Author's Note:

No triggers for this chapter. Just Astrid and Steve being Astrid and Steve with a tiny little bit of angst mixed in. A warm-up for what is to come. As always please review and let me know what you think.


Astrid couldn't stop staring at the ring on her finger. As if she still couldn't believe it was there. Though only a week had passed since Steve put it on. She hoped she never got tired of seeing it there. The weight of it on her hand. Her fingers dancing along the steering wheel as she drove. She wasn't entirely sure where she was going. Steve was giving her directions from the passenger seat. Holding a bouquet of yellow flowers.

He had surprised last night saying that he had something planned for the next day. That the two of them would need to get up early. It was one of the few days off that she had. Particularly now with the war brewing. After staying the night the two of them borrowed the Barnes's car and headed out. Leaving the city and heading out into the country.

"You really won't tell me where we are going?" Astrid asked. Felt like they were driving in the middle of nowhere. Nothing but farmland. Maybe they didn't have to travel far at all to get out of the city. Maybe this was close enough to New York for Steve to be happy.

"You'll see," Steve answered. He started out happy but the closer and closer they got to their destination the more solemn he became. Astrid had a feeling that this was a really big deal. "You're going to want to turn right up here." He hadn't even looked at a map. Wherever they were going he knew the route by heart. He placed a hand on her thigh and started gently moving it back and forth. As a means of comfort. Of stability. Making sure that she was actually there. Though if Astrid was honest with herself she wished he would move his hand further up.

"You sure you're doing okay?"

He shot her a small smile. "You know that's about the 25th time you've asked me that this trip."

"I just… want to know what's going on with you."

"We are meeting two people extremely important to me." Well, that didn't help. Now Astrid was nervous. Really nervous but also curious. Who could Steve be talking about? As far as she knew she had met everyone close to Steve. Which consisted of Bucky and… Bucky's parents, but mainly just Bucky.

"You can pull up here." He pointed toward an old stone church. A parking lot upfront. There didn't seem to be anyone else parked. Wherever they were they were alone.

After Astrid parked the car Steve got out. Walking up to the church, before stopping. Gazing up it. Astrid stayed for a moment watching him before getting out herself. Allowing him to have a moment before taking his hand.

"Shall we?" Astrid asked gesturing towards the church.

Steve shook his head. "Were actually going around the back." He led her slowly. Giving Astrid time to take in the church and its grounds. It wasn't the most well kept up place. The plant life starting to reclaim the land. Twisting vines climbing up the stonework. But it just added to its beauty. Astrid got a sense that the church was still in use. Beloved by the community.

She was still admiring the stonework as they turned the corner. Steve came to a stop drawing her attention to what he was looking at. Astrid took a deep breath. She knew who they had come to see.

Walking through a wrought iron gate the two of them continued. Steve knowing exactly where he was going. Leading her straight down the middle until making a turn to the right. Finally coming to a stop. He shot Astrid a small smile before settling down on the grass. Astrid soon joining him. Nestled in close.

"Hi mom, dad," Steve stated. "There is someone I would like you to meet." Astrid stared at the two graves in front of them. Clear worn down by the elements but well-tended too. She could clearly make out the names. The graves of Sarah and Joseph Rogers. They weren't elaborate tombstones. Neither the most expensive or intricate but there was still so much meaning, so much love carved into them.

"This is my fiancé Astrid," Steve continued taking her hand and squeezing it. "I'm sorry for not bringing her here sooner but I want you to meet her before getting married. Married. Can you believe it? And to the most amazing woman in the world." She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes. She could only imagine how Steve was feeling. He turned to look at her. Eyes watery. "My mom used to take us here to talk to dad. She always felt that she could feel his presence here. That he was able to hear us." He wiped the tears away from his eyes. "After she died I wasn't able to come as much as I could but the feeling is still the same." He looked down at the ground. Threading his fingers through the grass. "I know it's crazy but-"

Astrid took his hand and placed it in her lap. Looking squarely at the gravestones.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Rogers. I'm sorry that I haven't introduced myself sooner. That's pretty rude of me."

Steve let out a small chuckle. "I think my mom would beat you over the head if you called her Mrs. Rogers."

"Alright, Sarah then." She turned to Joseph Rogers. "I hope you don't hold my accent against me. Steve told me you fought bravely in the Great War. I'm sorry you never got a chance to see what a marvelous man your son has grown up to be." Steve chocked up at that. "He really is going to be the perfect husband. I'm honestly not even sure how I'm going to be able to wait. I have a feeling he got a lot of it from you." She turned her focus toward Sarah. "I'm not sure if Steve ever told you but I work as a doctor. Surgeon actually. I really wish I could have met you. I bet there was so much you could have taught me. Plus, I could have used your help with the wedding. I can already tell you have a wonderful taste in flowers."

Steve looked up at her and she caught the glance. The amount of love expressed in his features was enough to knock the wind out of her.

"I love you," he said simply looking at her before turning to his parents. Running his thumb over her hand. "See what I mean? Aren't I the luckiest man in the world? I don't even know where to begin." The two of them sat there for hours. Talking to the gravestones and each other. Eventually, it turned dark. The cool air becoming cold as night set in.

"It was lovely to meet the two of you," Astrid said standing up. "We will definitely come to visit again soon." She glanced at Steve. "I'll make sure of it."

Steve placed the flowers by the grave and the two of them walked back towards the car. He snuggled into her side. Her arm wrapped around him for warmth.

The two of them got in the car and let out a sigh. Turning to look at one another.

"You really think they would have liked me?" Astrid asked.

Steve took her hand and kissed it softly. "My mom would have loved you. And from what she has told me about my father he would have loved you too."

Astrid gave him a half-smile. "Maybe someday, if things change I'll be able to take you to see my mother."

Steve arched an eyebrow though she also saw a flash of worry in his eyes. "Not your father?"

Astrid took her hand back. Placing both of them on the steering wheel and leaning down so that her head was resting on it as well.

"My dad doesn't have a grave. It's complicated… there wasn't much time."

"You had to come to the States before you could give him a burial," Steve stated softly. Well, that wasn't the truth but Astrid wasn't about to explain exactly what happened. She had promised Shamira after all.

"My mother was buried by a tree near the edge of our property." She shook her head and laughed. "My father nicknamed the tree Yggdrasil. We've called it that since I was born. He always said that when the time was right, I would know why it was called that." She softly chuckled. "I still have no idea what he meant by that."

He started rubbing her back. "I'm sure you'll figure it out someday."

"Funny enough I'm not sure I want to." She turned to the side to look at Steve. He managed to have both an amused and solemn expression on his face. Fitting the day that they have had. "I don't know about you but I'm starving."

"There's a diner a little bit further up the road. We always stopped there every time we visited dad. Has the best pie this side of town."

Astrid sat up and turned the car on. Once again following Steve directions towards the diner. It wasn't far away at all. Soon the two of them found themselves nestled in a booth. Tucked into the corner. Milkshakes and pie placed in front of them. Steve tracing the ring on her finger as they ate.

"This place brings back such memories," Steve said looking around. Twirling a fork in his other hand. "Before she got really sick we used to come up here a lot. She would tell all these stories about him. What he was like. Read the letters he sent while he was fighting in the trenches." He squeezed her hand tightly. "He had a real way with words." Like father like son. Steve was probably a lot like his father. Maybe at some point, they could read those letters together.

Astrid placed one hand over his. Food being forgotten. "She never moved on did she?"

"He was the love of her life." He looked up at her. Sending Astrid's heart pounding. Even now he could send the butterflies twittering in her stomach. "I always wondered what it would be like to be in a relationship like that. To be so deeply in love. To be loved. I don't have to wonder anymore." He chuckled. " And because of you I even know how you truly feel. About me. A gift I could never even dream of having." Astrid was sure that if it was biologically possible her heart would melt onto the floor. "You're the only one for me, Astrid. Even if something happens to you." He paused and took a deep breath. "If something happens… there won't be another. Us Rogers. We only ever have one great love in our lives."

How? How could this man possibly exist? It was like he was perfectly crafted for her. Like God himself made him for her. It made her heart sing.

She took one of his hands and brought it up so that it was cradling her face. "My heart will always belong to you, Steve. And nothing is going to happen to me." She shook her head. Giving Steve a smile. "There isn't much more the world can do to me. Even if something happens …" She gave him a fiery look. "I promise to return to your side. And there is nothing the universe can throw at me that would make me break that promise."

He blushed ducking his head slightly. "You think you would save some of that for the vows."

"Oh, I have plenty for the vows. I could go on about you forever. I could start right now if you like."
His blush grew even deeper. Showcasing a bashful smile. "I hope you never stop doing that."

"What? Blushing like a schoolboy with his first crush?"

Astrid dropped his hand and leaned forward. "Exactly." She glanced around and saw that no one was paying attention to them. Waiters busy with other tables. The other diners paying attention either to their food or other things. She leaned forward and gave him a quick kiss. Before pulling back with a smile. Taking a sip of her milkshake. Steve went back to his food as well. The blush fading away slightly. The two of them weren't that big on public displays of affection. Preferring to keep it private. But every so often one of them couldn't help themselves. Well, that wasn't entirely true. It was mostly Astrid would couldn't help herself. She wanted to showcase to the entire world how much she loved this man.

Though her smile turned into a frown. Steve seemed slightly paler than normal and tired. Really tired. With slight shortness of breath.

"Steve?" Astrid asked. "Did you take your medicine today?"

The look that he gave her told her everything. She let out a sigh and grabbed his arm. Sending out a signal so that no one would look in their direction she pulled out a syringe out of her to-go bag. Injecting it directly into Steve. He winched as she did so. At least having the courtesy to look apologetic. She rolled her eyes, placing the needle in the disposal part of her bag and grabbing three bottles of pills. Grabbing one from each bottle she placed it in front of Steve. Who swallowed them without complaint.

"Seriously Steve?" she tsked. "What were you thinking?"

"That I just wanted one day, one simple day, where I don't have to take drugs to go outside." He seemed so small at the moment. "Is that too much to ask?"

"Steve you got a list of medical conditions that probably would have killed you if you weren't so unbelievably stubborn." He huffed at that. "But if you are against drugs then we can have you go back to eating raw liver."

He gave her a withering glare. Color returning back to him. "I would rather be hit by a car and break all the bones in my body than eat raw liver again." Astrid raised her eyebrows. Steve was getting more creative. He closed his eyes. "I just wanted one day."

She felt her heart twist into knots. She wished there was more than she could do. "Maybe I could look into combining some of the meds together. Make it so you have to take less. Or maybe less frequently."

"Astrid, you've already done so much for me. But I've been sick my entire life. I just want one day. One day where I'm not." He huffed. "I know that I'm unwell but there is no way I'm going to let it stop me from doing what I want to do."

It was then and there that Astrid promised herself that she would make sure that Steve would have that one day. No more than just one day. It might take years but she would find a way for Steve to be healthy. She would devote her life to it. Because he was absolutely undeniably worth it.