All the Time in the World
Chapter 28
1981
One fall morning, Sarah and Anthony, along with their little daughter Jenna climbed out of a cab in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Upon stepping out on the curb, Sarah looked up at the beautiful brownstones that filled the block.
"Wow. This neighborhood is really nice, isn't it?" Anthony said. As he spun back around to his wife.
"Yes, very nice," Sarah agreed. Before turning to the little girl who was standing right next to her, holding onto her dress. "What do you think, Jenny?"
"I like it, Mommy!"
The two parents then chuckled at their daughter's cuteness. "That's what we like to hear. We must have things be Jenna approved."
"Oh yes," Sarah said.
"Come here you." The little four-year-old then went running over to Anthony who proceeded to lift her up into her arms.
Much to the delight of Sarah who smiled brightly. Enjoying the sight of Jenna being held and adored by her father.
"Daddy?"
"Hmm? What is it sweetie?"
"Are we really going to live here?"
Anthony them glanced over at his wife and gave her a little smile. The couple had decided it was high time they moved out of their two bedroom apartment in Manhattan in favor of a larger place. With more room for little Jenna, and future children to play. So a brownstone seemed like the perfect option, as it suited their needs perfectly and allowed them to stay in the city. Something that was very important to the both of them. They lived in New York City all of their lives, well, most of their lives in Sarah's case. So they couldn't honestly imagine living anywhere else. Even though many of their friends had long since moved outside the city to the suburbs.
The city was their home. And it was going to remain as such.
"Maybe. We're going to look around first and decide if we like it, okay?"
"Okay."
"Shall we, Sarah?" Anthony asked.
The young woman then nodded with a smile. "Let's go."
The family then continued on down the street to the house that was currently for sale. Where they met with their realtor who let them inside.
A little while later, Sarah wandered around the main floor by herself, while Anthony showed Jenna the back patio. As she walked around the family room, she ran her hand across the mantel of the fireplace. All the while biting her lip, taking in the atmosphere of the house.
Then just as she let out a contented sigh, she heard movement at the doorway. And when she turned around, she saw her husband standing there with an expectant look on his face.
"So what do you think?"
"I love it."
"Me too."
The two then closed the gap between them and Anthony put his hands on her waist as they looked into each other's eyes.
"It really is perfect, isn't it?"
"It is."
"What does Jenna think?"
"Oh she loves it! She likes the idea of being able to play on the patio, ride her bicycle. All that."
A smile then appeared on Sarah's face upon hearing this. As she really did like the idea of Jenna being able to have a place to play outside whenever she wanted. Since that really wasn't something she could do at the apartment.
"Where is she? Jenna?" Sarah asked. When she realized that their daughter wasn't with her husband.
"Ah. She's in the kitchen. The owner left some pots and pans behind so."
The-thirty-five-year-old then gave a nod, before speaking again. "So we shall be getting a concert soon, huh?"
"Knowing our daughter yes."
"So…And with the backyard that is. For Jenna. We can get her a little slide to play with."
"Yeah. And we can have cookouts."
"Yum."
"And…Well, when Jenna's little sibling gets here. The two of them can play together. And of course go to the park when they're older," Anthony said.
At the mention of the baby, Sarah looked down on her stomach, which was just starting to show. That was another reason for the move, the new baby.
"So, what do you think, Anthony? Is this going to be our house?"
"I do like the sound of that. Our house."
"So do I," Sarah said. "It's pretty amazing, isn't it?"
The couple then leaned in for a kiss and when they pulled away, they smiled at each other. Showing the other how excited they really were about all this.
"It is! This is going to happen? We're really doing this."
"We are."
"What do you think? Are you ready for this new adventure, Sarah?"
"You know me, I'm always ready for a new adventure."
"And you'll be back in Brooklyn."
At this, Sarah's thoughts drifted to her memories of growing up in Brooklyn. And she thought about how nice it would be to live there again. The place she spent most of her life. As much as she loved Manhattan, Brooklyn held a more special place in her heart. For whenever, she was here, Sarah felt more connected to her father than anywhere else.
What better place to have her children grow up, than the place she felt most at home.
With that, Sarah met her husband's eyes again and a huge smile appeared on her face. As she brought her hands up to cover her mouth for a second. Upon feeling her entire being fill with excitement.
"Oh my god. We're buying a house!"
"Yes we are. You give the final word and we are."
"Let's do it."
Sarah then jumped into her husband's arms and he spun her around as they laughed. And then when he set her back on the ground, he pulled her in for another sweet kiss.
While the couple was kissing, they failed to notice when the front door opened. And soon thereafter, Peggy wandered into the living room. Where she had heard the sounds of laughter coming from.
For a moment, Peggy watched her daughter and son-in-law with an amused smile on her face. Before she decided to make her presence known and cleared her throat.
"Hello darling."
"Mother!" Sarah exclaimed as her and Anthony's cheeks began to turn red. "Mom. What are you doing here?"
Peggy then let out a chuckle. "Well, I wanted to surprise you. Which I take it I've done?"
"Yes. But how did you know we were here?"
"Darling, you know I have my ways," the older woman said with a wink.
Upon hearing this, Sarah gave her mother a look. "You wouldn't spy on us."
"Oh, of course not, Sarah. I asked Anthony were you'd be and here I am."
"Surprise," Anthony said. Just as his wife turned to look at him and gave him a smile. Then, the three adults all looked towards the doorway when they heard the sound of little feet coming down the hallway. "Incoming."
A second later, Jenna appeared in the doorway and smiled brightly upon seeing Peggy.
"Grandma."
"Hello darling. I was wondering where you were," Peggy said. As she bent down and gave her granddaughter a hug.
"Did you bring the Queen Mum with you?"
The other three then giggled at small child's question, knowing she was referring to her great-grandmother, Elizabeth who she had met at Christmas last year in England.
"I'm afraid not. She's back in England. But I'm sure she misses you terribly." The director of S.H.I.E.L.D then positioned the little girl in front of her, so she was facing her parents. "Go on then, you two. Tell my granddaughter the good news."
"I already know about the baby, Grandma," Jenna said.
"I know, darling," Peggy said, smoothing her hair. "There's more good news."
"This is going to be our house, Jenna. Mommy and Daddy are buying it!"
"Yay!" Jenna squealed. As she ran over to hug her parents and jumped up into Sarah's arms. "I love this house, Mommy."
"I'm so glad, sweetheart," Sarah said. Before giving her daughter a kiss on the cheek.
"Well, I suppose we should call in the realtor and let her know," Anthony said.
"I think so."
"There's no need for that Anthony. She already knows."
The group then turned to the doorway again, this time to see Howard Stark standing there.
"Uncle Howard. What are you doing here?" Sarah asked.
"Your mom invited me to join you for lunch," Howard said. "So you two are finally going to have a house of your own, huh?"
"Yes. Yes we are."
"Can you believe it, Peg? Your daughter is going to have her own house."
"I know," Peggy replied, gazing at her grown-daughter with a proud smile.
"She's all grown up now. When did this happen?"
"Howard," Sarah said with a chuckle. After all, she had been an adult for quite some time now.
"Ah. Don't mine me. Congrats sweetie. This will call for champagne later. And sparkling cider for you, Sarah." He then turned to his colleague and nodded. "You called it, Peg."
"Wait? Is that what you meant when you came in?" Sarah asked her uncle.
"Yeah, Sarah. When we got here, your mother turned to me and said: "That's the one. The one that Sarah and Anthony are going to buy."
"But how did you know?" the younger of the two women asked, turning towards her mother.
"Because darling. I know you."
Sarah then gave her mother a smile, showing how touched she was by these words.
"I say we make this official," Howard said. "But first, I want to give you two a gift."
"And what's that Uncle Howard?"
"Sarah, I want to help you and your husband here buy this house."
For a minute, the young woman stared at him, trying to figure out if he was serious or not.
"Uncle Howard, it's in our price range. We can take care of it."
"I know you can," he assured her. "You are you mother's daughter."
"Let me do this, Sarah. Save some of that for your kids' college funds and for travel later in life. You deserve to have that."
At this, Sarah then turned towards her husband who gave a nod, telling her that it was her choice rather or not to accept this gesture.
"Darling, don't keep your uncle waiting. He's not getting any younger," Peggy said.
Howard then glanced over at his long-time friend and gave her a funny look which made Sarah chuckle. Then once her decision was made, she passed Jenna over to Anthony and went over to give her uncle a hug.
"Thank you, Uncle Howard."
The next morning, Steve awoke to the sound of his phone vibrating. As he shook off sleep, he clumsily reached over to grab his phone and answer it.
"Hello."
"Hello darling," Upon hearing, his best girl's voice, Steve's eyes widened as he sat upright in bed.
"Peggy!"
"Of course. Who did you think it was?"
"I don't know, I didn't really check to see who it was when I answered."
"Oh Steve, did I wake you?" Peggy asked. As she came to recognize the slight grogginess in his voice. "I'm so sorry."
"It's okay, Peggy. It's nice to wake up to your voice."
"Oh how you flatter me so."
At this, Steve's lips curled upwards. "Well, you are my best girl."
"One of four now though I'd imagine," Peggy said, referring to their daughter and two granddaughters.
"Yes, of course," Steve said. "But you're my…"
He then paused for a moment as he thought about how to word how he felt for Peggy. The words had been there, at least he thought they were. But then his mind had been flooded with all the various memories he had of Peggy throughout the time he had known her. After that, any words he had managed to form were gone.
There was just so much there. Too much to really say.
"Steve…"
"I'm still here."
Upon hearing his answer, Peggy licked her lips as she sat at her kitchen table with a tea cup within reach. She didn't need to see his face, to know what he was thinking. His silence told her everything.
A sigh then escaped her lips before she spoke again. "I know, darling. I know."
"How do you know?"
"Oh Steve. We did say "I love you" before you left. I think I can figure out what you're getting at."
At this, the Captain let out a chuckle. "That's a fair point. We did say that, didn't we?"
Peggy then grinned at his questioning something, he knew perfectly well had happened.
"We did. And about damn time as well."
"Yeah," Steve said with a laugh. "I probably should have told you that when we…Um."
"Conceived our daughter."
"Well, yeah," The Captain said, unable to keep himself from blushing.
"Oh but Steve that would have been considered inappropriate. Given military regulations and all that," Peggy teased.
Which in turn made him laugh even more. "Oh. Peggy you're amazing."
"Oh you stop it."
"Stop what? You are amazing, Peg," Steve said. "I feel so lucky to have you in my life."
Back in Virginia, the former agent smiled as a little color filled her cheeks in response to his sweetness. As she knew he meant it. Every word of it.
"No Steve. We're lucky to have each other," Peggy replied. And then paused for a second before continuing. "Now how goes the search?"
"Good so far. We don't have much to go on but we have to start somewhere."
"Yes, you do. I was actually planning on going through my old SSR files. Maybe I can find something in there that would be of some use to you."
"That would be great. Thank you."
"It's my pleasure," Peggy said. "Anything, for my darling man."
"Oh Peggy."
"See. I can flatter you too."
The two then both chuckled at the same time, enjoying as they always did. The very noticeable ease that existed between them. It was almost like they had lived all the years Steve was frozen in the ice together, even though they hadn't.
"You do, Peggy," Steve said. "Always have."
"I think we've come to a solid conclusion on why we now share a daughter, Steve," Peggy said. "We flattered each other, quite a bit back then, didn't we?"
"We did." Then after a beat, he spoke again. "Speaking of our daughter. Did she tell you about…?"
"Oh you mean, the little visit she received from the FBI. She did mention that, yes."
"I agree with her that Amanda shouldn't go in. At least not yet."
"As do I," Peggy said. "We have no way of knowing if anyone there is HYDRA. With the arrest of that senator. It's likely there are more out there."
"Zola did indicate it went deep."
"Exactly, Better safe than sorry," the former director of S.H.I.E.L.D said. "And if anyone in the FBI can't understand that, then I'll simply have a word with them."
"I have no doubt you would."
"Have you told her yet?"
"Not yet. I plan to today. Then we'll make sure she says off the radar as much as possible. And maybe Tony's lawyers can help. Like they are with Agent Hill."
"Hmm. Maybe." The ninety-one-year-old then paused for a minute. "I told Sarah."
"About…"
"That Pierce knew, yes."
"Oh," Steve said. "Is she okay?"
"She's okay. You did speak to her last night, didn't you?" Peggy pointed out.
"I did," Steve said, feeling considerably more relaxed, remembering that Sarah seemed just fine during their talk. If anything, she was just worried for her daughter. "I miss you, Peggy. Sarah too."
"I know. We miss you too. And Amanda."
"We will.'
"And Steve?"
"I'm always with you. Remember that?"
"I know. I take you everywhere I go."
Another smile appeared on the former agent's face as she knew exactly what he meant by that. Steve really did carry her with him wherever he went.
"Ahhh You still have it," Peggy said. "I've been wondering."
Steve then reached over to the nightstand and took the compass into his hand. "Of course I do."
"After all these years."
"Yes. It survived the…crash. Along with me. I'd like to think it the end…It brought me home to you. And it will again."
"Sap," Peggy teased.
"Maybe."
"You so are. But these days I think we both are," Peggy said. "Perhaps, it has to do with the fact that we have grandchildren."
The Captain then let out a chuckle. "It probably does."
"Well, I'll let you go now, my darling."
"I'll talk to you soon, Peggy," Steve said. "You and Sarah take care, okay?"
"Only if you and Amanda do as well."
"It's a deal."
After Steve hung up the phone, he wandered into the kitchen where he found Tony and Maria discussing Stark Industries business.
"Morning Cap."
"Morning."
Tony then nodded in his direction, when he noticed that The Captain looked to be a little distracted.
"Something on your mind."
"Hmm. What's that?" Steve asked. As he turned away from the counter with a banana in hand.
"What's up? You look like you have something on your mind," Tony said. "Either that or you're in need of a lot of coffee."
"Oh. I just got off the phone with Peggy…"
"Ah. Aunt Peggy. Say no more," Tony said, giving the older man a wink.
"Tony."
"What? I think it's great." Then after a second, he began to feel grossed out upon picturing his aunt and Cap together. "On second thought. Scratch that. I don't wanna know."
"Steve…?" Maria questioned, deciding it was time she stepped into the conversation.
"The FBI is looking for Amanda," Steve blurted out.
"They are?"
The older man then nodded towards Maria, confirming this to be true.
"Well, that didn't long," Maria said. "Did Director Carter tell you this?"
"Yes. Well actually it was my daughter. Last night," Steve explained. As he moved to join them at the table. "Apparently an agent approached her yesterday."
"Oh. Did they give her any idea what they want with Amanda?"
"I bet it's the same reason they want you, Hill," Tony said. "You guys were S.H.I.E.L.D agents. And S.H.I.E.L.D isn't exactly viewed in a good light these days."
"Well aware of that boss. Thanks."
"Why? Do you think they'd want Amanda for a specific reason? Besides the obvious," Steve asked.
Maria then let out a breath before continuing. "Well, she does have sniper training. So it's possible, they'd want to make a deal."
"Sniper training?" Tony asked. Looking to Steve and Hill who nodded in reply. "Wow. Remind me not to piss her off."
"More than likely though, they just want to interrogate her. And determine rather or not she's a threat. That alone, wouldn't be pleasant for Amanda to deal with to say the least."
"No. It wouldn't," Steve agreed.
"Steve. This isn't your fault," Maria said. Knowing that he must in part blame himself for this, considering Amanda's role at the Triskelion. "The US government has been in crisis and in most cases out for blood ever since S.H.I.E.L.D collapsed."
"When are they not though?" Tony questioned.
"They're scared," Steve said. As he finally made his way over to the table and sat down. "For that I can't blame them. HYDRA is…and has been a great threat for a very long time."
The other two then gave a nod, knowing that out of everyone in that room. Steve certainly had the most experience with them.
"I know. You were dead for almost seventy years because of them." Steve then looked down after hearing Tony's comment as the memory of the crash. And the image of Peggy's face in the compass on the dash flashed in his head. "Hey, I'm sorry man."
"It's okay," Steve said, feeling the knot in his stomach go away as quickly as it came. "Which brings me to the other concern. Knowing HYDRA and given the arrest of the senator…."
"…Oh yes, Stern. Never liked that guy. Now I know why," Tony interjection. Which made the other two chuckle slightly.
"What I think Captain Rogers is getting at. Is there could still be HYDRA agents in the higher levels of the government."
"Exactly," Steve said. "Which makes the idea of Amanda simply turning her herself in even more risky…. And Pierce told Amanda that he knew that Sarah was my daughter."
"Ah the pros and cons of being related to Captain America," Tony commented. As the other two gave him a look.
"So HYDRA could very well be aware that Amanda is your granddaughter. Or at the very least they know she helped us bring down S.H.I.E.L.D," Maria stated, still wrapping her brain around all of this. "If they do know she's related to you Steve. That would be a very good reason for HYDRA to want to track her down."
"That's not going to happen," Steve said, in a protective father-like voice.
There was no way he was going to let HYDRA get a hold of his granddaughter. He already had lost Bucky to him, at least for now. The thought of them, trying to use Amanda to get back at him was just too much for him to bare. Though he knew all too well, they would want to, if given the opportunity.
"Of course not, Steve," Maria said. "We'll keep Amanda safe from HYDRA. And off the radar from the FBI for as long as possible."
"Thanks guys."
"No problem," Tony said. "And since they don't know she's here or I'm sure they would have come knocking by now. That's good for us. And I can have J.A.R.V.I.S hack into the FBI database and make sure they haven't gotten a lead on where she is."
"That would be great, Tony."
"No problem."
Then the sound of someone walking towards the kitchen area caught their attention. And a few seconds later, Amanda walked into the room with her headphones in.
As she sang along to the song currently playing on her I-pod, "Whatcha gonna do it's up to you."
Upon seeing everyone else, Amanda took one earbud out and nodded in their direction. "Morning."
"Good morning, Mandy," Steve greeted.
The young woman then went about pouring herself a cup of coffee. And when she turned around, she noticed that all eyes were still on her. "Were you guys talking about me?"
"Well…" Steve started as he began to tense up.
"I know, I know. I'm a wonderful singer," Amanda said. "At least J.A.R.V.I.S thinks so. Don't you J.A.R?"
"Indeed Miss Harper," the disembodied voice said.
Which made the twenty-five-year-old chuckle as she too came over to sit at the table, across from her grandfather. "God, I love that guy. Tony, do you think you can make me my own J.A.R.V.I.S."
"No way."
"Spoil sport."
"And don't I know it," Tony said. As he got up and headed towards the door, only turning back to give them the peace sign. "Later, everyone. Peace."
After he left, Amanda turned back to the other two and shifted her eyes between them. "So really, what were you guys talking about?"
At this, Maria got up from the table and excused herself from the room. To allow Steve some space to break the news to his granddaughter.
"I think I'll go see what Tony is up to. See you guys later."
After watching her former S.O leave the room, Amanda turned to face her grandfather. "Well that was in no way telling. What's up, Gramps?"
"Well, I…" Steve said. And then paused as he looked at her with an adoring smile. "It's just that some complications have come to our attention."
"Complications?"
"Yeah… So..."
Then before he could speak, Amanda placed her hand on top of his to stop him. "You know what, how about you tell me later. We should go out and see the house. Unless it's something that would complicate us seeing the house."
"I think we'd be okay. Just keep an eye out."
"I always do."
A little while later, Steve and Amanda left The Avengers tower and made their way to Brooklyn on the motorcycle. Before long, they turned onto the very street where Anthony and Sarah lived, and where Amanda and her siblings grew up.
"Here's good," Amanda said. When she spotted an empty space for them to park.
"Okay."
Steve then maneuvered the bike in the parking spot. And once the engine was turned off, Amanda hopped off the motorcycle, took off her helmet and gave it to him.
"I still can't believe you made me wear a helmet again," the young woman said, referring to the trip to New York.
"Better safe than sorry, Mandy."
"You're such a worry wort."
Steve then smiled in response to her comment, as it reminded him very much of Peggy.
"I just don't want you to get hurt."
"Well, that's all fine and good. But Steve, you do know I have the super serum right?" Amanda questioned.
"I do. Still don't want to risk your safety though. We may heal fast but we're not invincible," Steve said.
"Then how come you don't wear one?"
"Um, that's…" Steve paused, making his granddaughter laugh. "Different."
"Because I'm your granddaughter."
"Exactly." The Captain then climbed off the bicycle and finally glanced up at the row of brownstones as soon as his feet hit the pavement. "So this is it, huh?"
"This is it."
The Captain then followed his granddaughter as she made her way closer to the house, stopping once they were right in front of it. It was an older house, as were all the houses on the block. Built in the early 1900's. It was also the only one on the block with a red door. He didn't know why, but he felt it was very fitting for Sarah to have a house with a red door.
"Wow."
"Yeah, it is pretty nice, isn't it?"
"Very nice."
"Well, come on, Steve. Let's go inside," Amanda said. As she began to climb up the stairs to the door.
Then while she was getting the keys out from her purse, someone came out of the house next door. And Steve then watched as a teenager smiled brightly upon seeing his granddaughter.
"Hey Mandy!"
Upon hearing her neighbor's voice, the young woman looked up at the other house to the left with a smile on her face. "Hey Julia. How you been?"
"Good. You?"
"Good."
"Well, I'll see you later. Come visit okay. We miss you."
"You got it," Amanda said.
Julia then waved as she continued on her way. All the while, staring at Steve, trying to figure out where she had seen him before.
"So, that's your neighbor?"
"Yeah, I used to babysit her actually. I can't believe she's in high school now."
"Wow. That is pretty crazy."
"It is. Psst. I think she was trying to figure out where she's seen you before," Amanda said with a sneaky smile. As she unlocked the door and walking inside. "Here it is. Home sweet home. Go on, have a look around. I'll be right back."
Steve then gave his granddaughter a nod. Before she went up the stairs, leaving him all alone.
The Captain then proceeded to walk around the room in kind of a daze. This house has been his daughter's home for the last thirty years.
It was amazing to finally get to see it. His daughter's home. The house his grandchildren had grown up in. As he wandered around, he could almost feel Sarah's presence here.
So much so, that it became a bit overwhelming for him.
Overall Steve, was just so happy to see this. Parts of the life his daughter had created for herself.
He then paused when he caught sight of the photographs on the mantel. He felt completely entranced by them as he glanced over the images, one by one. Before landing on the one in the middle. Which was a picture of his grandchildren sitting on the front porch, smiling up at the camera. Steve knew without a doubt that it had been his daughter who had taken this photo. His eyes then drifted over to the picture right beside it. A picture of Sarah in her wedding dress. Tears then welled up in his eyes at this sight. For she was just so beautiful.
The tears then stayed in his eyes as he looked at the other three photographs. Which included one of whom he guessed were Anthony's parents, and then Peggy. And finally, one of him. Which was a copy of the one that Peggy had kept from his SSR file.
"Hey Steve! Look what I found," Amanda said. As she wandered into the room holding a little Captain America figurine in her hand, stopping suddenly when she laid eyes on him. "Shit. Grandpa, are you crying?"
At this, Steve wiped the tears from his eyes. "Well, I…"
"Is this about Mom?"
"Yeah."
The twenty-five-year-old's eyes then softened as she came over to him. "Aw Grandpa. It's okay. I know this must be…well a lot for you."
"Just a bit," Steve said. "But it's worth it. Seeing all this. Your mom has lived quite the life."
"Yeah. She's an impressive lady," the twenty-five-year-old said. "Did you know she lived in England for two years after college?"
"Peggy mentioned…"
The Captain's eyes then moved from his granddaughter. And Amanda followed his gaze over to one of the various pictures on the mantel. Before landing on the one of her mother on her wedding day.
"She is beautiful, isn't she?"
"She looks like her mother," Steve remarked.
"She does," Amanda said. "But please don't start bickering with Grandma about this again. You two are ridiculous."
Steve then let out a chuckle at her words. "I promise I'll keep this between us."
"Thank you."
"Now what do you have there?"
"You?"
A smile then appeared on Steve's face as he looked at the little action figure version of him. Which he could tell was old because the paint had faded. And was beginning to chip off the boots.
"Well, look at that."
"Like Grandma, Mom wanted you to be around for us in some way. This was how. Besides living in Brooklyn obviously."
"Is that why Sarah stayed here?"
"Mmhmm. I think she's happier here. It's home. Always has been," Amanda said. "Although, now I think she's happiest when she's with you and Grandma."
Upon hearing this, Steve's heart warmed as he thought back to the group hug he shared with his girls. "And with all of you I bet."
"Ah, well that goes without saying," Amanda said, thinking about her father and siblings. "Would you like a hug?"
Steve the nodded and opened his arms for his granddaughter to hug him. "Thank you, Mandy."
"No problem, Grandpa."
"I like it when you call me that."
"Grandpa?"
"Yeah," Steve said. "How come you don't call me that all the time?"
"Well, besides the weirdness. I think it's more special if I don't say it all the time," Amanda said. "I like saving it for special occasions, you know? Is that cool?"
"Yeah, that's cool."
By nightfall, Steve and Amanda sat on a bench on the Brooklyn Promenade that overlooked the Manhattan skyline. Which twinkled in the distance.
As she watched the lights from the other side of the river, Amanda let out a nice long breath.
"I always forget how much I love this city until I come back."
"Me too."
The twenty-five-year-old's eyes then looked back at the city for a minute. Before she returned her gaze back to her grandfather and licked her lips.
"Change much?" Amanda asked, jokily.
"Just a bit," Steve said. "Still the same feeling though. Of home."
"Ain't that the truth?"
"Yeah. I wish this Promenade existed when I was a kid. This view…"
"…It is really something, isn't it?"
"It is."
"My mother. Your great-grandmother would have loved this."
"Was she a sucker for a great view too?"
"Oh yes. She used to take me to parks every chance she got when I was a boy."
"Sounds nice."
"It was," Steve said. "She would have adored you. All of you."
"I wish I could have met her."
The Captain then nodded in agreement as he thought about what an amazing woman his mother was. He was still so grateful that Peggy named their daughter after her. As he would have definitely suggested that name for Sarah, had he been there.
"Thanks again for the ice cream," Amanda said. As she polished the rest of it off and threw the used the napkin in the trash bin right beside them.
"No problem."
Then after a beat, the young woman spoke again. "Grandpa."
"Hmm?"
"What is it you wanted to talk to me about?"
"Ah. I figured it was only a matter of time before you asked me about that."
"Yeah, not like I was going to forget. Having a good memory is kinda part of my job," Amanda said.
A comment, which made the Captain let out a chuckle, before he took in a breath. "Okay, Mandy. You see…"
"Yes?" Amanda said. As she narrowed her eyebrows, catching onto the feeling that whatever it was. It wasn't exactly good news.
"… The FBI paid your mom a visit yesterday."
"Oh."
"And they were looking for you. Of course, she didn't say where you are. But, they are looking for you, Mandy."
"Because of S.H.I.E.L.D."
"Yeah."
"They do know that S.H.I.E.L.D and HYDRA are two different things, right?"
Steve then let out a sigh. "For the most part I think they do. But… There's something else."
At this, Amanda then glanced back at him and a moment later her eyes showed realization in them. "HYDRA could be hiding in the FBI as well."
"You are good," Steve said, impressed with how quickly she put that together. "Definitely Peggy's genes at work there."
"Oh Grandpa," Amanda said with a chuckle. "So I get the feeling you don't want me to turn myself in."
"No. We don't think it would be wise right now."
"Seems fair."
"You are okay with not turning yourself in? It is your choice, Mandy."
The young woman then weighed her options. Which didn't take her long as she agreed with the conclusion that everyone else seemed to have come to. That it wouldn't be wise to turn herself in at the present time. She knew she had nothing to hide, but still. Being interrogated by the government was not something she particularly wanted to deal with right now as it could interfere with her current mission with her grandfather.
Then there was the risk of HYDRA. Which was a risk, she knew she couldn't take.
"I know," Amanda said. "And yeah, I'm okay with it. Really, I'd rather not turn myself in. But if the time ever comes, I guess we'll deal with it then."
"We will," Steve said. "And I'll keep you safe, I promise."
"Right back at you."
Steve then laughed as she gave him a little wink. Before she moved to rest her head on his shoulder. The two then slowly relaxed, and went back to enjoying their surroundings and Brooklyn. Their home.
Thanks for reading!
Oh my god, Steve and Peggy are so cute! Not too worry guys, I've said it before and I will say it again. They will be endgame. On another note, I really loved writing that flashback. I hope you all enjoyed that as well.
Let me know if you caught the easter egg from Agent Carter. There was one in there.
My apologies for the delay with updates again. But, I'm pleased to say that there will be a chapter next week! Definitely be on the lookout for that.
