5 Years Later. 

Brooklyn, New York. 

A fresh blanket of snow covered the arrangement of brownstones. The rusted, red brick homes snugly wrapped up in frosted white as icicles hung from the eaves like little toy soldiers lined up in a row. 

Wreaths made of pine and holly adorned many a houses door as Christmas lights twinkled beneath the ashen gray clouds. The multicolored aglow decorations shedding their prismatic incandescence across the sheets of ice. 

And, outside children were already getting a head-start on enjoying the merriment of the first snowfall. 

Swathed in boots, jackets, hats and scarves the young-ins played in the powdery white banks, making Snow People and Snow Angels. Their laughter ringing out along the glittered silver city-scape. 

But, beyond their childish laughter and amongst the neighborhoods of Brooklyn a husband and wife were just waking up. 

Within just one of the many assemblages of brick built town-homes was one in particular and once past the frost covered windowpanes a peaceful morning was beginning again. 

And, while the snow continued to fall and while wrapped up in plush, warm blankets I opened up my eyes. The sound of Bucky's electric razor arousing me from my slumber. With him standing in front of the mirror in the a-joining bathroom he trimmed his beard. 

Looking over I just watched as he combed through his now shorter brunette tresses, taming a few pieces with hair gel and for a minute I just wanted to take in every last detail. 

Any little gesture, personal quirk and habit like gold to me, treasures that I for so many years had recited to memory, but that now had the fortune of seeing every day again. 

Time itself now a gift. A reminder that I had survived the hard times, fought as fiercely as I could and lived long enough to finally be given what I had craved for so long; peace. 

But, more importantly, the man I loved had been given peace as well. The War was over and finally he could rest. Bucky was now a husband and a father, what he had always wanted to be. Not a soldier, not a tool for HYDRA. He was free. We were free. 

Forcing myself up out of bed I slipped on a robe and made my way into the bathroom. 

And, gently I hugged him from behind. My lips tracing the jagged scar where his toned flesh met the metal of his Wakandan prosthetic. 

"Morning, gorgeous." Bucky greeted, turning around to face me. 

"Morning, handsome," I replied, staring into his familiar slate blue pools. "You know, I don't think you've ever looked more attractive than you do right now." 

"You've been saying that every morning, Doll." Bucky chided, securely wrapping his arms around me, both metal and flesh digits lightly drawing circles over my hips as he pulled me close. 

"Well, shouldn't I be saying it? You look happy..." I admired, bringing a warm smile to his lips. 

"I am happy, Doll... I have you and..." Bucky began until a sudden crash came from the living room, alerting us. 

Rushing down the flight of stairs to see what the ruckus was about we ran into the den. 

And, there our five year old girl was standing on a dining room chair, her arms extended out as far as they could go as she tried to reach the red, white and blue shield which hung from the mantel above the fireplace. 

The shield accompanied by Bucky's and my wedding day photo as well as her adoption papers proudly folded up in a shadow box. 

"Hey, it's too heavy for you, Munchkin," Bucky scolded, easily swooping up his daughter in his arms as he gave her a kiss on the forehead. "Wait a few years." 

"So, I'll be able to carry it eventually, Daddy?" The little girl asked and I just grinned, strolling over and running a hand through her hair. 

"Yes, one day, Sarah," I said. "But, remember with that shield comes the burden of being a hero with a good heart." 

"I know, Mommy. I wanna be just like Grandpa Rogers when I grow up." Sarah declared, resting her head onto Bucky's shoulder.

..........

With that our day continued on like usual. And, after getting ready and eating breakfast we were welcomed by the arrival of Pepper and Morgan. A customary play-date happening once again. 

"Thank you for watching Sarah for a bit, Pepper. I don't like being late when seeing him." I said to the red head, her wedding ring still tethered to her finger even five years later. And, I understood the feeling very well. 

"Of course. Besides, the future Iron Woman and Captain America seem to be good friends." Pepper noted, watching as Morgan went over to hang out with Sarah in the living room. 

"You still want us to come to the cabin for New Years?" Bucky asked, helping me put on my coat like a gentleman. 

"Yes, please come. You really are always welcome, Mr. Barnes." The widow, Mrs. Stark reassured before it was time for our daily visit. 

So, after saying goodbye to our little girl Bucky and I headed towards another house not too far. A house filled to the brim with memories of the past, our past, the second we stepped in through the front door. 

Old black and white photographs garnished every wall and relics from the War days adorned every shelf. The quaint home laced with figments of our lives way back then... Every antique embroidered with flecks of times long gone. And, it was true that many things would indeed, die with us. 

And, a relic in and of himself, sat Steve in his bedroom. Far more frail and indisposed than he was five years ago when he came back after returning the stones. 

"Hey, Steven. Your Doctor's here." I spoke up, a soft jazz number echoing softly in the background, the scratchy vinyl spinning beneath the metal needle.

And, routinely I checked my dear old friends blood pressure and heart. Functions stable like usual, but at his age there wasn't anything I could prescribe. 

The Serum would allow Steve to live out a few extra years than a regular humans lifespan, but I knew that eventually his expiration date would come. Time was not a luxury and both Bucky and I knew that. 

So, we visited Steve everyday, cherishing every single second we had with him. 

Being sickly, frail and ailing not a foreign sight to me when looking at my friend. For I knew him before he became a Super Soldier. Back when he was riddled with asthma, heart palpitations and had lived through many a bad fever. I was more accustomed to the image of him now, even old.

..........

Our ordinary custom continued on the same, with us just chatting like always. Talking like old times, reliving our memories and laughing at jokes. 

Though, as of late our visits had gotten shorter and shorter and I knew that my best, most dear friend would one day not be around. One of these visits would be our last and that is why I treasured every moment with the silver haired former Captain. 

Knowing of what was indeed imminent made me grateful for each day he lived on and I could see him again. And, while it hurt to look at Steve now and I wanted to cry every time I gazed into his murky sky shaded eyes... I didn't dare. 

So, like usual... I smiled and joked and laughed. 

"You better get back to Sarah. I don't want my God-daughter getting lonely." Steve brought up, walking cane at his side, his voice low and raspy, muddled with age. 

"Our little Captain at home is just fine. She's with the future genius, Morgan Stark." I ensured, but I knew full well that our time was up for today. 

Bucky and I had already been here a few hours and Steve had to rest. 

So, reluctantly I got up from the side of his bed and walked over to where Bucky was standing near the exit. A pine and berry garland draped around the door frame above him. 

"Hey, you two. Thank you." We heard Steve murmur out, a small smile gracing his lined, aging features. 

"For what?" I asked. The snowfall commencing outside, the streets of Brooklyn shrouded in glistening, pearlescent ivory. 

"For being my family." Steve responded, his words veiled in sorrow and looking up at Bucky I saw as he clenched his jaw, swallowing the threat of tears. 

"Don't say any final words, Punk. You're not going anywhere for a long time," Bucky insisted, wrapping an arm around my waist. "Besides, if you're not around who's gonna be my best man?" 

"What?" The former Cap questioned, shakily rising from his place on the bed. Using his walker as an anchor to keep him steady. 

"We're renewing our vows at Christmas. We figure it's been 90 years since we first got married. It's probably time." I quipped, making my friend curve the edges of his mouth upward again. 

"I'm happy for you. I'd be glad to be the best man again." 

"Good. And, Steve?... You're our family too. Remember that." I concluded, holding tight onto Bucky's hand. 

The three of us together just like old times. The way it had always been... 

..........

The End.