," Lilah could tell how the gears in James's mind were overworking, calculating, analyzing and trying to gauge if Sophia should be categorised as a friend or potential threat. From behind Sophia, Lilah quickly piped up. "James, this is Sophia Lewis, one of the Senior nurses here at the hospital and also my best friend, so she pretty much knows … everything," with the emphasis on the last word, Bucky knew that he could now comfortably shake Sophia's hand. He gave a small nod and smirk of a greeting to Sophia, "I must say, Lilah has given me all the juicy details of your missions," Bucky raised his eyebrows at this statement, "Well only some of them, and let me tell you, it's a real honour to meet you," Sophia said taking a step back and stood alongside Lilah again. Lilah could see the blush colour creep into James' cheeks and he sheepishly looked down to the floor, but the look disappeared as fast as it arrived. No, don't think of The Winter Soldier missions now, Lilah thought.
"But I must say, Lilah, in all these years, you got one thing right, he is gorgeous," Sophia said purposefully loud enough for James to hear. The blood from Lilah's body simultaneously heated up and drained. "Sophia!" Lilah exclaimed, deathly glaring across at her friend, who was now looking over to the nurse's station and flagging someone over. "Wait, what did she just say?" James asked Lilah, as a cheeky grin grew on his face, telling her that he heard exactly what Sophia said. "Oh, she's just trying to be funny," Lilah said to him while waving a hand at him nonchalantly, but there was already a melting panic inside her. "Soph, we should get going," Lilah said, jabbing Sophia in the back as hard as she could, prodding her friend to depart and not subject herself to any more of Sophia's notoriously embarrassing antics. "Hold your steam trains, missy," Sophia demanded, "I want to introduce James to one more person if you don't mind," she finished.
It was then that a young woman walked in from the nurse's station. Bucky could immediately tell that she was most likely a patient here at the hospital. She was skinny and transparently pale with a black pixie haircut. The girl walked across and positioned herself between Sophia and Lilah, "Hey guys, what's up," she asked them, looking over to James with a polite smile in greeting. "Well, first, if I haven't said it already, you're looking amazing for your birthday party this evening!" Sophia said as she bumped the girl with her hip, to which the young girl smiled and shook her head helplessly. James took in the girl's attire at the comment. She was dressed in a knee-length black dress, a thin gold necklace, and Doc Martins with white lace-edged socks. While it didn't strike Bucky as particularly fancy, a quick glance over to the look of pride on Lilah's face, as she stared at the girl, told him that this was most likely a very unusual occurrence.
Sophia looped her arm around the girl now, hugging her close, "And secondly, I wanted to introduce you to one of Lilah's very dear friends," she turned her gaze back to Bucky, "James, this is Holly," Sophia smiled over to Lilah for a second, and then continued, "Holly, here is our oldest and dearest," she went on to explain looking down at the girl. From the corner of his eye, James caught Lilah looking at him and for a split second, he could tell that this introduction was an important one to her. James reached out, "Well Holly, it's very nice to meet you," he said, "and Happy Birthday," he added quickly. She smiled thanking him for the birthday wishes, "You know I've known Lilah for most of my life thus far, and she has never – not once - mentioned the fact that she even has any close, guy friends in her life," she added with a suggestive undertone and a sly smile, looking from James to Sophia. She knew the statement would irk Lilah to bits, "I am standing right here, you know!" shouted Lilah through gritted teeth gesturing to herself next to them.
Sophia and Holly laughed at her, "You know what, you little demons? I am going back to work because you and your evil little twin here," Lilah grabbed Holly by the head and planted a kiss on her forehead, "are incorrigible," she punctured the last word. She was about to walk off when she stopped and turned to James, "Oh, and thank you, James, for getting this back to me, I really appreciate it," she paused, "and it was great to see you again." She didn't wait for James to do or say anything in response, she just turned and left. The three of them watched silently as she walked away. It wasn't until she took the corner that Holly spoke. "Don't worry, she'll be fine, she just embarrasses easily," she told Bucky. He nodded watching Lilah disappear around the corner. "Are you busy this evening?" Sophia asked quizzically and out of the blue. The question almost flew right over Bucky's head.
He turned back to Sophia, "Sorry, I am, um … no, I'm not busy, why?" Holly smiled over at Sophia and then at Bucky, both of them having the same idea, "then you must join us this evening at my party," she pleaded. Bucky could feel he was crossing a line. No, today's visit was enough, he thought to himself. Before he could even begin to give his excuses for backing out, Sophia shook her head, "Nope, you and Lilah need to start talking again," her tone reminded Bucky of the strict stance his therapist had started taking with him recently, "and that girl doesn't have any appointments tomorrow and so she will be indulging a little," she finished. Holly whipped around, "Ah! She's always a bit more receptive once she's had a few strong G and T's," the girl added, and then she did something Bucky should have seen coming, "So please, James, you wouldn't deny a dying young girl this wish, which could possibly be her last birthday party…"
Before he could comprehend how stupidly he walked into her obvious trap, they were giving him the time and location of the party.
Author's Note: After all the palaver the website has been going through recently, I am hoping this chapter gets uploaded.
Happy 2024, everyone.
Please review!