So, it's been tough writing of late. Lot's of work, plus going away, plus just…again, work work work! I also have to sit down and really decide where this is going, but most importantly, how it's going to get there. I think that's catching me mostly.

I appreciate the reviews and want to touch on one thing: Kurt is a great guy, but he's no push over. What Wanda did was really unforgivable, and he has enough self respect not to just take her back. She needs to earn his trust, and rightfully so.

Anyhow, I hate to comment on the direction of the fic in the author notes. If anyone has any questions about the fic I'd be happy to answer in private messages!

Anyway, on to Chapter 7.

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Talia babbled to herself in her play pen, alternating between fascination with a ball and chewing on her tail. Her mother was too busy running around their suite to play with her, so she entertained herself. Briefly. Soon she was holding tight to the side of the play pen and whining in her mother's direction.

"Alright, Talia, alright," Wanda lifted her out and settled her on her hip. "Mommy's not going to get anything done, and your father will be here for us in an hour." Talia didn't seem to care and just held tight to her mother.

Now one handed, Wanda went about packing what was left. Talia did not make herself a help at all, pulling anything she could reach out of Wanda's grasp and dropping it on the floor. "Talia, my heart, enough. Either let Mommy pack, or back in the pen."

Talia gave her mother a befuddled look, and continued her interference. "Alright, I warned you," she plopped the baby back in her play pen, much to her chagrin. Attempting to ignore the whines, which escalated to cries, Wanda went back to packing.

"Hey, what's going on?" Pietro entered, Talia turning to him and reaching out with a pathetic cry. He indulged his niece and lifted her into his arm. Talia thanked him by wiping her face into his shirt with a whimper.

Wanda sighed. "You spoil her, Pietro," she shoved small bits of clothing into a large open suitcase. "We can't bend to her every single whim, you know. I have to make rules. I have to set boundaries and limits. Otherwise, what the hell kind of mother am I? Just letting her have anything she wants…"

His brow raised. "Wanda? What's going on with you?"

"Well, it's the truth!" She turned, shaking a stuffed rabbit at him. "It's not easy, it's not supposed to be easy! She needs to learn that you can't get everything you want, and sometimes you have to compromise for the sake of others! I need to teach her, because I am her mother. And I need to be a good mother to her!"

"You have been," Pietro stepped closer, Talia rubbing her eyes and laying her head on her uncle's shoulder. "Wanda, what's really going on? You sound crazy."

Wanda gave him a sharp look. "I'm not crazy." She went back to shoving things into the bag. "I have to get everything packed. Kurt's coming for us, and we'll be in that mansion soon. I can't forget anything."

Talia protested as Pietro put her down, but found interest in the afore mentioned stuffed rabbit and busied herself. "You won't," he stopped. "This is about him, isn't it?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," she avoided his gaze, continuing her packing.

"You have nothing to prove, Wanda, to him or anyone. What's past is past, and now you both have to work on the future."

She scoffed. "Future. Pietro, we have no future. He made that clear. So now I'm giving up everything to move to his home so he can be with his daughter, and I can just be there."

Pietro's eyes narrowed. "Are you bitter?"

Wanda paused. "I won't fit in there, Pietro. I'm moving into the lion's den here. By now I'm sure they've all heard of what a witch I've been, keeping Talia from him, and this is what I get to live with."

He threw his arms up. "I can't believe you. You were wrong, Wanda! And you are doing the right thing by your daughter, and you can only think of yourself?"

She started to respond, but stopped herself. How would she defend this? She haulted packing to sit on the bed. "This isn't how I'd seen it happen, Pie. I'm really scared. I just don't want to move to my new home with everyone hating me."

Pietro joined her, putting his arm around her shoulders. "No one hates you, Wanda. And I think you know Kurt better than that. He wouldn't invite you to live there if there would be nothing but animosity toward you. Besides, I'll be close by. And you know it doesn't take me long to get anywhere."

She smiled, feeling a little bit of the weight lift. It was good to know that he'd be so close, even if she was moving what seemed like so far away.

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Kurt's eyes slid to her again and again, as he led her down the halls of the mansion to her room. It was lucky most of the Xmen were on a mission, which made this all the more easy to get her and Talia settled, before they came back. Wanda for her part ignored Kurt's gazes, rubbing Talia on the back and following closely. Pietro had not mentioned that while he was joining them, he would be there next week. One week without an ally.

They stopped outside a room. Kurt put down the luggage he'd been carrying. "This will be Talia's room." He opened the door to a perfectly appointed pink nursery. Wanda entered, holding Talia tight. She shook her head.

"Talia doesn't need her own room. She's always slept in my room, since she was born."

Kurt frowned. "She can't sleep with you for the rest of her life. Besides, we share responsibility for her. And you deserve your personal space as well, I don't think you want me in your room every time I want to see my daughter."

Wanda went silent. She knew how she wanted to respond to that, but chose against it. She looked around the room again. "It's pretty."

"Danke," He gave a little half smile. "Logan and Bobby helped paint. Rogue picked out the furniture." He placed a hand on Talia's head. "Everyone is eager to meet her."

Wanda nodded curtly. "So, where am I?"

He pointed. "Across the hall. And I am next door." He led them out to the hallway again to open the door to Wanda's room. It was plain, looked like any other room in the mansion. Bed, bureau, lamp. She took a seat on the bed, noticing Talia getting fussy.

Kurt pulled Wanda's bag into her room. He stopped, watching Wanda soothe the cranky infant. "Is she ok?"

"She's tired," Wanda replied. "It was a long drive, and she missed her nap earlier. I think it's all just catching up with her."

Kurt nodded, looking down. "Um, can I…can I hold her?"

Pausing in her jiggling of the little girl, Wanda nodded, and gestured for Kurt to come close. He did, reaching out to Talia. She turned to her father, this man who she'd only just met, and gave a terrified shriek as he tried to pull her away from her mother, clutching tightly to Wanda.

A pained look crossed Kurt's features, and he backed away. "I'll leave you two to…get settled…" he said, then turned to leave the room.

Wanda felt for him as she watched him go, and felt guilt creep up on her once again. Talia was just as much his as hers, but he wasn't more than a stranger to her. She'd barely been awake the other night when they'd first met, so technically this was her first real time meeting her father. Wanda looked down at her girl, whose eyes were starting to droop. "Alright, Angel. I think it's time you try out your new crib."

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That's that. Chapter 8 as soon as I can! Reviews always appreciated