A Royal Arrangement

Chapter 29

- Vesper's Pov -

I kept staring at the door. I knew that he could come in at any moment. I tried in vain to focus on my stupid embroidery, I think I was trying to make a rose. Only this was a rose that was already half wilted and looked like it was dying. I almost had to chuckle. I threw the embroidery into a corner. I don't know why I even attempt to do this. I can't do it. I don't know why but I was so nervous. Loki was not back yet. Maybe he changed his mind. No, I cannot think like that. I need to be bold and fearless.

But then someone knocked on the door and I jumped. I pressed my hand against my chest.
"Come in," I said in a shaky voice, which was not my intention. I was supposed to sound fearless, but my voice failed me. The butler opened and smiled at me.
"Lord Odinson has arrived," he said in a drawling tone.
"Let him in," Loki walked in and I was struck again by his handsome. Though I detected some doubt in his eyes.

- Loki's Pov -

I took a deep breath and moved closer to Vesper. The air seemed to be sucked out of my lung. Gods, she is so beautiful.
"Hello,"
"Please sit down," Vesper said, pointing to the sofa opposite her. I nodded and meekly sat down. She then got up and locked the door. I had to be patient now because I wanted her. Not just because of our child, but because she is my wife and I wanted no one else. The past few weeks had been hell. I had been so worried and then so happy to hear that she had been found. Then I was disappointed to learn that Dimwit had visited her. I had given up but when my siblings worked out that Vesper was pregnant... my whole mood had changed. I had realised what an idiot I had been. I didn't want to lose her. I didn't want to lose Vesper and the child she was carrying. It would kill him. I had to fix this; whatever it took. I had to.

An awkward silence fell between us; one that reminded me of our earlier days, where everything was strange to us both and where we had obviously still had to get used to each other. After a while, I cleared my throat and spoke.
"So... how are you feeling?" I asked timidly; clearly hinting at the pregnancy.
"I feel pretty good. I'm still very nauseous at the beginning of the morning but other than that I'm fine I think," Vesper rubbed her belly. I smiled broadly and nodded.
"That's good to hear," I said. I cleared my throat for the second time and then went on to question number 2 "How far along are you if you don't mind me asking?"
"I think... If I worked this out right... Almost 7 weeks," she said with a blush.
"The first week in London," I mumbled. Vesper nodded "Well then I'll have my clerk schedule an appointment soon if that's okay with you," I stated with a serious expression.
"Sure," she said. there was silence between us but it wasn't awkward "I'm sorry about the mop bucket," Vesper had to chuckle; unintentionally at the recollection; and brought her hand to her mouth to suppress it but it was already too late.
"Again, it was really not funny..." I said in a reproachful tone, but it came out a lot less angry than he wanted. But I had to laugh with her. It made the atmosphere change "Whose plan, was it? Yours or Killian?"
"Mine..." she replied slightly nervously but with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. I love this woman "But Killian took the bucket from me because of my condition," and at that moment I immediately lost any resentment towards my brother-in-law.
"Good lad," I said. I then shuffled in my seat "I want to apologise, once again for, my idiotic mistake of going to see Sigyn. Nothing really happened between us; I swear to you, Vesper. I wish I could turn back that day. I was looking for something, answers maybe, but I was so stupid not to realise that they were staring me straight in the face," I paused briefly. I then knelt on the floor "You are the answer, Vesper. You are. And I didn't realise it. I didn't realise how, how fortunate I was with you, with our marriage. I know that our meeting and decision to marry... has been unconventional but I haven't regretted it for a moment, and I don't regret it now,"
"Loki..."
"Please believe me," I begged "Do you believe me?" I asked her softly after watching her intently for a while; inwardly panicking. She doesn't.
"Yes," she said softly, smiling as she reached for my hand which I gripped tightly, "I believe you," to which I took a deep sigh of relief "Sigyn wrote me a letter in which she also explained that you spoke in an amicable manner, and nothing happened," My eyes grew big with surprise. I had never expected Sigyn to do such a thing but I was grateful.
"That was nice of her," I sighed. My thumb ran over Vesper's knuckle "I don't want to divorce you, Vesper. I want us to stay together. Not just for the child. But because I want you. I want you. I want... I love you," I said, a pleading and sincere look in my eyes. Vesper's eyes began to fill with tears "I love you," I repeated with a crack in his voice; still looking at her penetratingly. Vesper suddenly stood up and reached for the teapot and took a cup and saucer.
"Would you like some tea, Lord Odinson?" she asked me. I blinked at her. It took me several minutes to realise that she was re-enacting our first encounter; in the same drawing room; that restrained first meeting in which we both did not yet know how fate would bind the two of us soon after.
"Yes please; Lady Odinson," I replied with a smile and then watched as she elegantly poured the cup and added some milk and sugar.
"Odinson? My name is Vesper Hawthorne," she said with a teasing voice and a grin as she walked towards me.
"I don't know a Vesper Hawthorne. Just Odinson," I replied smiling at her, and she reciprocated and at that moment. I knew that things were good between us again. While still on the floor, , I placed the cup on the table. I reached for her right hand, took it, and squeezed it. Then he pulled her towards me, resting my head on her belly. She caressed my shoulders with one hand and gently ran the other through my hair.
"I love you too, Loki. I love you very much," she said, trembling, and I smiled against her belly. I then looked up at her with the most disconcerting expression and then a completely different one; naughty; cheeky and suddenly grabbed her arms and pulled her onto my lap. She gasped and her fingers grabbed my shoulders in a reflex to grab hold. I pulled her even tighter against me, making her gasp again. Our eyes locked. It was as if we were still uncertain about everything. Vesper kept biting her lip.
"Darling, keep biting that lip and I will take on this sofa," I gently grabbed her chin between my fingers.
"Loki," she said, her voice low as she looked at the frontroom door "Someone could come in like that,"
"Let them," I smiled as I pulled at her dress. I ran my hand along her leg.

Soon there was a loud knock at the door that made us both immediately pause.
"Little busy!" Vesper yelled as she kissed me, hard.
"Open this door right now!" We heard Vesper's mother shout.
"Oh, joy." Vesper wriggled free from my grasp, stood up and hurriedly dressed but I could not stand up, not at that moment. I grabbed a pillow and quickly laid it on my lap. Vesper giggled and went to unlock the door.

Lady Hawthorne came in. Looking very much annoyed.
"Vesper, who are you in here with?" She demanded. not even bothering to look in my direction "Whoever he is, tell him to leave. I have found you a new suitor,"
"You can tell him to leave. I am with my husband," Vesper pointed to the sofa. I waved with a grin.
"You said she wasn't married anymore," the new guy spoke. He then looked past my mother-in-law and saw me. Colour drained from his face. It was one of Dimitri's friends. I waved, tilting my head to the side. He backed away, hands held up "Not worth it," And he ran away.
"I demand to know what is going on," Lady Hawthorne demanded to know. Vesper smiled and sat next to me, taking my hand in hers.
"Lady Hawthorne--" I went to speak but then there was another door knock. We heard the butler speak and then arrive with a letter for Lady Hawthorne. She tore the letter open and the colour drained from her face.
"Lilith, what is it?" Vesper asked.
"I am divorcing your mother," Father spoke from the doorway. He and my siblings had some bags packed next to them "The Allfather has agreed to help us. You are to leave this realm. Oh, and the children are staying with me. Your bags are ready to go back to Alfhiem,"
"You are not taking my children!" Lady Hawthorne screamed. She shot out of the drawing room and went to hit Lord Hawthorne. Vesper and I ran to the doorway. Where we spotted a load of bags waiting by the door. I rushed forward to stop Lady Hawthorne but she was stopped by Thor. When did he get here?
"I don't think so," He spoke, calmly. I think that scared me more than Lilith did "These people are under my protection and I will not hesitate to throw you to the wolves if you harm them,"
"Kick her out Thor," Killian ordered. Thor nodded as he pushed Lady Hawthorne towards the front door.

"I am the lady of this house. You cannot kick me out!" Lady Hawthorne screamed.
"Actually I can. It was brought to my attention by the Allfather that you were never named Lady Hawthorne in this realm. The girls were but you assumed the title. Therefore, everything is mine and the children's. and I can divorce you as long as I remain in this realm. And do you remember that first week we arrived here? Where you had me register the girls as citizens of Asgard and that you would sort out your own paperwork? Remember?" Lord Hawthorne smiled as he leaned on the door.
"I do," Lady Hawthorne's face was quite funny to watch.
"You never filed for the paperwork but I did. I filed for me and the kids. We are here as Lords and Ladies of Hawthrone Manor. You," Lord Hawthorne held up a piece of paper. It was a citizenship paper "You are nothing but Ms Hawthorne. With nothing to her name as you have been here illegally," Lord Hawthorne smiled. Ms Hawthorne backed away, her face red with anger "You can go now,"
"You know what! Fuck you all! I've hated you all since day one!" Ms. Hawthorne grabbed her bags, she then turned to her husband "You should know. I've been cheating on you for many years. With others and also, With your brother, Draven,"
"Oh, I know. He told me," Lord Hawthorne shrugged "You should also know that Draven, also fucks goats," Lord Hawthorne opened the front door "He also goes by the name of Phyllis every weekend and wears your knickers every time you left his bed,"
"Fuck you," Ms Hawthorne stormed out the door. Lord Hawthorne smiled and slammed the door on her face. Vesper heaved a sigh of relief.
"She's truly gone," Killian whispered.
"And she won't be coming back?"
"Do not worry, children. I have instructed Heimdall to transport her back to her home in Alfhiem. And I have already sent word to her family. No doubt she will be shunned by her family," Thor reassured the family.
"When will she be--" Tallulah went to speak but was interrupted as we heard the roar of the Brifrost "Never mind,"
"I told you children that we would be free of her," Lord Hawthrone hugged his youngest children. I grabbed Vesper by the waist and pulled her back to the sofa.

- Thor's Pov -

"Now Lord Hawthrone, Where is the Elf Ale you promised me," I spoke. Lord Hawthorne nodded and walked to the kitchen. I crossed his arms and then spotted Loki in the drawing room, kissing Vesper on the sofa "Brother?"
"Surprise," He grinned as Vesper jumped off him. Knowing that he was good at his magic clones thing, I wanted to pick up something and throw it at him. But since I was a guest in this home, I walked over to him and poked him instead.
"I was not expecting you here," I looked between him and Vesper. Loki took Vesper's hand; brought it to him and kissed it solemnly; looking deep into her eyes "Things are good then?" Both nodded "Yes!"
"Why are you so happy?" Loki frowned at me.
"For starters, I love Vesper. She is a welcome addition to the family and secondly, Vidarr owes me money from a bet."
 "What bet?"
"He said that you both would be back together after the baby was born and I said you would be back together by the end of the week," I admitted. Loki rolled his eyes at me.
"I should have seen that coming," Loki sighed before turning back to his wife "Shall we go home, my dear?"
"I would love to," she responded with a loving expression in her eyes. She wanted to get up but then felt Loki tugging her.
"I think... I'll need a few minutes before I can leave," he said with a blush. Vesper couldn't help herself and burst out laughing. I laughed as I walked towards the kitchen. I think I shall have to tell Mother that Loki and Vesper have made up and that hopefully, all this bullshit between them is over. I can't wait for their little one to be born. I do love babies and while I know Loki is the God of Mischief, I plan on being the bad influence of them when they grow up.