In Another Universe

TWELEVE

"Riley fell asleep drinking hot cocoa, Mommy took him upstairs."

"Well then let's get you to bed." He smiles, Carrying her as they make their way up to her brightly illuminated bedroom.

Bucky sets her down at the door, "Go grab your book, Sweetpea."

Rosie pads her feet across the spacious room, up to her three tiered bookshelf. Her eyes searching for something different to make her Dad read tonight.

Bucky turns off the series of overhead lights, activating the night light which reflects a star constellation onto every surface of the room.

Taking the small book from Rosie as she climbs onto her bed, Bucky takes a seat beside her and peers down to find which story he'll be reading.

"Horton Hears A Who, huh?" He asks, flipping the first page open as Rosie squeals excitedly.

"Alpine!" She pulls the beloved family pet up to her chest as she begins to purr.

Bucky can't help not chuckle, Being met with Alpines cut eyed-expression as she makes biscuits on top of the thick comforter covering Rosie.

He's sure any other cat would have mauled the children ten times over by now, But not Alpine.

From the moment he found her on the street a few winters ago — Freezing and severely malnourished, Not a day has gone by where she hasn't made him feel appreciated.

"On the fifteenth of May, In th-" Bucky's reading is immediately interrupted by a tugging on his arm, "Yes?"

"Alpine likes it best when you do the voices."

"Oh does she?" He fluffs Alpines fur as Rosie gives her best puppy-dog eyes.

"Mhm!"

Bucky clears his throat, Preparing his deeper than normal narrative tone. "On the fifteenth of May, In the Jungle of Nool, In the heat of the day, In the cool of the pool."

He continued on rhyming and reading until both Rosie and Alpine were fast asleep snuggled up in Rosie's bed, Giving Rosie a kiss on her forehead before creeping out of the room — Careful not to wake either of them up.

Assuming Anastasia went to sleep after tucking Riley into bed, Bucky heads downstairs in the hope of finding peace and quiet.

Shuffling through the dark kitchen, Bucky prepares a glass of whiskey to enjoy by the living room fireplace.

Dread washes over him as he rounds the hall corner to find Anastasia curled up on the couch by the crackling fireplace, He tries to stop short and spin back around unnoticed.

Unfortunately, That would be all too easy.

"Bucky?" The shakiness of her tone causes his chest to tighten as he stares forward at the empty hall.

"I was just making sure the fireplace was off, I'm going to bed."

"Can we talk?" She sniffles, setting her nearly empty tea mug onto the coffee table. "Please?"

"I need to shower, I feel like I've got bike grease all over me. Whatever it is, Can wait."

"I saw Steve today." She calls out, Gaining his full attention as he turns around to find her face glistening in the reflection of the fires flames.

"Excuse me?" His eyes narrow.

"H-He wouldn't even look at me... He hates me..." She stutters, her hushed tone muffled by her tears as she stands up from the couch, hugging her arms around her torso in search of some sort of comfort.