I'm late.

Will you marry me?

Peggy's home, 1948.

Both Peggy and Steve had agreed to go on a dinner date. No reason except they missed each other's company while at work, which was most of the time nowadays.

Peggy sits down in her silk robe on the old stool which is placed in front of her mirror. She unclips each roller from her hair, holding a few pins between her teeth. The waves are clipped back into place before Peggy fluffs it up at the bottom and smiles with how good it looks. Although she is a pro at it now.

Leaning forward she grabs her face powder and creates a light dusting on her skin. Then picks up her mascara bar and brushes her lashes gently. Very steadily, she draws on a thin line of eyeliner just above her lashes and flicking out at the end. Less of a pro at this perhaps.

Finally, she grabs her ruby lipstick. She bought a new one just for today. Perfectly, she lines her cupid's bow with the side and drags it down to the ends of her lips before rubbing them together. She grins at herself, proud for not messing it up. Her beautifully white teeth practically glowing.

Peggy stumbles into the bathroom and returns a few minutes later with a wonderful blue dress on, hugging her curves just right. Still zipping up the back, she frantically searches for the right shoes. There. Under the bed, shoes the exact shade of her dress; she slips them on with ease.

[At Steve's]

Although this date was no special occasion, he always likes to look his best just for her.

Stood in the bathroom in front of the mirror, Steve throws water on his face. He dabs it off with a towel and begins to slick his hair. Brushing it to the left on the top and to the back on the sides. The gel holds it in place just as it should.

He walks out the bathroom and looks at his suit on the bed. A dark burgundy blazer and trousers; white shirt and a thin, black tie. After a minute he's got it all on except for his tie.

He jumps at the sound of a knock at the door. He rushes to answer it and there she stands. Peggy, holding her purse in front of her. She smells like roses as alway. His eyes scan her entire body slowly and she just smiles, putting one hand on her hip.

"Ready?" She asks with a smirk.

"I- Uh yeah, almost." Steve stumbles over his words, "I've just got to put on my tie." he gestures towards his bedroom door. It's a one story house so his room is just behind him. "Come in, take a seat.". Peggy steps in, closing the door behind her, but decides to not sit down. Steve rushes back out the room.

After a minute, he's back with his tie on and smelling fresh. She admires him, this causes even him to blush a little.

[At the restaurant]

"-And a glass of whiskey please." Peggy says. The waitress nods to them both before walking away with her note pad. Peggy looks down at her lap as if examining something in her bag, her face rosy and hot. Steve smiling at her, but soon this smile begins to fade.

"What's on your mind?" He asks. She looks up and forces a smile, it's clear she's holding something in. Steve can tell when something is worrying her, as much as she tries to hide it.

"Nothing, I'm alright.". Steve raises an eyebrow to this but chooses to push it no further, he knows how stubborn she can be. That's what he liked about her. Sometimes.

During their meal, Peggy still seemed out of it. Looking around, watching other couples eat. While Steve's eyes were fixed on her. Surprisingly, he was calm. Often Peggy's presence, especially when on a date, made him stutter and become all shy, her confidence overpowering his. Tonight, the roles were reversed.

Later, after they finished their meal, "Would you like the bill?" The waitress said, piling the plates on her tray. Peggy didn't eat much, put it down to her nerves.

"Yes please, ma'am." Steve replied. The lady slipped away after a quick nod to him.

Peggy made eye contact with Steve and she seemed to relax. He smiled softly, she smiled back. For real this time.

"I love you, Pe-"

"Will you marry me?" She interrupted rather quickly. Steve froze, unsure of what to say. A blank expression on his face. Did she really just ask him that? Is he imagining this?

"What-"

"Will you marry me?" She asked again, slower this time. Her face was glowing with sweat. Her cheeks the same colour of her lipstick, which has now smudged away. Her heart was practically pounding out of her chest with the fear he may say no.

All in one breath she says, "I mean I don't have a ring as it's not traditional for a woman to propose so they didn't have engagement rings for men and it was a last minute thought but not really because I love you and I wanted to propose for a while now I just never had the guts and I just-" she pauses to breathe, then notices Steve.

A smile, slowly appearing on his face. A loving, genuine smile. Her heart rate began to slow. Realistically, why would he say no? Who in their right mind would?

She takes a deep breath to speak again but before she can get out one word,

"Yes." he says. "Of course I will.".

Tears begin to swell in her eyes at the sound of these words. she brings her hands up to her mouth, masking the quiet sound of her happy sobs. Steve stands up and walks round the table to her. He kneels beside her chair.

She brings her hands to her chest, looks down to him and she says, "Really?". He nods and she throws herself towards him. Wrapping her arms around his neck. They stand up together still holding one another. People begin to stare in confusion.

"We're getting married!" He announces. It's only a small restaurant but the cheers are loud. He kisses her and people begin to walk over to them. The men patting him on the back; the women crowding her.

"You scored."
"Congrats, Pal."
"How'd you work up the courage to propose to a gal like that?"

"Actually, she proposed." He said, still one arm around her waist. Almost everyone gasped at this. It was a magical moment, like children showing their new toys they got for Christmas.

[In the streets]

After a good chat with everyone in the restaurant, Steve and Peggy walked home. Arm in arm. Peggy's heart was no longer pounding, her breathing was steady, Steve had a grin that never seemed to go.

"You know," Steve began. "Since we are engaged, we should probably move in together." He said this all while looking down at her, but she continued to look ahead.

"So, my place or yours." She replied after a minute. He laughed a little.

"Yours, it's bigger." As he said this, they turned the corner to her street. Once they reach her home, unlock the door and enter, she says

"Well, make yourself at home." Flinging her arms up.

He took this opportunity to hug and lift her. Her head now above his and looking down into his eyes. She places her soft hands on his cheeks and kisses him.

"You're going to be suck with me." he said after they pull away.

"That's no bad thing." She grins. He kisses her again.