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

Chapter 22

Rebecca's POV

Christmas Eve, 1948. Our first Christmas together as a couple. Well as a family, including Scout. Of course we spent many Christmas's together when we were younger after Sarah, Steve's mother, died but this year it was just us. No parents and no Bucky. It was going to be different. The thought alone made me sad but at least I had Steve.

The Stark Expo came and went. It went off without a hitch, the performance of the Rockettes being a huge hit, but unfortunately the flying car still wasn't ready. Howard was upset but I assured him that next year, 1949 to 1950 would be his year.

I was over the moon that Steve had bought me a puppy. A perfect little golden retriever named Scout. He was attached to the both of us and always cuddling with one of us.

"Riley, Maddy, Lois, and John will be here soon...can you make sure the cookies come out of the oven so I can shower?"

"Yes, sweetheart, I will make sure the cookies come out."

"I mean it, Steve. Don't you dare let my cookies burn." I narrowed my eyes at him and he held up his hands in defense. "I would never let that happen!" I raised my eyebrows at me and he smiled, "I won't get distracted this time." Scout barked at him and he looked down at the fluffy dog.

I laughed and walked into the bathroom, locking it, to ensure Steve doesn't get any ideas and forget that there is food cooking. I took a quick shower and got dressed in a red velvet dress.

Once I was ready with my makeup and hair done as well, I walked out into the kitchen where Steve was munching on a cookie with Scout at his feet. "I had to taste them, you know...make sure they were good." He mumbled. I laughed and kissed his cheek. "Go get ready." He finished the cookie and kissed my lips before jogging into the bedroom. Scout barked at me and I smiled, "don't look at me. I'm not giving you cookies. Bad for dogs."

In addition to the cookies, I had cooked up an entire Christmas Eve dinner for my friends consisting of ham, mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, green beans, a few other items and desserts. "Oh my god it smells good in here!!" I smiled and ran into the living room and into Lois. We embraced each other in a hug and I helped her take off her coat. "Hi John." I said, giving him a hug as well. "Lois was right, it smells fantastic." I smiled and thanked him as Steve walked out of the bedroom. "John! Good to see you." The men shook hands and then Steve gave Lois a hug. "Grant you are one lucky man if you get to eat her food every day." Lois laughed, taking a seat on the couch. "Oh trust me, I know. She spoils me." Steve smiled.

We sat around taking for a little until Riley and Maddy arrived. "Now that we're all here...should we eat?" I asked. "Actually, Becca, I hope you don't mind but I invited Howard. He doesn't have anyone to spend Christmas with and I felt bad leaving him at the office all alone..."

I quickly glanced at Steve who had a relatively nervous expression on his face. "Of course!" I smiled and took a deep breath. This was fine. Steve doesn't even look like Steve Rogers. He looks like a rugged and buff...well he looked like a rugged Captain America. This was fine. Soon there was a knock on the door and I opened it to find Howard. "Howard! Merry Christmas." I pulled him into a hug and then into the apartment. In hindsight, I probably should have invited him but I decided against it because of Steve and keeping his identity a secret.

"Thank you for the invite." He said. I smiled and hung up his coat. "Howard these are my friends Lois and John as well as my boyfriend Grant and our dog Scout." Howard shook their hands before giving Riley a handshake and Maddy a hug since he had previously met her. "Lovely to meet you all. Sorry for intruding."

"No problem at all." Steve said. I glanced at Howard quickly but he didn't seem to take notice of Steve or his appearance. Hopefully it flies right over his head. I clapped my hands together and smiled. "Dinner?"

"Please!!! The smell alone is making my stomach growl." I smiled at Lois as we made our way into the kitchen where Steve had set the table up with extra chairs. "Wow, Rebecca, this all looks amazing. I had no idea you were such a good cook." Howard said. "I try." I smiled.

"Can I get anyone drinks or wine?" I asked.

"Red wine please!" Lois said. Everyone else threw out a drink and I smiled. "I'll help you." Maddy said. We made the drinks and handed them out before sitting down. Lois let out the first moan as she bit into the food.

"That good then?" Riley laughed she nodded, her mouth full as she put more in her mouth. "My girlfriend ladies and gentlemen." John joked, earning a slap from Lois. Everyone else dug in a I received high praise for my food. Meanwhile Scout was begging at our feet or hoping that someone spilled or dropped something. "Howard, I saw that." I laughed as he slipped a piece of ham to Scout.

"What did I do?!" He laughed and I gave him a look. "Oh come on, look at him! He's too cute." He pointed at the dog who sure enough had his best puppy dog eyes on and Howard was the perfect target. "You're hopeless, Howie." Riley laughed.

The conversation around dinner continued to flow through dessert before we all gathered in the living room where we would be doing a white elephant. We had set a price limit so all gifts would be pretty even. "I brought one as well." Howard said, placing a wrapped gift in the center. The rest of the gifts were sat out. "Maddy? Do you want to go first?" Steve asked. "Sure!" She smiled and reached forwards to grab a gift. She opens it and we go around in a circle...opening gifts and stealing gifts. It's a fun little game that we all enjoy.

Eventually we all have our gifts and I ended up with a beautiful scarf that Howard actually opened but I tactfully stole. He did not object. Steve ended up with a nice pocket watch. He was happy because apparently his had stopped working at some point.

After the gift exchange, Lois made us all go outside for Christmas photos, because the ones inside simply weren't enough, so we took a bunch. Some all together and then separate in our couples. She promised she'd have them developed soon and we went inside where we played a board game and talked until it got late and everyone filtered out. Once we were alone...with Scout of course...Steve wrapped his arms around me. "Merry Christmas." He whispered. I relaxed into his arms and we moved to the couch and cuddled up under a blanket. The fireplace was burning and I was content and happy for the first time in a while. Bucky may not be here but he was here in spirit.

"I have one more gift for you." Steve said, kissing my cheek and standing up. I groaned and he laughed slightly. "Stevie, I was comfy." I mumbled. "I'm coming right back, sweetheart." He walked into the room and then came out with a small gift wrapped box. I took it from his hands and he returned to his spot behind me. I leaned back against him and slowly unwrapped the gift.

I gasped as I saw the beautiful necklace inside. "Steve..." He reached around and pulled the necklace out of the box. "Let me put it on you." He held it up and I pulled my hair aside so he could clasp it behind my neck. It was a beautiful, dainty necklace with a small replica of Bucky's dog tags. Tears formed in my eyes and I turned around to give him a passionate kiss. He accepted and our lips perfectly meshed together until we were broken apart by Scout trying to jump between us. Steve laughed and picked him up off the floor and let him cuddle up with us. "Okay, okay. We love you too, Scout."