The Ordinary Days

Epilogue

The hottest day of the summer so far could not have come on a better day. Not only was it Steve's birthday, which also happened to be the Fourth of July, but it was the day the swimming hole Steve had spent months building was finally finished. The last of the sparkling water filled the hole all the way to the top and Steve was brimming with anticipation to show it to everyone.

Walking back toward the house, Steve could see the several picnic blankets that were spread out on the dry grass in the shade of the trees behind the barn. Each had a basket filled with various sandwiches, spreads, and treats in which the merry party was partaking. As he passed them by, Steve could hear Sharon and Angie locked in a discussion about women's rights while Ana and Jarvis laughed with Sarah about something she had just said. Howard had his arm around Maria while they listened intently to Bucky recounting a rousing story about the end of the war.

The chatter was lively but it was apparent to Steve that two very important people were missing from the group.

"How's the swimming hole coming along, Steve?" asked Bucky, interrupting Steve's musings as he approached the picnickers.

"It's finally done. Once we're all done eating we can jump in and cool down from this heat a little."

A moment later, the back door opened and Peggy came out holding a two-year-old Michael on her hip. The adults – especially the women – cooed over the toddler as Peggy walked past them to set Michael down on the ground. He instantly took off running unsteadily toward his dad and Steve scooped him up with ease, kissing his cheeks sloppily which made the small child laugh.

"Happy berfday, Daddy," he said with a huge grin and Steve chuckled.

"Did Mommy tell you to say that?" he asked, and Michael nodded confidently. Steve laughed again and gave him another kiss on the cheek.

"Hey, buddy," he asked in a mock-serious voice as he pulled him close. "Are you ready to try swimming today?"

"Yeah!" chirped Michael happily. "Swimeen!"

"Swimming, darling," corrected Peggy as she walked up and tussled her son's hair. "Now go see if Grandma will go inside and grab your swimsuit for you."

Steve set Michael down as he plodded toward Sarah, who excitedly began having a conversation with the toddler once he reached her.

Peggy leaned in close to Steve as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. She turned her head to look up at him and he looked down at her. She gave him a sweet kiss and he pulled back to look at her with an amused expression on his face.

"What was that for?"

"No reason," she replied with a shrug. "Other than that I love seeing what a natural father you've become."

"I wouldn't be such a good father if you weren't such a good mother," he shot back playfully. "Most days I just copy what you do and hope for the best. We're lucky he's such an easy kid."

Peggy chuckled. "Makes me wonder what it would be like to have a miniature you running around the place."

"Oh, he would be a handful, that's for sure," Steve laughed. Then he eyed her suspiciously. "Why do you ask?"

Peggy said nothing but gave her husband a knowing smile. Steve furrowed his brow, but then caught her meaning.

"Are you…"

Her smile widened as she raised her eyebrows playfully. Steve grasped her by both the shoulders and looked her square in the eyes.

"Are you?!" he exclaimed, and she heartily nodded.

Steve hollered excitedly and picked Peggy up off the ground, swinging her around in a full circle as they both laughed and the picnickers looked over at them amusingly. He set her back down and grasped her face gently with both his hands.

"I know it's unplanned," remarked Peggy, staring up at him with a twinge of uncertainty. "And Michael is still so little, but I hope you're happy with the news."

"Happy? I'm thrilled!" he cried with a huge grin. "Are you happy, too?"

Peggy stopped and thought for a moment. She thought about the fear she had felt when she realized she had become pregnant with Michael, the dread of being faced with marrying a complete stranger, the uncertainty of her and Steve's relationship and what would happen with Jack Thompson those many months ago…But to her, it was all worth it for moments like these.

"I never knew I could be this happy," she remarked as her brown eyes became glassy.

"Neither did I," Steve replied truthfully, tucking a tiny lock of her hair behind her ear. "But I'm grateful for the way everything turned out. I'm glad I get to spend every day with this little family."

He kissed the top of her forehead and Peggy grasped his hand as they walked back over to the party guests to share the good news. But before they did so, she leaned into his ear with a whisper.

"What a lucky little family we are."

The end.

A/N: Aaaand that's the end of The Ordinary Days! Thank you so much for making it all the way to the end. I'm curious to know what you all thought so if you have the time, I would appreciate any reviews or feedback or just your general thoughts about the story. :)

If anyone is interested in other stories I may write after this, I have actually been thinking seriously about writing a sequel to this one. Obviously there are more adventures to be had with this adorable little family, but the story I have in mind might be a little darker and more dramatic. Of course, at this point I haven't written more than a few pages and an outline of it, so we'll see how it turns out once (or if) it comes to fruition. Don't expect any new stories anytime soon, though, because I like to completely finish writing a story (or at least a draft of it) before posting any of it on or AO3.

Feel free to send me a PM if you have any thoughts on the story or just wanted to chat! You all are amazing! :)