#life insurance settlements

[colvaservices-1]

Proficient Evaluators In The Field Of Life Insurance Settlement

Colva streamlines life insurance settlements by evaluating policies and optimizing premiums. Additionally, it assists investors by providing insights into evaluating their life settlement portfolios, whether for financial reporting in monthly NAV reports or for those exploring opportunities to buy or sell individual policies or portfolios.

[newstuck-liveblog]

im losing my fucking mind i love these bitches

[americanlifefund]

Viatical Settlement Explained

If you have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, you may be considering a viatical settlement. This is when you sell your life insurance policy for cash. Viatical settlements are arranged by viatical settlement companies or viatical settlement brokers. The third party you sell your policy to is usually an institutional investor.

When selling a policy in a viatical settlement, you will receive more than the surrender value but less than the market value. Viatical settlements can be a good option if you need cash now and do not want to wait for your death benefit to be paid out. They can also help relieve some of the financial burden associated with a terminal illness.

If you are considering a viatical settlement, American Life Fund can help. We are a viatical settlement company that provides superior service and peace of mind to our policyholders. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you in selling your life insurance policy for cash.

With years of experience in the viatical settlement industry, our team is well-equipped to provide advice and assistance in selling your policy. When you work with us, you can rest assured that you’re getting the best possible deal for your life insurance policy. Let us help make this difficult time a bit easier for you and your family. Contact us now to start the process of selling your life insurance policy for cash through a viatical settlement.

Viatical settlements have their own risks and it is important to research all available options before making a decision. Please consult a qualified financial advisor before engaging in any viatical settlement transaction. Viatical settlement companies are regulated by state laws and regulations, which may vary from state to state. Consult your state's department of insurance for more information on viatical settlements in your state. American Life Fund does not provide legal or financial advice and recommends professional consultation prior to entering into any viatical settlement contract. Viatical settlements provided by American Life Fund are subject to the terms and conditions of a Viatical Settlement Contract.

Viatical settlement transactions are not suitable for everyone, as there are associated risks. It is important to research all available options before making a decision that is right for you. Our team at American Life Fund can help provide essential information on viatical settlements so that you can make an informed decision. When working with us, you will receive superior service and peace of mind knowing that your policy is in good hands.

Contact American Life Fund today to learn more about how viatical settlements can help you. We look forward to helping you secure the best deal for your life insurance policy. Get started now and begin selling your policy for cash with a viatical settlement.

[glsexchange001]

The Best Security Protection with Borrowing against Approaches, and Viatical Repayments!

In many cases, disaster protection is seen as a crucial device for monetary security and domain arranging, yet it offers significantly more than simply a demise benefit for recipients. Entire disaster protection can be an essential economic resource. It allows policyholders to construct cash esteem, get against their strategy, or sell their arrangement in a viatical repayment under particular conditions. This article will investigate the parts of the extra security, how its cash value works, and the different monetary choices it offers, including getting against the strategy and selling it through a viatical repayment.

Entire Disaster Protection: Outline and Money Worth with Life insurance whole life cash value

Life insurance whole life cash value is long-lasting life coverage that gives deep-rooted inclusion for however long expenses are paid. One of its key elements is the gathering of money esteem, a living advantage particular to extremely durable strategies like entire life, which separates it from term disaster protection. Cash value is an investment fund incorporated into the plan. It develops over the long run on an expense-conceded premise, meaning the policyholder doesn't pay charges on the development except if they pull out reserves.

Expenses for entire life coverage are commonly higher than term life approaches, and some of the premium goes toward financing the cash value account. The policyholder can get to this money esteem. At the same time, they are alive and tend to be utilized for different purposes, like financing retirement, taking care of obligations, or covering crises. This double reason — security for recipients and monetary adaptability for the policyholder — explains why disaster protection is attractive to numerous people.

Money borrowing against life insurance

One of the most alluring highlights of entire life coverage is the capacity to get borrowing against life insurance approach. Since the cash value develops after some time, it can act as security for advances that the policyholder might take out straightforwardly from the insurance agency. Since the credit is moved by the cash value in the strategy, there's no requirement for the policyholder to go through a credit check or qualify based on pay or the relationship of debt to salary after taxes.

It is essential to note that acquiring against the money value lessens the amount of life coverage assurance accessible to recipients in the event that the advance isn't reimbursed. Furthermore, assuming that the advance aggregates revenue and expands more than the money value, the approach could pass, prompting a loss of inclusion.

Cash value life insurance policy Strategy

Cash value life insurance policy recovers low insurance fees compared with individual credits or charge cards. However, the financing cost can shift contingent upon the insurance agency. Policyholders can choose how and when to reimburse the credit. If the credit isn't reimbursed, the remarkable equilibrium will be deducted from the demise benefit when the policyholder dies.

Entire life coverage strategies gather cash esteem through a mix of ensured revenue and profits, contingent upon the sort of strategy. Policyholders can make direct withdrawals from the money esteem, although this decreases the death benefit unless reimbursed. As referenced before, policyholders can acquire against their money worth and pay revenue or let the advance equilibrium decrease their inevitable demise benefit.

Viatical Settlements: Selling the Arrangement

A virtual settlement is another option for disaster protection policyholders, especially those with terminal diseases. In a viatical repayment, the policyholder offers their disaster protection strategy to an outside financial backer for a single installment, which is commonly higher than the money surrender value yet not precisely the passing advantage.

This choice is frequently utilized by people who need quick assets to cover clinical costs or pursue personal satisfaction during a terminal disease. The purchaser of the approach keeps on paying the expenses and eventually receives the demise benefit when the first policyholder dies.

Conclusion

One of the best companies like Global Life Settlement Exchange offers a remarkable mix of life insurance and monetary adaptability. Its money-esteem part provides an essential asset to policyholders to get against or access in the midst of hardship. Now and again, policyholders may likewise consider viatical settlements as a possibility for creating assets during a crucial time. Understanding these highlights permits people to capitalize on their life coverage strategy, guaranteeing that it safeguards their friends and family after death and fills in as a monetary device during their lifetime.

[selkyle24]

Life Settlements: Should you cash out now or hold onto your policy?

Life settlements aren’t just for those with immediate financial needs—they can be a tool for anyone reevaluating their long-term planning.

Before making any decisions, it’s important to understand how selling your policy works and what it could mean for your beneficiaries. It's a trade-off between immediate funds and future security.

[techminsolutions]

LIC’s Bima Jyoti Plan for 2024: a comprehensive guide

Unlock the Benefits of LIC’s Bima Jyoti Plan: Secure Your Future Today In today’s uncertain world, securing your future and that of your loved ones is more crucial than ever. The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) presents an exceptional opportunity with its Bima Jyoti plan, a non-linked, non-participating, individual, limited premium, life insurance savings plan. This plan is designed to…

[insurancesamadhan0]

The Art of Resolution: How Insurance Samadhan Simplifies the Claim Settlement Experience

Navigate insurance claims with ease! Discover how Insurance Samadhan simplifies the complex claim settlement process, making it hassle-free and faster. Read to know more.

[polifyxapp]

Polifyx: The Insurance Claim Rejection Expert

Don't let your insurance claim get rejected. Contact Polifyx today and let us help you get the money you deserve. The insurance claim rejection slayers, Polifyx fight for your rights and get you the money you deserve. Visit Now:- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insurancesamadhan.polifyx&hl=en_IN&gl=US&pli=1 

[tax8907]

factoring live transfers

The Live Lead is a lead generation company providing excellent results on your investments. We design our strategy carefully with customized solutions best suited for client needs. As a company, we have treated our clients very fairly and with calm.

Our team has very experienced professionals dedicated to providing the best service in the field.

The Live Lead

[autistic-shaiapouf]

Car is slated to be towed today :///

Emergency-ish Commissions

Hey guys it's your local florida man in a bit of a tight spot; hurricane number one totaled my car and hurricane number two knocked out the power for 5 days and I haven't had a chance to apply for assistance for food yet. I'll be without a car for most of next month (with someone who can at least help me get to and from work) and am opening up commissions to try to put a little more towards a down payment for a new car.

For 5 dollars I can give you a little doodle (might slip in a little more detail if you ask for a pokemon!) and for 25 I can do a full body piece, with a couple background elements and some light shading/lighting.

Here's some 5 dollar examples:

And here's some 25 dollar examples:

Won't do anything explicit, bigoted, the standard criteria; other than those, I'm pretty flexible with what I'll draw (fanart, OC art, ship art self-insert, anthro, some mech - I'm still learning!) , just shoot me a DM if you're not sure!

Payment is upfront, either through the commissions tab or directly through the donate button in the link, just let me know what you'd like I'll get to it! Every little bit helps, thank you to everyone!

[infinitelifeassurance]

Infinite Life Assurance | Insurance Agency | Life Insurance Companies in Missouri City TX

Ours is a well-reputed Insurance Agency in Houston TX; we provide a wide range of coverage options to help you reduce financial uncertainty and make accidental loss manageable. Our team of experienced agents is committed to helping you find the right insurance coverage that fits your specific needs and budget. Moreover, when it comes to protecting and securing the financial future of your loved ones, ours is among the top-rated Life Insurance Companies in Missouri City TX. With us on hire, you can surely plan right for the unexpected. For your convenience, we have also kept our service charges at the lowest possible scale. So, if you need our expert assistance, call or visit us today.

[sysmedsaresexist]

So have you talked about Colin Ross abusing and traumatizing his patients, or him believing he can shoot beams of energy out of his eyeballs, or any of that stuff or did i miss those posts or what

I did :) keep looking, I'm sure you're almost there

In all seriousness, no one is saying he's a saint or unproblematic, but him believing he can shoot lasers doesn't exactly affect the results of fmris or the readings of other clinicians in the studies compiling results

I mean, unless he shot the lasers right into the machine

That might skew the results a bit

But if you're going to dismiss Ross, you also have to dismiss van der Hart, Braun (RIP???), Poznanski, and all of the other psychotherapy clinicians involved in 15-20% of yearly medical malpractice lawsuits (statistics in these areas are horrible to wade through).

Malpractice lawsuits are a fact of life in the medical field and that's why every doctor is legally required to have insurance. It's estimated that by the age of 65 years, 75% of physicians in low-risk specialties had faced a malpractice claim (this includes psychiatry), as compared with 99% of physicians in high-risk specialties (surgeons and the like). At least 10% of an average 40 year career is spent with an open lawsuit on file. 96% of medical malpractice cases are settled out of court, without you ever knowing they happened. Your family/general doctor has more than likely been sued before, and you have zero idea. Of the cases that go to court, over 55% are dismissed. Of the remainder, over 70% are awarded to the physician. These numbers are terrifying. Not only are the number of frivolous lawsuits incredibly high, the fact that so few cases are won by the patient is just depressing.

Based on the above, like 1 case out of roughly 3,500 yearly malpractice suits against therapists will succeed in court.

(The above numbers are US based)

To reiterate, over half of those cases never go to court and you don't know they happened, because at that point, insurance companies prefer to just make things go away with money, whether it's valid or not.

How many can't afford to sue?

These cases range from therapists oversharing, bad note taking, confidentiality concerns, sexual relationships, business relationships, misdiagnosis, prescription management, lack of training in techniques, disagreements, and any number of other things. More often than not, malpractice suits aren't for emotional damage, but procedural and ethical issues.

The more well-known you are, the harder the cases you take, the more likely you are to be sued. I don't actually know of a case where Ross was the sole named physician, usually there's 3 or 4 named and Ross has only made it to the settlement stage once, though we can't see what part he played or if he was held responsible over the other physicians. I don't think he was ever named as the primary physician, meaning he came into these cases after another doctor had made the diagnosis.

How would you feel if every doctor decided to reassess you themselves rather than trust another diagnosing physician? This is a real question that matters. It's not rhetorical. I'm not defending Ross, either, but I'd be pretty frustrated by the third round of testing. Multiple diagnosing clinicians just isn't always feasible, and yes, it leads to errors. But that's not just psychiatry.

I don't really know what to say to this ask. No one is denying he's got problems, but can those problems be directly tied to the research and did they skew results? Where do we draw the line to decide who's officially useless as a clinician (people like Hart) and who's just getting sued in a normal daily event?

Can we talk about the laser beam thing for a second, though?

Colin Ross has an eyebeam of energy he'd like you to hear

Ross applied to the James Randi Educational Foundation’s One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge

Ross's basic claim is that with the aid of special goggles he’s assembled using a blue Aqua Sphere swim mask, electrical wiring and, naturally, scraps of tin foil, he can harness the energy from his eyes and use the energy to play a tone on a computer. He describes it like an on-off switch. And he plans to use the technology he’ll develop to add receptors to such devices as iPods and light switches, allowing folks to turn them on or off using our eyebeams.

He won an award. A Pigasus. I think this is hilarious.

The Pigasus Award is given each year, “To the scientist or academic who said or did the silliest thing related to the supernatural, paranormal or occult.” Dr. Ross’ 2009 Pigasus Award stems from his ability to focus his own electromagnetic field to send a beam of energy from his eyes and make a tone sound out of a speaker. He has applied to the One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge administered by the JREF.

The JREF has ridiculed Dr. Ross since he filed his challenge application. James Randi wrote on his web page: “You think you’ve seen every sort of claim that could be thrown at the JREF…. Most have been preposterous, silly, irrational, and/or astonishing. Now we have one that is all of those…Dr. Colin A. Ross.”

“I am not the first unconventional thinker who has had to endure the snickering of cynics and skeptics, so I happily accept this recognition,” said Dr. Ross. “Every significant scientific advance faces resistance, but it is time that the JREF stop ridiculing me and tests the protocol.”

I don't know where I'm going with all this, it's just food for thought, context. Nothing is ever quite so black and white, even eye lasers, and sometimes you keep the bathwater and toss the evil baby.

It's hard, it's a balance. Do we say you can't trust the ToSD because of Hart? Can bad people still make reliable resources? As much as it sucks, I think some research is still valuable, and we need to teach people how to critically examine methods and conclusions to decide if the research has merit, not just decide based on whose name is first in the authors list.

[incorrect-gravescest]

what kind of jobs do Andrew and Ashley have? (imagine the teasing potential)

In the little future AU I have, they receive quite the settlement from their parents' life insurance policy (I pull a complete Deus Ex Machina and have them sacrifice a door to door Jehovah's Witness to a demon in exchange for their parents deaths now having occured in a car accident) and are a bit well off.

However, they don't want to draw attention to themselves so when they move to start a new life several towns over, they live in an apartment even though they can afford a house much larger.

To further cover their tracks, Andrew gets a job at an indie comic book shop but Ashley is a "stay at home Mom without the kids" though this was obviously before Lilith became a thing and they would have to move to an actual house.

[catmomjudy]

Granted it’s because I was in the military myself, but every time I see someone say “Shannon left, but Eddie left first” I just twitch.

I know that Shannon says this. And I know that Eddie has been convinced of it, too (had it verbally beaten into him, really—but that’s part of his 💖 Shannon Goggles 💖).

But Eddie was working THREE jobs to support himself and Chris after he got out of the Army (even with whatever disability/medical separation settlement he got). He wouldn’t have been home to have Shannon’s back anyway. He would have been at work all the freaking time.

I don’t see that Eddie had any choice but to reenlist when he did. Giving up your health insurance and salaried job (that provides housing benefits as well) when your child has been diagnosed with CP is just plain stupid.

The thing Eddie did wrong is what he always does wrong: He didn’t discuss it with anyone first. He didn’t get buy-in. He didn’t present Shannon with a spreadsheet and PowerPoint slides, attached to a email that she could mull over before they talked.

And Shannon could have taken Christopher and moved to CA to be with her mother (or at least gone for an extended visit). She didn’t have to stay in El Paso. Eddie was willing to discuss it. Then he crashed and went home anyway. But she could have brought it up earlier and been on her way, and he could have shipped home to her there.

And, while Shannon ghosted her child for over two years—with no contact whatsoever—Eddie called; he videochatted; he probably emailed; and he went home on leave when he could.

Sorry, but I 🩷 Eddie. And I just feel like he’s always, constantly, stuck between a rock and a hard place on life decisions. But the blame for his marriage failing falls both ways, and it falls least of all on him.

Really, if you want to share the blame, some of it needs to fall on whatever or whoever convinced them to get married in the first place.

Oh wait—that would be his parents. And the church.

Rock. Meet hard place.

🤷🏻‍♀️

[sjsmith56]

None Shall Sleep

Summary: Bucky comes to the aid of his neighbour one night when he hears her crying after breaking something in her apartment.

Length: 5 K

Characters: Bucky Barnes, Sam Wilson, named but not described OFC, minor OFC, Pepper Stark.

Warnings: Description of eye surgery (personal experience), trust issues, Bucky feeling inadequate, health insurance company assholes.

Author notes: Inspired by this video of a tenor who sang Nessun Dorma (from the opera Turandot) accompanied by a flash mob orchestra in a German bookstore. The video showed up on my FB feed but I’ve always loved this piece, as it’s full of passion. My description of the opera is taken from the internet. https://fb.watch/pE60YHrtsM/? I’ve been to one opera in my life (La Boheme) which I enjoyed. Bucky is a big softy in this one shot which ends very romantically.

👁️ 🎶 🌖

Sam carried the last box into Bucky's new Brooklyn apartment, taking note of the high ceilings and windows this place had, compared to his old place, the small studio apartment.  With the settlement for his back pay, and damages for what had been done to him awarded from the now unfrozen assets of Alexander Pierce and several other high ranking HYDRA officials, James Buchanan Barnes was finally in a position to live in a manner that he deserved.  Buying this apartment was the start of his new beginning.  He also had plans to take some college courses so that he could prepare for a life that didn't involve using just his physical attributes.

"This is really nice, Bucky," he said, as his friend came out of the bathroom with an empty box, pulling the tape off the bottom so he could flatten it.  "Pepper found this place for you?"

He looked around.  "Yeah, it is nice.  Still has enough of the old features like hardwood floors and finishes, vintage claw foot tub in the master ensuite bathroom, mosaic floor tiles in both bathrooms.  Feels familiar but it's mostly modern so it should last a long time.  Not sure how the other owners feel about me living here but no one's said anything yet."

"Why would they?" Bucky scowled without answering.  "Hey, your money is as good as theirs.  You're quiet, you're not a criminal, and honestly, it will likely make criminals think twice about trying to break in.  I'm sure you'll be attuned to everyone's coming and goings pretty quickly."

"You calling me a busybody?" 

At least he said it with a grin.  It was true.  His bad sleeping habits meant he was often awake at night, watching out the window for anything out of the ordinary.  Knowing his neighbour's habits came easily to him but wasn't always understood or appreciated by them.  Still, his previous landlord and Pepper Stark wrote character references for him when he first applied to buy in the building.

A week later he had met several neighbours, finding most of them quite nice.  It surprised him on the one night when he heard crying from his nearest neighbour's apartment, a woman he hadn't met yet.  At first, he listened carefully for any sounds of fighting or abuse, but it sounded more like frustration than anything else.  Then he heard the sounds of something breaking and jumped out of bed.  Approaching her door, he listened carefully again then knocked before speaking.

"Hello?  Is everything alright?  I heard the sound of something breaking."

He could hear the sounds of someone approaching the door.

"Who are you?" Her voice sounded both anxious and upset.

"Bucky Barnes.  I just moved in next door.  I could hear you crying but tonight sounded like you broke something.  I can help."

"Fuck."  He could barely hear her swear.  "Hope he's not an asshole."

With the sound of her locating the locks and turning them, he waited, only to be surprised by the sight of a woman with both eyes heavily bandaged.

"I'm sorry if I woke you," she said, extending her hand outwards, not quite in the right direction.  "As you can see I have temporarily lost my sight.  I'm supposed to have someone to help me but they haven't showed up for the past two nights and that's left me trying to fend for myself."

He took her hand gently in his, squeezing it then releasing it.

"Well, I'm here and I can help you if you wish."

"I know I broke something, and I stepped on it."  She lifted one foot, that seemed cut open.  Spreading her hands helplessly, she began to cry again.  "Could you just help me?"

"I'm going to pick you up and carry you to the bathroom," replied Bucky.  "You have cut your foot.  I can take care of bandaging that.  Then I'll clean up what you broke.  After that, we'll see what more I can do for you, okay?"

She allowed him to pick her up in his arms, carrying her into her bathroom, where he placed her on the counter.  Returning to his place for his first aid kit, since she only had a kit of bandages for her eyes, he gently cleaned her foot in the sink, then checked the wound for any pieces of the broken glass.

"What's your name?" he asked, as he applied some antiseptic to it.

"Roberta," she replied.

"That's a pretty name," he smiled.  "How long have you lived here?"

"About a year.  I sublet from the owner.  You just moved in?"

"Yeah, a week ago.  If it's not too personal, may I ask about your eyes?"

She lowered her head.  "I was mugged, hit my head pretty hard on the pavement.  It gave me a concussion and partially detached the retinas in both eyes, so I had to have surgery to fix them.  It sounds kind of gruesome, but they had to empty the eyeball of the vitreous gel to do it, then used a laser to seal the tears, and then a bubble of gas to reinflate the eye was inserted to keep the retina in place.  As the gas is absorbed into the body, the eye replaces the gel with new liquid, but it takes about six weeks for it to heal properly.  This past week I had to sleep on my stomach at the hospital, face down so that the bubble stayed at the back of the eyeball and kept the retina from detaching again.  I had an aide to help me at night for the first two nights when I was released, to make sure I didn't flip over onto my back, but she didn't show up last night or tonight.  Since I can't see, I can't call my insurance company to find out what happened to her and the woman they got for the daytime doesn't speak much English.  She just cooks and cleans for me."

He listened, fascinated by the medical process that would restore her vision, knowing that during the 1930s the success rate for repairing that was abysmal. 

"When were your eye dressings last changed?" 

"Two nights ago," answered Roberta.  "I was trying to do it myself because it felt gross, but I knocked something over and it broke."  She lowered her head as if she was looking at the floor.  "I just feel so helpless.  I'm sorry I woke you up."

Once again, he took her hand in his.

"I'm a lousy sleeper and was already awake.  You stay here while I clean up then I'll see if I can help change your dressings.  Is that okay?"

She nodded, waiting patiently for her neighbour to return.  At least he sounded nice.  Bucky wasn't a common name, perhaps it was a nickname.  Carefully, she listened as she heard him sweep a broom over the floor and into a dustpan.  The running of water was followed by the sound of a cloth being wiped over the floor, presumably to clean up the blood from the cut in her foot.  Then she heard the sound of footsteps approaching.

"Just me," he said, before he entered.  "Everything's cleaned up out there.  Now, how do I take care of your eyes?"

She told him to boil some water first and let it cool, then add a little salt to help with cleaning.  He left coming back a few minutes later.  He washed his hands, then unwrapped the larger bandage which released the plastic eye shields that protected her eyes.  Under them were gauze pads, which he carefully peeled off.  All she saw was the light of the bathroom, and the bubble of gas inside her eyes which kept her repaired retinas in place.  Everything else was blurred or distorted.

"It's pretty red," said Bucky, his face close enough to hers for her to smell his aftershave.  "Is that normal?"

"Well, it's pretty invasive eye surgery so I guess it is.  If you could take some clean gauze and dip it in the boiled water, as long as it's not too hot, you can clean the guck off, gently."

Patiently, she waited as he did as he was told, slightly surprised at how gently he cleansed her damaged eyes.  She noticed the sound of whirring and that one of his hands was warm and the other cold, which she brought up.

"I have a prosthetic arm and hand," he explained, hesitantly at first.  "It's a very high tech one.  I'm kind of the only person in the world with one like it.  It functions almost like normal, but they can't make it feel warm, or mask all the sounds it makes.  I'm thankful for it but I worry about how people see it."

Roberta smiled.  "Good thing I could only hear it and feel it then," she said.  "Although, I bet it's impressive looking.  Is it a prototype?"

"I guess," he admitted, then she was aware his face was further away.  "Okay, that looks better.  What's next?"

"There's a tube of ointment," said Roberta.  "If you pull the lower eyelid out, you can squeeze a small portion into each one and distribute it a bit.  That's to heal the incisions."  She waited while he did it.  "Okay, new gauze to cover my eyes, then the shields over top.  Just check that the shields are clean.  They can be cleaned with soap and water if they have anything on them."

She smiled as she heard the sound of water, assuming that the shields needed cleaning.  Then they were placed over her eyes, and she held them in place as Bucky wrapped the bandages around her head to keep them there.  By his silence, other than his breathing which seemed to shift slightly as if he was moving his head, Roberta assumed he was checking his handiwork.

"How is that?" he asked.

"Feels great," she answered.  "Thank you."

"Is there anything else I can do for you?  I'm guessing anything involving the eyes are out."

"I wouldn't mind listening to some music," she answered.  "My phone is around here somewhere.  If you could open the playlists, I could choose one.  You're welcome to stay if you're not sleepy."

She felt his warm arm circle around her waist as he helped her off the vanity, then he placed her hand on his arm as he led her out to the living room, telling her when they were a couple of steps away from the couch.  He joined her a moment later, as he placed her phone in her hand.

"Needs to be unlocked."

"Oh, it's set to Face ID which won't work with these bandages.  If I give you the code, do you promise not to go snooping?"

"Scout's honour." She could just feel the smile from him.

After giving him the code she waited while he opened her playlists, then he began listing them off.  When he got to her guilty pleasure one of opera, she told him to choose that.

"I'm a bit weird, I know," she joked.  "Not many people my age like opera but it was something my dad and I would do every time the Met put on a new one.  We always had discount tickets, would go for dinner, then to the opera.  Dad loved it and it was time well spent with him before he died."

"I'm sorry.  You must miss him."

"I do.  He died of cancer just five years ago." 

The sounds of La Traviata came on and he smiled as she relaxed, slightly leaning into him.  She quickly told him the plot of the opera and encouraged him to close his eyes and lose himself in the singing.  There were several other arias from other pieces that played then another came up and she straightened a bit.

"This is one of my favourites," she said.  "It's called Nessun Dorma, from Turandot.  A disguised prince falls in love with a princess who is indifferent to him.  To win her hand a suitor must solve three riddles, but if he gets any of them wrong, then he will be executed.  The prince succeeds but she still refuses him, so he challenges her to guess his real name, which would allow her to put him to death.  If she doesn't then she must marry him."

"Does she?" asked Bucky.

"That's the mystery behind this opera," said Roberta.  "The composer, Puccini, didn't finish it as he died, so no one really knows if he meant this to have a happy ending or a tragic ending.  This piece, Nessun Dorma, means none shall sleep, as the princess commands everyone to put aside sleep and find out the prince's real name.  Whether she found out and chose to reveal it or not is one of the great mysteries of Turandot.  Both endings have been used, written by other composers."

He listened with her, finding it a stirring piece of music.  As they listened to several more, he became aware of her breathing becoming deeper and more regular.  Roberta had fallen asleep.  Gently, he extracted himself from beside her then remembered what she said about sleeping with her repaired eyes.  Going to the linen closet he pulled out some towels and rolled them into position on her bed, to surround her face, keeping it off the surface of the sheets.  Then he returned to the couch and gently lifted her into his arms.  She whimpered a little and buried her face in his chest.

"You smell good," she whispered, sleepily.  "I like it."

"Thank you," he whispered back.

Gently, he positioned her face down, making sure that she was set in a way that was comfortable but allowed her to breathe.  Then he covered her up with her bedcovers and turned off the light.  Returning to his apartment, he laid on the couch, falling asleep until the morning.

Knowing that Roberta wanted to phone the insurance company about the aide not showing up, Bucky woke up early then listened carefully to any signs of the young woman getting up.  When she did, he went over and knocked on the door, waiting as she approached.  Instead, it was another woman who opened it and he looked at her a little surprised.  She spoke Spanish, identifying herself as Maria, the daytime helper who cooked for Miss Roberta.  Addressing her in Spanish, Bucky identified himself, waiting while she checked with Roberta before she let him in. 

"I thought you might want me to help phone the insurance company," he said when she came out of the kitchen.  "Find out what happened to your night-time aide.  I also speak Spanish if you want me to tell Maria anything."

"Yes please, to both," said Roberta.  "Thank you for putting me to bed last night.  I actually had a good sleep because of how you arranged the towels.  How did you know how to do it?"

He shook his head.  "Just seemed right."

She gave some instructions for Maria, which he passed on, then dialled her insurance company for her, placing the phone on speaker so she could talk to the agent.  When she told them the aide hadn't shown up for two nights they disputed her account, saying the woman had clocked in.  Bucky frowned as he listened then asked if he could speak.

"Hi, I'm Roberta's neighbour," he started.  "I can't say about Monday, but your aide was definitely not here last night because I heard Roberta crying after she broke something and cut her foot open.  I looked after her, cleaning her eyes and changing her dressing.  She wouldn't be phoning to complain if your employee actually showed up, don't you think?"

"Well, our employees are very professional and whose to say that you aren't lying on behalf of Miss Paxton?" said the woman on the other end.

Roberta's face reddened when she heard that, and Bucky felt his own irritation grow at the insinuation.

"Well, why don't I give you the name of someone to verify my identity," he said.  "If you would be so kind to contact Pepper Stark at Stark Industries, I'm sure she can vouch for me."

"Your name, sir?"

"Bucky Barnes, currently one of the Avengers.  My full name is James Buchanan Barnes."

There was no sound from the insurance agent for a moment.  Then there was a little cough, and she came back on.

"I will make that call and get back to you, Mr. Barnes," she said.  "Will you be at this number?"

"Yes, I'm not going anywhere." 

He hung up and placed the phone on the table.  There was silence between them until Roberta extended her hand towards him.  Gently, he took it and held it.

"You're really him?  I didn't quite hear your last name when you came in last night."

"Yeah, I'm him, the former Winter Soldier.  Once we get this cleared up, I won't come around anymore, if my presence makes you uncomfortable."

"No, I mean, I would like it if you came over.  I enjoyed your company.  You were kind to me and let me talk about opera and never once interrupted.  That's more than most men have ...." 

She coughed, then began to cry and Bucky reached into his pocket for his handkerchief, then looked at it, realizing her eyes were still bandaged.  Maria looked at him, whispering in Spanish that perhaps an arm around the young woman would be acceptable.  With a slight smile to her he did just that and pulled Roberta close.

"I'm sorry.  I'm kind of predisposed to being rejected and kind of jumped the gun on your reaction to who I was."

His phone rang and he fished it out of his pocket, seeing that it was Pepper.  He explained to her why the insurance company was calling, smiling as she expressed dismay that they would leave a woman without home care when she was basically helpless because she couldn't see.

"If they don't send anyone, I'm happy to help her," he said to Pepper.  "Roberta is very nice, and we got along just fine."

"Well, if they don't send someone, or if no one comes, you let me know, and I'll hire a small team myself to help her out."

He passed on the message to Roberta, who thanked Pepper profusely, then hung up, expecting to receive a call from the insurance company.  When it still didn't come an hour later, they phoned again, were put on hold then the call was dropped.  At that time, Maria came out of the kitchen with her phone, looking like she had bad news.  With a halting voice, she told Bucky she was laid off, as Miss Paxton's insurance policy had been cancelled.  Worriedly, she looked between Bucky and Roberta.

"Hold on, Maria," he said in Spanish.  "You won't be laid off, I promise.  Wait with Miss Paxton while I make another call."

After telling Roberta he had to make a private call he headed out to the hallway and called Pepper to pass on what he had learned.  She swore profusely, then he heard a large exhale of breath from the executive. 

"Alright, I'm assembling a team to take over Miss Paxton's care, and you tell Maria she now works for Stark Industries starting at twice the measly pay they were probably giving her.  Then I'm calling my lawyer and getting them on the sudden cancellation of her policy.  They can't do that, and I won't let them get away with it if I have to buy the company myself.  Don't you worry, Bucky.  We'll take care of Miss Paxton while you're on mission."  She hesitated for a moment.  "Okay, I wasn't supposed to say anything, but you'll be getting a call shortly."

Returning to the apartment, he broke the news gently to Roberta, then assured her that she would be looked after.  He also told Maria she still had a job, with Stark Industries, sending the woman into her own joyful expressions that someone would do that for her.  As she thanked him enthusiastically for his help, he received his mission alert from the Avengers and looked at the readout.  He had six hours to report for duty.

"Well, I have some sad news," he stated.  "I'm being called out for a mission, but you can take Pepper Stark's insistence on a team to look after you as the complete truth.  She'll make sure you're taken care of while I'm gone."

"How long will you be gone?"

"I don't know but we can talk whenever I have a chance," he replied.  "Give me your phone and I'll put my information in."

He entered his information in her phone then did the same to his.  Then they sat together on the couch.  Her hand slowly inched its way towards his and he held her hand while they waited.  An hour later, the doorbell rang, and the first member of Roberta's care team, Julie, arrived, along with a contract for Maria to sign that she explained fully to the woman.  He stood up, then began to walk towards the door.

"Bucky, can I see you privately for a moment?" asked Roberta, then she blushed and grinned.  "You know what I mean."

Julie took Maria into the kitchen, leaving the couple alone.  Hesitantly, Robert lifted her hands towards Bucky, and he took them, holding them in his hands.  She stepped closer, until there was barely any space between them.  Raising one hand to his face, she cupped his cheek as he watched her intently.

"Thank you for taking care of me," she murmured.  "You're a very nice man."  He began to protest but she placed her fingers on his lips, and he instinctively kissed them, bringing a smile to her lips.  "You are a nice man and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.  When you get back, I would like to see you again.  I don't know many nice men and I kind of want to keep you around."

If she could have seen it, his smile likely would have dazzled her.  With his free hand he brushed some hair over her shoulder then leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips.

"I would like to see you again, Roberta," he answered.  "You're a very nice lady and I don't know many.  You let them take care of you while I'm gone, okay?"

She nodded and they kissed again, for longer and with some feeling.  Then he caressed her face and left to get ready for his mission. 

Two months later.

Carefully, Bucky looked at himself in the mirror of his apartment, satisfied with his haircut and the trim of his beard.  After making sure his tie was right and that there were no white cat hairs on his black suit, he turned towards the window.  Alpine, the stray kitten he found on the mission and brought back with him, watched from her cat tree in front of the large window.  He confirmed he had his wallet and his car keys, then checked the inside pocket for the tickets, smiling at how excited Roberta would be when he told her where they were going.

"What do you think, Al?  Do I look good?"

A cross between a meow and a trill greeted him, confirming that he did indeed look good.  Leaving a light on in the living room, he gave the kitten a quick stroke on the head, then left, locking the door behind him and walking to the apartment next door.  He could hear opera playing in the apartment and smiled, then knocked loud enough to hear the music stop and footsteps approaching the door.  It was opened and for a moment he was dazzled at the vision in front of him.  Roberta was in a form fitting black dress that seemed to glitter like the night sky.  Its open neckline highlighted her collarbones, and a hint of décolletage completed the top part of the dress.  A long slit on one side showed off her shapely leg, along with the strappy-heeled sandals she wore.

"Wow!  You look amazing," he said, leaning forward to kiss her on the cheek.  "Pepper helped you get that dress, didn't she?"

Roberta blushed.  "Maybe.  We've become good friends, I think.  So, we must be going somewhere fancy because you're looking good as well."

"Darlin' I always look good," he grinned, then his face grew soft as he came closer.  "I mean it.  You look like a dream and I'm the luckiest guy alive."

They kissed and she used her thumb to wipe off the lipstick that transferred to his lips.  Taking her lipstick out of her clutch she reapplied it then waited as Bucky approached with her coat, helping her put it on.  They held hands on the elevator down to the parking garage, where Bucky held the car door open for her until she was belted in, and he got in behind the wheel.  As they passed over the Brooklyn Bridge, he told her to close her eyes so that it was a surprise.  When he pulled up in front of the Metropolitan Opera House, he reminded her to keep her eyes closed.  After helping her out, he handed his keys to the valet, then whispered in her ear.

"Open your eyes."

She opened them, ignoring the camera flashes from the paparazzi and seeing they were in front of the Metropolitan Opera House.  A big smile appeared on her face, and she looked up at him.

"It's Turandot, isn't it?" she asked.  "You got tickets?"

He nodded, then took her hand into the crook of his arm and began to walk to the entrance.  There were several calls of his name, and he stopped once, to the sounds and flashes of multiple cameras going off, then they turned away and continued inside.  After dropping off her coat at the coat check, they went up the staircase to the Parterre, where they were shown their seats, two in the front row of the left center box.  Two programs were already waiting for them, and he watched with an amused smile as she excitedly read it through.  When the music started, she watched the performance intently, occasionally glancing at him and squeezing his hand. 

At the intermission, they went out and ordered champagne for her, bourbon for him, sipping it as several celebrities approached them, introducing themselves.  Bucky was polite but reserved, his attention directed all towards Roberta.  The second half of the performance was just as enthralling as the first, especially when it came to the performance of Nessun Dorma, which drew a standing ovation and cries of "Bravo" for the tenor who sang it.  Bucky watched Roberta's face as she sat, enthralled at the whole experience.  When it ended and the theatre started to empty, she sat bright eyed, still staring at the stage until she turned to him.

"That was amazing," she enthused.  "I've never seen it before, and it was everything I ever hoped it would be.  Thank you."

"You're welcome," he smiled, standing and offering her his hand.  "Now, we can go to dinner, or we can pick up some takeout and have it at your place.  I'm good either way.  Which do you prefer?"

"You really don't mind takeout?  These sandals are beautiful, but I'm not used to them, and I wouldn't mind changing into something more relaxing."

"Takeout it is," stated Bucky, as they approached the coatcheck and he helped her on with her coat. 

On the drive back to the apartment building, they held hands, stopping only when they picked up some Chinese food.  They were both quiet on the elevator ride to their floor.  Inside her apartment, Roberta left Bucky to open the containers as she disappeared into her bedroom, coming out in a pair of leggings and a soft tunic.  He took his jacket off, draping it over the back of the chair, then slipped his shoes off.  They both ate a good portion of their food, then Roberta winced when she stretched her one foot, noticing she had a blister forming.  Putting his food aside, Bucky switched positions on the couch and gestured for her foot, gently massaging it.  As he ran his hand over her foot, he rubbed her ankle then her calf muscle, watching her intently.

"Stop," she whispered.

He stopped.  Carefully, she shifted closer to him, ending up on his lap.  Looking at his tie, she loosened it enough to raise it over his head, then unbuttoned several buttons on his shirt, placing one of her hands on his upper chest. 

"Stop," he murmured.

She stopped, still perched on his lap, close enough that she was well aware of the warmth of his body radiating through his shirt and the hands that rested on her thighs, in addition to the bulge already forming in his pants.  They gazed at each other then Roberta leaned closer.

"None shall sleep," she said softly.

"You're sure?"

"Very sure."

Slowly, he ran his right hand up her body to her neck.  Placing his hand at the back of her neck he pulled her closer then wrapped his arms around her as they kissed passionately.  They explored each other's lips and mouths thoroughly, before pulling away, each of them a little breathless.  Lifting herself off of Bucky, Roberta went over to her phone and brought up the opera playlist then turned off the light and stood in front of the couch, offering him her hand.  He kissed it, then raised himself off and picked her up in his arms.

"You smell good."  Her eyes were luminous in the dark that was lit only by the moonlight coming in the floor to ceiling windows.  "I love you."

He smiled softly, kissing the top of her head.  "I love you, too."

To the sound of her favourite arias, Bucky carried Roberta into the bedroom where neither of them slept until much, much later.

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One shots Masterlist.

[chickenparm]

chicken parm how are you doing.... i miss seeing your silly little posts

hiya buddy! i'm still here, still kickin, just dealing with a lot of life stuff happening all at once. parm grumbling under the cut about irl stuff

back in may, my bf was in my smart car and some kid ran a red light and completely totaled the car.

because of that kid's dumb decision, my bf is saddled with a shoulder injury that has him in physical therapy twice a week, plus our main mode of transportation was destroyed. not to mention he needed it for his job, so that was a huge loss of income since he can't work with his shoulder like this.

us losing that income has made it so we're pretty behind on rent and bills, and we have to move out of our home and back in with my parents a few states away at the end of august. on top of all that, we're in the middle of an injury settlement with the other driver's insurance and THAT has been stressful as well.

i also have been working around 50 hours a week at a highly physical job to make ends meet and have money for this move, since i don't think the settlement will come before we have to leave this place. i just haven't have the mental resources to spare being a goofy little guy online and writing and other things i enjoy.

basically, i'm just trying to make it through these next few months and hopefully everything will smooth out eventually. i'm just all jumbled up.