Chapter 28

I woke up slowly and wondered what was so hard under me. I knew Loki was gone. Then I remembered my nightmare and asking Bucky to stay. I opened my eyes to find myself half sprawled across Bucky and the hard thing was his metal arm. He was already awake and turned to look at me.

"Good morning Sleeping Beauty. Damn, as if I wasn't jealous of Loki enough, now I see what he gets to wake up to. Lucky man."

I laughed and slapped his chest. "Don't be hating. You got to see it today didn't you."

We both sat up. "That I did, Doll. I think it's best if I head back to my room now. I need to shower and change. But I will see you at breakfast. If you wait, I will walk down with you."

"Sounds like a plan. I need to shower and change too." I paused. "Thank you for being there for me last night. You don't know how much that means to me."

"Anytime. I didn't mind having you sleep in my arms." With a laugh he left. 

I shook my head and headed to the shower. I had actually found him pretty comfy to snuggle with. Once I got dressed, I opened my door to find Bucky leaning against the wall, waiting. 

"You look amazing, Doll." He held out his arm. "Shall we?" 

As we walked into the living room, I stopped short. There was Sharon, sitting in one of the chairs, with Tony in another. She looked over at me. 

"Oh, if it isn't the harlot of the tower."

I grinned as I started walking with Bucky to the kitchen. "Nope, I wouldn't want to take your title from you. See you at breakfast Tony."

I heard Tony laugh and turn it into a cough at Sharon's black look.

"Yep. See ya there Kid."

It was a few minutes before Tony joined us. 

"Is the blonde twatwaffle gone? Shame, I could have used the entertainment this morning."

Nat about choked on her bacon. Tony laughed.

"Yeah, she left. So, reminder. Party tonight at 7:00. The Godly twins should be back by then and we can properly celebrate our newest family member."

Breakfast was a happy affair. Nat and Wanda claimed me to start picking out dresses after breakfast.

"But it's still early" Clint looked confused.

"Beauty takes time, Robin Hood. Trust me, it's gonna be worth it." He laughed and shook his head as Nat used my nickname for him.

We started to leave when Bruce stopped me. "Hey, Ariane. Can you come to the lab before you head out with Nat and Wanda? I need to do those tests Loki asked for."

"Sure." I followed Bruce to his lab, and he had me stand on a scanner. It hummed as it did its thing.

"Well, it looks like everything body wise is all good. Just let me draw some blood and you can head out." He quickly drew what he needed, and I went to meet Nat and Wanda in Nat's room. 

"Ok down to business. What dress are you thinking Ariane?" Nat held up two choices. One was a cute black and white dress. The top was white, and the skirt was black. The other was a siren red sheath. 

I eyed both outfits, "Go with the white and black one. The red one makes you look like a tramp." 

Nat grinned and Wanda broke out in giggles. 

"Black and white it is. Now to Wanda's room to pick her dress. Then we pick yours and on to hair and makeup."

We all trooped to Wanda's room and decided on a black mini sheath that accented her hair and her curves. 

"I know Vision is going to love this one." I looked over at Wanda.

She actually blushed a little and I gave a grin. About time someone else was flustered. 

"Ok now to Ariane's room. "

We headed down the hall to my room. Nat and Wanda went in first and as I was about to enter, Bucky came out of his room. 

"Hiya Doll. Getting ready for the party?"

"Yep. We are dress picking then doing hair and makeup." I scrunched my nose at the word makeup.

Bucky laughed at my expression. "Don't like makeup, Dollface?"

"Honestly I'm not sure. I've never worn any."

"You are going to be beautiful no matter if you wear makeup or not."

I blushed. "Thanks Buck." I eyed his clothes, "You are going to change for the party, right? Maybe something a little less... comfy?"

He grinned. "Of course, Doll. Gotta dress to impress you, don't I? I'll see you tonight." 

He leaned in and gave me a quick kiss on the forehead and walked off down the hallway. I stared after him, filled with conflicting feelings. I loved Loki with all my heart, but Bucky was quickly becoming more and more dear to me. I was beginning to feel like I couldn't imagine my life without both of them. I shook my head. I would talk to Loki about it later. He knew more about things like this than me. 

I heard Nat and Wanda calling me and walked into my room to my closet. 

"There really isn't any need to pick one. I already did."

I held up my dress for that night. A floor-length dress in deep emerald green. It complimented the green that Loki always wore in his outfits from Asgard. It hugged every curve. Honestly, it fit better now than it did when I bought it. Regular eating had more than one perk to it. The dress had a deep plunging neckline that showed quite a bit of cleavage so I wasn't sure how my Mischief Man would feel about it. I had gotten it before we became soulmates, and I was trying to get his attention. It also had a slit up the side all the way to my hip, showcasing my long legs. With the gold high-heeled sandals, I was going to look amazing. 

Wanda and Nat stared at the dress then looked at each other. 

"When did she get that? I didn't see it when we were shopping." Nat looked back at me.

Wanda looked thoughtful. "Well, we did buy an awful lot at one time. It seems she slipped this one past us. I think it's a perfect choice. Ok now for hair and makeup."

The next few hours were filled with hairstyles and makeup until it was almost time for the party. We all stood in front of the mirror together. 

"We are going to steal the show tonight. And I think Ariane is going to catch the eye of every male in the room. You look amazing and I'm so happy to celebrate your birthday today. Happy birthday girl."

Wanda held out a small box. "This is from Nat and me. I hope you like it."

I looked stunned. "I... I don't know what to say. No one has given me a gift before."

Nat gave me a warm smile. "Don't say anything. Just open it!"

I carefully undid the wrapping paper and opened the box. Nestled among the tissue paper was a pair of emerald hairpins. They were very similar to chopsticks, and I knew they would be the final touch to my hair. 

"Oh..." I breathed the word. I was so overwhelmed. I looked up at the girls with tears in my eyes.

"Thank you so much. They're beautiful!" I gave each one a big hug. It seemed I was not the only one a little teary-eyed. 

"Can you help me put them in?" Wanda came around and slid them in the perfect places in my hair.

"There. Now let's get to the party ladies. We're a little late."