2023

Steve sat by Natasha's bedside. It was their daily routine now that she was bedridden. Her mind was still sharp at 92, even without the serum. The day they'd longed for and dreaded with equal measure for 53 years was almost upon them, and Steve wasn't sure he was ready, would ever be ready.

He could hear Sarah and Wanda talking in the next room. They knew what was coming. They knew everything. It didn't make it any easier. Natasha's private deal with the sentient being inside the soul stone was simple enough. When Bruce snapped his fingers, Steve would have to say goodbye to his wife. He'd asked her why she'd done it so many times, and her answer was always the same. Not comforting Clint with the knowledge she was alive just seemed too cruel, and 53 years together was a good run.

Steve couldn't deny they had a wonderful life together. He still felt pretty spry, thanks to the serum, but he knew his own days were numbered. He just couldn't imagine a life without her.

When Wanda brought them the phone, Steve didn't even ask who was calling. He knew. With the click of a button, his friend's video image appeared.

Natasha gave Tony a weak smile, but Steve didn't have the strength for smiling. "I wondered how you did it," Tony said. "I put two and two together after Berlin. It made me angry. I've never trusted anyone as much as I trusted my favorite aunt and uncle, except maybe the team. God, Natasha, you're dead. This makes less sense now than it did then."

Steve stole a glance at Natasha's ring. It wasn't glowing. That was something. He couldn't speak, but Natasha knew what to say, just like always. "We didn't have a choice. Steve got me back, but we weren't allowed to interfere. It wasn't easy. We wanted to tell you-to stop the bad things from happening."

"But, you couldn't," Tony said, "not without potentially dooming half the universe. I'm not mad anymore. I just needed to hear your voice. These guys aren't doing very well. Losing you-"

"Was the hardest thing I ever faced," Steve said. "You can't say anything. I wish there was another way. You don't know how badly I wish we could be there for you right now."

"It's almost over. Bruce is making a final test then, if all goes well, we bring everyone back. You'll come when it's over, right? Tell everyone she's alive?"

Steve looked at his wife. He squeezed her hand. "I'll come," he said.

"I guess I better get back in there. When this is reversed, I'm sending Happy with the jet. They need to know the truth."

2 Weeks Later

Steve looked over at the platform. He watched his younger self disappear. It was time to fulfill his last promise to Natasha and Tony. When his friends came close, he did what he'd set out to do and gave Sam the Shield Howard had built to replace his old one. He ignored Sam's request to tell him about his wife. That conversation needed to wait until Clint and Thor returned.

While they waited, Steve sat by the window in Tony and Pepper's kitchen. His girls would be there soon, too. He didn't want to miss seeing their car arrive. Their red hair was going to give away the secret, so he hoped they didn't beat the others back.

Bucky joined him. "I had a feeling you wouldn't come back the way you left."

"You knew more than I did, I guess."

"You want to at least tell me what you thought of the 70's?"

"Three's Company was funny. Not having internet and cellphones was a little frustrating. Not saving you-"

"I've been briefed on how time travel works. You couldn't. I'm not upset about that, but I'm going to miss fighting at your side. I'll keep Sam in line though. He was a good choice."

"I thought about you, but I wanted you to have the option to get a life."

"Sam will do a good job. I think I'll consider that life thing after he gets his feet under him."

"Good. You know, my granddaughter is single."

"Ouch, trying to fix me up with your granddaughter, Stevie? That seems wrong."

Steve smiled. "She looks like her grandmother. You might want to rethink that. Fights like her, too. Both my girls are tough, but Jenny takes after her grandmother in ways neither of them ever did. She works with Sharon. "

"Wow, that's weird. You've got a granddaughter in her twenties."

"I guess it is. I had a good life Bucky. I just want you to have the same."

Once the team was assembled, Steve took a seat between Clint and Wanda. First he pulled out the photo album Natasha had carefully put together through the years. He handed it to Clint. "This is a gift from my wife. It's for you."

Clint opened the album and tears filled his eyes. "How?"

"I went into the soul stone and got her back. She wanted to see you, Clint. The deal was unbreakable. You had to lose her, but she lived a good life. We had 53 years together, 2 daughters, grandchildren, even a few great-grandchildren. We didn't lose Natasha until Bruce brought everyone back. She was happy, Clint. There's a video, too, but you should watch it in private."

Everyone sat silently, taking in the information. "I wish I could have seen her again," Wanda said.

"We named our youngest after you," Steve said. "She loved you like a sister. She left you something, too."

Steve handed Wanda the pieces of the mind stone. "Nat's the one who figured out the purpose. These were always meant for you." Steve explained the ring as the others listened. "The stones fell out of the ring just before she died. Bring Vision back and get out of the battle. That is Natasha's last request. She said to make you promise not to give up another day of your life avenging. Can you do that for her?"

"I will." Wanda hugged Steve tightly. "Thank you."

When the girls arrived, the team was anxious to spend time with them, so Steve took the moment to talk to Pepper alone. "I guess this is a surprise."

"That Uncle Grant is Captain America or that you couldn't save Tony, too?"

"Both, I guess. He figured it out, you know. We wanted to save him."

"I know. Strange has already made it clear this was the only way. I miss him."

"Me too. Watching him grow up was a blessing and a curse. I wanted to protect him."

"He would've hated that. He did what he wanted and did a lot of good in the process. Tony wouldn't have chosen to live if it meant so many others would die. He was a hero. I guess you showed him how to be that hero even before you came out of the ice."

"Tony was born to be a hero. I just got to watch him figure it out from a couple of different perspectives. He was the son we never had. We never thought of him as less than that."

The Next Morning

Sarah knocked before entering her father's room. When he didn't answer, she walked inside. She didn't need to touch him to know he was gone. The first Avenger had competed his mission. "Dance with Mom, Dad," she whispered.

Afterlife

A young Steve Rogers twirled a young Natasha around the dance floor. There was no orange haze, no sorrow, only happiness as Tony, Howard, Peggy, and Daniel looked on from the side.

Yes, it is a slightly melancholy ending. I tried for a happier one, but 53 years is a good run. In the end, this felt right. Hope you enjoyed their life together.