The next day, Loki and Asta were waiting for her appointment with Branka. She was the one healer they trusted with this baby.

"You know, we need to let Branka in on our little secret," Asta said as she stretched out on the bed.

Loki was quiet for a moment. "I know," he finally replied from his chair in the corner.

"As long as she is the one who helps deliver him, it'll be fine. And she will absolutely keep it to herself."

"I know. She's one of your closest friends, so I trust her with this. I just don't enjoy admitting it to anyone."

Asta frowned, but she wasn't about to argue. This wasn't a fight worth having. Luckily, she was saved by a knock at the door.

"Come in, Branka!" Asta called.

"Hello!" Branka said as she entered the room. "How fares my favorite mother to be?"

"Tired," Asta replied. "And huge."

"Yes, you are measuring a little big. Nothing that surprises me though. Let's see what the little prince is up to this morning."

"Branka, before we begin. I need another favor from you. It requires your upmost discretion."

"Of course, Asta. This sounds important."

"It is. I don't exactly know how to say it." Asta collected herself for a moment. "If this baby is born blue, I need you to not tell a single soul."

"Blue? Asta, babies that are born blue usually required immediate medical attention. But why would that be a concern already?"

"No, I'm not worried about his oxygen levels. I'm talking about his heritage."

"You're confusing me."

Asta took a deep breath. "This baby's father is a frost giant."

"Asta!" Branka squeaked. "No!" She looked to a very uncomfortable Loki then back to Asta. "And admitting it in front of Loki?"

The queen rolled her eyes. "I assure you, Loki is this baby's father."

"But you just said…"

"Can't it be both?"

Branka stopped for a moment and processed everything. "Well, that would mean that…"

Loki finally stood then. "That I am a frost giant," he said softly and mournfully.

Branka looked at Asta's belly. "Oh. Yes, I can see where there are concerns then."

"Please, Branka. You are the only one we trust with this. You must be the one to help me deliver the baby," Asta said with pleading eyes.

Branka smiled. "I'm honored that you trust me with this. Of course, I'd love to help you deliver regardless, but now I will make it my priority. I wish you would have told me a little sooner, so I could have observed you more closely, but I understand why."

Asta looked worried. "Do you think his Jotun side will change anything?"

"No, not really. Jotun's do typically carry babies for about 2 or 3 weeks longer than Asgardians, but a hybrid baby could go either way."

Loki spoke up again, though quietly. "Should we worry about his size?"

Branka wanted to choose her words carefully. "May I speak freely?"

Loki nodded. "Branka, we are all friends in this room. You may drop any formalities."

"Very well. I want to keep a close watch on his growth, in case he does become too large. But, and I mean no offense, but Loki seems small for a Jotun."

"So I hear," Loki muttered.

"But, that is a blessing for your wife," Branka hurriedly mentioned. "So, let's consider that a good thing. Asta, you'll likely go past your original due date, but first babies go when they want, so no one should be suspicious. Now, if the baby is born blue, what is the plan?"

"If he doesn't do it himself, we will put a glamor over him," Loki explained. "Apparently I did it to myself, but we don't know how he'll handle this."

Branka nodded. "Very well. Now, let's see how this little prince is today. I understand now why Mama feels a little big. Jotun's tend to have more amniotic fluid as well, to protect the babies from the cold. In the next 3 to 4 weeks, you are definitely going to want to make fewer appearances. Mostly because you won't be comfortable, but also because you may show as larger than average."

"That won't be a problem. Should she be on bed rest?" Loki asked, his voice showing his concern.

"Bed rest, no. Extra rest, definitely. But I would tell all mothers this. Besides, Asta is the goddess of healing. She knows her body better than anyone."

Asta sighed. "I used to, before this little one. Pregnancy seems to have turned my powers upside down. So I am certainly glad to have you, Branka."

Branka smiled as she waved her hands over Asta's middle. "Well, he is a little larger than average, but nothing to get concerned about. He is very healthy, though. And I can feel his magic against mine. I almost think he's waving?"

Asta laughed. "Yes, he does that. He's powerful already, but I think he's using some of my magic as well. But still, no matter how he looks at birth, there will be no questioning his father, once the dinner rolls start flying at dinner."

Branka grinned. "I've heard of those stories. I always assumed it was Loki."

"Hey!" he grumbled.

"Was it true?" Branka asked, giving him a knowing look.

"Perhaps…"

"Mmm-hmm." She turned to Asta. "Do you have any other questions?"

"No. I'm just along for the ride now," Asta replied.

Branka turned to Loki. "And you? Are you alright through this?"

Loki ran a hand through his hair. "I just want them both to be ok."

Branka walked around the bed and put a hand on his shoulder. It would have been terribly disrespectful for anyone else to touch the king so familiarly, but Loki regarded Branka as a family friend. "They will be," she said. "I'm not worried about it. And I will be right there to help and make sure of it. Yes?"

Loki nodded. "Thank you, Branka. I am putting the 2 most important treasures in my life in your capable hands."

"An honor I do not take lightly. Now, in the meantime, I think I will probably examine you every few days now. Just to make sure everything is still safe for a delivery."

"Yes, that sounds like a good idea," Loki said.

Asta nodded. "Whatever you need."

"And if you feel like you need something sooner, please let me know. We're in this together, I promise," Branka said, reaching for her friend's hand.

Asta took it gratefully. "Thank you, Branka. You have no idea how much this means to me, to us."

"I am happy to help my dearest friends. Now, get some rest. That little prince is probably going to start wearing you out even faster these days, and not just because of his parentage."

Loki looked to Asta. "Yes, I will make sure she's resting."

Branka laughed as she stood. "I know you will. Now, I shall take my leave. The moment your contractions start, you let me know."

Asta rolled her eyes. "I'm certain you'll hear Loki."

"Hey!"

Branka turned to leave. "I'm expecting it. See you soon!" she said as she left the room.

"Well, that wasn't too bad," Asta said as she rolled on her side to face Loki.

"No, it wasn't."

"My love, everything is going to turn out right. Fredrik is fine and so am I."

"And I couldn't be more grateful for it. But there are still many weeks to go. What if my seed ends up harming you?"

Asta rubbed her forehead. "Look, firstly, your seed is not the problem – and also that's a very strange way of putting it. Let's never use that term again. Second, even if he does get a little too big, we have options. We can deliver a little early, we can do surgery—"

"I don't even want to think about that," Loki interrupted.

"Loki, that is always an option. Always is, regardless of the parentage of a baby. Don't worry about it until we need to. And we probably won't even need to."

"My darling, I—"

"I'm done talking about this," Asta said firmly. "This baby, our baby, is fine. I am fine."

Loki lowered his head. "Min kjære. Jeg bekymrer meg bare fordi jeg ikke kan leve uten deg." (My darling. I only worry because I cannot live without you.)

Asta knew he was troubled if he was speaking in Old Asgardian.

She sat up on her knees and took his face into her hands. "Min ugagn. Jeg skal ikke noe sted. Alle tre av oss er trygge. Jeg elsker deg, min konge." (My mischief. I am not going anywhere. All three of us are safe. I love you, my king.)

"Jeg elsker deg også, min dronning." (I love you too, my queen) "I'm so sorry I'm like this. I just want nothing more than both of you to be healthy. I think I'll be worrying until he's here."

"I'm prepared for it. But please, don't let this ruin the rest of the pregnancy. We still have much to look forward to."

"I won't, I promise."

"Very well." She sat back and then decided to lie down instead. "Care to take a quick nap with us?"

"I'm afraid I can't right now. I'm due to meet the council in half an hour." He lay behind her. "But I can hold you until you fall asleep."

"I shall take what I can get." She got comfy and sighed. "I love you, Loki."

"I love you, Asta."

"And do me a favor."

"Anything you ask."

"Only save Asgardian for special moments. Not worrying ones."

"Fair enough, my love."

"Good, good," she whispered as sleep was already over taking her.

"Jeg elsker deg, mitt lys," he whispered as he held her close. (I love you, my light)