Authors Note: I do not own anything of Marvels. Only the OC characters

The timeline of the story is going to face a jump of a few years. I do plan on going back and writing some short one shots of events that took place over the two years. Any ideas or recommendations of what anyone wants to see are welcome. As always, thank you for all the reviews, favorites, and follows. And thank you to everyone who has continued to read this story.

Chapter 7

2 Years Later

Anthea stared up at the building that she spent the last four years studying at. She was still in her graduation gown, having disappeared after the ceremony was over. She spent the last eight years in the city, and it was hard to believe that she would be leaving soon. That she would be leaving the city behind. All the memories made throughout the year. It was hard to imaging moving on to the next stage of her life, to finally be done with med school. To say she was terrified about what is to come next would be an understatement, scared of what the change might bring. She comforted herself in at least knowing she would have her friends, her true family with her as she moved on.

"You know, I'm pretty sure after the ceremony it's a common practice to allow your friends and family a chance to congratulate you. To tell you how proud they are of everything you've accomplished. To tell you what an absolute amazing doctor you will be. That they do not have a single doubt that you will succeed in whatever you set your mind and heart to. For them to also wish you luck, even though they know you don't truly need it, but it will make you smile. For them to give you flowers, and make you suffer through hundreds of pictures. For them to tell you how much they love you."

Anthea felt a smile form as soon as she heard his voice, it has been awhile since he was able to come visit. He'd been given more mission as of late, which prevented him from being able to make the trip to the city. Her schedule wasn't any better, with the end of medical school approaching and the boards that came with it. It felt good to finally have him back, especially after he told her that he wouldn't be able to make it. She felt herself relax, all the pent up stress she had slowly going away.

"Please, you try sitting through a ceremony in these stuffy robes and not wanting a breath of fresh air afterwards." She said, and then finally turned around to face Steve. He was dressed in navy suit, which complimented the dress she was wearing. She was sure that it wasn't a coincidence, but rather that Erica hand in it. He was also holding a beautiful bouquet filled with forget-me-nots, bells of Ireland, and jasmine. Her smile grew even bigger as she took them all in.

When Steve saw her looking at the flowers he began to close the distance between them, lifting the flowers up to her when he was close enough. "I was told they represent wishes of good luck, and of congratulation. I wanted you to have something special, something with meaning."

"They're beautiful Steve, and they were right, whoever told you. My mother was a florist, she used to sit me down and explain all the meanings behind all the flowers. Told me that there was always a way to express yourself through them, so long as you took the patients to learn." She felt herself reaching out and stroking the petals of the forget-me-nots. Looking up at Steve then to see him staring down at her with an intense look. She felt him pull her into a hug, and he bent over and whispered into her ear.

"Congratulations Thea, I'm so damn proud of you. You are going to be an amazing doctor, and I know you'll make a difference in this world. You've already had such a large impact on not only my life, but all of those who are lucky enough to have you in theirs."

Anthea held onto him even tighter for a moment, before pulling back. The past few weeks had been one big emotional rollercoaster, and with Steve here she could feel the wetness on her face. "Thanks Stevie, thank you for more than just this. You've always been this bright light in my life, and I can't imagine my life without you."

Steve just reached up and wiped the tears from her face. "You'll never have to, now come on. Let's head back, Erica will kill me if I keep you away much longer." He reached down and grabbed her hand, and as he was leading her she looked back down at the forget-me-nots and remembered the meaning her mother always told her.

Faithful Love.


Anthea walked around what was left of her and Erica's apartment. With everything packed in the back of the moving truck, the apartment felt empty. The apartment was a shell of what it once was, everything that made it home was gone. All the memories of the past 4 years were gone, packed away in the back of a truck. She felt a deep ache in her chest as she walked around what was once her home.

"It's sad, I know. Believe me I cried all night, barely got a wink of sleep. It's hard to imagine we are leaving this apartment and city behind. All the memories, but, we are opening up ourselves to the chance to make new memories. In a new city, surrounded by our friends. Despite some of those friends being questionable. And we still have each other, although it will be a new apartment, we will still be together. New York has been wonderful, but I'm looking forward to see what D.C. has to offer us. I already know of one big, strong amazing view that is waiting for us." By the time Anthea turned to look at Erica she caught her wiggling her eyebrows, and laughed.

"I know, but it doesn't make this any easier. This city was my home, more so than the one I grew up in. Also you can stop pretending, everyone knows that you and Jacob get along. We all know you guys are only pretending at this point."

"I refuse to acknowledge that, just as you failed to acknowledge my comment on big, strong and handsome. Wonder why is that?"

"You know I'm excited to see Steve, it will be nice being closer to him. I've missed him a lot, I hate that he wasn't able to stay longer than graduation."

Erica sighed, "I know Thea, I was sad to see him go as well, he's an amazing guy and a great friend. But let's be honest, him being a great friend isn't why you're so sad. When are you going to admit to yourself that you're in love with him? And don't lie to me, you're my sister, I know you just as good, if not better, than you know yourself. What are you afraid of, we both know the guy is head over heels in love with you too."

Anthea felt all the emotion of the day come crashing down on her. "I'm afraid of how I feel, how goddamn much he means to me! I love him Erica, but I'm afraid to let him love me. I'm messed up, I grew up with a twisted look on love, and I'm worried that I'm too messed up to love him properly. I can't lose him Erica."

Erica grabbed her hands, pulling harshly. She had an fierce look on her face as she spoke. "Thea, don't you dare say that you are messed up. You grew up with a fucked up father who abused your mother, his own fucking match. You had to watch that man abuse your mother both mentally and physically, all the while drinking himself into an early grave. He's the messed up one Thea, not you. He wasted away his chance at having love and a family. Please, don't let him be the reason you prevent yourself from the chance."

"I'm scared Erica, I've never felt like this about someone. Steve means the world to me, what if I mess everything up?"

"Then you talk about it. You two will sit down and discuss all your fears, and you work it out together. You forget, not only do I know you, I also know Steve. Had to make sure he was good enough for my sister, that he would treat you the way you deserve. And honestly honey, I don't think you could ever mess up so badly to ever make him turn away from you. That guy looks at you like a man that has seen the sun for the first time. He brightens up everything you are around, believe me, I've seen how he looks at you. You two are perfect for each other, you've just been too stubborn to give him a chance to prove it to you. Thea, let yourself be happy. Let yourself be loved."

Anthea felt herself smile, and began to wipe the tears from her face. "You're right, I need to tell him how I feel. I need to stop living in fear, and let myself be happy. And Steve makes me happy, he makes me feel loved."

Erica came and wrapped her arms around her. "Good, I'm so happy that you're finally letting yourself be happy. I love you Thea, you deserve to be happy." Erica pulled away, wiping a stray tear from her own face. "Now let's get going, we've got a long ride to D.C. before we can start the next stage in our lives."


By the time they made it to the city, it was approaching noon. As a graduation present from Erica's parents, they somehow manage to find an apartment near the National Mall and paid the rent in full for a year. As they were pulling up the apartment, they saw two people leaning against the building. Anthea could easily recognize Steve, but she wasn't sure who the man was with him. By the time they stopped the car, Steve was opening the door and pulling Anthea into a hug.

"Thea! I'm so glad you're finally here. Two years of having you 4 hours away, was two years too much. Now that you are finally here, I not letting you out of my site for at least a few weeks."

Anthea laughed, "Steve! Let me down!" When he finally placed her on the ground she smiled up at him. "A few weeks?! Steve, we talked all the time and saw each other multiple times a month. You get a week at the most, after that I'll be starting my new job."

"I'll take a week then. Now let me introduce you to my friend, I figured since Jacob and Clay are both stuck at work, another set of hands to help you both unpack would be useful." He pulled her over to the guy that was still leaning against the apartment building with a smile on his face. "Thea, meet Sam Wilson. He is ex-military, and currently works with Veterans. Sam, this is my match Anthea. She just graduated medical school, and decided to complete her residency here in D.C."

Anthea extended her and out to Sam. "It's nice to meet you Sam, also nice to put a face to the name Steve speaks so highly about."

Sam laughed, "It's nice to meet you to Anthea, and believe me, I'm just glad you're finally here. Steve's been going crazy waiting for you to get here. It's also nice to meet the girl the girl he can't stop talking about."

Anthea felt herself blush as she looked over at Steve, whose cheeks were also a shade of red as well. "Please Sam, call me Thea."

Before Sam could reply, Erica called out from the driver's side of the truck. "Yeah, yeah, Steve, go on an introduce everyone except me. Remind me again why I supposedly like to be around you?"

Steve got even redder if possible, "Sorry Erica." He said bashfully.

"It's fine Steve, we all know how excited you get around Thea." She laughed, "Now, I'm Erica, it's a pleasure to meet you handsome."

"Sam, pleasures all mine beautiful." He said as he took her hand.

Anthea smiled at the scene she saw. She could easily see herself finding a friend in Sam. Also if the blush on Erica's cheeks were anything to go by, she thought Erica might find it even easier. She looked over and saw Steve staring at her, with a small smile on his face, and she felt a small smile of her own forming on her face. Looking at him, the decision to make this her new home became so much easier.