Chapter Two, Pregnancy No. 1 and Meeting the Queen of Asgard

[Monday 9th December 2003] appears on the black screen before it lightens up to show a beautiful sunset with a picnic set up on the cliffs before the sound of Toni's giggles could be heard.

"Where are we going, Loki?" Toni giggles. She's fifteen and looks beautiful in a black woollen high roll-neck sweater, a black and white checkered woollen skirt, black tights, black knee-high boots and a beige trench coat over the top with a glove hat and scarf that had been knitted by Ana before she passed. Toni also had black stud earrings that belonged to Peggy, she had her dark hair slightly curled with a braid around her crown of her head, and as for her makeup she had green nails paired with red lipstick, silver and grey eyeshadow, black cat eyeliner and black mascara.

"Damn. She's stunning even then." Shuri, Yelena and Brunnhild whistled.

Loki, looking handsome dressed similarly in dark clothes only broken by a white shirt and a grey trench coat, smiled so beautifully at Tony as he led the way through the trees to the picnic with a hand over Toni's eyes.

"I thought we could have a picnic date, Elskan. After everything you've gone through in the last few years and how you have flown through your classes and courses setting you to graduate with us at seventeen summa cum laude next June, creating I.A Jarvis, Dum-E, U and Butterfingers. I just wanted to show you that you're loved and that I'm so proud of you." Loki told her with so much emotion that Toni in the memories and those watching had tears in their eyes.

"I'm so proud of my little girl." Howard exclaimed tearfully.
"And she's wearing what I made for her. I recognise the knitting style." Ana cried.
"We don't remember ever seeing Mama without it, Abuelita." Harley told Ana who smiled so brightly at them.

"She always wore the black stud earrings that were Aunt Peggy's, or pearl earrings that were her mother's, an infinity bracelet, a double butterfly necklace that Abuelo Edwin gave her for her very last birthday and a snake ring." Anamaria explained as she showed off the butterfly necklace, Peter the ring in his little finger and Harley the infinity bracelet. They had each chosen one of their mother's favourite jewellery when they thought they'd lose her.

"Okay, you can open them now, Elskan." Loki told her, removing his hand as Tony opened her eyes, gasping at the romantic setup before her. She couldn't get over how Loki had remembered how much she loved the sunset.
"It's beautiful." Toni whispered.
"It is." Loki agreed but he was staring at Toni, not the sunset, which Toni quickly caught if the blush staining her cheeks was anything to go by.

"I got these for you, Fagr, to show how much I love you and that no matter how long I have to stay in Asgard I will always come back to you, and will always love you." He opened the two boxes showing off the infinity bracelet and the snake ring with emeralds for eyes which he promptly tied around her left wrist and slid into her right middle finger.

"I love you Loki."
"And I love you too, Toni." Their lips met in a passionate kiss, their tongues doing the tango as Loki picked her up carrying her to the blankets and laying her down, never once breaking the kiss until Loki pushed off his coat. "Are you sure Toni?" Loki asked concerned, his green eyes assessing every inch of her face.
"I'm sure, Lokes. I only want you and I want to remember while you're in Asgard for the holidays." Toni replied confidently, her whiskey eyes dark with love and lust as Loki kissed her with fervour as the creek faded to black.

Everyone was a little awkward at that scene. Howard, Rhodey, Jarvis, Daniel, Happy, Stephen, and Nick even had scowls on their faces which contrasted with Loki's smile.

[A month and a half later]
Was next to appear with the sound of retching followed by whispers of comfort as nineteen year olds Hope and Carol comforted a fifteen Toni who was the one being sick.
"I think you need to go to the doctors, Annie." Hope fretted. "This can't carry on, you've been sick for weeks."

"What's wrong with Lady Toni?" Thor said worriedly.
"It would appear she is pregnant with her daughter." Okoye commented, looking over at Toni's loved ones who nodded.
"But why is she sick?" Thor asked, confused.
"It's called morning sickness." Clint explained. "Laura had it really bad with Nate."
"So did Toni with both Ana and Pete." Loki, Rhodey, Stephen Strange, Hope, Nick and Carol stated.

"Why are we watching this?!" Rogers demanded. "It proves nothing! Other than Toni is a woman.."
"Finish that sentence and I'll kill you!" Loki threatened darkly, his magic visible in the air as his casual attire changed to his Asgardian attire.

"I don't think so." Carol argued, pulling a box of pregnancy tests out of her jean pocket. "I got this for you earlier." She handed the tests to Toni who took it in shaky hands staring at it nervously.
"What's wrong Annie?" Hope asked motherly, rubbing Toni's back while Carol took Toni's other hand squeezing comfortingly.

"What if Aunt Peggy, Uncle Daniel and Uncle Nicky are angry with me and kick me out? What about you two, Rhodey and Stephen? I'm letting everyone down! Oh gods! Loki! What if he doesn't want this baby o-or m-me!" Tony sobbed, her breath hitched rapidly as she panicked. "My baby deserves to have someone who'll be amazing. I'm just a screwup and I ruin everything I touch!"

Natasha winched at that as that was what she had said to Toni after Germany almost word for word. Seeing her wince, Harley Anamaria and Peter all shot at the Black Widow (repulsor blasts from Harley, magic from Anamaria and taser webs from Peter).
"Hey! There's no-" Clint trailed off noticing both Anamaria and Peter had blue skin and red eyes.
"What kind of monsters are you!!!" Rogers shouted causing chaos to descend.

Magic crackled over Loki as he showed off his own Jotunn form, lightning crackled over Thor's body as thunder boomed overhead, Wong and Stephen had their medullas ready, Hope was in her suit weapons poised, Carol was lit up by her powers, Ana had stolen one of Yelena's weapons as she shouted at Natasha, Howard and Jarvis had stolen Peggy and Daniel's guns once more. However, this time they didn't care.

They had joined Rhodey, Happy, Pepper, Nick, and Maria in shouting at the redhead Black Widow and Rogers while Shuri, Okoye, T'Challa, Brunnhild and Hulk stood protectively in front of the three kids who had donned their own suits: Iron Lad, Phoenix and Iron Spider. Throughout the noise and chaos they failed to hear Friday and her warnings until an enraged shout from an unexpected voice quietened them all.
"What. Did. You. Call. My. Babies. Rogers!!"

At once everyone turned to the doors noticing Toni awake and enraged glaring at the man who had nearly killed her with such hatred; however, unlike earlier when the E.X.T.R.E.M.I.S was flaring only briefly as it healed her, this time her whole body was lit up like it was on fire.
"She looks like a -"
"A Valkyrie." Brunnhild finished with a wide grin.
"I was going to say an avenging angel." Scott muttered, having been the one interrupted.
"But that's what we are." Brunnhild insisted with a wicked grin.
"Oh." Scott muttered not having much else to say to that.

"I called them monsters as that's what they are, that's what Loki is and apparently that's what you are now too Toni!" Rogers shouted. Bucky, Sam, Clint and Scott all looked at him like he was crazy, but Clint and Scott also looked at him now with hate having learned he was the one to deprive them of their kids not Toni...and to call a kid a monster was something they couldn't agree with. But Rogers wasn't done. "I would say the only normal one is Harley as he's not of your blood thankfully, but he's just as unhinged. Attacking me and Natasha unprovoked."
"Someone needs to shut him up." Friday commanded. "Boss's temperature is almost critical!"

"With pleasure!" Toni hissed, jumping over to punch Rogers but is quickly caught around the waist by Loki whose Jotunn form was causing a cooling reaction in Toni's temperature.
"Shh, Elskan. Shh Fagr, he's not worth it and will get what's coming to him, I promise." Loki whispered soothingly into her ear.
"Mama!!"
"Mis bebés! Oh, my babies! My Édesek!" Toni wrapped her arms around her babies relaxing into Loki's arms kissing each of her babies' faces. "I'm so sorry. So sorry." Tears falling down her cheeks.

"It wasn't your fault, Annie." Carol insisted. Toni's head snapped up so fast you heard it crack as more tears filled her eyes and fell down her cheeks silently. "Never your fault!"
"She's right, Bambina." Howard added tearfully. Watching his daughter reunite with her children while gathering support from Loki was heartbreaking as much as it was heartwarming. It was an unshakeable relationship the pair had, a true love story that made Howard and others realise it was a love they themselves have never had. Toni's eyes took all of her father in, then darted over to Ana, Jarvis, Peggy and Daniel. But when they moved over to Rhodey in a wheelchair she broke.

"Tones. Hey, hey, hey, Annie. Annie it's okay, everything's going to be okay. I'm with you, always and forever. I've never once regretted being by your side. You are my sister no matter what." Rhodey insisted as he quickly wheeled himself to Toni's side taking her hands into his own.
"W-what's going on?" Toni asked as she embraced Rhodey tightly before doing the same to Carol as if she was afraid she'd disappear again. Stephen quickly explained what he and Loki had done and what they'd seen so far. Toni's eyes now locked on three out of four of her parents with so much crippling pain her friends' hearts broke for her.

"Go if you want to, Annie but don't force yourself." Nick advised, a strong and firm hand on her shoulder.
"Tiny Girl!" Hulk shouted happily, bounding for Toni like a puppy, scooping her up into his arms.
"Hey big guy." Toni replied, happy to see him but not Bruce. Bruce who had been her science-bro. Bruce who had fallen asleep on her when she confessed to what she'd seen in the wormhole. Bruce who had abandoned her and left her to deal with the Ultron fallout.
"Hulk mad at Banner. Hulk makes Banner remember what he did to Tiny Girl!" Toni smiled tightly at Hulk, kissing his cheek.
"If you feel overwhelmed, go if that's what you need to do, sweetie." Ana advised her beautiful daughter.

Toni smiled gratefully at her parents who all agreed with Ana.
"I'll make this right, honey bear. I promise." Toni swore with so much intensity to Rhodey that he was left stumped at the conviction in her voice, that his accident was her fault and therefore her place to fix. But before he could say anything she turned to her babies. "Do you want to come to the lab with me, bambinos?" Toni asked her babies who all agreed happily, eager to spend time with their mother. "I love you tons." Toni whispered to Loki, but everyone in the quiet room heard.

"I love you three thousand." Loki replied, pulling Toni into an Earth shattering kiss as their kids complained at them making them laugh as they pulled back.
"Toni," Clint and Natasha said hesitantly.
"Not now." Toni snapped coldly, her arms around her kids as they and Loki headed to the doors.
"But -"
"I said not now!" Toni shouted, breathing heavily. "I...I need to help my Rhodey. Everyone who is an Avenger apart from Uncle Nick, Maria, Rhodey, Carol and Loki can wait until I'm ready to talk to you. This is my home so you can respect that or leave. I don't care. Or better yet...just do what you're supposed to do and leave me, my babies and Loki alone!"

"Oh, and Rogers, you come near my babies again I'll kill you! Anyone who tries to get into my lab and doesn't have authority to enter, except my parents and godparents, zap them Friday." Tony ordered as she left.
"Of course Boss." Friday agreed, glad her mother was putting her foot down and restarted the memories now that everyone (minus Toni, Loki and the kids) retook their seats.

"Annie, we never ever want to hear you say anything like that again!" Hope reprimanded. "You are not a screw up and nor do you ruin everything you touch. You are perfect as you are and we love you all the more for it!"
"Your aunts and uncles may be consented and angry FOR you but they will never kick you out!" Carol reassured her. "As for Hope and I, we love you and will support you no matter what you decide to do. You're our soul sister. As for Rhodey and Stephen, they will be the same with the added bonus of being incredibly overprotective of you and angry at Loki."

"More overprotective than they already are." Hope corrected, making Toni laugh.

"That's true enough." Pepper laughed, breaking the tense atmosphere that Rogers and Natasha had caused.

"And as for Loki, he is besotted with you and will never leave you. You will be an amazing mother there's no doubt in our mind. You already are an amazing mother for worrying about their future and you've not even confirmed it yet."
"Now, do you want both of us in here with you or Hope can stay and I'll go threaten all three boys." Carol suggested now that Toni was calmer.
"Option two please." Toni said with a wet laugh.
"Coming right up." Carol laughed as she left the bathroom.

A quiet montage could be seen of Carol threatening the three boys, Loki in particular, a three minute timed countdown and Toni leaning against Hope, her hands clasping the elder brunette as her leg bounced nervously. The obnoxious noise of the timer bright Toni and Hope out of the reverie, taking a deep breath Toni turned over the pregnancy test to see two distinctive pink lines. The test was very clearly positive and so was the second one that Hope turned over.

"It's all going to be okay, Toni, I promise." Hope promised.
"Love you." Toni whispered not knowing what she would do without Hope, Carol, Rhodey, Stephen and of course Loki.
"We love you too, Annie." Hope squeezed the younger girl to her as tightly as possible, just standing there offering comfort she knew Toni desperately needed right now.

"Ready?" Hope asked, Toni nodded still coaxing tightly to Hope's hand. The second Toni had left the bathroom Rhodey and Stephen didn't need to be told the results they already knew from the look on Toni's face. It was in that moment that a fierce overprotective desire took hold and they both jumped to their feet and punched Loki before caging Toni in their warm overprotective embrace whispering reassurances that Toni only half heard as her focus was fixed on Loki; she was terrified.

But there was no need for her to be so scared as a wide grin, the widest and happiest they'd ever seen on him, stole across Loki's face. In two strides he had crossed the room and pulled Toni gently into his own arms, sweeping her off her feet kissing all over her face causing happy giggles to spill from Toni's lips. Euphoria literally oozed from the pair.

"I've never seen her so happy." Clint whispered.
"She was always on edge around you all." Happy told them bluntly. "You never gave her any reason to trust you. You judged her for being rich, on the press's lies, having kids out of wedlock and to you no obvious man in the picture."
"Have you ever heard the saying: don't judge a book by its cover?" Pepper asked sardonically. "All of you were more than happy to have her design better weapons, tech and suits for you. You were happy to use her money.

Hell, Rogers even stole from her and Stark Industries to find Barnes which Natasha and Sam knew about, and yet none of you could be bothered to get to know her. Not even you, Thor." Pepper added when he went to open his mouth only for the shameful memory of how he acted after Ultron had first attacked. Pepper's piece said she turned back to the tv leaving everyone in deep thought and those from the 1940s to stew in anger and glare at everyone.

"Thank you, Elskan." Loki kissed Toni with so much passion it not only caused Rhodey and Stephen to clear their throats to separate them but it made Toni breathless with a blush upon her cheeks. "You have given me the most precious gift anyone can receive. I love you tons."
"I love you three thousand, Loki." Toni returned beaming at him as the stress melted out of her.
"I do think we should call Heimdall and ask for my mother. I don't know how carrying a half Asgardian babe will affect you, Annie and I want to make sure both you and our child will be okay.

I will not put you in danger, Annie." Loki said firmly, his green eyes darkened with determination.
"I agree with Loki, Annie." Stephen said bright Toni did the usual 'I'm fine'. Seeing the looks of agreement on everyone's faces Toni agreed it unbeknownst to her she had tested a hand on her stomach. The group of friends followed Loki out onto the secluded part of the grounds of M.I.T where he stopped and looked up at the sky.

"Heimdall, can you open the Bifrost? We need to urgently speak to my mother and Lady Eir." Loki called loudly, before he turned back to the others. "Now we wait." He had only just finished speaking when a rushing sound was heard as the Bifrost, otherwise known as the Rainbow Bridge, rushed towards the Earth from above the clouds from outer space. When the light cleared a beautiful blonde woman in a light blue airy medieval dress with kind but wise sparkling blue eyes appeared.

"Mother." Thor muttered emotionally, tears springing to his remaining eye. Brunnhild rested a hand on Thor's arm in comfort in an effort to provide comfort.

"Mother." Loki greeted happily.
"My son!" Frigga beamed, resting her hands in his cheeks assessing him with her eyes. "You look well. Happy." She assessed with a happy smile.
"I am well, mother. I'm happy." Loki told her with his own beaming smile. "I'd like to introduce my love Antoinette Stark and our friends Hope Van Dyne, Carol Danvers, James Rhodes and Stephen Strange."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, your highness." Toni, Hope and Carol curtsied while Rhodey and Stephen bowed.
"It's a pleasure to meet the ones who have made my youngest son so happy." Frigga smiled, before she clasped Toni's hands a look of compassion appeared in her eyes. "I'm so sorry for all that has happened to you, but as the Goddess of Motherhood and Marriage, I can reassure you that you will be the most amazing mother, Antoinette."
"Thank you." Toni whispered.
"No. Thank you for being there for my son. All of you." Frigga smiled at them all.

"Come, we cannot keep the Healers waiting any longer." She added.
"Is there something wrong with Toni? Or the baby?" Rhodey asked, alarmed.
"Not that I can tell, but it is always wise to get a second opinion. Don't worry about your father and brother, Loki, they're away visiting Alfheim. Heimdall." Frigga called, the next second the group were arriving into a golden dome-shaped observatory from the Bifrost, (Toni having to take deep breaths to control her nausea), where a man in golden armour and golden amber eyes stood waiting for them, behind him a beautiful view of Asgard and a beautiful golden palace in the distance could be seen.

"That is beautiful." Ana, Maria and Peggy breathed. Even T'Challa, Shuri and Okoye looked rather impressed.

"Loki, why don't you take your friends on a tour of the city while I take Antoinette to the healing room. Once myself, Lady Eir, the other healers are finished Toni and I shall meet you in the gardens." Frigga requested as they all climbed on horses that he'd been waiting for them outside of the dome, the screen fading to black in the grounds of Asgard.

"Should we get Toni, the kids and Loki?" Scott asked, looking towards the doors. Hoping he could apologise to the woman he had admired before he got involved with Captain America.
"No." Stephen Strange denied. "The more Toni is pushed the more she withdraws, or becomes sassy and confrontational. Besides, the next memory is of Peter but after that everything goes to hell and adds to Toni's trauma."
"Great. Just great." Howard sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

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Spanish to English Translations:

• Mis bebés = my babies.
• Abuelita = Granny.

Hungarian to English Translations:

• Édesek = sweeties.

Norse to English Translations:

• Fagr = beautiful.

• Elskan = babe.

Italian to English Translations:

• Bambina = baby.

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Author's note: DO NOT ask me to update in any way shape or form. There are other ways of telling me what you thought of this. Anyone who does will get one warning before they are blocked.