Again // The Winter Soldier

twelve.

When Sam had received the call that they had found Steve, in terrible condition but still breathing, Carmen broke down into his arms in full blown sobs. She could not loose him a second time. Her heart could not possibly take that kind of thing. After it was requested for neither to visit until tomorrow when he was out of surgery Carmen could finally take a breath.

Sam agreed to stay on the couch if he needed her, Julia's flight was supposed to land early in the morning, and Tony called upon seeing the news. After a long talk with him Carmen was convinced to move into the Avengers tower with him. After all S.H.I.E.L.D. was gone, Julia constantly talked about missing her old school in NY, and Tony was some of the only family she had left, it made sense. The only thing she had to leave behind was Peggy.

So after sending Julia off with Sam to go visit Steve, Carmen made her way to the nursing home before seeing Steve herself. Despite Peggy not remembering her goodbye Carmen would feel guilty if she didn't. Beatrice let her idly by as she entered the building and climbed the floors to Peggy's room. Excitement lit up on the woman's face as Carmen entered with a small gift in her arms.

"It's about dang time you visited me" laughs fell past Carmen's lips as she pulled her chair up to Peggy's bedside.

"Well I've been a bit busy" Carmen didn't want to tell Peggy about S.H.I.E.L.D. Peggy loved it just as much as she did and in the end she wouldn't remember Carmen telling her so there was no point in breaking her heart.

"I'm sure, running a agency without me is hard work" Carmen laughed again and Peggy finally noticed the gift in Carmen's hand.

"A goodbye gift?" Carmen's head snapped up at Peggy who just gave her a smile. All these years and dementia later and the girl could still read her like an open book. Carmen popped the top off and pulled out the silver band.

"A bracelet, with the coordinates of where we first met. I assumed since I'm moving back to New York a reminder that I'm always close by would be nice" Peggy smiled as she held out her wrist for Carmen to slip it on. They had been through a lot together.

"I love it, thank you" Carmen quickly stood up and hugged the girl. "I guess before you go you might as well get your stuff out of my closet. Howard was always good at dumping your junk on me"

Carmen laughed as she walked over to the closet. Inside was a box labeled 'Howard' and another labeled 'S.H.I.E.L.D.'. Carmen quickly grabbed them out and she spotted an old red hat upon the shelves. One she would recognize anywhere. "If you ever need anything you better call me"

"I think you'll be the one calling me" Peggy retorted and Carmen chuckled and turned to face her. She was barely recognizable as she laid worn and tired in the bed. Carmen knew she didn't have many more years in her.

"You can always count on me" Carmen told her and Peggy smiled. Peggy had been forgetting a lot but she definitely wouldn't forget those words. They were the first kind words she said to the girl and she didn't even understand them. Now they meant so much more.

"I'm planning on it" Carmen smiled and pressed a kiss to the girls forehead. Peggy admired the bracelet as Carmen picked up the boxes and gave one good look at her best friend. Peggy looked up and gave a nod to the girl that told her she'd be alright. Carmen smiled and swiftly left the room before she could possibly cry.

The ride to the hospital was slow and agonizing but Carmen couldn't bring herself to mind. She knew Steve had been unconscious so she hadn't expected him to be awake when she showed up. Yet when she opened the door to his room she saw Sam reading in the seat next to his bed and Julia curled up in Steve's side as she peacefully slept.

"Good you made it. He woke up about an hour and half ago but the two have been asleep since" Carmen chuckled and set her purse down on a nearby chair. She walked to the other side of the hospital bed as she looked down at the two who slept quietly.

"What did the Doc say?" she asked and Sam set down the magazine he was reading.

"He's stable and healing quickly. Being a super soldier has its perks" Carmen chuckled and brushed his blonde bangs back. The man stirred in his sleep slightly before opening his eyes.

"Heyyy. You made it" Carmen smiled as he stared up at her with a loving look.

"You were wrong?" Steve furrowed his eyebrows as she spoke.

"About what?" Carmen placed her hand on his shoulder before leaning down and lightly kissing him. The blonde man slowly smiled and kissed back as her lips met his.

"We are ready for that date" she said as she pulled away and he laughed. Suddenly the little girl tucked under his arm turned onto her back and slowly opened her eyes. She was quick to light up at the sight of her Mom.

"See Dad, I told you she'd be here soon" Steve turned to look at the little girl, not minding at all she slipped up and called him Dad again.

"I didn't doubt it kiddo" Julia smiled before turning back and closing her eyes. Steve patted the other side of the bed and Carmen slowly sat down and laid beside him as well. Sam looked at the small loving family before standing up.

"I'm gonna head out. If you guys need anything let me know" Steve and Carmen nodded as he grabbed his phone and exited the room. Carmen turned her head to look at Steve with a smile. Two years later and she was ready. She was ready to fully love him after all this time.

"You really need to chill out with the disappearing acts" she told him before kissing him again.