All the Time in the World
Chapter 36
1944
On this particular summer's day, the 107th was in the midst of enemy territory, trudging through the woods, on their way to a HYDRA base. As they walked along, they remained vigilant and moved as quietly as humanly possible. Thankfully, with the exception of wild animals. It seemed like they were the only ones around for at least the next few miles.
"Man, my feet are killing me," Dum-Dum announced. As they continued along at a steady pace.
"Maybe you should see about getting some new shoes there Dugan," Steve suggested.
"Nah. It's not the shoes. My socks have five holes in them."
"What? How did you manage that so quickly?" Morita asked. "We got our resupply of socks at the same time."
"I don't know, Jim. I think my feet eat the socks."
At this, all the Commandos that were in earshot of this conversation, winkled their noses and burst out laughing.
"Oh jeez."
"Way to overshare there, Dugan," Bucky said. As he turned around slightly to face Dum-Dum, from his place directly in front of him.
"What? He asked."
"I didn't need to know that, my friend," Morita replied, shaking his head.
"Do you have a spare pair with you?" Steve asked, joining the conversation.
"I'm wearing my extra pair now."
The group then all gave a collective exasperated sigh. Not particularly wanting to know or even imagine what had become of Dugan's other pair of socks.
"Oh Dugan."
"What?" Dum-Dum questioned, shrugging his shoulders.
"Hey Carter!" Morita called out in front of him.
At the sound of her name, Peggy promptly stopped in her tracks and excused herself from a conversation she had been having with Falsworth. When she spun around to face them, her eyes locked onto Steve's for a minute. And a smile briefly grazed her lips, so quickly that no one noticed but him.
"Do you think you could put in a good word with Phillips for Dugan? Apparently, his feet are eating his socks."
"Delightful."
"What do you say, Peg? My feet and I would be ever so grateful." Dugan questioned, expectantly.
The agent then gave a look that suggested she was giving it careful consideration, before she finally nodded. "Oh all right, I'll speak with him. Only if this mission goes well though."
Upon hearing her conditions, a little smile appeared on Steve's face. That was truly such a Peggy thing to say, in order to keep everyone motivated and on top of their game.
"So us surviving Dugan's feet now depends on us pulling off this off."
"Hey!" Dugan said, nudging Bucky. "I'm the one who has to live with them."
"Those are the condition. I hope you boys are up the task."
"Yes, ma'am," the three Howling Commandos said.
"We can get it done, can't we?" Steve said.
"We sure can," Bucky replied, while the others cheered in agreement.
At this, the Captain then met Peggy's eyes again. And as he did so, she allowed the others to go in front of her while she waited for him. Once they were more a less alone, bringing up the rear of the regiment, she finally spoke again.
"You're quite good at that."
"Oh. Thank you."
"I told you once you were meant for more. I see my instincts were correct."
Another smile then appeared on Steve's face at her words. He remembered that day all too well. It was hard to believe it had almost been a year since then. So much had changed, but then again, many things had remained the same.
"I would never doubt that your instincts would be correct."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. And I have to say, it's nice not to be going from stage to stage anymore."
"I would imagine so," she replied with a chuckle. "Though, I think keeping the suit was a good choice on your part."
"Really? You think so."
"Most definitely. It compliments you well."
Later that night, the 107th stopped their hike for a couple hours rest. Until the time when they were to carry out their attack on a HYDRA base, just before dawn.
As they settled in for the night, Steve found himself a free space by a tree to set up his sleeping bag. As he laid it out, he felt the presence of someone else. Then at the sound of another sleeping bag hitting the ground, he finally turned to look at the person. To find that it was Peggy, who had chosen a spot next to him.
"Goodnight, Steve."
"Goodnight, Peggy."
The two then settled into their sleeping bags along with everyone else, except for the two men whose turn it was to stand watch while the others slept. A few minutes later, the sounds of Dugan snoring could be heard and Steve opened his eyes and turned to face Peggy, who turned to look his way at the same time. She then rolled her eyes and they exchanged silent chuckles. With that, they both shifted their gaze back up the night sky, wanting nothing more than to take in the beauty around them, if only for a few minutes.
When he looked back her way, he couldn't help but notice how truly breathtaking she was. Lying there on the forest floor, next to her. It felt like they were the only ones there, sharing this peaceful moment in the middle of war. Though the sounds of the others' breathing and snoring, then reminded him, they weren't really alone.
Still, looking at her, like he was now. He felt utterly captivated by the woman he had fallen for. When she met his gaze again, he saw those same feelings reflected in her eyes.
The next morning, Steve's eyes opened in response to light peering in through the curtains. With a sigh, he then shifted his body ever so slightly. And when he did, he felt the presence of someone else in the bed, right next to him.
Peggy.
The Captain then raised his head slightly, and rolled onto his side as carefully as he could. And there she was, his best girl, fast asleep on her side, facing him. Without even thinking about it, he reached over and ran a finger slowly down her cheek. Just as he had done, all those years ago, when they had last shared a bed.
As he continued to gaze adoringly at her, Peggy's eyes slowly fluttered open. And when her brown eyes focused on him, he cracked a smile.
"Good morning."
"Morning," Peggy greeted with a warm smile. "It's rude to stare at someone while they're sleeping, you know?"
"I'm sorry," Steve replied. "Although, I was admiring not staring."
The former agent then let out a chuckle at his reasoning. "Admiring. Well, then that's a different story entirely. Admiring you say? Am I really that stunning to you when I'm asleep?"
"Well, you just look so peaceful. And if I may say so yes, very beautiful."
"You may."
"You're not going to tell me about how I'm constantly flattering you?"
"Hmm. Not this time," Peggy said with a chuckle. "I quite like your bedhead there, darling."
At hearing this, Steve gave a laugh and reflexively reached up to try and smooth his hair a bit, before finally sitting up in the bed. He then proceeded to move himself into a position where he could still face her.
"So…"
"Well, I see that I never made it back to my room last night," Peggy said. As she too pulled herself up onto sitting position, but remained against the pillows.
"No," Steve said. "You fell asleep and I didn't want to wake you so."
"That's very considerate of you."
The two then thought back to the conversation they had last night, after he signed their daughter's birth certificate. Where they discussed how they would share it with their daughter. Peggy wanted to go all out and give Sarah her first present from both her parents. To which Steve was more than overjoyed about. Then from there, the conversation slowly shifted to his current mission, the latest news on Bucky. Before it happily ended with them discussing fond memories of their time during the war.
Something that clearly meant a lot of both of them.
The time then completely melted away after that and before long, during a brief pause where Steve had gone downstairs to get a drink of water. When he returned he found that Peggy had drifted off to sleep. Not wanting to wake her, he then crawled into bed himself, gave her a kiss on the forehead and soon drifted off as well.
"Should I have?" Steve asked.
"No, no. It's perfectly fine," Peggy assured.
"Good. I do enjoy your company."
"Oh I have no doubt of that, darling," she told him as a sly smile appeared on her face.
"Peggy!"
"Oh don't be so modest. Need I remind you, this isn't the first time we've woken up in the same bed, Steve."
"No, it is not."
The last time they had woken up in the same bed had been the morning after the occasion that resulted in their daring child.
As the Captain's thoughts drifted to that of their daughter. All the emotions he had felt when Peggy showed him Sarah's birth certificate resurfaced. As he shifted his gaze to the document still sitting on the nightstand, his heart flooded with love. Though it was just a piece of paper. It was what that piece of paper represented that was so important to him. For not only did in represent the birth of their child. Which made it special in of itself, but it represented the love they had for one another.
Now with his name on that piece of paper. It felt like he had actually been there the day Sarah was born. If only in his heart.
Steve then felt Peggy take his hand and give it a loving squeeze. To return his affections, he then laid his over hers and brought her hand up to give it a kiss before releasing it.
His way of letting her know, how thankful he was for everything she had given him since his return. Bless his best girl for being one step ahead of him. And knowing how much signing something as simple as their daughter's birth certificate would mean to him.
"Sarah," she whispered, sensing his thoughts.
"Sarah. Now…that was… That was some night, wasn't it?"
"It was. Very memorable in of itself. And of course, what…whom it lead it."
"Indeed."
"I can't believe how much time has passed since then."
"I know what you mean," Steve said. Then after a minute, he licked his lips and continued. "To think, that it was that night that gave us our daughter."
"Oh I know."
"Part of me still can't believe it."
Peggy then looked into his eyes and gave him a warm smile. "Oh Steven, Now I know you know where babies come from."
"Well yeah, but," Steve said with a chuckle. "It's just…You know what I mean, Peggy?"
"I do. It is quite amazing to look back on. If only we'd known."
"Can you imagine if we had?"
"I think we were a bit too caught up in the moment to think of consequences," Peggy said, making him chuckle. "But…Given that it gave us our daughter, I'm glad we did."
"Me too."
"We really were quite reckless when you think about it, weren't we?"
"Just a bit."
"We truly did throw caution to the wind, as they say."
"We did. It was a long time coming though, wasn't it"
"Oh there's no denying that."
The two then shared a smile, both equally glad they had jumped at the chance to be together in that way when they could. Regardless of army regulations. And though they had suffered an intermission, which made everything different. Leaving the two unable to truly pick up where they had left off. It had left them grateful for everything they did have together.
"Peggy?"
"Yes."
"You're really something else, you know that?"
"I love you too," Peggy replied.
"And thank you. For showing me Sarah's birth certificate. And allowing me to sign it. It was…"
"I know, darling. I know," Peggy said. "You're her father. I knew how important it would be to you. To us. Besides, it's only right that your name be on it now. Oh I can't wait to show Sarah. I think it might make her day."
"I have no doubt. It certainly made mine."
Peggy then licked her lips as she continued to gaze at the man sitting across from her. "Have I mentioned how much I love seeing you with her? You are an amazing father, Steve."
"I certainly try my best with our daughter," Steve said. Being a father was something that was still foreign to him in many ways. But there were times when it felt like he had been one for years.
"And your best is perfect. It's all any parent can do. And Sarah simply adores you. Just as I always knew she would."
The Captain then smiled brightly as his thoughts drifted to their daughter once again. "I adore her too, obviously."
"Obviously. You are quite the doting father, darling." The two then chuckled and after a minute, Peggy let out a breath. "What time is it?"
"Um," Steve said. As he glanced over at the alarm clock on the bedside table. "8.30."
"Mhm. Sarah and Amanda are probably awake by now."
"Probably."
"So should we…?" He questioned, wondering if she wanted to go downstairs to join their family.
"I suppose so." Then as he moved to stand up, Peggy grabbed his hand, making him pause in place. "Peggy? What is it?"
She then looked down at her hand, still holding on to his. And with a smile, her eyes met his again. "It's good to have you home, Steve."
"It's good to be home."
Meanwhile, in another part of the house. Sarah sat at the kitchen table reading the newspaper while she skillfully ate cereal at the same time.
All of a sudden, she heard the familiar sound of the front door opening. Just as she managed to tear her eyes away from the paper. Her daughter wandered into the room, with her hair pulled up into a pony hair and her iPod armband visible on her left arm.
"Morning Mom," Amanda greeted, upon entering the room.
"Good morning, sweetheart."
"Is there any coffee left?"
"Yes, I brewed a fresh pot while you were out."
Amanda then gave her mother a look of pure appreciation. Before heading over to the counter to pour herself a cup. "Bless you."
"No problem, sweetheart. I know how you like a fresh cup after your jog."
"You're very observant," Amanda said. As she poured the hot liquid into a mug. "With that ability to anticipate you should've been a spy."
Sarah then chuckled at her daughter's joke and watched as she came over to join her at the table. "I think I'll stick to my day job, thank you."
The young woman then shrugged her shoulders and gave her mother a smile. "How is teaching? You're doing some substituting now right?"
Sarah nodded, confirming this to be the case. She had applied to sub in the area shortly after Amanda's birthday. And had been subbing off and on in the area even since she had been approved, just to have something to keep her busy during the day. Like her mother and daughter, Sarah loved her work and hated being away from it for too long. Luckily enough for her, a few weeks ago she had been asked to be a long-term sub at a school while one of their 3rd grade teachers was on maternity leave.
"It's going very well, thank you."
"And the kids are behaving themselves for you?"
"Yes, they're a good group."
"Good. Cause you know I'd have a word with them if they weren't."
Sarah then chuckled at her daughter's comment, but was thankful for the gesture of protectiveness on her part. "I do appreciate that. Thanks, Mandy."
"You know what, Mom? For the next group of kids. On your first day, tell them you're Captain America's daughter. That would earn you popularity points real fast," Amanda said with a wink.
"I have no doubt it would. Kids are quite fond of the Avengers these days," Sarah said. While she watched her daughter take another sip of her coffee, followed by a happy sigh. "Good?"
"So good." Then a minute later, the young agent furrowed her brow, as she realized what time it was. "Mom?"
"Yes sweetheart. What is it?"
"Where are Grandma and Grandpa?"
"I don't know. I haven't seen them yet."
"Huh?" Amanda pondered, knowing how unlike Steve it was to sleep in. "Is Grandpa still asleep?"
As he usually was the first one up at Avengers Tower, still being on military time in all. So the young woman had been very surprised not to see Steve up and about, when she got up that morning. At the time she had assumed that he had already left for his jog, but clearly that was not the case. And then there was her grandmother, who was not typically one to sleep in either.
"I would assume so. Why do you ask?"
"No reason," Amanda pondered. "Just wondering….And Grandma."
"I imagine she's still asleep too."
The young woman then bit her lip and looked up to meet her mother's puzzled face. "Don't you think that's a little…Weird?"
"Weird how, Amanda?"
"I don't know. It's just weird. For one thing, Grandpa's always up at the crack of dawn. And Grandma not to long after that."
"Mandy, it's very possible they just decided to sleep in today."
"Like together." As soon as that word left her lips, her eyes widened and a gasp escaped her lips. "Oh my god. Do you suppose they're together?"
"Amanda!" Sarah exclaimed at her daughter's suggestion.
"What? I'm just saying." Amanda said with a chuckle.
"I'd rather you didn't say."
"What? I don't think it's an unreasonable assumption. And come to think of it, I think I heard Grandma leave her room late last night. Mom, come on, it's not like I'm saying they're you know…Doing stuff."
Sarah then moved her hand up to her face in exasperation and shook her head. "Amanda please. Those are my parents. And your grandparents."
The twenty-six-year-old then chuckled at her mother's response. Truth be told, she had never seen her mother look so freaked out before. No, this was a new thing to see from Sarah.
Amanda knew she was enjoying this more than she should. But that sure wouldn't stop her from enjoying it.
"This is really freaking you out, isn't it? Thinking about your parents."
"Just a bit."
"Well, I hate to break to you Mom. But your parents had you. So they have done the deed so to speak."
"Thank you I realize that," Sarah said. Then a moment later, against her will, the thought sunk in even more. "Oh god."
Not that she really thought her parents were doing anything of the sort. And Sarah knew, Amanda was just stirring the pot as she liked to do. Still, this was new territory for her. As she never got to experience the freak out of realizing that one's parents had indeed had sex for them to exist, something one normally experienced in their teenage years.
Sure, doing that time, she remembered not wanting to think about how her brother and sister came to be. That was nothing compared to this.
Her parents were certainly very cute to be sure. She had been truly amazed by their relationship, after seeing just how well they clicked in person. Still, her parents being intimate with each other was not something she wanted to imagine or even think about.
"There, there, Mom. We've all been there," Amanda said. "Welcome to the club."
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Guilty. Your face was priceless. I wish you could have seen it" Amanda said, proudly.
"Oh Mandy. What am I going to do with you?"
Just then, the two heard footsteps approaching the kitchen and when they turned to look. They saw that Peggy had at last wandered downstairs.
"Good morning you two."
"Morning Mom."
"Morning Grandma," Amanda added.
"I trust you both slept well," Peggy said. As she made her way over to the counter to make herself some tea.
"I did, thank you," Sarah replied. "Amanda?"
"Same. Although, Grandma, did I hear you get out of bed last night?"
"You might have, darling. I'm sorry if I woke you."
"No, no. It's okay," she replied. As she exchanged a glance with her mother, right as Peggy joined them at the table.
The former agent then flickered her eyes between her daughter and granddaughter as she pushed the tea bag around in her mug and let out a sigh. "All right. Out with it then."
What?" Amanda replied.
"You clearly have something you want to ask me. So ask."
"Mom, how about you start?"
At this, Sarah then gave her daughter a pointed look. Before she turned her attention back to her mother. "I think what Amanda is trying to inquire is: If you were having trouble sleeping last night, Mom?"
"Oh. A little," Peggy admitted. "It actually worked out quite well. It gave me the chance to finally discuss something with your father."
"Ah-ha! You were with Grandpa!" Amanda exclaimed, while pointing at her grandmother.
At her granddaughter's outburst, the older woman just stared at her with a funny expression, followed by a raise of the eyebrow. "Oh settle down, would you. What's with all this excitement?"
"Um, never mind," Amanda said, giving her grandmother the must innocent face she could muster.
"That's what I thought." With that, Peggy turned her attention to her daughter. "Darling. Your father and I have a gift of sorts for you, Sarah. It's quite special really."
Upon hearing this, Sarah felt completely blown away. Her parents had something they wanted to give her. Her whole body then filled with anticipation. This was also a new thing for her, a present from both her parents. And she honestly couldn't begin to imagine what it could possibly be. But she could tell by the look in Peggy's eyes, it was going to be really special whatever it was.
As the moment unfolded, Amanda looked on with a warm smile on her face. "Wow. Look at you guys. You're like a real family now."
"Well, what did you think we were, Amanda?"
"A family….It's just nice. That's all I'm saying." The other two then nodded in agreement and smiled at each other. Then a minute later, curiosity began to get the best of the young woman. "So what's the gift?"
"You'll find out in due time, darling," Peggy replied, not wanting to spoil the surprise.
"Grandma. You know this is going to kill me."
"Don't be so dramatic, you'll be fine. Besides this is for your mum."
"All the more reason to share with me. I won't tell Mom. I promise," Amanda said, doing a scouts honor signal.
"Amanda Margaret. Have some patience, my dear."
"Wow, you're really not going to tell me, are you? This must be good."
"Oh it is," Peggy said, reaching out to pat her granddaughter's arm. "This will be worth the little wait, I promise…I do hope you have the patience, Sarah."
At this, Sarah met her mother's eyes again and gave a nod "For you and Dad. I think I do."
1947
Peggy looked out the cab window as it pulled up outside her and Angie's penthouse in Manhattan. Once the cab came to a stop, she reached for the handle and pushed the door open. Followed closely behind by Daniel who had accompanied her home from L.A, now that the Isodyne case was officially closed. Daniel would have to go back in a few days to make official arrangements for his return to the New York office. And of course, find someone to take over as chief for him.
"Thank you very much," Peggy said. As they waved goodbye to the cabdriver and made their way up the porch.
"You seem happy to be back," Daniel said, noticing the way her face had lit up upon laying eyes on the building.
"Very happy."
"Let's go see your daughter, Peg."
The young woman then reached out to give his hand a squeeze. Before she reached into her purse to retrieve the key and finally open the door. "Angie? I'm home."
A few seconds later, her best friend came into view with a big smile on her face, and little Sarah resting on her hip. "English."
Peggy then walked over to them and gave Angie a warm hug. "Angie. I missed you."
"We missed you too," Angie said, adjusting her hold on the toddler and then pointed to Peggy. "Look who's here, Sarah?"
"My darling girl. How are you?"
Peggy couldn't believe it had been two weeks since she had last seen her daughter. Two weeks was certainly more than enough. Looking at Sarah, Peggy was relieved that she didn't appear to have changed much in the two weeks. The young woman then gently ran her hand over her daughter's hair. As the toddler stared at her with her fingers in her mouth. Suddenly, a huge smile appeared on the child's face, upon recognizing her mother.
Then to make it known how much she wanted Peggy, Sarah began to get a bit fussy and reached out for her.
"There you go," Angie said. As she helped the child over to Peggy's waiting arms.
The SSR agent then winced slightly as Sarah's foot grazed the wound, she had received during her fight with Whitney Frost. Luckily, the pain went as quickly as it came, leaving Peggy to enjoy her reunion with her little girl.
"Mama!"
"That's right, Sarah," Peggy replied. With tears in her eyes at hearing her daughter's little voice. "Mummy has missed you so much."
"And she sure missed you, English. She was a good girl for her Auntie. Only wanted to eat strawberries though, but I took what I could get."
Peggy then chuckled as she nodded sympathetically at her dear friend, knowing of course, how truly picky her one-year-old could be.
"Thank you so much, Angie."
Daniel then took this time to make his way over to Peggy and Angie. And Peggy's small daughter, who he hadn't seen since she was six months old.
"Well, come say hello, Daniel," Peggy said. As she looked his way and gave him a smile. "She won't bite, I promise. Alas I make no promises about Angie."
"Very funny, English," Angie said. As all three adults laughed at once.
Not too long there afterwards, Daniel sat on the living room floor while he kept an eye on Sarah. To allow Peggy some time to go to her room and unpack. He then smiled as he watched the toddler drag her little wooden dog around the floor, happily babbling on as she played.
"Angie, should be back from the store soon," Peggy announced. As she entered the room and come over to join them on the floor.
"Sounds good," Daniel said. As he held out one of Sarah's dolls for her to take.
Peggy watched this interaction with a smile on her face, as her child took the toy from Daniel and immediately toddled off on her chubby legs.
"I think she likes you."
"You think so?"
"I do."
"She's a cute kid, Peg," Daniel said. "I can't believe how big she's gotten since I last saw her. She's a real beauty, just like her mom."
Peggy then bit her lip as she looked over at her daughter for a moment, watching her play. "Daniel."
"Yeah?"
"It's about Sarah. Steve…Captain Rogers, he is Sarah's father."
Upon hearing this revelation, Daniel gave her a warm smile and a nod. Truthfully, he had suspected this to be the case for some time. After all, he had heard all the rumors about Peggy's relationship with Captain America. He had seen some of their coworkers bring it up in order to demean Peggy or embarrass her. So until now, it just wasn't something the two of them had ever discussed. And Daniel always figured that if she wanted to tell him, she would.
"…Thank you for telling me."
"I figured it was time. Especially with us. Obviously, it's not something I share too often, for many reasons. Sarah's safely most of all. I suppose losing him…is still hard to cope with. Even after two years."
"I understand that. Honestly, it's no one's business besides yours. And Sarah's."
"Thank you, Daniel."
"You're welcome." He then glanced over at Sarah as she attempted to pick up three toys at once. "If it means anything, I think Captain Rogers is very lucky to have Sarah as a daughter. I'm sure he's watching over her."
Tears immediately sprang up in Peggy's eyes at his words. Which were quickly abated when Sarah's giggling brought her attention back over to her child. Just as the small child came running back over with a toy in hand to show her.
Later that day, Steve walked into Peggy's office to wait for her while she retrieved the gift so they could wrap it while Amanda and Sarah were out on a walk. A moment later, Peggy hustled into the room as fast as she could at ninety-one with the wrapping paper in one hand and the gift in the other.
"Where's your cane?"
"Oh I left that bloody thing by the stairs. It was just getting in the way."
The Captain then chuckled slightly at this. "I don't think I've ever seen you so excited, Peg."
"Sure you have. The day you and our daughter finally met," Peggy said. As she sat down at her desk and began to roll out some of the wrapping paper. "Although, shooting that HYDRA shipper does come close."
"Peggy!" he exclaimed.
"Oh. Don't be ridiculous. I'm only joking," the former agent said. "But still, getting that bastard was oh so satisfying."
"I know. Took us two days to finally get him," Steve recalled. "Thanks to you, we did."
"Well, I can't take all the credit. You and the boys…We were a team after all." Then during a brief pause, Peggy realized she had forgotten something. "Oh would you mind getting the tape for me? There should be some in the top drawer over there. The bookcase."
"Sure."
The Captain then wandered over to the bookcase and opened the drawer Peggy had been pointing to. Before he could locate the tape dispensers, his eyes caught sight of something else. It was a stack of pictures, the first being that of young Sarah sitting on a porch swing with Peggy's husband. Steve then picked it up and proceeded to study the image very closely. He had only seen a few photographs of Daniel before, but he had yet to see one of him with Sarah.
Just then, Peggy glanced over to check on his progress and found him staring intently at a picture. A breath then escaped her lips, as she had a hunch as to what photograph he had found.
"Steve?" she questioned.
Steve then spun around with the picture still in his hand and gave a nod. "This is a nice picture…They look really happy here."
At this, she gestured for him to bring her the picture so she could look at it as well. When he did, a little smile appeared on her lip. Her suspicion has been right after all.
"Mhmm. Yes. I believe I took that one after we had returned from the fair."
Which seemed to be accurate, based on Sarah's summery outfit in the picture. Along with her half eaten bag of popcorn.
"He really loved her, didn't he?" Steve questioned. Although he already knew the answer, from things Sarah had said about her stepfather in passing. As well as from what Amanda had told him.
"He did."
Upon thinking about her late husband, tears began to well up in Peggy's eye, which didn't go unnoticed by Steve. Causing his mouth to open slightly as he studied her face. Though this was hard for him. Both of them really, since they had refrained from talking about Daniel too often for obvious reasons. Still, he wanted to be there for him. So he swallowed any awkwardness he felt and took her hand in his.
"I am glad you had him, Peggy. And I'm glad he was there to help you raise Sarah. She was lucky to have him too."
A warm smile then appeared on her face as she continued to hold on to his hand. "That's funny. He said the same thing about you once."
"Really?"
"Mmhhm. And our daughter is certainly quite lucky. And was quite loved back then. And now, she's so lucky to be loved by you. And you her."
"She certainly deserves it," Steve said. And then when he met her eyes again. He gave her a smile. "Part of me does wish I could have met Daniel."
"Do you really?"
"Well, it would be awkward as Amanda would say. But yeah. I would have liked to."
"Hmm. Our granddaughter may be right about that." Then without another word, Peggy stood up and took the few steps over to him. "I love you, my darling man."
After a brief moment of having his arms around her, as she rested against his chest. He whispered. "I love you too. I'm so glad to be back here. To be home."
"It is nice, isn't it? I can't say how happy I am to have you here again." Then suddenly a bright smile appeared on her face as something crossed her mind. And she then looked up to meet his gaze. "You know what, Steve? I do believe it's been about a year since you came back."
The Captain then stood there as it dawned on him too. Peggy was right. It had been about a year since he had been reunited with the love of life. A year since he had learned of their daughter and grandchildren.
"Wow. A whole year," he replied. Still mulling all of this over. And what a year it had been.
Happy New Year everyone!
I can't believe this fic is 36 chapters now! Thank you for all your support. It truly means a lot.
All the Steggy in this chapter though? Perfect way to start off the new year I think. Also, just writing Sarah as a little one again was such a gift. Brought back so many memories of writing Legacy.
Hopefully, now that the holidays are over I can get back to my normal posting schedule. Until next update!