Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Witch and the Widows

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 59:

Anya grunted and tightened her grip on Dima’s hand as another contraction hit her. She didn’t even notice the slash of red light that lit up the air in the bunker and then widened into a doorway from nowhere. The widows all rushed inside with Yelena and Wanda at the front.

Yelena rushed to her mother’s side, taking her other hand.

“Mama, are you okay?” Yelena asked worriedly, not accustomed to seeing her mother in pain. As was often the case, Anya was more concerned about her daughter.

“Is Katerina alright?”

Yelena hid her fresh pain. “The threat is over. I will tell you about it later. First we must get little Erik out of you.”

Anya looked past Wanda and Yelena. “Where is she?”

“She was a bit shook up but she is fine. She is with her mother.” Wanda explained, not lying but refusing to let that mess be Anya’s focus.

Stephen Strange walked into the sick back with Oksana. “It will be a few hours before she gives birth. Everyone relax.”

“Strange?” Yelena asked, not having expected him to be here.

“Anya, Dima and I had a talk. We agreed it would be best to have an actual doctor here instead of a chemist who is forced to treat emergency gunshot wounds.” Oksana explained. “Stephen agreed to oversee.”

Wanda wondered why she hadn’t thought of it. Oksana was not a doctor but she had become their doctor out of necessity and they took her for granted when it came to surgeries and even common medical procedures. It was easy to forget she wasn’t a medical doctor.

“Thank you, Stephen.” Wanda told him.

“Glad to be of help.” He replied. “It feels good to put the medical degree to use every now and then, even if it can’t be surgery. Everything looks fine. The babies position is good, Anya’s blood pressure is very good and I expect no problems.”

“How long have you been having labor Mama?” Yelena asked.

“Most of the day, I have had contractions all night but wanted to be sure. I was going to tell you but then Kate was in trouble and I didn’t want you to focus on anything else, I don’t want any more swords in my baby girl.”

Strange raised an eyebrow. “Right. Since we have time, Wanda would you mind catching me up on the situation with the Hand and this demon helping them? Your child trafficking ring problem is becoming a metaphysical problem quickly.”

Wanda nodded and the two walked out of the small infirmary and the widows outside dispersed to change clothes, secure weapons and take in all that had happened in the last hour.

Bucky made his way to the top floor where he was rushed by the twins jumping onto waist legs and asking where their Mama was.

In the infirmary or birthing room, Yelena was left alone with her parents and held on a brave face. She was good at hiding emotions. She could mourn the loss of her and Kate’s relationship later. She could recall the look of betrayal and disgust Kate had given her while she lay in bed alone in the dark. She would see it in her nightmares for a very long time but this was her mother’s time. She may have been a bad girlfriend but she could and would be a good daughter and big sister.

“Yelena, are you angry?” Anya asked.

Yelena shook her head, wondering if she were not hiding her feelings as well as she thought.

“No mama. Why do you ask me this?”

“Because we just found you and we have another baby. I know we talked to you about it but you wouldn’t have told us the truth. You always sacrifice your own happiness. Are you angry we did this?”

Yelena kissed her mother on the cheek and ran her fingers through her hair. “Of course not, Mama. I wish you had done it sooner. I wish you hadn’t put your desire for more children on hold because of me.”

Anya shook her head and tears fell down her cheeks. “I would never have a baby until my first was in my arms. You could never be replaced and I didn’t want you to think you had been when we found you. I thought we would find you but you found us.”

Yelena glanced at her father who was becoming emotional. “You would have found me. You would have made your way to Sokovia. I just found you first. I could have found you sooner if I hadn’t been such a coward and afraid to look at my own file.”

“Don’t call yourself that.” Dima said. “You are the bravest person I have ever met in my life. We had soldiers in our family that fought the Nazis but no one has ever been as strong as brave as you.

“What if I am not good at this? What if I lose another child?!” Anya suddenly asked, becoming hysterical quickly. Yelena hushed her gently.

“That won’t happen. Wanda can put a spell on him so we always know where he is and maybe put a tracker chip just under his surface skin. It’s very small and he won’t notice. This will be good for keeping up with him when he starts running around mansion and becomes teenage boy as well. I have a chip in Fanny and we can chip little Erik too. It is good to chip smaller Belovas. They can get in trouble easy. Relax. This place is safe. As screwed up as this is, the mansion is the safest place to raise a child in the world. Nowhere else will he be so protected and loved. All of you will be. I am going to be a good big sister. You won’t have to be up with him all night. We can take turns holding him if he cries so you can sleep. We are in a good place. This is a good thing.”

“So you aren’t mad we are having another child?” Anya asked to make sure.

Yelena sadly laughed. “Mama, I love it and I am going to love him. More Belovas in the world is a good thing. This Belova, he will be a doctor or something smart and never have to fight or hold a gun or knife. He will be safe and never know what it is like to be abused. He will be the happiest child ever. We are a strange family but we are all a family. The house is different since the twins, Sierra, Tanya and Claudia arrived. Then Billie comes and everyone loves her. The younger children we have, the happier this place seems to be. We have to make ourselves better for the children. Now we have the most innocent. We all have chance to have this one go through life without horror. We won’t fail. None of us will.”

While Yelena had been consoling her mother, Wanda had been in the briefing room telling Strange about Mephisto and cursed swords and immortal ninjas when she was rushed and nearly tackled by the twins. She gave them both kisses but the refused to leave her side so she and Strange began talking about other issues.

“And you just discovered this talent for opening doors into the fabric of reality?”

Wanda shrugged. “More like I never tried it. It’s in the Book of Vishanti as an alternate means of travel for witches. Though teleportation is good for short distances this relies much more on advanced magic. It involves making permanent doorways that allow magic users to enter or those they desire.”

“So how does this work?”

“Today I became angry because Kate got herself into trouble again, so I channeled my power through my fingernails to slash the dimensional planes and cut the curtains between my location and the one I wished to be in and then… it happened.”

“You became angry, slashed at the air like a feral cat and that’s it? Do you know how much focus it takes for me to open portals? Quite a bit and I must be in control of my emotions at all times. You just become angry and that’s it?”

Wanda grinned. “The Dark Side is easier and way more fun than the Light Side. Just let the hate flow through you, young Skywalker and you can rule the universe by my side.”

“I don’t know what that means.” Strange told her, holding back a grin.

“Liar. Anyway, from what I can tell, this Mephisto is dangerously close to direct intervention. Without him, the Hand are just another human trafficking ring with hands everywhere like HYDRA who have some good fighters. With him giving them power they are somewhat of a problem.”

“Yet he is playing by the rules. A demon as old as he is would not risk his existence on a metaphysical technicality.”

“But if he does?” Wanda asked. “Old does not make wise. Watch Agatha on a Friday night if you don’t believe me. How do I call him on it? How do I take him off the field?”

Strange shook his head. “You don’t. You worry about Thanos. Thanos won’t need a demon whose only goal is to possess chaos magic so he can go for a walk and burn the Earth. We need to remain focused on the big problem. Mephisto is not the only demon you will have to face in your life. You play by the rules, make sure they don’t break theirs and all is good. If they do break the rules, you use a spell to cast them in the abyss. They either go or don’t, depending on if your interpretations are correct.”

Wanda shook her head and looked down at her twins. “Girls go find Papa and tell him he needs to find a decent suit to marry me in and then we can pass time until the baby is born by looking at flowers and dresses you can wear.”

Nadeja wasn’t thrilled with the idea, knowing they were being pushed away because Wanda was going to talk about something dangerous. Nela was delighted though. She had been talking about wedding nonstop with the other girls until Anya had gone into labor. Nela was very excited by the events over the last twenty four hours.

Regardless of her irritation Nadeja walked off with Nela to find their new papa.

“I’m not having this demon harassing my girls. They have their own internal demons to fight. He has gone after Yelena and it is a matter of time before he goes after the twins. I may have this house warded but I can’t keep them under wards constantly. They go to Sokovia and on shopping trips and trick or treating… I need to take this monster out and send a message to other demons.”

Strange smiled, liking her attitude and bravado but knowing there wasn’t much that could be done. Demons were powerful if let loose but as far as the living were concerned, they were mostly a nuisance.

“You can’t do anything, Wanda.”

“Not here. What if I went to him, cast him into the abyss myself?”

Stephen stared at her for a moment trying to understand what she was saying. He chewed it over in his mind and realized he couldn’t have misunderstood her.

“You want to go to a hell dimension that this demon rules…”

“Yes.”

“Into his home…”

“Yes.”

“And kill him in the place where he is most powerful?!”

“Essentially yes. It would send a powerful message to other demons. They would fear us and be less likely to bother us.”

Strange didn’t laugh. He wanted to. If this had been anyone else saying this, he would have laughed or had them committed. You did not walk into hell and kill the devil. You didn’t do it just to send a message to other demons who the toughest kid on the block was. It didn’t happen. It couldn’t happen.

But he knew if anyone could do it, Wanda Maximoff was the one witch who could.

“That is your decision. I would highly advise against it at this time. You were caught off guard when Yelena was stabbed. Now you won’t be. You have broken their magic. He has stretched the rules and the Hand has not beaten you or made any headway against you. They are running. Thanos is another matter. He is not running and he is a threat on this physical realm. I would also think the both of us have much more to learn about demons before we attempt something like that.”

“We?” Wanda asked.

Stephen smirked. “You don’t believe for a moment that I would let you have all the glory of killing a demon, do you? We are partners Wanda. I take our pact seriously. If the demon becomes your problem, he becomes my problem. I just ask for now that we focus on Thanos.”

Wanda knew this made sense. “A fair point. I need to check on all the girls. It has been an emotional twenty four hours.”

In the bunker Natasha and Stannic stood outside the glass wall, keeping an eye on the Belovas. Despite the heartbreak Nat knew Yelena was keeping her pain hidden well. She smiled, laughed and made her mother laugh. She held her hand during contractions, kissed her on the cheek and wiped her forehead with a cool washcloth.

It was heartwarming to see.

“I always wanted to be a mother.” Nat told Stannic. “I am glad you came fully assembled. Childbirth does not look pleasant.”

Stannic held Nat’s hand and leaned into her. “Believe it or not I think it would be cool to be a mom one day. Give a kid something I never had until I met you. Sometimes I think I would be horrible at it but then I think maybe I wouldn’t since I’m never going to be a crack addicted street whore, selling blow jobs for a quick fix and selling the occasional baby every nine months.”

Nat closed her eyes for a moment, feeling Stannic’s pain that was always in her voice when she spoke of her birth mother.

“No, never. You are too strong and I would never let you… I’m not much of a mom or sister but I can keep you safe. Thanks by the way… for not fighting. For staying behind.”

Stannic was quiet for a moment.

“You want to know why I refused to stay behind when you asked me to but stayed behind when Wanda asked, right?”

Nat almost shook her head but then stopped. She did want to know and she had made a promise to herself long ago not to lie to Stannic.

“I am curious.”

Stannic was quiet for a moment and Nat wondered if she was going to answer.

“I owe Wanda… a lot. She could have done so many things differently. She could have kept me away from you. If she told me to stay away from you I would have but she never did. She never asked me for anything. She gave me freedom, a home, support and love and it’s because of her that I eventually found what I wanted. I found a mother. She has never asked me for anything in return. When she did ask me to stay behind… I was so surprised because she was asking and not telling me… I did what she wanted. I love you and if you want me to stay back in the future I will. I guess I was just… looking… I don’t know. It was so important for all of us to go back into the field and when the others were going to leave without me so they could fight again and never said a word, I felt if I stayed back I would never be a part of them again. The ones my own age I mean. But when she asked Staci and Aino and… I guess I felt…”

“That she was giving you permission.” Nat suspected.

Stannic shrugged. “Maybe. Or maybe that I was justified in staying back. If Wanda wanted me to stay back no one would blame me for doing it.”

“I understand.” Nat told her and she did. Despite her own flaws that Wanda told Nat about herself, Nat suspected Wanda had no idea what a positive influence she was on the girls. Nat didn’t always think so. When she first arrived she saw Wanda as being a negative influence, not only over Yelena but over them all. The widows acted like her, drank like her, dressed like her. They practically worshipped her and Nat saw that as the worst thing possible.

But she now saw more with time and distance. It was Wanda who stayed up to comfort the girls so they could sleep without nightmares. It was Wanda who talked to them and made their problems priority over her own. Yes Wanda did drink herself blind many nights along with Yelena but Nat had no idea what dealing with the amount of power Wanda was responsible was like. She may have been the same.

It was Wanda who personally took responsibility for two young, traumatized kids despite her young age. It would have been easy to pass the twins to others to look after but she made them her own instead. She became a mother despite everything else in her life and they adored her. The twins had made progress much more quickly because of the love Wanda showed them.

“I want to go back to Iowa.” Stannic suddenly said.

“Okay. Clint said the offer is always open. When do you want to leave?”

Stannic closed her eyes for a moment and smiled.

“After Wanda’s wedding. I want to go to the farm for sell next to Clint. I want to… I want to stay there.”

Nat was shocked. Not even Anya’s cursing from another contraction caught her attention.

“You mean permanently?”

Stannic nodded. “We can train and maybe go on some widow rescues in the states, stay ready for Thanos. But… I was thinking maybe me, you and Steve could buy the farmhouse. Maybe we could fix it up and I could have my own room and you two can be together at night and we could be a ..real family. I could call you Mom and nobody would know any different. The people in the town don’t seem to bother Clint about being Hawkeye. They keep it quiet. Maybe they wouldn’t make a big deal out of you and Steve.”

Stannic paused and chanced a look at Nat to read her expression.

“I want a horse. I want to go to the school Lila does and… it sounds so different from anything I’ve ever done. I don’t know if I would be good at it but I would like to try… why are you crying?”

Nat wiped her eyes and smiled. “Because… it sounds like a dream I had once.”

Stannic nodded. She had the same dream more than a few times. Her nightmares had lessened and she dreamed instead of riding a horse over open fields with the wind in her hair and not a care in the world. Sometimes she dreamed of chickens of all things and even a few pigs despite the horrible smell. She had smelt worse things.

“What about therapy?”

“Secured video calls.” Stannic said immediately and Nat realized this wasn’t something she had decided impulsively.

“What do you think?”

Nat smiled. “I hope Wanda and Bucky marry soon. I’ll contact Clint to make the deal on our behalf and wire the money to him. As far as the horse we will buy a few when we arrive. I can’t wait. Its honestly the best offer I have ever had.”

“You think Steve would be okay, leaving Bucky? I know it’s not like we won’t see them again but he won’t see him every day.”

“He will be very happy. When do you want to talk to the others?”

Stannic smiled. “After little Erik decides to make an appearance.”

“And you are sure about this?” Nat asked again.

Stannic nodded. “Yes, I’m sure. So we can do this?”

“Absolutely. Consider it done.”

Stannic nodded toward Yelena.

“You will be okay leaving her?”

Nat sighed. Her relationship with Yelena had never become as close as she hoped it would. She loved her little sister but Yelena had Wanda, she had her parents, until recently Kate Bishop and soon she would have a little brother. She didn’t need Nat the same way Stannic did. Yelena and Nat both knew that.

“I think she will be happy.”

The hours went by as day turned to night. Yelena stayed by her mother’s side, holding her hand and thinking of anything but Kate. Wanda had stepped out a few times and she suspected it was to speak to Eleanor but mentioned nothing about it when she returned to her spot by Dima. The widows came in and out, most of them finding something to do in the gym so they would be close.

At two AM, Rachel got onto the intercom.

“Attention Widow Mansion, birth is imminent. I repeat, birth is imminent.

All the younger girls had stopped playing with the kittens in the gym and rushed to the gathered widows outside the infirmary. Despite the numerous people trying to peak into the window on the door since the glass wall had been fogged, the room was utterly silent. Bucky picked each of the twins up and placed them on his shoulders.

Then the silence was cut by a baby’s wail.

The room cheered.

After a few moments, the wall was clear again and the widows saw an exhausted but joyous Anya holding a small bundle in her arms. She looked at her little boy with awe and love then handed him to a proud Dima.

Wanda watched the family and couldn’t help but think of Anya opening a door and recognizing Yelena immediately despite the years apart. Anya and Dima had looked at her the same way they were looking at this boy.

Dima handed the baby to Yelena who gently held him and spoke softly in Russian.

Dima then hugged Wanda. “You did this.” he whispered in her ear.

Wanda laughed. “I think you and Anya are to blame for this.”

He shook his head and looked at her solemnly. “You did this when you saved Yelena. You could have killed her. Look around you Wanda. Look at these girls, this family. Everything here is because you chose to save a life instead of taking it. This is you. All of it. It started with you. You returned life to these girls and us and because of you, new life has been created. I can never repay that debt to you. None of us can. If you ever find yourself in a dark place, think of our boy. Think of these girls. You chose life and because of it new life was created. That is real magic.”

He kissed her on the forehead and then turned back to his son.

The family spent ten minutes with the child before Strange and Oksana took him and cleaned him up. After he was returned, Wanda was given the baby and felt very awkward, realizing she had not held a baby since she was probably eight or nine and a neighbor had let her hold her baby so long as she was sitting on the couch. This was different. She could feel how fragile this life was and tears fell as she felt so many emotions crashing into her at once.

She looked out the window and saw the twins on Bucky’s shoulders staring at the baby with big smiles.

Her daughters and her soon to be husband. The fierce killer, the damaged, traumatized man who gave so much love to two lost girls and treated them as his own which she supposed they were. The guy who had every reason to brood constantly yet stayed positive for her and the girls. The guy that knew all her deepest darkness, her sins and her scars and still loved her anyway. She kept waiting for the veil to drop and for all this to be some illusion that would be stripped away.

What would have happened if she had chosen to follow Clint and joined the Avengers? Dima was right. None of this would have happened. Yelena and the girls would still be slaves. She would have never met Agatha or learned her true power. Dima and Anya would still be in Russia with no leads, in terrible pain after all these years. Sokovia would still be in ruins and at the mercy of the world.

Wanda ushered the other girls out as well to give the Belovas alone time. The girls began to spread out but Wanda touched Meg’s shoulder.

“Aye there. Can I do something for you? I can take over the twins lessons if you want to hang out with the kids today or sleep in. Of course they are probably sleeping in too. I’m thinking Billie can sleep in. But if you want me to help I’ll be glad.”

Wanda motioned with her head to follow her to the far end of the bunker and the two entered the hangar where they could be alone.

“Why have you been going out on field missions?” Wanda asked her. “You said you didn’t want to. You wanted to take care of Billie. Now you are suiting up with the teams.”

Meg shrugged. “Children were involved. That’s different.”

Wanda shook her head. “No it isn’t. Children are always involved. Most of our operations revolve around children. Rescuing Kate wasn’t an operation that involved children.”

“Right but she is Yelena’s… or was… I’m sure they will work it out… I just thought we should all be there and I didn’t…”

Wanda stopped her. “It’s because of what Kate said to you, isn’t it?”

Meg shrugged. “Billie’s eyes lit up when she came into this place and when she saw her room and the toys… she has friends here now. She has never had friends. Neither of us have. I just want to do my part. I don’t want to be a freeloader and I don’t want to piss off the boss’s girlfriend… or one of the bosses. Beside Kate was right…”

“No she wasn’t. If I told Yelena what she said to you, Yelena would have been furious. Maybe I should have so Yelena could have gotten rid of this idea that Kate Bishop is the epitome of all that is good in this world and never does any wrong. Kate isn’t like us. She is a kid who has no idea how the world works and she proved that last night. I love her but she is a naive child. You aren’t. You know what you want and don’t want. If you want to help, then I have a job for you.”

“Anything.”

“Stay here. When we go out, you stay here. You help Rachel, you protect the girls, you protect this house. You are the new babysitter. You are the only one beside Anya who has experience raising babies. That is your job now. You raise your little sister and give her the love you never had. Give her the love I had, lost, and found again. Billie was terrified when you went out with us. I could feel it. No more.”

Meg looked doubtful and waved her hands. “Wanda do I look like the kind of girl who should be responsible for… kids.”

Wanda nodded. “Do I look old enough or stable enough to be the mother of two twelve year old traumatized girls? We are what we are. I trust you with my kids when I am gone. I don’t trust easily. No more field teams for you. I’m going to let Gabby know.”

“Yes ma’am.” Meg said with a slight salute. “The others will think…”

“The others will know I told you to do it. They don’t think any less of you. They don’t think any less of Rachel. They admire her. They are going to admire you as well. You are in charge of protecting the most important and vulnerable people in our home. There is no more important job than that. Let’s go back. I’m starving and then I want a very long nap. Then I am going to coo over a baby for hours and hope the twins don’t get jealous.”

The night went well and the next night the girls were off to Sokovia for Halloween. Most of the widows attended except for Yelena who wouldn’t leave her mother’s side and Oksana who stayed back in the event Anya needed her. Almost every widow was in costume.

The city of Novi Grad was alive in a way Wanda could never remember seeing. The streets were still clean, the houses were all open to all children and there was a festive atmosphere on the streets.

The temperature was a bit cold but Wanda was able to fix that for a few hours and the youngest didn’t have to wear coats over their beautiful fairy outfits.

The citizens were dressed in costume, even many adults going to parties or just having fun on the streets. Many the women of all ages were dressed like Red Widows. Many had blonde wigs with a single long braid down their back like Yelena often wore. Others had blonde hair pulled up like Yelena wore as well.

Most of the women wore black leather pants, combat boots and leather corsets covered with long red jackets. Unfortunately some of the younger girls wore her clothes as well and Wanda wished they wouldn’t.

Some of the more enterprising woman had made very accurate dresses resembling the one Wanda most often wore when channeling quite a bit of magic. Yelena called it the Scarlet Witch costume but Wanda never had a specific name for it. Considering it disappeared when she was done with it and she could never study it, it was hard for her to become very attached to it as a part of her wardrobe.

The upside of thousands of people wearing red wigs and dressing like Wanda meant that she could blend in. Red hair was abundant in Novi Grad that night. She dressed like a fairy godmother complete with wings to match her girls. Some recognized her but never cried her name out and she thanked them for it. It didn’t help that Nela would often tell others walking that they shouldn’t dress like her mama because they weren’t real.

The night was a success as far as she was concerned. The children had fun, the widows had fun dancing at bars hosting Halloween parties and Wanda even had fun, experiencing everything through the eyes of her kids. This was new for the widows as well. She couldn’t wait for Christmas.

First came her wedding in two weeks’ time.

It would be a simple affair. She had called a priest earlier that day and arranged the date and the church. It was a catholic church her parents took them to when they were very young before it was blown up. Most of Sokovia was catholic when the country still believed in a god.

The priest was not sure if it was a joke at first but once Wanda had convinced him he became very excited and agreed to hold the nuptials in upmost secrecy. Surprisingly Bucky was also catholic so the priest had no issue.

Holding it in a church didn’t quite feel right to Wanda since she had stopped believing in a god long ago. Then she had been introduced to magic and did not know what to believe. When the venue was discussed she could tell it was something Bucky wanted so she had no issue with it. So long as the wedding license was signed, that was all that mattered to her. There would be no grand reception. It would be a very quiet and close affair and then Wanda and Bucky would go on a short trip somewhere to be tourists for a couple days. Wanda didn’t even plan to use magic to travel. For a few days they would be normal people, using public transportation and staying as low key as possible while blending in with normal humans.

---

Two Weeks later, Novi Grad St, Nicholas Church

Yelena looked at herself in the mirror trying to come to terms with what she was wearing. Her long red bridal dress was unlike anything she had ever worn. The last time she had worn a dress had been in a club with Kate and that dress had not been meant for a wedding. It would have been more suited to a honeymoon night. This dress was elegant and beautiful. It was the type she could see herself wearing to one of Kate’s fancy Holiday parties.

The thought of Kate hurt so she pushed it aside quickly as she had done every moment since she last saw her. Instead Yelena had focused on this wedding, the widow search, the Hand investigation and spending her free moments with her little brother.

A week ago, Ross had found two widows living in the world. One was in Paris and the other in Canada. Teams were sent to both locations. It was determined from observation that the widows were no longer under mind control and still living the cover identities they had before the drug wore off. Both had killed their handlers and kept living lives in which they had become comfortable.

Both girls who were now twenty had appreciated the offers to join the widows but both had declined. They had lives, one had a boyfriend and the other had a girlfriend. Those they had been ordered to become close to were now true friends. They had homes, neighbors, favorite restaurants and jobs. One of the girls was considering going to college.

They had been left alone with contact information for Yelena, cash accounts for any needs or wants and best wishes.

Ross was becoming very good at tracking old missions and narrowing in on locations of Widows still in the wild and was hopeful there were many stories like these two. Regardless they were two more checked off the list.

Eleanor was here. Yelena watched her from a distance, helping Wanda with her hair. She looked happy but also exhausted and sad.

Eleanor had not fought Kate’s desire to get away. She signed Kate up for an elite boarding school in San Francisco and three days after the night at Fat Man auto repair, Kate was gone. Eleanor didn’t expect her to come back for holidays. Eleanor could have forced the issue but thought Kate needed time and space.

Yelena had thought of calling her many times but fought the desire. She agreed that Kate may have needed time away from Eleanor to cool off but as much as it hurt, Yelena felt Kate needed to be away from her permanently. Kate’s life would always be in danger as long as she was in Yelena’s world. She knew it wouldn’t last and now was the time for it to end. Kate had made the decision to walk away. She may have made it in anger and felt betrayed but it was the best decision for her life. She wasn’t one of them and Yelena never wanted her to be.

“Stop.” Wanda told her, approaching from behind and appearing in the mirror as if by magic.

Yelena tried not to flinch but failed. Wanda was very quiet but Yelena could usually feel when she was coming closer.

“Stop what?”

“Brooding over her. I know its tough but don’t brood today.”

Yelena sighed. “You do not understand. You have Bucky. He understands you. He is part of this world. You will never have to let him go to keep him safe.”

Wanda shook her head. “You don’t understand. You never have, not since the moment you saw her.”

Yelena shrugged. “I loved her the moment I saw her.”

“You loved the naive damsel in distress with the fiery spirit who thought all things superheroes were cool. You saw her as this perfect person, the epitome of all that was good in the world. She wasn’t. She never was. She saw you as another Hawkeye or Black Widow, a superhero with no flaws. There is more to life than Kate Bishop, Yelena. She wasn’t perfect.”

“She was perfect for me.” Yelena said.

Wanda put her arms around Yelena’s shoulders from behind. “If that were true she wouldn’t have judged you for doing what had to be done. She wouldn’t have been angry that you did everything you could to protect her from ugly truths she obviously can’t handle. You constantly changed yourself to be what she needed you to be. She never changed to be what you needed. She is young. She hasn’t had to grow up fast like we have. She has been through bad things and is more seasoned than other kids her age but Kate Bishop will never understand you. How can someone be perfect for you if they can never understand you?”

Yelena shrugged. “So Bucky is perfect because he understands you?”

Wanda shook her head and laughed. “No he is not perfect. He mumbles in his sleep, just loud enough to keep me up. Sometimes he talks while chewing. It drives me crazy. Despite his time in the army he has a tendency to leave clothes and shoes all over his room. He can be jealous, slightly possessive and has been known to growl like a dog if someone looks at my ass too long on the streets. He broods more than I do sometimes. He constantly calls me pet names, knowing I hate them. He has as many flaws as I do. I had the advantage of knowing every one of them because I saw his entire life. Bucky is not perfect.”

“Then why marry him? Are you doing this to make twins happy?”

“No. I am marrying him because he is perfect for me. I love him for who he is and he loves me for me. He knows I’m not perfect but he has never judged me or any of us. I love him for his goodness and his light. Kate loved you for your light but always ignored your darkness. She didn’t love all of you, Yelena. You deserve someone who does. You shouldn’t have to change to be loved. There are many people in the world and you will find the love you deserve.”

Yelena knew Wanda was telling her the truth. Wanda never lied to her. She had stayed up with Yelena these past few weeks, taking care of the baby while her mother slept, the two of them sitting on Wanda’s bed while Yelena held her little brother in her arms and the twins lay curled up in Wanda’s lap fast asleep. They talked of many things but she never brought up Kate and Yelena appreciated it.

Yelena sighed. “Have you spoken to her?”

Wanda shook her head. “What is there to say? Eleanor is hurt, you are hurt but I think this is the best thing for her eventually. You do as well. You tell yourself you are doing it for her own good but I think a small part of you knows I am right. I never thought I could love a man. I never thought I would ever feel safe and loved having sex. But I do now. It will get better.”

Yelena nodded. “You are right. So much is changing. Natasha, Steve and Stannic are leaving. You and Bucky will be sharing a room full time. You will need a bigger bed with four of you. No more late nights of barging into your room and lying beside you. Christmas is soon. I thought this Holiday we would have big party at mansion and…”

“We are. I know you had this romantic holiday planned with Kate but life will go on. We are celebrating Christmas with children, Yelena! We get to see excited children opening presents under a tree! Think about that! You will be okay and you won’t be alone. No matter what, you will always have me. Always. To the end of the line, right?”

Yelena smirked. “Yes. To the end of the line. So, do you think the twins will truly be okay staying with Aunt Yelena while you two go on a honeymoon?”

Wanda cringed. “They insist. They… I know you will take care of them. Its just… I hate to upset their routine. Routine helps them. It creates an environment where they feel safe. Changing routines are okay sometimes but major changes… Imi says they will be fine. Just keep to the routine as much as possible. It will only be a few days and I am just a doorway away.”

Yelena waved her concern off. “Aunt Yelena will handle all. You worry about how many orgasms you can achieve in one night. Let me worry about your children. They will be exactly as you left them when you return. When you go, you stay gone until honeymoon is over. Enjoy Rome. Maybe you can rebuild the Coliseum while you are there.”

Wanda kissed her on the cheek. “Are you ready maid of honor? The family is all seated, the twins are at the altar and Bucky is waiting for us.”

“Yes, let us go. It is time for someone else to take responsibility for you. You exhaust me. Handling powerful amateur witch can be very tiresome. It is good to have him help out.”

The church was quiet as Wanda waited at the back of the aisle for Yelena to make her way to the front to stand by the twins. It was not a large church but the aisle seemed to stretch a long distance. The twins were dressed beautifully in red dresses that resembled Yelena’s but had more frilly lace. The widows were all standing in the pews, smiling widely as she walked down the aisle. Even Ana was smiling and she had not smiled in a very long time. Imi was squeezing her hand so perhaps her nightmares of her parents deaths were lessening with the doctor’s help. Wanda had approached her more than a few times before Ana admitted the recurring nightmares were causing her to drink more. She refused Wanda’s offer to stay up at night with her and make the nightmares go away.

Outside of the house occupants the guest list was small. Eleanor and Sable were present as well as T’Challa, Shuri and Okoye. Clint had arrived with his family. Strange and Wong were there. Besides them, no one outside the house were present. Agatha and Eleanor sat in the front row with Dima, Oksana and Anya. Little Erik was in her arms sleeping peacefully.

She was so busy taking in the scene that she hadn’t noticed Everett walk to her side until he touched her shoulder.

“Everett?”

“I have no business giving you away. Nobody can give you away but I was thinking maybe you might like some company during the long walk?”

Wanda was touched by the gesture. She had fully intended to walk by herself and had not thought of asking anyone to accompany her.

She took his arm and smiled. “Thank you.”

“You are very welcome. Shall we?”

Wanda nodded and the bridal march began. Everett kissed her cheek at the front and left her standing beside Bucky.

The sight of Bucky in a tux took her breath away momentarily. He wore a beautiful, brilliant smile he did not use as much as he should.

“I thought you were gorgeous the first time I saw you flying to my rescue in a red storm. You are outdoing yourself today.”

“Wait until you see what I wear tonight.” she told him and was rewarded with a wider smile. As much as apprehension as she felt about leaving the twins for three days she did plan to make full use of their time alone together.

The ceremony began and it wasn’t short. They did not say their own vows but repeated the traditional vows of the church. The priest conducted a full mass which most of the widows could not keep up with so stood still the entire time and never took a seat. Agatha looked constantly at the roof, wondering if lightning would strike her. Eleanor teared up slightly but they weren’t only tears of happiness. So much had happened this year. She had gotten her daughter back or had her for the first time in her life only to lose her again. She had gained another daughter who was now getting married at twenty years old.

Despite that, seeing Wanda happy did bring Eleanor a feeling of satisfaction. Wanda was no ordinary twenty year old girl. She had lived a difficult life and lived the life of others. She had lived Bucky and Kate’s trauma on top of her own, she had bravely faced down intergalactic and metaphysical threats and turned from angry, grieving, teenager who craved destruction to a fiery leader who fought for those who l could not fight for themselves and focused her darkness into something positive. She had turned into a mother through necessity. Two lost and scared little girls needed her and she answered the call.

If there was any twenty year old girl in the world who knew exactly what she wanted, it was Wanda Maximoff.

After the vows were read and the two were pronounced man and wife, they began the walk outside while the girls threw confetti over them. Before they reached the front of the church to walk out, two plain clothes officers of the Sokovian intelligence and security services walked inside and blocked their way.

“What is this?” Wanda asked quietly but with a threatening edge.

“We apologize, Miss Maximoff, but it seems word of your nuptials was leaked. You may not want to go out the front. Police are arriving for crowd control. They are quiet now but if you walk out, you will likely be mobbed by the public wanting your blessing.”

Wanda’s eyes widened. “No one knew this was happening…”

She stopped talking and looked back to the very nervous priest who had followed them. He turned red from embarrassment when he realized he was caught.

“The people, some of them worship you as a goddess and I thought if they could see that you are Catholic and…”

Wanda’s eyes began to glow.

“Whoa there, Doll. No red eyes or witchcraft in the church, remember? Father you realize the world is going to want to know who she is marrying right? The world is going to find out…”

The security officer cut in. “The world knows sir. News broke about an hour ago. Most reactions are positive. The President has put out a statement saying the two of you fell in love after she freed you from mind control. The Americans are terrified of course but most of the world leaders are flooding his office with congratulations in the past thirty minutes.

“The President put out a statement already?!” Wanda asked.

“When you told him about the wedding he put something together in the event the news was leaked. May we speak our language for a moment, Miss Maximoff?”

Wanda nodded.

“I realize you can disappear from the church but would you consider walking out the front? We have an armored SUV enroute to pick you both up and will have a security corridor blocked off in minutes.”

“Why would I walk in front of the church in front of hundreds…”

“Thousands.” He corrected.

Wanda rolled her eyes. “Thousands and make a spectacle of my wedding when I wished for a small wedding far from the public eye by a lying priest who assured me secrecy?”

Wanda turned back and glared at the priest who looked at the floor again quickly.

“I understand. It is only… Sokovia has not had much to celebrate in the past couple decades. Then you came and changed that. You have given us national pride again. People walk the streets in the open without fear. Though you claim to not be a hero, you are one to our people. This is as close to a royal wedding as the country will ever come close to. It is a celebration. They see Yelena Belova and Bucky Barnes and all the widows as people who overcame mind control with your help and save those who are taken against their will. They see other countries afraid to cross our home, even the great United States. You mean a great deal to the people. If you could just walk out and wave to the crowd… it would mean much to these people. The streets have shut down, business have suddenly closed and thousands stopped what they were doing to come for a glimpse of you on your wedding day.”

Wanda closed her eyes in frustration but the security officer continued.

“You will lead our people one day. We all know it. One day you will be President of Sokovia. You defend us already. When foreigners threaten our people, you take revenge and hold them accountable. To many you are our true leader already. We follow your example. You and your comrades are the first positive role models, male or female, my daughters have ever had.”

“And do your daughters know of the bodies I have left in my wake? Do you want your daughters to emulate that?”

“I want my daughters to understand the world is a cruel place where there is no clear cut right or wrong and the best you can do is protect your own by any means necessary. I want them to know that you can make mistakes and learn from them, just like Wanda Maximoff. I want them to know that no matter how powerful they may be, they should always look out for those who was weaker, more vulnerable or just need saving from those who only wish to cause harm, just like Wanda Maximoff does. So yes, if my daughters have the ability to kill human traffickers, then I hope they will one day, I hope they will protect the innocent and punish the guilty. I hope they stand in front of the world and say nobody will push us around, not ourselves, or our country. I am sorry this has happened but it has. Please, walk outside and greet the people. I ask as a representative of the people of Sokovia, not the government.”

Wanda looked at Bucky who hadn’t understood a word but Dima and Anya had understood everything, thanks to the translation rings they still wore. Neither gave any indication except an ever so slight nod from Dima.

She looked to Bucky.

“They want us…”

“Yeah, I kind of got the gist.”

“What do you think?” she asked.

Bucky looked at the closed door and sighed then looked back at Wanda.

“I think the entire world should see how beautiful you look in this dress. The choice is yours. I’m with you”

“It’s our choice.” she told him. “Teamwork, and unity and other marriage stuff that gets throw around by Imi. What do you think?

“I think you should go wave to our people. They should get to see their hero in her wedding dress. I’m looking pretty hot myself. New haircut and tux.. I usually only show up on the news with long hair, no shower for weeks and a gun in my hand. This will be new.”

Wanda nodded then turned and knelt down in front of the twins.

“I don’t want them to see your faces. Can you go back to the Mansion through a portal? I know we said you could ride with us to the airport but I want to keep you as out of the public eye as possible. That way you can go trick or treating and I am the only one who has to hide my identity.”

“We will be fine, Mama.” Nadeja promised her. “Go have fun. Bring me back puppy. I want a white one who will grow big like Fanny.”

“We will see about the puppy. Goodbye my angels. I will see you in a few days. I will text you pictures from Rome and you can call me all you want. I will be calling into check on you. If you need me, do not hesitate to call.”

“I love you, Mama.” Nadeja told her. Nela said the same and hugged Wanda fiercely. While Wanda worried about violent outbursts from Nadeja she worried about Nela having paralyzing nightmares at night.

“Go.” Yelena told her. “I have this. We all do. The Red Widows not only save children now but we also raise them. Have fun and relax. Go say hello to our people. Bucky, be sure to shoot finger at United States news camera if one is out there. Use your metal finger.”

Wanda opened the door, arm in arm with Bucky and faced thousands of Sokovians as far as she could see who broke out in thunderous cheers the moment they saw her.

“Holy shit.” Bucky whispered. “You have a shield up?”

“Yes. If a foreign assassin ever wanted to take us out, this would be the time.” she admitted.

Bucky grinned. “I like where your mind is at.”

“Too much time with you and Yelena.”

“Just because I am paranoid…”

‘Doesn’t mean you are wrong.”

Wanda waved to the crowd and made her way slowly to the SUV that had arrived. Once they were inside the crowd on the streets parted so the car could drive them to the airport with armored vehicles in the front and back.

Wanda’s phone rang.

“That didn’t go the way I expected.” Wanda answered.

The Sokovian president sounded sheepish. “I thought there might be a high possibility of someone in the clerks office or the church itself leaking the news. I wanted to be prepared. I know this isn’t what you wanted but thank you. You have lifted Sokovian spirits today.”

Wanda huffed and ended the call.

“Face it Wanda. You are a superhero to these people.”

“Antihero at most.”

“In your mind. Not in theirs. You think we need to change our hotel in Rome?”

Wanda shook her head. “If we see anyone else, I am making us invisible.”

That night, Yelena laid down with the twins and Staci and Aino slept in the bunk beds. The widows were on high alert, not sure what to expect from the girls.

Yelena’s eyes shot wide open at two AM. She had been woken by a blood curdling scream.

Nadeja was in the corner of the room, eyes wide, holding a bedside lamp in front of her. Nela was on the ground behind her trying to wake. Apparently Nadeja had a nightmare and had grabbed the nearest weapon and dragged Nela out of bed all in a few seconds.

Yelena approached her slowly.

“Nadeja?”

“Mama! I want Mama!”

“Nadeja, calm down. You had a nightmare. You are okay. Aunt Yelena is here and Fanny is on the bed. Aino and Staci are here…”

“Mama!” Nadeja screamed.

“Yelena?”

“Stay on beds!” Yelena told Staci. “Do not move. I just need to calm them down.”

Yelena began talking to them in a soothing tone that was cut short when Nadeja launched the small lamp and struck her in the head. The twins ran outside, Nadeja pulling Nela behind her.

“Sister, stop!”

“Run!”

“No!” Nela shouted, trying to pull Nadeja back.

Nadeja turned to her sister irritated. “Yes! Run when I say run! We need Mama and Papa! Papa’s room!”

Nela reluctantly allowed her stronger sister to dragged her down a flight of stairs and in front of Bucky’s room. His door was locked and Nadeja became more distraught.

The widows had exited their rooms hearing the commotion. They walked to the girls cutting them off on both sides of the hallway on the second.

Nadeja was in full panic mode and had Nela pressed behind her, back against Bucky’s door.

“They left us! They aren’t coming back!” Nadeja shouted. “Mama help us!”

Yelena pushed her way to the front and sat down on the floor while pressing a towel to her bleeding forehead.

“Calm down. Nadeja you need to wake up. You are sleep… fighting?” she looked to Imi. “Dr. Zaru, why is she going crazy now?”

“She isn’t prepared for a major life change and is experiencing a fear of abandonment. She feels threatened and alone without Wanda.”

“You couldn’t have warned us she would be triggered?”

“I wasn’t sure! I didn’t think it would be this bad. Nadeja honey, its me, Dr. Imi. Can you…”

“Mama!” Nadeja shouted, her fists raised and teeth bared.

“She is acting like she did when we first brought her in.” Ingrid noted, hating to see this. “I’m calling Wanda.”

“No!”

“It’s happened to all of us, Yelena.” Ingrid told her. “Wanda can snap us…”

“Let us take care of this for once so she can have normal time! I have this!” Yelena told her quickly. She slowly crawled towards the girls slowly. She offered a hand to Nadeja who tried to bite it. Yelena pulled back just in time but didn’t back away. Instead she snapped her fingers in front of Nadeja “Who am I?”

Nadeja looked at her with wide fearful eyes.

“Who am I?” I… you have two names. I want two names. Mama gave us two names like you.”

“That’s right. Who am I?”

Nadeja looked around at the widows surrounding her.

“Yelena Belova.” she whispered.

“Who am I to you?”

“Aunt Yelena.” Nadeja said and seemed to calm down. Her eyes regained focus and she looked around then focused on Yelena’s bloody forehead.

“I hurt you. I did it again, didn’t I? I went bad.”

“No sweetie, you are not bad.”

Yelena looked at the widows. “Go back to bed, girls. Everything is okay.”

The widows reluctantly moved towards their rooms but Ingrid and Sonia remained.

“You want to talk to me or Dr. Imi?” Yelena asked.

Nadeja began crying.

“Is Mama coming back?”

“Always.” Yelena assured her. “She loves you two more than anyone on earth. She probably isn’t sleeping right now because she is thinking about you… and getting laid… that doesn’t… I am sorry I am asleep and have a head injury. Why don’t we go downstairs and put a big band aid on this cut I accidentally got when I got in the way of a flying lamp like a silly girl.”

“I’m sorry.” Nadeja told her again. “I thought I was in the cage. Not the one you found me in. The smaller one we were kept in before we were given to those men. Before Mama… I didn’t feel her and I let myself fall asleep and…”

Yelena hugged.

“It is okay. You can sleep. Who was there to save you from the bad men? It was Mama and Papa and who else?”

“You.” Nadeja admitted. “And I hurt you.”

Yelena kissed her cheek. “No it is my fault. My head should be more careful not to get in way of flying objects. Lets go fix my booboo and try to sleep some more. I will keep my arms tight around you and Fanny will let us know if anything dangerous comes along. Nela, are you okay?”

Nela was bright red and looked out from behind Nadeja.

“I had an accident. Mama usually fixes it.”

Yelena nodded. “It is okay. Accidents happen. None of us are perfect. Sonia could you give Nela a bath while me and Nadeja fix my little cut that is gushing blood and get someone to change the sheets and the pad Wanda keeps under the sheets?”

Sonia reached out to Nela. “You bet. Let’s go get you fixed up so everybody can go back to bed. I think you woke the kittens and you know how grumpy they are when they don’t sleep. Lets hurry so we can rest. The sooner we go back to sleep the sooner we eat breakfast, right?”

“I’ll take care of the bedding.” Ingrid told her.

Yelena stood and took a breath. Imi winked at her and walked off. Yelena forced herself not to flip off the doctor.

Downstairs in the bunker Oksana was waiting for Yelena. She was able to close the cut with a few steri-strips. Nadeja sat next to Yelena and held her hand as Oksana bandaged her head.

When they reached upstairs Nela was in bed with the kittens and Fanny, half asleep while Sonia sat by her side. Sonia winked at Yelena and walked off when the blonde entered. Yelena tucked Nadeja in and cuddled next to her.

“Aunt Yelena, why didn’t Kate come to Mama’s wedding?” Nadeja asked.

Yelena sighed. “Kate didn’t want to be my girlfriend anymore. She doesn’t want to be around me.”

Nadeja shrugged and cuddled closer into Yelena.

“Then she is dumb. You are the best. I love you, Aunt Yelena.”

Yelena kissed her on the forehead then lay on her back, holding the girl tightly and staring into the darkness.

“Maybe she is not so smart. I’m not a bad person. I am no angel but I am not bad.” Yelena whispered to herself. “I wouldn’t do anything different.”

Nadeja held her tighter and for the first time since Kate left her, Yelena felt like maybe her world wasn’t falling apart.

Maybe she could survive after all.