Chapter 12: A Small Celebration

A/N: Here's the chapter you've all (some of you?) waited for... Salacious bits can be skipped over without any consequence for the plot if consensual, adult intimacy is not your thing. (ok, smut. If smut is not your thing. The second half of the chapter is clearly smut.)

In the end, it was a subdued affair. She didn't change her dress, and Steve was still wearing a shirt with a drool stain on the collar. Had there been sunlight, the small viewing room with the wide windows off the main deck would have had a pretty view, but the night already obscured anything past the rails of the ship.

Ana held Mandy, the girl wholly unaware of what was going on as she tried to alternately shove her bunny in her mouth and Ana's ear. Jarvis and Howard served as the witnesses as the Captain read perfunctorily from a small book in his hands. He was a forgettable man, with a serious face and a sharp nose that his glasses kept slipping down, constantly pausing the ceremony to push them back up over and over again so he could read the small pages.

They didn't have rings, or flowers, but Peggy supposed none of that really mattered, anyway. She held his hand the whole time, afraid if she let go this would somehow be taken from her.

The vows were generic. Neither of them had time to write their own, and Peggy couldn't imagine saying anything in front of anyone else that would mean more than the things they'd said to one another in private over the last few days already.

When the time came, he kissed her. It wasn't desperate or sweet, it didn't hold their future and it wasn't a monumental moment. It was a kiss, warm and familiar and just like going home. When he pulled his lips away, she held him close to her, leaning her head against his and smiling.

The Captain wasn't fazed by their affection, didn't seem to understand or care that this moment was monumental for them, and signed a handful of papers before holding out the pen for Howard and Jarvis to sign, then finally to Steve and Peggy. He pulled the carbon pages from between the copies and handed one to Steve and one to Howard, keeping the third for himself before he wished them a tight congratulations and exited swiftly.

Steve watched the Captain go, his face falling. "Disappointed?" he asked Peggy, feeling slightly underwhelmed himself at the lack of fanfare.

Peggy caught his eyes and smiled. "Not in the least."

"Ours was quite similar," Ana handed Mandy back to Peggy, smiling brightly and smoothing the hair by her ear that had come undone due to Mandy's assault with the bunny, "except we had a Chaplin and there was an air raid siren going off in the background."

"Beggars can't be choosers," Howard said lightly, hitting Steve on the shoulder in congratulations. "I hate to cut this short, but I'm on duty in the brig."

"And I'll be taking the morning shift," Jarvis added, smiling. "Sleeping in can be our little wedding gift."

Peggy opened her mouth to argue, but changed her mind and nodded. "I will gratefully accept that."

"If you two decide you'd like some time alone," Ana smiled knowingly, "I'm happy to watch Amanda."

Steve smiled, resting his hand on Mandy's back and wrapping his other arm around Peggy. "We'll keep it in mind." He looked down at her, content, with no intention of giving up Mandy for the night.

"Come along," Jarvis ushered Howard and his wife out of the room, "Let's let them be." He turned back, "Please take your time returning to your room, as I'll be bringing diner up directly."

Peggy nodded as he left, knowing Ana still had their key and the Jarvises would keep it for the duration of voyage as they were already sure they'd need Mr. Jarvis to make multiple trips with all of their things in the morning once they left the boat.

It was almost awkwardly quiet, save for the small sounds Mandy was making, once the door closed on the small space.

Steve took a deep breath. "I think I thought I'd feel different." He took her cheek in his palm, letting his thumb rub over it gently as he looked at her with all the love he could muster.

"Like what?" She asked, running her free hand over his chest.

He shrugged. "Don't know." He pressed his forehead to hers, his eyes fluttering closed. "But I know I'm happy, right here, right now, with you. And I never want that feeling to end."

The moment was broken by the feel of small hands smacking against their cheeks, Mandy's attempts at words ending in coos and spit bubbles as she smiled at them.

Steve's eyes fluttered open as Peggy turned her head, shaking it with an amused smile on her lips at Mandy. "Impeccable timing, as always."

In their cabin they found a bottle of Champagne waiting, along with their dinner set out on the small table, and a handwritten note of congratulations from Mr. Jarvis front and center. It was a small celebration, fitting for their small wedding.

Peggy looked over the dinner: Meatloaf, green beans, and au gratin potatoes hidden under silver dishes to keep them hot. She set the lid down as Steve puttered about, making a bottle for Mandy who was currently laying contently on the bed. Peggy let her hand drift over the bottle of Champagne, her mind a million miles away.

"I know Howard says she's not growing anymore, but I swear she's eating as much as I am now." He shook the bottle and headed back over to the bed, "Speaking of, that smells good. What is it?"

"Meatloaf," Peggy responded thoughtlessly. Her mind was back in the little room, with Steve's forehead against hers and his confessions of love hanging in the air.

"Well, smells better than what they call meatloaf in the mess," he continued. "Do you think you can get that bottle open? Gosh, I haven't seen honest to goodness Champagne since—"

"I don't want this to end, either." The words fell from Peggy's lips in a desperate plea. She turned, tall and strong and ready to argue her case to Steve's confused look. "All of this. I- I don't want to go back to trenches and death and creamed beef on toast on metal trays." She took a deep breath and stepped forward, her voice growing softer. "I don't want to crawl into a cold bed at night alone, checking to see that my gun is in reach, afraid to close my eyes." She looked away, building up courage to say out loud the thing that scared her the most. She looked in his eyes, suddenly unafraid, "And I don't want to give Amanda up. I want her with us, like this." She looked up at the ceiling, trying to stop the tears from gathering. "Seven days ago, I was furious at Dugan for handing her to me and assuming I'd know what to do," she looked back at Steve, a single tear making its way down her cheek, "but right now I can't imagine walking away from her."

Steve, stunned with the baby still eating quietly in his arms, simply nodded. "Okay."

Peggy's jaw dropped, filled with disbelief that his answer had been so easy after she'd struggled with how to say this to him, with even figuring out what this feeling was deep in the pit of her stomach. "Okay?"

"Okay." He stood, Mandy still in his arms as he walked to her. He couldn't hold her, but he bent to press his forehead to hers. "We've given more than our fair share. All I ever wanted to do was my fair share." He leaned back, kissing her forehead. "We deserve to be happy, too, don't we?"

Another tear fell from Peggy's lashes as she laughed lightly in relief. "I think being experimented on by the US Army is maybe a little more than your fair share, Steve."

He shrugged, a small smile on his lips. "Well, they weren't gonna let a little guy like I was out here. You gotta do what you gotta do." He grew serious, taking the empty bottle from Mandy's lips and putting it down before using his now free hand to wipe the wetness away from Peggy's cheek. His whispered words were fierce and full of emotion, "We're gonna do what we need to do, Mrs. Rogers, to keep our family together."

Peggy smiled brightly amidst her tears. "Call me that again."

Steve's lips quirked with amusement as he let his thumb gently run over her cheek. "Mrs. Rogers." His lips found hers, the kiss gentle and light. Mandy, unhappy at being ignored, squirmed in Steve's arms.

"Alright, my little love," Peggy wiped at her eyes with the backs of her hands, calming herself before she took Mandy from Steve's arms, setting her on her shoulder and patting her back with vigor. She looked up at Steve, "Champagne bottle's all yours, my darling. I've never had any luck with them."

Steve gave her a smile and a half-hearted salute before he slipped past her, unwrapping the bottle. Peggy turned, still patting Mandy on the back, a wondrous sparkle in her eyes. "I do feel different, Steve."

He looked up, crumpling the foil in his hand. "Yeah?"

"Yes. I—" Peggy was interrupted by a loud belch from Mandy, which was accompanied by a mouthful of milk that spilled over Peggy's shoulder and down her back. "Oh dear."

Steve put the bottle down and brought a burp cloth over in just enough time to catch another mouth full of milk as she spit it up. "She sure does know how to interrupt a moment, huh?"

Peggy laughed as Steve scrubbed at her shoulder blade. "A true talent." He leaned forward, kissing Mandy's forehead and then pecking Peggy's cheek. "Come on, dinner will get cold."

They set Mandy in the pram, bear in one hand and bunny in the other, and ate as Peggy kept the pram moving with her foot. The meatloaf was under seasoned, and the Champagne was too dry and a little flat.

Despite the lackluster dinner, Peggy couldn't quite stop smiling, and Steve found it endlessly amusing. She was pushing the remnants of her dinner around on her plate when she noticed that Mandy had fallen asleep. She stood, pushing the pram against the wall where it wouldn't roll.

Steve's hand caught her wrist as she headed back to her chair, suavely swinging her to his lap.

"That was quite the move, Mr. Rogers," she whispered, afraid to wake Mandy.

He wrapped his arms around her, holding her snug on his lap. "Just felt like you were a little far away there on the other side of the table, Mrs. Rogers."

She looked up at the ceiling trying to hide her smile as she chided herself. "Look at me, giddy as a school girl over a new last name." She laughed softly and looked back at him. "How will we tell who Phillips is mad at now?"

Steve chuckled, but let his hand drift up and down her thigh with a very different intent. "I suppose we'll just have to guess." He kissed her collarbone. "Or you can keep your name. I am pretty fond of it."

"That will help with knowing who's in trouble," she muttered, threading her hand in his hair to keep his lips moving on her neck. "Plus, the paperwork for changing it will be beastly."

He let the tip of his tongue trace up the side of her neck, kissing just below her earlobe. "Carter at work, then," he conceited, moving his lips across her jawline to meet hers, "Mrs. Rogers at home."

She kissed him gently, humming against his lips as his hands wandered, pulling her tight against him. "Is the door locked this time, Mr. Rogers?"

He hummed the affirmative, his lips desperate for hers again as his fingers fumbled with the hook and eye at the top of the zip on the back of her dress.

Peggy pulled away, taking his hands in hers as she stood. She stepped them away from the table and turned, sweeping her hair away so he could see the small clasp.

Steve was gentle as he undid the tiny hook, and with care took the small tab and pulled the zipper down. With soft hands he slid the fabric apart, revealing the back of her satin slip. It wasn't new, wasn't a surprise. He'd seen it before, as recently as yesterday. But he hadn't undressed her like this, hadn't been purposefully taking her clothes off to reveal what he'd imagined for so long underneath. He'd seen glimpses on missions, or out of necessity, or quick rendezvous in the woods where they'd lost their senses and had been desperate for one another. Even in this little room where touching and holding her felt so right, the feel of her skin under his fingers still felt like something he shouldn't know. He paused, swallowing hard and stepping closer to her.

Peggy turned her head, looking back at him over her shoulder. "Steve?" Her voice was filled with concern, the hand that had been holding her hair moved to cup his cheek. He grabbed it instead, kissing it. She could feel his reluctance, and was sure that though they'd gotten fairly close many times, Steve still was that skinny boy inside who had barely talked with women, never mind taken one to bed. They'd gotten carried away in the past, gotten close- very close the other day- but getting carried away in the moment and standing here knowing exactly what was ahead of them were two very different things.

Peggy squeezed his hand and stepped away, turning and shimmying her shoulders as she pulled at her dress with her free hand. She let go of Steve's hand and let the dress fall to her feet, stepping out of it and kicking it behind her. She took a step closer to Steve, his jaw tight and eyes watching her every move. With sure hands she started undoing the buttons of his shirt. He didn't move, but she could feel and hear his breathing take on a different tone as it became deeper.

She pulled the shirt from his pants, hiding her smile at his sharp intake of breath as it pulled against sensitive flesh on its way up. She undid the buttons, smiling at his bare chest underneath. He turned a little red and shrugged as she pushed it down his arms. "No undershirts left."

Peggy let her hands slide up over his shoulders, leaning up and claiming his lips with hers. She let her hands roam, trying to commit to memory what each muscle felt like without the barrier of cloth between them, what it felt like to let her nails scrape through the little hairs at the base of his neck, what his hands felt like as they gripped tight at her hips. With each breath she felt the passion rise within her, the need to have him closer, to pull him into her more acute. He was hers now, there was no question and no more waiting. Her hands slid down his chest, fumbling at his belt buckle.

He stepped back, his lips coming away from hers roughly as he reached for her hands. Quickly, he softened his motions, though the fire in his eyes was one she was familiar with. He lifted her hands over her head and she held them there as he reached for the edges of her slip. He lifted it up and over her head quickly, tossing it aside without care for where it went.

He stepped closer, keeping his eyes on hers and swallowing thickly as his hands slid down her sides. She let her hands rest on his shoulders, lip between her teeth as she felt his fingers slide under the edges of her panties. He pressed down, sliding them over her hips until they fell to the floor. Her garter belt was still in place, holding her stockings up by well-worn straps. His fingers traced the outlines of the fabric as he kissed her again, learning the soft touches that sent goosebumps over her skin and that when he grabbed her ass in his palm, she sucked a deep breath in, moaning as he pushed her against him.

She started moving again, wrapping her hands across his shoulders and pulling him towards the bed. She tried to pull them down into it when she felt it against the backs of her legs, but he stopped them from tumbling forward. He perched her on the edge, kneeling between her legs as he kissed his way down her neck. "God, Peg," he murmured between kisses, his hands traveling over her hips and across her back. He stopped between her breasts, kissing her there before holding her close to catch his breath.

Peggy let her hands run through his hair, cradling him close. She could still feel his nerves despite his evident desire. "Steve?"

He looked up at her before pressing his forehead to her chest. She kissed the crown of his head, waiting until he was ready.

His hands held onto her hips, afraid to let her go. "I don't want to do this wrong," he confessed softly against her skin. He looked back into her eyes, "What if you don't like—"

She pressed a finger to his lips. "You'll be just fine."

She shimmied away from him, reaching down and slipping off her shoes. With quick hands she devested herself of the rest of her clothes and slid back on the bed, naked. Steve watched every move silently from his knees at the edge of the bed, his hands fidgeting by his sides. She crooked her finger at him slowly, smiling. "Come here, soldier."

He stood, toeing off his shoes and with only the slightest hesitance before he slid out of his pants and boxers. He crawled to her, timider than he had been the previous day when lust was driving him. She smiled, keeping her eyes on his as he settled next to her, his hand gently falling over her hip.

Peggy pushed herself closer, pressing up against his skin with hers. He felt warm from his chest to his toes, and she couldn't stop herself from lifting her leg over his hip. His brow furrowed as he tried to keep his eyes on her and stay focused instead of giving in to the sensations he was feeling. She pressed her lips to his, knowing he'd close his eyes, knowing he needed to stop thinking. "Feel me, Steve," she let the words drip against his mouth as she ran her hands over his back. "Stop thinking and touch me."

The invitation was enough for him to let go, and he let the hand that was sitting on her hip slide lower, palming her ass and pulling her hips flush against his. They both moaned as he slid against her, their bodies flush and moving against one another without conscious thought. His bottom arm wound tight around her, his top hand venturing higher to let his fingers trail at her breast.

Her hips rocked against his and he moaned out loud, his head turning and burying itself against her neck as his arms wound tight around her. She used both hands to press out of his arms and push him on to his back. His grip slackened the instant he felt her pushing away, but his confusion turned to lust as she lifted her leg over his hip and hovered over him. She leaned down kissing his chest, and dragged her tongue up over his muscles, circling one nipple then the other as he squirmed underneath her. His hands went back to her hips, trying to press her warmth down to where he wanted her the most, but she resisted and smiled when she felt him give up easily.

Peggy bit her lip, looking down at the man she loved, so lost in lust and confusion yet still so aware and treating her so gently. Somewhere in the back of her mind she'd been worried that Steve might not be able to control himself: she was well aware of exactly how strong he was and exactly what his full strength could do. His hands were strong and holding her tightly, but not even tight enough to bruise. She smiled: it was just one more thing she loved about him so desperately.

She leaned down, teasing his lips by keeping hers only a few centimeters away from his, promising him touch and never quite relenting. She let her tongue slip out and taste his lips, pulling away as he leaned up after her. Finally, she let him catch her, the kiss all the sweater for the torture before it.

His hand moved from her hip to cup her face. He was so caught up in the kiss he didn't notice her hand slowly moving down his body until she reached below her, letting her fingers caress up and down his length. He broke the kiss, throwing back his head into the pillows, a guttural moan falling from his lips as his hips bucked up against her hand. "Fuck, Peg…"

She hummed, keeping up a gentle rhythm with her hand as she bent and took his earlobe softly between her teeth, whispering, "Yes, I do think that's the plan."

His hand went to hers, pulling it off his length gently. "God, I won't last long if you keep doing that."

She smiled devilishly at him. "Who said I cared about that?" She leaned down again, nipping and kissing her way down his neck before swirling her tongue around his Adam's apple. He pushed her away gently, and for a moment Peggy thought she'd gone too far when he jumped off the bed and starting looking for his pants. "Steve?"

He stood, bashfully holding a little silver tin in his hand. "Howard uh…" He looked at it and blushed. "Well, I mean…"

Peggy smiled, kneeling on the bed. "Maybe one baby is enough for now?"

The pants fell from his hand as he looked at her, his eyes shining. He'd tried so hard to focus before that he hadn't let himself look at her full naked form, and there she was, kneeling and mussed on the bed, smiling at him. "God, you're beautiful."

Peggy's blush was hard to hide as it moved down her chest. She wasn't all that self-conscious, but it wasn't every day she was sprawled on a bed naked, either. She ran a hand through her hair, smoothing it down as she tried to hide her smile. "Well, what are you going to do about that?" She tried, and succeeded, at not laughing as he fumbled the little tin and then turned his back to her while he managed to put the condom on.

She did quite enjoy the rear view, and despite Howard's crass words, it was a very nice ass.

Her ass, now.

When Steve turned back, he didn't seem to know what to do with his hands and kept them somewhat shyly in front of his crotch. Peggy, however, knew exactly what to do with him. She reached out, taking his hand and pulling him on the bed, tumbling backwards and cradling him between her legs.

He hovered over her, licking his lips. "Well?" she asked, letting her hands run up and down his arms, her eyes drown to his lips. Slowly he lowered himself, wrapping his arms around her and holding himself up by his forearms. She gripped his hips with her legs, pressing them to hers until they were pressed tight together, his length pushing against her slippery folds. "I won't break, Steve."

He moaned, dropping his head to her neck, his lips working at the flesh after he'd recovered, his hips rutting against hers. Peggy slid a hand between them, tired of waiting and desperate for the feeling of him inside her. He bucked into her hand as she wrapped her fingers around him, pressing up onto his hands to look at her.

She kept his gaze as she pressed him to her opening, she watched as his eyes fluttered shut and his mouth fell open as she guided him in with her hand and the pressure of her leg on his hips. He collapsed down on top of her, wrapping his arms tight around her and pressing up, deeper. She let her fingers rake down his back as she threw her head back against the pillows, biting her lip to keep from crying out as he moved more confidently inside of her. His movements were shallow and stilted and completely instinct as he held her, taking her close but not near enough where she wanted to go.

She found his face with her hands, pulling it up from where he'd been burying it in her chest and kissed him, hard enough break his concentration so she could use her body weight to flip them over. When she pulled away on top, their bodies still together, his eyes were sparkling with amazement and love. "Damn." The curse slipped from his lips, his hands sliding up her sides.

She took his hands and pressed them over his head, lacing their fingers as she set a rhythm. He moaned, loudly, and she covered his lips with one of her hands, pressing sloppily to keep him quiet as she continued to move against him. He nipped at her fingertips as she started to move faster, his free hand steadying her at her rib cage, then moving higher to palm her breast. She groaned, needing more. Peggy braced herself with both hands on his shoulders as she ground into him. His hands found her hips, sliding up and over before gripping tight and pulling her down faster, harder.

"Peg, Peggy…" Her name fell from his lips in his delirium and she fell forward, claiming his lips with hers as their rhythm started to falter.

"Shhh," she directed, biting at his bottom lip, trying to find the sweet spot between them again.

This time it was Steve's turn to take her unaware. He slid his hands up her back, held tight, and flipped them back over. Peggy bounced on the bed underneath him, laughing a little as he hovered over her. "Liked that?" he asked, breathless.

Peggy smiled, reaching up and pulling his lips to her, circling her hips against his.

He started moving, pressing up into her with a passion and kissing her sloppily. "Don't stop," she murmured against his lips, sliding her hand between them and pressing her fingers where she needed them.

Steve pressed up on an elbow, forehead wrinkling and eyes looking down at the arm disappearing between them that he could feel moving, crushed between them. "Peg are you… Do I…?" He couldn't get the sentence out, he was too focused on keeping the rhythm between them.

She grabbed his head with her free hand, pulling him back over her. "Don't. Stop." Her eyes blazed as she pulled him to her lips, their kisses chaotic as he redoubled his efforts. Her legs fought for purchase on his slick, narrow hips, one leg sliding down until he grasped her thigh, hiking her leg up under his arm as he breathed hot and heavy against her neck. At once she arched back, curling under him and pressing into his hips. He tried to keep moving in her, but he could feel her clenching around him in a sensation that was at once foreign and more familiar than anything he could imagine.

He pressed his lips to her shoulder, the tension coiling in the base of his spine as she undulated under and around him, unable to hold himself back anymore. Peggy clutched at his shoulders, bring her other hand up to hold him to her as his hips jerked against hers, her body tired and sensitive after her release, his still falling apart spectacularly.

The room was silent except for their rough, haggard breathing. Steve pressed up on his hands, dragging his lips across her chest as he tried to figure out how to use his limbs again. Peggy hummed underneath him, her hands moving to cup his face and kiss him softly. His lips chased after hers as she pulled away, sliding out from underneath him. Steve flipped on his back, looking at her as she caught her breath next to him.

Peggy turned to him, eyes bright and lips brilliant in a swollen smile from their kisses. "Well?" she asked, her chest still heaving.

He reached out, hand flopping for hers before he found it, clumsily twining their fingers together and lifting it to hold over his heart. "That's…" He looked up at the ceiling, his eyes closing and a goofy smile plastered on his face. "Yeah."