We'll Make It Alright

Chapter 12

Wanda laid with her head on Nat's lap with her stuffed bunny right under her nose and the blue blanket she claimed as her own around her shoulders. Natasha stroked her hair, watching as the little's eyes got heavier and heavier as Moana played on the screen. The little girl looked so peaceful. Nat couldn't understand how she could be so trusting of her, the notorious, deadly Black Widow. It would be terribly bittersweet to look back on these moments when Wanda was gone.

"Wanda, baby. It's time to go night-night." Natasha said gently.

The little girl protested even as her eyes slipped shut momentarily, snapping back open only to droop once again, "No, Moa."

"We can finish the movie tomorrow sweetheart." Natasha clicked off the television and Wanda had no further protests. The woman pulled her up into her arms, "Hang on tight to Zaya, baby."

Nat headed back to her own bedroom, not even thinking to take her to Wanda's room. The little was already asleep by the time she carefully laid her down, tucking the covers around her to keep her warm. The Widow snuck away with the time being a bit to early for herself to go bed. She would go tidy up and maybe take an hour to herself with her book and a glass of wine.

While little Wanda had seemed to bounce back during the day from her initial shake up from the abrupt appearance of Sharon, big Wanda had seemed pretty upset about getting to know a new caregiver. Nat remembered her slumped shoulder and her avoiding eye contact and the hurt in her tone that this had been decided without her. It reflected her own hurt and uncertainty about the situation, but she couldn't let Wanda see that. She had to be strong for the younger woman and put her needs first.

She'll adjust, Natasha thought straightening up the coloring books on the coffee table and putting the crayons back in the box. Change was hard but she had to believe that in the end she would be alright. The Black Widow sighed and looked around the living room with the little things sitting about. She thought about the basket of little clothes in Wanda's room that could be folded. It all became too much for her to deal with. Nat sighed and rubbed her face. She decided forgo everything including the glass of wine and her book.

Instead she would to the freezer for a shot of vodka or two then take a long, hot shower before quietly crawling into bed with Wanda. The little would sense her presence and shuffle over in her sleep, cuddling snugly into Natasha's chest, warming the Russian more than the vodka or shower could.

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"Bye bye, Wanda." Sharon waved at the little witch who waved back from where she sat on the ground with a puzzle where she just had to match the shapes. Wanda went back to testing to see if the circle fit the the oval spot with no success.

"See you next time, Nat." Sharon said breezily as she headed out the door.

"Bye Sharon." The redhead said from where she sat at the kitchen counter with a cup of coffee and a magazine though her eyes had already tracked back to Wanda. The former agent had started to come around every day for the past couple of weeks and things seemed to be going alright.

Little Wanda seemed to have come to like the blonde woman well enough. She had even started sitting with Sharon on her own when Nat went to join the other Avengers for training. Still she had not really broached the topic of going to live with Sharon with the little. She knew big Wanda was aware of the situation but Natasha didn't know how aware little Wanda was. She went to sit down with the Sokovian who had just finished placing the shapes and was dumping the puzzle to start again.

"Hey baby. How are you and Zaya doing?"

The bunny was propped up next to her, silently watching the game. Wanda looked up and smiled at Nat, "O-Kay."

"Good." She smiled back, "Did you have fun with Sharon?"

"O-Kay." She said, busily placing the triangle in its spot.

"Mm, does Zaya like Sharon?" The plushie obviously didn't answer but Wanda stopped what she was doing and picked up the toy. The bow around the stuffed animals neck was already looking a bit wilted from Wanda holding it there all the time as she did now, hugging it to her chest and resting her head on top of its head.

"Zaya say Shar o-kay."

"That's a lot of okays." Nat teased, poking the little's side. Wanda giggled at the tickling sensation but soon turned contemplative.

"..Asha, Zaya 'tays wif me?" She looked imploringly at her with big, green eyes.

"Of course Zaya stays with you. Zaya is your bunny, sweetheart." The redhead said emphatically to reassure her, feeling like this was more than about the bunny.

"Furever?"

"Forever." Nat agreed, stroking her hair. Wanda stared at her, looking like she was trying to piece something together, like she was trying to find the words to say something important but her little mind just couldn't quite wrap her mind around it.

Natasha waited patiently for her to work through it but then the girl simply said, "Kay.. Asha, 'tar."

The little witch handed her the star shaped puzzle piece, her serious mood dissipated, her little attention span too fleeting and her desire to play overcoming her thoughts. Nat smiled at the girl's excited wiggle when she gave her the piece. It was her favorite shape.

"You want me to place the star?" She asked. Wanda nodded eagerly.

The Widow pretended to think, "Hmm, does it go here?"

She put it against my the circle spot. The little shook her head with a smile, "No."

"Does it go here?" Nat asked, putting it on the rectangle shape.

"No, nah there." Wanda said, giggling a little.

"Does it go here?" The woman put the star against her own nose, sending Wanda into hysterical giggles at her antics.

"N-no, Asha. Nah nose. 'Tar!"

"Oh, a star." She said exaggeratedly, like the answer had been obvious all along. "I know where it goes."

But instead of placing on the board she gently pressed it to Wanda's chest. The little squealed in amusement, "Asha, no!"

"Are you sure?" Nat asked, not backing down from her answer, "You certainly look like a little star to me."

"I a 'tar?" Wanda asked with a wondering sparkle in her eyes.

"Mhm, a little glowing, red star." At her words, a little ball of scarlet magic appeared in her hand and she presented it to Natasha.

Nat nodded and cupped her hand underneath Wanda's, "Yes, see? What a pretty star."

The little witch preened at the attention then unexpectedly launched herself at Natasha for an exuberant hug. Surprised, the Widow was knocked off balance and fell back with Wanda on top of her, nuzzling into her chest. Nat laughed and held the little for a moment, rubbing her back down to her bottom. She realized that her diaper felt full. She never let Sharon change her at this point.

"Hey, how about we get you changed and then go walk around the garden. We can take our snack out there too. How does that sound?"

"Yah, gard'n! F'owers!" Wanda nodded with a big grin. She loved going out to the garden and touching the flowers with her magic, convinced she was going to find talking flowers after they watch Alice in Wonderland the other day.

"Okay, let's go detka." Natasha helped her up then went to change her diaper before heading out into the sunny afternoon, eating apple slices with peanut butter in the garden until nap time.

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Hey everybody! Thanks for taking the time to read and would so appreciate if you liked it to give it a vote :) Also thank you for your kind words so far. Until next time! ~Raven