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

Chapter 17

Steve and I finally made it to dinner, except we were late for the reservation Steve had made...an hour late. Thankfully they weren't super busy so they still gave us the table. "I don't know what I want..." I mumbled as I looked over the menu. "Anything you want." Steve looked up from his menu and smiled at me.

"Are you sure this is okay Steve...I mean it's a little expensive and I don't mind-" "Becca. Stop. I'm treating you to this dinner. I've been saving up since I let go of my ma's place, so this is fine." He cut me off and I smiled, taking a sip of the wine in front of me. "Okay?" "Okay." I nodded and went back to browsing the menu. "I think I want the Filet with a few sides...mashed potatoes and the creamed spinach." I said, setting my menu down. "Good choice. I was thinking about the prime rib or the lobster thermidor."

"Lobster." I said with a smile. "Why's that...so you can steal some of my food?" I nodded and he rolled his eyes. "What makes you think I'm gonna share?" I smiled and intertwined our fingers. "Because you can't say no to me?"

He laughed and shook his head. "I guess we'll see then..."

Sure enough, Steve did order the lobster on the promise that he could have some of my steak. Of course I agreed and soon our order was being brought out. The food was divine and the steak melted in my mouth. It was perfectly cooked. Steve's lobster was the same. I wanted more and I wished it was possible to eat like this every night. Maybe it would be one day but not today.

I was only making about $200 a month at the bar not including my tips and Bucky's apartment alone was $100 a month in rent and slowly increasing with each passing year. Thankfully now that Steve had been living with me, things were easier. He made a little more money than me and he was adamant that he help out with bills. Especially groceries since I had to start buying more to keep up with his bottomless stomach. Hopefully this job with Howard would be good. Howard promised it would pay more so I wasn't worried.

"So are you excited to start your new job as the great Howard Stark's assistant?" Steve asked me as we shared a chocolate mousse cake. "Kind of...I'm excited to do something different and make more money but I don't know. Howard seems like he could be difficult..." I laughed. "Oh he can be but trust me you'll be fine. You grew up with Bucky." I snorted a laugh and shook my head. "He was a pain in the ass wasn't he?" Steve nodded with a laugh before his eyes drifted past my own and landed on something behind me causing his smile to drop.

"Steve, what is it?"

I turned around and saw the something...or rather someone...he was now looking at. Peggy. She was staring right back at him as I watched her husband, or who I assumed was her husband, pull off her coat and set it on the back of the chair pulled out for her. I looked back at Steve and then down to the dessert plate.

"Steve?"

"Huh? Sorry." He shook his head and focused his attention back on me. "I'm sorry." He mumbled again. "I wasn't expecting to see her here, that's all."

I nodded slowly but didn't look up and meet his gaze, "I understand."

Steve quickly reached out and placed his hand on top of mine, stopping my movements. "Hey, look at me." I looked up into his blue eyes. "She doesn't mean anything to me anymore, Becca. It's you I want. Who I lo- Who I want to be with." He stumbled over his words slightly and cleared his throat. Was he about to tell me he loves me?? I think he was...I smiled at the thought as I looked at his face. He looked nervous.

"Steve..."

"Yea?"

"I love you too."

His face visibly relaxed and he broke out into a really wide smile, "I love you so much, Rebecca." He stood up and leaned over the table to press a kiss to my lips. I enjoyed every second of it too before he sat back down. "I've been dying to tell you but I was nervous you would think I was crazy or that it was too soon...but I really do love you."

I shook my head, "Not crazy or too soon. Just right." He gave my hand a squeeze and waved the waitress over for the check. My eyes just about bulged out of my head when I saw the $40 total. That was so much for a meal. Steve however didn't care and left the correct amount, with a tip, before standing up and offering me his hand. I took it and he helped me up, walking us toward the exit. We would have made it out too had Peggy not stopped us by calling out his name.

Steve turned around and his grip on my hand tightened as he led us to the table. Peggy stood up and smiled at him. "Grant...good to see you." She cleared her throat, his fake name sounding somewhat weird coming out of her mouth. "You too, Peggy."

"I'd like you to meet my husband, George." George held out his hand and Steve took it. "Nice to meet you. This is my girlfriend, Rebecca." I smiled and waved at the two of them. "Wonderful to meet you. Maybe we could all go out for a drink sometime?" Peggy suggested, her eyes never leaving Steve. It was like I was invisible. "Oh that would be great! Peggy has told me you fought in the war as well, Grant?" Steve nodded his head.

"I did. The 107th." He replied. The 107th. Bucky's unit.

"I'd love to talk with you more, how about we meet for drinks Saturday." He smiled at both of us. "Sure," Steve looked at me and I nodded, "that would be great."

"Wonderful!" George said.

"Well, we have to get home. Becca starts her new job tomorrow. It was lovely to see you Peggy, and great to meet you George."

"You too." Peggy and George replied.

"Lovely to meet you both." I said softly as Steve led me away from the table and out of the restaurant where his motorcycle was waiting.

"I'm so sorry Becca..." He started but I shook my head. "It's okay. She called you over there." He sighed and squeezed my hand. "She doesn't mean anything to me anymore Becca." I leaned forwards and put my hand on his cheek. "Steve, it's okay. I trust you." He pulled me into a kiss before getting on the bike and then helping me on. "Let's go home."