Peggy and Jarvis Move to Los Angeles
“Oh, Mister Jarvis, you can just set that there, please,” Peggy smiled at the Englishman, who nodded and set the box carefully amongst the rest. “I hadn’t realized just how very much stuff I had,” she admitted, looking around at the boxes piled high just inside the door of the Stark Estate in New York.
“Quantity is relative, I’m afraid, Miss Carter,” Jarvis replied blandly, making Peggy giggle. Compared to the sheer amount of stuff that Howard Stark must own, she was sure that her own belongings seemed quite paltry in comparison.
“Yes, I’m certain it is,” she admitted ruefully, taking one last look around. This mansion might not be her home, but it certainly felt like it, and she took a deep breath. “Are you certain Howard won’t mind?” she asked again, for what seemed like the hundredth time.
Jarvis gave a mostly inaudible sigh. “Master Stark is rarely at his Los Angeles Estate, but he will be there for a short while to negotiate a defense contract. Ana and I shall be accompanying him, but I’m afraid that Master Stark has little use for a butler these days.” He sounded mournful, and Peggy resisted the urge to pat him comfortingly on the shoulder. “I fear that I shall be somewhat bored after the excitement of the past year, and as you are being transferred to Los Angeles, I had thought that perhaps you might find comfort being around familiar faces. I assure you that the Stark Estate in Los Angeles is rather similar to this one.”
Peggy shook her head. “It’s not the décor I’m worried about.” In fact, the offer to live at the Stark Manor in Los Angeles until she figured out living arrangements of her own was incredibly generous. But Jarvis seemed to be of the opinion that Peggy’s rather chaotic life was going to continue in Los Angeles. She was being transferred there because she’d caused too much trouble here. If she was lucky, she wouldn’t be stuck behind a desk for the next six months, typing memos and taking lunch orders.
Jarvis was watching her in that way he had that usually meant he was about to say something that would make her feel silly for worrying about him. “Ana and I would be delighted to have your company, Miss Carter,” he said simply. “Master Stark has nothing to do with it.”
Peggy smiled, pleased. And maybe just the tiniest bit flattered. She had always worried that she’d brought nothing but trouble and chaos to the Jarvis’ rather structured life, but then again, living with Howard Stark, she supposed that they had seen their fair share of trouble. Still, it was nice to know that they genuinely wanted her around, despite her penchant for finding trouble.
“Then I shall be glad to accept your hospitality, Mister Jarvis,” she replied with a smile. Jarvis’ return smile was small, but sincere.
Just then, a large box truck pulled up, and Howard Stark himself leaned out the driver’s side door. “t doesn’t fly, but it’ll do!” he called cheerfully. Peggy suppressed the urge to roll her eyes while Jarvis just gave a quiet sigh.
“Guess we’d better go help him, huh?” Peggy suggested wryly.
“Indeed.”