Leah's eyes opened feeling Loki pull her against his warm strong body. She could hear the crying and whimpering which had stirred her more so from her sleep. She realised that Astrid must be awake, wet or hungry to be causing that amount of noise. Leah let out a sigh before yawning rolling over to see Loki laying there with his eyes still closed. However by his earlier movements and the way he had hold of her she could tell he was awake. She just smiled shaking her head before rolling out of bed pulling herself out of his arms to see Astrid who had obviously pulled herself into a sitting position. Her eyes widened, Leah knew that it was impossible for such a young baby to be able to do that. However the impossible definitely seemed possible here.

"Loki." Leah called still staring at Astrid sounding a little baffled.

"Mmmmm." He sighed still not moving or lifting his head from the pillow

"Our daughter is sitting up." She told him which made him open one eye before slowly sitting up.

He climbed out of their bed, she just stood at the edge of the cot watching the wailing child. He stepped over to the cot smiling down at his daughter before picking her up and taking her to the bed. Leah just stood there as Loki calmed Astrid still dazed by what she had just seen.

"Our daughter is sitting up." Leah repeated still feeling a little shocked by what she had seen, he however seemed absolutely fine with it. "Seriously how long do we have with her while she is like this?"

"I do not know the answers to everything little one." Loki laughed placing Astrid down on the bed. Leah watched as Astrid grabbing at her two feet. She had developed so much in 24 hours. "It starts off very quickly from what I have been told. So the new-born time is very short perhaps days but the aging process starts to slow from when the child is born." He glanced at Astrid who had managed to roll over and was pushing herself into a sitting position again. They both watched as Astrid seemed very pleased with herself and her new ability.

"So we do not have long?" Leah looked a little disheartened as Astrid was now sitting up smiling at them.

"No but we will have a life time with her." Loki kissed the top of Astrid's head. "It will be fine little one, we can always have more children if you wish."

"More." Leah stared at him now feeling a little more shocked than she had done earlier. She never expected him to ever say that to her, especially because of what happened with Astrid's birth. She always thought that he would perhaps with persuasion agree to try again but definitely not be the one suggesting it.

"Yes eventually when the time is right and with the correct observations this time." Loki nodded as Astrid grabbed his hand placing it against her mouth and sucking on it. "If you wanted."

"I would have thought that Astrid's entrance into the world would have been enough to put you off." Leah rolled her eyes as she made her way back into bed.

"Yes, you giving birth naturally will not happen but if we were to keep a very close eye on your progress then perhaps." Loki smiled at her. "She had proven how much I need you." He rubbed Astrid's back who was now staring at Leah longingly holding her arms out doing a grabbing motion.

Leah picked Astrid up and settled her down into a feed, Loki lay back watching her for a moment before he closed his eyes obviously thinking. Leah just continued to feed Astrid till she had enough before laying her down between the pair of them. Leah just watched how Astrid stared back it her with the familiar silver eyes, it was an amazing feeling inside her. As Leah continued to study Astrid seeing all the changes already, she was definitely bigger, her dark black hair had gotten longer with beautiful curls.

Loki was the first to get out of bed, bathing and dressing before taking Astrid off Leah who followed suit in getting ready for the day. She got dressed in a dark gold coloured dress with a bronze jacket, she came out of the bedroom putting her hair into a pony tail. The sight before her was magnificent, Loki was having his breakfast reading some documents while he held Astrid with one arm who was chewing on some bread eagerly. Her family before her, functioning as one, Leah just paused in the doorway staring at them. Loki looked up at her making her approach them sitting down next to them. Leah took hold of Astrid's hand as she picked at the breakfast that had been prepared for them.

"I was going to take Astrid to see Odin this morning, as he has yet to properly meet his granddaughter." Loki told her but not looking up to see her stunned expression. "Would you join me?"

"Of course." Leah smiled realizing what he as doing and how much this would actually mean to him.

Leah knew that this was a major step for Loki to take, forgiving Odin was something she knew took a lot for Loki to do. Loki seemed to hold him at the centre of the hate and bitterness of his pass. Leah knew it was down to the fact that Odin was the one who had lied to him all his life, telling him he had a chance on the throne and that he was a son of Asgard. However Leah understood now more because of Astrid, the reason why Odin had lied, he did in fact love Loki like a son.

They finished eating, Leah took Astrid off Loki to dress her in another small dress. Leah carried Astrid out who seemed more pleased to see her father, as she struggled against Leah's hold her arms outstretched towards Loki. Leah knew that she was going to be a daddies girl, any daughter was going to be. Loki took the wiggling girl out of Leah's arms laughing slightly before placing a kiss on Leah's lips and taking hold of her hand.

They walked to the back of the throne room entering into smaller rooms, these rooms seemed to be where all the meetings behind the scenes took. There standing in one room was Odin, who was standing over a book studying it. Leah could feel Loki tense up as they entered the room, her eyes glancing up to him to see that he was staring at the man who brought him up. Astrid however had not noticed the change in her fathers posture and face as she chuckled at something. Making Odin aware of them as he looked up from the book smiling at the three of them.

"Father." Loki greeted Odin not bowing, Leah however knew better bowing but still keeping hold of Loki's hand. This was the first time she had heard him address Odin as Father, she stood back up seeing Loki smiling at her gesture before he continued. "May I introduce you to Astrid, my daughter and your granddaughter."

Odin came over smiling at them as he looked at the little girl who was staring up at him with her silver wide eyes before her arms went out asking to be held by him. Odin gently took hold of their daughter having a proper look at her as she beamed up at him. Leah gripped held of Loki's hand not really sure what was going to happen now.

"She is beautiful." Odin glanced up at them. "You both must be pleased and happy that all has turned out well."

"She is perfect." Loki nodded a small smile coming to his face as he looked at his daughter.

"The little princess of Asgard." Odin continued addressing Astrid this time who just beamed up at him patting his face. "She is a princess, you are my son Loki. We brought you up as our son and you always will be that." Loki just looked at him and nodded, she knew he was never going to say he had forgiven Odin and he was not capable for apologising for something he didn't believe he did wrong. Odin then looked at Leah whose heart rate spiked. "And you Leah are now family to us too, as you have brought our son back to us and given us a granddaughter we could only dream of."

"Thank you." Leah smiled at Odin feeling a little more relaxed about being around him now he had addressed her.

She could feel Loki relax aswell but only ever so slightly as they continued to stand, Astrid seemed completely comfortable however in Odin's arms as she got acquainted with her grandfather. Leah watched as Astrid seemed to frown taking in every aspect of Odin, obviously working it out in her head already. Odin then shifted closer to them which drew Leah back out of her thoughts.

"I do have another matter to discuss with you." Odin continued this time sounding a little more serious. "It concerns both of you."

"Which is?" Loki's eyes narrowed obviously feeling a little cornered. Leah just leant against him not really sure what to do as the nerves returned. Leah knew that this could be something that would fuel Loki's anger and hate. She only could hope it wasn't considering how their relationship seemed to be developing.

"I am planning to send Thor in my place to sort out the battles which are breaking open across the nine realms." Odin began still holding onto Astrid. "I would like you to go with him, help him and advise him, use your logic and knowledge that you have, while Thor uses his strength. Together two brothers united it will send a message. I know this will however mean that you will be separated from your family for however long this takes. I also can't guarantee your safety as this will be within the middle of battles."

Leah felt her stomach drop, she did not like the idea of being separated from Loki at all and especially the fact he was going off to war. Leah stared up at Loki who seemed slightly conflicted as well, Odin handed Leah Astrid who seemed happy completely unaware what had been said.

"I need time." Loki finally said.

"Of course." Odin nodded "I need to know by this evening."

Loki just nodded before walked swiftly out of the room Leah followed holding Astrid close to her. Leah waited till they were back in their chambers, she placed Astrid in the cot with her toys before approaching Loki. Leah knew that this was going to be a difficult decision for him to make, what to choose.

"What are you going to do?"

Leah knew that part of her wanted him to go, to prove himself to his father and be with Thor while the selfish part of her wanted him to stay with her. Not leave her and Astrid but stay. Loki seemed just as troubled as she was, Leah watched as he paced the room rubbing his temple before sitting down.

"I don't know." He shook his head, looking a little conflicted about it.

"I mean, this is your chance, a chance to prove yourself to your father and yourself." Leah knew she was telling him the truth but it was hard. She just wanted to tell him that she wanted him to stay with her. "This is what you always wanted really and I will always stand by your decision."

"Yes, It is the approval I have been looking for but I do not wish to leave you." Loki sighed as he stood back up pacing. "For my father to say that he needs me, for me to actually assist Thor and be of some use. It means something I guess."

"You mean for you to be appreciated and accepted." Leah knew exactly what he meant.

"I do not want to leave you." Loki stared at her looking at her guiltily.

"We will always be here." Leah smiled at him feeling tears fall down her cheeks. "Look this means a lot to you, I do understand and perhaps it won't take long but I will always be here for you."

"I have to go, don't I." He finally said looking up at her stopping pacing and walking over to her. He took hold of her shoulders and looked into her silver eyes. "Thor will need me and there is a reason why Odin wants me to go with him."

"I am going to miss you." Leah felt tears come to her eyes. "I love you."

"I know." Loki nodded taking hold of her face.

Leah just felt the tears roll down her face. Loki just pulled her up against him she wrapped her arms around his frame and pressed her face into his chest. Loki just rested his head on top of hers and rubbed her back, neither of them saying a word.