Thor and Loki arrived back at the palace and headed straight for the throne room, where Odin was awaiting them. "How did it go?" Odin inquired.
"King Laufey has said that he wishes to make peace with us, Father." Thor answered.
"But I do not trust him." Loki added.
Odin and Thor both looked at Loki in surprise. "Why do you think this?" Thor asked.
"He agreed too easily...the fact that he agreed after me using sentiment is even more concerning to me." Loki explained. "My father is not one for sentiment. He cares about nothing, but power."
"Then why did you even try it?" Thor asked.
"As a test." Loki answered.
"Do you believe your father will try to use this to his advantage?" Odin asked.
Loki nodded. "I know he will."
Odin nodded. "Then we shall be prepared and watching for his move."
The three men spoke a while longer, making sure they had a strategy for anything Laufey might try to pull. After finishing up the plans, Loki headed out of the throne room and through the halls until he arrived at Ava's chambers. He entered just as she was stepping out of her private bathing chambers.
She looked up at him and smiled. She then ran to him and threw her arms around him. "You're back."
Loki chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close. "I told you I would return to you."
Ava pulled back to smile up at him. "I'm glad you're safe." It was then that she noticed he had returned to his Aesir form. "Since you are in your Aesir form...does that mean things went well?" She asked.
"They went as I had expected them." Loki answered.
Ava furrowed her brow in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"My father says that he wishes to make peace...but I do not trust his intentions are sincere."
"That is terrible...I hope that he can make peace for..." Ava said, but was interrupted when Loki put a finger to her lips.
"Enough about my father." Loki said. "I do not wish to speak of him any longer this night."
"Then what do you wish to speak of?" Ava asked, pulling his finger from her lips, but holding onto his hand.
Loki smiled. "I want to talk about us...our future together...the future of our little family."
"And what about us and our future?" Ava asked, almost afraid that this was not good news.
Loki saw the worry in her eyes and hated that he could see it at all. He gently kissed her forehead. "I love you my darling." He began. "And I am yours...always."
Ava smiled, loving the sound of his words. "I love you, too...and I am also always yours."
Loki returned her smile. "I'm glad to hear you say that...because I want to make it official."
Ava furrowed her brow once again. "What do you mean?"
Loki grinned and released his hold on Ava's waist. He knelt down in front of her, on one knee. Taking her hands in his and looking deep into her eyes, he spoke, "Ava, you have been my one true and best friend since we were children...and I have loved you for it. You have given me so much...your friendship, your love, your kindness, your tears, your time, your sympathy, and now your giving me the gift of a precious child. I know that I can never come up with enough to repay you, but if you will have me, I will spend the rest of my life giving you my everything if you will marry me?"
Ava felt the tears of joy spilling over her cheeks and the smile spreading wide across her face. "Of course, I'll marry you, Loki." Ava answered.
Loki rose to his feet and wrapped his arms around Ava. He lifted her up and brought her lips to his in a tender kiss.
Ava wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, smiling into the kiss. She pulled back after a few moments, just to look into his emerald eyes. "I love you, Loki."
"I love you, Ava." He replied.
"I can't wait to be your wife." She said, smiling.
Loki grinned. He enjoyed the way that sounded. "And I can't wait to be your husband."
Ava's smile turned into an ear-to-ear grin. She then crushed her lips to his, hoping that her kiss told him how much she loved and adored him and how happy she was that they were engaged. She broke the kiss after a few moments and her grin turned mischievous. "What do you say we have our own private celebration before we tell everyone?"
Loki returned her mischievous grin. "I say that I like the way you think." He then carried her over to the bed, where they made love well into the night.
Afterwards, they lay awake, wrapped in each other's arms and tangled in the sheets. Ava lay with her head resting on Loki's bare chest and using her finger to trace patterns over his lean muscle. She placed a kiss on his pectoral. "I love you, so much Loki."
Loki lifted a hand to hold Ava's hand that was tracing patterns over his skin. He brought her fingertips to his lips and kissed each of them. "I love you far more than I ever thought I could love anyone, Ava." He replied and then kissed her forehead.
Ava gave a contented sigh before snuggling closer and falling asleep, secure in Loki's embrace. Loki lay awake, a while longer, watching Ava sleep. He loved the way she looked as she slept, so peaceful and serene...happy and content in his arms. He wouldn't trade these moments with her for anything...and he was glad that they would have a many more of these moments ahead of them.
As he lay there watching his beloved sleep, Loki's mind couldn't help but to wander to the child she carried. He hoped that the child would get nothing from him and be as perfect as Ava. He also hoped that he could be the father the child deserved and not the father he, himself, had had.
A/N: I hope everyone is enjoying this story :) I love hearing from you please read and review :)