Chapter 15 - Socializing
Maria stared at the line of cars parked in the circular drive of Stark's mansion. Her friends gathered inside, waiting to lavish adoration on Lachlan— and who knew what else.
"We have to go in."
Loki remained slumped in the seat, glaring at the house.
"Why?"
"Because we said we would."
"No, you said we'd come. I'm not eager to spring their trap."
Maria tired of such terms as bad guy, trap and ambush being thrown around.
All things considered, a face-to-face confrontation was necessary to set some ground rules and expectations between all parties involved. Whatever hers and Loki's decided plan, it couldn't include cowering in the car or sneaking off into the night.
"We'll be outnumbered. So what?"
She shut off the van and released her belt, a cue to him that her patience ran shorter by the moment.
"We have the advantage, remember?"
He looked her way, his brow furrowing.
"You mean Lachlan," he said, sounding insulted. "You think I should hide behind my son?"
"Well, that's one tactic," she said. "Though, not the only or best option. We should definitely present a unified front, but that won't happen if you don't walk in with us."
The agent collected the keys from the ignition and exited the vehicle. She came around to the passenger side, releasing the sliding door to get to the diaper bag and car seat.
His door opened. Loki slipped out in his forest green sweater and black slacks under a charcoal gray duster jacket. The former Prince of Asgard looked good, stylish and well-nigh approachable if not for the soft scowl weighing down his pale features.
He took the carrier, checking on the sleeping baby before following up the path.
"I assume you want me to behave," he said, joining her at the door.
Maria rang the bell, which announced their arrival in a chorus of sequential chimes.
"Nope."
"Really?" Loki appeared surprised.
A dark form could be seen approaching through the distorted yellow glass of the decorative door. Maria guessed it was a woman from the overall slimness of the figure and likely Pepper since it was her house.
"It's a party," she reminded Loki, leaning closer as if sharing a secret. "Maybe you could try not to maim, kill or emotionally devastate anyone."
The smallest of chuckles escaped him before Mrs. Stark appeared.
Pepper was all smiles and almost bouncy with energy as she admitted them.
"Welcome. Come in. Let me take your coats." She sneaked a peek at Lachlan. "Oh my goodness! He's so cute."
Relinquishing their jackets proved too difficult a juggling act within the confines of the entry. They shuffled forward to the edge of the living room to put down the diaper bag and car seat, which put them in full view of the gathered Avengers.
Tony, Steve, Bruce, Rhodey, Sam, Clint, Wanda and Natasha were all there, dressed up for the party and from the look of it, already drinking.
A wave of warm greetings arose from the group as Maria and Loki were de-coated.
Natasha hurried over to hug Maria and compliment her new blouse. Then she turned her attention on Loki who stepped back upon noting her eagerness.
"What?" he asked, perhaps fearing hugs to be part of the baby shower ritual.
The redhead tilted her head to the side, engaging a pouty expression.
"Can I hold him? Please?"
Loki gave her permission. So, within moments the baby was out of his harness and coat and snuggled into the assassin's embrace for the short trip to the couch to sit between Bruce and Steve.
Lachlan wore a medium green fleece romper with Made for Cuddlin' stitched across the front, which Auntie Nat had bought for him.
Tony broke the brief silence with an uncertain, "Hey— guys. Come on in."
He waved them toward the loveseat in the far corner. The spot appeared to be the focal point of their gathering with various chairs and a couch situated around a pile of gifts stacked on a coffee table.
When Loki didn't budge and appeared to be holding his breath, Maria assumed he objected to putting himself in a corner with no easy escape. She took his hand, squeezing it for courage and pulled him forward with gentle insistence. These were her friends, and if they knew what was good for them, they would continue to act non-threatening.
"Bet you're glad to finally be out of the hospital," Dr. Banner commented as everyone settled.
Bruce stopped himself from crossing his arms, choosing to clasp his hands in his lap, an action that telegraphed as much anxiety as the others all showed in their distinct ways.
Maria nodded, leaning into Loki and the couch to demonstrate her weariness.
Loki answered Bruce's comment with a dry, "Probably not as glad as the hospital staff is to be rid of us," which drew cautious chuckles from those gathered.
Pepper returned, stepping to the bar.
"What would you two like?"
"Just water for me," Maria said, hiding her genuine disappointment.
"Oh, right, you're breastfeeding— sorry."
"I'm also the designated driver," Maria added with a shrug. "Maybe Loki will indulge for both of us."
Loki agreed, indicating a willingness to try anything. So, Maria suggested a brandy neat, her personal favorite.
Pepper poured it, then set the glass on a warmer as the heat would enhance the flavor and smell.
"You're still planning to head to Lake Silver tonight?" Clint asked from his perch upon a stool at the end of the bar. "You'll be getting there late."
"Yeah."
Maria acknowledged her fellow agent's concern while accepting the water from Pepper.
"The house is furnished and ready for us. Since Lachlan sleeps fine in his car seat, we can just crash, then unpack the van in the morning."
Sam sat on Steve's left. He asked, "S.H.I.E.L.D. is sending you to live in an Inhuman community?"
"No one is sending us— " Loki started to say, sounding snippy when Maria stepped in.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. is the foremost supporter of Inhuman rights. Lake Silver's mayor, Martin Hayes, has been in contact with agency liaisons since the town was founded last year." Maria further explained, "The town had a rocky start. Mayor Hayes requested suggestions on someone to become his deputy mayor. You know, an adviser to him as the community continues to grow and move toward being more self-sufficient."
Rhodey rose from his own seat, talking over his shoulder as he met Clint at the bar to pour himself a refill.
"Fury dropped your name, huh? Smart. That's real smart."
"Actually, Loki and I will be sharing deputy mayor duties."
Maria allowed herself to appear a little smug at the looks of bewilderment sprouting up among the Avengers.
"Loki was raised around politics. He's a natural to anticipate, assess, and negotiate emerging problems."
Pepper brought over the brandy, handing it off to Loki.
Maria stole a whiff, the rich smell filling and warming her nostrils. The enticing fragrance made her mouth water and reminded her of the last time she'd indulged. It had been days after her return to S.H.I.E.L.D. and before finding out she was pregnant. That was a hard, nightmare-plagued night that she preferred not to ponder on.
"Yeah, okay." Rhodey returned to his chair. "I'm getting a feel for this, but is small-town life really either of your speeds?"
"True we are both more accustomed to leadership on a grander scale," Loki conceded, "but Lachlan will need our attention as well. I intend to take an active part in my child's rearing."
The group looked unnerved, yet somewhat pleased, with this assertion.
"That's great," Wanda said with sincerity, "and in Lake Silver, Lachlan can grow up with other powered folks. You know, people who'll better relate and understand his situation."
Maria nodded. "We're thinking that too."
Tony had been observing them through the discussion. Maria could see the restlessness on his features and in his frame. The increasing twinges told her he'd be piping in soon, and she wasn't wrong.
"You're not going to make the citizens kneel to you, are ya?" he teased Loki in a tone that could be construed as mildly hostile.
Loki laughed— an honest, lighthearted outburst of amusement that acknowledged the complexity of his history with the Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D. and Earth at large.
"No, no. I've put such antics behind me."
The collective fell quiet for a bit, indulging in their beverages and tasty finger sandwiches that Pepper provided.
"Natasha," their hostess asked, taking a tentative seat on the wide arm of Tony's chair, "where did you want to begin? With the presents? Or, a game?"
"Well, Rhodey and I planned a little something."
Natasha stood, handing Lachlan to Maria before scooping up a rectangular, almost-flat box off the edge of the table and joining Rhodey in the area that broke the circle of furniture across from the guests of honor.
"It hit us all pretty hard when Maria disappeared and nobody knew where or why," Natasha admitted, her mouth tweaking with the memory. "We screamed. We speculated. We searched— "
"In all the wrong places," Rhodey tossed out, his small smile a noticeable attempt to cover his own emotions.
Maria felt a nagging burn in her chest and around her eyes, forewarning of possible tears.
"—and we consoled ourselves and each other." Natasha scanned the contemplative group, causing Maria to do the same. "Deep down, we believed she had to be alive. You see, Maria was born under the sign Aries. Aries are motivated, passionate and confident leaders. They can also be brutally direct, impatient and sometimes relentless."
Again Rhodey jumped in. "Maria Hill is just too damn stubborn to die. We knew that wherever she'd gone, she was giving someone a helluva time."
"Oh, she did," Loki assured them.
The soft laughter did not mask the poignancy of the moment as all their endearing gazes moved to Maria. She held her breath, feeling overwhelmed and unable to speak. How she wished she'd never doubted them, wished she could take back the angry accusations that must have hurt them.
Wanda produced a tissue, having noted Maria's leaking eyes and gave it to her. Loki put down his glass to receive the baby, freeing Maria's hands for dabbing and wiping.
"Lachlan was born in the first part of October," Rhodey continued, "which makes him a Libra, like me.
"Libras are pretty cool. Some describe us as the clever peacemakers of the zodiac with generous hearts because we like to be helpful and play fair.
"Historically, Libras make successful diplomats, leaders and very loyal friends.
"I don't know about you all," he said, ending his mini-lesson with a wide smile, "but even if only half that proves true for Lachlan, he still sounds like a great kid to me."
Pepper and the Avengers agreed, raising their glasses to toast the littlest among them.
Natasha opened the box to remove a white onesie with the scales of Libra printed in black on the front. Around the image were the words: Mentally One Step Ahead, But Content to Walk at Your Side. The garment was too big for him to wear just yet, but that didn't matter since babies grow fast.
"Do you all believe in the validity of these zodiac signs?" Loki asked amid Maria offering them thanks for the thoughtful gift.
"As a scientist," Bruce said, "I don't put much belief in such things, but it can be uncanny at times how accurate they are for some people. I'm Sagittarius. They're known as seekers of truth and knowledge. Hell, I can embrace that. Sure."
Pepper perked up. "Tony is a Gemini. They are highly intelligent, very sociable and, unfortunately, impulsive and occasionally unreliable."
"It's suspicious how you know all that right off the top of your head," Tony tossed her direction with an impish indignation that spurred more laughter.
He pulled his smart phone, or whatever gadget he had in his pocket.
"We'll see about this. When's your birthday again?"
"Oh, stop," Pepper demanded and stole the device away.
Bruce went on, mainly addressing Loki.
"A person is a product of many things. We're a combination of our genes, our experiences, temperament and environment. Actually, two siblings raised in the same circumstances can still turn out very different."
The prince's brow furrowed with genuine interest, yet he didn't inquire further.
"Speaking of siblings," Sam said, "where is Thor? I assume he was invited to his nephew's shower."
Natasha shrugged, showing her own dismay.
Maria watched Loki's gaze shift down to the infant resting against his chest. He grew still and silent, like he prepared to weather a strong storm.
Everyone seemed to notice this change in him, their collective anxiety returning in subtle ways that they shared through unsettled glances.
"There's a Stonekeeper meeting tonight," Wanda said, catching Loki's gaze. "He's probably there. That's where Vision is."
Loki asked her, "Is Thor to wield the space stone then?"
"Last I heard, King Odin hasn't decided on Asgard's Stonekeeper. He's not too eager to participate in that alliance. Thor is the one pushing for it."
They started on the gifts next, forcing Loki to hand off Lachlan to help with the multitude of unwrapping. The kid started in Pepper's possession, but got passed on every couple of minutes to those willing to have him. Despite the jostling and noise, he continued to sleep undisturbed. Only after Rhodey gave the baby to Wanda did he wake with a pitiful cry and excessive stretching of limbs.
His tiny hand touched Wanda's chin as she attempted to soothe him and the most unexpected thing happened. A muted red cloud of energy emerged from her face and was drawn into the baby. Wanda gasped and held Lachlan away from her, yet the essence continued to flow from her to the infant, who cried harder.
The group alerted to the possible danger.
"Whoa. Whoa!" Tony called out from too far away to be an immediate help. "Someone non-powered take him."
When Maria snatched Lachlan from the younger woman's grip, Dr. Banner felt compelled to follow her back to Loki at the loveseat.
The doctor cleared himself a spot to sit on the low table and joined the frantic pow-wow while everyone else moved away to either give them room or go to Wanda who'd fled through the back door to the patio.
Though Maria's heart pounded, she focused her energy into a thorough examination of Lachlan. Physically he looked fine, but continued to cry.
Loki used his magic to try to sense anything wrong. He also found nothing, resigning to letting the babe cry himself out on his chest while Maria offered comforting touches.
Bruce sat back, crossing his arms as he took in the scene over the next few minutes.
"Maybe he was just scared," he suggested when the child had mostly calmed. "If he's never done that before…"
Pepper and Natasha inched over with questioning, concerned expressions.
"He's alright," Maria reassured them. "Is Wanda okay?"
"Yeah." Natasha nodded and cast a glance toward the back of the house. "Like Bruce said, scared—a little startled, really. She said the sensation was weird, not painful."
As the others began to mill over, some stopping at the bar to top off their drinks, Loki said to Maria, "Let's go."
He kept his gaze on her, ignoring the others. He looked tense and not at all in a negotiative mood.
Maria preferred to leave under better circumstances, but doubted she could change his mind. She stood, heading for the car seat.
"Uh, um, guys—" Natasha stammered before being interrupted by Stark who crossed the room in long strides.
"Wait. Wait just a minute," he said, his tone a bit more demanding than the words implied.
A fiery ring appeared behind him, creating a doorway through which Dr. Strange, Vision, and Thor stepped.
Tony didn't turn to acknowledge the sudden arrival. In fact, his head drooped, as if weighed down with guilt.
"Dr. Strange asked that we inform him if anything unusual happened around Lachlan."
Loki pushed to his feet with a growl of menace.
"I knew it. I knew you were just luring us into a trap! Friends indeed."
He managed only a step with the baby before Steve and Sam blocked his path toward the door.
"Hey, hold on," Captain Rogers said. He reached for Loki's arm, missing as the trickster jerked back. "No one is taking Lachlan."
"Silence your lies," Loki hissed at him. "Maria told me of your plan to separate us— for the Avengers to raise my son."
"That came up," Steve admitted with visible regret.
He held out his hand to halt the trio of new arrivals who'd been stalking forward through the stunned group before returning his attention fully to Loki.
"We were wrong. We knew it before Sam and Rhodey spoke to Maria. They weren't supposed to say anything because the group voted down the idea."
Maria sidled up, unsure if she should speak or touch Loki when he was so upset. She attempted to take the baby, but Loki wouldn't release him as he stared down the super soldier.
"This is a party for Lachlan," Steve promised. "That's all."
Dr. Strange took another step forward.
"Distrust and hatred. That is how your son starts down the wrong path, Loki. I told the Avengers that if they could not find it in their hearts to forgive you, then they'd lose Maria and Lachlan."
The sorceror cast his gaze across the group, many of which looked desperate and heartsick.
"They took my warning very seriously."
Strained seconds passed with the baby's cries the only sound before Maria's urgent need for information pushed her to ask, "Do you know why Lachlan reacted to Wanda?"
Strange nodded and gestured to the chairs.
"Shall we sit?"
"No!" Loki said. "We're not staying. Just answer her."
"Loki, this is not— " Thor began to chastise, but Vision silenced him with a stern look.
"I believe your son is a conduit for the Infinity Stones," Strange explained. "If I am understanding my glimpses into the future, Lachlan was merely sampling or borrowing power from Ms. Maximoff."
Loki asked, "Why from her alone, not any of the rest of us?"
"Wanda got her abilities from the mind stone," Maria explained to him before returning her focus to Strange. "The stones will use Lachlan?"
"I believe the relationship goes both ways. They will use him. He will use them."
Maria felt her chest tightening. No mother wanted to hear their child would be used by some mystical power.
"Why Lachlan?"
"Some people are born with powerful destinies, Agent Hill." Again the wizened gaze swept the room. "We're surrounded by the blessed, the righteous and the tormented by fate's ultimate design."
She nodded. The universe seemed to have a twisted sense of humor. Why should it bother her that Lachlan could one day pick up the mantle as one of Earth's Mightiest Heroes? He'd certainly be in good company. She preferred that legacy to him causing people to suffer.
"What do you think we should do?"
The question came from Loki and sounded more humble than Maria'd thought possible of him under the circumstances. He met her gaze, looking weary.
The baby had quieted to making soft mewlings against his father's shoulder. Perhaps Loki chose to calm for Lachlan's sake.
"I don't know," Dr. Strange admitted. "Go live your lives. Though, someday, I'll have to come for him." He noted the anxiety his words caused the parents and explained, "Your son will need training, a mentor."
A challenge sparked in Loki's eyes as he insisted, "I will train him myself."
Strange tensed, drawing a breath in preparation of launching into a full scale argument. Then Vision's hand gripped his shoulder and he stopped. A rush of realization softened his features, and he released the breath with a single, accepting nod.
"Let me rephrase… I will be available when Lachlan needs additional help and resources."
Maria thanked him because she knew from his defiant glare that Loki wouldn't.
"What aren't you telling us?" Loki accused.
Neither Vision nor the Sorcerer Supreme flinched, but Thor did.
"What is it?" Maria demanded.
Thor shook his head. "It is not my place to say."
"Not your place?!" Loki shot back. "Your brother, your nephew mean so little to you?"
Thor asserted, "Not everything is about you!"
Putting up a hand to silence their next comments, Dr. Strange said, "Short glimpses into the future aren't always the most reliable sources of information. I told you in the hospital that Lachlan's destiny is not fully decided. We can do our best to set him upon the path we desire, but life is fluid and ever changing. For now, we should let him be a child, as he deserves."
Maria felt weary from the compounded events of the last few weeks. It disturbed her that Loki's instincts on the party turned out to be right and ditching her friends might have worked out far better. She wished to curl up in a warm bed and just sleep for days on end. Of course, that was impossible with her new home still hours away and the baby needed her.
Poor Lachlan just couldn't be soothed with all that was going on. Since she probably couldn't diffuse the rampant tension or insist the Stonekeepers leave, taking the babe out of the room was the best option.
"I should check his diaper," Maria said, slipping the fussy infant from Loki's arms. "Maybe he'll go back to sleep if I feed him." She moved through the crowd, seeking out the diaper bag. "Pepper, is there somewhere— ?"
"Yeah, of course," the blonde said, visibly relieved to be of service. She fell into step with Maria, directing her toward the stairs. "There's a guest room with its own bathroom upstairs. Third door on the right."
"Thank you."
Maria could hear Loki exchanging verbal jabs with Thor. She glanced back to see Natasha and Clint had drawn in closer. Years of service together reassured her that the agents would intervene if necessary.
Pepper returned to the fringe of the crowd. The hostess looked inspired to start cleaning house, an idea which Maria thoroughly supported.
By the time she changed Lachlan, partly disrobed and offered him a nipple, the babe was exhausted and ready to be consoled. He latched on, nuzzling her breast with his cheek as he suckled. Maria settled on the bed, resting back against the sturdy headboard to work through her turmoil. Calm would come if she let it. She had to let it, for Lachlan.
"There you go, sweetie," she said, caressing his fine, soft hair with her free hand. "We'll just chill and let your father handle the aunts and uncles. Okay?"
The ruckus downstairs died down long before Loki slipped into the guest room with the car seat and their coats. He placed everything in the bedside chair, easing onto the edge next to her. His gaze flitted to the baby before drifting away. He seemed relaxed, which surprised Maria.
"Done burying the bodies?" she asked with a whimsical chuckle.
He smiled, acknowledging her attempt at a joke, but shook his head in a slow, contemplative manner that made her wonder if she'd hurt his feelings.
"Everyone gone then?"
"Pretty much."
Adjusting her hold on Lachlan to allow her to sit up, Maria leaned toward Loki to peck a kiss onto his cheek.
"Sorry," she whispered, leaving the remainder of her thoughts unspoken.
Loki turned his head to return the kiss, pressing his lips tenderly to hers. Then he lingered close as if soaking in her essence or warmth. Maria could smell the alcohol. It mixed with the other welcoming scents on him.
"I think we should be apologizing to you," he asserted with a frown.
Again his gaze settled on the baby.
"We ruined the party, little one. Upset your mother and her friends. It's a wonder they're letting us keep your presents."
These remarks urged her to ask, "What's been going on down there?"
"The Starks made the lot pack up the gifts in the van for us before they left. Then Barton and I drank and talked for a bit. He's more insightful than I gave him credit for, it seems."
"He's the only Avenger with kids of his own," she stated. "He's got to have some useful tidbits to share."
"Indeed he does, and not just about child-rearing. He gave me his number for emergencies or just to talk or whatever." Looking a little uncomfortable, Loki also admitted, "I agreed that we'd join his family on their farm for some holiday next month. I can't recall the name."
Next month was November.
"You mean for Thanksgiving?"
"That's the one. Do you mind?"
"No. I guess not." She couldn't manage to squelch her smile. "Just how much did Clint give you to drink? Or, was he just that convincing?"
"Not that much. And, yes."
Lachlan made a soft cry as he detached from her nipple, a sign that he might be done eating. Loki retrieved a rag from the diaper bag, tossing it over his shoulder before taking the babe to be burped.
Maria pulled on her bra and top while Loki watched. He appeared to enjoy the show. Watching was about all he could do for a while with her still on her period and just restarting the birth control shots a couple days ago. At least he showed interest in her body despite the extra pounds.
Though they had made no indication to each other or anyone that they would marry, Maria did not plan to be celibate or have other sexual partners than him while they were raising Lachlan together.
Tony and Pepper sat in the living room when they came down. The Starks apologized far more than they ought to feel responsible. They also tried to convince Maria and Loki to stay the night, but the parents were ready to put recent events behind them— hours and miles behind.
Maria hugged them, offering gratitude and forgiveness since they seemed to need such things then followed her boys out.
Unlike the abandonment she'd felt earlier with Nick, this time Maria knew they were doing the right thing.