Chapter 12. The Promise

Content warning: Contains sexual content which may not be suitable for readers under the age of 18.

After that night Natalie had several more sessions with Dr. Singh before Christmas. It did help and she handled the Christmas season well. As it got busy at the clothing store with people buying gifts she tolerated the crowds and the job with calm energy. The Co-op received a lot of Christmas treats and products in the grocery section, which were sold quickly. The retail part of the store, as it also sold clothing, hardware, sporting goods, toys and specialty goods was constantly busy and Bucky was kept busy restocking and helping with carry outs. He was also in demand from women wanting help to find gifts for their husband. He liked to think it was his customer service skills but rumour had it that word of the handsome and physically fit, blue-eyed American had spread across the peninsula and many women were checking him out. Erin and Marty both teased him about being the latest eye candy and he took their teasing graciously.

In their personal relationship Natalie was expanding the physical limits with Bucky more often. Bucky let her control it all, wanting her to feel safe more than anything. From that first night of their skin on skin interlude they had progressed to sleeping in the nude but not going further than that. Bucky had taken to the shower to relieve himself at Natalie's suggestion until they could consummate their relationship again but for him it was a poor substitute for a full relationship and he longed for the night when she felt safe enough to be intimate again.

By the time Christmas Eve came everyone was ready for a few days of quiet celebration. The clothing store had closed at 4:30, the Co-op at 6 pm, the video store also at 6 pm. Paul Decore, whose family lived a short drive away in Port Alberni had been given three days leave to spend with them and he left immediately after returning from the Co-op, showering, changing, and borrowing the second vehicle kept for the household.

Tierney made a baked pasta for dinner, along with cheesy garlic bread and a salad. Everyone gathered at the table, wine was poured. Bucky had a beer. They gathered in the living room after cleaning up and Tierney built a fire, while Marty put It's a Wonderful Life on the TV. When it was over Natalie offered her hand to Bucky and said she was tired. They said good night to the others and went up to their room, locking the door. As usual they brushed their teeth. They undressed and got into bed, cuddling each other and turned out the light.

"Bucky?" asked Natalie. "I've been working up to this, if you haven't already noticed. I have a present under the tree for you tomorrow but this is my gift to you tonight."

Turning to him, she pulled him into a close embrace and kissed him deeply, while caressing him generously. Gently she fondled him until he grew hard then she lay on her back, pulled him on top and started guiding him into her wet entry. Bucky stopped her from going further.

"I have to put a condom on," he said. "Let me do that."

"You don't have to," she said softly. "I want you and I trust you. I don't want any other man, just you."

"Natalie," he whispered, looking at her in the dark. "I've wanted this for a while. But I'm not going to do it without a condom, at least not until we make it permanent. Are you sure about having sex?"

"I'm sure," she said. "I talked to Dr. Singh about it and we decided to build up to it gradually until I was comfortable with you and me being this close. Now I'm ready to be your partner completely."

As if to prove her point she grasped him then gently stroked him bringing a groan out of his throat. She kissed him again, and grasped his buttocks pulling him closer into her body.

"Natalie," he whispered, kissing her softly on the lips then he reached into the night stand for a condom. Together they rolled it on, he entered her and they began making love in earnest, kissing each other passionately.

He poured his heart into it, touching her, kissing the sensitive spots on her neck bringing out soft moans from her. With a whisper he told her she was beautiful, that he had thought so from when he first met her outside Yankee Stadium. Her smile at that point had filled him with emotion and he placed open mouthed kisses on her shoulders and breasts that brought out louder moans and gasps. Mindful of the others in the house they tried to keep it quieter but every touch they made with each other was felt in the most pleasurable way. When Natalie finally arched her back into him and grasped him hard as she came he covered her mouth with his to keep them both quiet. He released himself into her holding her body tightly against his own until she whispered it was hard to breathe and he let her go in horror that he had possibly hurt her.

"No, I'm fine," she said, with a light laugh that sounded wonderful, "you were just holding on too tightly. I guess this has been building up in you for a while."

"I didn't want to say anything," he whispered. "In case it upset you. I just wanted to let you make the decision when the time was right."

"Thank you," she replied. "This felt so good...we felt so good."

"I have a special present for you as well," he said softly. "Give us a minute to clean up."

He went to the bathroom to relieve himself and came out to her waiting for him so she could do the same. While she was in there he found the present in his drawer and returned to the bed, smoothing the bedclothes out. She came out and climbed back into bed with him.

"I know we're considered to be a married couple here," he said. "But when...and I do mean when we return to the States we'll be our normal selves again. I bought you this."

She unwrapped it to find a small box. Inside there was a modest silver ring with an opal gemstone and the words I Love You engraved in it.

"This is a promise that when we go home I want to propose, properly with an engagement ring and all the rest," he said solemnly. "I love you and I want to marry you. I don't want to be without you."

"I love you, too," she said softly.

She put the ring on her left ring finger, but it didn't look right with the plain yellow gold wedding band so Bucky said to wear it on her right hand. They both knew what it signified. Then they kissed tenderly and settled under the covers to sleep. They made love again when they woke up, taking their time to learn what the other liked. For both of them it was one of the more satisfying intimate experiences of their lives. When they did get up they learned it was make your own breakfast day which suited them fine. Bucky made each of them a cheese and mushroom omelette. Natalie made the toast and coffee, putting a dash of liqueur in their mugs. After they ate, Tierney called them into the living room.

"Erin and Marty buy for each other so Paul and I usually exchange gifts," he said. "I see you two bought for each other. Hannah, we know today is your birthday and that circumstances being what they are you may or may not want to celebrate. We chipped in and got you a little something from one of the local artisans just so you know we are thinking of you."

He handed her a small package. Inside was a beaded bracelet. Tierney explained the beads were of moonstone which was associated with remembrance. Clearly touched Natalie slid the bracelet on and smiled at all of them.

"Our second night here I told Buc...Ben that you were all so nice," she said. "This was a very nice thing to do. Thank you so much...for everything."

She wiped away a few tears but smiled to let them know they were tears of gratitude. Marty reached under the tree and gave everyone their gift. Then he counted down from three and they all tore open their presents. Bucky lifted out a beautiful hand knitted turtleneck sweater. He put it on right away, describing its softness. Natalie said she thought he could wear it when they walked the trail by the lighthouse. He kissed her then looked at her, with a large envelope in her hand. Opening it, her face broke into a big smile, as it was a gift certificate for a massage and facial at one of the nicer spas in town.

"Oh, I would love to get one of those," said Erin.

"Open yours and see," said Marty, winking at Bucky and Natalie.

She opened hers to find that he got her the same thing. She jumped up and kissed him, giving a little squeal.

"We can go together, Hannah," said Erin. "Girl's day out."

They high fived each other, grinning at their partners. Marty opened his box to find a book called Cinemaps, An Atlas of 35 Great Movies. He flipped through it, his smile growing bigger as he realized it showed different movies as if they were on a map. Kissing his wife, he seemed very pleased with it. Finally it was Tierney's turn and he opened it to find a bottle of Aberlour Single Malt Scotch Whiskey. Bucky and Marty both looked admiringly at it so Tierney promised a taste later. He looked at his watch, then at Bucky and Natalie.

"The US Marshals passed on an official request for a video call so we set up something on Zoom," he said. "Our tech people have hidden our location electronically and we ask you don't give any indication where you are but we have both your parents about to log in and I believe a good friend of yours Ben. We'll set you up in the living room and give you your privacy. You'll have 30 minutes to visit. Don't waste it talking about your cases."

He pulled out the laptop, logged in, then set up the secure meeting. As they waited he asked if they wanted a refill on their coffees which both said yes to. Just as he handed them their mugs they had the first person to log in using the secure channel. Bucky smiled. It was Steve and Peggy with both of their kids.

"Hey Buck," said Steve. "Man it's good to see your face. Natalie, how are you doing? You like where you are?"

"It's beautiful here," said Bucky. "Our protection is very good and we feel very much at home. God, the kids have grown up so much in just a month."

He sat back a little, looking overwhelmed. Another pair of faces appeared on the screen, making Natalie smile broadly as it was her parents.

"Mom, Dad?" she said. "I'm so happy they let you call."

"You doing okay, honey?" asked her mom. "Happy birthday, sweetheart."

"I'm good. We just exchanged presents," said Natalie, showing her bracelet. "The protection detail gave me this bracelet. Bucky got me a gift card for a massage and facial. I miss you guys. This is Bucky, by the way, the private detective that's been protecting me although I guess we're both being protected now. We've become a couple, just so you know."

"You be good to my daughter," said Natalie's dad. "It's been a rough couple of years for her."

"Yes sir," he said. "Steve, my friend on the other screen can vouch for me. He's a detective in New York and an upstanding man."

"I've known Buck since we were kids," said Steve. "He's the best friend I ever had."

Another screen opened, introducing Bucky's parents and sister, Rebecca. It was a good thing she was there because his dad didn't quite get muting and unmuting. Natalie squeezed his hand during the confusion until Rebecca got everything squared away.

"Hey brat," said Bucky to his sister. "I'm glad you're here today. Missed you."

"I missed you too, jerk," she joked. "Are you going to introduce us?"

"This is Natalie," said Bucky. "She was my client. Now she's my girlfriend. We've become a couple. It was inevitable I guess. That young lady is my younger sister Rebecca. Incredible athlete and physical education teacher."

"I knew it Winnie, they had couple written all over them at the cabin," said Mr. Barnes. "Oops, I guess I shouldn't have mentioned that with Natalie's parents here. I'm Bucky's dad, Jim and this is my wife Winnie."

"Nice to meet you," said Natalie's dad. "I'm Ted and this is Rita."

Bucky and Natalie sat back with amused looks on their faces as their parents made small talk. Then Bucky's mom spoke up.

"Bucky, you cut your hair, it looks good," she said.

"Yeah, I did that a week ago," he said. "It was getting a little long for my taste."

Tierney stepped into their view and lifted up one hand, spreading it apart, indicating they had five minutes left. Bucky nodded.

"We only have five minutes left," he said. "I don't know how long we'll be here but we're in good hands. These people are very nice to us and make us feel welcome. It's beautiful scenery and I think we may come back here again once we ... um, get married."

"Marriage...you're talking marriage?" said Natalie's dad. "Well, you talk to me first, son."

"Dad, I'm a grown woman," said Natalie, embarrassed. "After what Bucky has done for me I think I can see he's the man for me."

"Well, I'm happy for you," said Steve. "If you and Natalie love each other then that's all that matters."

"Here, here," said Bucky's mom. "I liked you from the moment we were in the closet together. Oops, I guess I wasn't supposed to mention that either. My bad."

Bucky got the one minute sign. "I love you Becks, Mom and Dad, you too, Steve and Peggy," he said quickly. "You're family."

"Only a few seconds left," said Natalie. "I love you Mom and Dad. I hope it won't be long before I can hug you."

The others all repeated the sentiments then Tierney's hand came over and closed the screen. Bucky and Natalie sat back and looked at each other. He kissed her then looked at Tierney.

"Thanks, man," he said. "That was decent of you. Good way to get the "meet the parents" out of the way."

"No problem," Tierney replied.

He called Marty and Erin down from their room and told everyone that Christmas dinner was being delivered by someone from the detachment at 4 pm. Until then everyone was on their own. He looked at Bucky and Erin.

"If you want to take a walk on your own I'm good with it," he said. "Just keep your eyes open and your cellphones handy. We do have a location tracker on your phones turned on so we can find you."

They both put their jackets on; Bucky had put his sweater on first, and they took the lighthouse walk but this time they stopped more often and kissed more deeply when they stopped. Instead of returning to the house they walked down to the docks and sat on a bench watching the boats come in and out as some people went out on a pleasure run. The harbour seals were all lounging around on any open dock space, barking at any boat that came near. They walked back up the hill to the main street and back to the house, surprised to see it was almost 2 pm. They were hungry but knowing that Christmas dinner was only a couple of hours away they had a snack of chips and dip instead. When dinner did arrive they were surprised at how much was delivered. There was a roast turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, two vegetables, gravy, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and whipped cream. Tierney accepted the delivery, not letting the detachment officer inside and put everything on the kitchen table. After uncovering it, everyone was told to dig in and they all ate in the living room, binge watching Die Hard movies. It was probably one of the quietest Christmas Days they had ever spent but the food was good, the company compatible and when Tierney poured each of them a portion of his Christmas scotch it became sublime.

March 2022

Bucky was on cart pickup duty at work and had to go across the street to get one that had been left there. As he started back he glanced at the gas station and saw Sam Wilson get out of a car. Ducking down behind a car parked on the street he looked through the windows and watched as Sam walked into the Co-op store. Pulling out his phone he texted 333 to Tierney. He added he was on the street hiding behind a car across from the Co-op and saw Sam Wilson enter the store. Looking around he realized he had nowhere to run that didn't expose him to the second person sitting in the car at the gas bar. He texted that to Tierney who texted back to take cover wherever he could. Within minutes an RCMP squad car came up and parked at the gas bar, where the officer began small talk with the attendant. Bucky could see he was watching the man in the car as he spoke to the attendant.

"Where's your backup?" he said softly.

Then he saw the mini van drive up and park across the street. Tierney and Marty Berenger both got out in Kevlar vests with their badges visible. Tierney went inside the Co-op while Berenger ordered the second person in the car to get out with their hands up. The uniformed officer backed him up and they took the man into custody, putting him in the back of the marked police car. Berenger watched him while the uniformed officer radioed the detachment. Tierney and Decore came out with Sam in handcuffs and Tierney called out to Buck. He walked over from where he was and looked at his former friend.

"How did you find me?" asked Bucky.

Sam said nothing and Bucky stood directly in front of him. "How did you find me?" he shouted.

"Facebook post of someone on holiday here," said Sam finally, without emotion. "Handsome man at Co-op store in Ucluelet. I'm in love. We're not here for you, Bucky."

Bucky looked at Tierney and Berenger. They all ran to the minivan. Tierney drove while Berenger phoned the Ucluelet detachment to get Highway 4 blocked, close the airport and to contact the Tofino detachment to stop any float planes from taking off. Tierney took a portable red and blue light out of his glove compartment and put it on the dashboard. They raced towards Tofino and approached the clothing store where a crowd of people were. Tierney stepped inside and swore at the scene inside. He asked the RCMP officer there if he had called an ambulance and was told it was in Port Alberni dropping off a patient. The hospital had been called and someone was coming. Bucky came in and saw Erin on the floor, a gunshot wound in her mid section and her face, frightened but trying to be brave. He turned to Berenger, stopping him from entering.

"It's Erin," he said, "She's been shot but she's conscious. She needs her husband not a cop."

"Blond woman, mid 30s, about my height and weight," she said, as Marty kneeled beside her, grasping her hand. "She didn't say anything, just shot me. They went to the docks. I think they have a float plane. There was a man with her, tall, muscular, short dark hair. Definitely a steroid user and nasty. He grabbed Hannah and hurt her when he grabbed her wrist."

"Rumlow," said Bucky. "How the hell did he get out?"

"Ben, stay with Erin and Marty," said Tierney. "Keep pressure on the wound. They've called the Coast Guard, they can block the plane's take off. We'll get her back."

Tierney raced off in the minivan towards the dock. Bucky kept the pressure on Erin's wound as Marty kept talking to her. About five minutes later a couple of people from the local hospital came through and Bucky filled them in. They kept up the pressure, loaded her in the back of a truck and one stayed with her and Marty while the other drove.

"You going near the floatplane docks?" asked Bucky.

"Yeah, hop in," said the driver and they dropped him off at the corner closest to the docks. Marty gave him a grim look which he acknowledged. He ran out to see Tierney, two uniformed RCMP officers, and a Coast Guard officer in a stand off with Rumlow and the woman, both holding guns. The woman held her gun at Natalie's head while using her other arm in a choke hold around the neck. A Coast Guard boat with several armed crew was blocking the float plane from moving. Natalie saw him approaching and fought back at the blond woman who was holding her by biting her arm. She succeeded in breaking free and jumped into the harbour. The woman yelled at Rumlow then backed up towards the floatplane still holding her gun on the others. As Rumlow was distracted by her yelling Bucky ran down the dock at full speed and straight into him tackling him and knocking his gun out his hand. The Coast Guard officer helped Natalie get out of the water at the dock while Tierney and the other two RCMP officers ordered the woman out of the float plane. Tierney threatened to put a bullet in the wing and pierce the fuel tank. Only then did the woman give up. Bucky fought Rumlow in a back and forth brawl leaving them both bloody. The other two officers wanted to intervene but Tierney said no as he dragged the blond woman from the airplane and cuffed her. Bucky finally got Rumlow down on the wooden dock surface punching him in the face repeatedly until the man couldn't get up. Only then did Bucky stop and stood up while looking down at the man curled up below him. He wiped his nose from the blood that was pouring out and spat on the dock just missing Rumlow's face. The two uniformed officers helped Rumlow up and cuffed him. In the distance they could hear the sound of sirens.

"Friends of yours?" asked Tierney as the Coast Guard officer brought a blanket for a shivering Natalie. Bucky hugged her hard and looked back at Tierney, still breathing heavily.

"Brock Rumlow killed her sister, kidnapped and assaulted Natalie like the coward he is," said Bucky. "He was supposed to be in custody awaiting trial. Who the hell let him out?"

"And her, the blond?" asked Tierney. "Know her?"

Bucky looked at her trying to place her. Her face was familiar but he didn't have a name to go with the face.

"She's familiar but I don't know her," he finally said. "She's obviously in on it. Sam, the black man I yelled at. He was supposed to be on the Wanted list. How the hell did he get in the country?"

"Lots of questions," said Tierney. "These two constables will take them into custody and we'll start getting some answers. I'm afraid you two will be moving on now that your cover is blown. Good takedown though."

"I've wanted to do that for a while," said Bucky. "Hey Rumlow, that's for Gaba's daughter, for Amber and for what you did to Natalie. You're a fucking asshole."

Natalie held him closer and looked at Rumlow with a mixture of disgust and fear. Bucky turned her away from him and told her not to pay him any mind. He would be facing kidnapping charges in Canada now. When the Tofino detachment sergeant came Tierney talked to him and both Rumlow and the woman were taken into custody. Another officer went to talk to the pilot of the float plane and get his statement. Tierney, Bucky and Natalie walked to the mini van and went to the hospital where Marty was waiting. While a nurse tried to tend to Bucky's injuries, Natalie sat next to Marty and told him what happened. Tierney looked at Bucky and motioned him to the side.

"The Federal Marshals have been called and are probably already on their way here," he said. "So we don't have much time. I got a text from the uniformed officer at the gas bar. Your former friend is talking at the Ucluelet detachment. He said huge bribes were made to get him off the wanted list and that Rumlow guy out of jail. They came to Canada under assumed identities, landed at Vancouver International Airport, took the ferry, and then drove here. He and the other guy were to keep you busy while that woman and Rumlow took Hannah out by float plane. Then they were going to use her as leverage to force you to do something but he either wouldn't say or didn't know what that was. I'm guessing they were setting you up again but this time you would be working for them not against them."

"They really don't know me if they thought I would work for them under any circumstances," said Bucky. "They ruined my life for 10 years and she's the best thing to come out of that. I would take them all out to get her back and I know people that would help me do it."

Tierney smiled. "You'd make a good cop, except for that last part," he said. "They'll get charged and there will be an extradition hearing...I'm guessing they will be here for a couple of months. I don't know if you'll be relocated to another protection unit or if you'll be free. I have to say we've liked having you two. You handled her PTSD very well and by the sounds of it solved your intimacy issue quite nicely."

"Shit, I thought we were being quiet," laughed Bucky. "Sorry."

"Spoken like a true Canadian," said Tierney. "It's not soundproofed very well in that house."

The doctor came out and asked for Marty. He stood up.

"Your wife is fine," he said. "Flesh wound, no damage to her internal organs. We got the bullet out and stitched her up. The baby is okay and the pregnancy should progress normally. We're just going to keep her for a couple of days."

"Baby?" asked Marty weakly. "Erin's pregnant?

"I guess that was supposed to be a surprise," said the doctor. "She's about six weeks pregnant."

Before he went to see her the others all congratulated him and let him go to her. Tierney drove Bucky and Natalie back to the house, stopping at the store to pick up her jacket and purse, then the bank to withdraw their money. He told them they could take any of the clothes that they liked. Anything they left behind would be given to a clothing charity. They did need the phones and the rings back as the latter were gold. He received a phone call from Superintendent Matthews and learned the Marshals would arrive at Tofino Airport the following morning. There would be a debriefing with everyone before they took off.