Epilogue

The summer sun was warm on his skin as Steve made his way along the path around the pond and up the slight incline of the small hill. He'd just spent way too long in the cold being pelted by sleet, and the warmth on his skin felt good. Summer flowers bloomed all around him, filling the air with calming scents while the water fowl on the pond filled his ears with their calls, these were much welcome sensations after having his senses assaulted by the sights and sounds and smells of battle. He carried a beautiful bouquet of flowers and he hummed softly to himself as he walked. It was peaceful here, and after the last couple of days he needed peacefulness back in his life.

Some of that peacefulness gave way to a familiar sense of sorrow as he saw his destination come into view. A large but graceful, beautiful black granite double headstone was placed near a large shade tree with a matching granite bench beneath it. As Steve made his way to it he passed other headstones, all engraved with a familiar last name, but his only focus was on the one that read Martinelli-Carter across the top. Beneath the large capital letters of their surname were the names, Margaret Elizabeth "Peggy" and Angala Sofia "Angie", with their nicknames below their full names. Their separate birthdays which had been months and years apart, were next. Their date of death however, was the same.

"Hi Peggy. Hi Angie." Steve says softly as he places the flowers just below the picture of the two encased in the granite. There are two granite flower vases built into the base of the headstone, but they are already full of fresh flowers. Evidence that others had already been there. A stunning arrangement of orchids that could only be from Tony, Pepper, and Morgan, given the expense of them, had been placed on Peggy's side. Gladiolas, which represented strength of character and hydrangeas which represented perseverance, left by Sharon were on Angie's. He knew they were left by Sharon, because she was the one who told them what flowers meant. His own bouquet for example was a mix of pink and white carnations which meant gratitude and remembrance, and larkspur for their beautiful spirits. The stones and poppies along the base and top of the headstone were left by Edwin and Elizabeth, and their children and grandchildren. The stones showed the lingering influence Ana Jarvis had had on Peggy's children, and the poppy flowers, her children's Britishness. The roses and violets taken from Peggy's own garden, he knows are from Natasha. "I know I'm a few days late, but happy anniversary."

The year that same sex marriage became legal in the United Kingdom Peggy and Angie married on the anniversy of the day they'd first said their vows to one another on a beach in Cape Cod. Peggy was ninety-three, and Angie eighty-eight. A year later they did the same thing when it became legal in the United States. Steve had watched a lifetime of love and devotion radiate from the two of them as brightly as the sun now shone in the clear blue skies above him, on that first day in Peggy's english garden as they stood before a vicar and said their vows once more, only this time having them recognized by law. They had waited for over sixty years for those moments of recognition, and to have been able to share it with the people they loved, the amazing family they had made together, had given them both such joy. Steve had felt blessed to be among those asked to bare witness.

One of their great granddaughter's was an aspiring documentary filmmaker at the time, was a documentary filmmaker now, and had recorded both ceremonies. After the one that took place in a small church in New York she'd asked Peggy what Angie meant to her. "What does Angie mean to me?" Peggy had repeated with amusement. "My darling, Carter, she means everything to me."

Peggy had lived long enough to see her 105th birthday. When asked about her long life Peggy would joke that, "Angie would be rather cross if I got to be 100 and she didn't." Angie used to laugh and say, "The Grim Reaper is too scared of Peggy Carter to come for her until she's damn well ready." Steve had a feeling there was truth in the 'not going until she was damn well ready' part of that statement. Peggy wasn't going to leave this earth until she was certain everyone she loved had found their place and was loved as she had been. Then and only then would she allow herself to rest. Peggy and Angie went peacefully in their sleep within hours of each other, which surprised no one. There was no, until death do us part, in their vows of love to one another, but instead the words engraved at the very bottom of the stone. "I loved you then, I love you now, and I will love you always."

"The violets are in bloom, Peg." Steve says as he gently brushes his fingertips over the petals. While all the other flowers are in bouquets the violets are planted along the base of the headstone. "They're beautiful this year." He smiles, and then moves to sit on the bench nearby. "I would have been here with the others but Sam and Bucky can't seem to keep themselves out of trouble, and retirement or not, Director Carter seems to think I'm the only one who can get them out of it."

With Fury secretly building SWORD in space, Sharon had taken it upon herself to rebuild SHIELD, with the help of Phli Coulson who wasn't as dead as the Avengers thought he was, his secret ops team, and other agents Sharon knew still held true to the ideals carved out in stone by Peggy. So it was only natural that once SHIELD was back up and running properly, Sharon Carter be it's new Director. "Bucky would have come with me but the White Wolf was needed back in Wakanda inmedically, which is why I think Sharon sent me after those two knuckleheads."

It felt strange that life was going on without Peggy and Angie in it. They had left such big impressions on everyone's lives. "I miss you, Peg, we all miss you, both of you." Steve sighs, and turns his face up towards the sun for a moment before he continues to address the headstone. "But things are good, really good, despite the mess of things we nearly made with Thanos." Steve shudders. "If Carol hadn't shown up when she did, god Peg, I hate to think of what would have happened if that purple bastard had actually gotten to snap his fingers." Steve let the memories of that horrible war wash over him for a moment and then let them go with a deep breath, focusing instead on a happier memory that made him smile.

"Steven Rogers what in blue blazes is on your face?" Peggy had demanded when Steve had walked into her living room, making her live in nurse giggle.

Steve had blinked. He had been expecting relief and joy in knowing he and Natasha were safe and sound once Peggy laid eyes on them. He was still shaken from the battle and couldn't quite manage a full sentence. "Um, a beard?"

Peggy had beckon him to her and reached out to run her fingers through his beard, and then she frowned. "I don't like it."

"I don't know, Baba, it kind of grows on you." Natasha had said.

"Malen'kiy dikiy kotenok, your hair!" Peggy had shouted, her dark eyes wide as they took Natasha in.

"What about it?" Natasha had replied with a smirk.

"It's blonde!" Peggy had crinkled her nose. "I don't like it either."

Needless to say Steve shaved off his beard and Natasha went back to her natural red hair. The memory of them teasing each other over it made Steve laugh, and remember the good things that had come out of the war with Thanos. Carol Danvers for one, not only did she save their asses that day, but she was the reason Sharon was so happy these days. They all seemed to have had moments of clarity after coming too close to the end of it all. Tony and Pepper married and had a daughter. Bruce finally made peace with the Hulk and now they were one and the same. Thor struggled, his mistake on the battlefield had nearly cost them everything, and for a while he felt himself unworthy. He was better now, happy, worthy again, sharing is life and power with Jane. Clint was back on his farm with Laura and the kids. Wanda, thanks to Natasha, was strong and whole, and on track as Dr. Stranger's heir to take on the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme some day.

As for Steve, while he might have had a moment of clarity on the battlefield as well, it wouldn't have happened at all if not for his time spent listening to Peggy's stories, and her unwavering encouragement to live his life, to find joy and happiness, and to find a love as meaningful and fulfilling as her own. After leaving the cemetery Steve hops on his bike and makes his way home. Visiting Peggy and Angie, though tinted with a bit of sorrow, always brought him peace, and left him with a warm, content feeling in his chest.

"I'm home." Steve calls out as soon as he closes the door behind him. He smiles at the sound of bare feet slapping against the hardwood floors and turns just in time to see who's running towards him. She is all of six years old, with strawberry blonde hair, soft but bright green eyes, and a smattering of freckles across the top of her cheeks. "There's my best girl."

"Hi Daddy!" She replies.

Steve scoops her up into his arms and hugs her tight. "Hi Peggy." He kisses her cheek and smiles when she giggles. "I brought you something." He tells her as he carries her into the living room. Her eyes light up and it fills him with joy. He pulls out a package of sweets from his pocket and hands them to her.

Peggy gasps and smiles, "Those are my favorite, Daddy."

"I know they are." Steve replies.

"Do I have to share them with James?" Peggy asks, a slight pout forming on her lips.

Steve chuckles and kisses her cheek again. "That would be the nice thing to do, don't you think?"

Peggy sighs dramatically. "Yes, I guess so. He can have one." She's dramatic for another thirty seconds before she's beaming at him again. "Daddy, dance with me! Please?"

But before Steve can answer someone else is speaking to him. "You're late."

Steve looks over and smiles. Love, meaningful and joyful, he thinks as he looks at her. She has a small boy on her hip. He is nearly three years old, with blonde hair and green eyes, and chubby cheeks. James Clinton Rogers smiles at his father sleepily from his mother's shoulder, his stuffed corgi held tightly to his chest, and Steve smiles back as he replies. "Story of my life."

Natasha laughs. She kisses her husband hello and tries to look sternly at their daughter. "Margaret Angelica Rogers, you're supposed to be brushing your teeth and picking out your pajamas. It's almost bedtime, kotenok."

"I wanna dance with Daddy first, Mama." Peggy replies. "Pozhaluysta, Mama?"

"Come on, Nat." Steve gives her his best most charming smile. "One dance."

"Fine." Natasha gives in.

Steve pulls her close and they hold their children between them as they dance in the parlor of the English country house Peggy and Angie had left to Natasha in their will. It had always been where Natasha had found the most peace, in this little country cottage with her chosen grandmothers who had shown her true unconditional love for the first time since she had been James' age. After the battle in Wakanda with Thanos the assassin spy and super soldier realized that their friendship had grown into something more, and with Peggy and Angie's encouragement and support, Natasha allowed herself to explore what that more could be. It turned out to be something better than Natasha had ever dreamed it could be. She and Steve were retired, except when they were the only ones who could do what needed to be done, and had made a home for themselves and their family in England. A simple but meaningful and joyous life full of love, just as Peggy had wanted for them both.

Natasha stood in the doorway of her daughter's room and watched the man she loved tucking their little girl into bed and smiled.

"Tell me a story, Daddy." Peggy yawns as she snuggles down. "Please?"

Steve smiles and brushes hair from her face as he replies. "A long time ago in a place called New York City a clever and brave young woman walked into an automat and sat in a booth. She was tired and frustrated because the fatheads she worked with didn't show her any respect. But then a bright young sweetheart of a girl from Brooklyn walked up to her table and asked her what she would like to eat. And when that clever and brave young woman looked up into the bright eyes of that sweetheart from Brooklyn, all of a sudden all the gloom in her life was gone, and it felt like the sun had come out. Winter was over, spring had come, and soon she would discover that the violets would soon be in bloom."

THE END