The Dinner Party
Everyone served themselves food and began eating. Jane narrowed her eyes, jealous at how Thor doted on his daughter. She glared at Evie; though she smiled whenever Thor looked at her, it never reached her eyes. Suddenly, Jane felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise, and she glanced at Natasha, who was blatantly glaring at her. Quickly lowering her eyes, Jane swallowed hard and continued eating.
The silence during the meal was awkward, so Tony started talking to see if he could ease some of the tension. He started conversing with Hermione's parents and asked what brought them to the U.S.
“We made several school applications throughout the U.K. and America for Hermione. She was accepted to several schools, but Trevor appealed to her more. So, we sold our dental practice and moved here,” Daniel Granger explained.
Tony nodded, “Have you started a new dental practice yet?” He asked.
“Not yet; we wanted to get Hermione settled in school before we open our new practice,” Jean answered.
Tony's eyes lit up, and he looked at Pepper. She thought for a moment, then nodded. Tony grinned and leaned forward, “Would you be interested in opening a practice here in Avengers Tower? And if you accept, I can contract you to be Stark Industries' exclusive dental practice. Then Hermione can come here after school,” Tony suggested.
Daniel and Jean Granger stared at Tony wide-eyed. They never thought Tony would be so generous, and if they accepted, Hermione wouldn't have to be alone after school. The pair looked at each other, communicating silently. Then Daniel turned to Tony and smiled, “We accept, Mr. Stark.”
“Great! But, please call me Tony,” He told the couple.
After that, conversation flowed more easily between everyone. Evie, Hermione, and their friends were excited that Hermione would spend her afternoons at Stark Tower. The others were a little jealous, but Evie suggested they ask their parents later if they could also spend their afternoons there.
“Do you think Tony would mind?” Peter asked
“No, Uncle Tony won't mind, and I'm sure my dad won't either,” Evie answered.
As everyone ate and chatted, Jane scowled at how everyone felt comfortable with each other, even the Asgardians. She sat in her chair, feeling out of place; she suddenly felt like a fifth wheel. No one acknowledged her unease, not even Thor, who listened to his daughter and her friends talk and added input whenever needed.
Loki looked at Jane and smirked. He used to think well of the little human, but she proved to be a poor choice for the next queen of Asgard. After seeing the whithering looks she gave Evie when she thought no one was watching, Loki liked Jane even less. He found the spider a better match for his brother, and Loki thought it was funny that Thor and Natasha had feelings for each other but were so concerned with Evie that they hadn't realized it yet.
In Loki's eyes, the match made more sense. Thor needed someone serious who could calm his impulsiveness and add cold logic where it was needed, and Natasha needed to learn to relax and enjoy life. That she could not have children was not a problem. Asgardian magic and technology could replace what was cruelly taken from her.
And her love and protectiveness of Evelyn only added to her qualities. For under her cold exterior beat the heart of a woman who loved the child entirely. Loki knew that was the quality that would win his parents over. Now if only his buffoon of a brother could see what Loki saw, everything would be splendid. Loki knew that things between Thor and Natasha would end well with the right push.