come home.

"Francine!" you call out to your housekeeper as you make your way down the stairs. It wasn't uncommon for her to show up earlier than her usual time as she'd sometimes bring you the freshest flowers from her home garden.

"Good morning, Miss!"

You stop in your tracks as you spot her at the end of the staircase, holding the most adorable baby with the chubbiest cheeks and fluffiest hair. The baby lets out a booming laugh as she sees you and you give her the brightest smile in return.

"Hi, honeypie!" you exclaim as your reach the end of the staircase, extending your arms towards the baby as she makes grabby hands of her own. You take her from Francine and she immediately begins to play with your hair.

"Who's this?" you ask Francine as you continue to play with her.

"Lily. She's my granddaughter," she tells you proudly.

"Francine! You're a grandma? You have to tell me what you do for your figure!" You tease her playfully.

"Oh hush, Miss." She says with a radiant laugh. "I was just dropping off the flowers and then I was going to take her back home. Her mum isn't in town so I have her for the week. Little Miss cried all morning," she says gently pinching Lily's cheek.

"No, don't take her back! I'll watch her for the day!" you plead enthusiastically.

"Oh no, Miss, I can't ask that of you,"

"Please, Francine?" you ask with your biggest puppy dog eyes, hugging Lily as she babbles incoherently. "We'll have so much fun! Plus, you'll be here the entire time."

"You're both such adorable troublemakers," she says as she walks off to do her job, leaving you and Lily to your fun.

--

Spending time with Lily made you realize just how lonely you really were.

Bucky was busy and away most of the time, rightfully so. It was his job. The both of you had gotten a little closer since the other night when you had told him how you felt about him coming home late all the time. He truly was doing his best to keep his promise but he couldn't deny his duty.

Luckily, Lily didn't complain even once. She was a happy baby. Francine gave you her bag before she left and you fed Lily and she ate contently.

Just then Sam, Bucky's right-hand man and best friend walked into the room. You were laying on the floor observing the Lily's facial expressions as she intently studied her toy.

"Who's this little princess?" he asks as he makes his way towards you, laying down next to you as Lily gives him a big smile. He holds his finger out to her and she grabs it instantly.

"Francine's granddaughter, Lily," you tell him with a smile. Sam was a good man, you'd become good friends with him over the few months that you'd moved in. His banter and bickering with Bucky never failed to put a smile on your face.

"Francine's a grandma?" he asks incredulously.

"I had a hard time believing it too!"

"Gamma!" Lily babbles as she recognizes her grandma's name.

"Yes! Gamma!" you exclaim as you scoop her up in your arms to take her out to the garden.

"Buck'll be back in a bit," Sam informs you. "He told me to remind you to eat because you forget sometimes and that he's already eaten so you don't need to wait up,"

"Sure, thanks Sam," you respond, your cheeks going warm at the thought of Bucky's concern.

--

Bucky was confused to see the plethora of toys scattered on the living room floor as he walked in. He scanned the house for you and called out when he couldn't find you.

"Y/N?"

"In the backyard!" you respond.

Bucky had had a long day today. His meetings had run longer than they were supposed to and he was tired of dealing with everything.

But somehow after seeing you and the way you were interacting with the child in your arms made him forget all the weight he was carrying on his shoulders.

"Hi," you say softly as he walks towards you.

"Hey, who's this?"

"Francine's granddaughter. She's adorable, isn't she?"

"The most." he replies with a smile. "May I?"

You nod, hiding your surprise. Lily makes grabby hands at him as he picks her up, babbling at him.

"Hey, sweetpea," he coos softly as she looks up at him with wide, curious eyes. "Do you like the flowers?"

"It's getting late, you wanna head inside?" you ask him.

"Gaa!" she exclaims in agreement.

He made a mental checklist to buy out every toy store in town right then and there.

"Sure, c'mon."

Just as you close up the backyard, Francine heads towards you, done for the day. The surprise on her face is evident as she watches the most dangerous man in New York interact lovingly with a baby.

"Was she good all day?" she asks you.

"The best. You oughta leave her with me more often!" you laugh.

"Oh, I'll be sure!" she says taking Lily from Bucky.

"Do bring her by more, Francine," Bucky says. "She's a real doll."

"Yes, Mr Barnes, most definitely!"

Just then, Bucky receives a call and he excuses himself.

"You're changing him," Francine says suddenly.

"What?"

"You're good for him, Miss. I've never seen him like this before. It's you."

You almost cry at her words as you walk both her and Lily out.

"Thank you, Francine." you whisper.

She responds by simply giving you a warm smile.

"Bye bye, honeypie! Come back to play with Auntie Y/N soon! " You say as Lily waves back at you enthusiastically.

--

Later that night, you told Bucky everything about your day with Lily as you began getting ready for bed and he listened to you with intent and admiration.

"I liked the way we were today," you say at the end, your entire body heating up. "And thank you for asking Sam to check up on me. It was really sweet."

"Of course, doll. I care about you."

He cares about you

"I care about you too, Bucky."

"Sweet dreams, doll," he says, the smile evident in his voice as he turned off the light.

Sweet dreams indeed.