The next couple years remain the same for Bucky and Lizzie.
Bucky works at the gym while Lizzie goes to school and works at the hospital.
They remain blissfully in love. Sure, they have their share of arguments but they are quickly resolved.
Lizzie is usually up at dawn to get to school and then stays at the hospital until late. She hates that she spends so many hours away from Bucky but it is necessary in order to pay for school.
Lizzie loves school. She never felt really challenged in high school but that is definitely not the case in medical school.
She is having trouble with some of the professors due to her gender. She knew that she would have to demand respect and for the most part she has. Her work ethic speaks for itself.
On July 6th, 1939, Lizzie and Bucky celebrate their four year anniversary.
Bucky had saved up and bought a new silver chain for Lizzie's necklace. The one he bought for her almost nine years ago rusted so bad that it finally broke. Lizzie was so distraught it broke, that she cried.
Lizzie gave him yet another edition of "The Story of Jamie Barnes and Ellie Rogers".
The comic books written by Lizzie and Steve were one of Bucky's most prized possessions. He just received the ninth copy of "The Adventures of Bucky Barnes and The Rogers Twins" for his birthday.
He couldn't believe that he was now twenty two and Lizzie was twenty one. They were grown ups now.
He honestly couldn't believe that Rebecca was now eighteen and graduated from high school. She even had a high school sweetheart that she was still with.
It took some time but Bucky and his dad finally patched up their relationship. His father still wanted to see Bucky and Lizzie married with kids, but he no longer disapproved of their coupling.
Lizzie had two nights off from work a week. One of them was dedicated to Steve and the other was dedicated to the Barnes'.
They were at the Barnes' house for dinner when Rebecca made an announcement.
She brought her boyfriend to dinner. His name was Jack and Lizzie thought he was perfect for Rebecca.
Bucky wasn't convinced but what big brother approves of their sister's boyfriend?
Well, other than Steve.
"Mom and dad already know but I wanted to tell Liz and Bucky together. Jack and I are getting married," Rebecca says.
"Married?! You're too young to get married," Bucky says.
"That's what I said," Richard grumbles.
"You proposed to me when I was seventeen," Lizzie points out.
"And we're not married are we? You can't honestly say we were ready to be married when we got engaged," Bucky says.
"No, but we are a special circumstance and we had an understanding. Rebecca and Jack are not us," Lizzie says.
"Thank you, Liz. Also, I love you Bucky but you don't really get a say in this. I would be really happy if you were on board with this," Rebecca says.
Bucky and Rebecca stare each other down, trying to get the other to cave. Bucky finally relents.
"Fine, I'm not happy about it but I'll support it," Bucky says.
Later that night, Lizzie brings up a question that has been on her mind since dinner.
"What do you think we'd be like if we got married at eighteen and nineteen?" Lizzie asks.
"Honestly, Ellie? We are basically married already, just without the title. We share a home, a bank account, a life. The only thing that would change is societies' views of who we are as a married couple," Bucky says.
"Why don't we just get married now?" Lizzie asks.
She begins changing for bed and Bucky gets distracted for a second.
When she notices he hasn't answered she looks over and sees him checking her out. She snaps her fingers to break his concentration.
"Hey! Earth to Jaime," she says with a laugh.
He snaps out of it and tries to catch up to what they were talking about.
"What?" He asks.
"I said, Why don't we just get married now if we are basically already married?" Lizzie asks.
"I've wanted to marry you since the day I proposed but I want you to finish school before we get married," Bucky says.
"Why?" She asks.
"It may sound stupid but I want you to get your degree as a Rogers. I want the records of your life to see you as more than just the wife of James Buchanan Barnes. I want you to be your own person because that's who I fell in love with," Bucky says.
She never gave much thought to her maiden name. She theoretically knew that her name would be changed to Barnes but it never really crossed her mind.
But Bucky was right, all the records would read that Elizabeth Grace Barnes received a medical degree. Elizabeth Grace Rogers would be erased from the world.
She loved that he wanted her to be more than his wife. He loved her as a Rogers as much as he will love her as a Barnes.
"July 6th, 1945," Lizzie says.
"What?" Bucky asks.
"That will be our ten year anniversary and the year I complete residency and become a full fledged doctor. I want to marry you on that day," Lizzie says.
She was always the planner.
"I think that that is perfect day to marry you officially," Bucky says.
Lizzie gives a sharp laugh at a thought.
"Oh, your father is going to love that we are waiting another six years to get married," Lizzie says.
Bucky starts laughing too.
"He'll get over it," Bucky says.
Lizzie puts her arms around Bucky's neck and he grabs onto her waist in a move that has become so natural with time.
"You are going to be a great husband you know," Lizzie says.
Bucky removes one of her hands from around his neck and holds it up with his own. He then starts swaying them and he leads her around in a silent waltz across the bedroom floor.
"You're going to be the best wife in all the world. I know it," Bucky says.
Lizzie smiles and rests her head against his chest as he moves them around.
"You're also going to make a great father," Lizzie says.
"Oh yeah?" Bucky asks.
"Absolutely, we are going to have a boy and a girl. You are going to let the girl get away with anything. She's so going to be a daddy's girl," Lizzie says.
"If we have a daughter, I'm never going to let her date. If she tries, me and our son are going to bury him in the backyard," Bucky says.
"I take it back, she's going to hate you," Lizzie jokes.
They both laugh but then slip back into a comfortable silence.
"I hope our kids are just like you. I hope they are smart and brave and kind," Bucky says.
"I hope they're like you. I hope they are loyal and supportive and good looking," Lizzie says.
"I think they'll get good looking from both sides," Bucky says with a smile.
She looks up and stands on her toes to kiss him softly.
"I can't wait to spend the rest of my life by your side," Lizzie says.
"I promise to be by your side for the rest of my days. I will always be by your side," Bucky vows.
"I'm going to hold you to that, Barnes," Lizzie says.
It didn't matter that they wouldn't get married for another six years. They said their vows every day.