Chapter 28
Well, one can’t have Christmas in the Avengers Tower without a loud wake-up call. In this instance, it was Nathaniel having FRIDAY play Alvin and the Chipmunks “Christmas Don’t Be Late” loudly throughout the building. 8:00 A.M. found all of the Avengers and the extended family gathered in the living room around the giant tree Tony had brought in. There were presents all around the tree, and everyone shuffled to surround it. Wanda sat down next to Bucky, who was on the couch near the back watching, and patted him on the arm. “I’m sure she’s fine,” she said quietly. “She wouldn’t want you to be like this. Enjoy yourself, for her.”
“I tried, Wanda,” he said miserably. “I really did. I just can’t.” Wanda sighed and hugged him gently. Steve looked over at that moment and gave them a sad look before Lily got his attention with her present to him. Cooper left the circle and sat down on Bucky’s other side, just quietly giving his support. Presents were opened, and apple cider, eggnog, and cocoa were passed around, and music was playing softly in the background. Amid all the hustle and bustle, no one noticed the doors slide open on the elevator. Cocoa was quietly poured into a mug in the kitchen, and silent feet padded into the living room. Nathaniel called his brother over to look at the present from Tony, and Cooper vacated his seat next to Bucky. Again, silent feet went around the edge of the couch, and the mug was placed on a coaster on the side table, before the couch moved slightly at the added weight on the edge. Bucky felt a body curl up against his side, and he looked down to see a head of long, dark hair. He looked to his left, and Wanda was still sitting there. Lily was over with her mother, and Laura was with her husband across the room. There were no—his head snapped back down to look at the person next to him, and tears sprung into his eyes. “Kotenok?” he whispered, and his daughter looked up at him with shiny grey eyes, smiling up at him with the widest smile he’d ever seen.
“S Rozhdestvom, papa,” she said to him, and they both heard Wanda gasp next to them, but Bucky didn’t particularly care at the moment. He gathered Adelaide up in his arms and held her tightly, almost afraid to let her go. She was more than happy to reciprocate and buried her face in his shoulder. (Merry Christmas, Daddy.)
“Moy milyy angel,” he said happily, his voice quaking with emotion, “you’re home. I missed you so much, vozlyublennaya. I’m so happy you’re home.”
“I missed you too, Papa,” she said. “So much. I can’t even tell you how much I missed you.” Bucky kissed the top of her head and held her tightly. Suddenly, everything was alright. His little girl was back, safe and sound, in his arms. He was never letting her go again. “I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you too, moy milyy malen'kiy kotenok. So, so much.” It truly was a merry Christmas. (my sweet little kitten)
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Funnily enough, no one else noticed Adelaide’s presence until after all of the presents had been opened. It was full-blown chaos after that. She got dog-piled by all of the children (literally. She was pinned to the floor by Cooper, who cheered at finally being able to knock her over) and smothered in a thousand hugs by the adults. Sweet little Nathaniel, who was eight years old now, was glued to her side for the rest of the day, showing her his presents and telling her about everything she’d missed while she’d been gone in his adorable way. As it turned out, everyone had been hoping she’d make it by Christmas, and she had several presents to open. By the end of the day, she was exhausted from lack of sleep and all of the excitement. Everyone went off to bed, and she sat on the couch with Steve and Bucky in their apartment. She told them she had one last present for them. “It’s not wrapped or anything,” she said, sitting up with her legs tucked under her. “In fact, it’s not really a physical thing I can give to you. But I think it’ll mean more to you than anything I could possibly buy.” The two men gave her curious look. “You both know I went to Hydra to keep all of you safe, as well as my friends, but I had another reason. One that I didn’t tell you or anyone else.”
“What did you do, Addie?” Steve asked. She grinned, practically wriggling in excitement.
“I took down Hydra, once and for all.” The shocked silence made her almost break down into giggles. “I had help from someone, but I knew them from before, so we can trust them.”
“How?” Bucky asked suddenly.
“Did you know that Hydra has an annual Christmas party?” she asked. Steve’s eyes widened.
“You’re kidding.”
“I wish I was. Once a year, all of the leaders and members of Hydra are in one place, celebrating Christmas. I was sent to kill a suspected double agent who really was a double agent, and he was tasked with taking out Hydra. We sort of helped each other. He took out Hydra, and I pretended to take him out. There should be the smoldering remains of a giant house about one hundred miles outside of New York City if we need any more proof. No one made it out; my friend helped with that.”
“Did you kill anyone?” Bucky asked, and the room went deadly silent.
“The house blew up. I didn’t set the charges, nor did I blow them up. Technically, I did not. Did I have a hand in their demise? Yes. Yes I did. But I’ve done no more damage to them than they have done to me or anyone else in all the time since its creation. My friend did most of the nasty stuff, though. Don’t worry, Daddy.”
“So, Hydra’s gone?” Steve asked. Adelaide nodded.
“Forever. They can’t hurt anyone every again.” She was swept up in a supersoldier sandwich hug unlike any she had received throughout her whole life.
“We’re so proud of you, Addie,” Bucky said.
“Very, very proud,” Steve added. “But, ladybug, can you promise me something?”
“Anything, Uncle Steve.”
“Don’t ever do that again. We were worried sick about you.” Adelaide smiled and nodded.
“I promise,” she said. “Merry Christmas, Uncle Steve, Daddy.”
“Merry Christmas, Addie,” they answered. Yep. All was right in the world. She was home safe with her family, loved and warm.
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Adelaide sat at the café three blocks from the Tower, tapping away on her phone. Two weeks had passed since Christmas, and New Years’ had come and gone, complete with a lavish Tony Stark party that she’d only attended because her uncle wouldn’t let her get out of it. She’d spent the party hiding in a corner with Bruce, T’Challa, and Vision. She’d had a great time talking with them (that was the most mentally-stimulating conversation of her life) but had been glad when the party ended and she was allowed to go hide away in her apartment. She’d stayed up into the early morning watching movies with her dad and Steve before all three of them had retreated to their own bedrooms to sleep. Now, she was on an excursion of her own, trying to find birthday presents for Wanda and Pietro. Their birthday was in a week, and she wanted to find them nice presents. Actually, she was more surprised that leaving the Tower without an escort was not protested more heavily, given recent events. She’d announced that she was going out, and those who heard her gave confirmations before she left. She wouldn’t have minded anyone coming with her, actually. The company would have been appreciated. Right now, she was texting with Rachel about what was going on with her job at the Tower. “Is this seat taken?” a voice asked, jolting her out of her thoughts. She looked up and saw Vincent standing above her. She shook her head and motioned for him to sit down. “We haven’t talked since the night you left,” he said quietly, not wanting the other people around them to eavesdrop.
“Let’s have this conversation somewhere else, Vincent,” she answered, and the two walked to Central Park to the Burnett Fountain and sat down. There was actually no one there at the moment, so they wouldn’t be interrupted. Neither one said anything for a moment, the Vincent spoke up.
“Addie, I don’t know what the ‘other me’ did to you while I was gone, but I wanted—”
“No,” Adelaide said, interrupting him. “You don’t have to apologize for what he did. It wasn’t your fault. If anyone’s, it was mine. Hydra came for me, and you got caught in the cross-fire. So, I’m sorry, Vincent. I can’t imagine what they did to you.”
“It was bad, I’ll admit, and I’m not going to go into it, but I know he must have done something terrible. For the first week I was there, all of your family gave me dirty looks before correcting themselves. Did he do something to you?” Adelaide sighed.
“He broke my heart, which I thought was you at the time, so I’m better now.” Vincent’s face looked severely pained.
“Addie, I’m sorry,” he said, taking her hand. “I know it wasn’t really me, but let me make it up to you, please? You’re the first person I’ve really, truly cared about in a long time. I don’t want this to come between us.” Adelaide smiled a bit and nodded.
“Okay, Vincent. We can try again.” His face practically lit up like the Fourth of July (or more commonly known to Addie as Uncle Steve’s birthday). She laughed a bit, and before they knew it, two hours had passed while they talked. Adelaide’s phone went off, and she looked down to see a text from her dad.
When are you planning on coming home, kotenok?
Sorry, Daddy. I lost track of time. I’ll be home soon. Promise
Okay. Pepper made lunch, so whenever you’re ready…
I’m on my way!! Don’t let Uncle Tony eat all of it!
I won’t. See you soon, myshka
“I have to go, Vince,” Adelaide said. “Aunt Pepper made lunch, and if I don’t get there soon, Uncle Tony will eat all of it.” Vincent smiled and nodded.
“Okay.” She stood up and started to walk away. “Addie?” he called. She turned around. “Would you—that is, if you want to—do you wanna go to dinner with me sometime?” Bless his darling heart, he was so nervous.
“Be at the Tower on Friday,” she said with a smile. “Seven o’clock sharp. Don’t you dare be late.” He smiled happily and nodded.
“Seven o’clock. Got it.” She beamed at him before walking off towards the Tower. Things were definitely looking up for the rest of the new year.