April 29th 2012
The shrill beeping of monitors and the smell of disinfectant made Signey's stomach turn. She had not planned to ever step foot in a hospital again, but fate seemed to have a different plan for her. The last time she had been in a place like this was watching her mother fade as cancer ate away at her. She was seventeen at the time and even then the place made her nervous. Almost like she could feel all the pain, sorrow and at times joy this place could give. Today it was her turn to feel sorrow. She sat in a padded chair staring at monitors that told her for now Nicola was alive. Her mentor's face was a mass of bruises and swollen flesh. Only a day ago she and Nicola had been joking about Signey not being able to see her feet since her belly had grown quite large. It had almost been six months and the twins were due any day now according to Hela and Frigga. Signey had been happy the last few days having turned her office area into a nursery and setting the cribs up. Nicola had been handling the work at the new site while Signey was on bed rest. Everything was going well until someone sabotaged their equipment causing the deaths of two of Signey's workers and the life threatening injury of Nicola. The people who caused it had been caught and it was no surprise that they belonged to the group that had kidnapped Signey back in October. Now Signey was here holding Nicola's hand, praying for her to wake up and give her a hard time. It was killing her to see Nicola like this.
"Dr. Laufey?" Signey picked her head off the bed and looked over at the nurse that entered the room. "Sorry I didn't mean to wake you, but we have to take her down to the MRI. If the swelling has gone down we might be able to do surgery." Signey nodded and slowly rose to her feet.
"I'll go down to the cafeteria and get something to eat."
"These tests could take hours, why don't you go home and get some rest. You aren't doing yourself or your little ones any good by wearing yourself down."
"Alright, but please call me if there is any change or if she wakes up."
"I will." When she got home she slumped into her chair and began to cry. Fenrir whined and placed his head in the lap. Her hand moved to scratch behind his ears as her tears continued to fall. She cried herself out and decided to crawl into her bed. She turned up the ringer on her phone just in case the hospital called. She curled up into as much of a ball as her belly would let her and let her eyes slip closed. Fenrir watched her til she fell into a fitful sleep. He heard a creak of the floorboards out in the kitchen and he slowly stalked down the hall. The hair on his back stood straight up and he bared his teeth. At the end of the hall he stopped just short of the end on the shadows and waited. Whomever it was that was in the house would get a rude surprise when they came around the corner.
"I know you are there Fenrir. I would prefer not to be pounced upon." The wolf's ears perked up and he pounced anyway, but instead of being violent he knocked over the owner of the voice and began licking his face. "Alright, alright I missed you too." Loki pushed his son off of him and sat up.
"You've been gone for months! Where have you been?"
"Taking care of a matter that you do not need to concern yourself with."
"I am glad your back. Signey needs someone to lean on right now." A worried look came to Loki's face and he jumped to his feet.
"The child..."
"No that isn't it. The babe has yet to come into the world. It's Nicola, she was hurt when the equipment at the dig site were tampered with. She is in grave condition. Thankfully Signey was here and not there when it happened. She has been on bed rest for the past few months."
"Bed rest? Is she ill?"
"No. I will let her explain it to you. She is resting in the bedroom. I am sure she would be happy to wake and find you laying next to her." Loki gave a nod and quietly made his way to their bedroom. Signey had her back to him as she lay on the side closest to the door. He moved around the bed and froze. The sight of her caught him off guard. When he left she hadn't bee showing at all and now she was very heavy with child. He cursed himself for not being here for her. He gently crawled into the bed and lay on his side facing her. Her face was scrunched up, like she was having a bad dream. He saw her head thrash back and forth a bit. Some of her hair fell in front of her face and he reached out to tuck it back behind her ear. His fingers lightly traced her cheek and Signey opened her eyes. She blinked a few times trying to clear her vision. He grinned at her and cupped her cheek.
"Hello my love."
"Loki?" She tried to sit up, but her belly made it hard to move. She felt his arm wrap around her and help her up so she could sit. She thought she was still dreaming and shook her head for a moment. When she looked back at him she let out a sigh and leaned in to kiss him. Loki met her halfway and kissed her roughly. He had missed this, missed feeling her warmth, seeing her smile. Signey fisted her hands in his hair and began to giggle a bit.
"What's so amusing?"
"Your hair, it is much longer than I remember. I like it." He leaned his forehead against hers and chuckled. He could see sorrow swimming him her eyes and he pulled her closer to him.
"What is wrong my love?"
"Nicola...she was hurt and we still aren't sure if she will survive. Two of my people were killed...those bastards won't be happy til I'm dead."
"The same group from before?" She saw the dangerous glint in his eyes and tightened her embrace. The last thing she needed was for him to go off and try to wipe out ever last one of them.
"Yes, but they have been caught and I am hoping that the police will actually do something. They have blood on their hands now. All of this just to get to me, I don't understand how anyone could be so cruel. I'm not hurting anyone with my beliefs. It's just so sick and sad that they think they have to result to this."
"The accident was meant for you I take it."
"I think so. Since I started showing I normally stick to the cabin. The last time I was at the new site was to mark off where I wanted the crew to start digging. Frigga warned me that I have to be careful, that this was not going to be an easy pregnancy."
"I did not want to say it, but you have become quite large my darling." She shot him a glare and pulled away. "It was a joke Signey. I am worried that the baby is far too big and it will complicate things when the time comes." She let out huff and leaned back against him. Movement in her belly made her smile and she took his hand placing it right over the activity. She watched with glee as Loki grinned. He had never got to do this with his other children and he mourned the fact he had not got to do this sooner. "This child is very strong."
"Yes they are, but so is their roommate." His head snapped up and he gave her a questioning look. "The reason I am as big as a house is there are two in there, not one. We are having twins." His expressions ran the gambit between great joy and great fear. "Yeah that was about the same looks I had when Frigga told me this too. She also said it was rare among both of your races to have twins. She said it was a mark of good fortune to have twins."
"It is, but it does not stop my worry."
"Other than being as big as a house and them kicking when I want to sleep I feel fine. The morning sickness went away a few weeks after you left. Frigga and Hela are normally hovering around me when Nicola couldn't be here with me. I am fine Loki, just worried about my friend and saddened by the death of men I had known for over seven years. My crew is a tight knit bunch. It killed me to make those calls to their families and try to explain why this happened when I can't even fathom it."
"Speaking of my daughter and mother why are they not here with you?"
"Hela had to return to Helheim at the order of Odin and Frigga went to Vanaheim for healing stones."
"Why would my mother need healing stones? She is a healer."
"She went to retrieve them for me to use on Nicola. She couldn't heal her without someone noticing in the hospital so she said she could use the healing stones to try to fix the internal damage somehow. I'm not sure hwo it works, but she was sure it would help." Loki stood up and began to pace. Rage could be seen in his eyes and Signey slowly got up to sooth him. He turned around and growled at her.
"My mother left you here alone, to go get healing stones for an insignificant mortal!? How could she have been so foolish?!" Signey balked away from him, hurt plain to see in her eyes.
"She is not insignificant! She's my friend..."
"She is nothing! You are all that matters! The rest of this putrid planet could burn, but as long as I save you I can not what happens to the rest! You owe them nothing, you never have! You should be their queen and yet they scoff at you for your brilliance! How can you stand it?!"
"I don't want to be a queen and I don't care what people think of me! If I did then I would have conformed to their beliefs years ago!"
"You are a naïve little girl!"
"If you hate humans so much why the fuck did you even bother with me?! Why am I so damned special?!" Loki opened his mouth, but all that came out was a frustrated scream. He wanted to tell her, gods knew he had to hold his tongue many times, but this was not the way. "Was this all a game to you?! Let's see if I can get the pathetic mortal to fall in love with me?! I can't believe I let myself think you could actually love me! I'm just a toy to you, a fucking brood mare to bare you your children! I'm such a fucking fool!" Loki took a step forward and she held up her hands to stop him. "Just leave."
"What?"
"Leave! Get out! I can't handle this right now!" Loki again tried to touch her only to reel back from her hand as it connected with his cheek. "Don't touch me! Just go!" He backed away and headed out toward the kitchen. She had hit him hard, but that wasn't what hurt. His heart felt like it was being ripped in two. Fenrir moved out of his way and could only watch as his father stormed out of the cabin. He could hear Signey sobbing back in the room and was torn which one to comfort. He felt the shift in the air and let out a relieved sigh. Frigga or Hela had returned and maybe they could talk some sense into the both of them.
"Loki, you've returned." He let out a growl at his mother who tilted her head confused. "What ever is the matter?"
"She threw me out!"
"What did you do?" He glared at her and began again to pace.
"She is being unreasonable and you should have not left her here alone. If anything happens to her..." He bit back a sob and fell to his knees. She was all he had left to hold on to. If he lost her it would be all over.
"I was not gone long Loki and she asked for my help. Her mentor means a lot to her. If this will save her then I gladly will do it. The poor girl has suffered enough loss."
"Those people could have come back for her, hurt her while you were gone. Does she not see the danger? Does she not care that she not only risks her life, but also the lives of our unborn children? How can she be so intelligent and yet so foolish?" Frigga let out a tired sigh and knelt down in the sand next to him. Her hand cupped his chin and brought his eyes up to meet her gaze.
"She was thinking with her heart, just as you are right this minute. Her love for Nicola runs deep. She thinks she is human Loki, and to speak ill of them in front of her does you no great service. I know of your dislike for humans. You have always looked down on them and Sigyn had great affection for them. She might not remember who she is, but she has not changed. You must except it Loki, it will not change."
"One can hope." Frigga laughed and rose to her feet. In her one hand was a small pouch she helped him off the ground and handed him the bag. "What is this?"
"The healing stones. If you want to set this right you will go to the hospital and use them on Nicola. I am sure you will figure out how to heal her without making it look too miraculous. Humans fear what they don't understand. We just have to get Nicola off of Death's door and her body will heal on it's own. I will stay here and try to put out the fire you started." The Queen of Asgard began to head for the cabin only to stop at the sound of her son's voice.
"Mother..." Frigga turned her head and waited. "Thank you."
"You are very welcome. Now go and make this right." He nodded and faded away. Frigga took a deep breath and entered the house. She followed the sound of pitiful sobs and found Signey curled up on her bed crying. She sat on the edge of the bed and smoothed Signey's hair. "Oh my dear girl please don't cry."
"I sent him away, gods why did I send him away?"
"You were angry."
"I've missed him so much and he just had to come in and start treating me like a child. He hates humans and I can't understand why he loves me."
"He loves you because unlike most he has met, you treat him with compassion. It has been a long time since anyone has given him that honor. On Asgard his skills are looked at as a woman's skill. He is not like the other warriors. He uses his head, not his sword arm. You are much the same way. In you he sees a mirror image. It has been a long time since he had a equal."
"But I'm not his equal. I'm just a stupid short lived human."
"You are not stupid Signey. You must understand when Loki is afraid he has a habit of lashing out at those who he cares about the most. He is worried for you and it scares him to death."
"What he said hurt."
"I am sure it did. I have bore the brunt of his tantrums many times, but after he calms he will beg forgiveness on bended knee. Do not give up on him yet. You need rest, it does you and the babes no go getting so unnerved." The younger woman nodded as Frigga began to hum a soft lullaby. Signey fell into a deep sleep having cried all of her strength out. Frigga laid next to her for a while watching her sleep. She rose when she heard the soft footfalls of Fenrir coming down the hall.
"Will she be alright Gran?"
"Yes my dear boy she will. She just needs rest."
"I should have bitten him." Frigga sighed and gently swatted her grandson's nose.
"It would have only fueled his anger. He needs to see that he has erred and to fix it. Her heart is still his even though he has done much to bruise it. Worry not."
OoO
April 30th 2012
Having slept well into the next day Signey hurried to the hospital to see what was going on with Nicola. She had checked her phone over and over again, but there had been no calls about her friend's condition. Praying that no news was good news she dressed and let Frigga teleport them near the hospital. Signey smiled seeing the queen dressed in Midgardian fashion. Even in just a plain skirt and blouse the older woman looked stunning. The ride up the elevator was filled with anxious silence. Once the doors opened Signey headed straight for the nurses' station the head nurse she had met the other day gave her a bright smile.
"Good afternoon Dr. Laufey. How are you today?"
"I'm fine thank you. How is Nicola?"
"She is resting. We were going to call you to tell you that she went into to surgery last night, but your husband did not want you under any added stress."
"My husband?"
"Tall, dark and handsome fellow. He has been here all night. Said that you were resting at home. I assumed he had called you to let you know the surgery on Ms. Stern's brain hemorrhage was a success."
"No, he didn't, but he has been a nervous nelly about me stressing out."
"He hasn't left her side since she came out of surgery. I was just about to start my rounds. If you like can walk you to her room."
"Please." Frigga waved her to go and stayed in the waiting area. The nurse quietly opened the door and Signey saw Loki sleeping in a chair. His chin rested on his chest and his long arms were crossed. It didn't look like a very comfortable position, but still he seemed dead asleep. As her eyes roved around the room to the bed she nearly let out a squeal of joy. Nicola had her eyes open and she was looking right at her.
"I'll come back in a little bit to check her vitals and medicine."
"Thank you." The nurse nodded and left. Signey quietly crossed the room and took Nicola's hand. The older woman gave her a lopsided grin and squeezed her hand. "You know you shouldn't scare a pregnant lady like that." The older woman's voice was hoarse from the trach tube they had put in during the surgery, but she could give a low whisper.
"Didn't mean to. Kinda threw me for a loop too."
"Mark and Ken are dead."
"They were the closest to the machine when it blew. I was able to warn the others to run, but..."
"Don't, it wasn't your fault Nicola, it's theirs. Those bastards are going to finally pay for this. The government rounded all of them up and have them in custody. S.H.E.I.L.D has beefed up security at the site and Killian is taking care of the rest. All you have to do is get better so you can keep me in line." Nicola laughed and then groaned.
"Don't make me laugh. It hurts."
"Sorry." Nicola let her eyes shift to behind Signey and she smiled.
"You know he has been here all night. Poor guy looks exhausted." Signey turned her head to see Loki still sleeping in the chair. She could see the heavy dark circles under his eyes and his skin looked pasty like he was sick. The last time she had seen him like this was when he first came to her. Guilt welled in her and she got up to cross the room. She gently touched his face and his eyes fluttered open. His blinked a few times to make sure what he saw in front of him was real. Signey kissed his forehead and she felt his muscles relax under her fingertips.
"Hi." Her voice was soft and he could see a question in her eyes.
"Hello darling." Signey let out a shaky breath that she had not realized she was holding. "You should be resting."
"I slept. I would have slept better with you there." He rubbed her sides and moved to her belly.
"If I remember correctly my love you told me to leave." She closed her eyes and bit her lip to stop it from quivering. Her fingers threaded in his shoulder length hair and she bent down to look him in the eye again.
"I was upset and I said somethings I wish I could take back. You have no idea how much I have missed you these past months. I hated doing this alone." Loki sighed and pulled her into his lap.
"Signey..."
"If you two are going to make up I suggest you go home so you don't make me sick with all the lovey dovey crap." Signey turned her head and gave a mock look of hurt at Nicola. "Go home Signey. The doc said I am on the mend and you two need to get ready for your little ones. Just be ready when I get out of here I am going to spoil them rotten."
"Are you sure?"
"Don't make me get out of this bed and drag you out by your ear. I'm fine Signey. You have enough to worry about. Lucas do me a favor and take her home."
"You heard her love, we should get you home and off your feet."
"I'm off my feet right now..." A voice coming from the room's doorway made Signey jump.
"And you should be at home resting Dr. Laufey. I promise that Ms. Stern will be well taken care of." Hela gave her a knowing grin and pretended to flip through the older woman's chart. "Mr Frost called me after your surgery to make sure you get yourself on the mend as soon as possible. I have taken over your case from the neurosurgeon."
"It looks like she is in the best of hands my love. Shall we get you home and back in bed?"
"Yes, now that I know she is in good hands." Signey got off Loki's lap and took Hela's hand. She gave it a light squeeze and smile. "Thank you Dr. Frey."
"You are very welcome. Dr. Moa is out waiting for you. Everything will be fine." Loki lead her out of the room and collected his mother so they could leave. Once the three were out of sight they teleported back to the cabin. Frigga stayed out in the kitchen an began to prepare something for dinner as Loki took Signey back to the bedroom. He shut the door and watched her sit on the edge of the bed.
"Are we to finish our spat from the other day or will we leave it as it was?" She turned her eyes to look over at him. In her head she tried to work out what to say. She didn't believe that she had been wrong, but she knew her anger had hurt him.
"I don't want to fight Loki, I don't have the strength." He took a few steps and knelt in front of her his hands taking hers and bringing them up to his lips. He kissed them and then let them rest back in her lap.
"Do you want me here or do you wish me to leave?" Her grip on his hands tightened painfully and she stared into his eyes. He saw fresh tears welling in them, but he waited for her answer."
"I want you here, I've always wanted you here, but what you said yesterday...if you look upon humanity like that then why stay here? Why be with me?"
"Have I not told you that I prize you above all your race? Have I not told you time and again that I love you and would burn this realm to the ground to see you happy? I am with you because you own my heart foolish girl. I meant every word of that binding spell. I am yours until the worlds cease to be. I want no other."
"I just can't understand why? I look like hell right now...I'm an emotional wreck between what happened at the site and you leaving without so much as a way for me to get a hold of you. I've spent most of my nights crying myself to sleep."
"I never meant to make you feel abandoned, but what I had to do was important."
"What could be more important than being here with me while our children grow in my womb? Please help me understand why you left me here?" Loki lay his head gently on her belly and tried to find the words to sooth her. He could not tell her where he had been or what he had been planning. She would never understand.
"I want to tell you, but it would put you and our children in danger. What I was doing...it was all to protect you. Anymore than that I can not say. Please believe it was torture to not bee here, to not watch your belly grow with my offspring inside. I missed their first movements, missed sleeping with you in my arms. Most nights I did not sleep, I would lay awake thinking of you. Wondering if you were well, if you had given up on my, without you I have nothing Signey. You are everything to me. What do I have to do to prove that to you?"
"Loki...you don't have to prove anything to me. I'm just a bit off and what you said last night hurt a bit. Nicola is family to me and hearing those words come out of your mouth..." Loki sighed and placed a finger to her lips.
"In hearing what happened to her and knowing it could have been you I was angry. I said things I did not truly mean and in doing so I hurt you. I know how much you care for her and I was careless with my words."
"It's..." His lips stopped her words and she quickly forgot all she wanted to say. Her hands went to his shoulders and slowly worked their way up the back of his neck. Loki slowly moved to stand up all the while pushing her down on the bed without breaking contact with her lips. Signey had missed his kisses, his touch and mostly his wit. His hand rubbed slow, soft circles over her stomach, while the other one cradled her neck. Signey moaned, wishing that she didn't look like a beached whale. All she wanted was to feel his naked body against hers, but she knew it wasn't a good idea right at this stage of her pregnancy. Loki seemed content to just lay next to her letting his lips and tongue convey his feelings. He moved his mouth down her cheek and nipped at her neck. Normally she enjoyed the feeling, but a sharp pain hit her. She let out a pained gasp and grit her teeth. Loki looked up at her face and saw the look.
"Did I hurt you?" She shook her head and blew out a slow breath.
"No, just got a little twinge of pain. I think one of the little ones was stretching. It happens a lot since they don't have much space in there anymore." Loki smiled and rested his hand right over the swell of her belly.
"Did my mother tell you what we are having?"
"Nope, I didn't want to know."
"Why?"
"I wanted to wait for you so we could find out together. That reminds me, you still haven't seen the nursery." She went to get up and again she was hit by a sharp pain. She hissed and tried to breath through it. Loki moved to help her up and held her til the pain subsided.
"Are you sure you are alright?"
"I'm fine, this normally passes when I stand up and move around a bit." She wrapped an arm around his waist and as she predicted the pain went away. "Come on I want to show you." She pulled him along and it was then he noticed that she had the office space walled off. She opened the door and hit the light switch. In the room were two cribs, one decked in green the other in yellow. The walls were a nice pastel blue and the carpet was a light gray. There were pictures on the walls some of winter scenes, others of cute animals. Loki looked around the room in wonder and walked over to the cribs. His long arms reached out to both beds and he smiled. The blankets were soft and he could see his mother had put her own little touches in the cribs as well. She had brought two stuffed horses from Asgard and two dolls from Vanaheim. One of the horses was colored like his stallion and the other looked like Sigyn's mare. A fond smile graced his lips.
"My you were busy while I was away."
"I had to do something. Nicola outright refused to let me work. I just did the decorating though, Hela and Frigga did the hard part in conjuring up the walls. Do you like it?"
"Very much, you used my colors." She blushed a bit and bit her lip. She didn't have the heart to tell him that yellow and light green were unisex colors for when the baby's sex was unknown before birth. She loved seeing him smile.
"I like those colors." He wrapped his arms around her and she leaned her head against his chest. She felt him land a kiss to the crown of her head and she felt whole for the first time in months. It would have been perfect if not for the sharp pains that seemed to be getting worse. She let out another hiss and Loki took a step back to look at her.
"The pain again?"
"Yeah, they're getting worse..." A look of fear crossed her face and she gripped his arms as another jolt of pain hit her. This one almost brought her to her knees. "I...I think it's time."
"Time? Time for what?" She rolled her eyes and huffed at him.
"I think I'm in labor." His face was almost comical with fright and she would have playfully ribbed him if not for her being scared out of her wits as well. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her back to the bedroom. He pause only long enough to call down the hall to his mother. Frigga hurried down the hall as Loki gently placed Signey on the bed.
"Did the pains just start?"
"I've had them on and off for the past hour, maybe two The last one felt like someone is ripping me apart." Loki looked at his mother and silently pleaded for her to silence his unspoken fear. She gave him a motherly smile and placed her hand on Signey's stomach.
"You are indeed in labor." The queen straightened herself up and waved her hand over her clothes. Her normally elaborate gown turned into a simple shift. The more freedom of movement she had the better. She waved her hand again and the bed sheets changed, as did Signey's clothing. "Loki go get Hela. I might need her help if your children take after your Jotun nature." He nodded and went to move, but Signey gripped his hand.
"I will be right back love. I promise." She let go, but her eyes pleaded with him to stay. He faded away and Signey closed her eyes.
"He will return soon dear. Do not worry." Frigga weaved her spell over Signey and she grinned. "It won't be too long now. Both look strong and healthy." Loki appeared with Hela at his side. The younger girl moved closer and Loki moved to leave the room. Signey let out a small yelp as another contraction rocked her body. Loki turned and saw her eyes staring into his silently begging him to stay. Frigga saw the silent conversation the two were having and spoke up.
"Loki go hold her hand." He hesitated for a moment then went to sit behind Signey. His arms wrapped around her and he laced his fingers in hers. In Asgard men never stayed in the room when women gave birth, but his guilt for leaving her alone all these months made him stay. This is what he told himself, truth of it was he wanted to stay. He wanted to hear the first cries of his children, to hold them, to be a better father than both of those who claimed to his father. Frigga handed him a wrung out washcloth and he dabbed it on Signey's forehead. "Your contractions are getting closer together. I will tell you when it is time to push. Loki you will need to help her breath and keep her calm."
"Is there nothing you can give her for the pain?" Frigga shook her head sadly.
"If I dull her pain she will not progress as she should and that will put both her and the babes in danger. Once both children pass into the world Hela and I can heal her so she feels no ill effects after." He nodded and began whispering in Signey's ear. His voice calmed her and his words strengthened her. Every wave of pain made her clench his hands and dig her nails into the backs of them. Even the pain that had been inflicted by the zealots did not compare to this. As the contractions got closer together and the pain became more intense her back arched and she bit back the screams she so wanted to let out.
"You have to breath love." From his vantage point Loki could see the muscles in her abdomen move as they worked to move the children down to the birth canal. After two more bouts of this he had it somewhat timed to help her breath. "Breath in." She hissed in a breath. "Short puffs out love." She did as she was told and it did ease some of the discomfort. Hela met her father's eyes and she gave him a weak smile. Healing broken bodies was one thing, but this, this was out of her realm of expertise. It was making her nervous. Frigga on the other hand was calm and collected. She had lost count on how many births she had overseen in her long life. Every one of Freya's girls she had helped bring into the world. Her younger sister's children, Thor and many others. Added to that fact she had three babes of her own and both of the boys she bore were very large. Giving birth to Sigyn had been pleasant in comparison. With another wave of her hand the image above changed and she smiled brightly.
"On the next contraction you have to push and keep pushing til I tell you to stop."
"This hurts."
"I know, but you are strong Signey. Now push." Signey grit her teeth and bared down. Her grip on Loki tightened and he grimaced. If she gripped any tighter she would surely break his fingers, but he didn't care. After the torture he endured the past four months, this was nothing. He would gladly break every bone in his body to save her from this pain. "Alright stop, breath." Sweat coated Signey's skin and her hair was matted and wild around her head. She panted trying to catch her breath as another contraction hit. "Push!" This pattern repeated itself a few more times and each time Signey felt more of her energy fade. "The head is crowning one more time Signey, push."
"I can't...it's too much..."
"You have to, now push!" She screamed and rocked her body forward a bit. Her eyes were squeezed shut and she felt like she was being ripped in half. She gave one last grunt and then she heard it. The bleating wail she had so longed to hear. "Hela..."
"I've got him Gran." Signey opened her eyes and saw her baby in Hela's arms. His skin was a dusky blue and she could see the ridges that marked him like his father. Hela being more Jotun than not was unaffected by his skin.
"You have a handsome baby boy." She sighed and let her back lean against Loki's chest. She looked up at him and saw tears tracking down his cheeks. Her voice was scratchy from her screaming, but she didn't care. She raise her hand and brushed some of the tears way from him.
"We have a son."
"Yes, love we do." He kissed her forehead and then her lips. Frigga motioned for Hela to move closer to Loki and she handed her son a dagger to cut the cord with.
"Fathers on Asgard do not get this honor of severing their child's tie to womb. I hear on Midgard it is taken as a sign of love and strength." Loki took the dagger and cut where he was told. Frigga had used fine thread to tie off right below the cut. "Hela hold your little brother for now. There is still one more that needs to grace us with their presence tonight." Frigga looked up at the spell she had placed above Signey and she nodded to Loki to take the girl's hands again. "I know you are tired Signey, but you have to do this one more time."
"I'm ready." Frigga leaned forward and kissed her forehead.
"Push." Signey pushed again and again. This one seemed a bit easier, now that the brother had pathed the way. Loki continued to whisper encouragements in her ear and she found the strength to keep going. Her limbs at this point shook and she was beyond tired. "Last one Signey, push!" She felt this baby pass out of her body and she slumped back against Loki. A second wail filled the air and she wept. Frigga covered her mouth and held back a sob. This baby had skin pale as cream like the parents. Unlike the brother this baby did not show it's Jotun heritage in looks.
"What is it mother? Is something wrong with the baby?"
"No Loki, she is perfect." The dark prince's head snapped up and he stood up. He gently lay Signey down and looked over his mother's shoulder at his newborn daughter. Bright eyes opened and she gurgled at her father. "You have a darling little girl and a handsome little boy." Signey smiled and let her eyes slip closed for a moment. She heard a strangled and she opened them back up again she could see him crying.
"Don't cry." He gave a sound between a laugh and a sob and leaned down to kiss her. His lips tasted like tears, but she knew hers did too. "I love you."
"And I love you. You have given me a chance to have a family...I can never repay you for this."
"You already have." She grinned seeing him hold their daughter and the look of sheer wonder on his face as he memorized the little girl's face. "Hela can I hold my son please?" The young girl paused and looked down at her brother. His skin was still a dusky blue and she feared his skin would harm Signey.
"I'm not sure if it is a good idea, Jotun skin...it can hurt you." Signey being able to shake off the cold was nothing to compare with the frostbite caused by Frost Giant skin. She might not be completely immune.
"If that was the case he would have done so in the womb or when he was being born. Please I want to hold him." Hela looked at her father and he nodded.
"She has touched my skin in that form Hela and it did nothing. Let her hold our son." Hela moved and gently placed the boy in his mother's arms. The baby wriggled himself closer to the warmth of her skin and Signey ran her index finger down the side of his chubby cheek. In her finger's wake she saw the child's skin shift color to the same pale skin of his sister.
"How did that happen?" Loki leaned over and saw the shift in his son's skin. He had only known of Odin being able to do this. He met his mother's gaze and she shrugged.
"What were you thinking when you touched him?"
"That he was perfect, but most wouldn't understand why he looks the way he does." Frigga gently touched the crown of the boy's head and she sighed. She had heard Odin say the same thing about Loki. He loved the boy even if he did not show it as much as he should have. Loki had a far off look on his face.
"He is perfect either way my dear." Signey forgot the pain she he body felt as she stared into the bright eyes of her son. He yawned and she laughed.
"I did all the work little one. I don't know why you are yawning." Loki let out a soft chuckle as their little girl did the same. Frigga took the girl from her son and racked her back and forth in her arms.
"I think that we should put them in the clothes you bought them and put them to bed. Loki take your precious little girl and Hela can take her brother while I clean up and heal Signey." After they left the room Frigga helped Signey to her feet so she could change the sheets on the bed. With a wave of her hand she cleaned the blood and other things from the mattress and the bed. Next she placed her hand on Signey's stomach and let her magic heal the girl from the inside out. All that was left was a slight bulge in Signey's tummy. "That should do it. How are you feeling?"
"Exhausted, but..."
"You feel like you could take on the world and show it all your joy. I know the feeling well. Each of my children have given me far more strength than I ever thought I would have. I would lay down my life for any of them, even the ones I did not give birth to. Loki and Thor are both my boys, both have my heart. Your two little ones will change your life, drive you insane, break your heart and mend it again. I envy you this, since my boys are grown and they no longer need me."
"You have two grandchildren that do and I know Loki still needs you no matter what he says."
"Thank you. He was lucky to find you Signey. No matter what he does or what harsh words he uses, he loves you dearly. Don't ever give up on him."
"I have no plans to. He stuck with me." Loki stood outside the door in the hallway. He had heard the entire exchange and he could not help the smile on his face or the guilt in his heart. He wanted it all, a throne, his revenge on Odin and Thor, his mother's love and his family by his side. The deeper he sank the harder it was to come back up for air and see things as they truly were. He was broken beyond repair at least in his mind. He would drag Signey down with him into the abyss and now he had two innocent babes to worry about as well. Shaking his head, he cleared the unpleasant thoughts away and opened the door. He plastered a smile on his lips and went to first embrace his mother and then his love.
"Rest, Hela and I will watch over the little ones for a while. They will be hungry in a few hours and they will need names." She left the room and shut the door softly.
"How do you feel?"
"I feel fine, just tired. How about you? Are you happy?" He took her hands and led her to the now freshly made bed. He sat her down and then joined her.
"I have never been happier."
"I sense a but coming." He gave a rueful smile and leaned his head on her shoulder.
"I fear I will have to leave again soon and this time I will not be able to come back til I finish what I started."
"Loki..." He silenced her with a kiss and pushed her back to lay down on the bed.
"It is better for now you not know. I am doing this for us and no matter what happens I will always love you. Please don't fret." Signey buried her face in the crook of his neck and held onto him tightly. She felt dread creep into her mind and she wasn't sure why. Something was coming she could feel it. She needed to turn her thoughts elsewhere or she felt she would drown in worry.
"So what are we going to call our little darlings?"
"I...you know I have no idea." She untangled herself from him and went to the book shelf. She ran her hand along the spines until she found the one she was looking for. She pulled it from the shelf and flipped through it. She handed him the book and waited. "These names...are you sure?"
"I have always loved these names and it would be wonderful to prove the scholars wrong."
"Are you not one of those scholars?"
"I was, but now I know that most of what we have been told is not true." She sat next to him and he looked at the names again. He knew where the names had come from. It was a long ago conversation he and Sigyn had while walking among the mortals during a festival. These were the names she had loved and some witless scribe had made a story about them.
"Nari for the boy."
"And Vali for our girl." He nodded and shut the book before placing it on the nightstand. Signey let out a yawn and he pulled her back into the bed.
"Sleep my love."
"Will you still be here in the morning?"
"Yes, I will give you fair warning when I leave next. For now I am yours and only yours." She tilted her head up and kissed him sweetly. He curled his body around her and they both drifted off to sleep.
OoO
Her head throbbed and she could hear whispers in the dark again. This time the voice was a woman. Her voice was soft and her words gave her both comfort and dread. As she opened her eyes she saw two women in the center of a corpse of twisted trees. They looked into a glass like well. One was taller than any other person she had ever seen and the other she had seen before. It was Sigyn from her dream before the voices drifted to her and she strained to hear them.
"If you choose this know that you will not stop his fall, but there is still hope."
"How can there be hope if he...I can't lose him, not like this."
"You must be strong when he is weak, such is the mark of a true queen. I have done this and so has your mother. We sacrifice ourselves so that our loves will rise from their darkest days. You can do this Sigyn, but you must be ready to face pain greater than you have ever known. He will break your heart."
"I have to try."
"Then I will give you these last parting words my dearest girl. You will remember after the wail of a second born. You will feel heat to rival Muspelheim and then your thoughts will wash back to you like waves upon the shore. It is then you will know who you are and who you were."
"I don't understand."
"You will. It is all I can give to you. To know one's future is not a kindness Sigyn. It would drive you mad as it did me. I was foolish and looked to far into my own, it cost me dearly."
"Will he and I ever be able to be happy?"
"Perhaps, but it will be a long and difficult road. You have the blood of many strong people behind you, take their strength and hold on to your compassion. It will be the difference between life and death."
"Thank you."
"There is no need for thanks, just fight for what you want and that is thanks enough for me." Signey felt like her limbs were on fire and she opened her eyes. Loki had turned over in the night and was sleeping with his back to her. She felt the throbbing in her head and other points down her spine. It felt like someone was roasting her and stabbing her back all at the same time. She needed to get out into the night air and breathe. Just as she thought about it she felt cold air whip around her and then she dropped into the water. The spring sea was still frigid and she struggled to break the surface. She tried to scream, but water drowned out her voice. She felt her body sinking into the black depths below. Her limbs refused to work and her lungs burned for air. Her thoughts flickered and she saw memories play out in front of her. As they did she felt power return to her limbs and with each memory she got closer to the surface. The last one played as she broke out of the water and gasped for air. She saw the sword pierce her body, she heard the sound of her own flesh ripping and the pain of it all. With a ear piercing scream she let out all of the pain of her death so many years ago. She made her way back to shore and crawled up onto the rocks and sand. She lay there panting and her eyes opened to see the moon hanging just over her.
"I remember..."
I know that both of the children Sigyn and Loki have in mythology are boys, but I want to make this different. What we have been told is not always the true or whole story. That is the beauty if being a writer. We can take things and turn them on their ear. So hopefully I did not turn it too much. Thank you all again for reading and for your reviews. It makes me happy that you enjoy this as much as I enjoy writing it.
Raven