Loki took Laney's hand and walked out with her. Desi looked up from her spot on the couch and smiled at them. "We brought tea and biscuits." She said happily.
"That sounds lovely." Laney sat beside Desi on the couch and got comfortable. "How're you two doing?"
Loki sat next to Laney and held her hand again. "We are doing great. I'll most likely be back to work next week." Desi said in her usual cheerful .
"That's great Desi! Just don't overwork yourself." Laney grinned and leaned against Loki's side.
"I won't. I will be taking just a couple patients for a few weeks." Desi agreed.
Laney nodded. "That's good. I'm happy to see you're doing well. I also want to thank you for taking care of us both. We're both healing quite well."
"I'm just glad I was able to help. I have to keep my family healthy." Desi said with a smile.
"We still thank you," Laney said. "We also have a question for you."
"Ask away." Desi said, curious as to what it could be.
Laney bit her lip and glanced over at Loki. She took a breath as her face turned bashful. "We were wondering when... I would be cleared."
"I don't understand." Desi said, confused.
"We want to know when we can be intimate again." Loki clarified.
"Oh... I didn't have the final exam scheduled for the next few days. Did you want it sooner?" Desi asked them.
"If you don't mind, that would be okay. We've been... restricting ourselves, but it's been difficult," Laney blushed.
Desi gave a little giggle. "I know how you two are." She teased. "Would tomorrow morning be alright?"
Laney blushed a bright red and averted her gaze to the floor. "Yes, that would be fine. I will also need vials. We don't want another little one so soon."
Desi nodded. "You definitely need more time to heal before you can carry again." She gently nudged Laney's shoulder. "It's my job to tease you."
"I know it is, and normally I wouldn't be so flustered," she countered. "Plus I can always get you back."
"I think it's funny that you're so flustered." Desi chuckled. "I always look forward to when you get me back!"
Laney raised an eyebrow at Desi. "You might regret that."
"Never." Desi challenged. "It's one of the best parts of our relationship."
"I'll remember that," Laney said.
"How have you been feeling? Is the soreness going away yet?" Desi asked Laney.
"I haven't felt sore in the last couple of days. It's been pretty nice really."
"That's good. You're recovering faster than I expected." Desi admitted.
Laney shrugged. "The days have been merging together since we got back. Sometimes I forget how long it's been."
"It hasn't been that long, a week since we've been back. So three weeks total." Desi told Laney.
"It doesn't seem like Star will be a month old soon already."
"Should we do something for her one month birthday?" Desi suggested.
"Wouldn't that be a bit much?" Laney asked. "I don't know if that's something you celebrate normally."
"Maybe just a little much, but she's so precious." Desi chuckled. "If it's been three weeks since we left, then I'm almost two months along now..."
Laney nodded and grinned. "The little thing will be bigger in there before you know it."
"I know. These two months have already gone by so fast. I feel so bloated now." Desi sighed.
"That feeling comes and goes. But it's all worth it," Laney said.
Desi nodded. "I know already that it's worth it. There's just so much I want to get done before I'm too big to do anything."
"You can still do most things right now, just be careful. I know I felt quite sick in the beginning, but the vials really helped me," Laney explained. "Although you know a lot about pregnancy yourself."
"Yes nurse," Desi chuckled. "It's the long term things like repairing the healing wing. That could take a few months, and I would be too far along to help long term." She explained.
Laney shrugged. "You can oversee plans and help out if Frigga doesn't mind. It would be an easy job to point at people and tell them to do things," she chuckled.
"That's the same thing Thor said. I am very hands on with my job though. I want to be a bigger part of it than just telling others what to do." Desi admitted.
"I know, and you can do that for a while, until your healer tells you otherwise." Laney grinned at her friend, then reached over and patted her leg.
Desi nodded. "I need to get you apprenticed also. I've actually been hoping you would take over my care."
Laney's eyes widened. "I don't know if I have the experience for that," she said honestly. "I didn't really study pregnancy that much. I only know children care and basic adult care. I don't even do surgeries."
"I know, but Frigga wanted you to study under me and find your path. My pregnancy so far is very normal and would be a good one for you to start with. You can kind of get a feel for it and see if it is a path you might want to pursue. I won't force the matter though." Desi said truthfully.
"I can start with that, I don't mind. I'm still not really sure what path I want to take," Laney replied.
"That's why we need to get you a bit more experience in all areas." Desi said happily. "I can show you a few things after your appointment tomorrow, if you want.""
"I would be okay with that," Laney answered, then turned to Loki. "Would you be alright to watch Star at that time?" she asked.
"Could I bring her to the appointment, then just watch her after? I don't mind you doing it tomorrow, I just want to be at the appointment with you." Loki told Laney, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
"You know I don't mind if you come. I'm sure Desi will allow you there too," Laney told him.
"I don't have any problem with him there." Desi told them both.
"Alright, I will be there for the appointment, then I will likely just bring Star back here or to the garden for a while." Loki told Laney.
"That sounds like a plan to me," Laney said happily.
The next morning, Loki woke early to Star fussing and crying. He climbed out of bed and walked into the nursery and picked her up. Once he had her changed, he brought her back to the bed. "Darling? Our little one is hungry." He said softly to Laney.
Laney roused from her sleep to the sound of Loki's voice, then noticed the fussy infant in his arms. She smiled softly and pulled the blanket down before she slipped one shoulder down on her sleep gown. "Come here darling girl," she cooed.
Loki smiled and handed Star to Laney. "I already changed her."
She nodded sleepily as she got Star into position and made sure she latched securely. "With or without magic?"
"With magic of course. That diaper smelled horrible." Loki chuckled.
"I figured you would," Laney chuckled. "But that's alright. You're lucky I don't mind that you cheat."
"Wait, how is it cheating? I'm skilled with magic and just using my skills... would you rather I not use magic?" Loki asked, sincerely curious.
"Baby, I'm kidding," Laney chirped. "I don't mind. I was just jabbing at you."
"I can teach you how to use magic for the smelly diapers if you want." Loki
Laney smiled as she adjusted herself and sat up slightly. "I wouldn't mind that. I've been doing it the old fashioned way."
"Once she goes back to sleep, I will teach you. The spell is fairly easy, so you should be ready to use it at her next changing." Loki said, excited to be teaching magic.
"It's been a long time since I've learned something new in magic," Laney told him. "But I'm glad it's you teaching me."
"I'm happy to be teaching you. I hope mother will also resume our lessons when you are ready." Loki said truthfully.
"That would be a good idea, if you're still feeling up to it."
"I think I am, but I want to make sure you're fully healed before we start lessons again."
Laney nodded. "That sounds like a good idea. We would need a babysitter though."
"I'm certain Desi and Thor would be willing to watch her for us." Loki said, happy that Star was so greatly loved.
"Them or your mother," Laney replied as she looked down at Star to see she had unlatched and was now snuggling against her chest.
"Mother would be the one teaching us, so it wouldn't work so well for her to watch Star in that case." Loki pointed out.
Laney blushed. "Well that was dumb of me then."
"You're fine darling. Mother is a more than willing sitter, when she is able." Loki said, then leaned over and kissed her lips softly.
She returned his kiss gently, her hand coming up to cup his cheek. "I love you Loki," she murmured softly.
"I love you too darling. I'm so lucky to have you." Loki said softly then kissed Laney deeper.
Laney sighed into the kiss and nipped his bottom lip gently before she pulled away. "Can't get too carried away," she chuckled.
Loki nodded and took a deep breath. "No we can't. Do you want to get ready so we can go to the appointment soon?"
"Yes. Could you take her so I can dress?" She asked.
"Of course darling." Loki said and carefully took Star from Laney.
Laney climbed out of bed and walked over to the wardrobe and began looking for something to wear. "What is the weather like today?"
"It is cooler with a breeze, but it shouldn't be too cold." Loki answered. "The sky is fairly covered though."
"Long sleeves it is," Laney replied as she pulled out a wool sweater and leggings.
"I am eager for it to snow again. That is always my favorite time of the year." Loki said as he gently rocked Star in his arms.
"I think it would be nice to see the snow. I like taking carriage rides."
"I remember how we used to do that in the winter. I have missed it and am looking forward to it." Loki said happily.
Laney turned toward him and smiled. "I loved cuddling under a blanket with you and drinking hot chocolate during the ride."
"I bribed them to keep us out longer, because I never wanted it to end." Loki admitted.
"With what?" Laney asked. "I never knew of this."
"Mostly with my adorableness at the time." Loki chuckled. "I worked some trades with the merchants for them. I already knew all the trade routes and such at that time." He explained.
Laney smirked. "All of that work for your crush on a girl?" She teased.
"Oh no. I have never put in that much effort for a crush. It was all that work for the love of my life." Loki clarified.
"You really do let that silver tongue do the talking," Laney murmured as her face turned a bright pink.
"I wasn't even trying to be charming." Loki chuckled. "And it wasn't that much work as I already knew everything. I just had to broker a few trades."
Laney smiled and pulled the long sweater over her head, then turned to grab a pair of underwear. "Well, it was special nonetheless."
"I would like to make it special again. Those are the moments I held onto through... everything." Loki said softly.
"Me too," Laney replied softly. She quickly put on her underwear, then the pants before she faced him again. "I could only think of you even though I thought you were gone."
"I'm forever grateful that you found your way back to me. You save me every single day." Loki said softly.
Laney leaned up and pecked his lips. "As do you darling."
"I still don't know what I've done to deserve you."
"We've been drawn to each other since I can remember. I'm forever thankful that I grew up here with you. Because now we have our little family and I will have an amazing husband by my side."
"I will do my best to be the husband you deserve." Loki promised Laney.
She smiled up at him and caressed his cheek. "You always will be. Let's get the both of you dressed, then go towards the healers. I don't want to make Desi wait too long."
"Do you want to get Star ready while I find myself something to wear?" Loki asked.
"Sure." Laney took Star into her arms and walked into the nursery. "Let's see little girl. Want to try a dress today?" She cooed. It wasn't long until Laney had Star dressed in a tiny dark green dress with a gold headband on her head.
Loki walked into the nursery once he was dressed. He had picked plain black pants and a simple dark green tunic. "She looks perfect." He said with a soft smile, seeing their daughter in his colors.
Laney smiled as she looked over at Loki. "Doesn't she? I think the color brings out her skin quite nicely."
"It does. Is that how it is for me as well?" Loki asked curiously.
"It is. It also brings out your eyes when you're not shifted over," she told him sweetly.
"I don't like the red eyes at all. I want to find a way to use that form without those eyes." Loki admitted.
Laney shrugged as she thought. "You could ask your mother. Maybe there's a spell? Something you could learn?"
"I might do that. I would love something that would permanently change the color."
"I'm sure there's something out there that could. What color would you want?" She asked.
"I would just keep them how they are in my æsir form. I don't mind them like that." Loki said with a little shrug.
Laney smiled and walked up to him, Star in her arms. "I do love your green eyes."
"I just don't want them red. It looks... unnatural." Loki said, then reached out to straighten part of Star's dress.
"Then you'll want eyes like your daughter," Laney said softly as she handed the infant to him. "Her eyes started out really dark, almost black, but they're turning green."
"Do you think that's normal? That her eyes were so dark?" Loki asked, trying to hide his worry.
"Well, she's only half Jotun. I assume it's just my half showing through, that's all.," she told him. "But we can ask Desi if you'd like."
"Yes, I would like to find out. I just want to make sure all is well." Loki said truthfully.
Laney nodded. "Well then, let's head towards the healers."