Chapter 142: Confiding in Each Other

Steve’s heart was heavy with complex emotions as he processed these words. Yet, looking down at the scrap of paper in his hand, he decided he had to see his former love.

Since becoming Captain America, the super-soldier serum had granted him extraordinary combat prowess, allowing him to thwart various villains who sought to harm the nation and the world. He did not feel he owed anything to his status as Captain America or to the country. The only thing he felt he truly owed was a promise he had made long ago—a promise he had failed to keep to Peggy.

Without further delay, Steve set out, heading toward the address written on the note. The greatest advantage of the modern world was that every intersection had clear signage, making it easy to know exactly where one was. After just over an hour of travel and a quick inquiry for directions once he was nearby, Steve stood before a small villa.

"Hello, may I ask if this is the home of Peggy Carter?" Steve knocked on the door and asked, feeling a surge of nervousness when a young, beautiful woman answered.

"Yes, this is my Aunt Peggy Carter's home..." The woman replied, immediately answering the inquiry of this handsome, powerfully built man. However, after she took a closer look at his features, her eyes filled with disbelief. "Are you Steve Rogers?" she asked, covering her mouth in shock.

"I didn't expect you to recognize me," Steve said, noting her reaction. "May I come in and see Peggy?"

"Hello, I’m Sharon Carter, Peggy Carter’s niece," she introduced herself. "Of course I recognize you—your photograph is kept in my aunt's home. But… aren't you dead? I mean no offense, and I certainly didn't wish for you to be dead. It’s just that every book, film, museum exhibit, and even Aunt Peggy herself has always said that you passed away."

After confirming his identity, the young woman hurriedly introduced herself, her internal sense of disbelief making it difficult for her to remain calm.

"I know you meant no offense. It’s a long story… how about we talk later, once I’ve seen Peggy?" Steve said, his guilt deepening upon hearing that his photo was kept in her home.

"Yes, of course, please come in. I’ll take you to my aunt’s room," Sharon replied.

Soon, Sharon led Steve to the door of a bedroom.

"Sharon, aren't you heading out to buy groceries?" A weak voice drifted from the bed, where a ninety-year-old woman lay.

Steve had thought he was mentally prepared to see Peggy, but the sound of her voice stirred such deep fear and regret within him that he hesitated to step inside.

"Aunt Peggy, someone is here to see you," Sharon said, gesturing for Steve to enter.

"Who would come to visit an old woman like me?" Peggy replied with a low, self-deprecating laugh, a faint smile appearing on her aged, wrinkled face. Most of her wartime comrades had perished in the conflict, and while she had known many people through her work in founding S.H.I.E.L.D., few had visited her since her retirement. Mostly, she only saw her niece, Sharon.

"It’s the person you’ve dreamed of and longed for all these years," Sharon said, watching as she tried to nudge the hesitant Steve into the room. Her strength, however, was no match for his.

"The person I’ve longed for?" Peggy Carter’s eyes, once bright but now clouded by age, flickered with deep thought.

"Steve Rogers, hurry and go in!" Sharon urged.

At the mention of the name, a flash of brilliance lit up Peggy’s eyes, followed by an expression of sheer disbelief.

"Steve? Is it really you?" Peggy turned her head toward the doorway, catching sight of his tall shadow cast upon the floor. Her voice was filled with incredulity and a glimmer of hope.

Though Steve felt incredibly nervous and overwhelmed by guilt, he stepped into the room at her words.

"Peggy," he said, his voice trembling as he looked at the frail, gaunt woman lying in bed, now over ninety years old. "I am so sorry. I’ve come back a bit late."

"Steve..." Peggy whispered. Seeing the handsome figure that matched her memories exactly, and hearing that familiar voice, she was at first struck by disbelief.

"Yes," Steve replied, stepping to the bedside and taking her hand in his.

"You’re alive… you’ve come back…" Peggy felt his warm, strong hand and looked at Steve, who remained unchanged by the passage of time. Her voice broke into a sob.

"Yes, Peggy, I’m back." Seeing her like this, Steve’s guilt only grew, though he offered a small, gentle smile.

"You were gone for so long… far too long…" Tears welled in Peggy’s eyes, her voice carrying a mix of sorrow and gentle reproach.

"I wouldn't abandon my best girl," Steve said softly, comforting her as she wept. "You still owe me a dance."

"I remember that promise… but no one can turn back time," Peggy replied, nodding slightly to show she had never forgotten, her words laced with regret. She had longed to spend her life with the Steve she loved, but that was no longer possible.

"I’m sorry. Perhaps I can’t turn back time, but I am here now," Steve said with infinite gentleness, comforting her as her emotions poured out.

Sharon closed the bedroom door, feeling happy for her aunt. Though time could not be reversed, having the man she had pined for all these years visit her in her twilight was, in its own way, the fulfillment of a long-held wish.

Steve stayed by Peggy’s side, sharing stories and speaking of the years apart, until she grew tired and drifted off to sleep. Only then did he tiptoe out of the room, his heart heavy. He had assumed Peggy, like Howard, had long since passed away with the flow of time. He never expected to see her again, to hear her speak of her regrets and her longing.

If he could, he would do anything to compensate her, but he knew time could not be undone. Even if he wanted to make it up to her now and share that dance, her age and health made it impossible. A profound sense of powerlessness washed over him.