Chapter 30
Addie squealed in happiness and hopped up and down several times, clapping her hands together quickly. “Oh, it’s perfect ! Wanda, I love it! Thank you so much!” she squealed. The brunette hugged the woman who had become her older sister in everything but blood tightly, making various excited noises. “It’s beautiful!”
“I’m glad you like it,” Wanda replied, smiling widely. “Though, I had some help.” Addie turned and brought in Scott, Pietro, Cooper, and Killian for a group hug.
“Thank you, all of you,” Adelaide said. “I couldn’t have come up with something like this. It’s gorgeous.”
“You’re welcome, Ladie,” Scott said before the four of men hurried over when Pepper called them over to help set up chairs.
“Addie, there you are!” Lily exclaimed, coming to pull her cousin away. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere! Come on, we have to go!” Adelaide looked over at Wanda, who nodded encouragingly.
“Don’t worry, Addie. I’ll finish everything up here. Between me and Mrs. Stark, we’ll get all of the finishing touches done soon.” Addie grinned and nodded before allowing her cousin to pull her away into the lodge. Mrs. Stark. She’d probably never get used to hearing that. In the year and a half since Vincent had proposed to her (they weren’t in any hurry to get married, much to her father’s joy), Tony had surprised everyone by proposing to Pepper (seriously, not even Bruce knew, and Tony told him everything ) and marrying her within a month (he never was known for his patience). It’d been a surprisingly small wedding, for a Stark. Only Tony’s friends and their families were invited, and it was held on his private island in the Pacific. No press, no nothing. In fact, to this day, Adelaide still doesn’t know where the two went for the following month they were gone (he may have skimped on the ceremony, but the honeymoon was apparently not compromised on), and that was pretty impressive since she had the Black Widow on her side checking every source to find anything to give a clue as to where they went. But, no such luck. However, Addie was happy. Tony had mellowed out a bit since then, and everyone (especially Uncle Steve and Rhodey) was happy about that. Another hand landed on Adelaide’s shoulder and jerked her out of her head. She turned and saw Lilly (the friend) on her other side, smiling happily and looking gorgeous in her bridesmaids’ dress. The two women (because that’s what they all were now, ahh!) led her into the room where Adelaide would be getting ready and shut and locked the door behind them. Natasha, Laura, and Rachel were already there waiting on them, smiling happily.
“You ready for this?” Natasha asked, giving her a look.
“More than anything,” Adelaide answered. The woman pushed her into a chair in front of the vanity and began reaching for the make-up bag. “Wait!” Addie exclaimed, and everyone froze. “Who’s on ‘Daddy Duty?’” They all laughed, continuing on with what they were doing.
“Clint and Steve are keeping an eye on him,” Laura said, smiling at her niece. “Don’t worry. He’s in good hands.”
“See, I’d believe that, but Uncle Steve is the more impulsive one in that friendship,” Adelaide answered, closing her eyes as three pairs of hands began putting make-up on her face. “We might need back-up. I love Uncle Clint, but he’s not going to be able to stop Daddy or Uncle Steve, should one of them decide to kidnap me and not let me get married yet.”
“I’ll find T’Challa and ask him to keep an eye on them,” Natasha said.
“Just text him,” Rachel said. “I saw him with his phone earlier.” While Natasha was doing that, everyone else was putting make-up on Addie and making sure that the dress was ready for her to put on. She wasn’t allowed to move after the brushes began to tickle her face. When what felt like an eternity had passed (but was really only about twenty minutes), she was allowed to move. She blinked open her eyes, but she found that she was facing away from the mirror. Addie started to turn around, but Lily grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to stay put.
“No! You have to wait until everything’s done!” She was pulled off of the chair she was on and hurried behind the changing screen in the room (honestly, what was this, the Medieval Ages? Who even used these things anymore?), and Aunt Laura and Auntie Nat helped her into the dress, making sure everything was fastened right and all of the light wrinkles were properly smoothed out. Then, Rachel stepped up behind her and began fixing her hair into a smooth bun on the back of her head. Adelaide had decided to forego the veil, not that it wasn’t a good idea, but she just didn’t want to wear one. Nobody had really fought her on that front. Honestly, Adelaide was very excited. She’d made a few calls and, thanks to old SHIELD connections that Fury, Natasha, and Clint had, she’d found her Aunt Rebecca’s surviving family. She’d never met them until a few months ago, hadn’t even known they’d existed. Her dad had never mentioned having a little sister, but she knew he’d had one from talking with Uncle Steve. She’d kept this one secret from everyone in her family except for Auntie Nat (honestly, the two of them were as thick as thieves when it came to surprises) and Wanda (who would’ve found out anyway from how loud Addie’s thoughts were, apparently). She’d met up with her cousins James and Sarah and their families several months ago and spent most of the day with them while her dad and uncles thought she was out with Natasha and Wanda (which she was, kind of. They were a few blocks away at little park). She, James, and Sarah had clicked instantly, and Adelaide was very upset that she hadn’t met them sooner. Though both of her cousins were well into their sixties, they were happy, active people and a joy to talk to. Their sons were kind, honest men, the kind that Addie saw as being successful businessmen, which they were. James’s son Robert owned a hardware store in uptown Queens, and Sarah’s son William was a lawyer with his own private firm in downtown Manhattan. The two men’s children were just as happy as their parents and grandparents, and Addie had the best of times meeting her third cousins Kelly, Michael (Robert’s sixteen year-old daughter and ten year-old son), Hannah, David, and Ronald, or Ronnie, as he liked to be called, (William’s eleven year-old daughter, eight year-old son, and six-year old son). Unfortunately, her Aunt Rebecca had passed away five years ago, so Addie hadn’t gotten to meet her, but James and Sarah had brought several pictures of her to show, and the told so many stories about their mother and her adventures with her big brother that Adelaide felt as if she knew her. After meeting the siblings a few more times, Adelaide asked the question that she hardly dared to ask. She explained her plan to the pair, and they whole-heartedly agreed. Addie hadn’t answered her dad when he asked who the seats next to him were for when he saw the seating arrangements for the bride’s family, no matter how many times he asked. She merely told him that he’d see and continue on with her planning with Wanda. Oh, she was more excited to see her father’s reaction than she was about her own wedding! Almost, anyway.
“Okay, you’re all set!” Rachel said, patting her shoulder lightly and breaking her out of her thoughts. With her aunts holding the small train of her dress so it wouldn’t get caught on anything, she stepped out behind the screen and onto the raised dais in the room. All of the women squealed happily and clapped.
“You look beautiful, Addie!” both of the Lily’s said. Agreements were made, and Adelaide looked at herself in the mirror. She was happy to say that she recognized herself in the reflection beaming back at her. She didn’t want a lot of make-up or a flashy dress or fancy hair-style. When she got married, she wanted to be herself, and her family had respected her wishes. There was a light knock on the door, and Laura answered it.
“Who is it?” she asked.
“Sarah,” the person answered. Adelaide’s face lit up.
“Let her in, Aunt Laura! Let her in!” she exclaimed excitedly, and the door opened up to reveal her cousin’s smiling face. Addie started to step down to greet her, but Sarah shook her head.
“No, no, Adelaide! Stay where you are! Let me get a look at you!” the woman insisted as Aunt Laura closed the door. She looked Adelaide over, and tears welled up in her eyes. “You look gorgeous, dear. Fits you like a glove.”
“I love it,” Adelaide answered, looking down at it. “It’s the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen.” Adelaide held out her hand for Sarah to take, and the woman stepped up to hug her gently, careful not to bump anything out of place. “Thank you for coming, Sarah,” Addie said. “It means a lot to me.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Sarah answered. “James wouldn’t, either.”
“Where is he? Is he here yet? Did everyone go where I told them to?”
“Yes, yes, they’re all here.”
“I’m sorry, who are you?” Laura asked.
“Oh!” Adelaide exclaimed. “Aunt Laura, this is my cousin Sarah Baker. You haven’t met her.”
“How is she your cousin?” Rachel asked.
“She’s my Aunt Rebecca’s daughter.”
“Rebecca?” Lilly asked. Adelaide nodded.
“Rebecca Barnes. My dad’s little sister. I had some help finding them from Auntie Nat, and I invited them to the wedding. It only seems right to me. I don’t think Daddy even knew that his sister had kids. So, I wanted him to meet them. And what better excuse than at a wedding, when he won’t know half of the guests anyway? None of you can say anything, though. This is a surprise for my dad. You all have to promise.” Promises were made, and Sarah took her leave. The woman dispersed to change into their own dresses, and Adelaide stood patiently on her little dais while they did so, lost in thought. Once everyone was dressed, hair was tamed once again, and all wrinkles and such were smoothed, they all stood, looking at each other in excitement.
“Are you ready, Addie?” Natasha asked. She nodded and grinned.
“We’ll go see if Wanda needs any more help,” Rachel said, and she, Lilly, Lily, and Laura left the room. Natasha smiled at her before looking at the clock.
“Thirty minutes until showtime, Addie,” the Russian said. “Nervous?”
“Nope!” she answered, beaming back. “I’m excited.” Suddenly, she thought of something. “Auntie Nat, will you hand me my phone?” Her aunt obliged, and she typed out a text message.
Will you come see me? Bring Sarah. She knows where I am –A
Of course, sweetie. Any other requests? –J
Just that you smile and be yourself. That’s all I ask.
Then that’s what you’ll get. Be there soon. Once that was done, she texted T’Challa.
I know you’re on Daddy Watch, but would you send my father and Uncle Steve my way? –A
Of course. They are on their way. –T
Thanks! You’re the best!
I know. Adelaide laughed and put her phone down on the little table next to her.
“Auntie Nat, you mind making yourself scarce after my dad gets here?” Natasha nodded.
“I’ll be back when it’s time.” The redhead left quietly, closing the door behind her. Adelaide stepped down off of the dais and went to stand next to the window, looking out at the nearby lake. This lodge truly was a great find. It was so beautiful here, both inside and out. A knock sounded on the door.
“Who is it?” she called.
“Us, kotenok. You summoned us?” her dad answered.
“Come in, Daddy.” She turned as the door opened, and she grinned as her father’s mouth fell open and tears rimmed his eyes, though he’d deny it later.
“Kotenok, ty vyglyadish' prekrasno,” he breathed, and Adelaide grinned shyly, glancing down as her face heated up. (You look beautiful.)
“Spasibo, Papa,” she answered. “You two don’t look bad yourselves.” They looked handsome in their suits, just like she knew they would.
Steve and Bucky stepped into the room farther and closed the door behind them.
“What did you need, Addie?” Steve asked. “The ceremony won’t start for half an hour.”
“I have a surprise for you,” she answered. Bucky grinned.
“This is supposed to be about you, printsessa, not us.”
“It is for me, in a way. Sit, Papa. You too, Uncle Steve.” She motioned to the chairs in the room.
“You know the manners, ladybug,” Steve answered. “You gotta sit down first.”
“I can’t. If I get wrinkles in this dress, Auntie Nat will kill me. Please. You’re going to want to.”
“Oh God, you’re not pregnant are you, because I swear if that boy—” Bucky growled.
“No! No, Daddy, no. Ugh, no, thank you. No. Just, no. Not for a while yet, I promise. No.” Adelaide shivered at the thought of how that conversation would have gone. They’d definitely need a funeral after the wedding if that was the case, probably before. “No, I just think, knowing you two, that you’re going to want to sit down.” The two men conceded and sat down, looking at her curiously. Bucky looked over the dress she was wearing again, smiling at it before his brow creased a bit. She could practically see what he was thinking. “I’m afraid I haven’t been entirely honest with you two recently,” she started off, liking the thought of scaring them just a tiny bit. She didn’t ask for much in life; she lived for the small pleasures, like giving her dad and favorite uncle (but don’t tell Clint that) mini heart attacks.
“What do you mean?” Steve asked.
“Well, I haven’t been going out with Auntie Nat and Wanda to go shopping for wedding stuff. I’ve been going out with them, but not shopping.”
“What have you been doing, Adelaide?” Bucky asked.
“Meeting with some people.” A knock sounded on the door, and she straightened up with a smile. She walked over to the door and turned her head to hear better. “Who is it?”
“You summoned, milady?” the familiar voice answered, and she grinned, opening the door slightly and letting James and Sarah slip in before she closed the door back. Bucky and Steve stood up, looking at the newcomers.
“Daddy, Uncle Steve, these are the people I’ve been meeting with. Well, them and their families.” She looked at her guests, grinning happily. “This is my dad Bucky Barnes and my uncle, Steve Rogers. But you already knew that.” The two siblings laughed, going along with her little introduction. She looked at her dad and uncle, who were looking at her in confusion. “Daddy,” she said, holding out her hand. He came over and grabbed it gently, furrowing his brows. “Daddy, this is James Barnes and his sister, Sarah Baker.” She watched her father’s eyes grow wide.
“Did you say—?” Steve started to ask before his voice trailed off in disbelief.
“Yes, I did,” she answered. “Daddy.” Her father looked at her, eyes watery. “Daddy, these are the children of Rebecca Anita Barnes. Your family.” He looked from her face to the two people standing next to her and back again.
“Are—” His voice broke.
“Daddy, you have to look at them. Really look at them. Go on. I’m right here.” She squeezed his hand tightly and nodded towards them. Her dad slowly turned to look them over, reaching out his other hand towards Sarah’s face.
“You have her eyes,” he said shakily. James and Sarah both smiled. Her father gasped slightly. “And her smile.” Adelaide felt Steve slip his hand into her free one and grip it tightly. She looked up at him, and there were tears in his eyes. “Are you really Becca’s?” her dad asked. “You’re really my niece and nephew?” The two nodded.
“She was our mother,” James answered. “Named me after you. We grew up hearing stories about you and Steve Rogers from across the street. Named Sarah after Mrs. Rogers.” Bucky let go of Adelaide’s hands, pulling the two into a tight hug. Adelaide hugged Steve’s waist, smiling happily at the sight.
“I—I didn’t—I never—I would’ve—” her father started to say.
“We know you would have,” Sarah said. “If you had known. We know.” The hug lasted for several minutes before Bucky finally let go and turned to Adelaide.
“Come ‘ere,” he said, opening his arms, and she jumped into them, hugging her father tightly. “Thank you,” he gasped. “Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome, Papa.” Steve went to greet the two as Bucky hugged her before the four sat down, letting Addie stand behind her father, her hands on his shoulders.
“Addie came to us about seven months ago,” James explained. “We’d known about her and you for several years, but we weren’t sure if you really remember things or were just a very good actor.”
“Both,” Steve said, and they laughed.
“She sat down and told us everything that had happened, from start to finish,” Sarah continued. “She didn’t hold anything back, and we were more than happy to meet her again when she said she had to leave.”
“She came by several times over the next month, meeting with us and our kids—”
“Kids?” Bucky interrupted. “There’s—”
“Daddy, they have five grandkids, put together,” Adelaide said, and Bucky took a deep breath. She rubbed his shoulders gently, and Bucky looked back at the two.
“She met with us several times, asking questions, listening to stories, looking at pictures. We were more than happy to talk to her,” James said.
“You raised a wonderful daughter, Mr. Barnes,” Sarah said.
“No,” Bucky said, shaking his head. “We’re family. None of that.”
“Do you want the ‘Uncle Buck’ jokes Tony’s going to inevitably make?” Steve asked, and Bucky nodded.
“Who cares what he thinks? It’s family.”
“And I’ll wipe FRIDAY’s hard drive if he does,” Adelaide added. “He knows I will.” The two siblings had tears in their eyes.
“Either way, you have a wonderful daughter,” James said. Adelaide blushed.
“I know,” Bucky said, looking up at her with shining eyes. She smiled then looked to Sarah, nodding slightly. All attention was on her, looking for the meaning behind the nod.
“About two and a half months after meeting her, Addie asked to meet in a park near our homes. The kids brought the children, and we made a day out of it,” Sarah explained. “When Addie got there, she played with the children for a bit and greeted the kids and their wives before coming over and sitting down with us. She asked us if we still had some old things of Mother’s, and we told her we did. She asked what kinds of things, and we told her the usual things: books, pictures, dresses, quilts, things like that. Then, she asked us something so sweet that we couldn’t possible say no and went home to get it for her right away. It was in my closet, since I was the girl. Had been for fifteen years.”
“Took us less than a minute to find it, too,” James added.
“She had the redhead, Natasha?” Adelaide nodded. “Meet us at the house and take it and get it taken care of until it was ready.”
“What?” Steve asked, looking very intrigued.
“Why, haven’t you guessed?” James asked, looking a bit surprised. “I should think it would’ve been obvious.” Bucky stood up very slowly and turned around, looking very carefully at his daughter.
“It’s her dress, isn’t it?” he said quietly. “I thought something looked familiar.” Adelaide smiled and nodded. “I used to look at pictures of it all the time when I was a kid. Thought my ma was the prettiest woman to ever walk the earth. That’s her dress.” He teared up again and took her hands, kissing them gently. “I don’t deserve such a sweet daughter,” he said.
“Of course you do, Uncle Bucky,” Sarah said gently. The name was so new, but to Adelaide, nothing fit him better. “No one could ever deserve her more.” There was a quiet knock on the door, and Natasha’s head poked in.
“Addie, it’s time,” she said. James and Sarah stood up, quietly leaving the room with Steve while Bucky held his daughter’s hands and looked at her lovingly.
“I love you so much, kotenok.”
“I love you too, Daddy.” He stepped around the chair and hugged her gently, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. They stood there for half a minute before Bucky stepped back, composing himself and offering her his arm.
“Let’s get this over with before I change my mind,” he said. Adelaide giggled and nodded.
“I was thinking the same thing.”
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Nervous jitters weren’t there, shockingly. She knew that it was usually a thing, but Adelaide wasn’t feeling nervous at all. Probably a bad thing, but she couldn’t bring herself to care at the moment. She was still so happy about Bucky meeting his blood family that really nothing was going to make her upset right now. Nathaniel was adorable in his three-piece suit, and Vincent’s little cousin Danielle was the flower-girl. The two of them were absolutely the cutest things. As for anyone else in the wedding committee, they were all paired off. Unfortunately (for them. Adelaide didn’t mind), her uncles couldn’t all be groomsmen or all walk her down the aisle; that was Vincent’s choosing and Bucky’s job. Her bridesmaids were Natasha, Rachel, Lilly, and Lily (maid of honor); Vincent’s groomsmen were Killian (best man right there), his cousin-who-was-more-like-a-brother Roger, Clint (that had surprised everyone, but apparently the two of them got along really well, so there was that), and Cooper (because the two of them apparently had become great friends since Cooper had moved to Manhattan). She stood next to her dad as the women fussed over her dress one last time before taking their places. Once everyone had finally left her alone, she looked up at her dad, smiling. “You look beautiful, kotenok,” he said to her quietly.
“Thank you, Daddy,” she answered, taking his offered arm. She squeezed him quickly before straightening. “And thank you for not killing my fiancé before the wedding.”
“It was hard, myshka, I’m not gonna lie.”
“Well, I appreciate your self-control.” She stood up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek lightly. “You know, I like your clean-shaven look you’ve got goin’ on. It’s a good look. Shorter hair, and I can see why you were so popular with the ladies back in the day.”
“He still is,” Clint said. “The amount of women looking at him earlier was staggering.” Addie giggled while Bucky gave Clint a death-glare.
“Aw, my poor daddy,” she said, smiling up at him.
“Okay everyone!” Natasha’s voice rang out, and all went quiet. “You know what to do, so here we go!” Adelaide grinned. She may have asked for a traditional wedding by all other standards, but the walking down the aisle part was all her inner child coming out. The doors opened, and the music that would act as a wedding march started. No one else knew what was going on, but the people who were walking down the aisle. Not even Vincent knew. This was her little surprise for him because she knew how nervous he was about this.
She watched as Lilly and Cooper went first, the two of them walking slow like they were supposed to. Next, Rachel and Roger went next, stepping lightly and dancing slightly. Natasha and Clint went next, hands joined as they skipped and spun down the aisle, smiles a mile wide. Lily and Killian went next, dancing in their typical fashion of shaking hips and grinning like fools. Next was Cooper and Danielle, and Cooper danced with her down the aisle like a gentleman in a perfect waltz, letting Danielle throw flowers every so often. Finally, Bucky and Adelaide went, and she grinned as they started off in a slow walk before Bucky swept her off of her feet and danced down the aisle with her, grinning like a fool. He set her down on the ground in front of the altar and kissed her cheek fondly.
“I love you, baby girl,” he whispered before giving her hand to Vincent with a stern look. Adelaide smiled up at him, and he smiled back at her, his eyes sparkling with joy.
“I’m assuming that was your idea?” he asked. She nodded and stepped up next to him. The minister motioned for everyone to sit down. Once everything was silent, he began.
“Friends and families, we have gathered here to witness the union of these two lovely people in marriage,” he said, “and I was specifically asked to make this short and sweet because neither one of them are long-winded. That, and Miss Adelaide informed me of Mr. Barton’s eagerness to get to the sandwiches.” Laughter rippled across the room, and Adelaide grinned at her uncle, who gave her a good-natured smile. “Therefore, we shall be brief. I have had the privilege of talking with these two fine people, and never have I seen a love so strong and pure. Though we all know that rings do not make the marriage, I was honored to be given the opportunity to officiate this ceremony. Now, I was told that the two of you would have your own vows?” He looked at them, and both nodded. “Vincent, would you go first?” Vincent took a deep breath and looked at Adelaide, who squeezed his hands gently. He opened his mouth, and froze, before huffing a laugh.
“I had a speech, I swear,” he said, and she giggled, “but it just left. So, I’ll do this instead. Addie, you and I have been through a lot. Most people don’t see the amount of stuff we’ve gone through in their entire lives, and we’ve made it out, together. I don’t deserve you, no matter what you say, but I’m glad you’ve given me the chance to work my way up to that. I love you more than life itself, and I promise that I’ll do my best to provide for you, even if we both know that Mr. Stark is gonna do that anyway.” The room laughed again, and Addie smiled again. Adelaide didn’t wait for her prompt.
“Vincent Barkley, there are times that I want to throw you into a wall, you bug me so much.” He grinned. “But I’ve grown up with eight over-protective uncles, so I’d like to think I can deal with anything.” Everyone laughed at that. “You’ve put up with them for all this time, and I think that deserves an award of some kind. I’d marry you simply because you didn’t let my dad scare you off, but you took it a step further and fell in love with me. You have a good heart, and I trust you with my life. I love you more than anything in the entire world, and I promise to do my best to support you in all that you do.”
“If I may have the rings?” the minister said, and Nathaniel stepped forward with the rings. The two of them took the rings and slipped them on each other’s fingers. “Repeat after me. With this ring I thee wed as a promise to stay with you in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, through the good times and the bad, for as long as we both shall live.” Once that was done, Adelaide was almost vibrating with excitement. Vincent noticed and smiled at her, joy lighting up his face. “By the power invested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” Vincent hardly waited for the words to leave his mouth before he was kissing her, and Adelaide giggled into the kiss. They separated and looked out at their families, grins a mile wide. Adelaide looked at her dad, who was smiling and clapping along with everyone else, and she beamed at him, unable to stop smiling. “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Barkley.” The room erupted into cheers, and flower petals rained down from above them, surprising the pair. That must have been Wanda’s idea. Vincent kissed her again before taking her hand and walking down the aisle with her.
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The women had really outdone themselves with the food, honestly. Adelaide didn’t know who had made what, but it was all amazing. She liked the cake the best. It tasted amazing! Finally, she was able to get away to go find her dad. He was standing talking with Vincent’s dad and Steve. “Daddy!” she called, and he spun around to gather her up in his arms.
“Oh, printsessa,” he said, holding her tightly. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too, Papa.” She went to hug Steve next, and he kissed the top of her head.
“Congratulations, bug,” he said as she stepped back.
“Thanks, Uncle Steve.”
“You look gorgeous, Addie,” Mr. Barkley said.
“Thank you,” she said, smiling and blushing a bit.
“Addie! There you are!” Lily said, coming over and grabbing her. “Come on!” Adelaide gave an apologizing smile and followed her cousin. She was handed off to Vincent, who grinned at her.
“You know what’s going on?” she asked him, and he nodded.
“Haven’t you guessed it?” he replied, and she looked out at the big open space in front of them.
“Oh,” she said in a small voice as the slow music started.
“Yep, ‘oh’ is right,” he said. “May I have this dance, Mrs. Barkley?” Addie grinned and nodded, taking his hand.
“Why of course, Mr. Barkley.” The two went out into the middle of the room and began rocking back and forth slowly.
“So, are you happy?” he asked quietly.
“Overjoyed,” she answered, smiling up at him.
“Well, your dad hasn’t come and dragged you away yet, so I guess I’m happy too,” Vincent said.
“And he isn’t going to, I promise,” Adelaide answered. “He promised to behave himself. Don’t worry. I’ll keep you safe.”
“Isn’t that supposed to be my line?”
“Well, yes, I suppose, but you won’t have to keep me safe from my own dad.”
“True. I suppose I can let you have it this one time.”
“Well, thank you.” The two broke into laughter, and Vincent leaned down to kiss her gently. “Did you pick this song?” she asked.
“I did. Do you like it?”
“Yeah. I love it, but I love you more.”
“I love you too.” He leaned down to kiss her again as the song ended, and clapping filled the room. Adelaide turned at a tap on her shoulder, and Bucky smiled at her.
“May I have this next dance, milady?” he said, bowing with a smirk.
“Why, I would be honored,” she answered, giggling as she took her dad’s hand. Vincent smiled at her and left the two to themselves as the song started up. Adelaide looked up towards the ceiling and smiled as the familair tune of "Moonlight Serenade" began to play. “I should have known,” she said with a smile.
“Yes, you should have.” Adelaide rested her head on his shoulder as they danced together like they had all those years back in Romania, only this time she was standing on her own two feet. “So, are you going to tell me where you two are off to after this?”
“Uncle Tony has a cabin up in the mountains he’s bought for us. We’re going there.” Bucky nodded and kissed the top of her head.
“I’m proud of you, kotenok,” he said quietly. “You’ve become a beautiful young woman.”
“Thank you, Daddy. That means a lot.”
“You know I’d do anything for you, kukla, right?”
“Da, Papa, I know.”
“Well, I promise I won’t be too hard on Vincent anymore. I’ll lighten up a bit.” Adelaide was quiet for a minute.
“Not too much, okay, Daddy? It’ll help keep him straight. Not that I think he’ll need it.” Bucky chuckled and nodded.
“Okay, printsessa. I won’t lighten up too much.” The song was nearing its end, and Adelaide kissed her dad’s cheek.
“YA lyublyu tebya, papochka.”
“YA tozhe lyublyu tebya, kotenok.”
~Konets~