Weeks passed, and the weather cooled significantly. To the point, where Wanda was nervous bringing Talia outside at all. The leaves had fallen from the trees, the chill was no longer once in a while, it hung constantly in the air. Talia had surpassed her fourth month already as the holiday season began.

Thanksgiving was approaching, but it was a meaningless holiday to both Wanda and Kurt. He was German, and had never celebrated, and she, for some reason, had no recollection of ever celebrating herself. She wasn't born in the USA, but she spent most of her formative years here. It was odd, she'd never really thought about this until her daughter had her contemplating all holidays and how to celebrate them.

Kurt was far more excited about Christmas. He was eager to share this with their daughter, and Wanda was happy for him, but she had her own plans to put together Hanukkah for the baby. Both parents were engrossed with setting up each holiday, for a baby who likely would sleep through most of it.

The approaching holidays had brought something else to the forefront of Kurt's mind. "I'd like to get her baptized before Christmas," he said one morning.

Wanda shrugged, not looking at him. She'd agreed to this, and she wouldn't go back on it, regardless of how uncomfortable it made her. "When were you thinking?"

"Maybe in two weeks?" he offered. "I have to find a church who will do it, though." He trailed off with a frown. "I don't know many mutant friendly churches."

"You'll find one, I'm sure," she reached into the bassinet to retrieve their daughter, who'd be demanding breakfast soon. Wanda shifted herself to get the girl into nursing position.

"I can get a bottle if you want," Kurt offered.

"No," Wanda replied. "I need to nurse." The baby latched on easily and Wanda sighed as she sat back. "I like having her close like this."

Kurt shrugged. "Ja, I know. But I don't mind feeding her either."

"Yeah, but while I can," Wanda paused, her brow lifting. "Ow."

Kurt sat up. "What is it?"

She shifted a bit. "Ow! Ow, shit!" Wanda pulled the baby off her. Talia began to wail, and Wanda looked closely. "She's got a tooth coming in."

Kurt moved close, looking as well where Wanda indicated. "Already?"

"Yeah," Wanda frowned as she ran her finger over the girl's gums, resting on the sharp point where a canine would grow. Kurt shifted out of bed, pulling on a pair of sweatpants.

"I'll go get a bottle," he said as he left the room.

Wanda looked to her daughter, still angry and hungry. "I guess it's all bottle now."

~&Q~

Teething Talia was a completely different baby than her parents knew. The usually easy girl was inconsolable some days, keeping them up all hours of the night. Wanda was at her wits end, having no idea how to help her. All books and websites she read advised it was just a waiting game.

Wanda missed being able to nurse the girl as well, but the first tooth coming in was incredibly sharp. Another trait clearly inherited from her father.

The baby had cried, nonstop, all day. Wanda did everything she could, used every teething toy they had, but to no avail. This was the worst day they'd had since she was born. Kurt had been at school all day, and Wanda actively resented him when he got home, smiling and refreshed.

"How's-" before he could even finish his sentence, Wanda had planted the wailing infant in his arms and was out the door. She had nowhere to go, and didn't really want to go anywhere, she just needed to be away from the baby. And that thought made her hate herself.

She made it out to the common room and basically collapsed on the couch. Kurt didn't follow, thankfully. She lay face down, just trying to get a few moments of peace. Wanda loved her daughter, with the whole of her being, but she needed a break. She never thought she'd ever feel this way, but she needed time away.

She could hear someone else in the room, and lifted her head. "Sorry!" Jean said to her. "I wasn't trying to wake you."

"I'm not sleeping," Wanda shifted to sitting. "Just need a break." She lifted a brow at the girl. "Aren't you supposed to be away at school?"

"Holidays," Jean told her. "We have time off for Thanksgiving."

"Ahh," Wanda nodded, then yawned.

Jean looked to her sympathetically. "So, I was going to ask how the baby is…"

Wanda slid her eye to her. "She's a hell beast." She lifted her hands to rub her eyes. "She's teething and suddenly is just a crying mess all the time."

"Where is she now?" Jean asked.

"With Kurt," Wanda sighed. "He can deal with her for now."

"Poor baby," Jean sighed. "I'm sure it's hard for her. Being in pain and not knowing how to deal with it."

Wanda's face melted into a frown. She felt guilt now that she couldn't help her girl, that she was in so much pain, and all Wanda could do was pawn her off on her father and leave. She let out a breath and put her face in her hands.

"Don't-" Jean paused. "You're radiating guilt, Wanda. You're doing a good job by her. Really! She's a very happy baby, from what I've seen."

"She isn't right now," Wanda replied. "And there's nothing I can do."

Jean shrugged. "Yeah, but your job isn't to solve everything, Wanda."

Wanda still frowned. "I don't know what to do if I'm not doing it for her. Since she's born, my whole life has revolved around her. It's so hard now, to be so helpless."

Jean paused. "Well, maybe you need time away." Wanda's head snapped to her. Jean lifted her hands defensively. "I'm talking a few hours here and there."

"I don't like the idea of being away from her," Wanda told her.

"You know, as part of my foundations for my teaching degree," Jean began. "We talk about early development. One of the things they mention is the need for babies to learn to be separate from their mothers, mainly to get them ready for situations where they will be, like preschool and such. It's normal for them to go through clingy periods, but also to not indulge them too much. Plus, it's good for the mother to reclaim a bit of her independence." Jean shrugged. "Not saying you need to do anything. Just a thought."

Wanda sighed. "Kurt's been hinting at me taking night classes. The Professor brought it up a while ago."

"Maybe that's a good idea," Jean smiled. "The community college offers GED courses. Maybe it's something to consider?"

She found herself not 100% opposed the idea, as she once was. She bit her lip. "I just worry."

"Of course you do," Jean smiled at her. "But it's not just good for you and good for the baby. It's good for Kurt, too. Being able to form a relationship with her that's separate from you."

She frowned again. Was her need to be with her daughter actually stifling her from creating a relationship with her father? Wanda's guilt returned. Had she really already made irreparable mistakes this early in her child's life? She sighed sadly. "I suppose I can look into the classes."

"It's your choice," Jean said to her. She regarded her for a few moments. "What're you doing today, anyhow?"

Wanda shrugged. "I didn't have much of a plan," she told her.

"Well, since you need a break," Jean started. "Want to go see a movie? Or get coffee?"

Wanda thought a moment. A movie would be a big commitment, two hours plus away. Coffee, at least, she could make as long or short as she wanted. "Sure, coffee would be nice."

"Ok," Jean smiled. "I'll drive."

~&Q~

So I always liked Wanda and Jean's friendship in the XFC books :). A bit here. Also, for the first time in MONTHS, I have started writing this fic again!

I appreciate all the reviews here. It makes me so happy to get them in my inbox :D. I just want to say, I never really had a plan as to where this fic is going, but I am just going to keep going with it.

That being said, I am curious as to what any of you want to see. I love getting prompts and ideas. As I have no specific plan, maybe it will keep me writing :). And if you have a prompt that won't fit in here, maybe I'll write it for something else!