All Over Again (Sequel to Wanted Man)

Chapter Four

CHAPTER FOUR

She came back to find Loki had remade the bed and was waiting for her by the door. "Ready, love?"

"I suppose. It's always overwhelming, dealing with everyone at once. Makes me appreciate the nice, quiet dinners we have at home, just the three of us."

"Ah, but here we have plenty of entertainment for Selig."

"This is true."

He reached for her hand, entwining his fingers with hers, and gave it a gentle squeeze. "So, are you ready, love?"

She braced herself for walking into the dining hall and being surrounded by all the same people who liked to stare and whisper about the stranger who managed to win Loki's heart and change him from villain to hero. Even after three years, they still gawked and whispered, which kept her from feeling entirely comfortable around everyone. She was fine with the people she'd come to know and love like her own family-Volstagg, the burly redheaded giant of a man with a gentle heart; Fandral, who loved women almost as much as they loved him; and the serious, quiet Hogun. And of course there was the Lady Sif, who was probably McKenna's closest friend in Asgard. She understood McKenna's discomfort, as she underwent her own fair share of stares and whispers as well, as the fiercest warrior maiden (only warrior maiden, really) in Asgard. And where she once thought Sif might be a rival for Loki's affection, McKenna had come to love her like a sister instead. In some ways, they were even closer than McKenna and Shannon, who was her best friend on Earth.

As they approached the dining hall, McKenna braced herself for the noise and as they entered, she wasn't disappointed. A shout rose from all directions in greeting and Loki held up a hand to acknowledge the welcome as he steered McKenna toward the raised dais where Thor and Odin already sat. Selig was there as well, in his booster chair, and was sipping juice from a small gold cup.

By the time they reached their seats, McKenna relaxed and sank into her chair between Selig and Loki, and as she concentrated on getting her son fed, the noise all faded away and she made it through dinner without any trouble.

Afterward, Tyra wound her way through the boisterous crowds. "Lady McKenna, would you like me to take Selig and put him down for the night?"

"Yes, Tyra, that would be awesome." McKenna lifted Selig from his booster seat and gave him a squeeze. "Good night, little man," she said, nuzzling him and then kissing the top of his head.

"Night, Mommy. Where's Daddy?" Selig's blue eyes darted about in search of Loki.

"Over there, with Unca Thor and someone I don't recognize." McKenna rocked him, smoothing his black hair into place as best as she could. It tended to be curly, like Loki's hair would be if he didn't tame it into position, and as soon as she lifted her hand, it sprang back up. "Tyra, I'm just going to take him over to say goodnight to Loki."

"Of course, Lady McKenna. Take your time."

McKenna carefully moved through the crowd, until she reached Loki, who was deep in conversation with Thor and a blonde woman she didn't recognize, but who seemed very familiar with Loki, judging by the way her hand kept finding its way to his arm.

McKenna smiled, shifting Selig to her right hip as she touched Loki's right shoulder. "Loki, Tyra's come to put Selig to bed for the night,"

He turned away from the blonde, saying, "There you are."

"Here I am? Loki, I've been in the same spot since we got here. In my chair." She shifted Selig to her other hip as her back began to ache. "Did you hear what I said? Selig's going to bed now."

He smiled, turning completely toward her to take Selig from her. "Is it that time already, little man?"

"Yes, Daddy." Selig didn't sound happy, but rubbed one eye with a fist. "Will you be here tomorrow?"