Second Chance

Chapter 36

"Erika, are you ready to get out of the shower yet? We still have to brush your teeth before bed time." I smile as I sit on a stool by the shower.
"I like showers." She giggles. Gosh she is too cute for words.
"I know honey, but you have to get some sleep tonight. Tomorrow is Saturday."
"Reewy? I get pancakes!" She says as she pokes her head out of the shower. "Wif Uncle Tony?"
"Yes my love, everyone will be here for pancakes. But they won't show up if we are still sleeping." She runs straight to me and I wrap her in a towel. I fluff out her hair and we brush our teeth.
"Got my toothpaste, got my brush
I won't hurry, I won't rush
Making sure my teeth are clean
Front and back and in between
When I brush for quite a while
I will have a happy smile!"
We both sing the song as we brush our teeth. Once done I help her into a pair of blue pajama pants and a blue star shirt. I pick her up and carry her to her room. She's now three, so we had to change the room around to meet her standards. She didn't want a crib anymore, so she now has her own bed.
"Alright, my princess of mischief, its time for bed." I smile as I lay her down and tuck her in.
"Mommy, hear story." She smiles.
"Which one sweety? We have tons of books."
"No books. The story about Daddy." It almost takes my breath away when she says it.
"Alright my love. Once upon a time, there was a wild boy who no one seemed to like, and girl who wanted to somehow change the world. She tried to send him home, for he had been bad and needed a time out, but she had to wait on his family to come get him. But once they started to spend time together, she realized just how much she cared for him. Soon, he also began to change, and he professed his love for the girl, and she did the same. They moved to a far away kingdom know as Asgard, where he and Thor are from. She was not only in love with him, but she was in love with the palace as well. The place was so beautiful, you could hardly breathe. Once there, he proposed to her and gave her the most beautiful ring to show how much her loved her." And I show her the ring on my hand and she giggles. "Then, Thor and the boy had to leave for a mission, to save the palace. But once on the mission, the girl found out she was carrying a precious little girl in her belly, and was so excited to tell her love about it. Thor came home, but the boy didn't. He saved the team and was captured by an evil man. And now, Thor searches the realms for his brother. And the woman and her lovely little girl wait for the return of their hero." I smile as I kiss her forehead. I remember the day he left, the day he said he would do whatever it takes to get back to me. That was almost four years ago now. Time sure does fly by. Erika reached up and touches my cheek. He eyes glaze over a white color, and I can feel her transferring the images I'm seeing into her head. She smiles widely.
"Is that Daddy?"
"Yes my love, it sure is." I smile, trying so hard not to cry.
"He has eyes like me! What is daddy's name?"
"His name in Loki Laufeyson." I smile at her, and I can't stop the tears coming now.
"That's pretty. Mommy, why you cry?"
"Oh, I'm fine my love. I'm just happy you finally got to see who he is."
"He come home soon?"
"He will sweety, don't you worry." I kiss her once again, turn on her night light, and leave the door cracked open as I leave the room. I look over and kari is standing there, holding two spoons and tub of chocolate ice cream. I run into her arms and cry. We walk arm and arm down the stairs and onto a couch in the living room.
"I know that was hard for you." She says, rubbing my back.
"I just hope I'm not lying to her, about him coming home soon. It's been four years, Kari. Maybe telling her that story was a bad idea."
"No, you did the right thing. She deserves to know how much you two love each other, and what he did to protect you. And what did she mean by is that him?"
"I was thinking about the day on the bridge and she touched my cheek, taping into the memory. She smiled so wide. She was so happy to see what he looked like.. I didn't know she was going to be gifted." I smile.
"Well, why wouldn't she be? You and Loki both are very talented, of course she is going to inherit some of your magic. I think it's wonderful."
"I'm just glad she didn't throw any magic tantrums. So happy the terrible two's stage is over." I sigh as we both dig into the ice cream. "Do you ever miss Asgard?"
"Sometimes, but I really like it here. I feel like I'm actually apart of a family." She smiles.
"Me too. Alright, we better go to bed. Tomorrow is Saturday after all." I chuckle. I hug her tightly, and head for bed. Saturday's are my favorite.

"Rise and shine, sleeping beauty!" I tickle Erika and she comes to life with a laugh. "Come on, its Saturday! We better hurry and get ready!" She jumps up and we rush to her closet. We pull out a pair of black leggings and purple shirt. Then, we put on her little apron and small chef hat. Gosh she looks so adorable. We rush down stairs just as Tony and Pepper step through the doors.
"Where is my princess of mischief?" He smiles and she runs to him for a hug. "You ready to make these pancakes?"
"Uh huh." She giggles. They both walk over to the stove and he starts mixing all of the stuff together. Erika slides a stool up so she can see. This picture is too cute.
"He adores her." Pepper says coming up next to me.
"She just loves him too." As I say this, Tony puts a dot of flour on her nose.
"Uncle Tony!" She giggled and my heart literally melts. The door opens and Thor steps in with Jane. "Uncle Tor!" Erika smiles as she runs over to hug him. She can't quite say Thor, but the way she says it is much cuter.
"How is my favorite green eyed child today?" He smiled as he holds her up in the air.
"I make pancakes, wif uncle Tony."
"Did he bring chocolate chips?" Jane smiles.
"You bet I did. Can't have pancakes without them. Come back kiddo, I need you to crack an egg." Thor sets her down and she goes running back to Tony. Bruce, Natasha and Wanda soon file into the house.
"You did not get her that outfit?" Wanda laughs.
"Hey, she wanted it. She said it's her pancake outfit."
"I just love her." Natasha smiles and she walks over to her, kissing her cheek. Steve and Nick walk in and I go to greet them.
"Always the last one here." I nudge Nick.
"Captain and I were working on some things." He chuckles.
"Papa!" Erika laughs and runs to him. He picks her up and swings her around the room as she laughs.
"There's my girl. You been giving your momma any trouble?"
"You know it." And they fist bump. Oh dear. My poor child. She then reached out for steve to take her. He puts her on his shoulders and she giggles. "Uncle Cap, you too tall."
"And you're too small." He laughs.
"Hey!" She giggles. He puts her down and she rushes back over to make pancakes.
"She's alot like him, isn't she?" Steve asks, rubbing my back.
"She is. I love it though. And I can handle her mischief." I laugh. This is it. This is the life. All of my family, making pancakes and just enjoying a Saturday together. Erika being the life of the party, as usual. It's easy to see that they all love her. And she loves them too. Her favorite is still Tony, but he doesn't mind that one bit. She's the best thing to have ever happened to me. I love her with every fragment of my being. I can't imagine not having her around. Just being gone during the day and not seeing her kills me. I know, Loki would love her the same way, and that brings me some form of peace. Knowing that even though he doesn't know about her, he would love her. That's something I never had, but she does. Kari was right, the story I tell her is a great thing. It helps her know her father, and now she will see his face every time I tell it. She will know he loves her, even though he isn't here. It pains me that he hasn't gotten to watch her grow up like I have, but I know in my heart, he will soon return, and she will have him wrapped around her little finger. He will come home to meet his little girl, and they will have a bond so strong, that even I won't understand. I want her to be a daddy's girl, and I don't think he will mind that one bit. As I look around the room, seeing everyone smile, I can't help but smile too. Loki would love this. Come home soon, my love...