Chapter 8
before Christmas when Sam was busy working when he got a text from his sister.
“You coming back for Christmas?” Sarah texted him
“Not sure yet, Buck hasn’t asked me if I want to celebrate Christmas with him or not.” Sam replied
“Just update me soon, have this feeling Aunty wanna go on a short vacation with her family, I’ll be all alone.” Sarah replied
“How about you join me and Bucky for Christmas instead.” Sam suggested.
“I’m down with it. Just update me. Take care of yourself, I love you.” Sarah replied.
“I love you even more. Take care sis.” Sam replied and then slides his phone back into his pocket.
“Was there Bucks? He knows you’re working right now.” Natasha said as she stood next to him.
“It’s my sister, she asked me if I’m coming back for Christmas.” Sam sighs.
“Well, are you going back then?” Natasha asked him.
“I’m not really sure about my plans with Bucky though. He didn’t say if we should celebrate Christmas together.” Sam shrugs.
“He would love to celebrate Christmas with you, maybe he brings you back to Queens to meet his family, you never know.” Natasha replied
“But I have to bring my sister along, I don’t want her to celebrate Christmas alone.” Sam said.
“Well lucky you, Bucky wouldn’t mind it.” Natasha smile at him.
Just then Bucky came in for his shift, he had decided to take a few shifts before Christmas so he could get Sam a gift. Bucky walks behind the counter, and dumps his bag under the counter, he hugs Natasha and kissed Sam’s cheeks and puts on his apron.
“Hi welcome to Starbucks, what can I get you for today?” Bucky said as a customer walks up to the counter.
“Hot chocolate and a banana muffin.” The customer replied.
“Sure thing, can I get your name please?” Bucky continues as he keys in his order.
“How about I get your number please.” The customer flirts with him.
“Yeah, sure thing, if you want something disgusting in your drink. I have a boyfriend and he’s there making the drinks.” Bucky replied with a wink as he points to Sam who was busy making the orders.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I was just joking; I have a wife actually.” The customer chuckles as she points to the women by the window.
“That’s okay. Total would be $14.55. You can proceed to the next counter for your meal.” Bucky smiles at her.
“Thank you, keep the change. Merry Christmas.” The customer replied as she hands him a $20.
“One hot chocolate babe, and a banana muffin.” Bucky said as he turns to Sam who just smiles at him.
“Coming right up love.” Sam said as he prepares the drink.
Their shift was fast, next thing they know, they were walking back home. It was a cold night, Bucky had Sam’s hand in his as they walked in the snow. There were people everywhere shopping for gifts, carollers singing here and there, Christmas is just next week and they still have not plans for it, technically just Sam, since Bucky already had it, all planned out.
“Baby, what’s your plans for next week?” Bucky asked Sam.
“Nothing I guess, maybe celebrate with my sister as she will be all alone at home.” Sam shrugs.
“What happens babe?” Bucky asked.
“Sarah texted me this morning asking If I’m coming home for the holidays, she said my aunty might take a vacation with her family and she might be alone. So, I’m planning to spend time with her.” Sam replied.
“You know what, ask her to come to Queens. She can celebrate with my family. She can bunk in with Becky.” Bucky offered.
“Bucks.” Sam replies.
“Come on, join us for Christmas. It would be fun to celebrate with my boyfriend and his sister.” Bucky grins at him.
“Fine, I’ll tell her that, maybe book a ticket for her too.” Sam chuckles.
“Well, we can drive back together, I can borrow Tony’s car.” Bucky replies.
“Sounds fun baby. Let’s do that.” Sam grins at him.
It was two days before Christmas when Natasha called Sam to accompany her to go shopping for gifts, which Sam was happy to join her. So, they both walked into Stark’s Mall and did their shopping.
“You know the greatest thing about being friends with Tony, is this.” Natasha grins as she held up the shopping bags.
“Haha that’s the perks.” Sam chuckles.
“Anyways did you get anything for Bucky?” Natasha asked him as she pulled a chair to put her things on.
“Menu please!” Natasha calls out for the waiter.
“I have it all planned out with Tony, had been working on it for two weeks.” Sam said as he looks through the menu.
“Tell me it’s not a new arm.” Natasha quirks an eyebrow at him.
“Definitely a yes. I designed one with Tony and made some new adjustment. Hopefully Bucky likes it.” Sam said.
“He would love it babe.” Natasha said.
They had enjoyed their lunch and Natasha had offered to send Sam back home.
“I know I’m not seeing you both on Christmas or after that, here’s your gift. I got Sarah and Becky too.” Natasha said as she hands him a bag.
“Nat, come on. You shouldn’t have.” Sam said.
“Hey it’s charged under Stark’s account.” Natasha chuckles.
“You’re a naughty girl Natasha.” Sam chuckles.
“Well, I’m only a good girl for one Archer, that’s my Clint Barton.” Natasha winks at him.
“Haha thank you babe. I’ll send yours to Clint’s room alright. Merry Christmas babe.” Sam said as he hugs her.
“Merry Christmas to you too.” Natasha chuckles as she smacks Sam’s ass.
On Christmas eve, Sam was awakened by the pounding on his door. He gets out of bed and rubs his tired eyes; he swings the door open only for Bucky to nearly fall on his face.
“Good morning?” Sam yawns.
“Good morning baby! You ready?” Bucky said as he got up and brushed his jeans.
“Where are we going this early in the morning?” Sam asked.
“We’re picking up your sister and heading back to my home.” Bucky said.
“Shit I nearly forgot. I’ll grab my things.” Sam said as he runs back to his bed.
“Baby, I already packed your things for you.” Bucky said as he grabs the bag by Sam’s bedside.
“Thank you love, I owe you one.” Sam said as he kisses Bucky’s cheeks.
“The only thing you owe me is more kisses. Come on go and shower alright. We have to go to Tony’s place first to take his car” Bucky said as he throws the towel to Sam’s face.
“Sure, thing love!” Sam chuckles as he runs off to take a shower.
As they arrived at Tony’s place, Jarvis had brought them to the garage instead. He had handed Bucky the keys to the car. Bucky thought Tony would let him the old Mercedes that he liked, but there was a midnight blue Bentley parked near the entrance with a silver bowtie on it. Bucky walks over and read the card on it.
“Merry Christmas Buckaroo. Hope you like the gift. It’s for you and Sam. Drive home safely, xoxo T.S”
“Tony really outdid everyone with the gifts.” Bucky chuckles.
“Anthony bought everyone a car actually. Technically this car and the bike over there is for the both of you. When you called to borrow a car, Anthony got excited and he made me order for everyone a set of it.” Jarvis smiles at him.
“Well imagine if I asked him for a plane ticket. Will I get a private jet?” Bucky jokes.
“Most probably.” Jarvis jokes.
“Also, here’s something from me.” Jarvis said as he hands them a paper bag.
“You made us lunch.” Sam said as he opens the bag.
“I made all of your favourites. Merry Christmas! Come on time to go, you might be late.” Jarvis said as he puts their bag in the back seat.
“Merry Christmas Jarvs! See you soon.” Bucky said as he got in the car.
The drive to Sam’s aunt place was a breeze, Sarah got in the car and she too was taken aback. It has been a while since she sat in a new car. This was also the first time Sarah met Bucky.
“Hi Sarah, hope you’re okay back there. I’m Bucky.” Bucky said as he looks back at Sarah, since Sam was driving instead.
“Hi bucks, are you okay with me calling you that? It’s just that Sam has always talked about you and calling you Bucks instead.” Sarah replied.
“Any name is fine with me. I bet he talked about me a lot.” Bucky chuckles.
“Only the good things Bucks. Honestly the photos do no justice, you actually looked way handsome in real life.” Sarah chuckles.
“Thank you for the compliment sis, but don’t you dare flirt with my man.” Sam said as he turns around and glares at her.
“Sorry to ruin it, but I have always been interested in dark skin boys.” Sarah chuckles.
“Hunny, we have the same taste in mans alright.” Bucky replies with a wink.
Their ride back home was filled with laughter, with Sam cursing google map, with Bucky constantly having to calm his boyfriend and Sarah cursing Sam back. It was nearly dinner time when they reached Bucky’s home. Bucky took some of Sarah’s belongings and lead her into the house while Sam took his things and Tony’s present with him. Bucky mum was busy preparing dinner so she told them to head off straight to their room while she continues to prepare everything.
They head back down when Becky just came home with her dad, they had gone out to get a Christmas tree, Bucky’s dad had a bad habit of getting everything last minute. Bucky came back down with boxes of ornaments.
“Samuel, right? It’s nice to finally see you, after hearing your name and voice for months.” Bucky’s dad chuckles as he saw Sam coming down the steps.
“It’s nice to meet you too, Mr Barnes.” Sam replies with a smile.
“Please just call me dad. Is this Sarah?” Bucky’s dad said as he offers them a handshake.
“Yes sir.” Sarah said with a smile.
“Well, I hope you like to decorate a tree, Becky here have been going on whole morning saying she wants to put up the ornaments with Sarah and Sam.” Bucky’s dad chuckles.
“Oh, I would love to, it has been a while.” Sarah giggles.
They had spent the evening having dinner, sharing stories about school. Bucky’s dad was pretty cool about everything, he never judged him. Bucky’s mum was constantly feeding them, from roast to pudding to desserts. They’re now sitting by the fireplace as Sarah and Becky put up the ornaments.
“You know James, when I first heard about Samuel, I wasn’t too happy with it. Until it hit me that this boy right here is making you happy again, putting a smile on your face. You were enjoying your food, going out with your friends again. Plus, your uncle came out to me, he said he had the guts to come out to me because of his nephew. He said when he saw how happy you are and how proud you are, he too wanted to be happy and proud. I’ve supported you in many ways, and why should I stop. He makes you happy, and that makes me happy. I want nothing but the best for you.” Bucky’s dad says as he turns to Bucky, as they watched Sam helping Bucky’s mum to clean up the kitchen.
“Samuel.” Bucky’s mother calls out as Sam carries in the dishes.
“Yes ma’am.” Sam replies.
“Please call me mum.” She replied.
“Haha okay mum, what’s up?” Sam said.
“I wanted to say thank you. For everything. You have made my son the happiest ever since he went back to school. I have seen my son struggling day and night to get out of bed, to just function for a day. I have seen him play with his food, barely even eating his favourite food. But recently I could hear his laughter again, he would call me everyday to show me what he was eating, he even ate the food he didn’t like much because he told me Sam loves it. He told me the movies he watched even when he didn’t like to go to the cinemas half the time. Sam, James never liked to go hiking, but recently he told me he went hiking with you. James hated cold mornings, he hated long drives, he hated the outdoors, but ever since he met you, he became someone else.” Bucky mum said as she turns to Sam who was doing the dishes.
“I can never thank you enough, you’re such a blessing. I honestly have so much to say but words do no justice to what you have done for our family. I believe you’re James soulmate. Do you believe in soulmate Sam?” Bucky mum asked as she turns to him while wiping the dishes.
“I’m not that sure mum, my parents weren’t soulmates but they still got together and had me and Sarah. But this tattoo I had on my arm; I know Bucky has the same one on his arm too. But what if someone has the same one, it’s like a normal barcode.” Sam said as he pulls up his sleeves.
“Samuel, look at the end of the barcode there’s a small initial, that’s James initial. That’s was how he was going to find his soulmate. He told me about it. Honestly me and James’s dad wasn’t even soulmate from the start but we did make it work and then after we had Becky, we had our soulmate marks. That’s when we realise, we could end up being soulmates even after marriage. As long as you believe the other person is your soulmates, they will always be your soulmate.” Bucky’s mum said.
“Then I shall believe that Bucky will always be my soulmate. I’m with him till the end, it’s us against the world honestly.” Sam grins at her.
It was past midnight when Sam had gone down to get a drink when Sarah was there making hot chocolate, she turned around when she heard footsteps.
“Oh, it’s your big brother.” Sarah sighs.
“What you doing up so late baby sister?” Sam asks her.
“Couldn’t sleep much, also Becky’s mum made some hot chocolate when I came down, she said to leave some for you or Bucky if anyone came down.” Sarah said as she offered him a cup of hot chocolate.
“Thanks.” Sam said as he took a sip of it.
“Sarah, I wanted to ask you, do you believe in soulmates?” Sam asked her.
“I have always believed in them; our parents are soulmates too.” Sarah shrug.
“No, they’re not.” Sam shook his head.
“They are actually, if you looked closely, mum and dad have a matching soulmate tattoo at their wrist. They covered it with their watches. They wanted us to believe that we have our rights to fall in love with others too. They didn’t want us to just focus on finding our soulmates, they wanted us to live our life and not worry about finding a soulmate.” Sarah said as she sips her drinks.
“Plus, I bet you already met your soulmate. Research has proven that if you met your soulmate, you actually have this feeling in your stomach, where you can also smell a sweet scent when they’re near, it’s like their own scent. You feel this kind of peace whenever you’re with them. And you will feel this uneasiness when you’re far from them. You have told me all this sign before, and I believe James Buchanan Barnes is your soulmate.” Sarah said as she looks at Sam.
“Sometimes I questioned myself, are you really my sister or not.” Sam chuckles.
“It’s late, time to get some sleep. We have an early day tomorrow. Goodnight sis.” Sam said as he messes with Sarah’s hair and kisses her forehead goodnight.
Sam did the dishes and went back to his room. Bucky was fast asleep in his bed, snoring away. Sam smiles at the scene and tuck himself next to Bucky, as he pulls the cover over them, he felt Bucky’s left arm pull him closer, Sam chuckles as he nuzzles closer to Bucky’s chest.
“I love you.” Sam whispers.
“Me too.” Bucky grunts and continues to sleep.