I tried my best to stay quiet during the day for Michael because he had the worst hangover. That turned out to be not so easy so I went to the bakery, even though Aaron told me to stay home. Lucky him I didn't accept his offer because when I arrive he looks all over the place.

This is new because usually he is very well organized.

"Madison? What are you doing here? Is everything alright?" He asks worried.

I nod, watching him rush from table to table to clean the surface.

"Michael has a bad hangover because he drank too much yesterday. I am surprisingly better." It could be because Bucky was there for me but I kept that for myself. I will tell him later.

"But you look totally messed up. Did something happen?"

He exhales very dramatically and I decide to help him with the tables.

"Indeed." He says. "Remember, I had to babysit my nephew yesterday?"

I nod and we walk into the kitchen to put all the dishes into the dishwasher.

"Well, I went to the playground. But Nathan decided to pee himself so we went to the next store to buy him clothes. Of course I had no idea about his size so I held the pants in front of him to see if they would fit. And then out of nowhere there was this total snack helping me out. His son was the same age as Nathan so he told me which size would fit. We ended up talking and I could swear he flirted with me but I am absolutely unaware of his sexuality. Maybe you're right and my gay detector is broken. "

"I don't think so, actually." I smile.

"Oh, so I was right?"

I turn away to walk out to the checkout. A few people are already waiting.

"Yes."

Luckily he doesn't see my face because otherwise he would ask how I found out.

"I really have a feeling he could be gay but then again...He has a child. And Luke probably thinks Nathan is my child as well and that I'm unreachable."

Aaron looks so devastated, it makes me laugh. So the snack has a name and it's Luke.

"Don't you dare to laugh at my problems." He grumbles but that makes me laugh even harder.

"Do I have a bad breath?" He asks and breathes at my face before I can realize his question.

"Luckily, not" I say playing mad but he doesn't seem to realize that.

"How's my hair?"

"Uhm...good?"

"Was that a question or an answer?"

Wow, he is really serious.

"You're looking fine. " I assure him but he looks in total shock at me.

"Bloody hell, I forgot the pie in the oven!"

Before I could ask more questions, he's gone.

I hold position here while he's saving his pie. I told him multiple times to not try baking in the kitchen but he just never listens.

A minute later a brunette is entering the bakery with a three year old boy. I smile.

"Hi, what can I get you?"

" A male British man with raven black hair maybe?" A fancy smirk is embellishing his face

"Oh, you must be Luke! Lucky you, I have exactly that in the kitchen. I'll get him real quick."

I try not to smile like an idiot and walk into the kitchen.

"Luke is here!" I say jumping because I feel so exited.

He lets the knife go. "You're kidding."

"See for yourself."

Now he looks nervous.

"You look stunning, Aaron, Now go!" I slap his butt and shove him out.

I spy on them while I clean other tables and when Luke leaves, I almost explode because Aaron is smiling like an Idiot.

"Tell me everything"

"I think we have a date on Monday. He invited me to a wedding of his friend and he needed someone he could go with so I said yes."

"That is amazing!"

"Yes, it is." He smiles shyly and drifts away.

"I told you your gay detector is not broken."

"How did you find out? Did you ask Bucky about it?"

Oh no...Now it's my turn to talk. Biting on my bottom lip I look down, feeling my ears getting hot.

"No...We kissed. Last night."

His jaw drops. "Blimey!" He says smiling.

"Tell me everything!"

So I do. The whole story. I wasn't so sure if I should tell him about the winter soldier at first but decided to do it anyway. If we spend more time together in the future, I don't want Bucky to hide his hand all the time. He shouldn't worry about those things.

"That is a hard pill to swallow." He says slowly and in thoughts.

"Yes...Do you think I'm crazy to believe him?"

"Absolutely."

Oh...

"But he really seems like a nice guy so I think I will give him a chance. Just be aware that I will unalive him when he hurts you."

"I will keep that in mind" I say smiling and relieved.

"So are you two...like...a couple or something?"

I shrug, feeling the warmth inside me when I think about him and me being an actual couple.

"I don't know. I don't think so. We didn't talk about that."

"Well, you should. Does Michael know about this?"

"No...I don't know what to call it."

Aaron nods understanding and we pick up work again.

After work we picked up Nathan and went to the mall together to get Aaron a fancy suit for the wedding. We buy food, eat ice cream together and Nathan helps us choose the right suit.

"How do I look, Nathan?" Aaron asks, posing in a grey suit in front of his changing room.

Little Nathan shakes his head for the hundredth time today. Aaron looks offended.

"You're a hard judge, Boy."

I laugh and go through his black soft baby hair.

" Okay. The last one." He says after a while and looks out of the changing room only so we can see his head. "Ready?"

We nod and he jumps out to present himself like a star in a black suit and a red tie.

Nathan, who is sitting on my lap, claps excitedly and I give Aaron a relieved look.

"The lord has spoken."

"Lovely" Aaron says and disappears in the cabin again.

We decided to go to my house in the evening because Nathan still has some of his toys there and I have self made cookies there.

Arrived, we just picked up an old routine. Aaron brings his little nephew very often because his brother is a single parent and Aaron helps where he can. That is why I have clothes and toys over here.

We three end up sitting on the floor on a blanket so Nathan doesn't get cold. While Aaron and I lean our backs on the couch, I rest my head on his shoulder, watching the toddler playing with his dinosaurs. Because this is what we do. We cuddle and play together till we fall asleep. I lose myself in thoughts and don't realize when someone comes into the living room.

"I'm back" I hear Michael say, showing him a sign to shush because Aaron is asleep but it's too late. And then I recognize Bucky behind him, looking at us and something in his eyes tells me there is something wrong.

" I need to go potty." Nathan scrambles.

"You heard him" I interrupt Aarons jawn grinning and receive a playful eyeroll.

"Again?" Getting no answer from me, he just grabs Nathan's hand and disappears in the bathroom.

I stand up, shaking all the crumbles off, Nathan left on my legs and join the boys at the kitchen counter. Michael's head is somewhere in the fridge so I look to Bucky, who is standing on the other side of the counter. I smile at him gently and whisper: "Hi"

"Hi", he says in a raspy voice, but something is wrong. He looks distant and almost unpleasant to see me.

My heart tightens a bit. Is he regretting the kiss? Is he regretting telling me the truth?

Michael turns to us. He looks better than in the morning. "Do you still have beer, Bucky?"

Bucky shrugs. "I'll go check." As soon as Bucky left, Michael turns to me.

"Maddie, there is something I need to tell you."

"What is it?"

" I know I told you to stay as long as you need me but the navy called and wants me back for a mission. I will leave on December fourth."

That is on friday, in six days. My heart shatters again.

"But...I don't want you to leave. I need you here." It was just a whisper.

"It will be for only a month.", he say, completely ignoring my begging.

"You won't be with me on christmas?

"They offered me a good job and that's a big chance for me to move up on the job."

"You've been saying that for three years." I say with tears in my eyes.

He is tensing his jaw. "Maddie, please don't cry..."

"No" I interrupt him, "Just admit you'd  rather spend time with your work colleagues than your family, which by the way, is only me now."

I start packing the toys together and see Aaron and Nathan coming out of the bathroom.

"We're leaving" I say, holding the tears back. Aaron looks confused at first but doesn't question me.

Bucky enters the apartment now, carrying four beers with him and I catch myself just wanting a hug from him.

I put Nathan into a warm jacket, ignoring all the confused looks from the men around me and walking to the door.

"Maddie please...It's not like that-"

"Don't expect me tonight. I'll stay with Aaron."

I shut the door behind us, feeling all alone, till Aaron pulls me into a safe hug.