25.
Sunsets were beautiful, but in Asgard they were truly spectacular; the sky slowly darkened as shades of orange and red stained it, stars scattering across the darkness. It subtly illuminated Asgard, shadows dancing across the land, and birdsong chirped in the trees, drawing itself to a close as the birds settled themselves in their nests to sleep.
Standing on the balcony, Olivia watched the sunset, her nightgown brushing against her bare ankles. The stone railing was cool against her forearms as she leaned forwards, restricted.
Loki strode forwards, wrapping his arms around her from behind, his hands moulding to the curve of her stomach. Leaning against his chest, Olivia covered his hands with her own.
"You should be asleep," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her neck. Olivia giggled.
"I wanted to watch the sunset."
"As did Tyra, but I managed to coax her to bed."
Olivia laughed again and Loki half smiled, resting his head on her shoulder so that his breath tickled her neck.
Neither of them spoke again for a while, continuing to watch the sunset; Olivia was captivated by its beauty. Loki, however, thought that nothing could compare to the radiant glow of his wife.
Suddenly, Olivia frowned and Loki raised his head to look at her.
"What is it?" he murmured, gently brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Were you ever afraid?"
Olivia hesitated slightly, considering.
"Afraid that Thanos would kill you," she finally said slowly. "Or that Death would harm Tyra. Weren't you ever afraid that our family would be destroyed because of their hatred for you?"
"Of course I was."
Slowly, Olivia turned in his arms, putting her hands on his forearms as she gazed up at Loki with a frown.
"Really?"
Loki nodded. "I needn't explain just how frightening it was when Tyra was missing," he said. "It isn't something that one can comprehend unless it has happened to them, and I do not wish that on anyone. I was terrified, Olivia, that everything I loved would be ripped away from me again."
"Again," she repeated.
"When I surrendered myself to Thanos, he would torture me in ways you couldn't imagine, but the one device I remember most prominently is that he would make me think that he was torturing you," Loki admitted. Olivia's lips parted as if she wanted to speak, but Loki continued. "I thought that I had lost you when you rejected me the first time but I loved you so much that I refused to let it happen."
"I was horrible to you," Olivia mumbled, ashamed.
"And I was vile to you," Loki countered. "I should not have said the things I said that night . . . even if it was only to protect you."
Smiling, Olivia slid her hands up onto Loki's shoulders before gently cupping his face, standing on her tiptoes to kiss him. His lips smiled against hers and he pulled her closer, one hand resting on the small of her back while the other curved around her stomach.
There was a slight movement. Olivia gasped, pulling away.
"Did you feel that?"
Loki grinned, nodding. They both laughed when the baby kicked a second time.
"Hey, settle down in there," Olivia scolded. The baby kicked again indignantly, making Olivia and Loki laugh. "Just like their sister."
Two year old Tyra was as stubborn as her parents, but also a bright and curious child. She asked questions and took things apart because she wanted to see how they worked, and Loki only indulged her inquisitive nature. He provided explanations and demonstrations, often performing magic because he loved the way her face lit up as she tried to do the same. Magic ran through her veins, but it was weak and untamed.
"She wants a brother," Olivia added.
"Why?"
"She likes being daddy's little girl. You've got to stop spoiling her, by the way," she added sternly, making Loki laugh. "She wants a little brother to take on her adventures. She's convinced a sister won't do that."
"Our daughter has a distinct lack of femininity," Loki murmured worriedly. Olivia slapped his chest.
"Our daughter can be a tomboy if she wants. Hell, she can be gay and we'll still love her the same! We'll be the most accepting parents in the whole of Asgard!"
Smiling, Loki leaned down and pressed a kiss to his wife's lips. The kiss was so deep that her knees felt weak and she clutched front of his shirt to stop herself from collapsing, breathless and indignant when he pulled away.
"That wasn't fair."
"Would you prefer it if I provide a warning before displaying my love for you?"
"Only when the displays threaten my state of mind," she grumbled. Laughing, Loki kissed her again and Olivia was slightly more prepared, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"I love you," he whispered, their noses grazing together.
"I love you too."
With a grin, Loki kissed Olivia's forehead and then placed both his hands on her pregnant stomach, concentrating.
"What are you doing?"
Loki gently shushed her.
A wide grin suddenly spread across his face and he looked up to meet Olivia's inquisitive gaze, warmth radiating through his eyes.
"He's listening."
As if to confirm Loki's statement, the baby kicked again.
It took Olivia a moment to comprehend what Loki had told her, and when she finally did she gazed up at him with tears in her eyes, beaming. Her hands covered her stomach and she stared down at it, tears trickling down her cheeks.
"Oh, Loki," she whispered.
A boy. A baby boy.
"Our son," Loki murmured with a wide grin. "Egill Lokison."
"Egill?" Olivia screwed her nose up as she tried it. "Egill Lokison."
"Are you still determined to name our son Bilbo?"
Olivia laughed, remembering how adamant she had been during the pregnancy with Tyra, and shook her head.
"No, Egill is . . . I'll get used to it, I reckon." A wide, devious grin spread across her face. "Egill Thor Lokison."
Loki scowled, but nodded in agreement; he knew that arguing with Olivia in her state would only result in bruises.
"Do you like that, little guy?" she asked her stomach, grinning. "Egill Thor Lokison?"
Their son didn't stir, but still Olivia grinned. Standing on her tiptoes, she kissed Loki softly.
"I love you."
"And I will love you for as long as we both shall live," Loki vowed, lifting Olivia's hand and pressing a kiss to her palm, his eyes staring deep into hers.
"Forever and forever."
The warm air turned chilly and Olivia couldn't supress the slight shiver that ran down her spine as it did, shifting closer to Loki. She felt his hand press against her skin through the thin nightgown, holding her closer, and his teeth gently nuzzled her earlobe.
"Come to bed, love," he purred in her ear before kissing the sensitive spot behind it, his lips trailing down to her neck. She laughed.
Her laughter grew as Loki's arms gently slid around her, knocking her off her feet and sweeping her into the air, one of his arms tucked neatly beneath her legs. Flinging her arms around his neck, Olivia clung onto him as he carried her through to the bedroom, gently lowering her onto the bed.
Lying on her back, the only position that Olivia could find truly comfortable during her pregnancy, she squirmed close to Loki, who wrapped his arms around her. It was a warm, familiar embrace and Olivia felt safe in his arms.
"Loki."
"Yes, love?"
Olivia smiled sleepily. "Nothing," she whispered, succumbing to sleep. "I just wanted to say your name."
Laughing, Loki pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek and held her closer as the pair fell asleep.
Dear Tyra,
I'm writing this because . . . well, I don't really know why. I guess it's because you're growing older each day and it scares me. You're my little girl, my princess, and your father and I love you so much. We won't love you any less when your brother is born, I promise.
When you were born, I was scared. I was alone and I was scared, but believe me when I say this; I do not regret having you at all.
You, Tyra Lokidottir, are my world. I didn't know that I could love anyone so much before I had you but you taught me the real meaning of unconditional love. You saved me and, in a way, you saved your father as well.
So.
You're never going to read this. I'm never giving this to you.
I guess I just wanted to write this because it was on my mind and I don't like writing in diaries.
. . .
You'll always be wanted and loved, Tyra. Remember that.
All my love,
Mom.
Crooked souls trying to stay up straight
Dry eyes in the pouring rain
The shadow proves the sunshine
The shadow proves the sunshine
Two scared little runaways
Hold fast to the break of day light were
The shadow proves the sunshine
The shadow proves the sunshine
~The Shadow Proves The Sunshine, Switchfoot
Thank you theFGnat, Princess PrettyPants, TheDoctor'sAmazingCompanion and MissPadawan for reviewing the last chapter! I would also like to thank everyone who has reviewed this fic, added it their alerts/favourites or PMed me just to tell me how much they're enjoying it. I appreciate your support immensely.