Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality. – Emily Dickinson
The rain was pouring heavily over the barren ground, soaking the grass and all who walks on it. Today was a bad weather day as the clouds roll together to create a never ending black abyss in the sky. Normal people wouldnt want to be out of their warm, cozy houses just to stand in the bone- chilling air as water pelts them from all around.
See that's the thing, the two figures standing in the middle of a vacant cemetery aren't exactly what you'd call normal. The houses surrounding the cemetery would call them crazy, but right now the cold didn't seem to be bothering them. They clutched to each other for the comfort and warmth their bodies' lack as they stand underneath two thick and sturdy umbrella.
It took them a while to get them and they weren't leaving any time soon. The reason it took them forever: everyone around them kept trying to convince them not to go. But they were stubborn and had left after being lectured. They bundled up under thick layers of coats and mittens, but right now the clothes were suffocating them. They couldn't breathe, they were too busy crying into each other's shoulder. They had made an attempt to speak to the tombstone standing in front of them, but unfortunately they're emotions got the best of them and they erupted in tears before they could get a word out.
They were used to being sad, use to feeling pain, but that day brought on more pain than any other year. They didn't know why, but they did know that they couldn't have stayed home if they tried. Both wanted to see him, visit him and talk to him… even if he couldn't respond back. One of the two figures felt it was her responsibility to speak to her father, inform him on all he's missed. But if only she could get the damn words out!
And the names of these two figures? Peggy and Natasha Rogers.
Peggy pulled away from her mother have many long minutes of crying. She didn't know how long they had been standing there, but the cold was starting to bother her. She didn't want to leave yet, but when Natasha started to realize how cold it was getting for them, she'd want them to leave. But before leaving, Peggy needed to speak with him. She couldn't just come here without saying something and without giving him her rose. Her eleven red roses signifying love, beauty, courage and respect. Also telling the person she's giving it to, "I love you". And there was no one Peggy loved more in the world then her father and mother.
Peggy turned away from Natasha and looked at Steve's tombstone. Her bottom lip wobbled as she read what was engraved on his stone; Steve Grant Rogers. Beloved Husband, Father, Brother, Teammate and Friend. July 4th, 1918 – September 11th, 2001.
Peggy didn't even noticed when her mother begin to slowly move away from her, to give her privacy as she always does. Peggy wiped a lone tear cascading down her cheek and took a deep breath.
"It's been 10 years daddy."
"And baby, you're all that I want,
"I started high school." The strain in her voice is evident as she wills herself not to burst out again. She needed to speak to him and she couldn't if she was crying too hard.
When you're lyin' here in my arms.
"I made the honor roll," she sobbed. "I hope you're proud of me."
Finding it hard to believe… we're in heaven.
"I'm also on the soccer team," Peggy kneeled down in front of her father.
And love it all that I need,
"Can't you see me out on the field?"
And I found it there in your heart,
Peggy runs a hand through her slightly dampened hair, "I started thinking about colleges." She admits with a half-smile. "Uncle Tony, Bruce, Thor and Clint and auntie Jane, Darcy, Bobbi, Betty and Pepper want me to get into the best one possible."
It isn't to hard to see, we're in heaven,
"They believe I can be a great doctor… do you?"
I've been waiting for so long,
"I hope you're proud of them." Peggy whispers, "Because I am. They take great care of mom and I and they are my main source of comfort when I miss you terribly." When Peggy was a small child, she vaguely remembers waking up, crawling out of bed before scampering down to one of their bedrooms at night. On these nights, Natasha would be out on a mission and Peggy would have to find comfort in the arms of one of her uncle and aunt's beds. She's the most frequent visitor of Tony and Pepper or Clint and Bobbi. Darcy is a second close followed by Bruce and Betty and Thor and Jane.
For something to arrive,
"They talk about you all the time when I'm sad," Peggy says making herself comfortable on the wet grass, not caring if it wets her clothes.
For love to come along,
"They tell me all kinds of stories about you. When you guys would go out on a mission or when you're at the tower and you're all having a good time." The memories of her uncles telling her all the wonderful things she didn't know about her daddy brings a smile to her face. She only knew Steve for five years and she thought she knew everything about him, but… apparently there was a lot to learn. Luckily she's fortunately to have her mommy, uncles and aunts to tell her.
Now our dreams are coming true,
"They don't want me to forget you… and I wont daddy. I'll never forget you. You'll always be with me." Peggy's hand subconsciously rises to rest upon her chest, over her heart.
Through the good times and the bad,
"I know you'll be with me when I walk down the aisle." She sobs leaning forward and placing the roses down before placing her head in her, now, free hands. Her body convulses with sobs as her mind wanders to the future. A future without her father. Steve wont see her graduate high school and medical school, he won't be there to tell her future husband that he'll hurt him if he hurts her. He won't see her walk down the aisle, he won't be there to give her hand. He won't see his grandchildren be born, they won't know who they're grandpa Steve is. But worst of all, she won't ever know who her true father was. All she has of him is stories from her family and she has to live through them in order to understand and know her father. But she doesn't know him personally like all the other little girls have a connection with their father. So if her future husband asks her, 'Tell me about your father', she won't know what to tell him. The thought makes her sob harder.
I'll be standing there by you!
"I try not to be sad!" she screams into her hands as she falls forward on the grass, loosing hold on her umbrella. It clashes unceremoniously on the ground besides her making her vulnerable to all viewing eyes and the rain that continues to pelt onto her body. This one movement catches the attention of her mother and Natasha begins to rush towards her daughter. But Peggy is oblivious to all.
And baby, you're all that I want, when you're lying here in my arms. I'm finding it hard to believe, we're in heaven.
When Peggy feels arms wrap around her she doesn't try to pull away. She knows her mother's touch anywhere and brings her closer, burying her face into Natasha's chest. "But it's hurts." She finishes pathetically.
Love is all that I need, and I finding there in your heart,
... Flash to 5 years old…
"I try daddy, but it's hurts.
Is it true you're not coming home?
Maybe some day… I can visit you in heaven, okay?
I love you so much…"
... Flash to 10 years old …
"I love you daddy, I cant wait to see you again.
Say hi to Grandma Sarah, Grandpa Joseph, Aunt Peggy and Uncle Bucky for me."
… Present …
"I hope you know you're my hero," she whispers turning her head sideways to face his tombstone. Natasha's fingers continue to run through her daughter's damp hair as she shushes her softly whispering sweet nothings into her ear. Peggy leans into her mother's touch and begins to get drowsy due to her mother's calming voice.
It isn't too hard to see, we're in heaven,
"I love you so much." She tightens her hold on Natasha.
Ohhhh!
"Can you see me?" her voice echoes throughout the empty cemetery.
Oh…
.. 5 ..
I miss you daddy.
.. 10 ..
I really miss you dad.
.. 15 ..
I miss you daddy.
We're in heaven…"
