Little Wanda's Forced Growth and the Real Parting Gift

"Ahhh!"

Little Wanda screamed with her eyes shut for what felt like ages. Then she realized the sensation of falling had vanished.

She closed her mouth and cautiously opened her eyes...

The familiar pink bedroom came into view, along with the stuffed rabbit in her arms. At last, she realized she had left the Crimson World.

"Ugh! I'm so mad!"

Little Wanda grabbed the stuffed rabbit and hurled it toward the foot of the bed.

"You weird woman in love with a robot! I hope you never find your robot lover or your two children!"

The moment she finished speaking, frantic knocks sounded at her door.

Bang, bang, bang! Bang, bang, bang!

"Wanda?! Wanda?! Wanda?!"

Wanda knew her scream had reached Pietro in the next room. She hurriedly called back, "I'm fine, Pietro!"

Hearing her voice, Pietro finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He asked more calmly, "Wanda, why did you suddenly scream?"

Wanda made up an excuse. "It's nothing! I just... I just had a really scary nightmare, and it startled me."

Then two more sets of hurried footsteps approached outside.

Pepper's worried voice followed.

"Pietro, is Little Wanda all right?!"

"She's fine, Aunt Pepper! She just had a nightmare and got scared."

Pepper breathed out. "Phew. Thank goodness, thank goodness..."

Knock, knock, knock!

Another knock came, followed by Tony's voice.

"Wanda, open the door. Your Aunt Pepper and I want to see you."

Little Wanda knew that now she had alarmed Uncle Tony and Aunt Pepper, she had no choice but to open the door.

"Just a second, Uncle Tony," she called.

She climbed out of bed without putting on shoes, ran barefoot to the bedroom door, unlocked it, and pulled it open.

Seeing the three of them outside made warmth spread through Little Wanda's chest.

"Uncle Tony,