Crescent Acres (Steve Rogers AU)

28

Steve

I have to admit that even though I've been made to rest the hell up, I do feel somewhat better as opposed to before. Therapy has begun and even though I've felt reluctant to talk about my feelings before, I'm finding this time around is easier. Maybe because I've had the wake up call that I needed, but Darby's influence has had everything to do with it.

For once I'm eating right, not worrying about getting up and out to make sure everything is ready to run smoothly. And if I do overdo it, then I know to take a break - even if I'm still limited in doing stuff at the moment.

Still, the cast will be coming off soon and finally I'll have use of my arm back.

I'm healing, but slowly.

I watch Darby as she paces back and forth, looking at her watch every so often. She's picking her mom up from the airport but being ready early isn't doing any favours in this situation. She's nervous. Already her mom thinks that she's making a mistake in getting married far too soon again, and we've had many conversations into the night where she's been questioning whether her parents will show. I hate seeing her upset, but I know that once her mom is here, she'll be a little more relaxed.

"Darbs, come and sit down, you still have half an hour before you need to leave". I tell her from where I'm lounging across the sofa reading a book. It's been a while since I picked up one, but this has been sat by my bed for months collecting dust. So far it's pretty good.

"Maybe I should go now? In case there's traffic or something?" She says, chewing on one of the nails.

I look at her before I beckon her over with my finger. "C'mere". She does, and I gently sit her down next to me. "Everything is gonna be fine, ok?"

"I'm just worried she's gonna try and talk us outta doing this". She says, toying with her engagement ring.

I look at her. "Sweetheart, once she sees how happy you are? We are? She's gonna do anything but talk us outta it". Leaning in I give her a long and lingering kiss. "She knows about us and our history right?" She nods at this. "So if she knows just how we've felt all these years? She won't object to it - and if she does? Well I'm still gonna marry you anyway".

She grins just as I do and then kisses me once more. "God I can't wait to marry you".

"You sure you wanna put up with me for the rest of your life?" I ask her.

"If I didn't then I wouldn't be here".

I look at her. "I'm glad you are - because if this happened and I didn't have you? I'd be in a shittier place than I already was".

"Don't talk like that". She says, looking a little scared now. "I know you weren't great but I don't like thinking about what could have happened if..." Now trailing off before she just snuggles into me.

"Sorry". I now feel bad. We've been open with one another - me more so than when I was with Sharon. But with Darby? Talking about how I feel or whatever comes naturally. I don't feel like I need to hide behind the 'I'm ok' exterior because I know that she wouldn't say something that would sound like she was judging me.

I don't know why, but with Sharon I always had that fear. That she would never take what I said seriously.

"Don't ever apologise for telling me the truth about how you feel".

"To get me to tell you some of the stuff that I have? That's an achievement that even my mom couldn't do".

I want this marriage to be based on being open, being truthful. To have a level of trust that I've never experienced before. With Darby I have all of that and more.

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

She's the one. My best girl.

We just stay there on the sofa, cuddled up to one another until she realises that if she doesn't leave now, then she'll be late. "Call you when I'm on the way back, better take your meds for this afternoon before you forget". She says, grabbing her keys and giving me one last kiss.

"Drive safe". I tell her and take them, feeling their effects a short while later on. There's some pretty hardcore pills to add to the line up this time around, so I get tired easily.

Getting up. I head to the bedroom to lie down, knowing that I'll be asleep before long.

**

By the time I wake up a few hours later, Darby is home and as I venture out to the kitchen area, she's sat at the island counter with her mother - who now smiles as I come in.

"Well, I wouldn't have recognised you. Steve isn't it?"

I smile and give her a broken arm hug. "And you must be Jane. You haven't changed from what I can remember".

She laughs lightly. "Few more grey hairs that's for sure", now watching as Darby gives me a kiss and then pours me some tea. "Darby told me about your accident, and also about your dad - I'm so sorry, he was such a character if I can remember rightly".

I smile. "That was dad alright. Always liked to be the source of entertainment".

"And how are you doing after your accident. Darby said it was a horse?" Jane now looks at me a little horrified.

"Yep, but it's the first time it's ever happened. Thing got spooked though, so it wasn't his fault".

Darby looks to Jane. "It's the last time he's getting on a horse for a long time".

"I can ride, just can't give them training anymore, or anything fast paced that will risk me injuring myself again". I confirm.

"Well you were very lucky that's for sure". Jane sips at her tea and then it seems like it's down to business. "So...you two are getting married".

"Mom" Darby interjects but I tell her it's ok.

Now I look at my future mother in law and tell it to her straight. "Truth is I've been waiting for her, but I just didn't know it until she came back. I fell in love with your daughter when I was just a kid, and I've never stopped even if I thought I did. It's always been her, and it's always going to be her". I explain, "Darbs didn't have to say yes to me. In fact I said that she could take as long as she wanted in making up mind. If she said no then I wouldn't have pushed her into anything. But the bottom line is that I love her whether she has my last name or not".

I feel her rest her head on my good shoulder and we wait as Jane takes it all in. "Well...she was pretty fucking miserable after we came back that summer, even more so when we told her that we were getting divorced. But I knew there was something - I didn't realise it would last this long though". She smiles at me. "All I can say is that you're a better choice than her poor excuse for an ex, and I know that despite our differences, her father would agree with me".

"I'd never hurt her. I promise you that".

"And I believe you". Now sipping more of her tea. "Well you certainly have my blessing".

I hear Darby give a little triumphant squeal before she hugs Jane and then looks to me beaming. "I think we need to get your mom over here so they can meet".

Getting out my phone I nod in agreement. They would get on very well. "Guess I'd better call her then".