This Time Around (Sequel to All Over Again)

Chapter Thirty-One

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Two days later, Selig Carlin Odinson celebrated his fourth birthday. And unlike the previous year, where only family and close Asgardian friends were there, he was surrounded by the new friends he’d made since coming to stay in Asgard.

McKenna sighed as she leaned back against the wall in the dining hall and watched as Selig raced around with about a dozen little girls and boys, shrieking with laughter and having the time of his life. For the first time since his kidnapping, he acted just like a regular little boy.

“What are you smiling at love?” Loki asked, leaning up against the wall alongside her. “You have a wistful look on your face.”

“Not wistful,” she said, shaking her head, “but happy. Look at him. He’s having the time of his life.”

“They all are.” He sipped from the cup in his hand. “Is this how Midgardian children always celebrate their birthdays?”

“Usually.” She nudged his shoulder with hers. “Let me guess, you spent your birthdays surrounded by books and nothing more.”

“No, I didn’t. But Frigga and Odin made sure to keep celebrations very quiet and reserved. Neither of them would have stood for this level of noise.” He gestured to Odin, seated up on the dais, looking incredibly uncomfortable. “See?”

She smiled, leaning her head against his shoulder. “Thank you for allowing this, then.”

“Of course, love.”

He handed her the cup. Wine. She took a sip and sighed softly. “Hard to believe he’s four already.”

“Tell me about it.” His hand brushed over her shoulder, his fingers gliding through her hair. “Biggest surprise of my life was the night you told me you were pregnant.”

She smiled up at him. “Biggest surprise of my life was seeing that test stick for myself.”

He eased his hand around to the back of her neck and gave a gentle squeeze. “It was a surprise, but one of the best ones I’ve ever gotten and that little boy is one of the best gifts you’ve ever given me, McKenna.”

With that, he leaned over and brushed her lips with a gentle kiss. When he pulled back, he brushed her hair away from her face and winced as one of the children let out a screech. Sliding an arm about his waist, she gave him a gentle squeeze back and murmured, “Only another hour, Mr. Odinson.”

“It can’t come soon enough.”

“You need to lighten up, Loki. Why don’t you go make it snow for them, or make fireworks or something?”

A devilish glint came to Loki's eyes. “I could do that.”

“So why don’t you?”

“Why don’t I?” He bent and brushed her lips with a kiss. “Prepare to watch those little eyes bug right out of their sockets.”

She smiled, leaning back against the wall as Loki gathered all the children up and then proceeded to wow them, just as he predicted, with the fireworks he could conjure from thin air. As she watched the purple, gold, white, green, and red sparklers burst overhead, she thought back to when they first met and came so close to having their first kiss, on the boardwalk in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. It was the Fourth of July weekend, while fireworks exploded overhead, Loki slid his arms about her, pulling her back against his chest. Then, he swept her hair to one side and the next thing she knew, he was kissing along her neck and sending shivers down her spine as he teased her with gentle teeth as well. And the next morning, they made love for the first time and began the amazing journey that led to this moment in time.