Goodbyes are tough.
So say goodbye to the masses, my father threw a party. Tony Stark style; it was all very flashy and loud. The music that pounded through our home could be felt at my inner core. It almost made me forget the ache. Reporters tried asking me about Asgard, and what it was like and if I would truly be a queen. I told them I would not be a queen until I married a king, and Loki was not a king yet. Everyone my father knew was at this party, but no one was truly interesting in my leaving. We had it for show because we had to. I couldn't just disappear.
After the party of the year, my dad and Pepper threw a more intimate gathering. Rhodes, Happy, Bruce, Steve, Thor, Jane, Natasha and Clint surrounded our dinner table. The twelve of us enjoyed each others company; just sharing memories and laughing, none of acknowledging that Loki and I would be leaving the next day. As the night drew to a close, my family became more emotional. It wasn't until Natasha shed a few tears that I broke down. I got out of my seat and kneeled by her side.
"I liked you." She laughs softly as she brushes a tear off her cheek. "I thought we were going to be friends."
I blinked back tear, though some fell anyway. "We can still be friends." I say quietly and lay a hand on her arm. "I'm not going to be gone forever."
"I know, I just..." She looks down at me, and smiles. "I hoped you would be around for a while longer. I would want to take you out on your birthday!"
I smile back. "I'm sure I could come back for my birthday."
Natasha grins back. "I'll get you a fake ID." She whispers, though my father hears.
"You better not do that Romanoff."
"Of course not Tony. I was kidding." She rolls her eyes, but smiles behind her hand. "I've got you covered girl." Her voice is nearly silent and I can't help but laugh. This of course makes my dad frown, and my fiance snicker.
It's eleven before anyone made a move to leave. Natasha hugged me as she and Clint were leaving. The Black Widow hugged me, if that doesn't say something is wrong, I don't know what does. It then became a procession. Thor and Jane left next, both hugging me and promising to see me soon. Then Steve.
"Hey sis." The soldier looked down on me with a sad smile. He pulls me close before I can protest. My arms instinctively wrap around him and I cry against his leather jacket. It hits me that this is the last time I'll see him, for who knows how long. Maybe forever. "I'm going to miss you so much little lady." He whispers against my hair. In the past few months, Steve had made an effort to be there for me. The whole team had. My breath caught in my throat as it finally sunk in that this was the final goodbye. The whole group gathered around and held me tight. We all muttered our goodbyes, and they left before we could all turn into a puddle of tears.
Bruce, Loki, Pepper and dad stood off to the side of the room, and watched as the last person shut the door. Then Bruce came over to me.
"You have no idea how much I am going to miss you." He whispers as tears begin to fall from his eyes. "I love you like you were my own. And you have changed my life." He smiles. "I love you so much Abigail Stark." I run into his arms and he holds me tight as my body shakes.
"I love you too Bruce. Three years ago, I had no one." I pull away just enough to look at his dark eyes. "And then I had a whole family." I force a tight smile. "Thank you." I bite my lip to keep from crying. "Thank you for your love, and kindness. I am going to miss you so very much." I throw my head back on his shoulder, my curls hiding my face. Behind me, I can hear the faint cry of my stepmother. This was so much harder then I thought it would be.
Bruce kissed my cheek. "No matter what happens, you will always be mine." He grins, and I smile back.
"Of course." I wink. Still holding me, Bruce turns to Loki.
"You better take care of her." His tone is hard and demanding. "If you hurt her, I will kill you."
"I won't hurt her." Loki says in a soft, and sincere tone. "You have my word."
Bruce glares at him one last time before turning back to me. "I love you Abby girl." He kisses my forehead, and walks out quickly. I'm thankful for his exit. My eyes fall on my parents.
"Loki?" I glance at him. "Could you give us a moment?"
He nods. "Of course dear. I'll go for a walk. Take your time." He walks out the door. Dad and Pepper slowly make their way to me, both of their eyes are red.
"Guys?" I whine and collapse under the weight of this day. Then crouch beside me and hold me tight.
"It's okay Abby." Pepper's voice is shaking.
"It's not okay." I shake my head violently. "It's not, I haven't had enough time with you. I don't want to leave." My words are broken through the tears. "I...can't...leave...you..." I look them both in the eyes. "I...love...you...so much!"
A strange noise escapes dad's lips, and I see his chest shaking. He pulls my head onto his shoulder. "We love you too Abigail, and nothing will change that, okay? And we will always be here for you. If you ever want to come home, we are here. But this is what you want, remember? Don't let any of this change your mind."
"But..." I stutter and he shhs me.
"You are going to marry the man you love, and you are going to be happy. Okay?" He says in an uplifting tone, but I know he's in pain. Of course he doesn't want me to go, but I have to. We all know that.
"We will be there for you through all of this. You get to plan a royal wedding!" Pepper exclaims happily as she drys her eyes. "You are going to be such a lovely bride." Her voice cracks against her will. I flash her a small smile before I hug her back.
"We aren't going anywhere Abby." Dad kisses my hair and wraps his arms around us.