Paige is a single mom, part time accounting student, and almost full time bartender. One night she bartends for a charity event and meets Bucky Barnes, one of the Avengers. Finding him interesting and different from other men she has dated she inv...
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The next two days of that week while Noah was in hospital were also some of the best days in Bucky's life. The love he felt for Paige and Noah made him feel like he was bursting with joy, and it showed in much of his behaviour in the time that followed that meaningful moment with Noah in the atrium. After returning Noah to the room on that Tuesday, he engaged fully with both him and Liam. As word got out that he was in the room and other child patients began showing up at the door to sneak a peek at the famous Avenger, Noah suggested they go to the playroom to see them all there, except for the ones who were confined to beds. Together the pair led the gathered fans to the playroom where Bucky visited with every single child, taking selfies, signing autographs and promising to bring his trading cards and the other Avengers as soon as they were back from their mission. After stopping in other rooms where the less mobile young patients were still in bed, he spent time with them, a proud Noah accompanying him. Paige watched from a respectful distance, happy to see how the man and boy she loved were bonding.
The following day Bucky had a therapy appointment with Dr. Raynor. Although many people had recommended he get rid of her, saying they were poorly matched as a therapist and a patient, once she confirmed he had completed the requirements of his court ordered therapy he found her direct talk and attitude kept him honest. She called him on his bullshit and took it without complaint when he called her on hers. It was one of those grumpy relationships where the so-called adversaries had a grudging respect for each other. After dropping Paige off at the hospital with a smiling promise to return as soon as he could, he bounded into Dr. Raynor's office with an energy her receptionist had never seen before.
"You're chipper this morning," said Jennifer, the receptionist, when he checked in. "Pushed a few more bad guys through a wall or something?"
"Funny," he glared, as he sat on the reception room chair, his legs spread apart. Then he smiled and slapped his knee. "You should see your face. Jen, I am a very happy man at the moment, and it has nothing to do with beating down on anyone."
"Okay," she said, unsure of how to respond to that. "Dr. Raynor is running a little behind at the moment. Feel free to browse your phone while you're waiting. Just remember ...."
"I know the drill," he replied, "just turn it off when I'm in session."
He checked his emails, having ignored them in the past few days. He was sure Clint updated the others on Noah's progress as several people sent him well wishes to pass on. There were a couple from Sam on the secure Avengers account, updating him on the mission. They were expecting to return on Saturday morning and the consensus was they wanted to reschedule the charity event at Green's Tavern for that night, taking it as an opportunity for all of them to unwind after the mission, provided Noah was well enough to be left with a babysitter. There had been hints that Noah could be out as early as Friday, so Bucky promised in his reply to check with Paige. It was another thing to look forward to. Then he opened his messenger and composed a text to Sam, feeling a little guilty about not telling him, at least, about what happened between Paige and himself.
