Chapter 10

Meet the Parents

The weekend arrived and Taryn woke with a stretch and a yawn. Despite the fact that they were engaged, Steve and Taryn had decided to continue to keep separate quarters. Not to say they didn't spend nights together but Steve's 1940s sensibilities prevailed and they wouldn't move in together until after the wedding. She didn't mind, really. Even though she stayed with him previously for a few days, she hadn't moved in. She supposed he wasn't quite ready for that yet.

Taryn glanced at the clock and was surprised it was eight thirty. She must have needed the sleep. She showered, fixed herself some breakfast and sat on the couch staring at piles of papers stacked on the coffee table. She sighed and grabbed the large stack, then set to organize them.

Steve was finishing up some equipment checks when his stomach grumbled. He hadn't realized it was already lunchtime. Finishing up, he texted Taryn to see if she wanted to go out for lunch. She suggested take out and a Saturday in. He couldn't argue with that.

A little while later, after picking up take out, he arrived. He found Taryn sitting cross-legged on her couch staring at papers strewn about. He laughed. "What on earth?"

She blew a stray lock of hair from her eyes. "Well… I wanted to get a start on sorting out wedding ideas… I'm overwhelmed already."

He sat down beside her. "Let's take a break, have some lunch then maybe I can help?"

Taryn raised a brow. "You actually want to help plan the wedding?"

"Well… yeah… it's mine too, isn't it? Or am I not supposed to…"

"No! No that's great! Some guys wouldn't even offer."

They dug into their Chinese take-out cartons and Steve poured them each a glass of wine. He sat staring at the piles of papers. Taryn stuffed a dumpling into her mouth. "So, these piles are all sorted by category. Dress, venue, food, flowers, ceremony location… Just ideas I've collected over the last few weeks."

He was so out of his element, but he had volunteered, so he took a deep breath and dove in. Steve grabbed a pile… Food. I can do food!

"Okay, so… I have food here. What do you have in mind?"

She thought for a moment. "I'd like a sit down dinner, I think. Beef, chicken, fish, pasta…. Of course it depends on where we have it, and how many people…"

This was going to be harder than he thought. "Okay… so let's start from the beginning. You know we haven't even set a date yet."

"I know. I just got too involved in all this other stuff. Let me get the calendar." She jumped up and grabbed the calendar off the wall.

"What date are we looking at?" asked Rogers, flipping through the calendar.

"Hmm… definitely not winter. I want people to be able to come, not be hindered by the weather."

"Spring?"

"Too unpredictable. Could snow, could rain, could be cold."

"Ooookay, so cross off November through April. Fall?"

"Possibly, but that could be cold and rainy too. How about late summer, early September?"

"How about September 3rd?" he asked, holding out the month.

"That could work. Let's right that down."

While she was jotting the information in the calendar and in a notebook, Steve took a deep breath. They just set a date for their wedding. This was huge.

"Steve? Steve, you okay?"

"Eh, sorry, what?"

"Are. You. Okay?"

"Yeah, just… we just set a date for our wedding."

Taryn chuckled. "You getting cold feet already?"

"What? No! No, not at all. I'm really looking forward to calling you my wife."

Taryn smiled. "I do love the sound of that. You know… thank you for this."

"For what?"

"Just sitting down with me and picking a date. I was really getting overwhelmed. Thank you for reminding me of what it's about." She leaned over and kissed him.

"You're welcome. So what else can we go over?"

Taryn laughed. "You're kind of excited about this now aren't you?"

"And you're not?"

"Oh, I am, very much so. I'm just pleasantly surprised you want to be involved."

"Me too, actually," he sheepishly admitted. "So where do you want to get married? Here? The city? The cabin?"

"I've always fantasized about getting married at St. Patrick's in New York. But then I love the cabin and the town near by… and it depends on how many people we're looking to invite. I mean, I could probably name ten people and be good… but then you go into all the co-workers and acquaintances, and …"

"Taryn," Steve interrupted. "Can I ask you a question without you getting angry?"

"Well, of course!"

"What about your parents?'

That hit her like a punch in the side. "Oh, Steve… I haven't spoken to them in a long time."

Steve took her hand. "I know. But maybe now is the time to reconcile. I'd love it if my parents were still here. My mother would have loved you."

Tears welled in her eyes. She knew he was right, but would it have killed them to have reached out to her lately? They had to have seen the articles, photos…

Steve saw she was becoming emotional and pulled her close into a hug. "Maybe we could make a trip out to see them? I'd love to meet them. Might be a little easier than on the phone or an email."

Taryn took a deep breath. "I just don't know…"

"I know, love. Just don't wait too long to make a decision."

Taryn knew what he was implying, of course, as his parents were gone before he even became Captain America. She sighed and knew he was right. "Okay. I will call them. But I can't guarantee they'll even talk to me." She grabbed her cell and figured if she didn't do it now, she never would.

"You can put it on speaker if you want."

She raised her hand and mouthed 'answering machine.' "Ah… hi Mom and Dad. It's Taryn. I wanted to call and talk for a bit. If you would like to return my call, please ring my cell." She left the number and had no confidence they'd call back.

A little while later, as they were sorting more clippings, her cell rang. "It's them," she said, visibly surprised. "Hello?"

"Taryn?"

"Hi Dad."

"Taryn, I'm sorry we missed your call. We were out shoveling. Got a bit of a storm today."

"Oh, that's okay. Thanks for calling me back. Where's Mom?"

"She's just coming in now from moving the cars around… just a sec… Maggie, Taryn's on the phone."

"Okay, I'll get it in the kitchen," she heard her mother say. Moments later she picked up.

"Hello, Taryn. To what do we owe the pleasure?"

Taryn raised a brow, glared at Steve and pointed to the phone as if to say 'See how she is?'

"Just talk to her," Steve whispered.

She rolled her eyes. "Well, I thought I would call and wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. And I have some news to share…"

"You're not pregnant are you?"

"Maggie?!" her father chastised.

"Maybe this isn't a good time…" said Taryn, clearly frustrated.

"Nonsense, dear," said her father. "Go ahead."

Taryn took a deep breath. "To answer your question, no I am not pregnant. I'm engaged."

There was silence for a moment. "I hope not to that agent that broke your heart."

"Good God, Mother, no…"

"Is this one an agent too?"

"Er, well, sort of…"

"Dear, you know you shouldn't mix business with pleasure."

"Maggie!" her father and mother began to argue and Steve sensed the conversation spiraling out of control.

"Ah, Mr. and Mrs. McKenna?" he said, and they stopped. "My name is Steve. Taryn and I are in the same line of work, yes. But I love your daughter and want to spend the rest of my life with her." That seemed to shut them up for a bit. Steve continued. "We'd like to come and visit you. I'd love to meet you both."

"Well, Taryn, he definitely doesn't sound like your usual fare. We'd love to have you both if you can find the time out of your busy schedule."

Taryn was fuming silently on the couch, but Steve continued speaking. "Yes, of course we have time. When would be a good time for you?" he asked politely. They set a weekend aside and pleasantly ended the conversation.

"See?! See what I mean? How judgmental she is?"

"Taryn, calm down. I understand, I heard the call. But maybe things will be better once we go to see them?"