Till The End

Chapter 25

"I said £5, Bucky." I repeat.

"I know. This is only 4." He argues.

"Okay. Kitty, do you want anything?" I offer.

Kitty stands up in the trolley and I gently lift her out. She walks up and down, looking at the shelves. Kitty finds what she wants, but can't reach it, she stands on her tiptoes and raises her hand.

"I got it." Bucky announces.

Kitty glances at him, taking a few steps back towards me. He gets the packet of sweets and hands it to her.

"What have you got, sweetie?" I ask.

"Gummy worms!" She exclaims, grinning.

"You aren't eating the whole packet at once though, this time." I point out.

Kitty grins, and reaches up to take my hand. Bucky takes control of the trolley and we head to the tills.

Reaching home, I place the shopping bags on the kitchen counter and start to unpack. Opening the top cupboards, I push all the glass to the back. I stop when I feel a tug on my jeans and look down to see Kitty trying to get my attention.

"Stevie?"

"Yes?" I quiz.

"Can put this DVD on me please?" She asks, holding up a Disney film.

"Bucky's in the living room, can he do it, I'm kind of busy?" I suggest.

Kitty frowns at that, turning her nose up and then glaring at the floor.

"I'll do something else." She whispers.

Guilt rushes through me as she wanders out of the kitchen. Racing after Kitty, I scoop her into my arms and carry her back into the kitchen. Placing Kitty on the edge of the kitchen counter, I hold her there with my body.

"Bucky is okay, he's not going to hurt you and he loves you very much, Kitty." I point out.

"But he's scary." She mumbles.

"Kitty, everyone has moments when they're scary. You need to trust Bucky." I say, cupping her face in my hands.

"Okay." She gives in.

Picking Kitty up by her waist, I stand her on the ground and hand her the DVD. She skips off down the corridor, but stops in the living room doorway.

"Bucky, can put on please?" She questions.

"Sure." I hear Bucky reply.

When I've finished putting the shopping away, I lounge on the sofa beside Kitty and she leans her head against my side. Bucky sits at the computer desk, typing on his laptop.

Three weeks.

*

"Goodnight, Kitty." I whisper.

Kissing Kitty's forehead, I pull the duvet up to her chin and slide her teddies underneath.

"Night night, Stevie."

Closing the door, I walk downstairs and sit on the sofa next to Bucky. He stays sat on the opposite end, staring at the tv.

"Bucky, you don't have to be so far away." I point out.

Bucky slides down the sofa, sitting right next to me. Lifting my arm, he slips underneath so his head is leaning on my chest.

"How long are you going away for?" He asks. That one question I was dreading the most.

"It doesn't matter." I mutter.