Just in case you haven't been reading the author's notes, Part 2 will be connected to this story. So, Part 1 and Part 2 will be joined together. If you have this story bookmarked or follow it, all you have to do is sit tight. I still have to do some final planning on Part 2, but I'll have it up quickly.

Thank you xoxo

Epliogue

Marsha was crying. Streams of tears rushed down her face and fell on her blue hospital gown. Steve handed her a tissue. Marsha dabbed her eyes then burst into a huge smile.

"Thank you. Thank you so much," she bawled. Marsha leaned forward as much as she could. The wires from the machines and bandages kept her from going too far. Steve covered the rest of the distance to hug her, mindful of the IV.

Saniya stared at the papers, unsure of how she felt about them. Marsha would be going away. They'd most likely not see each other for a long time, if at all. She'd be alone if she left. Bruce had gone to Malibu with Tony and Pepper. Natasha and Clint often disappeared for days at a time. Thor wanted to show Jane Asgard. Even Steve was planning to move to D.C. after Marsha was discharged. That left only Dorie, but she was on the helicarrier most of the time.

She'd be alone.

But Marsha would be happy. Saniya rested her chin on a balled fist. It was hard to push away her selfish thoughts of forcing Marsha to stay with her. She would be happy with her family, and that was what really mattered.

Steve pulled away from the hug. "There's a lot of restrictions on what you can say and do, but it's the best I could get it. SHIELD isn't easy to compromise with."

Her smile was so bright that Saniya felt guilty for even considering shredding the contract. "I can't believe I'm going home. My family is going to be so happy." Marsha grabbed his hand. "Thank you. You're an amazing friend. How did you even get it?"

"Let's just say that the name Captain America still holds a lot of weight in SHIELD." His eyebrows drew together. Marsha was looking more lightheaded than usual. "Do you need anything?"

Her stomach growled loudly. Steve stood. "I'll get you something from downstairs," he said, prepared to bring her back the whole cafe.

"Pizza, please." Marsha's eyes lit up.

Marsha flipped through the contract as Steve left the room. She frowned at occasional sentence but was a bundle of joy nonetheless. Saniya watched the soldier leave. In a split second decision, she followed him out the door.

"Steve!" she yelled down the hallway. The soldier looked over his shoulder. Taken over by a wave of gratitude, she engulfed him in a hug. He was stiff, lightly patting her back.

"Thank you for taking care of her," she said. "You've done so much for her. Honestly, you're a saint."

He was the first to pull away, which made sense since he wasn't her biggest fan. But still, he patted her shoulder. "She's a nice kid. Marsha deserves it." He withdrew his hand and stuffed it in his front pocket. "I don't mean to overstep, but Marsha told me what happened with your parents." She scowled and Steve was quick to explain himself. "I understand it's not my place, but maybe you should call them, just to let them know you're okay."

Saniya crossed her arms with a glare, a quick change from the nice moment they just shared. "You are overstepping. They don't—"

"I know, I know." He held out his hands. "She didn't tell me everything, but I know enough that I have to say something. After everything's that happened, it might be time to make amends."

Especially since I might not have much time left, she added to herself.

Steve shook his head. "Sorry, but Marsha going home got me thinking. I didn't mean to upset you."

She was glaring at a tile on the floor instead of Steve now. "I haven't talked to them in five years."

He nodded slowly. "They're probably dying to hear from you. Five years is too long."

Saniya couldn't find the words to reply. She didn't agree with him. They made it quite clear that they never wanted to hear from her after she left with Sammy. But, what if Steve had a point? It wouldn't hurt to let them know that she was still alive.

"Think about it." He began walking away. "I'll be back with Marsha's pizza in a bit."

She watched him go. When he went around the bend in the hallway, she took her phone out of her pocket. To call or not to call, that was the question. It would be a good way to get answers. There was so much confusion that she needed to be cleared up. What better way than going right to the source? She, at least, had to know why they forged a birth certificate to say that she was born in New York.

But, another part of her knew that she wanted to call because she still craved their approval. She wanted them to like her. She wanted them to hear about her new life and be proud. And for once, they might be. After all, she did build her life back up from nothing. That itself was an achievement she wanted to share, even if they were the reasons she had nothing in the first place.

Saniya scrolled to an old number she hadn't used in years. It was her parents' landline. She sighed. If she didn't call now, she was never going to.

It rang.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Four times.

She was beginning to think they'd never answer.

"Hello, you've reached the number of Varin and Diti Ramakrishna. Please leave a message."

There was an odd sense of relief. She didn't have to confront them quite yet.

The phone beeped.

"I... uh... Hi," she said into the phone. "This is Saniya. I... please call me back as soon as you can. I still live in New York, so..." She sighed. "I love you guys. Please call me back."

She closed her phone and pressed her hand to her forehead. I love you guys. Why did she say that?

Maybe because she still loved them after all the years and fights.

Saniya felt herself tense at the revelation. She still loved them. No matter how much they ignored her, she still cared about them.

Seemed like she hadn't changed very much over the years.

She tucked her phone back in her pocket like nothing had happened. Now, she needed to spend as much time with her sister before they were separated. They were on a timer and she wanted to make it count.