We'll Make It Alright

Chapter 16

Not much changed during the next week at the compound. They fell back into the comfortable routine of Natasha taking care of little Wanda and big Wanda becoming more a part of the team. She had started doing some training with the Avengers, incorporating her magic into the drills that they ran together. The Widow worried, but Wanda did have very impressive powers that eased her concerns about the witch joining them in the field someday a little bit. Though only a very little bit.

Nat was sitting in the living room reading a book when little Wanda wandered into the living room with Zaya and her blanket in the crook of her elbow. Nat had sewn up the hole at the top of the bunny's head under little Wanda's watchful concerned gaze. Fury had apparently taken the ear with him, whether on accident or to be petty no one was sure since they hadn't spoken with him. The little girl refused a new Zaya, saying it wouldn't be her Zaya, so Nat had to just use the black thread she had to patch the toy up with the stitches apparent on the fur. Wanda didn't seem to care though, just happy her favored toy had been fixed.

The little blinked sleepily at the redhead now having just woken up from her nap. The woman grinned at her, "Hey baby. How was your sleeps?"

"Gud." Wanda rubbed her eyes but didn't come to cuddle with Nat like she normally would and she now seemed less sleepy and more pensive.

"Is something wrong sweetheart?" Nat asked with a worry furrowing her brow.

"Asha, where es Piety?" Wanda wondered innocently.

The Widow blinked now. Little Wanda never talked about her brother. When Wanda was big, she did.  Not extensively but when something would remind her of her twin, she would talk about him with a soft, wistful voice, telling Nat about some habit of his or some favorite thing he had. The redhead was always glad when Wanda felt comfortable enough to share with her, but she did not want to push the little girl to talk about something she wasn't ready to speak about. Nat felt a little guilty that she had almost forgotten to think about how little Wanda was coping without Pietro, the concern slipping so far back into her mind that she wasn't quite prepared for answering her questions.

She beckoned Wanda over, "Come here, little star."

The girl automatically walked towards her, climbing to sit across Nat's lap while the older woman wrapped her arms around her. She told her gently, "You know Pietro is gone, sweetheart. You remember what happened, baby?"

"Yeah.. But where?" Her little voice rasped out.

"I don't know where we go when were not here anymore." Natasha told her truthfully. "But Pietro's body is resting in Sokovia. You remember the memorial?"

"'Member." Wanda nodded.

"And his spirit is some place else resting and we'll get to see him again someday hopefully." Nat finished softly.

"But I miss Piety now." The little whimpered.

"I know, darling." The woman rubbed up and down her back. "I wish he could be here too, detka. If you ever want to remember him or talk about him, you can always talk to me. It might help you miss him a little less."

Wanda sniffled some against Nat's neck, though only for a short while as she asked, "If Piety wus 'ere, would you be his Mama too?"

Natasha's heart skipped a beat when Wanda asked the question. Wanda hadn't referred to her as Mama before, it has still always been Asha or Tasha. Though the appearance of the name thrilled her, she stayed calm, "If that's what Pietro wanted, I would love to be his Mama. But I think we'd at least be very good friends."

From all accounts, Pietro wasn't little, so she doubted he would have been very appreciative of Natasha trying to care for him. But little Wanda didn't make that distinction for her brother. She next inquired, her lips mumbling against Nat's neck and leaving it a little wet, "Would you 'till be my Mama?"

That was more complicated. If Pietro had been around there may not have been a reason for her to get close to Wanda. It wasn't unusual for a little to stay with a sibling, but it was more common for a little to bond with a caregiver outside the family as they got older. She hoped he would have allowed her to become close with Wanda, "I'd like to think so."

Natasha pressed a kiss to the side of her head. Wanda's fingers gripped around the collar of the woman's shirt and she sighed contentedly, "I luv you Mama."

"I love you too, detka." The Black Widow said her heart brimming with happiness. After snuggling on the couch for a while longer, Wanda finally lifted her head.

"Mama, sauce?" She requested for her after nap snack.

Nat laughed, her hand finding Wanda's belly and teasing, "Sauce, sauce, it's always sauce with you. If you had to pick between Mama and applesauce, which would you choose?"

"Mm.." Wanda gave the question careful consideration before finally, definitively answering, "Mama."

"Oh thank goodness." The redhead acted overly relieved as she stood and pulled Wanda up onto her hip.

"But 'till sauce doh, Mama?" The little toyed with the ends of her Mama's hair, sounding a touch concerned she wasn't going to be getting her favorite snack.

Nat sighed fondly, "Yes, detka. We'll still get you some applesauce. And how about some crackers too?"

//

Aw, Mama Nat :)
So yeah! That's kinda all I got for now. I don't know about you but kinda felt like a mad rush for me haha. If people are interested in a second book continuing let me know, give it a vote or drop some suggestions if you have them haha. I'll be over here brainstorming too. Thanks for reading! Until next time! ~Raven