9303/Merry Christmas, 2021 Style

Merry Christmas, 2021 Style
Date of Scene:	27 December 2021
Location:	Carter-Sousa Home - Long Island
Synopsis:	Peggy and Daniel share their first Christmas morning in the 21st century.
Cast of Characters:	Daniel Sousa, Peggy Carter

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Daniel Sousa has posed:
To the surprise of noone Daniel is an early riser even on Christmas, it's a hold over from being a kid, the excitement and magic of Christmas drawing him out of his slumber earlier than most, and certainly when he was a kid, earlier than his parents would like.

Though now, well into his thirties it's not *that* bad he just wakes at a semi reasonable hour rather than sleeping in all morning.

Awake doesn't mean up however, when the sunlight starts to creep into their room he's still in bed beside Peggy, just taking the moment to enjoy the weight of her beside him and marvel for what must be the hundredth time since it happened, he was really hear in the future for good. It was as good a Christmas gift as he could hope for.

Peggy Carter has posed:
It's been a long week. Something happened last night, when Daniel was out doing last minute shopping. He came home to Peggy on the phone with a few people from work. When she finished, she promised to tell him later. Begged him to come to sleep. But it was a more rough night. She tossed and turned much of the early part of it before falling into a restless sleep against his arm. That's where she is now, firmly still in her rest, breathing slow and deep.

When he slightly stirs, she instinctively rolls over onto her side, instead of flopped out on her back. She buries herself against his arm, her chest against his ribs and stomach against his hip. While she's not really visibly pregnant yet, in nothing but her night gown, the faint outward rounding is starting to be noticable. Or maybe it's just hopeful thinking on Christmas morning, but she's certainly soft and warm at his side.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
As Peggy turns Daniel smiles, murmuring a quiet "Merry Christmas," before pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"You awake or still tossing?"he asks her, he hadn't missed her restless night and serious looking phone call.

Peggy Carter has posed:
"Mm... still tossing." Peggy mutters against his arm, clearly a lie. Those words were understandable enough that she's definitely a little more aware than she is asleep. She tucks herself a little more against him, stretching her arm across his stomach to tuck her hand beneath his opposite side, half pinning him into the bed.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
A warm chuckle rumbles Daniel's stomach as he's pinned to the bed. "I see that," he teases gently about her still tossing. "Guess figuring out breakfast can wait a little bit longer," he says, before letting out a contented sigh. "It is Christmas after all." Though the question that is in the back of his mind works its way forward and he asks. "What'd I miss last night?" He knew it was likely a can of worms he was opening but his concern and curiosity had grown through the night of tossing and turning.

Peggy Carter has posed:
There's a small sound in the back of her throat as he asks what happened last night. A denial of a protest. She *really* doesn't want to talk or think about it. She buries herself into the side of his chest a bit deeper and shifts her leg to drape over his and tuck her knee between his thighs. "...I... don't want to think about it until tomorrow. I don't want to ruin Christmas. ... s'not fair to ask me these things, not when I'm clearly sleeping." She mutters against his skin. But those words aren't even sleep slurred. The thought of it all is enough to wake her up.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
"How else am I going to get the founder of SHIELD to spill her secrets? I either have to get you when you first wake up or during a foot massage," he says nuzzling in close for warmth a smiling against her shoulder. Though he does look up when she insists she doesn't want to think about it. "That bad?"he asks.

Peggy Carter has posed:
A slow sigh escapes her nose, tickling breath over his chest as she considers how to answer this. Daniel can practically feel the weight of her body getting heavier with the spiritual sort of exhaustion that only happens when things get bad. Really bad. Peggy then tilts her head up to press a few kisses against the stubble across his jaw. She lets her nose linger against the side of his cheek as she inhales his scent.

"Is it going to drive you more insane not knowing... or knowing and worrying?" She asks him quietly, fingertips loosening on his side enough that she can stretch her hand tenderly over his chest instead of hugging against his ribs.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel notices the signs and is about to sit when Peggy snuggles in close as well and scuttles that plan. He stays put listening to her question. "Crazier knowing something is up and I don't know about it so I can't help you. We've had Christmas season crises before, I'd like to help you with this one if I can even if it's sharing the knowledge that it exists."

Peggy Carter has posed:
Silence reigns for several moments. Peggy turns her head to press a kiss against the corner of his mouth and her other hand comes up, combing fingertips through his dark hair. It's like she's trying to savor these last few moments. She knows their lives are always a mess. She knows the risks. But there is a part of her scared to lose this again, so quickly, so she's clinging to every moment.

"There is nothing we need to do today. We can just...enjoy it. I promise. But on January 6th, there is a... highly credible threat to the entire city of Manhattan. Credible enough that I'm implementing emergency evacuation procedures after the first of the year. We... we're going to clear out as many of the boroughs as humanly possible. Other agents are on top of handling the... Threat. Supposed army of God's Angels coming down from heaven to test the world. It sounds ridiculous, it might be some version of aliens or... Something else. But that's what I was told and the threat is good enough that I won't risk 7 million peoples' lives. But... they don't have to panic now. We don't now. People can enjoy their holiday before everything in life... changes." She whispers all those words against the edge of his mouth, her nose and forehead pressed against his. Intimate. Tired. So sorry that she has to say it at all. But she won't hide more from him.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Feeling Peggy's hesitation and guessing at it's cause he kisses her back in thanks and also as permission to tell him what's going on consequeces be damned.

Daniel blinks hearing the news, but stays put, listening. "Wow, not even close to what I was guessing," he remarks before lifting his head to look at Peggy. "That's... a lot, but you know I'll help anyway that I can, from helping get people out to fighting... angels..." he can't help but shake his head. "Either way I'm glad I know, would hate to think of you carrying that weight through Chirstmas alone."

Peggy Carter has posed:
Peg pulls back just enough that she can see his face. Her hand comes up, now, to gently stretch fingertips up his cheek as she studies him. "You love Christmas so... So much. It's been so long since we had a good one." For her, at least. For him, it probably still feels like last year. "And we don't have little feet around the tree yet this year. I just wanted you to have the most...Perfect day. And I know we'll handle it. We'll get people out and if... if this goes as bad as it could, at least we had a last Christmas." Or they could both run, but Peggy seems to doubt that either of them plan to do that. She knows them. "But... that's in 12 days. It's not now. Today, it's Christmas. Merry Christmas, my love..."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
It was true he loved Christmas and he wanted his first in the 21st Century to be special, still he meets her eyes and says "I woke up next to you so I'm not sure about perfect but it's off to a very good start," he tells her before he returns the kiss. "Merry Christmas, Peggy," he tells her, before pulling back and moving to get out of bed. "Stay right there," he says before slipping off to the living room and returning to the sound of paper being ripped, he comes in setting a record down on the cabinet and taking a slip of paper in hand.

Returning to the bed he presents it. Figured given the news this would be a good time for this one," he says of the gift.

On the paper is written: Good for one weekend away on me

"Originally slipped it into a record of those horrible Captain America Adventure Hour recordings, but figured with the news the joke wouldn't land," a smile there. "Anyhow we can make it New Years, or we can count on our luck holding and make it the first weekend after the 6th."

Peggy Carter has posed:
Now that he's flitting away from the bed, Peggy tilts her head, staring after him curiously. She does stay exactly where she is, looking slightly drowsy but wonderfully sleep mussed and still softly warm. She always gets so gently soft around the edges before she really gets pregnant, it's just more noticable on mornings like this, when she's not rushing out of bed.

Her brows furrow deeper as she hears the paper ripping and his explanation gets a little laugh, "I mean, I don't think I would have strangled you, but you certainly would have gotten a *glare*. I can't even believe you FOUND one of those records. It should be burned." She grumbles teasingly, even if it would probably be worth hanging onto for their kids. She looks to the paper and then blinks, smiling softer through a faint sheen in her eyes. "Oh... darling. I... God. I want to... wait. Don't want this over our heads, but I don't want to risk... Waiting either."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel does pause to enjoy the sight of sleep mussed Peggy upon his return before the gift is presented. "Your call on the record, save it for the kids or light bonfire for it, as for where I got it... best not to say," he teases lightly.

As to the bigger question, when to take the trip. "My vote is for after, but that might be my optimism from solving the unsolveable time dilemma, so willing to go with what you want on this one Peg, clearer heads and all that."

Peggy Carter has posed:
"...I've never bet against us before. I shouldn't start now. I told Jonathan that... this is the part of the job. He and Martin are going to go in. We should be there too, even if it's just helping with evacuation. SHIELD... the team who knows and has been on this... Mess for a while? They know what is going on. The can face this. They *can*. And we'll back them up. Because I believe in our agents and I believe in us. I'm not going to ask them to do something we don't do ourselves. So, we go. It's solved, and we have a weekend of celebration after." It's a long explanation, especially from her who generally makes a decision and that is that. Peggy is probably trying to convince them both, as she logics through it out loud, but by the end of her words, she seems fully decided.

She then leans up and over, tugging him into a kiss once more. Longer than before. Something celebratory in all the darkness, something sealing the promise on her lips that they are going to get through this.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
"After works," Daniel says. "We need to be on hand for our people and besides before all this happens it's not like we wouldn't get called back anyhow," the last is given with a smile and a solid nod. A recognition she's made up her mind a wordless notice he had too, they'd stay, fight and live to celebrate after.

Letting himself be pulled down he returns the kiss with the same celebratory passion and solid faith they'll make it through this crisis like all the others.

Peggy Carter has posed:
The kiss was intended to simply affirm their promises, to warm them up on a Christmas morning of cold news. But feeling his hands on her, and the flood of warmth that crosses through her at a kiss like that, her intentions begin to change. He can feel her smiling in the kiss, as she brings her other hand up and pushes him back down into the bed. They didn't need to get up *quite* yet, and there are more ways to celebrate Christmas morning than presents. She'll kiss him until the idea of work is entirely out of their heads and they're savoring far more enjoyable things on their holiday morning off.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Sometime later they're laying back in bed again, Daniel is pleasantly tired his hair even more of a mess than before, his pyjamas lost along the way, turning his head to smile at Peggy he says, "Doomsday aside, I think this shaping up to be a merry Christmas," he remarks, his hand finding hers and giving it an affectionate squeeze. "Wouldn't you say?"

Peggy Carter has posed:
He's not the only one who has lost his pajamas in the tussle. Peggy smiles to him drowsily, rolling over onto her side as she catches her breath, but she keeps one hand slowly tracing circles on his chest. She's flushed now, hair a mess of dark waves, the rest of her body quite warm and soft at his side. "Mm... I'd say so. And I'm certainly awake, now. And curious about what Christmas breakfast plans you had..." She squeezes his hand back tightly, as he takes her's.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
There's no objecting from Daniel at the soft warmth of his wife beside him. "Well got things to cover a lot of bases but was thinking pancakes, eggs and sausage if it'll agree with your stomach?" big Christmas breakfasts were a thing with Daniel and something of a Sousa family tradition from the times they'd spent the holidays with his family.

Peggy Carter has posed:
That gets a warm, quiet laugh from her, smile widening a bit more, "Is that *you* talking who wants to cook all that, or your mother?" Peggy asks him, clearly teasing. But she seems to have all her appetite this morning. The sick days were getting further and further apart in the last week and change. Hopefully a sign they were turning a good corner into the next trimester. She certainly seems to be in full health and vigor this morning, despite a rough night of sleep.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
"Well if it was my mother talking she might have something to say about our state of dress," he teases back. "Just feels right to have a big breakfast on Christmas besides it'll be forever until dinner at Michael's it can tide us over," he says lightly. "So what do you say? Game for it or keen to laze about a little more."

Peggy Carter has posed:
"We are long married and giving her another grandchild, your mother can be perfectly well pleased about it!" Peggy states with a little huff, mostly teasing. She then rolls over to properly kiss him one more time before shifting to sit up in bed and toss her legs off, moving for a robe. "Besides, I can be perfectly lazy sitting in the kitchen chair watching you work over tea. Almost as lazy as I'm being in here."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
"True," Daniel laughs. "But you know how my mother was," he shakes his head before sitting up and gathering his pyjama pants and top before wriggling into them. "So that's how you think things are going to go huh?" he teases once he's dressed. "Sure I'm not going to press you into service?" he asks knowing that's exactly how things are likely to go.

Peggy Carter has posed:
Her brows both arch as she watches him, slipping her feet into her slippers and cinching that robe closed at her not *quite* so flat waist. "I mean, if you *want* to. I do recall the last time you put me into service in the kitchen, I boiled over two different pots and almost started a grease fire. But if you feel like gambling on Christmas, I won't make you do *all* the work." Peggy teases him gently, coming up behind him to wrap her arms around his waist and press a kiss against the side of his neck.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
The kiss has Daniel making a warm little noise as he smiles, leaning into her he murmurs. "Well keep that up, and breakfast might have to wait, he says with a laugh. "And fiiine, I guess you get a pass on KP duty this morning, because it's Christmas." He turns in her arms so they're face to face. Meeting her eyes he tells her softly. "I love you Peg, Merry Christmas," he says before leaning in for a kiss.

Peggy Carter has posed:
Peg lets him turn in her arms, her smile wide and warm (despite the stress on both of their heads.) It seems telling him the truth about the news, and making a plan together, has helped most of the weight off of her shoulders. Now she's just enjoying herself, especially with that kiss. She wraps her arms around the back of his neck, leaning in close. Letting it linger. "...Merry Christmas, my dearest. I love you too. So... so damn much. I'm the luckiest woman in the world, you know that?" She whispers against his mouth.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel returns the smile before their lips meet, when their lingering kiss breaks he is smiling all the more. "I'll take your word for it," he says with a small smile, he is forever the worst at accepting compliments, "But I feel the same way about myself so I can understand, I'm so damn lucky to have you in my life Peg and to be here with you now."

Peggy Carter has posed:
When he gives that small, slightly awkward smile, Peggy just stares up at him with a bit of a glare. She doesn't remove her arms from around the back of his neck, not quite yet. "And just when have I ever lied to you? About... anything that wasn't an injury, hmm? And I'm working on that too! But truly, Daniel Sousa... when have I not told you exactly how it is?"

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel smiles sheepishly and but keeps his eyes on hers. "Never, I don't doubt your honesty Peggy, I just struggle with seeing myself as a guy someone feels lucky about even if I know you do feel that way. It's dumb, probably left over stuff from after the war."

Peggy Carter has posed:
"Then I guess I'll just have to keep reminding you. Year after year. I chose you. I married you. I'm going to marry you *again*. I will *always* choose you, Daniel Sousa. Try to remember that." Peggy leans up to kiss him one last time, this one a bit more firm. A pressing reminder. And then she's gently pulling away from him and turns to lead the way into the kitchen with a casual saunter, "But, you *could* earn your keep with a good breakfast." She mutters with a wink over her shoulder.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
"Thank you," Daniel says after the words and the kiss that follows them. "Love you so much," he says before breaking into a grin at her final little taunt. "Well I guess I can manage that!" he calls as he chases afer her to get breakfest made and enjoy the rest of their first Christmas in the 21st century.