Growing up is optional

Chapter 1

Lizzie was sitting waiting for her grandfather to return, he had said he wanted to do this alone. She looked round the house she had spent so much time in growing up, both her parents had died during the Iraq war, so from the age of 13 she had lived with her grandparents. Their house was filled with pictures of the life they had lived. Both were war heroes in their own right. She was tidying the kitchen when she heard the front door open and creak closed.

"Lizzie, are you still here?"

"In the kitchen." She shouted through the door as she dried her hands on the tea towel and leant against the door frame. She watched him hang his coat up and sit at the dining table, he gave her a smile. "How did it go?"

"It's in good hands now. Sam will do what's right."

Lizzie nodded before heading to make them both a coffee. As she sat back down next to him and slid his cup towards him.

He covered her hand with his. "When is your shift at the hospital again?"

"I'm not back until tomorrow now. I was thinking about going and getting us some steaks and cooking us some dinner."

"That sounds wonderful."

Lizzie stared at her grandfather, to everyone one else he was the first Avenger, Captain America, but to her he was just her grandfather, the man that had taught her right from wrong. He had taught her how to look after herself and punch her way out of most fights. She had wanted to join the army, but he wouldn't allow it after her parents deaths. They had settled on her working as a doctor down at the Military hospital. She had inherited his super strength, but they had never told anyone. He told her often of how much she looked like her father and that she had Peggy's dark brown hair as well as his blue eyes. She hated leaving him alone for too long now that she was the only one left.

He squeezed her hand and she was brought out of her daze. "Get a couple more steaks when you go, I have a feeling we might get a couple of guests for tea."

She gave him a puzzled look, but said nothing as she got up. Pulling on her coat that had been hanging on the back of the chair she kissed his cheek and headed to the door, as if on cue two men appeared at the door as she opened it. "Oh." She said, taking a step back before she bumped into them on the pouch. "Can I help you?"

Both looked at her, then at each other. "We're looking for Steve?" One said slowly, sounding rather uncertain that they had in fact got the right house.

She smiled politely and gestured for them to follow her into the house and took them to where Steve was reading this morning's newspaper. "Grandpa, these two, say there here to see you."

Both men gave each other a puzzled look again and then looked at Steve. "Grandpa?" they both said together.

Steve laughed as he folded and tossed the paper onto the countertop near him before walking to the kitchen and putting on the kettle "Sit down, I'll explain."

Lizzie took a long look at the two newcomers, memorising them just in case before walking away shouting back clearly that she wouldn't be long.

When she returned, the men were still sitting round the table. She could hear their laughter as she came through. She noticed there were a few beer bottles on the table, good job she had bought some more. Her grandfather gave her a smile as she started putting the bits of shopping away.

"Lizzie," Called her grandfather. "meet Sam and Bucky."

Lizzie headed back over and held out her hand to both men who stood to greet her. She turned to carry on with her tasks, she grilled the steaks, made a salad and served it with some roasted baby potatoes. She sat next to Steve, Bucky was on the other side of her. They shared stories about their time together. Lizzie just sat and listened, she enjoyed seeing her grandfather light up around his friends. She started cleaning away the pots, when Bucky jumped up to help her.