Chapter 27
Steve was at his wit’s end. It’d been months since Adelaide had disappeared to go back to Hydra, and his best friend was a mess. That first week, Bucky’d been alright. Yeah, he’d been a little withdrawn, but they all had been. She was their little girl, the light of their lives. The fact that all of them knew that she was willingly going back into Hydra to protect them and that they had no idea how to even begin to get her back. However, over the following weeks, Bucky had become more and more cut off from everyone. Even Steve couldn’t get him to leave the apartment. He’d come home one day from training with Natasha and Clint to find Bucky lying on Adelaide’s bed, having a nightmare like he hadn’t had since back before Wakanda. It’d been all downhill from there. Now, Bucky wouldn’t even leave bed. Steve didn’t know that last time he’d seen him eat or shower or anything other than sleep. He couldn’t get him to leave his room, even if just to go to the kitchen to eat.
Wanda told him (privately) that Adelaide had contacted her about a mission that she’d been sent on. He’d covertly got the information to Tony, and Tony had figured out what was on the drive and contacted the people who could deal with it the best. Wanda would every-so-often give them more information, but it was never anything personal. They never knew if she was hurt, or upset, or telling them that she missed them. Of course, they all knew that she missed them, because they missed her, but it was still painful. Steve knew how much he hurt with her gone, but he was sure that was nowhere near the pain that his best friend was going through. As long as he’d known him, Bucky had been extremely protective of those he loved. His sisters, his parents, his friends—he’d always put their well-being in front of his. He’d done it more so for Adelaide. Steve had never seen his friend act like he did for anyone other than Addie. He’d willingly leave Steve in the dust if it meant that Adelaide was safe. And Steve was okay with that. She made Bucky the happiest that he’d ever been.
Now that she was gone, he was an empty shell, one that Steve or anybody else couldn’t fill. Now, it was Christmas Eve, and Steve refused to let him wallow in whatever depressing thoughts he was having for this night. Tony had forgone the party this year. No one was really in the mood for it. Instead, everyone brought what little family they had, and they were all going to celebrate Christmas together. But Bucky wouldn’t move. When Steve told Scott, Wanda, and Clint as much, Scott held up a finger while looking around the room. “I may have an idea,” he said, walking off for a minute. He came back with Cassie close on his heels. Scott’s daughter had blossomed over the past few years into a beautiful young girl. She was a few years younger than Adelaide, but Bucky absolutely adored her. Clint waved over his son Nathaniel, who was also a favorite of Bucky’s, and the adults explained what they needed from them. Cassie and Nathaniel quickly agreed and hurried off towards the elevators.
Fifteen minutes later, the doors of the elevator opened to reveal both children with a firm grip on each of Bucky’s arm, happily pulling him along. His hair was still a bit wet from what was obviously a very quick shower, and his eyes were a bit dull, but he was smiling at the two children, and that was all Steve asked for. Cassie never left Bucky’s side the entire night. Nathaniel flitted around the room, but he always came back for a few minutes. Once everyone had finished eating and all the dishes were put away, the children were herded off to bed so they could be up bright and early for presents. Steve and Bucky walked back up to their apartment, and Steve was surprised to see that Bucky didn’t immediately head for his bedroom. Instead, he went to the kitchen and started pulling things out of the cabinets.
“Whatcha doin’, Buck?” Steve asked.
“Hot chocolate. Want some?”
“Sure.” Once the drinks were made, Bucky slipped on a heavy coat and stepped out onto the little balcony off of the living room. Steve joined him, and the two drank their cocoa in silence. Steve looked up at the sky and noticed something. “Look, Buck,” Steve said. “It’s snowing.” His friend looked up, and the two watched as the snow started to lightly dust the world around them. Finally, they both went back inside to warm up and get ready for bed. As Bucky stepped into his room, Steve stopped him. “Thank you for coming down to the party,” he said. “It was good to see you up and about.” Bucky gave him a small smile in return.
“It made Cassie happy,” he answered. “That’s all I went for.” With that, he closed his door, and Steve sighed as he entered his room.
“Come home, Addie,” he said quietly into the air. “Please come home.” While Steve was laying his bed sleeping, Bucky was laying wide awake, staring out the window at the falling snow.
“FRIDAY?” he said quietly.
“Yes, Sgt. Barnes?”
“Turn the radio on. Quietly, so it doesn’t wake Steve.”
“Of course, sir.” The radio station started playing quietly, and of course it was Christmas music, not that Bucky minded. It was the song that got to him.
…if there was a way
I’d hold back this tear
But it’s Christmas day
Please
Please
Please
Please
Baby please come home
Baby please come home
Baby please come home
Bucky was asleep before the song ended, tears still dripping down his face.
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Adelaide stopped at a store and bought some new clothes. She had to get out of this dress. The shoes were fine; she’d keep those, but the dress had to go. She still had a long way to go in order to get home, and the traffic was terrible on Christmas Eve, even outside the city. She’d ditched the Hydra car a while ago and caught a taxi just outside the city. She’d expected as much trouble tonight, but Manhattan was too far away to walk, especially with the snow falling now like it was. There’d be five inches in no time. “Mind if I turn the radio on, miss?” the driver asked.
“Oh, no. Go ahead,” she answered as she looked out the window at the falling snow.
“Very kind of you, miss.” He turned on the radio to Christmas music, but it couldn’t have been a worse song. Adelaide had to fight the tears that threatened to come.
I’ll be home for Christmas
You can plan on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I’ll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
I’ll be home for Christmas
You can plan on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I’ll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
If only in my dreams
“You alright, miss?” the driver asked as the song finished.
“Oh, yes, sir,” she answered, shaking herself a bit. “I just hope I’ll make it home for Christmas.”
“I’m doing the best I can, ma’am.”
“I know. It’s not your fault at all.”
“I can get ya to the train station, that might be faster.”
“Would you? I’d appreciate it.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He made a turn into the turn lane, and Adelaide was at the subway in less than ten minutes.
“Here you are,” she said, handing him the money.
“No, ma’am, I wouldn’t dream of it. You’re the nicest rider I’ve had in two weeks. You just get yourself on home, miss. Merry Christmas.” Adelaide almost burst into tears.
“Thank you, sir. Thank you so much. Merry Christmas to you too.” She reached through the window and squeezed his hand. “Thank you.”
“Run along now, miss. Don’t want to miss the train.” She nodded and hurried down into the subway station, buying a ticket into Manhattan. It’d be a cold trek from the station in Manhattan to the Tower, but she’d willingly make it. The clock on the wall showed it to be five o’clock in the morning, and the train wouldn’t be there for a good hour. She sat down on a bench, hugging her arms around herself for a little bit of warmth and waited.
“I’ll be home for Christmas, Papa,” she said quietly. “Don’t you worry. I’ll be there.”