Sophie's POV
I woke in Stephen's arms in the morning, turning to find him still sound asleep. Smiling, I slipped out from his embrace and crept quietly downstairs to make breakfast and deliver it up to him to have breakfast in bed. Something simple; scrambled eggs, toast and bacon. Beverage of choice and habit: Earl Grey tea with a dash of honey. Plating the tray, I carried it up to our bedroom and placed it at the foot of the bed. Going up to where Stephen lay, I kissed him on the cheek, stirring him from his slumber.
He rolled over onto his back, his hands winding their way through my hair. He pulled me down for a kiss, his tongue swiping my bottom lip wanting entrance. I let him through my barriers, deepening the kiss, my hands pressing against his chest.
"Good morning, Sophie," he said pulling back.
"Good morning, Stephen. I brought up breakfast. I thought we could eat in bed," He removed his hands from my hair, propping himself up on the pillows.
"A perfect start to our day. You know, I've been thinking we should take a vacation. Double date with Steve and Natasha. I think we need a break from work and New York," he said. I placed the tray in front of him, arching an eyebrow.
"A vacation, huh? Where are you thinking we should go?" I asked.
"I don't know. A cabin? The beach? Mountains, maybe?"
"All possible. All good choices. Hmmm. It is currently still winter, so I think the beach is out of the question. A cabin sounds nice. Somewhere warm and cozy,"
"It's settled then. We'll rent a cabin. What about somewhere near the Smoky Mountains. We could see which ones might have an indoor pool and a hot tub. Could even see about a recreational area where we could play pool,"
"Sounds delightful. Anyone else invited besides Steve and Natasha?" I questioned.
"No. I think it should be the four of us. The romantics," I giggled.
"We're the romantics? I thought Tony would fit in within the same category,"
"Absolutely not. I know he puts more extravagance into his love life. I feel like Natasha, Steve, you and I are the cheesier romantic types," he said.
"Where does that leave Wanda and Vision? Clint and Laura?"
"Sappy romantics. Maybe more on the normal spectrum of romance,"
"Oh, I see. Would you like me to be sappier for you? Maybe quote Shakespeare over a waterfall?" I teased.
"I prefer you the way you are. The same as you've always been. Sweet, kind, powerful, perfect. The Sophie I'm in love with," he told me. Heat flushed my face and he took the opportunity to kiss me.
"Call Natasha. I'll book everything for the weekend," he said.
An hour later, Stephen and I met Steve and Nat at the compound and took a car to the airport. A few hours later we arrived in Tennessee, taking the rental car to the selected cabin. Two bedrooms, both and indoor pool and hot tub. Stephen even found one with a recreational area. The boys went out to get groceries leaving Nat and I alone to play a round of pool.
"I think Steve is going to propose," She said, waiting on me to take my shot. I scratched, startled at the sudden comment.
"Really? What makes you think that?" I asked.
"He's been extra secretive lately. Plus, he's been dropping hints about the future. I'm hoping he does. I love him Sophie,"
"I hope so too. You two are cute together,"
"What about you and Stephen? Any plans for the future?"
"I don't know. If you're asking if I want to marry him, I would say that's a definite yes. I'm not sure we're really there yet. We've talked about it, sure, but I'm not positive we want to take the next step yet," I said.
"Sophie, he's crazy about you. I told you that from the beginning. You even got together in six months like I predicted. If you're already thinking about marrying him, then I'm sure he's thinking about it too. If anyone should get married out of the group, it should be you two. Not counting Tony and Pepper," she stated.
"Thanks. I feel the same about you and Steve,"
"Maybe they'll surprise us this weekend," she suggested.
"Maybe, but I'd still love the cozy weekend anyway,"
Stephen's POV
Steve and I were out picking up supplies for the weekend when Steve decided to make a pit stop; a jewelry store near the grocery store we found near our cabin. It surprised me; I hadn't anticipated his desire to propose this weekend.
"When are you planning to propose to Sophie?" Steve asked. The question stunned me. Of course, I wanted to marry her, but I wasn't certain when I wanted to make that leap to popping the question.
"I'm not sure. Soon, I hope. I would love my future to be with her. I love Sophie with all my heart, and we fit together well," I answered, inspecting some of the rings displayed before me. One caught my eye; a ruby red gemstone surrounded by spessartite garnet gems on both sides. The band was a dark charcoal gray, reminding of fire. It reminded me of Sophie, of the burning flame she had started in my hear. My fire beauty who I love.
"Sophie will love it. I think it fits her well," Steve said. I asked the associate to pull it out to get a closer look. The gems sparkled, illuminating like embers before my sight. The decision was made. I'd propose to her this weekend, just not at the cabin. I wanted to be alone with her at the Sanctum when I proposed. It was our home and I wanted the memory to be ingrained in it as well. Steve went with a princess cut emerald on a white gold band. The ring matched Natasha's eyes, but Steve had plans to propose to her one night while we were here.
He planned on tomorrow night, leaving Sophie and I have a romantic night to ourselves at the cabin. He was a traditionalist, a candlelit dinner, wine and she would find the ring hidden in the dessert. Not tonight. Tonight, was dedicated to pizza, movies and beer. Sophie in my lap, her legs draped over mine as we laughed at some comedy film before heading off to bed at nearly midnight. We had chosen the room downstairs, secluded away from Natasha and Steve if we chose to indulge in other "activities". All I wanted to do tonight was to snuggle her close, dreaming of the bright future ahead of us.
Sophie's POV
The next day we went hiking, exploring nature at its finest. Steve and Natasha were having dinner alone tonight leaving Stephen and me to our own devices.
"What do you want to do while they're out?" I asked, stepping over a thick log in front of me, grabbing Stephen's hand as we kept walking on an incline.
"I thought we could test out the hot tub. Recreate out first date with Italian food, maybe some slow dancing," he answered. Damn, he looked sexy as hell hiking. The things I could do to him later, I thought.
"It appears you have the night all planned out. It's not a bad idea. I wouldn't mind pasta after all," I told him. We kept going until we reached a peak that looked across the city of Pigeon Forge. Beautiful. Oh, the beauty of nature. What thrills it could give us in our lifetime. By the time we reach our car, it was nearly 4 p.m. and we headed back to the cabin to prepare for our dates.
I wanted to be the last to shower, indulging in one of the books I brought for the trip, snuggled in comfy pajamas.
"How is it that you make pajamas look sexy?" Stephen asked me, walking out from the bathroom. He wore navy blue sweatpants and no shirt, hair still slightly damp from the shower. He leaned over me kiss my lips, positioning his body over mine. He slipped his tongue inside my mouth, both hands cupping my face. He was intoxicating. I put down my book, pulling him in for more, desiring to taste him; I wanted to take him now before dinner.
"Ahem," a voice said ceasing our movements. Stephen moved to the side giving us a view of Natasha standing outside our door. "Steve and I are leaving. We'll probably won't be back until later. Probably around midnight or so. Have fun," she said. I gave her a thumbs up, prompting her to exit.
Getting off the bed, I closed the door, returning to Stephen. I straddled his hips, kissing him once more. His arms wrapped around me; his hands splayed out against my shoulder blades. I smiled into another kiss, pulling back to escape his grip.
"My turn to shower," I said. I got off him, ignoring his look of disappointment.
"Hurry back. I miss kissing you," I winked at him before vanishing into the bathroom.
An hour later, we were dressed and in the kitchen cooking dinner; Stephen was in a black button up shirt and brown trousers. I chose a dark plum-colored dress and black six-inch heels. We had put on music to create a romantic atmosphere. We ate, talking throughout the meal and cleaned up when were finished. Like our first date, our fingers brushed as I handed off the last plate, the same familiar sparks shooting through us.
"Care for a dance?" he asked, extending his hand. I took it and he pulled me into his arms. We swayed to the music, my head on his shoulder, kissing occasionally. Stephen was my life; my home and I couldn't be happier than with him. The song came to an end, another one already beginning. Our lips touched, a growing arousal increased, and he managed to press me against the edge of the kitchen table.
His hands slipped to the hem of my dress, bunching it up over my hips, mine pulled his shirt from his pants and slipped under, grazing his stomach. His next move was to remove my dress altogether, leaving me in only underwear.
"You're absolutely mesmerizing," he said, capturing my lips again. He hoisted me onto the table, my fingers working swiftly to get his shirt off. He pulled down my underwear and inserted two fingers inside me. I let out a moan and he started thrusting them inside me building up an orgasm. My nails dug into his shoulders, unable to contain myself.
"Stephen…more," I said.
"I'll give you whatever you ask of me Sophie," he said. He removed his fingers and undid his pants, kicking them off. Laying me back, Stephen spread my legs wide and lifted my hips to sheathe his cock inside my walls. I let out a loud moan, more escaping as he thrust in and out. His lips and tongue were everywhere as were his hands. My legs wrapped around his middle, heels digging into his skin, only increasing his speed of which he was thrusting. Stephen lifted me off the table and moved to a wall, pressing me against it. My fingers latched in his hair, giving him more kisses, more of me. From there, we went out onto the balcony where the hot tub was. He managed to get in without pulling out of me. He sat down and I held on as I rode him, another orgasm hitting both of us. Deciding we wanted to keep this up, we got out and returned to our bedroom. He laid me down, but I rolled him over, riding him and pinning his hands to the pillows.
"Fuck, Sophie. Keep going," he cried out. I pushed him over the edge again, my orgasm not too far behind. We came down from our high, my head on his chest, breathing hard; sweat clung to our bodies making us stick together. Stephen's arms held me, rubbing my back.
"I love you, Sophie," he said, kissing the top of my head.
"I love you too," I told him, letting sleep take over, his breathing becoming steady beneath me.
A soft ping woke me, the light from my phone illuminating the room. I shifted off of Stephen to check it. A message from Natasha popped up. It read:
'Come upstairs now. I need to tell you something.'
Sliding off the bed, careful not wake my sleeping companion, I grabbed a robe and crept upstairs to the living room.
"Natasha? Is everything okay?" I asked, spotting her standing neat the couch. She grabbed my arm and we stepped out on the balcony. She held out her hand, a ring on her wedding finger.
"Steve proposed! Tonight, Sophie. I'm so happy," she squealed.
"Congratulations! It's beautiful,"
"Will you be my maid of honor? Please, please, please,"
"Of course," I said, embracing her. My best friend was getting married and I couldn't be more ecstatic. Though I wished Stephen had also proposed. No rush, but I wanted to take the step to live out the rest of my days with him. We made plans to go shopping for dresses with Wanda and Carol a few days after we got back from the trip and then I returned to Stephen.
I slid back into bed, Stephen's arms securing around me. I tucked my head into the crook of his neck, pulling his body closer, falling asleep again.
Stephen's POV
The next morning, we headed back to New York. Sophie told me that Steve had proposed, which I knew would happen. She was requested to be Natasha's maid of honor, the best man going automatically to Bucky, though Steve did ask me to part of the groomsmen. I didn't think Sophie was upset that her best friend was engaged before her, though I did notice a twinge of sadness in some of her mannerisms. Come on Strange. Pop the question today. You know you want to, I thought. The thought alone made me nervous and when we got back to the Sanctum, my palms were already sweating. I unpacked and slid the ring into my pocket, Sophie unaware of the action. She wrapped her arms around my waist, her chin resting between my shoulder blades. Turning around while still in her arms, I ran my hands up and down her arms.
"Sophie, are you alright?"
"Mm-hm. Just thinking,"
"About?"
"Us. The future. Do you want to get married?"
"Yes. I do. Is…Is it Natasha's engagement? Are you sad about it? Did you think that I didn't…"?
"No, no. I'm not upset. I only wondered if you could see us married. There's no rush, Stephen. I love you. I love being with you. I'll wait as long as you want to. Natasha getting engaged only increased my desire to have a future with you. Only you," I smiled, cupping her chin. I kissed her, deeply.
"I only want you to. Which is why…" I removed her arms and knelt down on one knee. I pulled out the ring, a brightness lighting up her eyes. "I planned on doing this when we got back to the Sanctum. I want a future with you. I want to live out all of my days with you. I love you. I have ever since I met you at Tony's birthday party. Be mine forever. Sophie, will you marry me?" I asked.
"Yes. Absolutely, yes," she answered. I slid the ring on her fingers, getting off the floor to pull her into a kiss. We chose to wait to get married until after Steve and Natasha, not wanting to intrude on their big day. Trouble was coming, however and we weren't expecting the devastation it would leave in its path.