Letters

Dinner?

Willow sighed as she typed away at her typewriter. It was another long day at work and Willow could see the sun slipping away in the horizon. The paneled glass window made the sunset almost picture perfect. Willow was just finishing up a story for the next mornings paper and somehow found herself to be one of the last people in the office. Willow didn't mind though, she was used to staying later than everyone else. The only other people around were Betty and John.

Betty was a pretty young girl, like Willow. She had gotten the job to help support her grieving mother, who had lost her husband, Betty losing her father, while also saving money for her and her fiancées weeding. Her fiancée, like the other men, had gone to war. Betty worried for him, that was obvious, but she always spoke so fondly and so positive about it that you couldn't help but smile as she planned out her wedding.

John was young as well. He was around Steve and Bucky's age, maybe a year older and the reason he gave for not going to war was because his brothers had already gone overseas. John grew up with three older brothers and everyone had expected John to be the first to sign up for the war. John was the only unmarried brother and he didn't have kids like two of his brothers did but John never signed up and when his brothers did, he stayed behind. Willow had heard one of them had died already. She wasn't sure which one. John had pictures of his brothers and their family's on his desk.

"Willow?" Startled, Willow looked up at who had spoken. It was John.

"Oh I'm sorry John. Have you been standing there long? I'm sorry, I was so focused." John smiled lightly. He was a good looking man, dark hair and dark kind eyes. He reminded Willow of Bucky in a way and that made her a little sad.

"Not long. I was just.." He pointed behind him. "Over there and I noticed you were still here and I was wondering if you would be finishing anytime soon."

"Oh yes, I'm almost done." Willow said with a smile, typing up a few words as she said this.

"Okay well.." Willow eyed him confused. He was rubbing his neck and blushing, a little red. "I was wondering if you would like to come out and have a bite to eat with me." Oh. Willow smiled anyways.

"What a wonderful idea." Willow said slowly, with enthusiasm. She glanced over at Betty. "Let's invite Betty as well." Willow said, finishing her article with a flourish and standing up.

"Oh.. Well." Willow walked past him and headed straight for Betty. "Willow wait.." John began but it was too late.

"Betty?" Willow asked smiling down at her.

"Yes?" Betty's blonde hair bounced as she looked up.

"Would you like to come with John and I to dinner?" Betty smiled.

"Why I would love too. Thank you for inviting me." Betty glanced at John but was still smiling. When Willow turned around, John was red as a fire truck.

"I'll just give this to Wallace and we can head out." Willow said happily, glad to have avoided a dinner alone with John. He was a good man after all but Willow was already taken and he didn't want to lead him on or hurt him in any way.

After dropping off her article at Wallace's office, Willow, John and Betsy made their way to a local diner. The three of them laughed, talked and had a good time but Willow was a bit uncomfortable with John constantly staring at her. Betty had to catch a bus back home so she departed early and when Willow suggested that they head home as well, John offered to walk her to her apartment. Willow, not wanting to be rude accepted.

"So, I didn't want to say this in front of Betty." John began, making Willow a little nervous. "But I really only wanted to take you out to dinner."

"Oh.." Willow said slowly. "Well.. I'm sorry John but I.. I'm seeing someone." Johns face fell.

"Oh. Oh my I am so sorry. I had no idea Willow."

"It's okay John. He's.. He's away right now. But he was here recently. It was great to see him." John frowned a little.

"Was he the man who came to see you not too long ago?" Willow nodded. "I'm sorry. I didn't know." John hung his head a bit.

"Don't worry about it John and.. I'm flattered, really." Willow said, touching his arm lightly. John nodded his head. "Well, this is me. I'll see you tomorrow at work."

"Goodbye Willow."

"Goodbye John." Willow watched him walk away, hands in his pockets. She felt bad for him as she climbed the stairs to her apartment.

February 21st, 1943

Dear Steven,

Are your shows going well? I hope they are and I know being in New York, a different part you've never been too, can be a bit scary, not that I've ever been out of Brooklyn myself, but I imagine it's like going to school. Everything is new and shiny the first day. You don't know anybody and the surroundings are new as well and while you won't be in each city for long, try to enjoy the time you do have there.

I'm proud of you as well Steve. Stick with this USO gig. I'll make sure to see your show when you come back around to New York. You may not think you're doing much but if you get even one person to buy a bond from you, you've done your job. You've helped with the war effort.

Well I hadn't expected to see you Steven. Your last letter before our meeting, you had said you might die and while I was praying to the heavens that you hadn't, I was also trying to accept the fact that you might be dead. I'm so glad you're not.

I've finally heard back from Bucky, Steve. He was so informal in his letter, as he is in real life, but I'm worried for him Steven. He didn't sound scared of war. Maybe it's a good thing but he said he was excited to crossover into enemy lines. I know it's what he was trained to do but training is one thing, war is another.

He asked about you, my job, the apartment, you again. I didn't tell him about you and I won't if you still don't want me too. I just wanted to ask you first. He misses us a lot. He called us his family, the three musketeers. He also suggested we travel when the war is over. I informed him that you and I had already talked about this. You should write to him too Steve. He'd love to hear from you.

Take as many or as little pictures as you want Steve, I'll see these places with you when you come back to me and when Bucky comes back to us. I wish I could count down the days to the end of the war like a child can count down the days to the end of a school year.

It would be a bit funny seeing you up on the screen. Movie stars always seemed like far away, foreign people but if you become one, then all of that will seem much closer.

Speaking of unwanted attention, a man at my work, John tried to ask me to diner. I carefully avoided it by asking another friend out with us but as he walked me to the apartment, he confessed he had wanted it just be the two of us and I told him about you. It made me miss you, a lot.

I love you so much Steve.

Love,
Willow Peterson

A/N:
It's almost time for me to post another update for this!! Oh my gosh I'm so sorry I'm behind!!