Coffee and Books 1

Chapter 25

When Yvonne and Lars come to visit me that afternoon, the doctor has just given me good news. If I don't develop a fever, I get to go home tomorrow morning. But I had to promise her I would spend most of the time in bed, especially the first few days.

"I'm sorry, I don't want to be a burden to you," I apologize to my family.

"Nonsense, honey! We are happy to take care of you!" aunt Yvonne exclaims, gripping my good arm with both of her hands. She doesn't dare to hug me, afraid it will hurt. "Besides," she adds. "Your mother will be there too. She just called to let us know she will be landing at JFK tomorrow morning."

"Mom is coming?!"

"Of course, dear. When we called her, she immediately arranged to be on the first possible flight."

After I answer my aunts questions about my health today, I ask her if she has seen my necklace. "Gold, with a green stone encased," I describe. "I was wearing it at the gala, but now it's gone. Do you have it?"

But both my aunt and uncle have not seen the necklace.
"When I got to the hospital, you were already dressed in that hospital gown," Lars says. "The doctors were just done bandaging you."

"Then maybe Loki has it. He came with me to the hospital, right?"

Lars glances at my aunt, before confirming my question.

"Well, then I'll ask him when he comes to visit," I state, fully aware of the awkward looks of my family.

Uncle Lars glances at his wife and she suddenly gets up from her chair. "I'm gonna go to the nurses station to ask about your necklace," Yvonne says and walks out of the room.

"What is this all about? Why are you two acting weird?"

My uncle sighs and takes a seat on the edge of my bed, holding my hand. "Honey, your aunt and I think it is better if you don't see Loki for a while. And the other Asgardians, for that matter." His tone is sad, but firm.

"Why? They did nothing wrong! They did not hurt me!"

"Maybe not personally, no," my uncle replies. "But you were injured in an attack that was meant for them. It's not safe for you to be with them."
When I just stare at him angrily, thinking about a reply that doesn't have swear words in it, my uncle speaks up again. "Remember what you told me about Loki? That was not so long ago. You were so upset about it. And now this. That man is trouble, honey. You should stay away from him."

My shoulders sag in defeat. Tears start running down my cheeks. There is nothing I could say in defence. 'But he is so nice to me' just doesn't cut it as an argument in this situation. I know my uncle is right, but my heart does not listen to my head.

"I didn't tell your aunt what you told me about Loki. But we all got a big scare when we got his call from the hospital," Lars says, giving me a Kleenex to wipe away the tears. "And the attack is all over the news, with your picture too. We really think it's for the best if you distance yourself from Loki and the others."

I nod, blowing my nose in another Kleenex. There is no use in arguing about it right now. I'm in a hospital, injured because some lunatic fired a grenade at the car I was in.

"Can you turn on the tv? I want to see the news."
Lars hesitates, but does what I ask. He puts on a 24 hour news channel and we don't have to wait long for the attack to come on. Aunt Yvonne returns to the chamber while the news shows video footage of the explosion and Thor and Iron Man chasing the helicopter.

My aunt shudders. "And to think you were right in the middle of that!"

"It's ok, Yvonne, I'm still here. Look, Loki got me out." I point at the dark figure in the corner of the screen.

Then the news cuts to Thor, standing in front of what looks like Stark Tower, surrounded by microphones. He is dressed in a suit, looking all serious and businesslike. Next to him is Tony Stark, also in a suit.
"We strongly condemn this act of terror against the people of Asgard," Stark says, looking into the camera. "This extremist group was acting alone and will pay for its crimes by the hands of the American justice system."

The camera cuts to Thor.  "How is the girl?" a reporter asks him.

"She is still in the hospital," Thor replies curtly. "But fortunately, she will have a full recovery."

"Who is she?" another reporter asks, pushing his microphone closer to Thor.

"She is a friend of the family."

After that Stark announces they will answer no more questions.
The newshost returns and they show photos from the Asgardians arriving at the gala, to put faces to the people in the car. There is a picture of me and Loki on the red carpet and then Lars turns of the tv again.

"It's a shame about that dress, dear," aunt Yvonne says, shaking her head. "You really looked lovely!"

My aunt and uncle leave the hospital, promising they will be back tomorrow morning to take me home.
I lie back in the cushions, the picture of me and Loki burned in my brain. I can't help but wonder what would have happened if we were not attacked. 'And they lived happily ever after' no longer seems an option.

If I think rationally, I know uncle Lars is right. It's been quite the emotional rollercoaster after meeting Thor and Loki. There are so many things that should've put me off Loki: he is literally from another world, he has magical powers and is over 40 times my age. Yet all I see is a tall, handsome gentleman, who really listens when I talk to him.
And then there is the violent part. Him and his brother are trained warriors, they have deadly skills. Loki even put that skills to use on earth, trying to take over my planet. I knew all that, and still wanted to give him a hug just because he looked sad. He scared me half to death with his magical abilities, but a few hours later I was over the moon, dancing with him. And even now, in the hospital after having a rocket launcher fired at me, I still just want to see him again.

I've got to face it. I'm in love with the God of Lies.