AN: Enjoy!

Wanda arrived home in a rather good mood, and that certainly helped with what she was planning to do with the rest of her night. She dug deep into her closet to find her long-abandoned easel, and spent a good few minutes brushing the dust off of it before setting it up properly and placing a new canvas on it. Then she gathered her brushes and paints, mixed a few colors she thought she may need, then set it all up by the easel and sat down, brush in hand.

At this point, Wanda briefly hesitated. She hadn't painted in a long time. She'd always done her best work when she was happy, and unfortunately, happiness had been in rather short supply for her since Pietro's death. But then she thought of Vision's arms around her. Thought of Viv's sweet smile.

"Magic and Superheroes.." Wanda mused, dipping her brush into the paint. "I think I have just the thing.."

The special gift dried just in time for Wanda to wrap it and take it to Viv's party the following afternoon. She followed the address on her invitation to a neighborhood relatively close to her own, but far nicer. Vision's House was easy to spot for a few reasons: The balloons out the front, the giggles of children from inside, and it was the smallest house on the block.

"Hello, Wanda.." Vision was already dressed for the party in his 'The Vision' make up and outfit that left very little to the imagination, but even beneath the make up, Wanda thought she saw an extra redness to his cheeks as he greeted her, and blushed slightly herself.

"Hey, Vizh.. Did Viv like the cake?"

"Yes, she loves it. Thank you again.." Vision eyed the rather large rectangular parcel in her grasp. "I hope you did not spend too much on that."

"I don't think so.." Wanda dodged a speeding child as she stepped inside, and waved politely at Natasha, who raised her wine glass in greeting.

"That's good.. Vivian, you have another guest!" Vision called.

Viv, whom had been happily chatting to Cassie and a group of other preschool aged children a short distance away, hurried over. She was covered in the same pinkish-red make up as her Father.

"Hi, Wanda. Daddy said you helped him with my cake. Thank you!"

"You're welcome.. and Happy Birthday, Miss Vivian" Wanda smiled, offering the parcel. "This is for you."

"Thank you" Viv grinned, then looked to her Father. "Can I open it now, Daddy?"

"Go ahead" Vision nodded.

Viv happily tore open the parcel, revealing a painting of a dark-haired woman, dressed all in red, with red energy surrounding her hands.

"Wow.." Viv gasped.

"I hear you like Superheroes, Miss Vivian" Wanda crouched by Viv's side. "And magic, too."

"Uh-huh."

"Well, this is the Scarlet Witch.. She's a special hero with magic powers."

"She's really cool.. can we put her up on my wall after the party, Daddy?"

"Of course.." Vision was staring at the painting, almost entranced with it. "That's a very special present, Viv. Go put it in your room so it's safe, okay?"

"Okay" Viv took the painting and rushed off.

"Wanda.." Vision looked at her, "Did you paint that yourself?"

"I did.." Wanda nodded.

"You're beautiful.. I mean.. it's b-beautiful, the painting" Vision stammered, hurrying off. "I'm doing a show for the children in a minute.. must go prepare.."

Wanda watched him fondly as he rushed off, chuckling softly. He was so very sweet.. and, she couldn't help but notice, his butt looked really..

"Cute, huh?" Nat rested her elbow on Wanda's shoulder.

"Huh?" Wanda jumped. "W-What's cute?"

"Viv, dressing up like her Daddy."

"Oh, yeah.." Wanda blushed. "Very cute."

"Were you thinking of something else?" Nat smirked.

"No.."

"Sure.." Natasha chuckled. "Come have a drink with me and the girls while the guys keep the little ones entertained.."

Hope, Nat, and Laura were great company, but Wanda couldn't help becoming a little distracted from their conversation once Vision had started his show. When he got into character as 'The' Vision, he seemed like a real superhero. Confident, and so different from the sweet, quiet man she knew from his visits to the store.. And yet, in some ways, still completely recognizable.

Once the show was done, they cut the cake, which Viv was delighted to notice was red, the same color as her Witch. With a group of ravenous preschoolers descending on the cake, Wanda took the opportunity to sneak away for a quick trip to the bathroom. On her way back, she found herself looking around a bit. While the house was small, it was cozy rather than cramped, and definitely felt like a Home.

Photographs, mostly of Viv growing up, lined most of the walls. Some featured Vision and Viv, some also included Natasha, or Scott and Cassie. A very special few featured a blonde woman, whom Wanda guessed was Virginia. One featured baby Viv with an older couple.. aside from that one, though, Wanda couldn't help but notice that there weren't any pictures of extended family, and there didn't seem to be any family members at the party, either.

"Wanda?"

Wanda jumped at the sound of Vision's voice.

"I'm sorry.. I wasn't snooping.."

"I didn't think you were.." He looked a little strange, the surface of his make-up beginning to crack. "I was worried you might have gotten lost."

"No.. just admiring some of your photos" said Wanda. "And I.. I don't mean to pry, but.. No family coming Today?"

"My Family is here Today.. The family I've found, anyway" Vision replied. "Virginia's parents live quite a long way away.. They made the trip a lot when Vivian was a baby, but once they realized she wasn't going to be a perfect little clone of Virginia, and she liked Superheroes more than Barbie.. They haven't been quite so interested."

"That's horrible" Wanda frowned. Seeing Viv for even a few minutes was often the Highlight of her whole week. She couldn't imagine anyone not wanting to spend time with her.

"It is.. But I think she has enough people who really love her to make up for it."

"But what about.." Wanda paused and trailed off. She was probably crossing a line. None of this was any of her business.

"My parents?.. Well, I have no idea who or where they are, and not the faintest idea how to go about finding out. I was dropped off on a hospital doorstep when I was born.."

"Vizh.." Wanda's eyes widened. "I'm so sorry.."

"I've made my peace with it" Vision shrugged. "I was raised in Foster Homes until I made it to the U.S on a special exchange program for disadvantaged youth when I was in my last year of High School. I was a good student, so a few of my teachers sponsored me to stay on for College.. They were very disappointed when they found out I got a girl pregnant.. But.." He ran a finger over the frame of a picture of himself with newborn baby Viv, clearly besotted, "I don't regret a thing. Those teachers tried to teach me that love is conditional. Having my daughter showed me that it shouldn't be.."

Wanda watched him for a long moment. She wasn't sure what to say. Then..

"Vision!" called Scott's voice. "People are coming to pick up their kids!"

"Host duties are calling.." Vision smiled softly, turning to answer the call. "Feel free to keep looking at the photos.."

"Vizh.." Wanda whispered, gazing at him with wide eyes.

"Hmm?" He looked back at her.

"Why do you keep telling me this.. all this really personal stuff?"

"I don't really know.." Vision shrugged. "I just find you very easy to talk to.. Those who've suffered.. I think we understand each other."

"Yeah.." Wanda half smiled. "I suppose we do."

A short while later, most of Viv's preschool friends had left, leaving only the Fourth of July crew behind.

"I should probably go soon too.." said Wanda. Today had turned out a little more emotionally taxing than she'd expected.

"Wait.." Vision stopped her. "I mean, if you really have to leave, by all means, go, but.. Viv is in the backyard. She asked for you.."

"Well.." Wanda managed a smile. "If the Birthday girl is asking for me, of course I have to go.."

Wanda headed out into the yard, where Viv stood holding two blue helium-filled balloons on strings.

"Hey there, Miss Vivian.." She smiled. "Your Daddy said you were asking for me?"

"Uh-huh" She offered Wanda a balloon. "I'm sending a 'bloon up to Heaven for my brother. Do you want one for your brother, too?"

Wanda felt a lump in her throat, but took the balloon Viv offered.

"Yes.. Thank you."

They stood there together for a moment, then let the balloons go, watching them drift higher and higher until they were just tiny specks in the sky.

"I didn't have Vin long.. but I miss him."

"I understand.. I miss Pietro too."

"Wanda?" asked Viv thoughtfully.

"Yes, Viv?"

"Since Pietro was big, like you, and Vin is very little.. Do you think your brother is looking after my brother?"

Wanda smiled softly, ruffling Viv's hair. She liked that idea.

"Yes. I think he is."

Standing inside, Vision watched them both from the window. A warm, pleasant feeling tugged at his heart. It had been such a long time since he felt it, that it was quite a while longer before he remembered that feeling was love.