The divine mirror closed, images of children celebrating in the snow reflected in moist blue eyes. Loki's promise to watch after her children was heard in heaven. Hestia stepped lightly on the grounds outside her temple. Inside lay her responsibilities. After witnessing the triumph of her earthly familia and knowing they were cared for, it was time to step up to her duties. She took a step...then paused.
Her temple was a grand thing, tall and elegant, pristinely white—in perfect keeping with the landscape of heaven, but far too perfect for the souls of the Lower World to feel comfortable in. Closing her eyes, Hestia smiled at thoughts of home. Opening her eyes, the Hearthfire Manor and grounds had replaced her temple. Every window was lit and alive with activity...except for four.
"Well, that's new."
The voice belonged to a young human woman. Line Arshe stepped beside the little goddess, along with Lloyd, Claire, Anju, and a small host of other passed adventurers. Loki Familia's members respectfully surrounded Hestia, who had pulled them from across the far reaches of Tenkai. As Loki watched her children below, so she would care for hers above.
Line spoke again. "Why change it?"
They all followed as Lady Hestia stepped through the gate, walking peacefully up the lane leading to the Manor's front door. "Because this is home," she said simply. "And every child deserves to feel as warm and happy as I did here."
"And the empty rooms?"
Smile broadening, Hestia paused with her hand on the door handle. "Those rooms are reserved for their owners," she said, heart glowing. "They will remain empty for a long, long time. But we'll all share a home again. One day."
Opening the door, the Goddess of the Hearth was greeted with happiness, relief, and love—mother had come home to stay.