Bucky's eyes scan over the bar, landing on Steve and Peggy. The two sweethearts, embraced in a slow dance. Bucky smiles to himself, his friend with two left feet, it would appear, had finally found the right partner. As the song comes to an end, Bucky watches as the pair pull apart. Peggy excusing herself, and heading towards the washroom, While Steve saunters towards Bucky, a dopey grin on his face. "Hey Buck, what no partner?"
"Nah, not much in the mood for company tonight." Bucky smiles a half-hearted smile into his whiskey.
"Ahh, still hung up on Dot huh?" Steve questions with a sly grin.
"What? No......I mean Dot was nice and all, but uh...not really the girl I wanna marry." Bucky stammers out.
"Ohhh.....so you're still hung up on you're first marriage?" Steve teases, enjoying watching as Bucky's ears tint pink.
"I..I didn't say that. Besides, you're the one who's gonna have to explain to Becca about Peggy." Bucky is smirking now, enjoying watching his best pal squirm.
"And here I was going suggest we have another double wedding when we return...... Think Becca will give me the divorce?" Both men's booming laughs could be heard through out the camp, as they howled and joked throughout the evening.
Bucky smiles as he looks over the attic. He really hoped you'd like everything, he really hoped you'd say yes. Him and Steve wouldn't get their wish of double weddings, but he knew he would still be by his side on that day, even if just in spirit.
And so with the interview at the cannery going so well, he did get the job after all, He now had one more item to mark off his check list. Rebecca sighed as she placed some last minute finishing touches, then found her place beside her brother. Her hand finding his back, rubbing soothing circles.The pair looking over their handy work.
When Bucky finally told his sister his plan this morning, he thought she would squeal, jump up and down, something annoying, instead she just beamed at him and asked how she could help. She listened to his idea, adding small suggestions, without coming off as pushy or knowing better. James felt truly happy that he had sought after her help, even if she didn't know that was what he was doing when he told her. Or hell maybe she did.
One thing Bucky is sure of, the attic would in no way look as deserving of tonight's event's, if it wasn't for Rebecca Barnes. She had poured her heart and soul into transforming the space into what Bucky's dreams for the space had been. The tent was clean and hung properly this time, the space big enough for the two of you to sit nestled beneath tonight. Flowers lay everywhere, Rebecca had spent the better half of the day arranging the dozens of small bouquets that were scattered all about. The room softly a glow by the candles, Rebecca had methodically placed around the area.
His mother was downstairs, no doubt finishing up, cooking the picnic style dinner the two of you would share this evening. He only hoped you would forgive him for not making it himself, but his attention really was needed else where.
"She's gonna love it Jamie." He hears his sister finally say after sometime.
"Yea?" Bucky's only words to his sister, as they continue to look out over the altered attic.
Rebecca's hand finds her brother's, giving it a reaffirming squeeze. "Yea."
When Bucky opens the door to you that evening, he found himself lost for words, upon the sight of you. Your Satin sweetheart neckline dress was a champagne color, and had a champagne colored mesh that lay over the satin. Black butterflies, of varies shapes and sizes, lay peppered horizontally across your bust then down the skirt, the skirt stopping just below your knees. The curve of your waist had been amplified by the thick black satin ribbon. Your fingers grasp tightly to your small black sequin handbag, and Bucky lets his eyes roam down your stocking clad legs. He wishes you'd do the little turn you usually do, so he'd get that veiw of the seam running a perfect line down your leg to the black heels on your feet.
"Beautiful." Bucky finally get's out. His tone breathy, and he doesn't miss the deep blush that creeps up your cheeks, or the small shy smile that has replaced your nervous one. "Come in doll, I hope your hungry." He shuffles to the side, allowing you to finally enter.
"You look very handsome tonight James." Bucky watches your eyes run up and down his body, and he hopes you appreciate that he is wearing the suit you love. The one you would always comment on, saying you adored how it brought out his eyes.
"I always have to look my best for my best girl." He smiles at you, his hand reaching out, his fingers intertwining with yours. "I have a surprise for you sweetheart, but I need your help." His hand falls from yours, and you give him a confused look, until he pulls a blind fold from his jacket pocket. He looks to you mischievously. "Can you put this on yourself for me sweetheart? And don't look at me like that, you gotta trust me ok."
He watches your shaky hand reach out and grab the scrap of fabric from his fingers. Your trembling fingers pulling it around your head, and somehow managing to secure it in the back. Bucky waves his hand infront of your face, "You can't see right darling?"
You nod quickly, a shaky "No" coming out in the process. You jump when his hand reaches for yours, and Bucky can feel your rapid pulse, as it thumps wildly against your skin. "Breath sweetheart." His deep voice washes over you, and he smiles as he watches you take a long deep breath, slowly blowing it out before repeating the action three more times.
Your pulse now at a steady pace, Bucky's fingers once again intertwine with yours. "Ok doll, you ready?"
He watches a soft smile stretch across your lips, as you whisper out, "Ready."
Bucky gently pulls you with him, stopping when you reach the stairs, "We are going to go up now, the stairs are right infront of you ok?" You nod yes, and when Bucky moves, you again move with him, the two of you beginning your slow and careful ascend. "Doing great doll, just a few more to go."
When you reach the landing, Bucky again pulls you along. Moving you both down the hallways, till he reaches the door he saught. He opens the door and again turns to you. "Ok just a few more stairs then we will be there ok?" He watches as your head turns toward the sound of his voice, tilting to one side. And though they are covered, he knows your brows are furrowed, with the confusion, no doubt, washing over you.
"James?" He hears your sweet voice question him, and he lifts your hand to his lips. His mouth gently caressing the skin at the back of your wrist.
"You gotta trust me doll. Just a little more to go ok?" He watches as you shiver and then frantically nod out yes. He chuckles and then slowly pulls you along. When the two of you, finally, reach the attic, Bucky releases a nervous breath. He gets you situated, in the spot Rebecca said would give you the best first view, and then finds his place at your side. "Ok doll, you can take it off now."
As he watches you take in the room for the first time, he silently thanks his sister, yet again. Your eyes are wide, mesmerized, as you look all about. Your body soon moving, to the places your eyes latch onto. "James....it's...it's...." You turn, eyes searching him out, in the dim candle light, "Perfect." You finally sigh out.
Bucky makes his way to you, his hand on the small of your back, as he guides you toward the tent. The picnic basket, his ma had packed for him earlier, sat perched in the middle, surrounded by soft fluffy blankets and pillows. He gently climbs down into the tent, settling himself amongst the cuddly floor. "Will you join me?"
You climb down beside him, giggling as you fall into him, unbalanced by the uneven floor. "Whoa, careful sweetheart." Bucky chuckles, his hand reaching out as an offering, allowing you to steady yourself and get comfortable at his side. He loves the sound of your laughter ringing out, as you plop down upon the pillows.
Bucky opens the basket, nervous as he begins to pull out the contents, wondering if you will notice that he had all of your favorite's made. He slowly builds you a plate, his hand wobbling slightly as he hands it over to you. He makes one for himself, sitting it beside him, then reaching back in to the basket and pulling out your favorite wine. He places it between his thighs, and easily pulls the cork, internally thanking hi ma for opening it earlier and gently resting the cork back inside. He hands you the glasses, then pours the wine. Once he places the bottle back inside, you hand him his glass.
Bucky raises his glass to you, "To Rebecca Barnes," and when he sees your quizzical stare cast upon him, he continues, "Without her, our paths may never have crossed." As your glasses clink, Bucky knows he owes Rebecca for so so much more.
Dinner goes over smoothly, you of course did notice that he served you all your favorites. Commenting on it, which caused Bucky to graces you with an adorable blush. You both chatted, giggling over your glasses of wine. Bucky hoped you couldn't tell he was nervous, his anxiety only growing as the dinner came to a close.
Bucky packed up the remnants of your meal, as you stood and stretched, your eyes once again sweeping over the room. "I have a question doll." You hear Bucky's shy voice behind you, and you can't stop the small smile that graces your lips.
"Oh yea...." You turn around and the words are lost in your throat. Bucky is on one knee, in his shaky hand rest a small box, and nestled in that small box is an antique ring. He has a look that tells you, his next words and yours, are about to change your worlds forever.
He lets out a small breath, his eyes never leaving yours as he begins to speak. "My beautiful doll, I may never know what I have done to deserve you, but I'm grateful everyday for whatever higher force saw fit to bring you in my life. You have always seen the best in me, always pushed me to see it too. And though I may never feel like I truly deserve you, you make me want to get up every morning and somehow try. I love you with every ounce of my being, and so I have only one question doll. Will you do me the absolute honor of becoming Mrs. James Barnes?"
Your hands find rest upon his cheeks, as your lips find his. "Is that a yes doll?" He asks, your lips still firmly pressed together. You pull back, smiling like a fool in, well a fool in love. "A thousand times yes James." His arm wraps around you, as he stands and spins you around. Smiling brightly when he finally lets your feet find the ground.
He again presents you with the ring, and you slid it on your hand with a contented sigh. His hand finds yours, squeezing gently. "I promise doll, I'll do whatever it take to make you happy. Give you whatever your heart desires."
You gently nod your head back and forth, a small chuckle escaping. "James," your hand not tangled with his, finds the side of his face, your eyes locking on his so he heads the seriousness of your words. "You are the only thing my heart desires."
His lips crash to yours. It's his assurance of his love, his promises to you, his undying devotion. And you answer it all with an assurance of your own.