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Margaret Carter was seated in an armchair in her living room with a steaming cup of tea cradled in her hands, while Steve fidgeted on the sofa opposite to her, an equally hot cup of tea, along with a plate of biscuits, on the table in front of him.
“Steven Grant Rogers,” started the woman. “What—pray tell—did you tell Sharon? The poor girl came to me almost in tears, saying that
“But Peggy, it was her who suggested we go to the Smithsonian and it just felt weird—seeing my life being exhibited at a museum—and then she started talking about how much she knew about me, and I—” he took a deep breath. “I just don’t like being put on a pedestal.” He looked pleadingly at his friend.
“Alright, I can understand that,” said the woman. “But what was wrong with Harrison? He is a nice young man, an agent in training.”
“Exactly!” cried out Steve. “It was all he would talk about, Peg!” He paused for effect. “Can’t you leave this be,” practically begged her Steve. He didn’t have anything against Peggy trying to set him up per se, but her choices were… questionable, in Steve’s humble opinion.
“Nonsense! You need a partner, Steve,” exclaimed the woman. “You’ve gone on five dates so far and liked none of them and that is simply unacceptable.” She shook her head. Suddenly, her face lit up, as though a lighting bulb has appeared over her head, illuminating her features. “Let me make a quick call.”
She reached for her Starkphone which was lying on the table. Steve waited obligingly for her to turn on the device and to press a few buttons. The phone rang once, twice, then someone picked up on the other end of the line.
“Yes, Aunt Peg?” a deep male voice that sounded vaguely familiar to Steve greeted her.
“Tony, dear!” Peggy’s face seemed to radiate even more warmth than what Steve was accustomed to. “I hope I am not interrupting anything important…”
“Oh, Peg, you know I’m never too busy for you,” playfully replied Tony. “Was there something you needed?” His voice took on a hint of concern.
“No, nothing is wrong, my dear,” she reassured him quickly. “I was just hoping you would do me a favour and go on a date with a good friend of mine.” She stated boldly—Peggy was not one to beat around the bush.
Tony whistled loudly. “How old is your friend exactly?” He asked curiously, “not that I’m opposed to older people—you know me, I don’t discriminate.” He chuckled to himself.
“Actually, he is younger than you,” replied Peggy with a smile. “So, will you do me this favour, Tony?”
“But of course, Aunt Peg—I live to serve,” teasingly said the man. “Just name the time and place and I will be there.”
“How about tonight? Gino’s at 9?” Suggested the woman.
“Works for me,” said Tony in response.
“Well then, it’s settled,” said Peggy. “His name is Steve and he is tall and blond,” she smirked slightly before adding: “Believe me, you will know him as soon as you see him. Good-bye, Tony.” She finished cheerfully.
“Bye, Aunt Peg! I look forward to that date.” Tony sounded a little confused, but genuine nevertheless; with those words the line disconnected.
Steve was understandably confused at the exchange he had just witnessed, his super soldier hearing allowing him to pick up on what was being said on both ends, “you have a nephew?” He asked unsurely. “I thought you only had a niece, Sharon.”
“Tony is my godson, but I consider him family. In fact, you’ve known his father once.” At Steve’s questioning look she elaborated, “Howard Stark. I believe the two of you were acquittanced.”
Steve swallowed thickly. So, Howard had a son. He didn’t know the older man very well, but he seemed like a good person—devoted to his country—to Steve. And now Peggy has set him up with Howard’s son.
“Listen, Peggy,” he started tentatively, “I’m sure this Tony is a good person and all, but I’m really fine on my own.”
“Oh, Steven,” Peggy reached across the table for his hand, which she took in hers and stroked with her thumb. “I know you and I know you need someone in your life. Trust an old woman,” before Steve could protest about her age, she shushed him. “And now you better go and get ready for that date, Steven.”
Steve looked ready to protest, but in the end, he gave the woman a gentle hug and bid her adieu.
The next day found the two once again sitting on the armchair and the sofa, respectively, in Peggy’s living room.
“Well?” asked Peggy. “How did it go?” She peered at Steve’s face which had a slightly dreamy expression on it.
“What?” The blond was caught off guard by her question. “Ah, the date with Tony!” His face immediately cleared up. “It went swell! He really is a good person, Peg.”
“Told you.” Muttered the woman under her breath, which Steve ended up hearing anyway.
“Yes, yes, thank you so much for your service, Agent Carter.” Mockingly said Steve; however, the smile on his face belayed the sarcasm in his words.
Peggy smiled widely, “well then, I expect an invitation.”
“Invitation?” Steve was momentarily thrown off by the seeming non-sequitur.
“Why, to your wedding, of course!” She stated, as though it was the obvious answer.
“Ah, Peg, perhaps it’s too early to talk about that,” suggested Steve (a deep crimson colour has overtaken his features). “Although I do fancy Tony very much,” the dreamy expression returned to his face once again, “I don’t think he would want to be with someone like me.” He finished sadly.
“Steven Grant Rogers,” sternly started the older woman. “What is that supposed to mean?” She stared at him indignantly.
“Well,” Steve averted his gaze. “He is rich and famous and utterly brilliant, smart and handsome, and I’m… just Steve.” He gazed at his hands which were resting on his lap.
“Why, that is simply preposterous!” Huffed Peggy. She quickly tapped a few buttons on the Strakphone; before Steve could protest, having read her intentions correctly, the line connected.
“Why, Aunt Peg, you spoil me!” That voice was now quite familiar to Steve. “Two calls in less than a day, I must’ve been a really good boy lately,” Tony teased in a light voice.
“Tony! I merely wanted to ask what did you think about my friend Steven,” innocently asked Peggy.
“Just the man I wanted to talk about! Why didn’t you tell me your ‘friend Steve’ was Captain America?” He asked accusingly. “Now he probably thinks I’m a fool for staring at him and for blurting out the first thing that came to my mind!” He sighed deeply.
“And what was that, exactly?” questioned him Peggy.
“Well,” he started sarcastically, “I had to go and open my mouth and say ‘Hey, Capsicle! Fancy seeing you here.’ And now he must think that I am some star-struck fangirl that drools over his posters! Or worse, that I am a dunce! That is unacceptable, Peg!” He cried out in dramatically.
“Then how would you feel about a second date, my dear?” Asked the woman with a smile in her voice. “Just to rectify that little misunderstanding, of course.” She added innocently.
“Hmm, I think I can squeeze a second date into my busy agenda,” replied Tony, just as innocently. “Just to clear up the air, of course.” He hurried to say, trying to maintain an innocent tone of voice and failing spectacularly. It was clear to Steve that the other man was trying to contain a huge smile.
“Excellent!” Peggy clapped her hands in delight. “I’m sure you already have Steve’s number, so you won’t need my intermediation from now on.”
“Indeed, I do.” Reassured her Tony. “Thank you, Peg,” he added heartfeltly. “He really is perfect, you know? I think he might be the one.”
“Then you better get ready for more,” said Peggy warmly and promptly bid her godson goodbye.
She turned to Steve, who was left agape after hearing the conversation. Could it be…? Did Tony—who was absolutely amazing in all the ways that counted—really fancy him? His musings were interrupted by Peggy’s voice.
“See?” She threw him a look that practically screamed ‘I told you so’.
“Alright, you were right.” Relented Steve. “And thank you, Peg,” he followed in Tony’s example.
“You’re very welcome, Steve.” She replied warmly. “But I do expect the invitation, you know?”
“Peg…!”