Chapter 27

AN: Thank you so much for the support. I really hope you like this chapter.

June 26th 1968

One month has passed since Tony was born and ever since Peggy and Howard have been adjusting to being parents of two kids; one being a newborn; they also had to deal with the media who found out about Tony. Ever since her brother was born Natasha has been spending a lot of time with him, it being clear that she would do whatever she had to do to keep her little brother, who she loves dearly, safe.

While Peggy and Howard are amazed by how Natasha has been acting since her brother's birth they also know that she is putting too much pressure on herself and so they've decided it is time they talk to her. So, while Tony is downstairs with Ana and Jarvis Peggy and Howard have headed up to Natasha's bedroom.

"Tash," Howard says, as Peggy knocks on the open door.

"Come in," Natasha says to her parents, and they walk into the room.

"Tash, can we talk to you?" Peggy asks her daughter as she and Howard sit down on the edge of Natasha's bed.

"Is everything okay?" Natasha asks worried.

"Everything's good, Darling," Peggy assures her daughter.

"Tash, your Mom and I are so proud of the way you've adjusted to being a big sister; Tony's lucky to have you," Howard explains to his daughter.

"I can hear the but," Natasha realizes.

"But looking out for your brother doesn't need to be your only focus," Peggy explains to her daughter. "I know siblings look out for each other, protect each other, your Uncle Michael and I certainly have, but you also need to let yourself be more than just a big sister," Peggy tells her daughter. "You're still Tasha, don't loose yourself while your finding a different part," Peggy explains.

"Do you understand what we're saying, Kiddo?" Howard asks curious.

"Yeah," Natasha confirms, with a nod. "Look out for Tony, but still look after myself, and do the things I like," Natasha realizes.

"Exactly," Peggy confirms, with a nod.

"I can do that," Natasha confirms.

"Good," Howard says, looking glad.

"So, your Dad and I were talking. How would you like to learn to drive?" Peggy asks her daughter.

"Seriously?" Natasha asks, looking excited.

"Seriously," Howard confirms. "We know you're having difficulties when it comes to accepting your age, but in a way, you're going to be fifteen in December. So, we thought, if you'd like, we'd teach you to drive," Howard explains to his daughter.

"I'd really like that," Natasha confirms.

"Then let's go, we'll do your fist lesson today," Peggy tells her daughter, who looks excited, and the three of them head downstairs.

When Peggy, Howard, and Natasha get downstairs, Jarvis is waiting down in the foyer, standing with his arms crossed, clearly disapproving.

"I really don't think this is a good idea," Jarvis, once more, says, as he really doesn't approve of this idea.

"We know," Peggy and Howard say together, as Jarvis has told them more than once how he feels about their idea.

"It will be fine, Mr. Jarvis," Peggy assures him.

"If you say so," Jarvis says, clearly disbelieving.

"We'll be back inside before Tony is awake," Howard says, before he, Natasha and Peggy leaves. As they leave Jarvis watches them go, disapproval more than clear on his face.

Three Weeks Later

Since Peggy and Howard started to teach Natasha to drive they have, despite Jarvis's disapproval, continued to teach her to drive. Since Tony's birth it has become clear that he is doing very well for his age, in fact he is advanced.

It is a Wednesday night and because Tony won't fall asleep Peggy and Howard are taking turns walking him around the Estate, in an attempt to get him to fall asleep. As Peggy walks into the foyer, it being her turn to walk around with Tony in an attempt to get him to fall asleep, the doorbell rings.

With Tony Peggy heads to the front door and opens it to reveal Daniel.

"What's happened?" Peggy asks, seeing him, as while she is on maternity leave she put Daniel in charge of operations, and so she knows that there must be something big, likely bad, going on for Daniel to be at her house.

"I'm really sorry. I didn't want to bother you…" Daniel admits, as he walks into the house.

"What happened?" Peggy once again asks, as she continues to walk as it is the only thing that calms Tony.

"Agents are missing. They were on their way to West Germany to get defectors who had key intel. We know they landed there, but we haven't heard anything else," Daniel admits. "I don't know what to do, Peggy. I don't want to risk more of our people, but we can't just leave them there alone," Daniel admits.

"We don't leave our people behind," Peggy says, as that is one of her rules.

"I know, I just don't have a strategy that protects the most people," Daniel admits.

"I might," Peggy says, getting an idea, and she purposely starts to walk towards her office.

"I was really hoping you'd say that," Daniel admits.

Once they get to the office, Peggy while still holding Tony and attempting to get him to fall asleep, manages to open her safe, revealing folders, and searches them to pull l out a specific one.

"Here," Peggy says, handing it over to Daniel. "Emergency contingency plan for asset missing in Western Europe," Peggy says. "You'll have to put it into place, and Hank will need to help with the technology aspects, but it will work," Peggy explains to him.

"Thank you, Director," Daniel says. After a few weeks of doing Peggy's job he is even more amazed by her, and he has realized just how much she does that she keeps from the rest of them. "Hope you get him to sleep soon, and sorry about bothering you," Daniel admits.

"It's no bother. Just because I'm on leave doesn't mean I still don't want to know what is going on," Peggy admits.

"Of course," Daniel says in understanding. "See you Peggy," Daniel says, before leaving the office, and once he leaves Peggy locks the safe back up and continues to walk around the Estate with Tony, trying to get him to fall asleep.

September 30th 1968

After four months of being at home, the longest amount of time she's been away from SHIELD since she and Howard were on the run, the day has finally come for Peggy to go back to work. While Peggy does plan to occasionally take Tony into SHIELD with her, and Howard plans to take him into Stark, or SHIELD, when he can, they have both decided that at first he will stay with Ana and Jarvis.

"And promise that you call if anything happens, or if Tony needs anything," Peggy says to Ana and Jarvis.

"We will," Ana promises her.

"I love you Tony, I'll see you when we get home," Peggy says, kissing her son.

"We both will, love you Pal," Howard says to his son, kissing his head.

"Bye Tony," Natasha says, waving at her brother.

"We've got to go," Howard tells Peggy in a gentle voice.

"I know," Peggy says, and she gently kisses Tony's head once more, before handing him to Ana.

"We'll take good care of him, Mrs. Carter-Stark," Jarvis tells Peggy.

"I know you will," Peggy says, as there is no doubt in her mind about that, as there is a reason that Ana and Jarvis are the people, she and Howard trust most with their children. "Let's go," Peggy says and once she does, she, Howard, and Natasha head out of the Estate together.

A little while later Peggy is in her office at SHIELD, walking over to her desk Peggy puts her briefcase on the table, and pulls out two pictures. One of her, Howard, Tony and Natasha together, one of just Tony, which she puts on her desk, joining the pictures of Natasha, and of her and Howard, and once she places the pictures on the desk, she smiles at the four of them.

As she smiles at the pictures Peggy hears a knock on her door.

"Come in," Peggy says and Daniel, Michael and Lian walk in.

"Welcome back," Michael greats.

"Glad to be back," Peggy admits.

"Yeah, I bet, but it was still hard leaving him," Lian says, as she knows it was for her.

"Yeah," Peggy admits.

"We'll I know how you like to jump into the thick of things, so here," Daniel says, handing Peggy a file, which she looks at.

"Seriously?" Peggy asks shocked, and annoyed, as she reads the first page of the file.

"Unfortunately," Daniel confirms.

"Conference room set up?" Peggy asks.

"Yep," Michael confirms.

"Then let's go," Peggy says, and she, Daniel, Michael, and Lian head out of her office and head to the conference room. Even though Peggy does miss Tony, and Natasha, it feels extremely good to get back into the thick of things.

October 28th 1968

For a month Peggy has been back at SHIELD and while it has been an adjustment, especially when she had to go on a mission, she, Howard, Natasha, Ana, and Jarvis have settled into a routine.

It is late on a Monday night and while both their children are asleep in their respective bedrooms Peggy and Howard are down in the lab. While Howard is working to make an even more upgraded computer, Peggy is doing paperwork, and they have the TV playing for background news. Even though both Peggy and Howard are focused on work hearing the breaking news tone causes them to look at the TV.

'Breaking news. A shootout has occurred between waring families on the Lower West Side. There have been several casualties, and we can confirm that mob-boss Joseph Manfredi was one. He received significant wounds which he succumbs to less than an hour ago'

Hearing the news report Peggy looks at Howard, and she sees a look of heartbreak on his face, and a tears coming to his eyes.

"I'm so sorry," Peggy tells her husband as while she hated Manfredi she knows he didn't, and so she walks over to Howard and hugs him, giving him the comfort that she can offer.

Two Days Later

Ever since Manfredi's death was reported it has been clear that Howard is struggling, but what else is clear is that he is not letting Peggy in.

The day of Manfredi's funeral has arrived, and just like she suspected Peggy find Howard where the funeral is taking place, but rather than being near the funeral he is watching from a distance. Walking up to Howard Peggy stands next to him and takes his hand.

"You know you never told me how you two first met," Peggy says, having a suspicion that it might help him.

"I was being a smart ass," Howard says, with a smirk.

"Why am I not surprised?" Peggy asks, with a loving smile.

"It was a basketball court. I was a scrawny kid, so of course people wouldn't let me play. I stood up to the bigger guys, Joey liked that," Howard explains. "He was the first person who saw what I could be, not what I was," Howard admits.

"I may have hated Manfredi, but I am sorry that you lost someone important to you," Peggy says, being able to put her issues with Manfredi behind to mean that.

"He kicked my old man's ass once," Howard reveals. "When he saw a bruise, he told me I didn't deserve that," Howard admits, actually saying about his father what has always been subtext. "He protected me," Howard explains. "I know what he became, everything he's done since we were two kids on the Lower East Side, but I'm going to miss the Joey I knew, the Joey he was," Howard admits.

"That's okay, Howard," Peggy assures him. "You should miss that," Peggy admits, and the two of them drift into silence as they stand side by side holing hands, Howard mourning the friend he lost, while Peggy supports the love of her life.

November 30th 1968

A little over a moth has passed since Manfredi's death, and ever since his conversation with Peggy Howard has been doing better, he misses the friend he once knew but he has been truly enjoying spending time with his children, wife, and extended family.

It's a Saturday night and because they have been at SHIELD, and/or Stark, a lot lately Peggy and Howard have brought some easy wok home so that they can spend time with their children.

Together, Peggy, Howard, Natasha and Tony who is now six months old, are in the living room together, by the fire. While Natasha is reading Tony is playing with blocks, and Peggy and Howard are working on something.

"We need the intel, but we can't risk them being caught," Peggy tells Howard, as she knows how bad it will be.

"I know," Howard admits. "Which is why we should send the tech in first, get an idea, and know the best way to proceed," Howard explains.

"Getting the tech in could be difficult," Peggy admits.

"I've got an idea," Howard says, and Peggy gives him an interested look.

"Mama," a voice say causing both Peggy and Howard to look to where their kids are.

"Wasn't me," Natasha says, looking at her brother in amazement.

"Mama!" Tony says, pointing to the two blocks he managed to stack together.

"That's incredible," Howard says, as he knows that's even more advance than he was expected.

"Oh, I see Darling," Peggy says, putting down what she is working on, so that she can walk over to her son and pick him up. "I'm so proud of you," Peggy says, as she picks up Tony and cuddles him, and kisses his head.

"Mama," Tony says, as Peggy cuddles him close. "Dada," He says, looking at Howard.

"I see Pal, that's pretty amazing," Howard says, with a proud look on her face.

"Dad, is Tony a genius like you?" Natasha asks curious.

"Tash, I think he might be even more of one," Howard says, as he smiles proudly at his son.

December 8th 1968

A week has passed since Tony said his first, and second, word and even since he has quiet often repeated the words Mom and Dad, and it seems like he is close to saying Tasha, Jarvis and Ana.

It is a Sunday afternoon and Natasha is walking back and forth in the front room while Howard is sitting on the couch holding Tony and Peggy is sitting next to him.

"They should be here by now," Natasha comments.

"Their plane was delayed, but they should be here soon," Peggy tells her daughter, being amused at how excited she is.

"How soon?" Natasha asks her parents.

"Very soon," Howard answers. "Just have patients Tash," Howard tells her.

"I know, I'm just excited," Natasha admits. "Auntie Angie, and Uncle Jason are coming to stay for an entire month, it's going to be amazing!" Natasha comments.

"Yeah, it is," Peggy confirms, as she is really looking forward to seeing her old friends again, and as she speaks, she realizes something. "I think that's them now," Peggy reveals.

"Yay!" Natasha says excitedly, and she hurries to the front door, with Peggy and Howard right behind her.

Getting to the front door Natasha basically throws it open before hurrying outside and once she gets outside she finds Jason and Angie getting out of the car.

"AUNTIE ANGIE! UNCLE JASON," Natasha says excited as she runs over to them.

"NAT!" Angie says excited, and once Natasha is close enough Angie hugs her. "Oh, I've missed you Sweetheart," Angie says.

"I've missed you too," Natasha responds, as she and Angie break apart. "Hey Uncle Jason," Natasha says to him.

"Hey Nat," Jason responds.

"Jason, Angie, it's good to see you," Peggy says, smiling at her friend.

"Hey English," Angie says, before giving her a hug, as Howard and Jason shakes hand. "And is this it? The little boy who along with Nat I'll be spoiling for the next month?" Angie asks, referring to Tony.

"This is Tony," Howard confirms.

"And we're going to have to have a talk about just what you mean by spoiling," Peggy comments.

"Relax English, it will be fine," Angie assures her. "Can I hold?" Angie asks, referring to Tony and Howard gently hands her over.

"Hey Little Guy, I'm your Auntie Angie," Angie says to Tony once she is holding him.

"How's school going?" Jason asks Natasha as the six of them head inside.

"Good," Natasha answers and she begins to explain all about how school is going to her uncle and over the next month even though her brother does get a lot of attention she has an incredible holiday season.

January 13th 1969

Six weeks have passed since Jason and Angie arrived in DC and during that time they spent the entire holiday season with the Carter-Starks, and along with them, and their extended family, Peggy and Howard were able to make it an incredible first holidays for Tony, while also making sure Natasha didn't feel left out.

It's early on a Monday morning and Peggy, Howard, Natasha, Jarvis, Ana, and Tony are all in the foyer of their house, getting ready to leave.

"Tash, if you want to come to SHIELD after school today you can do some training with the agents, and Aunt Lian," Peggy tells her daughter.

"Really?" Natasha asks, looking excited.

"Really," Peggy confirms, causing Natasha to grin. "You've got to go to Stark, don't you?" Peggy asks her husband.

"Yeah. I have to once again explain to the board while Stark Industries does not, and will not, produce weapons," Howard says, as while he designs weapons for SHIELD he does not mass produce them, plus makes sure they are tightly controlled, and despite what Obadiah tried to convince him to do, he won't; not after Midnight Oil.

"Good luck," Peggy tells him sincerely as she knows how much of a battle that is.

"Thanks. I'm going to show how much money we're making on our telecommunication and computer advancements to explain why that and energy should be our focus," Howard explains.

"Sounds like a good plan Sir," Jarvis informs him.

"We've got to go," Natasha tells her parents.

"Right, we do," Peggy realizes. "Bye Tony. I love you," Peggy says, kissing her son, who is being held by Ana.

"Bye," Tony says to his mother.

"Bye Pal," Tony says, before doing the same as Peggy.

"I'll see you later, Tony," Natasha tells her brother.

"Bye Tash," Tony tells his sister, and once he does Peggy opens the door and is surprised to see someone on the doorstop.

"Charles?" Peggy asks surprised.

"I'm sorry to intrude on your morning," Charles admits. "But I need your help, lives are at stake," Charles reveals, with a grave look on his face.