Chapter 41: Struggles and Support
Madilyn woke up to the sound of Millie’s cries piercing through the quiet of the early morning. She felt the weight of exhaustion in her bones, the endless nights of broken sleep catching up with her. With Thor away on his mission and the tension between them still unresolved, everything felt heavier.
She stumbled out of bed, her feet dragging across the floor as she made her way to Millie’s room. The sight of her daughter standing in her crib, tears streaming down her face, tugged at Madilyn’s heart. She picked Millie up, cradling her close, trying to soothe her cries.
“It’s okay, sweetie. Mommy’s here,” she whispered, though she doubted her words brought much comfort.
The day passed in a blur of tantrums and exhaustion. Millie refused to eat, turning her head away from every spoonful of food Madilyn offered. The baby’s usually cheerful demeanor was replaced with a constant state of fussiness, making every moment a challenge.
By the afternoon, Madilyn was at her wit’s end. She sat on the living room floor, surrounded by scattered toys, trying to entertain Millie, but nothing seemed to work. Her daughter’s cries only grew louder, echoing through the empty rooms.
“Please, Millie, just calm down,” Madilyn pleaded, her own tears threatening to spill over.
Millie’s response was to swat at the toy Madilyn offered, her tiny hand connecting with Madilyn’s cheek in a surprisingly painful hit. Shocked, Madilyn pulled back, staring at her daughter in disbelief.
“Millie, no!” she said firmly, though her voice wavered.
Millie’s cries only intensified, and Madilyn felt a sense of hopelessness wash over her. She was failing. Failing as a mother, failing to keep everything together while Thor was away.
In her moment of despair, the front door opened, and Loki walked in. He took one look at the scene before him and immediately crossed the room to Madilyn’s side.
“Madilyn, what’s wrong?” he asked, his tone gentle.
She looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears. “I can’t do this, Loki. She’s been crying all day, and she won’t eat or sleep. I don’t know what to do.”
Loki knelt down beside her, his hand resting on her shoulder in a comforting gesture. “You’re not alone in this. Let me help.”
Madilyn nodded, too tired to argue. Loki reached out and gently took Millie from her arms. The baby’s cries quieted slightly as he held her, rocking her back and forth.
“You’re doing your best, Madilyn. It’s okay to need help,” he said softly.
Madilyn watched as Loki continued to soothe Millie, his calm demeanor having a noticeable effect on the baby. For the first time that day, Millie’s cries began to subside, replaced by soft whimpers.
“Thank you, Loki,” Madilyn said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Loki looked at her, his eyes filled with understanding. “Anytime. We’re in this together, remember?”
As the evening approached, Millie finally fell asleep in Loki’s arms. He carefully placed her in her crib, making sure she was comfortable before turning back to Madilyn.
“She just needed a little extra comfort,” he said with a small smile.
Madilyn nodded, grateful for his help. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Loki.”
He shrugged, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips. “We all need someone to lean on. You’re stronger than you think, Madilyn.”
She sighed, feeling the weight of the day’s struggles beginning to lift. “I just wish Thor was here. Everything feels so much harder without him.”
Loki’s expression grew serious. “I know. But he’ll be back soon, and you’ll get through this. You’re not alone.”
As the night settled in, Madilyn and Loki sat together in the living room, the quiet of the house a welcome change from the chaos of the day. They talked about anything and everything, the conversation a balm to Madilyn’s weary soul.
When she finally went to bed, she felt a sense of peace she hadn’t felt in days. Loki’s presence had been a reminder that she wasn’t alone, that she had people who cared about her and Millie.
And as she drifted off to sleep, she allowed herself to believe that things would get better. That with the support of her friends, she could handle whatever challenges came her way.
Words
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Should I make the chapters longer or do you guys mind the short ones?
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𝕾𝖙𝖚𝖇𝖇𝖔𝖗𝖓 |Thor X Reader|
Fanfiction**Description:** In a world where gods walk among mortals, Madilyn Stark navigates the complexities of love, family, and duty. As the daughter of the brilliant and overprotective Tony Stark, Madilyn finds herself drawn into the epic realm of Asgardi...
