Chapter 51: Tragedy
Tony and Loki were frozen, and both of them were robbed of their speech. It was as if someone had punched them in the stomach.
Loki broke the silence. "Pregnant? Are you certain, doctor?"
"We tested her thoroughly," the medic replied. "She is most certainly pregnant."
"How is she?" Loki asked.
"She's resting comfortably," replied the doctor.
"May we see her?" Tony asked.
"You may, but keep your visits brief. She and the baby need their rest," the doctor said.
Tony and Loki nodded to the doctor before entering Brigid's room. Brigid lay asleep under cool white sheets and she was propped up by many large pillows. She looked peaceful as she lay there and Loki came to her side, holding her hand.
"Well, I'll let you two share the wonderful news," Tony said.
"Don't you dare, Stark," Loki warned.
"I hate you," Tony grumbled.
"You should've thought of that before you messed with my family," Loki said.
"I did it for her," Tony said.
"I don't think she'll feel the same way," Loki said.
"Feel the same way about what?"
Loki and Tony turned to find Brigid slowly waking and her eyes finally opened.
"My love! It is a joy to see your eyes again!" Loki gasped, kissing her hand.
"And it's a joy to see yours, my darling," Brigid said weakly.
"You gave us a scare, my princess," Tony said.
"Well, this time I wasn't trying," Brigid said. "What happened? I remember feeling dizzy and sick, trying to reach the toilet and then nothing."
Loki turned to Tony who sighed.
"It seems you're perfectly fine, princess," Tony said.
"Fine? How am I fine if I'm here?" Brigid asked.
Tony took a breath before he spoke again. "You're pregnant, my princess."
Brigid's eyes flashed and her face became hot with rage. "I knew you were hiding something from me, but I forced myself not to see it. I blinded myself because I love you, and you lied to me. Why? Why would you hurt me like this?"
"I was only trying to protect you," Tony said. "I saw how it destroyed you losing Tony, Bruce and Frigga and I couldn't let that happen again."
"So you try to destroy me to save me?" Brigid asked furiously.
"I did what I had to," Tony faltered.
"It's not up to you to save me," Brigid said coldly.
"I know that. I've always known that," Tony said.
Brigid shook her head. "Even now you still lie. If you knew that, you wouldn't have deceived me."
"Brigid, I love you," Tony said, the plea and pain in his voice. "I can't lose you."
"Perhaps you should have thought of that before you saw to deceive me," Brigid replied. "Get out."
Wounded, Tony left the room, leaving Loki alone with his wife.
"That was cold, my love," Loki said. "I'm proud of you."
"Is it true? Are we having another child?" Brigid asked.
"Yes, we are blessed with another child," Loki said, kissing her hand.
Brigid smiled and ran her hand along her still small belly. "We're going to rebuild our family and save our children. I do believe Mother would be proud of us."
"She would be proud of you, my love," Loki said. "You are as devoted a mother and strong a warrior as she was."
"I do only hope I live up to her name," Brigid said.
"You do that every day, my love," Loki said.
Brigid and Loki's joy was short-lived when Steve entered the infirmary room.
"So, I hear you're feeling better," Steve said.
"Well, not exactly. In case you didn't hear, I'm expecting," Brigid said, her hands on her belly.
"Congratulations, I should have brought pink and blue balloons," Steve said dryly. "Perhaps we can celebrate in the cell."
"If I may, Captain, but I would not speak to the mother of my children that way," Loki said.
"You wanna join her? Keep talking," Steve said. "I can have you thrown in there for violating my orders. I could kill you for what you did years ago, but your brother has persuaded me otherwise."
"If I may, it is not wise nor is it healthy for an expectant mother to be locked up in a cell," Loki said. "Perhaps she could be permitted some fresh air?"
"You really think I'm gonna take medical advice from a psycho?" Steve asked. "She's going back to the cell."
For many weeks, Brigid remained in her cell, keeping Astrid well hidden under her magic. She was plagued by morning sickness as her pregnancy progressed, but Loki visited her often and helped to quell her illness.
"How fares the child, my love?" Loki asked.
"Stubborn, even in these early stages," Brigid said.
Just then, Brigid turned green and raced to the toilet. Loki only heard her horrid retching as she emerged from the toilet, paler than a sheet. Loki carried her to the bed and conjured a cool washcloth and placed it on her head. Just then, Astrid began to scream.
"Oh, Astrid, my dear," Brigid moaned.
"Rest, my love. I will tend our daughter," Loki whispered.
Loki took Astrid in his arms and rocked her back and forth, walking about the room.
Day is gone, the sun has fallen
The moon and stars are risen
Weep not, child, they are your company
Until the sun returns and you are with me
Again
As Loki continued to hum to Astrid, she slowly quieted down and gradually fell asleep. Once Astrid was asleep, Loki placed her in the cradle and turned back to Brigid.
"She's so perfect," Brigid said weakly. "She's truly a blessing."
"Just like this child," Loki said.
Once again, their bliss was interrupted by the good Captain. Behind him was a woman with robotic features and blue skin.
"Captain, what brings you here?" Loki asked.
"Making sure the prisoner stays healthy," Steve replied.
"I didn't know you cared," Brigid said snidely.
"I don't, but I won't have a dead child on my conscience," Steve replied.
"Who are you?" Brigid asked the blue-skinned woman.
"You are Nebula, are you not?" Loki asked.
"I see you know my dad," Nebula replied.
"Your father wiped out half the universe, including my children," Loki said coldly.
Brigid's eyes flashed. "You're a daughter of Thanos?"
"He killed my sister. I didn't choose my father," Nebula said.
"You're the reason he succeed and killed my children," Brigid said.
"Enough!" Steve said. "We're taking you to the infirmary."
Brigid grabbed by Nebula and restrained in cuffs. Just as she was cuffed, Astrid began to wail again.
Steve looked at Astrid and glared at Loki and Brigid. "This is low, even for you. Kidnapping a baby. Nebula, take this kid back and try to find her real parents."
"Oh, like Hell!" Brigid shouted.
Quicker than lightning, Brigid busted free of her bonds and kicked Steve, sending him across the cell. She sent a blast at Nebula, knocking her back. Brigid jumped in front of the cradle.
"Anyone touches her will be sent straight to Hell!" she cried.
Suddenly, Nebula jumped behind her and lifted her up by the throat.
"Nebula, enough!" Steve cried.
Nebula continued to squeeze Brigid's throat, the hate clear in her eyes. "I didn't choose who I am, and I will take your choice from you."
"Nebula, stop!" Loki cried.
Nebula awakened from her hateful trance and callously dropped Brigid to the ground, where she sputtered and coughed helplessly.
"Get out, both of you! Get out!" Loki cried.
Without a word, Steve escorted Nebula out of the cell.
"Forgive me, my love," Brigid said weakly.
"There's nothing to forgive," Loki said. "You were doing what a mother does. You were protecting your child."
"I should not have risked our unborn child's life," Brigid said.
"Do not worry, my love. No harm will come to our child," Loki said.
Later that night, Brigid lay asleep with Loki by her side. Suddenly, she felt something move inside her and a great pain.
"Ohh! Ahhhh!" she cried.
Loki was awakened by her cries to find Brigid drenched in sweat. "My love, are you alright?"
"I'm fine," she said.
Loki looked down to find the white sheets dyed crimson with blood. "My darling, you're bleeding! You need a healer!"
Loki carried a weakened and bloodied Brigid to the infirmary where he waited anxiously to hear news. For almost an hour, he waited until the medic finally approached him.
"Doctor, how is she?" Loki asked.
"I'm so sorry," the doctor said gravely.
"What are you talking about?" Loki asked.
"I'm afraid she has miscarried," the doctor replied. "We can tell her if you like."
"No, let me be alone with her," Loki said.
The doctor nodded, leaving Loki alone with Brigid. Loki felt as if he had fallen to pieces. Another child of his, taken, gone. The hardest task he knew was telling Brigid she was no longer carrying his child. Loki sat by her side, holding her cold hand as she slowly awoke.
"My love," she whispered.
"Are you well, my love?" Loki asked.
"What happened to me?" Brigid asked.
"You're just fine, my love," Loki said, his voice betraying his feelings.
"You're lying, and not very well," Brigid said. "What happened to me? Is our baby alright?"
Loki tearfully kissed her hand. "My love, the child...our baby is gone."
"No more lies!" Brigid cried, shoving Loki away.
"Brigid, please listen to me, my love," Loki said, holding back his own grief. "Our baby is gone. I'm so sorry."
"Don't lie to me!" Brigid cried. "Stop lying to me!"
"Brigid, please," Loki said. "I wouldn't hurt you. I'm so sorry. Our baby is gone."
Brigid wanted to run from the truth, but she knew there was no running from it. The truth pierced her like an arrow to the heart.
"No! No!" Brigid screamed. "My baby, my baby! No! No!"
Loki grabbed her as Brigid collapsed in his arms, overcome by grief and pain. Loki held her, as if trying to protect her from the pain, but he knew there was no protecting her from this pain. Their baby was gone and no comfort could ease that pain.
A/N: Ugh, Brigid and Loki lost the baby! I cried writing this! This is for my readers, reviewers, followers, etc. This story is for you and would be nothing without you.
