I own nothing
Steve turned to look at Peggy. The woman he once knew had faded into elderly woman with same fire in her eyes. Steve took Peggy hand in his.
"Peggy"
"There is nothing wrong with it, Steve. Maggie is wonderful attractive young woman. And it has been years."
"Maggie? For me"
"Mia, I call her Maggie always have; ever since she came up to my knee. Howard would never admit it but she fascinated him. She is not a thing like Tony."
"She has some of Tony in her and she has Howard's creativity."
"There never been any doubt of that."
They watched as Clint walked over to Mia and asked her to dance. She smiled and nodded her head. Steve looked back to Peggy. A woman that he truly once thought was the one for him. The images of what could have been flashed in his mind.
"I'm sorry about never having that date"
Peggy looked at him for moment. Then back to Mia and Clint who were dancing to slight fast beat of music that Steve did not recognize. Peggy knew it was one of the few bands that she did not like but she knew Mia love the song. It was Alive by Good Charlotte. It was relative new song. Then she looked back to Steve. It was easy to see that he was reliving the past and what could have been.
"Don't be. You did the right thing. It wasn't your fault."
Peggy looked down to Steve's feet where Blue was crewing on his stick. She then looked back to Steve's eyes. They had the same blue and what she could tell from the puppy temperament the same need to please and very sweet nature. She could also see the protective nature of the dog. Blue looked up at her and cocked his head. Peggy placed her hand down so Blue could sniff her hand. He started to kiss the palm of her hand.
"Who is this?"
Steve broke out his memories and looked down to Blue. He smiled as he thought of Mia's reaction to the dog.
"Oh this is Blue. I got him for Mia for her birthday." Steve said with boyish joy in his voice.
Peggy shook her head with smile on her face. The king of might of been by Chicago started to play. Bruce was dancing with Mia. She looked like she was trying to teach him. He looked truly nervous.
"He's adorable. He reminds me of you."
"Yeah he is."
Peggy looked at Steve knowing that was going to be the only moment they had alone together this night. A question still plagued her mind.
"Steve why did not call or come to see me before now?"
"I wanted to but every time started to… I couldn't. I was trying to fit into this world find my way. For me it seems like three years at most. I know it been so many years for you. I did not want drag up my past with you."
Steve look like he was about to cry. Peggy ran her hand down his arms. She gave him a sad smile.
"It is fine I understand. I did not realize you were alive until I saw you on the news. I cried for a while but then I realized you would call me when you were ready and not moment before that."
As the song ended Tony took the microphone from the stage that was set up. Mia walked back over to Steve, Peggy and Blue. She had smile on her face; she paused when she saw the look on Steve face. Blue ran over to her trying to lick her face. She bent down and picked him up and let him kiss him. That was when Peggy saw it. It was in Mia's eyes and in her body language. She was in love with Steve. Peggy saw it before in herself. It was not the captain she fell for but the sweetheart and the caring soul of Steve Rogers.
"Don't let her get away Steve." Peggy whispered.
"Aunt Peggy." Mia said.
Mia put Blue down so he could see Steve who he wanted to see again. Peggy gave Mia large hug rubbing her back loving. Steve watched as woman from his past embrace the woman who could be his future as he scratched Blue behind his ears. This was the moment he was dreading. It was in that moment that he slowly started to realize that Peggy was right. He was falling for Tony's sister.
"I think time to open present don't you? But first we need the birthday girl. Come on Magpie."
Mia pulled away from Peggy, rolling her eyes. Peggy just shook her head and gave her a smile. Mia eyes landed on Steve. He mouth smile at her and mouth "go". Mia made her way over to Tony. She was eyeing him knowing that he was up to something she was just not sure what. Blue was quick to take off after Mia; he nearly ran into the back of her legs. She was quick to turn and pick him up. She made her way to the stage.
"Magpie I know you are not one for the spotlight. Never were. But I figure today is different."
"Tony..."
Tony placed his arms around her shoulders and made her sit down. He waved over to Pepper to bring the first package over. It was wrapped in light blue paper with silver ribbon. Mia shook her head. She looked at the package; looking at for card to tell who it came from. There was no indication on who it from. She started to expertly remove the wrapping paper without causing tear.
"Come on Magpie really you have many present for you the open. Tear the damn paper off."
Mia gave him a look but then looked over to the pile of presents. She shook her head before starting tear the paper off knowing the sooner she opened the present the sooner she was out of the spotlight. It was cardboard box. She opened the box. Mia started to laugh when she saw the tank top with Captain America's Shield logo on it with matching pair of pajama shorts. There was a letter with the present. It read:
Mags,
I know we have not talk since my mom passed. But Tone told me you are having legal issues. You remember that you and I always used to read those comic books. So I figured I get you something that you could sleep in that still had your favorite person on it. Call me please. I am so sorry I could not be there in person damn case.
Love always
Bella
Mia smiled took out the top and showed it Tony; he rolled his eyes and groaned. He took the card from Mia's hands. He read the letter. He groaned when he read the nickname his cousin Annabella gave him years ago read. She was year or two younger the Magpie but at times they acted like twins. Annabella was lawyer.
"Pepper, remind me to have word with Annie. I mean look at what she got Mia it bad enough that she has the real deal but this goes too far."
"Tony" Mia said.
Tony looked down to his sister with smile. The rest of the guest crowded in. Pepper picked up Blue as tried to eat a bow. She tapped him on his nose.
They made quick work through the presents. There was star from Bruce he claim not knowing what to get a billionaire. Clint got her bath set. Rhodes got her tickets to her favorite Broadway Show, "The Phantom the Opera." Pepper got her new tablet. Peggy got her favorite Swedish chocolates. Natasha gave her art supplies with letter tell her Mia if she wanted to learn how defend herself he would teach her. Happy went out on limb and bought her Indian inspired bracelet.
Tony got off the stage and stood by Mia. She smiled and made the move to go back to Steve. Tony turned to face Mia. He had smile on his face. Mia turned to face him. He took one of her hand in his.
"I have one more surprise for you Magpie"
"Tony you did enough." Mia said shaking her head.
"You know no matter what I did for you it would never be enough; I realize that now."
Tony took her other hand; he nodded with boyish smile on his face. When, the melody of "If Tomorrow never comes" by Garth Brooks started to play; tears started to well up in Mia's eyes. She looked up to the stage to see Garth Brooks there.
"Tony" Mia said with tears in her eyes.
"May I have this dance?"
Mia nodded her head with tears in her eyes. She placed her hands on his shoulders and cuddled into his chest. Tony kissed the top of her head as the dance together. It was one of her favorite songs by him along with fact at times Mia questioned how much Tony loved her. Peggy stood by Steve as they watched Mia and Tony dance. They looked over to Mia who had tears on her eyelashes.
"Come on Magpie I don't want fry me please"
Mia laughed and playfully hit him. Garth started to play another song it was faster pace dance. She started to make her way back over to Steve. Only to be stopped by Pepper; Steve and Peggy watched Mia and Pepper dance. Then Happy walked over to her. She wrapped her arms around him. After that dance Mia walked off with Happy to get a drink. It was then that The Dance started to play.
Steve looked over Peggy with look. He smiled the offer Peggy his arm.
"I believe I owe you a dance"
Peggy shook her head but let him lead her out on the dance floor. They started to slow dance.
"I thought you couldn't dance"
"I couldn't Mia thought me."
Peggy looked back over to Mia was drinking a Mai Tai, and petting Blue. Then her eyes travel back to Steve who was looking at Mia as well. That was when she realized this was form a closure for him. She leaned up and kissed his cheek as the song ended. Peggy walked away from Steve.
Mia had smile on her face. Steve shook his head before she reach him. She hugged him tightly. There were tears in his eyes as he thought about what could have been.
"Are you okay"
"Yeah, yeah I'm fine."
"You know you can talk to me right"
"Yeah I do. Happy Birthday"
"This is best birthday I had in long time."
Standing outside the fire started to play she turned in his arms laying her on his chest and started to sway to beat of the song. She started to sing along with world. Steve just laughed and kissed the top of her. The song "to make you feel my love" started to play.
"May I have this dance?"
Mia nodded her head. She and Steve made their way to the dance floor. Mia cuddled completely into his chest. Steve hands rest on the small of her back as they swayed with music. It was different from his and Peggy dance. Even though neither of them had said the words I love you yet it was clear to everyone that they were in love. Tony was dancing with Pepper. She let out a breathy sigh as she watched them dance.
"They are in love" Pepper said.
"Who? Magpie and Capsicle?" Tony asked.
"Look at them, Tony"
Tony did at the moment he saw what Pepper was talking about. There was a serene smile on his sister face that he had not seen in long time. Steve had his arms protectively around her like he held the most precious thing in the world. He shook his head as he looked up toward Heaven. Thinking of his father; he realized then Howard would loved for Mia to be love with someone like Steve.