New Years Series

"Happy birthday!"

"Happy Birthday, Danny boy." Howard says as he burst into the office. 

Peggy stiffens immediately and glances between her husband and friend. Panic starts to set in and she stops writing in the file on her desk. 

"Thanks, Howard. means a lot." The two men shake hands before engaging in a conversation. As they do, Peggy stares off into space, her expression filled with shock. "Peg? Peggy, you okay?"

"What?" She jumps. "Y-yes I'm fine."

"You sure? You look a bit pale, amor." He reaches out to her but she rolls her chair back. 

"I'm sure." She gulps. Daniel gives her the look and she tries to laugh it off. "Darling I'm fine, honestly."

Howard scoffs and shakes his head. "Yeah, sure. Whatever you say Peg."

"Howard, don't you have a lab to obliterate?" 

"Hey, that was one time!"

Daniel watches the exchange and steps back; allowing them their time to argue. Luckily is only last a few seconds. 

"Fine, I'll go. I have this new idea I need to design anyway."

"Just don't blow up all of New Jersey, will you? I'd prefer to not die the same day I was born."

"Very funny, Daniel." Howard says as he leaves. 

Once he does, Daniel turns to Peggy with a smirk, and she just glances away. Perplexed, he walks closer and leans against the edge of her desk, looking down at her as she works. For a while he sits and watches, all the while Peggy avoids looking up at him. 

"Did I do something wrong, Peg?" At this she does lift her head up, but doesn't quite look at him; instead she continues to write on the document at hand. 

"What? Why would you think that?"

"I don't know," He moves closer, causing her to stop writing. "You tell me." She sighs and closes her eyes.

"I'm not upset with you, darling. I just-" Peggy stops and groans, leaning forward and presses her  head into the desk. "I have a lot to get done and not enough time." 

Daniel notices her changed demeanor and knows there's more shes not telling him, but he doesn't press her any further. 

"Okay...I'll let you get to it then." With a quick kiss to her head, he leaves her office. 

After many hours they finish their shifts and head home. However, seeing as Daniel has an active case, he came home later than his wife. When he does he finds her on the couch, head in hands, slouched, and upset. 

"Peggy? Amor, what's wrong?" She doesn't answer, instead she shakes her head.  "Peg talk to me. Whats going on?" He takes one of her hands and interlaces it with his. 

She sighs and keeps her sight towards the floor. "I forgot it was your birthday. I never got you a gift."

"Peggy, I don't care about that. With everything going on...it doesn't matter. All I want is you. That's it. I don't want any other gift."

Peggy sniffles and wipes away a few tears, but they continue to fall. 

"It does matter, Daniel. It matters to me. YOU matter to me! You mean the entire world to me and one of the days it counts the most to show that...I muck it up."

"Peg, its one birthday. I'll have plenty more. Not only that, we don't have to celebrate it the day of my birthday. It can wait till later."

"But its not the same!" She drags on. "Darling I-"

Daniel cuts her off as he presses his lips against hers. She stiffens at first, but relaxes in his hold on her. 

"All I could EVER want or need...is you. You are my gift, Peggy. That's what counts." She smiles brightly and wraps her arms around his neck as she kisses him gently. 

As they pull apart, he takes her hands in his and pulls her into bed. She laughs as he lays there and gestures to his lap, but she obliges him nonetheless. Peggy curls into him, head on his chest and body against his, with her knees tucked close while she lays between his legs; falling fast asleep.

The next morning, before the sun rises, Peggy bolts awake and runs to the bathroom. As she does, Daniel jumps up from her sudden wariness. He reaches for his crutch and follows her, only to find her getting sick. 

"Peg? You okay?"

Rather than answering his question, she waves her hand for him to leave as she gets sick again. Instead of listening to her, he pulls her hair out of the way and rubs her back; creating soothing circles until she's done. 

"Y-you shouldn't be here." She croaks. 

"Well too bad, I'm here. You should know you can't get rid of me that easily." Peggy lips turns up and she lightly shoves his shoulder. "Want  me to make some tea?"

She nods and he stands, when he does he walks to the kitchen and starts boiling the water. While Daniel does, Peggy stands and gets changed for the day. Seeing as she wasn't going into the office today, she calls in sick and alerts Howard and Philips; and they both understand. After she does that she begins to walk towards the kitchen, only to stop and lurch back to the bathroom. 

"Peg?" Daniel calls out. Once he notices she doesn't answer, he grabs his crutch and follows her. "Peggy?" He finds her in the same spot from earlier and pulls her hair back again. 

Once done, she leans back and looks at him. "I suppose those sick days aren't a lie after all." He chuckles and shakes his head. 

"Not funny, Peg." As he says this, she lurches forward, so, he quickly reaches for her hair. "Maybe you should get checked out. Just to makes sure you're okay."

"I'm fine, Daniel."

"Peg. Just to be sure. Please? This isn't the first time you've done this." As he looks up him she sees the layers of concern edged in his face. She sighs and nods. 

Once at the hospital, the doctors run several tests after analyzing her symptoms. When all is done they give the couple the news; and its not at all what they expect.

"Well we ran the test several times, and they all came back the same. Congratulations, Mrs. Sousa, You're pregnant." At this Peggy's jaw drops and her eyes widen.

"Y-you're sure?"

"We're very certain. Given you've missed several menstruation, have had estranged mood swings, feeling bloated, and have morning sickness; its safe to say what the cause of your illness is."

He leaves the room and lets the two digest the life changing news. Peggy's still in shock, frozen in place; and Daniel? The smile on his face brightens like never before. His wife glances at him and shakes her head quickly. 

"Daniel? Why are you looking at me like-mhph!" She tries to ask him her question, but he cuts her off with his kiss. Peggy sighs in relief and relaxes in his arms. "Not that I'm complaining, because that was much needed," She laughs nervously when they break apart. "But, what was that for?"

"Because I love you. You, Margaret Carter-Sousa, are the best thing that has ever happened to me. And I can't believe I get to call you mine," Daniel smiles once more before embracing her with a crushing force. 

"Oh! Uhm alright," She laughs and embraces him back. "But why the speech?"

He pulls away and places his hand over her stomach, right where their baby is growing. 

"Just because I love you, and I- I can't believe the gift you've given me. Us. I've gotta say this has been an incredible birthday," He beams. 

"What are you-oh! You mean the- right. How could I possible not think of that!?" Daniel laughs and brings her face to his, a kiss to be cherished. 

As the two leave the hospital, smiles on their faces, they prepare to start the rest of their lives- as a family.