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

Chapter Seventy

It was one of the noisiest holidays Aislinn ever experienced, but it was also one of the best. Between both families, there were fifteen children and while two of those fifteen weren't really old enough to play, the other thirteen more than made up for it. Thankfully, it was a mild day, so Steve ushered everyone out into the yard, where Tracy and Jen watched over them from the upper deck.

Once the shock of their news faded, Aislinn found herself surrounded by mothers and wives, all offering advice or exchanging pregnancy stories, while Steve found himself surrounded by men all congratulating him on his prowess.

With a soft sigh, Aislinn excused herself from the deck to go and baste the turkeys (thank the gods for the ability to cook as many as she needed in her oven without anyone on Steve's side of the family noticing.) As she bent over, Steve groaned. "Oh, honey, stay like that and I'll marry you all over again."

"You want me with my head in the oven?"

"Well, maybe just bent." He slid his arm about her waist as she straightened up. "How're you holding up?"

"I'm fine. My back hurts from the bending over, but it's nothing I can't handle."

He brushed her cheek with a kiss. "I think we've been forgiven."

"My mom still wants to host a reception of some sorts in Asgard. I guess I'm going to have to tell your family about me."

"Tony knows."

"What?"

"I told him when you had the miscarriage. I needed someone to talk to, and he and I've always been close. Anyway, he knows but he hasn't said anything and neither has Tracy."

"Do you think we should do it now?"

Steve sighed, letting go of her to lean against the counter. "Part of me says yes, since everyone's here and they already think your dad's a little odd. But, part of me says no because..."

"Because you don't think they'll take it too well."

He looked more than a little uncomfortable. "Chris and the wives will okay."

"But your parents..."

"My parents."

It was her turn to sigh. "We have to tell them. When their grandson—or granddaughter—arrives in March and possibly turns blue when he—or she—gets really upset, they are going to really freak."

He raked his fingers through his hair. "I know."

Closing the oven, Aislinn straightened up, arching her back with another sigh. It really ached from all the time she spent on her feet, but otherwise she felt fine. Then, she sucked in a sharp breath. "Steve!"

He shot away from the counter. "What's the matter, Ash?"

"Give me—" She grabbed his hand and pressed it to the lower left quadrant of her belly.

"Ash?" Concern lined his forehead, but then his eyes widened and a slow smile replaced that concern. "Baby..."

"Did you feel it?"

"I felt it." His voice was light, soft with wonder. "He moved."

Covering his hand with hers, she blinked back unexpected tears. "That's your son, Steve."

His fingers pressed more firmly against her belly and his eyes locked with hers as he whispered, "My son..."

"It's just a hunch, mind you," she murmured, grazing his thumb with hers. "But I think it's going to be a boy."