the epilogue

                                    

                                          
"UNCLE STEVE!" 3-year-old Rebecca practically screeched as her favourite uncle lifted her up into a tight, spinning hug. 
The little girl beamed as she was then smothered in kisses by her two aunts Natasha and Wanda. Sam hugged her too, patting her affectionately on her wavy mass of brunette hair that she got from her dad. 
"Come in, come in," Bucky gestured for them to move to the living room where the large, decorated tree was glistening with festive light. 
"Don't forget about the little one" Y/n joked from the couch at the crew of her friends, her family, that had just arrived for the morning's celebrations. 
The four came over immediately all cooing at the newborn who was wrapped in a light pink blanket. Wanda poked at the sweet thing's cheek, giggling as it jiggled, bouncing from the slight pressure. 
"Hi Stevie," Steve said softly, his eyes glistening as he took the small baby from Y/n, rocking her in his arms. Y/n sighed with relief, her heart full as she took in the warm scene taking place before her. Bucky planted a distracted kiss on her cheek before hugging Sam, Natasha, and Wanda in greeting, wishing them all happy holidays as he did. 
Over the last six years of being together, Y/n had discovered that Bucky was rarely as happy as he was during the annual holiday. Some people hated it, overly concerned with finding the perfect presents or completely stressed about one thing or another. She figured it was such a memorable day for him because he had spent so many of them as a child with Steve and his family. Though Y/n didn't have as many sweet memories of the day from her childhood with her father and his group of criminals, the day was forever changed for her as, exactly four years ago, Bucky had proposed to her at Tony's holiday party. Their friends had cheered for them and their future as they kissed under the mistletoe, never wanting to break apart. 
This Christmas, like each one they'd had together thus far, was bound to be a special one. It was little Stevie Jr's first Christmas and Rebecca's third but it was also the first time Bucky and Y/n were hosting the special day at their house with their small group of chosen family. The old Brooklyn apartment resisted the December cold, the lit fireplace thankfully keeping them all toasty and warm as they settled in for the merry day. The smell of fresh gingerbread instantly brought Y/n back from the reel of memories that were playing in her head. 
"..." Beatka cheered as she bustled into the living room, bearing cookies. 
Sam and Wanda practically dived for the warm baked goods making the rest laugh at their antics. Y/n grabbed one as well, splitting it in half and helping Rebecca into her high chair to eat it. 
"Thank you Mama" the toddler expressed her gratitude. 
Y/n caressed her hair, helplessly affectionate when it came to the little girl only to feel Bucky's hand on her back, rubbing gentle circles, releasing all her tension. She gazed up at him, helplessly affectionate when it came to him too. The kiss she placed on his lips was chaste and yet Rebecca's small "ew" was loud, making them break apart just to laugh, blush tinting their cheeks. 
~ Later that night ~
Y/n snuggled closer to the mound of warmth beneath her as she woke from a short but deep sleep, her holiday dress slightly crumpled. A smooth, jazzy melody flitted through her consciousness as she yawned. Propping herself up onto her elbow she looked over to see a record spinning on the old player next to Bucky's impressive vinyl collection. 
The stars are aglow. And tonight how their light sets me dreaming. My love, do you know? That your eyes are like stars brightly beaming?
"I think I maybe had too much of that spiked egg nog doll" Bucky's low rumbling voice reverberated in her ears, breaking her away from her sleepy trance. 
She laughed through the brain fog that came from sleep, tilting her head upward to capture his lips in a small kiss, one that quickly deepened into something more. 
"Can I ask you something?" Y/n questioned when they finally broke apart. 
"You know you can" was Bucky's easy reply. 
"Will you dance with me?"
A low, rumbling laugh sounded in his chest as he pulled her up to stand before him, taking her hands and placing them behind his neck. It was moments like this where Y/n felt most connected to Bucky, both his present and his past. They stood swaying to the music, allowing the lyrics and the sweet melody to caress them as their hands did the same, playing over each other's skin.
I bring you and sing you a moonlight serenade. Let us stray, till break of day in love's valley of dreams.
"You're good at this" she flushed beneath his warm gaze. "Do you ever miss it?" 
"Miss what?" 
"The 40s" 
"I miss who I was but even then, not fully because I like who I've become..." he paused, taking a breath as if pondering the right thing to say, "And I miss the dancing"
His lighter tone encouraged Y/n to smile and ask, "Show me?"
He swayed her forward and back, side to side, even dipping her at one point, balancing her weight easily. His callused palms ran across her arms, making her shiver as his hips and feet did the majority of the work for both of them. But what she noticed the most was his expression. It was the softest she'd ever seen him look, exposed by the gentle moonlight streaming through the tall window and the glow of the Christmas tree behind them. 
"I love that song" Y/n whispered as the melody reached its natural conclusion. 
And I sing you a song in the moonlight, a love song, my darling. A moonlight serenade...
She smiled to herself before humming it from the beginning, allowing them to continue to dance, Bucky swinging her gently along. He matched her voice, his baritone one melding together with her higher tone. It truly was a serenade, a moment of vulnerability for them both as they danced beneath the celestial light that shone brightly down on all of Brooklyn. 
"I love you" she whispered into his chest like a secret. 
He tilted her chin up to look at him, his gaze fond and real, "I love you too doll" 
Bucky Barnes was not a man who opened up easily, so Y/n's responding kiss was her way of saying she was honoured. She was honoured that in the end, he'd trusted her, that he'd cared for her, that he had chosen love—their love— above self-destruction. This was not to say that Y/n hadn't made the same hard choice. She too had to overcome her most negative thoughts, her learned behaviours, and her traumas to be with him. Some days they struggled but mostly they lived in love, appreciating the life that they'd built. She beamed at the thought that in their shared pain they both had found something worth fighting for.