“Surprise!”
Just as you switched on the light in your apartment, Sam jumped out from behind your couch.
“Jesus, you scared me!”
“Sorry.”
Once your heartbeat was back to normal, you could see that Sam decorated the living room and kitchen with way too many balloons and a banner. There was a cake on the dining room table, and two plates set out with your favorite food.
“Sam, you didn’t have to do all of this.”
“I wanted today to be special. C’mon, let’s eat.”
It smelled amazing, but tasted even better. If Sam wasn’t busy being Captain America, he could definitely be a chef.
“I would pay for you to cook every meal for me,” you said between bites.
“In that case, they can find a new Cap.”
Once the food was finished, he went into the kitchen to get candles and a lighter for the cake. You took a few pictures of it first, it was beautifully decorated and looked delicious.
“Did you make this too?”
“No, I wish. Baking is not my speciality,” he laughed.
Sam lit the candle and sang happy birthday. When he was done, you blew out the candles and made a wish. I wish for Sam to be mine. You cut two pieces and moved over to the couch to eat them.
“I’m really glad you surprised me tonight. Thank you for all of this.”
“It’s nothing, really. Anything to make a friend happy.”
There was that word. Friend. Of course having him as a friend is great, but you wanted so much more, you have since he came back from the Blip a few years ago. There’s been so many times when you wanted to say something, but you never did. Maybe you never would.
“Time for presents.”
“You didn’t have to get me anything.”
He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out an envelope.
“Happy birthday.”
You carefully tore it open and pulled out a piece of paper. It was a ticket to Delacroix, Sam’s hometown.
“I...I don’t understand.”
“I’m taking you to Delacroix. You’ve always said how you want to see where I grew up, and I know Sarah and the boys are dying to meet you. They always say they hear so much about you, yet they’ve never met you.”
You were stunned. There were a few times where you mentioned wanting to go to Sam’s hometown, but you didn’t think he remembered. With everything that’s happened, it didn’t seem possible for the two of you to go. But he somehow made it possible.
“You talk about me to them?” You asked when you realized what he said.
“All the time. It’s always good stuff, there’s never anything bad to say. AJ and Cass actually think we’re dating.”
The way he laughed at that broke your heart, like it was such a crazy idea. You smiled anyway and forced a laugh.
“That’s weird.”
“Well, about that,” Sam took a breath. “I was hoping you could come with me...as my girlfriend.”
Oh.
“But I don’t want you to feel like you have to say yes because I already booked the flights. I’m not trying to pressure you, if you say no we’ll still go and I won’t make things weird. Like I’m doing right now.”
“Sam, I’d love nothing more than to be your girlfriend.”
He smiled and leaned over to kiss you. Both of his hands were cupping your face so gently, and you wrapped your arms around his neck and pulled him closer.
“I love you,” Sam blurted, his cheeks turning a light of pink.
He was usually so confident, so seeing him act nervous and shy was new. You liked it though, it was a side of him you rarely got to see.
“I love you too,” you smiled and snuggled into his side. “I can’t believe I finally get to see Delacroix, meet your family and I get to be your girlfriend. How did I get so lucky?"
Those candles he bought must’ve been magic.
“I’m so happy you’re coming, and that you’re my girlfriend. I was so scared to ask, I thought you only saw me as a friend.”
“I thought you only saw me as a friend,” you shook your head. “I’ve been in love with you since you came back from the Blip. Maybe I was before, but when I saw you again after all those years, it hit me like a truck.”
Sam’s finger brushed against your skin as he kissed you again.
“I didn’t even realize until Sarah said something. I called her after we hung out one night, just going on and on about you, and she said ‘you love her, don’t you?’ After thinking about it, I knew that I do.”
“I’ll have to thank her when I meet her. Y’know, this is actually what I wished for when I blew out the candles,” you admitted.
“You should’ve wished for a million dollars instead,” Sam laughed, it only got louder when you playfully smacked his arm. “Okay, okay. In all seriousness, I’m just really happy. I always am with you.”
“I’m really happy too. Thank you for making my birthday so special.”
He pulled you closer and reached for the blanket, covering you both. You grabbed the remote from the coffee table and searched for a movie. It was the perfect ending to a perfect night.