Daughter of S.H.I.E.L.D. Transformer Book 3

The Tiny Steps

It's been eight months since I returned to Earth. In that time I have seen some amazing things. I have seen Loki turn into an amazing father. I have seen Orlando begin to crawl although he isn't quite there yet. My little sister has now begun to walk. She's almost 14 months old now. It's been incredible.

As I think back it's only been 20 months since I found Loki. I can almost not believe how fast it has gone by. I here occasional news from Hiemdall about Dad and my friends. But by far the best thing to happen to me since then, Loki and I were married. I remember the beginning of that day like no other. I was absolutely terrified. I was scared. It was so much different to a wedding on Earth. Instead of having bridesmaids and flower girls it was just me. Dad and Maria came for the event, and I insisted that Dad walked my up the aisle.

'Jaimie, you had better come and take a look at this.' I step inside and see Loki sitting on the ground in front of Orlando.

I don't quite know what I am looking at yet until Orlando grabs the leg of a chair and struggles to pull himself up onto his feet. I don't believe my eyes. He keeps hold of the chair as he stands for a moment wobbling until his knees can't hold him up any longer. He falls forward but Loki catches him under his arms.

He holds him up and says 'Look at you! Your getting so clever.' He boasts. 'Can you do that again for mummy?' he asks him knowing he can't understand him.

He place him down so his feet are on the floor and lets him grab hold of his fingers. And he takes a step. 'Oh my god. Did he just...?' I say

Loki cuts in and says 'He just took his first step!'

And another. One tiny step at a time and he has made it over to me. I whisper words of encouragement as he takes step after step. Loki keeps him stable and lets him walk in my direction. I scoop him up in my arms and hold him. Loki envelopes us in his arms. We are both proud and excited. I let out a tiny squeal of joy.

Loki ruffles the tiny curls on his little head and says 'That's my boy.'

Then there's a knock on the door. It opens and I am expecting a guard or Fandrall. Instead a woman walks in. She has long brown wavy hair. I recognise her immediately

'Jane?' I say shocked.

Jane Forster was my teacher for Astrophysics when I was in college. I was expecting her to be the last person to walk through that door she comes in and gives me a hug.

'Jaimie, how are you? It's been ages.' She releases me and looks down at Orlando who's sitting on my hip. 'And how are you little man?' She tickles under his chin and he giggles joyously.

'Jane, you will never guess what just happened.' I say and she begins to think.

'Did the Bifröst collapse?' she kidds

'No, Orlando just took his first steps.'

She drops her jaw in awe and says 'You're joking.' I shake my head. 'Oh my god.'

I can feel my eyes filling with tears. 'Oh, sweetie. Don't cry.' She rubs my arm comfortingly. She turns to Loki and says 'Are you treating her well?' it almost sounds as though she was angry with him.

'I'm doing my best.' He says as he wraps an arm around me.

'Don't lie, Loki.' I say 'You're doing perfectly.' I correct him.