Heaven Sent (Loki/Asgard Fanfiction - Aislinn's Story)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Dinner went a lot more smoothly than Steve first anticipated and by the time he was helping Aislinn clear the table, he was pretty certain he was not about to be gelded by her father. She smiled over her shoulder at him as he stretched to slip a plate under the running water. "See? You worried for nothing."

"Worried for nothing, my ass," he told her, setting the rinsed plate on the counter. "Just because he hasn't struck me down yet doesn't mean he won't."

"Steve," she rolled her eyes as she sighed, "he likes you, okay? He told me he does."

He cast a glance toward the dining room, where Loki and McKenna sat, talking quietly. While they weren't exactly as touchy-feely as the Molinaro clan, they both gave off the vibe that they did like him and did approve of his marrying Aislinn, and that was certainly a load off his mind. Only once before did he deal with a father who took an instant dislike to him, and that was back when he was in his early twenties and heading down the pathway that led to East Jersey State Prison, so it was difficult to blame said father.

But he was nowhere near as serious about that girl as he was about Aislinn, and he'd be lying if he said he didn't care what her mother or father thought of him. He did care. Aislinn was close to her family, they were as important to her as his was to him and he didn't want her ever feeling she had to choose.

He slid his arms about her waist and nuzzled her, whispering, "Good. I want them to like me."

"Well, you can relax, because they do."

She leaned back into him and the scent of roses teased his nose. Roses? She didn't usually smell of roses. Not that he was complaining, mind you. Roses were nice, but he preferred the lighter touch of whatever flower she'd worn before.

"Did you just sniff me?" she asked softly.

"Did you change shampoo?"

"What?" Laughter wove through that one word.

"I know, I know," he gently squeezed her, "I sound nuts, but your hair smells different."

She gazed up at him. "I didn't think you'd notice."

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Because you're a guy."

He grinned. "Yeah? And I know when my girl smells good and when she smells different."

"Well, your nose is spot on. I couldn't get my usual shampoo, so I tried a different one. What do you think?"

"I think I like the other one better." He leaned to brush her lips with his, then pulled back to say, "Why don't you fire up the Keurig and I'll finish these?"

"You just don't want to answer any more questions."

"Aislinn?" McKenna came into the kitchen. "Why don't I help you so Steve can go relax?"

Steve bit back a groan as Aislinn said, "I think that sounds like a plan. Steve, why don't you fire up the Keurig? Mom, I assume you and Daddy will both have coffee?"

"Of course."

"You're going to pay for this, Ash," Steve whispered, leaning close enough that his lips brushed her ear.

She gave him a pert smile over her shoulder as he moved to the Keurig. "I love you, Steve."

He grinned. Somehow, he had the feeling that, no matter how annoyed or exasperated he was with her, all she would have to do is flash him that winsome smile and say those words and he'd melt. He hit the power button icon on the touch screen, moved back to kiss the top of her head, and said, "I love you, too, baby," before steeling himself to go back into the dining room.