Chapter 54 Christmas at the Carters

I don't own Captain America

Harrison & Amanda Carter Residence

London Borough of Hillingdon

December 25, 1962

'Twas the morning of Christmas in the Carter Residence, the sky was still pitch black, and the outside frigid cold. It was roughly two in the morning, and the house was tranquil without a peep. The stockings were hung by the chimney, and the Christmas tree remained beautifully lit next to them. It was a full house with the Rogers family, the Beck family, and the two senior Carters under the same roof. The three boys, Alex Beck, John, and Michael Rogers, slept soundly in the study on portable beds. Juliet Beck, Sarah, and Angela Rogers slept in Peggy's old room with Juliet and Angela sharing the bed. Sarah, on the other hand, slept on the smaller portable bed by them. Victoria Beck and her husband stayed in her old room while Steve and Peggy stayed in the guest room. Almost everyone has nestled all snug in their beds, dreaming of what gifts will come when they wake up on Christmas.

The tranquility was interrupted by a tiny creek of the door, followed by a shadowy figure sneaking down the stairs. As the figure reached the ground floor, he stopped when he was met by his accomplice.

"Are you ready?" whispered Steve in a long sleeve and sweats.

Ed Beck, his brother-in-law, nodded, "Let's do it."

Steve nodded, "It's going to be cold out there," he whispered again as the two men silently made their way to the backdoor, the Christmas tree in the living room lighting their path. He chuckled, "At least we don't have a dog here to worry about."

Ed chuckled.

The two men quietly opened the backdoor and felt a rush of cold air hit them in the face. They both shivered and quickly stepped out and closed the door behind them. Ed crossed his arms, "God, it's cold out here."

Steve shivered and nodded as he made his way to Harrison Carter's shed in the backyard, "Still warmer than a Korean winter, I'll tell you that." As they crossed the grass, Steve chuckled, "It still feels just as bad though." He glanced at his brother-in-law, "Why do we still hide the presents in the shed again?"

Once at the shed, Ed unlocked the door with a key and opened the door. "Alex, Juliet, and even John, when you're here, always finds a way to peek at the presents if they're left in the house."

Steve stepped into the shed and moved some garden tools to the side before removing a thick tarp that covered three large canvas sack of presents.

Ed tripped on a hidden object, "Ah, bloody hell, I didn't bring a flashlight."

"Don't worry, I can see just fine," Steve said, grabbing one of the bags and hefting it up with ease and placing it behind him.

Ed grabbed the bag with a grunt, feeling the weight of all the Christmas presents inside. "How do you and Peggy hide the presents back in New York?"

Steve grabbed the last two bags and slung them over his shoulder, "I don't know. Peggy hides them and helps me get them before the kids wake up."

As the two men left the shed, Ed laughed, "She is a spymaster." He then closed and locked the shed before the pair made their way back to the house. Ed paused, "Say, Steve."

"Yeah?"

"Does any of your kids still believe in Santa?"

Steve smiled, "John still does. Does Juliet?"

Ed nodded, "Yeah, she still does and she's ten."

Steve shrugged, "She'll eventually figure it out, I'm sure. Cherish the fact she still does. It's silly, but it brings joy to them, and even us for acting like a big jolly old man that comes down a chimney every year."

Ed smiled, "Yeah. Can't say I like lugging these gifts in the cold in the middle of the night every year." He chuckled, "I'm just glad every other year you come around to help."

Steve smirked, "Living the dream." He nodded, "Anyway, Angela figured it out when she was six. Bright girl."

Ed laughed, "Angela is a little too smart for her own good sometimes."

"So just be happy the magic still lives in Juliet."

"I am," said Ed. "I just hate watching her grow up sometimes."

"I feel that," Steve smirked. "Come on, let's get to work."

They walked back through the cold and quietly opened the backdoor, and stepped into the house. The two men crept into the living room, setting the three sacks of presents on the floor, which the majority of the gifts were for the kids.

Ed panted as he rested on his knees, already tired from lugging that heavy sack of gifts over his shoulder. "I need to exercise some more," he joked.

Steve chuckled, "Come on, let's divide these up into the stockings and under the tree. The faster we go the better."

There were stockings for the whole family hanging on the mantelpiece of the fireplace. The bigger stockings were for the kids, including the teenagers. Steve even had one, even though in New York, he never has one. Harrison and Amanda insisted that he must have a stocking every time he has Christmas with them.

As the two men distributed the gifts under the tree and stockings, Ed pulled out a wide flat box that was labeled to Peggy. He shook it and smirked at Steve, "Do I want to know what's in this?"

Steve laughed, "ha, very funny." He stuffed another present down Angela's sock, "I give her that sort of thing in private. She would undoubtedly murder me if I put racy lingerie in there and she opened it in front of everyone."

Ed laughed, "I guess we'd find out that Captain America has gone missing without a trace."

"Yep, she would definitely not leave a trace." Steve grinned, "Speaking of." He revealed another flat box with Vickie's name on it. "DO I want to know what's in this?"

Ed raised his hand, "Uh, give me that box. And I'll give it to her later."

Steve raised a brow and looked at it, "Uh."

Ed laughed and playfully pushed him, "I'm kidding. Vickie doesn't like it when I buy her that sort of thing anyway."

The two men continued to work diligently to organize and place the gifts under the tree and in the stockings. As they placed the last few presents in their rightful place, the two men smiled and nodded at each other.

"And done," Steve said proudly. "All we have to do is eat the cookies, leave the crumbs, and drink the milk."

Ed smirked, "First, don't you mean a biscuit? You've been married to an English woman for how many years?"

Steve gave an unamused look to his brother-in-law.

"And second," Ed said, grabbing a small plate off the hearth of the fireplace. "They're mince pies." He grabbed one and took a bite then handing Steve the plate.

Steve took the plate and took the other, "Split the last one?"

"Sounds good to me."

Suddenly, the two men heard a series of doors open causing a look of terror on their faces. "Oh bloody hell," Ed whispered, both of them fearing the worst.

Sure enough, it was John and Juliet, probably checking if Santa came. The two men can hear them whispering with excitement about Christmas and their presents.

Steve stuffed the last two mince pies in his mouth and darted for the hearth of the fireplace. With his mouth still full, he took a large swig of milk from the glass and discarded it before diving behind the couch. Ed snatched up the empty canvas sacks and jumped behind the same couch, landing on the back of Steve. Steve nearly choked at the impact as he tried to swallow his concoction of mince pies and milk.

Ed whispered, "Sorry."

Steve gulped, "Ow."

Seconds later, John and Juliet, both in their pajamas, entered the living room and gasped with joy.

Juliet jumped with glee, "Santa came!" She rushed to her stocking and saw all the gifts inside.

John went to the tree and slid on his knees, "Wow! Look at all these presents." He looked to the fireplace and saw the baren plate but no milk glass. "Santa ate the mince pies, but what happened to the glass of milk?"

Juliet looked at the plate, "It's not there?"

"Nope."

"Did he take it, you think?"

John shrugged, "Maybe."

Steve cringed behind the couch.

Juliet walked around the fireplace and saw the cup on the floor, few drops of milk still remaining at the bottom. "Found it," Juliet smiled. She picked it up and placed it on the hearth, "Good thing it didn't spill all over or else Grandma would get mad. Probably get your Mom to find him."

John smiled, "My mom can find anyone. She tells me that her works keep track of Santa at all times. And Sarah says it's to protect him from the Soviets."

Juliet nodded, "Aunt Peggy is so cool."

Suddenly they heard Peggy's voice from behind them, causing them to jump in surprise. "Children, why are you up at three in the morning?"

John turned around and saw his mom in her favorite robe. "Uh, we got excited," John responded in an innocent tone.

Juliet nodded, "We wanted to catch Santa. We thought we heard him."

Peggy placed her hands on her hips, "And did you?"

John shook his head, "No. I think we just missed him."

Juliet nodded, "Looks like he left in a rush because the cup of milk was on the floor. There wasn't any spills, but don't tell Grandma."

Peggy smiled and placed a finger against her lips, "I won't say a word, darlings." She patted her son on the head, "Now, both of you go back to bed. You don't want to be tired when you unwrap your presents in the morning, right?"

John nodded, "Yes, Mama."

Juliet nodded, "Yes, Auntie."

Peggy pushed her son along, "Go. And be quiet when you go back to your rooms. Don't wake up your siblings and cousins."

"Okay, Mom," John responded as he walked out.

After a few moments of waiting, Peggy heard their respective doors open and close. Satisfied, Peggy turned to the couches, "You boys can come out now."

Ed and Steve got up and let out a sigh of relief.

Steve smiled, "Ed, did you gain weight? Back is killing me."

Ed pushed him, "very funny."

Peggy shook her head, "Very smooth, you apes."

Steve laughed, "That was close."

Ed nodded, "Thanks for saving us. I didn't even hear your door open."

Peggy smirked, "It's a skill." She nodded to the hallway, "if you're done messing around, you probably should head to bed in case the kids come poking around again."

Ed cleared his throat and nodded, "Right. See you in a few hours."

Peggy smiled, "Mhmm." Ed stepped around the couch and left the living room, leaving Steve and Peggy alone.

Steve approached Peggy and slid his hand under her robe to caress her hip and kissed her. "Didn't mean to wake you," he said in a quiet tone.

Peggy smiled, "Hm, I was wondering what was taking you so long. Luckily I came out when I did."

"You're a true hero, honey," Steve smiled.

Peggy wrapped her arm around her husband, "Come to bed. Got a big day ahead of us." She shrugged, "Well, at least for me."

"Right, you're making the turkey today, huh?" Steve responded as they began to walk back to the guest room arm in arm.

Peggy nodded, "Mhmm. We have twenty-two-pound turkey, so I have to get in the oven pretty early in the morning so we can eat no later than seven in the evening."

Steve chuckled, "Wow, that's a huge bird." He snapped his fingers, "Right, I'm also helping cook too. Duh."

"Mhmm."

Steve stopped in front of their door, "Oh. One more thing."

"Yeah?" Peggy asked, raising a brow.

Steve gently kissed her on the lips, "Merry Christmas."

Peggy chuckled, "Merry Christmas, my darling," she said, kissing him again. She opened the door and pulled his arm, "Come join me in bed."

"Yes, Ma'am," Steve smiled.


A few hours later, with the morning sun peering through the clouds on Christmas morning, John and Juliet bounced excitedly by the Christmas tree and fireplace, ready to open their gifts. The three teenagers, Sarah, Michael, and their cousin and the oldest of the teens at eighteen-years-old, Alex Beck, also were excited. The trio took seats on the floor by the two eager kids.

Just as happy and excited as the kids, the adults took their seats. Harrison Carter sat down on the center couch, Victoria and Edward "Ed" Beck sat on the other, and Steve sat on the floor between the sofas. As is the unofficial Christmas tradition, the majority of the family remained in their sleepwear to open presents.

Alex smiled at his younger sister and cousin then at his mother, "So, uh. Are we ready, Mum?"

John nodded, "Can we open presents now?"

Juliet chimed in excitedly, "Yeah, can we, can we!"

Vickie laughed as she fixed her robe, "Hold on, hold on." She looked into the kitchen and saw Peggy and Amanda rushing with food preparations. "Aunt Peggy and your grandmother are still in the kitchen. Give them a minute," she said.

With her brown hair was down and styled with bangs hanging just above her eyes, the thirty-nine mother of two still looked very youthful with few creases under her eyes and faint lines by her lips. Though the younger of the Carter sisters, Victoria Carter Beck looked surprisingly older compared to her big sister, Peggy. A question she still needed to ask since Peggy and Steve arrived with their family four days ago.

Michael laughed and called into the kitchen, "Hurry Mom, Grandma, the villagers are getting restless. Sarah laughed loudly in response to the comment.

Alex furrowed his brows, "Hey."

Harrison Carter smiled through his thick grey mustache, "That's funny." With a head full of grey hair and a thick mustache, his usual posture and looks generally made him look intimidating. But not to his grandchildren. They never saw him as anything but caring and loving.

A few seconds later, Peggy and Amanda walked into the living room. Amanda Carter, dressed in a lovely red swing dress and her hair elegantly balancing between grey and brown, smiled, "We're coming, we're coming." Both ladies were the only ones in the family who were dressed for the day as they were the first up in the morning to prep for a big dinner.

Peggy, wearing a mid-sleeve dark green plaid dress, stepped over the kids and teenagers on the floor and headed toward her husband. "We're here. We can start now," she said as she took a seat on the couch cushion by her husband.

Amanda sat down on the couch and cozied up to her husband, "Merry Christmas, everyone."

"Merry Christmas!" the teenagers and kids all said.

"Merry Christmas!" the adults also chimed.

Vickie clapped, "Alright. Presents!" She expressed energetically like a child. Peggy laughed. The teens and kids suddenly all hesitated and looked at the adults for secondary confirmation.

Harrison chuckled at them, "What are you waiting for? An order? Go open your presents."

Steve laughed, "Yeah, they aren't going to open themselves."

With that, the teens and kids quickly stood up and rushed for the mountain of presents under the tree and the stuffed stockings. Alex raised a brow as he tried finding gifts with his name on it, "Wow, that's a lot of presents."

Michael nodded, "Yeah."

Steve smiled, "Santa has visited you all then." Peggy smiled at him and ran a hand through his hair.

Sarah chuckled, "Yeah, Dad."

Ed smiled, "Always a lot more presents than we imagine when your family comes in." He nodded, "But the company is splendid."

Peggy smiled, "Aw thanks, Ed."

As the kids and teens got their presents and began opening them, John looked over at his grandma, "Aren't you opening presents too, Grandma? Grandpa?"

Amanda smiled, "In a moment, darling." She looked at her daughters and in-laws, "Go get your gifts."

Steve stood up and smiled, "Alright." He looked at Peggy, "I'll bring you yours, yeah?"

Peggy smiled, "Thank you, darling."

Ed smiled at Vickie, "I'll do the same. Can't get shown up by Captain America."

Vickie laughed, "You'll always be number one to me, Ed." Ed laughed and waved his hands.

After a few trips, Steve returned to his spot with all the presents addressed for him and Peggy. He and Ed even brought the gifts for Amanda and Harrison, so they didn't need to get up.

Peggy laughed rather loudly after she unwrapped a present and opened the box. Sarah raised a brow, "What's so funny, Mom? What did you get?"

Peggy held up a rusted metal sign that read 'I love muscles.' She shook her head, "This is a ridiculous sign."

Amanda laughed, "That's hysterical, Peggy."

Vickie slapped her knee, "Merry Christmas, Peggy."

Peggy gave her younger sister a grin, "Well, thank you, Vic. But why did you give me this?"

"You talk about Steve's muscles all the time, so I got you this sign from a collectors fair in the city a while back."

Steve laughed and gave his wife a knowing look, "Oh, really?"

Peggy turned a bright shade of red as Steve raised a brow and looked up at her. She smiled at him, "Love you, darling."

Steve laughed, "I love you too."

Amanda smiled at Harrison, "Aren't they cute."

Harrison smirked, "Yes, indeed."

Sarah shook her head as she opened another present, "They're wrapped up with each other too much, I swear."

Peggy put the sign down and smirked at her daughter, "Be happy your parents love each other, Sarah."

Amanda nodded, "That's correct."

"I do, I do," Sarah replied, raising her hands.

Angela smiled as she unwrapped a rather large box, "Oh large white box."

Alex grinned, "Oh, I wish I had a large white box for Christmas."

Sarah rolled her eyes, "Shut up," she said jokingly. Everyone laughed at the banter.

Harrison nodded, "What's in the box?"

"It's from Uncle Ed." Angela opened the box and removed a series of advanced textbooks ranging from engineering, calculus, chemistry, and physics, many of them were first editions.

Peggy's eyes widened, "Wow. Those are some advanced stuff, Angela."

Steve nodded, "Yeah, wow."

Angela opened one of the books and took in the old book smell and happily skimmed through a few pages. She beamed happily, "Thank you, Uncle Ed! I love them."

Ed smiled, "You're welcome, Angela."

Vickie looked at her husband, "Those are advanced textbooks, sweetheart. Do you think she'll be able to use them? She's only twelve."

Ed shrugged and looked at Peggy, "She wants to be an engineer right?" Peggy nodded. "And she did skip a grade and is extraordinarily smart. I think she can learn this stuff. Get a head start on her journey to be an engineer." He smiled at Angela, "Angela, these are the books we used for college to be engineers. Might be dated but—"

Angela shook her head, "I love them. I'll learn it all."

"I'm sure you will."

Peggy chuckled and glanced at her sister, "If anyone is going to learn it, it'll be her. She's awfully smart, Vickie. I'm proud of my little book work." Amanda smiled at Peggy's comments.

Steve laughed, "She should be the one helping John with homework."

"That's a winning idea," Peggy added. John put down his new toy rocket and looked at his parents at the sound of his name.

Amanda smirked, "Does John still want to be an astronaut?"

Steve nodded, "Very much so. All he talks about is John Glenn, Alan Shepard, and the Mercury Space Program."

John smiled, "Don't forget Gus Grissom!" He added the second American in space in Project Mercury.

Vickie leaned forward, "Do you like your new rocket ship, John?"

"Yup! Santa gave it to me!" John beamed happily, "I'm going to be like John Glenn someday!"

"Sure you will, darling," Amanda said with a loving smile.

Harrison smiled at Angela, "Speaking of, Angela. When are you going to make your first rocket ship?"

"Someday, I hope," Angela responded, sifting through her new textbooks.

Sarah opened a present, revealing a new pair of leather boxing gloves. "Wow!" she grinned. After glancing at the card, she looked up at her grandpa, "Thanks, Grandpa! I love them."

Amanda raised a brow, "you got Sarah boxing gloves?"

Harrison shrugged, "Yeah, I remember Steve told me he's been teaching her to fight for a long while now. So I figured, what the heck, give her some gloves."

Steve shook his head and gestured to his wife, "Uh, no. Peggy has been teaching her to fight." He chuckled, "I just watch."

Alex laughed as he unwrapped a present, "Why do you need boxing gloves for? You're a girl?"

Michael instinctively hissed, "Hey, who do you think you're talking to?"

Vickie frowned, "Alex," she said in a warning tone.

"Sorry, sorry," Alex raised his hands. "Sarah, I didn't mean to—"

Sarah smiled, "It's ok. I can always remind you what happened when we were kids."

Alex rubbed the back of his neck in discomfort, "I-uh, forgot about that."

Peggy frowned, "Let's not. You broke your grandmother's tea table"

Michael grinned at his cousin, "Sarah does have quite the body count."

Alex looked at Sarah, "Sorry. Um, are we okay, Sarah?"

"We're family, Alex. Don't sweat it," Sarah said, in a reassuring tone.

"Does she still get into fights?" Vickie asked Peggy.

"Not as much as she used to." Peggy shrugged, "Happens from time-to-time. Usually, because someone does something to a friend or Angela."

Ed raised a brow, "Who would do anything to Angela?" he asked in surprise.

"Yeah, who the bloody Nora would do anything to her?" Vickie frowned.

Steve sighed, "Bad kids."

Sarah grinned, "Want to hear about how Dad got into a fight at the school parking lot over that very reason?"

"NO!" Steve rolled his eyes. "Not this again!"

"It's a fun story!" Sarah grinned.

Vickie laughed, "Do tell."

Amanda raised a brow, "Steve, you got into a fight? Because someone was doing something to Angela?"

Harrison laughed, "Probably sent the poor chap to the hospital."

Sarah shrugged, "Deserved it, in my opinion."

"Why do you always bring that up, Sarah?" Steve asked sarcastically.

Michael chuckled, "Because it's mad funny. And I can't believe I missed it!"

Peggy laughed, "We can always talk more about the boy Sarah is seeing."

Steve leaned back and sighed, "Why do you both have to do this to me all the time."

Sarah chuckled, "Come on Dad, he's nice!"

"I don't know about that yet," Steve responded.

Michael nodded, "I agree."

"Hey, don't undermine me, Michael," Sarah scowled.

Harrison cocked his head to the side, "Didn't meet the young man yet, Steve?"

Steve shook his head, "Not yet." He chuckled, "Going to be honest. He's not good enough. Because no one is good enough for my daughter."

Peggy laughed, "Oh, Steve. You're so cute."

Harrison nodded, "I agree, no one is good enough for my granddaughter."

Amanda sighed, "Oh, come now, darling. You said the same things about Peggy and Victoria. And now look at them."

Ed made a cheeky grin, "Big happy family. See."

Harrison squinted at Ed, "Hm." He smiled at Steve, "Steve, I like," he joked.

Vickie chuckled, "Father!"

Amanda tapped her husband's lap, "He's joking, darling." Harrison chuckled and shrugged.

"I know," Vickie sighed. She looked at Steve, "But still."

Steve chuckled and looked over at Sarah, "Well, I always got eyes on the boy. Some of my contacts in SHIELD got him covered."

"No you don't," Peggy smirked. Sarah chuckled.

Steve leaned forward and whispered, "Your mother doesn't know." Sarah smiled and shook her head. He clapped anyway, "Michael, do you like your presents?"

Michael smiled and nodded, holding up a rugby ball. "Though, I play American football not so much rugby, Grandpa."

Harrison smiled, "Your mother tells me you're a tough kid in American football. Rugby is a man sport and I think you'd enjoy it and excel in it." He shrugged, "I'm sure you can find a club team back at home."

Peggy raised a brow, "Doesn't rugby play the same time as American football? June timeframe?"

Michael spoke up, "But I'm sure there are club teams that play yearlong for the fun of it."

Sarah smirked at her mother, "And you were worried about Michael in football. Wait until he plays rugby."

Vickie looked at Peggy with a confused look, "What is she talking about?"

Peggy shook her head, "Nothing."

Amanda laughed, "So, Steve." Steve raised a brow. "About your fight in a parking lot at your kid's high school."

Steve sighed, "Aw. Again with this."

Vickie laughed, "It's because you're so straight-edged, Steve. The fact you did something reckless is a massive deal."

Peggy laughed, "He's done stupid things before, but he can talk about this one at least."

"Oh? What else has he done."

Peggy chuckled, "That's classified."

Vickie rolled her eyes, "Yeah, right."

"Fine, it was during the war, so not a fun topic to talk about on Christmas," said Peggy.

Vickie looked at Steve, "Now talk about your fight, Steve."

"Yes, yes," Amanda chimed in.

Steve sighed and looked at Sarah, "Sarah."

"Um, yeah, Dad," Sarah asked cautiously.

Steve sighed, "About that boy you're seeing."

Vickie grinned, "Oh, he's choosing this route."

"Kevin," Sarah corrected.

"Kevin, right." Steve took a deep breath, earning anticipating stares from everyone in the room but John and Juliet. "Are you and him…exclusive."

Peggy suppressed a smile at her husband.

Sarah shrugged, "Um, that's a heavily weighted question, Dad." She looked around, "In front of everyone too."

Alex shrugged, "My mum did that to me too in front of everyone with Suzie."

Peggy leaned toward her husband, "Answer the question, darling."

Sarah sighed, "Well, we aren't dating around, so I don't know."

Steve shook his head, "If you're going to date, you're either all in or all out. Can't be in-between."

Sarah raised a brow, "Isn't that dated logic though, Dad?"

Steve shrugged, "Maybe. But I don't want my daughters." He briefly glanced at Michael, "or sons, to be 'dating around.' I think it's poor character." Amanda nodded in agreement to that statement.

Sarah slouched and sighed, "Ok, Dad," choosing not to argue in front of everyone.

Peggy placed a hand on Steve's shoulder, "We can talk more about this later, okay? I think this conversation went a little too serious for Christmas."

Steve made an apologetic face at everyone, "Oh. Yeah. Sorry."

Vickie laughed, "So does that mean you'll talk about your fight?"

Steve sighed.

Sarah managed a smile as her father is in the hot seat now.


Later in the night, after a delicious meal, songs, and games, the kids and teens have turned in for the night. Christmas day was more or less over. The adults remained awake to relax and settle down after a hectic but enjoyable day. With the men outside in the backyard drinking beer, the ladies remained inside the living room with hot tea, enjoying each other's company and the quiet.

Vickie smiled and let out a sigh as she leaned back on the couch, "I'm still stuffed. Mum, Peggy, you outdid yourself for supper. It was delicious."

Amanda smiled at Peggy, who sat at the other couch, "She did most of the work." She chuckled, "I never figured you'd pick up cooking, darling. You used to hate it when you were younger."

Peggy laughed, "Well, I learned a thing or two from Steve."

"I'd say you learned a lot," chimed Vickie.

Peggy nodded, "Well, I also had to become a good cook for the kids too."

Amanda shook her head, "I met a lot of mothers who are terrible cooks, Peggy. You are an outstanding cook."

"I believe it," chuckled Peggy as she took a sip of her tea.

Vickie cocked her head to the side, "Hey, Peg."

"Hm?" Peggy hummed in response.

"I have a few questions."

"Okay. Well, ask away, Vic."

Vickie nodded, "First, you're the Director of SHIELD right?"

"Yes," Peggy raised a brow.

Victoria chuckled, "I feel like I should've asked you this a long time ago. But Ed and I were talking, isn't it law that only American born citizens can work for government agencies in the U.S.?"

Peggy shook her head, "No, you just have to be an American citizen." She paused, "I became an American citizen by marriage a few years after Steve and I were married. Before that, I was a liaison from British Intelligence to the SSR, the Strategic Scientific Reserve, SHIELDs predecessor." She shrugged and smiled, "I was sworn in as Director on March 1954. Wasn't popular with many politicians there, let me tell you that."

Vickie smiled, "I bet. But you showed them your worth though."

"Many times," responded Peggy.

Amanda smiled, "but you're the first woman to be the head of a major intelligence agency in the United States." She shrugged, "I guess the world too, I suppose." She smiled at her daughter, "I'm so proud of, Peggy."

"Yeah," Vickie smirked. "Remind me, do you like that black swill? Coffee?"

Peggy laughed, "I will always love my tea. But sometimes I feel the need to drink coffee. It's not a lot."

"Blasphemy," Vickie scowled at her. "Say, how big of a role did you play in the Missile Crisis?"

Their mother nodded, "Yes, I'm curious how it was for you? Because even for us all the way over here in England, it was a scary few weeks. We thought there would be an all-out nuclear war."

Peggy took a sip of her tea and shook her head. "Probably one of the most stressful moments of my life. And I've been through a lot. Spent nearly every waking moment in the White House to prevent exactly that." She sighed, "I can't talk much about the closed-door meetings with the President, but needless to say—" She paused to think about what to say. "I advised the President on many courses of action as well as alternatives."

"Got pretty scary for a while there," said Amanda.

Peggy nodded, "Yeah. But both us and the Soviets came to a mutual understanding that events were starting to get out of our control. We both wanted to avoid nuclear war. So thank God."

"Wow," Vickie said.

Amanda smiled as she took a sip of her tea, "Kennedy must really trust you."

Peggy shrugged, "I'd like to think so."

Amanda leaned back on the couch, "I heard a lot about his womanizing, did he ever, well…"

Peggy shook her head, "No. He knows I'm a married woman and won't cross that line. Besides, I made that very clear when I first heard about his affairs. So I never gave him a chance to make a pass." She raised her hand, "Regardless, I still respect him as the President and a leader. That's as far as I'll go about the topic."

Amanda smiled, "You've become such a strong woman, Peggy. I'm proud of you." She looked at Vickie, "Proud of both of you."

Vickie laughed, "Woah, Mum, I haven't really done much compared to Peggy. Let's be honest."

Amanda shook her head, "Doesn't matter, you're still a fine woman too, Victoria."

"Well, thanks, Mum."

Amanda sighed, "It's been such a hard year with everything going on."

Sarah walked into the living room, surprising the three ladies. "Not to mention the drama. Marilyn Monroe passed away too."

Peggy looked over at Sarah, "Sarah, why are you up so late? It's two in the morning."

Sarah shrugged, "Couldn't sleep. Kind of didn't want this day to end. I love Christmas here."

Peggy scooted over and patted the cushion next to her, "Sit down, darling. Want some tea?"

Sarah nodded, "Yes, please."

Amanda smiled and leaned forward to the tea table. "I'll pour her a cup," she said, picking up the teapot and pouring some tea into a cup. She then handed her granddaughter the cup.

Sarah smiled as she carefully took the cup, "Thank you."

Vickie nodded, "Anyways, yeah. Been one dramatic year. From the Space Race to the Cuban Missile Crisis."

Peggy smiled, "Yes, indeed." She leaned back, "Hoping the next year will be better."

Amanda laughed, "Me too." She smiled at everyone, "I'm glad we're here together to close out the year, though. Merry Christmas, darlings."

Peggy smiled, "Merry Christmas, Mum."

"Merry Christmas," chimed Vickie.

Sarah smiled and raised her cup, "Merry Christmas, Grandma, and Auntie."

Vickie nodded, "Oh, before I forget, Peggy."

"Hm," Peggy hummed as she took a sip of tea.

"How do you look so young?" Vickie laughed, "It's been killing me." Vickie, the thirty-nine-year-old mother of two, though still looked very youthful with a few creases under her eyes and faint lines by her lips. But Peggy seemed to look younger than her at forty-one and with four kids.

Amanda nodded, "yes, what's your secret, darling?"

Peggy chuckled and did her best to lie, "I don't know how to answer that. It might be in your head, Vic."

Vickie laughed, "No, it's not! You still look like you're in your early thirties."

Peggy shrugged, "Vic, it's all makeup and things."

Vickie laughed, "Ok. What about Steve? He looks amazing too."

Sarah thought for a moment and came to a sudden realization. Her parents do look very young compared to other parents their age. Aunt Vickie, who's also two years younger than her mother, seems a little older too. Sarah has also seen her mother without makeup, and she does still looks young. Younger than her Aunt Vickie, for sure. She figured it had to do with the serum but wanted to hear it from her parents first. She made a mental note ask later at some point.

Peggy shrugged, "he exercises a lot." The world still didn't know Steve is superhuman since it's still heavily classified.

Vickie sighed, "All right, fine." She chuckled, "the makeup I believe for you, but I don't know about Steve. Unless he's into makeup."

Peggy laughed, "That'll be funny."

Amanda smiled at Peggy and Sarah, "I'm so glad you all are back here for the holidays. It really warms my heart to see you and my grandchildren."

Peggy smiled, "Thanks, Mum. We're glad to be back."

Sarah nodded, "Well if Mom and Dad actually get a house in England we might see you guys more often. Like in the summer."

Vickie raised a brow at her sister, "What? Are you serious?"

Peggy laughed, "Steve and I are looking into it as a vacation home."

Vickie grinned, "Wow! That's exciting! Let me know if you need help finding nice places here."

Peggy nodded, "We were thinking about a nice cottage somewhere in the countryside, but still close enough to Mum's."

"That's a good idea." Amanda couldn't contain her excitement, "We all would love the idea of you staying closer to us for a little bit."

Peggy smiled, "Yeah. It'll be nice."

Victoria smiled, "So, Sarah, since you're here, and your father or the boys aren't, talk to us about that boy. Kevin, right?"

Peggy chuckled.

Sarah rubbed her neck, "Oh, man."

Amanda laughed, "What? We won't say anything mean. The boys aren't here to bother you or make bad comments about him."

Peggy nudged her teenage daughter and encouraged her with a smile. "Go ahead, darling. Do tell."

Sarah laughed, "Well, I kind of started developing a crush on him when Mom was away in DC during the Missile Crisis."

Vickie smiled, "Now this is what I'm talking about. What does he look like and what is he like?"

Peggy sighed and laughed, "Let her talk, Vickie."

"Right, sorry."

Though it wasn't the official end of the year, as this Christmas came to a close, it a welcome end of 1962. A year packed with drama. With the delicious food and gifts, the three families, the Rogers, Carters, and Becks, enjoyed the family's most uncomplicated present, being simply together for a holiday.


Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Brief Chapter.

Was going to do a one-shot like the previous Christmas chapters but used this chapter to be like a filler with some minor plot stuff to roll into what's coming next in the 1960s and further on.

Historically: Letitia "Tish" Long became the first woman to head a major intelligence agency. NGA (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency), Oct 2014.