[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

[from_the_outside]

"My favorite place for you to be."

She laces their fingers together and draws him back towards the house, where the entryway is crowded with people kissing cheeks and exchanging last good wishes. "You should get Eric's number before he goes, stay in touch with him and Paul and the others."

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky grins. “Already did. Gave them mine, too.”

[from_the_outside]

Her grins flashes back at that, surprised and pleased. "Good."

She brings them to a spot near the door where she can offer farewells to the guests as they leave, before they say good night to her parents.

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky takes up position on her other side, so that guests can say their farewells to Sharon and easily bypass him, as he’s not really one of the hosts.

[from_the_outside]

She exchanges air kisses and hugs with Virginia and the other ladies, smiling as they exclaim how happy they are to have seen her. "And it was lovely to meet you, too, Sergeant," Gloria tells Bucky, turning to include him. "I hope we'll see you at some other events through the year."

[nerves_of_ice]

“It was really great to meet you, too,” he returns, with a quick smile for her and the others as well. “I’m sure I’ll see you around. Looking forward to it.”

[from_the_outside]

"Good night!" Sharon calls, as they head toward the door and her parents. "Happy new year."

The next group includes Eric and his father, who are apparently giving Dan a ride back to town. "Miss Carter," Eric says, shaking her hand. "This was wonderful. Please thank your parents for inviting us."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Thanks for coming,” Bucky puts in. “You guys helped make this a pretty fun night.”

[from_the_outside]

"Right back at you, Sarge," Dan says, grinning widely as he turns to Bucky from Sharon. "Don't be a stranger."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Same goes.” He can practically see Sam’s pleased reaction, even with the man himself nowhere in sight.

[from_the_outside]

She sends the vets off to say good night to her parents and winks at Bucky before turning her attention to the next group.

[nerves_of_ice]

He sticks with her through a series of farewells, with people he’s met and those he hasn’t, until almost everyone has filtered through.

“You’re really good at this,” he murmurs into her ear.

[from_the_outside]

"It's a lot easier when I like the people involved and the event itself," she murmurs back. Behind them, the servers and caterers are cleaning up in the dining room and library and great room, and her parents look tired but happy.

"And it helps to have you here."

[nerves_of_ice]

He rests his hand at the small of her back. “Always.”

[from_the_outside]

She'd been good at this in Madripoor, too, as miserable as she'd felt. It was hardly the situation her parents had hoped for, when they taught her how to live this kind of life, but it certainly helped her keep her head above water... and on her shoulders.

She smiles at him and tips her head towards the fireplace. "Let's go wait for my parents to finish up before we say goodnight."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Okay.” He slips his arm around her waist and guides her over to a seat by the fire.

[from_the_outside]

She curls into the corner of the loveseat there and coaxes him down to sit next to her. "So," she says, warm and amused. "How was it? You seem to have survived without any visible scarring."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Honestly? Better than I feared.” He smiles, pleased. “It was a lot of fun.”

[from_the_outside]

She laughs, pleased and amused and just a little smug. "Good," she says, and twines their fingers together. "Everyone really liked you."

[nerves_of_ice]

“I don’t know about that, but I liked everyone I met.” He squeezes her hand.

[from_the_outside]

“Good.”

She lifts his hand to her lips to brush a kiss over his knuckles. “I’m glad you had an okay time, baby. It means a lot to me that you’re here.”

[nerves_of_ice]

“More than okay,” he insists, wanting there to be no doubt. “I had fun, baby. This is a good night.”

[from_the_outside]

"Good," she murmurs again, and gives him a warm smile before turning it on her parents, who have come to sit on the couch nearby. "Great party," she tells them, her smile brightening. "One for the books, for sure."

[nerves_of_ice]

“I have to agree with that,” he puts in. “This was really incredible. You pulled off quite the event.”

[from_the_outside]

"It was fun," her father agrees, looking pleased with himself. He puts his arm around Amanda and gives her an affectionate glance. "You outdid yourself, sweetheart."

"Well, it was a joint effort," her mother laughs, while Sharon leans down to take off her heels, letting her sore feet stretch.