Morgan held carrots in one of her hands and Bucky’s in the other as they walked through a gate into a big open field. Sam followed along behind them with a little less enthusiasm but a lot more carrots. I leaned against the fence posts watching as they adventured out to the reindeer. Originally the plan was to take her to see Frozen Two, but somehow her favorite uncle convinced her to see a real-life reindeer instead.
“Morgan you gotta be gentle,” Bucky said as they approached the reindeer.
She held out a carrot that was quickly taken by the reindeer in front of her, squealing when it frightened her.
“It’s okay, baby girl. It’s not gonna hurt you.” Bucky cooed.
“You thought this through,” Sam joked.
“Up, peas,” Morgan said pulling on Bucky’s jacket.
He scooped her up like she weighed no more than a bag of potatoes. Holding out a carrot himself, the reindeer stepped back to take a hold of it.
“Wanna pet him?”
“Yeah,”
“Bad idea, they have fleas and ticks and stuff.” Sam groaned.
“They’re domesticated,” Bucky replied. “They’re bathed regularly. Probably more than you.”
I laughed at their exchange.
“Har, har,” Sam replied.
Morgan leaned forward and rubbed the reindeer’s head. A smile lit up her face. “How does he fly? He have no wings.”
Bucky looked at me panicked, I guess he didn’t realize Morgan still believed in Santa. I covered my mouth with my sweater in an effort to stifle my laugh.
“These are Santa’s back up reindeer, they don’t need wings,” Bucky explained. “If Santa needs them he has special magic that makes them fly.”
Sam coughed trying to cover his laugh. Bucky shot him a hard glare.
Morgan held out another carrot for the reindeer, he took it a little more gently this time.
“Think I can ride it?” Sam asked.
“Oh lord,” I mumbled. “Bad idea Sam.”
“I don’t know, birds tend to ride horses and deer,” Bucky replied.
“I’m not a real bird.” Sam deadpanned.
“Really, couldn’t tell.”
“I ride,” Morgan stated.
“No honey, that’s not a good idea.” I interrupted.
“Overprotective much?” Sam asked.
“I’m the one Pepper would come after,” I laughed. “I’m sure I’m gonna hear it because we took her here instead of the theater.”
“Only because now Pepper is gonna have to see that awful movie.” Sam laughed.
“Your aunt has spoken,” Bucky told her, “no reindeer rides.”
Morgan frowned at me.
“You’re being a kid hog, I want to her.” Sam groaned.
“Fine,” Bucky put her down.
She immediately put up her grabby hands to Sam. He was able to pick her up easily, just not as easy as Bucky. A soft exchange happened between the two of them as Bucky made his way to the fence I leaned against.
“You’re really good with her.” I smiled.
“She’s a good kid.” He replied kissing me.
“This was a good idea. Way better than sitting in a theater.”
“It’ll give her happy memories of Christmas rather than a movie she will see a hundred times.”
I grinned at his thoughtfulness. “You’d be a good daddy.” I muse.
He sighed, “Before the war I always wanted kids.”
“Can you not?” I asked. “Wow, that was tactless. I’m sorry, please don’t answer that.”
He laughed. “I don’t know if I can. I know that I shouldn’t.”
“We can debate that later.” I smiled kissing him softly. “I have to make an aunt intervention at the moment.”
He looked at me confused.
“Samuel Thomas Wilson!” I yelled, “if you don’t take that sweet girl off that reindeer you will walk home.”
“Oohhh, she just called you by your full name.” Bucky laughed.
Sam groaned but pulled Morgan off the reindeer.
“We just talked about this.” I groaned.
“Sorry.” He mumbled.
“I’d believe you better if you weren’t smiling right now.”
“Bird brain.” Bucky snickered.