Time passed and the group was getting more settled into their new home and life on Earth. Ava was two weeks away from her due date and spring was trying to make its appearance. Jen had insisted on throwing her a baby shower and people had gotten her blankets and diapers, bottles, wipes, and clothes of all different sizes. There had also been a few other gifts that had been for the house, including a microwave and a toaster.
It was early morning and they were all in the kitchen. Ava had taught Arisa how to use the Midgardian cooking appliances. She would have gladly made the food herself, had Loki and Arisa not insisted that she take it easy. Arisa was standing at the stove, wearing sweat pants and an over-sized t-shirt. She was frying up some eggs. Ava was sitting at the table, wearing a green cotton night gown. Loki sat beside her in sweat pants and a t-shirt. Thor was trying to help Arisa with breakfast by making the toast.
"How do I do this?" Thor asked, pulling the slices of break out of the loaf bag and looking to Arisa.
"Just put them in the slots on the toaster." Arisa explained as she flipped an egg over. "Then push the button on the front of the toaster."
Thor put the bread in the toaster and then pushed the button down. He watched as the bread disappeared into the toaster. "What kind of sorcery is this?" He asked, as he watched the coils inside the toaster heat up and redden.
Ava laughed. "It's just heating up the bread from both side."
Loki couldn't help but to laugh at his brother's oafish nature. While Loki himself, didn't know too much about Midgardian technology, he knew more than his brother. He had also kept up on his reading, learning about the advances Midagardians had made. He also couldn't wait to see his brother jump when the toast popped up…especially since Thor was standing so closely to the toaster, watching it intently.
"How will I know when it is done?" Thor asked.
"You will know." Ava answered, a smile on her face. She was also looking forward to the toast popping up and scaring her brother-in-law.
Arisa had her back to Thor and a smile on her face, just thinking about what his reaction might be. He was a big oaf and he made her smile quite often. She grabbed a plate and put the eggs that were finished on it. She had turned so that she could watch Thor out of the corner of her eye. He was leaned over the toaster, watching the heated coils toast the bread intently.
The toaster made a humming sound as it heated the bread. The humming got a little faster and soon the toast popped up and hit Thor in the face. He jumped back, surprised. He grabbed a spatula that happened to be close by and held it out in front of him as if it were a sword, looking at the toaster. "What…what kind of evil magic is this?!" He thundered. "This…this device is most evil and tricky! It must be destroyed!"
Loki and Ava were sitting at the table laughing so hard, that tears were rolling down their cheeks. Arisa felt joy and amusement as she never had before. Normally, Thor's antics and behavior only caused her to smile, but this time they evoked much more from her. She felt the laugh bubble up from her very core and work its way up and passed her lips. It was the first time she had ever laughed in her entire existence and it was the most wonderful thing she had ever experienced.
"Why are you all laughing!" Thor shouted at his family. "This is not funny! That…that thing just attacked me!"
Arisa calmed herself down and walked over to pick up the toast as it had landed on the counter. She looked back at Thor, the laughter still alighting her dark eyes and curving her lips up into a smile. "It didn't attack you. It just pops the toast up when it is done. You are the dolt who stood with your face directly over it."
"You could have warned me." He shot back, slowly putting the spatula back down.
"We certainly could have…but it wouldn't have been nearly as amusing." Arisa replied, as Loki and Ava were still laughing too hard.
Thor shot his brother and sister-in-law a glare before turning back to Arisa. His blue eyes, glared at her intently, but her smile never left her face and the laughter never faded from her eyes, as she stared back at him. He could see his reflection in her dark eyes and how silly he looked. His expression slowly softened and a smile crossed his own lips. "I'll get you back for this…all of you."
After finishing breakfast, the group spent the day doing various things. Loki and Ava were finishing up getting things organized in the nursery for the baby. They'd also recently bought a cradle for keeping in their bedroom, since they would want to keep the baby in the room with them at night for the first few months at least.
Thor was going around the house, doing a perimeter check as he and Loki did several times a day. Arisa was making sure that she had everything ready for when Ava went into labor. While there were still two weeks to go, the baby could decide to come at any moment. Jen came over at around lunch time, bringing them all food from the diner.
After eating lunch, Loki and Thor were going out to do another perimeter check, leaving the three women to have some time alone. "If you need anything, let me know." Loki told his wife, kissing her forehead.
Ava smiled. "Okay."
Loki gently kissed her on the lips and then kissed her swollen belly. He then walked outside with Thor. "Just a couple of more weeks, your baby will be here." Jen said. "Are you getting excited?"
Ava grinned. "Yes. I can't wait to meet my little one."
"Are you hoping for a boy or girl?" Jen inquired.
"Just healthy." Ava replied. "And to have Loki's eyes…and his smile."
Jen smiled. She then looked at Arisa. "You don't say very much. How are you doing, Arisa?" She asked, wanting to get to know the other woman.
Arisa gave her a small smile. "I am alright."
Jen looked at her watch. "Well, my lunch break is over. It is time for me to head back to the diner. I'll be back to see you later. We'll have to do movie day tomorrow…just us girls." She said, hugging Ava.
Ava hugged her friend back. "Alright." She agreed with a laugh.
After Jen left, the little family settled in for a quiet evening at home. They all sat in the living room watching a movie. "I still do not understand how this works." Thor said as they watched the movie. "How do they shrink these people and get them inside this box?"
Ava laughed. "It's just a recording, Thor. No one is actually inside the tv." She then went on to explain how the device worked.
"That makes no sense." Thor said, once Ava had finished.
Ava just rolled her eyes and shook her head. She then started to push herself up off of the couch. Loki quickly stood up and helped his wife up. She smiled and kissed his cheek before waddling off to the closest bathroom. Ava stood at th sink washing her hands, after finishing up. It was then that she started to feel pain and pressure in her pelvis and lower back. She put her hand over her stomach as the pain hit her and then left. "Owe." She then opened the door and started to exit the bathroom. Another pang of pain and pressure hit her and she gripped the doorway for support. She then heard the sound of something wet hitting the floor.
Ava looked down and saw the fluid on the tile floor of the bathroom. Her eyes widened. "Loki! Arisa!" she called out.
Loki and Arisa were quickly running into the hall way. "What is wrong my love? Are you alright?" Loki asked, his voice worried.
"My water just broke."
