She smiled against his chest.“Can we go home now?It’s hot here.My hair’s never gonna be the same,” she complained.
His laughter rang in her ears.“Let’s do that.Go home.”
As they turned to leave, Robbie appeared with Thor, her arm around his muscled waist.
“Son,” he said softly.“Well done.”
Harvey nodded his head in acknowledgement, but his body was still a bit stiff.“Father.Let’s take some time to talk after you’ve recuperated.”
Dom gave Harvey a nudge to remind him to loosen up and give his father some grace.“That sounds like a plan, boys.Now, before we jettison back to Midgard, I’m Dominique Acosta, temporary God of Thunder.Pleased to meet you.”She held out her hand, allowing Thor to take it.
His eyes roamed over her face, his expression weary and tired, his grip weak.“How can I thank you for saving my people?For keeping Mjölnir safe?”
She gave him a firm handshake and a wide grin.“You don’t thank me.You can thank your son.Now, let’s get this party bus movin’.I don’t know about you, but I need a shower.”
She began to head back the way they came, tugging Harvey along with her.
Looking over her shoulder at the group of people who’d become so dear to her, fighting tears, she quipped, “I gotta tell you, God of Thunder, I don’t know how you did this for centuries.Keeping the peace with these maniacs is hell on a manicure.”
The sound of laughter and weary chatter rang in her ears as they picked their way back, her heart full of hope for Harvey and his father, and for the new beginnings ahead.
Epilogue
Several months later…
One currently off-duty mini-warrior, who’d fallen in love with the people of Asgard, but was ever so grateful to hand over her hammer duties; one ruggedly handsome, newly appointed god with oodles of muscles who was better-looking than Chris Hemsworth; one exhausted but much happier retired god; one hammer with the power to rule the world and an attitude to match; a sweet elderly man who insisted everyone call him papa, even if he didn’t always know who they were; a saucy vampire with a short temper and a love for organizing bingo for seniors; a fashionable werewolf who shared her company’s makeup samples with the mini-warrior and made regular visits to Remember Me to gussy up the senior ladies’; a gentle half-werewolf, half-vampire who dropped by the memory care facility at least once a week to help the seniors shop; a sweet zombie who read books to the seniors and formed a tight bond with a crow named Fletcher; a happy-go-lucky demon who organized wheelchair races and poker games for the seniors; a blue troll with a British accent who made the most amazing lemon chicken in enormous batches to serve on Greek Night; another gentleman, also with a British accent, who baked fresh bread loaves for the seniors and hated the nickname Tater-Tot; an adorable fox called Dude who loved the mini-warrior as much as he loved the ruggedly handsome god, all gathered in Asgard to celebratelife…
“Ladies!”Dom crowed excitedly.“You look beautiful!”
The ladies of OOPS traipsed across the green grass toward the town square, dressed in traditional Asgardian fare, with Fletcher flying overhead and Dude scampering over the hills and valleys of endless green grass.
The warm breeze blew, the scent of scrumptious baked bread and grilled meat redolent in the air.Tables adorned with flower garlands were scattered along the cobblestone streets, and tents with festive colors dotted the horizon.
Marty was the first to give her a warm hug and a smile.“But look at you!”she exclaimed, twirling Dom.“You’re gorgeous and this fabric is incredible.”
“Right?”Dom squealed, sharing a girlie moment with her makeup-loving friend.“I don’t know how the weavers here do it, I don’t know what materials they use, but it’s like wearing butter.”
Wanda joined the hug, planting a kiss on her cheek.“You’re positively glowing.Asgard part-time suits you, young lady,” she praised.
And it did.She loved it here.She loved the people, their way of life, she loved Sigrid and crew, she even loved Thor a little.Fletch had blossomed, basking in the love the Asgardians gave him, and her papa, too.
She brought Stavros to Asgard often, where they showered him with love, attention, and healing herbal wraps.He’d thrived under their care.He would never regain his memory, and his moments of clarity were still few and far between, but he was well cared for and loved, and that was all Dom could ask.
“Hey, vampire, get in here,” Dom encouraged, welcoming her into their group hug.“I know you hate the dress and the hair, but it will never change the fact that you’re stunning.So suck it.”
Nina cackled in her ear, dropping a kiss on the top of her head before she pulled way and gripped Stavros’s hand.“My man Stavros!Lookin’ good, buddy,” she complimented, straightening his tunic.
Her papa loved Nina.He almost never remembered her name, but he recognized her face, and his eyes lit up every time he saw her.With a wide grin, he pointed to his face, and Nina obliged by dropping a kiss on his weathered cheek.
The rest of his crew from Remember Me were off with Asgardians, enjoying the day, being doted on by the people who’d come to adore them.It wasn’t always easy to get them all to Asgard without the staff knowing where they were going, but with a little help from Robbie and Greer and their magic, when she returned them safe and sound, no one was the wiser.
They’d become good friends with the couple, mixing their worlds, having dinner parties, getting together to play pinochle and Trivial Pursuit.
In fact, they were responsible for locating the magic that had held Thor captive and locking it away in a vault here in Asgard.She’d be indebted to them forever, but Greer reassured her the only thanks he needed was some of the mint chocolate pie the Asgardians were famous for.
“So how’s it been going since you decided to live here part-time?”Marty asked.“Have you adjusted to all these gods roaming around?”
Dom snickered.“It took a minute, but I’ve learned to duck when I hear incoming.”The gods were always popping in and out with a flourish, making craters in the cobblestone streets, setting things on fire.
