Marvel: The Journey

When Peggy entered her modest home in bustling New York City, her mind was filled with the countless tasks she had just completed at the Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR) office. Fatigued and thirsty, she made her way to the kitchen, hoping to quench her thirst with a cold drink. However, as she stepped into it, she was met with an unexpected sight.

Balloons adorned the walls and ceiling, and a tantalizing aroma wafted through the air. Suddenly, a jubilant shout pierced through the silence as Val, donning a festive birthday hat, leaped out from behind the counter, brandishing a mouth-watering cake.

"Surprise!" Val exclaimed, beaming from ear to ear.

Peggy's exhaustion dissipated in an instant, replaced by a beaming smile that illuminated her face as she gazed upon the vibrant decorations carefully crafted by Val. The cheerful display transported Peggy back to cherished memories of birthdays past, surrounded by her loving family and friends.

As Peggy reminisced about the fond memories of her past birthdays, she made her way towards a chair, hoping to take a load off and relax. However, Val had other plans.

With a gentle yet firm hand, Val halted Peggy's progress and deftly maneuvered the chair to a more comfortable position. 

As Val went out of his way to ensure Peggy's comfort, she couldn't help but be impressed by his chivalrous act. A sense of admiration swelled within her, and she felt grateful for having such a thoughtful friend in her life.

Peggy expressed her appreciation, uttering a soft exclamation, "Oh my~ What a gentleman!"

In response, Val graciously bowed, speaking in a thick British accent that added a touch of elegance to the moment. "It's all about you right now, Milady!" he jokingly declared.

Val placed a festive hat atop Peggy's head and handed her a knife, urging her to begin. A moment of anticipation filled the air as Peggy prepared to blow out the candles and cut the cake.

In a burst of excitement, Val let out a resounding clap and exclaimed, "Happy Birthday!" The joy in his voice was contagious, and Peggy felt her spirits soar as she basked in the warmth of the celebration.

With a steady hand, Peggy brought the knife down onto the cake, its layers of frosting and moist sponge yielding to her touch.

Peggy and Val shared a special moment as they enjoyed the scrumptious cake, their smiles conveying a sense of contentment. With a shared understanding, they each took a slice and savored its rich flavor and smooth texture.

As they ate, Peggy and Val chatted amiably, about the recent events that took place in their lives.

A few minutes later after they had their fill of the cake, Val suddenly rose from his chair, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Follow me!" he said, beckoning Peggy to join him. "I have something special planned for your birthday."

Peggy's heart raced as she rose from her chair and followed Val, eager to see what he had in store for her. The excitement in his voice was palpable, and she knew that whatever awaited her would be something truly special.

As they approached the couch, however, Peggy was surprised to see a small, unassuming box resting on the cushions. She looked at Val, puzzled, wondering what could be inside.

Val's eyes twinkled with mischief as he urged her to open the box. "Why are you hesitating?" he exclaimed. "It's your gift! Open it and see what's inside!"

With shaking hands, Peggy reached for the box, eager to see what lay inside. As she tore open the packaging, her heart raced with anticipation.

To her surprise, the box contained a set of documents, neatly bound together. Peggy's confusion deepened as she took the papers in her hands, trying to make sense of what they could be.

But as she began to read the title, her confusion turned to shock and then to overwhelming emotion. When she read through the pages, her hands trembled with excitement and tears streamed down her face. 

Overwhelmed with emotion, Peggy pushed the papers aside and threw herself into Val's arms, her body colliding with his as they tumbled to the ground.

Val smiled up at her, his eyes filled with warmth and affection, as Peggy clung to him, tears streaming down her face. He rubbed her back in a soothing gesture, holding her tightly as she cried out all of the pent-up emotions that had been building inside of her.

After a few moments, Peggy's sobs began to subside, and she looked up at Val, her eyes sparkling with happiness.

Val gazed back at her, his own eyes filled with concern and tenderness. "How was the gift?" he asked softly, his voice full of warmth.

Peggy's smile grew wider as she replied, "I love it so much!"

While wiping her tears, she remembered something peculiar about the documents. She realized that they were fabricated and made recently. The document claimed that Peggy's mother, Amanda Carter, had adopted a boy named Valexis Haller who had been illegally trafficked to America at the age of 8. This new information made Peggy and Val siblings, albeit, adopted ones.

Peggy's eyes widened as she looked at Val in disbelief. "How did you know I wanted that?" she asked in amazement. Val hesitated for a moment, feeling a lump form in his throat. "Um, well," he stammered, "I sort of found your personal diary on the couch one day and took a peek inside it."

Feeling Peggy's arms tighten around his chest, Val quickly tapped her arms and tried to explain himself. "I swear to God I only read one page and kept it back! I didn't read anything further than that! I swear!" he said, hoping to alleviate her concerns.

Peggy loosened her grip and asked, "So, now, we are siblings, right?" Val hesitated for a moment before clarifying, "Adopted siblings, yes."

Peggy shook her head, a smile forming on her face, and asked again as she tightened her arms around him once more. "We are siblings, right?" Val let out a deep sigh before finally giving in. "Yes, yes! We are siblings," he said.

Peggy got up from the floor and helped Val to his feet. "Since we are both Carters now," she said, "You need to know more about our family." She sprinted upstairs into her room, eager to share her family history with her new brother. Val smiled at her enthusiasm and sat on the couch. A moment later, Peggy returned with several old family albums and sat down beside him. As they looked through the photos together, they laughed and reminisced about her childhood memories and the family they now shared.

As the sun began to set outside, Peggy closed the last family album with a contented sigh. "So, that was it about the Carter family.," she said, glancing over at Val, who had been engrossed in the photographs and stories of his newfound relatives. It had been an hour since Peggy had pulled out the albums, and during that time, for her, it was a chance to share a part of her life with someone who was now truly her family.

Val leaned back on the couch as he said, "I have another surprise for you."

Peggy's eyes widened with excitement as she asked eagerly, "What is it? Where is it? Show me, show me!"

Val chuckled and got up from the couch, gesturing for Peggy to follow him. The two of them made their way toward the basement. When they reached a large box in the corner, Val turned towards her and said, "Here it is."

Val pointed at it, and Peggy's eyes widened with anticipation. She quickly walked towards it and tore open the box. However, as soon as she looked inside, her body suddenly froze as she gazed at the object in the box.

Val approached Peggy, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder as she gazed at the object in the box. "What do you think?" he asked, a proud grin spreading across his face. "Pretty amazing, isn't it? I created it using a new element I discovered during one of my experiments. It's only one grade lower than the metal used to make Captain America's shield, and I named it after you. It's called Carterium."

Val gazed at Peggy, hoping for some sort of reaction, but she remained frozen in shock. He realized the significance of the moment and grasped her shoulder tightly. "Make your own legacy, Peggy," he said. "So that when he comes back, you'll be ready to fight alongside him." His words seemed to shake Peggy out of her daze as she looked up at him with determination in her eyes.

Val turned his attention to the box and gazed at the familiar blue, red, and white striped shield of Captain Carter, resting inside it. He felt a surge of pride and hope for the future, knowing that Peggy was now equipped with Carterium, a metal that could help her create her own legacy and fight alongside Captain America.

Thus, in the quiet and cozy streets of Queens, New York, on the auspicious day of April 9th, 1948, a legend was born - Captain Carter.