Weeks had passed but Astrid was already making her way to take her first steps, Leah was just fascinated how quickly her little girl was growing up. She had already grown as was looking like a 18 month old rather than a 10 week old. Part of Leah was disappointed that she wasn't having a longer time with Astrid as a baby. However she knew that this was how it was going to be with her, she only hoped it would slow down a little.
The wedding planning however meant more time away from Astrid, the Queen wanted to make sure that everything was in place when Loki returned home. Leah couldn't wait to be married to him, she only wished that everything had been sorted with her brother before hand. Through that wasn't going to happen since the Queen suggested she shouldn't go back. Leah kept her word, she understood the Queens apprehensions about her going to earth alone, it didn't stop Leah's need for her brother however.
Leah was just sat on the floor with both herself and Astrid still in their sleeping garments. Astrid was having fun pulling herself up on furniture turning and standing without holding onto anything. Once Leah offered a hand she would then happily walk holding onto her hand. Leah knew it would only be days till Astrid would be walking, so she was taking every opportunity to make sure that she was not going to miss that first step. The door burst open which startled Astrid making her drop to the floor onto her bottom. Leah looked down at Astrid who started at her wide eyed with worry.
"Your fine baby girl." Leah smiled to her.
Astrid just looked at her before smiling and pulling herself back onto her small feet. Leah just ran her hand through Astrid's growing jet black hair with small curls forming. Leah turned her attention to the door to see an out of puff Helena entering.
"Sorry." She apologised "I just thought you would want to know the army, Thor and Loki have just started their entry into the city."
"Their back!" Leah grinned looking up at Helena. "I need to dress and get Astrid ready."
"I took the liberty to collect Astrid's green dress with the golden under trousers that the Queen had gotten her." Helena explained "I will dress her for you."
"Thank you." Leah let Helena take over supporting Astrid standing as she hurried herself into the bedroom, Leah found the dress she wanted immediately. It was the dress Loki had gotten for her, when they were going to originally announce their relationship. She had lost enough weight to fit back into it after having Astrid. The long silky long green material dropped to the floor. Leah did up the golden metal necklace which held the dress up before placing on the golden belt which tucked in her waist. Leah just looked at herself in the mirror to see that she looked good, she placed a darker green shawl on before pulling her hair up in a pony tail. Leah walked out of the bedroom to see Helena holding Astrid. "How do I look?" Leah asked.
"Like a soon to be princess." Helena told her. "Now go and meet them in the Throne room, everyone will be there."
Leah nodded taking Astrid off of Helena before hurrying her way to the throne room. Astrid struggling in her arms, she had taken to wanting to walk holding onto Leah's hands whenever she could, so now Leah seemed to be having constant battles with her about being restrained. She just wanted to be on the floor crawling around and creating mischief like her father. However in the new pale green dress that Frigga had gotten her, it was not appropriate right now.
Leah arrived at the Throne room just in time, Odin just gave her a look which made her wince as he stared at her from his throne. Time keeping with a busy child was not as easy as it sounded, Leah knew that she was expected to be prompt and set an example considering she was going to be married into the family soon. Leah managed to find the Queen to stand beside not really sure what was custom to do. Astrid had already started protesting in her arms, whining loudly, The Queen just smiled at her granddaughter before creating little magical stars which settled Astrid down immediately. Leah just smiled at the Queen, thanking her silently for the entertainment for Astrid.
"You must be excited to see Loki." The Queen commented
"Surprised and excited." Leah replied. "What happens now?"
"They will enter, Odin will say a few words and then the celebrations will start." The Queen whispered beside her. "It's very short really."
The horns started blaring as the guards entered first in the organise procession followed. Leah just stood there at the end of room by the throne with the Queen. Leah felt her heart race in anticipation of seeing Loki, it had only been two weeks since they left. Once all the guards had filed their way in, Leah saw Thor and Loki enter in full ceremonial gear. Leah just smiled as Loki got closer, she could see his eyes on them immediately as a smile appeared on his face.
Both Thor and Loki kneeled as they got to the edge of the Throne. Odin slowly rose out of his throne. Leah just looked at as Astrid had obviously spotted her father trying to wiggle out of Leah's arms. She was amazed by the determination of her daughter and that she even recognised Loki considering how long he had been away now.
"My sons, rise." Odin began smiling at the pair of them in front of him "We have you to thank for bringing peace to the nine realms. You should be both proud of your actions, all of you. Asgard owes you gratitude."
There was a round of applauds, Leah had to place Astrid down as her wiggling had become frantic and erratic. She immediately crawled her way to Loki pulling herself up by his jacket getting his attention and a beaming smile from him. Loki just picked the demanding little girl up holding her in his arms as she began to pull at the golden horned helmet he wore making him chuckle slight. Leah felt tears in her eyes as she watched the two of them getting acquainted.
"May you celebrate tonight be with your friends, loved ones and family." Odin finished off the ceremony.
Astrid was now cuddled up to her father not moving as he rubbed her back, the crowd within the throne room started chattering and finding the people they looked for. Leah just remained where she was watching the man she loved and their daughter together, it was more than she could have wanted. Loki finally stepped over to Leah wrapping his free arm around her pulling her against him. She just rested her head on his shoulder looking up at him.
"Little one." He sighed
"My prince." Leah played along grinning.
Slowly she leant up and kissed him on the lips, Astrid just giggled at the pair of them before Loki kissed Astrid on the cheek making her shriek happily.
"She is easily pleased." Leah whispered to Loki suggestively.
"Is that right." Loki grinned understanding what she meant. "I am sure I will find a way to please you little one later." He rose a suggestive eyebrow at her.
Leah just grinned at him biting her lip as Thor approached the pair of them placing a hand on each of their shoulders.
"Put her down brother." He laughed sounding very pleased with himself already. "We must celebrate."
"I would rather spend some time with my family." Loki turned to face Thor properly and sounding deadly serious, which just made Leah's heart grow more for him.
"Won't you all join us?" Thor frowned looking at Loki with a pleading expression.
Loki just glanced at Leah questioningly, Leah let out a sigh and nodded to Loki. She knew an hour wouldn't hurt, Astrid was fed, she rarely had a nap these days and seemed more than in a good mood now her father was back.
"Fine brother as you wish brother." Loki grinning back at his brother.
Leah took Loki's hand as they went to one of the large dining rooms which was being used to have the celebratory feast in. Loki handed Astrid back to her as he went to get food as Thor, the Lady Sif and Warrior three joined her. Astrid immediately fascinated by them, Loki came back with a plate of food and two goblets of wine. Leah place Astrid on the floor as she continued to pull herself up on them. Leah passed Astrid some bread which made her sit down and keeping her quiet.
"She has grown." Thor commented staring down at his niece fondly.
"And she is beautiful." Fandral added which made Loki shoot daggers with his eyes at his friend. Leah just grinned at how protective Loki was already.
"She knows how to manipulate people." Leah smiled at the little girl who chewed on some bread. Leah glanced up at Loki who was still staring at her, watching each of Astrid's movements.
"It won't be long till she is picking up her own sword." Sif laughed smirking at Leah who just nodded to her friend. "With a Father and Mother like you two."
Leah just laughed watching her daughter devour the bread as she sipped her wine. The celebration started getting a little rowdy after an hour where more wine was being drunk than food eaten. Leah knew what would happen now men who had not seen their woman for a few months were celebrating. Leah just picked up the grumbling Astrid who was now worn out not wanting her daughter to witness any thing she shouldn't.
"I will see you later love." Leah kissed Loki quickly leaving him to celebrate with friends. "Stay as long as you wish." Leah left the celebrations at a good time as the first fight was just kicking off.
Leah was just sat by the fire finishing off an earth story to Astrid about the three little pigs. Astrid was already snoring which only made her smile. Leah slowly got up and placed Astrid into her crib tucking her in when she felt two hands wrap around her petite waist. Leah gasped in surprise not expecting his touch, she glanced over her shoulder seeing Loki smiling at her as he pulled her up against him.
"I believe I have a promise to keep." He whispered into her ear.
"Shhh." Leah giggled "Astrid has just gone off."
Loki just grabbed her arm pulling her out of the bedroom, she continued to laugh giddily. Leah was then back into his arms as he kissed her passionately. Leah pulled herself up against Loki as the passion and need built up within her. She gasped as he grasped hold of her hips roughly, she could feel Loki's erection pressing against her belly, when she realized that he had needs as well. He started to pull up the bottom of the dress, his hands skimming her thighs till one made its way to her womanhood. She noticed him raise an eyebrow as he realized that she wasn't wearing any underwear. She just bit her lip as he gently slipped a finger inside her making her groan. Loki removed his hand from her turning her around and pressing her up against the closest wall. Leah just let out a gasp of surprise as he pulled up her dress over her waist. He used his magic to undress himself quickly before pulling her hips towards him.
Leah felt him position himself behind her before he slowly sinked himself inside of her. Leah just pressed her head against the wall as her body trembled from the sudden intrusion. Leah heard Loki let out a sigh almost of relief as he was seated fully inside of her before he leant down saying.
"I dreamt of you." He whispered his hand slipping around her front and down to her clit massaging it. "Every night." She let out a cry as his fingers pressed against her. "Every night you would haunt me with your body."
Leah groaned her eyes clamping shut as he removed himself from her only to push back fully inside of her. She clawed the wall as repeated the actions slowly, undoing her from the inside out. As they began slowly reaching there climax, Loki's movements began to get more frantic only to cause further excitement. Leah let out a long moan, as felt herself fall over the edge. She felt him trust inside her one last time before reaching his climax inside over her pushing her fully against the wall to support box of them for a moment.
"That was." Leah panted
Loki just kissed her neck making her tremble slight. They finally made their way to the fury rugs in front of the fire laying there in each others arms a blanket pulled around them. Leah just rested her head on Loki's chest her eyes closed enjoying the skin contact they had.
"She will be walking soon." Loki chuckled "A quick learner."
"She is growing really fast." Leah sighed looking up at him. "We will have no time with her like this will we?"
"It will slow." Loki rubbed her back looking down at her smiling slightly. "It begins to slow till it almost stops."
"I hope its slows down soon, I don't want to miss anything." Leah muttered running her hand along his chest kissing where his heart lay.
Loki just pulled her closer against again, Leah looked up at him as he seemed to be staring up at the ceiling. He seemed happy and peaceful with her, she just smiled at him. Leah just let out a long sigh resting her head back down on his chest before falling to a deep peaceful sleep completely relaxed in Loki's arms feeling happy and safe with him there.
Leah woke in the morning finding herself laying in their bed wrapped up in the sheets, there was no sign of Loki or Astrid. She laid back for a moment thinking about last night not knowing how she got here. She pulled herself out of bed wrapping the sheet around her before she heard giggling and laughter. Leah went out of the bedroom to see Loki laughing watching Astrid who seemed determined to walk and chase the lights Loki made with his magic. Loki was just in a pair of tunic trousers lounging in a chair as Astrid stood up herself and tried to take the next step but loosing balance. Loki seemed amused by her attempts which seemed to only make her more determined.
"She has definitely got the stubbornness from you." Leah commented from the door way.
"It will only make her stronger." Loki looked up at her, she could see how proud he was of his daughter's determination.
Leah moved around Loki's magic and Astrid placing herself on Loki's lap. Loki just wrapped his arms around her pulling her properly against him. She rested her head against his as they watched Astrid stand up and take two steps catching hold of one of the lights as it sat within her hand for a moment.
"She is walking." Loki smiled
"God help us." Leah laughed quietly as Astrid turned to look at them grinning.
Leah was right, now Astrid had taken her first few steps on her own, she would only walk with help when she wanted. Loki and Leah spent the rest of the day entertaining the Astrid within their chambers and out in the gardens. Leah just enjoyed them spending some alone time together. By they headed back to their chambers, Astrid was asleep in Loki's arms worn out from the days activities.