Today is the day! After 5 years of hard work. We are finally opening the Sloan Medical clinic in New York City. Six months after the twins were born, Loki kept his promise, and we returned to earth so I could finish my residency. We lived in Seattle until I was done and then I received a once in a lifetime dream offer. Tony Stark offered me my own non-profit medical clinic in New York. The only condition was that Loki and I would occasionally help the Avengers when they needed it. We were both happy to be able to help when we could, so we agreed.
That was about a year ago. And now that dream is about to come true. And Loki was a big part of making it come true. He has been such a blessing these past five years. Not once did he complain about the late hours or the time I did not spend at home with him and the kids. He has completely taken the Fatherhood role to heart. Unlike me, he did not miss any of the big childhood milestones. He made sure to capture them all for me on video, but I still feel like I've let them down. But not anymore. After today's opening, life for my family would be more normal, I hope. I'm putting the finishing touches on my speech when Loki comes into the office with the kids.
"Mommy!" My twins runs over to me for a hug.
"Hey kiddos. How are we today?"
Our 4-year-old twins start rambling. After Lexi and Tom were born, we quickly learned that they also possessed their father's Seidhr. One too many disappearing Nannies and diapers were a clear sign. So since we would be staying on Earth, Loki and I decided that we would have to suppress the twins' powers until they could be properly trained when they were older. Lexi and Tom, the apples of our eyes. Lexi, named after Meredith's sister and Mark's wife, looks more like her dad, dark raven hair and pale skin. Tom, named after my dad, looks more like me, red curly hair and freckles. They both had our green eyes. Character wise they were the opposite, Lexi, is more like me, a bit a of goofball, but very courageous and headstrong. Tom is a bit more like Loki, shy and quiet but extremely intelligent and quick-witted.
"Mommy, when does your party start?" Lexi asks me, all excited.
"Soon sweetie, we are just waiting on uncle Tony to arrive."
Loki comes over to me and gives me a quick kiss.
"How are you doing, Darling?"
"Well, I'm excited, nervous, happy, nauseous." And then I lean in and whisper in his ear. "And extremely horny."
"Oh, you have no idea." Loki replies with a chuckle and his gorgeous smile. "I managed to convince Pepper and Tony into a sleepover tonight. Isn't that right, my Bairns? Sleepovers at Morgan's?
"Yes! Uncle Tony promised us he would help us build a fort!"
Over the past five years, we have become very close with the Starks. The twins love Morgan and they love spending time with her. But more surprisingly to me and everyone, was the bromance between Loki and Tony. Since becoming fathers at the same time, they have been best of friends. Their relationship was adorable, from sharing fatherly advice to involving Loki in the non-profit side of the clinic.
"Is uncle Thor coming today?" Tom asks me while the twins both munch on some goldfish crackers.
"Yes he is. And they should all be here already." I'm starting to get worried. Where is everyone? Loki notices my worried look. They were supposed to be here 30 minutes ago.
"Darling, you know how New York traffic can be. They will be here soon."
Then, all of a sudden, a loud noise comes from outside. It sounded like an explosion.
"Charlotte, stay here with the kids." Loki says and runs out of my office. I turn to the twins and they both look scared.
"Hey kiddos, it will be ok, nothing to be afraid of." I hug them both, but then hear Loki yelling.
"Charlotte, come here quick!" I run towards Loki's voice. He is standing at the front door of the clinic.
"Loki, what is it?" I run up beside him to see a big crater in the middle of the sidewalk. We both lean in to see a big green figure. The Hulk is slowly changing back to Bruce Banner.
"Thanos is coming. He's coming..." he says.
"WHO?" Loki and Charlotte say at the same time.
"Thanos... and he's coming here."
Loki and Charlotte look at each other, confused. They see the look of fear on Bruce's face.
"Um... Bruce, why don't you come in so I can have a look at you." Charlotte says trying not to sound panicked. Loki teleports into the hole and grabs Bruce's arm. He teleports them both into one of the exams rooms in the clinic. Charlotte and the twins join them.
"Loki, can you take care of the twins while I look over Bruce?"
"Of course, common kiddos, lets let you mother work her magic." Loki picks up both kids and heads out of the room.
"So, Bruce, where exactly have you been? And what's up with this Thanos?" Bruce sit down on the exam bed and groans.
"I'm sorry, Dr. Sloan, after Hela screwed with my mind. I had to work on making myself stronger. The other guy might be physically strong, but I need... we needed to be mentally stronger. So I went on a quest and that is where I met Thanos."
"And?"
"And he's fucking nuts. He said something about harvesting enough power to end the multiverse."
"The what?"
"The multiverse. He believes there are infinite version of this universe and he wants to end them all. In his twisted mind, he believes that this universe should be the only one."
"So you're telling me he wants to destroy other universes? How is that even possible?"
"He found a way to travel the multiverse. He believes that by killing his other variants of himself that he will become stronger. And believe me when I say it's working."
"How is he doing it?"
"Doing what?"
"Travelling the multiverse. I'm no scientist, but that does not sound like it would be easy."
"He found someone that can do it. A girl. She can open portals into other universes."
"And she is helping Thanos?"
"Unwillingly. He kidnapped her from her planet."
"So let me get this straight. This Thanos guy is multiversal, hoping to kill the version of himself so he can get stronger?"
"Yes, but it's not just that. He is literally destroying each universe he visits. Once he kills his variant, that universe implodes."
"Bruce, why is he coming here? Do we have a Thanos in this universe?"
"I don't think so."
"So why here? Why now?"
"It's my fault. One of his minions is a powerful psychic. I was trying to get him to help me with the Other Guy. But instead he read my mind. He saw what Loki did to Hela. He....i'm so sorry Dr. Sloan." Bruce lowers his head into his hands.
"Bruce?"
"He is coming here to kill Loki."
"What? Why?"
"His psychic convinced him that Loki can defeat him."
"Shit," Loki says from the door of the exam room, surprising them both.
"Yeah, I'm so sorry." Bruce sobs.
"Banner, please calm down. Whatever is to come, we will face together." Loki walks deeper into the room and wraps his arm around Charlotte. He leans in and kisses her cheek.
"Right Darling?"
"Right, we better call Tony. Like Dude should have been here by now with Thor." Charlotte pulls out her phone and calls Tony. After a few rings, the voicemail picks up.
"You have reached the phone of Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist, Tony Stark. You know what to do"
"Shit, voicemail. Let me try Pepper." She calls Pepper's number, but it also goes straight to voicemail.
"What the hell? Um... FRIDAY maybe?" She dials the A.I. number and FRIDAY picks up immediately.
"Dr. Webs. What may I do for you?"
"FRIDAY, where are Tony and Pepper? They should have been at the clinic by now?"
"They are a few blocks away." FRIDAY replies.
"And why is no one answering their phones?" The pause before FRIDAY's reply has Charlotte worried.
"FRIDAY?"
"I'm sorry Doctor. I am unable to reach them as well. I am currently searching for CCTVs near where they are supposed to be."
"Anything?"
"Unfortunately. This is all that I can see at the moment." A video if an alley shows up on Charlotte's phone. It shows Tony's white Bentley and beside it a large body laying motionless
"FRIDAY, what are we looking at?"
"Mr. Starks Bentley and His majesty Thor lying beside it. "
"Is he ok?" Loki ask concerned for his brother.
"His vitals seem to be ok."
"FRIDAY, where are Tony, Pepper and Morgan?"
"I do not know."