i'm with you, every step of the way

Chapter 26

"I know, how could they reject the smartest girl in the East Coast?" he said as he cupped Natasha's cheeks and used his thumbs to wipe her tears away.

Natasha rolled her eyes. "Oh shut up, you're just saying that to make me feel better," but she has a faint smile on.

"I'm not just saying that - that is the truth," Steve replied honestly. "You're the smartest person I know, Natasha." With that, he kissed the top of her nose, making her giggle. "Do you want anything? Maybe some ice cream?" Natasha smiled and nodded. "Okay, I'll get you some then. You can go ahead and choose a movie," he gently untangled himself from her and stood up. On the way to the kitchen, he picked his letter up, with the heading "Congratulations!" and threw it in the trash before getting ice cream for the two of them.

--

Steve and Natasha's first Valentine's Day as a couple was... stressful, to say the least, at least for Steve. He spent days trying to come up with the perfect date, asking their friends, in discretion, for ideas on how to make the day as special as he can get without getting too cliched or over-the-top as he knows Natasha would favor a simple day.

Fortunately, the big V-day happened to fall on a Saturday. Steve didn't tell Natasha about their plans for the next day but he just told her to get ready before noon. She gave him a puzzled look but still smiled widely after he gave her a quick peck on the lips before they went inside their houses.

At around 11am, right as Natasha finished getting dressed, the doorbell rang and she heard her parents let Steve in. She didn't know exactly what to wear but settled on a dress, tights, and leggings. Casual but not too much. Smiling at herself in the mirror, she went down to meet Steve.

She can't help but to feel giddy at her first sight of him. He's dressed very similarly as her, wearing jeans and a casual button-down shirt, a huge bouquet of red roses and a box of chocolate in his arms, paired with his signature dazzling smile. Natasha all but ran to him, stopping short from him as he gave her the flowers and chocolates, along with a kiss on the cheek. She could hear her mom squealing next to her and taking probably a million photos of them and sent them on their way once she was satisfied with her photos.

Once in the car, Natasha put the flowers and chocolates in the back but kept a single stem to hold onto. After Steve has climbed in the driver's seat and away from her parents' gaze, he reached gently for her cheek and kissed her, whispering "Happy Valentine's Day" before driving away. Natasha loves it when Steve drives - he always makes sure to have his right hand near her, whether it be on her knee or between her hands, and he did the same now.

"Where are we going?" Natasha asked as she noticed Steve driving to the direction of a national park.

"It's a surprise," he replied and grinned. "Well, you know, somewhere outside because I wanted to appreciate this sunny and wonderful weather today." Natasha chuckled and nodded, feeling excited with whatever Steve's plan is.

After a couple more minutes, they arrived at the park and thankfully, there wasn't that many people around. Steve took a basket out from the trunk and held Natasha's hand as they made their way to the picnic area. She squeezed his hand in excitement because she's glad that he knows exactly the kind of things she likes.

Steve set down a blanket, put the basket over it, and they sat down next to each other. Steve took out a lot of food - ranging from fruits to bread to roast pork to wings to pastries and desserts. Natasha laughed at the selection - feeding her is a hobby of Steve's.

"It feels like a feast up here," she joked, taking a bite of watermelon and savoring its fruity and juicy taste.

"Well, my girl loves to eat," Steve retorted and winked at her. Natasha pouted and turned away but Steve offered to feed her a piece of bread and she ate it, smiling at him. Of course she loves the selection he brought, and she knew that he made them all himself too.