Let It Snow

Holiday Special

I don't own Captain America

December 1960

Downtown Scarsdale, NY

It's cold and snowy midafternoon in Scarsdale, NY, a two weeks before Christmas. Thick grey clouds of an impending storm covered the sky as the snow fell soundlessly in a thick blanket, taking their time before they reached their destined places of rest, enveloping everything in a calm, silent, coldness that was comforting in its unique way. Statues peeked out under their new white caps, footsteps, and paw prints crisscrossed each other around the sidewalks and paths of downtown. But as the snow fell, the wind whistled and blew the bitter cold across the Earth, nipping at the noses of pedestrians walking through town. It was just another New York winter.

The beautifully decorated downtown dressed with colorful lights, wreaths, ornaments, and garlands hanging on every storefront and lamp post showed the town's holiday cheer. Even a tall Christmas tree stood high and proud in the town square, also decorated with all sorts of ornaments and lights. The humble New York village in Westchester County was a place of Christmas and holiday spirit despite the incoming storm.

Peggy, bundled warmly in a long navy blue fitted wool coat, stepped out of a department store in town and into the snow with a big paper bag full of items in her arms. Her youngest daughter, Angela Elizabeth, also dressed warmly in a light blue coat and also carrying a full paper bag, joined her side in the cold. Peggy held the door open for a moment as she called back to the shop owner inside, "Thank you very much, Roy, give my love to the family and merry Christmas!"

Roy Bolden, the shop owner, waved from inside with a warm grin, "Any time, Peggy. Merry Christmas!"

Peggy closed the door and began walking down the sidewalk with Angela following closely, their feet crunching the snow as they walked on the layer that covered the path. She glanced down at her daughter and smiled, "So, what do you say? last stop, the bookstore?"

Angela didn't say anything but nodded happily and grinned with glee at her mother, excited to go to the bookstore.

Peggy chuckled at her daughter's usual quiet response, "Bookstore it is then."

The mother and daughter duo were spending the afternoon together shopping for Christmas presents and other various things, and, importantly, spending quality time together.

As they walked down the sidewalk, Angela took a glance across the street and saw a beautiful Christmas tree standing tall by another storefront. The tree looked a lot like the one they decorated at home with all the lights, various ornaments, and ribbons, except this tree, had red ribbons rather than silver like theirs.

She tugged on her mother's arm, "Mama, look at that tree by that store," she said, pointing to the Christmas tree across the street. "Looks a lot like ours at home except the ribbons are red."

Peggy stopped and glanced at the tree and smiled, "Wow, it really does. It's beautiful too." She wrapped her free arm around her daughter, "I like those red ribbons, but I prefer the silver ones we have at home."

"Me too," Angela agreed with a smile. "It's pretty, though."

Peggy smiled and affectionately gripped her daughter, "Come on; let's get to the bookstore, sweetheart."

Angela nodded, "Okay," she said, beginning to walk with her mother, leaning into her as they continued down the snowy path.

"Cold, darling?" Peggy asked as she glanced down at her daughter with a loving look.

"A little bit," Angela softly responded.

Peggy shrugged her shoulders, pretending to shiver, "the weatherman says a blizzard is coming. It's going to be super cold with a whole lot of snow. Hopefully, we'll be home before it hits."

"I like the snow," Angela said, innocently.

"I know, but it's a pain to drive in and can be dangerous too."

"Oh. Do we need to hurry home then? Or just go home?" Angela asked, looking up at her mother.

Peggy shook her head, "Oh, no, we don't have to do that. We only got one more stop, and we'll head home." She smiled at her, "I promised we'll go to the bookstore today, so we're going to the bookstore."

"Okay," she replied with a proud grin.

Peggy smirked, "I'm sure we'll be home before the blizzard hits us." She chuckled, "I hope."

Steve & Margaret Rogers Residence, Scarsdale, NY

A few hours later, in the early evening, Steve stood at home, looking out the window in the living room at the vicious blizzard the weatherman had promised. The violent weather outside had nothing friendly about it, a swirling storm of blinding silver and white. The snow was so thick; Steve could barely see the street, let alone his lawn. The wind whipped and produced a bone-chilling whistle as it blew past the insulated house. The sky above has none of the light that the early evening time should have, so thick are those black storm clouds. "Blizzard," a tame word for such a storm that ravaged the outside.

Steve frowned as he watched his lawn, and the parts of the driveway he could see vanish in snow, aware that he'll probably have to shovel it later or tomorrow. But right now, his main concern was his wife and daughter, who were still out shopping. He was worried about their drive back home as the strong winds, and terrible visibility made it a nightmare to drive on the road. Especially since Peggy hated driving in the snow. But on the bright side, either by this evening or morning, it'll be a winter wonderland out there, and the kids will go wild with glee.

He looked down to his side at Athena, the big all black German Shepard, who was sitting upright, also staring out the window with her ears perked up like she too was waiting for Peggy. He smiled, "I'm sure she's okay," he said, mentioning Peggy.

Athena looked up at him and wagged her tail.

John then walked into the foyer on his way back upstairs and saw his dad in the living room with Athena, both staring outside at the snowstorm. He changed direction and walked toward him and spoke up in an innocent tone, "Hi, Dad."

Steve glanced over at his youngest and smiled, "Oh, hey, Bud. What's up?"

"What are you looking at, Dad?" the seven-year-old said, joining his dad's side and staring out the window to see only white. Athena got up and moved over to sit next to John, happily wagging her tail next to the boy. John chuckled, "Hi, Athena, who's a good girl?" he said, petting the dog on the head and scratching her ears.

"Not looking at much as you can tell. Just waiting for your mom and sister to come home from their shopping trip in town."

John nodded, "Oh. Are they, okay? Michael said it's a big blizzard outside."

Steve gave a reassuring smile, "Of course, they are. You think this blizzard is going to stop your mom from coming home?"

"No! Mama is a super hero! She can make it through anything!" John grinned.

Steve chuckled, "That's right! Don't ever forget that."

"I never will!"

Suddenly, Sarah appeared in the foyer after running down the stairs and called out to her father, "Is Mom home, yet?"

Steve shook his head, "Not yet."

Athena quickly got up from next to John and walked over to Sarah and joined her side, happily wagging her tail as she stepped with her. Sarah smiled, petting her dog, "Hi there, Athena, keeping Daddy and Little John company?"

Sarah then joined her father and brother in the living room and also started to stare out the window to the raging blizzard outside. "They've been out for a while and I know how much Mom hates driving in the snow."

Steve nodded, "Ah, she'll be fine."

"I know, but—" Sarah began, also a little concerned about her mother and sister driving in the storm.

Steve wrapped his arm around his teenage daughter and smiled, "I know. I feel it too."

"Feel what?" John asked.

Sarah smiled reassuringly at her little brother, "Nothing, buddy. We're just talking about how cold it is and thinking how much Mama hates it out there."

"Oh," John replied, innocently.

Steve smirked and glanced at his oldest daughter, "Where's your brother?"

"He's right here," Sarah smiled, trying to lighten the mood, pointing down at her little brother, who was now hugging her waist.

Steve rolled his eyes and smiled, "Your other brother, knucklehead."

Sarah laughed and nodded to the stairs, "he's upstairs listening to Christmas music." She furrowed her brows, "Is mom still going to make dinner?"

Steve shrugged, "Maybe, I don't know. She was planning on making the lamb roast tonight and bake cookies."

"Cookies?" John chimed in, excitedly.

"Yeah, Mama's cookies," Steve chuckled. "But I don't know if she'll make the roast tonight. It depends on how late she gets back."

John was about to speak when his older sister gripped his shoulders, stopping him. Sarah smiled, "Because I know John is curious, and Michael and me too. Mama is still planning to bake the cookies when she gets home though right?"

Steve laughed, "Yes, she is. She promised she will, and so we will have cookies."

John grinned from ear to ear, "yes!"

Steve and Sarah smiled at his expression and joy.

Steve suddenly spotted a thin silhouette of a car, slowly pulling up to the curb at the front of their house. "And speak of the devil, I think your mother and sister just arrived."

John grinned with excitement, "Mama's home?"

"I think so."

Sarah stepped closer to the window and saw the silhouette of the car through the thick blowing snow. "Are you sure that's them?" she asked, unable to make out any details of the car.

"Pretty sure."

Sarah then spotted two dark figures step out of the car on either side, one tall and one short. "Yup, that's definitely them." She watched as the two figures ran toward the house, the short one taking the lead with the tall one close behind.

The front door suddenly swung open, letting all the cold air and snow in, the wind howling at a deafening pitch. Peggy and Angela, each carrying two large paper bags and covered in snow, quickly stepped into the warm house and shut the door behind them just as fast as it opened.

Peggy shivered in her heeled boots, "It's so bloody cold outside. Good to be back in the warmth of our house."

John raced over to his mother, Athena getting up and following him closely. "Welcome home, Mama!" the seven-year-old greeted happily.

Peggy smiled and put her bags down at her feet, Angela doing the same. "Hi, Darling," Peggy said lovingly at her youngest. She reached over and embraced him tenderly, planting a kiss on the top of his head.

Athena sat down in between Peggy and Angela, letting her tongue roll out with a goofy grin. Peggy and Angela smiled at the dog and petted her at the same time.

Peggy glanced over at her husband, who just walked into the foyer with her oldest daughter, "Sorry we're late. Had to drive slow. Could barely see the road," she said, brushing the clumps of snow off her jacket.

Steve smiled, "That's okay. Just glad you and Angela made it home safe."

Peggy shrugged, "Yes, well, we were planning to get home before the storm but I lost track of time."

Steve smiled, "Happens to the best of us." He stepped around her and put his hands on her shoulders, "Can I take your coat, hon?"

Peggy nodded, "Please, thank you, Darling," she said, undoing the belt and unbuttoning her coat.

Steve gently removed the wool coat off his wife and draped it over his arm. Peggy leaned over and gave her husband a quick affectionate peck on the lips. Steve smiled and turned his attention to Angela, stepping toward her, "Here, sweetie, let me take your jacket too."

Angela nodded, "Thank you, Daddy," she said, unbuttoning her coat.

As Steve took Angela's coat, Peggy nodded to the door, "I couldn't see the driveway when I drove up. Pretty sure it's covered in a thick layer of snow now."

Steve draped Angela's jacket over his wife's on his arm, "That means shoveling," he said, sadly.

Peggy shrugged, "I'm afraid so, darling."

Steve sighed, "Well did you and Angela at least have fun today?"

Angela didn't say anything but enthusiastically nod.

Peggy chuckled, We did. Grabbed some decorations, clothes, and finished off our trip at the bookstore." She looked down at Angela and smiled, "And that's where we lost track of time."

Angela spoke up, "Yeah, the bookstore had a create your own ornament table!"

Peggy smirked, "We couldn't help but do one." She shrugged, "Or several."

"Can we see the ornaments?" Steve asked.

Sarah grinned, "Yeah! I want to see them!"

Peggy nodded, "We actually made a lot. One for everyone."

John beamed happily, "Really? How about Athena?" He said, glancing at the German Shepard happily sitting at the center of the group.

Peggy chuckled at her youngest son, "Yes, even for Athena."

Angela bent down to her large paper bag and opened it in a way so everyone can see what's inside, revealing handmade ornaments constructed out of popsicle sticks, construction paper, felt, and colorful ribbons. She reached into the bag and pulled out a red, white, and blue felt ornament made in the design of her dad's Captain America shield.

Angela smile and handed it to her dad, "This one is yours, Daddy."

Steve gently took the small decoration in his free hand and smiled, "Wow, you made these?" Angela nodded with a warm smile. "I love it! Thank you, sweetheart." He leaned forward and kissed her on the top of her head.

Angela reached back into the bag and revealed another ornament, this time made of brown and white felt in the color and shape of a football with "Michael James Rogers," painted on it. "And this one is for Michael," Angela said with a smile.

Sarah chuckled, "That's definitely him." She glanced up the foyer, "Mike! Get down here, Angela made you an ornament."

Michael called from upstairs, "Coming!" After a few seconds, he showed up at the top of the foyer, pausing to see his whole family by the front door, before rushing down the stairs to join them. "Welcome back, Mom," he greeted his mother when he got to his family.

Peggy smiled, "Hi, sweetie."

Angela showed her older brother the ornament and smiled, "This is for you, big brother."

Michael took the ornament in his hand and smiled, "Wow! You made this?" Angela nodded in response. "I love it. I appreciate it, Angela."

Angela shrugged, "It's not much, but…"

"No, but you made it, so it's special. And it may be simple, but it's the thought that counts," Michael said, hugging his little sister. "I really do love it."

Angela smiled, "You're welcome." She then reached back down into her bag and pulled out another ornament, this time constructed of popsicles sticks that formed a board with white construction paper glued onto it with a small drawing on it. "This one is yours, Sarah."

Sarah grinned happily and took the ornament, noticing the small drawing with her name written at the bottom, "Aw, it's so cute! I love it!" She quickly hugged her little sister, "I love it, thank you," she repeated.

Angela, again, reached into her paper bag and pulled out another felt ornament in the shape, color, and the detail of a chocolate chip cookie with "JSR" written on the bottom. "And this one is for John," she said with a grin.

John took the ornament from her older sister and looked confused, "Thank you, Angela, but why am I a cookie?"

Sarah laughed, "Probably because your favorite food on the planet is a chocolate chip cookie."

"Yeah," Angela said with a smile.

"Oh. That's true," John agreed. The whole family laughed in response.

Peggy bent down and reached into her back, pulling out a felt gingerbread man with brown hair and a bright red smile on its face. "And Angela made this one for me," she said with a big smile.

Sarah grinned, "That's a cute gingerbread man. Or woman for mom's case."

Angela nodded, "With red lips because Mama loves her red lipstick."

"That's funny and so true," Michael agreed.

Steve chuckled, "I sure do love her lipstick too. Doesn't your mom look beautiful with it?"

John nodded, "Yeah!"

Peggy smiled, "You're too sweet." She glanced at her ornament, "Aren't these great?"

Sarah nodded, "I love these. Thanks, Angela!"

Michael cocked his head to the side and asked, "Angela, did you make one for yourself?"

Angela nodded, "Yup! And I made one for Athena too."

She reached back into her bag and held up the last two ornaments. Her ornament was made of layers of felt to look like a book, and on it was a piece of construction paper glued on it with "Cannery Row, By John Steinbeck," written on it. Athena's ornament was simple with popsicle sticks forming a triangle to look like a dog's face with felt pointy ears.

Sarah gasped, "Ah! That's so cute! I love those!"

Michael laughed, "Right? I love how she made them resemble the things we like. Except Athena's is just her face." He glanced at the German Shepard, who was sitting in the center of the family, happily wagging her tail.

Steve chuckled, "Well? What are we waiting for? Let's put them up on the tree!"

"Yeah!" John bolted excitedly toward the family room, Athena quickly giving chase without hesitation. Sarah, Michael, and Angela following close behind with warm smiles.

Steve smiled at the kids as they walked away, "I see why it took so long," he said, glancing back at his wife.

Peggy smiled, "Mhmm. Aren't they cute though?" she said, holding up her ornament.

Steve nodded, "Very." He looked at his ornament, "I cherish all the small creative things the kids do."

"Me too," Peggy softly responded.

Steve stepped toward his wife, wrapped an arm around her, and brought her in for a tender kiss. He broke the kiss and nodded to the kitchen, "If you want, I can cook dinner tonight."

Peggy shook her head, "No, no, I'll take care of it. I want to make that roast, and besides, I'm going to bake cookies, so I need the kitchen."

"Just offering."

"I know, I appreciate it, Steve," she said, kissing him again.

Suddenly, they heard John call them from the family room, "Mama, Daddy, are you coming to hang your ornaments?"

Steve chuckled, "We'll be right there, bud!" With that, he and Peggy made their way to the family room to decorate the tree with their ornaments made from Angela.

Later that evening, Steve found himself staring out the window again in the foyer by the front door at the deep snowfall that blanketed his front yard. The blizzard passed a little while ago, but it still snowed, this time slowly and gently opposed to the violent torrent of a few hours ago. The sun has gone below the horizon, leaving the sky pitch black and the bitter coldness of the winter night to settle. Though the blizzard has gone, it was still freezing, and Steve could feel it through the door even though he was inside his lovely, cozy house.

Steve sighed, "that's a lot of snow," he said to himself.

Steve jumped when he heard Peggy's voice from behind him, "How about you stop staring out the window and do something about it."

Steve turned around and saw his wife grinning at him while leaning against the entryway to the kitchen with a Christmas apron over her swing dress and a small towel in hand. He smiled, "Dinner smells good, hon."

Peggy wiped her hands with a towel, "Thank you, darling. It's almost done." She nodded to the door, "So, are you going to do anything about all that snow that's on my yard?"

"Shovel? Right now?"

Peggy hung her hand towel over her shoulder and smiled, "Exactly, shovel."

Steve frowned, "I uh. Rather not. You know how much I hate the cold, and I got a perfectly got a good reason for it too," he said, referring to his experiences during the wars. He looked out the window, "And besides, it's getting dark and it's getting colder."

Peggy smiled, "Don't be such a baby, darling. You can't keep using that as an excuse. Though it's legitimate. But still!"

Steve sighed, "I really don't want too though."

Peggy frowned at her husband, "Steve, if you don't shovel, we won't be able to get out of the house or use the driveway."

"I'm okay with that."

"Goodness, you're worse than the kids when it comes to this," Peggy said, rolling her eyes.

Steve chuckled, "Why can't I do it tomorrow?"

Peggy shook her head, "Because it's going to be much worse tomorrow if you wait that long, darling."

Steve sighed and looked at his wife with a goofy grin.

Peggy raised her hands, "Don't look at me cause I'm not doing it."

"And why not?" Steve jokingly asked.

"Because I'm making supper, and if you do it, I promise I'll bake extra cookies and make hot cocoa."

"You drive a hard bargain." He smirked, "Fine, I'll do it now."

Peggy pushed herself off the wall, Good," she said, walking over to the bottom of the stairs. "Thank you, my love. Stay warm, and, as always, I love you," she said with a playful wink.

Steve sighed, "Yes, yes, I know."

Peggy laughed, "here, I'll get you some help." She turned her attention upstairs, "Sarah, Michael!" she called her oldest.

After a few moments, Sarah appeared at the top of the foyer, looking over the railing at her parents. "Yes, Mom?" She respectfully replied.

Michael appeared a few seconds later, "Yes, Mom?" he also said.

Peggy nodded to the front door, "Go get dressed in something warm and help your dad shovel outside."

The twins looked at their father, who looked at them with sadness and regret. The two teens looked back at each other, and both sighed and frowned at the task given.

Michael frowned and looked at his mother, "Is it possible to do this later? Like tomorrow? Cause, aren't we about to eat dinner?"

Peggy banged her hand on the railing of the stairs, "Now, Mister! I won't tell you and Sarah again."

"Okay, sorry, Mom," Michael said, sheepishly.

"Besides, it shouldn't take you too long with three of you working at it."

"Easy for you to say since you're staying inside," Sarah said under her breath as she pushed off the railing to head back to her room to change.

"What was that!" Peggy called from downstairs.

"Nothing, Mama," Sarah called back as she walked back to her room.

Michael smiled, "We'll be right there, Mama." He glanced at his dad, "Be there in a few seconds, Dad." With that, Michael walked back to his room to change.

Peggy turned back to her husband and smiled, "There, got you some help. Good luck, darling."

Steve smiled and shook his head. "You're lucky I love you cause I hate this task."

"And I thank you for it, darling," Peggy replied with a smile.

Steve shivered, "Got chills thinking about shoveling when you first mentioned it earlier."

Peggy chuckled, "It's got to be done, hon. Thank you, darling." She waved then walked back to the kitchen.

"Yeah," Steve quietly said.

Peggy suddenly stopped at the entryway and grinned at him, "If you need me, John, Angela, and I will be in the kitchen making dinner and cookies." She gave him a big smile and disappeared in the kitchen.

Steve laughed and shook his head.

An hour later, Steve, Michael, and Sarah were hard at work in the dim light, shoveling thick snow to clear the driveway, sidewalk, and the path to the front door. With only the streetlights and the outdoor house lights barely keeping the winter night at bay, the trio still worked in relative darkness. It's bitter cold, moonless night, and the sky was dark and hung low with snow gently falling. Though the trio dressed warmly in winter clothing, the New York winter night was still so cold it buried deep down in their bones. The air was chilly to the point that it hurt to breathe, but the three Rogers kept up the hard work, shoveling the thick blankets of snow left behind by the blizzard that covered the front of their house.

After a long time of shoveling with marginal progress due to the thick snow cover, Sarah, who was shoveling the sidewalk, had a fun idea to lighten the mundane task. She quietly put her shovel down on the snow and observed her dad hard at work with the snow on the driveway then looked over at her brother on the path to the house, dealing with the snow over there. Sarah smirked to herself and bent down to grab a handful of snow.

Michael sighed as he picked up another shovel full of snow and dumped it clear of the path. But as he bent down to scoop up more, he felt a snowball hit him square in the back. "Hey!" he called, quickly turning around to see his sister throw another one, but this time at their dad.

Steve turned around to see what happened, but as he turned, Sarah's snowball hit him directly at the center of his chest. "What the?" he asked, confused. He then saw Sarah quickly bend down to form another snowball. "Oh no, you don't!" He called, bending down to make a snowball of his own.

Michael looked at his sister with a raised brow, "Sarah, what are you doing?"

"Making a snowball. Obviously," Sarah said, making a snowball. Suddenly, a snowball pegged in the face, sending her onto her butt and into the snow, "Ah!" she expressed, taken by surprise. As she got up, dusting her coat off of snow, another couple of snowballs were sent her way, both hitting her in the chest.

Michael just stood by and watched with amusement.

Sarah snapped a look at him, "Aren't you going to help?"

Michael chuckled and bent down to start forming a snowball, "Sure!" He then got up and hit his sister in the shoulder with it.

"Hey!" she called out.

Michael laughed, "You hit me with one! It's retaliation!"

Sarah dodged a snowball from her father, "Get Dad!"

"Free for all!" Michael yelled.

With that, a huge snowball fight ensued between Steve, Sarah, and Michael, the chore of shoveling now forgotten as the trio ran around the front yard throwing snowballs at each other. Laughter filled the night as snowballs explode on the coats of the trio. Though they were all cold, they were having too much fun to think about it.

Sarah quickly threw a snowball at her brother, who was by the porch, launching it at laser speeds. Michael easily dodged the ball because his sister was aiming high, but the snowball continued and hit their mother in the face, who just stepped out of the house.

Peggy, in her wool coat, just stepped out onto the front porch to check on the progress of the shoveling when she got hit in the face by a cold ball of snow. She wiped her face and brushed her hair with her hand and immediately frowned with displeasure at her family.

Steve, Sarah, and Michael immediately stopped what they were doing and dropped what snowballs they had in their hands. "Uh oh," Steve quietly said.

Peggy didn't say a word but give her two teens and her husband a very ice cold stare.

Sarah frowned, "I-I'm sorry, Mama, I didn't mean to hit you," she said, apologetically.

Michael sheepishly looked down at his feet.

Peggy put her hands on her hips, "I come out here to check your progress and to reward your hard work with some hot cocoa just to find MY husband and MY two oldest, who I tasked with responsibilities, not working but instead playing in the snow."

"Sorry," Steve said.

"Sorry, Mama," Michael replied.

Sarah frowned, "We were working. We just got sidetracked. I'm sorry I threw a snowball at your face. It was an accident."

Peggy shook her head, "This task shouldn't have been such a big deal with three of you."

Sarah spoke up, "Mom, I, we—"

Peggy raised her hand, interrupting Sarah, "Save it. Supper is almost ready. I'll call you when it's done." Without a second glance, she walked back into the house, leaving the trio outside with a sinking feeling.

Sarah looked at her Dad, "Oh, man."

Michael glanced at his sister, "Mom is MAAAD."

Steve nodded, "Uh yeah, let's get back to work and finish what we started. Hopefully, she won't be too mad once we actually finish this job."

"I think she's more mad that Sar nailed her in the face with a snowball. That just soured her mood," Michael said with a smirk.

Sarah nodded as she picked up her shovel, "Yeah, that goes without saying."

Steve walked back to his shovel on the driveway, "Come on, get back to work."

"Right."

The trio immediately got back to work, shoveling the remaining layers of snow off the driveway, sidewalk, and path. They worked quickly, and before long, they finished with their task of shoveling, forming massive mounds of shoveled snow by the garage and front yard. They did the job as well as they could, clearing snow off all paved surfaces in front of the house.

Peggy suddenly walked out of the house again, but this time with Angela and John, the three of them dressed warmly in winter clothing as they stepped out into the cold. Peggy remained on the paved path from the front door while Angela and John trudged onto the snowy lawn. As the two youngest kids got to the center of the yard, Peggy frowned at her two twins and husband.

Sarah was the first to notice the scowl, prompting her to apologize again, "Mama, I'm sorry I hit you with a snowball." She glanced over at the clean driveway, sidewalk, and path to the door, "We finished shoveling, so you didn't need to drag Angela and John out here."

Michael nodded, "We're sorry we were messing around instead of working."

Steve sensed something wrong when Peggy stopped in the middle of the path and not say a word. "Everything okay, hon?" he asked, cautiously.

Peggy glared at her oldest daughter, "Throwing a snowball at my face…Wasn't smart, Sarah," she coldly said.

Sarah frowned, "I'm sorry, Mom. I didn't mean too."

Peggy glared at her then at Michael, then at Steve, before settling her gaze back onto Sarah. "You know what this means, right?"

Steve took a nervous breath, fearing his wife's stern demeanor and the eventual disciplining she'll give their two oldest.

Sarah shook her head, "We're in trouble?" she asked, quietly.

"No. Worse," Peggy replied gravely, causing Michael and Sarah to gulp nervously.

A smile grew on Peggy's face, "This means war!" She shot a devious look at her two youngest kids, "Get them!"

"What?" Michael responded, confused.

Angela quickly formed a snowball and threw it at her older brother, hitting him on the shoulder.

John grinned, "Yeah!" He too made a snowball and then threw it at his father, missing by an inch.

In the chaos, Peggy quickly made a soft snowball and hit her oldest daughter in the face, nailing her with a little more force than the one she received earlier. Michael got pelted a few more times by Angela, forcing him to tumble back into the snow and run away to his dad.

Steve smiled and got a handful of snow, "Sarah, Michael, regroup! Prepare for a counter attack!"

Sarah laughed and ran back to her dad and twin brother, getting hit in the back as she fled by another volley of snowballs thrown by her mother and little brother. With Sarah joining her father and twin brother on the driveway and Peggy, Angela, and John opposing them on the front yard, the family staged for a three verse three snowball fight. And it was looking to be a very competitive one.

A tense silence fell between the two groups as they stared at each other. Peggy grinned at her opposition, "What are you waiting for kids? An order?" she said to Angela and John, not breaking eye contact with the other side. "Start making snowballs!"

The fight was on, and a massive snowball fight erupted between the two sides. Snowballs flew back and forth as the family fought each other. Both sides hid behind mounds of snow that were piled up as the result of the shoveling from a few moments ago, a perfect stand-in for a fort. The snowy projectiles whistle as they flew, exploding on impact at whatever they hit. It was a whole lot of fun but increasingly competitive.

Peggy ducked behind the mound of snow as another missile whistles through the air just above her head. A cocky grin grew on her face as she took her snowball and whipped her arm back to send it flying toward her husband. Impact, the snowy missile nailed Steve between the eyes, sending him tumbling backward behind his mound. Peggy let out a whoop, and the fight intensified as Sarah and Michael increased their rate of throws. The best thing Peggy and her two youngest can do right now is to taunt them into releasing all their missiles, and then when they're out, relentlessly attack them. It works like a charm every time.

Peggy peeked over the mound, "Winner gets dinner!" she joked.

Angela exposed herself and launched a snowball and hit her older brother in the chest. In response, Sarah threw a snowball and hit her in the neck, sending the young girl back behind the mound with snow seeping into her jacket.

As the snowball fight continued for a little longer, a yellow taxi cab suddenly pulled up to the curb and stopped behind Peggy's car. Noticing this, the family both stopped fighting and looked at the taxi with confused looks, wondering who it might be driving up to their house in the evening.

Steve climbed over his mound and walked to the front yard, Peggy leaving her snow pile and joining his side. "Are we expecting anyone at this hour?" he asked.

Peggy shook her head, "I don't think so."

Suddenly, the rear passenger door of the taxi opened and out stepped Amanda and Harrison Carter, both dressed warmly in winter jackets and scarves.

John jumped up, "Gramma, Granpa!" he called out in surprise to his grandparents. Angela didn't say anything and only let out a huge grin on her face.

Amanda and Harrison stood by each other and smiled at the Rogers family. "Surprise!" Amanda called with a big grin.

The two youngest kids raced over to them and embraced their grandparents in warm hugs. Steve and Peggy shared a confused, clearly not expecting them.

Amanda hugged John tightly in her arms and kissed his cheek several times, "Hi, darling! It's so good to see you!" she said lovingly.

Harrison held Angela in his arms, "Hey there, kiddo! You gotten so big since the last time I saw you!"

Sarah and Michael walked over to their grandparents and greeted them. Sarah spoke up first, "Hi Grandma! Hi Grandpa! We missed you!"

Amanda let go of John and reached out and hugged Sarah tightly, "Oh we missed you too, sweetheart," she said, kissing her cheek.

Michael smiled, "Hi grandpa!"

Harrison turned his attention to Michael and embraced his oldest grandson, "Hey there, big guy!"

Peggy and Steve finally joined the family gathering and greeted the two older Carters. Peggy gave her parents a warm smile, "Hi, Mum. Weren't expecting you for another week."

Amanda let go of Sarah and smiled at Peggy, "We decided to surprise you this year and fly in earlier than we planned."

Steve chuckled, "It's a wonderful surprise. Feels like it's been a while since we've seen you."

Amanda laughed and waved her hand, "It's only been a few months, hon. Besides, I should be the one saying that."

"It's still good to see you," Steve replied with a smile.

"Likewise, Steve," Amanda replied warmly.

Peggy glanced over at her father, "Hi, Papa."

Harrison reached out to her daughter and embraced her tightly and kissed her cheek. "Hi, sweetheart. Always good to see my beautiful daughter and her wonderful family."

Steve clapped his hands, "Oh, let's get your luggage so that we can get the cab on his merry way," he said, walking to the trunk.

Amanda nodded, "Quite right. Harrison, can you pay the cabbie, please?"

Steve waved at the cab driver, signaling the driver to get out of the car and open the trunk. The cabbie quickly stepped out of his car and walked over to the back of the taxi and opened, exposing four suitcases belonging to the Carters.

Harrison reached into his pocket to get his wallet, but Steve beat him to it and handed the cab driver a few bills. "I took care of it," Steve said, putting his wallet back in his pocket. He nodded at the taxi driver, "Keep the change."

"Thank you, sir," the cab driver replied with a thankful smile.

Amanda shook her head, "We could've done that, Steve."

Steve smiled, "You didn't have too." He looked into the truck and called his kids, "Sarah, Michael, can you grab their bags, please?"

Sarah walked over to her Dad, "Yup," she said, reaching into the trunk and grabbing two suitcases. Michael joined his sister and grabbed the last two.

The cabbie then closed the trunk and nodded to Steve, "Thank you, have a Merry Christmas, sir."

"You too, thank you."

As the taxi began to drive away, Steve smiled, "Alright, everyone into the house and out of the cold."

The group turned and headed toward the house happily. The kids excited to have their grandparents over earlier than expected teemed with joy and delight. Amanda wrapped her arm around her oldest grandson, smiling at him as they walked, "Thank you for carrying our luggage, darling."

Michael smiled at his grandmother, "Our pleasure, Grandma."

John turned to his grandparents and skipped across the path, "I'm so excited!"

"For what, dear?" Amanda said with a warm smile.

"You're staying for longer!" John expressed happily.

Harrison chuckled, "And we're excited too! We're going to have so much fun!"

"Yay!"

As the family walked up the porch to the front door, Peggy noticed Steve wasn't with them. Turning around, she spotted her husband quickly shoveling the driveway. "Darling, are you coming in? The driveway is fine as it is," she called.

Steve waved, "I'll be done in a little bit. Our snowball fight ruined the job."

Peggy chuckled, "Dinner is ready, hon."

"It'll only take a few more minutes. I promise."

Peggy smiled, "Okay. Well, thank you for doing it!" she called as she turned to the door.

The family walked into the warm house and was immediately greeted by the pleasant warmth and delicious smell of Peggy's home cooking in the kitchen. Amanda smiled, "Smells good in here, Peggy."

Peggy closed the door behind them and smiled at her parents, "Thank you, Mum. So, we weren't planning for you to be here so early. Might not have enough food for everyone."

Harrison waved a hand as he removed his coat and scarf, "It's okay, Peggy. We ate a good meal before we got here. We knew that you probably already made supper, and you got a lot of mouths to feed as is, so we took care of it."

Peggy nodded, "But, if you're hungry, I can throw something together."

Amanda waved, "Don't worry about it, darling. We're fine and we're happy. Don't worry."

Angela stepped in front of her grandma and grandpa, "Grandma, Grandpa?"

"Yes, dear?" Amanda said with a kind smile.

"May I take your coats?"

Harrison smiled, "You certainly may, thank you, Angela," he said, handing his granddaughter his coat and scarf.

"Thank you, sweetheart," Amanda also said, giving the young girl her jacket and scarf as well.

Angela smile and walked off with the coats toward the downstairs closet.

John jumped happily, "Oh, Mama is making cookies too!" His enthusiasm made Amanda and Harrison laugh. He's adorable when he gets excited.

Peggy chuckled, "That's for after supper, darling." She nods to the kitchen, "Supper is ready, so clean up and set the table, please, sweetie?"

John nodded, "Okay!"

Amanda fixed her hair, "I'll help, Little John." With that, Amanda took John's hand and the pair happily strolled into the kitchen to set the table.

Peggy looked over at Sarah and Michael, who put the bags down on the floor beside them, "Michael, Sarah, can you take the luggage to the guest room in the basement, please? We'll set the room up after supper."

Michael nodded as he picked up the two suitcases, "Will do, Mama." He and Sarah then took their grandparent's bags and headed toward the door to the basement.

After Sarah and Michael went downstairs to the basement, leaving Peggy and Harrison alone in the foyer, Harrison made a funny grin at his daughter.

Noticing the grin, Peggy raised a brow, "What?"

Harrison chuckled, "Oh nothing. Just admiring you as a mother is all." Peggy rolled her eyes and shook her head. "You're a great mother, Peggy. I mean it. It's always wonderful watching you be a mother to your children."

Peggy smiled at her father, "Thank you, father. It means a lot."

Harrison nodded, "I can still remember when Sarah and Michael were little and running around. They were so cute."

"They still are." Peggy smiled toward the kitchen, hearing John, Angela, and her mother joke and laugh. "All of my kids are my world. Steve too. That goes without saying."

"Always love coming over to see you and your family, Peggy."

Peggy smiled and hugged her father. Harrison tenderly returned the embrace with a smile.

The moment was interrupted with Steve walking into the house, briefly letting the cold air inside. "And done," he said, quickly closing the door behind him.

Peggy let go of her father and smiled at her husband, "Thank you, darling."

Steve nodded as he took off his jacket, "Had to be done." He chuckled, "Now, I heard dinner is ready? Starving for that roast."

Peggy nodded, "Mhmm. Let's go eat," she said, walking toward the kitchen.

"Don't have to tell me twice," Steve said, following his wife.

Harrison followed the couple and smirked, "So, what was going on outside? Pretty intense snowball fight going on."

Peggy smirked, "Oh, that? Just keeping my husband and my teenagers in line."

Steve laughed, "We were totally winning that fight."

"No, you weren't," Peggy retorted with a grin.

"Yeah, we were."

"Were not."

Harrison shook his head, "You two make quite a pair."

Steve smiled, "We can have a rematch later, but right now, I'm hungry," he said, walking into the kitchen. Harrison and Peggy, laughing happily at his response.

After dinner, the Rogers and Carters gathered in the family room, enjoying the warmth of the fireplace, hot cocoa, and quality family time. The family room, like the rest of the house, is decorated in holiday cheer and colorful décor. A Christmas tree stood tall and proud with its ornaments and ribbons of various shapes, sizes, and colors hanging on its branches, and strings of lights shined brilliantly, dazzling the room. Strands of green garlands lined the mantelpiece while five stockings of different colors and shapes hung over the fireplace. And taking center attention of the room, over the mantel is a large wreath that framed the colored Rogers family photograph, Steve's 1956 Christmas present to Peggy.

As the wood fire crackled under the mantelpiece, the family enjoyed each other's company and a relatively quiet evening at the end of the day. Steve and Peggy cuddled together on the center couch watching Angela, Michael, and Sarah sitting on the floor and happily playing Monopoly with each other. Athena, the German Shepard, laid on her side by them, feeling included in the group activity. On the other couch sat Harrison, Amanda, and John, who happily cuddled between them, the trio enjoying their hot cocoa and company.

Steve looked around and saw all the smiling faces in the room, "Isn't this great?"

Peggy smiled up at her husband, "What is?"

"This. A pleasant holiday season, good food, family, everything is peaceful, and quiet."

Michael chuckled and put the Monopoly money on the board, "And I pay for that and now I own all the railroads."

Sarah slammed her fist on the floor and cheered, "Dang it!"

Peggy chuckled, "Well, it was peaceful until Sarah started to lose."

Sarah laughed, "I'm not losing, I just failed to prevent Michael from getting all the railroads."

Harrison leaned forward, "Well, who's winning?"

"Well..."

Angela spoke up, "Michael is," she said, grinning. "He has the railroads and houses on all light the blue squares."

Peggy laughed, "Sure sounds like you're losing, Sarah."

Sarah smirked, "At least I can still play Monopoly, Mom."

Michael, Steve, and Angela all laughed at that comment.

"Ouch, darling," Peggy replied with a big grin. Steve and kids all laughed.

Amanda chuckled, "What's so funny? Why can't your mother play Monopoly anymore?"

John smiled, "Because Mama is very competitive."

"I believe that," Harrison said with a smirk.

Michael nodded to his mother, "Let's just say, our mother can get very verbal and argumentative over the game."

"Very argumentative," Sarah emphasized.

Amanda laughed, "That's my daughter. So she's banned from playing the game with you now?"

Peggy shook her head, "No, I promised I wouldn't play anymore. I get too worked up and competitive. I can honestly say I take the fun out of the game."

"Aw, I don't know about that, darling," Amanda frowned.

Peggy smiled, "No, Mum. I do, trust me."

Steve nodded, "It's true, believe me. She and Sarah had a huge argument last time she played."

"We don't need to relive that one," replied an ashamed Peggy.

Steve laughed, "Yeah, because you got into an argument with our eleven-year-old."

"And Mama gets serious," Angela said.

"And I serious," Peggy repeated. "I swear this game causes more arguments than any other game," she chuckled.

Steve smiled and shook his head.

Sarah nodded, "Mama can get pretty scary. Even when she's playing a game."

Peggy smiled, "It's just this game, darling."

Harrison laughed, "What other games has your mother voluntarily banned herself from?"

"I think just this one," said Michael.

Steve smirked at his kids, "Let's be honest, this is the game your mother would get banned in."

Peggy smiled, "That's true." Everyone laughed.

Amanda shook her head, "That's so funny."

"You should see her play Angela in Scrabble," Michael pointed out. "They have very intense games."

Peggy laughed, "But it's still enjoyable. I don't feel like Monopoly is very fun after the first hour or so."

Amanda smiled, "Who usually wins between you and Angela."

"Angela," Peggy proudly responded. "She's very smart and has a big vocabulary."

"Thank you, Mama," Angela said with a warm grin.

Amanda smirked at Michael and Sarah, "You kids can go back to your game. We didn't mean to distract you."

Michael smiled at his two sisters, "I'm going to win, it's just a question of who's going to be second place."

"Really now," challenged Sarah.

Angela smiled at her older sister, "Not really. Because I'm a lot closer to Michael than you."

Sarah rolled her eyes, "Don't you start too!" And so with the smack talk, the three kids continued to play their game but with a little more intensity.

Steve and Peggy smiled at each other and cuddled closer together on the couch as they watched their kids play on the floor.

After a moment of calm, Harrison smiled, "Say, I have an idea."

"Hm? What's that?" Peggy responded, not breaking her gaze at her kids on the floor.

"Want to go out and play in the snow?" Harrison chuckled, "You two never finished your snowball fight."

John grinned, "Yeah! Let's go!" he expressed with excitement.

Amanda looked at her husband with a confused look, "Harrison, you want to go outside at this hour? It's bloody cold out there."

Harrison smiled, "It's not that bad out there."

Sarah, Angela, and Michael stopped their game again and chimed into the conversation. "Yeah, let's go back out there!" Sarah agreed.

Michael laughed, "She only wants to go cause she's losing."

"That's not true," Sarah rebutted.

Angela grinned, "I'd like to go back outside and continue our snowball fight."

Harrison looked over at his daughter and son-in-law, "Well, the kids want to go out. What says you two?"

Peggy looked up at her husband, "You think you can take me out there, darling?"

Steve smirked, "I can do this all day."

"Expected nothing less." Peggy grinned and looked back at her father, "Let's do it."

Michael smiled, "Yes!"

Peggy glanced at her mother, "Mum, Are you coming out too? You don't have to if you don't want too."

Amanda stood up and smiled, "Darling if you think I'm going to pass on a family activity with my grandkids because of the cold, you must be out of your mind."

"Just checking," Peggy replied with a grin.

Sarah stood up, "Same teams?"

Harrison shook his head, "Yes, but Amanda and I are on your mother's team."

"Yes!" John grinned..

Michael gasped, "What? That's not fair. That's five on three."

Peggy chuckled and stood up from the couch, "I'm sure you'll manage. Besides, you got Dad."

Steve laughed. He nodded at Michael, "We can take them. Trust me."

Sarah nodded, "Yeah we can."

Peggy pointed to the foyer, "Kids, before we go, make sure you dress warm because it's very cold outside. Sarah, Michael, make sure John is wearing the right things."

Sarah grinned, "We know, Mom." The kids then excitedly ran off to their rooms to get their snow gear back on.

Harrison and Amanda slowly followed them out of the foyer with big grins on their way to their room in the insulated basement.

Steve stood up from his seat and smiled at his wife, "This is going to be a great Christmas."

Peggy laughed, "You always say that."

"And it's always true."

"I know," Peggy said, leaning forward and kissing her husband on the lips. She then broke the kiss and pushed him away, earning a confused look from Steve. "Now, I can't be seen fraternizing with the enemy. May the best man or woman win. Good luck, Mr. Rogers," Peggy said, grinning as she turned around to leave the foyer.

Steve laughed, "And good luck to you, Mrs. Rogers."

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all. And Happy New Year

Hope you enjoyed!

I'm sorry for the slow pace of chapters, been really busy with work so updates are slow. Rest assured, I'm STILL HERE! And still working on furthering the story with more adventures with Steve and Peggy, and standalone adventures with the Rogers' kids.

Also… small idea, thinking about splintering off another series of one-shots of Steve, Peggy, and their family. To make fluffy, sad, happy, romantic, angst, and family stories that occurred in between the chapters of the this series. IE just adding more Steggy and family fluff stuff.