AN: Enjoy!


Wanda had intended to move after Viv had fallen asleep, but the little girl's hand was gripping the front of her shirt, and Wanda didn't have the heart to remove her. So, she remained where she was, gently stroking Viv's hair. After her busy day at work, and now the party, exhaustion was beginning to catch up with her, and it wasn't long before Wanda dozed off herself.

She wasn't aware that Vision had come looking for her after she'd been gone for a while, and had been hovering outside the door long enough to hear the last part of her conversation with Viv. He had remained where he was, not wanting to intrude upon the beautiful moment. When he did finally peek inside, Wanda had already fallen asleep.

Vision quietly crept into the room. His heart was warmed by the sight of them, but also ached for Wanda. She was so much better, so much more, than she thought she was. Anything she had or hadn't done in the past didn't change that. Wanda had a good heart, truly good. That was harder to find these days. She was always so kind to Viv, even before she had started dating him. Always listened to what she had to say. Gave her time.. So few adults were willing to give children just a little bit of time.

And Wanda was talented.. So talented. Vision hoped that whoever taught the Art Classes he'd gifted her for Christmas didn't try to change her style at all. In his opinion, her work was beautiful as it was. You couldn't produce the kind of art that Wanda did without a good deal of heart and soul being poured into it.

When Wanda smiled, which still didn't happen nearly enough, she could light up the whole room. When she laughed, her green eyes would sparkle, and Vision's heart would skip a beat.

Vision sat on the edge of the bed, reaching to gently brush a stray hair out of Wanda's face. She flinched slightly at the contact, curling protectively around Viv, then relaxed, like she knew it was only him. Wanda had suffered so much, growing up in a war-torn country, losing her parents young, losing her brother. Vision would never ask her about these things. If there was anything she wanted him to know, Wanda would tell him. Otherwise, why make her revisit such horrors?

Especially since..Well, Vision loved her. He wanted to tell her so, but he wasn't quite sure she was ready to hear it, just yet. When he told her, he wanted her to believe it. He could wait.

Vision slowly stood. He removed Wanda's shoes, setting them beside the bed, and shifted the bedclothes so that they covered Wanda as well as Viv, and pressed a kiss to each of their foreheads.

Then, he headed back out to say goodbye to the rest of his guests. He came back later to check on them- His girls- one more time. They both still looked comfortable, so he let them be, heading to bed himself. He had a long drive to make Tomorrow.


The following Morning, Wanda found herself roused with gentle nudging, slowly waking to see Vivian's smiling face hovering over her.

"Morning, Wanda" The little girl grinned.

"Good Morning.." Wanda blinked, taking a few moments to remember exactly where she was. When she had, she blushed slightly. "Did I fall asleep?"

"Uh-huh" Viv nodded. "Daddy said you looked real comfy, and it was late, so you had to stay. Daddy also said don't wake you up, but then he said he was going to make breakfast, and.."

The smell of something burning came floating up the stairs.

"Oh dear.." Wanda smirked slightly, sitting up and stretching a little before getting out of bed. "I think we'd better go save your Daddy, Fata Dulce."


After walking downstairs hand-in-hand with Viv, Wanda spotted Vision in the Kitchen. He was quietly cursing the toaster, from which a plume of smoke was rising. She couldn't help laughing. Vision jumped at the sound, then slowly turned towards her, his face a shade of very bright pink.

"I'm not usually this hopeless" He mumbled, embarrassed. "I know how to work a toaster.."

"It's okay, Vizh.." Wanda chuckled, moving to kiss his blushing cheeks. "Toasters are complicat.. Tricky. Mine plays up sometimes too."

"It does?"

"Mmhm.. Maybe I can show you a few tricks I use to handle it.

"That would be very helpful" Vision smiled softly. "Thank you."

"You're welcome" Wanda smiled softly back at him. "Thank you for letting me stay again last night."

"You looked so comfortable, and it was late" Vision blushed a little. "I couldn't exactly kick you out.."

"Still.. Thank you."

"You're welcome" Vision smiled at Wanda again, then turned to his daughter. "Vivian, while Wanda helps Daddy fix the toaster, maybe you could go pick out a few toys you want to take with you on your visit to Grandma and Grandpa's.I already packed your clothes. We'll have your breakfast ready soon."

"Oh.. Okay, Daddy" Viv's face seemed to fall a little, but she ran off to do as she was told.

"So" Vision sighed, turning back to the toaster, "About your tricks.."

"Hang on.." Wanda frowned, glancing after Viv, "What was that about?"

"Well, Viv always goes to stay with Virginia's parents for a week just after the New Year.." Vision explained.

"I got that part" Wanda cut him off. "She just.. She didn't look too happy about it, that's all. If I'm overstepping.." She began fiddling with the dial on the toaster, suddenly eager to be doing something useful.

"No, you're not.." Vision paused, thinking for a moment. "Viv's Grandparents love her, in their way, I'm just not sure that they understand her all that well.. But it's only for one week every year, and she's never told me she doesn't want to go. If she ever did, then.."

"I know" Wanda held his hand. "You'd never force her. You're a great Dad, Vizh."

"Thank you for saying so" Vision smiled, kissing her fingers. "Now, about this toaster.."


After a bit of tinkering with the dial, Wanda managed to get the toaster back to an appropriate setting. Trusting Vision to not burn the next batch of toast, Wanda headed upstairs to fetch Viv.

"Hey Miss Vivian, we fixed the toaster, so.." Wanda paused. The little girl had stuffed a few slightly fancy looking dolls that Wanda had never really seen Viv play with into a bag, while Rocket Raccoon, whom had been her constant companion since Christmas, had been left on the bed. "Aren't you going to take Rocket with you?"

"No.." Viv replied. "I think he's happier here. Actually.." She ran to fetch the toy, pushing it into Wanda's hands. "Can you look after him for me?"

"Uh.."

"Please, Wanda?" Viv begged her.

"Alright.." Wanda ruffled Viv's hair. "I will look after Racheta until you get back."


They all ate breakfast together, before Vision got Vivian dressed and double-checked that she had everything she needed for her trip. All too soon, he was loading Viv's luggage, and Viv herself, into the car.

This time, it seemed it was Wanda's turn to be a little worried, standing by the roadside with Rocket Raccoon tucked under one arm.

"Text me when you get there, okay?" She asked Vision. "Or call. Let me know how she's going.."

"I will" Vision nodded.

"And call when you get back.."

"I will.."

"And be careful" Wanda added. "There are so many idioti on the road this time of year.."

"I know.." He kissed her before he got in the car. "I will drive carefully, and I will call, I promise. See you soon."

"Bye, Wanda!" Viv called from the back seat, waving. "Take good care of Rocket!"

"I will, I promise!" Wanda called back to her.

Viv continued to wave as they drove off down the road, and Wanda waved back, a lump in her throat, watching until the car turned the corner out of sight. Her sleeping lion had woken again, but this time it seemed to be crying. Why that was, Wanda was not ready to acknowledge.

She sighed, heading over and getting into her own old car, setting Rocket in the passenger seat. About to start the engine, she paused, then buckled Rocket's seatbelt.

She had promised to take care of him.