"Canceled?! You can't be serious! Surely there's something going out tonight?"
"I'm sorry sir, but the weather has grounded all of our flights. We'll be happy to put you up in a hotel for the the time being."
Loki was beyond frustrated. He was only supposed to be on a three day worktrip, but some problems in the computer system delayed him by another week. Now the weather was making it impossible to fly back home in time for the holidays.
He didn't know how he was going to break this to Sylvie.
"Thank you, but I'll manage something."
He walked away from the counter in a despondent state. Luckily, the hotel he normally used in that city kept a penthouse suite on permanent reserve for him. Still, that didn't change the fact that he was going to miss his daughter's first Christmas.
*************
Once he checked into the room, he slumped on the bed and pulled out his cellphone. A picture of Ástríð's chubby little face lit up the screen, making smile before he grimaced at the reason he was calling in the first place.
Part of him was hoping noone would answer, but as usual his wife's melodic voice picked up after the first ring.
"Loki! I was hoping to catch you before you boarded, Tony got Ástríð the cutest little pajamas for Christmas eve, you're going to love them!"
"I'm sure they're adorable, Darling. I...have some terrible news. All the flights are grounded because of the weather here, and it doesn't look like it will clear up for at least two more days."
"Oh no, that's terrible!" Sylvie said as she stacked the plate she was drying into the cabinet,"Maybe I should postpone everything."
"No no, you've been looking forward to hosting this dinner, and I don't want little dove's first Christmas ruined on my account."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, you enjoy spending time with Thor and his husband, and send me lots of pictures of Ástríð opening her presents."
"Alright I will, although it'll probably be Thor that does the opening for her," she said with a sigh,"I love you, Loki."
"I love you too, Sylvie,always. Give little dove a kiss for me."
"I will."
As soon as she hung up with her husband, Sylvie immediately dialed the number to her Brother-in-laws house.
"Tony, it's Sylvie. Does that experimental jet you've been building fly through any sort of weather?"
"Well I haven't tested it against an all out apocalypse, but yeah it should hold up with everything else."
"Well then, pack your bags and fuel up...we've got a Loki to fetch."
************
Loki fell into an exhausted sleep sometime around midnight. He was so out of it that he failed to register that the door to his room opened, or the hushed whispers of the people that crept inside.
He woke up sometime later to the sound of something jingling in the living area. He looked over at the windows and noticed that the sun was up outside, so he figured it must be the housekeeping staff. He got up and stumbled out of the bedroom, intent on telling them he didn't need service, when his mouth fell open in shock.
The entire penthouse was covered in lights and garlands. A little Christmas tree was sitting on the coffee table, surrounded by presents, and standing next to it was his family.
"Sylvie! How did you get here?!"
"Called in a favor from a certain genius brother-in-law who happens to own a weather-resistant private jet."
"Which can now mark it's first successful test flight with cargo," Tony quipped before elbowing Thor in the ribs,"and to think you doubted my genius."
"It was never your intelligence I questioned,my love, only your sanity."
Loki shook his head at the couples bantering before coming over to wrap his arms around Sylvie and Ástríð.
"No matter how it happened, I'm so glad you're here."
"As am I, it's not Christmas without you, Loki. Plus Ástríð needs her Daddy."
"And Daddy needs her," Loki said as he gently took the baby from his wife," Isn't that right little dove?"
Her ensuing coos and giggles were confirmation enough.
"Alright," Tony said as he clapped his hands together,"Let's get this mini-holiday shindig going!"
Everyone sat around the coffee table as Tony and Thor alternated passing out presents and take-out boxes. Ástríð ended up falling asleep on Loki's chest, but he didn't mind. He was just thankful that when he couldn't get home for the holidays....his home came to him.