If Only

Chapter 22: A Overdue Homecoming

-2 years and 2 months later-

It had been two years since the boys left,what was suppose to be a year long deployment turned into two years. Paisley was now a high school graduate she finished high school in NY. The only time she returned home to Georgia or visited Natasha was to be around for holidays or Silas' birthday parties.

As much as Addie tried to get her to be involved with Chloe and Skyler. Paisley continued to ignore them she wouldnt go to their birthday parties. Addie would let Bucky know how she was doing if Natasha let anything slip.

Bucky tried repeatedly to get her to talk to him. Emails and letters went unanswered they piled up in her inbox and in a box in her room. It was finally time for the boys to come home.

Paisley drove up alone in her blue jeep. She was back in Georgia finally cause she wanted to go to UGA for college. She found Natasha in the parking lot she parked her jeep next to her car.

"Hey Nat" she said

"Hey..you made it.." Nat said elated.

"Yeah dad and Winnie weren't to far behind me." She said

"Aunt Paisy Aunt Paisy" Silas said

"Hi my little man! Ive missed you." She said as she picked him up.

Addie seen her and shook her head. "Come on girls.." she whispered.

Joe and Winnie pulled in with James and Bradley right behind them. Paisley carried Silas as they walked to the tarmac. Paisley continued to play with Silas and talk to Natasha.

The jets started to fly in they let the boys go once they were done with formation. Steve and Bucky found their family. Steve hugged and kissed Natasha then took Silas. He had tears he missed so much.

"My girls.." Bucky said as he hugged all three of them.

Steve finally hugged his sister. "Its good to see you little sister. Not a fan of the new ink or the outfit but its good to see you." He said

She smiled. "Im all grown up now..Im about to go off to college." She said

"I know dad told me. Im sorry I wasnt there" he said

"Its fine..You were busy." She said

Joe hugged Steve. "My boy Im proud of you." He said

Bucky finally seen Paisley as she was wiping happy tears. She hugged Sam and Clint once they came over to their group.

"So um Steve I will see you all at the party tomorrow night." She said

"Okay.." he said

She started to walk towards the parking lot. Bradley looked at Bucky "Shes not over you...she is just pushing it all down." He said

Bucky sighed. "I will never be able to fix this. I thought me being gone would give her heart time to heal." He said

"James how do you get over your first crush/love? How do you get over someone that meant the world to you? Let me put it into perspective for you how would you feel if you were in her shoes? If you didn't win Addie's heart." Bradley said

Bucky looked down. "All she ever wanted was a chance. But you made it very clear she was nothing more than a little sister that annoyed the crap out of you." Bradley said

Paisley made her way back home and laid down in bed. Bucky looked over at his family he smiled at Addie. "You got your happy ending with the girl you always wanted but for Paisley her heart has been broken and she doesnt feel like she is beautiful. In the last two years I have spent many nights keeping her from going down the dark road I did and kept her from doing something stupid." Bradley said

"Thanks Bradley." He said

He went over to his girls. "Lets go Im tired I need a shower and a nap." He said

Winnie said "Dont forget both Sophia Rogers and your grandmother Della is throwing you all a homecoming ball tomorrow night. Military Blues boys and ball gowns for you girls."

"I know mom..see you tomorrow." He said as he hugged and kissed her.

They all loaded up into their cars the family headed back to Georgia. The boys headed to their base homes.