A New York Secret

Chapter Eighteen

The following morning Emily woke with her back to Loki's chest while he hugged her tight against him. She smiled at the comfort she felt in his arms while she lazily began to trace patterns on the arm that held onto her. I could get used to this.

Loki nuzzled his face into Emily's neck as he tried to resist waking for the day. His eyes opened as he breathed in the scent of her shampoo. "Morning." He mumbled, then rolled onto his back.

Emily rolled to face him, letting herself put a hand on his bare chest. "Morning to you too. How did you know I was awake?"

"Your breathing changes when you're sleeping. That's how I could tell." Loki responded.

"Hmm, neat." She propped her head up on her hand so she could look down at him. God he really is beautiful. "You sleep okay?"

"Yes, better than I usually do." Loki said truthfully, looking up at her. I need to sneak a kiss before I am taken home... "How was your rest?"

"I slept well. I sleep better when by someone," she replied softly.

"I do as well. Since I might be stuck here after I am healed... if you wanted to still sleep in here, I would be fine with that." He confessed, hoping it wouldn't come out wrong.

Emily grinned. "I would like that too. It would give Mary a place to sleep also, if you don't mind sharing this room."

"I don't mind at all. I have hardly anything of my own, so there is more than enough room." Loki agreed.

"Well I might have to get you some stuff then," Emily countered as she glanced down at his chest while she adjusted her hand to lay over his heart.

"Please don't. I will not be able to take anything back with me when Thor takes me home." Loki sighed, but absent mindedly placed his hand over hers.

Emily frowned. "But Christmas is soon. I can't not get you anything. You deserve gifts too."

"What? I don't understand... what is Christmas?" He asked, confused.

"It's a holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus," Emily said. "But it's also a time to spend with friends and family. Other religions call it different things like Yule or Hanukkah."

"Okay... but who is Jesus? None of this makes any sense to me." Loki said, brow furrowed.

"Jesus is... what people here on Earth call God. It's who most people pray to," she explained. "He's called by many names but is still the same person."

Loki gave her a look of disbelief, but before he could respond, there was a knock on the door. "Breakfast is just about ready!" Mary called out.

Emily looked towards the door. "Okay!" She looked back down at Loki, then placed a kiss to his cheek. "Are you hungry?"

"Yes, and that sounds less complicated." Loki answered, then slowly got out of bed. Without even thinking about it, he managed to stand up without the walker.

"You're getting better every day," Emily commented as she sat up. "How do you feel?"

"I feel like I'm still unsteady, and my leg still hurts, but my side doesn't hurt so much." Loki said and took a small step forward.

Emily scooted to the edge of the bed and watched him take a few more steps. "You're progressing really well Loki. I'm proud of you."

"Thanks." Loki said, sounding strained, but he made it into the bathroom without aid. When he came out a few minutes later, he made his way to the door to leave the bedroom. "Sorry, I need to get out there before my leg gives out." He told Emily.