Stars and Stripes: Amelia Rose Rogers

Letters

Time skip: at the lab
I sit at a long dark brown rectangle table in between Peggy and Erskine my mind running a million miles a minute as Howard paces in front of the room “The system over heated and then crashed in the reboot and I know I'm smart but I can’t even get the system to start and if it doesn’t start, we can’t inject the serum” Howard says annoyed with himself. “Have you tried recoding the system to allow access to the system from the computer so you can start it back up,” I say like it was obvious to do that because it is right or that’s what I thought until I saw everyone looked at me wide eyed “show me what you’re talking about” Howard says almost like why didn’t I think of that I stand up walking to the computer leaning down closer to it tapping in the code quickly and resetting it again the room in silents as I look at the computer and the three beeps as the machine lights up working again. I take my hands off the keyboard. “Stark, I do believe she just beat at your own game” Peggy says teasing him and snickers slightly “oh shut up, although I must say that was impressive what you just did” he says “it's not that impressive” I say but that was my option “don’t be humble you just beat Howard Stark at what he does for a living. I mean come on Mia just take the compliment” Peggy says in an amused tone. “Yes ma’am” I say giving up on arguing “Mia do you think you can stay a little longer today. I want your help with this” Howard asks looking at the machine I look over at him why did he what my help “I don’t know how I'll be of help but yeah, I can stay later.”
Time skip: Back in the barracks
I walk into the barracks seeing everyone in their bunks already and a letter on my bed I forgot mail comes on Thursdays I sit down on my bed pulling out my flashlight and opening the manila color envelope with a wax seal on it hast James's name on the front I still don’t know how he gets his handwriting perfect. I gently open the seal and unfolding the letter the writing in pencil and read.
Dear, Mrs. Barnes                                                                                              
This is your future husband writing. I wanted to see how everything is going, because for me everyone here is stupid and I’m dying of boredom right now. As I was saying my unit got our shipment last night something to do with the nazis of course, I can’t say too much though. Apparently, I'm really charming cause girls here think I’m flirting with them, when all I'm doing is being nice. I mean go find someone who actually wants you not me I have a beautiful girlfriend in a different unit and I don’t want anyone else but her. And I have had to say that so many times but it's true I will only ever want my Rosie no one else can have you.
Forever, And Always
Your dumbass boyfriend
James, I love you
I put the letter down in my lap with a soft smile. Memories flood in because he signed everything, he sent to me with “your dumbass boyfriend” and it made me smile every time even when it hurt to be away which is why I loved him with my whole heart. I slowly stand up off the bed so I don’t wake anybody the bed squeaking as the weight of me is lifted off the bed. I get to the end of the cot opening my brown leather chest and grab my dark green journal and pen and sit back down on the bed squeaking louder than before making the girl next to me turn over but she stays asleep I untie the leather string around the journal writing.
Dear, James AKA my future husband
yes, I stole that line take that.  First off sorry your bored and I guess you're alright. shipped out seeing that the letter was written a week ago and I got it today but why are you flirting with the girls over there like really James are you cheating on me. Just kidding, you may not think you’re flirting but it's just natural to you, the charming smile and your eyes any girl would just fall into them I know I do. I have something to tell but I can’t say a lot about it. I’m working with Howard stark on something and Steve is here. yes, my toothpick of a brother got into the army and didn’t think to tell me or you don’t worry though he got the full name and yelling from me and I'm really proud of him. I know it’s not the best letter I have ever written but it is all I have for right now I miss you a ton.
Love, your crazy wife Rosie.
I put the pencil down and take the page out of the book folding it in half and place it in the manilla envelope writing on the front “To: James Bucannon Barnes in the 107th regiment from: Amelia Rose Rogers from the 26th” I seal the envelope standing up placing it in the mail box my feet making a soft crunch on the dirt. As I turn around, I jump slightly seeing Steve behind me “Jesus Steve, are you trying to kill me” I whisper yell “Sorry Mia I didn’t mean to scare you” he says quietly with I hint of emotion in his voice that he tries to hide from me but I knew better and that something was wrong “what's wrong?” I ask softly “nothing I'm fine” he respond I know his lying I can always tell ever since we were little “don’t lie to me steven” I say firmly and look in his eyes “I'm scared about Saturday” he finally says after a minute of silence. My eyes soften slightly knowing what he means by that “hey, it’s okay to be scared it okay I'm going to be and you know I would never let anything bad happen to you. Even if you are a pain in the ass.” I say softly a hint of teasing on that last line. He looks down with a frown “Steve, I know you’re scared but promise no matter happens you’ll stay you not a good soldier but a good person” I say as he lifts his to look at me “Promise” he says and I know he will keep it.