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 celebrate life…
“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.
There was always something going on in Asgard. Be it a celebration or a visit from the gods, it was quite busy.
When she became overwhelmed by this new way of life, she popped back to her townhouse for some quiet time. But by and large, she spent the bulk of her time here—with Harvey.
They spent long nights talking, sharing, learning about each other’s lives, figuring out how to navigate both worlds, and they were successfully doing it while falling deeper and deeper in love.
“And your man-god? How’s things with him and his hot-AF daddy?” Nina asked.
She grinned, tucking her hands into the pocket of her tunic.
“Better. A lot, actually. It took a little while for Harvey to learn to accept his father for who he is, and to take over the role of God of Thunder, but they’ve learned how to communicate without lobbing bolts of lightning at each other, and I think Harvey’s finally come to a place of peace.
Especially after he found out Thor didn’t abandon his duties or leave MC with him to guilt him into taking over.
The giants had held him captive with magic, and because he’d left MC behind, there had been no way for him to break free. It had taken Thor a couple of months to fully recuperate, and during that time, he and Harvey had argued, made up, argued again, then finally, they came to an understanding.
Harvey finally understood why taking control of MC had been such an emotional block for him. Why, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t pick him up, and that the arrival of imminent danger to Dom and Stavros, his growing feelings for her, had been what unlocked and freed him from his fears.
Under Thor’s tutelage, Harvey was learning the ins and outs of being the new God of Thunder, and he and MC had become closer than ever.
And that made her happy. Though, if she was honest, she did miss the workout MC gave her.
“Ladies!” Harvey called, as he made his way across the square, MC in his hand. “It’s good to see you! Glad you could make it.” He gave them each a hug before turning to Dom. “Honey, do you want me to take Stavros in for his nap?”
Harvey was wonderful with her papa. Kind, gentle, devoting a great deal of his time seeing to Stavros’s comfort and care. He never forgot Stavros was Dom’s first priority, and he never once resented it.
Looking at Stavros, surrounded by Asgardians and their children, the smile on his face bright, she shook her head. “I think he’s good for now.”
“So I have a little something for you former God of Thunder.”
She fluttered her eyelashes at him, pressing her hand to her chest. “For me?” she asked in a breathy tone.
Harvey winked, pointing to a nearby table where Sigrid was unveiling something under a silk cloth. “For you,” he said with a grin.
And there it was. In all its glory. A horned helmet.
A Viking helmet.
She gasped, running to the table to swoop it up, placing it on her head where it teetered precariously. “Do you know the way to a girl’s heart, or what?”
Harvey adjusted it with a chuckle. “I’m certainly learning.”
Dom tugged at his shirt. “And you’ve learned well, newest God of Thunder. Very well, indeed.”
Pulling her into the embrace of his strong arms, he asked, “And how about you, mini-warrior? How do you fare?”
She stood on tiptoe and kissed his lips. “I’m pretty great, Thor’s weird offspring. How about you?”
“It’s a beautiful day, the sun is out, the breeze is warm, friends and family have gathered, my father hasn’t made me want to strangle him yet, and Arch and Tottington brought lemon chicken. Does it get any better than that?”
Dom chuckled. Harvey had consumed his weight in lemon chicken. “What about me?” she teased.
He mocked a confused look. “What about you?”
“You didn’t include me in all the things that make your day better,” she said on a comical pout.
“Oh, right. You.”
Dom playfully poked his chest. “Yeah, me. Don’t I make your day better?”
Hauling her up against him with the sounds of Asgard and its happy occupants in her ears, with their friends and family all in one place, he whispered against her lips, “You make my everything better.”
“Ditto,” she whispered back, cupping the back of his head. “And I love you.”
Pressing her closer with love in his eyes, he whispered back, “Ditto. Ditto, ditto, ditto.”
The End
Thanks so much for joining me for yet another Accidental adventure! I hope you’ll come back next year for The Accidental Alien. In the meantime, have a safe, wonderful holiday season!