Lagniappe – A special kind of gift.
Wanda didn't know the extent of her abilities, but the thought that she could create life had never crossed her mind.
Pacing across the bedroom floor, she nibbled on her lower lip, worry lines carving themselves into her forehead. How would she tell Vision? She had woken up this morning with a note by her side, explaining that her husband had gone to the training room and didn't want to wake her. That was then she sensed two other minds in the room… Originating from her lower abdomen.
She knew that babies began to develop brains and cognitive response to stimulus at around the fifth week of pregnancy – that's when she had first heard Pepper and Tony's daughter. Thinking back five weeks was difficult, but the only incident she could recall was a moment in battle where Wanda had pushed Vision to the side and taken a blast for him. When her husband had rushed to her side and scooped her up in his arms, she had been so overcome with adoration, a warm feeling had expanded from her chest and engulfed them both. Could that have been when she had created life? It wasn't as if they weren't active in the bedroom – far from it – the only problem was Vision, thanks to his synthezoid state, was unable to have children.
In all her pacing she had failed to hear a fourth presence behind her. It was only when strong arms wrapped around her that she realised she was no longer alone.
Vision's smile fell when he picked up on his wife's mental state. "What's happened?" he asked sharply. "You're shaking, Wanda."
How could she respond? She was at a loss for words herself. "I… I don't…"
"Has something harmed you?" he cut in, eyes scanning the length of her and adopting a defensive stance.
Shaking her head, she took hold of Vision's hands and lifted them from where they were resting on her shoulders. "I don't know how it happened, but…" she trailed off as she guided Vision's hands to her stomach. His fingertips were cool and soft, the pads of his thumbs sliding underneath her pyjama top to draw circles on her bare skin. For a moment he was confused. "What-"
Then he heard them. Quietly drumming away, were two heartbeats that the synthezoid's astonishing hearing skills could pick up on easily.
Dumbly, Vision stood with his hands on his wife's stomach as the woman in question nervously anticipated his reaction. "Do you think this is… a good thing?" she mumbled.
Vision grinned. From ear to ear his smile stretched as he said, "Recently I had come to dream of having a family with you, Wanda. Now we have that chance. I would not worry about how or why – all that matters is that we will have a family!"
Winding his arms around her waist, he lifted Wanda up and whirled them both around the room. When he realised what he was doing, he quickly lowered them both to the floor. "I shouldn't be so careless with your condition. I think it is recommended for women to have bed rest until-"
Playfully, Wanda shoved her husband and rolled her eyes, effectively cutting him off. "I am not made of glass, Vizh. Women have given birth on battlefields before – I'm not even showing yet."
Looking sheepish, Vision rubbed his neck. Before he could reply, soft lips brushed against his own and soon the couple were wrapped in each other's embraces. When they finally broke apart, breathless, Wanda whispered. "This is the best gift you've ever given me."