Author's Note:

I, like many of you I'm sure, was a bit worried I'd never finish this fic. My muse abandoned Loki and Darcy for another ship (she's such a harlot) but I managed to snag her attention back for just long enough to complete this story.

Part 2 is a much shorter chapter than most of those I've written so far, but I feel confident that it brings a satisfying close to our young lovers' story. To those who might ask, I do not plan on writing a sequel or related ficlets although there's still so much that could be said. This is the longest story I've ever written and I'm simply proud that it's now complete.

Of course, a great big thanks to all who have been following this story-your kind comments have certainly inspired me to write this story. And it goes without saying that I thank my beta extraordinaire, Xtie, for her keen eye and encouragement.

Please take a moment to leave a few words in the comments box-it would make a lovely post-Christmas prezzie :)

Epilogue, Part 2

"Ok, you can open your eyes now!"

Darcy stood beside Thor, sliding a pie with lit candles in front of him. As was her habit when she was nervous, she began babbling. "I really hope Loki wasn't shitting me when he said your favourite birthday dessert was blueberry pie. Cause if he was, I'm gonna make him go out and find you a proper cake..."

His brother shook his head, a goofy grin plastered on his face. "No," he confirmed, "he was right; it is my favourite. I haven't had blueberry pie in ages."

"Well," Jane chimed in, "make a wish before the candles go out."

Thor closed his eyes and then opened them back up, casting a quick glance in the astrophysicist's direction before blowing them out. Everyone wished him a happy birthday after which Darcy served everyone a piece of dessert with-of course-a heaping serving of vanilla ice cream.

It was the culmination of a great meal, Loki thought to himself as he savoured a bite of the pie, Darcy having yet again outdone herself. The soup, the roast, the sweet potatoes-and even the salad-had been better than anything he'd ever tasted at a restaurant. Of course, he may have been more than slightly biased.

"So, Thor," he asked between mouthfuls, "what adventures have you set your sights on next?"

The other man looked at Jane, who had a sleeping Danny on her lap. "I believe I'll be taking another trip to the Indian Ocean-this time in search of the Einstein-Rosen bridge rather than a storm."

"Wow!" Darcy exclaimed, eyes wide in surprise. "Look at you guys all ready for going on an adventure together." She waggled her eyebrows at her best friend, who simply blushed.

"It's the opportunity of a lifetime. I mean, if it's perpetually occurring in the same location my chances of finally witnessing this phenomenon are really high." Jane's eyes lit up like a child's on Christmas morning and Loki finally understood what Darcy had meant when she'd called her an 'astrophysics nun'. "It's like she's married to science, she's so into it", she'd said.

Loki could tell that Darcy wanted to press on, to continue teasing, but for once she held her tongue. Instead she stood up and asked if anyone wanted tea. When she received four eager nods as a response she headed to the kitchen.

He turned to Jane, then, as she gathered the last crumbs of pie crust into a puddle of melted vanilla ice cream. "Have you ever been on a boat?" He asked her.

"Yes," she replied animatedly. "When I was 11 I went to stay with my uncle Mike for a few weeks while my parents ironed out the details of their separation. He owned a lobster trawler not far from Cape Cod and I'd go out with him on days where the weather was nice. The best was at night, though, when he would take me out so I could see the stars."

It wasn't hard for Loki to imagine a pre-pubescent Jane, telescope in hand and a rolled-up star chart tucked under her arm, eyes wide as millions upon millions of stars revealed themselves to her over the Atlantic. "Is he the one who introduced you to astronomy?"

"No," she admitted. "I'd always been fascinated by stars. Uncle Mike just helped take my interest to a new level. I'd never seen so many stars in my life…"

Thor leaned forward, his own eyes nearly as excited as Jane's. "And did this become a yearly excursion? I'm sure it must have been difficult to keep you away from such an opportunity."

Jane frowned and shook her head. "Uncle Mike had a stroke that winter and had to sell his boat to cover his medical bills. He took to drinking after that, and became bitter and angry. Mom hasn't spoken to him in almost fifteen years."

"I'm so sorry, Jane," Loki said, not knowing what else or what more he could say.

Just then, Darcy walked in with an overflowing tea caddy. She frowned, seeing everyone's long faces. "Why does this become a funeral home every time I leave the room?"

"I was telling them about Uncle Mike," Jane informed her.

"Oh," the young woman replied, her own face falling. "That is a sad story…" She looked at the caddy in her hands and placed it on the table. "Anyone still up for some tea?"

"Of course," the other woman replied, rifling through the selection of teas until she found what she was looking for. "Indian Spice! I can't believe you have some!"

"Oh, please. It's only your favourite tea ever. I'm convinced Harney keeps it in stock just for you," Darcy replied, rolling her eyes and smirking. Turning to Loki and Thor she said "You boys decide what you want while I go get the mugs and hot water. I'll be right back."

Loki and Thor made their selections and when Darcy returned the four retreated to the living room where it was cozier.

Darcy curled one leg under her and sat down on her chair. She took a sip of her tea, closing her eyes and 'savouring the moment', as she called every first sip of a cup of tea. "This get together needs a few more smiles," she announced. "Thor, you must have a basket full of crazy-ass sailing stories."

Thor smiled, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. He looked at the others seated around the table and opened his mouth to speak but Loki preempted him.

"Choose your stories wisely, brother," he warned, raising an eyebrow in silent communication. The last thing he wanted was for Thor to ruin any chances of Jane accompanying him on his boat by sharing stories of escapes from pirates.

His brother's smile tightened as he caught his meaning. He obviously hadn't thought of the consequences of sharing his crazier tales. The hesitation lasted but a moment while he changed course (pun not intended).

"I have a friend," he began. "His name is Jim Fandral and he sees himself as the greatest ladies' man ever to live. He was sailing with me once when I'd been invited to stay on a small island owned by an obscenely rich man who had a beautiful daughter..."

The dishes finally cleaned and the kitchen tidied up, Loki and Darcy headed towards their bedroom, turning the lights off as they went.

"Shouldn't we leave a light on for Thor?" Darcy asked as she walked over to where her pyjamas had been tossed that morning.

"Do you really think he'll be back tonight?" He asked, remembering the heated look his brother had exchanged with Jane when he had jumped at the opportunity to accompany her back home. Tired, he pulled his t-shirt off and tossed it in his laundry hamper. Just at that moment his phone chimed, indicating he had a new text message. He pulled the phone from his back pocket and read it, chuckling.

"What?" Darcy asked, walking over to where he stood. She stretched up on her tiptoes, trying to see the phone's screen. "Did that Tony guy post something funny again on Facebook? I don't know where he finds all those videos..."

"It's a message from Thor telling us not to expect him back tonight," Loki said, trying his best not to inject an 'I told you so' tone of voice.

"Those crazy kids," Darcy replied, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. "I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen Jane checking out Thor's ass about half a dozen times tonight." Pyjamas in hand, she walked off to the bathroom to get ready for bed.

Loki slid his jeans off, folding them carefully and placing them on the chair beside his chest of drawers before slipping in bed. He picked up his iPhone and scanned through his work emails, only partially paying attention to the dozen or so messages in his inbox, his mind elsewhere. He had news to share with Darcy, important news that would affect their future.

The young woman had turned his life upside down. She'd arrived like a tornado, uprooting all his goals and ambitions. Until he'd met her, his focus had been on his career; he'd achieved as much at Globalcomm in his ten years as others had in their entire careers.

However, career aspirations were no longer as high on his list as they had been only months prior. His thoughts now wandered to settling down, to starting a family, and that wasn't possible when most of his time was spent travelling.

The bathroom door opened, pulling him from his musings. Might as well get this out in the open, he thought to himself.

"Darcy," he called out, injecting a dramatic note of consternation in his voice. "There's something I need to talk to you about." He pressed his lips together for added effect, looking at her worriedly. Thor wasn't the only one who embodied qualities of his namesake-Loki had always loved playing the part of the trickster.

Darcy paused as she crawled under the covers, turning to sit facing him. Her brow was furrowed and her features mirrored his own. "What is it?" She asked, concerned. "Is everything ok?"

"I've made a decision about work," he began, taking her slender hand in his. "An opportunity came up that I couldn't pass over. I've accepted a new position that will allow me to spend more time with my family."

The young woman's face fell but she managed a watery smile. "That's... That's great, Loki. I'm happy for you. I guess you'll be going back to England, then?"

Unable to keep up the charade any longer, Loki chuckled and squeezed her hand. "Silly girl. Don't you know by now you're my family, too?" When she simply stared at him, even more confused, he tugged on her arm, guiding her until she sat astride his lap. He placed his hands on her hips, his thumbs rubbing circles along the smooth flesh above her underwear. "I love you," he stated plainly. "I am not leaving. In fact, it kills me every time I have to hop on a plane even if it's just for one night."

She continued to stare at him, still confused despite his reassurance. "Then... what's the big news?"

"I applied and was accepted for a new role that's just been created. It'll mean a cut in pay, but there's no travel involved aside from the odd conference here and there. No more than any other office-based role." His smile widened as he watched the news sink in, Darcy's face lighting up.

"So you'll be here all the time? No more flying to the four corners of the world for weeks at a time?"

"No. No more flying away, no more leaving you. I want to wake up at your side every morning and fall asleep with you in my arms every night, my love."

Darcy leaned forward, pressing her lips to his before resting her head on his shoulder. "I love you," she sighed contentedly.

Loki held her to him, musing on how blessed his life was now that she was a part of it. He truly believed he was the luckiest man on earth.

He remembered the words she'd spoken the first night he brought her home-their home, now: "We're on the cusp of something magical. It's sudden and big and scary, but it's also beautiful and right.".

Holding her in his arms, he felt the truth of those words through to his very core. There was nothing more beautiful and right for him than Darcy. "I love you too," he replied, kissing her gently back.

-FIN