THE FADING FALLEN ● Bucky Barnes X OC ● 18+ ● ENGLISH [COMPLETE]

Chapter 78

"There's no need to get excited. It's just that someone can't keep his or her feet still again.

 Probably wanted to have a little dance, too."

Disbelief appeared on their faces at first, then some skepticism. Smiling, she gestured to her belly with a motion of her head.

"I'd just like to get a little rest from that little tap dance in here."

At her slightly exhausted but assuring look, Bucky led her to a quieter corner of the hall to one of the back tables. She took a sip of the cool water he'd brought her while he draped her legs over his thighs and slipped off the ivory strappy sandals.

"You know, there' s someone else I know, who can never keep her feet still."

"Oh, really Inspectorg Gadget? Then how about keeping those very same feet in custody now?"

Grinning, Bucky answered her question by beginning to gently massage the pads of her feet and toes.

"Ugh... what I would give for a drink right now. Just like the good old days."

"To climb halfway across the bar again and show everyone your sweet smoking hot backside? Go ahead and try it. This time I won't just throw you over my shoulder."

Grinning silently, they reminisced a bit longer when suddenly a small round face appeared in front of the table.

"Youuu, Aunt Mia?"

It was Morgan, with big round eyes, resting her chin on her folded arms on top of it. The little whirlwind had shown up so quickly that they both flinched, a little startled.

"Oh, Morgan, honey. What's up? Are you having fun?"

At Emilia's question, she just nodded and continued to look at them both, tilting her head a bit questioningly.

"How do you actually know you love Uncle Barnes?"

A little puzzled, Bucky and she looked at each other before staring back at the girl's face, from which Tony was facing them.

But what else could you expect from his five-year-old daughter. After all, she had inherited not only much of his good look, but also that impossibly frank and open mouth.

Smiling, Emilia took her legs off Bucky's lap, leaned forward a bit, and placed her arms on the table in almost the same manner opposite Morgan. For a few seconds she watched the expectant and at the same time inquiring eyes.

"Nothing really makes sense without him."

More and more, a little confusion showed in the gaze, so Emilia asked again: "Do you understand what I'm trying to tell you?"

Morgan tilted her head a little further and peered thoughtfully out one of the large hall windows before turning back.

"Mmmh... not really."

Carefully, Emilia stroked one of the dark strands of hair behind her ear, giving her a smile.

"Someday, when you're older, I'm sure you'll find someone you'll want to keep forever for the rest of your life. Someone who will make the world a more beautiful place for you. When the time comes, you'll understand. Believe me, honey."

A little disgusted at having to kiss a boy someday, Morgan scrunched her face in her childish way and stood up shaking herself a little. Glancing around, she spotted Pepper, who was talking excitedly at one of the large round tables with Happy, Bruce, and Ramonda, and set off to walk back there.

After a few steps, though, she stopped to turn around once more. In her ball-shaped eyes was a question and at the same time already the realization by which only a kid could have it.

"Is Uncle Barnes to you what my dad was to my mom?"

The innocent sound of her voice and what she was trying to get at drove not only Emilia through her bones. Bucky, too, felt transfixed for a fleeting moment before a comforting warmth swept through him, caused by a single word that lovingly crossed the lips of the woman beside him.

"Yes."

It wasn't long before a hearty, broad smile settled on Morgan's face.

"Then I do understand."

Beaming with joy at that, she finally turned away and ran faster than the wind back to her mother.

Truly, Emilia had to realize with a grin, she was her father's daughter. Her gaze went to Bucky, who continued to stare after the girl.

Partly in disbelief, partly overwhelmed by what she had triggered in him, alone with what she called him. It felt a bit like a reconciliation between himself and the man to whom he could never apologize for what he did.

Emilia noticed the peaceful expression on his face and put a hand on his forearm, whereupon he turned to her.

Without saying anything, he leaned in, breathed a kiss over her lips, and rested his forehead against hers for a second.

In his eyes was the same thing she felt for him. 

Nothing would make any sense to him either without his newlywed wife and the joy she was carrying within her.

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