I pace back and forth in the lab as I wait for Tony to open the portal. Over the last few months Tony had worked on perfecting the positioning of where the portal would be without my knowledge. He told me that he had a feeling I would be going back. I didn't know how to thank him enough. Natasha was going this time, mainly because I knew she secretly wanted to kick Geralt's ass. Thor was going because he quote-unquote 'Wanted to kill monsters', but I knew he was secretly worried for me.

"Almost got it." Tony calls out from behind a machine he was tinkering with.

"Are you sure about this?" I hear Wanda ask and I nod.

"I need to be there. I can't explain it, but I need to be there."

"What about Geralt? What if you see him again?" She asks and I sigh.

"I honestly don't want to, and I'm sure Cintra is the last place on Earth he'll be."

"What if you're wrong?" Natasha asks from beside me her eyes focused on what Tony was doing.

"If I'm wrong?" I pause thinking about the possibility of seeing him again. The hurt was still fresh in my heart but I quickly push it aside. "I'll cross that bridge when I get there."

"Alright, it's ready." Tony calls out as he pushes a button causing the portal to appear. I look toward it to see the halls of the castle and my heart pulls me towards it. I turn back to everyone and give then a soft smile.

"Thank you," I say as I look each of them in the eyes. "You'll have to come visit me sometime."

"Of course," Tony interjects pulling my attention to him. "You can't get rid of us that easily."

"I love you guys." I add tears stinging my eyes.

"Here," Tony adds handing Thor, Natasha, and myself a wristband. "If and when you all want to come back or whatever, these will do it."

"And don't worry about things here," Steve calls from the corner of the room. "We've got things covered." He adds and I know that he is also referring to Bucky.

"Thank you." I add one last time before I turn and with a hopeful heart head through the portal.

In an instant I can hear Pavetta's cries filling the halls causing me to instantly rush towards her. Reaching the outside of her room I see Duny pacing back and forth outside her door. Worry and concern filled his entire being. Hearing our footsteps his head turns towards us and a new fear fills his face.

"Please, don't claim my child." He pleads and I just shake my head.

"I'm not here to lay claim to anything. I don't want to take your child from you. I just want to be able to be here and watch the child grow up. That is all."

Relief washes over him as he visually relaxes.

"Thank you for not taking them from me."

"I would never do that." I repeat as Pavetta lets out a loud cry. "Why aren't you in there?"

"The midwives won't let me." Duny replies making me roll my eyes.

"She needs you." I reply as I instantly walk forward and pushing the door open draw attention to ourselves.

"What are you doing here?!" Queen Calanthe cries out as she places herself between me and Pavetta.

"A father should be able to watch his child being born." I announce moving to the side as Duny rushes over to Pavetta's side and taking her hand starts to soothe her reassuringly. "I understand that you do not like me. I don't really care, but I assure you I mean no one in this room harm. I just want to be here and watch this beautiful child that is about to grace us with their presence, grow up into a wonderful human being. That's it."

"And your companions?" Calanthe questions looking from Thor to Natasha.

"You've met my brother," I motion to Thor who was standing directly to my left. "This is Natasha, a great warrior of our kingdom, and my closest friend." I conclude making the queen nod.

"Let them stay." I hear Pavetta call out my eyes finding hers as she tries to breathe through a contraction.

"Very well," Calanthe decides before she turns back to her daughter.

A group of midwives' rushes around bringing hot water and clean towels to Pavetta's bedside. I offer Duny a soft smile as I touch Thor and Natasha's sides and quickly bow out of the room. They deserved their privacy. When we are outside the room Thor closes the doors giving them the privacy they deserved.

We sat outside the room for what seemed like hours before a baby's cry fills the air. I could feel the pull to the child through the door but I resisted the urge to go inside. I waited patiently until Duny comes out a bright smile on his face.

"A daughter, I have a daughter." He calls and I smile at him.

"Congratulations." I say offering him a hug.

"Would you like to see her?" he asks as he pulls back keeping me at arm's length.

"If I could? Yes, I would like too." I answer making him lead me into the room.

I look over the covers to see Pavetta lying there all tuckered out. I offer her a soft smile as I near her bed and say, "Congratulations." She offers me a smile as she cradles a bundle of joy in her arms.

"Thank you for not taking her from us." Pavetta says and I nod.

"I would never take her from you." I assure her as I sit down on the side of her bed.

"Would you like to hold her?" She asks and I fell my heart start to race.

"Could I?" I ask tears stinging my eyes.

Pavetta nods and I lean forward gently taking the baby from her. As soon as I touch her, I know I would never let anything happen to her. I would always been here to protect her. Tears fall from my eyes as I instantly feel a connection to her. Her eyes look up at mine and even though I know she can't really see me yet I smile brightly at her.

"Hello beautiful." I coo. "Have you both thought of a name?"

"Cirilla." Pavetta answers.

"Hello Cirilla." I say softly. "Even though I would love to hold you forever, I'm sure your mom and dad would love some alone time with you."

I gently hand Cirilla back to Pavetta and giving them a soft smile excuse myself from the room. Outside Thor was talking to Mousesack. Noticing me he offers me a slight bow.

"Hello princess, it's nice to see that you changed your mind." He calls.

"I wasn't going to come back honestly, but I felt a pull to the child that I cannot explain." I answer honestly making him nod.

"I hear you will be staying with us for some time. I'll show you to where you will be staying." He says and I nod.

~~~~~~

Weeks went by before I knew it. Thor went off on his own to try and 'kill monsters' as he called it saying he was getting bored sitting in a castle all day. Natasha stayed close by my side but I could tell she was lowkey enjoying herself. I tried to let Pavetta and Duny be alone with their child. Give them time to bond but when Cirilla would cry out uncontrollably I ended up stepping in. As soon as I held her, she would calm down. I was starting to fall in love deeply with this beautiful bundle of joy.

Tonight, Thor was returning for the ball announcing Cirilla's birth. I was excited to see him. Even though him being my brother was a lie, he was quickly filling that slot. Natasha glares at her reflection in the mirror making a smirk fill my lips.

"You look great Nat," I say as one of the many handmaiden's mess with my hair.

"I can't move in this dress."

"Unless you feel like dancing, I doubt you'll be moving around too much."

"Who knows, maybe your boyfriend will show up and cause chaos."

"He's not my boyfriend, and I really doubt that." I assure her as my eyes move back to the mirror.

"You really don't want to see him?" Natasha asks as she turns to meet my gaze.

"No... I don't." I answer my brows furrowing as I shift uncomfortably in my seat.

"Do you still dream about him?" Natasha asks as she sits down on the bed her arms folded over her chest.

"If you're asking if I see him like I used too then the answer is no." I pause as the handmaiden finishes my hair. I give her a smile and a quick thank you as she leaves the room. "If you are asking if I dream of him like a normal person, then yes." I shake my head as I stand up and walk across the room. "I really wish I didn't. My head is giving my heart hope and I hate it."

Natasha is about to say something when a knock at the door pulls our attention. A bright smile fills my lips as I turn to see Thor standing in the doorway. I instantly close the distance between us as I wrap him in a tight hug.

"I missed you!" I call as I pull away from him.

"I almost didn't make it in time." He replies glancing from me to Natasha. "Had a little trouble with some Ghouls but no one betters the God of Thunder."

"I see you are enjoying yourself here." Natasha adds making him smirk.

"Since the fall of Asgard I needed to find someplace that needed my skills. What better place than one teaming with monsters." Thor adds making her nod slightly. "I honestly do not want to go back."

"No responsibilities, no worries, Just good old fights; right?" Natasha says making Thor's brow furrow.

"Valkyrie makes a far better king then I ever would have. She and I have an understanding. She rules the people of New Asgard, and I do what I do best."

"Kill monsters, drink ale, and flirt with mages?" I add making him smirk.

"My little sister knows me so well." He concludes making me roll my eyes.

"Get cleaned up, Queen Calanthe would love to hear of your battles." Natasha adds making Thor give a quick nod. He turns to leave making his way to his room only to stop.

"Your boyfriend's bard is here. Just thought you'd like to know." Thor announces sending a wave of panic through my body.

"He's not my boyfriend!" I yell out making Thor quickly duck out of the room as he runs around the corner.

"Well, let's get this party started, shall we?" Natasha asks and I glare at her.

~~~~~~

I sit at the queen's table in between King Eist and Thor as I stare out at the lords and ladies as they dance to Jaskier's playing. He thankfully hadn't recognized me yet or at least if he had he was pretending he hadn't. Thor nudges my arm making me turn to meet his gaze.

"You want to walk around?" He asks and I nod.

Him walking around with me wasn't because I couldn't do it myself, but the lords have started getting grabby hands as of late. I could very well handle myself but Thor wasn't about to let me be alone in that situation. Natasha was talking with Calanthe about something and that kept her occupied. As we walk around talking about what he had seen on his little adventures I unconsciously find myself face to face with Jaskier. His eyes find mine and I could tell he recognized me.

"It's nice to see you again Jaskier." I say clasping my hands in front of myself.

"That it is Lady (Name)," He replies offering me a quick nod. Then against my better judgement I speak.

"Let's have a chat, shall we?"