Chapter Text
30 May 2026
Bucky looks around. The town hall wedding room isn’t exactly packed, but there’s quite a sizable crowd of excited, happy people waiting for the ceremony to begin. He’s sitting on the right, with the rest of the Rogers gang, while Michelle's family occupies the left-hand side. Sam-Anthony and JJ with Sarah's two daughters are in the front row, with a seat left open for Steve. Bucky found himself a spot in the second row, right behind Steve.
Steve, who is currently in the back room with Sarah, ready to bring her in.
Michelle’s already waiting at the altar. She looks absolutely gorgeous in her dress, soft silk with a silver and gold lace overlying the bodice. It's stylish, yet spectacular. Bucky loves it.
Watching her, he can feel her anxiety, her joy as she waits for her partner.
Only a few minutes to go.
Bucky glances at Chrissie and Jake sitting next to him. Jake’s playing some game on Chrissie's phone.
"When can we have pudding?" he asks, and Bucky and Chrissie smile. She leans closer to whisper back.
"Soon. After the ceremony, and the toasts."
"I hope there's ice-cream. I want ice-cream."
Bucky leans closer. "Me too, buddy."
"Me three," Sam-Anthony mumbles from the front row and they all giggle.
Steve glances towards the crowd, chatting and laughing, the excitement tangible. He sees Michelle waiting under the arch, a soft smile around her mouth, fingers playing with the ribbon on her bouquet.
He is getting a daughter today, another one. He loves her, he really does. He just... wishes he’d known her longer. Still, she and Sarah make such a good pair. The love they have for one another shows in everything they do, and he can’t help but be happy for them.
His eyes drift to Sarah, smoothing out her dress. Or, her ‘glamorized onesie’, according to her and Bucky.
“You look amazing, darling. So beautiful.”
“Yeah?” Sarah asks, smiling shyly. Steve walks closer.
“Yes. Absolutely stunning.”
“Even though I’m tiptoeing into middle age?”
Steve takes her hand. “You will always be my beautiful little baby girl. No matter how old you are.”
Sarah just wraps her arms around him and hugs him tight. “Thanks, Dad.”
When they part, they’re both smiling through tears.
“You ready?” Steve asks.
She takes a deep breath. “Yes.” They turn to the door, and she continues. “You know, Dad... These people here, they are the ones who accept me and Michelle. The rest can, frankly... just piss off.”
Steve snorts. That was a sore topic, some family members and friends who didn’t approve, didn’t want to be part of this. Who couldn’t accept Sarah for who she is, who she loves. They're the same ones who had a problem with accepting him and Bucky being an item - and Steve agrees, they can all just take a hike. Like she said, the people here... they are family.
Seeing Bucky among them was another... moment. Not really a surprise, Bucky said he’d be there, help with the arrangements, support them all. A small part though, a voice in the back of Steve’s mind kept wondering: will he actually be here? Will he follow through? It’s a huge deal, so many reasons to be anxious... Steve certainly is and it’s his family. That Bucky’s here, sharing in it, is absolutely amazing. For a while he thought Bucky would only make a token appearance, stay to the side, almost invisible... but no, here he is. Front and center, right among Steve's kids. He owes Bucky so much, and he is so glad Bucky is here, part of the family he was always meant to be. That’s the vow he made, way back in that video, to protect them and be there for them.
Steve wonders if Bucky remembers that, if he should say anything. But - not now, not today. Clasping Sarah’s hand, he takes a deep breath as the music starts to play.
Bucky's heart falls to his stomach as he watches Steve and Sarah walk in. Yeah, she looks great, but his eyes immediately focus on Steve.
Steve looks… breathtaking. The suit is perfectly cut, dark grey with a pale blue shirt and indigo tie. His hair is all in its place for once, even the cowlick behaving itself. His eyes are bright and red rimmed - he's been crying. Of course he has, Bucky thinks fondly. Steve’s eyes are searching for something - for Bucky. Bucky can see the tension leaving Steve as he finds him, his smile suddenly ten times brighter.
Did he really think Bucky wouldn't be here?
He keeps his eyes on Steve's as they walk down, forgetting all about the crowd whispering, ‘oohing’ and ‘aahing’ around them. Bucky can only imagine what’s going through Steve's mind. He can see Steve is emotional - happy and very proud. His daughter is marrying the love of her life. After years and years of ups and downs, she’s finally happy with the person she adores.
Bucky swallows the lump in his throat as he watches Steve giving Michelle a kiss and then turning around, smiling at Bucky and taking his seat next to his sons. He knows Steve wanted Bucky to sit next to him, but he’s convinced him that it is okay, this is better. Today isn’t about him, it’s about Sarah and Michelle.
He is close to Steve. He will always be close to Steve.
Bucky doesn't pay attention to the ceremony, watching the three men in front of him. A dad and his two sons, the sons middle aged and looking quite a few years older than him. JJ’s hair is salt and pepper - but more salt. His hands are old. Bucky feels a tinge of sadness and shakes his head. He can't think about that on a day like this. But then a baby cries and Bucky smiles. Little Natasha, already a spitfire like her namesake. Steve’s first great granddaughter.
His family is growing. Today is about celebration.
There’s a lot of happy tears at the reception. Bucky gives the gang a chance to talk about their lives - he leaves once the past comes up, especially Peggy, even though he sees that Steve wants him to stay. Bucky just goes to help the caterers though, or check on the guests. This will always be a sore spot for him, for them.
Bucky takes a moment to watch everyone. The children are running around playing, couples are dancing, the music is upbeat and the atmosphere is full of joy. He looks at Steve, who is holding little Natasha, a bottle in his hand. Bucky can feel the knot in his stomach. Steve is a pro at handling children, dealing with babies... he raised three, after all, not to mention the grandkids. Bucky may not have been there as he once vowed, but Steve… he did brilliantly. He took those five seconds and he made every one count. He lived. He lived like he never could before, like he was never allowed to. That was his moment, and he used it to his full advantage.
Can Bucky blame him? Can he hold it against him? Wouldn't he do the same, if he could? If he could go back to live a life with Steve, if the situation was reversed? He would, and just like Steve, he would see every moment for the blessing that it is. Like now. Like Steve is doing right now.
Bucky can’t let the shadow of Peggy hang over him and his future with Steve - because she is not in the shadows. She is in the corner of Sarah’s smile when she smiles at Bucky. She’s in the sharp gaze of JJ, who looks at Bucky with respect. She is in the brown of Sammy’s eyes when they crinkle with mirth when he and Bucky goof around. She may be in the shadows, but her kids, they are in the light. They always will be.
"Bucky, come on, you owe me a dance!" Sarah grabs Bucky’s hand and pulls him to the dance floor. He laughs, but allows her to drag him in. On the floor, he pulls her close and puts his arms around her. The song is a soft and slow one, and they dance quietly for a while before Bucky looks at her.
"You look absolutely beautiful. So happy and radiant... and the dress isn't bad either," he jokes, causing her to laugh loudly.
"Thank you, Bucky. So do you. The rumours around the girl bathrooms are quite… well… what I got out of it is my Dad was very lucky. Honestly, I’m glad it was me, I can take that... I don’t think my brothers would care to hear what a sexy ass you got though.”
“Sarah!” Bucky admonishes her and she laughs, enjoying the blush on his cheeks.
“Bucky… Thank you for being here. For everything. You're a wonderful addition to this family, like… That moment you take out a freshly baked cake out of the oven, and you've been on a diet for months, and this cake… It's yours and it’s still warm when you cut it, and you can have it with a cup of coffee, just icing sugar sprinkled on top. Warm, and fuzzy and so… so long-awaited."
"Woah, that's quite a metaphor there." Bucky blinks, surprised and touched.
"Call it as I see it. Also, I might’ve had a few glasses of champagne," she giggles.
"Sarah, you need to promise me that you and Michelle… Never take it for granted, okay?"
"I won't. Never," she promises, suddenly looking serious. He knows she means every word.
"So did you manage to get your whole set? Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue?"
"Yeah, I did! New, this dress. Blue, our initials embroidered into the lining. Something borrowed is one of Dad’s silk handkerchiefs, I wrapped my bouquet in it. And something old… Bucky, did you know that Dad took off his wedding ring when he was in hospital? Some time after you left - back, way back, when he had his heart scare?"
Bucky frowns. "No, I didn't. I did notice he wasn't wearing it when T'Challa was getting married, but I never asked… I just assumed he put it somewhere safe, needed to resize it or something."
"He did put it somewhere safe… until a few weeks ago. He asked me and Sammy and JJ to have a meeting, just us four. We had some coffee and a talk, and then he took out three little velvet boxes…" Bucky can see the emotion in her eyes, the serenity. "He said that he loved Mom very much, and they did have happy times together. That he would never ever regret us, that he’s thankful for us, but he needs to let go and move on. He loves you, he always has, he just didn't know how to admit it until it was too late. Then, of course…"
"The volcano, the machine…"
"Yeah. He said he will do everything he can to make you happy, to make the relationship work. So he… he doesn’t know what the future holds, he said, he just wants to be by your side forever. That he got a second chance and wants to make it work,” she finishes softly.
“I want that too, Sarah. I’ve loved your Dad since I was fifteen,” Bucky replies, smiling. Sarah smiles back.
“I know.”
“What was in those boxes?” he asks, curious.
“He melted Mom's and his wedding rings and made it into gifts for us, something of a family heirloom. Sammy and JJ both got personalized cufflinks, and I got these earrings. They’re small, but my initials are engraved as well."
Bucky looks closer - she has many ear piercings, the bottom ones are crystal teardrops that hang almost to her shoulder, but the top ones are two small golden hearts with 'SJR' on them. He looks into her eyes and sees the tears starting to form.
"They are beautiful. It was very thoughtful of him."
"Yeah… I know my Mom and I didn't always see eye to eye, but she was good, and she loved us. We were just two very strong personalities colliding. She knew I loved her, and I know she loved me…"
"That's all that matters, Sarah. In the end, love is all you need. That’s how we can grow and still be connected. That’s how we know that even in the midst of fights and problems, there will always be that connection, that bond. There’s no deadline, or rules, or constrictions. It surpasses everything else. Remember that. Your mom grew up in a hard world, and worked in a hard world, but she still was soft for you all," he says, meaning every word. It’s surprisingly easy to say it, now, after everything that’s happened.
“Thank you," Sarah replies and then hugs Bucky close, forgetting all about the song they’re dancing to. Bucky hugs her back and when he looks up, Steve is standing close, watching them, looking a bit concerned for Sarah. Bucky smiles and holds a thumb up, and Steve relaxes.
Sarah finally lets go. "Song’s over! I'm going to go find my wife, make out with her and then dance. And then, cake!"
"You do that, Sarah," Bucky agrees, holding a laugh.
“Stay for the cake, promise!” Sarah makes sure.
“Oh, I will. Don't worry, I love cake.” Bucky watches her walk over to Michelle, who kisses her tenderly. Bucky takes the glass Steve holds out to him. “Thank you.”
“Is everything okay?” Steve asks, still a little concerned.
Bucky indicates for them to sit down, and they find their table near the corner, next to a small blanket fort for the children - some playing, some already asleep. Steve is half ‘keeping watch’, as they’re mostly his grandchildren anyway.
Bucky crouches down to glance at the kids and make sure they’re all good, then sits and takes Steve's hand. The table is empty, everyone else is dancing or chatting with someone else.
“Everything is fine, Stevie. I told her how beautiful she looked, and she told me about what you’ve done… with your wedding ring, and Peggy’s.” Steve looks away, then down. He squeezes Bucky’s hand and sighs, looking conflicted. “You don’t have to tell me, Steve, I don’t mind.”
“I want to tell you, it’s just... when I took it off, you were in Wakanda and I was in the hospital.”
“If it’s too hard, maybe can you tell me later, when we’re alone?” Bucky suggests and Steve smiles in gratitude.
“Thanks, Buck, but I’m okay.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.” Bucky smiles, aware he looks utterly besotted.
“Long story short… I wanted to give them something of me and Peg, of us, something they can keep forever, in their families. And I want to start fresh with you, something that’s between us, without the reminders of the past, except… well, except my kids and grandkids.”
“And a great-grandkid…” Bucky teases slightly and Steve blushes, smiling.
“Yes.”
“I understand, Stevie. I really do.”
“I know. That’s why I love you so much.”