A Little Secret

Author’s Note:  Our short epilogue.  I hope you enjoyed the journey.  I certainly had fun writing it.

Epilogue

    As the years passed and the world healed, Loki reluctantly moving up to Asgard with his family.  While he hated the idea of taking up his crown, he knew Anthony would need his help.  Simply playing the God in the movie wouldn’t give the actor the experience he’d need to rule a kingdom.  Besides, it wouldn’t be long before he was forced into Odinsleep and an heir would be named to take over in his place.  With Thor unlikely to want to take on the responsibility, that only left him.  Besides, being in Asgard would only aid in their rebuilding efforts.

    Thankfully, Melissa and Inkeri had settled in well; seeming dazzled by the palace.  Marissa was too distracted by trying to help Thor to even notice, spending most of her time with him.  Losing his father had been a hard blow, shattering his heart and breaking his normally strong spirit.  In fact, he seemed like he might not ever recover from it and desperately needed the support of all the people that cared for him.  It was so bad at one point, Loki had to literally force him to eat; dragging his protesting brother out of the room for the first time in months.

    After that, the ailing Prince only continued to improve; to the relief of everyone.  Frigga, unfortunately, soon began to fade; losing all will to live.  The murder of her beloved weighed heavily on her shoulders, making it hard for her to muster any willpower.  As such, she fell into her slumber before Inkeri could reach her first birthday; causing Thor to have a brief relapse.  Peace followed soon after, the false Odin ruling far more fairly than the original ever did.  He listened to all citizens, making laws to benefit all of them.  Quickly, he became beloved by the people and they actually mourned him when his time finally came.

    In his absence, Loki was appointed King.  Unfortunately, that was also the time Marissa’s child chose to come into the world; her labor starting while she was in the throne room.  She ended up giving birth with an audience, Thor and Jeremy helping her.  Inkeri, being three at the time, had an endless amount of embarrassing questions to ask after.  One of them being about why her auntie was screaming so much.  Thankfully, she forgot about it within moments; giggling as Jeremy scooped her up into his arms.

    After Loki’s coronation, time seemed to stretch into an endless eternity; their daughter growing into a surly teen before they knew it.  Still, that didn’t stop Lissa from trying for more children.  Once the dust had settled, she found herself wanting to have another child; mostly wanting to share the pregnancy with the God of Lies this time.  After many attempts, to the embarrassment of their offspring, the pair succeeded.  Of course, the former actor made an announcement as soon as he got the news.

    After what felt like a lifetime in Hell, this peace was very welcome.  Even when their daughter began to date and Loki was driven to distraction.  She just couldn’t keep a smile on her face, feeling happier than she could ever remember.  Even when the day came to give birth to her second child with only healers to help her and Loki running down the hall toward her.  Asgard had become her home and she couldn’t even imagine her life being any different.

The End