Thankfully, the babies slept the rest of the night and by morning, I was feeling much better. I was still tired, but after forcing myself out of bed and stretching, I could feel a lot of my former energy returning.
That energy, I later learned, was greatly needed. Just because I had just been sick the past few days, didn't mean I got a reprieve. The babies demanded attention, and like Loki had told me last night, they could wail like there was no tomorrow.
To my pleasure, they seemed to be creatures of habit - they would sleep for about two hours and then would wake up to be fed and have their diapers changed before they fell back asleep in either Loki's or my arms.
Loki stayed with me all day, leaving only when Thor called him away for some meeting.
I sat in a rocking chair Odin had custom made when Frigga walked in, carrying with her the familiar scent of vanilla.
"Hello dear. I trust you're feeling better?"
I nodded, "Yes, thank you."
"They keeping you busy?" she asked.
I sent her a smile, "You could say that." I motioned to the matching chair next to mine.
She laughed, and sat down, "They'll do that, but they're worth it."
I whole-heartily agreed.
We sat in silence for a while, simply listening to the faint sound of Mumford and Sons playing on the stereo. Loki had it and a television installed after I complained it was too quiet when he was gone.
"Beautiful names you picked." Frigga stated, breaking the silence.
I glanced over at her, "Thank you. I wanted to give our child a more traditional name, with many names on Asgard archaic, or at least they are on earth. Also, I have Irish roots, my mother's family is from there. Even though she was too far gone from the drugs to ever be a truly good mother, I wanted to honor that heritage."
Loud crying interrupted anything Frigga might have said after that.
I sent her a small smile as I stood up, "I'd better take care of that."
Like always, soon a second cry mimicked the first.
She laughed, "Here, let me help you."
After taking care of them, Frigga and I sat once more in the rocking chairs, this time with a baby in each of our arms.
Caoimhe was snuggled against my chest, making little humming noises as she sucked her thumb.
Frigga held Aine, the little green eyed baby clutching her grandmother's shirt as she gently sung her to sleep.
The door opened and Loki strode in, dressed in full armor, looking upset.
"What's wrong?"
Loki glanced at us, as if just realizing we were in the room.
"Darling?" Frigga asked when he didn't answer.
He shook his head, "Can you leave please? I want to talk to Jaxon."
"Loki - " I started.
"No, dear. It's alright." She assured, placing a hand on my knee. She was probably used to Loki's abruptness. After laying the now sleeping Aine back in her crib, she left, closing the door behind her with a thud.
I laid Caoimhe next to her sister, wrapping their blankets tightly around them before returning to Loki. "Will you tell me now, what is wrong with you?"
"I need to leave." he said bluntly.
"What?" I asked, taken aback. What did he mean, leave?
He sighed, "I don't want to," he added, reaching to grab my hands,"but we need to find Sigyn. Thor knows some people on Earth who may be able to help us."
"Oh." That's right, that psychotic woman was still running around. I shivered, remembering how she sent Thurse to attack me, an attack that almost ended in my death. "Do these people on earth know that you are, for all intents and purposes, an alien?"
He nodded, "Yes, they know." he winced,"They were there, when I umm..."
"Tried to take over the world?"
He nodded again, this time adding a sheepish smile.
"I'm guessing I'm not invited along."
He shook his head, "No. Too dangerous. I will be able to rest easier there, knowing you are here, surrounded by the soldiers of the Asgardian guard."
"When do you leave?"
"Soon."
"How soon is soon?"
"Within the next couple of days."
I closed my eyes and felt him draw me into his arms. Rubbing his hands up and down my back he whispered, "It shouldn't take long. I'll be back in no time."
I smiled into his chest, wrapping my arms around him. "I love you."
He squeezed me, "I love you too."
We stayed like that for a while, I wasn't sure how long, just simply holding each other before finally heading to the bed to catch some much needed sleep.
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The next few days, I tried to savor the time I had with Loki, knowing he was leaving soon. We rarely left each other's side, contenting ourselves with taking care of Aine and Caoimhe.
The day he left was hard. I knew he was going away for only a short while, but it was still difficult.
Only family was there to see Loki and Thor off. Odin, Frigga, myself and the twins all gathered at the entrance to the Rainbow bridge.
Both brothers hugged their parents good-bye, Thor with a little more enthusiasm than Loki.
Thor walked up to me, "I'm sorry I'm stealing him away from you."
I shook my head, giving him a small smile, "Don't be, I understand."
He pulled me into a bear hug, then headed over to say good-bye to his beloved nieces.
Loki gathered me in his arms.
"I'll miss you, love." he said into my hair.
I shut my eyes, breathing in his scent and holding him tightly.
We finally pried ourselves apart and with a final kiss,and after kissing the twins and whispering how much he loved them, Loki was off, my last image of him was his back as he walked away before vanishing with Thor.
I sighed, waiting until the light faded completely. Frigga gave me a hug and Odin kissed my forehead in comfort before leaving. I headed back into our room, pushing the twins in front of me in their carriage.
After feeding and changing them, I laid them in their crib, and they fell,luckily for me, instantly asleep.
I changed into my night clothes and sat on the couch. I turned on the T.V., thankful Asgard somehow got amazing service. I smiled as Dr. Sheldon Cooper made one of his classic know-it-all remarks, needing the comedy to lighten my spirits. I was already pushing towards the day when I would see Loki again.
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End of Chapter 4
Thoughts?
