Authors note: Just because there seems to be two distinctly different opinions based on my research and own thoughts. In this story, Wanda is around twenty-three.
Thank you to Harliquinn for beta editing!
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Christmas planning was well underway at the compound - from the tree being brought into the living room, the smell of everything being baked in the kitchen, and the sound of the music coming through the speakers. It was truly the Christmas season.
Morgan was bouncing around, clearly excited. She went over to the counter and climbed up, trying to get to her advent calendar.
"Morgan, wait for daddy to help you with that," Pepper said.
Morgan whined, "But why?"
"Because he will be sad if you do it without him," Pepper said with a smile.
Morgan jumped down from the counter and went into the living room where Tony and Thor were discussing what corner to put the tree in. The furniture had been moved around since the year before, so their usual place was no longer an option.
"I think that corner closest to the entrance of the room," Thor said.
"And when presents are under it no one will be able to get into the room," Tony said.
"Ah, yes, you are correct," Thor said.
"Daddy, I want to do my calendar," Morgan said.
"In a few minutes," Tony said as he and Thor set the tree up.
"But, Daddy," Morgan whined.
"Squirt, let me get the tree untied and then we can do it," Tony said. He pulled a pocket knife out of his pocket and started to cut away the twine holding the tree together. They had done what they always did and had gotten a real tree.
Morgan tried to be patient, but she wanted her chocolate. There was the sound of someone coming into the room, and Morgan looked up to see Peter coming in.
"Pete!" Morgan said, excitedly running and hugging his leg.
Peter smiled. "Hey, tiny," he said, picking her up and hugging her.
Everyone said hello to Peter.
Tony went over and hugged the young man. "Hey, kid."
"Hey, Tony," Peter said, hugging his mentor.
"Daddy, can we do my calendar now?" Morgan asked.
Tony smiled and took her from Peter. "Sure, Squirt," he said. He looked at Peter. "We can talk more later."
Peter nodded and smirked. "I wouldn't want to get between her and her chocolate."
Tony chuckled and carried her off to the kitchen and set her down on the counter. He helped her find the current day on the calendar, letting Morgan open it and enjoy her treat. He went for one of the cookies on one of the cookie sheets that sat on the counter.
Yelena smirked. "You will get swatted if she sees you," she said softly.
"Tony don't," Pepper said, coming over and pushing his hand away.
"I was just going to have one." Tony smiled at his wife.
Pepper handed him one. "Now out of the kitchen."
Tony took it and kissed his wife before picking up his daughter. "Come on. Let's see about decorating the tree," he said.
Bucky, Skye, and Nat had just finished bringing the boxes of Christmas decorations out of the basement, where they had been stored the previous year.
Peter and Wanda were fluffing the tree.
"I never have been good at this," Peter said.
Wanda chuckled. "Neither am I."
"I, um, have some experience," Skye said.
They all looked at her.
"One of my foster mothers taught me years ago. She always helped set up trees in malls and such," Skye said.
Peter moved out of the way. "Take my place. Please," he said.
Skye smiled and did so, helping Wanda fluff the tree.
"Where is Steve?" Tony asked. "He should be out here, too."
"He is on the phone in the office," Thor said.
"Bother him at your own risk," Skye said as she fluffed.
"He did seem a bit annoyed this morning," Wanda said. "But he always seems to be with me."
"That's because you always find his buttons and push," Nat said with a smirk.
Wanda sighed. "He is just so aggravating. He definitely thinks less of women, like we can't do what he can do just because we are women. No, we can't do what you do because you were injected with some superhuman serum. No one could do what he does. It doesn't mean he is perfect and makes no mistakes," Wanda went on.
Tony cleared his throat, trying to get Wanda to stop.
"I'm Captain America. I am perfect. You must do what I say. I know best. I'm a man, you are a woman. I will always know better," Wanda said in a voice trying to mimic Steve.
"Wanda, I'd stop if I were you," Bucky said with a smirk.
"Why? You think his superhuman hearing can hear me from wherever he is?" Wanda asked. "I'm Captain America. I know everything, and I hear everything, too," she said, continuing to mimic his voice. "If I wanted to, I could kick his ass."
Skye was biting her lip hard to keep from laughing.
"First of all, language," Steve said, interrupting her diatribe. "And second, is that how you really think I sound?" Steve asked from behind her, clearly unimpressed.
Wanda froze.
"Tried to warn you," Tony said with a smirk.
"Wanda, office, now." His voice was low. It was clear he was not happy.
Wanda sighed and went with him to the office with great trepidation.
Steve closed the door behind them. "I think it's time we figure out exactly what your issue with me is, kid," Steve said, leaning against the desk with his arms crossed.
"I think I pretty much covered it," Wanda said, sitting in the chair that was in front of the desk.
"Okay. I don't think that I am better than anyone. I do not think less of women. I have the utmost respect for women. And when I tell you what to do when we are talking about Avenger's business it is because, like it or not, I have to. Someone has to be in charge, and it is me. So, you can like it or not, but it is fact. Do you think if I thought I was better than you that I would let you be in charge of training Skye? I chose to step aside and let you train her because you are the best option to train her. There are several other people here who could train her, but I think you are the best fit to work with her. You two have a lot in common, yes. But, also because I know she is very stubborn, much like you. And I think it takes someone with great determination to work with her. And that is you," Steve said.
Wanda let out a breath.
"And I don't doubt that, if you wanted to, you could take me down. There are a few people in this world whom I have no doubt could take me down. And you are top of the list," Steve said. "I'm not invincible. I know that, Wanda," Steve said.
Wanda didn't say anything.
"Was there anything else that you said that I happened to not cover?" Steve asked.
"No," Wanda said.
"Is there anything else you didn't mention that we should discuss?" Steve asked.
"What is your issue with swearing?" Wanda asked.
"Well, you are a smart woman, and I don't think swearing reflects that. I realize that the world has changed since I was frozen, and most of the changes are great and positive. But swearing coming from anyone? I don't like it, simple as that," Steve said.
Wanda nodded. "You know, there are people who think that people who swear are smarter than those who don't."
"And there are people out there who think women shouldn't be allowed to vote or have any say in what happens to their own bodies. Doesn't make it true," Steve said.
"But you don't call out everyone on swearing," Wanda said.
"No, I don't. Because sometimes it's a waste of breath to do so," Steve said.
"I don't think I can remember a time I have sworn in front of you that you haven't called me on it," Wanda said.
Steve nodded.
"So, if you don't think less of me, why is that?" Wanda asked.
"I don't think less of you, Wanda," Steve said. "You are just much younger than most of the people around here."
"Oh, so it's because you think of me as a kid," Wanda said, annoyance in her voice.
"Yes," Steve said.
"I'm not a kid, though," Wanda said.
"No, technically you're not. But around here, to us 'old' people, you are seen as one," Steve said.
Wanda chuckled. "Calling yourself old, that's a first."
Steve shrugged. "I know I can't stop you from swearing if you want to, but that doesn't mean I won't say anything if I hear it," Steve said.
"I can't promise I will stop swearing. But I will try to stop around you," Wanda said, "out of respect for you."
Steve nodded. "And I will let the clear disrespect that you showed me out there go this time. But I treat you with respect, and I expect the same from you, especially in front of my kid. Got it?" Steve asked.
"Got it," Wanda said. "I'm sorry."
"Forgiven," Steve said. "Now let's get back out there."
The two got up and left the office and went back out to join the group.
"Steve, your kid has fluffed that tree better than I have ever seen," Nat said.
Steve smiled. "You have done that a lot?" he asked Skye.
"Old foster mother taught me. She did it for malls and stuff every year," Skye said with a small smile.
"That's not a bad skill to have," he said.
At that point, everyone was ready to start putting ornaments on the tree, and they all took turns doing it.
Steve took Skye aside and handed her a small box. "It's an ornament, but it will always be yours," he said.
Skye smiled and opened it. It was a gold ball ornament with an inscription, "Skye's first Christmas home. 2025," Skye read out softly. "Thank you," she said, eyes filling with tears.
Steve hugged her. It was something he would never have thought to do on his own. But when Pepper had suggested it, he had agreed right away.
Skye hugged him tight. She broke the hug after a minute and wiped at her eyes. She looked at everyone around the tree but hesitated. Would there be room for another ornament, she wondered.
Almost as if Steve could sense her fear, he put his hands on her shoulder.
"Skye has an ornament for the tree," Steve said, gently nudging her towards it.
Skye went over to it and found the perfect spot.
"It matches mine!" Morgan said, pointing to one that said, 'Morgan's first Christmas 2019.'
"Your mom suggested the place she got yours for me to get one for Skye," Steve told the young girl with a smile.
"I like that they match!" Morgan said a big smile on her face. She wrapped her arms around Skye where she could reach.
Skye bent down and hugged her, smiling. "I like it too."
They finished decorating the tree before Skye went into the kitchen. "Can I help with anything?"
"Last batch of cookies just went into the oven," Pepper said.
"And the dishwasher has been filled," Yelena said.
"So, we are pretty much done in here," Pepper said with a smile.
"Okay," Skye said.
"Tree all set up?" Pepper asked.
"Yes," Skye said.
"You like the ornament that your dad got you?" Pepper asked.
Skye smiled and nodded. "It's beautiful. It matches Morgan's"
"Yes, I know. He showed me it. He picked the best of the options," Pepper said with a smile.
Peter came into the kitchen and headed to the plate of cookies. "You are just as bad as Tony," Pepper said.
Peter smirked and took one before scurrying out of the kitchen away from Pepper.
"Would you like a cookie?" Pepper asked Skye.
"No, thank you," Skye said with a smile.
Just then the Barton family came into the compound.
Skye ran out and hugged Lila. "Hi!" she said.
"Hi!" Lila said, hugging her friend.
Hellos and hugs were shared all around.
Nate ran and tackled Nat's leg. Nat smiled and picked up the boy. She had been so greatly honored when she found out they decided to name him after her. Clint had always been so good to her. He had treated her like a sister, and Laura had always been welcoming to her. Their kids always affectionately called her Aunt Nat, and Nat treated them no differently than she would have if they had been her biological niece and nephews.
"Hey, Nate," Nat said. "How was the plane ride?"
"Long," Nate said.
"It was less than three hours. And you slept the entire way," Laura said with a chuckle, giving Nat a hug.
Nat chuckled. "Well, it must have been a really good nap," she said, hugging her friend.
Nate shrugged and started to talk his auntie's ear off.
The last batch of cookies was taken out of the oven before everyone sat around in the living room to watch a Christmas movie and just enjoy the company.
Halfway through the movie Pepper and Laura moved into the kitchen to start putting together a quick dinner for everyone.
"I don't know how you do this for so many three times a day every day," Laura said.
"I honestly like doing it most of the time. Generally, breakfast and lunches are 'fend for yourself', anyway. Banner cooks once a week for everyone, too. And we get takeout at least once a week as well. So, It's not every meal every day," Pepper said. "And you cook for yours every day, don't you?"
"Yes, but it's for five not a dozen," Laura said.
Pepper chuckled. "I always have help if I need it, and it's just cooking the same foods just in bigger quantities."
The movie ended, and everyone headed into the kitchen and enjoyed the meal that had been graciously cooked for them. Afterward, a few people cleaned up while the others headed to the living room to watch more Christmas movies and just spend time together.
