April 3, 2002

Marion Chamberlin

Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for the...well, if I told you it would spoil the story....so, you will just have to find out when you get there, which actually you can't do right now because that chapter's not up at the moment, but yeah, I don't own anything that Stephen (sp?) Sommers does...yes, sad but VEEEEEERRRRRY TRUE.

The Bliss of Paradise

Chapter 1: Paradise

Southwestern Coast of Portugal,

July 29, 1939

The hot relentless sun beat down on two forms lying placidly on the bronze beach. The golden rays pierced through the turquoise water, casting glittering shadows on the submerged sand below; the rolling of the waves was soothing. Palm trees swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves rustling slightly. The sound of cicadas was almost overwhelming as they buzzed away, trying to attract mates from afar.

Evelyn, lying sweating on a beach towel, turned her head slightly to look at her husband. "Rick, it's almost hotter than the Tunisian desert!" she stated.

Rick O'Connell glanced over at his wife, easily finding the beads of perspiration that littered her forehead, shoulders and back. He grinned, "Well, that much is apparent to me." He got up, laying the book he'd been reading down on his towel, spread-eagled saving his place so that he could come back later. "Come on, up we go, up and into the water!" Rick managed to coax his wife into a standing position. Her feet were very swollen and her protruding belly was doing nothing to combat the heat. With one arm placed lovingly around her, the couple walked the twenty or so meters to the waters' edge and stood there for a few minutes, admiring the serene beauty around them.

"Oh Rick, it's so beautiful here..." Evelyn marveled, her voice trailing off as tears welled in her eyes.

One thing that Rick had noticed about his wife with this pregnancy that differed from Alex's was her tendency to get emotional at the slightest little thing. All he would have to say would be that she looked beautiful and her eyes would glaze over. He really quite enjoyed it, because then he would hold her while she cried. She never cried when she was upset, just when she was spiritually moved, and now she was. He squeezed her around the waist and nudged her further into the water listening to her contented sigh as the waves splashed against her ankles.

Finally, when they had gotten beyond the breakers they both relaxed into the gentle swells, letting the cool water lull their hot bodies into a calming rhythm.

"Rick, how did we get so lucky? We have a beautiful fourteen-year old son, who is a wonderful person and we are about to have another child. I have you and Alex, and we all have each other; and after all we have been through we still find the time to be a family, to get along, and to cherish one another."

To this, Rick had no answer. All he knew was what was in his heart. He simply looked at her, into her warm hazel eyes and then kissed her, whimpering as his lips met hers, sealing their love. No sooner had they made contact than a wave crashed into them, throwing the two childish adults laughing and thrashing into the salty water.

~*~

A tiny life form floats and thrives.

It knows nothing of evil.

All is quiet in its realm of serenity.

It knows nothing but peace.

Everything is dreamlike, blurry.

It knows not of life.

What is this we call eternity?

It knows nothing of forever.

Who are we to control this infant?

It knows not of power.

It knows of only itself.

~*~

Later on that evening Evelyn and Rick surrendered to the coolness of their hotel room to read and relax after a tiring day in the sun.

Currently, Evelyn was in the shower washing the sand and salt out of her hair and Rick was lying sprawled upon the bed that they were sharing, hastily trying to wrap a present as quickly and neatly as he could. He was not having much success for the ribbon was loosening each time he tried to pull it more tightly. Finally he gave up on the ribbon throwing it angrily down onto the floor deciding that Evie would still love him without the ribbon. He finally relaxed onto the bed, sinking into the semi-firm mattress. But, no sooner had he let out a great sigh than he remembered the ribbon on the floor, noting in his mind that Evelyn did not like clutter. Right she doesn't. He thought recalling her 'accident' in the library in Cairo. He smiled, chuckling to himself on his way to the trashcan. Then, he walked back to the bed, collapsing onto it while he waited for his shower.

He must have fallen asleep because a loud thud startled him out of his wits.

"Riiiiick!" a voice shrieked from the interior of the bathroom.

Rick was up in a split second, fearing the worst. Evelyn had already had three miscarriages, and he knew how hard those had been for her, if something were to have happened he didn't know what he would do. He ran into the steamy bathroom to find Evelyn standing with the large bottle of shampoo on the floor next to her. She was crying, the tears mixing with the water that was still streaming down her face.

"Rick, I got soap in my eyes..." He was beside himself as he began to laugh. "What are you laughing about? It hurts!" She whined.

"I am so sorry honey, here, take my hand." He slowly placed his hand, palm down into her awaiting one moving her close to the showerhead. "Now I want you to open your eyes and let the water flush them out, ok?" She nodded her understanding as she blinked forcefully into the onslaught of water. When it was apparent that all the soap had gotten out of her eyes Rick turned her around so that he could finish getting the soap out of her long hair. When she was comfortably rinsed he helped her out of the shower, handing her a towel, before he stole a kiss from her as he gently smacked her bottom, urging her to go into their bedroom as he stepped into the shower, shedding his clothing as he did so.

Evelyn padded into the room, liking the feel of the carpet under her feet and sat herself down at the small vanity in front of the bed, picking up her silver hairbrush. She began to brush her wet hair, bringing out some of the curl but not much as most of them sprung back up as the hairbrush left the strands. As she continued to brush she became aware of the small wrapped oblong shape on her side of the bed. She let out a little gasp, moving quickly to sit on the comforter. She picked up the package, turning it over, admiring the wrapping. The paper was lightly colored with burgundy flowers dotting the entire sheet. She flipped it back over and read the note on the front aloud. "To Evelyn, For the many more children I wish to have with you. I hope this serves us well. Love, Rick." Without further adieux Evelyn tore the wrapping paper off, much like an eager child would. What remained in her hand after she had disposed of the paper was a small book titled... Dr. Avery's Complete Book of Baby Names: Names To Take You Beyond The Stars. The cover was a deep blue, almost sued-like in texture while all around the outside was a faint dusting of silver and gold embroidered stars. She opened it up cautiously, almost as if she were afraid something was going to jump out at her. Flipping the cover back she found it inscribed to her-- To Evelyn, May this Baby bring us unending happiness the way that Alex has and still is-- Love, Rick.

"Oh, it's so beautiful..." she breathed, fingering the soft embroidered cover. She decided to wait for Rick to get out of the shower before she would read any of the names.

For the time that Rick remained in the bathroom Evelyn lay on her back looking at the cover of the beautiful book and reading what her husband had written to her while her fingers traced lazily over the soft cover.

When Rick came out of the shower and into the bedroom, he found his wife asleep with her towel still on, but with the book he had given her clutched against her chest. He unwrapped the towel from her body without waking her and moved her under the covers taking the book and placing it on the nightstand. She was a very heavy sleeper, which made it easy for him. Before he climbed into bed himself he planted a kiss on her nose and then settled in beside her for a good night's sleep.

~*~

A tiny life form bobs and croons,

It knows not of love.

All is warm in its coveted home,

It knows not of hate.

Surrounded by bliss, the ultimate paradise,

It knows not of war.

Anger is but a whisper on the dying wind,

It knows not of pain.

Why must life be unconditionally hard?

It knows nothing of tumult.

Who are we to change its existence?

It knows nothing of pleasure,

It knows of only itself.