This Time Around (Sequel to All Over Again)

Chapter Five

CHAPTER FIVE

It was one of the most peaceful mornings McKenna could remember spending in Asgard. She lay on the carpeting in the nursery, encouraging Aislinn as she got up on all fours and started to rock. Then, she took off like a shot, crawled for a few strides, and then face planted on the carpet.

"Whoops," McKenna chuckled, scooping her up to set her back where she'd begun.

Aislinn giggled, babbling all the while she got back up on all fours. This time, when she started, she maintained her balance and McKenna rocked back on her knees and cheered her on.

"My lady," Eir came into the nursery, frowning. "You should not have her on the floor. She has a temperature."

"I know that, Eir, but she wants to get down and move and the exercise is good for her. Besides, we both know her fever is from her teething and nothing more. Look at her." She gestured to Aislinn, happily babbling away as she crawled all the way to her crib. "Does she look like a baby who doesn't feel well?"

"Still, she should be resting with a fever."

"And she will, but for now, she and I are playing." McKenna got up and went to scoop Aislinn up once more. "Want to go see what Daddy and Selig are doing?"

"You shouldn't take her outside-"

"Eir," McKenna gave the healer a long look, "I understand you mean well, but it's a beautiful day and the sunshine is also good for her."

"Lady McKenna-"

"Enough, Eir. If she starts to get cranky, I'll bring her back." McKenna balanced Aislinn on her hip as she touched Eir's shoulder with her free hand. "I promise."

"Very well. But I wish you wouldn't."

McKenna grinned. "I know."

It was such a beautiful afternoon, with plenty of warm sunshine splashing across the lush green grass of the paddock where Selig was permitted to ride Cap, the pony Odin gifted him with before Aislinn was born. He'd once taken a terrible fall from the pony and broken his arm, but since then, he'd become quite an accomplished horseman, much like his father.

As she and Aislinn crested the last hill and caught sight of the riders, McKenna smiled. Three generations of Odinson men and each one a born horseman.

"See Daddy?" she asked, turning Aislinn to face away from her. She pointed in Loki's direction, grinning as the baby clapped her hands and babbled even louder, sounding almost as if she was trying to say 'daddy.' "That's right, baby girl. Daddy."

Aislinn shrieked with laughter as they neared the far end of the paddock and McKenna leaned against the fence. She watched as Loki brought his gelding around and then raced at top speed toward a jumping gate. Selig cheered him on as Loki and the horse cleared the gate with a long, graceful stride.

It was really the first time she'd ever seen Loki do something like this. Although she knew him better than just about anyone else in Asgard, there were still many moments like this one, where she learned something new about him. She sighed softly to herself. Four years as a couple and she still had so much to learn about her husband. Witnessing something as simple as him jumping a horse was only a reminder of that.

"He's amazing, isn't he, sweetie?" she asked, kissing the top of Aislinn's head. "Absolutely amazing."

When he did it again, just as perfectly the second time, she was pretty sure she was falling in love with him all over again. It wasn't the first time this happened, and it still took her breath away just as much. It was such a wonderful feeling, leaving her warm on the inside and smiling what she knew had to be a very wistful sort of smile.