Chapter 20
Frost had settled on the fallen leaves and dead grass giving the forest a magical shimmer in the middle of winter. Fall had held on for as long as it could, but a chill had spread across the northeastern states and dug in hard for the next few months. It was now February and many looked forward to spring to set them free.
The truck rolled along the damp road, cruising toward its destination without much direction from the driver. It pulled into the familiar driveway and stopped in its designated spot.
James opened the door of the truck, stepping out with a bag in his other hand. He closed the door and walked around the truck toward the porch.
"You know you don't have to meet me on the porch." He said, smirking.
Danielle stepped slowly down the stairs. "But I like watching you walk up to the house. I can't do that if I'm inside."
She stopped on the final step and stared eye to eye with James.
"It's okay," he leaned into her ear, "I like watching you walk up the stairs in front of me."
Danielle smacked his chest lightly. "Mr. Barnes, how dare you speak to a woman in such a way."
"Since when can a man not appreciate his wife's assets?" James wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. She didn't fight him as he pressed a long kiss to her lips.
They both started breathing heavily as the kisses became hungrier and more passionate. Danielle came back to her senses first and pulled away from his tantalizing lips.
"We have to stop," she took another breath, "our guests will be here soon and we still have to decorate."
James remembered the bag of supplies in his hand as he let go of her. The whole reason he had driven to town on this cold February day was to gather party supplies for his son's sixth birthday. He had missed the five parties before, but he was going to do everything he could to make the sixth party the best.
"Come on. Let's go inside." He took her left hand in his right and their wedding bands pressed together.
After the infinity stones had been returned and the world had started to come alive once more, James decided the only thing he wanted out of life was to marry Danielle and enjoy his family. When he asked her to marry him, it wasn't a grand gesture that took months of planning. It was a quiet evening and James and Danielle sat on the porch, listening to the sounds of the forest. The idea just popped into his head and without thinking too much about it, he said, "Marry me."
Danielle didn't give much of a reaction. She simply said, "Yes."
The wedding was a small ceremony in their backyard with a few friends and their son.
Since his left hand was not his own, James decided it would mean more to wear his wedding band on his right hand, his flesh hand, where every part of it was him. He liked that when he took her left hand the bands came together like the ultimate symbol of their bond.
Once inside, they took turns pulling items out of the bag and setting them out on the kitchen table. With all the decorations they could find befitting a six year old, they started staging their kitchen and living room for the best party ever. James finished setting out the plates and matching napkins, while Danielle finished icing her homemade cake. She was not much of a baker, but it looked good enough to James.
A knock at the door made them freeze.
Danielle looked at the clock and knew it had to be their guests. Jamie wouldn't arrive for another twenty minutes to ensure he was fully surprised by the gathering.
James opened the door to Scott, Hope, and Cassie, then more footsteps approached to reveal Sam.
"Hey, man." Sam said in greeting.
"Thanks for coming," replied James.
"Anything for the kid." Sam walked through the door to Danielle, who he hugged.
James was about to shut the door when something slapped against it.
"Were you trying to shut me out, Sergeant Barnes? Because I can take back that arm I gave you." Shuri teased as she stepped through the door.
"I've missed you, Shuri." He said, a smile playing on his lips.
"I have missed you, too. Mainly I have missed you as my lab rat, but my brother–"
"Told her to leave you in peace," finished T'Challa as he followed his sister.
James bowed his head to the King of Wakanda. "Thank you. For Everything."
T'Challa understood that James' thank you extended beyond any favors he had done for James after the fight in Siberia.
"No need for thanks." T'Challa affirmed. "Today is a day of celebration."
At that moment, Okoye and Ayo paused in the doorway. James barely recognized either of them without their Dora Milaje gear.
"Where is the guest of honor?" Okoye asked.
"He'll be here soon." James directed them to the refreshments available and the group of Wakandans moved into the room with the other Avengers.
A few more people showed up until their little house was bursting at the seams with its party goers.
James stood in the kitchen by himself, watching the group intermingling. Never had he thought he would have a house and a family and be celebrating birthdays with friends. He was thankful for the second chance Steve and Danielle had given him.
As he stood by the counter observing, Danielle walked around making sure everyone had plenty of snacks and drinks. She picked up empty plates and cups as she moved and brought it to the trash can near James. She stopped beside him, but her eyes were on the guests.
"Do you think we have enough snacks?" She took inventory of the snack table.
James brought his hand up to her chin and turned her face toward his. "It's fine. Everyone is having a good time."
She breathed out to calm herself. "You're right."
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
"He's here!" Danielle raced toward the door while shushing their guests.
James could only smirk at her excitement.
She surveyed the room to make sure everyone was in position before opening the door to reveal Jamie.
"SURPRISE!"
Everyone yelled in unison making the little boy jump, but once he understood what was happening, a wide smile spread across his face.
"Happy birthday, Jamie." Danielle said, kneeling down to wrap her son in a tight hug.
Jamie hugged his mom, but soon moved on to the cake and presents laid out on the table. Danielle directed him to the seat at the head of the table and turned to grab the candles from the counter.
"James," she called to gain his attention, "come over here."
James moved behind Danielle as she lit the candles, then began to sing. He stood on the opposite side of Jamie, singing happy birthday under his breath while everyone else sang loudly. The group reached the end of the song. Jamie squeezed his eyes tight and thought for a long moment before blowing out the candles.
The guests cheered as Danielle slid the cake toward her and began cutting pieces for each person. Jamie didn't pay attention to the slice of cake put in front of him, instead he turned to James, pulling on the hem of James' shirt to get his attention.
James squatted down to be eye level with his son. "What's up, buddy?"
"Do you want to know what I wished for?" Jamie asked.
"I don't think you're supposed to tell anyone."
"What if I whisper it? Then it's still a secret, right?"
James could tell he was fighting a losing battle, so he leaned in to allow Jamie to whisper his wish to him. Jamie leaned in real close and cupped his hand around James' ear.
"I wished you could be at my birthday party every year."
James pulled away slightly to see his son's face. The gleam in his little boy's eyes and the soft smile on his lips nearly made James cry. He reached up and ran his hand through his son's hair and pulled his head toward him before pressing a kiss to the side of his head.
"I promise, buddy." James let go of his son, who immediately remembered his cake and began digging in.
Getting up from the floor, James excused himself back to the kitchen, pretending to be in search of more juice. Danielle noticed him retreating to the kitchen, but she remained at the table, passing out cake. She would ask him later when everyone had gone.
