Here ya go, next chapter.

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The horrid sound of an alarm clock going off filled the room. Wanda groaned, smashing the 'off' button. "I got it, I got it. I'm getting up, I'm getting up," She grumbled.

She reluctantly climbed to her feet, and walked to the bathroom. She turned on the shower before facepalming, realizing that she'd forgotten her clothes. She walked back into her room, opening her dresser. She debated what to wear, remembering that Alana's party was at 9am, in about two hours. It was rather early, but a lot of Alana's friends were busy later that day.

She pulled out a black dress with pink roses. Not usually her style, but Alana loved it, so it was perfect. She walked back into the bathroom. She took off her clothes, hopping into the shower.

She got ready, and are a little breakfast. She went outside for a breather, sitting on the porch swing. She moved back and forth, the movements calming for her. She got up and went to grab the present she was getting for Alana. She really, really, really wanted a Black Widow and Scarlet Witch action figure. But they had stopped making those after the Accords. Why they hadn't returned like everyone else's after Thanos was still unknown. Possible sexism.

But whatever the case was, Wanda had both of them. Hers was the one she'd been given when it was first released, and Nat and the rest of the Avengers was sort of a gag gift from Tony. Wanda had never really had a use for them. But now she did. She wrapped up the two boxes, and placed them inside a gift bag, along with a card and some candy. Also a gift certificate for the café Wanda worked at.

She walked next door, and Alana enthusiastically greeted her. She was wearing a poofy pink princess dress with a Black Widow t-shirt over it. "Hi, Ms. Maxi!"

"Hi, Alana. How are you, birthday girl?"

"Really good!"

"I'm glad to hear that!"

"C'mon, c'mon! I wanna show you the decorations in the backyard!" She grabbed Wanda's hand and pulled her to the backyard.

Wanda laughed at the little girl's glee.

"Ta-da!" Alana exclaimed proudly. The decorations were a mix of pink princesses and the Avengers, which made Wanda's gut churn with longing, but she kept up her smile for her little friend.

"Oh wow! It's so awesome!"

"I know, right?!"

Pietro ran over to Wanda. "MS. MAXI! YOU'RE HERE!"

Wanda laughed. "You know it, Buddy." She ruffled his hair.

He pushed her hand away. "Don't do that!"

Wanda simply laughed again. She helped set up the rest of the party, and then the guests arrived.

The party was really fun. There were a lot of games, including a scavenger hunt that left the kids running around the yard for half an hour. Finally, they found the last clue, which they couldn't figure out. So, Alana decided to use her birthday girl rights and ask Wanda to help them figure it out. She did, and the kids took off.

Once it had been completed, Pietro and Alana ran up to her. "Thank you, Ms. Maxi!" They chorused.

"You're welcome."

Then it was time for cake. Chocolate with coffee frosting, Alana's very favorite that she was almost never allowed to have (for obvious reasons.) The cake though, was soon devoured and it was time for presents. Alana opened the one from Wanda last, because, "I know it's gonna be the best, and I wanna save the best for last."

She grinned at the candy and gift certificate. She had Wanda herself read the card, and then unwrapped one of the last two presents in the bag. She screamed, and threw her hand over her mouth. "ITS A BLACK WIDOW DOLL! THANK YOU, MS. MAXI!"

She ripped open the next present. "AND a Scarlet Witch doll?! You're the bestest friend ever, Ms. Maxi!" Alana flung her arms around Wanda's waist.

"Thanks, Alana."

While the kids played more games, Wanda's phone rang. It was Nat. She quickly excused herself and answered it. "Hey, what's up?"

"Not much. What are you doing?"

"I'm at my neighbor's' kid's birthday party."

"Ah, fun."

"Yeah."

"You been enjoying yourself?"

"For the most part, yeah."

"Good."

Children's shrieks suddenly were so loud that Nat could clearly hear it through the phone. Wanda whipped around to see that it was because the dog had gotten out, which she then explained to Natasha, who laughed.

"I gotta go, Wanda. See you soon?"

"I'd like that. Bye, Nat."

"Bye, Wanda." She hung up. Pietro ran up to Wanda, grabbed her hand, and dragged to over to the dog to show off how cute he was.

Wanda was afraid of dogs. She'd dealt with with too many starving strays during her time on the streets. She still had scars. But the Kowalski family's dog would never hurt, her. Right?

As it happened, he was very friendly. The party soon came to a close and everyone went home.