The next two months flew by. The group all got together at The Falcon for Natasha's birthday. Bucky and Sharon's relationship was moving along quickly, and it was clear that they complemented each other in a way that all of their friends knew it was just a matter of time before he proposed to her. Peter and Carol have been together for a year now and finally decided on a December wedding. They got married just before Christmas, and with Nat as Maid of Honor, Steve began thinking about their future again. At the reception, as they are dancing he realizes the time is right.
"I'm glad you're here with me, Steve. I have to say you've gotten a lot better in your dancing skills. You haven't stepped on my feet once tonight."
"I've been practicing. Have I told you yet how beautiful you look?"
"Yes, but you can always tell me again."
He is extremely nervous, given the fact that they are at Peter and Carol's wedding reception. But when she smiles at him, he relaxes and decides there's no better time than now.
"Nat, I've been thinking. We've been back together five months now, and I realize we're at a wedding, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about our conversation that night after the grand opening of the Bed & Breakfast."
She looks at him inquisitively, she knows he's going somewhere with this. But she's not sure where, or what he's about to ask.
"You mean when I asked you if you ever thought about this. If you want what our friends have."
"Exactly. And I told you that I don't want you to feel pressured. I wanted you to think about what you really want. Now I've been told what I'm about to do could be considered in bad taste. But Peter, Clint and I were talking, and there was a question that stuck with me."
"What was the question?"
"They asked me what I was waiting for. I told them we were waiting for the right time."
When he started talking about the conversation they had, Nat began to realize where this was going.
"So, then Peter asked me why I didn't just bring it up tonight, but I told him since it was his wedding day, I thought it would be inappropriate. Maybe I thought I would be taking something away from their day."
"And knowing Peter, he told you that was a load of bullshit, didn't he?"
"He did. And even Carol said the same thing after she asked me to dance. Although I believe her exact words were 'man up, Rogers.' She told me Peter had talked to her after he and I had our conversation. She thought I was being foolish. She also said that if I didn't take this step she was going to personally kick my ass."
"I'm sorry about that. Carol doesn't have a filter on her mouth. She tells it like it is."
"Anyway, they're right. Remember that I don't want you to feel pressured. I think the time is right, but if you don't all you have to do is say so."
She doesn't disagree. She's been waiting for this for a long time. Summoning up his courage, Steve gets down on one knee, and pulls a ring out of his jacket pocket.
"Natalia Alianovna Romanov, I love you with all of my heart. After fourteen years at war, I can't imagine spending the rest of my life without you. Will you marry me?"
The entire room fell silent when he got down on one knee. Everyone knew this was coming. As all of their friends pretend not to watch, teary emerald eyes lock with his blue ones. When she kneels down with him, she extends her left hand.
"Yes, Steven Grant Rogers. I will marry you."
As he places the ring, all of those in attendance cheer. Clint and Bobbi both yell out: "It's about time!"
Whether it was coincidence, luck, or just someone's idea of a joke, when they started to dance again "Fooled around and fell in Love" started playing over the speakers. Both of them suspected it was Clint, but they didn't care. Steve and Nat were happy enjoying the moment, and nothing was going to change that.