Chapter 27

Shining Evening

I took a few days for me to get used to life on Asgard. It was taking even more time for me to be able to ignore the whispers and comments. Only a few of them were really about me. Most of them were about Loki and how they thought he had spelled me or something. I couldn't take it anymore so I stayed in our room. Loki didn't miss a thing, even when he was so busy helping his father and brother. He came into the room and sat down next to me.

"Aurora I know something's wrong. You've told me already you love to explore Asgard. It's impossible that you've already seen everything. Yet here I find you locked away in our room. Why is this love?" he asked.

I sighed and smiled a bit. I leaned against him and he put his arms around me.

"Please tell me."

"I cannot take the whispers and the comments any longer Loki." I said.

He was silent and I looked at him. He looked rather angry.

"Have they been speaking ill of you?" he growled.

"No, not exactly. It's you."

He sighed and stood up. He walked to the balcony and I bit my lip.

"Loki?" I asked.

"This is my fault. After everything I've done they think I've done something to your mind. They don't think someone as kind and beautiful as you could ever willingly love me, let alone bear my child." He ranted.

I stood up and wrapped my arms around him, resting my head on his back.

"I don't blame you for any of it Loki. I know you feel bad about this but I'm asking you to try not to be. I know it's hard and sometimes you just want to be Thor and punch everyone, but you have to try. If not for me then for our baby." I said softly.

He turned and looked into my eyes.

"I would do anything for you and our child. You know that don't you?"

I smiled.

"Of course I do. I think that maybe these people need to see that you've changed."

He looked back at me with a confused look. I stood up and held out my hand.

"Take a walk with me. We will show them that you've changed."

"Aurora no I can't."

"Yes you can. And I'll be with you the whole time." I said.

He took a deep breath and nodded. I smiled and led him outside. The sun was shining and the birds singing. People looked at us as we walked and whispered. Loki looked angry but I turned his face towards mine.

"Just look at me. Pay no attention to them."

He nodded and walked by the fountains. He took a flower and tucked it behind my ear. I smiled and then leaned forward and kissed him. When we separated he smiled and then put his hand on my growing belly. I covered his hand and the baby kicked. His smile grew and so did mine.

"Did you feel it?" I asked him.

"I did. Does it not hurt you?"

"It depends on where he kicks."

He looked at me and raised his brows.

"He?"

I smiled.

"I hope so. I mean if it's a girl I would love her no less. But I just think I could relate better to a boy. Me being an outdoor woman and all that." I said.

He chuckled.

"Boy or girl it does not matter to me. I love this child already."

Another kick and I smiled.

"I think the baby likes the sound of your voice." I said.

He smiled and leaned closer to my belly.

"Do you like the sound of my voice my child?"

Another kick. I couldn't remember Loki's smile being so bright. He continued to talk to the baby and there were a few more kicks. One of them was a kidney shot and I cringed a bit. Loki's smile and was replaced by a look of alarm.

"Are you alright?"

I smiled and nodded.

"Like I said, depending on where the kick is aimed, it can hurt a bit. When I was carrying Aidan I…."

I stopped and Loki pulled me into his arms.

"It's alright. I know it hurts. I may not have known him but I think he would be happy to know you are safe and loved. I don't think he would want you to cry Aurora." Loki said.

I stopped crying and looked at him. He smiled and nodded.

"I love you Loki."

"And I love you. More than anything. Just like I love our baby." he said.

I loved hearing him say 'our' baby. We stood up and began to walk back to the palace. People still watched us, but there weren't as many whispers or concerned looks. I smiled at Loki and he kissed me quickly.

Loki's POV

I no longer cared what people would say. Nor did I care about what they would think or the looks they could give me. In Aurora's eyes I was a good man with a loving heart. And I truly only cared about what she thought of me, and what our baby would think of me.

During the next several months of her pregnancy, I pampered my wife. I knew she was thoroughly enjoying it. And her urges were never satisfied. Not that I minded it, on the contrary I loved it.

Aurora's POV

One evening I felt pains shoot through me. I started to fall and Thor caught me.

"Someone find Loki!" He shouted.

Thor carried me back to my room, quickly but carefully. He laid me on the bed and several doctors came in. At least I think they were doctors. I saw Loki in the doorway but the doctors were shooing him and Thor away. I knew I was in for some hard labor. The 'healers' tried to make it easier on me, but it didn't really worked. So for 11 hours I went through labor, but surprisingly it was easier than when I had Aidan.

I gave Loki a daughter. He walked in with Thor and Odin. I smiled at the three of them. Loki came rushing to my side and took our daughter in his arms. She was sound asleep. She had Loki's dark hair, his face, but she had my nose and lips.

"Eve. Her name shall be Eve. Her mother is the beauty of the dawn, she shall be the beauty of the evening. An evening star that never fades." said Loki.

I smiled and looked at Thor. I held out my hand to him and he smiled and took it.

"Thor, you're my best friend and brother. Loki and I have both agreed that you are the best choice. We want you to be Eve's godfather."

He gave me a great smile and Loki handed Eve to him.

"I am honored and I accept."

I smiled and Loki took my hand.

"And of course Jane is to be her godmother." Loki said.

Thor smiled more and rocked Eve in his arms. Odin then took Eve and she woke up. She laughed and grabbed at his beard. Odin laughed and lifted her into the air.

"A beautiful grandchild. I only wish your mother was here to see this day." he said.

"She is here. She's always with us." Loki said.

I looked at Loki and smiled. He took my hand.

"You taught me that." he said.

I smiled and nodded. Loki had come a long way, and I was beyond proud of him. Now we had a beautiful daughter and we had our family. Even though I would die sooner than Loki, and probably my daughter….I would cherish every moment until then.