The Hidden Goddess

Epilogue

Three years later ...
Over the past three years, Scott and Cassie have been your rock as you have adjusted to Midgardian life. They have helped you get used to using technology such as the laptop and the mobile phone, and Scott taught you how to drive (which was a traumatic experience for the both of you). Now you are a fully functioning Midgardian – well, maybe not fully functioning, but close enough. Then you found out about the little one growing inside of you. As soon as you and Scott found out, you let everyone else know. Your mother and brothers were ecstatic to hear the news, and Cassie cannot wait to meet her new sibling.

On the other hand, your father has refused any contact with you and has banished you and Scott from Asgard. Mother was furious, as were Thor and Loki, but you had already accepted that you would never return to Asgard. A few weeks after hearing the news of your banishment, Thor returned to Midgard and informed you of your parents passing. You were devastated and promptly returned to Asgard with Scott to attend your mother's funeral.

That was a few months ago; now, you are living a peaceful life on Midgard, while Thor and Loki rule over Asgard as brothers.

Waking up to skies lit by the spring sun is a sort of visual poetry. The curtains add an orange glow to the morning light, every morning a perfect sunrise. You breathe in deeply. A new day has begun. You reach your hand out to the fabric, noticing how up close the light pours through every open space between fibres, illuminating like brilliant fireflies each dawn. The material is warm beneath your fingers, and when the sun floods the room, painting the colours anew, you feel a little of those golden ray's soak into your skin.

"Morning, sweetie." Scott coos as he slides onto the bed.
He is dressed in an ink-black t-shirt and jeans, ready to meet his colleagues Hope van Dyne and Hank Pym.
"Morning." You yawn tiredly, placing a hand on your slightly swollen belly.
"How are the two of you?" He asks as he gently rests his hand on top of yours.
"Perfect, as always."
In the wash of the new light, Scott's face takes on the appearance of an old photograph, one of nostalgia, so beautiful. You watch as it brings his skin into focus, not yet animated with the warmth of who he is.
"I gotta get to work. Are you sure you are ok picking Cassie up?" Scott glances down at his watch as he shrugs on his jacket.
"Of course." You smile as he leans over and kisses you on the lips. "Please be careful. I know we are not a normal family, and we have travelled to other realms before, but travelling to the Quantum Realm is risky, and I do not want to lose you."
"Hey, it will be fine. I did it before, and I was completely unqualified then, now I am just slightly unqualified." He grins as you roll your eyes.
"Just be careful."
"I will."
He leans over and kisses you again.
"I'll get snacks on the way home for movie night."
He kisses you one more time.
"I love you, (Y/N)."
"I love you, Scott."
After another half an hour in bed, you decide to get up and start preparing to collect Cassie.

Maggie opens the door with a wide smile on her face as she greets you.
"(Y/N)! How are you?" She pulls you in for a hug. "How's the little one?"
"We are both fine, thank you, Maggie. How is Jim?" You reply, stepping into her home.
"Oh, we are fine. Busy as always." She stops at the bottom of the stairs and shouts up to Cassie. "How's Scott?
"Busy with work, as always." You laugh. "We've been settling into the new house, so things have been stressful, but I'm glad Cassie can finally come and see her new bedroom!"
Maggie smiles kindly as Cassie races down the stairs and tackles you with a hug. She has grown up so much in the past three years, and you have loved being in her life.
"I will pick her up on Wednesday."
Maggie kisses Cassie on the top of her head, and you allow them to bid their farewells while you put Cassie's bags in the car.

"Mommy?" Cassie sounds distressed, and you quickly turn around and race back into the house.
"Cassie? Are you ok?" You shout.
Cassie runs to you and hugs your legs. Tears streak her face, and you look around for Maggie, hoisting Cassie onto your hip.
"Mommy disappeared." Cassie cries into your shoulder.
"Where did she go, Cassie?" You question, attempting to make sense of the situation.
Cassie points to a pile of dust on the floor before burrowing her head back into your shoulder. Your heart rate increases and you start to panic. What is going on? Then you hear the screams and the sounds of chaos outside.

Still clinging onto Cassie, you rush outside to see what is going on. Other people are doing the same, and that's when you notice a person turning to dust, just like what Cassie said happened to Maggie. A driverless car crashes into a lamppost, and sparks fly. People are screaming and crying, and you watch helplessly as more people turn to dust. You hurry back inside and put Cassie in her room.
"Stay here, Peanut." You smile, trying to hide your panic from the terrified little girl. "I am going to call daddy."
Cassie pulls her covers over her head, and you run downstairs to grab your phone. Dialling Scott's number, you wait for him to answer, only hearing the voicemail. You dial his number five more times, giving you the same result. What the hell is going on?

You quickly bundle Cassie into your car and drive to where Scott was supposed to be working. The two of you race to the top of the building, only to find more dust surrounding the abandoned equipment. You feel yourself start to hyperventilate as you spin around, trying to find Scott.
Your chest tightens with anxiety as you cling to Cassie. Your scream is inhuman and raw as you call out one word:

"Scott!"