What Happens In Vegas: The Final Part
A Bucky x Reader / AU drabble series
Master List
A/N: I’m so sorry this took so long! Idk if anyone knew but I was going through some rough patches for a little while. Gonna try to write on a regular basis now. Anyways, here is the final part. There will be an epilogue! Let me know what you think. I love hearing from you! ♥
Word Count: 2,101
Warnings: - language, maybe?
Tags: (at the end)
*gif is not mine.
Bucky followed you around the next morning like a lost puppy. He was nervous, constantly biting his nails, his hands fidgeting. You drank at least three cups of coffee, trying to keep your mind clear and alert for the sure shit storm that was going to be this trial. You had put out all the stops to pull these strings; normally, cases like this didn’t go to trial for months. But you knew people and, although you didn’t exercise that privilege often, you were glad it was there.
“Okay, so how is this going to go again?” Bucky asked you in the car on the way to the courthouse, his fingers tapping against his knee.
“You don’t really say much of anything, unless the judge asks you to. Let me do all the talking.”
“I don’t have to testify?”
“This isn’t criminal court, Bucky. It’s civil.”
“Peggy is not a civil person,” he sighed, exhaling dramatically.
“It’s the category of the court, not an adjective of her personality, although,” you paused, taking a sip of your fourth coffee. “I don’t disagree with you.”
“She’s loaded, Y/N. Guaranteed she paid the judge off. I’ll never have rights to Charlotte, see her, get to know her, nothing.”
“Doubtful. The judge is a friend of mine, and I paid him to not take Peggy’s money and to give us a fair trial.”
“You paid him off?”
“Well no, not technically. His son is in some… trouble. He asked me to take his case pro bono and I agreed, if he didn’t take Peggy’s bargaining money. Fair trial.”
“Okay…” Bucky trailed off, looking out the window.
“What’s wrong?” you asked, placing your hand on his shaking knee.
“I’m scared,” he said, looking over at you quickly, placing his hand over your own. “What if she’s not mine? What if… after all this time I’ve been heartbroken over a little girl who doesn’t even share my DNA?”
“That possibility is there, Bucky, as much as I hate to admit it. Why else would Peggy be so hateful towards the whole situation?”
“I don’t know, but I guess we’ll find out soon. That mouth swab is always accurate, right? Like there’s never any false--”
“No, Bucky. They’re always right.”
The rest of the ride to the courthouse was quiet, your mind racing over the text message you’d sent in the bathroom the previous afternoon.. Did he take the test too? Would he even show up?
You pulled into the parking lot and grabbed your briefcase. Straightening out your pantsuit, you took Bucky’s hand and walked up the stone steps to the towering marble courthouse.
“Don’t let it intimidate you,” you whispered to Bucky, who was now a lovely shade of ghost white. You gave a small squeeze to his hand of what you hoped was encouragement. “Everything is going to be fine.”
You were early, which was a good sign. Peggy hadn’t shown up yet, even when you were let into the courtroom. You were hoping she’d be late, but she was right on time, walking into the spacious room with her nose in the air. She didn’t even make eye contact with you or Bucky, as she took her seat next to her lawyer. Peggy was dressed to the nines; her hair in perfect curls, a maroon dress hugging her curves, four inch heels on her feet, manicured nails tapping the wooden table impatiently. You wanted to punch her in the face. This wasn’t something you rushed through. Her lawyer was a boring, grey old man, who reeked so badly of smoking tobacco it wafted halfway across the room.
Bucky sat next to you, fidgeting nervously, squeezing your hand under the table. Your own heart was beating in your chest so loudly, the rush of your blood pulsed in your ears. The results of this DNA test would change everyone’s lives, not just Bucky’s. It would change yours, Peggy’s, Bucky’s, Steve’s…
Looking back at the door, you watched it begin to close. The trial was about the begin. Before the door could close all the way, a familiar man squeezed his way through the cracks, taking a seat at the back of the courtroom. His hat was pulled low and he wore a baggy denim jacket, trying to hide himself. There was no hiding from you. You knew who he was the instant he sat down.
Steve.
So he did show up after all, but did he take the test? You’d feared the worst, but now feared for Bucky. He was so desperate to have that little girl be his, to have rights to her. What if Charlotte really wasn’t his?
“All rise!” the bailiff shouted over everyone talking, and the whole room stood up. Your friend the judge, Sam Wilson, came striding out of his office and took his seat. Thankfully, Bucky didn’t look to the back of the courtroom. He had no idea Steve was here, and neither did Peggy.
“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen,” Judge Wilson said, opening the file and looking at its contents. “I see today we have a case, regarding the parentage of Charlotte Carter.”
You stood up, smoothing out your pants suit. Swallowing hard, you shot a glance at Peggy, who shot you the evilest grin.
“Yes, your honor. I’m here today to defend my client, Mr. Barnes, regarding his rights to Charlotte Carter.”
Judge Wilson nodded for you to continue.
“It is under my client's impression that Charlotte is his. Miss Carter has been keeping her from him, for reasons unknown. We’re here today to find out her true paternal parentage, for the sanity of my client, your honor.”
“Miss Carter,” Judge Wilson said, turning his attention towards Peggy. “I see here that you have tried to deny DNA testing for Charlotte’s father. May I ask why?”
Peggy stood up, her eyes shooting through you like daggers. Bucky sat next to you, his leg bouncing, fiddling with his fingers. You wanted nothing more than to scoop him in a hug, and make this all go away. “James Barnes is an unfit parent, your honor,” Peggy spat, her voice coated with slime. “He travels around the world and picks up women for who knows what. He’s never home, and he hasn’t tried to contact Charlotte or myself in four years…”
Before you could stop him, Bucky shot up out of his chair, almost knocking it over behind him.
“That’s a lie, and you know it!” he yelled, pointing his finger in her direction. Your favorite piece of hair fell onto his forehead, before he hastily put it back in place. You placed your hand on his shoulder and he immediately calmed, sitting back down. Judge WIlson tapped his gavel.
“Order, order…” he said calmly, trying to keep peace. “Mr. Barnes, please stand.”
Bucky did as he was told and stood up, folding his hands and placing them in front of him.
“Mr. Barnes, I’m going to ask you a few questions.”
“Yes, your honor.”
“Have you ever been convicted of a felony?”
“No, sir.”
“Have you ever been in trouble with the law at all?”
“No, sir.”
Judge Wilson turned his gaze from Bucky to Peggy. Peggy’s face went white at the intensity of the judge’s gaze.
“Miss Carter, Mr. Barnes has every right to parental rights, should Charlotte Carter be his true kin. He has no run ins with the law, he has a full time job, and his urine test was clean.”
“I don’t care about all of that,” she whined, looking to her lawyer who hadn’t said a word this entire time. He looked like a lumpy sofa. “I don’t want him around my daughter!”
“Sit down, Miss Carter, before I have you ejected from my courtroom,” Judge Wilson said through gritted teeth. Peggy sat down hard and crossed her arms like a toddler. “Your opinion on Mr. Barnes does not matter. His legal rights stand, should the results be in his favor.”
“Your honor?” you spoke softly, putting up your hand. “May I interject?” “Proceed,” he replied.
“With all due respect, your honor, we’re simply here for the results of the DNA test. Once we find out if Charlotte Carter is his daughter, we can arrange for another court hearing regarding paternal rights. My client has been waiting for this for a long time, sir.”
“Understandable, please sit.”
You sat down, taking Bucky’s hand under the table once more. His other free hand was chewing on his thumb nail. Leaning over, you whispered in his ear.
“Whatever happens,” you said, placing a kiss on his cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” he whispered back, producing a soft, side smile.
“In the case of Charlotte Carter,” Judge WIlson said, opening up the file in front of him again, rustling around some papers before he found the one he was looking for. Both of you held your breath, time almost moving in slow motion. “I’m sorry to say that Mr. Barnes, you are not her father.”
You watched the color drain from Bucky’s cheeks, watched the realization hit him like a ton of bricks. You squeezed his bicep, rubbing your hand along his back. Glancing at Peggy, she was smiling so wide, yet still so evilly.
“Your honor,” you said quickly standing up. “I had another one of my clients also take a DNA test on the same day that Mr. Barnes did, regarding the parentage of Charlotte Carter. May I ask if it is in the file?”
Judge Wilson looked through the folder, while you glanced back at Steve. You made direct eye contact with him now, his icy blue eyes piercing your soul. Peggy was making clucking noises from across the room, so shocked she couldn’t produce clear words.
“It is…”
“If I’m not being too bold, your honor, may I ask that you read off Steve Rogers’ DNA results?”
“This is an outrage!” Peggy screamed. Her lawyer continued to sit like a dust bunny, his eyes darting from you to the judge. “This is not what I came here for!”
Judge Wilson ignored her completely. You had already discussed this. Bucky and Steve were staring at each other now, unblinking. Your hands were sweaty, as Judge Wilson straightened out the paper and began to read.
“In the case of Charlotte Carter,” he began, before looking up at Steve at the back of the courtroom. Steve was now standing, waiting on baited breath. “Steve Rogers, you are the rightful father.”
There was silence in the courtroom after the results were read. Bucky and Steve continued to stare at one another. Peggy was crying. Her lawyer was wiping his greasy face with a handkerchief from his pocket. Judge Wilson slammed his gavel and stood.
“I will see Mr. Rogers and Miss Carter back here in one month to discuss parental rights. Case dismissed.”
Bucky stood up quickly and walked to the back of the courtroom where Steve stood. They looked at one another for a brief moment, before taking each other into the biggest bear hug you’d ever seen. Your heart was finally at a stand still, as everything was revealed. Although you knew Bucky was sad that Charlotte wasn’t his, you knew he was happy that everything worked out in his best friend’s favor.
“I’m so sorry,” Bucky said, taking his friend’s face in his hands, before slapping his shoulders. “I’m so glad she’s yours.”
“Me too, man. Me too…” Steve replied, slapping Bucky’s shoulder in return.
Bucky turned back to you and picked you up, spinning you around. He planted one long, hard kiss on your lips, before brushing his thumb across your cheek.
“You,” he said, kissing your nose. “Are an angel.”
“It was nothing…” you said, waving him off. “I just wanted the truth out.”
Steve stepped forward and grabbed you in a big hug.
“I’m sorry, kiddo,” he whispered in your ear. “Thank you for making me see.”
“You’re welcome,” you replied with a smile, before looking over at Peggy. She was sitting alone at the table still, her lawyer long gone. “I think you should go talk to her…”
“Yeah…” Steve said, squeezing your hand. “See you later.”
Steve waved to you and Bucky, before walking up to the front of the courtroom and tapping Peggy on the shoulder. She was crying, and Steve wrapped her in his arms to comfort her.
“Do you think they’ll be okay?” you asked, wrapping your arm around Bucky’s leaning your head on his arm.
“I think so,” he replied, kissing the top of your hand. “I think we all will.”
And after everything that had happened over the past couple months, you finally believed him.
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