*Happy Thanksgiving! I'm giving ya two chapters for one today! Cheers! -Traveler.
"Usually, isn't it the man that normal proposes?", Peggy chuckled as she tried to wipe her eyes. "Times change... you certainly have been having a hand in that... do you know how many little girls in town look up to you?", Amanda grinned proudly.
Peggy's heart swelled proudly, hearing that, and she smiled, "A role model, huh? I like the sound of that.", and Amanda smiled warmly, "Good. There are more meaningful things in life than you think. You just have to find it, that's all.", kissing Peggy's nose, and Peggy felt the little peck, nodding as she then calmed down, taking a deep breath, and exhaled as she went to change the subject, leaving the conversation done.
And of course, Peggy is remembering the conversation with her mother, unknowing that Steve is remembering the conversation with her father on their walk, and upon stopping for dinner in a village with the help of locals, the couple noticed each other's looks.
Steve exhaled, "You alright, Peggy?", and Peggy smiled reassuringly, "I'm fine, Steve. Just thinking, that's all.".
Steve nodded, "Me too...This morning when I was fishing with your father before we left upon finishing lunch, I had a conversation...", with a deep sigh... "What about?", Peggy asked as Steve looked away. "Steve, please, don't do this to me. Don't shut me out.".
"I know, I know...", Steve said as he looked back at her. "It's just... it's painful to say...". Peggy squeezed his hand as she caressed his cheek with her other hand, "You can tell me anything, remember?".
Steve sighed, looking at her, "I failed you...I...I was not viable enough to make you pregnant...I'm so sorry...All those times we made love...there should have been a sign...something...", with a frown.
"Steve...", Peggy put her other hand to his face, cradling his cheeks. "It's not your fault, it might be all mine.", she tried to tell him. "But we shouldn't think like that; it's no one's fault, and you could never fail me, Steve... don't ever say that!".
Steve exhaled, looking at her, and sniffled with a weak smile, "My queen, so stubborn...", caressing her hair as he hugged her, "I love you, Peggy...I would never leave you...for anything dumb... We cannot blame the Quantonium or the Serum as they gave us so much. Strength, stamina, reflexes, and more powers we are using for good...I only wish I'd give you that dream of being a mother...My dreams will remain as dreams...of a beautiful boy with your eyes and my hair, or a glorious girl with my eyes and your hair...", his voice breaking as tears fell, nuzzling her neck as he leaned towards her on the shoulder.
"Steve...", Peggy leaned in against him as they just sat there with each other. "As long as I have you, it'll all be good for me. You're my everything, Steve... and I love you so much.".
Steve exhaled, looking at her, finding nothing but deep, sincere love in her eyes, and spoke, "I love you very much.", kissing her on the lips, and after the long kiss, Peggy smiled, "Let's enjoy dinner and we will move on, okay?", caressing his hair.
Steve nodded, "Okay...", feeling better yet still feeling a bit guilty to know that Peggy felt that it would be her fault, but she's trying to move on with the fact, and Steve is determined to be there for her through the ups and downs, and this is very much titled 'in the downs'.
"Listen, Steve... right now... let's focus on us and trying to end this war. After that, we'll focus on taking the next step with each other.", Peggy said. "Next step? What steps do we... oh...", it clicked for Steve. "Are you suggesting what I think?".
Peggy smiled shyly, nodding, "Settling down, finding a way to live within a home, and...getting married. It's not the right time to ask me or for me to ask you, but would you wait?".
"I... I can wait.", Steve said as he was a bit stunned for a moment before he smiled. "Honestly... I almost want to ask you right now, since you mentioned it.", he chuckled.
Peggy giggled, "Tempting, it's very tempting, Steve, but I'm more than happy with our current living situation. I mean, we're together, partners in war and love, and we are using our powers and more to help fight for innocent lives, justice, and freedom.", squeezing his hand warmly.
Steve nodded, "I 100% agree with you, my queen.", smiling gently as he rubbed Peggy's knuckles. Peggy smiled happily, and they then calmed down, enjoying dinner. After dinner, they went again to walk for a few more hours, soon stopping for some cuddles and sleep.
They returned to Tilbury Fort in the morning and resumed their regime of drills and training to the end of the second month, unknowing that their secret daughter has aged up to 7 months, still staying small, yet strong enough to somersault and tumble, while misleading Peggy to think that it's still gas.
It was now May... the day of days, the landings in Normandy for Operation Overlord that would hopefully lead to the liberation of France had to be postponed for better weather and conditions which meant waiting until the first few days of June. Peggy, Steve and much of the invading force was now getting frustrated with how they were basically being cooped up and waiting for the go-ahead. Especially for the two giants as they would be the first to hit in a sector.
At least thanks to Allied deception tactics; the Germans still thought the invasion would be in Calais, not Normandy, and commanders certainly were making the Germans keep thinking that with Peggy and Steve allowed leave in areas closer to London and Dover.
Colonel Phillips can see the frustration in the couple, and he allowed the couple to clean up London occasionally between drills and such, and of course, on particularly frustrating days, the couple was having times of making love to get it out of their system.
And before they knew it, the first few days of June came, and they are finally able to get across to France, unknowing that on the sixth day, everything is going to change, for the war in leverage, and especially themselves, with their secret daughter finally developed to 9 months old, and of course, for the Germans, or specifically, Eris.
June 6th, 1944. Eisenhower gave the go-ahead for Overload. Come Hell or high water now, the ships would move, and the planes would launch. The past few months, Peggy and Steve, despite their minds, made sure to memorize every last detail of the invasion. The Allies planned to land in force and make sure they held a strong foothold in France before driving south to liberate the rest of the country and drive onto Germany.
At the far west of the landing zones would be Utah Beach, on the shoulder of the Cotentin Peninsula. The 82nd and 101st US Airborne Divisions would land during the night at key crossroads and behind the beach defenses while the US 4th and 90th Infantry would hit the beach.
At the far east landing zones would be the British 1st Airborne and the British 3rd Infantry at Sword Beach. To their west, Juno Beach with the 3rd Canadian Infantry. Further down the coast west of that would be Gold Beach where the British 50th would land.
And finally, between Gold and Utah would be Omaha Beach where the US 26th and 1st Infantry divisions would land... and Peggy and Steve would be the first on it being the largest beach and harsh cliffs that would make it a nightmare for the landers.
The two of them stood by with many of the troops as Eisenhower gave his 'Great Crusade' speech before the two of them headed to the beach where a special ship was waiting for the two of them: a destroyer that would have a minimal crew and carry them until they were close to the beach. They would have the swim the last mile, but it was perfectly fine with them as long as the rest of the landing would wait on them to clear a path.
"You alright?" Steve asked Peggy as she covered her mouth, feeling somewhat more gas that had been inside her for a while.
"I'm okay, just can't seem to get rid of these gas bubbles of mine for a few months.", Peggy said; unaware that it was related to their unborn daughter.
Steve nodded, "Yeah, I noticed...Did Erskine's recipe of tea help out?", and Peggy sighed, "Sometimes. Don't worry, they're not as annoying today.", giving him a reassuring smile.
Steve kissed her cheek, "Alright, as long as you're fine, my queen. We need to focus extremely on this big day.", and Peggy nodded, "Couldn't agree more, luv. I have a feeling that we can win the battles today to turn the tide.".
"You heard the troops; we kick the door up on Fortress Europa and can be in Berlin by Christmas.", Steve chuckled, though he wasn't fully confident about that last bit. The Germans were pretty well beaten up but not broken yet.
"That would be a great Christmas present, Steve... but I think we both just need to focus on what we need to do in the morning. Quite a lot of men are counting on us.", Peggy reminded.
Steve smiled, squeezing her hand, "True, but I'm counting on you, and I believe in you.", and Peggy kissed his cheek with a smile, "And I am counting on you, and I believe in you too.".
Steve held her warmly, rubbing her arm as he side-hugged her, and Peggy rested her head on his shoulder as they fell asleep, knowing that they would need all the stamina and strength to get through the big day...After all, D-Day isn't just called that for no reason.
It was Decision Day for a reason as it would help decide the fate of Western Europe. Steve found it a bit harder to sleep than Peggy did but eventually did as he watched the massive fleet of ships slowly leaving port with them and heading south to the Normandy beaches while many transport planes buzzed overhead with the paratroopers.
Eventually came predawn as both of them woke up to the sounds of distant thunder; that being the bombers that were pounding the beaches and eventually the massive battleship guns that would rock the defenders. If any German could truly see what out there in the channel, they'd know the war was now over and it would only be a matter of time before Germany would lose.
"Hey, wake up, you two!", the ship's captain shouted out in a thick Glasgowan accent.
Steve kissed Peggy on the lips, "My queen, battle awaits us. Wake up, Peggy.", as he woke up, and Peggy groaned, "I know I can't complain, but you are far too comfortable as a pillow, luv, and I don't want to get up.", deciding not to tell Steve that despite feeling completely rested and very much ready for battle, she is having a bit of pain, and figured that it was her period pre-starting again, unknowing that their unborn daughter is resting on her hipbones, in the headfirst position, but still sleeping, waiting for the moment she will be born as Peggy is barely in the first stage of labor.
"Come on, we'll catch back up in a few hours once we open the road for the infantry, alright?", Steve chuckled as she yawned, "Okay... you promise?".
"I promise.", Steve said as the two of them nearly jumped a bit when the USS Texas and Nevada opened fire with their big guns. "Wish they didn't have to do that.", Peggy sighed.
"They're just trying to make sure we don't have as much work; remember, every gun on that beach will be trained for us at the start.", Steve reminded.
Peggy nodded, "Right.", putting her hair up into a messy ponytail, and Steve smiled, putting up his cowl as Peggy then said, "Let's give them some hell, Captain.".
Steve nodded before the two of them gently went over the side of the destroyer, careful not to tip it over and drown the crew. Once they swam a few yards away from the ship, they turned and started heading towards the beach while the battleships, cruisers and destroyers unleashed as much rounds as they were able for the time given. Steve wondered if there would be anything left, but he knew that despite the looks of devastation, the enemy always seemed to be somehow still intact.
It was a few minutes before the last of the guns fired which Peggy and Steve knew was the signal for the landing ships and transport crafts to start sailing upward to the beach. At least in this case, the bombardments were shortened compared to the other beaches since the giants planned to hit the beach.
In less than a minute, Peggy and Steve pulled themselves out of the water, and good timing too as the German defenders were still hunkered down from the attacks which gave the two of them a clear shot to quickly open a small hole in the defenses for them to work out from since all the defenses would be pointed towards the water rather than the sides.
Peggy ran fast towards one of the tower bunkers along the high cliff walls that naturally guarded the beaches and punched her fist right through it, collapsing it and making it almost impossible for any defenders to truly use it if any were still alive in it. Steve, on the other hand, was going to the smaller pillboxes and machine gun nests to take out the heavy shore guns.
Steve laid his hands on anything in sight, drawing instantly, and animals appeared of wood, earth, rock, and sand, particularly elephants, rhinos, and bison, going instantly for the hidden trenches as Steve went to destroy the smaller pillboxes and machine gun nests.
The two of them made fast work for the small section of beach they were at. For sure one unit that would land on the beach fairly unscathed if not sporadic resistance from any remaining forces that wanted to fight. Peggy turned her attention towards the east and saw the remaining part of the Omaha sector which would be the far-left flank for the US troops on the beach. If they cleared that out, then all the defenses they would need to worry about would be to the west of them.
"Steve! I'll clear out this section!", Peggy called out as she clutched her stomach for a moment as she felt quite a lot of gas pain. She shook her head as it went away and refocused on the destruction. Steve, on the other hand, was slowly making his way towards the west, scattering and destroying whatever was in his path. He could see several Germans starting to flee which was a good sign that the defenders were starting to break, but there still was too many defenses still up that could cause a slaughter on the beach if not quickly taken care of.
Steve did quick work of the west, destroying watchtowers, tanks, trucks, and even camps, slowly making his way up inland, with Peggy destroying all that laid in front of her in the east, as the east was less defended, and made her way to join Steve, hearing screams and shouts in the hidden trenches as Steve's animal creations destroyed camps and such.
The west is still riddled with defenses, but dwindling down thanks to Steve's work earlier, and with Peggy joining him, they are now heading inland deeper, with the beach now cleared for the units to kill off the remaining Germans who were missed in the attacks by the giants. After all, there is bound to be two or three in any attack that were missed by luck or such.
Peggy and Steve certainly could see the work they accomplished. The air force and navies clearly did a poor job with the beach with how well intact much of the defenses were but at least now they were almost all but destroyed and the remaining Germans could easily be mopped up with low casualties on the infantry. In the meantime, the two of them kept walking towards the villages near the beaches to help clear the roads ahead so the beachhead could be expanded quickly. If the troops could reach their Day 1 objectives, it would be much harder for the Germans to throw them out.
Of course, while the two of them were clearing the way, both of them had no idea what was coming only a few miles south of them...
Steve laughed as he saw Peggy torch the German camps littered outside their latest village, "Good one, Peggy!", as he stomped on the tanks and small machine gun stations.
Peggy smiled, "Why, thank you, Steve!", while wincing mentally at the flaring pain that was happening every hour in her bones and such, especially her stomach...She's starting to think that perhaps the Quantonium or the Super Soldier Serum is quitting on her...if it is, she must be getting back to normal, but it's much slower than before on that day of the change...And with her period coming on, it's like multiplying the pain...But her adrenaline is somehow shielding the pain somewhat as she's still buzzed up to fight and all.
Peggy knew that she has to be focused for Steve's sake otherwise he'd worry about her, and so with grit, much grit, she kept going, determined to win the battles this day for her country, her people, her family, her friends, her world, and especially Steve.