Guarded Heart

The day of the Barnes Holiday Party, Y/N took off from practice, so after feeding, mucking out stalls and a quick round with Thor before breakfast she headed out for a day of beauty.

She met with one of her only real friends, Pepper Potts-Stark who was the best realtor in the state and mob adjacent due to her husband, and Y/N's godfather, Tony's weapons business. And their teenage daughter Morgan who had her father's looks, brains and penchant for finding trouble. Y/N had been Morgan's babysitter when she was younger, still gave her riding lessons and acted as a big sister when Morgan needed her.

Pepper laughed at Y/N's telling of her interactions with Bucky. "I hope he knows what he's getting into. What are you going to do about the girlfriend?"

Y/N shrugged "Why do I need to do anything about her? I haven't even told him about you know who. Neither one of them changes anything."

Peppers eyes widened "She's supposed to be dangerous, a former assassin or something. I've heard about the Black Widow."

"I'm not afraid of her, I can defend myself. I'll keep an eye on her but I'm not worried. Besides I have Scott and Pietro looking into her. Somethings not right about her besides the obvious.

You will be my maid of honor right? And Morgan can be a flower girl. I might be stuck with other daughters as bridesmaids but I want you close to me."

"You're not growing sentimental on me are you?"

She shook her head "Pffft, No but I doubt I'll ever get married again so might as well do it up right."

Pepper smiled "Of course, I'll do what I can to help."

"Oh, speaking of helping, expect a call from Barnes, I gave him your number. He needs to buy me an acceptable house, I'm sure you can help with that."

They spent the day noshing on champagne and edibles while they were worked on.

When they were all dolled up they parted ways, planning to meet up at the party "You have to introduce me to your fiance. Tony and I have to make sure he is good enough for you." Pepper warned.

Y/N smiled and nodded. "He probably won't be in your and Tony's eyes but you'll have to come to terms with it."

She had found a retro, dark green velvet, off the shoulder, bodycon dress and paired it with silver heels and simple jewelry. She was waiting in the living room when the doorbell rang.

When she opened the door Bucky whistled "Damn doll, you are stunning. I'll have the prettiest girl at the ball"

Y/N laughed "I hope your car isn't going to turn into a pumpkin at midnight."

Bucky offered his arm "If it does I'll steal another one for you."

As Y/N walked up to the car she saw red hair. When Bucky helped her into the backseat she saw Nat sitting in the front. Y/N smirked "Natasha. Nice to see you again."

Nat just scowled and turned around.

"You know, we will be around each other quite a bit going forward, we might as well be cordial."

Nat just scoffed.

Bucky sat down, felt the tension and looked between the two women. "I know it's not a great situation but you two should try to at least be nice to each other.

Y/N nodded and hummed. Nat scoffed again.

Bucky rolled his eyes "Nat if you can't be polite then fake it and pretend you're having a great time. Most of the other families will be there and I don't need you scowling and bringing everyone down all night."

When they arrived at the venue Bucky helped Y/N out of the car and escorted her inside, Nat was left to her own devices and received a number of stares as she walked behind Bucky and Y/N. Nats dress was black and so tight it looked sprayed on, short enough that she shouldn't bend over and had her breasts almost spilling out. The place was fully decked out with trees, garlands and twinkle lights. Y/N smiled when she saw what must have been thousands of white lights hanging from the ceiling like stars.

Bucky smiled too, enjoying her reactions and leaned over to speak in her ear "What do you think about this place for our engagement party?"

She nodded "It has potential but I'll have to try the food first. I do like the view" they were on the waterfront and had a perfect view of the Statue of Liberty through a large picture window.

Bucky grinned and steered her towards his parents.

"Dad, Mom, this is Y/N. My fiance."

"It's very nice to meet you, Mr and Mrs Barnes"

She offered her hand for George to shake but he brushed it aside and gave her a hug "We're practically family dear, George and Winnie is fine."

Winnie gave her a hug and then looked her over "We've met once before, briefly, at the fundraiser for the childrens hospital last year. We missed you there this year"

Y/N smiled and nodded "I remember, it's good to see you again. All of my other commitments have suffered for my training this year. I'm hoping to get back into them after the wedding."

Winnie smiled "Speaking of, have you kids set a date yet?"

Y/N laughed "We haven't even planned the engagement party. Don't worry ma'am, I will make sure it all comes together. I won't disappoint you"

Winnie gave her a thoughtful look "You could run away to Vegas and elope and I wouldn't be disappointed as long as you make my son happy."

"Well, he already has his person for that but I'll do what I can on my end"

A young woman with Bucky's blue eyes came up to them and hugged her mother "What's this I hear about a wedding?"

Bucky put his arm around Y/N "This is my baby sister Becca, she's a little annoying but not all bad."

Becca stuck her tongue out at him and they both laughed.

"It's very nice to meet you, Becca and I-"

She's cut off as Becca gives her a crushing hug.

"Welcome to the family, Y/N" she turned to Bucky "Where's Stevie?"

A man came up behind Becca and tickled her "I'm right here, sis"

She squealed, turned around and slapped him on the chest "I told you to stop doing that!"

"I didn't listen." He smirked at her, then turned to Bucky and Y/N "I'm guessing this is the lady that you somehow suckered into marrying you. Hi Y/N, I'm Steve, the younger, smarter and better looking brother. It's nice to meet you." He kissed her hand.

Bucky gently shoved him away "Easy there, find your own girl jerk"

Y/N's parents joined them and they made Smalltalk for a bit.

A bell rang to signal dinner and everyone started looking for their seats. Y/N and her parents were seated at the main table up on the dais with the rest of the Barnes family. The food was delicious and the conversation very entertaining. She was mostly quiet, observing the Barnes family dynamic.

Before desert was served George stood up and the hall quieted. He made a heartfelt speech about the holiday and families and ended with "One last thing before I let you eat your dessert and this is definitely not the least. I would like to announce my son James' engagement to Y/N Y/L/N. It's taken him longer than I hoped to find a wife but I couldn't have wished for a better woman to stand by his side." Bucky stood and pulled her up with him as the crowd applauded and yelled for the couple.

When everyone was done eating George led his wife to the dance floor. Bucky grabbed Y/N but on the way there, they were interrupted.

Y/N heard a voice she hadn't heard in a couple of years calling her name "Y/N darling. It's so good to see you are doing well"

Bucky felt her tense and squeezed her hand before she turned and looked at her ex, Baron Helmut Zemo. "Helmut. I didn't know they let you out for the holidays. You must have bribed them because you're not capable of good behavior."

Zemo chuckled "You still have that sharp tongue. I hope you haven't been too rough on poor James." He turned to Bucky and they shook hands "Careful with this one Barnes, she'll never love you like she loves her horses. That obsession takes everything she has. It's good you have Natasha to warm your bed because this one rarely will."

Buckys eyes flashed rage but he kept it in "Lucky for Y/N I'm secure enough that I don't feel threatened by her other passions." He noticed the woman on Zemos arm and rolled his eyes.

Zemos date chirped in "Hey James." And looked Y/N over "Looks like you've downgraded."

Bucky smirked at her "Dot. Actually my father was right, I can't think of a better woman to share my life with."

Nat walked up just as he said this and grit her teeth at his words. She tried to rub up against him until Bucky grabbed her arm. He spoke lowly in her ear "What did I tell you about this in public?"

Nat growled "I don't care what these people think and neither should you. You're the king of Brooklyn and all these people are peasants compared to us."

"Natasha" he spoke lowly, in warning "knock it off and behave"

Nat rolled her eyes and stormed away, her skin tight dress gaining stares from almost everyone in the room.

It took awhile for them to make it to the dance floor since everyone had to stop and congratulate them. Y/N felt dread in her gut when Sharon and Peggy Carter mentioned being in the wedding. Of course she knew this would happen but the thought of spending time with them disgusted her. They were cousins and so pretentious and phoney that she got a headache last time they went shopping together. She could see the envy over her engagement, and to whom, in their eyes while they congratulated her and fawned over the ring. Was it any wonder that she preferred her horses?

Tony worked his way through the crowd to see his god daughter with Pepper trailing behind him. He gave Y/N a big hug and kiss on the cheek. Then nodded at Bucky "I have to give it to you Barnes, there have been men beating a path to her door but she turned em all down. I don't know why she chose you, seriously no clue , but you better be good to her."

Pepper elbowed him in the ribs "Don't be an ass Tony." Then turned to Bucky "It's nice to see you again James, I think the last time was at our wedding. I won't make any threats but she is very special to some of us so treat her well."

Y/N rolled her eyes "Subtle, Pep" she needed a break so excused herself to freshen up, unsuprised that Sharon and Peggy stayed with Bucky. Before she turned the hall to the restroom she heard her name said softly but couldn't catch anything else except an accented masculine voice she knew "Don't worry, I'll take care of her, you handle Barnes, don't disappoint me again, daughter." Dreykov. She shivered.

Dreykov had come calling about 6 or so months ago. She turned him down before he finished his salad. Like many of the men in organized crime he thought a woman was just an incubator for a son. His daughter Yelena had stood behind him, fuming over her father's insistence that he needed a son because a woman couldn't run an organized crime family. That wasn't happening to her, plus he was at least 30 years older than her, and he didn't take the rejection kindly.

She quickly moved out of the way and behind some other people to see who else came out since his daughter, Yelena, was over by the bar, who could he be talking to. It didn't surprise her when Natasha walked past, she had suspected there was something going on with Nat. She sent a quick text to Scott and Pietro, deleted it and hurried to find Bucky.

She found him on the dance floor, with Sharon. Apparently she needed to reinforce her claim. She used her brightest and fakest smile "Pardon me, may I cut in and dance with my fiance?"

Sharon stammered "Of course, I was just keeping him warm for you" went to find Peggy.

Y/N grabbed Bucky's hand and wrapped his arm around her waist "You're welcome Jamie. I know how dull Sharon can be. She has no interests besides getting married."

Bucky smiled "Thanks doll, you're definitely more interesting than most of the women I have met."

She smiled at him "I'm sorry to say I have bad news. I know work isn't supposed to come up at these things but this can't wait."

He pulled her closer and whispered in her ear "You sure it can't wait doll? This is pretty romantic and we won't get quiet moments like this very often"

She shivered and felt her panties dampen but shook it off, not the time. "I'm not the one you're romancing Jamie but she is going to be a problem." And told him everything she heard and saw.

Bucky shook his head "Dreykovs daughter? You must have misheard. Or there was someone else and Nat was in the bathroom or something. Thats impossible, we checked her out. And she loves me, she would never." He stiffened

"Thanks for trusting me enough to come to me but it can't be what you think so drop it."

"But Jamie-"

"No, Y/N, let it go."

"Fine, then show me your dance moves." She teased.

Bucky chuckled and they danced until their feet hurt.

Obviously she had no intention of letting anything go but she would leave him out of it until she had solid proof. For the rest of the evening she discretely kept her eyes on Nat, Yelena and Dreykov while playing happy fiance.

When Bucky took her home she felt an urge to invite him up to her room. He was so damn sexy and had been so attentive all night and was a great dancer, better than her. When Bucky kissed her goodnight, soft and sweet, she followed him when he pulled away until she opened her eyes. They both chuckled and she opened the door.

"Good night, Jamie"

"G'nite doll"