Laney yawned as she slowly sat up in bed the following morning and rubbed her overly swollen belly. "I don't think I got four hours of sleep last night," she grumbled.
"After your appointment, we can come back and have a nap, alright?" Loki suggested. He rolled onto his side and kissed her cheek.
"I could go back to sleep now," she commented.
"I don't doubt it, but it is important for you to have breakfast before we go." Loki said softly, wishing he could let her sleep.
She sighed and silently winced so as not to alert Loki to Star's strong kicks. "I doubt I will be able to eat much."
Loki rubbed her belly. "I know she's kicking harder..." he said sadly. "Just eat what you can, and we will hopefully have good news in a bit."
Laney leaned back against Loki's bare chest and let him continue to rub her belly. "I hope so... that feels nice."
"Would it help if I held you like this for your nap later?" He asked, willing to do anything to help.
She smiled and leaned her head back on his shoulder so she could see his face. "I would love that."
"I can even hold you like this while you eat, if it might help." He said truthfully.
Laney grasped the back of Loki's head then brought him down for a kiss. "I might just enjoy that," she whispered.
Loki smiled into the kiss. "I hope you do enjoy it." He grinned but looked up as there was a knock directly on their bedroom door.
"I have breakfast." Frigga called out.
"Come in." Loki called back, immediately relaxing. Frigga walked in with breakfast for them both and set the tray next to them.
"Frigga, you didn't have to go to all of this trouble," Laney teased.
"Neither Loki nor I like the idea of strangers coming in here right now." Frigga admitted, then sat in the chair at the little table. "Also, I was able to talk to Orin some and thought you both might be interested."
Laney's face brightened as she ate a piece of toasted bread with butter. "What did you two talk about?"
"We talked about a lot, like where's he been, his claims with the papers he brought, and so on." Frigga answered.
"So it's true then. Loki's biological mother is alive?" she asked.
Frigga shook her head. "We don't know. Orin couldn't find her, so he forged the signature. He didn't tell Thor that, he just had him sign it." She explained.
Laney furrowed her brow. "So he lied?"
"He did what needed to be done. All he would say is that he found an actual relative to Loki to sign the statement... just not his mother." She clarified.
"I wonder who that could be," Laney replied.
"He said that he was sworn to secrecy by the person, and he won't disrespect that promise." Frigga told her.
"That's so strange. What do you think, Loki?" she asked as she glanced up at him.
"I don't know what to make of any of this." Loki sighed, but never stopped rubbing Laney's belly. "So, I have at least one blood relative alive... that's good to know. They might be able to tell me more about my blood family." he said, trying to be as positive as possible.
"That's a good way to look at things darling," Laney said softly, then looked back over at Frigga. "What else did Orin talk about?"
"He told us about his travels, and his different postings... just getting caught up." She said, not sure how interested they would be in all that.
"Is there any other unique information that Orin gave you?" she asked.
"Not really. He did not want to talk about the papers much, just gave his guarantee that they are as legitimate as currently possible. While I don't know how he knew, he said he heard what the council was doing and that's why he came to the gifting." Frigga told her.
"It's so strange for him to just show up all of a sudden," Laney replied as she let her head relax against Loki's shoulder.
"The only strange part is that he heard about the council. Very few people even knew about it. That's what concerns me, and I am going to talk to him about that more." Frigga said, not happy about information getting out.
"How would he know about the council without someone else telling him about it?" Laney asked as she grabbed a cup full of juice.
"Someone had to have told him. The question though, is who told him, and what kind of long-term intentions does said person have. If he will not tell me, there will be a full investigation." Frigga said, determined to figure it out quickly.
Laney nodded as she handed Loki a piece of buttered bread for himself to eat. "I would do the same if I were in your position."
"The council is all confined to their quarters for now, and all meetings currently postponed." Frigga added as Loki ate the bread.
"That sounds like a good idea," she replied softly.
"Given this was such a positive thing, I'm hoping that we don't have anything to worry about." Frigga assured them.
"I hope so too." Laney looked up at Loki and smiled. "We need as much peace as we can get right now."
"We do, which is why we are wasting no time with this. Spying on our court council is a serious offense. So much is discussed, another realm could cripple us with the information in those meetings." Frigga said calmly, but the look in her eyes was fierce.
"I'm sure Thor and Odin are working hard at figuring it out. Although I know Thor is going on a small trip soon."
"He is? He hadn't told me about this yet." Frigga said, brow furrowed. "That boy is so distracted these days." She shook her head. "It is my council that is doing the investigation, not Odin's."
Laney bit her lip. "Honestly, he's taking Desi for the weekend to Moon Lake for a reason. A good reason."
"Care to tell me what this reason is?" Frigga asked, very curious.
"Would you be able to keep a secret?" she asked.
"Of course I can, you have my word." Frigga said sincerely.
Laney grinned and glanced up at Loki. "Thor is going to propose to Desi."
Frigga gasped and her eyes lit up. "Are you certain?"
"Yes I am," she replied.
"That's wonderful! Do you know if they will be ready to announce their engagement right away?" Frigga asked, already excited to plan the next event.
Laney shook her head. "Desi has no clue, but I know she will accept. You would have to talk to Thor."
Frigga nodded. "It makes sense now, why he's been so distracted lately. I will just wait until they get back. He needs to focus on just proposing for right now." She said but was clearly still excited.
"He's been rather excited about it," Laney replied.
"I can't believe he hasn't said anything to Odin or me. We both openly approve of his courtship..." Frigga said, not understanding the secrecy.
"He sure does care for her quite a lot, that I know for sure."
"I know he does, and she clearly returns his feelings. I'm very happy with their courtship. Just as you two are perfect for each other, they are also a perfect match." Frigga said truthfully. "I do have something else I would like to discuss, before I go."
"What is that?" Laney asked. "Is something wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong dear. I'm just wondering if working under Desi would be awkward for your bond with each other." Frigga explained.
Laney shook her head. "I've worked under Desi before. We work well together."
"Do you plan to return to your post after you recover?" Frigga asked her.
"I'd like to after I have some time with Star," she answered.
Frigga nodded. "Take your time dear. When you are ready to return, I would like to have you apprentice with Desi. I see so much potential in you, and I think she can help bring that potential out."
Laney smiled. "That sounds amazing."
"Have you given any more thought to a specialty?" Frigga asked, happy Laney and Desi could work together.
She shook her head. "I've always been an assistant, so I know a lot of different things."
"I know Desi has a wide range of experience, so she can expose you to a lot. Some never pick a specialty though, and that's alright as well." Frigga said, then stood. "I will meet you at the Forge later."
"Okay. We're excited to see our little one and eager to meet her."
"We are all excited to meet her." Frigga chuckled. "See you soon." She smiled and left them to finish their breakfast.
Laney sighed as she stared down at the shirt that sat on the bed. "I miss wearing regular clothes."
"You will be wearing regular clothes again in no time darling." Loki promised her. "Do you want me to shift the clothes for you?"
"If you don't mind. I really need to learn that spell," she said softly.
"I will teach you once you've recovered." Loki promised, then shifted Laney's clothes for her.
"I hope you can teach me a lot of things," she replied as she turned and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I will teach you anything you wish to learn." He promised, then pulled her into a kiss. "Are you ready to go?"
"I am," Laney replied sweetly, "I want to see her."
"Do you want me to carry you?" Loki offered.
Laney smirked. "If you must."
"Yes, I must." Loki grinned, then picked Laney up and carried her out. He was glad to have his magic for the doors. It only took a few minutes for Loki to have them at the Forge.
Once in the room with the Soul Forge, Laney stole a kiss before Loki could let her back down onto her feet. "You have me spoiled," she told him.
"That is never, ever going to change." Loki said sweetly.
"Get a room." Desi giggled, watching them from the other side of the room.
Laney turned and faced her friend. "We're in a room, go find another one," she retorted playfully.
"Woah now, we had this room first!" Desi shot back with a grin.
She giggled and leaned back against Loki's chest. "You're such a brat."
"I learned from you." Desi teased, then turned the Forge on. "Ready?"
"Yes, I am. I'm excited to see her," she replied.
"Oh good, I'm not late." Frigga said, walking into the room. She walked over to help, but Loki helped Laney lay down on his own.
"Alright, here she is!" Desi said, able to do the scans even faster now.
Laney's eyes brightened as she watched Star wriggle around in the small area of the womb. "She's facing downward now."
"She can change positions several times before she's due." Desi said, making notes in Laney's record. "She's fully developed now, but still very small. I would recommend waiting at least three more weeks. That would have her delivered three weeks early."
"She's beautiful... even seeing her like this," Laney said quietly.
"She is... and we can hold her in just a few weeks." Loki said, taking Laney's hand once the scans were done.
"I can't wait."
"Do you see that little ridge on her forehead?" Desi asked, pointing it out.
Laney smiled and nodded. "I do."
"That's her horn ridge. In another few days, you won't be able to outwardly see it anymore." Desi explained.
"So, she will grow horns too?" Laney asked.
"Yep, and with how her ridge looks, her horns will be adorable!" Desi said happily. "Everyone knows Jotun babies are the cutest babies."
"I bet they will be beyond beautiful. You know, I've seen some Jotun girls adorn their horns with gems." Laney smiled and wiped away a runaway tear from her face.
"Chains are also popular. She will find what she likes, when they do come in." Desi said with a smile.
"Do you think her horns will be like mine?" Loki asked Laney.
Laney caressed Loki's hand which held hers. "I'm sure there will be a likeness."
"I hope so." Loki said softly, then leaned down and kissed the side of Laney's belly.
Laney smiled at Loki and ran her free hand through his hair. "She will look like us both."
"I hope she looks more like you." Loki said sweetly.
Laney chuckled and slowly moved to sit up. "We shall see."
Loki helped Laney sit up. A minute later, the Forge shut off. "Do you think the three weeks will work, or do you think you need to deliver sooner than that?" Desi asked Laney.
"I'm not sure. Right now, I'm okay but that can always change."
"Alright, let's see how it goes. I will put in everything for three weeks, and it can always be changed if needed. Does that sound good?" Desi asked Laney.
Laney nodded as she rubbed her belly. "Sounds good to me."
"Give me just a minute to finish with this, then I just need a couple signatures." Desi replied.
"Okay doc," Laney replied with a giggle.
"Enough of that, I'm only a healer." Desi chuckled.
"I know," she said. "But I gotta have my fun."
"I know, but you also know that I'm perfectly happy as only a healer." Desi said, then handed her the paper she had been writing on. "You both need to sign please."
Laney signed the paper then handed it to Loki. "Your dad would be proud you know."
"Maybe." Desi said softly, all cheerfulness instantly gone from her voice. Loki signed the paper, then handed it back to Desi. "Can you sign as their witness?" She asked Thor.
Thor nodded and took the paper. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." Desi mumbled. After he signed, she rolled up the parchment, tied it and sealed it, then gave it to Frigga. "I should hear back no later than tomorrow night." She told Laney.
Laney nodded, then slowly stood and hugged her friend. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."
Desi returned Laney's hug. "It's not your fault, I'm just bad at letting go." She said, then quickly dried her eyes.
"I know. But he's here, you know that," she said softly.
Desi shook her head, then just walked out to have a moment to compose herself.
Laney sighed and hugged herself. "I hate that she still gets so upset."
"I know it's hard but getting her to open up might actually help. Yes, it will hurt at first, then it will help her find peace." Frigga told Laney, smiling softly at how Loki hugged her to comfort her.
"I know... sometimes I think she forgets that I lost a parent too. It's been a long time ago now for Desi. I wish I could make it easier."
"She's not exactly used to having someone to ask about these things. She was pretty much alone until she met you." Frigga reminded Laney. "Saying he would be proud makes it very personal... it might be better to try a less personal approach. Just ask some questions about him to get her talking about him, but in a way that's less personal to her." She suggested.
"Maybe... I'll take that into thought. Thank you, Frigga," Laney replied.
Frigga nodded. "Would you like lunch sent to your chambers?" She asked them.
"That sounds nice. What do you think Loki?" She asked.
"I think you should rest as much as possible, especially when your healer is away." Loki said truthfully.
"Lunch in our chambers it is then," Laney replied happily.
"I will come check on you this evening, once my meetings are over." Frigga hugged Laney, Loki, and Thor, then left the room.
"Let's get you back to bed." Loki told Laney and picked her up bridal style. "I hope you have a nice trip." He told his brother.
"Thank you, Loki," Thor answered. "I am excited for it."
"Be sure to come by and tell us about it." Loki grinned, then left with Laney. Desi was still right outside when he carried Laney out.
