Chapter Text
Epilogue
Tarragona in August is breathtakingly beautiful, bustling with tourists from all around the world, and almost broiling hot.
Bucky loves it, but the same can, unfortunately, not be said for Isobel. She’d refused to go down for her nap until Bucky had lifted her back out of her crib, carried her outside, and settled down on the big lounge chair under the awning with her snuggled against his chest, letting the cool sea breeze calm her down.
She’s obviously done sleeping now, though, waking Bucky from his own doze by wiggling around impatiently, and letting out annoyed little huffs against his collarbone. Bucky opens one eye to squint down at her, and gently strokes a few of her dark curls back from her forehead. She squeals excitedly once she realises she has his attention, reaching up to try and tug at his beard, smiling gummily.
“Someone’s in a good mood,” Bucky observes, chuckling softly. He leans down to pepper her cheeks with kisses, making her giggle. “You feelin’ better now, darlin’ girl?”
“Uh-ah,” Isobel babbles back, which Bucky decides to take as a yes.
They’re in the shade, and he’d covered her in what’d felt like half a bottle sunscreen, so she should be fine. He sits up when she keeps craning her neck towards the noise coming from the pool, turning her around to lie on her stomach between his legs so she can see what’s going on.
She starts cooing at the sight of Tony, rocking back and forth on her tummy. Bucky puts a hand on her butt, just to be safe, even though she doesn’t have crawling down just yet.
In the pool, Max laughs as Léon throws him, hitting the water with a shriek and a splash. Theo doggy paddles over to Léon, demanding his own turn, all flailing limbs and high-pitched screeches as he sails through the air. Léon goes after Tony next, chasing him halfway across the pool while Max and Theo yell and cheer before dunking him. Tony comes up spluttering, and immediately returns the favour, much to the boys’ delight.
Bucky rubs Isobel’s back, and rolls his eyes. He’d thought having an extra adult around would give them all some more time to relax, but Tony and Léon seem incapable of staying serious around each other, so it’s actually like being on holiday with five kids and a baby instead. Not that Bucky minds; Léon is a great guy, happy to watch all four kids when Tony and Bucky want to go out for dinner or drinks, and makes sure this whole patchwork thing stays uncomplicated with his easygoing attitude.
The balcony door is sliding open, then, and Gabriel shuffles through, bleary-eyed and yawning. He pats Isobel’s head as he climbs over Bucky’s legs to squeeze onto the chair next to him, head landing heavily on Bucky’s shoulder.
Bucky shrugs to jostle him, laughing softly at Gabriel’s disgruntled whine. “I’d say good mornin’, but it’s almost three. When’d you get to bed last night?”
Gabriel grunts, which, Bucky figures, is answer enough. He puts an arm around Gabriel, letting him snuggle in close, and kisses his temple.
“Ugh,” Gabriel grumbles, but doesn’t move away, just sighs a sigh of teenage exasperation when Bucky does it again. “Fine, whatever.”
“What,” Bucky teases, rubbing their cheeks together, “I can’t be happy you’re up?”
Gabriel squirms, trying to dodge Bucky, until he manages to hide his face in Bucky’s neck. “You’re itchy,” he complains, but Bucky can feel him smile.
“Love you, kid,” he says, pressing a lingering kiss to the top of Gabriel’s head, and hides his undoubtedly sappy expression in Gabriel’s hair when Gabriel mumbles back, “Love you, too, dad.”