Marlena's MacBook screen was lit up in front of her on the counter. She looked over the words on the screen with a bored expression on her face and groaned quietly. All of her paperwork for school was due before she could begin the semester in January. Her life had become incredibly hectic in just a few short weeks, but she refused to let that keep her from her studies. Since she'd been back to school, she'd been determined to finish. She had her sights set on a better future for her family, whether or not that future was a result of her work for the Avengers or her work as a psychiatrist. Regardless, all she wanted was to pursue a dream she'd once lost and provide for her family in the process.

"I'm so sick of doing all this paperwork," Marlena grumbled to herself. "All my information is still the same as it was last semester."

"Sooner or later it won't be," Steve told her from his spot at the stove. He was working on fixing breakfast for him, Marlena, and Jay, the latter of whom still remained asleep. "You'll have a new name, a new address, new everything."

"That doesn't mean it's any less annoying," Marlena muttered, pushing her glasses further onto her face. She was beginning to believe she was done with her contact lenses for the time being. They'd become way too much work, though the process of getting used to her glasses was a long one.

"When do you go back?"

"My first class starts January sixth," Marlena informed him. "That means I'm gonna need a little extra help in the parenting department. I know it's a lot to ask because they're not your kids, but—"

"I've loved those two since before they were born," Steve quickly cut Marlena off. "Helping you is a non-issue, and you know that."

"I just wanna make sure you're comfortable with everything," Marlena said. "Things aren't just changing for me or Charlie or Jay or Bucky; you're getting ready to be a father and a stepfather. It's a pretty major transition, and all I want is to make sure you're comfortable with it."

"I'm comfortable, Marlena." Steve turned to look at her, a reassuring smile on his face. "You...a family...it's everything I've ever wanted, and you know that. I'm gonna do whatever I need to do to help you."

"Thank you." Marlena smiled at him. "Thank you for being okay with this."

"I have to learn how to be a parent somehow."

"I'm gonna be honest with you, you never really learn how to be a parent," Marlena chuckled and turned back to her laptop screen. "It kinda just hits you in the face. I still have no idea what the hell I'm doing, and I've been a mother for nine years."

"I've always believed you were an amazing mother, Marlena," Steve complimented her. "It's the reason I know we're gonna be okay."

"That actually means a lot to me, and I say that as your best friend rather than your fiancée. Since I've known you, your opinion of me has, for some reason, always been important to me," she admitted to him.

"Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah, I like to think it's because of the way Jo always talked about you." Marlena couldn't help but smile as she recalled old memories with her great-grandfather; even after so many years she still missed having him around. "He always talked so highly of you and Bucky. You two were everything to me growing up. So was Dugan."

"Dugan was a pretty special person." Steve laughed. "So was Jo."

"So I've heard." Marlena sighed and stared at her laptop screen. "I wish he was still here. I wish a lot of people were still here."

"So do I."

Marlena clicked back to her university's homepage to determine when exactly she needed to submit her paperwork, and she scoffed when she looked at the calendar; she couldn't believe how fast the years were passing her by. "I can't believe it's almost 2027."

"I can't either."

"I'm sure making it to 2027 wasn't something you ever imagined," Marlena chuckled quietly to herself.

"You're never gonna stop with the jokes, are you?" Steve said, glancing over his shoulder to look at her.

"I'll stop whenever you fix the economy, boomer," Marlena hummed and continued typing away on her laptop. Steve could see the smirk on her face, though it was hidden behind her laptop screen. She was joking, as she usually was.

"What are you gonna do when I start making fun of millennials?" Steve teased her. "Believe me, there's a lot I could say about this generation."

"I'm sure there is, but you should consider yourself lucky to have us in your life," Marlena told him. "Who else is gonna teach you how to use a computer or send a text message?"

"I like to think I'm pretty well-versed in the field of technology."

"Natasha and I had to teach you how to set up your voicemail, Steve, and then we had to teach you how to set your wallpaper," Marlena reminded him with a laugh. "It might've been eight years ago, but even now you still take fifteen minutes to send a text message."

"You know I don't like texting."

"Excuses."

"At least my generation knows how to cook."

"Oh."

Small footsteps sounded in the hall, and Marlena looked over to see Jay making his way into the kitchen. He rubbed his tired eyes and stopped in the entranceway, glancing between Steve and Marlena.

"Mornin' buddy," Steve greeted the young boy.

"Good mornin', Uncle Steve."

"How'd you sleep, Jay?" Marlena asked him, turning her attention back to her laptop.

"Okay, I guess," he answered tiredly. "I think you guys have a ghost."

"What makes you say that?" Marlena was now nonchalantly scrolling through her Twitter feed; she was over filling out paperwork, at least for the time being. It wasn't due until December, and December was about three weeks away.

"I heard banging on my wall this morning."

Marlena practically choked on the air in her lungs and looked at her son; she could hear Steve laughing quietly at the stove. She knew exactly what Jay heard, but she didn't plan on telling him that.

"I think I heard it too, buddy," Steve said to Jay, and Marlena rolled her eyes. She figured he'd have something smart to say.

"Maybe we should call the Ghostbusters to come help," Jay suggested, and an amused grin spread across Marlena's face. Knowing that her twins hadn't lost themselves in the five years she was absent from their lives comforted her. Jay was still that same whimsical little boy she'd said goodbye to all those years ago, and she hoped he always would be.

"Maybe we should, Jay." Marlena closed her laptop and met Jay's eyes. He looked just like Bucky, but he had Marlena's eyes, and she'd always found that to be so special. It was the same with Charlie as well; she looked like Marlena, but her eyes were the same beautiful shade of blue as her father's. "Why don't you go change out of your pajamas and then you can come back and eat breakfast?"

"Is there bacon?"

"There is," Steve said with a nod of his head.

"I'll be right back."

Jay took off down the hall, and Marlena looked at Steve. He was very amused, and she could feel it more than she could see it. She wasn't surprised, though. She was amused as well, though she couldn't help but feel awkward.

"That was awkward."

"It was funny," Steve said to her. "It wasn't awkward until you made it awkward."

"Since we're on the topic of awkward, can I ask you a question before I forget about it?" Marlena cleared her throat. "It's about, um, the ghost?"

"Oh, god, what?"

"So, this is actually something I've been dying to ask you for a while now," Marlena giggled, and Steve turned to look at her with a raised brow. He wasn't sure what words were about to come out of her mouth. "Who else have you, um, y'know...?"

"Why?" Steve turned back to the stove. "Are you getting ready to insult my performance?"

"You're perfect, why would I insult you?" Marlena reassured him and hopped from her seat, making her way over to the fridge. "It's just that I know you're not someone who's been with a lot of people, and you've never really talked to me about any of your past relationships."

"I've only been in two relationships apart from being with you, and you already know who each of them were with," Steve said.

Marlena pursed her lips and grabbed a bottle of water before closing the fridge. "So, Peggy and Natasha then?"

Steve shook his head.

"But you just said—"

"I said I've been in two other relationships," Steve cut Marlena off with a chuckle. "I didn't say anything about what happened during each of them."

"So, nothing happened with either of them?"

"I didn't say that either."

"Then just one?"

Steve nodded and glanced over at her. "Why are you so curious?"

"Because I spent years listening to Bucky and Sam poke fun at you over this." Marlena took a sip of her water and sat the bottle down on the counter. "I'm intrigued and I wanna know who."

"I don't know if I should tell you."

"Why not?"

"Because you might not like the answer."

"Just tell me." Marlena groaned and grabbed Steve's hand. "It was Natasha wasn't it?"

"Mhm."

Marlena's mouth fell open slightly; she didn't think he'd actually confirm it, but he had, and she wasn't sure what to do with the information.

"I can't believe she never told me."

"I didn't know she was supposed to," Steve teased and handed Marlena a plate full of breakfast food.

Marlena grabbed a piece of bacon off her plate and shoved it into her mouth. "That's kind of a tough act to follow, y'know?"

Steve couldn't help but shake his head as he watched her and listened to her. Marlena was one of the brightest people he knew, yet she could sometimes be the biggest dork on the planet. "I promise you're doing just fine," he assured her.

"Fine isn't good enough."

"Oh, Marlena."

"How did you two manage to stay such good friends after that?" Marlena asked him.

"Because her friendship was worth more to me than that," Steve answered her truthfully. "Why do you think nothing changed after you found out about my feelings for you? Your friendship was worth more to me."

"Well, we're really good friends now."

"Yeah, the greatest," Steve teased back. He loved how playful they could be through their otherwise serious relationship.

"Can I have some bacon now?" Jay's voice sounded, and Marlena looked to see him working his way back into the kitchen. He was now dressed in blue jeans and a Thor t-shirt, something that amused Marlena.

"You can have all the bacon you want after you tell me where you got that shirt from," Marlena said to him as she shoved another piece of bacon into her mouth. She sat her plate down on the counter and hopped up to sit down, her eyes on her boys.

"'Randa got it for me after I told her Thor was my favorite superhero," Jay answered as Steve handed him his plate, and Marlena's mouth fell open slightly. She was offended by the words her son had just spoken, though mildly.

"Why is Thor your favorite?"

"Because he has cool powers!" Jay answered excitedly. "I told Alena I wanted a cool hammer like his but she said only special people could have one."

"You just have to be worthy," Marlena told him.

"How do I become worthy?"

Marlena shrugged and took a bite of her scrambled eggs. "I'm sure you could ask Thor, but I think he might be in another galaxy. You could also ask Steve."

"Uncle Steve?" Jay's eyes brightened immediately, and he looked over at Steve. "You're worthy, Uncle Steve?"

"Well, um..."

"He's worthy," Marlena confirmed to her curious son. "He's too modest to say it out loud, but he's a natural with the thing."

Steve shot her a look.

"What?" Marlena chuckled quietly, and a smirk pulled at the corner of her lips. "You might not have seen me, but I saw you, Rogers. It was kinda hard not to...y'know...with all the lightning."

"Okay, fine, I can lift the hammer." Steve finally gave in to the young boy. He grabbed his plate and a fork and moved to sit at the counter bar. Marlena remained in her spot on the counter, and Jay followed Steve to sit down.

"Was it awesome? Did you get to play with lightning?" Jay was so intrigued, and it was the cutest thing in the world to Marlena. To see the two of them interacting as they were warmed her heart. She only wished Charlie was with them, but she knew Bucky was taking great care of her.

"I did, yeah," Steve said. There was a smile on his face as he interacted with Jay. Steve loved the twins long before he and Marlena had gotten together, but because of the situation, his love for them had grown tremendously. His relationship with the twins was changing, and bonding with them now was more important than ever.

A knock on the door grabbed Marlena's attention. She hopped off the counter to grab it, while Steve and Jay remained in the kitchen lost in their conversation. She wondered who'd decided to make an appearance, as the remainder of her family had disappeared to get their lives back on track.

Marlena pulled her apartment door open, her hazel eyes brightening at the sight of the strawberry blonde woman standing in front of her. She definitely hadn't been expecting to see her, but she was happy to see her nonetheless.

"Pepper, hi!" Marlena greeted her happily.

"Hi, Marlena," Pepper smiled softly at the brunette. "I was hoping I could speak to you and Steve?"

Marlena nodded and gestured her inside before closing the door.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," Pepper said, a smile still on her face. Even through the grief of losing Tony, Pepper still managed to find a way to be herself. Marlena admired her for it.

"Not at all, we were just eating breakfast," Marlena stopped in the living room with Pepper. "Go ahead and make yourself at home, and I'll go get Steve. Do you want anything to eat or drink?"

"I'm okay. Thank you, though."

Marlena took off into the kitchen. Steve and Jay were still sitting at the counter bar talking. Steve had finished his breakfast for the most part, while Jay still had a bit to go.

"Hey," Marlena said to Steve, catching his attention immediately. "Pepper's here and she wants to talk to us."

"Really?" Steve hadn't expected to hear those words. "Do you know what about?"

Marlena shrugged her shoulders. "She's in the living room, I'll be out there in a minute."

"Okay."

Steve got up and headed into the living room, while Marlena remained with Jay. She smiled as she looked at her son, and she pulled out her phone and placed it on the counter beside him.

"Can you do me a favor, buddy?"

"Sure, Mom."

"Can you stay in here while Steve and I talk to Pepper?" she asked him. "You can finish your breakfast and watch videos on my phone if you want."

"Okay, Mom."

Jay smiled and picked up Marlena's phone, and she ruffled his hair before heading back to the living room. Steve and Pepper were sitting on the loveseat, so Marlena walked over to sit on the couch.

"I know it's been a while since we've truly gotten to sit down and talk like this, and I'm so sorry," Pepper said once Marlena made herself comfortable on the couch. "So much has been going on, and I can assume it's the same with you two as well."

"You'd be correct," Steve confirmed to her. "You don't need to apologize to us, Pepper. We understand. We know this can't be easy on you."

"I'm getting done what needs to be done for him," Pepper said to him. "That's why I'm here today."

"What's goin' on, Pepper?" Marlena asked.

"Tony made me the executor of his estate, so for the last couple weeks I've been around and about taking care of things regarding Stark Industries and the Avengers," Pepper started. "The reason I'm here now has to do with both of them."

"I'm afraid I'm not following," Steve said to her.

"There's a clause in Tony's will that allows the remaining original Avengers to receive one percent of Stark Industries' total revenue for the year," Pepper explained to Steve. Her words shocked the couple, just as she expected them to. "That would mean you, Clint, and Bruce would receive a considerable amount of money at the end of the fiscal year."

"That really isn't necessary, Pepper," Steve said with a shake of his head. "After everything that's happened between Tony and I, I wouldn't feel right accepting that from your family."

Pepper chuckled quietly; she knew exactly why Steve was trying to deny her. "Steve, if any of that mattered anymore, do you really think I'd be here?"

Pepper pulled out a manila folder and handed it to Steve, who opened it up the moment it was in his hands. He looked over the words on the page, his eyes stopping to read over a specific paragraph towards the end of the page. The words read:

Under my authorization as owner of Stark Industries, any and all remaining members of the original Avengers Initiative shall receive a combined 1% of Stark Industries' total revenue for the fiscal year of 2026 once fiscal year is complete. This amount may be paid in full or once a month over a specified amount of time depending on individual preferences. All remaining members must sign a written release form endorsed by Virginia Pepper Potts, CEO of Stark Industries.

"You're gonna wanna check the date on that," Pepper told him quietly.

Steve looked to the top of the page, where October 15, 2026 was printed in bold letters. Steve recognized the date. He'd written it just after the Time Heist had taken place, and as Steve realized what that meant, his heart seemed to break all over again.

"October 15th," Steve repeated with a frown on his face. "That was just after the Time Heist; he knew he wasn't coming home."

"And he knew exactly what he wanted just in case he didn't come home." Pepper took the folder back from Steve and placed it back into her bag. "The Avengers were a part of his family; he loved every single one of you, despite everything that's happened. Even in death he's still trying to find a way to take care of the team and I think you should let him."

"Stark Industries earns an average yearly revenue of 20 billion dollars, Pepper," Marlena spoke up; the surprise was very evident in her tone. "One percent of that is still two hundred million dollars, and even when you divide it by four that's...um...a lot of money."

"I know it is." Pepper gave a knowing chuckle; it was almost as if the number didn't phase her at all, and Marlena wasn't surprised that it didn't. Tony was one of the richest men in the world, and without him, Pepper was now one of the richest women in the world. To her, $200 million was likely nothing in comparison to what her family brought home each year. "Tony knew it too, and he was okay with it—he is okay with it. I hope you and your family will be, too."

"I don't know what to say," Steve said quietly. He was still trying to wrap his head around the information he'd just been given. He was trying to wrap his head around Tony's massive financial decision. Steve wasn't surprised, as Tony had always been such a caring and giving person, especially for those he loved, but Steve was sure he'd lost his friend's love long ago. The two remained considerably close after the situation with the accords, but their relationship had been fractured. Steve always believed it to be beyond repair, but that definitely wasn't the case.

"You don't have to say anything," Pepper assured him. She pulled another folder out of her bag and placed it on the coffee table in front of her. "This is the release form you need to sign, Steve. You can do whatever you want, but just take the time to think about it, okay?"

"I will," Steve told her. "Thank you, Pepper."

"Of course." Pepper reached into her bag once more and pulled out a small device. She placed it on the coffee table beside Steve's folder and looked at Marlena. "This is for you, Marlena."

Marlena furrowed her brows and picked the small device up, examining it closely. It definitely looked as if it'd been made by Tony, but she still wasn't sure what it was.

"Apart from Morgan and I, Tony recorded a goodbye for you, Peter, and Harley," Pepper informed her, and Marlena's heart swelled at the sound of her words. "You were so important to him, Marlena. So much more important than you think. That'll show you better than I can tell you."

"H-have you watched it?" Marlena stammered over her words. She was becoming a bit emotional as they continued to talk about Tony. She hadn't had much time to process being without Tony, and the same went for Natasha. She missed both of them so much more than she ever thought she could.

"No, I haven't." Pepper gathered her belongings and stood up. "Whatever's on there, whatever he said, it's for you."

"Thank you so much for this, Pepper."

Marlena stood up, as did Steve.

"It's never a problem," Pepper said, a soft smile on her face. "I've got a few more errands to run around the city. I really hope to see you both soon."

"You will," Steve assured her.

Pepper nodded her head and hugged the super soldier tightly, now unable to handle the emotion behind her meeting with the two of them. She missed Tony so much, and the pain of it was fresh. Too fresh.

"You're welcome here any time, and you know that," Marlena said as Pepper moved to hug her. "Both you and Morgan."

"Thank you. I'll see you both soon, okay?"

The three of them bid their goodbyes to one another, and after Pepper disappeared through the apartment door, Marlena turned back to look at the small device sitting on the table. She took a deep breath, unsure if she was even ready to handle whatever was on it.

"If you need some time alone to watch that, I can take Jay into the city?" Steve suggested and shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. He was still trying to process the conversation that just happened, and he figured a bit of fresh air could help. "We can go grab Charlie if you want?"

"That could work." Marlena gave Steve a small smile and grabbed the device from the table. "You sure you want to?"

Steve nodded and grabbed Marlena, pulling her in for a comforting hug. "A bit of fresh air doesn't hurt anyone, and neither does a bit of bonding."

"You're gonna be a great father, you know that, right?"

"I'm gonna do my best."

"I love you." Marlena looked up at Steve with a smile on her face. She pulled herself onto her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his lips, leaving his grip to tighten around her.

"I love you, sweetheart."

Marlena watched him disappear into the kitchen to grab Jay and she looked back down at the device in her hand. A quiet breath escaped her as she thought of the words Tony recorded simply for her ears, and she sat back down, not at all prepared for the emotions she was bound to face.