Chapter Text
It was their biweekly 'family night.'
Bucky had his feet up, a bowl of popcorn in his lap as he watched the movie Bob chose. For once everything felt quiet. Peaceful quiet, not unsettling quiet.
He glanced around at the others.
Alexei was pretending not to cry. Yelena was already half asleep against Ava's shoulder, Ava holding both of their half empty wine glasses. John was sitting backwards in a chair, commenting on the cinematography, and Bob was correcting him, just as obnoxiously.
It was nice.
And then Bucky's phone rang.
He stepped out, looking at the unknown number before putting the phone to his ear. "Barnes."
The voice on the other end was calm. Too calm. Government calm.
"Sergeant Barnes? This is Dana Shah, Child Protective Services out of Albany, New York. I'm sorry to call so late."
His grip tightened on the phone as she kept talking.
"There's no easy way to say thing. Earlier today, your great-grandson–Joseph Barnes–had died in a car accident. His wife passed away a few years ago. Their daughter, Elizabeth, is three. You're the only living blood relative we could locate."
Bucky blinked. Great-grandson? He doesn't even remember having any kids..
"I didn't–I didn't even know I had a great-grandson," he said, voice carefully flat.
"I understand this is a shock. But we need to find a temporary guardian for her asap. We can place her in temporary care if needed," she added, "But you're legally first in line."
His throat was dry. His pulse thundered in his ears.
He heard his bowl of popcorn hit the floor in the other room, followed by Alexei's booming laughter.
"..Where's the address? I'm coming to get her."