Second Chance

Chapter 41

"Hagen, you be nice to your sister now." I yell as I'm trying to change. I can hear them fighting in the bedroom room.
"But mom, she is being a meanie head!" He yells back.
"Now, that sounds familiar." Loki says putting an arm around me.
"I still think you're a meanie head sometimes." I smile back, turning around to look at him.
"I remember when you called me that, so long ago." He laughs.
"Yeah, right after I finally told Odin yes to immortality. Ah, such found memories. I can't believe we came back here. The kids do love it here. I think out of all of us, Kari misses earth the most." I chuckle.
"Well, my father has seemed to have grown soft. Maybe he will allow her to bring Steve up here."
"I'll have to talk with him. She misses him dearly."
"Brother, are you in here?" Thor asks from the bedroom doorway.
"Uncle Thor!" The kids yell and they both tackle him. I walk out of the bathroom with Loki. I lean on him and smile. My family.
"How's Jane?" I ask him.
"That is why I came to see you. She is ready." He smiles brightly.
"Alright kids, time to go. Aunt Jane is finally having her baby." I smile. We all head to the room where she is. Thor goes inside and we wait.
"Finally." Loki chuckles.
"It took them long enough. I've been waiting for this for a long time." I smile.
"Mommy, can we go see Aunt Kari?" Erika asks. She is ten now, and gosh does she look like her daddy or what? Her dark hair so long and lovely, her eyes still a piercing green, her sun kissed skin.
"Of course honey. But no fighting!" I holler as they run off. "They are growing up too fast. It feels like just yesterday we found out I was pregnant with Hagen." I sigh.
"That was almost four years ago. And he looks like you more and more each day." He smiles. Hagen does resemble me. He has tan skin, brown hair and hazel eyes. He has the most adorable smile.
"While Erika is pretty much the girl version of you. Attitude and all." I laugh.
"She is quite the devious one." He says as he puts his hand to the back of his head, scratching his head and shrugging. Of course he does this little innocent gesture in the cutest way possible. I stand in front of him and kiss him softly.
"And I just don't know how I became so lucky as to have all of you for a family." I say as I kiss him again.
"It is I who is the lucky one. So, when should we go visit earth again? Nick just might kill us if we do not go soon."
"After we see that Jane is all good and well. I just have to see the baby." Just as I say this, Thor comes out with a huge smile on his face.
"It is a boy." He laughs.
"Oh dear, we are in trouble." I smile. He takes our hands and leads us into the room. Jane is sitting there, holding her baby. "Oh, he is just too precious."
"I know. How did I give birth to such an adorable being?" She asks while tears roll down her face. I go to her side and wipe the tears away.
"Did you decide on a name?" Loki asks.
"Colby." Thor smiles. I walk over and hug him. He picks me up and shakes me around. "We will have to travel to midgard. Tony said he must meet the child."
"Ha-ha, I can see him doing so. I wonder how everyone is. It feels like its been a long time since we were all together."
"It's only been a couple of months." Loki laughs at me.
"Earth time or our time?" I raise an eye brow at him.
"Earth time, I promise." He says putting an arm around me.
"Well, I am ready when you guys are." Jane says as she starts to get up and move around.
"Maybe you should rest for a while?" Thor tells her.
"No, I'm fine honey. Plus, I need some fresh air. Like earth air." Jane giggles.
"Alright, I'm gonna go grab Kari and the kids." I smile. I head for hallway and find Kari and the kids playing by the garden. "Hey guys, we're gonna make a trip." I smile.
"To earth?" Kari says running to me, looking more excited than the kids.
"Yes, Kari. To earth. We will go to our house and call everyone to come over and meet the new baby."
"I can see Steve?" She asks.
"Yes honey." I smile at her. I usher them to the hallway to wait with Loki while I head to the throne room.
"I see you have come to speak with me once again. Is this the matter of the relationship between the Lady Kari and your friend, Steve?" Odin says before I get a chance to speak.
"You are always one step ahead of me, father." I smile at him. He motions for me to come forward and I embrace him in a hug.
"It is nice to have you all here again." He says as I let him go.
"I know I should have told you about Erika years ago, I was just scared."
"My child, you do not need to explain yourself to me. I know that you were doing what you thought was safe for your child. I can appreciate this. As for the other matter, I have been thinking this over. The lady Kari misses him?"
"Yes."
"Then I see no reason to not let him come. If he wishes to. I cannot take away her immortality, I can only bestow it. If he so wishes, he may come here with Kari, whenever you all return."
"How did you- once again, you know us all fairly well." I smile.
"Now go, my child, give the Lady Kari the news. I shall see you when you return." I kiss his forehead and leave the room. I rush to the bifrost where everyone is waiting for me.
"What took you so long?" Erika asks.
"Business, my love." I say, nudging her. "We're ready, heimdall."
"As you wish." He winks at me. The bifrost is open and we go through the portal. We are in front of my house on earth. We head inside and I grab my phone. I call everyone and it doesn't take long for the family to show up.
"Uncle Bruce!" Hagen yells and jumps in Bruce's arms.
"I missed you kiddo." He laughs. The bond they have is insane.
"Where's my princess?" Tony says as he walks in the door. Erika runs to him and he swings her around. He is still her favorite. Kari runs to Steve as he comes in the door. He picks her up and holds her close. I feel two arms around my waist and I can see Loki behind me. He smiles at me and puts his head on top of mine. Steve looks down at Kari and I can see it. The spark. The way everyone says that Loki looks at me. He kisses her nose and she giggles. I step out of Loki's embrace and go to them.
"So, I spoke with Odin today." I tell them.
"Well?" Kari asks with wide eyes.
"He said that Steve can come with us, if he wants to." I smile. Steve grabs me and spins me around for a moment.
"You are the best." He laughs.
"Anything for my best friends." I smile as he puts me down. He pulls her in and holds her close. I'm so glad they are happy together. I walk back over to Loki. I lean forward and kiss him.
"So, are you happy, my love?" He asks. I look around the room and look at my family. Everyone is smiling, hugging one another, playing around.
"Yes, honey. I am. This is everything I could have ever wanted."
"A family?" He asks.
"Not just a family. A second chance, at happiness." I smile.
"Well, I am quite fond of second chances." He chuckles and kisses me softly. I hold on to him and look at everyone. This. This room full of people. My home. And my other home on Asgard, with my new found father and my other friends. This, is all, my second chance. And I wouldn't have it any other way.