Note: I have taken some time to add some stuff to the end of the last chapter to make it seem less script like :p if you want to go reread before this one feel free but not necessary.

Doctor Loki Love: opps! I need to find that post and delete it. I used to only post Sunday to Thursday but somehow I began to post every single day and never stopped. Lol, jumping for joy is alway a fun reaction to a chapter. Glad you liked it that much. :)

Max is a chick name: haha. Yes waiting a long time for that moment! Wedding planning yay!

Poodle warriors: I'm trying to dream up a Asgardian wedding. It won't be like earth but the kids will be there.

Next guest: I hope you had a drink for me! If not do so next time :p engaged at last :p

Sorceress of the trees: I took your comment to heart. I aim to please. I have added a bit to the end of the last chapter :p hope it has improved it :)

Chapter 52: A serious talk

Loki had arranged a family supper and had invited Kat as well. The children played with their food as Loki took his place at the table but did not sit. When everyone was sat he cleared his throat.

"Last night it came to my attention that I had been a fool." He paused. "Through the foolishness of my patients I have brought upon words of heated accusations and judgement. I mean to make that right. I need you, Odin...father, to announce to the people my betrothal to the Princess Cephera Drogo. I need it done as soon as possible." Loki was nothing less then serious in his declaration.

Kat jumped to her feet clapping like a crazy woman and slowly stopped as no other person at the table joined. Odin picked up his cup of ale. "I hold up my cup to this proposal. Though what should have been long ago, it is as the humans say 'better late then never'." Odin's expression was difficult to read. He looked proud, released and annoyed all at once.

Odin drank a healthy amount of his cup before setting it down. Only then, with his formal acceptance, did the queen stand to walk around the table and embrace her son and then Cephera. Thor did the same and Kat seemed determined to cover her sudden outburst and also copied the queens example.

However Kat did not hug Loki. Their work relationship made it weird and so she gave him a generous pat on the shoulder instead and her hug to Cephera was prolonged. "Tonight we feast to this glorious news." Odin announced when Kat was reseated.

Cephera was beyond nervous when she got a summons to see Odin. An official summons was something she had never gotten before. When she entered the throne room he was seated tall on his golden throne. She bowed in respect.

"You wonder why I have brought you here?" He said his voice stern. She nodded unable to find her voice. "I need to make you aware of something. I understood that you were from another realm with a different lifestyle. I had hoped that by honouring you with my ahead of time blessing that it would speed up the proposal of marriage. I could have forced a betrothal myself but Loki has enough to scorn me for." He paused again.

Cephera would have been lying if she tried to convince herself she was not concerned were this conversation was going. "It had not been as I hoped." He continued. "I want nothing more then happiness for each of my sons. I was not blind that you were that happiness for Loki but I wish it had not come to this."

"Come to what?" Cephera couldn't help it. Odin was speaking as if it were the end of the world and she was feeling nervous like she hadn't felt in a long time.

"The out loud words and comments of the people will end upon my announcement of your betrothal. However, everyone will always remember how you got there. They will assume this marriage was done because of the children." He took a heavy sighing breath. "I need you to understand that if a day should come, when I am long dead and perhaps even Thor. If Loki ascends to the throne and passes leaving behind you and his children, there will be a fuss over weather or not the children you now have are legitimate to Loki."

"I don't understand. Anyone looking at them would know their father."

"That means little were politics is concerned. Because the children were spawned out of wedlock there legitimacy will always be in question if a time ever came for one to take the throne. No woman can rule here in Asgard. Only Devian is a successor. I have spent little time with my grandchildren. I did not want the people thinking I approved of your I married situation. Unless you produce another boy while married you will find yourself in a rebellion should such circumstances occur were only Devian remains to take the throne."

"I pray that day never comes to light." Cephera felt a knot in her stomach so tight she could hardly breath. She understood how the people opinion sometimes outweighed the kings rule. After all, when her father had accepted her into his kingdom there was an uprising to overthrow him.

"I don't wish for you to think I hate you. It couldn't be further from the truth. I look forward to your wedding day and the days after where I may finally spend time with my grandchildren openly.

"I have a question." She said suddenly. "If Loki was adopted, how is he able to ascend to the throne but not my Devian."

"I have spoken to Loki on this matter. He is aware that this may be a future he will face if he should become king. However, there is a chance that people still view him as their prince father all these centuries. Not everyone is aware of his heritage."

"So no matter if I marry Loki now, I will always been known as his whore and my children will always be bastards." Cephera felt her body quivering. Asgard suddenly felt like a hard cruel place.

"In the minds of some. You must understand that not everyone will see it this way. But those who are greedy will be quick to bring up the past in an attempt to make gain for themselves in the future. I wanted to open your eyes to the possibility of the hardships you may come across. There is also the chance you will never see the day your children are rebuked."

"Does Loki know all this?" She wondered about this, why would Odin take his time to tell her when he could have just had Loki do it himself.

"As I see none of this coming to pass, unless he has died, I did not see a reason to tell him. He would be long gone and would not see it himself. The hardship would rest on you alone." Odin held a fatherly tone. He sounded as if he was trying to protect Loki from all the hard truths his hesitation to marry her could have caused.

"I thank you for your heads up in the matter. If I were to have a second boy would Devian still be first in line over him?" Cephera hated to think her children would one day hate eachother over such a thing as being king. It had almost destroyed Loki and Thor's relationship.

"I suspect so. If you have a second boy then why would anyone bother trying to interfere knowing that in the end one of your children would still be seated on the throne."

"I hate politics." Cephera said suddenly. Odin laughed.

"Of all the things each realm has in common this is one. As much as I rule here in Asgard that does not mean there are not others who would like to see someone else in this throne. Some would stop at nothing to gain it for themselves. Keeping the people at peace and happy keeps my ass planted firmly here. Without the support from the people I would not be here. It's not always about who has the most power."

This was not something Cephera could disagree with.

"So baby sitting. I can leave them with you from time to time? ...after the wedding that is." She changed the subject. She had too. Their conversation was so saddening and bleak. Odin laughed again.

"I will take the children off your hands gladly...once you are wed." He smiled wide. He also seemed happy to leave the serious talk behind.

Returning to the bedchambers, Cephera was greeted by a very odd noise. The sound of water running with growling and splashing. She made it only part way to the bathroom when Shiaji came running out hissing.

She rushed forward and looked inside only to start laughing. Loki was struggling to get control over the pump used to full the bath manually should magic fail. He was soaked and Devian was laughing hard and Diana was playing with the water that was beginning to flood the floor.

Cephera rushed forward and placed her hand on the pump and drained any magic from it until it stopped spouting water. "What were you doing?"

"Trying to give them a bath."

"And you didn't use your magic why?"

"I had but when I bent to place Devian inside he touch the pump and poof, water everywhere." Loki looked frazzled. "I was being careful. Made sure to fill it only a little so they would not drown just like I see you and then this."

Cephera's smile was wide. Loki hadn't tried doing these kinds of things with the kids. When she was gone he usually got his mother to attend to it. She looked down at the twins, who were still all smiles and laughter playing in the water. The magic Devian used was not something Loki himself had ever learned and so counteracting it was difficult. Until now it was never a problem.

"Your sweet sometimes. You know that right." She kissed Loki's wet head. He glowered at her. Sweet was not a word he liked referred to him. She used magic to remove most of the water from the tub and filled it with some bubbles. "Here get in with me." She said and got in clothes and all carrying Devian with her. Loki, already being wet took Diana and followed suit.

She watched him as he carefully scrubbed down his daughter and allowed him to also take care of Devian. This was a side to him she rarely saw. He looked almost innocent set to the task of taking care of his kids in the most common ways.

It made her sigh happily. It really didn't matter what others thought. Loki was their father and he was a good father. She continued watching while he blew bubbles across the surface to amuse the children. They were careful not to let either child go under. Both enjoyed the water and when it was time to get out both cried.

Devian crying was normal. Diana hardly cried but tonight she was not pleased with her sudden lack of fun. Tonight she would go to bed kicking and screaming but tonight Loki was the one dealing with it.