Five Months Later~

Natasha bit her lip, fighting back a scream as another contraction wracked her body. Her knuckles went white from grasping the hospital's bed sheets. She had lost count of the hours she had spent there writhing in pain, but she knew it had to have been almost a full twenty-four hours.

Loki happened to glance up at her as he uncomfortably shifted in the chair across from her bed. He didn't like seeing her in pain like this. He knew it was only natural, but it hurt him on the inside.

"Loki?" she asked.

He instantly rose from the chair. "Do you want the doctor?"

"Can you just talk to me? I need a distraction."

"Of course." He smiled for her and approached her bedside. "The doctor said you're almost there," he reminded her. "If that's any consolation."

"That was over half an hour ago!" she snapped.

"I suggested you accept the medication, but you're far too stubborn," he remarked.

"Just talk about something else!"

"We never did finish our discussion on marriage," he slyly reminded her.

She reached out and grabbed his green and gold scarf. "Do you think I want to marry you right now?!" She yanked on the scarf, jerking him forward.

He nervously chuckled. "I'm only trying to help, Natasha."

"Help? You did this to me! This is yourson!" she snapped.

A devious grin formed on his face. "I believe recalling you complain these past several months about his constant kicking. Sounds like your son, in my opinion."

"I could kill you right now with your damn scarf!" she shot back. "Who the hell even dresses like that in a hospital?!" She released her grasp on his scarf and disdainfully eyed his button-up shirt and tie combo.

"I take care in keeping up my appearance," he informed her as he adjusted the scarf over his shoulders.

She simply rolled her eyes in reply. "Vain," she muttered.

"You know I only brought up marriage because I honestly do love you, Natasha." He brushed away a strand of hair from her perspiring forehead.

She forced a smile for him. "I believe you. Especially after all we've been through now…" she hesitated for a moment. "We can talk mar- no, get the doctor!" she ordered him, clenching her jaw.

"Just one more push, Ms. Romanoff," said the doctor. "Almost there."

Natasha squeezed Loki's hand and held her breath as she pushed.

"You're doing wonderful," Loki assured her.

After a final push, a high-pitched crying filled the room.

"Congratulations! It's a boy," announced the doctor.

A nurse took the screaming infant from the doctor's hands and began to wipe away the blood.

The doctor handed Loki a pair of scissors and the nurse held out the pink-faced infant so Loki could cut the cord.

Natasha fell back against her pillow, tears falling from her eyes. She watched as the nurse swaddled her son in a blanket before setting him in her arms. "He's perfect," she breathed. "Alexei…"

Loki smiled proudly as he leaned in to get a closer look. "So small…"

Natasha gingerly brushed her fingers against the baby's black curls. "He looks like you," she said, staring at her son all the while.

"I can see his mother in him." His finger stroked his son's pink cheek. "His face... Nose…" He found himself lost for words as he marveled at his son.

"I can't believe we have a son…"

Loki leaned down to kiss her hair. "I love you. You and our Alexei."

Natasha turned to stare at Loki. "I… we should get married," she suddenly announced. "Once we get settled in more."

Loki laughed and kissed her on the lips.

Four months later, somewhere between raising a baby and saving the world in between, Loki and Natasha had managed to plan a wedding with the help of their friends. The couple decided on a relatively small wedding inside the S.H.I.E.L.D. base with the Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, and Thor and Loki's parents. Thor was the best man and even dressed up in a suit, while Natasha decided to have Pepper as her maid of honour.

"You may now kiss the bride," Fury announced.

Loki pulled away the veil, allowing for him to get a better view of his lovely bride. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him for their romantic first kiss as husband and wife.

All of their guests clapped and cheered for them. Pepper handed a smiling Alexei to Natasha as she congratulated the couple.

"A proper family," said Natasha as she held her son close. "Everything we could ever want."

"I couldn't be happier, Mrs. Odinson," smirked Loki as he led her past all of their friends.

She rolled her eyes as she walked down the white-carpeted hall with her son in her arms and her husband at her side.

A/N: The End. Yay for cheesy endings. Thank you to all my kind reviewers, readers, followers, everyone! I hope you enjoyed this story and I love you all! (Maybe I'll write a sequel-no guarantees, though. But I'll def write more Avengers fics in the future).