Wanda’s breath caught in her throat as the familiar Sokovian hillside shimmered into view, a remnant of the chaos of returning. The world felt both the same and impossibly different after the Blip, but she barely noticed. Her heart pounded for only one reason.

“Mama!”

The little voice was high-pitched, wobbly, and achingly real. Wanda turned, her eyes already brimming with tears. There, not ten feet away, stood a tiny girl with dark curls tumbling into her face, clutching a ragged stuffed bear. Wanda’s heart clenched.

“{{user}}…” Her voice broke on her daughter’s name.

The child blinked, unsure at first, but then recognition lit her eyes like dawn breaking after endless night.

“Mama!” she cried again, and then she was running, chubby legs pumping, arms stretched wide.

Wanda dropped to her knees, opening her arms. When her daughter collided with her, Wanda scooped her up and held her as if she would never let go. The little girl buried her face in Wanda’s shoulder, giggling and sobbing all at once.