This is the first of probably many Christmas themed one-shots. I hope you guys like it and if any of you have an idea for on let me know. This is dedicated to all of our brave men and women who can't be with their families this holiday season. I thank you for your service, you are true heroes!
Humming as I walked, I tried to keep my spirits up. I knew what I was getting into when I started dating Steve, but that didn't make it any easier. It was Christmas Eve and he was still overseas.
For the past year and half we'd been counting down the days till he was on leave, he'd been saving up his days so he could come home for a solid month. So I was super excited to see him, so I was extra peppy when he called me for our weekly Skype two nights ago.
I practically ran over to my laptop when I heard it ding, signifying he was online. I grinned when I saw his face pop up.
"Hey you, how've you been?"
"Better now that I'm talking to you. How are things on the home front?"
I moved my webcam so he could see the little Charlie Brown Christmas tree I'd put up.
"Do you like it, I wasn't sure if should get one without you but Tony insisted. But I left the star off, I know that's your favorite part so I thought you could put it on when you get here."
His smile fell.
"It's perfect, you did a great job. But about that…"
"About what? Is your flight getting in at a different time?"
I could tell he was nervous, because he was rubbing the back of his neck.
"You're not gonna like it."
"Come on, you can tell me. I'm sure it's not that bad."
For a second I thought he wasn't going to tell, but then he sighed giving in.
"Anna, I won't be able to make it. Only so many men can get off on Christmas and Erik's mother is dying. This would be his last Christmas with her and I said I would stay so he could be with her. I'm sorry Anna."
"Oh, okay."
Of course I did my best to stay positive, it would just make him feel worse if I got upset in front of him.
"I'm so sorry, I just couldn't let him miss that. If there was anything I could do to be there too you know I would."
I could feel my eyes start to water, so I looked down not wanting him to see me cry.
"I know you would, I would too."
"Hey, don't cry. I'll be home just as soon as I can."
I sniffed and wiped my eyes.
"Sorry, I just really miss you. But I'll be fine, we'll get through this we always do."
He smiled.
"That's my girl."
Then he narrowed his eyes.
"Please don't be alone, go stay with one of your brothers. I don't want you to be by yourself."
I smiled faintly, he knew me so well.
"Alright, Tony was begging me to come over anyways."
He put his hand to the screen as he did at the end of every call. Mustering the biggest smile I could, I put my hand up to his. It was our little way of holding hands when we weren't together.
"I've got to go Anna, I'll call you the next chance I get."
I reached up and wiped a few stray tears off my cheek.
"Be careful soldier, I love you."
He grinned at me.
"Love you too. I'm always careful, I've got you to come back to. Bye Anna."
"Bye Steve."
After we disconnected, I did my best not to cry. He wouldn't want me to, so I cranked the Christmas music and started to make gingersnaps. They were Steve and my favorite so I thought I could send him some. Gradually I started to feel a bit better, I was still devastated Steve wasn't coming home but for his sake I tried not to think about it.
So on Christmas Eve I packed a bag and headed over to the tower. Tony was ecstatic I had come, of course he said he was sorry about Steve but I knew he was secretly pleased I was with him and Pepper for Christmas. So he did everything he could think of to cheer me up, including taking me skating at Rockefeller Center even though he was a terrible skater. Watching Tony hold on to Pepper like a lifeline and wipe out like five times brought my mood up. I know Steve would want me to be happy so I was, even without him I would have a great Christmas.
Alternate Ending
Sitting on the couch, completely stuffed from dinner, I gasped. I had left all the gifts in my apartment!
"Lisey, what's wrong?"
I glanced up at Tony, who was just waking up from his food coma.
"I forgot everybody's presents at home."
He looked up a small smile on his face.
"Why don't you just run over and get them? I can wait."
In the back of my mind I wish I had a recorder, because I know I'll never hear that again.
"Besides, I need to make sure your present is ready."
"Really? That would be great, it'll won't take long I'm just around the corner."
Pepper who was cuddled up with Tony smiled.
"Take your time, you should be careful with all the snow out there."
A bit confused I just nodded.
"Alright then, I'll be back in a little while."
Chalking it up to the spiked eggnog, I put on my coat and got in the elevator.
"Shall I have a car brought around for you?"
I looked up and smiled.
"Thanks J.A.R.V.I.S., but it's just two blocks I can walk."
"As you wish. Merry Christmas Miss Anna."
"Same to you."
Making my way out of the lobby and into the falling snow I smiled. I loved snow, and a white Christmas was just what the doctor ordered. I took a second to gaze at all the people oblivious to the wintery beauty. I grinned, Steve would have loved this.
So here I was on my way to my apartment, upon getting there I fumbled with the keys, finally succeeding in unlocking my door. Not wanting to make Tony wait too long I hurried over to my locked linen closet, I had to take precautions to he wouldn't peak like last year.
After gathering them up in a big bag, I stopped in the kitchen thinking that I could grab some of the cookies I made the other day. Just as I finished boxing them up and throwing them in the bag with the presents there was a knock on my door.
I frowned, wondering who that could be. Wouldn't everyone be with their families today?
Then I remembered, Clint told me he and Tasha were gonna send me something. Instead of staying at the tower like the last couple of years, they were somewhere in Europe on vacation. Tony only let them go if he got a promise they would be back by New Year's, so they were off together somewhere.
But nobody delivers mail on Christmas. Maybe they got some poor S.H.I.E.L.D. agent to do it. Figuring I'd answer it on the way out, I grabbed everything and opened the door.
I could barely see over the overflowing bag of gifts, so I almost dropped it all when the person at the door handed me one of those clipboard thingy's.
Shuffling everything around so it wouldn't fall, I grabbed it looking for the pen to sign. But there wasn't one, just a few words.
"Lisey, I took the liberty of giving you my gift now. Merry Christmas and all that jazz, enjoy."
Only one person called me that, this had be Tony. What is he up to this time?
"Need some help with that?"
I gasped and dropped everything, I would know that voice anywhere.
"Steve?!"
He took off his hat and I looked up into clear blue eyes.
"Merry Christmas Anna."
Without further ado, I threw myself into his arms.
"You're here, really here! How, I thought you couldn't get back, wha-"
He started laughing.
"I missed you so much!"
I looked up but didn't pull away.
"I missed you too."
He smiled.
"You're right, I wasn't going to be able to come home. But your brother pulled a few strings and here I am."
I felt my eyes start to water, out of everyone Tony knew just how much I missed Steve. He knew what this meant to me.
"Oh Tony…I don't know what to say, I'm just so happy to see you."
Grinning, he leaned down until our faces were inches apart.
"Well I don't know about you, but I've been waiting a long time to do this."
Then he closed the distance between us and he kissed me softly. It was like the piece of me that had been missing for so long just fell back into place at his touch. My arms crept up to his neck as I melted into the kiss. His hands came to rest on my waist just as he pulled away, leaving me flustered to the point where I was having trouble standing upright. Breathlessly I stared up at him.
"I love you Steve."
He brushed a stray piece of hair out of my face tenderly.
"I love you too Anna, so much."
Bringing his face back to mine, I, somewhere in the back of my mind remembered that I told Tony I would be right back.
"Should I call Tony and tell him I'm not coming back?"
When our lips were brushing against each other he shook his head.
"I think he'll understand."
All thoughts of Tony left me as our lips collided again.
Best Christmas ever!