Rick and Evelyn sat outside in their gazebo as the watch Alex play. He seemed to be enjoying himself. Evy smiled to herself at the happy site she held before her. Everything seemed fine until she turned to look at Rick. He stared of into the sky and hi face was twisted in to a look of confusion.
"Rick? What's wrong?" she asked, delicately lacing her fingers with his.
He snapped out of his trance and looked at her. "It's Charlotte. What she says just doesn't make sense. I just don't trust her, she seems to be taking us all for a ride and I am not going to let that happen."
Evy smiled. "I can understand that. Her story was a little confusing, but I believe her. The first time I saw her I knew that there was something about her that was familiar. It is the look in her eyes and the mischievous smile of hers. I remember the first time I saw those." Evy looked at him and smiled as he waited for her to continue her statement. "They were on you, at that prison in Cairo, right before you stole that kiss of yours." He smiled and looked at her, "Yes! That one!" she exclaimed
"I still don't trust her." Rick leaned over and kissed Evy.
Behind them a throat was cleared, "Ahem." Rick and Evy broke their embrace to see their new cook, Sara, standing patiently. "Lunch will be served in the dining room in 5 minutes" she then turned on her heels and headed back towards the house.
"Why don't you round get Alex and I will go find Charly and Jonathan." Evy suggested
"Charly?" Rick asked raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, Charlotte said to called her Charly." Evy smiled as Rick nodded. She then kissed her husband on the cheek and walked towards the house.
When she got inside she decided the best place to look for Charly was in her bedroom. Evy went to the staircase and began to climb the stairs. Then she heard faint piano music and singing. Evy followed the sound, but it quickly ended. She walked towards the room anyway. She got to the door and stood for a moment listening. She couldn't hear a sound coming from the inside. She could have sworn she had heard the piano. She decided it was best if she opened up the door. When she peered inside she saw Charly and Jonathan standing by the Piano talking. She decided it was ok to go in.
"Hey you two, it's time for lunch. Would you care to join us?" She asked when they both acknowledged her presence.
The two looked somewhat at a loss for words. They looked at each other and then at Evy, Charly was the first to find her voice. "That would be nice. We just have to put the music away." Evy nodded her response and left the room.
Charly then turned back to Jonathan, who before Evy had come in was telling her what a beautiful voice she had. "Shall we go?" she said as she gathered up the music books and set them into a neat pile atop the piano. She then offered her hand out to him.
"We shall." He said taking her hand and setting a kiss upon it. They then walked out of the room shutting the door behind them. Following close behind, Charly followed Jonathan to the dining room. They arrived finding everyone in place, already eating. They dropped their hands and took their places. Jonathan sat between Evy and Charly and Charly between him and Alex.
For the next few minute they ate in peace. The Evy looked up, and patted her mouth with her napkin. "I have some news everyone." They all stopped eating and looked to Evy. "In honor of our guest Charly, I have decided to go to Egypt tomorrow. I have to go in order to look at some artifacts in Cairo for the museum, and now would be as good a time as any to go and show Charly around. After all, we wouldn't want her going the alone." Charly smiled at the invitation. Alex let out a small holler. Jonathan looked somewhat nauseous and Rick shot a look at Evy.
Evy ignored every response and continued. "We leave tomorrow in the morning at 9 sharp! I expect you all to be ready and packed before you sleep tonight." Evy them smiled and went back to eating her food.
The trip was set and ready to get into full swing, whether they were ready or not.
Everyone went to his or her rooms after lunch. They all decided it was best to start packing for their trip.
Rick didn't understand. He thought about it all throughout lunch. Why had Evy just decided to go to Egypt with out consulting him? He knew that she was going to have to make a trip within the next month, but why tomorrow? And why did she insist on taking Charly? He didn't trust her, despite what Evy said. And he was determined get some answers from her.
Evy was packing some dresses when he looked at her, "Evy?"
"Yes," she said walking to the closet.
"Why did you decide to go to Egypt tomorrow and why take her?"
"Her? That is a cruel way to speak of your sister!" Evy looked at him in a threatening manner, but he did not seem to take it. "Well I need to go to Egypt anyway, and I figured now was as good a time as any. Besides, dear Charly really would like to go, she has such a passion for it!"
"Then she can round up and expedition and go!" he harshly retaliated.
Evy saw how distraught this made him, so she walked over to him and pulled herself close to him. "Rick, do you really want someone who is inexperienced going into Egypt and possibly raising a curse that we have to stop? Instead of allowing that to happen, let's take her and guide her. That way no trouble ensues." She smiled up at him as she kissed him passionately.
When they broke he forced a grin onto his face. "So we are taking her so we don't have to fight any mummies. I guess I can live with that." He kissed her on the mouth for a few seconds and then moved down her cheek to her neck.
"I knew you would understand." Evy said moaning slightly, and they stopped their packing to concentrate on each other.
Meanwhile, Charly was repacking her bags again. It was the third time in 3 days, and she was beginning to annoy her. This time however, she knew it would lead her to Egypt. Her father's second home. She couldn't believe she was finally going to Egypt. She hoped that Evy would at least take her an some sort of expedition. She was very excited.
She had been packing for about an hour when there was a small knock on the door. Charly heard it and walked over to the door and paused for a few seconds. She opened the door to find Jonathan turned around heading back to his own room. When he heard the door open he turned back around. "Charly! How is your packing coming along?"
She smiled sweetly at him. "It's great. I am getting used to this packing thing. How about you?"
"Good, good." He paused staring at the floor. "I decided to take a break and go for a walk. Would you care to join me?"
"Of course, I could use a break myself. Let me go grab a shawl." She shut the door and quickly grabbed a shawl, then ran a comb through her hair and put a touch of lipstick on her. She then ran to the door. She stopped short and composed herself. She slowly opened the door and stepped out keeping her gaze constant with Jonathan's.
They walked side be side down stairs and out to the back. Jonathan then led her to the garden on the side of the house. He walked and stood by a fountain. She stood next to him looking down into the clear water of the fountain. She was beginning to get very nervous. He hadn't said a word to her since he asked her to come down and walk with him. She needed to start the conversation. "It's very beautiful out here." She said looking into his blue eyes.
"Thank you. It was my mum's. She kept it up when she was alive. I love coming here, it is very serene."
"Indeed it is."
They were silent for a few more moments. Then just as she was about to speak again, he did for her. "You are very beautiful Charlotte."
"Thanks. I-"
"I just wanted you to know that. I mean after this afternoon at the piano. I thought you deserved to now. I think you are very beautiful."
"Well I think you are very handsome! I loved singing for you today" she stepped closer to him, "and I loved that kiss today" He took her hint and leaned down and kissed her again.
They split and he took her hand and led her to the bench a few feet away. When they had sat he turned to look at her. "Do you want to hear a story about Rick and Evy and I? The one about Hamunaptra?" He asked in hopes of scaring her from going to Egypt. She nodded and he continued. Embellishing on few details. She sat enthralled, listening to every word that drifted out of his mouth. When he was done she just smile at him.
"Are you serious Jonathan?"
"Well of course I am serious, I wouldn't lie to you, you are to beautiful to lie to."
She smiled at his compliment, though she still refused to believe him. She was told he was a drunk, and even though she had not seen this side of him yet she was still a little skeptical to the fact that the walking, talking mummies were a figment of his drunken imagination. "Well, it is an amazing story. I can't wait to go to Egypt tomorrow."
Jonathan knew he was defeated. She still intended on going! So he decided to spend as much time as he could with her now, who know what was going to become of them in Egypt. "Would you like to go out for dinner tonight?"
"Yes I would love that."
"Say we leave at 7?"
"Perfect" she said, her brown eyes sparkling. "That gives me time to finish my packing and freshen up."
"Wonderful"
She leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "I will see you at 7 Jonathan." And with that she turned back towards the house and walked away. Jonathan stood up and looked at the rose bush his mother had planted years before. He walked over and smelled one. He knew tonight would be a perfect night with Charlotte.