Chapter 5
18 months into the fake marriage
A couple of days after the attack, Eva was finally able to give a statement to the police. In their investigation of the matter, they found out she was not Steve’s first victim. Loki was going to have a word with Odin about whom he hired until the police divulged that the only attacks reported occurred while he was working at Valhalla Industries. Instead, a new security measure would be implemented with background checks performed every 6 - 12 months on all employees to help ensure an incident like this would never happen again. After the incident with Steve the creep, Odin agreed that it should be done, not bothering to argue over it.
Nothing was the same after that. Loki became more protective and managed to convince Eva to see a therapist and attended with her, either attending the session if she wanted or sitting in the waiting room if she didn’t. A big topic she’d also spoken with her therapist about was Loki, telling her everything about the contract, how he helped her, and the deepening affection she held for him, even before he saved her. Her therapist said that’s a good sign that her feelings aren’t attached to him protecting her but how she actually felt and encouraged her to tell Loki.
Saturday morning, Loki woke up earlier than usual, the sun just rising. His mind had been full of so many thoughts and emotions, all centered around Eva. He wasn’t sure when it happened, but he couldn’t deny any longer that he had feelings for her. The contract would be up in 6 months, and the thought of parting created an ache in his heart. He didn’t want her to go but was too scared to find out how she felt. He loved coming home to her, the meals she cooked, how she’d laugh at the silliest things. He enjoyed making her laugh, taking care of her, holding her at night as they went to sleep and waking up to her in the morning. He didn’t want to let go of it.
Eva woke up in bed alone, her mind full of similar thoughts. She knew her therapist was right. Loki should know how she felt, but her mind was full of so much fear. Fear that he would reject her, ridicule her, and maybe even throw her out. She loved the routing they had, especially over the past few months. Loki tended to join her, even for personal things like going for a walk, visiting the bookstore, and even grocery shopping. It was something she wanted to keep doing, but she was terrified to say anything to him.
Although it was early and a Saturday, she got out of bed to go make some breakfast, finding Loki looking out the back window at the sunrise. “Penny for your thoughts?”
He turned and smiled. That smile of his could melt the polar ice caps. He attempted to muster up some courage to confess his feelings to her, but trepidation swiftly quashed the moment. So instead, he lied. “I was just thinking about the dinner at my sister’s tonight, wondering if we should bring anything.”
She smiled at him. All he could think about when she did that was that her smile could light up the world even on the darkest of nights. “I was thinking about making something like cookies or brownies. If we go to the store, I can get the ingredients to make those lemon bars you love.”
“I think that’s a fantastic idea. Hela loves lemon bars almost as much as I do. Why don’t we eat some breakfast before we go?” That was a good idea, and they both went to the kitchen. Without thinking, he set the table as she made waffles. They ate in companionable silence, clearing the dishes once they were done. Rather than change completely, Loki simply put on a shirt and some tennis shoes while Eva put on a bra and snagged her shoes as well before walking to the store, her hand tucked in his arm. Anyone looking on saw a happy couple, deeply in love. If only they’d tell each other their true feelings.
After dinner at his sister’s, everyone chatted along. Hela held her baby boy as she talked with Eva. “Have you and Loki thought about having children?” There was nothing that could hide the blush in her cheeks. “We haven’t really talked about it.” Eva stopped to coo at the baby. Hela handed him over to Eva, watching her hold him, the sparkle in her eye as she spoke to him. “Who’s a handsome boy? Yes, you are!” She lightly poked and tickled him.
“I think it’s a conversation the two of you should have.” She nodded towards her brother who looked on at his fake wife holding that baby, his mind filled with thoughts of how great a mother Eva would be. When she turned to look at him when she nodded towards her brother, Loki quickly looked away. “Definitely a conversation you two should have.” She smiled at Eva but became confused when her sister-in-law’s face dropped. Leaning forward, Eva asked if she could talk to her out back. Hela nodded and followed her outside to the garden.
“Before I start, you have to promise me you won’t say anything. You can’t tell Loki.”
“Eva, what’s wrong?”
“Promise me.”
Hela nodded. “I promise.” With that, Eva took a deep breath and told her everything, about the contract, what it involved, that it would be ending in 6 months and how she didn’t want it to because she’d fallen so hard for him.
“You’ve got to be shitting me. Loki has done a lot of things, but faking a marriage to stay as the frontrunner to take over Valhalla Industries? This really takes the cake.” She paused. “Have you told him how you feel?”
All Eva could do was shake her head. Hela continued. “I know my brother like the back of my hand. He’s completely and utterly in love with you. I’ve only seen him like this once before with his girlfriend in college before she shattered his heart.” The thought of someone breaking his heart made Eva angry, wanting vengeance on his behalf.
This was the moment the baby decided to get fussy. It was past his bedtime, and he was tired. “I’d better put him to bed.”
“I think I’m going to stay out here for a bit. I need some fresh air.” Nodding, Hela went back inside to take care of her son.
A moment later, she heard the back door slide open and close and assumed it was Hela but found herself a bit surprised when arms wrapped around her waist from behind. “You’ve been out here a while. Is everything okay?”
She mustered what little courage she had, stepping away and turning to look at him. This, “she gestured to both of them,” us. I know this was the agreement, but I can't keep doing it. I'm sorry.” Her eyes were brimming with tears.
His eyes widened slightly at the words, a wave of panic washing over him. He knew this was coming but he hadn’t expected it to hurt this much. ”Darling wait, please. I.. just… just don’t do this…” He said weakly as she started to walk away, gently holding her wrist to prevent her from leaving, his eyes pleading, desperate for her to stay. “No, no please… you can’t go. Please don’t go… Please…”
“I've gotten too attached. If I wait any longer, I'll just end up hurting more. I’m sorry.” Tears started to fall down her cheeks. He took a step closer to her, carefully turning her to look at him, and gently wiped away those tears. ”Please… please don’t go. I’ll break the contract, I’ll do anything… just please don’t go…” He whispered desperately, cupping her face softly in his hands. “I need you. I need you more than I need the air to breathe. Eva, my dear, dear Eva. I’m in love with you. Deeply, irrevocably in love with you. I couldn’t tell you where or when it happened, but I am. I love you. There’s never been and will never be anyone as kind and amazing and perfect as you. You’ve filled the gaping hole in my stone of a heart, tearing down every wall I had to protect myself. I don’t want to live without you. I can’t live without you.”
Looking into his eyes, she couldn’t find any trace of a lie. “Loki……” Before she could finish, he closed the gap and kissed her with more passion than he’d ever had before. Stunned at first, she quickly returned his kiss. As his arms wrapped around her waist, hers wrapped around his neck, the two only parting when their lungs screamed for air. She smiled up at him. “I love you, too.” At this moment, he felt complete and kissed her again. Neither were aware of his sister looking on from the back door, beyond happy for her brother and his wife, the marriage turning from fake to completely real.