Chapter 382 | Bucky: A Bitter Happy Occasion.

Captain America's wedding was held in Long Island, Manhattan.

It wasn't Steve's intention to make a big deal out of it.

He preferred frugality and prudence to wastefulness.

With or without money, he had always lived a simple life.

It's just that, for the Brooklyn-born Captain America...

He didn't understand how important the wedding was to the bride.

"What do you think of Old Joseph's Tavern?"

Steve asked Luke about this before preparing for his trip to Las Vegas.

It's just a fill-in-the-blank question that's a dead giveaway!

Fortunately, Luke stopped this behavior that might make the bride run from this marriage and arranged the venue at the Long Island estate that Howard used for his holiday.

"You know, if Margery saw that the venue you'd booked was a crummy bar at least 20 years old, she'd jump in a car and leave!"

Luke walked around the Long Island estate.

He was a key member of the groomsmen today.

He also made a guest appearance as a witness to Captain America's wedding.

"I just don't think it's necessary to get married and invite a bunch of unfamiliar guests ..."

Despite being an army Colonel and a senior member of S.H.I.E.L.D., Steve still maintained a simple outlook.

"Well then, respectable Captain America, will your words of wisdom work on your own fiancée?"

Luke's mouth curled up in interest as he asked.

"Um..."

Steve scratched his head, a little embarrassed.

He remembered the time when he quarreled with Margery when he could not even eat a hot meal at home and had to wash his own dirty clothes.

He even had to sleep on the sofa and lose his mating rights completely.

It all started when they discussed which band should be invited to the wedding.

Margery loved country ballads, but Steve preferred jazz.

After that, Captain America, who didn't understand a woman's heart and tried to force his way with reason, was put out in the cold.

"Howard and I agree that we should try our best to avoid reasoning with women. They are emotional creatures who prefer romance and surprise. Rigid reasoning will only lead to quarrels."

Luke patted Steve on the shoulder and earnestly said so.

"I don't want you to be kicked out of the house one day and end up on the streets, calling me and begging me to take you in."

Captain America's face looked bitter. His relationship with Margery was generally stable, and it shouldn't reach that state.

Malèna, who accompanied Luke to the wedding, Peggy and others had already gone to pick up the bride.

Only the groomsmen, such as Howard, Bucky, Luke, and Colonel Phillips, were at the estate.

"Where's Howard?"

Steve looked around and only saw the staff responsible for setting up the venue, but not Howard, who was usually an active member.

This was a bit abnormal.

Knowing that he started screaming about a month ago, he was going to hook up with the bridesmaids' group to complete the 'wedding bash' achievement set.

"Hasn't he recovered?"

All Steve knew was that Howard suddenly suffered a serious illness and went back to New York to rest for a few days. He didn't know the details.

"The doctor said he was malnourished and had overindulged in sex and needed to take it easy. At this time, he's probably sleeping in his room."

Luke said, holding back a laugh.

"Howard specially asked me to take a message. He said he would show up later and won't attend the celebration or the banquet afterward."

Steve expressed his understanding. He heard that Howard was suffering from difficulties in his scientific research and was overwhelmed by his worries.

Talented people aren't only gifted but also hard-working.

With this in mind, Captain America had a change of heart towards Howard.

Unexpectedly, underneath the façade of immodesty, he had a heart for science.

"Do I need to do something now?"

Steve gazed in the direction of the gates of the estate with a hint of nervousness and apprehension in his eyes.

But today was his wedding!

This was the most important day in his short and wonderful life!

"Relax, it's not time yet. You should try on the groom's suit first."

Luke reached out and hooked Steve's broad shoulders as they walked together towards the estate.

  ...

  ...

As dusk fell, the sun set over Long Island.

Inside the estate, in the hall...

The brilliant light of the crystal chandelier filled every inch of the space while a ballad band played in the corner of the stage, their melodious and relaxing tunes flowing through the air.

The spacious hall was packed with hundreds of people, with a steady stream of invited guests pouring in.

The entrance to the estate was filled with cars, and the guests flocked in groups, dressed in suits and finery as if they were attending a celebrity party.

"Colonel Rogers, congratulations."

Said the man who walked into the hall held Steve's palm with a smile on his face.

After exchanging a few pleasantries and waiting for the other man to leave, Captain America lowered his voice and asked, "Who is he?"

"The Pentagon's War Department's Michael, or Jackson something... I forgot."

Luke, who was in charge of the guests, grinned and said, "He's just a nobody, but his father is famous and well-connected in the Senate."

"Then why did he come to my wedding?"

Sending out invitations and confirming the number of people at the party was a job for Luke and Howard.

If they filtered through the criteria of relatives, friends, and neighbors, Captain America's wedding might seem deserted.

His parents were both deceased, and he had no other relatives apart from Bucky.

Even if they added the neighbors from upstairs and downstairs, they couldn't make up double digits.

"A wedding has to be a big affair so that Margery would be happy with it. It's the best moment of her life."

Luke said in a familiar tone.

"By the way, the President and his wife will come over later. I gave them 10 minutes for a speech."

"I also invited important people from the Pentagon's Navy and Army, with about 30 Generals attending."

"This is politics. In the business sector, Howard sent invitations to Boeing, North American Airlines, and General Electric."

"Originally, I was going to invite some Hollywood stars. Malèna asked your fiancée. She especially likes Kathleen Hepburn. Unfortunately, she's making a movie with Elizabeth Tylor. It's too late to inform her."

Steve was dizzy. He didn't know any of the big names at the top of the pyramid, let alone the so-called business tycoons and movie stars.

"None of that matters. The wedding is going to be a big enough affair to make the headlines tomorrow morning, and that's the key."

Luke had a business smile on his face and faintly said, "After decades, your wife will still remember this day. Steve, only if she is satisfied, you can ... enjoy the wonders tonight."

Captain America, who didn't even have a driver's license, thought for a while but didn't respond.

  ...

  ...

As the reception progressed, the atmosphere grew livelier and livelier as guests mingled and laughed.

As the main characters, the couple said their vows and exchanged rings in the presence of the priest to seal their sacred wedding vows.

"Humph!"

The invited Winter Soldier, with an awkward face, sat in a corner seat.

Accustomed to his combat uniform, he felt uncomfortable in a suit.

Especially the enthusiastic eyes of the female guests, Bucky couldn't wait to escape from this place.

However, Hydra gave him the mission.

It was to obey Superman and all the orders of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Therefore, he could only endure the discomfort, turn anger into appetite, and deal with the Boston Lobster on his plate.

The long table was full of top-level cuisines of various countries and customs. Howard probably emptied the wine cellar of the estate, and there was a faint smell of alcohol in the hall.

Glug glug! Glug glug glug!

Bucky chewed the fresh lobster meat and gulped down the cocktail.

Every time the waiter passed by with the tray, he swept the food into his stomach.

If you looked at the man's gritted teeth and depressed look, you might think that he was here to steal the bride away.

"You don't look very happy."

Luke, who finished his wedding speech, leaned over with a glass of champagne.

On his arm was Malèna, who looked very charming.

Peggy?

As the second-in-command of S.H.I.E.L.D., it was only natural for her to take on a sociable role on such occasions.

"How can that be? It's just the marriage of a bastard I don't know, and it's not worth any emotional turmoil."

Bucky stared at the newlyweds who were standing on stage and smiling sweetly, and his tone involuntarily became complicated.

In the depths of his mind, some fragments of memory seemed to emerge, piecing together a complete picture.

"My best friend got married, but I'm not as happy as I thought I would be."

For some reason, there was a crack in his closed-off heart, and these words came out.

Glug glug! Glug glug glug!

Bucky finished the drink on the table, looked at Luke, and expressionlessly asked, "Is there any vodka here?"