A quiet knock echoes from the door.
Strange. Usually nobody is home, so they never expect guests at this time of day. The kids are usually at school and her and Daniel are at work. She had decided
to come home for lunch today to escape for a little while. Work was getting to be a little tense between everyone.
She stands up from her seat at the table and slowly walks to answer the door. She doesn't see anyone's car outside. She's cautious as she opens it, unsure what to expect. Her heart beats out of her chest as her eyes scan the man standing on her doorstep. "Steve?" She asks.
"Peggy." He smiles. "I was afraid you wouldn't be home."
"Oh, Steve. I-I thought you were dead." She stutters as tears pool in her eyes. Is this really her Steve standing in front of her? This must be some illusion or trick of some sort. This couldn't be him.
"Not hardly. Just a little, well, frozen." He chuckles, ruffling his hair. "Mind if come in?" He asks.
She doesn't say anything. She opens the door wider and makes room for him to enter. He quietly walks in and lets her shut the door. She shakes her head as she wipes her tears from her cheeks. "You went down with the plane. This can't possibly be you." She cries.
"It's really me. It's me, Peggy." He says. He pulls her close to him, making her eagerly hug him. She lays her head on his chest, her sobs shaking her body as she clings to his shirt.
"What are you doing here?" She asks, looking up into his blue eyes, which are also brimming with tears.
"Well, I couldn't leave my best girl. Not when she owes me a dance." He smiles, making her laugh and melt into him.
"Oh, Steve. I've missed you so much. Everyone has. Howard was going to go looking for you." She says. "Where have you been? How is this possible?" She adds, letting go but leaving her hands on his waist.
"It's hard to explain, but I can only be here for a little while." He frowns.
"Why?" She begs, pouting. "You just got here. You can't leave me. Not again."
"I don't want to go." He says, running his hand through her hair. She leans against his hand, closing her eyes in bliss. "If anyone finds out I did this, I'll be in big trouble as it is. I can't stay."
"But why? Please, Steven." She demands. "I just need answers." She quietly adds.
He lets out a long sigh. "It's gonna sound crazy and you have to promise to keep it a secret."
"Of course. My lips are sealed."
"Especially from Howard. I don't want him to get any more crazy ideas."
"I swear, Steve. I won't tell a soul." She declares.
He smiles, slightly shaking his head. "I'm from the future. There's like all these other heroes like me. Some have powers that are indescribable and others use technology that I can't even begin to understand. I made a promise to go back and return these stones that saved the world but I had to make one quick stop." He explains. "I had to see you one last time." He whispers.
"That does sound crazy." She says. "But then again, so was the idea of putting super serum into a man who was shorter than me." She teases with a laugh. He chuckles, a blush forming on his cheeks.
They stare into each other's eyes for a long time. Just being in each other's presence is enough for them. Their last conversation buzzes in Steve's head as he leans forward and kisses her forehead. He wanted to kiss her lips, but knew she was married. "I believe you still owe me a dance." He smiles.
"I believe so." She agrees. She lets go and wanders over to their record player. She grabs her favorite vinyl and begins placing it on the player. "I always thought of you when I heard this song. It seemed like a song you would enjoy."
As she walks back to him, the song blares into the living room. He grins, grabbing her waist as she places her hands around his neck. "Ah. It's Been A Long, Long Time with Kitty Kallen. Yes, I do enjoy this one."
"It's the perfect amount of slow and upbeat." Peggy says. Gently, they twirl around the room, staring at each other. This was the feeling they were missing from their lives. They never had the chance to hold each other. They weren't allowed to feel this sense of peace and love while the war was going on.
As the song plays on, Peggy's arms fall from his neck and rest on his waist. She lays her head against his chest, hearing his heart beating out of control. The thumping reassures her that he's really here and not some dream. This is her Steve. The Steve that had saved everyone and took his life in the process. She doesn't really understand how, but he's alive and from the future looking like the last day she had seen him years ago.
Steve takes a deep breath, his arms tightening around her. He never thought he'd have her in his arms. Peggy was always something he could never have. Something that was taken from him without his consent. He closes his eyes and rests his cheek against her head. He tries to hold back tears as he holds her for the last time. This is everything he's imaged and more.
His heart swells with pain and content as the song ends for the fourth and final time. They both know he has to leave, but neither one wants to let go first. They're finally together and it seems like it's only been seconds since he appeared on the doorstep.
"Peggy, I've got to go." He croaks, removing his head from her's. She looks up at him, her brown eyes bloodshot.
"I know." She quietly cries.
He bends down a final time, kissing her forehead. They close their eyes, staying still. He stops then presses his forehead to hers. They let out a few tears and sniffs then release each other.
"Goodbye, Peggy." He says, not bothering to wipe his face. He walks backwards, keeping his eyes on her.
"Steve, wait." She calls, reaching into him.
"Peggy, I have to go. I can't stay here."
"No, wait. Please."
"If I stay any longer I won't be able to leave you. Please don't do this to me."
"Steven, listen to me." She demands. He pauses, clearly trying to keeping his compose. He has to stay strong for her. As much as he loves, he knows that they can't be together. He has to go back and let her go.
"Will I ever see you again?" She asks.
He's silent, unsure what to say.
"Please tell me. Will we ever met again?" She begs, walking to him. She places her hands on his chest. "I have to know." She quietly adds.
He grabs her hands, holding them one last time. "Someday. It'll be decades from now. You'll have forgotten about me by then, but when my eyes met yours again, it's like we never parted. Like time stopped and we're back in Brooklyn and I'm still my skimpy, pathetic self." He laughs.
"Your pre-serum, kind, handsome, generous self." She says with a chuckle.
"Exactly." He grins. He places his lips to her hands then backs out the front door. "Goodbye, Peggy."
"Goodbye, Steve." She says, holding her hands to her chest.
"I'll always love you." He adds.
"I'll always love you, too." She says, choking back tears. She watches him walk down the sidewalk, leaving her for good. Once she knows he's truly gone, she collapses in the arm chair just a few feet away. She sobs her heart out, listening to their song play on repeat.
Once she feels she's completely dry of emotion, she stands and turns off the player. She returns the vinyl to its place on the shelf and walks to the bathroom to clean her face. She knows she must go on for Steve. She got her dance with him. She got to have his strong arms hold her one last time. She knows she's not allowed to talk to anyone about this, but she secretly decides to dedicate the rest of her work to Steve. After all, there are other heroes like him out there, somewhere.
~~~~~~~~~~~
For some reason, I really don't like the idea of Steve staying in the past with Peggy. I think it would better off with him getting a final dance and goodbye with her, but returning back to his timeline. Maybe he could find someone (definitely not Sharon) and settle down and have his own family.