She didn't linger in the shower; Bucky's mother and sisters wanted to meet for lunch later on today. No rest for the affianced and pregnant, she thought, rolling her eyes as she toweled off. The smell of breakfast reached her nose not long after, and she emerged from the bathroom in a plush lavender robe, rubbing her damp hair as she made her way over to the vanity she'd brought in with the rest of her belonging.
"Smells good," she remarked, reaching eagerly for the juice. After drinking half of it, she said, "That was...a little embarrassing." Chinks pink, she peeked up at her intended, asking, "Was Anita very amused?"
"If she was, she didn't let on," Bucky says. "I think she probably knew because there's nothing that woman doesn't know but I think she knows not to mention it. I wasn't really ever in the habit of bringing a whole bunch of people back here and you're my fiancee, so it's a little less...salacious, I guess, and more amusing."
Bucky starts in on his food before speaking again. "It's not like she's going to say anything. She's worked for me for ages and she loves you so two engaged people having sex isn't really a weird thing. Well, shit, we were just sleeping. So not even having sex."
Thinking back over the entire situation, Natasha had to smile, then eventually chuckle a small laugh of her own. "Yeah," she agreed, "you're probably right. She's such a sweet lady, I feel like she's the grandmother I never had."
Pulling her plate into her lap, she started on her omelet and hash brown, cutting small pieces for each bite. "And she's the most amazing cook, too."
Although it was a little surprising that given his celebrity status, Bucky seldom entertained at his own house. It was certainly large enough to hold a mob.
"What are you doing today?" Natasha's prospective mother-in-law had insisted that this luncheon be a ladies only affair, so none of the men had been invited.
"Probably going to see if Steve will come shoot pool with me later," Bucky says. "It's the weekend and I never get him during the school year unless I pull him away from all the damn work they give him. It's not enough for him to teach all day - he's gotta bring it all home at night too. Carol's going to be with you guys or I'd ask her too."
Despite appearances, Carol did like girly stuff and this luncheon was definitely that.
"Trying to keep it low key since I had a performance last night. It always kind of wears you out after the concert high."
All the girls, good Lord. Natasha wasn't sure about this, but she trusted Winnie, at least as much as she could, and hopefully the salon would have a table away from the windows and all the cameras. Well, no one knew who she was, so maybe it wouldn't be too bad.
"Makes sense," she agreed. "It'll be nice for the two of you to have a day." Finishing her omelet, she set the plate aside and raised her eyebrows. "Do you know that your sister is completely head-over-heels for him? How long as that been going on?"
"Probably since she was a teenager, honestly," Bucky says. "She needs to just say something to him because Steve is never going to take a hint. I'd tell him but he probably wouldn't believe me. I think it'd go over better if she just asked him out directly."
Bucky taps his chin for a moment, thinking. "I don't think he'll say no. I think it probably hasn't occurred to him because all Steve thinks about is his job. But Becca's a great girl so he'd be stupid to say no. She just needs to ask him. Maybe you and Carol can twist her arm at this girl thing of yours today."
Natasha turned to the mirror to begin her "going out" ablutions, beginning with adding leave-in conditioner to her damp curls. "She's a wonderful girl," she agreed. "They'd really make the cutest couple." Although it was easy to think that Becca might be afraid that Steve would say no because of their already-close relationship; what would happen if things didn't work out?
But Natasha was hardly one to give anyone relationship advice, really.
And since Steve was Bucky's best man, and Becca had won out to be Natasha's maid of honor, who knew what would happen between them?
"We have that rehearsal supper tomorrow night," she remarked, gingerly applying light touches of makeup, "and then the agency meeting Monday morning." Where the band's new album set would be revealed, as well as the upcoming nuptials of the Winter Soldier's lead singer and world's most eligible bachelor. A guaranteed headache, all around.
"I don't know which one of those is going to be a bigger headache but I'm pretty sure it's gonna be the agency meeting. I get food at a rehearsal supper."
Bucky grins at her though. "Nah, I don't mind spending time with the family. We gotta rehearse how this whole thing is going down so I don't mess it up and we get food as a bonus. It'll be great. The rest of it is just a necessary evil. I'm not looking forward to the press but that's what they do, I guess."
No more anonymity for Natasha, he guesses, but that comes with this life.
Lunch was...agreeable, Natasha decided later. Winnie Barnes had chosen a small yet elegant restaurant in downtown Malibu that served excellent seafood and offered private seating overlooking the Pacific. Beautiful scenery in the event that conversation waned. With the Barnes matron, her three daughters, and Carol Danvers all attending, however, a lack of conversation was nigh impossible.
But the ladies did get a few things settled regarding the wedding; Sarah had graciously offered her catering business to provide for the reception, and Elizabeth had made quite a successful career out of organizing, managing, and executing high-society shindigs for the wealthy and elite, weddings included.
The wedding service itself would take place in the Barnes' family church, a small Catholic chapel not far from Winnie and George's home in the Palisades, then the entire party would relocate to Bucky's compound back in Malibu. The reception would be hosted on the beach, with a bonfire, covered dance floor, buffet, open bar, live band (irony, that), and other amenities for the guests to enjoy.
Becca had at first opted to invite one or two members of the press to the wedding ceremony at the church, namely Rolling Stone and TMZ, but surprisingly, Bucky had put his foot down early at the idea. And Natasha had whole-heartedly agreed. They did relent to inviting a single reporter from each to the reception, under the stern warning that there was to be no photography without subject's consent and absolutely no live video feeds or instant uploads.
Natasha picked at her shrimp salad, letting the other women chatter along without her, until Winnie glanced over at her with a smile and said, "And what have you and James decided to do for your honeymoon, dear? With all of this wedding commotion, I don't think anyone's even mentioned it. Are you two going anywhere special?"
Blinking in momentary panic, Natasha bit her fork, hurriedly put it down, and touched her lips with her napkin to regain her composure. Because she hadn't even thought about life after the reception, alas. But she had to say something... "I'm...really not sure." Followed by a nervous little laugh. "We haven't really discussed it...yet..."
"You haven't discussed it at all?" Winifred asks, curious about that. "Having trouble pinning Bucky down or is it something else?"
Becca and Carol take that moment to distract and say, "Look, we haven't even gotten them married first so the honeymoon is ages away. Bucky probably hasn't even picked a country," Becca says. "But he could use the house in Mexico. That's beautiful."
Carol rolls her eyes. "That's just his house, though. The point of a honeymoon is to go somewhere. He probably wants to get away from the beach. Maybe he'll do New York. You have any places you want to go, Natasha?"
Natasha glanced down at her salad, a bit nonplussed. Looking up when Becca jumped in, she flashed the younger girl a small smile of thanks, then Carol weighed in with her opinion. She directed the question to Natasha, however, putting the redhead back on the proverbial spot.
"Well..." Another small laugh, sheer nerves. "I've never really been anywhere, at least not out of California. Too busy and all." And repressed as hell. She shrugged a shoulder. "I guess anywhere would be good, really. Wherever he wants to go."
Given the feminine eyebrows that answer prompted, it probably wasn't the right one, evidenced when Elizabeth asked, "What about Paris? Or maybe Rome?" Sarah piped up with, "Athens! Or Venice!"
The choices were a bit terrifying, coming all at once. Natasha put her hands in her lap, still unused to being the center of attention. The family meant well, they did...
"I'll talk with James about it," she promised, smile still a little shaky. "We'll...figure something out."
"Well, make sure it's somewhere you want to go too, especially if it's your first big trip outside the state," Carol says. "Because it's a partnership and everything, you ought to get a say. Not just whatever Bucky wants because he'll probably drag you to a ton of guitar museums or something stupid like that."
It's said in good fun; Bucky is one of her best friends but Natasha deserves to have a say in where she goes on her honeymoon.
"You should get to do some stuff you love, you know? It's something you'll never forget."
Natasha had to laugh, because Carol was right; left to his own devices, Bucky probably would haul her through every music museum in the free world, because it was something that he genuinely loved. She did, however, rest a hand on her stomach and remark, "Well, I'm a little restricted at the moment, but you're right, of course."
She gave it a brief moment of thought, then mused almost to herself, "I think I'd like to see the Eiffel Tower, actually. So Paris might be an option..." If a bit of a conventional honeymoon destination. "I'm not sure how long we should be gone, though...all things considered."
"You can still fly while pregnant unless you're about to give birth or high risk," Elizabeth says. "Trust me, I had to before. Still, you're going to enjoy yourself more if you're not at the end of it with your feet swollen and your center of balance off."
Becca reaches over and touches Natasha's arm. "Paris sounds wonderful. I've never even been to Paris myself, you know. Bucky's never gotten there on a European tour so I haven't even been in France. I think you'd have a great time and it's so romantic to go to Paris for your honeymoon. You should bring it up to him."
Natasha was still a little bit uncertain about the remainder of her pregnancy; the book she'd read on the subject were, frankly, terrifying. But there wasn't any help for it. Baby Barnes was healthy and right on schedule, so she'd deal with it as she always did.
To Becca, she said, "I will. The wedding's only a few weeks away, so we should have some destination in mind. I think we've all bee focused on the immediate things, rather than what happens afterwards."
"There's a lot that goes into it," Becca admits. "I've never planned a wedding before and it's just a whole bunch of things I never thought about. It's a huge party with a fancy dress code and photographers on the side I guess."
Winifred laughs at that. "Well, dear, that's because Bucky's wedding has to be a production. He could have a private one if he wanted to but it's going to be the only time Natasha's getting married so she ought to have everything she wants."
Natasha was still more than a little awkward at this entire thing. She was only getting married because it had been Bucky's idea, he wanted to, and they needed legitimacy for their unborn child. She cared about him, of course she did, but she just wasn't sure that she was...head over heels in love, as James insisted he was with her. Still, it was on the rails now, and there was no stopping this train.
The baby was coming, their wedding was scheduled for the first of the next month, and life would unfold afterwards.
"It's certainly going to be a sight," Natasha agreed, smiling at their smiles. She was at least relieved that all of Bucky's family was excited; they'd been nothing but supportive and helpful the entire time. And Natasha knew she'd have been woefully lost without their guidance.
Her cell chirped just then; checking it below the rim of the table revealed a text message from her affianced. The corny emoji's and kissy faces made her smile, and she forwarded a quick reply, promising she'd be home soon and yes, she was enjoying spending time with all of his female relatives.
Bucky knows his entire family is a little much so when he texts Natasha, he hopes he can give her an out, but she says she's enjoying herself and she'll be home soon and he doesn't know if she's being polite for his sake or if she's really having a good time; he hopes it's the latter.
He'd shot pool with the boys before drinking a few and it was after their third that Sam gestured toward Steve with his half-empty bottle.
"Bucky's sister's got it for you," he says. Clint nods, tossing his head back laughing. Bucky isn't sure how he missed this other than the fact that he's been too messed up with his own shit and Steve is blushing so maybe now that it's out they can do something about it. He kicks everyone out of the house in time for Natasha to get home, though, so she doesn't have more people in the house for her to deal with.
Not finding him in the living room or out on the terrace, she surmised he was probably down in the studio, so Natasha fetched a bottle of juice from the kitchen and curled up on one corner of the couch, near the baby grand in the living room.
Sipping her orange juice, she idly imagined what the house would be like in a few months; with a baby in residence and all the furniture and supplies that went along with it. Lord, what a circus that was going to be.
Bucky knows Natasha's home because his dog's abandoned him and he's just resigned himself to the fact that Brooklyn likes Natasha better than him, at least for the time being. He doesn't know if it's a protective baby thing or if it's because he just likes following the pretty girl around more but it's clear that he's lost his dog.
He wanders around a little bit and finds Natasha by the piano so he takes a seat on the bench facing her and not the keys.
"You lookin' for a serenade after all that time with my family? Sing you right to sleep."
Natasha looked up when she heard Bucky come into the living room, smiling in welcome. "Hey," she said, holding her juice bottle in both hands. She chuckled to his comment, shrugging lightly. "They weren't bad. Perfectly cordial and polite, actually. Your mom kept them all on a tight leash." Natasha shifted on the couch, tucking the other leg beneath her.
"Actually, your sisters did bring up a good question." She took a sip of juice, then fiddled with the bottle again. "Have you given any thought to where we're gonna go on our honeymoon?"
Now that she brings it up, Bucky realizes he hasn't thought about it at all. He's been more focused on actually getting married and keeping the media out of it as much as he can and he hasn't had a chance to really think about the after.
"You put in for your passport already, right? I can get it pushed through emergency if I have to but it's better if you already did just in case. Never wanna deal with the government if I don't have to. Haven't really thought about where, though. You wanna go overseas or stay in the States? I've been all over the place so it should be somewhere you really wanna go."
All of this has kind of come together fast but he wants Natasha to at least have some input on the honeymoon since they're going to be doing it together and it's just for them.
"I did, yeah. Right after we applied for the marriage license." And doing so had been ridiculously easy; adding Bucky Barnes' name to the paperwork had expedited things quite a lot. Natasha traded the juice bottle for one of the throw pillows, and leaned over on the couch arm.
"I haven't been anywhere," she chuckled, in direct contrast to his well-traveled view. "Never even been out of California, actually. Never had time, or the opportunity." Brooklyn jumped up beside her, and Natasha gently stroked his ears. "What do you think about Paris?"
"Paris? That sounds great," Bucky says. "I've actually never been to Paris - never got there on a tour and the only spots we ever played in Europe were the UK, Spain and Germany. We can do all the touristy stuff. Maybe we can even duck the photographers. There's plenty of people in Paris who are more famous than me."
Something is always filming there, for example, and bands tour all the time. There will be plenty to take the spotlight off he and Natasha.
"Let's do it. You wanna plan it yourself or have a travel agent do it?"
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"Smells good," she remarked, reaching eagerly for the juice. After drinking half of it, she said, "That was...a little embarrassing." Chinks pink, she peeked up at her intended, asking, "Was Anita very amused?"
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Bucky starts in on his food before speaking again. "It's not like she's going to say anything. She's worked for me for ages and she loves you so two engaged people having sex isn't really a weird thing. Well, shit, we were just sleeping. So not even having sex."
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Pulling her plate into her lap, she started on her omelet and hash brown, cutting small pieces for each bite. "And she's the most amazing cook, too."
Although it was a little surprising that given his celebrity status, Bucky seldom entertained at his own house. It was certainly large enough to hold a mob.
"What are you doing today?" Natasha's prospective mother-in-law had insisted that this luncheon be a ladies only affair, so none of the men had been invited.
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Despite appearances, Carol did like girly stuff and this luncheon was definitely that.
"Trying to keep it low key since I had a performance last night. It always kind of wears you out after the concert high."
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"Makes sense," she agreed. "It'll be nice for the two of you to have a day." Finishing her omelet, she set the plate aside and raised her eyebrows. "Do you know that your sister is completely head-over-heels for him? How long as that been going on?"
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Bucky taps his chin for a moment, thinking. "I don't think he'll say no. I think it probably hasn't occurred to him because all Steve thinks about is his job. But Becca's a great girl so he'd be stupid to say no. She just needs to ask him. Maybe you and Carol can twist her arm at this girl thing of yours today."
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But Natasha was hardly one to give anyone relationship advice, really.
And since Steve was Bucky's best man, and Becca had won out to be Natasha's maid of honor, who knew what would happen between them?
"We have that rehearsal supper tomorrow night," she remarked, gingerly applying light touches of makeup, "and then the agency meeting Monday morning." Where the band's new album set would be revealed, as well as the upcoming nuptials of the Winter Soldier's lead singer and world's most eligible bachelor. A guaranteed headache, all around.
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Bucky grins at her though. "Nah, I don't mind spending time with the family. We gotta rehearse how this whole thing is going down so I don't mess it up and we get food as a bonus. It'll be great. The rest of it is just a necessary evil. I'm not looking forward to the press but that's what they do, I guess."
No more anonymity for Natasha, he guesses, but that comes with this life.
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But the ladies did get a few things settled regarding the wedding; Sarah had graciously offered her catering business to provide for the reception, and Elizabeth had made quite a successful career out of organizing, managing, and executing high-society shindigs for the wealthy and elite, weddings included.
The wedding service itself would take place in the Barnes' family church, a small Catholic chapel not far from Winnie and George's home in the Palisades, then the entire party would relocate to Bucky's compound back in Malibu. The reception would be hosted on the beach, with a bonfire, covered dance floor, buffet, open bar, live band (irony, that), and other amenities for the guests to enjoy.
Becca had at first opted to invite one or two members of the press to the wedding ceremony at the church, namely Rolling Stone and TMZ, but surprisingly, Bucky had put his foot down early at the idea. And Natasha had whole-heartedly agreed. They did relent to inviting a single reporter from each to the reception, under the stern warning that there was to be no photography without subject's consent and absolutely no live video feeds or instant uploads.
Natasha picked at her shrimp salad, letting the other women chatter along without her, until Winnie glanced over at her with a smile and said, "And what have you and James decided to do for your honeymoon, dear? With all of this wedding commotion, I don't think anyone's even mentioned it. Are you two going anywhere special?"
Blinking in momentary panic, Natasha bit her fork, hurriedly put it down, and touched her lips with her napkin to regain her composure. Because she hadn't even thought about life after the reception, alas. But she had to say something... "I'm...really not sure." Followed by a nervous little laugh. "We haven't really discussed it...yet..."
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Becca and Carol take that moment to distract and say, "Look, we haven't even gotten them married first so the honeymoon is ages away. Bucky probably hasn't even picked a country," Becca says. "But he could use the house in Mexico. That's beautiful."
Carol rolls her eyes. "That's just his house, though. The point of a honeymoon is to go somewhere. He probably wants to get away from the beach. Maybe he'll do New York. You have any places you want to go, Natasha?"
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"Well..." Another small laugh, sheer nerves. "I've never really been anywhere, at least not out of California. Too busy and all." And repressed as hell. She shrugged a shoulder. "I guess anywhere would be good, really. Wherever he wants to go."
Given the feminine eyebrows that answer prompted, it probably wasn't the right one, evidenced when Elizabeth asked, "What about Paris? Or maybe Rome?" Sarah piped up with, "Athens! Or Venice!"
The choices were a bit terrifying, coming all at once. Natasha put her hands in her lap, still unused to being the center of attention. The family meant well, they did...
"I'll talk with James about it," she promised, smile still a little shaky. "We'll...figure something out."
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It's said in good fun; Bucky is one of her best friends but Natasha deserves to have a say in where she goes on her honeymoon.
"You should get to do some stuff you love, you know? It's something you'll never forget."
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She gave it a brief moment of thought, then mused almost to herself, "I think I'd like to see the Eiffel Tower, actually. So Paris might be an option..." If a bit of a conventional honeymoon destination. "I'm not sure how long we should be gone, though...all things considered."
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Becca reaches over and touches Natasha's arm. "Paris sounds wonderful. I've never even been to Paris myself, you know. Bucky's never gotten there on a European tour so I haven't even been in France. I think you'd have a great time and it's so romantic to go to Paris for your honeymoon. You should bring it up to him."
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To Becca, she said, "I will. The wedding's only a few weeks away, so we should have some destination in mind. I think we've all bee focused on the immediate things, rather than what happens afterwards."
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Winifred laughs at that. "Well, dear, that's because Bucky's wedding has to be a production. He could have a private one if he wanted to but it's going to be the only time Natasha's getting married so she ought to have everything she wants."
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The baby was coming, their wedding was scheduled for the first of the next month, and life would unfold afterwards.
"It's certainly going to be a sight," Natasha agreed, smiling at their smiles. She was at least relieved that all of Bucky's family was excited; they'd been nothing but supportive and helpful the entire time. And Natasha knew she'd have been woefully lost without their guidance.
Her cell chirped just then; checking it below the rim of the table revealed a text message from her affianced. The corny emoji's and kissy faces made her smile, and she forwarded a quick reply, promising she'd be home soon and yes, she was enjoying spending time with all of his female relatives.
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He'd shot pool with the boys before drinking a few and it was after their third that Sam gestured toward Steve with his half-empty bottle.
"Bucky's sister's got it for you," he says. Clint nods, tossing his head back laughing. Bucky isn't sure how he missed this other than the fact that he's been too messed up with his own shit and Steve is blushing so maybe now that it's out they can do something about it. He kicks everyone out of the house in time for Natasha to get home, though, so she doesn't have more people in the house for her to deal with.
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Not finding him in the living room or out on the terrace, she surmised he was probably down in the studio, so Natasha fetched a bottle of juice from the kitchen and curled up on one corner of the couch, near the baby grand in the living room.
Sipping her orange juice, she idly imagined what the house would be like in a few months; with a baby in residence and all the furniture and supplies that went along with it. Lord, what a circus that was going to be.
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He wanders around a little bit and finds Natasha by the piano so he takes a seat on the bench facing her and not the keys.
"You lookin' for a serenade after all that time with my family? Sing you right to sleep."
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"Actually, your sisters did bring up a good question." She took a sip of juice, then fiddled with the bottle again. "Have you given any thought to where we're gonna go on our honeymoon?"
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"You put in for your passport already, right? I can get it pushed through emergency if I have to but it's better if you already did just in case. Never wanna deal with the government if I don't have to. Haven't really thought about where, though. You wanna go overseas or stay in the States? I've been all over the place so it should be somewhere you really wanna go."
All of this has kind of come together fast but he wants Natasha to at least have some input on the honeymoon since they're going to be doing it together and it's just for them.
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"I haven't been anywhere," she chuckled, in direct contrast to his well-traveled view. "Never even been out of California, actually. Never had time, or the opportunity." Brooklyn jumped up beside her, and Natasha gently stroked his ears. "What do you think about Paris?"
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Something is always filming there, for example, and bands tour all the time. There will be plenty to take the spotlight off he and Natasha.
"Let's do it. You wanna plan it yourself or have a travel agent do it?"