Forever Friends

Chapter 14: Baby Avenger

The day you come back marks 6 months into your pregnancy and you are already huge.

When you walk in, Loki runs to meet you, happily hugging you around your belly, "Pet!!"

You smile hearing him address you with his nickname for you, "Lohk, are you alright? You had me worried."

He blushes and looks down at your growing belly before smiling up at you, "I am wonderful- better than that now that you two are home. You look wonderful! I hope you are not too upset with me." He grabs you and Bucky by the hands, pulling you forward, "Come with me! I want to show you why I haven't been to visit."

Before you can object, he is pulling you and Bucky up the stairs positively giddy. When you get to his old room, he opens the door and you are astonished at the nursery. Loki has turned it into a beautiful oasis. Your favorite animal has always been turtles. He has used his magic to show turtles swimming around the huge room. A large crib is against the far wall adjacent to the window. A glider rocking chair sits in the corner by the bookshelf so that you can read and look out into the garden. A long bench-seat lines the window. He has created a moving mobile above the crib that sings to the baby in what you can only assume is an Asgardian lullaby. A large chandelier hangs in the center, with baby turtles swimming around it. The backdrop behind the crib has rolling waves so real, you can almost feel the ocean spray with the tide.

You look over at Loki who is beaming, "Do you like it?" He asks, nervously.

You smile and run to him, speechless, hugging him, "It's amazing, Lohk! Thank you so much!! The baby will love it!"

Bucky is still standing shocked, "I mean, wow! Man, you've really outdone yourself."

He smiles and hugs Loki, "Thank you."

"So, still no idea what we are having?" Loki asks, his hands in his pockets.

"Nah, we've decided we want it to be a surprise," you say, slipping your arms into Loki's. Bucky heads downstairs to get the bags unloaded as you and Loki sit and catch up in the nursery.

"You okay, really?" You ask, concerned, staring into those beautiful blue eyes.

Loki nods, taking your hand, "Are you happy?"

You nod, "There are no words that describe how ecstatically happy I am, Lohk."

He smiles wide, "Then I, too, am ecstatically happy. I love you, Pet. And," he touches your belly gently, "I love you little one." He looks up at you, grinning mischievously, "And as much as I hate to admit it, I even kind of love Barnes."

Tony celebrates your return with dinner. Everyone is positively thrilled that you are back and that the baby is healthy. You excuse yourself a little early and make your way back to the nursery. You carefully sit down in the glider and glance out the window into the clear night, patting your belly.

"You are going to be so spoiled. Everyone is so excited to meet you. Your daddy, Uncle Steve, Aunt Nat, Uncle Loki, and Ton Ton are going to drive me crazy if you don't hurry up and come see them," you smile, feeling the tiny kick against your hand. "I love you so much, Monkey."

It's been over 2 months since you and Bucky came home. Time has flown while you guys prepare for the newest arrival. Bucky has gone on a few missions but you, being pregnant, has increased his paranoia for you and the baby. You are having a strange dream when you suddenly jerk awake. The pressure in your pelvis makes you sit straight up, wincing slightly. It is barely light outside. You carefully ease out of the bed, not wanting to wake Bucky. You slip into the nursery. This has become your new safe haven when Monkey is restless. You ease down into the glider. You try to get comfortable and are struggling severely. Why won't this pressure ease up? You try walking around but nothing helps.