"Thor, it has been almost a week now. We must consider the possibility that she may not awaken," a soft voice said, tender fingers stroking the axis of my cheek. I wanted to touch Thor so bad, knowing that he was suffering. I struggled with all my might through the fog that was the barrier between awareness and unconsciousness, wanting only to lay eyes upon my son, to hold Theia in my arms.

To kiss Thor…

I would breathe and I would wake up and I would live.

"Oh," I exhaled heavily, finding myself painfully responsive now that could truly feel my body once more. I felt Thor lean over me, his breath sweet and warm upon my face, "Halea, did you speak? Say something else; please, my love, say something."

"I love you," I said hoarsely, breathing deeply as I struggled to open my eyes. I repeated my words over and over, his fingers wrapping around mine tightly, Thor giving me the strength to wake up. His handsome face came into focus, not five inches away from my own, his eyes searching mine. And then he kissed me hard, his hand cupping my cheek, "Oh, my sweet! You scared me; I thought- I thought I was going to lose you."

A healer and a nurse appeared over Thor's shoulder, coming to my side. "Queen Halea, how nice it is to see you awake. How do you feel my lady," the healer asked, watching as I moved to sit up. The pain below my waist from my movement was horrific, my cry short and sharp as I fell back into my pillows, tears welling up in my eyes. "You must be careful my lady, you are not yet fully healed. It will take some more weeks-"

"I want my son," I whispered, looking at Thor. "Bring me my son, please."

Frigga stood in the doorway of my maternity suit, holding a bundle in her arms that she was currently beaming at, "He has never been far from you Halea; he would cry any time we would try to take him from this room; your son has missed you…" Thor helped me get my head up and smiled, Frigga laying my son on my chest. I exhaled in awe, the active baby on my chest smiling before reaching out to press his hand to my throat. "Oh, he is so incredibly lovely," I whispered, stroking his fine blonde curls as his colorless eyes met my own.

"His name is Cierian Thor-son," Thor murmured, pressing his hand on top of mine.

I smiled and looked up at him, "It is beautiful- a name fit for a king."

"No one other than this healer and these nurses and our family knows that we have an heir to the throne. The entire world is waiting with bated breath on my word," he said quietly, meeting my eyes with a smile when I glared at him. "They will know Halea, but those concerns are not of importance right now- you are. And I am much too happy now with you and Cierian and Theia to care; give me a few more days of privacy."

"The people will worry," I warned him, Thor bending down to kiss my forehead.

He stroked my hair back away from my cheek and smiled, "And they will be fine. Now be silent and let me look at you as your hold our son. This is a moment I wish to cherish forever."

I began to feed Cierian when he started to fuss, my hair falling over my face.

"May I have my daughter," Thor asked quietly, looking up at one of the nurses. I marveled over my two beautiful children, my hand cradling my son's downy head as Theia cooed and played with Thor's fingers. My children were young and new, happy and beautiful- everything I could have asked for. I watched as Thor and Theia played before turning to look down at Cierian once more, smiling softly. "My cherished son- my heir," I whispered, stroking his cheek before shifting as Thor moved to press his body against my own.

"My family."

"Are you sure you wish to do this," Thor asked, his hands upon my hips.

I smiled and nodded, holding onto his shoulders for support, "I am sure Thor. It has been over two weeks since I have given birth- I can sit now and I am ready. I need to be able to care for my children. I can stand." Thor let out a heavy breath and eased me to my feet, the sharp pains that had plagued me now only a dull ache here and there. I smiled up at him and began to walk tentatively towards my nursery, finding the twins' nurse rocking Theia to sleep.

"My lady Halea, you are walking," she smiled, watching me as I walked over to Cierian's crib. He looked incredibly peaceful, Thor sighing proudly as we looked down upon him, "He is so beautiful."

"He is our heir," I murmured, reaching down to stroke his curls lovingly.

The nurse brought Theia to me and I held her against my breast, humming softly. My husband stroked her cheek before looking up at me with a smile upon his face, leaning down to kiss me passionately. "I believe it well past time to announce our heir," Thor murmured, turning his attention back to the babe within my arms.

I nodded and smiled, laying Theia down to pick up her brother.

"Our heir is quite-"

"Beautiful," Thor replied firmly, leading me out to our balcony. The whole of Asgard was in front of us, my husband pulling on the rope that was the massive bell above our chambers. The entire kingdom took heed of his call, Thor smiling back as me as I leaned against the doorway with our sleeping son in my arms. "My kingdom, your princess… and heir have been borne into the world! My wife has given birth to Princess Theia and the future king, Cierian! Rejoice!"

The sound of cheering and applause was deafening, my hand covering my son's ear protectively.

I walked towards the railing and smiled, watching as the streets burst into jubilation over the fact that their throne was secure. Thor and I looked down at Cierian as he awoke in my arms, his eyes meeting mine.

"You will be king one day, Cierian Thor-son. And you will make us so very proud…"