Sia closed her eyes and tried to keep herself from crying after reading that. It thankfully wasn't like some final letter that she got that he wrote before he died or something, but part of her deep down did have that fear. "Sia... are you alright?", Kida asked her.
Sia took a deep breath, "Yes, I am...I'm somehow feeling better now that he's safe on the surface, and he is really dedicated to me, to our family...", passing the letter to Kida as she has memories of Milo being a linguist and fluent in modern languages besides dead languages, so she can read Jacques's letter as well.
Vinny went to hug Sia, "Mom, he's gonna be okay.", now wearing the dog tags, somehow fitting in along his crystal necklace, "I mean, he's not going to cheat, and he really loves you really a lot to give you a ring, for Great Kings' sake!".
Sia nodded, tears falling with a smile as she held the ring, "Yes, he did...A promise ring...It's not a proposal or anything close to it, but this is better than I've dreamed of...", kissing the ring before putting it on her engagement finger, and then held her crystal to her ring and lips, murmuring, "I love you with all my soul, heart, and mind, Jacques...", kissing it lovingly, hoping that he somehow can know that she heard him through the letter, unknowing that her crystal glowed, passing the message to its mate.
Jacques, while waiting for the destroyer to make its final approach to shore in New York City, is in one of the meeting rooms with the crew, with the door locked as they are figuring out what to do with the sub and the gold as soon as they have Whitmore in their group, as they had locked it up tight before any navy sailors would get curious, knowing how gold can make people greedy or blabbing to the wrong person, gasped in surprise as his crystal glowed brightly at the same time as his ring for a moment, and tears fell as only his ears heard the message.
The others were looking at him after the glow vanished, and Audrey replied, "Let me guess, she got the letter and the ring?", with a smile, and Jacques sniffled, smiling brightly as he wiped his tears, "She did...She's wearing it...", taking a deep breath, and looked at the crew, "Let's make the most of our remaining freedom before we get deep into the war, starting with hopefully, an overnight stay in the Big Apple with Whitmore's help, with no hurry much to talk to your colonel, Steve, or even the President. I ain't missing out on witnessing your wedding, even if it's a quick elopement!", with a grin.
"Thanks, Jacques.", Steve chuckled as he took a deep breath. "Hard to believe we're almost home...".
"Yeah. Of course, we'll have the trouble of having to explain so much of what just went wrong and why we're coming back with certainly not what I don't think the War Department would've wanted us to grab.", Sweet reminded.
Steve obviously decided to take the responsibility of being the group's representative to explain things to Phillips and by extension, the War Department and the White House. Whitmore obviously would understand the full truth, but the others, obviously some parts of the truth would have to be muddled by Steve who was already thinking pretty well about what would be said. At least pretty much everything up to Atlantis was the truth that didn't need to be hidden.
"Forgive us for saying this, Steve, but you're certainly got quite the stones to try to explain this mess to the President.", Audrey gave a small humorous huff.
"Well, at least we'll have to deal with Whitmore first, but that's the easy part. And at least the treasure itself as well as keeping the Nazis and their HYDRA lackeys does at least keep us from coming back empty handed.", Steve reminded.
"Not to mention yourself.", Peggy added. "Though I think we both know that Phillips and the War Department were hoping that Erskine would come back with the means to create entire regiments of men like you.".
Steve sighed deeply, "Probably need to say that Abraham slowly contracted a sickness while exploring the ruins of Atlantis or got injured somehow in the escape from the Ulysses and he barely had energy to do anything with the equipment and changed me before he died the night of the change...".
Mole replied, "Well, that was technically true as he almost died, and got saved by Sia and Sweet.", and Jacques looked at Steve, "You sure you can say that when you look at them in the eye?".
"If I tell them that Rourke shot him, then yeah, pretty easily. They'd probably just assume that he eventually succumbed to his wounds. And I quote 'not before he was able to at least achieve success with his experiment and made me... well, how I stand before you.'" Steve said.
"Yep, that'll probably do it.", Sweet chuckled. "I've been working that out in my head the moment I decided to take the mantle of having to explain what I'm sure they'll probably call a mess.", Steve sighed.
Packard replied, "Looks like once I get the photos out, they will go to Whitmore. No need to risk the Atlanteans or the volcano battle...Through Hydra technically got the volcano fired up, thanks to their dirigible, their property, not ours...".
Cookie glanced at her, "You're not gonna tell how you snuck it on despite Sinclair's orders for cameras?", and Packard smirked, "Hey, even old ladies have to keep a secret or two, otherwise how else can I make the day interesting?".
Audrey giggled, smirking, "She's not wrong, Cookie.", and Peggy exhaled, "Is there any photos not starring any Atlanteans in the volcano battle, Packard? Hell, Hydra and the Nazis would have some info of that dirigible leaving a base somewhere...Especially with Schmidt...".
"I think I might have gotten a couple of photos of you guys fighting those Hydra lackeys on those mini planes.", Packard hummed thoughtfully as she flickered her cigarette.
"We'll figure out what to do about those photos soon, right now though, I would recommend that we keep those close to our chest for the time being.", Steve advised.
Packard nodded, "You got it, Steve.", before the ship horn bellowed out, and the intercom soon fizzled through the ship, "All ashore! Welcome back to the Big Apple herself, New York City!".
"Well, at least we're safe at home once more.", Sweet chuckled as everyone started to get up to get their things as well as making sure the treasure stayed secured.
They waited for all the shore naval officers to get off before Mole called out with his invented binoculars in his helmet, zooming in, "Whitmore approaching!".
Whitmore gingerly came up the empty ramp, laughing, "My friends, how I am so happy to see you all! Yet I see a few members missing...", with a dramatic flair of his cane.
Steve replied bashfully, "Long story, Mr. Whitmore.", and Whitmore widened his eyes, locked on Steve, "Steve? You couldn't be Steven Grant Rogers, could you?".
"Yeah...", Steve rubbed the back of his neck. "Basically, to sum that story up... Erskine's experiment worked.".
"I'll be damned... I had my doubts...", Whitmore then shook his head. "Sorry, sorry, not exactly the best place to talk; we should first come back to my place with your haul.", he said. "I've already informed ahead to the War Department and White House; we have a few days to quickly get organized and explain what had happened... but from Packard's message already... it sounds like costly victory...".
Peggy sighed, "You have no idea, Mr. Whitmore. How could we get the load home?". Whitmore smirked, "I got a big supply truck. You get the load in the empty boxes from the truck and strap them into the storage truck.".
"And the sub, boss?", Cookie asked, and Whitmore replied, "Phillips will have it. After all, a squadron of soldiers can use it after it's polished up and all, of course.".
Jacques replied, "Since your place is in D.C., could you mind if we make a detour first here in New York before the whole trip, Mr. Whitmore?".
"Oh? What for?", Whitmore asked, and Audrey smirked, "The lovebirds here want to get hitched.", gesturing to the blushing yet smiling pair of Peggy and Steve.
"Trying to tie the knot before getting shipped out, huh?", Whitmore chuckled as Steve blushed, "I guess that is the only way you could look at it, I suppose.".
Whitmore smiled, "Well, you're in luck. I have some old few friends in this city, and one of them is bound to do the hitch thing thoroughly for you two!", with a laugh.
"Thank you, Mr. Whitmore." Peggy thanked. "Obviously, hopefully they don't mind if we kinda spring things on them so quickly, but we never know how much time on leave we might have before we could be shipped out to support the war effort elsewhere.".
Whitmore smiled, "Ah, no need to thank me, Miss Carter. I am a sucker for romance. But before we get you hitched, let's load up the truck, and Steve, show me what you got with those muscles! After all, Phillips might be less upset if he hears of what you can do.".
Steve saluted him, smiling, "Yes, sir! You got it, sir!", and the crew went along to join him to the storage truck Whitmore brought, taking out the wooden empty boxes, and went back up the ramp to the sub, and so for a hour, with everybody in team shifts between packing the treasure in the boxes and loading the boxes in the truck.
"Certainly quite the collection...", Whitmore admitted as he and Audrey observed. "The Atlanteans were fairly grateful.", she chuckled, for many reasons.
"So, Packard implied... of course, I really would want to hear the full story... and especially how Rourke and Helga were spies the whole time... damn it all, right under my nose for all those years. I never would've suspected her especially.", Whitmore frowned.
Audrey snorted, "Papa said that he respected Helga as she was someone not to be messed on her bad side, but I bet he didn't realize that the bad side hid more than snapping out orders and such...I honestly thought she'd be happier being American of a sort as you know, the past war and such didn't help much matter to Germany, and now, with this war...".
Whitmore sighed deeply, "We were all fooled, Ms. Ramirez...But now, I'm glad that they didn't harm you or the others, and of course, you'd all have to tell me about Thaddeus and Erskine when we settle at my house after the elopement. I think Miss Carter and Mr. Rogers will be fine getting tickets for a train to Washington...After all, I wouldn't deny them a bit of a honeymoon.", with a smile.
"Shame it will be a fairly short one.", Audrey sighed as Whitmore nodded, "Seeing those two, I think they'll obviously make it work.".
"Oh, they certainly have already...", Audrey snickered. Whitmore chuckled wryly, "Young or old, there are usually a few batches of lovebirds no matter what decade.", and Audrey laughed, "Sounds like it.".
After the last box was loaded into the truck, Steve counted, and nodded at Peggy, "We're clear!", and Peggy smiled, looking at Whitmore, "We're filled up, Mr. Whitmore!".
"Alright then. Steve, you ride in my car, and the rest of you guys would have to volunteer to sit in the back of the car, while the others take up the driving of the truck including you, Miss Carter. After all, there's the tradition of not seeing the bride until the wedding.", Whitmore chuckled.
Peggy blushed. "Yeah, I think Steve and I have thrown most traditions out the window however.", she admitted as Sweet chuckled, "Yeah, kinda was an open secret to the rest of our group, especially once things had settled down before we left.".
Whitmore chuckled, "Well, that may be true, but still, it's best to keep to one tradition nonetheless.", with a nod, and Steve nodded, "Yes, sir.", before sprinting to Whitmore's car, leaping into the front, with Jacques and Sweet getting into the back of the car, with Audrey, Peggy at the front of the truck, with Mole, Packard, and Cookie riding in the back inside of the truck.
Whitmore smiled as he then took up the wheel of his car, and hummed as he drove on, leading the way to a nice and humble part of the city, parking in the alley besides a church, "Now, Steve, don't fuss, have Sweet and Jacques block your view. Audrey will see to her after I talk with the priest. Hopefully, one of the nuns has one of their casual dresses about grew out from them, able to fit Miss Carter.".
"I mean, we could quickly find a suiting place and if you'd be so kind as to buy me and Peggy a suit and dress; we'd be happy to donate some of our share with you to easily cover for it since obviously no place would truly take Atlantean gold pieces.", Steve said.
Whitmore smiled, "Ah, if you insist, Steve, but get into the church before you peek!", and Steve nodded, "Yes, sir.", walking along with Jacques and Sweet, to the church without peeking at Peggy.
Whitmore chuckled, and then nodded at Audrey who is coming out of the front of the truck, with Peggy. "Audrey, here's a bit of cash. There's a suiting place where there is sure to be a suit for Steve and a dress for Peggy. I am sure you got the right height and measurements, thanks to Erskine's notes.", with a smile.
"Hopefully they'll have what we could need; rationing and all that might make their inventory a bit lean...", Audrey said as Whitmore nodded. "Understood, but we won't know unless we look ourselves, right?", he chuckled.
Peggy smiled at Whitmore, "I don't know what to say, Mr. Whitmore.", and Whitmore chuckled, "Thank your fiancée, Miss Carter. He was insistent on it. You got a good man there.", with a smile.
Peggy blushed, smiling, and Audrey gestured with her head, "Come on, Peggy, no dawdling. We got a wedding to do!", with a grin, and so, after talking with the priest who was all too happy to arrange a right good wedding, even if it's a half elopement with some actual wedding stuff in it for some of Whitmore's great friends, and some spectacular finds at the suiting place, it was finally time.
Steve took a nervous breath, fussing over his brand-new suit, and Jacques smirked, "Steve, you aren't getting cold feet, are you?", standing next to him as Steve's best man.
"No, not really...", Steve admitted. "I mean, after everything that has happened and especially with Peggy and myself amongst ourselves, cold feet aren't really a problem. I guess I just have a bit of an issue with how fast we're doing all this.".
"I understand.", Jacques nodded. "That's the problem with the war; you just don't know where you might end up... or if you might even make it back home. You just kinda want to make sure you don't regret not doing something when you had the chance.".
Steve nodded with a smile at one of his rapidly growing best friends, "Exactly...But right now, strangely enough, I'm not regretting this, just hoping that my mother would have understood, next to my father...They similarly went through the same situation, but I sure wish they were here...Mom would have been tearing up with my father maybe teasing her or just smiling and holding her...".
Jacques chuckled, "Oh, believe me, I had similar thoughts when I promised of marrying Sia someday, but trust me, our loved ones would definitely watch from the heavens somehow, and just have faith that they shall be proud...".
"You're right, Jacques...", Steve smiled warmly before one of the available nuns went to strum at the church piano, with a lovely chorus of a wedding song echoing through the humble yet beloved church, and most of the crew in their finest clothes they could get from their bags, turned to look at the back doors, with Audrey coming out first, smiling as she opened the doors, strolling on, and just as she went to sit next to Sweet, there was movement, and then Steve's breath caught, his heart pounding.
Whitmore was happy to be asked to escort Peggy down the aisle as her parents aren't here in America, and so, Steve saw her with more beyond an artist's eye, but rather a fiancée's eye.
Peggy is breathtaking, with a long-sleeved white gown, with hints of transparent fabric that shimmered on her gown like stars, with a cleavage that was modestly proper, yet showing a lovely choker necklace, and her hair is brushed into a flawless, sleek curtain of slight curls, carrying a small bouquet of tulips, and a transparent veil is covering her, yet Steve can see her radiant, beautiful smile when she saw him.
The old priest chuckled, "Breathe, son.", and Steve exhaled a deep breath, blushing slightly in embarrassment, "Sorry, Father.", and the priest gave a warm smile, "No need to apologize. Just don't faint, eh? Your lady is quite lovely. After all, those old eyes of mine has witnessed hundreds of weddings, and yes, there have been quite a few memorable enough, and now, to have some of my dear friend Whitmore's people getting married, well, this counts as memorable so far.".