Peggy made her way back into the hospital room. To Bucky and Steve. Bucky was awake, Peggy didn't remember seeing it happen or hear Steve saying anything when she was on the phone. She just walked in and there he was. With that charming smile of his written across his face, the two men were laughing together. It was as if he had been awake for hours? Days even? Peggy sat down back next to Steve. He kissed her and asked "How's Angie?"
Before Peggy could answer, Bucky spoke up "Angie. She sounds nice"
He was certainly back to normal.
"She's in her nineties" Steve laughed along with Peggy.
"So are we" Bucky raised his eyebrows and then laughed "I'm just kidding. Go on"
Peggy rolled her eyes with a smirk on her face and looked back to Steve "She's very very well, she just wanted to know how everything went and wants to discuss the wedding. She's very excited"
"Oh yeah speaking of that. Pay up" Bucky rubbed his palms together and held out his hand. Steve groaned and handed him a ten dollar bill. He was hoping Bucky heard everything but that.
"You won't find much to do with ten dollars in here"
"I'll think of something, I'll go nuts on the vending machine" Bucky put the ten dollars on the table beside him and looked back to the happy couple (as he now likes to address them as) "So this Angie girl, she was your best friend back in the day?"
"Still is, I'm proud to say" Peggy said with a proud smile to match her sentence. Bucky nodded "Good. She must be one healthy person given her age"
"She's amazing" Steve nodded to Bucky. As if to say it was unbelievable. You'd never guess Angie was the age she was when you first look at her.
"She's been feeling a little under the weather lately but, she's a lot better now, she'll be around for a while longer I imagine, as do the nurses" Peggy said with a laugh.
There was then a knock at the door.
It made Peggy open her eyes. She was hoping she wasn't sat in her bedroom wearing what she was wearing. And when Steve came through the door she was hoping that he wasn't wearing that suit. Steve's facial expression was pure heart ache. From what Peggy was going through, and had been going through these past two weeks.
"It's time, baby" he spoke in a whisper, as he was unable to say those in any other way. Peggy weakly nodded and slowly stood up with tears already running down her face.
If you hadn't of already guessed. What happened at the hospital didn't go like that. At all.
Steve looked down to the floor with his hands clutched together. Feet tapping to the beat of the music. He glanced up to Bucky. Just waiting for his eyes to open. Just waiting for him to say some sort of witty comment about anything that Steve was doing, because that's all he could do right now...wait. Something suddenly didn't feel right. Steve looked up to Bucky. It wasn't him that didn't feel right.
He then began to hear a frequent knocking come from behind him. Steve turned his head to see Peggy banging on the window, but she had her back to him. It was clear that she needed him now. Steve slowly stood up with his eyes fixed on Peggy the entire time, he then glanced to Bucky and muttered "Excuse me, Buck" Steve stepped outside the door and began to slowly walk down the hall way. He walked at a normal speed as he was almost reaching the corner, before he got to her though, he could hear her crying. His speed then picked up, Steve peered round the corner and saw her. She had her left arm across the top of her stomach. Her right elbow resting on it with her hand covering her mouth. Tears streaming down her face like a never ending flow. She was shaking.
Peggy soon saw Steve in the corner of her eye and stood up straight from leaning against the window, facing him. They stood there in silence for a second. Steve gulped heavily, he opened his mouth to speak but Peggy just shook her head and ran into his arms. Steve wrapped his arms around, a typical instinct that he had for her.
"Peg-"
He then felt her shake his head against his and then cried out a plea "Just hold me" She buried her face in his neck, holding onto him tighter. Steve sighed deeply and closed his eyes. She didn't need to say what had happened. From her reaction, he knew exactly what had happened. Steve whispered with pain in his voice "I'm so sorry"
When Peggy heard him say those words. It made it feel all the more real, her sobs increased and gotten slightly louder. It hurt. Like hell. It couldn't be real. Angie...Angie couldn't be gone, she just couldn't be dead. Peggy soon felt as if she couldn't breathe. It was like she was suffocating.
"Wake me up, Steve...wake me up" she pleaded. Because it had to be a nightmare. This couldn't be happening. It was too soon. Too soon to let go. She needed for this to not to be her reality. But Steve couldn't help her. He wished that he could. Steve pressed his lips against her shoulder and just whispered once again "I'm so sorry"
It had been nearly two weeks now, two weeks of hell more like. Peggy was exhausted, as was Angie's daughter. Peggy had been helping Angie's family with the funeral and it has been hard to say the least. And Peggy thought that spending this time to prepare for the funeral and to deal with her grief with the support of her family here. Steve and Natasha have especially been helpful. Also she has been seeing a lot of Angie and Daniel's children. Their daughter was obviously heartbroken but she was prepared for this. Peggy on the other hand was only just getting the idea of getting prepared that Angie did not have a lot of time here left. But, Peggy didn't think about the fact that Angie was in her nineties. For one, she didn't look it all. Two, she seemed so healthy.
But Angie was an actress, it was easy for her to cover up that she was told that she had a rare heart condition and knew that her body would not be able to deal with it. She found out three days before Peggy came and visited her, and that was the day that Peggy told Angie about the engagement. She didn't have it in her to tell Peggy there and then that she didn't have long left, hence why she was trying to drop hints that she wouldn't make it for the wedding. It all made sense to Peggy now that she thought back. After that, Angie couldn't tell Peggy over the phone either, she had a lot on her mind what with the mission to find Bucky and everything. On the night before they went on their mission. Angie just knew something was wrong. She just knew. She saw Daniel again, by her bed. He was waiting for her, and that's when she knew it was time.
So, Angie picked up the phone. And left a message to everyone in her family. It was midnight, so everyone would be asleep. She started with her daughter Peggy and left her best friend Peggy to the end.
As Peggy slowly walked over to the door and to Steve. The message began to replay in her mind.
When they got home the day they rescued Bucky and the day she found out about Angie's passing. It was only then when she noticed she had a voicemail on her phone. She hardly knew how to work these Stark phones but eventually she got onto it. Peggy took a deep breath and held the phone to her ear. To listen to her best friend. One. Last. Time.
"Hi English" already she sounded...like she had given up "Well, this is going to be a downer on your day. I'm not too sure whether you'll listen to this message in the morning or after your mission that I know that you'll have succeeded...but...I'm afraid I can't be your maid of honor. Not because I don't want to be. But because I'm not going to be here, I didn't have it in me to tell you but...I've been dying, for over a week now. And-and it's my time to go now. I'm sorry...forgive me...if I had the choice, I'd be able to fight this until after your wedding but, I'm afraid that is no longer a possibility. Daniel, he's here. He's waiting for me to join him Peg, I can't leave him any longer. I just want you to know that, I'm so happy for you. This life Peggy, this life you have been given a second chance at is so precious...to the both of us. I want you to live it to the fullest, with that man of yours by your side. Cherish him. Like I did with Daniel. Like I still do. I am so proud of you, you, Peggy Carter. Are remarkable. I love you, and that'll never change, but I am sure going to miss you all over again. But hey, I'll always be here. You won't be getting rid of me that easily, English...I...I have to go. Never forget your value, that you clung onto for so long and inspired me with. You're going to make the most beautiful bride...I can see it now. Take care of yourself, Peggy. Thank you, for everything. I love you. Goodbye"
Thinking about it, right now was painful. It was beautiful what Angie said. But it hurt. It still hurt so much. Peggy then remembered how she collapsed on the phone as her body began to shake so much from crying. And Steve running in and holding her as she cried. Tears ran down her cheeks now just thinking about it. She quickly wiped them away as she looked up to Steve. He looked so heartbroken. And he was, seeing Peggy going through this. And he cared about Angie a lot, the times he spent with her. That once by himself and the couple of times he went with Peggy, all three of them laughing with a cup of tea. Swapping tales about the things Peggy and Angie would get up to and what Steve and Peggy would get up to. It was some of the best times both of them had-had.
Steve looked a her and muttered "You ready?"
"Do I have a choice anyway?" Peggy sighed, her tone was sharp. She looked back at him and damned herself "I'm sorry darling, I'm just-"
"I know" Steve laid a long kiss on her forehead and repeated "I know" He knew because he was the same when Bucky had supposedly died. He wouldn't admit this to anyone apart from her but, he'd cry himself to sleep some nights. It was just like a never ending nightmare. It will only get easier in time, but it won't get better. They'll still be a void that cannot be filled.
Peggy knew that Angie would go eventually. But, she felt like she had just gotten her back. Although they talked about a lot. There was so much more to say, Peggy felt like she missed out so much from Angie's life. A part of her felt guilt but, they both knew that it couldn't be helped. And she loves Steve more than anything in world, but a part of her wished that she could have brought those few close friends that she had with her. She knew that sounded selfish. But really, it was a natural feeling in this situation. Steve sure as hell felt it when he first woke up.
"Do me a favor, Steve"
"Anything"
Peggy kept her eyes locked to his as she slid her hand in his and then added after a second of silence "Don't let go of me today"
Steve pulled a soft, warm smile and nodded "You have my word" he kissed her cheek and they both took a deep breath "I'm ready now" Peggy admitted "I'm ready to say goodbye"
Steve nodded and smiled again, he nodded to outside and whispered "Let's go say goodbye then"
The only time Steve let go of her is when they got in and out of the car. Even in the car he held onto her hand. Peggy had told the team that Angie's family had said they were welcome to come but they politely declined. Not because they were being rude, but because they knew this was Steve and Peggy's thing. They didn't know Angie, and they wanted to let Peggy get her grief out with only Steve by her side. Which Steve and Peggy understood and were grateful for. They got out the car, Peggy gripped onto Steve's hand straight away as soon as she saw the church in front of him. They walked towards the church when in the corner of her eye, Peggy saw the funeral car. With Angie's coffin resting in it. Peggy gulped heavily and hitched her breath when she saw it. She was trying to stay brave, she tried to hold in from bursting out into tears. There were flowers leaning against the coffin in the car that spelled out 'MOTHER' Peggy bit her lip and lent her head against Steve's arm for a moment. She felt him kiss the top of her head and whisper "Come on, baby"
Peggy was asked to sit with Angie's family. Because she was Angie's family. There was no denying it. The funeral was filled with just friends and family. It was small, just like Angie wanted. They did have flowers sent to them by people who were still fans of Angie on broadway which was nice. All of the people there knew about Peggy's situation. Well. Nearly everyone did now. Damn media. They were given a little 'booklet' that had some picture of Angie old and young and facts about her life. It would be something that Peggy would cherish. The song that Angie picked out for her funeral which was 'I Feel Pretty' from West Side Story. Peggy wasn't familiar with the musical as it came out after she disappeared. But Angie fell in love with as soon as it came out. And even played Maria herself at one point. The song came on, which was a signal that the it was time to say goodbye. Everyone in the church raised from their seats and turned around, as Angie came in the church. For her final curtain call. Holding the coffin was her three grandsons, two nephews and her son in law. They were all extremely close to Angie. Especially her grandsons, they were especially devastated. No matter how much you try and prepare for it. You will never really be prepared.
Tears once again began to stream down Peggy's face as she watched the coffin make its way down the aisle and to the front. She had her left hand clutched to Steve's and her others linked with Angie's daughter.
"Three C if you need a cup of sugar"
"Everything alright, English?"
[I'm afraid I can't carry a tune] "Doesn't matter when you've got legs like yours"
"I got a bottle of schnapps and half a rhubarb pie, let's see which one makes us sick first"
"Shut up, English, you talk too much"
[Take care of yourself] "You too, English"
Peggy gulped heavily as the coffin was placed at the front. The boys backed away and went to their seats. Peggy stared that the four pictures that were in front of the coffin. One was a headshot from when she first started out on broadway, it was beautiful. The other was her and Daniel on their wedding day. The third was Angie with Daniel and their children. A perfect family. And the fourth...the fourth was a picture of Peggy and Angie together. It was the day they went to the park, Angie insisted on Daniel taking her and Peggy's picture even though she opposed at first, Peggy clearly gave in. Peg, as in Angie's daughter, made a copy of the picture and gave it to Peggy to keep. It was the only one she had of her and Angie. Peggy couldn't help but think about all the opportunities they could have had...to have more pictures. To make more memories to cherish.
But like she's said to herself before. She couldn't have the best of both worlds.
They sat down. They said their prayers, and sang some hymns. Her eldest grandson did a speech. Then Angie's daughter, Peggy. Then one of her granddaughters...then Peggy herself. Steve gave her hand a squeeze as she stood up and walked over to the stand. Her eyes were glued to the coffin. Knowing Angie was...in there. She gulped heavily and turned to face everyone. She looked to Steve, who had a warm smile on his face as a vote of confidence to her. Letting her know that she can do this.
She took a breath to prepare herself and then began to speak "It feels a sort of comfort, that today is Angie and Daniel's anniversary...to know that they are here with us on such an important day to them both...Angie has been my best friend for years to say the least" she said with a warm laugh, as did everyone else "And I wish that I could have been there for here in any difficult times she went through, like she was here for me when we first met. I had my walls up from a tragedy hitting my life. But it was no surprise to you all that she bashed those walls down with a bulldozer. I'm glad she did, because this woman opened my heart again and brought me such happiness. If I ever got upset or down, she would just snap me out of it, without any hesitation... I could stand here for so long and talk about all the things we got up to, all the schnapps that we drank after a hard day at work. Angie was beautiful, in every way. She was funny, kind and always put others before herself . And it's those things that will stick with me forever, her smile, her laugh and her good, gentle heart, I made her my maid of honor for my wedding. And although she can't be here...she still remains my maid of honor"
Peggy turned her head and looked to the coffin. Slowly she walked over to it, and slowly placed her hands on it . Once again that phone message rang in her head
"I love you. Goodbye"
"I love you too" she cried. Her hands slowly slid down from the coffin and whispered "Goodbye" She bit her lip, again to try and prevent on bursting out into tears. She slowly stepped backwards and back towards where she sits. She sat back down, with a smile on Peg's face "Thank you" she whispered. Peggy smiled and nodded. She turned back around to Steve "I'm so proud of you" he whispered, giving her a light kiss. She then smiled to him and lent her head against his and sighed, Steve slid his hand back in her, making the corner of her lips turn up again "Thank you for sticking to your word"
"Of course" he whispered again.
Soon after. The coffin was laid in her grave. Everyone did what was traditional and took a handful of dirt and put it on the coffin. It was a good thing Steve was here, she really needed someone to lean on. She was crying, but she wasn't sobbing. The silent tears ran down her cheeks. Angie was now put to rest, and that put Peggy at ease. Sure, it still hurt. But that would heal, slowly. As the vicar said his speech, Peggy's eyes traveled to Angie's grave.
Angie Evelyn Martinelli-Sousa.
1921 - 2014
Mother. Wife. Friend.
Forever in our hearts.
Peggy then smiled as she saw the grave next to it.
Daniel Thomas Sousa.
1919 - 2009
Father. Husband. Friend.
Forever in our hearts.
She loved the fact that they had the same message. There was something very sweet about it. She knew that Angie wanted to be buried next to Daniel, it was only natural that it was something you'd want to rest. Peggy looked back down at Angie's coffin, she licked her bottom lip and mouthed once more "Goodbye"
Peggy looked to Steve and smiled with a nod. She made herself ready to say goodbye to Angie, now she was ready to move on. She had Angie with her. She would always have Angie with her, that will never end. A bond like theirs is unbreakable. Angie lived most of her days without Peggy. And now Peggy must learn to do the same. With Steve by her side. She's sure she could do that, it won't be easy. But in this life nothing is.
Heyyyy. Okay. I know. It's depressing, I cried writing it. I know some friends of mine are going to kill me (you know who you are) Goodbye to Angie :(
ANYWAY! I promise this is the most depressing the sequel is gonna get and I promise to make up for it with fluff and a wedding ;)
I was going to wait longer to give you this sequel but why not I'm just gonna throw the first chapter at you now, I'm not sure when the second chapter will be up, hopefully soon! Please leave reviews below as always it means a lot to me!
Welcome to the sequel everyone :)
