The apartment was quiet with Steve being off for the weekend at the Avengers base. There were some new recruits coming in to be tested. She missed him but the silence was nice letting her work through the massive stacks of paperwork to get done before the honeymoon. Peggy opened her desk to find some more when she saw the file from Howard thrown on top with the others. Now was as good a time as any to open the letters. She pulled a letter opener from her desk and started in with the oldest.

She didn't mean to keep it from Steve. He knew about her and Howard, and he knew the files existed, but she just wanted to be alone when she got to hear from Howard one last time.

The envelope was stained from age on the sides with Howard's scribble laced over the top. April 3rd 1953.

"I figured I might as well write to you. It's been a few months since you fell asleep. The serum worked but you you're still asleep. I miss you Peggy. SHIELD doesn't seem like SHIELD. And everyone doesn't know how to go forward, what you would have done. Tomorrow's your birthday, and I wish I could take you somewhere nice, Crack open some bourbon and have some laughs. You keeping me from trouble.

I don't know what I'll do with this, but I just needed to write it.

I think you finally owe me one pal,

-Howard"

Reading it felt like a punch in the stomach. She wished she could comfort him through time, so he'd know that it worked, and that Steve had been found and that his greatest work wasn't lost forever. "Oh Howard.." she opened up the next letter.

Peggy sat back for an hour or so reading through the whole file. Howard knew the direction SHIELD was going early on, but he was right that there was no one that could keep it on the straight and narrow. As time went by the letters came less and less. He told her about Maria, and how he fell madly in love, "Who knew it was possible, for someone like her to settle for me. You'd like her, Anna does and Jarvis does." but then the love faded, "it was just the money… she wouldn't say it, but she was as in love with me as any of the others." Poor Howard.

The letters came less frequently and when he wrote they were distant and almost hopeless. Some comments about Tony here and there but she could see he was a less than affectionate father. The last letter was sitting on her desk and she dried her eyes with the last of her tissues. Before she could open the letter there was a call from Pepper, "Hello Ms. Potts."

"Ms. Carter," she said with Peggy's same business like tone, "there's an opening for that designer I was telling you about. She says she can get it altered in a week and a half to 2 weeks depending on what has to happen."

"Goodness," She looked at the time, "What time?"

"An hour. I'll be there in half." Pepper instructed. "Invite whoever you'd like, and e ready to try ok some dresses.

"Yes ma'am." she stood up. She needed to show up in something other than pajamas.

Howard's letter would just have to wait.

Peggy looked around the bridal salon, noticing how big all the dresses were. She had been reading the magazines Pepper shoved at her for months, but seeing them in person felt overwhelming. "God is this all necessary?"

"Only if you want a wedding dress." Pepper shrugged, "I mean we can always get you a pant suit but you'll still have to go shopping for that."

Peggy adjusted the purse on her shoulder, "I don't own enough white to make one whole outfit. I've checked. But I mean, by definition I shouldn't be wearing a white dress anyway."

"Because of the pregnancy or sex in general?" Pepper looked up from her phone.

"Sex in general." Peggy had a bit of a pout, "I-for a moment there-forgot I was pregnant."

Pepper shook her head and chuckled at her friend's predicament, "Is Natasha coming?"

"No, she's Avengering with Steve this weekend. Everyone except me was invited. Steve's trying to keep me as far away from combat as possible, which makes me want to strangle him."

"You shouldn't be fighting other people with superhuman strength or whatever though." Pepper said honestly, "As much as you want to be a superhero right now, you'll have to settle with just being Peggy Carter."

"I've never been a superhero." Peggy said with a particular bite, "I've just always done what I knew to be best, and that has put me on the right side of History."

Pepper nodded, "You should write that down, put it in a memoir or something."

"Anyway," Peggy changed the subject, "I invited Trish."

"Trish Walker right? I met her a while back at some party, maybe it was the Expo?" She tried to sort out the memory, but it was useless information anyway, "I remember I didn't dislike her."

"I'm rather fond of her as well."

Pepper inhaled as she remembered something, "Did you decide on your second bridesmaid?"

"You." Peggy said like it was obvious, "You're pretty much planning this thing."

"No no no, I have a strict 'never be a bridesmaid' thing going for me. It's been great." Pepper smiled, "You should ask Trish, she'd be a good partner for Sam to walk down the aisle with."

"I'm not sure I trust Sam to behave himself."

As they spoke Trish walked in the door, "I'm not late am I?" She brushed the rain off her jacket.

"Not at all actually." Peggy checked the time, "While we wait, Trish this is-"

Trish waved off the introduction, "Pepper Potts, I know." she stepped forward taking hold of the conversation, "You know I read that interview in Business Journal the other week, and it was amazing."

"Oh really?" Pepper smiled, "I'm glad you thought so, those are the only interviews that ask real questions that aren't just about Tony."

Peggy pointed her thumb over to Trish, "Her interview was the first one that asked the men questions without making me want to jump out of a window."

Trish shrugged, "It's a gift I guess. I'm used to the rabbit food questions."

Pepper laughed while Peggy stood with them, the reference going well over her head.

Peggy walked back into her apartment, with her chest and back feeling like it had sandpaper ground into it after an hour and a half of trying on dresses. Thankfully she had found one. Trish closed the door behind her, "Do you have any of that birthday cake left?" She had gotten to the point where she felt casual in Peggy's apartment and went to the kitchen.

"I think so." Peggy laid down on the couch, "Steve took some to the base with him for the others. Pepper got a huge cake. I mean I know Thor was there, but she overestimated by about 10 people."

"Sounds great." Trish laughed cutting herself a slice, "Want some while I have it out?"

"Yes please." Peggy kicked her heels off and put her feet up on the coffee table. It occurred to her that she had gone through the whole entire dress appointment without telling Trish about the baby. She was sure it would come up in conversation. She turned the TV on and started trying to find something to watch instantly.

"How long is he gone?" Trish carried to plates over and sat next to Peggy on the couch.

"A few days." She sighed flipping through their options, "It's not too far away so he goes a lot, but this time he's staying overnights to train recruits."

"That seems like your territory." Trish was enjoying seeing Peggy's taste in shows. Old black and white movies were in an abundance, then every british miniseries she could think of, Agatha Christie murder shows. The women didn't look like she was almost 100, but her taste was.

Peggy shrugged, "Somewhat.. He doesn't want me to overwork myself. No one trusts that I know my limits."

"Probably because you don't.. Okay, how many versions of Jane Eyre have you watched?"

She shifted over in defense, "What is that supposed to mean Trish Walker?" Peggy cracked a smile, "Or should I say 'Patsy'"

"You didn't watch it." She gasped.

Peggy laughed and picked a cooking competition show, "I did… and wow. That's all I'll say."

Trish laughed, "If it makes it any better I didn't like it either."

They sat eating their cake laughing with things came up to talk about, when eventually Peggy set her plate on the table, "Can I tell you something without you freaking out?"

"Sure." Trish shrugged, "I never freak out."

"I'm pregnant." She said without much pause.

"What?!" Trish jumped to face Peggy, "You're joking! You can't be!"

Peggy scoffed, "And I'm supposed to believe you never freak out?"

Trish faced away from Peggy thinking it through, "Oh my god! You're pregnant… shit I owe Jessica like 100 bucks."

"Why?"

Trish laughed, "Well, when you told me that you were getting married so soon I was under the impression it was because you two just were sick of waiting, but Jessica thought you were pregnant."

"I don't know how I'm supposed to feel about that." Peggy said honestly, "Tell Jessica I expect a nice gift with that 100 dollars."

"Hey, I'm not responsible for Jessica. You know this." Trish took her phone out and sent a text to Jessica, "Is this good? I assume it's good." She looked at Peggy's stomach then back at the TV.

Peggy took a deep breath, "You know, I wasn't sure at first. But I think it is. I never thought it was an option for me, but with Steve we can kind of have that sliver of the life we expected to have."

"Awww!" Trish said without a sliver of irony, "That's the most romantic and sweetest thing I've ever heard. You'll be a great mom."

Peggy looked down and fiddled with her engagement ring, "I really can't believe that to be honest. I mean I'm sure I'll be okay but I didn't really have a normal childhood. My mom passed away when I was very young, I was raised by governesses until I was 10 and then I went away to school and lived with my grandparents." She explained her life story with less pain than she ever had before. The Pregnancy was turning her soft, "It's very plausible that I could muck them up."

Trish laughed, "The fact that you give a damn if you're going to mess up means you're not going to."

"I suppose." The advice did make her feel better, "Steve is excited. He wants to be a stay the home dad and everything. He'll be a good enough parent for both of us."

"Aww," Trish said again, "God, Steve is amazing."

"I know he is. If this would have happened in our time though," Peggy scoffed, "Jesus that would be a disaster. No one even seems to care that we're not married."

"That doesn't really matter these days. I guess some people still care about it, people from your generation but I don't think people are going to be terrible about it. You two are the world's favorite couple, soon to be family."

Peggy put a hand on her stomach. She was grateful to have a group of friends that managed to make her feel good about every curveball sent her way. "Oh and there's one more thing I need to tell you… ask you rather."

"More surprises?"

"Would you mind being a bridesmaid?"

Trish gasped, "Of course not!"

"Natasha's the maid of honor." Peggy sighed in relief, "You met her when you were at the SHIELD base after… after Angie right?" the memory caused her thought to fragment, but she found her footing again.

Trish tried to think, "I think so. Red head? Dangerous looking?"

"That would be her." Peggy nodded, "She jumped at the chance to throw the Hen's Party."

"The what?"

Peggy chucked, "Is that term outdated now? The bachelorette party, though I googled what might happen and can I request you speak to her and make sure it's not too…" she wasn't too sure of the words, "Intense?"

Trish laughed, "I can't promise anything."

There was a knock on the door and Peggy groaned and put her head down on the kitchen counter, "Please Steve don't make me go."

Steve walked around and pulled her up, "You have to go. The boys are going to wrestle me out of here and I don't want you to get caught in the cross hairs,"

She laughed, keeping her head down, "You say that like I couldn't fight my way out of it."

He wrapped his arms around her back and pulled her upright, "I know you could. I just don't want to see them all mopey because you knocked 'em out without them laying a hand on you." Steve kissed the side of her neck, "You're going to go. You're going to have a good time, and you need to keep Nat out of trouble."

Peggy sighed as the knocking got louder, "That door is the most secure door on the market and I think they're going to break it down." She smoothed her dress out and broke out of Steve's arms, "Fine. I won't get into any trouble tonight, and I expect you to do the same tomorrow night.." She teased.

Steve laughed, "I don't know how Natasha's pulled off two parties less than 12 hours apart from each other."

She gave him one last kiss. Their last kiss before they were going to be married "That's what I like to hear." Peggy went to the door, "go easy on whatever Thor gives you. You don't have long to sleep off your hangover." She opened the door to see a well dressed Natasha.

"Good thing we're getting married at Night!" He called before Natasha whisked Peggy away.

Peggy stood in the elevator and looked over at Natasha, "Now, I can't drink so I'm sure we can't get into too much trouble right?"

Natasha chuckled, "Is that a challenge?"

"No. God no." Peggy said quickly, "Please just tell me what we're doing."

"You'll see." Natasha insisted, "It's Pepper approved."

That made Peggy feel better, "Alright. Just get me to where we're going."

To be honest the idea was amazing. Natasha had been planning something over the top, but that was before she knew drinking was going to be off the table. The boy's party was going to start in a few hours which would give her enough time to enjoy what she set up for Peggy. The car had stopped outside of a luxury casino with a sign on the marquee announcing tonight was the "First Annual Charity Night"

Peggy looked up and laughed, "This is brilliant!"

"I know." Natasha said with confidence, "It's all going to an education charity." The doors were opened for her and she pulled them through the lobby. "Hopefully you can win."

She laughed, "You're a wonderful friend Natasha,"

"Wait to say that when I'm finished with Steve for the night." Natasha grinned.

Higher up in the building the official party was taking place, there was more food than they could handle, although Jessica was going to give it a shot as was Peggy. There was alcohol, that she was sure to stay away from, but it didn't take long for everyone to get into a party mood which resulted in people asking vulgar questions about Steve. "I am not going to answer that!" Peggy laughed as she peeled the wrapper off of a cupcake.

"Just tell us if he's good or not!" Trish insisted.

Jane was with them turning bright red and Jessica was having way too much fun seeing the proper icon get asked about her sex life.

Peggy rolled her eyes, "If you must know he is."

"Who's in charge?" Nat laughed as she tipped back a Beer.

"Who do you think?" Peggy inquired. It was a landslide in favor of Peggy… and they were right.

Natasha stood up from the party after checking the time, "Now Trish I hand the party off to you, I have to go get the details from a liquored up Captain America."

"I tried to keep Thor from bringing his special drink.." Jane sighed, "But I don't think he listened."

A few hours after Natasha left, Peggy sat at the table with her hand hidden in front of her. She wasn't playing in the big tournament, since she didn't want to get too much attention and she didn't want to risk losing. This was a casual game with the party members. Their small talk drifted in and out of bedroom talk but the whole thing was enjoyable. "Okay I have a question." Jane laughed playing a few cards, "After Steve went through the serum… what was your reaction?"

Peggy laughed pretending like she didn't remember… but she remembered exactly, "It was… a surprise." The table laughed knowing that it had to of been, "I thought he was quite charming before but… the after has some perks. When he came out of the machine and… you know… he was.." She cleared her throat, "No comment. What about you, you're with a god."

"I certainly won't throw him out of bed for eating crackers." Jane shrugged, "But the thunder storms come with their own checks and balances."

Trish felt Peggy's phone buzz in her pocket. It was Nat, and they had agreed to only call in an emergency. "Hey what's happening?..." The game stopped and Peggy was trying to listen in, "Oh no! Okay…" she pulled the phone away and handed it to Peggy with a bit of a laugh, "Steve wants to talk to you."

Peggy couldn't tell if this was something disastrous or not… couldn't they just have one night? "Darling what's happening?"

"Peggy..." Steve shouted through the phone, "I made a mistake...!"

"What did you do-"

Steve cut her off, "I drank too much..." he sounded so unbelievably drunk, "And I… I don't know. Can you come back? You can leave before midnight.." he pleaded.

Peggy chuckled hearing Tony and Sam trying to help him walk, "Alright Darling, I'll be there soon."

"I love you sooooo much." He said again, "Like… Like I can't believe I put the plane in the water. Like I love you!"

"Steve." She cut through his rambling, "Stop speaking. Listen to the boy's and I'll be home soon."

When Peggy walked through the door she couldn't even take into consideration everything that was happening, they seemed to have carried the party into their living room. "Steve. Rogers!" she cut through the noise.

"You're so busted!" Sam started laughing, which set Tony off into laughing and soon they were both clutching the kitchen counter trying not to fall over.

"Peggy!" Steve called from the couch, "I can't believe you're here!"

"I'm sorry." Nat looked like she'd been drinking but was still able to try and keep her wits about her, "He stole the phone."

She gave both of them a look, "Okay parties over everyone. Time to settle down, so we don't get evicted." Peggy walked over to Steve and attempted to pull him up off the couch. "Bucky come help-" She looked over at Bucky passed out on the ground, "Good lord. You're all a mess!"

"We know." Tony admitted.

Thor walked over looking the best out of all of them, "Lady Carter let me help you escort Steve into the bedroom."

"Thank you Thor. Now please promise me you won't give him more of that stuff for a while." she stood aside as Thor carried Steve over his shoulder into the bedroom. He put Steve down on the bed, but apparently the movement upset Steve and his jolly attitude was traded in for the fetal position, "Oh god," He held his stomach, "Bad choice."

Peggy quickly pulled a trash can over for Steve, "I would have told you that." She brushed some hair off his forehead.

"I love you." he said with closed eyes, "You know, you're really beautiful… Like all the time."

She could hear Sam and the other still snickering over whatever they were doing to Thor, "You're worse than that time I had to walk you back from boot camp. Do you remember that?"

Steve laughed but tried to keep the food and liquor in his stomach, "I remember… part of that." He was on his side ready to push himself over the can if he needed to.

"You were in the town, on your one night off from training." She ran her fingers through his hair, "And you had too much to drink. You could barely walk back but you wouldn't ask for help."

"I didn't trust any of them." He mumbled.

Peggy sat down on the bed and put a hand on his shoulder rubbing his back in light circles, "I found you and walked you back."

"Not like it took much effort… skinny old pathetic me."

"Don't you say that." She scolded, "Don't you say that about the man I'm about to marry."

He cracked a smile, "Yes Ma'am." They were quiet for a long time, still just content with each others company, "Are you going to leave?"

Peggy looked at the clock, seeing it getting close to midnight "I'm going to leave before midnight. It's bad luck to see the bride on the wedding day."

Steve nodded, "To be honest dear, I don't think we need anymore bad luck,"