Chapter 12 ~ Expanding
All This and Heaven Too – Florence + The Machine
After the long drive home, Lithia had to tell Pepper the real reason that she and the company had traveled to New Orleans. Stepping into the woman's home office, Lithia quietly closed the door. "Lithia, I'm glad to see you're home," Pepper said, looking up from her paperwork.
"Glad to be home." Lithia said, coming around the desk to hug the red head. "Listen, there's something I really need to tell you that I probably should have before leaving…"
"I know, but I figured whatever it is, you'd tell me when you were ready." Pepper set her papers aside and got up from her desk to give her daughter a hug. "It's so good to have you home."
Lithia smiled slowly. She reached into her pocket and held out that old picture of Evangaline to Pepper. She took it and looked at the picture. "That's my daughter, Evangaline." Lithia said before pulling out the most recent one of the child. Lithia and the girl were dog piled on top of Loki and all of them were smiling like fools.
Pepper gapped at the photos before looking at Lithia. She had a bemused expression on her face. "She's excited to meet her Grandma someday." She said, chuckling a bit.
"Seriously? After all the crazy shit you seen me in, this leaves you speechless?" Tony asked brusquely, having entered the office to see the speechless Pepper.
Whispering to Lithia, he said, "Teach me how to do that."
Lithia chuckled. "Just tell her you have a kid that's excited to meet her someday." She replied, heading toward the door. "Oh! Before I forget, Mom, Dad brought something back from New Orleans." And she skipped out.
Tony glared at the now closed door that Lithia had escaped, having left him in quite a predicament. He had wanted to show Pepper what he had bought on his own time but, from the looks of things, that time was now.
"So, Lithia said you brought something back." Pepper said, snapping out of her shock over Evangaline and turned her attention to Tony.
He gulped, his hand still in his pocket, cradling the small box. "Yea I did." He replied. "I know I usually buy the most outrageous, over the top, overly priced thing I can find—"
"More like always." Pepper said. "Just tell me you didn't but an albino alligator."
"I did not buy an albino alligator." Tony chuckled, slowly drawing the box out. "I bought this."
He handed it to Pepper like it wasn't something that was making his heart pound and his arc reactor pulsate as she opened it. "I kinda told Evangaline that my wife and I adopted Lithia… and I thought that maybe I should get around to making that a reality." He said as she stared at the ring.
Pepper looked up, disbelief in her eyes. "It's not over the top, it was not the most expensive one in the store and it's not the most outrageous thing I could have found… But neither are you. And, honey, I wouldn't want you any different. I've done the whole outrageous, over the top and expensive thing. I thought I'd get you something simple but still beautiful. You are simple and beautiful to me Pepper. And I love you for it. Wanna go get married?" Tony explained, slowly getting on one knee.
Pepper was in such shock, she almost didn't hear Tony's last words. It was a dream she never thought possible, and yet Tony was on bended knee right before her, and she was holding the ring in her hand. She looked back at the ring. She knew Tony had outlandish taste, and even she had to buy her own birthday presents without him knowing what he 'got' her until she showed him. It hadn't been easy being his partner, let alone his girlfriend, but Pepper had always liked a project. Tony Stark, while completely stressful and frustrating, not to mention more of a handful than an army of toddlers in their terrible twos, had a caring heart. And even with all his faults, there wasn't one thing Pepper would change about the man she loved.
Wanna go get married? Pepper felt tears burn under her eyelids, and she laughed. How just like Tony to make a proposal like it was the most casual thing in the world. She finally brought her tear brimmed eyes back to meet Tony's. She could physically see him stiffen as he waited for her to answer.
Handing him back the box, she smiled. "If we want to avoid a media-circus affair, then you had better put this ring on and kiss me now."
Tony's cheeky smile got bigger as he stood, slipped the ring on and kissed her. The kiss was joyous and so full of happiness that it radiated off them. Without even thinking, Tony scooped Pepper up and without breaking the kiss, spun them around. "So, just to confirm, you're saying yes?" he asked, breaking the kiss.
"What do you think?" she asked, smiling and kissing him again. "Yes."
"Okay. Just making sure." Tony joked, running his fingers through her hair.
XXXX
Loki was reclining in his bedroom, pajamas on and a large volume resting in his lap. A steaming cup of tea resided on his bedside table, a spoon stirring itself. He glanced up as his bedroom door cracked open. He thought everyone had fallen asleep hours ago so when Lithia appeared in the doorway, he was instantly concerned. Setting his book aside, he stood up just as she rushed into a soft hug. Loki pressed his hands on her back as she tucked her head against his chest.
"I'm tired." She murmured.
In a flash, Loki had swept her up into his arms and placed her on his bed before following after her and resumed holding her. She sighed contently as he pulled a blanket over them. "Could you not sleep?" he asked softly.
"I have too many things on my mind and can't the rabbit in my head to slow down long enough to fall asleep." She replied, equally soft.
Loki dimmed the lights and Lithia snuggled closer to him. "What can I do?" he asked.
"You've already done so much Loki." She said, closing her eyes. "I don't know what I would do without if you ever left again. It damn near killed me last time."
Loki pulled her closer to him, relishing in the feel of her soft body pressed flush against his. Her scent and presence flooded his senses, wrapping him in her sleepy calm. He returned the gesture by sending a magical presence into her mind, instantly settling the random wanderings of it. Lithia sighed again. "Would you tell me a story Loki? Just one… to help me get to sleep… please Loki…" she asked, a small yawn crossing her face.
"Alright though I am no bard." He replied, running his fingers through her hair.
"You're fantastic at everything Loki… why should story telling be any different…" Lithia murmured, bringing a small smile to Loki's face.
"Compliments shall get you everywhere my darling." Loki replied softly.
He inhaled before starting into a tale he made up as he went along. Utilizing his magic, he let the story play out before Lithia and his eyes.
"Once upon a time, in a land far away, there were two brothers. One, born the crown prince of the kingdom; the other, the second born, constantly shadowed by the crown prince. One day, the crown prince, having been consumed by his arrogance, fell from grace. Cast out, the king looked to the second son to rule his people. The young price took the throne, and for a time the land was filled with peace. But alas, not all was to remain. An ancient enemy, long forgotten, rose up from the darkest corner of the land. The young king defended his people vainly, protected his home and those he cared for to his last breath. As the enemy readied to strike down the old king, the crown prince returned and slew the enemy. Having earned back his favor with the king, the crown prince ascended to the throne and was made king, leaving the second son with nothing. Instead of praise for defending his people, the old king banished the prince, claiming his actions against their enemy would have led to their downfall if not for the return of the crown prince. And so, the second son, stripped of his title, went into exile.
"The exiled prince wandered the realms, his heart darkened by bitterness and hate for those once held dear to him. But, after many winter moons had past, he came upon a kingdom, and there, he meet a being unlike any he had ever meet before. Twas a maiden, fair as the sun on the eve of the summer solstice, gentle as a kiss of warm wind, and possessed with the grace of a spring sun ray. The warmth of her kindness reached to the exiled prince, breaking apart the walls of his stone heart the moment he laid his eyes upon her. But this maiden was not to be won so easily. Her soul was surrounded by darkness, hiding the scars left behind by the wicked who abused her. Her poor heart, such a precious gem in the prince's eyes, had little left to hold it together.
"It took time. Little by little, the exiled prince spent time with his maiden, fitting back the fragments of her heart and earning her love and friendship. The maiden was content with her prince. She listened to his tales of his home, and did not shy away when he spoke of past. As time passed, the two fell in love and the kingdom rejoiced on the day they joined their hearts as one. Soon after, out of that love, a beautiful babe was born.
"But, their joy was not to last. Having no desire to allow a traitor any peace, the crown prince led an army after the exiled prince. Ready to defend their newly beloved prince and his family, the kingdom readied for battle. As the army marched to meet that of the crown prince, the king of that land offered the prince a chance to escape. The prince refused, for it was he who had brought his elder brother's wrath upon the land. To run now would be to turn his back on these people. Instead, the prince sent his wife and child into hiding, and joined the king's army to defend the land.
"A great war waged between the kingdoms. Many men fell on both sides, but it did not reach its end until the brothers faced each other. The battle raged night and day, neither one yielding to the other. Not even the warriors, who had long ceased this fighting, could not draw their eyes away as the brothers continued to fight. Their persistence and determination were endless. It seemed there were only two options: either one would fall, or death would take them both."
The images faded and Lithia, who had been so captivated by the images as they moved to Loki's words, looked up at him in anticipation. "What happened next?" she asked, so much like a small child.
Loki met her eyes before turning back to the story, allowing the magic bring the story back to life.
"All seemed lost, until the second prince's wife journeyed to his former kingdom. She pleaded to the princes' father, desperate to save the life of the man she loved and his brother. The old king listened to her plea, and her words touched his heart. He longed to have both his sons return to him, and he could bear the suffering no longer. The old king followed the maiden back to her kingdom and with one command, the battle was over. The armies returned to their kingdoms and the princes fell to the ground in exhaustion. After all had rested and healed, the old king renounced the banishment upon his second son, welcoming the prince and his family into his kingdom.
"The second prince did return, but he did not stay. He had found his happiness in the other kingdom. He returned to the kingdom that had become his new home, and was crowned king by favor of the first king and the people; and not long after the coronation, the new king and his beloved were blessed with a second child. With his beautiful queen and their children by his side, the new king ruled with wisdom and kindness that brought peace two the two kingdoms for many generations." Loki finished his tale.
"And they all lived happily ever after," Lithia said softly.
"And they all lived happily ever after indeed," Loki said in agreement.
Lithia yawned. "I'm really tired now. Mind if I sleep over?" she asked.
"Not in the slightest." Loki replied, gently kissing her hair. "Goodnight my darling Lithia."
"Goodnight Loki." Lithia said, nestling closer in his arms. "I love you Loki…" she murmured against his chest as she fell into a deep sleep.
Loki's heart skipped a beat. Had he heard her correctly or was it just his mind playing trick on him? Regardless, he whispered as he flicked the lights off, "I love you Lithia… I'll always love you."
She sighed. Apparently, she wasn't as asleep as he believed her to be since she murmured, "Good. Otherwise this would be rather awkward…"
[AN: Who's excited about them saying 'I love you'?! ~CH]
