Chapter 23
AN; thank you for the support. Hope you like this chapter.
February 28th 1965
Not even a month has passed since Peggy and Howard sat in Peggy's home office, getting drunk as they thought about their dear lost friend and once again they find themselves in Peggy's office with glasses of whiskey. But, this time, on a Sunday afternoon, they are joined by Daniel, Jack, Michael, Dugan, Gabe, Mortia, Lian, and Rose while Natasha, MJ and Gabe's daughter Stephanie are playing together in the backyard, under the watchful supervision of Ana and Jarvis.
"So, it's finally going to happen," Mortia comments.
"The air raids are going to start within the next three days," Peggy confirms.
"We're really not going to have a decade without a war," Daniel comments, with a sad tone of voice.
"That can't surprise you," Jack says to his boyfriend.
"It doesn't, just thought Humanity would be better than this," Daniel explains.
"After everything we've seen and done over the last two and a half decades, how can you think that?" Dugan asks.
"Because he should," Peggy says, causing everyone to look at him. "We are humanities last line of defence, and we can't be the defence if we don't believe in humanity," Peggy says. "We fight for humanity, for the good and the bad, and to do that we need to believe in them, believe that they can do better than the worst that we've all seen," Peggy comments. "I know we all know things, and have seen things, that would keep most up a night but that doesn't mean we get to become jaded," Peggy explains. "We take the world for what it is, but fight like hell for what we believe it could be. We can never forget that," Peggy says, looking around at the people who matter to her.
"Well said," Howard says, smiling at his wife.
April 3rd 1965
A little over five weeks have passed since America joined the Vietnam war and in that time Peggy and Howard have worked more than a few late nights.
It is a Saturday afternoon and to celebrate Peggy and Howard's 10th anniversary, and Natasha officially becoming nine years old, Peggy and Howard are having a party at their estate with their extended family, including Jason and Angie who flew in from LA.
While MJ, who is now six year old, and Natasha are chasing each other around the yard, with Stephanie looks on, Peggy has realised that Howard is sitting alone at one of outside tables sketching something.
"Please don't tell me you're working," Peggy says, walking up to her husband, who has the dignity to look guilty. "And you call me a workaholic," Peggy says as she sits down next to him.
"We're both workaholics Peg, it's one of the reasons we work so well," Howard says, looking at Peggy.
"True," Peggy admits. "So, what has your big brain thought up now?" Peggy asks curious, as she knows it must be big to cause Howard to leave the excitement of the party.
"An idea," Howard admits. "Engelbart revealing the computer last year was revolutionary, it's going to change everything but it's going to take time to unlock the potential that it has," Howard explains.
"Which annoys you," Peggy says, knowing that because she has heard Howard rant about this before.
"Well yeah, but what if it didn't have to take time?" Howard says, looking hopeful. "With what Engelbart realised to the public, and elements of tech of mine that already exists, I may just be able to jump ahead ten generations in a matter of months," Howard explains, knowing that seeing what is possible in Wakanda gives him the confidence and belief that he's going to be able to do that.
"You really think so?" Peggy asks, knowing that would be a huge deal.
"Yeah, but only if I can figure out one potentially catastrophic problem," Howard admits.
"And you're stuck," Peggy says, recognizing the look on Howard's face.
"Unfortunately," Howard admits, looking annoyed.
"Okay, that's it," Peggy says, taking the piece of paper that Howard is sketching on. "I'm going to hold onto this, and you're going to focus on having a good time with our family; maybe then the solution will come to you," Peggy says, standing up.
"I love you," Howard says, smiling at Peggy as he stands up too.
"I love you too," Peggy responds, and once Howard is standing the two of them kiss, and then proceed to celebrate their anniversary, and their daughter getting older, with their family.
August 13th 1965
Four months have passed since Peggy and Howard's tenth anniversary and ever since Howard has been working on his idea, and he is pretty confident that he is going to have a very advance computer pretty soon.
It is mid-morning on a Friday and Peggy and Howard are walking the halls of SHIELD together, Peggy looking at a file which Howard gave her.
"And you really think they are right for SHIELD? I thought you were considering them for Stark," Peggy comments.
"I was, but Peg, the work they are doing is incredible, and as advance as what I do," Howard explains. "They could help me make another fortune if they were to work at Stark, but at SHIELD they can do some real good," Howard explains.
"Have you explained what SHIELD is? What they would be doing? The responsibility?" Peggy asks curious.
"Yes, they're both very interested," Howard admits, as they reach Peggy's office. "They're waiting for you," Howard explains, as while he could have just hired the candidates on his own considering what he thinks they would be doing he thought it would be important to have Peggy's okay as well.
"Howard, you know I trust your instincts," Peggy tells him.
"I know," Howard says, with a slight smile. "I just thought it was important you meet them too," Howard explains, as he opens the door to Peggy's office and they both walk in.
"Doctor Pym, Doctor Van Dyne," Peggy greats, as they walk in.
"Please, call me Janet," Janet requests. "And this is Hank," Janet says. "And you're Director Peggy Carter-Stark," Janet realises.
"Please, it's Peggy," Peggy says, as she sits down, as does Howard. "Howard's gone over your files with me, but I thought we could talk about what it would look like if you were to join SHIELD," Peggy explains, and once she does the four of them start to talk about what Janet and Hank joining SHIELD will look like.
While her parents are at work Natasha is at home because it is school holidays, having got an idea Natasha has gone in search of Ana who she finds in the kitchen.
"Hey Tasha, everything okay?" Ana asks curious.
"Yeah," Natasha confirms. "Today's dad's birthday," Natasha says, as she walks over to Ana.
"Yeah, it is," Ana confirms, wondering where Natasha is going with this.
"I want to do something special," Natasha admits. "I was wondering if you could help me bake a cake for dad," Natasha asks, sounding nervous.
"Of course I can," Ana says, smiling at her, and the two of them proceed to make a birthday cake for Howard.
Hours later Peggy, Howard, Jarvis and Natasha are having dinner together in the dining room of the estate. Peggy and Howard feeling quite happy as Hank and Janet agreed to join SHIELD. As everyone has almost finished eating Ana looks at Natasha and nods.
"I'll be right back," Natasha says as she gets up and heads to the kitchen.
"Tasha?" Peggy calls after her daughter, but Natasha doesn't respond.
A few moments later Natasha walks into the dining room carrying the cake that she and Ana made.
"Happy Birthday Dad," Natasha says, as she puts the cake Infront of her father. "Ana helped me make it," Natasha explains.
"I love it," Howard says, putting his arm around Natasha and kissing her cheek.
"Happy Birthday to you…" Peggy starts to sing and as she does Jarvis, Ana and Natasha join in and the three of them sing happy birthday to Howard, then eat the cake that Natasha and Ana made.
October 27th 1965
Over two months have passed since Peggy and Howard hired Janet Van Dyne and Hank Pym to work at SHIELD, since joining the two of them have fitted in well, and have become friends with Peggy, Howard, and their extended family; Peggy and Janet in particular have become good friends.
It's a Wednesday evening and Peggy is packing up her stuff in her office about to head home when there is a knock on her door and Lian walks in.
"Hey Peggy, do you have a minute?" Lian asks curious.
"I'm actually on my way…" Peggy starts to say, but then she notices the look on her friend's face. "Lian, what's wrong?" Peggy asks concerned.
"I haven't been feeling well lately, so I went to the doctors," Lian reveals, sitting down.
"And? What did they say?" Peggy asks her friend walking over to her.
"I'm Pregnant," Lian says, looking beyond shocked.
"And you're not sure how to feel," Peggy realises, sitting down next to her friend.
"Peggy I know how to be an agent, I can walk straight into dangerous without breaking a sweat, but I don't know how to be a mother," Lian admits.
"Neither did I before Natasha," Peggy tells her friend. "Lian, you'll learn how to be a mother, and I have no doubt that you'll be an amazing one; I've seen you with MJ, Stephanie and Tasha," Peggy explains.
"I don't want to stop being an agent," Lian admits.
"You don't have to," Peggy assures her. "You can do both, and you're not alone," Peggy tells her. "You have William, and me, and Howard, our entire family. You will figure out how to be a mother; that I know for sure," Peggy admits.
"Thank you," Lian says, before hugging her friend.
"Do you want to join us for dinner?" Peggy asks curious, as they break apart.
"Thanks, but I think I should go home, tell William," Lian admits.
"If you need anything I'm just a phone call away," Peggy promises her.
"Thanks Peggy," Lian says gratefully.
"I'll walk you out," Peggy says, standing up and grabing her stuff before walking back over to Lian and together the two of them leave SHIELD together.
December 25th 1965
Two months have passed since Lian found out she was pregnant, and since then she has been adjusting to not being allowed in the field.
It is Christmas day and Michael, MJ, Rose, Daniel, Jack, Dugan, William and Lian have all joined Peggy, Howard, Natasha, Ana and Jarvis for their Christmas tradition of breakfast by the fire. As they eat and happily talk, while MJ and Natasha eye the presents they will be opening after breakfast, they all hear the doorbell ring.
"I'll get it," Peggy says, as Jarvis is getting more food from the kitchen, and so she gets up, heads out of the living room, through the front room and into the foyer. Getting to the front door Peggy opens it to reveal Janet and Hank, both of them holding bags. "Come in, come in," Peggy says, letting them in.
"Thanks for inviting us, Peggy," Janet says, clearly grateful.
"I was happy to," Peggy admits. "I hope you're hungry, there's going to be a lot of food today," Peggy admits.
"We're starved," Hank answers as they head to the living room.
Over the next half an hour or so Angie, Jason, Gabe and his wife and daughter, all join and they proceed to have an incredible Christmas together.
January 14th 1966
Since it's been almost three weeks since Christmas Natasha has gotten used to being back at school after the holidays, and Howard, after a couple of tips from Hank, has managed to make a computer even more advance than he was expecting.. As Natasha has been called to the principals' office, and told to take her stuff with her, Natasha feels concerned, concerned that only grows when she gets outside the office and finds MJ waiting for her.
"Nat? what's going on?" MJ asks confused as even though they attend the same school now he doesn't often see his cousin during the day.
"I'm not entirely sure," Natasha admits, and as she does Jarvis walks into the corridor with the principal.
"Good Mr Carter, Miss Carter-Stark, this man is here to pick you up because there has been a family emergency," The Principal informs Natasha and MJ, before heading back into his office.
"Come along, Miss Tasha, Mr MJ," Jarvis says, once the principal is in his office, and right away MJ goes to follow but Natasha puts her hand on her cousin's shoulder, stopping him.
"On his last birthday Dad had a cake, what flavour was it and who made it?" Natasha asks Jarvis, it being the first question she can think of that only a few people would know the answer to.
"Chocolate raspberry truffle flavour, you made it with Ana's help," Jarvis answers, feeling proud of Natasha for checking his identity.
"It's really Jarvis," Natasha tells MJ. "Let's go," Natasha tells her cousin, and they head out of the school together.
About five minutes later Natasha and MJ are in the back of the car while Jarvis is driving them.
"Jarvis, where are we going?" Natasha asks curious.
"SHIELD," Jarvis answers. "There's been a security issue," Jarvis explains.
"Nat? what does that mean?" MJ asks Natasha curious.
"It could mean any number of things," Natasha explains.
"Our family isn't like a regular family, is it?" MJ asks.
"No, it's really not," Natasha confirms, and as she does she sees how distressed her cousin looks. "It will be okay," Natasha assures him. "Our family knows what they're doing and you and I are going to stick together, as long as we do that we'll be okay," Natasha assures her cousin as she puts an arm around him. "Okay?" Natasha asks.
"Okay," MJ confirms, causing Natasha to give him a reassuring smile, and because she is looking at her cousin she doesn't see the proud look Jarvis is giving her.
After a few hours sitting in an empty office at SHIELD, with Jarvis watching over them Natasha and MJ suspect that they are finally going to get some answers as their parents walk into the room.
"Mom, Dad, Uncle Howard, Aunt Peggy," MJ says excitedly as they walk in.
"Is everything okay?" Natasha asks concerned.
"Everything is now," Peggy assures her daughter.
"Do I have to move schools again?" Natasha asks, looking disappointed as she actually likes her current school.
"Nah Kiddo, not this time," Howard assures her.
"Are we in danger?" MJ asks, looking afraid.
"No Honey, not anymore," Rose assures her son.
"Something happened, and we were worried about you two being in danger because of it," Michael explains. "But we fixed the problem, and now we can go home," Michael explains.
"Good," Natasha says relieved, as she and MJ exchange looks, and seven of them head out of the office.
March 17th 1966
Two months have passed since Natasha and MJ were taken out of class due to a security threat and ever since the two of them have become closer because MJ now understands more of the truth of his family.
It is a Thursday evening and Peggy, Howard, Natasha, Jarvis, Ana, Jack, Dugan, Mortia, Rose, MJ, Michael, Janet, Hank, and Gabe are all waiting in a hospital waiting room. As they are feeling pretty bored Natasha and MJ are playing with LEGO. Feeling curious about what they are building Howard walks over and sits down with them.
"What are you two building?" Howard asks curious.
"A building," MJ answers. "We're not sure what kind yet," MJ explains.
"Sounds fun, let me have a look at your design here," Howard suggests, and he happily joins Natasha and MJ in their building.
"Howard," Peggy says a few minutes later when William walks into the room.
"It's a girl," William says excitedly.
"Congratulations," Rose tells her with a smile.
"We've named her Melinda, Melinda Qiaolian May," William explains.
"That's a lovely name," Janet says with a smile.
"Peggy, Howard, Lian and I would like to talk to you," William says.
"Of course," Peggy answers, looking at the others, and it is clear what she is asking.
"We'll look after Nat," Daniel assures her, and once she gets the assurance Peggy and Howard following William, getting to Lian's patent room little while later.
"Hi, come in," Lian says, from where she is sitting on the bed holing her newborn daughter, and so Peggy and Howard walk over to her.
"Lian she's beautiful," Peggy says, looking down at the newborn baby.
"She really is," Lian confirms. "Peggy, Howard, William and I would like to ask if you'd be willing to be Melinda's godparents, and look after her if anything were to happen to us," Lian explains, knowing that with their line of work it is a real possibility.
"Of course," Peggy answers, without hesitation.
"We'd be honoured," Howard tells them.
"Would you like to hold her?" Lian asks.
"Definitely," Peggy confirms, and Lian hands her newborn daughter to her godparents.
July 4th 1966
Almost four months have passed since Melinda was born and ever since William and Lian have been getting used to being parents. As has become tradition, William, Lian, Melinda, Daniel, Jack, Dugan, Gabe and his family, Mortia and his, Janet, Hank, Michael, Rose, and MJ have all come over to the Carter-Stark Estate to celebrate the fourth of July, an occasion that has particular significance to them.
While watching Stephanie, Natasha and MJ swim in the pool with Daniel, Rose, Janet, and William Peggy and Lian are sitting at the edge of the pool with baby Melinda.
"How are you feeling about coming back next month?" Peggy asks her friend.
"A little nervous, but good," Lian admits. "Thank you for fighting for me to keep my liaison position," Lian says, it being more than clear that she is incredibly grateful.
"I was happy too, there was no way I was going to let them take that from you," Peggy assures her friend.
"Thank you," Lian says gratefully, as she looks around, and as she does she realises something. "Where are Howard and Hank?" Lian asks curious.
"Probably in the lab," Peggy assumes, knowing that she will go have a look for them soon.
As Peggy suspected Howard and Hank were in the lab, but they are heading back to the the backyard, but instead of heading there via the back door they are going via the side one. As they walk outside Howard sees Dugan, Gabe, Mortia, and Jack are huddled up together.
"I'll catch up," Howard tells Hank, who nods and heads out the back to join the others. While Hank goes to join the others Howard walks over to the foursome. "Now this screams up to something if I've ever seen it," Howard says, as the four spies try, and remarkably fail, to look innocent.
"We're just working on a little surprise," Dugan tells him. "Trust me, you're going to love it," Dugan informs him.
"I'm sure I will," Howard tells him. "But if Peggy doesn't I knew nothing," Howard says, looking between them.
"Deal," Jack, Dugan, Gabe and Mortia say together.
"I'll leave you to it," Howard says, before heading to the backyard, leaving the others to do whatever it was that they were doing.
Hours later everyone is sitting around the bombfire in the backyard, while everyone is making smores, those who knew Steve are exchanging a bottle of whiskey when suddenly a whole lot of fireworks start to go off, clearly coming from a part of the estate that is far away from them, but is nevertheless coming from within the estate.
"Howard," Peggy says, to her husband.
"Not me, Peg," Howard assures her, honestly not at all surprised that her first instinct was to blame him.
"That would be us," Dugan informs Peggy.
"That's so cool," Natasha comments, and everyone drifts into silence as they happily watch the homemade fireworks.
September 25th 1966
Over two months have passed since the fourth of July and since then Lian has returned to work while William tends to stay home with Melinda, a dynamic that is pretty unique.
It is a Sunday morning and Natasha is excitedly sitting in the front room, on one of the couches, while Peggy is next to her, reading a file.
"You're really excited, aren't you?" Peggy asks her daughter.
"Uncle Daniel said we're going to be able to eat whatever we want," Natasha says excitedly.
"Of course he did," Peggy says, being well aware that Daniel and Jack tend to give Natasha treats when she is at SHIELD, and the doorbell rings.
"I'll get it, I'll get it," Natasha says, before hurrying over to the door, and Peggy gets up and follows her, getting to the door just as it opens revealing Daniel, Jack and MJ.
"You ready to go, Nat?" Jack asks.
"Yep," Natasha says, as she happily puts on her baseball hat. "Bye Mom," Natasha says.
"Bye Darling," Peggy tells her daughter. "Try not to let her eat her entire weight in junk food," Peggy says, looking between Jack and Daniel.
"Come on, Peggy. It's baseball, she's got to eat junk food," Daniel tells her as he and Jack are taking MJ and Natasha to a game at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees against the Red Socks.
"Uncle Dan, Uncle Jack, let's go!" Natasha urgers.
"Everything in moderation," Peggy says, as Natasha and MJ hurry to the car.
"Dugan said you used to be fun, I can't see it," Jack teases before following MJ and Natasha to the car, causing Peggy to roll her eyes.
"I'll try to remember moderation," Daniel says, before following MJ, Natasha, and Jack to the car, as Peggy watches them get to the car and drive away, Peggy feeling happy because she can tell that her daughter is so happy.