The next few months passed uneventfully. Loki and Ava had decided to keep the names they had chosen for the twins secret until they were born, which was still three weeks away. Thor and Eira were growing closer in their relationship, spending almost every day together. On this particular day, the group was getting ready for a feast.
Ava stood in front of her wardrobe, sorting through her dresses, discarding them on the bed. After a while she let out a huff. "That's it. I am not going to the feast tonight." She declared.
"Darling, what's the matter?" Loki asked, walking over to his wife.
"Every dress I wear…I look hideous in." She answered. "I'm huge and fat…I've seen Bilge Snipe that were slimmer…I'm just huge and ugly."
Loki wrapped his arms around his wife and pulled her close. He kissed the top of her head. "You're not fat. You're pregnant. And you're the most beautiful woman in all of Asgard."
"You have to say that, you're my husband. It's kind of in your job description." Ava countered.
"Ava, my darling, you are the most beautiful woman in the nine realms as far as I am concerned." Loki told her. "I especially find you beautiful now…pregnant with my son and daughter…glowing with life and love." As he spoke, Loki placed his hands lovingly over Ava's belly and grinned.
Ava couldn't help but to grin back. "I suppose you're right." She replied, placing her hands over his.
Loki kissed her cheek. "Sometimes, I think you say these things just so I'll tell you how beautiful you are."
Ava laughed. "Well...you caught me."
Loki chuckled. He waved his hand and suddenly Ava was wearing a beautiful green off the shoulder gown. It had an empire waist and flowed out beautifully over her belly. It was trimmed in gold. "What do you think of this dress?"
"I like it." Ava answered with a smile. "You have good taste...of course you did marry me."
Loki turned Ava to face him and pulled her lips to his for a kiss. "I love you, my darling."
Ava grinned up at him. "I love you, too."
"And I love the both of you." Loki said, bending down and kissing Ava's belly. The twins began to kick and move inside Ava's womb as if in response to their father.
Ava felt her grin widen. She loved seeing Loki so happy over her pregnancy. She kept having this gnawing feeling that he wouldn't be happy about it. She had no idea why, but that feeling stayed with her.
Just then there was a knock on their door. "Loki, Ava, are you ready?" Thor's voice sounded from outside the door.
Loki and Ava both looked at each other. They were completely surprised by the fact that Thor had knocked. "Are we sure that that is even Thor?" Ava asked.
"I don't know." Loki answered. "Stay behind me, while I check." He then pulled Ava back behind him, in a protective gesture and they cautiously approached the door together and Loki opened it up. "Who are you and what have you done with my brother?" Loki questioned as soon as they reached the door.
Thor laughed. "I told you they would be surprised if I knocked." He said.
Loki and Ava looked to see Eira standing next to Thor. "You got Thor to actually knock instead of barging into our chambers?"
Eira laughed. "Yes."
"It's about time someone taught him some manners." Loki said.
"I've always had manners." Thor replied. "Now, are you two ready or not?"
"Yes, we're ready." Ava answered as she and Loki stepped out of their chambers.
"Ava, you look stunning!" Eira gushed and hugged her friend. "That dress is gorgeous!"
Ava grinned and hugged her friend back. "Once again, the credit for the dress must go to my husband."
"You're picking out your wife's clothes?" Thor teased his brother. "Isn't that a little..."
"Hmm...one might think so." Loki replied, cutting his brother off. "But I know what I like to see my wife wearing."
Ava and Eira just laughed and shook their heads. The two couples then made their way to the dining hall, where the party was already in full swing, guests were eating, drinking, dancing, laughing, and just having a good time. Ava wasn't feeling much like dancing, so she and Loki sat down at the table, enjoying the meal and conversation with the people around them.
"How are you doing, Ava?" Sif asked.
"Just fine." Ava answered. "A little tired...these two seem to start moving around a lot when I'm trying to sleep, but I couldn't be better...or happier."
Just then the doors to the dining hall burst open and Frost Giants entered the room. The party erupted into complete chaos. Loki was staying with Ava, to keep her and their unborn children safe. "I'll take her to my chambers." Frigga told Loki.
"And I'll stay with them to help keep her safe." Sif added.
Loki nodded. He gave Ava a quick kiss. "Stay safe." He told her.
"You stay safe." She replied, kissing him back.
Loki was then joining the battle and Frigga and Sif were taking Ava towards Frigga's chambers when a group of Jotuns surprised them. Suf began to fight with one of them, while Ava tried to use her power to throw the others out of the way, but for some reason, her powers weren't working against them. The Jotuns smiled and then tossed Frigga out of the way and grabbed Ava.
"Loki!" Ava screamed, unable to think of anything else.
Loki finished off the Frost Giant he was facing and turned to see a group pf Jotuns dragging his wife off. Loki ran after them, taking down anyone that got in his way. He finally reached them in time to see the Jotuns disappear into thin air, Ava still in their grasp. "No!"
A/N: I hope you're all enjoying! And don't worry, you'll all get to know the names of the twins here soon :)
