AN: Enjoy!

Once they had finished their breakfast, Vivian helped carry all their dishes to the sink, and not for the first time, Wanda marveled a little at how lucky she was to have this almost perfect child in her life, and even more so, the fact she could claim her as her own. Of course, Vision claimed the lion's share in how well Viv had turned out so far, and Wanda was rather happy to lay claim on him, as well. Of course, she was soon distracted from all of these thoughts.

"Mama, can I ask you something?"

"You may ask me anything, Fata Dulce" Wanda smiled at the little girl's politeness, and would have patted her hair if not for her dish soap covered hands.

"Is Daddy upset?" Viv sounded concerned.

"Not upset, no" Wanda replied, making a mental note to remind Vision how perceptive their little girl could be. "A little anxious, maybe.."

"Is it 'cause he didn't get his break?"

"Break from what?"

"Well.." Viv looked down at her feet. "I usually go to Grandma and Grandpa's after New Year. But this year I didn't.."

"Yes.." Wanda frowned, not sure she liked where Viv was going with this, but resolved to let her finish before she decided whether to worry or not.

"I missed Daddy a lot, but whenever I told Grandma and Grandpa, they said Daddy needed a break from me sometimes, so he was probably happy that I was away. Is Daddy anxious because he didn't get his break?" Viv looked up at her with slightly sad eyes.

"Oh no, fetita mea, no" Wanda, abandoning any qualms about her sudsy hands as she dropped to her knees to pull her into her arms. "It's not like that at all. Your Daddy missed you so much when you were away last year.. He missed you every time you were away, and he is so, so happy that you are home with us now."

"But he.."

"Is anxious, that part is true. But it has nothing to do with you, nothing at all."

"Then what's he anxious about?" Viv frowned and buried her face in Wanda's shirt, not entirely sure whether she believed her yet or not.

"Well, you know how Daddy has been writing Vision and Scarlet Witch stories for his comic book?"

"And you did art for them.."

"I did" Wanda smiled, stroking Viv's hair. "Daddy sent some of his story and my art away to a Publisher.. they're the people who decide whether it all gets turned into a real life comic book or not, and he's just a little bit nervous about how it's going to go."

"Daddy doesn't need to worry about that" Viv's little brow crinkled in confusion. "His stories are really good!"

"I know that, Fata Dulce, but it's not always about how good the story is. Sometimes.. sometimes the Publisher just won't have room for another book."

"Oh.. so you're sure it's not about me?"

"Anumit. That means I am certain."

"That's good.. I guess.." Viv still did not seem entirely convinced.

"It is very good.. Now go wash off any syrup that got on your hands and then turn on the TV while I finish these dishes" Wanda instructed, eager to cheer her up. "We might even be mici rebeli.. Little rebels.. And sneak in a few extra minutes of cartoons while Daddy is out."

"Okay, Mama.." Viv hurried off, doing as she was told.

Wanda, still feeling concerned, scooped up her phone and immediately called Vision's number. He wouldn't answer while he was working, of course, but this matter seemed important enough to leave a message.

"Hey, Vizh. No emergency, don't worry, but.. I think we need to have a talk about our daughter when you get home.."

–

Of course, Vision, protective Father that he was, rushed home as soon as he received Wanda's message at the end of his party, not bothering to waste time changing out of his costume or removing any of his 'The Vision' make-up.

Viv, devoid of her earlier turmoil, at least on the surface, bounced over to greet him.

"How was your party, Daddy?"

"Uh.." Vision had expected his daughter to be either ill, upset, or in trouble from Wanda's message. She seemed too happy for either of the former options, and would not have greeted him so eagerly had it been the latter, so now he found himself rather confused. "It went well, I think."

"That's good!" Viv grinned, as Wanda emerged from the next room.

"Hey, Miss Vivian, how about you go play in your room for a bit while I help Daddy get all his make-up off, okay?"

"Okay, Mama.." Viv skipped off, seemingly her happy self, and Vision only became more confused.

"So.. why do we need to talk about our daughter, Wanda?"

"Like I said, let's get that makeup off. It'll be easier to have a serious conversation when you're not the color of a Lobster.."

–

"Oh no.. she really said that?" Vision frowned, now changing out of his costume. "Why on Earth would Vivian think I don't want her home?"

"Apparently her Grandparents gave her the impression that you needed a break from her, and reminded her so during visits whenever she said that she missed you.."

"Oh, sometimes I really do believe I could throttle Todd and.."

"I'm not finished" Wanda cut him off. "She thinks you've been so anxious recently because you didn't get that 'break' this year."

"That's nothing to do with Viv!" Vision cried. "It's all about the comic.."

"Which is exactly what I told her" said Wanda, "But I'm not entirely sure she believes me.."

"I don't understand" A half-dressed Vision flopped on the edge of the bed, rather disheartened. "Why didn't she come to me if something was worrying her? I thought she knew she could always come to me.."

"Well.." Wanda paused. "I might have a theory on that, from an outside perspective, if you don't mind me sharing."

"You are not an outside perspective" Vision pulled Wanda down to sit beside him. "But go on."

"I meant outside you and Viv. You know, you two were just 'you two' for a long time before I came into the picture.."

"But you are part of the.."

"I know I'm part of the family, I wasn't asking for reassurance. I'm actually not the one having a mini crisis right now, which is actually kind of refreshing. It's just part of my theory.."

"Right. Sorry I interrupted. Please continue."

"You and Viv were just 'You and Viv' for a long time" Wanda repeated, before continuing. "You two are so close. Like a little team. I always thought it was adorable.."

"You did?" Vision blushed.

"Yes.. but not the point. You always try to protect Viv, from anything that might hurt her, or upset her.."

"Of course."

"Sometimes kids who grow up with a parent missing, or have faced any sort of great loss, grow a little faster than others.." Wanda's fingers danced across Vision's bare back, tracing the tattooed letters of Vin's name. Viv is very perceptive, and sometimes, I think she tries to do the same for you that you do for her. Protect you from information that she thinks may upset you.."

"Which is why she spoke to you about her concerns rather than me" Vision sighed, rather unsure what his next move should be. "Do I need to go talk to her?"

"I tried. I'm not sure if it worked. Words might not be enough to fix this one, Vizh.."

"Hmm.. well, we were considering taking a trip with Viv ourselves this year, since we had her home.."

"I've got a few vacation days, so I could make that work.."

"Brilliant!" Vision grinned. "We just have to choose a destination.."

"And make sure you hold off checking your Emails" Wanda pointed out. "This won't work if you are still anxious the whole time.

"Yes.." Vision agreed sheepishly. "No Emails."

"Good" Wanda kissed his cheek, then stood up. "You can start looking into destinations while I go check on Viv.."

"Of course.. And Wanda?" Vision called after her as she left the room.

"Yes?"

"Vivian and I are both very lucky to have you."

Wanda blushed at his words.

"I'm glad you think so.."