Frost & Fire

Chapter 20 (Abigail)

"Hey, Daddy." I said softly and sat up in bed. "We're doing okay. How about you?" There was a pause before he spoke and I could tell it hadn't been good.

"Could have been much better." He said in a forced calm voice. I knew it too well, it was the same one he used when he was beyond pissed. "It sounds like they're not going to stop, but I don't want you to worry about that. Have you eaten?"

"Yes, we had a pot roast with mashed potatoes. And it's hard not to worry about it when I'm not with you. And if I'm going to have a twenty four hour watch, I'd rather it be you." I said with a small smile.

"Kitten, what did you do?"

I couldn't help but laugh. "Well, Dad wanted to know more about what the ultrasound showed so Bruce and I explained the best we could and when he came in to check on me I wasn't in bed." He took a sharp breath in and I could at least imagine the way his chest would have risen and fallen. If he were here he would have pulled me into his arms and gave me a lecture. "Don't worry, it wasn't long and my back really hurt so I took a bath. I wasn't up for more than five minutes and apparently that was enough to cause an uproar so I'm being babysat."

There was a knock on the door and I rolled my eyes. Everyone had been doing that since Thor and the others decided to stay. Partly on their own accord and partly because even my brother in law was freaked out. The knock was a sign that the shift change had happened and judging by the knock my dad decided to step into rotation. I hated them being so paranoid, but I also understood.

"Who's there now?"

"Judging from the knock my dad. They've been doing that since I threw Lady Siff out." I could hear him laugh. "Hey, she was the one who thought I apparently needed to be walked to the bathroom and back to bed. I may be pregnant, but I'm not incapable of walking a few feet." We both laughed at that. "I was just going to read a little. I've been doing that because I heard that the baby can hear already."

"I hope you are remembering some Shakespere, Kitten."

"Of course, Hamlet. I know that's one of your favorites and it calms both of us."

"Will you read out loud? I could really just listen to you talk right now after the night I've had."

"Yes, Daddy, I will." I said as I reached over and grabbed the play to begin reading. I could feel Arn settling in by my ribs which always made me gasp a little because it was anything but comfortable, but I liked to think he did that because then he'd be snuggled up against my hand. I read for almost an hour, making a decent dent in the play before I could hear the soft sounds of Loki sleeping and knew even he was asleep. "We love you, Daddy. I knew you'd come back to us."

"Always." He said sleepily. I heard him roll over in our bed and I did the same after putting the book away.

I had a bad feeling the revolution was going to happen soon and nights like this weren't going to be easy. He wouldn't wear our communication device while in battle and I couldn't blame him for that. If anyone knew, I was sure that they'd either try to destroy it or make sure that I could hear every agonizing blow. I worried about that day coming faster than we would have been ready for and knowing that I couldn't be by his side this time hurt like a real bitch.

The shift change happened like clockwork and was the only thing I really had to look forward to all night and throughout the day. Sure, there were family dinners and I was allowed to get out of bed for an hour, but I could never stay out of mine or Arn's room for too long. I felt like I had no idea what was really going on with my soon to be sister or Pepper, even though our hormones were practically in sync.

I knew when Loki was awake and when he went to deal with the rebels because he'd remove his device so I couldn't hear. During my hour up, though, I made it a point to go into Morgan's room. I couldn't believe Pepper only had about a month left if that and yet I'd be hidden in my room.