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

Chapter Seventy-Seven

By four-thirty, the hallway outside Aislinn's room was crowded with family, waiting patiently while Aislinn took a much deserved shower. Steve smiled as he gazed down at Christopher, asleep against his chest, warm and peaceful. He stirred when Steve brushed his thumb along the back of his head, but settled back against him without waking.

"So perfect," Steve murmured. He'd been holding his son for almost an hour now, unwilling to let go of him as he kept marveling over ten tiny fingers and ten tiny toes and a button nose and big blue eyes and silky black hair covering his head. "You are absolutely perfect, Chris. Never forget that. I'm sure Mommy and I are going to make a lot of mistakes with you—some small and some not so small—but we love you unconditionally. I've never been a dad before, so you're going to have to be patient with me. I had a good role model, but there's going to be a learning curve. And I'm going to screw up and get mad at you and I'll probably yell, but when all is said and done, I will always be there when you need me."

The baby slept on, oblivious to his father's whispers, his father's shiny eyes, his father's choked voice. Steve couldn't believe how emotional he'd become, but just looking at Christopher made him realize just how much of a miracle life is. And to think, he and the beautiful woman in the shower created this perfect little miracle... to have played a part in that awed him to no end.

He smiled, gently kissing the top of Christopher's head. "And you will have at least one brother or sister. Hopefully more. I'm one of five. Mommy is one of four. We both know what it's like to have a big family, to know so many people have your back. And do you know how many people are out there waiting to meet you? Grandparents. Aunts. Uncles. Cousins. Little man, you have fifteen cousins who are all dying to meet you.

"And your grandfather on Mommy's side is a king. I bet you didn't know Mommy was a princess, but she is. And that makes you a prince, little man. Prince Christopher of Asgard. Seventh in line for the throne. Makes you even more special than you already were."

"Is he answering?" Aislinn murmured, leaning over his right shoulder to smooth her hand over Christopher's head.

He smiled as she nuzzled him. Her wet hair felt cool against his cheek. "Not yet. Give him a few months."

"My father will want to do the presentation as soon as possible." She slid her arms about his neck and squeezed. "And that means going to Asgard for a few days."

"That's fine, baby. I'll just let McAleevey know I won't be in for a week or so. They'll keep you here another day or two, unless you want to leave."

"I do heal fast."

He smiled. "I know, but this is new to you, Ash. You should probably just rest."

"I am. But in Asgard, I have Eir and she knows all about childbirth. Probably more so than Dr. McNamara, although we won't tell Dr. M. I said that."

"My lips are sealed."

Christopher stretched his legs with a soft cry, then grew quiet again. Steve gently rubbed his back. "Shhh... little man. Sleep while you can. Remember, there's a million people out there ready to pounce." He looked up at Aislinn, who looked tired. "If you're up to visitors, that is."

"They don't want to see me," she said, kissing his cheek before moving back to her bed. "He's the one they all came to see and that's fine."

"Get comfy and we'll do the handoff, just like in football."

She slid beneath the covers and sat back against the pillows. "Ready."

Steve rose, careful not to jostle the baby too much, and he set Christopher in her arms without waking him. He brushed a kiss over Christopher's forehead and sank back into his chair. "I must've counted his fingers and toes a dozen times, Ash. He's just... amazing."