It's Been A Long, Long Time // Steve Rogers

Chapter 16

The next day, I woke up in Steve's arms and smiled. He was so perfect. I was falling in love. I hoped he was too. I was just patiently waiting for him to say something first. But if he didn't, I didn't know how long I was gonna be able to keep that in. I slipped out of his arms and pulled on his discarded tshirt and some underwear before heading into the kitchen.

I figured I'd cook us some breakfast and get the day started by calling Howard and accepting his job offer. It would be good money and Steve and I had been saving up to move out of this stuffy and small one bedroom. Plus we needed a bigger bed, Steve was so tall his feet kind of hung off a little. That was, when he slept on the bed. Some days I would wake up and find him with his pillow on the floor. Something about the bed being too soft. It wasn't often, just occasionally when he would have a bad dream...though he would never tell me what they were.

I started off by preparing some pancake batter and getting the eggs and bacon out. I mixed up the flour, milk, eggs, baking powder, sugar, and salt and set it aside as the pan heated up on the stovetop. I poured a circle of batter onto the hot pan and waited for it to heat up before flipping it over. I did this a few times until I had a nice stack of pancakes for 2...and extra because Steve eats a lot.

I moved the pancakes off to the side and started the bacon and eggs, cooking them sunny side up how Steve likes and then scrambled for myself. Sometime while the bacon was cooking, Steve woke up and sleepily walked into the kitchen, shirtless and in loose pajama pants that were hanging low on his hips. "Good morning." He mumbled, his voice deeper than usual from sleep. My eyes raked over his body before landing on his eyes, "Morning!" He smirked at me, knowing I was checking him out as I placed the eggs and bacon on a plate and pulled out the carton of orange juice and maple syrup.

Steve slowly sat down at the kitchen table as I set the plates down and the juice. "Thank you, Becca." He smiled. I smiled back and leaned over to kiss him. "You're really spoiling me with all of this good food." He pulled a few pancakes onto his plate and snagged a few pieces of bacon from the tray in the middle of the table. "I know, without me you'd be hopeless."

"That is definitely true. I'd be eating soup and boiled chicken for the rest of my life." He laughed, taking a bite.

"Well, I'm happy to cook for you." I smiled, digging into my own plate of pancakes, eggs, and bacon.

"I'm going to call Howard today." I said, taking another bite of my scrambled eggs. Steve nodded, "just be careful okay?" "Always."

We finished up breakfast and Steve was quick to stand up and pick up the dirty plates so he could wash them. He never let me wash dishes anymore. I certainly wasn't complaining. I hated doing dishes. Steve remained in the kitchen as I walked into the living room to pick up the old phone on the coffee table that I almost never used. I pulled out Howards card and dialed the number.

"Hello?" He answered after the 2nd ring.

"Hi, Howard! This is Rebecca Barnes..." I said. "Ah Rebecca! I was expecting your call!" I laughed slightly and shook my head. "Confident aren't you?" "I just knew you'd call. Any thoughts on my job offer..." He asked. "I think you already know my answer..."

He laughed on the other end and I rolled my eyes, "I know. I just wanted to hear you say it."

"I'd like the job, Howard."

"Excellent!! When can you start? I've got lots of things to do and am in desperate need of assisting." He asked.

"Oh well, I'll have to put in my weeks notice at the bar..." I said. My next shift wasn't until Thursday. It was Tuesday. "Don't worry about that. I'll speak to the owner right away. Can you come in tomorrow? I'll send a car for you."

"Oh...okay...sure. That sounds good, Howard." I smiled, even though he couldn't see me. "Perfect! I'll have my driver, Jarvis, pick you up tomorrow morning at 9am sharp."

"Okay. Thank you, Howard." "Of course! See you tomorrow, Becca."

We both hung up and I looked over my shoulder to see Steve standing in the doorway, leaning up against it and unfortunately now wearing a shirt. "I guess congratulations are in order." He said with a smile. "I start tomorrow."

"Wow. That's soon..." Steve said, pushing off the doorframe and coming to sit next to me on the couch. "Howard said he would speak to the owner of the bar about everything and not to worry about it." Steve nodded and I cuddled up against him. He quickly pulled the blanket that was laying over the back of the couch over my body and let me relax against him. "Can we have a lazy day?" I asked him. "I planned on it...unless I get called to work." I nodded and let my arms squeeze him tightly.

"I still want to take you out tonight. A nice place."

"Do we have too?" I looked up at him and he smiled, giving me a quick kiss. "Yes, we have too. I want to take my girlfriend out and celebrate her new job." I huffed and he laughed softly. Not that I didn't want to go out to a nice dinner...but I also really enjoyed cuddling up against Steve on the couch under a blanket while his favorite show played over the radio. That was my idea of an ideal evening.

Steve had other plans though because when 5pm rolled around, he made me get up and start getting ready. We both took a quick shower, saving water, and then Steve pulled out my nicest dress out of the small closet and laid it on the bed. "You're really making me wear that?"

Steve smiled and nodded, "Fancy restaurant, Becca." I sighed and dropped my towel from my body and walked over to the dresser. Steve groaned and I looked back at him with a smile.

"Becca you can't do this to me..."

"You're the one who told me to get dressed." I shrugged, pulling out some underwear from one of the drawers. He walked up behind me and I felt each of his hands on my waist and his mouth leaving kisses along my shoulder. "Steve...behave."

"Mmm..No..." He mumbled against my shoulder. He bit down gently and a soft noise left my lips. "If you start something...we'll never make it to dinner..."

He ignored me and kissed up my neck before spinning me around and pushing me up against the dresser. "Then we'll just have to be quick."