To Love A God - A Loki Love Story

Epilogue

"Marcus, slow down!" Rika called after the toddler as she tried to keep up with him, "You're going to trip and ruin your new clothes!"

He giggled in reply, running that much faster to keep just out of her reach, "Catch me!" his laughter rang off the walls of the hall, "Catch me!"

Rika laughed with him, reaching out and just barely missing him, "You are just too fast for me!" she laughed and stopped to take a breath.

"Daddy!" Marcus cried out when he saw Loki talking with Thor.

At the sound of his son's voice, Loki turned and smiled the biggest smile Rika had seen on his face since their wedding. He always smiled like that for Marcus, she thought as she walked up to the boys.

"Daddy, catch me!" Marcus squealed as he jumped up to Loki.

Loki outstretched his arms and caught his son mid-air, pulling him into his arms, hugging his son, "How are you, my little devil?" Loki smiled and kissed his son's cheek, "I missed you today."

"We stayed in today," Rika smiled at her husband and son as Loki pulled her under his arm, kissing her gently, "I tried to teach him about Earth, but you know he wouldn't have it. He insisted on meeting you when you came back."

"Oh, did he now?" Loki looked to his son who nodded vigorously, "Well, tonight we will do our lessons, understand?"

"Yes, sir!" Marcus agreed happily hugging his father's neck, "I'm glad you're home, Daddy! I missed you."

"I was only gone a few days, Marcus," Loki chuckled lightly leaning his head on his son's.

Marcus pulled back, his face scrunched up like he'd eaten something he didn't like, "Still too long," he pouted.

Loki laughed, "Well," he conceded putting his son down to walk, "I only have a few more trips and then it is done, okay?"

Marcus beamed up Loki and Rika couldn't help but smile, she loved watching them together. He rushed over to Rika's side and grabbed her hand, "Are you ready to go back and eat now?" Rika asked as she carefully picked him up and arranged him on her hip.

Marcus broke out into a wide smile, nodding wildly, tousling his spiky, black hair, "I'm so hungry, Mommy!" he smiled wrapping his arms around her neck.

"Good!" she kissed his cheek, "I'll make you something special!"

"Yay!" he squealed his grey-green eyes shining up at her.

Loki and Rika laughed together as he took her hand in his, "Let us get home, shall we?" Loki asked kissing Rika forehead, "Are you sure you don't want me to carry Marcus?"

Rika patted her very pregnant belly, "Kirayna and I have handle carrying him so far," she answered caressing her stomach where their daughter kicked around inside her, "I think we can manage a walk back to the house, dear."

"But they said no to overdue yourself, Rika," Loki said fishing Marcus off his mother's hip onto his, "I want to be safe, so no pushing yourself, understand?"

Rika rolled her eyes at him, "Whatever," she laughed leading her husband away to their home.

Loki smiled after her as they walked back.

"I'm glad you're back, Loki," Rika said with a smile, "The sooner you're finished, the better, I'd say. I hate when you're gone. It's hard to sleep at night. Marcus helps some, but I still miss you at night."

"I know, lille," Loki replied, "Like I told Marcus, I only have a few more trips out before everything is rebuilt."

"I know," Rika pouted over her shoulder to him looking remarkable much like Marcus, Loki noted, "But it's not soon enough. If you let me come with you –"

"We've talked about this, Rika," Loki repeated what he'd been saying since his sentence began, "You can't in your condition. They don't know what the transport would do to Kirayna, not to mention what would happen if you used your powers. It is not safe, and I will not allow it. Not to finish my sentence sooner. I will not risk losing you or our daughter."

Rika pouted again and slumped her shoulders, she he was right, but damnit, she wanted to be selfish! She wanted her husband back, by her side, now, not in a month.

They walked out of into the bustling city that was Asgard, everyone smiling and waving to them, greeting them occasionally. Marcus talked his father's ear off the whole way home, telling him about his friends, school, anything and everything that came to mind. His favorite color wasn't jade anymore, but gold, like Grandfather Odin's throne and that he got to watch the horses run for the first time and wanted to ride one so bad. Rika smiled brightly as she listen to her husband and son, she was so happy to have them. She smiled softer, and soon they would have another little angel to add to their family, she put her free hand on her stomach, caressing it lightly.

Soon, she would have Loki back from his sentence on Earth, a new child, and a house full of the ones she loved most.

Life was complete.

End