AN: The angst factor is bumped up considerably in this chapter, but I think there's still enough fluff coming up to balance it. Enjoy!

After that day, Vision and Vivian would come visit Wanda at the store more often, even if they didn't actually need anything. Vision would often purchase small bags of balloons or rolls of streamers 'for Viv', trying to make it look as though they had another reason for visiting, but they were clearly just there to see Wanda.

Wanda didn't mind at all. If the store was quiet, Wanda would chat with Viv about what she had been doing at Pre-school, make pleasant small-talk with Vision about his job, or general life stuff. Once, she had asked him how his search for the right Kindergarten for Viv was going. He had looked surprised that she remembered, then smiled, telling her he was narrowing it down.

Once or twice, they had brought Wanda ice-cream, because, as Vision told her 'Viv had insisted'. Wanda would thank them both, then knock a few extra dollars off whatever Vision purchased to subtly pay him back.

Wanda found herself very much looking forward to these visits. When Vision and Vivian were around, she didn't hate her job so much. When she was talking to Viv, Wanda was the nice lady in the shop. It was easy to pretend she was always that nice. To pretend that the smiles Vision flashed her way meant more than just 'Thanks for being nice to my kid'.

When Vision and Vivian were around, Wanda, for a little while, was almost happy. Almost.

Unfortunately, all the ice cream and smiles and pretending in the world couldn't stop the black hole that Wanda Maximoff would inevitably slip into when her Birthday approached. Her Birthday was painful, due to the memories of sharing it with her brother. Her Birthday, more than any other time of the year, she could not escape the pain of her Pietro's loss.

In the lead up to her Birthday, Wanda would take some time off. Head out on the town a few nights running, to drink herself into a stupor and dance with strangers, but most of all, just to forget.

When the actual day of her Birthday arrived, Wanda woke with a splitting head ache, in a strange bed, next to a man with terrible breath whom she only half recognized, from flashing images in her alcohol-fogged mind of something quick and dirty and up there with probably the worst sex ever, but she hadn't cared at the time because at least she was thinking about something else. At least she could forget.

Wanda groaned and carefully got up, gathering her quickly discarded clothes from the night before. Mr. Terrible Breath looked dead to the world, so she decided it was safe to risk sneaking a quick shower, hoping to sneak out before he woke up.

The plan seemed to be going well, until Mr. Terrible Breath rudely burst in on her, demanding that she get the hell out, because his girlfriend was on her way home.

What a charmer.

Wanda didn't have enough money left for a cab, and it seemed pointless to ask Mr. Terrible Breath to do the gentlemanly thing and pay for one for her. So, Wanda's Sunday Morning began with what she had worked out to be a long walk home, clutching her uncomfortable shoes in one hand, and her purse in the other, her head still throbbing from her hangover.

Sometime during this walk of shame, Wanda remembered that this Sunday Morning was her Birthday. She was another year older than her twin would ever be. When she remembered this, Wanda let out a sob. The floodgates opened, tears flowing freely down her cheeks as she walked, carving trails through the make-up she hadn't had time to watch her face. She must have looked an absolute mess, and was grateful for the fact that the streets were still relatively empty this early in the morning. She wouldn't have wanted too many people seeing her like this.

Then, of course, a car pulled up beside her, and just as she was about to snap at the driver to go away, the window rolled down, and a horribly familiar, very concerned voice spoke.

"Wanda..?"

Wanda turned, a lump in her throat as she met Vision's blue eyes, tears blurring her own gaze even further. She was suddenly hyper aware of her sinfully short skirt, the tear in her stockings, the shirt that was a size too small. Because of course, everything was going to change now.

Wanda wasn't the lady in the shop who was nice to his kid anymore. She was the girl with a hangover wearing slutty clothes and no shoes, crying by the side of the road as she made the walk of shame home from a terrible one night stand. He couldn't possibly want her anywhere Viv now that he'd seen her like this.. seen who she really was.

"Vision.." she choked out, her voice a little shaky. "W-What are you doing out so early?"

"Daddy burned the pancakes" Vivian piped up from the backseat, and Vision blushed. "So we're going out for breakfast instead."

Wanda jumped at the sound of Viv's voice, not really expecting her to be there, but then where else would she have been? She forced a smile for the little girl.

"That sounds nice.."

"Do you wanna come?" Viv did not comment on Wanda's tears directly, but could clearly tell she was upset. "Maybe we can help you feel better!"

"I'm not sure that's a good idea, fata dulce.."

"Why not?" Viv pouted.

"You are very welcome to join us" said Vision.

"I don't think I'd be very good company.." Wanda avoided Vision's eyes, beginning to walk once more. "Besides, I don't have money.."

"I will shout you.." Vision continued to drive along slowly beside her.

"You don't have to.."

"Wanda.." Vision's voice was still as sweet and gentle as it had ever been, and Wanda forced herself to look into his kind eyes.

"Y-Yes?"

"Get in the car, please. I really do not feel comfortable leaving you alone while you are so upset.."

"I really.." Wanda paused, sighing, and relented. "Alright.."

She got into the car beside Vision.

"Yay!" Viv clapped her hands.

A short while later, they pulled up outside what was clearly a 'Family' restaurant, with a playground inside. Wanda felt a little uncomfortable as she got out of the car. A few customers inside stared.

"Here, you can borrow my spare coat.." Vision draped a worn old coat around Wanda's shoulders.

"If you're that embarrassed to be seen with me dressed like this, I didn't have to come.." Wanda snapped, more upset with herself than with him.

"Wanda, I couldn't care less what you are wearing" Vision frowned. "I offered the coat because you are clearly uncomfortable.."

"Oh" Wanda blushed. "S-Sorry, I just.."

"It's alright.." He lifted Viv from her car seat.

"Yay, we're here!" she grinned.

"We are" Vision smiled. "Shall we go in and get something to eat?"

"Uh-huh" Viv nodded eagerly.

"Yeah.. I guess so.." Wanda meekly followed after them, pulling Vision's coat more tightly around her.