A month later, Asta began to feel a bit sick. Her medical education on Midgard had her assuming she was pregnant, but when she went to use her powers, they seemed to be slightly off. She felt sure of a pregnancy, but wanted to be completely certain, so she went to the healers.

"My queen," Branka said with a curtsey. "How may I help you today?"

Asta always laughed when Branka was formal with her. Technically, yes, she was the superior of the healers, as their goddess and the queen now as well, but Asta and Branka were wonderful friends from childhood.

"First, I need your discretion," Asta said softly.

"Discretion? Absolutely. But why is that?"

"I need you to run a test for me. A pregnancy test."

Branka's eyes lit up and she smiled brightly. "Asta! Right away! Come here to the table and lie down."

Asta did and Branka prepared. The healer asked, "But why come here? Surely you could do this yourself?"

"I tried, but my powers are acting strange."

"Oh, and that made you think even more…"

"Yes, I almost have to be, but I can't assume. I need to be sure before I tell Loki."

"That does make sense," Branka said before she waved her hands over Asta's midsection. A sparkling mist floated around. Finally a beautiful purple color appeared in the mist. "Oh Asta, I am happy to tell you that yes, you are indeed pregnant!"

She helped Asta sit up and Asta pulled her into a tight hug.

"Thank you, Branka! Now, how to figure out how to tell him."

"Get him drunk?" Branka offered.

"No, I don't think that's how I'll do it," Asta replied with a laugh. "Thank you, friend."

The two healers hugged again and as Asta hurried back to their chambers, she wondered just how she was going to tell Loki. She knew he had a meeting with the council that morning, so that gave her a bit more time to think about it.

However, when she opened the door, she found him on their bed, ankles crossed, reading a book.

"My darling, where were you this morning?" he asked.

"Um, well," she mumbled.

He was instantly on his feet and rushing to her. "Are you well?"

"Yes, I am. I just didn't expect to see you here. Wasn't there a council meeting this morning?"

"It ended quite early. All is well in Asgard."

"That's good. Good to hear," she stammered.

"Asta, you're worrying me. What is troubling you?"

She sighed. She knew she wouldn't be able to hide anything from him. "Let's sit down." She led him to the bed and they sat. "I saw Branka today."

"Branka? Why did you need the healers? Are you sick?"

"Well, I felt a bit ill. But there's nothing wrong, as it turns out."

"Then why are you ill?"

"Loki, give me a chance to speak!"

He lowered his head a bit. "I'm sorry, darling. Continue."

Asta paused, gaining her composure. "I'm feeling ill because I'm pregnant!"

Loki's eyes instantly shot back to hers. "You're… pregnant?"

"Yes! Isn't it wonderful?"

"It's magnificent!" He bent to her tummy. "Hello, little one! This is your daddy! I can't wait to meet you! We love you!"

Asta laughed as she ran her fingers through his hair. "Loki, my love, the baby can't hear you yet."

"Ah, but the moment they can, I want this little prince or princess to know my voice." He sat up and looked Asta in the eyes. "My queen, I want to be everything Odin wasn't as a father. I will be present, I will be nurturing, I will be caring. You and this baby will never want for anything. I vow that here and now."

"I already knew that, my king," she replied, putting a hand on his cheek. "That's not something that ever crossed my mind. You are going to be an amazing father! You've already proven yourself as a husband and a king."

"The only titles that matter are husband and now father! My heart, I have no idea how to thank you for this gift."

"Well, you had a hand in making it as well," she said with a wink.

Loki chuckled. "Well, yes, I suppose that is true. And I had a very good time doing it. But you are carrying my child. That is a sentence I feared I would never utter."

"Well, stop fearing it."

He placed a hand back on her middle and stared there. "My child," he whispered. Suddenly he sucked in a breath and looked back up at her. "My child. Asta… What if the child is blue?"

Asta shrugged. "Then they're blue. We'll still love them no matter what. Besides, with two powerful parents, it's very likely that this baby will have magic. They'll probably just change themselves like you did. I'm not worried about it at all. Our baby will be perfect just as they are."

"Yes, you're right. I should not forget your wisdom."

"This is true. You should always trust my wisdom," she said with a wink.

Loki gently nudged her to lie on the bed and he pulled her close to him. He pressed a kiss to her neck and exhaled worriedly.

Asta knew he was getting into his own thoughts and decided to pull him out of his funk. "So, when shall we tell everyone?"

"When you're ready and not a moment sooner."

"Loki, we have to follow royal practice."

"We are the king and queen. Whatever we do is royal practice."

"My love, I won't allow a millennia of traditions to be thrown out because you don't deem them worthy because of me."

"You will not convince me that Odin made no amendments for my mother. Or that Bor made none for Bestia. This is our right as king."

Asta sighed. He was probably correct. "Fine. In the meantime, let's consider when we're going to tell our family."

"I like that idea better."

"We have dinner with your parents the day after tomorrow, yes?"

"Mmmm-hmm. That would likely be a good time. Gods, my mother is going to be ecstatic!"

Asta giggled. "Oh yes. She'll be thrilled to say the least!"

"And your family? And the team?"

"Well, I'd like to tell my parents before the team. And we should probably tell Thor before as well."

"But not much before. That oaf couldn't keep a secret if anyone's life depended on it. Especially one of this magnitude!"

"Yes, that's probably true. Does the king think he can free his schedule the day after dinner here? We can sneak down to Midgard, find my parents and Morgan, then find Thor, and then round the team up."

"And if we tell Tony first, that will give him time to rent out the shawarma place," Loki added with a wink.

Asta rolled to her back and smirked. "You've been missing shawarma, haven't you?"

"They just can't make it right here!" he lamented.

She put her hand to his cheek. "Then that is our plan. I can't wait to tell everyone!" She felt the tears prickle her eyes. "Loki, we're having a baby!"

His heart swelled. "Yes, my beloved, we are." He leaned over to kiss her. The kiss deepened.

Asta looked up at him through her lashes. "Is the king's schedule free this afternoon?"

He grinned. "I told you, all is well in Asgard. I think I have some time. What is my queen planning?"

She grabbed the pendant at his collarbone and pulled him close. "I think you'll see." And she kissed him again.

The rest of the afternoon was spent making love and celebrating their new family.