Chapter 10
Maria had her book propped up on the bump of her pregnant stomach as she half lay, half sat back against the headboard. She tried not to think too much about what she was reading.
Seventeen weeks... just seventeen. Her eyes glazed over the picture in the book, the one she knew was normal without the page having to tell her so - a woman at seventeen weeks pregnant, with a barely noticeable bloat in her stomach. Barely noticeable!
She lifted the book off her own bump; yeah, that definitely wasn't her! Her belly arched strong and proud, easily the same size as a woman a month and a half further on than she was! She was huge, and it was unignorable.
She was glad she'd brought the book with her when she'd moved. It was one of the few mortal things she'd brought back with her after her marriage. With none of her friends here and no superior nurse if she was unsure of anything, she'd brought a pregnancy book to help her if she got stuck or needed more detail to advise her pregnant women. That, and the baby name book. She was starting to regret bringing them though; they weren't giving her the answers she sought.
By all the gods, do you ever stop thinking?! burst through her mind, and she jumped at Loki's voice. It was strange sometimes. Being alone in a room, but not in your head. Strange.
She sighed as she settled back against the headboard, eyes rolling irritably. Loki...
She hadn't been able to see him since... well, since. She'd wanted to. But Thor had had her confined to their chambers for bedrest for the last week and a half, until her iron levels and strength came back resolutely. He was taking no further chances.
It was sweet. Thor barely left the bedroom either, leaving only to fetch her food and to inform the others that he would not be attending whatever duty they requested of him. She'd taken priority in his life now. She wasn't sure how she felt about that still. Flattered? Guilty? There were probably a great many people who needed his help more than her, denied it just because she didn't have the good sense to eat properly.
She sighed again. She wanted out of this stifling room.
But she also knew Garik was standing right outside the door and wouldn't let her get a step out of the door unless his prince and master allowed it. And that wasn't going to happen.
The book fell back on Maria's stomach and she let it leave her hands, smoothing her palms over her bump instead. Her mouth was an anxiously thin line. I'm sorry, she snapped back in her mind. I have a lot to think about!
She did. She couldn't help it. So many thoughts about this baby, about Thor, about her...about Loki. She was starting to feel overwhelmed.
She groaned and brought her hands to her throbbing temples instead. You're giving me a headache, she grumbled to the god in the cells, twisting her face into a grimace. All of her other pregnancy symptoms were receding - her sickness, her constant need to pee, her irritability (mostly), her food cravings - but this was the only thing coming back to bite her: the headaches.
She put it down to stress. Although she half wondered what she really had to be stressed about when she lay in bed all day while her husband doted on her and made love to her every moment of her waking life. It was the most relaxing period she'd ever had in her life... and yet at the same time it wasn't.
I think you'll find you're giving it to yourself rather through any fault of mine, growled back at her in her mind. And Maria knew he was right.
What was she going to do about Loki? She and Thor were healing their blemish splendidly, her bouncing back libido seeing to that. But Loki...he was still trapped downstairs, chained, alone, his fate undecided.
And it bothered Maria a great deal.
You're not even my brother, she chuckled dryly in her head, though a sharp pain drove through her heart. I'm more concerned about your imprisonment than my own brother's.
When Jason had gone to prison, she hadn't said anything. She and Thor had attended the court proceedings. They'd had to stand as witnesses in his case after they'd got back from New York. When the verdict had been read out... she hadn't felt anything. She'd just stood up, turned and silently left, and when she'd got home she'd slipped into a deep, dreamless sleep. By the time she woke up the next morning, it was like she didn't have a brother anymore.
Your brother is imprisoned also? Loki sounded annoyed. Great, Maria droned inwardly to herself. What did he do?
She gulped before she answered. Her hand instinctively rose to her arm, where the dent in her skin from the bullet scouring was still very much evident. It was a scar that would never go away. Attempted murder, possession of narcotics, vandalism, car theft, petty theft, battery with injury, possession of dangerous weapons, residential burglary, assault with firearm on six counts, arson, carrying a loaded firearm...it's quite a list. She drew in a shaky breath, bowing her head against the memory. Solid life sentence. He's going to die in jail.
For a moment, there was just silence. After all, what could you say after that?! Loki may not be perfect but he was still salvageable. With the right guidance, he didn't have to end up like Jason. And Thor didn't have to end up like her. She didn't want him to feel that.
She remembered every count her brother was charged with. Everything. And she always wondered if there was something she could have done to stop it.
Turned out there was a lot to pin on Jason. And after he was guaranteed to go down after the shooting spree in the hospital, the police had managed to get the prized confession they'd needed for the rest of it. The judge had ruled him too dangerous an individual to be set free. It was unlikely the sentence could be successfully appealed. Jason's life was over.
And all I did was try to destroy a world or two, Loki rolled sarcastically in her head.
A smile pricked on Maria's lips. Yeah... I remember that. She tried to blink the bad thoughts away back to Earth, lifting her head proudly. Her hands fell down to her stomach again. Any news on your verdict? Thor doesn't tell me anything.
It was like Loki didn't exist. Before, he'd told her news, albeit reluctantly. Now he never said anything at all. Then again, she supposed he didn't have any information to give her if he didn't attend the meetings anymore, if they even proceeded without him at all. She didn't know how it worked. And she hadn't wanted to ask. She already had enough on her mind.
Nothing. Finally sighed back to her, in a tone crossed between bitter and defeated. It made Maria's heart twinge with empathy. Though I guess I would be the last person to know anything regardless.
He had a point there.
Maria's head bowed again. She stared down at the bare skin of her bump, the ends of her white, button up maternity shirt undone. She wore little elasticised denim shorts under that.
"Hey, baby." she crooned down with a soft smile. "What are your father and uncle like, huh?"
What sort of a life would she be bringing this baby into? What would happen to Loki? Whatever it was, what sort of affect would it have on Thor and his parents? On her? The future was so uncertain. So different to what she'd imagined for a child of hers.
I'll come and see you later, she said decisively to the god in her head. Thor's letting me go out today. We're going for a walk.
I don't want your company, scoffed back instantly.
Maria let it roll off her. She knew better by now than to let Loki's jibes get to her. She fixed the small smile on her face determinedly. Well, I want yours, she persevered.
Her eyes flickered up immediately as the door cracked open and Thor's beaming face slipped inside. His bright blue eyes were alight, sparkling as they met hers. Maria's heart skipped a beat at seeing him. She grabbed the book, closed it away with her worries as calmly as she could, hoping not to draw Thor's attention to it.
Thankfully, he didn't even glance at it as he strode up to her bedside, eyes only for her smile and the bump of her stomach as he approached. The frown dug into her brow almost instantly, as he bent to plant a kiss to her cheek, eyes roaming over him. Where did she begin?
He wasn't wearing his armour. He wasn't carrying his hammer. He didn't look like the normal world powerful god he usually did. He looked... like a stupidly hansom mortal! Blue jeans on his legs with a plain white shirt on his torso and a smart, yet casual navy blue blazer over that. His blonde locks were even tied back from his beaming face.
"What are you wearing?" she murmured suspiciously as he straightened up and perched on the edge of the bed, one hand hidden behind his back. She'd deal with that in a moment.
Thor just grinned.
Then his hand came out from behind his back. "For the lady." his eyes sparkled as he pulled the bouquet of flowers out into view, and handed them to Maria smoothly over her bump.
She was speechless, taking them numbly. She recognised the familiar white Heldig amongst the assortments; pretty little Baby's Breath and vibrant, passionate red roses - Maria's favourite. She couldn't help the slow beam that spread on her face as the flowers settled in her arms. Her happy grin flickered between them and her husband. "What's this for?" she finally gasped.
Thor's hand rose to her face, cupping her cheek in his warm palm. "Do I need a reason to give flowers to my wife?" he purred before leaning in and grazing his lips softly over hers.
"No." she murmured back between his heart fluttering kisses, eyes flittering shut. "But there tends to be one that exists regardless."
She let Thor kiss her, enjoying the way his lips moved softly against hers, the way his hands cupped her face like she was a delicate prize, like she was some china doll he was afraid of breaking. The gentleness and tenderness sent her heart soaring with love for him.
Her fingertips ghosted over the assortment of flowers in her lap absent mindedly and she grinned against her husband's lips as she felt the familiar shape of one of the Heldig flowers. God, what memories they now brought her. If it wasn't for them, who knew how long it would have taken her to figure out she was pregnant without it drawing the possibility to their attention.
Her teeth snagged her lip bashfully as she glanced down at the bouquet, brushing her lips off her husband's. The flowers were truly beautiful, all his favourites mixed in with hers in her favourite red and white colours. It was almost too good for Thor to have thought of on his own!
The glowing pride in his orbs told her he had though, regardless of her doubts. She guessed this last week had really hit home with him.
She couldn't hold back her smile. Her head shook lightly. "Who are you and what have you done with my husband?" she chuckled, lifting her palm to his cheek. "You don't act like my husband, you don't look like my husband…" Her hand trailed down from his cheek, down the front flap of his blazer. Her twinkling eyes ran over him, before settling on his own. "Who are you?"
Thor just grinned. "Well, my lady," he eased in closer, grazing his lips over hers in a feather light touch. "Today, I am your escort." He grinned, eyes glittering at hers. "If you'll permit me."
Maria's smile widened and she covered his hand with hers in a 'yes'. Suddenly, she noticed something; "You didn't bring me breakfast." she frowned lightly. That was why he'd gone after all. And now there was nothing he brought with him on his return.
Her husband just smiled knowingly as his hand moved from her cheek. It lingered over her stomach for a moment before it reached to button up her shirt.
His fingers froze as his eyes glanced the bruises at her lower ribs, where her shirt parted. Tension flickered over his face; he did up the last few buttons quickly. Maria just watched him curiously. He quickly covered the shadow over his face with a happier look in his eye, a sparkle...
"There will be food where we are going." he said secretively, finding her other hand on the mattress. Maria let him pull her up on her knees, so she was face to face with him. His arm wound around her waist to hold her there. "You never fail to amaze me, you know." he breathed before his mouth closed over hers and he kissed her.
His mouth was so firm and strong Maria half thought he'd had her dress for nothing and that they were going to end up staying in their room all day after all. But his lips were still too gentle and soft for that.
"What are you up to?" she murmured against his mouth, her hand finding his hard, muscled, shirt covered chest for support. What was all this mystery?
His lips grinned against hers and Maria tasted the honey on his breath and the sweet tang of mead. She clasped his face between her hands. "Have you been drinking?" she asked, frowning. "Please tell me you didn't go to the tavern while I lay here and waited for you." That would suck.
Her eyes pleaded with his, and she felt unwelcome stabs of hurt run through her. He hadn't even said anything yet, and she felt betrayed. Her eyes lowered.
"Hey." he chided softly, hand finding her cheek and guiding her eyes up. They met his glumly. "I have not been to the tavern." He promised. "I have not ventured outside the palace walls." His hand guided hers up between them and he pressed his mouth to her knuckles chastely. His eyes glowed lovingly into hers. "I would not do that to you again."
Maria tried to let her small smile touch her eyes but she couldn't, and her heart dipped again sadly. She did not to remember the last time. "Garik wouldn't let me out of the palace to find you again if you did." she said quietly. "You could if you wanted to."
Thor just smiled sadly. He said nothing as his hands moved her closer, pulling her round to his front, her knees either side of his hips. She sat on his lap, her eyes lost in his crystal blue depths, his hands around her waist gently. "That is one thing we must discuss." he murmured, dipping his mouth forward to peck hers. Then his eyes lowered. "I can't allow you to venture beyond the palace on your own. You know that." he said, knowing she wouldn't like it. His eyes flickered up; Maria's face was blank. He sighed. "But you do not need an escort of any kind when I am with you, and when I am not, only Garik need accompany you. He's even to keep a certain distance to make you more comfortable."
Maria didn't say anything immediately. Her lips pursed and she drank in his words, though her eyes softened. "What if I'm out with the warriors or Sif?"
"Then Garik's protection is not needed." he reassured instantly. His thumbs stroked at her waist soothingly. "I only wish that you not be left completely defenceless." he breathed, eyes probing hers for understanding. "I appreciate your need for privacy but you have to understand that if a person wishes you harm, they will not wait for you to prepare yourself or call for a more able bodied fighter." His hand rose to her cheek, refusing to let her guilty eyes shift from his glistening one. "They will kill you." he forced out, voice breaking on the last note. She had to hear it though, he told himself, know he wasn't exaggerating. "Before you can so much as cry out, they could kill you. Do not force me to endure that. Please..."
His eyes were shimmering as he spoke, his heart clenching in his chest. But he meant it. He loved her more than life itself and if anything happened to her or their child... he wasn't sure he could live without her. The same fear that crippled his heart when she'd been shot, when she'd stumbled out of Loki's holding chamber on the Helicarrier, when she'd fallen willingly from Stark Tower... he couldn't lose her. The fear was more than enough. He didn't want to experience even that again.
He wanted to know that she'd be happy. He wanted to know that she'd be safe. He wanted to know that she'd be there waiting for him at the end of every day with a glowing smile on her face and - in six months time - a baby in her arms.
Her hand rose to his stubbled cheek, eyes blinking away their own glisten. Thor hoped his message had finally gotten through. "I understand." she breathed, nodding. "Thank you."
Freedom... she had it. A glow of triumph ran through her and she couldn't wait to try out what walking freely, without Garik at her shoulder all the time. She was sure she'd appreciate it more than she did at the moment when she actually experienced it. Her hands ran down the front of Thor's shirt caressingly. Thankfully.
Her eyes lowered and roamed with her hands, drinking in his image. "I can't get over this." she murmured with a sly grin. She loved Thor's armour...but damn, he looked good like this too.
Thor's lips pricked in a crooked grin. "I have worn mortal clothes before, Maria." All his time protecting her on Earth he did.
Maria's eyes rolled. "Yes! But they were ones I'd picked out for you! These are..." her head shook. It was an outfit like it was out of a magazine. It doesn't matter, a voice in her head told her when she once again wondered about how the hell Thor had put it all so stylishly together. Something told her she was better off not knowing. At least for now.
"Well," Thor mused, grazing his mouth tenderly over hers. "That is part of the surprise." he said mysteriously, eyes sparkling again.
Surprise...she opened her mouth to ask... but then something else came to her mind: she guessed it would be a surprise to him. Just not a very nice one. He had to know though. She had to tell him. Thor's smile fell slightly as he noted the tentative look in her eye. "What?" he murmured, hand rising to cup her cheek, thumb brushing away stray strands of her loosely tied back hair from her face. "What is it?"
She didn't say immediately. Her fingers fell to smooth the collar of his blazer as she spoke. "I want to talk to you about something too." she said quietly. Nervously. Well, she knew he wouldn't like it. She took a deep breath, her eyes on his shoulder. "I'm going to see Loki again."
The effect was instant. Thor's arms stiffened, and Maria was sure if she looked to his face she would see his jaw tense, his eyes dark with anger...but he didn't force her to see it like she thought he would. Instead, his arms slowly tightened around her, drawing her to him. They crushed tightly around her and hugged her to his chest, her head over his shoulder and his over hers. She felt his forced, measured breaths gently ruffle her hair, the rapid beat of his heart against hers. The stiffness in his voice: "Go on." he croaked.
Wow... that was calmer than she expected. Her heart was going crazy in her chest, but Thor's arms held her tight against him. "I want to see him." she finally breathed, knowing he could hear every word. "I know you don't want me to, but I don't want to leave him down there all alone. I just want to talk. To keep him company." She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tight, trying to reassure him. "He can't do anything to me anymore." she murmured into his neck.
It wasn't that Thor distrusted Loki and was afraid for Maria's safety. Well, not just that. She knew; it brought back memories from when Thor had hurt her that night, when they'd almost been ruined.
Her arms hugged tighter around him. She didn't want to think of that night either, feeling the bruises on her arms and ribs twinge remindingly. But she meant what she said about Loki. "I was to be there for him, if no one else will." she kissed into Thor's neck. "Please."
She wasn't sure if he was going to say anything. If he was ever going to say something. His arms were tight, his body taunt. What would he say? Her resolve started to claw its way up her throat.
"I'm going whether you like it or not." spilled from her boldly. "I'm not asking for permission. I know it's hard for you to accept but I'm not going to let that stop me from doing the right thing. I just wanted you to know. So you didn't find out like last time." So you don't get angry like last time, she added in her head, chills running through her.
She sat back on his lap and was glad when Thor's arms loosed and let her. She'd been right; his jaw was set, eyes steely. She watched his Adam's apple bob as he gulped hard, fighting the instincts that were no doubt pricking at him. He fought to subdue them.
His eyes were hard as they met Maria's. "I understand." he said darkly. "You have agreed to my terms..." She could see the urge for his eyes to look anywhere but at her but he held strong, not losing her for a moment. "I shall agree to yours."
He hated it. Every fibre of his being was telling him to lock Loki's vault and seal Maria in their bedroom forever for good measure to ensure the trickster never affected his wife again. But he couldn't. He couldn't do that to her. And Maria was right; he was restrained and safe. Otherwise, if he were not, it would be more than just Thor's own reluctance that held her back from visiting Loki.
He ran his hand up her back, trying to loosen himself up. "Thank you." he breathed, letting his eyes fall at last. "For warning me. I...I know you only have good intentions."
He loved his wife with all his heart...but sometimes it frustrated him at how kind she was. She would give the world for anyone who needed it, but would avoid basic things for herself to achieve it if need be. She was so generous...Thor half wished he could share just a fraction of that. Maria was the girl Loki had tried to kill, after all. And if even she could forgive him.. what did that say about Thor?
"Come." he finally cleared his throat more cheerfully, forcing the smile on his face as he looked up. It took a few moments before it reached his eyes though. His hand roamed up her arm tenderly. "Today is not a day for sadness."
Maria just stared at him, trying to read through the look in his eye. Was he really alright? "Then what is it a day for?" she asked curiously.
Thor's smile widened.
He said nothing, his hand moving down to pat her hips gently. Maria took the hint and clambered off him as gracefully as she could. Thor stood and towered over her, but looked like the friendliest giant in the world as he smiled down and offered out his hand. Maria took it with a tentative smile.
Her brow furrowed with suspicion as Thor led her to the door. Garik didn't acknowledge them as they passed out the doorway, staring diligently ahead like a good soldier. Maria said nothing as they walked, just letting Thor guide her through the palace corridors that she didn't recognise, until they got to a pair of pretty glass panelled doors. Then Maria knew where she was; she always liked them. They reminded her of home; unguarded, unpatrolled, leading out to the vast, endless green lands of the palace. It was where she'd snuck out that day when Garik had lost her.
Where was Thor taking her? Her heart lifted with hope as he opened the doors and led her out into the world, breathing deep lungfuls of the fresh, open air. The light was so bright it was almost blinding, reflecting off the lush grass beneath her feet. Blue skies and green land, the city glinting in the distance... she loved this place.
Her lips curved in a smile as they strode up the gentle slope of the green hill, feeling the warmth of the sun kiss her skin. Her hand instinctively found her bump as they trekked.
"I don't trust you, mister." she mused, pressing her lips together in a sly smile. Thor just arched a sassy eyebrow. "Loosening off the guard dogs, letting me go to your brother, dressed like that...you're up to something."
Thor's eyes just sparkled knowingly, his hand squeezing around hers gently. "I could not deny you today." was all he said warmly, eyes ahead as the got near the top of the hill, just over the other side still shielded from view. "But I have one more question for you." His hand gently tugged Maria to a stop, and his twinkling eye met her bemused, questioning one. A light, encouraging smile touched at her lips. Thor's grin stretched wide across his face: "Would you be angry with me if I said I'd bewitched your friends?"
Maria's brow nosedived. "What?" Bewitch…friends... what?!
Thor's grin widened and he released her hand to wave his further up what was left of the hill, urging her on. Maria cast him a wary stare ... then walked on as he indicated.
Her hand stayed on her bump, calming her steady nerves as she strode up the last of the hill, bit by bit of the world beyond revealed to her as she went. More green, getting closer and closer to the base. Maria followed it with curious eyes as she stepped to the peak of the hill – then her jaw dropped.
She just stopped. Stopped and stared. Oh my God, she breathed in her head. She wasn't sure how long she just stood there, but it was long enough for Thor to slink smoothly up behind her.
His soft strong arms wound around her from behind as she stood stock still, staring down at the simple tables adorned with food and drink, blankets laid out on the grass ... and the guests around them. The Warriors. The Avengers. Then her friends too; Jane and Brad, Abby, Jenny, Livie, other friends of hers that she was sure even Thor had never met before.
Maria didn't know what to say.
Her friends…the ones from Earth…the ones she hadn't seen in months…they were in Asgard.
Thor's breath trickled over her shoulder in a sweet, warm chuckle, before his lips pressed into her cheek. "Happy birthday, darling." he breathed.