New chapter ready to go! Normal apologies for the wait. One of my other stories, Complications, had been sitting for a while and suddenly started flowing, so it got a couple of close together updates. I wasn't sure where to focus next, but one of my regular reviewers said that this was a favorite, so I decided to work on it. Qweb, this one's for you.
Sandy-wmd: Sif will absolutely be in the wedding. As for the secret Clintasha marriage, it just felt right for them. No fuss, no muss. Plus, it saves me having to write another wedding.
Qweb: Yup. Shovel talk is always fun, but I was struck by the fact that, as protective as Maria's friends are, she's quite capable of avenging herself if need be. (though it's highly unlikely in this situation)
Princess PrettyPants: So glad you liked the party.
star3235: Thanks. I'm good with sweet
Spitfire303: Thank you, kindly.
Jokerang: Glad you enjoyed. Humor and fluff seem to be flowing well now, though I'm sure there will be more angsty stuff to come.
a graceless heart: Thanks much. I really like these characters and love writing the interactions between them, exploring their relationships.
Ashitz: I appreciate your kind remarks. This story is a whole lot of fun to write and I love knowing that people are enjoying reading it as much as I'm enjoying writing.
You know the deal. The characters aren't mine (heavy sigh) and I'm not profiting, just having a little fun. I hope you are as well. On with the story.
Stroll 27
Apetites temporarily satiated, Steve and Maria rested in each others arms. She held out her hand, admiring the ring.
"You really like it?" Steve asked, glancing at the ring, then at her face.
"It's beautiful and I love it," she assured him, rollng over to look at him. "But I really don't need a ring to know that you love me."
"I know," he answered, "But I wanted to get you something and this one just made me think of you for some reason." He grinned. "Besides, I want everyone to know you're off the market."
"Marking me as your property?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Partner," he correceted, "Not property."
"Partner," she repeated. "I like that."
"Me, too." He brushed hair from her face and she closed her eyes, reveling in the feel of his touch, his fingers caressing her skin.
He pulled her hand to his face, gently kissing her fingertips one by one. She opened her eyes, watching him with a soft smile. Both sighed in contentment as she snuggled in close.
"I guess you visited Peggy today," he commented. When she nodded, he continued. "Was that why you were finally able to say 'yes' to my proposal?"
"I suppose she played a part in it," she told him. She shifted around to look him in the eyes. "It was actually several things over the course of the day. First off was my conversation with Nick. We were talking about how relieved he was about her biopsy."
"Good news, I guess?"
She nodded. Though Charlotte had wanted to keep the scare quiet, she had told Maria that she could share the news with Steve.
"I know he's a praying man and I can certainly use all that I can get right now," she said.
"The best possible."
He smiled and hugged her.
"Anyway, he was telling me about how he had never planned to marry but now he couldn't imagine his life without her and how things just worked for them. Peggy called needing an emergency delivery of those toffees she loves so much."
"I just took her a tin when I was there last week," Steve said.
Maria nodded. "I thought I remembered seeing a receipt from the Emporium on your dresser. I figured it was as good an excuse as any to get me out there."
"What did she really want?"
"To talk. About SHELD. And Nick. And Phil. And his wedding."
"I was showing her some pictures when I was there. She seemed to enjoy looking at them. Got a good laugh out of seeing Nick in a tuxedo. Practically teared up at the shot of him and Charolotte dancing."
"They do make a pretty cute couple," Maria commented.
"That's what she said, too. About them. And Clint and Natasha. And Pepper and Tony. And And Bruce and Betty and Jane and Thor, even though she doesn't know them. We were her favorites, though," he told her with a grin.
"Yeah, she told me about the pictures. Asked me if we got any ideas."
"If we got any ideas?"
"About marriage," she clarified.
His eyes went wide. "I can't believe she would say that."
"Really? Peggy not speak her mind?"
"Honestly, Maria, I never said anything to her about us getting married."
She kissed his cheek. "I didn't think you did, Steve. She may be a retired spy, but she's still a spy. On her good days, she's as observant as ever. And she knows you. She knows your mores and values and that marriage is important to you."
He nodded, then looked at her curiously. "What did you say? When she asked about us getting married?"
"I told her that we had talked about it, but that I just couldn't commit to it yet for some reason."
"She didn't pressure you into saying 'yes,' did she? Because, as happy as I am, I want you to be absolutely sure you want this, too."
Maria smiled and leaned in to kiss him. "Have I told you how much I love you, Steve Rogers?"
He kissed her back.
"No, she didn't pressure me. She asked a few questions. Tried to help me figure out what it was that was holding me back. She said one of her big concerns was about giving up some of her independence when she and Daniel started talking marriage."
"Did you know her husband?" Steve asked.
She shook her head. "She was widowed by the time I got to know her, but I've read about him in SHIELD records, Nick knew him and thinks highly of him, and I know their oldest son, Michael fairly well."
"How well?" he asked, eyes narrowed.
She laughed. "I'm not one of those women who fnds jealousy cute. As I told you before, he's a liason between SHIELD and British intelligence, so we've worked together coordinating operations fairly often. He and his wife always insist on putting me up when I'm there."
"I wasn't jealous," he protested.
"Right. Anyway. I knew that wasn't my problem. You've always been supportive of my career and have never stood in the way of me doing what I needed to do."
"Your strength and fire are a big part of what drew me to you in the first place. It would be silly for me to try to change you," he told her.
"You'd be surpised at how often it happens," she told him with a shrug. "Then, she told me that if it was her blessing I needed, that we had it."
"Really?"
The agent nodded. "She said that she got her second chance and she wants that for you, too."
"And that was what you needed to hear?"
"Nope," she replied, earning a look of confusion. "But I finallly realized whose blessing it was that I did need."
At his raised brow, she continued.
"Your mom's."
"My mom?"
She nodded again. "Maybe not exactly her blessing," she said thoughtfully. "But I needed to talk to her." She glanced over at him with an embarressed smile. "I know. Sounds stupid."
"Not at all," he assured her. "A lot of people go to cemetaries to feel closer to those who've passed on."
"Yes, but usually it's people that they knew, not total strangers."
"Not necessarily. Mom took me to visit my dad's grave and I never met him."
"But you were related," she reminded her.
He shrugged. "I still don't think it's stupid. You felt the need to be there. To tell her something."
"I told her that I knew I probably wasn't the kind of woman she had imagined you marrying someday, but that you love me and want me as your wife and that I wanted that, too. And that even though I really don't know much about marriage or family life, that I was going to do my very best to be a good wife and partner for you."
"You told my mom all that?"
Maria nodded.
He leaned close and gently kissed her forehead. "Have I told you how much I love you, Maria Hill?"
"Yes, you have," she replied with a pleased smile. "I know you were close and if it were possible, it would be important to have her approval."
"You love me, Maria. T rust me. That would be enough for her."
"I hope so. Oh, and I also asked her to tell my mom that I'm sorry if I disappointed her and that I hope she's proud of me."
Steve pulled her close. "I'm sure she is. You've given her so much to be proud of, Maria."
"I hope so," she responded, returning his empbrace.
After several minutes, he spoke again. "I'm assuming she gave her approval, since said yes?"
"As a matter of fact, she did. She sent me flowers."
She sat up suddenly, cursing. "Forgot the flowers," she muttered as the grabbed a t-shirt and a pair of shorts out of her dresser.
"Flowers?" he asked, clearly confused.
"Flowers," she confirmed, heading out the door. In a few seconds, she returned to his bedside. She kissed him soundly, then looked him in the eye. "I'll be right back," she told him. At the doorway, she turned back with a cheeky grin. "See how easy that was?"
He grabbed a pillow to throw at her, but she was out the door before it hit.
She took the elevator back up to the communal floor. Most of the team had already turned in for the night. The lights had been dimmed and only Bruce and Betty remained, talking quietly on the sofa. They both looked up in surprise when Maria walked into the room.
"Did you need something, Commander Hill?" Bruce asked, rising to his feet.
"My flowers," she told him, looking around the room. She remembered having them when she came into the room.
Tony at the bar.
Pepper on a call.
Bruce, Betty, Thor and Jane talking.
Steve coming out of the kitchen.
She had crossed the room to stand in front of him.
"Was that the bundle you had when you came in earlier?" Betty asked.
"Green tissue paper? Yeah. That was it."
The scientist thought. "I think you laid them down on that table over there she said, pointing.
"That's what I thought, too," the agent sighed, looking at the empty table. "I suppose they probably got thrown away."
"The clean up crew is pretty efficient," Bruce agreed. "I didn't notice any flowers, but they may have just gotten moved somewhere."
"We can help you look," Betty offered.
Maria waved off her offer. "Thanks, but it's okay. I'm sorry to have disturbed you. I'll let you get back to what you were doing."
"Which was absolutely nothing," Bruce muttered under his breath, runnng his fingers through his hair.
"It's okay," Betty assured him, taking his hand to lead him back to the sofa.
Leaving the couple to their conversation, Maria completed her search of the room, then proceeded to the bar, then the dining area.
Little evidence was left of the celebration, testifying to the efficiency of the Tower staff. Trash had been bagged up and dishes had been cleared from the dining area. There was no sign of the green tissue wrapped bundle.
She sighed and turned as she heard the kitchen door opening. Claire stepped out, neatly dressed in her usual uniform of black slacks and white shirt. She smiled at the agent.
"Good morning, Commander Hill. Is there something I can help you with?"
"I was looking for flowers," she answered.
"Of course," the woman told her. "What do you need? We should be able to have them here within the hour. Maybe a little longer if it's something exotic."
Maria started to answer, then glanced at the clock. "You can get flowers delivered at two o'clock in the morning?" she asked.
Claire smiled at her. "Mr. Stark is a good man, but he has a bit of a habit of speaking befure fully engaging his brain. It's not unusual to need a quick apology of some sort. We have emergency on call contracts with a florist, a chocolatier, a spirits distributor, and a jeweler."
"Interesting," Maria commented. "But I was actually looking for a bouquet I brought in with me earlier. It was just a bundle of wildflowers. I think I left it on a table in the main area. I figure that someone tossed them."
The other woman's face lit up. "Of course. I should have realized they were yours. They're the same sorts that you and the Captain have in the greenhouse." She gestured for the agent to follow her into the kitchen where the flowers sat on the countertop.
"They're much too lovely to throw away. I took the liberty of putting them in water." She started to pick them up, then frowned. "Let me find you a nicer vase. I thought the Mason jar was just right, but I can find something a little fancier."
Maria shook her head. "No, you're right, This is perfect." As she reached to pick it up, something brushed against her ankle she looked down to find Cat looking up at her.
"What are you doing in here?" she asked, leaning over to scoop him up.
"We had chicken tonight," Claire reminded her with a laugh. "It's one of his favorites." She suddenly looked at the other woman. "I hope it's okay. I sometimes give him a bite or two and always make sure it's free of bones."
"It's fine, I just don't want him bothering you."
"He's no bother, ma'am." The older woman reached over and scratched the big, black head. "He and I get along just fine. Don't get me wrong. The pups are great. Especially Bucky. But I'm more of a cat person myself and was quite pleased to have him join the family." She smiled slightly. "It took a few days for him to realize I'm not easily intimidated, but we made our peace with each other."
Maria smiled at her. "Thanks. I'm glad to know that. I know that he gets along with the other animals, but I know he's a bit distant with most people and it's good to know there's someone else looking out for hm."
"Absolutely," the other woman assured her. "Will there be anything else?"
Maria put the cat down and picked up her flowers. "No. Thanks for taking care of these for me." She nudged him lightly with her foot. "Let's get back to our place and let Claire get to bed." Looking back to the other woman, she nodded again. "Good night."
"You, too, Commander. And congratulations to you and Captain Rogers. You make a lovely couple."
"Thanks," she replied before heading back to her apartment, Cat close underfoot.
When she opened door, she spied Steve sitting at the table. He had pulled on a pair of dark blue pajama pants but his chest remained bare, his hair still mussed from their earlier activities. A half full glass of milk sat next the sketch pad he was busily working away on. He looked up, his face breaking out into a wide smle when he saw her. He jumped up to take the vase from her, setting it on the table to study.
She walked into the kitchen and pulled out the milk jug. After pouring herself a glass, she held it up. "Need a refill?" she asked him.
Her voice caught his attention and he looked up. "No, thanks. I'm good."
She straightned up the kitchen before joining him at the table. "What are you working on there?" she asked, nodding towards the sketch pad.
He slid the pad over where she could see the face of a woman. "My mom," he told her. "Talking about her reminded me that I don't have any pictures of her. We lost the few we had in the fire and it wasn't as simple to take more back then."
Maria carefully studied the face, nodding slightly. "She's very pretty. I think you have her smile."
He showed her that smile, then leaned over and hissed her cheek. "I'm surprised you didn't recognize her. After all, she gave you flowers."
"She didn't actually give them to me," she explained. "She had the little girl give them to me."
"Little girl?" he asked with a frown.
"About seven years old," she clarified. "No front teeth, long braids."
Steve picked up his sketch pad and flipped to a new page. "I think you're going to need to explain that a little bit more."
"I suppose so," she laughed. "Like I said, I went to the cemetary. I said 'hello' to the Barnses, then went over to your mom's gravesite. I told her that I love you and that I would do my best to be a good wife to you and all that. Then, I just sat there for a little while. Leaves rustling, birds chirping. All that 'relaxing' baloney everyone's always talking about."
"Clearly made an impression on you," he snorted.
"It was kind of peaceful," she admitted with a shrug. "After a few minutes, I got up to leave. I went out the gate and turned to make sure it latched properly. There was no one there. I swear, there wasn't. You know how aware I am of my surroundings."
Steve nodded.
"I turned around and this little girl was standing there, grinning up at me. She held out those flowers to me. I told her she had made a mistake, that she was looking for someone else. She shook her head and held them out and said that her mommy's friends said to give them to the lady at the gate. Even though I'm usually hesitant about accepting things from people I don't know, I took it, then looked around for someone who was watching her."
"Did you see anyone?" he asked.
"Not only was there no one there, when I looked back, she was gone. There was the fence behind me, so I know she didn't go that way and that area in front of the church is wide open. She couldn't have gotten out of my sight that fast."
"Maybe she went in the church?" Steve suggested.
She shook her head and proceeded to tell him about her conversation with the church pastor and his comment about the cemetary residents going for the occassional stroll.
He glanced at her. "You believe in ghosts?"
She rolled her eyes. "Please. Ghosts?"
"Right," he replied sarcastically. "Far less believable than alien beings. Norse gods come to life. Seventy years in suspended animation. Artificial Intelligence."
Maria shrugged. "Anyway. So I finally looked at the flowers. And I remembered you saying that daisies were your mom's favorites. Especially the yellow ones." She gave him a look from beneath lowered lashes. "It was almost like she was giving her blessing."
He grunted, his attention back on his sketch pad. He erased something, lightly traced a new line and studied the results. Using a fingertip, he gently smudged something and studied it a little longer. Finally, he nodded in satisfaction and placed the pad on the table in front of her.
When she looked at it, her eyes went wide.
"That's her! That's the little girl that gave me the flowers! Do you know her? Does she live in that area? Have you been back?"
"Yeah," he nodded. "I know her. Knew her. Back when we lived here. When she was alive."
Maria looked confused.
"That's Carly Barnes. Bucky's sister." He smiled at a memory. "She told me that if Bucky and I were brothers, that that meant I had to be her brother, too. I protested, but I really didn't mind. She was always trying to keep up with us. Not that it was hard to keep up with me in those days. She was bright and funny, and silly." He sighed heavily. "I wish I could have seen her."
She rested her hand on hs. "Me, too."
After several more moments, he looked at her. "What did she say about the flowers? About who told her to give them to you?"
"She said her mommy's friend."
"Friend or friends?" he probed. "Singular or plaural? Because when you were talking aobut it earlier, I'm pretty sure you said friends plural."
Maria pondered for a moment. "I was pretty sure she said 'friends.' Maybe some of the other ladies from the old neighborhood?" she speculated.
"Or maybe, a new friend," he suggested, reaching out the gently touch one of the violets. He gave her a curious looks. "Didn't you say you thought your mom liked violets?"
The thought had crossed her mind, but she had dismissed it. Now, she shook her head. "It's not like they even knew each other."
"Maybe they do now," he told her. "Maybe she's been watching over you and my mom's been watching over me and when we got together, they met. Had coffee and cake. Got to know each other." She was starting to smile, so he continued. "Swapped recipes. Joined a sewing circle with Aunt Liz."
"Do you really think she's been watching over me? And approves of me? Of us?"
He pulled one of the small purple flowers from the bunch and tucked it behind her ear. "I don't see how she could not approve of you, Maria Hill. You are one amazing woman."
Leaning close, he kissed her. It started soft and sweet, but quickly deepened as he pulled her onto his lap. His hands slid under her shirt, exploring the soft, warm skin he found there. She nibbled his lower lip, prompting him to open his mouth to welcome her probing tongue.
She pulled back suddenly and he looked at her, confused.
"Do you thing they're still watching?" she asked, inclining her head towards the flowers.
It took a moment for him to find his voice. "I doubt it. It's late. I'm sure they're in bed sound asleep like all proper ladies."
Her eyebrow went up.. "Meaning that those of us who are still up are not proper ladies?"
"I certainly hope not," he replied with a lecherous grin. "What I have in mind isn't at all ladylike."
"Steve. Sweetheart." She looked him in the eye. "I don't know how to break this to you, but your mom had sex at some point. Your presence is proof of that."
He shook his head. "Nope. Never."
"Are you claiming another immaculate conception?"
He shook his head again. "Stork. Cabbage patch. Something like that. My mom certainly never did any of that." Before she could reply, he gave her a stern look. "And, by the way, talking about a guy's mother is a definate mood killer."
"Then we'll have to come up with something else for you to thnk about. How about..."
"You?" he suggested, pullng her close again.
"In one of those calendar girl outfits?"
"What outfits?"
She pulled back. Had she used the wrong term?
"Pin up girl outfits?"
"Nope. Sorry." He shook his head.
She started to explain, then noticed the teasing glint in his eyes.
"Right. I'm sure none of the Howling Commandos had any of those types of pictures or magazines."
He shook his head again. "Just our bibles and pictures of a wife or sweetheart. Or mom."
"This isn't the time or place for the 'm' word," she reminded him.
"Oh, yeah."
"So, you wouldn't know what I was talking about if I said I was going to get a corset?" she asked, pulling him to his feet. "Cinching my waist in and pushing my breasts up?"
"Not sure that you're talking about. You may have to show me sometime."
"With a garter? Fishnet stockings?"
"Stockings made from fishnets? Really? I can't imagine that."
She laughed as she pulled hm towards the bedroom. "Your mouth says 'no', but other parts of your body say otherwise," she said, her eyes trailing down to the very obvious signs of his arousal."
"Maybe I have a little bit of an idea what you're talking about," he admitted, pulling her close. She pulled herself up to kiss him deeply and started pulling him towards the bedroom again.
He broke off the kiss and looked down at her. "By the way, I was kidding when I said that you not being ladylike."
She shrugged. "It's okay. I've never been a particularly girly girl. I always considered myself pretty much a tomboy."
"Maybe so, but you're still a lady. A bad ass, pistol packing, do-what-needs-to-be-done lady, but a lady no less. My lady." he told her seriously.
Maria sighed as she gazed up at him. "You always say the most wonderful things, Steve Rogers."
"Just saying what I feel," he told her. "Every word of it absolutely true."
She smiled and kissed him again as he pulled her close. His hands slipped under her shirt and he moaned as he pressed her against the wall. She laughed as his lips moved down her neck and his hands explored upwards.
"I may not have your way with words, Rogers, but I think I have an idea or two to on how to show you how I feel," she told him.
"Really? Do tell," he urged her.
She turned her head and started to whisper in his ear.
His eyes widened and he pulled back to look at her.
"Really?"
"Yeah. And then..." She pulled his head back to her mouth and whispered some more.
His response was a deep groan.
"Still think of me as a lady?" she asked with a lopsided grin.
He kissed her, then swept her up in his arms.
"My lady."
And then, there were no more words.
And that's another chapter in the books. Thank you so much for gifting me with your time and attention. I hope you enjoyed it and would love to know what you thought (Pretty please?).
I have new chapters of Risks and Complications started, though the next steps of Risks and this one are still a bit fuzzy. I'm always toying with a few little one shot ideas focused on the animal Tower residents from Stroll. Maybe a dumb idea, maybe not anything anyone would be interested in. Don't know what will come of it. May polish the first on up and run it up the flagpole. May finish it up and consign it to storage.
Babbling again. Big surprise, huh? It's late and time to post and go to bed.
Love my readers. You inspire me.
