"And I'm on tonight
You know my hips don't lie
And I'm starting to feel it's right
All the attraction, the tension
Don't you see baby, this is perfection
!"

Irene groaned as her phone rang with Evie's ringtone damnit. "Seems like the perfect song." Bruce muttered again her lips and Irene chuckled.

She really didn't want to move from where Bruce was straddled against her but if Evie was calling it was probably important. "damnit. It's Evie's ringtone." She muttered and Bruce sighed but pulled back to let her get to her phone. "Evie?" she answered and mouthed 'sorry' to Bruce who just shrugged in understanding.

"Hey 'Rene, uh so my waters have broken and we're on our way to the hospital, could you let everyone know?"

Irene didn't reply for a minute, Evie had spoken so calmly that it took a moment for her words to sink in. "What? Seriously?!" Irene squealed and Bruce jumped.

"Yeah. Seriously."

"Right! I'll be there soon! Oh my god! Where are you?"

"Going to New York City Hospital. I mean that'll be faster than getting to S.H.I.E.L.D. But look, I could be there for hours so you don't need to come now."

"I'll be right there - I'll tell everyone else to come later though."

"Uh- okay. Thanks."

"Yes. Cool! See you!" Irene giggled as she cut off the phone and turned to a confused looking Bruce, "Evie's water's broke! Gotta get to the hospital! JARVIS! Tell the others, but tell them we'll call again when they should come. C'mon Bruce!"

"Uh," Bruce just nodded blankly as Irene rambled about Evie giving birth and how she can't wait to meet Freya. "Why should the others come later?" he asked eventually as they reached the garage.

"Cause she could be in labour for hours. No point in everyone standing about. But she's my bestfriend I've gotta be there!"

"Right." Bruce noticed that Irene was shaking from excitement and put his hand on the handle for the driver's seat just before she got there. "I'll drive."

"Yes. Good. Thanks." Irene nodded and got into the passenger seat but just before Bruce started the car they saw Mycroft walking towards the car. "'Croft! You're coming?"

He shrugged, "I uh, I thought it'd be quite nice. I mean I don't mind waiting around. I'm not doing much anyway."

Irene grinned, she hadn't expected Mycroft to want to come, he was talking to Evie but she knew he still blames her and is struggling to continue their friendship, so this is fantastic progress. "Jump in then!" She gestured to the back and Mycroft did so.

When they arrived at the hospital they were all led to a room, luckily Evie and Steve had managed to get a private one, once the nurses recognised Steve and thought he wouldn't want people constantly asking him for an autograph during a time like this.

Evie was lying in the bed wearing a hospital gown with Steve sat beside her, she grinned at the three as they entered the room, "hey, Croft I didn't expect you to come?" she genuinely hadn't, he had been avoiding her whenever possible lately, which she didn't blame him for.

Mycroft shrugged as Irene sat down beside Steve, "I uh, thought it'd be nice y'know." He didn't say it but the only reason he did come was because this was the first baby from their group. He had to be there for the birth, they had all promised years ago. He just wished that Sherlock was there with them as well.

"How are the contractions?" Bruce asked pulling Mycroft out of his thought as every took a seat.

"I've had two so far, about ten minutes apar-" Evie cut off and cried out in pain, she squeezed Steve's hand and tried to take deep breaths, it lasted just under a minute with nobody else knowing what to do until Evie relaxed slightly.

"Nine minutes." Steve corrected handing Evie a glass of water.

"Right, need anything?" Bruce asked.

Evie shook her head and handed the glass back to Steve with a thankful nod, "not right now thank you."

"So how was your date?" Irene couldn't help but ask, "I assume the dress is ruined?"

Evie nodded and grinned at Steve who just smiled in return.

Twenty minutes and two contractions later the door opened and two S.H.I.E.L.D agents entered followed by Clint and Natasha, Steve and Bruce both stood up ready to protect Evie from the agents knowing how she doesn't trust them and frankly neither of them trusted S.H.I.E.L.D. with Freya. She's was going to be powerful and S.H.I.E.L.D likes powerful people.

But before saying anything they looked at the two Assassins first trusting them both.

Natasha nodded as Clint answered, "don't worry. They're only here to make sure it all goes smoothly and make sure that the hospital don't find about her true heritage. It could be dangerous for them to find out."

"Since we're going to assume you'd rather stay here than go to S.H.I.E.L.D?" one of the Agents asked.

Evie nodded, "I'd feel a lot safer."

The agents nodded, "that's fine then. Don't want to make the mother to uncomfortable. I'm Agent Wilson, this is Agent Gorden. We'll be outside." With that they stepped back out the door and closed it behind them as everyone sat back down.

Clint and Natasha stayed standing at the end of the room.

"Good agents never had a problem with them." Clint spoke up. No one replied.
Another hour went by; with them just conversing and nothing much happening until finally the contractions were only a couple of minutes apart. A midwife came in to check on her and decided it was time.

"Everyone who isn't the father of this baby must leave." The midwife ordered and everyone glanced at each other awkwardly.

"Might be a bit of a problem there." Irene said, the midwife rose an eyebrow and looked at Steve who just looked away not knowing what to say.

"Oh, I'm sorry I just assumed-"

"Can Irene and Steve stay?" Evie interrupted.

The midwife glanced at the two who Evie gestured at and nodded, "you may. But everyone else needs to go."

"I'll call the others." Clint offered as he left the room.

Another two hours past until finally the midwife handed an exhausted Evie a tiny crying baby, wrapped up in a white towel.

Evie giggled softly, after everything that's gone by, just to have this little baby.
Beautiful.

"What's her name?" the midwife asked whilst Evie and the others just stared at the baby.

"Freya Rae." Evie answered breathlessly. Steve squeezed her shoulder, "well done." He murmured into her ear and Evie just smiled wider.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

As soon as they were allowed the entire group of the Avengers, Mycroft and Pepper joined them in the room, they all stood around Evie looking down at her and Freya.

"She's beautiful." Pepper murmured.

"She is." Evie agreed.

Freya had fallen asleep soon after the birth but at Evie's voice her eyes opened revealing bright wide green eyes.

Loki's eyes.

Evie heard everyone behind her make a slight noise of shock when they saw her eyes.

"Looks like Jake's eyes." Irene said suddenly and Evie and Mycroft laughed softly in agreement.

"Jacob had green eyes?" Steve asked, Evie nodded.

"You haven't seen a picture of him?" she asked suddenly, she was sure she must have shown him at least one but she couldn't actually remember.

"Yeah, I just didn't take note of his eyes colour." Evie nodded but glanced at Irene gratefully, it pulled thoughts away from Loki. "May I- could I hold her?" Steve asked, he was hesitant but even after seeing that she has Loki's eyes he still wants to know her. He can't let things like that shake him, she is Loki's daughter he knows that but he doesn't care, it's not her fault.

Evie hesitated, part of her still worried that the Avengers wanted to take her baby but she forced herself past it, this is Steve. The man she loves, he only wants to hold Freya and he will protect her. She saw the look on his face when the S.H.I.E.L.D agents came into the room.

So she nodded and turned to Steve, carefully putting Freya into his arms.

"Hello Freya." Steve whispered, holding her tightly.

"You've called her Freya?" Thor asked, he sounded shocked and maybe even a little uncomfortable.

Evie nodded but she realised that Thor might know why. "Yeah."

"Middle name?" Bruce asked.

"Not yet, the birth certificate still needs to be filled out. But I was thinking Margret after Aunt Maggie."

Steve smiled at that, remembering his dance with Peggy.

"Why Freya?" Clint asked curiously, he had asked before but she still hadn't had her memory returned by that point, "do you remember now?"

Evie hesitated, she remembered exactly why; Freya was the name of Loki's favourite constellation on Asgard and she liked the name. Her and Loki had discussed the name and they both liked it. But she couldn't tell that to Steve, she wants to try again with him and he does with her.

Freya having Loki's eyes will be hard enough on Steve, let alone a name that her and Loki had wanted. So she shook her head, "no. I don't remember. I think I may have just liked it. I do like it."

"It is a beautiful name." Irene said.

"Freya Margret Rodgers." Tony murmured thoughtfully. Steve glanced over when he heard his surname instead of Evie's but nobody commented on it.

"You broke your promise Evie." Irene said instead.

"Hm?"

"You wouldn't have a Christmas birthday baby 'cause Jake hated his."

Evie laughed, "it's the 21st so not a completely Christmasy birthday." Irene laughed.

"I want one." Pepper said taking Tony's hand.

"You- what?" Tony immediately went pale.

"A baby."

"Evie! Look what you've done!" Tony spluttered.

"Sorry." Evie laughed but she noticed that Tony's hand had tightened on Pepper's and he wasn't running away. That was always a good sign.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Since it was late the hospital had them stay there but everyone except Irene and Steve headed home for the night at Evie's insistence. Irene and Steve simply refused to leave.

Tony promised to ensure Evie's room is ready for Freya; she hadn't actually been due for another two weeks so they had bought most of the items necessary but kept them in a spare room. Tony had made a cot that looked like wood but it actually metal, electronic which rocks itself when Freya needs soothing and JARVIS had been installed onto it so that he can monitor Freya closely when she sleeps. There was a spot for a night light on the side and a mobile attached on the top with carved symbols of each of the Avengers. Evie had squeaked in excitement when she saw it.

For now Freya was staying in the same room as Evie but everyone knew that she would probably move back in with Steve at some point soon so Tony sorted out a room next door to Steve's and got it ready for Freya and ensured that JARVIS was able to hear so that he could alert Evie and Steve of Freya's crying.

And as soon as Evie got home the next day and laughed as she walked into the common room to see a large 'WELCOME HOME FREYA' banner running from one wall to the other going right past the Christmas tree. It looked to be held up with arrows and a small throwing knife making Evie wonder what the hell had happened?

The side of the room beside the TV sat a small playpen with a small white dog teddy bear with brown ears. There was a small swing seat attached to the ceiling, swinging just beside the sofa and various other toys scattered about.

"Wow." She murmured.

"We were gonna give them for Christmas but figured a couple of days early we can be forgiven. It's her fault anyway for being early." Tony explained with a grin.

"It's wonderful. Thank you." Evie sat down on the sofa, putting the car seat which Freya was sleeping in, beside her.

A little while later while everyone was busy talking or had left to do their own thing but Thor came to sit beside her.

"May I hold her?" he asked gesturing to Freya. Evie nodded but watched as Thor carefully picked her up out of her seat. She was tiny anyway but in Thor's huge hands – if she had been any smaller, he probably could have fit her in one. "I can feel her magic." He murmured holding her very carefully.

"You can?"

Thor nodded, "yes. It should begin to show it's self in a few months. At least from what I know of mages."

"How will it show itself?"

Thor shrugged, "it different ways, I remember mother saying that when Loki was a baby he would shape shift or multiple himself often. Luckily being a mage herself she could deal with it easily but I'm sure you will be fine."

"I thought- Loki had to say a chant before he could shape shift?"

Thor frowned in thought, "that was for his constant and physical shifting,whereas the others were just illusions which were easier to see through. You could not touch an illusion, as it would be broken immediately, but you can touch a shape shifter.

"Ah." Evie nodding in understanding.

"So, you do not remember why you wanted to call her Freya?" he spoke quieter this time and glanced around but nobody was paying attention.

Evie hesitated, "I uh-"

Thor rose an eyebrow at her, "you do remember, don't you?"

Evie nodded, Thor knows why there was no point in lying. "Loki's favourite constellation on Asgard. We discussed the name as well and both liked it. I'm sorry I lied."

Thor shook his head, "I understand why. Freya is a beautiful name and the Captain, he would not like that."

"Yeah. But look I'll tell them if-"

"Why would you need to? This is not a lie that is hurting anybody." Thor spoke quietly, still glancing around to make sure nobody was listening in. He turned to look at Evie, "you're secret is safe with me."

Evie's eyes widened, "why?"

Thor shrugged, "I like the name Freya for my niece. Although, for prior warning if you ever come to Asgard with Freya, you should know there also a goddess named Freya in Asgard, she is the goddess of fertility and love." Evie's eyebrows rose, "she is a good friend of mine."

"Right."

"Just for warning because people will mention that in Asgard when you introduce Freya."

"Thank you." Evie laughed at Thor's grin.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Evie was awoken by someone knocking on her door; she blearily sat up, "mmhm?" she called out and then glanced at the time – 7am – as Steve opened the door and smiled at her, Evie started blankly at him for a moment, "Steve, it's seven." She glanced over to the cot in the corner where Freya was asleep; she had been awake only two hours ago for a feeding.

"Morning." Steve smiled at her and spoke quietly so as not to wake Freya, "sorry for waking you so early but I kept Tony away as long as possible."

Evie blinked at him confused, "uh?"

"Merry Christmas." He added as an explanation and Evie's eyes widened.

"Oh! Christmas, right. Forgot that was happening." Evie nodded, "thanks."

"But he still made me promise to give you these." He handed her Captain America Pyjamas made to fit her post-pregnancy stomach.

Evie laughed, "thank you. I'll get change and be there in a bit?" she hesitated, "actually, could you take Freya up?" She knew that really, if the baby was sleeping then the mother should sleep too – that was something Irene had advised – but she didn't want Freya to miss this. Plus, she hadn't let Freya out of her sight since birth, she needed to get used to trusting the Avengers to look after her when she's unavailable.

Steve's eyes widened but he nodded, "sure." He carefully took Freya out of the cot, Freya made a noise and started to wake up but as Steve held her into his chest she didn't wake so he nodded and went back to the common room.

Once Evie was changed and she went up into the common room she glanced around and was pleasantly surprised to see Leo sitting in the common room with the others holding Freya. She had spoken to him over the phone and face time but he hadn't been able to come down and see her since her memory's returned. Irene invited him for Christmas this year.

Evie squealed and he stood up to hug her but carefully as he held Freya.

"Leonardo!"

"Evie! Good to see you finally." He kissed her cheek and looked her up and down.

"And you. I've missed you Leo. Freya behaving?"

"Like a dream. Although I'm starting to think she needs a change."

Evie lent closer to smell and grimaced, "yes she does, I'll do it quickly," she glanced over to a scowling Tony, "you guys continue! I'll join you in a second. The tables just over there." She pointed to the changing table sat in the corner.

"No. We'll wait." Tony said but he didn't sound happy about it.

Evie rolled her eyes at Tony's determination for them to open the presents together but she made sure not to spend to long changing Freya's diaper.

Once she was done she let Freya stay up for a while putting her laying on a mat with a mobile above her, she was a very well behaved baby, so far she rarely cried and was happy to be passed around between the large group and slept easily and quickly. Evie just hoped it lasts as she gets older.

Once she sat down and presents were passed around, Evie was surprised to have presents but she loved them all. Most of them were clothes or something fun or something for Freya but it all made Evie happy.

Everyone was smiling and relaxed, it felt like this was the first time they could relax in a long time. Christmas, a time of forgiving.

It had been easier this year to buy for each other knowing each other better.

Once presents were done they decided to watch a film and then everybody helped to make Christmas dinner until Tony blew up the turkey and he was thrown out. Evie tried to help but then JARVIS reminded her that had to feed Freya so they let her out of cooking.

"Cracker?" Tony asked as he sat down next to Evie as she held Freya soothing her after her dinner.

Evie laughed and reached out to pull it but as soon as it exploded Freya started crying.

"Oh no, I didn't- I'm sorry baby." Evie whispered soothingly to her daughter.

"Ops." Tony muttered, having forgotten about the bang from the cracker.

Eventually Evie managed to calm Freya but they all had to leave the room to do the crackers so as not to scare her, but sooner or later everyone emerged wearing a brightly coloured paper hat and holding a silly toy. They even managed to convince Natasha to wear a red one.

Tony managed to get two together for Steve. Red and Blue.

At the end of the meal just before Clint went to get the pudding, Evie stood up, everyone looked at her curiously.

"I uh- I just wanna make a toast. To all of you." She gestured around the table, "it's be a long- very long and hard year. For all of us." Everyone nodded in agreement, "And I'm sorry for everything I've done. But you've all...you've been amazing to me and just tried to get past it. You've got me here and letting me live her and just, go back to normal. You've defended me even though, I don't deserve to be defended. I still can't believe it and I'm often expect you to be staring at me with hate or blame but you're not so... so I thank you all and I just pray that next year is better and for many more to come."

"Hear hear!" Tony grinned holding up his glass and he winked at Evie.

"Cheers!" Clint added clinking his glass against Natasha's.

As Evie sat down Steve pulled her to him to kiss her passionately until Tony wolf-whistled and they pulled apart.

"I love you." Evie whispered.

"I love you too." Steve told her.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Leo stayed for a few days and during these days, he went to go visit Sherlocks grave. He walked slowly into the graveyard and quickly locating the correct grave. He had gone there enough times in the beginning to find it quickly.

He went and sat down in front of on the damp, cold grass, placing a plastic dancing flower besides the other flower he brought last time he came. They were better than normal flowers, at least they didn't die, Sherlock would love it.

"Hey mate." He greeted, "I've come to New York for a few days. Christmas y'know. New Year's party tonight as well. First Christmas and New Year where I don't see you, Mycroft struggled through it, he's done fantastically even with Evie here. He struggles having her around, blames her, I know you'd probably slap him for blaming her but, I don't blame him for it. He's been amazing with everything, considering." Leo took a deep breath as he realised he was rambling and then wiped at his eyes as tears began to leak through. "Crying already. I've only been here a minute. Fuck mate, I miss you, so much. I know we didn't see each other all that often but when we did it, I always had such a..."

Leo drifted off for a moment thinking about the many times he turned up at Sherlocks school without Sherlock knowing and the way Sherlock would just ignore his class and just hug him! Or when Sherlock and the gang turned up at his door, Leo would always hug Sherlock first.

"Great time." Leo finished, "I had a dream the other night actually, from when we met. In our music lecture. We just...clicked. Damnit, you idiot. Why did you have to go and die? Why?" He was crying shamelessly now, "when Irene told me! Fuck I just, I couldn't believe it. I've never felt so much grief! At your funeral I said about people dying is like taking a brick from you. But you- you ripped down half the fucking wall man." Leo furiously wiped at his eyes. "I loved you, you idiot. So many times I considered moving to New York just to be with you, but I knew you weren't interested in me like that. That's why I stayed in Ohio! That's why I didn't come often enough. Because I had to get over you, and god man I tried but then I'd see you again and everything would come back! But then you took the process into your own hands didn't you? And you went and fucking died." Leo took a deep breath, he didn't say anything for a few minutes and then he sighed. "I just miss you so much Sherlock. Please just...don't be, dead. For me? Would you do that?"

With that, in John Watson style, Leo stood up, and turned around walking stiffly away. He didn't get far though; he stopped when he saw Mycroft. Standing not far behind him.

"How long have you been there?" He asked without looking at the man.

"Long enough." Mycroft answered. "I had no idea."

"That was my plan. Make sure the others stay that way."

"You have my word."

"Thank you." And then he left, at the gate though he did turn around, just long enough to see Mycroft fall to his knees in front of the grave.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Two months passed by quickly and during these months Evie moved back into Steve's room, she moved all of her stuff back to his floor. They had tried to go slowly but they could barely stay away from each other.

The first time, when they decided to move back together, Evie just fell asleep when they were talking and Steve couldn't bear to wake her.

Freya was moved into a room on their floor to give her, her own bedroom as she was almost sleeping through the night only occasionally waking up once for a feed.

Steve treated her like his own daughter. He began to love her like his own daughter but he did admit to Evie:

"Seeing her eyes is hard."

"Because they're his?"

"Yes. It's a constant reminder."

"I'm sorry."

"No, don't. I just, it's not her fault and I still love her, and you, despite it. I just thought that you needed to know." He had told her before kissing her and reminding her that he loves her.

That night when Steve woke up he was surprised to find himself alone in the bed.

He thought that maybe Evie had gone to feed Freya but JARVIS usually alerted them and woke them both up so he climbed out of the bed and wandered to Freya's room first, she was fast asleep, her tiny chest moving. He smiled softly at her beautiful face and then headed to the common room surprised to see light coming from the kitchen.

He headed towards that light and Evie was sat on the floor staring into the open fridge.

"Evie?" He spoke softly; she turned and smiled at him.

"Hey Steve."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I was just hungry."

"Y'know you're supposed to eat the food right? Not just stare at it."

Evie rolled her eyes, "Didn't know what I wanted."

"How about I whip up some cheese toasties?"

"Mm, yes please." Evie stood up and got the cheese and butter before closing the fridge door turning to face Steve who started cutting cheese.

He smiled at her and she smiled back. She still felt awkward with him, worried that he will one day realise that he hasn't actually forgiven her and that he can't raise Freya. She's too much like Loki.

But she tried to be normal with him. She loved him and he seems to love her so she didn't make things awkward. She loves him too much for that.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Steve spoke up and Evie shrugged.

"I love you."

Steve smiled, "I love you too."

Evie stared Steve for another few moments before walking around the counter so that she was beside him. He turned to her and Evie stood on her tiptoes to kiss him.

Steve kissed her back hungrily, quickly forgetting the cheese toast, he pushed the plate of cheese away from them and lifted Evie onto the counter kissing her harder. Her legs wrapped around his waist, hands going through his hair.

"Evie... I apologise for interrupting but something is happening with Freya." JARVIS spoke up and reluctantly they pulled apart.

"What do you mean something?"

"You may want to see."

Evie and Steve looked at each other worriedly for a moment before running to her room and froze in the doorway. "Oh." Evie murmured.

"That is something." Steve agreed.

They looked around the room at the 50 or so Freya's scattered around the room, even some on the ceiling. Each and every one of them were making various faces, some awake, some asleep.

"Uh..." Evie looked at Steve helplessly.

After a moment Steve headed towards the cot, carefully of treading on the other Freya's, knowing that they were just illusions he still felt that he should be careful.

The real Freya was still lying in her bed but know awake and just stared up at Steve and giggled.

Steve bent down to pick her up, "you think this is funny do you?" he asked, Freya giggled again and all of the copies echoed her laugh. "It's very confusing y'know Freya. You're very cute but too many of you would get extremely loud, you hurt uncle Bruce's ears when you cry, fifty of you crying would bring out the Hulk. So I'd very much appreciate it if you put them away for a little while."
There was a moment with just the various Freya's making noise until they all shimmered away, one by one.

"Good girl." Steve told her kissing her forehead.

Evie joined them standing beside Steve. "Adopt her." She said before she thought it through, Steve was just so fantastic with her, he acted like her father and he so obviously loves her. How he can do that knowing he's Loki's she has no idea but he does.

Steve had turned to stare at her, shocked, "what?"

She couldn't change her mind now, and she doesn't want to, "adopt Freya. I mean, if you want to. I love you Steve and I want to have a life with you. And even if we're going slow now, I want you to be Freya's daddy."

"Really?"

"Really."

"We'll sort that out in the morning then." Steve grinned, putting Freya back down into the bed and turned to kiss Evie. "I would still go in the library y'know." He told her quietly, watching as the bed began to rock gently soothing Freya to sleep.

"You would?" Evie asked, genuinely surprised.

"Yes." Steve nodded and he looked to be sincere, "no matter what's happened, I love you and Freya, I don't care she's not mine. She's beautiful and I love her. This wasn't how I imagined getting here but this is what I imagined happening, sitting at 3am together with our baby."

Evie eyes widened, "You had really thought it through?"

Steve nodded again, "Two kids. A girl and a boy. Hopefully without all the problems I had before the serum. They'll be really close but occasionally argue. They wouldn't be siblings without arguing. We'd have large family gatherings with all the avengers, Tony and Pepper will have a kid. Maybe Bruce and Irene will as well. Mycroft might be married by then and Sherlock was there...then and Clint and Nat will finally admit their feelings for each other," Evie laughed and Steve grinned, "All the kids will run around making a mess by we won't care just because it's heart-warming seeing their innocence and fun. And it'll be amazing."

The image was so clear Evie just pulled Steve into a kiss.