5 Years Later

Mary is now 17, Steve and Bucky are 18, despite growing up on the streets and entering school very late Mary learnt quick and Graduated high school at the age of 16 a year before Steve and Bucky.

Mary still lives with Steve, Sarah passed away a few months ago from Tuberculosis. Bucky visited every day after work to check on them, Bucky works in the local boxing gym, Steve teaches painting at the community college, but they all know his dream is to become a solider, Bucky reluctantly helps to train Steve every weekend. Since she turned 13 a year after moving in with the Rogers, Mary has had a weekend job with Ange in the Dressmakers, during the week she mends clothes and does laundry, she took over Sarah's small home business when she passed. Sarah insisted Mary call her Mom as soon as she felt ready, it took less than a year.

I brushed my fingers through my hair before putting it into a simple updo, I opened the doors to my wardrobe and rifled through all my lovely dresses, Mom helped me make them all. Looking into this closet no one would ever know I was a street rat. I pulled out a plain light blue day dress with a white ribbon belt, after dressing I chose a set of pearl earrings and necklace, a white clutch and a pair of white kitten heels. Today I am running some deliveries and then taking a packed lunch to Steve and Bucky, since Mom passed, I couldn't help but take on the mother role. Of course, Bucky still had a mother, and a sister, but I liked to take care of them both, I'd grown very fond of Bucky. Steve was my brother, Bucky was... something different entirely, he charmed every lady he came in contact with, he took them dancing, he went on dates and I wanted that.

I picked up my basket with my deliveries, I hid and stored the packed lunches under them and added my clutch on top. I made my way out the apartment and down the stairs and street, it took me all morning to make all my deliveries, I went all over Brooklyn. By 12 o'clock I was on my way to the boxing gym. I pushed my way through the heavy doors and was almost knocked back with the smell of sweat, but there he was next to the ring, coaching a man 10 years older than him. He wore a white gym vest and casual black slacks.

"Bucky!" He spun to face me, a smiled spread on his face,

"Mary, what are you doing here?"

"I brought you lunch," I pulled out the brown paper wrapped parcel, "I'm taking Steve some too" He took it off me before sniffing it.

"Hmm, is it a surprise or will you tell me?" He smiled stepping closer

"It's a spam sandwich with my own homemade bread, some sliced fruit and there's a little parcel of ground coffee which I flavoured with cinnamon, add some hot water and you're going to love it" I smiled

"You're a real angel, Mary" He leant forward and kissed my cheek, I blushed immediately, "Steve told me all about your secret coffee project, I can't wait to taste it,"

"Well, um, you best get back to work, enjoy"

"Thanks again,"

"Bye Bucky,"

"Bye," he smiled with a wave.

Walking out the gym and heading to the college the fresh air did wonders to clear my red cheeks, a kiss, Bucky gave me a kiss, all because of a spam sandwich! Next time, I'll make him two! I made it to the college in no time at all, I easily found Steve's classroom and knocked before letting myself in. The class was empty bar Steve at the front, tidying his supplies.

"Hi Steve!"

"Mary! What are you doing here?"

"Lunch!" I held up a parcel identical to Bucky's "I thought it'd be a nice treat, and I noticed you hadn't taken anything this morning,"

"Thank you," He took the parcel, sat at his desk and immediately started to unwrap it, "The coffee! So you finally finished it?"

"Yes, and I think you'll like it, I already gave Bucky his,"

"You've been to see Bucky?" He smiled

"Yes, I made him some lunch too,"

"I think you'll definitely get a date out of that; Bucky is easily bought"

"That's not why I did it!"

"Sure it isn't, but you wouldn't say no, would you?"

"Okay Steve that's enough," I hit him playfully on the arm, "I can't help having a crush... Anyway, it'll pass, so stop using it against me!"

"I'm just kidding, Mary, you know Mom loved Bucky... I think she'd have thought you a lovely couple."

"And she'd have told you off for teasing me!"

"And then she'd have told you to go for it!"

"And then-" He held up a hand to stop me,

"I'm right and you know it,"

"I know," I sighed, Steve smiled and tucked into his sandwich,

"Didn't you make yourself a lunch?" He said between bites,

"No, no, I'll get myself something once I finish my errands,"

"What else have you got to do today?"

"Well, I made my deliveries, picked up a few collections this morning," I showed him my basket, less than half full, "I've got many more to collect,"

"Well, why don't you give me your collections list and I'll go after work for you, that way you can have some sort of a day off"

"No, Steve I couldn't let you do that, anyway, I wouldn't know where to start with a day off"

"It'll take half the time with me and Bucky doing it, give me your list, go home, or go to the park!"

"Okay okay, here," I passed it to him, "And try and be home before 5, I'll have dinner on the table, for Bucky too!"

"I'll let him know," He smirked.

The rest of the afternoon was spent cleaning the apartment, starting on the collections I'd made in the morning and making dinner; a hearty stew with bread and butter. I lay the table for 5 and like on cue Steve and Bucky walked in with an armful of clothes each,

"Steve! Please tell me you made a note of which clothes belong to which customer!"

"Ofcourse... Bucky had the idea to pin a note to each garment with a name and address on," Steve placed his armful in my repair's basket, Bucky followed him,

"Well, Bucky it seems you're not just a pretty face," I smiled turning away from them to set their bowl of stew at the table

"I'd prefer handsome, pretty is for girls," Bucky laughed taking his seat at the table with Steve.

"Eat your dinner, you big girl," I giggled sitting with them, picking up my own spoon.