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“You’re due soon, darling.”
Wanda sighed, placing a hand on her belly. Stephen’s own hand came to rest over hers. Their promise rings clanked together. Wanda looked up at the ceiling, before turning to Stephen who had his eyes closed.
“We haven’t decided on a name.”
“Elizabeth. She’s a girl, no?”
“She is, but I wanna honor you and make her middle name,-“
“She’s gonna be a Maximoff-Strange. Elizabeth Maximoff-Strange.”
Wanda gave a smile, but her smile quickly fell. This concerned Stephen who sat up and turned her head towards him. Wanda’s eyes stared at the floor. Stephen brushed a shaking finger across her cheek.
“What is it?”
“We aren’t neglecting Peter, are we?”
“Wanda, we aren’t. He seems happy.”
“We need to give him our full attention before the baby is born, Stephen.”
“We’ll give them both our full attention. Are you implying that once this baby is born, you’ll ignore Peter?”
“N-no! Of course not!”
“Then you have nothing to worry about.”
“I can’t help but… worry. He needs company.”
Meanwhile, Peter wandered around downstairs. He couldn’t find Wanda or Stephen.
“Mom! Dad!”
Peter yelled, walking through the house to try and find his parents. He had searched the whole house and couldn’t find them! They weren’t in the living room, or the kitchen, or in the dining room, or in their room, or…
The library! They were usually in the library!
Peter went into the giant library, looking around for them. The huge bookshelf’s slightly intimidated him. He just kept walking until he heard their voices.
“And I just think that it would be best…”
“How do you’ll think he’ll react?”
What…
He could hear Wanda sigh. There was a pause for a moment. Peter stood still, hoping they wouldn’t hear him. His heart pounded in his chest. He placed a hand over his mouth to stop his heavy breathing. What was going on and why were they being so secretive?
“I don’t know, we should just tell him. He can tell us what he wants too.”
“Well… I think it’s mostly our decision, Wanda.”
“You own the place, it’s your decision.”
They were getting rid of him. Why were they murmuring about it in the library?
“Should we tell him?”
“Yeah, I think it’s best.”
“C’mon, let’s go find him.”
Peter quietly ran out as fast as he could and went into his room. He pulled his knees up to his chest and let out a soft sigh. They just wanted their bed baby.. they didn’t want him.
Fuck.. where was he gonna go to? Didn’t they say they wanted to adopt him? They lied.
“Peter! We have to talk!”
Peter wiped tears that threaten to fall and mentally prepared himself for the worst. He opened his bedroom door and looked up at them.
“Yeah?”
Wanda glared at him, and slightly leaned in, before a gentle hand was placed on his cheek. Damn it. How come they always knew he was upset? It was like their sixth sense. They always knew what Peter was feeling. Maybe it was the magic? He didn’t know.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.. what were you guys gonna say..?”
“Peter, you’re upset.”
Stephen said. Wanda agreed and pulled him close. He leaned against her, smiling whenever she would play with his hair.
“Really, I’m fine… what were you gonna say?”
“Well, we know how lonely and upset you’ve been recently…”
Stephen started, before turning to Wanda who looked at him happily.
“So, we decided… we’re gonna let you adopt a pet!”
Oh… they weren’t getting rid of him? Holy hell, he was paranoid.
“A pet?”
“Yes! We thought it would be nice. What do you say bud?”
Peter smiled and nodded excitedly. Wanda and Stephen pulled him in for a group hug.
—————————
“So, you want a cat?”
“Mhm!”
“What kind of cat?”
“Uhhh… I don’t really mind! I like all cats!”
“I’m sure the shelter has many cats, you can choose there.”
Peter was basically bouncing in excitement, holding onto Wanda and Stephen’s hands as they made their way to the pet shelter. Peter seemed happy, so Stephen knew he made a good decision by taking him to adopt a pet.
He knew Peter was gonna take care of it, he was a responsible boy for his age. Plus, Peter had seemed lonely and Stephen wanted to get something to make Peter feel less alone. Especially since Wanda and Stephen were gonna be busy with their new kid.
They would still care and love Peter, especially since he was their first kid, but the first few days of their new kid’s birth they wanted to be by their side.
“We’re here!”
Peter said, gasping with excitement. He let go of his parents hands and looked at the pet store happily. He couldn’t believe this was happening!
They walked in, and a lady greeted them from behind a desk.
“Hi! Welcome to the Benedict Olsen adoption center! How may I help you?”
“We were actually looking to adopt a pet, for our son.”
“Excellent! What kind of animal were you thinking?”
While Stephen talked to the lady, Peter leaned against Wanda who wrapped her arm around him. Peter looked around the small lobby. Lots of pet stuff.
“Peter, c’mon.”
Peter gasped excitedly and followed Stephen to see the different animals. Wanda followed closely behind them. Peter was practically running around excitedly as he viewed the different animals.
Stephen went over to Wanda and squeezed her hand softly. She leaned against him tiredly.
“What’s up?”
“Tired… and hungry.”
“Aw, I can portal you home..”
“No, no. I wanna be with you and Peter.”
“Hm. Are you sure?”
“Definitely. We’re all a family, after all.”
Stephen kissed Wanda’s cheek, causing her to smile.
“God, I love you.”
“Love you too, Stephen. With all my,-“
“MOM! DAD! CAN I PLEASEEEE GET THIS KITTY!?”
“- heart.”
Peter ran over and started giving them puppy eyes, holding his hands together, and he stuck his bottom lip out.
“Pleaseeeee? Pleaseeeeeee?”
“Of course. Promise to take care of it?”
“YESYES! I will!”
“Well… alright. We should probably go sign the paper work..”
—————————
“Have you thought of a name?”
“Hmmmm….”
Peter looked at the black and white cat he had cradled in his arms. It was a kitten, not even a year old yet. It was asleep in Peter’s arms. He looked back up at Wanda who was smiling down at him.
“I dunno… what do you think?”
“It’s up to you, bud.”
“Hmm….”
Peter looked back at his kitty, and kissed the top of its head. The cat meowed, and snuggled between Peter’s arms.
“Oooohh! I know! Pilot!”
“Aw, what a great name.”
“Pilot Parker Maximoff Strange!”
Wanda sat next to Peter, then Peter leaned against her. Wanda responded by wrapping an arm around him.
Peter honestly saw Wanda has his mom. Sure, he had aunt May at one point… but now she was gone. Wanda was his mother now, and Stephen was his father.
Speaking of Stephen, he walked in and saw the two. He smiled and walked over so he could kiss both their heads. Once he did, he sat next to Wanda and pressed another kiss to her head.
“Dad! I named my cat!”
“Yeah? What did you name it?”
“His name is pilot!”
“Aww. Cute name.”
Peter smiled proudly, and shifted his focus back to his car that was asleep in his arms.
Wanda leaned against Stephen, sighing softly. Stephen’s arm wrapped around her gently. He placed his hand on her stomach.
“You excited?”
“Very.”
“Mom, dad. Mommyyyy, daddyyyyy. I’m hungry.”
“Alright, alright. What is everyone craving?”
“Pad Thai!”
Peter said, his brown eyes almost shining at the thought of the food. Stephen laughed and got up from the couch.
“C’mon bud, you can help me order.”
“But dad! I don’t like ordering my food..
“Spidey, you need practice.”
“Fine… mom, can you hold pilot?”
“Of course.”
Peter gently placed Pilot into Wanda’s arms. Wanda smiled at the kitten that purred softly.
Stephen looked at them. He couldn’t help but smile.
This was his family. He had to protect them.