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Chapter 30

Paying Respects

Wakes weren't really a thing in England like they were in the United States. There was only the funeral service to be held. As soon as they'd been told when the arrangements had been made, Anna and Steve packed their bags and reserved the quinjet for their private use (Tony was more than happy to let them have it). Sam had decided to go with them to pay his respects to the woman they both greatly admired and called a friend. Natasha was flying out with them just so she could take the jet to Vienna for the signing, and Anna would be going with her afterwards.

She still hadn't made her decision on if she was going to sign the Sokovia Accords or not, but she was leaning one way more than the other.

None of that mattered right then though. Right now, she just needed to get ready for the funeral. She's taken the bathroom on the jet for a little bit to take her time to get changed and to put some makeup on. Rey was seated on the closed toilet bowl seat lip, watching her apply lipstick fascinatedly.

"What is the purpose of that substance?" he asked, scratching behind his ear with one of his back feet.

"It's to add color and to emphasize the lips," Anna answered. "Peggy always wore this color. Thought it would be a good homage to her."

"This woman was important to you and the Captain, yes?"

"She was one of my idols growing up," Anna said, blotting her lips so she wouldn't get any on her freshly brushed teeth. "And then I actually got to meet her in her prime too, when I went back in time. We became friends. She taught me a lot. Did a lot more for me than I ever thought too."

"She sounds like an amazing woman," he said.

"She was," Anna said. "She really paved the way for women in our field. For the world, really."

"I am glad I can pay my respects with you," he said, jumping up onto her shoulder. "I am sorry for your loss."

Anna didn't say anything to Rey. Her lip trembled a little, and turned her face to nuzzle into his soft fur to help ground herself. She was just glad she'd opted not to wear mascara.

Anna walked in with her arm linked with Sam, a gesture he'd made in an attempt to help calm her (and it was working) as they walked into the church to wait for the service to begin. She left an empty space between her and Sam for Steve to sit for the service. He was one of the pallbearers, which had to have been extremely difficult for him. But he would do it because this was Peggy.

Steve would've done anything for Peggy.

Rey poked his head out of her jacket pocket. Anna glanced down at him and gently smoothed his fur over the top of his head. He used to claim that getting petted was undignifying, but she knew that he loved the way it felt. Plus, he knew it helped calm down the anxious young woman.

About five minutes before the service began, there was a gentle squeeze to her shoulder. She looked behind her, her gray-blue eyes landing on a familiar boyish face of Tucker. He gave her a sad smile, showing that he'd been crying, while his other hand was holding onto another man's next to him. They sat down in the empty seats behind her, and waited for the service to begin. At least one person she knew was with the person they loved. After all, her husband was a runaway, Steve just lost his love, and Tony and Pepper had recently taken a break.

It didn't take too long for the service to begin, and Steve joined them in their pew. With one hand on Rey's head, and the other taking Steve's hand, she tried her best to pay attention to the sermon instead of the photo of a young Peggy Carter in front of her. Anna distinctly remembered the first time she'd ever met Peggy.

Anna had been released from jail and had moved into a tent at Camp Lehigh with Marcus and Tucker. She was going to be boarding with someone other than the two men, and that woman had been Agent Carter. Carter had been shocked to see her when she'd entered the tent with Colonel Phillips. She could remember how beautiful and empowering she'd looked, especially with her deep red lipstick. She embraced her beauty in that male dominated profession.

Anna had been extremely intimidated as she'd known who Peggy Carter was since she was born. She'd been one of the former SSR agents, and founding member of SHIELD. The first woman director of SHIELD had done so much for the world, and most people didn't even know it.

It had been nice to have someone so like minded around. Peggy had taught her so much about leadership, strategy, and how to do all of that while still embracing the beauty she had. After all, Peggy had been the one to get Anna into dresses when she desperated didn't want to. She's been there for her to talk about her feelings about pretty much anything, especially Bucky. She'd helped her mourn Bucky, and Steve, and helped her get back home to her own time.

Peggy was one of the greatest women she ever knew and nothing was ever going to change that.

Before she knew it, Anna had missed pretty much everything the Priest had said. She'd only heard the last bit of what he was saying, "And now, I would like to invite Sharon Carter to come up and say a few words."

Sharon Carter had been a great undercover agent at SHIELD. Anna had known her in passing, but not so much personally. She hadn't known the two were related. Carter wasn't exactly an unusual name. Plus, she went by Agent Thirteen most of the time anyway. She supposed she understood why she didn't advertise she was related to the former director. Anna didn't always like getting compared to her parents or her older brother, and they weren't as well known as Margaret "Peggy" Carter.

"Margaret Carter was known to most as a founder of SHIED, but I just knew her as Aunt Peggy," Sharon began, glancing down at Steve. "She had a photograph in her office. Aunt Peggy standing next to JFK. As a kid, that was pretty cool, but it was a lot to live up to. Which is why I never told anyone we were related.

"I asked her once how she managed to master diplomacy and espionage in a time when no one wanted to see a woman succeed at either. And she said, compromise where you can, but where you can't, dont. Even if everyone is telling you that something wrong is something right. Even if the whole world is telling you to move. It is your duty to plant yourself like a tree, look them in the eye and say "No, you move.""

It was an inspirational speech, one that seemed to resonate with both Steve and Anna.

After the funeral Anna excused herself to the restroom to catch her breath and a moment alone. Rey was with Sam so she could have a little bit of privacy. Really, she didn't have to use the facilities at all. She just wanted a moment to call and check her phone that had been vibrating in her pocket during the service.

Instead of taking out her phone, though, she put her TAHASHI glasses on, and read them over though the lenses Tony had created, telling him what to reply with aloud in the bathroom. The first was a general message from Fury giving his condolences for losing a friend. It was nice of him to even send anything, she thought. After all, he was a very busy guy for a dead man.

The second was from Phil.

Uncle Philipe, Son of Coul: I'm sorry I couldn't be there. I know how close you guys were with Director Carter. I'm sorry for your loss. I hope you guys are doing okay.

The first text from him was strictly personal. The second, on the other hand, was strictly professional.

Uncle Philipe, Son of Coul: Call me when you get the chance. We need to talk about the Sokovia Accords.

Next chapter you get to find out what Anna's decision is! Aren't you excited? Anyway, sorry this is a day late. I haven't been feeling great lately due to lack of sleep (don't worry, it's not covid-19). But here we are!

Thanks go to the following for their reviews on the previous chapter:

SomebodyWhoCares - Yeah, poor Peggy. At least she lived a long, happy life...with STEVE APARENTLY...Sorry, still upset about Endgames ending.

Jedi Jesla777 - I'm making everyone wait until the last second to find out which side Anna is on lol. It's so much fun.