For The Love Of A Captain Book 2

Peggy

Steve POV

"Come in," I heard a voice call from inside. I took another deep breath and turned the handle, opening the door slowly. Peggy was sitting up in her bed, looking out the window. She didn't turn as we came in. I took a good look at her. She was still beautiful, her hair still curled the way she liked it. It was longer now and definitely grey, but she still looked like her.

"Is that you Heather? Is it time for lunch already?" she said. Her accent hit me again just like the day I met her. I walked over to her bedside, bringing Alia with me. There were chairs sitting against the wall and I pulled them up to sit next to Alia beside the bed.

"No Peg, it's me, it's Steve," I said, smiling at her. She looked at me in shock and then smiled.

"Steve? You're alive?" she breathed. I smiled back taking one of her hands in mine, while keeping Alia's hand in my other. I could feel Alia squeeze my hand but I didn't let go.

"Yeah, Peg. I'm still alive," I replied.

"You haven't changed at all. You haven't aged a day. I must be imagining things," Peggy said, gripping my hand with her other hand as well.

"Did they not tell you what happened Peggy?" I asked. "When I went into the ice, the serum that Dr. Erskine gave me, basically kept me alive. I didn't age but I was in the ice for seventy years."

"I can't imagine what you must have felt when you woke up. I can't imagine how hard it was for you," she replied, shaking her head.

"It was pretty crazy at first but I had someone to help me through it. Peggy, I want you to meet someone," I told her. I looked over at Alia and smiled. "This is Aliana Fraser. My girlfriend."

"It's nice to meet you Ms. Carter," Alia said, a little tentatively. She leaned forward and Peggy took her hand.

"Call me Peggy, my dear. It's lovely to meet you. You must be an incredible woman to put up with the Captain over here," Peggy said smirking at me. I faked a hurt look while Alia laughed.

"Oh he's a handful alright," she replied chuckling.

"Ok what is this gang up on Steve day?" I teased playfully. "I'm not that bad!" They both laughed at me and I smiled at them. It was amazing how quickly Peggy had accepted Alia. I knew how she was towards people she didn't like and it was clear that she liked Alia.

"Oh Steve we both know that isn't true," Peggy replied, smirking. Just then Alia's phone rang. She pulled it out. It was her dad.

"I'm so sorry, I need to take this it's my father. I'll be back in a few minutes ok?" she said standing up. I pulled her in for a kiss. After a moment she pulled back, her cheeks slightly pink and she walked out, smiling. I watched her go, smiling myself, before Peggy spoke.

"She really had gotten to you hasn't she?" Peggy asked. I nodded.

"I think she's the one Peg. I plan on proposing soon," I replied looking back to her. 

"You never did anything rash so I know for a fact that she must indeed be the one," Peggy said, smiling. "I'm glad you finally found happiness Steve."

"You should be proud of yourself, Peggy," I replied, seeing the pictures on her bedside table of her children and grandchildren. She smiled again.

"I have lived a life. My only regret is that you didn't get to live yours. Hopefully Aliana will change that for you," she said, looking at me. 

"For as long as I can remember, I just wanted to do what was right. I guess I'm not quite sure what that is anymore," I sighed sadly. Everything with SHIELD was still on my mind. "And I thought I could throw myself back in, follow orders, serve. It's just not the same."

"You were always so dramatic," she said, laughing. I smirked at her. "Look. You saved the world. We rather...mucked it up."

"You didn't. Knowing that you helped found SHIELD is half the reason I stay," I retorted. She took my hand again and looked at me intensely. 

"The world has changed. And none of us can go back. All we can do is out best, and sometimes the best that we can do is to start over," she started to say and fell into a coughing fit, turning her head away. I looked around and saw a pitcher of water with a glass and poured some into it for her. I held it out to her as she finished coughing and turned back to me. Her eyes lit up in surprise and she stared at me. I was slightly confused for a moment.

"Steve? You're alive? You...you came back?" she cried. My heart broke. She was sick. I think Alia had mentioned something about dementia on our way here but I wasn't sure what that was. Apparently it affected her memory. I'd have to look it up more later. 

"Yeah Peggy," I whispered, smiling at her. 

"It's been so long," she said tearfully. 

"Well I couldn't leave my best girl. Not when she owes me a dance," I said, trying not to cry. We talked for a few more minutes until she began to get tired. I told her that I would come visit her again in a few days. I hugged her gently and walked out of her room still trying not to cry. Alia was by the steps still on the phone when I walked out. She saw me coming and smiled.

"Ok dad, I have to go but I will call you tomorrow ok?" she was saying as I walked up. "Love you too, bye. Hey, how did it go? Are you ok?"

"Well I finally figured out what you meant by dementia. She had a coughing fit and I turned around for two seconds to get her some water and when she looked at me again it was like the last half hour hadn't even happened," I sighed sadly. Alia took me in her arms and held me. 

"I'm so sorry baby. I can't even imagine what it must have been like to have to see her that way. I'm sorry I couldn't be there with you. Dad is on a mission somewhere and he was keeping his promise to call everyday," she said, holding me tight. I just nodded.

"It's ok. I know that those calls are important to you both. Besides, she was getting tired anyway. I told her I'd come visit her again soon. You can come with again if you want," I replied, taking her hand and walking down the stairs.

"She seems sweet. She certainly has you pegged down doesn't she?" Alia asked, playfully. I threw my head back and laughed.

"She seems sweet, but you don't want to piss off Peggy Carter. She once punched a guy that I was training with in the nose because he made some lewd comments towards her," I said, smiling at the memory. 

"I would have paid good money to see that," Alia replied. We walked out of the building and towards my motorcycle. "What do you want to do now?"

"I think we need to go and visit another friend. Someone who should have told us more about that exhibit," I said smirking. She nodded and we headed towards the V.A.