Resilient

Chapter 13

"Evie, I know you haven't been with us long but you are a part of our family now. You have brought so much kindness to all of us," Pepper said, giving her hand an extra squeeze when tears started to well in Evelyn's eyes.

"Here here!" Natasha said smiling as everyone raised their glasses and repeated the sentiment.

"Thank you all so much. Excuse me I'm going to grab the dessert," Evelyn said as the tears started to fall and she quickly got up and wiped them away. She brought back a tray with individual tiramisu cups and placed them down in front of everyone. A smile went across her face when everyone let out exclamations about how delicious they were.

"Evelyn, these are better than your cinnamon rolls and I thought the three of us were going to get in a fight over those," Sam said, taking another mouthful.

"Seriously kid where did you learn to cook?" Tony said finishing his and eyeing Pepper's who slapped his hand away

"My parents were amazing cooks and our family loved to eat," Evelyn said laughing "We always had people over so I learned pretty quickly how to cook for an army.

"You can tell you were a good student; what was your favorite thing to cook?" Steve asked enjoying the insight into what made Evelyn tick

"Hmm, I love to bake but if it's a full meal I love to cook Thanksgiving dinner," Evelyn said handing Steve a second dessert as promised. "No Sam, Steve earned this," she said, smacking Sam's hand away from the cup.

"It's been forever since I've had a real Thanksgiving dinner," Bruce said thinking about the last time he'd been with his family

"I'd love to make it for you all!" Evelyn said without thinking, "Of course, that's if I'm still here then." She shouldn't assume that they were going to keep her here forever.

"Well, I've been meaning to ask you if you'd like to move out of the medical suite and into your own room on one of the Avenger floors?" Tony asked looking at Pepper who smiled back at him.

"Um, what?" Evelyn asked shocked. Frantically looking at the faces of the others at the tables all smiling.

"Listen, kid, you are welcome here as long as you want to stay. No strings attached," Tony said standing up and walking to Evelyn, "We know you are trying to make sense of things but we want you to feel safe while you are figuring them out."

Evelyn shot up and gave Tony a huge hug, "Thank you, I don't know how to ever repay you."

After the meal, everyone politely left as they were not only stuffed but Evelyn had slipped and yawned into her hand more than a couple times. While everyone was filtering out Evelyn started cleaning up the dishes; Tony had told her that they had housekeeping to do that and she finally talked him into being okay with her at least rinsing them off. Standing at the sink humming to herself she heard a small cough behind her.

"Bucky? I thought you left with Steve and them," Evelyn said turning around and smiling at him

"No, I wanted to see if you would like some help?" Bucky offered rolling his sleeves up to his elbows.

"No, it's okay. I'm just rinsing them to make sure nothing sticks and makes getting them clean a little easier." Evelyn said, turning back to her task and trying to hide her yawn.

"Good try doll, " Bucky said laughing and moved next to her gently taking the sponge out of her hand, "I'll get these if you want to wrap up the leftovers and put them away."

"Deal," Evelyn said grabbing the plastic wrap and combining trays so they fit on one, "I hope you liked dinner."

"I loved it. It reminded me of my mom's cooking," Bucky replied while continuing his task

"That's the biggest compliment I think I've ever been given," Evelyn said putting the lasagna in the fridge

"You definitely deserve it," Bucky said drying his hands off, "would you like a cup of coffee?"

Surprised Evelyn looked at him to try and read the situation. A gorgeous man who just offered to help her clean and then spend more time with her by having a cup of coffee and he won't stop smiling. Oh Lord save me. 

"I'd love a cup of tea, I think if I had a cup of coffee I'd be wired for the rest of the night," Evelyn answered giving him a grin

"Cup of tea coming right up," Bucky said smiling and opening the cabinet and grabbing the kettle and a tea bag.

"Thank you for making sure Bruce made it here tonight," Evelyn said sitting on the stool and looking at Bucky's back as he turned the kettle on.

"I knew you wanted all of us to be here. I'm not going to lie if I'd known how good the food was going to be I might have reconsidered it so I didn't have to share," Bucky said leaning against the counter facing Evelyn.

Evelyn laughed, "More praise? You better be careful you'll give me a big head."

"I don't see you as being that kind of dame," Bucky said, getting their cups ready and pouring the arm water over the teabags.

"Eh, you're probably right," Evelyn said grinning as she took out the notebook for the stylist.

"Still working on your list?" Bucky asked leaning across the island to look at what she had written down.

"Yeah, I just want to make sure the stylist has a clear idea of what I'm comfortable in so I don't look out of place with Natasha," Evelyn said biting on the top of the pen as she reviewed the checklist. She felt a finger under her chin and looked up to meet Bucky's eyes and she felt her heart skip a beat.

"Hey, you won't look out of place. Take all of the other stuff out of it; it's just a group of people and some dancing." Bucky said reassuringly

"Okay then Mr. Smooth, what will you be wearing?" Evelyn asked him the right corner of her mouth curved up at him.

"I don't go to the parties. With my background, it was always best to stay up here during them. Even after being pardoned from everything; I don't want to taint the events." Bucky said, taking a drink and leaning against the far counter again.

"That's ridiculous Bucky, you deserve to have fun. It would also be a great way to show people who you really are," Evelyn said sitting back and crossing her arms. "I think you should go."

Bucky crossed his arms and met her gaze. "It's a bad idea."

"I just think you're afraid to dance," Evelyn said laughing

"Afraid to dance?" Bucky said, "Out of practice, yes. But afraid no."

"Oh come on. What if some creepy guy comes and asks me to dance? I have to dance with him because The Avengers saved me and I have to keep up appearances. He then gets handsy and Steve and them are all busy and then I have no one to save me?" Evelyn said slightly pouting knowing she hit a nerve.

"Oh, that's not fair. A guilt trip?" Bucky said looking at Evelyn shocked she pulled the guilt card. She's as bad as Steve.

"It could happen! Then I'm stuck and you're up here in comfy clothes," Evelyn said, shrugging and getting up to put her cup in the sink, "but I won't push you if you're too afraid to dance."

Bucky sighed, this woman was going to drive him insane. But then an idea popped into his head. "Fine, I'll go but you owe me."

Evelyn turned to look at him and raised her eyebrow, "Hmm, and what do I owe you?" Her heart jumped and it felt like it was in her throat when Bucky leaned down keeping his face inches from her own. His scent filled the space between them and she almost forgot to breathe.

"You owe me a dance," Bucky said grinning

Evelyn stared at Bucky for a moment realizing he had gotten the upper hand in the conversation. She smiled back, "Deal".