"It's worth a shot," Elaine said. "If it doesn't work, at least you tried."

Tony nodded. "Yeah. I'll see how it goes, I'll need to write the program though first."

Elaine nodded.

"If you have to put the magic filter on hold for a while, do it," she said. "It might be a bit easier if you take a break from that project anyways." She grinned. "Besides, I've noticed you're always in a better mood after you've paid attention to your bots."

Tony snorted. "They all need general maintenance and probably some upgrades."

At that, Dummy zoomed off to the other side of the lab, and Tony snorted.

"Yeah, I'll do yours first, you useless pile of bolts. I'll make You and Butterfingers help this time, maybe we should try to pen you in like a rodeo or something, that might work."

Elaine couldn't help but snicker, but she didn't comment this time. She knew this was normal.

Tony shook his head and went to go get everything ready so he could just corner Dummy and be done with it. Dummy was always the most difficult.

Elaine just stayed out of the way and watched, amused.

Over the next several weeks, she started showing much earlier than Kae had, and ended up stealing a few of Steve's shirts until she could buy some new ones of her own. Not that she minded wearing Steve's shirts.

Steve was always exceedingly careful with her, since he didn't want to hurt her or the two little ones. So he held her gently and made sure she was comfortable all the time and fussed in general as much as Tony and Bruce combined.

Elaine tried to be patient with him, she really did.

"Steve, I won't break," she said. "I'm perfectly fine, I don't need any more blankets or cushions, and it's almost time for magic practice, anyways."

"I know." Steve didn't get riled up, even when she did get a little upset because he was perhaps too worried. "I'm just making sure you're comfortable."

"I'm fine," Elaine replied. "Really, I'm more uncomfortable trying to sleep, lately, than I am right now. I promise, I'll tell you the moment I need something."

Steve nodded and backed off a bit. But only a bit. Loki came down to them today instead, stretching as he entered the room and eyeing Elaine with amusement.

Elaine waved Steve off a bit when Loki came in.

"Go on and amuse yourself," she said, giving him a kiss. "Beat on some punching bags or something. I'll have Jarvis or Claudia tell you when practice is over."

Steve nodded after a moment and left to go work off some energy. Maybe he'd go run around Central Park a few times or something.

Loki snorted as he watched Steve leave before returning his attention to Elaine.

Once Steve was gone, Elaine sighed a bit and settled back into the cushions on the couch, rubbing her belly a bit.

"He'll feel better once he's had a chance to work off some energy," she commented. "Hopefully he won't be as overbearing for a while when he gets back."

"I'm surprised you haven't snapped at him yet," Loki commented idly. "Need to get out for a while?"

"I've thought about it," Elaine admitted. "But he'd worry more if I left the tower. I know he's nervous about having kids, but still."

"He needs to get over himself. Why don't we move lessons outside for today?" Loki smirked at her. Because, hello, god of mischief.

Elaine gave Loki a 'I see what you're doing' look. But she couldn't resist the offer.

"Alright," she said. As an afterthought, she added, "if I can get up."

Loki snorted and helped her to her feet.

"Do you feel up to teleporting or not today?"

"Depends, where are we going?" Elaine asked. She glanced down at herself and concentrated for a moment, using magic to switch her lounge pants and tee into something more fit to be seen in public. It was a trick she'd been practicing on her own.

Loki looked a little impressed and very proud when she did that. "A park, perhaps. Somewhere quiet."

Elaine thought for a moment.

"I think I know where we can go," she said. With that, she braced herself a bit and teleported them to a small nearby park.

Loki looked around and nodded his satisfaction. "Perfect," he agreed. "Sit and recharge for a few minutes. I don't want you to wear yourself out unduly."

Elaine nodded and carefully sat down, just letting herself enjoy being outside in the sun and fresh air for a few minutes. It felt wonderful after being cooped up in the tower for so long.