If Only

Chapter 12: You Are Going

It was now February Paisley spent her whole Christmas break with her moms family in Savannah. So she hadnt seen Bucky except at school. Addie gave birth to their little girl on Feb 8th.

Bucky Addie and little Chloe came over. When they walked in Joe was helping Paisley with her Algebra.

"Well this is a nice surprise" Winnie said.

Bucky sat the car seat on the table. Winnie got out her little grand daughter. "Im came to tell you that my swearing in ceremony is next Thursday." Bucky said

"Dad we can just finish this later." She said in a low tone.

"Okay baby." Joe said

She gathered up her homework. "You dont want to hold your step niece?" Addie said

"Addie.." Bucky said

"What?..Im just saying she is the only one that doesnt want to hold her." Addie said

"I dont want to hold the baby." She said as she went downstairs. Paisley locked her door and finished her English paper. Addie went into Bucky's old room to feed Chloe. Bucky took it as an opportunity to go talk to Paisley.

He walked downstairs and went to open the door. "Paisley open the door." He said

"James just leave me alone." She said

"You never call me that unless you are mad at me. And Paisley Im sorry I can tell you till Im blue in the face but it doesnt seem to do anything." He said

"Just go..have a nice life James with Addie and your baby." She said

He sighed. "I hate your hair color..by the way." He said and he walked off.

She had gone platinum with traces of purple. She cried herself to sleep as Natasha laid with her.

It was the day of the ceremony. Everyone was getting ready Paisley had gotten herself ready for school. She was about to walk to the bus stop when Joe stopped her.

"Where do you think you are going?" Joe said as Bucky and Addie came in with the baby.

"I was going to school." She said

"No. You are going with us. Im getting tired of you skipping out on things. You are going to be there for your brother and your stepbrother." Joe said

"Please I just want to go to school. I dont want to go to the stupid ceremony" she said through tears.

"Paisley Jo thats enough. You are going and thats final. If you are mad cause they joined well guess what its family traditions. Get over it and suck it up Paisley Josephine. I have had enough of this crap." Joe yelled at her.

She started to cry. "I wish you had never married Winnie! I hate it here!" She yelled at him and ran down stairs.

Steve came down the stairs. He went to be by his sister with Natasha. Bucky sucked it up and stayed upstairs he was done trying.

They all left and headed up to Atlanta to get the boys sworn in. She sulked the whole time didnt want to eat when they went out to eat. She was quiet the whole time. Addie kep trying to get her to hold the baby.

When they all got back she went straight downstairs and locked the door. Joe was in his home office when Steve and Natasha came in.

"Dad..we know whats wrong with Paisley." Steve said

Joe looked up. "Care to enlighten me?" He said

"Paisley since she was 12 years old has had a crush on Bucky. She loves him and he never noticed. He didnt even know till she told him after he announced his engagement. She has a broken heart dad she is avoiding him. Thats why she didnt want to go why she wont hold the baby. Why she runs away when he is here." Steve said

Winnie was standing in the hall as tears welled. She realized why Paisley yelled what she did. Him being here all the time made it harder to be around him.

Joe looked down and shook his head. "My poor baby girl.." he whispered.

"Thanks you two.." Joe said

They left to go to bed Winnie came into the office. "My baby girl.." he said

"He is coming over." She said

"Okay.." he said

Thirty minutes later Bucky came in the door. "Mom said you wanted to talk to me." He said

"Yeah.." Joe said

Bucky sat down in a chair. "I dont mind that you come over here to visit and I dont mind that you bring your wife or daughter. But for now please call before you do so." Joe said

"Can I ask why." He said

"I know the truth James. Steve just told me that my daughter has feelings for you." Joe said

"Oh.." he said as he looked down.

"James son I have known you your whole life. I know that you didnt mean to hurt my daughter. Steve said you had no idea that she felt this way." Joe said

"But I did hurt her Joe. And I didnt mean to I had no idea. And I love Addie Jo but it hurts me that I hurt Paisley. And Ive been trying for almost two years to fix it and no matter what I do it just makes it worse." He said through tears.

"She will be okay eventually son..she just has to figure out how to let you go." Joe said

Winnie came in and hugged her son. "Just call us before hand baby. Mama loves baby." She said as she wiped his tears and kissed his forehead.

"Yes ma'am. I love you too mom and you Joe." He said then he went back home.