#mich writes

She ran around her bedroom with the biggest smile on her face, going over to the storage box to retrieve something and skip back over to her dad who was waiting patiently on the floor.

Her fingers gently tugged the braids she did a few days ago and then grasped his hair as she giggled. Bucky couldn’t help the smile that appeared on his face, the smile that appeared on his face every single time he heard the little sound from her.

“Beads!” She announced simply as she sat down in his lap. He wrapped his arms around her protectively as he stared into her eyes that were shining brighter than the stars.

“Beads!” He repeated, his smile now morphed completely into a grin. He kissed her cheek as she rummaged through the little storage box looking for what she wanted, and when she found it she shrieked. Bucky chuckled at her excitement. He watched as her little fingers held the braids between her fingertips and threaded the colourful beads onto it, her tongue poking out in pure concentration and Bucky sat as still and as quiet as a statue the whole time.

You were in the kitchen preparing dinner when Bucky sauntered in and wrapped his arms around you, something hard hit your cheek and for once it wasn’t him-him.

“Hi darling.” You chuckled and turned in his arms to find out what it was that struck you. Your eyes flickered from his newly decorative beard and hair, and you chuckled. “Wow! I love what you’ve done!” You said and bit your lip seductively.

“Our baby has done an amazing job with my hair and beard. Now I know why she throws a tantrum every time I mention I want to trim it.” He chuckled.

You nodded along and put your palms flat against his hard chest. “I agree with her, I too would throw a tantrum. But I really love it, baby.”

“Oh yeah? And what do you love so much about it, doll?” Bucky licked his lips as his eyes flickered from yours to your lips.

It was part of The Plan.  Luke would make sure Biscuit was calm and settled before you even thought about coming inside.  He’d give the over-excited pup mountains of attention as quick as possible in the form of pats, games, or treats - anything to satisfy the pup for a few hours.  

Luke has barely stepped foot inside the house before the golden retriever bounds towards the front door, his claws tapping on the wooden floors, becoming progressively louder as he made his way to Luke.  Luke steps closer to the dog, who was now panting at his feet and letting out tiny barks of excitement.  

“Hey, Biscuit!” Luke says, moving his hands behind Biscuit’s ears for a gentle scratch.  “Were you a good boy?  Did you take any more of my socks? I bet you did!” His voice is excited albeit a bit shaky from the nerves.  He knows how important this job is and he wishes you had agreed to just let Jack look after him until you were both really ready, but you insisted the sooner the better.   

He wanted to rush, but at the same time he needed to make sure that he does his job properly.  It’s only about 10 minutes, two treats and 3 games of fetch before Biscuit has lost interest again and has become entertained by his old favourite toy, nothing but a once-stuffed bunny rabbit.  Luke’s heart is racing as he walks over to the door to let you in with the precious cargo. 

The baby is sound asleep inside the carrier, swaddled by blankets, letting out tiny noises every so often.  A little boy, almost an exact replica of an infant Luke with a button nose and blue eyes and whispy blonde hair.  A welcome surprise to your little family and a brand-new companion for Biscuit to get used to.  

“Everything good? Is he okay?” you ask as Luke takes the weight of your hospital bag off your shoulder.  Luke nods as he places the bag by the door and takes a quick glance down at his snoozing son.  Biscuit’s ears perk up at the sound of your voice and he leaps towards you from his bed.  

“Woah, boy,” Luke says as he stops Biscuit from knocking you over by slipping his hand around his collar.  “Sit, good boy.”  

“Ready?” you ask.  Luke nods as he adjusts his grip on Biscuit’s collar, and he crouches down, holding him back from making any sudden movements or jumps towards the baby.

“I got him, babe,” Luke says.  Biscuit had picked up the scent of the new baby and had sighted the carrier, and he was now frantically sniffing at the air with curiosity.  “You can put him down.”  

You’re hesitant about it, nervous as to how the pup will react to the newest addition to your family, but with your breath held you lower the carrier to the floor so Biscuit can be formally introduced.  

Luke’s grip on Biscuit’s collar tightens as Biscuit stands to get closer to the baby, his nose twitching and blowing out huffs of air.  The baby doesn’t stir even with Biscuit’s presence hovering over the top of him, but when Biscuit’s tongue pokes out to lick an impossibly small stripe on the tiny cheek, high-pitched cries erupt from the carrier.  Biscuit’s ears perk up and his head turns at the foreign noise.  

“Aw, buddy,” Luke says.  You’re not sure if he’s talking to his son or Biscuit, but his free hand reaches towards the baby, a finger gently stroking his cheek.  “This is Biscuit, little man.  He’s pretty big but he’s not scary.  He likes to lick.  Just giving you a kiss.”  You crouch down to the same height as Biscuit and Luke and give Biscuit a scratch on his back.  Luke continues to stroke the baby’s cheek, soothing him back to sleep.

Biscuit sniffs again at the bundle of blankets, this time more tentatively.  Luke lets go of his collar, confident now that he wont leap onto the baby.  It stays like that for a moment.  Biscuit sniffing the carrier, inspecting the intruder and both you and Luke keeping a watchful eye on his actions.  He gets bored soon, though - realising that whatever was in there wasn’t going to do much - and moves away from the carrier back to his bed to play with the shell of the bunny rabbit. 

“I guess he has Biscuit’s approval,” you say as you stand up again.  Luke laughs, relieved, as he picks up the carrier.  “How does it feel to be a father of two? A fur baby and a real baby now.” 

“Dope,” Luke smiles.  “I reckon this little guy will be less work than Biscuit though.  I hope he doesn’t bury my socks out the back.”  

“I’m sure Biscuit will convince him to. He’s pretty persuasive.”