Forever and Always

Epilogue

A/N: Thanks for sticking around! Have a happy and healthy 2023! I'm working on a bunch of other things so come join my Tumblr for updates and imagines! Tumblr: Haley_Rude

"Hey now, I don't want to see any tears" I looked fondly at Steve who was kneeling down in front of Sarah, our 1 and a half year old who recently just fell and scraped her knee. He grabbed her chunky leg giving her a kiss on the knee before leaning up to give her a bunch of kisses on her face making her giggle. He got up grabbing Sarah before walking over to me. I reached up to wipe away a remaining tear on her beautiful face. She had my face features with Steve's blue eyes and blond hair. Cute little blond ringlets that were so soft, she was truly the definition of perfect.

"Are you ready?" Steve's voice was still soft as I nodded my head before turning around to continue walking. The grass is a beautiful green beneath my feet. The air felt familiar as the soft breeze hugged me every so often. The sky didn't have a cloud to be seen. I took a deep breath before stopping. "Hey mom" I took a seat on the ground in front of the tombstone, laying the bouquet of flowers in front of it as Steve sat down next to me, putting Sarah in his lap. Sarah is still too young to understand where we were. It was hard for me to muster up words to say as it's been a long time since I've visited. I felt guilty.

Steve started speaking when he realized I couldn't. "Hey mom, I'm honored that I could be sitting here today with your beautiful daughter and granddaughter. I wish you were here with us today so I could have met you. One day we will all be together but until then keep watching over us and keep us safe like you have been" I was wiping my tears as they ran down my cheeks. "Come here love" Steve put an arm around me and I leaned into him while playing with the ends of Sarah's hair. "I just miss her so much" I felt Steve kiss the top of my head as Sarah turned around and frowned, crawling more into my lap as I wrapped my arms around her.

"I know you do love. I wish I could've met her." I looked up at him to see his eyes were glossy as well. I reached up to rub his cheek, "I wish I could've met your mom too" he smiled and looked away. "I wish you could've as well, she would've loved you so much" I've shown Steve pictures of my mom and myself when I was younger but it hurt my heart that Steve didn't have anything left from his mom. He always told me besides Bucky she was his number one supporter.

Sarah started getting fussy as I held her, "are you hungry little one?" I moved some hair out of her face as she looked up at me. "Hungy" Steve got up first extending a hand down to help me up. I gave my mom's resting place one more look before we made our way back to the rental car. I knew before we left Steve and I would visit again. I wanted to get back to the hotel to feed Sarah. Tony and Pepper came down to Florida with us as well insisting they wouldn't bother us but watch over Sarah so we could have alone time. I appreciated it as I liked to drive Steve around and show him where I grew up. He loved every second of it. Driving through old neighborhoods, telling him what stores used to occupy the new ones and passing by schools I used to attend feel like a whole other lifetime ago.

***

"Thanks for taking her, we owe you" I smiled as Steve kissed Sarah's cheek and handed her over to Tony who immediately held her in the air making her giggle. "Please it's no problem watching our niece" Pepper said as she gave me a hug. "Have fun and we'll call you if we need anything" Tony laughed as they started walking away. "I'm so grateful for them but I always miss our baby so much when she's gone" Steve lifted my face so I could look at him. "I miss her too Doll" he leaned down to give me a kiss. We started making our way up to the hotel room to change into our bathing suits so we could hit the pool and jacuzzi the hotel offered. I changed into a navy blue bikini and looking in the mirror I regretted not bringing my one piece. I have struggled getting the last bit of baby weight off me and I hated it. I gave out a sigh turning and seeing Steve standing with his arms crossed.