NOVEMBER 1943

The petite brunette ran around the small Brooklyn apartment as she attempted to get everything set up just perfectly. After months and months of touring, training, and fighting overseas, her two favorite boys were finally coming home for an extended amount of time, and she was more than thrilled because of it. She had hardly seen either one of them since they had been drafted back in December of 1941, which was quite a long time in Connie's opinion. Of course, she talked with Steve and Bucky through letters, and occasionally she would meet up with one of them while they were home in Brooklyn for a day or so, but it was never enough for her. 

Connie was so proud of everything the two had done over the span of the year, but she couldn't help but wish the two were able to stay with her. Things had been relatively lonely for her while the two had been away, so much that she had even gotten a job to occupy herself during the days. She was just so used to being around the two of them, especially Bucky.

Bucky was always around Connie, no matter the situation, and even after almost two years of being at war, she still hadn't gotten used to being without him. Sometimes the pain of missing him would just consume her to the point in which she cried herself to sleep in what would be hers and Bucky's shared bed. Bucky's absence never got easier for Connie, and she doubted it would, despite how much time passed. She just hoped the war was over soon so she could finally have him back.

Connie stopped in her tracks as the door to the apartment creaked open. Two voices could be heard, and in an instant Connie was boiling over with excitement. She let out a small squeal and ran into the living room, grabbing and hugging the first man she came in contact with, which just so happened to be Steve.

"You're home," Connie exclaimed happily as she squeezed Steve tighter in her small arms; she could definitely tell the difference between the two of them. "You're also much bigger in person than you are in pictures, but it's okay."

Steve laughed and hugged her tightly. "It's nice to see you, too, Connie."

Connie then pulled away and looked behind Steve, where Bucky stood a few feet away with an exceedingly happy smile on his face. He held out his arms to Connie, and she didn't hesitate to run to him. She held him as tightly as she could, basking in the feeling of having him back in her arms. She was so relieved and so happy to have him back that she felt like crying, though Bucky felt much the same way.

"I'm so happy you're home," Connie muttered into his neck.

"I'm happy to be home, doll," Bucky breathed out in relief as he held her. If he could have that moment with her forever, if he could stay with her and forget about everything else in his life, he would.

Connie pulled out of their hug, only to move in for a kiss; their lips melded together perfectly, just as they always had. Their only reminder to pull away from each other was Steve's presence.

"What's cookin', Connie?" Steve asked as he peered into the kitchen.

Connie ran into the kitchen, pulling everything off of the stove as it finished cooking. "I made some deviled chicken with some sweet-sour carrots and mashed potatoes, and for dessert I made both of your favorites—Cola Marsh Ice for Buck and Gold Nugget Cake for Steve."

"So, this is what you've been doing while we've been gone," Bucky teased her. "Learning how to cook, I see?"

Connie grinned and began making their plates for them. "I had to find something to do to pass the time besides work, and anyway, what kind of wife would I be to my husband if I didn't know how to cook him a decent meal every once and a while?"

"I wouldn't love you any less even if you didn't," Bucky chimed, putting a bright smile on Connie's face.

There was nothing Connie would love more than to become Bucky's bride, and although she knew it wasn't quite possible at the moment, knowing that it was destined to happen in the future made her feel so much better.

"If I were you, I'd want her to cook every meal," Steve said to Bucky as he scarfed down the food Connie had made for him. "This is absolutely phenomenal."

"Or maybe you're just saying that because we've been eatin' mud and dirt for the past year now," Bucky chuckled as he took a bite of his own food, his eyes widening the moment it hit his tastebuds. "Okay, so this is absolutely phenomenal."

Connie snorted and nibbled at her own food. "Never thought I'd hear a compliment come out of your mouth in reference to my cooking."

"Well, you heard it, baby," Bucky said with a wink.

Connie smiled and continued eating, feeling very grateful to have her boys back home with her, regardless of the short amount of time she was to have left with them.