EPILOGUE 1/3: Soup

Steven knocked on the door to the kitchen. He could hear the sounds of pans and cutlery clinging around. The smell of seasoning and chicken broth filled his nose. He grinned knowing exactly who was responsible for this glorious smell. Sandy had started working under the head chef after a personal request from him.

Sandy was a talkative girl. She was bubbly and always had a smile on her face. Steven liked listening to her talk. He liked when she talked about her cooking hobby, and her obsession with making cupcakes. She said she had always dreamed of becoming a chef. So, Steven made it happen. Of course she had to demonstrate her skills before hand, which she passed with flying colors.

Now Steven had every excuse to visit her since he handles the transportation of food to the Duke and Dutchess. As well as their kids.

The door swung open and a tomato paste covered Sandy stood at the door with a bright smile. "Hey Stevie! I was just finishing up." She scurried over to the stove and flipped off the burner. She slowly spooned out the chicken noodle soup into a small bowl. "I can't believe the twins got sick by swimming in a frozen lake! Viola was never this much trouble."

Steven chuckled and moved the bowls onto a rolling cart. "That's because Viola was older when the Duke and Dutchess adopted her. She knew not to swim in freezing lakes. Or to do things that could put her life in danger," Steven explained. Sandy sighed and handed Steven another filled bowl. "You're right. You know. Sometimes I wish Viola was more out going. All she does is read in her grandfather's library." Steven shrugged, "you say that like that's not the exact thing that Duchess Frost does all day. Sandy and Steven laughed. "She does, doesn't she," Sandy nodded with a smile.

Steven placed the last bowl on the cart and looked over to Sandy. "Do you want a family?" Sandy looked up to him. "Yeah. Hopefully one day." Steven looked down at the five bowls of soup then back down to Sandy. He spent three years of his life pining for the woman. He knew she would say yes if he just asked, but a part of him didn't want to.

He was raised in a world where happiness wasn't an option for him. But once he meet Loki his views changed. Watching the love that Loki and Poppy shared made him realize he wanted the same. Sandy smiled at him, with a questioning gaze. Steven cleared his throat. He walked over to Sandy. Three years of me being too much of a coward to ask.

"Sandy. I mean this with all my heart. I promise I will make you happy. I promise I will devote myself to you and whatever the future holds for us. So.. will you marry-," Sandy wrapped her arms around Stevens neck and kissed him.

Steven froze with shock but quickly regained his composure. He grabbed her waist and pulled her closer. Sandy cupped his face and pulled back, tapping their foreheads together. "Took you long enough," she giggled. "Ha, so is that a yes?" Sandy rolled her eyes, "dummy, of course that's a yes."

Sandy used her hand to pull Steven back into a kiss. A kiss he was reluctant to part from. Sandy tried pulling back but he would come right back. "Steven... the... food!" Steven grumbled, and stepped back. He grabbed the cart and started to move to the door. "You stay right there! I will be right back! I love you!" He yelled. And in a flash he was gone. Sandy bite her lip and smiled. "I love you more," she whispered.