This Time Around (Sequel to All Over Again)

Chapter Thirty-Six

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Christmas in Asgard was a rarity. They didn't celebrate it, or they didn't, until the previous year, when McKenna and Loki arrived very early Christmas morning because McKenna went into premature labor with Aislinn. That night, Asgardians got their first taste of Midgardian Christmas, complete with a tree and presents for Selig beneath it.

This year, when McKenna approached Odin about the possibility of decorating the palace for Christmas, he didn't look exactly thrilled with her request, but he did grant it. Christmas would once again come to Asgard.

"Mommy?"

"What, love?" McKenna crouched to meet his eye-level as Selig looked up from the flour-coated work table. Much to the dismay of the kitchen staff, McKenna commandeered their space in order to bake Christmas cookies and flour powdered just about every surface, including her and Selig.

"Is this right?"

She smiled, ruffling his hair. "The dough needs to be a little flatter, Sel."

He sighed, picking up the marble rolling pin with one hand, while he plunged the other into the flour container to coat the rolling pin. "Okay, Mommy."

"My lady, please... let us-"

"It's alright, Helena. He's doing fine." McKenna smiled at the cook, but kept her voice stern. Although she was relatively relaxed with most of the servants, Helena had been hovering about Selig like a bee ready to sting, frowning as he did his best to flour every part of the immense kitchen.

"Yes, but-"

"No 'yes, buts,'" McKenna cut her off with a stern look. "He is fine and I will clean up the mess. Now, please, if you don't mind?"

Helena scowled but left them alone and McKenna turned back to Selig. "That's much better, little man. Here." She handed him a copper-colored cookie cutter.

"What is this, Mommy?"

"It's a cat, I think. I know it's not very Christmassy, but it's the best we can do."

The kitchen doors swung open and Helena groaned as Loki came into the kitchen. "I just came to see what progress is being made in here."

"My lord, they are making a terrible mess," Helena complained, wiping her hands on her apron.

"So let them. It's flour, Helena. Hardly something that won't clean up." Loki smiled as he slid an arm about McKenna's waist. "How're the cookies coming?"

"We're making cats, Daddy." Selig held up the cookie cutter. "I like the ones at home better."

"I wish I thought to bring them with me," McKenna said, peering over her shoulder at Loki. "Cats are okay for Halloween, but Christmas? Not so much."

He winked. "Say no more, love."

A swish of his hand and McKenna smiled as her container of cookie cutters-handed down from her grandmother, to her mother, and then to her-appeared on the table. "Thank you, sweetheart."

"Any time." He brushed her ponytail to the side and she shivered as his lips swept against the curve of her neck.

"Ew, Daddy..." Selig groaned as he yanked open the container's lid.

"Sorry, little man. Can't help myself sometimes." Loki gave her a quick squeeze and released her to bend and kiss the top of Selig's head. "Try this one." he held up a small plastic cookie cutter. "What is this again?"

McKenna smiled. "A reindeer."

"Rudolph, Daddy. Like the song."

Pressing the cookie cutter into his son's hand, Loki said, "Make a Rudolph."