It took Loki and Ava a couple of days to get everything set up, but they were able to get things arranged. The couple along with Thor would be leaving and returning home to Asgard at the end of the week. Jen insisted on coming over and helping Ava pack.
Ava and Jen were in the bedroom packing things up there, while Thor and Loki were in the living room packing up Ava's books. There were a few things that the group actually planned on taking with them, but they had to have everything to keep up appearances.
Jen had brought a few boxes with her and in one box she had hidden a present for Ava. She pulled it out and handed it to Ava. "I got you a little wedding present." Jen said, handing Ava a box that was wrapped up nice and pretty with a bow on top.
Ava smiled. "You didn't have to do that."
"Well, go on, open it." Jen replied.
Ava smiled and opened up the box. Inside was a little scrap of black lace. Ava lifted the lingerie out of the box, her cheeks reddening slightly. "This looks like it's more a present for Loki than for me." She said, her tone teasing.
Jen grinned. "Well, you're probably right there...but you know. I had no idea what else to get you. I mean I know you obviously don't need any help getting Loki's motor running...but what else do I get you?"
Ava smiled and hugged her friend. "Thank you."
They finished packing up things and then Jen looked at the time. "Okay, come on, we've got to go."
Ava looked at her friend suspiciously. "Why?"
"Just trust me." Jen replied.
Ava let out a sigh and then stood up. She followed Jen out and they walked into the living room. They were surprised to see the guys sitting on the couch, their packing already done. Thor was eating something and Loki was reading one of Ava's books. "I can't believe you two have finished already." Jen said, looking at them.
Ava had a feeling, Loki had used his magic to do the packing. "Well, then that means we can all go." Ava said.
"Where are we going?" Thor asked.
"I have no idea." Ava answered, looking at Jen.
Jen just smiled. "Trust me."
The group then got up and piled into Jen's car and headed out. Jen was soon pulling in at the diner and parking her car. "What are we doing?" Ava asked as they climbed out of the car.
"Sending you off right." Jen answered.
The group walked inside the diner, which was decorated with streamers and balloons. All of the staff was there and so were Ava's favorite regular customers. "What is this?" Ava asked.
"It's a going away party slash wedding reception." Jen answered, grinning.
There were gifts and plenty of cake, music and dancing, and plenty of fun at the party. There was laughter and tears. It was at this moment that Ava realized the impact she had had on these people's lives and the impact they had had on hers. They had all made the last five years of not knowing who she was bearable and a little less lonely. She was going to miss them more than she realized.
Later that night, after the party, Loki and Ava were back in Ava's apartment. Thor had returned to the inn. "So, what are things we're actually taking with us?" Loki asked.
"Not much." Ava answered. "Just my books and a few photographs."
"Ava, my love, who are these ladies in this photo with you?" Loki asked, holding up an old black and white photo that had yellowed with time.
Ava looked at the picture. It was of herself with Rose, Emily, and Elizabeth. It was taken about ten years after Ava had first come to Earth. "That is Rose, her daughter Emily, and Rose's, mother Elizabeth." Ava answered. "They helped me when I first came to Earth...Rose...she cared for me as if I were her own daughter."
Loki walked over to his wife and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed the top of her head and just held her for a while. He had thought that he had suffered all of these years without her...but he never truly imagined how much she had suffered. She had gotten close to people and cared about them and then lost them over her time on Earth. "I am sorry my love." He told her.
Ava rested her head on Loki's chest and allowed herself to draw comfort from his embrace. She missed those girls, they had been her family for a short time while she was on Earth and they had been truly wonderful...and now she was going to have to say goodbye to another set of people she had grown fond of over the years. It was hard, but she was ready. She was ready to go home.
