I walked into The Stork Club and located the barstool I'd taken up residence on every Saturday at 8 on the dot. The agreed time and place where I was supposed to meet Steve, after he crashed the Valkyrie. Though I would not be drinking alone, about 6 months into my routine my close friends had noticed and begun to join me if only to lesson the loneliness and pain. Angie, Colleen, and Maria- Howard's new girlfriend, which was lasting considerably long for him- would be here shortly.
Just as the bartender gave me my drink- the usual whiskey- they walked through the door and I stood to greet them.
After I hugged each one, I sat back down. This time with them at my sides.
"I've got news." Maria announced, with a bright light in her eyes and a brilliant smile on her lips.
"Ooh, do tell!" Angie and Colleen ooh'ed.
"Go on them, out with it." I urged, she looked ready to burst it out.
"Howard proposed! We're getting married!"
"Oh my gosh!" Angie and Colleen squealed immediately, I'm not as much of a squealer and I smiled at her. "Really? I'm so happy for you. We all are."
"Oohh, Oohh. How'd he propose?" Angie asked leaning in.
"Yes do tell!" Colleen added.
"Well, it was all very romantic. He took me out to dinner- In Paris no less- and we were near the Eiffel Tower. It beautiful all lit up in the evening. He hired a photographer to record the event. Well, when he got down on one knee he took my hand and told me that he couldn't imagine his life without me. That he'd always been a loose cannon, a free spirit always drifting and never content with life until he met me. Then he asked if I would do him the honor of becoming his wife." she appeared to be off in dreamland as she described the event to us in detail, she was simply glowing with delight.
"That's so sweet!" Angie gushed.
"Awww, he did that all for you? I want a man like that." Colleen said wistfully, "But I don't think Jon would do something like that."
"Ugh, why can't all men be like that." Angie agreed, "So have you found yourself a man yet, English?" she turns to me.
"No." my answer is short, and almost snippy which I immediately feel bad for. She's just attempting polite conversation.
"Really? I figured you'd never have any trouble finding a man." Maria says with a raised eyebrow. She's implying how easy it was for me to find Steve, and is stunned that I haven't found someone new yet; it's been nearly a full year without Steve.
"Trick is finding the right one." I hold my head high as I look back to her. My voice manages to stay strong, and not break. Steve was the right one for me, she just doesn't realize that and I can't blame her for not really understanding. I mean Howard just proposed to her, she's found her 'right one' in him.
They all hum in agreement and Angie sighs, "I wish it was easy."
All of the sudden the radio is turned to that awful radio show based off Captain America. They portray me as a weak damsel in distress, and it not only infuriates me, but makes me miss him all the more.
"Turn that rubbish off if you please." I calmly request the bartender. "No, leave it on." another girl whines and the girls with her agree immediately.
"Sorry Peggy, more people want it left on." He gives me a sad smile.
I grind my teeth as I bite out an answer, "It's alright." I try to tune out the horrendous radio show and turned back to the friends I'd come out with tonight but they seemed to be focused on something else behind me. Suddenly it feels all too quiet, and The Stork Club is never this quiet at this time of night.
"What is it?" I ask, looking between the girls. "What-" I start again before they grab me by my arms and swivel me around to face the front doors. My mouth drops ever so slightly and my breath catches in my throat.
There in front of me, in full uniform, is Steve; my Steve. And then his eyes find me and he's looking at me nervously. I blink rapidly, in an attempt to see if this is a cruel illusion. But he's still there; still smiling at me as he begins to walk closer to me.
"You're Late." I choke out and I see those girls who were whining about turning the radio show on gaping like fish. They can't believe it's Captain America, there in front of them.
"I'm sorry Peg, I kind of had a crash landing in the Arctic Ocean." he smiles sheepishly. I can't keep away and nearly throw myself into his arms. I nuzzle my face into his neck, "I missed you so much Steve."
"I missed you too Peg." his arms are steady around me, and I finally relax. He still smell the same, to me he smells like home. Like the only place I ever truly want to be.
Finally I relinquish my tight grasp and he allows me to take a small step back before he does something I wasn't expecting; he actually gets down on one knee and pulls out a small black box. He is smiling up at me, his nervousness showing through even with his confident look. "Peggy Carter," he begins, "I've never believed in love at first sight, not until I met you that day on the base. You don't need a strong man to protect you, only a man who will love you more than life itself. I don't deserve you, but if you're willing to give me a chance- I'd love to try and be worthy if you'll have me."
By this time my hands are covering my mouth in shock and I feel my eyes become watery.
He slowly opens the box to reveal a beautiful ring, perfect for me. "Peggy Carter, will you marry me?" His eyes are hopeful and he has a small smile on his face as he finally finishes his monologue.
"Yes I'll marry you Steve!" I cried, barely containing my happiness. I'm surprised my outburst didn't come sooner.
His smile grew as he stood and slid the intricate wedding ring onto the ring finger of my left hand- reserved for such a ring. After he places the ring on my finger he cups my face in his soft hands and presses his lips to mine. Sealing them together in a promise.
Finally pulling back we rested our foreheads together, lips still only inches apart and my own hands resting on his forearms, his hands still cupping my face gently.
"I love you Steve Rogers."
"I love you Peggy Carter."
He kisses me again before I recall where we are, that we're surrounded. I only remember because the whole club erupts in applause and cheers- "Way to go Cap!" "Congrats!" "That' so cute!" "Couldn't of done it better myself Soldier." and other congratulatory remarks.
I look to the side to see Howard holding a camera, recording the entire event. "Howard?" I begin, starting to feel like he was in on this from the start.
"Yes Peg?" He smirks and drapes an arm around Maria's shoulders and they both have an innocently guilty look on their faces. I raise an eyebrow, Maria's never been much of the devious type. "Maria?"
Her shy smile is all the conformation I need. "You knew?" I still pose my statement as a question so she's not completely backed into a corner.
"Yeah, sorry Peggy. It was Howard's idea to surprise you." she apologizes.
"I'm not." He flashes another smile and Steve offers a nervous smile yet again.
"Oh, I'm not mad!" I exclaim at their guilty expressions. "I'm quite ecstatic really. This is the happiest day of my life thanks to you. Thank you both."
"Oh thank goodness!" Maria quickly embraces me, along with Colleen and Angie who are all squealing in happiness for me.
"You sure you're not mad?" Howard asks tenatively.
"Yes, why would I be Howard?"
"That mean you're not going to punch me again? If you do please avoid the face, I'm quite fond of it."
I laugh, "I'm not going to punch you Howard, you deserved it last time." Angie and Colleen giggle while Maria raises an eyebrow at him. "So that's where you got that black eye." she seems more amused than upset.
"She hits hard." all the explanation he wanted to give, I'd explain more to them later.
"Drinks all on me!" Howard cried, raising his half empty glass into the air. Angie and Colleen cheered, and I noticed the girls down a few seats looking glum- most likely because Captain America just proposed to me. I shake my head, deciding to ignore that for now.
Finally I was surrounded by all of the people I truly loved. Steve-the man I fell in love with, Howard who was like a brother to me, and my three closest friends- Angie, Maria, and Colleen. This evening has been full of surprises and I am determined to remember it forever. Leaning back into Steve he wrapped his arms around me and rested his chin on my shoulder. I took a hold of his hands which were connected in front of me.
"I love you Steve my darling." I whispered again, I just felt the need to keep telling him, after all I thought he was dead for nearly a year and never did get to tell him before he went down how much I had come to care for him.
"And I love you my sweet Peggy." He kisses me on the cheek best he can from behind me. For now, this is perfect- just like it was in my dreams and I wouldn't wish for anything different.