The next three months that followed our wedding were eventful to say the least. Loki would disappear during the day for meetings and sometimes to travel to other worlds and do his bidding as All father there. Night would send him home, where I would be waiting. It was rare if we didn't embrace one another when he came home, and we would often fall asleep intertwined with one another naked, green silk sheets covering our bodies. The season's began to change, with the wind become more brisk, it's biting nature leaving more of a mark on exposed skin as the cold season began to set in. Loki brandished me with a fur collared coat with a deep blue cape flowing down behind me once night when he arrived back in our room. It had been made especially for me. I couldn't deny the effort he had gone to considering it wasn't in green but in my favourite colour as well.

I liked the attention I got when I would venture anywhere. Strangers would bow and I would nod in acknowledgment. I didn't have many duties, but of the duties that I did have, it mostly consisted of sitting in on peace meetings and hearings. When Loki was unavailable for the weekly hearings, I would sit on the throne in his place, hearing what each civilian had to say. It was actually very enjoyable; being revered by so many. It was a simple life despite the title I now had added to my name. But as the months had begun to pass by I had noticed that something was missing. Something that could only mean one thing. By the time my mind had caught up to it's missing nature, three months later, I realized exactly what it meant, sending me into a frightened shiver.

I pulled myself out of bed one morning, my bare feet slapping against the stone floor as I walked into the ensuite. I sat down and began to relieve myself when the realization hit me like a ton of bricks right to the face. And fuck, did it hurt.

"Ho-ly shit." Was all I could muster as my eyes bore wider than normal in absolute understanding. Once I had finished my business, and washed my hands, I slowly and dazedly made my way back to the bed. Climbing in, Loki's hand moved to rest on my behind as I sat up facing him. He opened his eyes slowly, a smile looking up at me on his chiseled face. But his smile soon faded when he saw my perplexed and confused expression. I knew it had to be true. There was only one explanation. And it wasn't like I didn't want it. I did. I was just... In shock.

"What is it?" He asked concerned. I looked down at him, taking a deep breath. The more terrifying thought that ran through my mind was how he would take it. Was it something he wanted?

"I've missed my period."

Silence. Loki sat up, his face still showing concern. He nodded in understanding.

"Just for this month?" His voice was controlled, showing no unusual emotion. I shook my head.

"For the last three months." I paused before continuing, "I don't know why it's taken me this long to notice it, my stomach hasn't grown, and I've been preoccupied with the whole Queen thing... But even then, I still should have noticed." I looked down at my hands, not daring to examine Loki's expression.

"You are with child?" He asked curiously.

"Is there any other conclusion?" I replied back. He looked at me for a moment, before quickly standing and pulling some leather pants on, tying them up as he walked to the door, opening it slightly and speaking to the guard that stood outside. He came back, resting his hand on my back carefully. I didn't look at him.

"My love, please put something on." He held out his hand for me to take, helping me up from the bed. I walked over to the wardrobe and pulled a nightgown over me. A few minutes passed before there was a knock on the door. "Enter." Loki announced and the doors opened. Three women entered, wearing the same silk dress in a steel colour. They bowed quickly. Loki nodded before looking at me.

"Please lie on the bed Anne." I did as he said, laying back down on my side of the bed. The women approached me, one of them pulling out a small device that mirrored my body's inner workings the way they had done when I had first arrived here. And there it was.

Nestled in my stomach, the smallest of beings. It moved slightly as I heard the sound of two heartbeats pounding softly. Mine and... Someone else's.

"She is with child." The woman stated, defusing the device and stepping back. Loki stood with his hands drawn behind his back. His front was on full display, of which I stared at with fixated eyes as I still refused to look at his face. I was happy. But I tried to hide it, unsure of how he felt about the situation. The women left the room, closing the doors behind them.

"Look at me Anne." I knew I couldn't keep up averting his gaze. I slowly lifted my eyes to look into his. His face was serious before it changed into a soft expression, a wide smile protruding on his lips.

"You are with child!" He said excitedly, moving to the bed, where he carefully laid his hand flat on my stomach. He leaned down and kissed me tenderly. I sat up, looking at him confused.

"You're happy?" His brows furrowed in confusion.

"Of course, are you not?" He replied. I looked down, placing my hands over my stomach, knowing there was a little person in there. I couldn't hide the smile any longer. It burst through my composed expression with a force that was strange to me. Loki laughed, sitting on the side of the bed. "Were you afraid this would not please me?" He asked cautiously. I nodded, feeling like an idiot. He laughed before kissing me again. I pulled away, pointing my finger at him as I began to speak,

"You better be the best goddamn husband ever. Because I know how these pregnancies go, and I'm going to be throwing up every morning and having all sorts of cravings of which you cannot question, just go with it. And you better not aggravate me because I'm carrying your freaking heir, and I'm going to be intensely hormonal."

"More so than normal?" Loki teased. I hit him in the shoulder. His body didn't flinch, but he laughed.

"You shall be given only the best treatment." He said earnestly.

"Good." I said triumphantly, and I laid back down on the bed. My head rested against the silk pillow. Loki leaned down, careful not to press against me. I noticed immediately that his touches were more gentle than normal. He kissed me, and ran his hands down my body, pulling the night gown up over my head and throwing it aside. His hands cupped both my breasts as his lips traced my collarbone. I closed my eyes, letting the feelings take over as he did his very good work...