All Over Again (Sequel to Wanted Man)

Chapter Twelve

CHAPTER TWELVE

Selig Carlin Laufeyson turned three years old surrounded by his uncle, grandfather, his mother and father, and the people who were like family to him; Sif and the Warriors Three. Loki and McKenna kept it small purposely, since he tended to act out when there were too many people around. Besides, they were his family, the ones who knew and loved him, and that was what was important.

Loki held Selig on his lap while McKenna took pictures, since Loki had trouble from time to time with Midgardian forms of technology. And that was fine, they made for a very photogenic pair and each time they smiled up at her, she knew she saw what their son would look like in thirty years, and what Loki must've looked like as a boy. More than once, her eyes misted up, which she promptly blamed on pregnancy hormones.

Sif took the camera from her. "Go and sit with them, McKenna. You're not in any of these otherwise."

"Do you know how to work it?"

Sif nodded. "Aim and press this button." As she spoke, she accidentally took a picture of the floor.

"Perfect." McKenna patted her shoulder, and then made her way over to Loki and Selig, who was busily tearing into the gift from Odin, which was a miniature Mjölnir that looked almost identical to Thor's.

"So cool!" Selig exclaimed, lifting the small hammer to show Loki. "Look, Daddy!"

"Careful with that, little man," Loki cautioned, as the hammer narrowly missed his head.

"Sorry, Daddy," he replied, setting the hammer down and sliding off Loki's thigh to go hug his grandfather. "Thank you, Bestefar."

"You're quite welcome, Selig. No using it as a weapon against your brother or sister, however."

"Right."

After Selig finished opening his gifts, food was served, followed by cake, and by the time the celebration was over, the birthday boy was one very tired little man. As the servants came in to clean up, Loki lifted Selig, whose head came to rest on his father's shoulder, his eyelids fluttering as he fought to remain awake.

"I think someone had a little too much birthday cheer," McKenna said, reaching up to touch Selig's cheek. "Right, my big three year old?"

"Right, Mommy."

Loki eased a hand beneath Selig's shirt to rub his back, which made Selig's eyelids flutter even more. "I'm going to try and put him down for the night," he said, his free hand coming to rest at the small of her back. "And then you should think about doing the same."

"Loki, I'm fine. I've been sitting most of the day, remember."

"I know. And I also know you don't know how to take things easy, as you would say."

"Go. Put him to bed. Eir said she thinks his cast can come off tomorrow, so I am planning on sleeping in my own bed tomorrow night."

He brought his hand up to slip about her shoulders, coming to rest on the curve of her neck, where his fingers tightened to pull her closer. "As you wish, love. Are you certain you don't want to remain here?"

"I'm certain. Besides, I told Shay we'd pick Cinder up on Friday." She glanced up at him. "Besides, we'll be back before too much longer when the baby comes."

"I just feel better having Eir close."

"I know. But remember, this isn't all new for me this time around. Eir's already made me promise to come back the week before the baby's actually due, so everything is going to be just fine."