Author's Note: Volstagg, Fandrall and Hogun are the Warriors Three. Jane's about 5-6 weeks into her pregnancy.
A week later…
"Are you ready?" Thor asked, wrapping an arm around her waist. Jane nodded, afraid her voice would quake if she spoke. Thor squeezed her waist gently before directing his gaze skyward. "Heimdall, open the portal," he shouted, raising his hammer. Jane attempted to swallow the lump in her throat, her nervousness growing as they began to glow. "Remember to close your eyes," Thor said quickly. "It'll keep you from getting sick."
'What am I getting myself into?' Jane thought as a bright white light surrounded them.
"You want me to go to Asgard," Jane said as she lay in bed with Thor, propping her head on her elbow to better see Thor. 'My fiancé,' she thought, resisting the urge to giggle. The word felt pleasantly odd as she said it, making her think of the pop rock candy she ate as a kid: the popping sensation surprising her while making her smile.
"Yes," Thor replied, his hand stroking the bare skin of her hip. "I promised Mother I would bring you to visit Asgard when we were betrothed; now would be the perfect time. We can announce the betrothal and the conception of our babe at once."
"Won't your parents be upset about me getting pregnant before we got married?" Jane knew if her parents were still alive, they would have thrown a fit. Thor was supposed to become King of Asgard; how would his parents take the news of her pregnancy out of wedlock?
"No, why would they?" Thor asked, confused.
"I don't know about Asgard, but on Earth it's somewhat dishonorable to become pregnant before you're married; it's frowned upon. People aren't as severely ostracized as they would have been decades ago, but people aren't always polite about it," Jane explained.
Thor remained quiet for a moment, thinking. "I think Mother and Father will be pleased to hear of the babe. Tis true on Asgard most people are wed before they have a babe, but it is not considered a thing of dishonor if a man and woman have a babe before they are betrothed as long as they are wed eventually. Anyone who has anything disrespectful to say about you or our babe will have to answer to me. Do not worry dear Jane; everything will be fine," Thor said, kissing her.
"If you say so," she replied, snuggling against him.
Jane stumbled slightly as they landed in Asgard, dizzy from the trip. She gasped as she opened her eyes. Thor had told her about Asgard many times, but his words couldn't have done it justice. Asgard was absolutely breathtaking.
"Thor, this place is amazing," Jane said as they walked out of a huge, golden room. "It's so beautiful here."
"This is home," Thor said happily. "Heimdall!"
"Greetings Thor; you have returned," the tall man replied. "And I see you have brought Jane with you."
"You know me?" Jane asked, curious.
"Heimdall sees everything in the nine realms; he was the one who told me you were still searching for a way to me when the Bifrost was destroyed," Thor explained.
"It is truly an honor to meet you Lady Jane," Heimdall said, bowing to her. "Thor has finally found a worthy woman to marry; you will make a fine queen and a fine mother." Jane's eyes widened at his comment, her cheeks turning red as Heimdall laughed. "Fear not, I shall not breathe a word of this to anyone until your announcement; I simply wish to extend my congratulations."
"Thank you Heimdall," Jane replied, smiling at him. "It was a pleasure meeting you."
"The same to you Lady Jane. If you are ever in need of any assistance, do not hesitate to call upon me."
"We shall return later my friend," Thor said, leading Jane across the bridge toward the palace. Thor smiled as Jane gazed around in wonder; she seemed to be as in love with Asgard as he was.
"Do you know all of these people?" Jane asked as another person greeted Thor in the palace halls.
"Many of them, yes. There are some that are familiar faces but their name simply escapes me. But most of the people within the palace I've known for years," Thor replied. "Truly I enjoy knowing the people who work within the palace and live in Asgard; I have not been able to adapt to the distance between people on Earth."
"It must be nice to know everyone. But at least I know those people," Jane said, pointing down the hall.
"Sif and the warriors three!" Thor exclaimed, rushing forward to hug his brothers-in-arms. "How fare thee?"
"We fare well Thor," Volstagg said. "It gladdens my heart to see you have returned."
"And I see you have brought Lady Jane with you," Fandrall said, bowing his head toward her. "It is good to see you again."
"It's good to see all of you too," Jane replied.
"At last Lady Jane has graced the halls of Asgard," Hogun said, smiling.
"A celebration must be afoot," Volstagg said happily. "A feast to announce the arrival of Lady Jane."
"I swear he thinks only with his stomach," Sif said good-naturedly, shaking her head. "But he is right. There must be a celebration for Lady Jane's arrival; tis a momentous occasion."
"Perhaps there shall be a feast after we see Mother and Father," Thor said, smiling at Jane.
"The King and Queen are in the throne room; we have just passed them," Fandrall informed them.
"Then we shall be off friends; we shall see you tonight at supper." They exchanged farewells as Thor and Jane walked further into the palace. Jane felt her heart beat faster with every step, her palms beginning to sweat. She knew it was perfectly normal to be nervous before an important announcement, especially when it was to your fiance's parents that you have never met before.
"Are you alright Jane?" Thor asked worriedly as they stood before two ornate gold doors. "You look quite pale. Is it the babe? Would you like to sit down?"
"No, no, I'm okay. Just a little nervous," Jane replied, running her fingers through her hair.
"Everything will be fine I swear to it," Thor said, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze before pushing the doors open. "Mother, Father, I have returned."
*dramatic music* time to meet Odin and Frigga! Reviews please