Blue Pines Hospice. Steve checked the piece of paper again. His hands were shaking from nervousness. He was afraid. He had been gone for far too long. So much had changed. People had come and gone. Everyone and everything he knew was gone. Well almost everyone. She was still here. One must thank God for the small wonders.
The receptionist smiled at him as he walked through the glass double doors. She probably didn't see too many visitors, for the Hospice was secluded, away from the city. It still struck him as amazing that she was still alive. The miracles of modern medicine could be thanked for that. "What's your name Sweetie? Who are you here to see?" She asked kindly. "I'm here to see Peggy Carter" He said trying not to let his voice break. "Oh Miss Peggy is who you want to see? That's nice. Can I see your identification?" He pulled out the card that S.H.I.E.L.D. had given him, his drivers license. He handed it to her, trying not to let his apprehensiveness show. "Thank you, now can you tell me what your relationship with Miss Carter is?" She asked "Just so I can fill out the paper work, Sweetie" She smiled at him, unaware of the depth of the question she had asked. Dare he tell her the truth? That he had loved Peggy? That he was really just a man lost in time? He couldn't. She wouldn't understand the truth.
"I'm her grand-nephew" he heard himself say, shutting down all the memories of Peggy and he shared. "Alright thank you. You can go see her now" she said. "Maria will take you to her room" she nodded to pretty young nurse who had just stuck her head out of the door to inspect the new visitor. Maria blushed. "Lourdes!" she reproached "You're making him nervous" she said scoldingly. Then she sighed. "Who does he want to see?" she asked. Lourdes immediately brightened at Maria's acceptance of the task. "Oh thanks honey, you're too kind. He wants to see Miss Carter, Sweetie" Maria smiled at the mention of her kindness, then looked at him, her blush still tinging her cheeks. "C'mon Sir, I'll take you to Peggy" She ushered him out of the reception into the corridor, throwing a hard look at Lourdes before she closed the door. "I'm sorry. Lourdes can be a bit overwhelming with pet names at times, but she means well" She smiled at him apologetically. "Miss Carter is at the end of the hall, second to last door on your right." She looked at him, biting her lip, as if considering to hold back her next words, then continued "Please, Don't be too hard on Miss Carter. Her memory isn't what it used to be. She's getting on. So, be kind to her?" Her forthrightness with him about Peggy's condition was startling, but what wasn't startling these days? "Thank you, Ma'am" He said, smiling down at her. But her comment about Peggy scared him. How bad was her condition? He had come so far to see her, but he hadn't planned on her illness.
"Please, call me Maria" she smiled at him. Her wristwatch beeped, and they both jumped. She laughed "I'm sorry, I have to go check on someone else now. Will you be okay finding her room?" She asked apologetically. "Of course... Maria. Thank you" He answered politely. She left him alone in the corridor as she hurried away. He sighed. The walk to Peggy's room seemed to take a lifetime, every step an eternity. Her name-plaque just labeled her as Miss. Carter, Room 103E.
He opened the door, and stopped and stared. He did not know this woman. The Peggy he had known had been beautiful, young and lively. This woman had silvery hair, wrinkles, and was frail. Then her eyes met his, and he gasped. They were the doe brown eyes that he remembered,with all their depth and beauty. "Steve?" She spoke softly, in disbelief of her eyes. "Hello Peggy" he answered smiling gently at her. Her eyes filled with tears.
"I waited for you. Every Saturday"