[Brooklyn] What are you doing New Year's, New Year's eve?

[from_the_outside]

Her parents had been in full party-prep mode when she and Bucky rolled up to the house, Alpine in his brand-new soft-sided carrier. They'd dodged the caterers and florists and the cater-waiters and found Harrison and Amanda deep in a discussion of which champagne glasses to use. Sharon, recognizing the signs, had given them both a hug and a kiss and promised she and Bucky would be in attendance, then brought Bucky and Alpine up the stairs to her room.

The early sunset had been gorgeous, glowing off the snow-coated woods, but full dark has fallen now. She can hear cars pulling into the drive and the strains of music drifting up from the big room where her parents are greeting their guests. 

She's not quite ready yet, blinking at herself in the bathroom mirror as she applies mascara, her hair in curlers. "How's it going in there, baby?" she calls towards the room. "Does that suit fit okay?"

Comments

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky glances over at Sharon as Paul mentions her and finds her with Amanda. His slight smile is unconscious and warm. “Think so?”

“She’s a spitfire, from what they say. Figure you’d know more about that then me. My Jenny was that way. Laughter’s good,” Paul assures him.

[from_the_outside]

As the men all glance her direction, Sharon laughs and leaves her mother to come over, smiling at them all.

"Hi, guys," she greets them. "Enjoying yourselves?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“Sure are,” Paul says. Inwardly amused, Bucky figures he’s self-appointed as the group’s spokesman. “Your parents throw a heck of a party, Miss Carter.”

Bucky reaches to tangle his fingers with hers for a moment and squeezes gently.

[from_the_outside]

"They certainly do," she agrees, grinning at the older man. She squeezes Bucky's hand back and arches her eyebrows at the others. "I thought I'd come see if anyone needed anything. Or are you all set here?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“Doing great,” Jerry puts in. The soft-spoken Gulf War veteran is quiet, but there’s something sweet about him, Bucky feels. “Thanks.”

“The only thing missing was you,” Bucky teases, with a small, quick grin.

[from_the_outside]

Paul and his son, Eric, both chuckle. "Humor and charm," Paul says, amused. "That's quite a combination."

"An irresistible one," Sharon agrees, laughing. The server appears at Eric's elbow, offering a tray of bacon-wrapped scallops.

[nerves_of_ice]

Eric makes sure his dad has first chance before taking one for himself. Bucky shakes his head to decline and turns to Sharon. “Do you know everyone?”

[from_the_outside]

She shakes her head, smiling.

"Why don't you introduce me to your new friends?"

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky grins. “Glad to.” He goes from person to person in the little group, giving names and units, missing none.

[from_the_outside]

"You got it, Sarge," Dan laughs. "Nice to meet you, Miss Carter."

"Sharon, please," she says, shaking each of their hands in a row. "Getting stories of the Howling Commandos, huh?"

"I saw them, once," Paul tells her, chuckling. "Back in France. Could hardly believe my eyes."

[nerves_of_ice]

“You did?” Bucky exclaims, surprised. “He sure did,” Eric tells him. “November, 1944.”

“Ah.” Recognition strikes, and Bucky nods. “The start of the Alsace campaign.”

[from_the_outside]

“I’m sure it was memorable,” Sharon says, her smile warm. She looks over at Bucky, affectionate. “I don’t want to interrupt. You guys have fun chatting, and I’ll catch up with you all later.”

[nerves_of_ice]

She means it, he knows. She’ll wander the party alone and never think to complain, just to make sure he’s having a good time and not uncomfortable. His heart lifts within him. How did he get so lucky?

Bucky slips an arm around her waist and draws her a little closer. “I’ll come with you. The guys will understand, right?”

[from_the_outside]

She gives him a surprised glance. "You sure?"

"If he doesn't, I will," Paul says, gallantly. "We'll be here for a while yet, enjoying this shindig. Go on, enjoy yourselves."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I'm sure," Bucky promises her, and flashes a sunny grin at the other veterans. "See you guys in a while."

[from_the_outside]

She winks at the others and slips her arm around the small of Bucky's back in turn, smiling up at him as they walk away.

"Looks like you made some new friends."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Looks like," he agrees. "Your mom's a good person."

[from_the_outside]

"Yes, she is."

She squeezes him, fond. "I really don't mind if you want to hang out with them tonight, you know."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I know you don't." He tightens his arm around her, then draws them to a stop and turns to look down at her. His faint smile is soft and warm.

"You're a miracle in my life, Sharon. Do you know that?"

[from_the_outside]

She looks up at him, her eyes warm and dark and smiling. "I feel the same way about you," she murmurs. "I can't believe I got so lucky."

[nerves_of_ice]

"That makes two of us." He takes her free hand in his and circles her around in an impromptu dance step, heedless of anyone around them, then starts walking with her again in the same direction they'd been heading.

[from_the_outside]

She laughs and lets him spin them around, then cheerfully walks with him. "Keep those moves ready," she tells him. "There might be dancing later."

[nerves_of_ice]

"We'll sweep the floor if there is," he teases. "As long as you're dancing with me at midnight."

[from_the_outside]

"Better believe it," she teases back. "I might let my mom steal you away for a dance or two, but you're mine at midnight."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I'm yours for a lot more than that," he murmurs, as they approach another group of people at the end of the room. "Never doubt it."