September 1, 1947 - Platform 9 ¾, King's Cross Station

"Do you have everything, kiddo?" Howard asked Teddy as he helped him load his trunk onto the train.

"Yeah, Howard." Teddy hops off the train and races over to Flora. She smiles and holds her arms out for him. Teddy wraps his arms around her thin waist and rub his cheek against her shoulder. "I'm gonna miss you."

"You're going to have so much fun you won't even realise we're gone." Flora told him and place a kiss to the top of his head. "Just make sure to owl us once a week, honey." Howard walked over to them and wrapped an arm around Flora's shoulders.

"The train's going to be leaving soon." He tells them as he checks his watch. Teddy pulls away from Flora's hold and looked at his godparents.

"I'll make sure to send you a letter after my first day of classes." Teddy said causing Flora and Howard to grin.

"You better, champ. I've got money on what house you'll go into." Teddy laughs as Flora smacks Howard on his shoulder. "Ow!" He rubs his shoulder with a small pout. "You know that could be considered as spousal abuse."

"Have to be my spouse for that, love." Flora winked at him then turned back to Teddy. "Come on, Teddy. You should board and find a good spot before they're all taken." Teddy nods and hugs them both then gets on the train. Flora and Howard move closer to the train and wait for Teddy to appear out a window. They both jolted back in shock as he appeared right in front of them with a mischievous grin.

"Found a spot." He teases causing them to laugh.

"That you did, kid." Howard ruffles his hair one last time. "You be good and make sure to send me some magical inventions."

"Got it, boss." Teddy turn to Flora. "I promise not to cause too much trouble."

"Somehow, I don't believe you." She told him with glittering eyes and a wobbly smile. "Listen to your uncles and be good for your granddad."

"I will, mum. I'll see you soon." The train starts to move. "I love you!" Teddy shouts as he waves to them.

"Love you, too!" Flora calls back as they wave watching the train leave the station. Howard tightens his hold around her shoulders as the train soon disappeared in the distance. Flora sighed as they begin to follow the other parents back out the wall. The couple walked in silence all the way to the waiting car. Howard open the door for her and slipped in behind her once she was seated.

"He'll be fine, Maria." Howard said as he took her hand in his. Flora turned to him and gave him a faint smile while squeezing his hand gently.

"I know. It's just. . ." She sighed again, this time a little sad. "It's just going to be really quiet for the next seven years." Howard frown as she turned back to look out the window, catching the movement of her hand rubbing her stomach near the area her wound was. Howard watched the motion for a moment before speaking up.

"We could always get a dog?" He smiled as Flora tossed her head back and laughed.

"Maybe." She answered once she calmed down.

"I'm not hearing a no." He teased. Flora shook her head and just smiled at him. Howard returned the smile and leaned in to place a kiss to her lips. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

~o~

May 4, 1948 - Godric Hollow, England

"Are you sure we should move back to New York?" Flora asked Howard as she folded some of her clothes. "I mean, Teddy's about to start his second year at Hogwarts. Don't you think we should stay until after he graduates?"

"Maria," Howard takes the clothes out of her hands and puts it back into the luggage she had taken it out of. "We've talked about this. You have your job at SRR and I have a company to run. I think it's time to go home, don't you?"

"I don't know," Flora sighed as she crosses her arms. "Stane is doing a fair job of running SI without you and the SRR doesn't need me anymore really." Howard watches her for a few moments.

"What is this really about, doll face?" He asked her.

"I'm not ready to face an empty and quiet life nor everyone's pity and worried looks. It was bad enough with dad and the others here." She whispered.

"I know this last year hasn't been easy on you but you can't just put your life on hold forever because of it." Howard told her, softly.

"I know." Flora sits down on the bed and covers her face with her hands. "I know, but I can't go back to California I just can't. Not right now." Howard sits down next to her and wraps an arm around her waist, pulling her towards him.

"Then we'll go to New York until your ready to go back." He replied easily. "I won't ever make you do something your not comfortable doing." Flora quickly wraps her arms around Howard and presses her face into his chest.

"Thank you." Howard presses a kiss to the top of her dark curls.

"Your welcome."

~o~

November 17, 1949 - Stark Mansion, New York

"You want to do what?" Flora questioned Howard confused as she and Peggy stared at him over their cups of tea.

"I want to make our own agency," He answered as he paced next to the two. "Something that's like the SRR but better, don't get me wrong." Howard turned to the girls. "The SRR is great and all but it's going the way of the Dodo bird and we need something to continue fighting against what we know is out there."

"So your supposing that we create a agency that does espionage, special law-enforcement, and counterterrorism? Howard, are you insane?" Peggy inquired.

"And you forgot the paranormal and superhuman threat part too," Howard added with a shrug. Flora bites her bottom lip in thought as she placed her tea cup back on the saucer. "Look, the SRR was barely able to handle Whitney Frost because they didn't train you to fight those kind of things but this new agency would be able to handle it."

"If we were to agree to this, Howard." Both Howard and Peggy look to Flora in shock. "How much say would we have in the process of building this agency?"

"Actually, I was wondering if you two would be co-directors with me." He replied. "So, you would be able to do whatever you want with it." Flora turns to Peggy to see what she thought about this whole situation.

"It's not a bad offer, Peg and he isn't wrong about the SRR." She told her friend. Peggy let out a sigh and nods her head in agreement.

"Your right." She said then turns back to Howard. "But we get naming rights, it's only fair."

"Yeah, absolutely." Howard nods his head quickly with a triumphant smile. "What should we name it actually? I never got to this part of the conversation when I thought it out in my head. I thought it would be a lot harder to convince you two." Flora rolled her eyes in exasperation at her boyfriend's behavior. She glances around their living room at the Stark manor in New York before her green eyes lands on the group photo sitting on the mantle above the fireplace. She stood up from the couch and walks over to the fireplace then picks up the picture. She stares at Steve and Bucky's young faces then to the others in the photo, it was all of the Commandos along with Peggy, Howard, and herself.

"What about Shield?" She suggested causing both Howard and Peggy to turn to her. She lifts the picture to show them. "In honor of Steve and Bucky. We can figure out what it stands for at a later date."

"Shield?" Howard repeated, testing it out as he moved over to Flora and wrapped an arm around her waist. "I like it," He turns to Peggy, "What do you think, Peg?" Peggy smiles as she joins them.

"I think it's perfect." She answered as they all stare at the photo. "And I think Bucky and Steve would have loved it too."

~o~

July 31, 1950

Flora glances around the interior of the high class restaurant Howard had brought her to, it was lavish and very expensive from what she saw of the prices on the menu. She usually balked at those kind of prices but let it slide for today. Howard always made sure to treat her like a queen on her birthday and she actually didn't mind it, but she made sure to remind him that was the only time he could. Flora swirled the last bit of her champagne, Howard took her out and spent a month's worth of grocery money on a single meal and bought the most expensive bottle on the menu. Though the prices per bottle weren't listed she was just sure he'd asked for the most pricey, and at the end of the bottle there was no ring.

It was her own fault for getting her hopes up, Howard wasn't the marrying type and she should have known. She looked up at him from across to the table to find him digging through his pockets.

"Looking for something?" She asked a little too hopefully. Howard chuckled nervously.

"I uh, it seems I left my wallet in my other jacket. I hate to ask you this doll face, but could you cover this one? I'll pay you back, I swear." Flora's mouth hung open.

"I'm sorry, but you want me to pay for the meal you told me was your birthday present to me?" He grinned nervously and Flora rolled her eyes as she signaled the waiter over. "I cannot believe you, Howard. You're flighty and impulsive but this is absolutely the worst thing you've done." Howard rested his chin on his hands.

"Now we both know this isn't the worst thing you've caught me doing." Flora paused before opening the surely cringe worthy check.

"Fine, the worst thing you've done this week." She muttered. "Honestly Howard, I expected tonight to," She stopped herself. Inside the checkbook wasn't the price for their meals but instead was a small sheet from the waiter's pad. On the paper was written 'Floramaria, will you marry me?' She looked up with her mouth agape the second time in three minutes. Howard rises from his seat and reach for the inside pocket of his jacket.

"Doll face, we've been through a lot, more than most people," He kneeled in front of her, "through all of that I had you though. I don't think I could have gotten through any of it if you hadn't been there." Flora let out a watery laugh.

"I doubt you could put your pants on right without me." Howard chuckled.

"You're probably right. And the struggle to put my pant on today made me realize I never want to go a day without you. So, whaddya say?" He opened a small velvet box, revealing a beautiful sapphire ring. "Marry me?" Flora felt tears prick her eyes as she nods her head.

"Yes, yes! You should have asked me earlier you twit!" She cried as he put the ring on her finger. Flora glanced at it for a second before pulling Howard's face to hers and kissed him. Howard smiled through their kiss.

"Told you I'd pay you back."

~o~

April 10, 1951 - Godric Hollow, England

Teddy came running into the room with carefree glee, Howard wished he could be that relaxed today. He'd dismantled highly volition explosives and yet his hands shook more on his wedding day then they ever had.

"Looking a little wonky there, kiddo." He pointed out to the fifteen year old. Howard moved over to him and fixed Teddy's bow tie, "Where were you scampering off to? We got an alter with our names on it to get to." Teddy bounced on his heels.

"I was seeing mum, she looks like a queen." Howard felt his heart flutter, he didn't know if he could handle seeing Flora, for the past week he felt like his chest would explode at every glance he got of her.

"Well, I should hope so, I'd be disappointed if after not being able to go to her fittings that she looked anything less than royalty. Come on kid, shows about to start." He said patting Teddy's shoulder. Howard and Teddy walked up the aisle of the church as bells chimed, not the church kind of bells but the soft silver kind one hears on a sleigh.

They were coming from the blue bells on the pews, Howard would never stop being in awe of magical things. The whole church was magic, literally, he saw a sheppard and angel wave to Teddy from their stained glass homes as he took his spot by the alter. Howard felt his hands slowly get more clammy, he'd disassembled bombs and putted golf balls into a literal rift between dimensions and didn't even flinch. Teddy tugged on his jacket.

"Now, don't blow your vows or I'll have to kick you out of the family." He teased. Jarvis leaned over.

"Sir, I believe he's being serious." Howard rolled his eyes.

"You're lucky we've got an audience kid." Teddy snickered and straightened his bow tie again when the wedding march began. Everyone rose and the doors opened and Howard saw Flora's silhouette. Her ivory dress had been sewn with magical lace he assumed, it shifted between shades of blue with her every step and her face was glowing as she whispered something to Snape, who had a shadow of a smile on his face until he rested his eyes on Howard. He felt his heart beat faster and faster as they got closer and when they were finally at the altar Howard wasn't sure if he was breathing or not. Flora beamed and pecked Snape on the cheek as she let go of his arm and grabbed Howard's hands with her lace covered ones. Snape gave Howard one last hard look before whispering.

"I am entrusting her well-being to you despite my better judgement. Don't make me regret it, Stark." Howard waved his hand.

"Yeah, yeah I know. The kid gave me the run-down already, pops." If it weren't for Flora's muffled laughter he might have regretted calling Snape that but her smile made it all worth it. The priest said something behind them and the people in the pews sat as he lifted the veil from the front of her face.

"You look amazing." Was all he could manage to say, saying she looked like the embodiment of heaven was just a little too corny even on their wedding day. Flora smiled and tugged on the lapel of his suit.

"You don't look half bad either." He put a hand over hers and kissed her fingers before they both turned to the priest. He was an old man, magical too so Howard figured he was probably about as old as he looked which was about a hundred.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to unite these two young people in holy matrimony. If anyone has an objection, speak now-"

"And we'll kick you out." Flora interrupted, giving Snape a subtle side glance as the congregation laughed. The priest continued after the laughter died.

"I understand that the couple has chosen to write their own vows, would the groom care to go first?" His raspy voice asked. Howard felt heat rise in his cheeks and his underarms start to sweat.

"Ladies first." He said, making Flora roll her eyes.

"Fine then. Howard, you are an absolute mess," she began, "You abandon projects when they bore you, you have a child like temperament and have a base sense of humor." There were chuckles throughout the church.

"And yet, you prove over and over again that you would move mountains and stare death right in the face for the people you love. You've shown me over and over what a true hero should be. Not without flaws, but with love and kindness." Howard could feel the corners of his eyes stinging. "You never love halfway, you are all or nothing and I'm all in."

Howard stared at Flora for a few moments before taking a deep breath to calm his nerves. He grips her hands tightly causing Flora to return the squeeze trying to comfort him without words.

"Doll face," His lips twitches at the soft groans he heard from behind him. "I want to start off by saying thank you." Flora tilted her head slightly, staring up at him in confusion. "Thank you for coming into my life. Thank you for making me smile like crazy. Thank you for making me happy." Flora's eyes had widen and were slowly becoming glossy. Howard was sure his own eyes were just as glossy as her's.

"Because of you, I laugh, I smile and I dare to dream more than I ever have." He swallowed, his throat feeling tight as tears begin to roll down Flora's cheeks. "I wanted someone who won't care that I'm incapable of sitting still. Someone who realizes that half of the decisions I make are usually ones I regret, and I have the right to overreact at any given moment. I wanted someone who knows how completely insane I am and that she wouldn't want me any other way." He brings her fingers up to his lips and press a tender kiss to them.

"You have made me a better person than I ever knew I could be," Flora gave him a wobbly smile, "and you continue to make me better, and braver, and kinder, every single day. Knowing you and loving you has been the single greatest thing I've gotten to do in my life, and I can't believe that I get to keep knowing you better, and loving you more, every day for the rest of our lives."

"Your such a sap," Flora manage to get out just loud enough for him to hear. Howard let out a watery laugh and nods his head as he wipes her tears away with his thumb.

"Yeah, yeah I am." He admitted to her and the crowd behind them. "But what I'm most thankful for is for the miracle of you. You are, and always will be, the love of my life, my soulmate, my person."

"Howard," She whispered. There was not a single dry eye in the whole church. The priest regain their attention back before turning to Teddy.

"The rings, please." Teddy grins brightly and held out two simple silver bands to his godparents. Both Flora and Howard took a ring then turn to the priest. "Now, do you, Maria, take Howard Anthony Walter Stark, as your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"

"I do," Flora answered strongly as she placed her ring onto Howard's finger. The priest turns to Howard for his turn.

"Do you, Howard, take Floramaria Liliane Potter, as your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"

"I do," His voice rang out through the church as he slips the ring onto her finger.

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." Howard quickly brought Flora into his arms and pressed a passionate kiss to her lips. Her arms wrap around his neck and her hands go into his chocolate brown hair as she returns the kiss. They slowly pull apart and share a loving smile. "I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Howard Stark."

The crowd cheered and applauded as the newly married couple walk down the aisle, hand in hand. Their eyes never leaving the other as they walked out of the church and enter the awaiting car.