Laney used the restroom as quickly as her body would allow, then stood and readjusted her underwear and dress. "Are you ready for the event Loki?" She called.

"No, not really, but this is as ready as I'll ever be." Loki called back to her.

She made her way to the bathroom door and leaned against it. "We might as well make our way to the hall. Which one are we going to?"

"Are you sure you don't want to sit first?" Loki asked, concerned. "We are going to the main dining hall, not the family dining room."

Laney grimaced. "That's a long walk."

"It's not nearly as long if you let me carry you." Loki told her. "At least most of the way, then I can set you down so you can walk into the room."

She let out a small sigh but nodded. "You win. You can carry me," she relented, although a hint of a smile was on her face.

"Thank you darling." Loki said happily, then walked over to her and gently picked her up bridal style and carried her out of the room; using magic to open and close the doors.

Laney leaned up and kissed his jaw as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "At least this way I can give you kisses," she murmured.

"See, I knew you would find a benefit to being carried." He grinned, and quickly carried her to the door, wanting her to be able to rest.

She chuckled as she sneaked a peck to his lips. "I will always find something."

Loki deepened the kiss, then smiled as he eased her onto her feet once they reached the entrance to the main banquet hall. "I am going to miss carrying you, when you've recovered."

Laney left her arms wrapped around his neck. "You'll still get to carry me my prince," she whispered, then kissed him once more.

He returned her kiss but felt that ever present sense of dread when she mentioned his previous title. "I will always be looking forward to having you in my arms."

"I'm not going anywhere my love," she murmured.

"I know darling, I just always need you close. You are all that keeps me sane." Loki replied, then pushed the door open for her.

Laney blushed and let go of Loki to walk through the door. What greeted her made her eyes go wide. Large groups of people sat at different tables around the banquet hall with a comfortable area set up in the center of the room for her and Loki. "This is... much more than planned."

"Mother has gone mad..." Loki groaned. "We should just... go back to our chambers."

"I don't want to upset anyone... least of all your mother," Laney said softly.

"Neither do I, but this is too much... she may have organized it, but I will still be the one to face the consequences." Loki said truthfully.

Laney looked around the vast room and noticed a large pile of gifts by their table and that Odin and Frigga were sitting there as well. "Your father is here."

"Don't worry, he won't be disappointed to see us go." Loki said, rolling his eyes.

Frigga looked over from talking to Odin and grinned at seeing Laney and Loki. She excused herself and walked over to them. "I know it wasn't supposed to be this large, but the invites were already sent when I got news of what the council did. Everyone is here to celebrate you both."

"Can't we just... I don't know, cancel it or something?" Loki asked his mother. "I have worked hard to keep out of trouble, and I don't want the council to push to banish us."

"They will do no such thing," Frigga said sternly. "I am doing this as a gift for both of you and I want you to be able to enjoy yourselves."

Loki still felt nervous but feared his mother's wrath more than the council. "Please just let me get Laney to a seat so she can rest, then we can figure out the rest of it."

"Of course Loki, go ahead. I know she can't stand for long," Frigga replied.

Loki nodded and helped Laney over to their area, then helped her sit down. "Do you want or need anything darling?" He asked her.

"No, I'm okay for now," Laney replied. She smiled up at him and squeezed his hand.

"What about something to drink?" Loki offered, taking the seat next to her.

"That would be okay. Water or juice," she answered.

Loki looked around for the table, then opted to just conjure Laney a cup of juice so he wouldn't have to leave her side. "Here you are darling."

Laney chuckled and kissed his cheek before she took a drink. "Thank you."

"Anything for you and Star." He said sweetly and wrapped his arm around her.

She leaned against him and smiled as she looked at the large pile of gifts. "Are all of those for us?"

"No, those are all for Star." Loki chuckled. "It's still early, so that pile might grow."

Laney grinned. "I think there might be something in that pile for us too."

"Why would you think that? It is not traditional for the parents to receive anything that is not directly for the baby." Loki explained.

"I'm not sure," she answered. "It's just a feeling I have."

"Do you know which gift it might be?" He asked, focusing on the pile of gifts.

Laney shook her head. "I'm not sure. There's too many."

"I guess we will just have to wait and see." Loki said, giving her the best smile he could.

"When does everything start?" Laney asked curiously as she shifted in her comfy chair.

"It shouldn't be too much longer darling, almost everyone must be here now." Loki answered, worried about how many people were invited.

"There are a lot of people," Laney commented.

"I know, too many." Loki sighed. "I know a few are still missing though."

Laney looked around the vast room. "Have you seen Thor and Desi?"

"No, I haven't. It isn't quite time for everything to start, so maybe they are getting ready now?" Loki suggested. "My brother knows about the issues with the council... if he knows that mother has gone so overboard, he may choose to not attend."

She bit her lip then took another drink from her cup. "I'd hate to not see them," Laney commented.

"As would I, but my brother needs to protect his own standing." Loki sighed.

"I know," she said softly.

"Let's wait a few more minutes, then I will ask mother, if he hasn't shown up." Loki said but felt like he already knew the answer. "Maybe I will just tell everyone we are ready to begin?"

Laney shrugged. "I've never done this before. I don't know what to expect."

Loki looked around one last time, sad that his brother wouldn't be there. "I guess we are ready." He told his mother, who nodded and stood.

"Thank you all for coming today!" Frigga announced, causing the hall to fall silent. "After the gifts are opened, the ambassadors will represent their realms, so be ready." She said happily. The gifts vanished from the table and appeared in neat stacks all around Loki and Laney.

"Where do we begin?" Laney asked excitedly. "Loki, why don't you open on first."

"We just pick one darling; the order does not matter... and it is tradition for the mother to start." He answered.

Laney blushed, slightly embarrassed. She gingerly picked up a small golden box and untied the ribbon before she opened it. Inside was a handsewn baby doll. "Awe. This is cute!"

"That can go in her crib with her." Loki said happily.

She nodded as she ran her hand through the doll's yarn hair. "I think she will love it. You're turn Loki."

"I think she will as well." He agreed, then picked up a small blue box that had several very soft baby blankets inside.

Laney grinned as she watched Loki, then reached for another box which contained a set of wooden blocks and some cloth diapers. "I love the color of these."

"They are very cute." Loki smiled, then opened a larger box that contained a mobile for above the crib that had the nine realms suspended from it.

"I love that," Laney praised. Both of them continued to open gifts, not finding one thing they didn't like. At one point Laney reached for a large box and found it to be a bed set for their own bed, which made her smile.

"What is that?" Loki asked curiously, looking up from a different box he was opening.

"It's a bed set for our bed," she answered.

"That has nothing to do with having a baby..." Loki said, confused. "I guess you were right darling." He smiled.

Laney shrugged. "Sometimes it's nice to get the parents something too."

"There are usually different events for that." Loki shrugged. "It is nice though; would you like to have it put on the bed for us tonight?"

"It's really soft. We can have it put on tonight," she replied.

"I will make sure it is done before we turn in." Loki promised.

"Are there more gifts still?" Laney asked. "I might have to take a break if there is."

"Just the ambassadors, but we can have a break first." Loki promised.

Laney nodded. "I have to use the bathroom... again," she sighed.

"Can you walk, or do you want me to carry you?" Loki asked her.

"I'm okay with either, but if I don't hurry there will be a mess," she answered.

Loki nodded and stood, then picked Laney up bridal style and carried her out into the hall and to the nearest bathroom. He set her on her feet right at the door.

"Thank you love," she murmured, then walked into the bathroom to relieve herself.

"I'll be right here." Loki said, then leaned against the wall while waiting. He glanced around, vaguely wondering what his brother was doing.

Laney finished her business, then washed her hands and walked back to the door. "Everything okay?" She asked Loki.

"Hm? Yes, all is well darling." Loki answered, then picked her up bridal style to carry her back.

"You seem distracted," she said softly, just as he sat her back down on her chair.

"It's nothing." Loki mumbled, but before he could take his seat, Desi stole it.

"Sorry we're late." She told Laney and handed her a fresh cup of juice.

Laney's eyes widened at Desi while Loki walked around them and sat on her other side. "It's okay, I'm happy to see you."

"What did we miss?" She asked curiously.

"Loki and I opened our gifts. We just have the ambassador gifts left," Laney explained.

"I want to see everything later!" Desi said happily as Thor brought over stronger drinks for him and Loki.

"I see that disobeying direct council rulings now goes unpunished." The head of the council said suddenly, walking up with a small group of guards. "We tire of this creature doing whatever it wants." He said, addressing the entire gathering.

Laney looked up at them with narrowed eyes. "Creature?" She said angrily. "Loki is a person."

"This creature has been running amuck of this realm for far too long. We were certain attacking other realms would be the end, but it seems no one wants to punish it. Now that a direct ruling has been disobeyed, I finally have the authority to issue the arrest orders." The councilman said with a smile.

Odin stood with his staff in hand and firmly tapped it on the floor, silencing the entire hall. "That man is my son," he growled. "You will not overrule me, as I am your King. There is no arrest needed here. We are here to celebrate this couple and my future grandchild. If you step out of line again councilman Vorn, I will demote you."

"By your father's own laws, your highness, I can overrule you in this matter... though I would rather have your cooperation." He told Odin, though his respect was forced. "I have a copy of the rulings on hand, if you need to see them. There was no formal adoption, therefore he has no right to any royal standing."

"I did adopt Loki. We both did," Frigga countered as she stood. "No paperwork was needed back then. If you require it now, we will gladly sign it."

Odin glared at the councilman. "What I say, goes," he added firmly.

"No notice of his adoption was given; therefore no one could contest it. That makes it invalid." He argued.

"No notice was given to either of us when I found Loki and brought him home. He is my son, end of story," Odin growled.

"Law is law, your highness-" he started to say, when he was cut off by Orin stepping forward and shoving a scroll into his hands.

"That is a signed statement from his birth mother, witnessed by Asgard's prince. You have been overruled; the boy remains a prince of this realm. As former advisor to the king, I will be recommending your demotion." Orin said firmly.

Laney's eyes were as wide as saucers as were Loki's. "Loki's birth mother is alive?" She asked in a whisper.

"I will explain everything later." Thor whispered back to Laney.

Laney nodded as she watched the councilman read over the scroll. "The deal is genuine. I will leave you be Allfather," the man grumbled then turned and walked out of the hall without a customary bow.

"I still say you need to be rid of that idiot." Orin told Odin.

Odin looked over at his grandfather. "I believe Thor will rid of him for me," he stated.

"I meant strip him of his rights, not kill him." Orin chuckled, then took a seat by Odin. "It's not a good party until you get to throw the council out." He grinned.

Thor smirked. "He will be let go entirely from his position. I want my advisor to be respected," he stated.

"Advisors need to be respected, even more so when the advisor is your family." Orin agreed.

Laney smiled over at Loki and leaned over to kiss his cheek. "Shall we continue the event?" She asked softly.

Loki gave a little nod, but still looked very shaken by everything that had happened in the past few minutes.

"Loki..." she squeezed his hand, "are you alright?"

"I... I'm trying to be alright." Loki muttered, squeezing her hand for comfort.

"It's alright darling," Laney assured. She caressed his hand gently while she looked over at Odin and Frigga.

Frigga broke away from their discussion with Orin and looked at Laney. "Give him a few minutes dear. This is a lot to take in... and he's never even met Orin before... so I imagine it's confusing as well." She said softly.

Laney nodded and continued to caress Loki's hand. "Should we wait to do the ambassador gifts?"

"Let's give him a chance to calm down and then decide. I think continuing will be a good distraction." Frigga said truthfully as Loki was already starting to regain his composure.

"I agree," Laney said softly.

"I'm alright for now, I guess." Loki finally said softly, after a little time had passed.

Laney smiled at him and squeezed his hand. "Would you like to continue our event?"

Loki nodded. "Yes... I will save the mountain of questions for later." He told Laney.

She smiled over at him then looked back over at Frigga. "I think we're ready to continue."

Frigga smiled and stood. "The ambassadors may step forward when ready!" She happily announced.

Laney grinned and nodded as each ambassador stepped to their table. "I'm glad all of you could be here," she said softly.

When the final advisor; from Jotunheim, stepped up, he bowed to them, then looked at Laney when she addressed him. "Thank you for including us." He said sincerely, then presented a small, enchanted cloud. "It will stay wherever you put it and give a constant light flurry of snow for the child... the flurry recycles, so it will never create a mess."

"That's... amazing." Laney held it delicately in her hands, able to feel the softness of the little cloud. "Thank you."

He bowed and walked away. "I feel like I should test this out first." Loki chuckled, wanting his own little flurry.

Laney chuckled and turned to let Loki hold the little cloud before she turned to face the next ambassador.

Loki took the little cloud and poked it, basically just playing with it. "It's so soft and squishy."

"I'm sure Star will love it," Laney replied as she accepted the gift from the Vanaheim ambassador. It was a small dome that would project any night sky around the room it was placed in. "This is wonderful, thank you."

The next ambassador was from Alfheim and presented a delicate necklace with a pendant that would help Star learn to manipulate light.

Laney thanked the ambassador for their precious gift and handed it to Loki. "I'm sure you'll be able to help her use it."

"I can help with some basics, but I can only work with ice and water, not light." Loki clarified.

"Any help will do," Laney said sweetly.

"I think she will be a natural and I will do everything I can to help her." Loki said happily.

Laney smiled then turned to face the next ambassador. "Hello," she said softly.

The dwarven ambassador bowed, then presented a set of stunning handmade tack for Star's first horse.

"This is beautiful! Thank you," Laney praised.

He bowed then walked away. "I guess we need to get Star a horse." Loki chuckled.

"Maybe a pony first," Laney answered.

"Why a pony?" Loki asked curiously.

"Something small to go with her size," Laney said. "She will work her way up to a big horse."

"I was small and started with a full-size horse..." Loki said, feeling confused.

Laney shrugged. "We'll see then I guess. It'll be a while before she is of age to ride."

"Mother had us ride double with her, to teach us. We don't have to do that though; we can get her a pony." Loki said with a smile.

She smiled up at him and moved to where she could lean against his side as the next ambassador stepped up. "Good evening," Laney greeted.

An Asgardian stepped up to them. "I am representing the Muspelheim ambassador. He does not wish to make anyone uncomfortable." He explained with a polite bow, then presented what looked to be an enchanted lava lamp, as a nightlight for Star, but it contained real lava.

"This is really pretty, thank you," Laney replied, then sat it to the side on the table. "How many are left?" She asked softly.

"Are you tired darling? Mother can stand in for us, if you want to go rest." Loki assured her.

"I'm okay, I was just curious," Laney answered.

"There is only one more, the Asgardian ambassador." Loki said as Orin stepped up once again and presented a scroll with all of the documents for their titles.

Laney let out a breath as tears came to her eyes. "Thank you, Orin," she said softly.

"I have questions, don't disappear before the evening is over." Loki told Orin, who nodded, then returned to his seat.

"Now comes the hardest part... picking the favorite gift." Frigga told Laney and Loki, excited to see what they would pick.

"I don't know which to choose. Do you have a favorite Loki?" Laney asked.

"I think the cloud is my favorite." Loki hesitantly admitted.

Laney grinned. "I like the cloud a lot too," she replied, then noticed that Loki still held it in his hands.

"Is it the one you would pick?" Loki asked Laney.

"The more I think about it, the cloud is my favorite gift that we were given," Laney answered.

"Alright, that will be our choice then." Loki said with a smile and nodded to his mother, who stood.

"The choice gift was presented by Jotunheim!" Frigga announced and the entire hall gave applause.