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

Chapter 43

"How do I look?" I asked Bucky as I twirled around in a long sleeve red satin dress that ended at my thighs. "You look gorgeous, Bex." He said, looking at Scout, "Doesn't your mom look pretty buddy?" Scout barked and Bucky nodded. "I agree." I rolled my eyes and turned to the mirror to apply a bright red lipstick.

"And there. I'm ready." I said, stepping away from the mirror and sitting down on the bed next to Bucky to put on my heels. "Do you know when Steve is getting here?" I asked Bucky. "He should be here soon. That's why I'm here, to supervise." Bucky gave me a smile and I pushed him lightly.

Not that long after, there was a knock on the door. I walked over to it and pulled the door open slowly. Steve was standing in front of me in a black suit with a bright red tie that perfectly matched my dress and a bouquet of white roses. "Oh Steve! They're gorgeous." I accepted the flowers from him and brought the roses to my nose. "They smell amazing." I leaned forwards and gave Steve a kiss on the lips. "Glad you love them, sweetheart."

"Here, I'll take those." Bucky took the flowers from me so that I could take Steve's hand. "She better be home by 10pm." Bucky raised his eyebrows at Steve and I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him. "Of course." Steve and Bucky started laughing with one another.

"Well, Becca, are you ready?" I nodded and we said our goodbyes to Bucky before Steve led me out to where a car was waiting. "Ma'am." Steve said, opening the door for me and helping me into the car. He slid in next to me and rested his hand on my thigh as the car took us to whatever surprise Steve had planned. I let my head rest on his shoulder as I gazed out the window, watching the trees pass by.

"Thank you for taking me out tonight." I said, squeezing Steve's hand. "Of course. I know how much you love Christmas. You'll love seeing the Rockefeller tree now." I smiled at him and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

The car came to a stop in front of a restaurant where Steve and I had a wonderful Christmas dinner, well a few days before Christmas dinner. After dinner, Steve and I walked hand in hand down the street towards Rockefeller Center where the large tree stood. "Wow...Steve...it's gorgeous." I held on to his arm, gazing at the 80 foot tree in front of us, lit up in beautiful lights and surrounded by lights, wreaths, and decorations.

"Want to ice skate?" Steve asked me, pointing at the infamous ice skating rink. "As long as you promise not to let me fall this time..." "That was an accident!" Steve whined. I laughed and kissed his cheek, remembering the time Steve and I went ice skating in 1949 and Steve let go of me for one minute, ended up bumping into me, and I fell flat on my ass. My butt was sore for days.

"I'm not really dressed for ice skating..." I trailed off as Steve helped me out of my heels and slid on the socks and skates. "It'll be fun." He smiled up at me and helped me stand up, walking us to the edge of the rink. Steve got onto the ice first and it annoyed me to no end that he was perfect at everything. He held out his hands and helped me onto the ice, keeping me upright. "See, you're a natural." He gave me a kiss and held onto me tightly as he slowly moved us around.

I watched as little kids flew by us effortlessly and here I was, clutching onto my boyfriend for dear life. After a few minutes, I did get the hang of it a little...but not enough to let go of Steve. We made two laps around before deciding we were done. "I'll admit, it was better than last time." I said as we put our shoes back on and continued to walk around the center just talking to one another. It was nice and it was simple and everything I loved about our relationship.

Steve and I came to a stop in front of the tree and he turned to me.

"Becca."

"Steve." I smiled. He fidgeted for a second before taking a deep breath.

"Becca, I can't begin to tell you how much I love you. Finding you in that little bar in Brooklyn has been one of the greatest moments of my life. It wasn't the path I thought I would go down, but it is undoubtedly the right one. I never thought I would find love like this. I just didn't think it was in the cards for me. You've given me a new outlook on life and I can't imagine a life without you. We have made so many memories together in the years we've been together as a little family with Scout...and now Bucky...and I can't wait to make so many more with you. You're my everything and I want to share the rest of our lives together." I watched him carefully as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a velvet box.

Steve slowly dropped down to one knee in front of me, gaining attention from passing people. Steve opened the velvet box, revealing the most gorgeous ring. I couldn't stop some of the tears that escaped me and covered my mouth with my hand. "Rebecca Ann Barnes...will you continue to make me the happiest man alive and marry me?"

Suddenly words were too hard and all I could do was nod. "Yes?" "Yes!" I yelled. I shakily held out my left hand and he carefully slid the delicate ring on my finger. He stood up and I threw my arms around his neck, crashing our lips together. People around us cheered at the engagement and I buried my head in his neck. "I love you so much." I whispered. "I love you too, sweetheart."

I could feel Steve lift me and spin me around before setting me down and taking my face in his large hands. "I love you, Becca." He kissed me again and I practically melted in his arms. I leaned against him once we pulled apart and held up my left hand, admiring the ring on my finger. "Does it fit?" Steve asked. "Perfectly. I love it, Steve." He kissed my cheek and took my hand in his, running his finger over the ring. "It was my mothers. It looks beautiful on you."

"I love it, Steve, truly." I gave him another kiss and he took my hand in his. "Is this why Bucky was hovering today?" I asked him and he laughed as we walked together towards the car that Steve called. "Future Mrs. Rogers." Steve smiled as he opened the door for me. "I love the sound of that." I said, kissing him as he slid into the car after me. I cuddled up next to him while the driver drove us home...or at least that's where I thought we were going.

When he pulled up in front of a townhome in Brooklyn Heights, I was confused. "Stevie, where are we?" I asked. Steve smiled and opened the door, helping me out. He walked us up the steps and unlocked the door. Now I was even more confused. He pushed open the door and my jaw dropped. It was a completely renovated townhome. "Steve..."

"Take a look around." He said, pushing me slightly forwards. I started walking forwards and looked around the entryway foyer and up the small set of stairs leading to the main living area. "Perfectly preserved and renovated, 1930's townhome." Steve said. "Stevie..." "Downstairs is a completely renovated rec room that Bucky or Sam can use as a guest room complete with a bathroom...upstairs the kitchen, living room, and 3 bedrooms.

I ascended up the small set of stairs and took in the gorgeous kitchen, living room, and dining room with what were easily 12 foot ceilings. There was also a door to a decently sized patio and a few stairs down into a nice sized garden for Scout and maybe even a possible kid or two. Up the next set of stairs were two bedrooms each with their own bathroom and then on the top floor, a large master bedroom and bathroom. Steve and I ended up standing in the living room, looking out of the large windows that looked over the small garden.

"It's ours if you want it." He said, walking up behind me. "Are you serious?" "Of course. We're gonna need a home for all of our furniture." I couldn't contain my excitement and spun around, pressing my lips against his. "I love it. It's perfect." "I'll tell the realtor." He whispered.

"This is going to be our home." I whispered and he gave me another kiss before leading us back out to the car and home to the compound. The entire way back, I couldn't keep my hands off of him as we shamelessly made out in the backseat of the car. The car pulled to a stop in front of the compound and Steve lifted me up and carried me inside. "Take me to bed, Captain."