A/N: Once again, I'd like to give a big thank you to Loki's best friend for helping me through my writer's block with this chapter. I hope everyone enjoys and also, since tomorrow is Mother's Day, I would like to wish all of the mothers that may be reading this a Happy Mother's Day :)

A week later, Loki, Ava, and Thor were walking through the city. Ava had started having some cravings and she'd wanted some pastries from her favorite bakery. Ava walked between her brother and husband, holding Loki's hand. Sif and the others were going to be meeting them at the bakery.

As they walked through the streets, Loki couldn't help but to notice that everyone was staring at them. Several of them were shooting him dirty looks. There were even a few that looked at Ava's swollen belly with disgust. Ava gave his hand a gentle squeeze. Loki looked over at his wife and she gave him a soft reassuring smile.

"That's him...the Jotun." Loki heard a small child whisper to another.

"He doesn't look like an Jotun." The other child replied.

"He can change." The first child replied.

The two children then looked at him in fear and ran off. There were other children that looked at him with curiosity. They soon arrived at the bakery. Sif and the others were already sitting at a table, waiting for them. They sat down and one of the maids walked over to the table.

"Is everyone here?" She asked.

"Yes." Fandrall answered.

"Now, let's get some food." Volstagg said.

"What can I get for you all?" She asked.

Everyone placed their orders. Volstagg ordered a dozen sweet rolls and a dozen sticky buns. Ava ordered a dozen sweet rolls, a dozen sticky buns, a tart, and cinnamon bread. "Ava, you're putting Volstagg to shame." Fandrall quipped.

Ava glared at him. "One: I have another life growing inside me. Two: I'm not eating this all in one sitting. And three: you can take your remarks about my appetite and shove them where the sun does not shine."

"Well, those pregnancy hormones are kicking in and making someone cranky." Fandrall replied.

Ava glared at him. She opened her mouth to say something, when Thor spoke. "Fandrall, do you remember those thrashings I gave you when we were children? Would you like to have one again?"

Fandrall sighed. "Alright." He said throwing his hands up. "I surrender."

Just then the owner of the bakery walked up to the table. "I am sorry...but I can't serve you." He said.

"Why not?" Thor asked.

"Well...not all of you. We don't serve Frost Giants and their...partners...here." The owner replied.

Thor rose from his seat and looked down at the owner. "You dare turn away my sister and brother-in-law?"

"I...uh...I am sorry my prince, but..." The owner stammered.

Loki and Ava rose from their seats. "It's not worth it, Thor." Loki said, then he and Ava walked out.

"We will all be taking our business else where. I will also make sure that others in Asgard will refuse to buy your pastries." Thor said, following his sister and brother-in-law out the door.

Sif got up along with Volstagg and Hogun and walked out as well. Sif looked back at Fandrall, "Aren't you coming?"

Fandrall sighed. "Yes." He replied, getting up and walking out.

Everyone met in the center of town. "I can't believe the nerve of some people." Sif said.

"How dare he refuse to serve you two." Thor said.

"It is alright." Loki replied. "I understand. It is still hard for people to accept things...to accept me."

Ava gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "It is not right. You have proven yourself again and again..."

"Only to your family. Not to the kingdom." Loki replied. "Perhaps my father was right, they will never accept me."

"Don't talk like that, Loki." Ava said.

"She is right, everyone will accept you." Thor agreed.

"It will just take time." Ava added.

Sif, Volstagg, and Hogun all nodded. Fandrall just kept his mouth shut. He still didn't quite trust Loki himself. He tended to agree more with the owner of the bakery, but he knew if he said otherwise, Thor would smite him.

Loki shook his head. "There is too much damage and hurt from my father and the things he did. Too many years of war and a strained peace."

Ava looked at her husband. "Loki..."

Loki gave her a small smile. "As long as you accept me, my love, that is all that I need."

Ava returned Loki's smile, but she still didn't like that this was happening.

"Why don't we just go home?" Thor suggested. "The chefs at the palace are better anyway."

"And they're getting used to Ava's cravings." Loki said, his tone joking.

Ava gave her husband a playful glare, but kissed his cheek. The group then headed back to the palace. They sat in the dining hall and enjoyed the pastries they had been wanting. Loki was starting to get back to his usual self since they had returned to the palace. However, Ava could tell that there was something hiding in his eyes. She could tell that he was still disappointed by the events at the bakery.

Later that night, Loki and Ava lay in their bed, wrapped up in each other's arms. Ava gave Loki a gentle kiss on the lips. "I love you."

"Even though I got you kicked out of your favorite bakery?" Loki replied.

Ava gave him a slight glare and playfully slapped his chest. "Don't even think about that. Everyone will come to accept you in time. Once they realize you are the kindest, sweetest, most wonderful person in the nine realms."

Loki pulled Ava closer and kissed her forehead. "My love, all I need is you and our baby."

"But I can tell that it hurts you." Ava replied.

"Ava, please stop worrying. It is nothing that either of us can control."

"But it shouldn't be happening."

Loki placed his fingers beneath Ava's chin and pulled her lips to his. He then slid his hand hand under the strap of her night dress, wanting to distract her, as well as wanting to take comfort from being so close to her. He then trailed his kisses down the side of her neck and along her collar bone and shoulder.

Just then there was a loud crashing sound and an explosion. They were both climbing out of bed and looking out the window. There was a large fire in the middle of the city and smoke climbing into the air.

Loki and Ava left their chambers. In the hall they were met by Frigga. "Are you both alright?" She asked.

"We're fine, what's going on?" Ava asked.

"We're under attack." Frigga answered. She then took her daughter's hand. "You're coming with me so I can make sure you and my grandchild stay safe."

They then started down the hall. Ava noticed that Loki wasn't coming with them. "Loki?" She called.

Loki went to her. "I have to go and help." He said, kissing her and then kissing her belly. "I love you, both of you." Then he was running towards an exit that led to the city.

Ava wanted to go after him, but her mother dragged her to her chambers. "You have to stay safe." Frigga said.

"But Loki..."

"He will be fine. He is very capable."