Epilogue

Three Years Later

Cassandra lifted her arms in a long luxurious stretch. "We're getting married today." She tossed a pillow at Loki's head. "So, get out of bed handsome."

Loki flicked the pillow aside with his magic and sat up, the sheets pooling around his waist.

Cassandra's mouth went dry at the sight of his naked chest. "Who needs a room with a view when I wake up to this every day?" She mused aloud.

"I for one vote for sleeping in. The wedding is not until this afternoon. It will not take us long to get ready." Loki sank back against the pillows, the tight muscles in his abdomen flexing in an interesting way.

Cassandra closed her eyes. Control. Control. Control. She urged herself. As grand as Loki was, she expected more enthusiasm.

Lifting her chin, she marched over to his side of the bed and yanked the sheet away, leaving him completely naked stretched out on the bed. "Come on. You know its not true. I have to get my hair and makeup done."

Loki threaded his fingers through his sex-tangled hair. "Maybe I should get my hair done too." He swung his legs over the side of the bed taking back the sheet to wrap around his waist.

Cassandra pouted at him for covering the view.

Loki looped an arm around her waist and stooped to kiss her. His blue eyes twinkled mischievously. "Darling, I know you. If I give into your lustful needs, we'll miss our own wedding."

"You weren't complaining last night." Cassandra grumbled at him, moving aside so he could reach the pitcher of water on the nightstand.

"When it comes to you in our bed, I'll never complain but we do have our guests to think of." A bead of water trickled from the corner of his mouth as he drank and slid down the strong column of his throat.

Cassandra tucked her hands in the pockets of her robes to keep from tearing his sheet away and pinning him to the mattress. She walked over to the window and pushed the curtains aside. The sky was clear. "We have a beautiful day for the ceremony."

"Of course. I never settle for anything less than perfection." Loki padded toward the bathroom. "I'm going to take a shower before breakfast." He favored her with an impish smile. "Alone."

Cassandra folded her arms across her chest and looked away. "Hmph!"

The tease.

Someone knocked at the door. Cassandra double-checked the tie on her robe before opening the door to avoid giving the visitor an eyeful. A bellboy wheeled a food trolley into the room with a pair of covered dishes. "Here's your breakfast, miss."

Cassandra read his name tag. "Thank you, Derrek." She dug around in her purse for a twenty and pressed the bill into his hand.

He beamed and wished her a wonderful stay before leaving.

Cassandra lifted the cover off the first covered dish which turned out to be Loki's breakfast, of kippers, bacon, and eggs. 

Her stomach lurched violently and bile rose in her throat. Uh-oh.

Cassandra barely made it to the wastebin before vomiting. It didn't take her long to empty the contents of her stomach since she hadn't eaten breakfast.

This is the third day in a row. Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, she rose on jelly legs and grabbed the drug store bag, determined to get an answer.

Loki was still in the shower when she barged into the bathroom. Cassandra ripped the end off the pink box and read the instructions. Huh. So, she really did have to pee on it.

Crouching over the toilet she held the stick between her legs.

"Everything, alright, Cassandra?"

"Uh, yeah, fine." She replied in a strangled voice.

Once she finished, Cassandra washed her hands at the sink and stared at the pink stick on the counter. Waiting.

Seconds ticked by that felt like hours. A cloud of butterflies took wing in her stomach. Cassandra braced herself against the granite counter and closed her eyes.

They had been trying for a year now. After months without results, she had begun to worry a human and a Frost Giant were incompatible. Even considered visiting a fertility specialist. But now....

The shower turned off and the door opened releasing a cloud of steam. Loki was surprised to see Cassandra just standing there. "Darling?"

She cracked her eyes open and stared down at the stick. Two pink lines. She double-checked the package and spun around to face Loki a wide grin spreading across her face. "I'm pregnant."

"Beg pardon?" Loki forehead crinkled, the words not registering immediately.

"I'm pregnant, you big goof!" Cassandra flung her arms around Loki laughing. "We're going to be parents!"

"Oh, Little Vixen. This is amazing news." Loki clung to her for a moment, holding her close. His large hands smoothed tenderly over her still flat stomach, completely in awe. "Our little kitlings are in there."

"Kitlings? Again with the fox-theme?" Cassandra said, exasperated. She wasn't really annoyed. How could she be when she just found out she was going to be a mom?

Loki picked up the test stick to study it. "Little Vixen you know I can't help myself." His blue eyes were misty with emotion as he gazed down at her. "What a miraculous gift you've given me on our wedding day. I love you."

"I love you too." Cassandra bit her lip. "Loki, you might want to wash your hands. I peed on that."

Loki laughed joyfully, not giving a damn.

*************************************************************************************

Lady Eir, healer and former lady's maid to Queen Frigga helped Cassandra prepare for the wedding. A dressing tent had been set up on sight at the remote location chosen for the ceremony.

Loki convinced Cassandra to allow it, to give the Asgardian lady a taste of her old life. Lady Eir was quiet and barely spoke other than to tell Cassandra to hold still while she wove thick braids into her hair.

Cassandra had gone with Daenerys' hair style for the wedding, with the top half of her hair wove into elegant braids and the rest left to hang in loose waves down her back. For her makeup, she went for a natural look.

The true star of the show was her wedding dress. A rich blue high-necked gown with silver accents and sleeves that were pulled on separately. She tucked her feet into matching silk slippers.

Lady Eir applied the last finishing touches to her hair and then retreated. "You are ready, my lady." She smiled ever so faintly.

Cassandra walked slowly to the mirror and was astonished. She looked like a conquering queen. "Thank you, Lady Eir. This is perfect."

Lady Eir pushed the tent flap aside. "It's time, Lady Cassandra."

Cassandra opened her mouth to correct the other woman, but her mom appeared holding a bouquet of purple orchids and baby's breath.

"You look beautiful sweetheart." Madeline teared up. "My goodness, I can hardly believe it. Just yesterday you were toddling around my living room playing with blocks."

"Mom, I hope you aren't going to launch into an embarrassing story before I get married." Cassandra accepted the bouquet. "I'm just getting married. This is an important event in my life but it won't be the most important."

Cassandra did not believe in the sexist notion that the wedding was the only significant point in a woman's life other than childbirth. She had a new career as a curator at the Cairo Museum thanks to a glowing reference from Tony Stark.

Cassandra was excited for the upcoming dig season.

Madeline dabbed at her eyes with a lacey handkerchief. "I love you, Cassie."

Taking pity on her emotional mother, Cassandra hugged her close. "I love you too."

Cassandra should tell her mom about the pregnancy but decided to save the surprise for when she and Loki returned from their honeymoon.

Linking arms with Madeline, Cassandra walked out into the sunshine, a gentle breeze caressed her hair. The wedding was set up in a meadow of wildflowers. A steep path meandered up a series of switchbacks where brightly painted doors of hobbit holes were immersed in the hills.

The gently trickling brook cutting through the set of the famous movie wound along the meadow and through the valley. 

Cassandra had been thrilled to book the Shire for their wedding.

Loki, while he enjoyed the movies, was not as great a fan. Though he did approve of the location for the ceremony.

All the guests were seated when she arrived at the head of the blue silk runner spilling down the aisle.

 Cassandra's heart skipped a beat when she saw her future husband waiting to escort her down the aisle. Against being given away like property as was tradition Cassandra and Loki chose to enter the ceremony as equals.

He turned and offered his arm with a broad smile. "Sweet Cassandra, you look lovely."

Cassandra looked up and down, her persual slow and appreciative. "I'm pleased with the results of your grooming as well."

Loki laughed. "Charming as ever, my darling."

 In his dark blue tux he looked extraordinarily handsome. A pocket square, the same shade of blue as her dress was tucked into his breast pocket. His dark waves were gathered up in a topknot, a few strands hanging down to curve around his cheeks. "Are you ready, Little Vixen?"

Cassandra slid her arm through his and beamed up at him. "Ready, willing, and able, Loki Doki."

Madeline preceded them up the aisle, her posture regal and proud. Tony helped her to her seat in the front row and then first bright notes of the Wedding March filled the air.

 Loki and Cassandra began their procession down the aisle. Calm washed over her as she gazed around at the guests. Like a typical bride she should be a nervous wreck with hundreds of eyes fixed on her, but Cassandra had never been typical.

Buyoant with joy, Cassandra glided up the aisle beaming at her friends and family who regarded the couple with varying degrees of emotion.

 Most of the Asgardians were pleased to see their prince getting married, despite the tumultous past Loki had with his people. Happy occasions were few and far between for the refugees, the last being the birth of Thor's son.

Cassandra briefly thought of her own bundles of joy growing in her belly, still utterly amazed. Her vision had come true after all. In a matter of months she would be welcoming her daughters into the world.

The Kamar Taj sorcerers, who had the dubious pleasure of Loki's company for three years while Cassandra mastered her magic, were cautiously optimistic about the union.

The most joyous were of course Thor and Madeline. The big blond lug sobbed openly as they reached the rose covered arbor where Master Wong waited to officiate the ceremony. His two-year-old son Lars patted his father's cheeks, to comfort him.

Pepper gave Madeline a tissue to dab her eyes with. 

Thor snuggled his son closer, biceps rippling as he cradled Lars against his chest. Jane dabbed at his cheeks with a handkerchief, a fond look on her face.

"He really needs to get a grip." Cassandra muttered to Loki out of the corner of her mouth.

Loki inclined his head in agreement. 

Tony bore a stoic expression as Cassandra and Loki stopped in front of Wong. Pepper had ordered him not to ruin the wedding by objecting. His wife, though smiling, kept a firm grip on the billionaire's arm.

The other Avengers were also in attendance. Cassandra knew they were here mainly for Tony and maybe Thor. The Hulk had an entire row to himself. Natasha wore a simple green sundress and white sandals, her red hair gathered in a braid. Hawkeye sat with his family.

Dr. Strange nodded at Cassandra from his spot among the sorcerers, a thin smile gracing his lips. Evidently, the head of the New York Sanctum approved of the marriage.

Wong cleared his throat loudly and the faint murmuring of the guests fell silent. 

Cassandra gripped Loki's hand tightly as Wong began. She glanced up at her lover to find him staring down at her tenderly. Their gazes locked, never wavering from each other as they recited their vows.

The ceremony flew by quickly. Before Cassandra knew it, they were exchanging rings and then leaning in for their first kiss as a married couple.

The Asgardians cheered loudly, showering Cassandra and Loki with pink rose petals as they dashed up the aisle eager to meet their future side by side.

*************************************************************************************

In a meadow overlooking the sea, twin girls ran hand in hand while their parents watched at a distance.

Cassandra leaned into Loki's side, sliding an arm around his waist. "They're getting so big. I can't believe Chloe and Clara are three."

"The kitlings are a handful which is why I adore them." Loki smiled as Clara twirled a daisy between her stubby fingers.

"Mommy! Daddy!" Chloe ran toward them and flung dandelion fluff into the air. Her pale green eyes, the exact shade of frozen grapes sparkled with excitement. "Can we go for ice cream? Uncle Thor said we can get some!"

"Sure, after you eat your dinner." Loki said sternly, ruffling her raven curls.

Chloe pouted but didn't argue. She grabbed his hand tugging him back toward the path that led to New Asgard.

Cassandra scooped up Clara and followed.

The End

Cassandra's wedding dress 

If you love this story and Loki and Cassandra be sure to check out my anthology of one-shots featuring the couple 'Love Knows No Bounds'. Updates are sporadic. 

Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top