Chapter 25:
"Go back! Turn around!" Steve shouted as he dragged Bucky's unconscious body back into the helicopter.
"I can't Steve! Something in the control panel is messed up, I barely have control." Sam argued.
"We have to go back for her!" Bucky started stirring on the floor. "I didn't go back for Bucky, I have to go back for Sharon! She could still be alive!" He looked out over the ocean and all he could see were the endless crashing waves.
"I'm sorry Steve, but I can't!" Sam grabbed the radio. "We need assistance, we have a man in the water and a busted chopper. Repeat, we need assistance."
"Sam turn us around! I'm not asking!"
"And I'm telling you I can't or we are all going down. I'm sorry."
Steve felt his world shift and body go numb. Bucky was suddenly holding him by the front of his suit as he helped Steve into the closest seat. His world was crashing down on him. She was gone. He met Bucky's eyes. He could hardly believe this was reality.
"We'll find her Steve. She's strong." Bucky put a hand on his shoulder, trying to comfort him.
When their helicopter finally reached the Naval Ship, Sam all but dropped them onto it. Everything after that was a blur for Steve. Medics rushed to grab Richards while officers stood ready to detain Bucky. Steve watched numbly as Bucky raised his arms in surrender and was led out of sight.
"Captain Rogers, I need a word with you!" The First Officer of the Ship was before him suddenly. "That briefcase you brought along from Mr. Stark blasted open and a suit went flying off the ship without authorization. It nearly took out five of my men." Steve stopped listening as he continued to survey the scene around him.
Sam was furiously talking to the medics as he jumped into a rescue chopper that was ready to take off. "Cap!" He turned to Sam. "Are you coming?"
—
"This is beautiful." Sharon said as she sipped her tea in the oversized white mug Steve handed her.
"You're beautiful." And he meant it. She had never looked so beautiful to him as she did in this moment. They were having a weekend getaway at Barton's tiny house on the lake. Barton had extended the small awning off the side of the house and hung string lights.
Sharon sat in one of the Adirondack chairs in an oversized knit sweater and shorts. Her hair was loose and curly and she didn't have a stitch of make up on. They had spent the day walking the lake and fishing before curling up with a pot of tea to watch the sun set.
Sharon smiled shyly. "I love you."
"I love you more." Her heart always fluttered when he responded that way. She set her mug down as he entwined their fingers. "Marry me?"
She gave a small laugh. "Very funny Steve."
He slipped out of his chair and onto his knee as he pulled a ring from his pocket. "I'm not joking. Will you marry me Sharon Carter?" He hadn't necessarily planned to propose this way, but in this moment it felt perfect. Just the two of them enjoying a beautiful, yet unremarkable evening. A large smile spread across her face as she leaned forward to kiss him firmly.
"I'll take that as a yes." She nodded as tears sprang to her eyes. Steve smiled widely as he slipped the ring onto her finger and tugged her into his strong arms.
—
"How would you react if I told you I want a small wedding?"
"How small?"
Sharon bit her lip. "Less than ten people?" She watched Steve's face carefully.
"I was actually thinking the same thing."
Sharon sighed in relief. "Really?"
"I got to thinking the other day. If we invited a lot of people that would mean the whole Avengers team plus more would be at our wedding. And what if something happened? What if someone needed our help? What if our wedding became a target?"
Sharon stared at Steve for a long moment before a giggle slipped from her lips. "Come on Steve, what are the odds of that happening?"
"Pretty high, especially if Tony makes a scene out of our wedding."
"Nothing is going to happen."
"But what if it did?"
"Then we pause the wedding, kick some ass, and pick up where we left off when we're done saving the world." Steve huffed and stood from his spot on the couch. "I'm kidding Steve!" She jumped up after him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Neither of us could live with ourselves if something happened to any of our friends on our wedding day." She kissed him lightly.
"I'm sorry." He sighed as his arms curled around her. "I'm being dramatic."
She kissed him. "Yes, you are. But that's why I love you." She brushed a piece of his hair back into place.
"So where is this small ceremony going to take place?"
"Well…" Sharon grabbed her laptop and turned it for Steve to see. "How about you, me, the minister, and our closest friends on the cliffs of Iceland?"
"Iceland?"
"It'll be beautiful, small, and discreet. What do you think?"
"It looks beautiful." Sharon smiled widely. "Who are you thinking for guests?"
Sharon set her laptop down and grabbed her notebook, flipping through the pages. "My parents, Bucky, Sam, Nat, Wanda, Tony, Pepper, Clint, and Linda. That's ten guests right there. Am I missing anyone? I figured Thor, Vision, Rhodes, and Bruce wouldn't be upset if they weren't invited. And I'm still on the fence about Tony. I love him, but we both know he likes to be the center of attention."
Steve studied her list. "Do you think you're parents will come?"
"Well they like you now so there is a possibility of them gracing us with their presence." Sharon teased.
"What if we just did your parents, Buck, Sam, Nat and Wanda?"
"I'm okay with that." Sharon crossed the other names off the list. "You get to tell Tony though."
"Chicken."
Sharon tossed the notebook behind her. "Excuse me?" She planted her hands on her hips.
"You heard me."
She narrowed her eyes at him. She jumped at him, knocking them both to the ground. She laughed at Steve's surprised face staring up at her as she straddled him.
"Take it back, Rogers." He tried to pull her down to kiss her, but she resisted. "No, you're not going to seduce me to get out of this. Take it back."
Steve grinned at her. "Fine, I take it back. Now come here." He pulled her back down to kiss her properly.
—
Steve stood staring out over the ocean off the coast of Iceland. He and Bucky were wearing their old military uniforms upon Steve's insistence. Minus the hat per Bucky's insistence. He should have felt nervous, but instead he felt completely at peace.
"Holy shit." Bucky whispered to himself. Steve glanced at him. Bucky was staring transfixed behind Steve. He glanced at Steve, a wide smile spread across your face.
"She's gorgeous. Turn around."
Steve took a deep breath before turning. His knees felt weak as Sharon walked toward him. She was stunning. Tears prickled at his eyes as a smile overtook his face. She was beaming back at him. Her dress fit her perfectly and her hair was in a loose low updo. He couldn't believe he was going to marry her.
"Hey you." She said softly as she took his arm. "I love you."
He leaned down to whisper in her ear. "I love you more."
"Welcome everyone, we are here today…"
—
"What do you think? Safari or Alaska theme?" Sharon asked as Steve slipped his arms around her from behind to hold her swelling belly. He kissed the side of her neck.
"I don't care, you pick."
She put a hand over his as the baby kicked in her belly. "If we went with safari do you think T'Challa could get us something cool to display in the room?"
"Nope, no way!" Sam exclaimed as he stepped into the nursery. "Absolutely not, there is no way your kid is growing up liking Black Panther more than Falcon."
Sharon laughed. "I guess we will go with Alaskan mountains theme." She pulled away from Steve to sit in the new rocking chair they had purchased.
"I don't think our child will like Black Panther more than you." Steve moved to finish assembling the crib.
"Damn straight. I'll be his favorite Uncle."
"Come on, what about me? Uncle Buck could be the favorite." Bucky asked as he stepped into the room to help.
"Sorry bro, but Uncle Buck is no one's favorite." Sam and Sharon both laughed. "Come on, that was funny. Uncle Buck!" Bucky and Steve gave each other puzzled looks. "Don't tell me neither of you have seen Uncle Buck?" Sam asked as they shook their heads.
"Well, I know what movie we are watching tonight after you finish the crib." Sharon said as she left to cue up the movie.
—
"Steve?" Sharon reached over to find him missing from the bed. She sat up confused as her eyes adjusted to the dark. She peered at the baby monitor to find the crib empty. "Steve?" She slipped out of bed and down the hall to the baby's room. She quietly peered in to find Steve asleep in the rocking chair with their daughter, Jane, asleep on his chest. Steve's eyes opened as the baby fussed quietly.
"Hey you." She kissed him softly.
"How long was I out?" He melted into her hand as it combed his hair back into place.
"I don't know." She curled up on the arm of the chair with her two favorite people. "She's so beautiful."
"Just like her Mom." Sharon kissed his temple as she gently stroked their daughter's cheeks. "I can't believe she's almost five months old. It feels like yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital."
"You were so nervous to bring her home."
"She was so small, I was afraid I'd break her." He turned to look at wife.
"You're perfect with her." Her lips met his. "She's settled, let's go to bed." They slowly set their daughter back into her crib before heading back to bed.
—
"It's about damn time those two got married." Sam muttered as he and his pregnant wife, Rosa, sat down next to Steve at the long reception table.
"Uncle Sam, language." Jane said sternly from her spot next to Steve.
"Yeah Uncle Sam, language." Tony chimed in across the table. "You know Steve doesn't like that kind of language."
"I'm never going to live that down." Steve sighed.
"Nope, now where's my Share-bear?"
"She's running around here somewhere with Nat."
"Remind me again how old your little ones are?" Pepper asked as she admired Jane's coloring from across the table.
"Jane is six and Carter is two."
"And both are going to be breaking hearts when they get older." Bucky smiled as he slapped Steve on the shoulder. "Have you seen my new wife?" He slipped into the seat next to Steve.
"With my wife I assume." The ceremony and reception were held at Bucky and Natasha's acreage. Steve, Sam, and Clint had helped Bucky set up the entire backyard with long tables, lights, and a small make shift dance floor for the occasion.
"How does it feel to finally be a married man? How long were you two dating? 7 years?" Sam asked as he took a large bite of cake.
"Feels great." He smiled. "There she is." Steve looked to see Natasha and Sharon chatting as they stood on the large porch. Natasha looked beautiful in simple white dress and her hair in loose curls. Sharon wore a long navy dress that hugged her in all the right places. She chatted happily with Nat while bouncing Carter on her hip. She caught his eye and smiled. She pointed to him as she whispered in Carter's ear. Carter waved madly and squirmed to be let down. Sharon set him down as Steve slipped out of his chair. He met Carter halfway around the table as he giggled madly.
—
Natasha's phone buzzed once, twice, three times before she finally peeled her eyes open to answer it. She had gotten back from a four day mission in South America that afternoon and had been dead on her feet when she finally made it back to the Avengers Facility and fell into bed.
"Wilson? It's three in the morning. What's going on?" Natasha grumbled.
"It's Sharon." The phone slipped out of her hand as she sat up straight in bed. Last she heard, Sharon was on a mission in Ireland. Shock filled Natasha as she realized the implications of why Sam would be contacting her in the middle of the night about her best friend.
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