ETERNAL.
004. | ❛ steve. ❜

FLASHBACK

A month had passed from the wiping of her memories of Steve. The only thing that she could remember was that Steve was an old friend and how they were just friends, nothing more nothing less. Upon returning home from her meeting, Peggy and Howard were worried sick but handing them the letter that was tightly folded with instructions that it was only for her friends. They both read the letter and coming up to look at Caroline with a disappointed smile and quickly taking into account that this was the way that she chose to deal with her grief.

Caroline explained everything regarding her new personality, knowing that she wasn't quite herself either. Both Peggy and Howard were astounded by what they heard but Howard was the most intrigued wondering how creatures like vampires existed at all. After the shock wore off, Peggy insisted that Caroline should work for Shield. Knowing that it would take her mind off of Steve even though Caroline's memories were tweaked. On occasions, Peggy and Howard would have a small slip up and instantly fix themselves not wanting to ruin Caroline's plan.

Both of her friends wondered if Caroline's love for Steve was so big, why did she erase everything she felt for him? Sure, Caroline was the one that took it the hardest with one night almost passed out from the amount of booze she took to numb the pain.

Weeks would pass and on some days Caroline and Peggy would see someone playing with a Captain America shield, and it would scare Peggy that Caroline would remember her feelings for Steve and collapse just as quickly.

"Would Steve be happy seeing that everybody is idolizing him?" Caroline asked

"You know that Steve didn't care for that. As long as he was serving his country."

"Sometimes I wonder what would happen if Steve were still here?"

"He'd probably would've asked you to marry him," Peggy laughed with an instant face palm to the face.

"What?" Confused as to why Peggy would think that. Caroline never showed a interest in Steve and the same could be said vice versa. The two of them saw each other as friends.

"Don't listen to me and the things that come out of my mouth. I don't know, I think I might go to the doctor because this simply isn't normal." Peggy laughed uneasily until she saw Caroline's face calm down knowing that her slip up was only the start of many more.

Once they got home, Caroline had a huge drowsiness come over her causing her to lie down for a bit. Certainly, Caroline didn't know she had slept until the night. But in her dreams, something loomed over her making her stir.

Promise me that you'll continue with your life. Become the bigger name on the planet. Get married. Pop out a few kids. Be happy even if it isn't with me. You have to promise me that. Make Bucky and I proud. Find the right partner.

Caroline woke up with a gasp and in a frantic state but then she heard Howard and Peggy having a conversation.

"It isn't healthy anymore, Howard. At first it was her way of coping with it but what will happen if she never gets those memories back? She has a total chapter of her life gone."

"Peggy, she's better this way. Or don't you remember her they way she was? She was in pain, depressed, full of hopes that her precious Steve would come back. Perhaps it's better this way."

"Or perhaps we give her the letter? What's the worst that could happen?"

"The worst would be if she gets those memories back and falls into the depressing state again. What Caroline explained was that her feelings are amplified and that it'll hurt worse than the first time. No, Peggy. I won't allow it!"

"Won't allow what, Howard?" Caroline crossed her arms with both of friends exchanging a look and Peggy taking a step forward.

"There's something you should know."

"Please tell me, you're the one with wisdom around here." Caroline sassed with Peggy digging through her cabinets

"Look Care, as much is I'd like to think that I am full of wisdom, I think it's time we stop pretending that I actually know what's best, okay? Look, I've got my own issues to sort out right now, and I think that this will explain it much better than we can."

Peggy hands her the letter Caroline gave them upon returning. She sees a the letter with a paper clip of a picture of her and Steve. Caroline looked up to Howard and Peggy before proceeding to read the letter.

"Dear me, if you're reading this, then somebody spilled the beans about your selective memory loss. My money is on Howard. Yes, you loved Steve." Caroline looked surprised before looking back to the letter.

"You loved him with a passion that consumed you. And then, when Steve died, the void he filled was too deep, too dark. Facing an eternity without your soulmate, you went off the deep end. You turned into someone that you weren't. You were no longer the sweet and joyful girl that Steve fell in love with. Elijah can restore your lost memories—all you have to do is ask the phone number is on the bottom of the page. But, I hope that you don't. I tried it the other way, and I didn't see an end to the pain. I want you to rediscover yourself in the absence of who defined you. If you feel any hope for the future at all, then you're already better off. You've been given a chance to start over. I want you to take it. I want you to be happy."

"It's your decision, Care. We're here to support you no matter what."

Caroline took a seat having the information blasted at her with an intense force. She loved Steve. Or does she still love him? Caroline's curiosity was the thing that left her wondering all the while. If she was in so much pain, should she take her memories back knowing what followed was nearly unbearable?

Caroline huffed pacing the room leaving suspense for both Howard and Peggy. She walked over to the place where Peggy took out he letter where the telephone say as well.

Caroline started to dial the phone, "Hello, Elijah. It's me, Caroline. I need to restore my lost memories."

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yay!