A Love Like Ours

THIRTY FOUR

Friday, December 20th. The American Dream Mall, New Jersey

As Wanda and Anastasia stand in Bath and Body Works, With every pleasant scent imaginable filling the air around them, Anastasia plucks a sparkling red tube shaped bottle from the shelf and gives it a sniff before extending it out to Wanda for her to do the same.

"Oh god, That's what the inside of Mrs Claus' closet must smell like!" Wanda recoils, Waving her hand in front of her nose.

"It's spiced cocoa with peppermint!" Anastasia chuckles, Taking a second sniff and then setting it back on the shelf.

"It's nauseatingly strong." Wanda says, Holding a plaid red and gold bottle of lotion up to her nose and inhaling the warm caramel apple pie scent, Handing it to Anastasia next.

"Ooo now that one is better, Bucky loves caramel scents." She exclaims, Reaching in front of Wanda to grab the large candle from the same collection and adding it the little basket that dangles from her arm.

"Speaking of!" Wanda beams mischievously, Locking eyes with Anastasia.

"No! I told you I don't want anymore updates from you!" Anastasia giggles, Secretly hoping that Wanda continues speaking anyway.

"We both know that's bullshit," Wanda grins, Her eyes rolling as she begins walking to the other side of the nearly empty store with Anastasia following closely behind as she continues,

"Prince Charming has chickened out yet again. I swear he has until Christmas, Annie, And then I'm going to ask Sam for him."

"You will do no such thing!" Anastasia giggles, The image of her take-charge man being so nervous to ask her big brother for his blessing to propose fills her chest with butterflies every time the subject comes up.

"This is the fifth time!" Wanda laughs, holding up the sparkling green body mist which claims to smell like a christmas tree although instead it's more akin to that of wet dog.

She earns a gag from Anastasia after she innocently takes a large inhale from the nozzle.

"I love that he's nervous, Wands," Anastasia chokes out, Turning away briefly to gasp a bit of fresh air,

"My strong super soldier, Who took on a literal alien invasion, TWICE, Is so afraid of Samy saying no that he can't even get the words out? Come on!" Anastasia gushes, doe eyed.

Wanda can't help feeling her swell as the girls arms intertwine and they continue browsing through the store.

Over the past few weeks, She's watched Anastasia comfortably settle into her new life in Westview with Bucky and Rosie. After they finally found their rhythm in their new home, And she was able to work out a good schedule for three weekly phone sessions with Doctor Lavigne, The drastic change in her personality and mental state has been incredible.

At first, Wanda believed it was too good to be true, So out of concern for her best friends well being, She peaked inside her mind to see how she was truly feeling, And the amount of relief she felt when she saw that Anastasia truly is doing better, Was indescribable.

She shamefully admitted to Anastasia what she had done a few days later, And although Anastasia was pissed at first, She forgave Wanda over two baskets of fried pickles at Luke's the following day.