blondehairedknowitall: I'm glad you thought so. I was aiming for cute and romantic.

The Yoshinator: Thanks. And Laufey was hiding because he didn't want anyone, especially Loki, to know he was there.

Whitelion69: I'm glad you liked it.

Britt: Glad you loved it, and I never thought of Laufey being there as bittersweet while I was writing. Nice thought.

Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel.

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Epilogue

Months had passed since Emma's and Loki's wedding. It was now early springtime. The new couple had returned from their honeymoon and quickly settled into their new lives. While Loki started working at S.H.I.E.L.D, as Odin and the Council had agreed, Emma spent her days at home. Most of her time was spent doing housework and, when the weather was good, straightening up the backyard, which was very big. She also loved to cook and read books about natural, herbal remedies. Phil had once playfully accused her of living up to the stay-at-home housewife stereotype. Her reaction: she tasered him and watched Super Nanny while he drooled into the carpet.

Today, on a bright, clear afternoon, Emma was on her knees in the garden, watering her recently planted fruits, vegetables, and herbs, and pulling weeds. She heard thunder, and looked over to see Loki's stallion, Garwin, and her mare, Gracie, running next to each other in one of the riding rings. Garwin had been brought to Earth from Asgard just after the couple had moved into their house, and Gracie was a gift to Emma from the Allfather. Emma loved riding, and did so every chance she got. She hadn't ridden much before, but she was a fast learner and was getting quite good at it. She almost felt as if she was ready to try bareback. Garwin and Gracie had instantly taken a liking to each other. A foal was actually expected in nine to ten months.

Emma finished up with the weeding and moved on to pruning the trees. She wanted to get it done before they actually started showing blossoms. She had just finished when a sleek black car drove up. Emma brushed off some of the dirt on her clothes as Loki got out. He shut the door, locked the car, and started walking towards the house. Loki entered the house through the front door while Emma entered through the back.

Loki took off his black coat and scarf while Emma took off her shoes and gardening gloves at the back door. They walked into the living room at the same time and Emma ran up to Loki. They threw their arms around each other and kissed. This was how they always greeted each other when Loki came home from working with S.H.I.E.L.D.

They both changed into clean, comfortable clothes, then went into the kitchen to start dinner. They talked about what they had done that day, what their plans were for tomorrow, what the Avengers were up to. Loki snuck glances at Emma, who didn't seem to be her usual self. He waited until they were getting ready for bed before he spoke.

"Is something wrong?"

Emma, who had been brushing her hair at the time, paused and looked over at him. He could tell just by her eyes that she knew exactly what he meant.

"What makes you think something's wrong?" she asked innocently.

"I know you, Emma," he responded. "Something's different about you. And you weren't your usual self this afternoon. What is it?"

Emma set her brush down and walked over to him. She took his hands in hers and looked into his eyes.

"I know you would prefer if I came right out with it and didn't stall, so I won't." She paused for a few seconds. "I'm pregnant."

Loki swore his heart stopped. He kept looking at Emma for a minute, then placed a hand on her stomach. He searched with his magic, and found a tiny life growing inside his wife. He smiled at her.

"I know we wanted to wait a couple of years," Emma said, "but it seems as if Fate had a different plan."

"It doesn't matter," Loki told her. "The child's here, whether we like it or not. And you will be a great mother."

"And you're going to be a wonderful father."

"Hopefully a better father than Odin ever was."

Emma gave her husband a look, then laughed a bit. Loki laughed with her, then picked her up and swung her around, kissing her sweetly. The universe belonged to them in that moment of happiness. Nothing could take that away.

They went to bed that night, thinking of possible names and how they were going to announce the news to their families.

Meanwhile, deep in space, a figure watched the couple. He had his own plans for them, and especially for the child Emma carried. He smiled to himself as he thought of ways to use that little child to make the Asgardian pay for failing him.

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There was a quote in there from another Marvel movie. Cyber cookies if you can guess what movie and which character said it. It also helps you understand the joke a little more.

That's the end of that story. Hope you liked it. Leave me a review.

No Marvel story is complete without that scene at the end. Yes, there will be a sequel. Keep watching for it.

-Amalthea-Shine