Chapter 4
A/N - I'm planning on writing several chapters for this story this weekend, so hopefully there won't be such a gap in updates.
Madison, along with Sam and Natasha, flew to London with Steve to be with him during Peggy's funeral. Pietro had offered to go with her, but Madison reassured him she would be fine and that he needed to stay with Wanda. Madison had always wanted to go to England, she just wished it was under better circumstances.
Everyone in the church stood while the casket was carried down the center aisle, Steve being one of the pallbearers.
During the service, Madison held Steve's hand. A silent attempt on her part to comfort him.
"And now, I would like to invite Sharon Carter to come up and say a few words", the pastor said.
Sharon Carter stepped up to the podium and Sam nudged Steve.
Steve looked up and saw her.
Madison knew he had a thing for her, but neither of them realized that she was related to the love of his life.
"Margaret Carter was known to most as a founder of SHIELD, but I just knew her as Aunt Peggy. 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 where no one wanted to see a woman succeed at either. She said, compromise where you can. But where you can't, don't. 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". Thank you".
When the funeral was over, Steve and Madison stayed behind in the church.
"I was jealous of her", Madison confessed.
"Hmm?"
"Of Peggy".
"Why?"
"Because of how in love with her you still were. I thought I was always going to be a replacement for her. But then I met Pietro and I got it. I understood. She seemed like a really great woman".
Steve smiled. "She was".
"You should hold onto that. She may be gone, but she lives on in your memories and the people she touched".
"You know, you're pretty great too".
Madison blushed. "Oh stop".
Natasha walked up to them and Steve sighed.
"Who else signed?" he asked.
"Tony, Rhodey, Vision".
"Daddy?" Madison asked.
"Says he's retired".
"Wanda?"
"TBD. Although her twin will pick whichever side Madison does. I'm off to Vienna for the signing of the Accords. There's plenty of room on the jet. Just because it's the path of least resistance doesn't mean it's the wrong path. Staying together is more important than how we stay together".
"What are we giving up to do it? I'm sorry, Nat. I can't sign it".
"Neither can I", Madison told Natasha.
"I know". Natasha kissed Madison on the head and then left them alone.
"Why aren't you signing it?" Steve asked Madison.
"I just can't. It doesn't feel right".
"What are you going to do?"
Madison shrugged. "I honestly don't know. In a perfect world, I would fly home and then Pietro and I would start our life together. Sometimes it doesn't seem like any of us will get our happy ending".
"Then that's what we fight for. The chance for a happy ending".
"You know…Sharon seems to kinda like you and I know you kinda had a thing for her…"
"Madison Barton, are you trying to set me up on a date?"
"I'm just saying that if you like her, you should go for it".
Steve laughed. "Thanks Madison".
"For what?"
"Just being you".
"Anytime, big boy".