Chapter 19. Special

It had been almost six months since Hope left Chicago after being dumped by her live-in boyfriend, Jack. At the time she intended to avoid relationships, wanting to explore why she kept choosing the wrong man. Of course, that was before she met Bucky, walking in on him dancing with her mother to celebrate his excellent GED scores. Even though that first meeting hadn't gone well, and the second one had ended with Bucky leaving after feeling insulted, they found common ground, and then a spark grew into something meaningful for both of them.

Hope sublet the Chicago apartment to a homeless woman named Rae, as a helping hand to someone who was going through some tough times. The two women kept in touch over the months, as the latter found work, trying to save enough to afford her own place when the six months was up. On Christmas Eve morning, she phoned Hope, who had stayed over at Bucky's place, alerting her to the possibility of Jack showing up at Joyce's Brooklyn townhouse.

"He showed up yesterday," said Rae. "Walked in without knocking and demanded to see my sublet agreement. When he saw the date was the day after he left you, he was not happy. He said out loud he should just show up at your mom's place and sublet it to the first person he saw on the street."

"He didn't try to evict you, did he?" asked Hope, sliding a tray of Christmas cookies into the oven, her contribution to the gathering at her mother's place that evening.

"No, I told him you ran it by one of the lawyers you worked for," chuckled the other woman. "He believed me, but he said you should have asked permission before doing it. I told him I already found another sublet anyways, for a year. A professor and his wife who are regulars at the coffee shop I work at are going to Europe for some post-doctoral work. They want to pay me to live in their condo and look after their dog. Can I ask you something personal?"

"Sure."

"What did you ever see in that man?" Hope laughed, embarrassed at this point what made her move in with Jack. "He's a bit of a jerk."

She looked at Bucky whose own phone was ringing. He went into the bedroom to take the call.

"Yeah, looking back at my time with him I have to agree with you. I guess I was willing to overlook his defects for security. Are you seeing anyone?"

"Just dating here and there," replied Rae. "I still have trust issues with men so I'm not looking to get into a relationship." She was quiet for a moment. "Thank you for helping me out when you did. You made a difference in my life."

"You're welcome. I'm glad you're doing well. Thanks for the heads up. Merry Christmas, Rae."

"Merry Christmas to you, Hope."

It was good to hear from Rae. Making a difference to that one person had helped Hope as well, proving to her that even on what she thought was another low point in her life, she hadn't fallen apart. Sure, her heart was broken but that act of helping someone else had started the healing process within hours instead of the days or weeks it had taken before. The thought of Jack showing up unannounced at her mother's home was another matter. Although Jack was never physically abusive to Hope, he was manipulative. Convincing her to give up her artistic work for something that "paid the bills" had chipped away at her self-esteem bit by bit. He never let her forget that he was the better provider in the relationship. It was a form of emotional abuse that still affected her.

"Let him come," she whispered to herself, pulling the now baked cookies out of the oven. "I'm not the loser he made me believe I was."

A gentle hand on her back and a murmured voice at her ear made Hope turn around.

"What were you saying?" asked Bucky, looking carefully at her face. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. That was Rae. Jack showed up at the apartment yesterday." He frowned. "He didn't try to evict her or anything but did say he should show up at Mom's and sublet it out to someone on the street. What an ass."

"You think he will? I could sleep on one of the couches and be there to deal with him."

"As much as I would love to see the look on his face when he sees you, I want to deal with him myself." She gazed at Bucky steadily. "He never physically hurt me, but he always had a knack for making me feel inadequate and less than myself. I want the chance to do the same to him."

"Okay. But if you just say the word, I'll scare the shit out of him."

She kissed his cheek. "Thank you. I'll keep you around as backup."

Preparing the next tray of cookie dough, she slid them into the oven then gently lifted the baked cookies off the sheet and onto a cooling rack placed on their small dining table. Bucky came over leaning closer to look at the cookies.

"They need decoration," said Hope.

"May I have one?" She grinned at him, as he extended his hand. "I'll make it worth your while."

She nodded and he picked one up, breaking it into two pieces before placing the first section in his mouth. Raising his eyebrows in appreciation he stuffed the other piece in then came close, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into his body.

"Good?"

He finished chewing and swallowed then kissed her neck. "The best. You don't need to decorate."

"I've already made the icing." She giggled as he continued kissing her neck. "Stop that! Mom is expecting them to be decorated, and I can't waste time playing with you."

"This isn't wasting time," he murmured, his voice muffled by another cookie that he managed to steal. "This is having my way with you while I get another one."

The timer went off and she twisted away, opening the oven door as Bucky stood behind her, his hands resting on her hips. He surprised her by taking the cookie sheet in his left hand, placing it on top of the stove, then closing the oven door and maneuvering her so her back was against the fridge. His eyes, full of mischief, gazed down at her as she tried to look exasperated.

"Bucky, what are you doing? I have to get another batch in."

"Have I ever told you I love you?"

"Yes." She placed both hands on his chest. "Many times."

"It hasn't been enough." He placed his hands on hers, glancing at her left hand, and picturing his grandmother's engagement ring on it. "Are we giving each other a present tonight or waiting until tomorrow?"

"You want to discuss this now?" He grinned and nodded his head. "One present before bed then the others in the morning before we head over to Mom's for brunch."

"Others? How many presents am I getting?"

"Three. How many am I getting?"

He smiled mysteriously. "Originally, two, then I made it three." His smile grew larger. "You haven't asked who called me."

"I assumed it was Sam to wish you a Merry Christmas."

"No, it was the realtor." He looked over at the cookies that were still on the baking sheet. "Shouldn't you move them to the cooling rack?"

Hope put her hand on his chin, pulling on his face to look at her.

"Bucky, what did she say?"

"They accepted our counteroffer. We got the house. Possession date is the 1st of March."

Shrieking in delight, Hope jumped into his arms at the news they got the house in Midwood. It was the third house they saw and both of them immediately felt a connection with it. Only 5 minutes away from the college by car and a half hour walk if they chose that means, the 1925 built fully renovated home with two parking spaces, a garage, front and back yard had everything they wanted; living room and dining room with built-in shelving, updated kitchen, four bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and air conditioning for those hot New York summers. There was also an office space that Hope wanted to use as a studio as it had two large windows that provided lots of natural light. They could even rent out the basement as it had a separate entrance, full kitchen, living room, bedroom and full bathroom downstairs. It was a house full of natural light, in a quiet neighbourhood close enough to the college to make that commute easy, but far enough away that they could easily leave that atmosphere behind.

Carrying Hope out to the couch, Bucky sat with her straddling his lap, still kissing each other. It was an incredible moment for both of them. As she pulled away, he kept his hands on her waist, looking up at her as the winter sun lit up the room behind her. A warmth bloomed in his chest at how much he loved her at this moment.

"We're going to paint first before we move in, right?" she asked. "Strip that wallpaper in the powder room and office. The kitchen backsplashes can be retiled anytime."

He nodded, softly smiling at how animated she seemed.

"I'll give my notice here for the end of February because most of this furniture belongs to the apartment. We can paint on the weekends, maybe replace that carpet on the staircase while we're living there." She leaned over to kiss him again, looking lovingly at him. "We can go furniture shopping before the possession date. I can rent a storage locker for the furniture, then rent a truck to move it all over. Sam and Joaquin will help, maybe Peter as well."

"That'll be so much on your plate," she answered. "Carrying that extra course load, shopping for furniture, painting ... Are you sure you can manage?"

"I'm sure. All of the window coverings and appliances stay so we don't have to worry about them. If it gets too much, we can hire someone to do the painting and the moving. Might do that anyways." He placed a hand on her cheek, his voice becoming serious in tone. "One of the smaller bedrooms can be set up as a nursery."

It got very quiet at that moment, as Hope searched his face for any signs of hesitancy.

"You mean it? I thought ..."

"I'm still concerned about keeping you safe, but I do want to be the father to your children. I want to wait until we're moved in before we start trying but sooner is better for you, so we'll start a family. Is that okay?"

Biting her lower lip, Hope nodded then she kissed him tenderly, as he shifted to lay on top of her on the couch. What they did then delayed the baking of more cookies, but it was mutual and soft and sweet and a perfect way to celebrate getting the house of their dreams. Besides, Bucky wasn't done with surprises.

They were a little late getting to Joyce's. The icing on the cookies had to set before they could be placed in containers, then they each brought a present to share with each other, as well as the presents for Joyce, Tom, Bobby and the kids and Hope's sister Tara and her kids. Bucky ran over for the car, returning to his place with it before driving it back and letting Hope off at the door with everything before parking it again. By the time he got back to Joyce's brownstone there was a scotch already poured for him, and he received big hugs from her, Tom, Bobby and his wife. Then he stood next to Hope as she snaked her arm around him to introduce him to her sister.

"Tara, this is Bucky Barnes, my boyfriend," she said, proudly. "He was Mom's friend, first, but we hit it off after a rough beginning. Bucky, this is Tara and the three new kids playing Monopoly in the living room are hers, Sean, Blake and Jessica."

He put his hand out to shake Tara's, then was surprised when she pulled him in for a cheek kiss and quick hug.

"Sorry, but I feel like I already know you by what Mom has told me." She stood back, her cheeks a bright pink. "You're a lot more handsome in person than what you appear on TV, and I mean that in the nicest sense. On TV they always show you scowling and try to make it seem like you're this anti-social type of guy, but Mom says you're just an introvert that needs some understanding ... and I'm babbling, aren't I?"

Her siblings laughed, as Tara was like that. Bucky did get the same motherly vibes off of her that Joyce gave him, so he smiled warmly at her, making her even more flustered.

"It's fine," he said in a voice that flowed with ease. "I was quite anti-social for some time, but your mom helped me a lot to get used to social situations. I'm glad to finally meet you."

She clasped her hands together, then looked at her sister, with a wistful smile. "I'm so happy for you, Hope! You're glowing with love and so is Bucky."

Waving her hands in front of her face she tried to stem the tears that threatened to fall. Then Bucky made it happen when he pulled out a clean handkerchief for her, bringing it out to tearful thanks from the recipient. With a smirk, Bobby patted Bucky on the back.

"Now you've done it. She won't stop crying for hours."

Tara laughingly tapped her brother on the chest and told him to drop dead, obvious signs that Bucky recognized of sibling teasing. Joyce told them all to settle down in that no nonsense way she had but it was tempered by a grin on her face.

"Tom, come on, let's get the food out."

She muttered over-dramatically as he followed her into the kitchen, bringing out tray after tray of grazing foods for the dining room table that must have taken her all day to prepare. Hope took the cookies to the kitchen to arrange on one of Joyce's decorative holiday plates. As Bucky approached where the kids were playing Monopoly, Stacey and David waved at him. He greeted them by name then smiled at Tara's three who tried not to stare at his arm, obviously having been warned by their mother.

"Monopoly's still around, huh?" he asked, sitting cross-legged on the rug next to the coffee table. "Deal me in?"

"You played this?" asked Sean, a teenager, who was acting as banker.

"I remember when it came out, around 1935, I think," said Bucky, as he picked up the cannon game piece and put it at the Go space. "A girlfriend got it for me for Christmas. Haven't played it since the early 1940s so I'm probably a little rusty."

Sean looked at his brother then at David, and a knowing grin came over the boys' faces as they fancied themselves as quite good players. Bucky winked at Hope as she stood looking over them. They weren't going to know what hit them. She filled up a plate with food for him to nibble on while he played then helped herself, sitting on one of the other sofas that Bucky brought up from the basement the day before. What followed over the next hour was a master class in playing Monopoly as Bucky surprised everyone with his game play. When it became apparent that the boys were getting frustrated, he cashed in, selling his properties back to the bank, then stood up, depositing all of the cash in the middle of the board.

"So, when I played back in the Dark Ages, we would put all the fines and taxes in the middle," he explained. "Then whoever landed on Free Parking would get all of it that had accumulated. This millionaire is donating all of his fortune to charity. I'll let you guys fight over it."

He stood up, stretched, then picked up his empty plate, taking it over to the dining room table and loading up on snack foods again. Hope joined him.

"You're a shark," she grinned. "Pretty good at Monopoly."

He shrugged. "It's just a game. Rebecca is the one who always cleaned up." Extending a hand to her waist, he pulled her in for a kiss. "I'm not a ruthless landlord. Had too much experience with that in real life." They were distracted by a yell when Stacey landed on Free Parking and picked up all of Bucky's fortune, waving the stack of Monopoly money around in the air. "There you go, my fortune's already been redistributed."

The boys asked to play something else, so the game was packed up and the kids went through the other board games from Joyce's assortment, narrowing down their choices. The other adults came to load up on food again, then Bobby produced a pack of small cigars. With a nod, Bucky filled up his drink again and followed him and Tom outside to the deck. Inside the kitchen, Joyce, Hope, Tara and Kathy cleaned up some of the empty plates then watched the men through the window.

"So is Tom all moved in yet?" asked Kathy. "He's such a nice man."

"No, he brought some things on this trip, and he's put his condo up for sale. Once it sells, he'll move everything here. I'll have to get rid of some things, but I've got a basement full of furniture that I don't use so if any of you want to take something be my guest." Joyce smiled as she watched Tom leaning against the railing, crossing his arms. "Never thought I would find someone else to share my life with. He is a good man, and I do love him."

All three of the younger women smiled at each other, happy for the matriarch of their extended family. At that moment, the doorbell rang, and Hope excused herself to answer it. All the women in the kitchen heard her voice rise as she spoke to whoever was at the door.

"Really, Jack? You show up at my mother's place on Christmas Eve? What's wrong with you?"

Joyce immediately went to the deck door and opened it.

"Jack's here," she announced.

Bucky and Bobby both moved, quickly putting their cigars out and coming through the kitchen then to the front door where Hope blocked her former boyfriend from coming in any further. Jack sneered at the two men when they appeared.

"Oh, you're going to sic your dogs on me, now. You're such a bitch."

"Hey, that's my sister you're talking about," growled Bobby, who was ready to punch the bigger man, even as Bucky gently blocked him. "You can't come into my mother's house on Christmas Eve and act like you own the place."

"Funny you should say that, Bobby," said Jack. "You know your sister sublet my place to a prostitute without permission."

"I know you didn't even have the balls to break up with her in person," replied her brother. "Rae is not a prostitute. She was homeless and needed a break, and since you gave Hope the use of the place for six months in writing, it was legal."

Bucky watched the bigger man, sizing him up in a way that drew Jack's attention.

"Is this the new sucker you've latched onto?" he asked, frowning at Hope. "Good luck, buddy. Hope you have a good job because she's not capable of making a living on her own."

Bucky stepped forward, then was blocked by Hope, who looked up at him, reminding him by her expression that she wanted to handle it. He nodded, but stayed right behind her, crossing his arms in front of his chest while glaring at Jack. That was when the other man noticed the vibranium hand.

"Seriously? You ended up with this guy? Jesus Christ, you're really scraping the bottom of the barrel if a former assassin is the best you could do. Then again, what do I know? I was the most normal out of all the losers you hooked up with before."

"Shut up, Jack," exclaimed Hope, aware that all of her family, including the kids, were now watching. "I'm going to say this once and hope you get this through your thick skull. The whole time we were together you cheated on me, then broke up with me by a letter left on the mantel piece. You thought you were being so generous by leaving me money in a bank account and use of your condo for six months, like I would be grateful to still have a roof over my head. We were only living in Chicago because you got transferred there after you came on to your boss's wife. Yeah, I heard about that and yeah, I still went with you because I wasn't in a good head space then. I couldn't get a job in my field here but when I got an interview for an ad agency in Chicago you said I should stick to something that gave a regular paycheck and talked me into taking a legal assistant job instead. You only did that because you wanted to limit my exposure to other men. Not that it mattered because I hated every moment of that job, except for learning about the part of it being legal to sublet your place."

"That's it? So, I was what, the guy who got you off every time I was back in town? Half the time you didn't want to be bothered with sex. So, yeah, I went looking for someone who wasn't sloppy seconds or thirds."

Tara's hands went over the ears of her daughter, while Hope stepped closer to him, poking him in the chest several times for emphasis.

"You got me off? You couldn't find the forest for the trees and just so you know, I faked every orgasm with you." She looked back at Bucky, at how he smiled softly at her, supporting her completely. "You couldn't be more wrong about scraping the bottom of the barrel. With Bucky's encouragement I'm now an art instructor at Brooklyn College and I also paint and sell my art privately. I do really well with it, too. As for wanting sex, for the first time I'm with a man who makes my pleasure his priority and we go at it like rabbits every chance we get. He makes an effort to make me happy and I am, so ... fucking ... happy. You? You're just another asshole who broke my heart but now I don't even think about you. All I was to you was a caretaker for your place when you were on the road. Go back to your girlfriend and your condo in Chicago. Tonight, you're dealing with me but if you show up here again, you'll deal with my family, and you won't come out of it still walking."

As if they were of one mind, the others mimicked Bucky's stance, tall, proud, arms folded across their chests in a display of strength. Even the kids glared at him with disdain, as Jack's face reddened with anger. Just as he was about to say something, Bucky put his hand gently on the man's chest, barely even touching him.

"Let's not say anything that could escalate the situation further," he said quietly, keeping his eyes focused on the man. "It's Christmas Eve and you're in hostile territory. Take what dignity you have left and go."

He shoved Bucky's hand off his chest, daring him to make it physical in an attempt to get the super soldier to assault him. Bucky just smiled, then stood behind Hope and wrapped his arms around her from behind. That was the last straw for Jack, and he whirled around, went out the door and stomped down the steps. Out on the street he slipped on some ice and went down on his butt, then stood up, glared at the house and stalked off into the night. Inside, there was a small cheer then they all heard 8-year-old Jessica ask a question.

"What's an orgasm?"

"I'll tell you when you're 18," said her mother, rolling her eyes a little. "Well, that was entertaining, and it must have felt great. It felt great to me to be your backup."

"It did feel good," replied Hope. "Thanks, everyone, for letting me unload on him. It was a long time coming."

"Let's put some Christmas music on and bring out the desserts," said Joyce. "Once that's all cleared away, we can each open a gift, then the kids can all go to bed in the attic, even though I know you won't go to sleep for a while. There's a TV up there with a video game console and several games. Just don't stay up all night."

It was another hour before they were all in the living room ready to open one gift. Bucky watched the others choose from the assortment under the tree and smiled at the kids negotiating to open another, but Joyce was firm, saying it would have to wait until after breakfast on Christmas morning. Then Hope brought her gift for him over, curling into him with her feet up on the couch as she handed him the slender wrapped box.

"This is kind of old fashioned, but I figured if you ended up in politics you would appreciate the symbolism behind this of history and professionalism." She shrugged. "Anyway, I hope you like it."

He tore the paper off, then smiled at the brand name, Waterman, remembering it from when he was younger. Opening the case revealed a beautiful black and gold coloured fountain pen. Putting his arm around Hope, he kissed her tenderly.

"I love it, thank you," he said warmly. "Now, I suppose you want yours." She nodded, her eyes bright. "Alright, but first I want to tell everyone we got the house."

"Okay," she said, confused a little by that request.

He turned to the others. "Before I give Hope her gift, we have an announcement. As you know, I asked her to move in with me and we began looking for a house. The third house we looked at, in Midwood, had everything we wanted. It was close enough to school for me and work for Hope. It's big, with lots of room to grow into. It has a full suite in the basement that we might rent out to a worthy student."

"You can take some of the extra furniture in the basement," exclaimed Joyce. She blushed. "Just saying. Sorry, I interrupted."

"That's okay. It's a good idea. Anyways, they accepted our offer, and we take possession in March." He shifted so that he knelt before Hope, then reached into his jeans pocket, bringing out the small worn ring box. "I picked this up from my sister in Tampa when we were there in October. It was my grandmother's, then my mother's and it needed some restoration, but it was ready a couple of weeks ago and I wanted to give it to you tonight. Hope, I didn't really know I was looking for you until I found you. In the six months we've known each other, we've found something really special when we're together. I don't just want you to move in with me, I want you to marry me. Would you please be my wife?"

He opened the box, then took the ring out, poised to put it on Hope's ring finger. As her mother, sister and sister-in-law stifled their sobs, she couldn't say anything for a moment. Instead, she looked at Bucky then at the ring before looking back at him.

"Yes," she squeaked. "God, yes, I want to marry you. Oh Bucky."

Now she cried, as he slid the ring on then kissed her passionately, bringing congratulations from everyone. Standing up, they were both hugged and kissed by the adults, with the kids watching everything with interest.

"So that means that Bucky Barnes is going to be our uncle?" asked 11-year-old Blake out loud to anyone who was listening. "Cool!"

Tom appeared with a bottle of champagne, a bottle of sparkling grape juice and some flutes, opening the bottles and pouring some for everyone. He stood with his glass in his hand.

"I want to congratulate Bucky and Hope on their engagement, on buying their first house together, and for that amazing tag team display as they dealt with the man whose name I've already forgotten. Bucky wasn't the only one who brought a ring tonight." He sipped his champagne, put the glass down, then reached inside his pocket, pulling out an engagement ring as he turned to Joyce. "I've only known you since May, but I guess I'm old fashioned enough to want our relationship to be more than just moving in together. I'm not getting down on my knees for this because I might not get up, but Joyce, would you make this old guy happy and agree to marry me? I'm loyal, dependable, I love you, and the last 7 months have been the happiest months I've had in years. I want to spend however long we have together, taking care of each other and making each other happy, if you'll let me."

The words she said to Tara, Hope and Kathy earlier came back to her at that moment, and she looked up at this quiet, gentle man with the most beautiful smile on her face.

"I never thought I would find someone else to share my life with after I lost Bob. You are such a good man, and I do love you. I want to marry you, too, Tom."

He slid the ring onto her finger as the others grinned with delight, before converging on the older couple. Hope and Bucky, who could have felt some dismay at having to share their moment with Joyce and Tom, were ecstatic. Bucky, especially, who had bonded with Joyce so quickly after they first met, couldn't stop smiling for this woman he loved like a mother, as he wrapped his arms around her. Tom received a heartfelt hug from the super soldier as well. Like Bucky, he wanted more than a cohabiting relationship; he wanted a marriage with the woman he loved; committing not just to her but to the other members of the Franklin family.

It was late when Bucky and Hope walked back to his apartment through the snow-covered streets of Brooklyn. Arm in arm they took their time, enjoying the quiet intimacy of this next aspect of their relationship. Words weren't needed to express their happiness. It was evident in every glance they took at their partner, and with every touch of their hands.

Alpine greeted them when Bucky unlocked the door, curling around their ankles with soft chirps of welcome. As Hope hung her coat up and slipped her boots off, Bucky opened a playlist on his phone, then slid his jacket and boots off. He took Hope's hands and pulled her to the centre of the small living room. Van Morrison's soulful voice came out of the Bluetooth speaker, and they slow danced with only the reflected streetlight coming through the window illuminating the space. It was the most special moment of their lives, with both believing that the best was still to come.

I've been searchin' a long time

For someone exactly like you

I've been travelin' all around the world

Waitin' for you to come through

Someone like you

Make it all worth while

Someone like you

Keep me satisfied

Someone exactly like you

Someone Like You, written and performed by Van Morrison, 1987.

https/open./track/4beWEVoUbjSziAFPy8voaF?si=r3pcP2hoTkeEdH71eP5NDQ