Epilogue

The throne room was filled with people. The citizens of Asgard were gathered in the palace to watch this grand occasion. Emmeline was knelt before Odin, who was sitting on his throne. Loki was standing to his left, smiling down at her; and Thor was to his right, doing the same. Emmeline couldn't help but smile herself. The Avengers were lined up at the left side of the room, and Sif and the Three were lined up at the right. All the Asgardians were dressed in their most formal attire, for this was a matter of the king.

Odin, wearing his golden helmet of feathers and holding Gungnir, his staff of power, stood up and looked down at Emmeline. She bowed her head and he placed Gungnir over her.

"Emmeline Collins of Midgard, you have saved Asgard and all its people. You have defeated Thanos, an enemy of Asgard; and you have retrieved the most powerful relic in all the Nine Realms: the Infinity Gauntlet. For this amazing feat of bravery and heroism, I, Odin, Allfather, now proclaim you Acclaimed Warrior Maiden of Asgard." Odin tapped both of Emmeline's shoulders with Gungnir. "Furthermore, in response to your marriage of my son Loki, Prince of Asgard, I now proclaim you Emmeline, Princess of Asgard." Emmeline looked up and smiled, applause ringing throughout the throne room. All her friends looked at her and smiled, and she smiled back. Loki stepped down from beside Odin's throne and took her hand. She stood up and Loki put his hand on the back of her neck and kissed her.

There was a grand banquet that night at the palace. Everyone was celebrating the war victory and Emmeline's new titles. There was dancing and music and a large feast laid out for everyone. Emmeline entered on Loki's arm, in a long, beautiful emerald dress. It was outlined in gold and there were many gold stones in the middle. She had manifested it for herself, using her new power of altering reality. It was Loki's design though. Emmeline was so happy. The war was over, and now everything was fine. And on top of that, she had some great news for Loki. She'd figured it out when she absorbed the gems of the Gauntlet. Although, she wanted to wait until they were alone to tell him.

However, she was also kind of scared. What if he didn't think it was as great as she did? What if he wasn't happy at all? She worried over this, but decided to push it to the back of her mind until the banquet was over. Loki led Emmeline to the banquet table, and they took their seats next to Thor. He smiled at them.

"How does it feel to have a banquet in your honor?" Thor asked Emmeline, putting an arm around her.

"It feels like a million dollars!" she said. Thor laughed.

"Well I am glad. I owe you my life."

"You almost paid up, so it was my pleasure," Emmeline replied with a smile.

"Must I sit in the middle of you two?" Loki asked. Emmeline giggled as she grabbed a Blue Epli from the table. Loki smiled at her. "You are so beautiful Emmeline." She smiled and kissed his cheek.

That night, Emmeline and Loki retreated to his chambers. They were sitting in the bathtub together and Loki was kissing Emmeline's neck, one hand in her hair. Emmeline closed her eyes and sighed, leaning into him. He held her close to him and whispered into her ear.

"You have no idea how happy I am to have you alive," he said. Emmeline kissed him and sat back.

"Speaking of life, I need to tell you something," she said, nervousness flooding her mind.

"Yes darling, what is it?" Loki asked, totally unaware that her news would change their lives forever.

"Yeah…okay so remember how I was saving the world yesterday and when I used the Tesseract you had a vision?"

"Yes. It was black, and there was a small heartbeat in the distance."

"Yep, that's the one. Well that particular heartbeat was inside me, however it wasn't mine..."

"Alright, then whose was it?" Ugh. He wasn't getting it.

"It was…the baby's."

"What?"

"Ugh! Loki I'm pregnant!" Loki looked like a deer in headlights. He stared at her in silence, and Emmeline started to sweat.

"So…you are carrying our child, is what you are trying to say."

"YES. …Please don't be mad."

"Emmeline, why would I be angry? That's quite a wonderful thing."

"Really?! So you're happy?"

"Well yes. I just hope I don't fail as a father and it doesn't despise me and…well the thought is terrifying, but I'm glad, yes." Emmeline smiled and wrapped her arms around him.

"You are the best! And don't worry; we're going to be the best parents ever!"

"Did the gems give you the power to see what it is?" Loki asked. "A boy or a girl?"

"Yeah, it's a girl," Emmeline replied. Loki smiled.

"I'm happier about this than I thought I would be, actually," he said. Emmeline smiled back.

"Awesome. We'll be a big happy family with freaky powers!"

The next day, Loki and Emmeline along with Thor and Odin met in the observatory. It was time to send the Avengers back to Midgard. But first, Emmeline had to tell them the wonderful news. Loki was very glad to have a child with Emmeline, a lot more than he thought, but it still terrified him. He could not see himself as a father. A bunch of new worries began to flood his mind as he thought of his new daughter. He already felt protective of her. However, he knew he was supposed to feel this way.

When the Avengers entered the observatory, Emmeline smiled at them.

"Hey guys, guess what?!" she said excitedly.

"You got a unicorn tattoo on your butt," guessed Tony Stark. Emmeline chuckled.

"No," she said. "Loki and I are going to be parents! I'm pregnant! And it's a girl!" All the cheering and congratulations coming from the Avengers quickly left Loki's attention as he saw the look Odin gave him. It was a soft look, almost pleasing, one of endearment and…approval? Loki looked away quickly, but couldn't help the feeling of pride he felt. Thor came over to him, and patted him on the back.

"Well done, brother. You will be an excellent father," he said.

"You think so? Me?" Loki said teasingly, although he was completely serious. Thor could sense it.

"Yes. The way you treat Emmeline proves it." Loki smiled at him. He no longer felt such resentment for his brother. After all, Thor had died for him. It was hard to hate someone after that.

After all congratulations had been given, the Avengers stood in front of the bifrost, ready to be taken back to Midgard. Emmeline walked up to them and Loki followed. Emmeline proceeded to give everyone a hug. Loki nodded to them.

"You know what Reindeer Games," said Tony. "You're not so bad." He smiled. Loki smirked.

"Well you aren't completely terrible yourself, Man of Iron," he replied. "Farewell." Loki and Emmeline stood back so Heimdall could push the golden sword into the pedestal.

He looked at Emmeline, thinking of how beautiful she was. After everything he had done, she was still here and she still loved him. He felt a sense of gratitude for her and the fact that he no longer felt so much hate from people. Now he would even have a child. He thought, maybe life wasn't so bad after all. It was good, in fact.

Heimdall did fire up the bifrost and the Avengers were transported back to their home. Captain America gave a final wave, and Loki looked at Emmeline as she waved back. He smiled as he heard Tony say, before they were completely gone:

"So…anybody up for Shawarma?"

THE END

That's all folks...oh my goodness. I can't believe it's over, but it's been so much fun writing this, and I want to thank all of you for reading! I really didn't expect to get the response I got, and I'm so thankful! :)

The sequel is now posted! :D It is called The Basis of Sentimentality, so if you are interested, read, follow & review!

Thank you all so much and remember to keep getting Loki'd! XD