Chapter Nine
The next morning Alice woke up and made her way to the kitchen. She was so happy to sleep in a comfortable bed last night and to get up and make breakfast, a good breakfast. She made some toast and fried eggs with some tea and was about to sit down and eat when the phone rang. She sighed and decided to pick it up.
" 'ello?" she asked sitting down at the table.
"You are so British," said her friend Ally on the other line.
"You know it, so how have you been?" she asked.
"Bored with out you, the apartment is really clean though."
"Wow you must have been bored."
"How are you? Out of the hospital I can tell."
"I just got out yesterday my brother got out a month earlier."
"Why?"
"I got an infection and had some internal bleeding. But I'm all okay now."
"Oh good, so when will you be returning?"
"I don't know, I kind of like it here."
There was a pause before Ally replied, "you didn't did you?"
"Didn't do what?" Alice could resist and took a sip of her tea.
"You told me, way back when, that the only reason you would ever return to New York was for family or a cute guy."
"And I returned for my family."
"But you're family is fine, better then you it seems, so…who is he?"
"There is no one. I've been in the hospital this entire time I couldn't have seen anyone."
"Well it could be a doctor or another patient. Didn't you do anything else why you were there."
"I went to dinner yesterday with Larry and other then that I spent my time at the Museum of Natural History."
"Tour guides there? Waiters?"
"There is no-" and for some reason Ahkmenrah's face appeared in her head right as she was about to take a bite of her toast.
"Aha! There is someone."
"No, it could never work out. I'll be home soon, now let me eat my breakfast."
"Fine bye." They hung up and Alice thought back to the conversation and tried to figure out why Ahkmenrah appeared in her head. Deciding not to think about it she shook her head free of the thought and went on eating her breakfast.
Around lunch her brother woke up and she made them lunch. They were sitting at the table and Alice didn't touch her lunch.
"Something wrong?" Larry asked noticing Alice being deep in thought.
"I think I should go back home soon," said Alice looking up at her brother.
"Why?" her brother asked.
"Well you're better, I'm better. Ally needs me home and I have to get back to work," said Alice.
"Alright, you can use my computer after lunch to book your ticket," he said nodding in understanding. Alice smiled her appreciation and they ate their lunch and talked about old times.
After lunch Alice started looking at the different flights from J.F.K. to Heathrow. She decided on a flight leaving at 10:00PM the next night. There were two seats left so she booked it and told her brother.
"All right, then we'll go do stuff tomorrow, I have a meeting with Mr. Danning today about my inventions," he checked his watch, "I have to get ready now." He then ran to his bedroom and changed into a suit and tie then ran out the door.
"Bag!" shouted Alice before the door shut. Larry ran back in, grabbed his bag, said a hasty good-bye and ran out the door. Alice shook her head and grabbed her purse. She was going to do a little bit of shopping.
Night had fallen and Alice had been out all afternoon window shopping and actual shopping. She had lost track of time and was now rushing towards the museum. She thanked the cab driver and ran up the steps carrying along her two bags of clothes that she just bought. The doors were already locked so she banged on the door hoping someone would hear her. She noticed that it seemed to be a party night. Loud 80's music was playing and everyone was in the lobby dancing.
Luckily Sacagawea saw her and went to get Larry. He unlocked the door and let his sister in.
"Hey I was wondering where you went. Get in here so I can lock the door," said Larry. Alice came in and Larry locked the door back up.
"Sorry, lost track of time. Interesting party going on here," she said glancing at the dancing exhibits. She waved at Nick who was on top of Rexy.
"Here I'll take your shopping," said Larry taking her bags and walking toward the desk area as Alice followed.
"So how did the meeting go?" she asked leaning against the desk.
"Great," said Larry. He was about to go on when he was interrupted.
"Would the fair lady like to dance?" asked Ahkmenrah holding and hand out for Alice. Alice looked at her brother and smiled then turned to Ahkmenrah.
"Why yes she would, good sir," said Alice and she took his hand. He twirled her around and they got mixed in with all the others dancing.
Alice had a great time dancing around with all of them but had to stop when she got tired. She perched on top of the desk next to Larry and took a deep breath.
"I didn't know you could dance that well," said Larry nudging his sister.
"Hell, neither did I," she said, "so are you starting a business?"
"A few more things have to be done but things are looking good," he said smiling as they watched everyone dancing.
"That's good. How's Nick been?" she asked watching Nick as he now was dancing with Columbus.
"Good, I told him you were leaving tomorrow so he wants to spend the day with us as well," said Larry.
"Fun, well I'm tired so I think I'm going to go leave and hit the hay," said Alice jumping off of the desk.
"All right, don't do anything stupid," said Larry smirking at his sister as she went to the door. She shook her head at him then unlocked the door and left. She had just reached the bottom of the steps when she heard her name being called.
"Alice!" yelled Ahkmenrah running down the steps with her bags.
"Oh, forgot those. Thanks," she said taking the bags, "are you allowed out here?"
"Yea, I have to be inside before sunrise, or I turn to dust," said Ahkmenrah.
"Bummer, well thank you for bringing me my bags and for dancing with me tonight, it was really fun," said Alice smiling.
"I had fun too, probably the most fun I've had in 3,000 years," he said.
"Well, I'm glad I could have been apart of that," said Alice and she hugged him. She pulled away slightly but not all the way. There was something about him that just charmed her. Ahkmenrah stared into her eyes and leaned forward and just kissed her. Alice was shocked and oddly pleased. When they pulled away she just started at him.
"That was nice," said Ahkmenrah.
"And made things very confusing. You're dead during the day, what kind of relationship is this?" asked Alice taking a step back as the reality of everything hit her.
"True, is not there some way this can work?" asked Ahkmenrah.
"I don't know, I leave tomorrow and I don't know when I'll be back," said Alice sadly, "I had a great time with you tonight and last night, and I'll be stopping by tomorrow night before I leave for the airport, but that will be it."
"It cannot be!" said Ahkmenrah stepping forward and putting his hands on her shoulders.
"You're a great guy, Ahkmenrah, and I promise to visit next time I'm in New York, but let's just leave our relationship at friends," said Alice patting his arm.
"Understood," said Ahkmenrah sadly. Alice gave him one more hug before turning and heading home.
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An: I am now currently working on three different stories here on alone. This story, my Jonathan Crane story, and I have a Wilbur Robinson story that I started. I have this week off so I'm trying to get as much done as I can.
Thanks for reading.
-Charlotte
