Lifetime of Celebration

By Jeannette Hetfield

Chapter 19

            Jensa stood by the window, arms full of a little something not quite as little as the first time she saw her.  Tabitha was growing quickly and looking more and more beautiful each day.  Black curls rested askew over her round face.  She looked a lot like her daddy.  Same hair, same full lower lip and skin the color of rich caramel, but also the noticeable cream color of her mother.

Her eyes though, were not her father's chocolate brown, nor were they her mother's bright green.  No, Tabitha's eyes were all her own.  Strangely enough, the little orbs were hazel with flecks of green, brown and blue near the center.  She was a unique individual.  Jensa had no doubt that Tabitha was the most beautiful baby in the world.

Just then, said baby's fingers clutched the button of Jensa's blouse and she blinked open those unforgettable eyes to stare at the new object that had caught her attention. 

"Oh, you like that, huh?" Jensa said, watching her daughter's face entranced with the shiny brass.

She looked out the window again down to the busy Cairo streets.  They had only been here a few days.  Once Tabitha was big enough to travel, Ardeth had been true to his word.  He had spoken to the curator of the Cairo Museum of Antiquities.  Jensa now had a job working as the assistant.  She wouldn't be paid, of course, but she didn't even give that a second thought.  Her thoughts dwelled on getting her hands back into the mysteries of Egyptian history.  That was more fascinating than a paycheck. 

            There was one very difficult dilemma working against her though.  It was a long way from the Medjai village to Cairo and the duration of her time in this city was still somewhat undecided.  She already missed home, but luckily, her parents had bought another home near the Museum and had generously offered her a place to stay. 

            A "home away from home", her mother had called it.

            She was quite comfortable in a room upstairs that had a view of Giza Port in the far distance.  Ardeth had been very lenient about the entire situation.  Medjai women did not get jobs.  Taking care of the village was a job unto itself, as Jensa had quickly learned, but she loved the busy domestic life.  The only reason she had taken this job was because she missed the days when she could help her parents with their archeological tasks. 

            Ardeth and Jensa had been raised very differently, but each had learned to deal with the differences over the last year and it had, after all, been his suggestion she take this job in the first place. 

            She smiled.  He really did love her, didn't he?  Another wave of gratitude suddenly needed to be filled.  She would definitely thank him again with kisses, which were definitely a good way of thanking him…and whatever else came to mind.

            Voices carried upstairs into her room and what sounded suspiciously like whispers definitely piqued her interest.  She moved over to the door, pulled it open about an inch and peered down the landing to see her brother at the foot of the stairs, one foot on the last step as if he were about to come up.  She wished he would.  It had been a long time since she had seen him.

            Though eavesdropping was not exactly the best past time, she couldn't help but listen when her own name was mentioned.

            "I just don't know, Mom," Michael was saying.  "After what I did, how could she want to see me?"

            "Oh, Michael," came her mother's voice.  "Jensa loves you and she forgave you for what happened.  It's in the past."

            "But…maybe I should just go.  I shouldn't be here."

            Heavy footsteps echoed into the foyer.  Jensa wasn't going to let him leave without seeing him first.  She left her room and descended the stairs easily, clutching Tabby close to her bosom.

            "Michael, wait!"

            He stopped, hand on the knob of the front door.  He was suddenly very still, but didn't turn around.

            "Michael?" she ventured timidly.  "Michael, it's been so long and you haven't even seen your niece.  Don't you want to see her?"

            Finally, he turned and his eyes stayed rooted to the large carpet covering the main entrance.  She came closer and took his hand while shifting Tabby more comfortable in her other arm.  He let her lead him into the den and over to the couch.

            "Sit down," she said quietly.

            He obeyed and slumped down onto the edge, but he still wouldn't look at her.

            "Oh, for crying out loud, Michael!  This is Jensa.  Your sister.  You do remember your little sister, don't you?"

            "Jen..." he began.

            "Stop being such a baby and look at me."

            "I don't think I should."

            He abruptly stood, but she shoved him back down onto the cushions.  "You're not leaving this house until you've held and cuddled your niece and told her she's the most beautiful baby on the seven continents!" she said squarely.

            "Fine!" he acquiesced.  "Fine.  I'll hold her once and then I'm leaving."

            "That's better."  She sat down next to him.  "Hold out your arms.  Put your hand behind her head to support it.  There you go."

            Michael sat there stiffly and fumbled with Tabby a bit until he finally appeared to be slightly at ease.  Tabby looked up at him with wonder, as if surprised to see someone new to get to know.  She cooed and gurgled a bit.

            "She does that when she's happy," Jensa informed him.

            He grinned and looked at Jensa.  "She's so cute."

            "Of course she is," she said exasperatedly.

            "I know what side of the family her looks came from," he said sarcastically.

            "I'm not even going to ask which family you have in mind, you big jerk-who's-been-ignoring-me."

            The grin disappeared.  "Look, Jensa," he said, handing Tabby back quickly and getting up.  "I really don't think I have any right to see you or talk to you.  I betrayed your trust.  I gave away the location of your home, and not just any home.  No, I had to give away the secret location of the Medjai, which is the cardinal sin of the Sahara."

            "Michael, it was an accident," she said softly.

            "You're much too forgiving.  Besides, it doesn't matter.  I still did it.  Lyle was insane.  He almost killed…" he trailed off, looking mournfully at her.  "He almost killed my sister and my niece.  Isn't that unforgivable?"

            "No!" she spat, frustrated with his obstinate nature.  "I have forgiven you, Michael.  Yes, you were drunk and alcohol definitely inhibits your common sense, but everything turned out all right."

            "It might not have turned out all right, Jensa!" he yelled.

            "Hush right now.  You might scare her," she scolded, caressing her baby's face.

            "Sorry."  He quickly sat next to her again.  "I appreciate it, Jen, that you forgive me, but something might happen again."

            "Dad told me you're sober.  That you haven't had a drop in almost a year.  Shouldn't your penance be over by now?"

            "I just don't think I can forgive myself," he whispered.  His head shot up.  "Where's Ardeth?" he asked suddenly.

            "At the Museum.  Why?" she asked, puzzled with the sudden change in topics.

            "Well…I, uh…you know," he stammered.  "He probably wouldn't be too happy to see me if he came walking in and saw us in the same room together."

            She tutted.  "Michael, don't tell me you're afraid of Ardeth?"

            "Would I be a coward if I said yes?"

            She laughed.  "Don't worry about, Ardeth.  Leave him to me."

            "I don't know, Jen.  Forgive me, but as much as I dislike him and as much as he dislikes me, I should go because I don't want to cause trouble between the two of you."

            "There's no trouble."

            "Yeah right," he snorted.  "Have you and he discussed me at all since everything that happened?" he asked, looking her straight in the eye.

            "Yes," she said slowly and looking away.  They'd had a few arguments that had never really resolved concerning her brother.

            "Ah ha!" he pointed at her.  "See?  There's trouble already.  More trouble, actually because I ratted you out.  I bet you told him you wanted me to see Tabs and he refused.  Knowing your stubbornness, as it's a lot like mine, you probably didn't back down about it either."

            "Let's not talk about this anymore," she said, getting up.

            He got up too.  "Well?"

            "Well what?" she sighed, absentmindedly stroking Tabby's hair.

            "What if Ardeth finds out about today?  That I saw his daughter?"

            "He won't because I won't say anything to him."

            "Jen, he's pretty calculating when it comes to finding out about people sneaking around."

            "I won't be sneaking around.  I just won't tell him.  There's a difference.  It's not like I'd be lying."

            "And what if he does figure something out?"

            "Then I'll tell him.  I can tell the truth to him even if he won't like it."

            "He won't like it."

            "I know," she said quietly.  "Michael," she began slowly.  "Why this sudden interest in what my husband does and does not know?"

            "I'm just concerned about you is all," he said shiftily, running his hands nervously through his hair.

            "He didn't…threaten you, did he?" she asked carefully.

            "No, no," he said much too quickly.  "I just know he's still probably angry about what happened."

            "Yes, he is," she said honestly.

            "I thought as much."

            "He did threaten you, Michael."  He didn't say anything.  "Of course he did.  Why else would you be so adamant about keeping your distance?"

            "So what if he did?" he shrugged.  "He's right you know.  And you—" he pointed fiercely at her—"Should stay as far away from me as you can!  I'm nothing but trouble.  You're always in danger around me."

            "Oh, don't be so melodramatic."

            "I led Lyle right to you.  And you haven't forgotten about Hamunaptra?"

            "I'll never forget Hamunaptra.  If you hadn't been so greedy about all that Egyptian treasure, I might never have seen Ardeth again.  We wouldn't be married and we wouldn't have this little angel," she said, gazing lovingly at Tabby.  "So you see, Michael, if it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't be so happy now."

            He stared.  "Jen, I…I don't know what to say," he whispered.

            "How about nothing?  Why don't you come over here and kiss your niece?"  She looked down at Tabby.  "Would you like Uncle Mikey to kiss you, Tabby?"

            He laughed.  "Uncle Mikey?  Hmm…I could get used to that."

            "You'd better because I hope you'll be here every time we're here."

            He hesitated, but apparently made up his mind.  "I'll be here, Jen.  Of course, I will be…for little Tabs."

*        *          *

            Ardeth pushed the door in to Mr. and Mrs. James' house.  He stopped just inside the foyer and looked around.  The lights were out, but that wasn't a surprise.  It was late and everyone was most likely in bed. 

            Not a creak or twitch of the floorboards was heard under his feet as he crossed the hall and stopped at the foot of the stairs.  As he was about to ascend the stairs, he stilled instantly.  Not everyone was upstairs asleep.

            To his right, he heard distinct even breathing.  Cautiously putting one foot in front of the other, he crept into the darkened room and listened carefully to what he knew was a sleeping person.  He himself took a breath of relief for he recognized the breathing.  It was the same gentle stirrings of breath that lulled him to sleep each night.

            Jensa lay curled up on the couch covered in a blanket and her head resting on a pillow.  He kneeled down next to her and brushed a wayward strand of hair behind her ear.  A tiny smile spread over her lips and she stirred, snuggling her face into his hand.

            Slowly, her eyes opened and she blinked sleepily.  "Ardeth…"

            "Forgive me.  I did not mean to wake you."

            "That's all right.  I didn't mean to fall asleep.  I tried to wait up for you, but I didn't quite make it."

            "Come, we should go into bed."  She stood and rubbed her arms, unable to suppress a shiver.  He retrieved her dressing gown from the arm of the couch and draped it around her shoulders.  "You need your rest because you have a busy day tomorrow."

            She suddenly hugged him.  "I'm so excited.  Thank you so much for this.  I've always wanted to work in a museum."

            "You are welcome," he said, kissing her temple and leading them to the stairs.  They went up each step arm in arm and came to Tabby's nursery. 

            She was lying on her back asleep, clutching a little brown bear to her chest.

            "Where did she get that?" he asked, touching the soft, furry animal.

            "The bear?  Oh, it was mine.  Mother kept it.  She found it this morning amongst my baby things she just 'couldn't bear to part with'."

            "And someday, neither will you."

            "More than likely," she chuckled.  "Tabby's taken to it very well.  She's been holding onto it all day.  When I tucked her in earlier, I had to move it and those little lips puckered then brought forth a very pouty sort of cry."

            "She takes after you already," he said, barely suppressing a smile.

            "Oh, you!" she laughed softly, tickling his ribs.

            He easily caught her by the wrists and pulled her away from the crib to the adjoining room, closed the door softly to keep from disturbing his daughter and fulfilled his desire by sliding his lips over hers.  He kissed her slowly, taking his time to relearn the soft contours.  She all but collapsed against him, his weight now supporting them both.  Her mouth was gently parted with his tongue, admitting him to explore at his leisure.

            Never had he experienced such sensual feelings in a kiss until the first kiss they shared together.  Every lock of their mouths left him renewed.  The horrors of the world became nothing.  The world itself disappeared and he no longer thought, but felt.

After each and every touch or kiss, he knew he could once again face those horrors when he knew Jensa and Tabitha were at home awaiting his return.

*        *          *

            Dammar watched Hamunaptra, still as the ruins themselves.  Any passersby would easily mistake him for another ancient statue.  His chest barely moved with each breath, such was the depth of his stealth as a warrior, or predator rather, awaiting the arrival of easy prey to bring down.  His eyes, however, soulless and black, darted quickly to each corner where he knew other Medjai watched.

A new party of treasure seeking filth had set up camp.  It was a small group to be easily overtaken.  There was nothing to be feared from them. 

Though Dammar watched like a hawk, his mind was elsewhere, on a certain new addition in the Bay family.  His round nostrils flared suddenly and the smallest hint of a sneer curled his upper lip.  Another fowl…Bay.  Though, he reasoned, it was a girl and that was no fit heir for their people.  No doubt, Ardeth and his woman would breed like rabbits, considering the way the Chieftain's eyes always followed her, even in public, to Dammar's disgust.

Yet another thing he despised the man for, his public displays of affection.  Years ago, he would not have considered such a thing.  It was wrong to show affection outside of one's home.  Ardeth did it anyway, no matter what beliefs had been instilled in him.

Tradition and the old ways no longer seemed to matter to him anymore since that…woman joined their tribe.  She was changing everything and he knew some did not agree with the changes circulating through the tribes, though they chose to do nothing about it.  They chose not to argue the blasphemous behavior of Ardeth because they respected him and would not dare raise an objection.

They were afraid of him, yet it was not fear of punishment.  Ardeth was never cruel.  It was simply the fear of not liking change. 

He shook his head, finally moving in closer to the camp and unsheathing his scimitar.  When he was leader, there would be a dramatic change of his own doing.  These people would respect him as well, because of their fear of death.  He would see to it that any rebellion would lead to public execution of the rebel and his family.

His time would come and when it did, the Medjai would know the true meaning of respect.

Dammar's own sick standards of the kill were satisfied by the blood now coating his right hand as the scimitar slipped into an unsuspecting back.

*          *          *

Jensa sat in the curator's office at the Cairo Museum of Antiquities.   Today was her first day away from her Tabby.  Needless to say, she had not parted well.  After a few tears and hugs from both her husband and mother, she was able to walk out the front door, but only after making sure Tabby had everything she needed.  Plenty of milk, blankets, cloth diapers and her bear of course.

"Stop making such a fuss.  I've raised two children, thank you very much," her mother said sternly.

"I know, but—" she began.

"Be quiet," she said, pushing her out the front and closing it hard.

She snickered.  Her mother had definitely shown her.  Jensa knew Tabby was fine with her grandparents, but it didn't make the separation any less difficult.

            A knock on the door brought Jensa out of her reverie.  "Come in."

            "Oh, excuse me.  I was looking for the curator." 

The voice came from a lovely British woman with thick, dark brown curly hair that fell to the middle of her back.  She wore a long-sleeve button down white blouse and an ankle length khaki skirt.  A pair of thick-rimmed brown glasses sat perched on her nose, slightly magnifying rich sapphire blue eyes.  She had a book in one hand and pushed up the glasses with the other.

            Jensa stood up.  "He's not here.  I'm waiting for him."

            "I'm the librarian, Evelyn Carnahan, but please call me Evy," she held out her hand and smiled warmly at Jensa, who immediately took a liking to the friendly woman.

            "I'm Jensa Bay," she said taking her hand.

            "It's nice to meet you, Miss Bay."

            She ignored being addressed as "Miss", intending to keep her marriage a secret as Ardeth had said she must not reveal her connection to him.

 "Please call me Jensa."

            "Jensa it is.  Will you be working here too?" Evy asked.

            "Yes, I'm not aware of what my job will be yet, but I'm meeting with the curator today."

            "Aren't you just fascinated by Egyptian history?" asked Evy eagerly.

            "Oh, yes.  I grew up here and studied Egyptian history in the States.  I moved back last year."

            "What do you find most interesting?"  Evy asked, looking as if ready to open her Christmas presents.

            "The curses actually.  They tickle my fancy."

            "Mine too, even though there's no truth to them."

            "You don't believe in curses?"

            "No, it's all a bunch of hokum if you ask me.  Do you believe in them?"

            Jensa stared thoughtfully at Evy.  "Hmm…I've never actually seen anything strange, but Egypt is full of so many mysteries that you never know what might be waiting to jump out at you!"

            "I think perhaps you've seen that silent movie about a mummy that rises from his grave."

            Jensa laughed.  "No, I haven't, but I have heard of it."

            "Silly really, mummies rising from the dead?  As if that will ever happen!"

THE END

(FOR NOW)

A/N:  Hallelujah!  Betcha never thought I'd get here.  Betcha!  Betcha!  I did try for 20 even chapters, but I just couldn't get anything else to work in right.  Oh well, I did make it and I have to thank all of you wonderfully sweet people who reviewed these chapters that were VERY long.  I've really enjoyed writing this story and I do have a sequel, maybe two more, planned for Ardeth and Jensa.  I'm not sure when exactly I'll get that posted because I've got a Lord of the Rings fiction I'm in the middle of and I don't know when that'll be posted either!  Plus, I'm working on a short story about Harry Potter, an extremely short story.  I swore I'd never write Harry Potter fan fiction because why mess with perfection?  I was bitten by the bug so now I had to go and write my own.  I do hope to have that out very soon as well. Thank you, Aulizia for all of your prodding, lol, and the great reviews you gave me.  Sorry for all the cliffhangers, but I'm afraid it was necessary sometimes.  Not to mention, I had to get a little payback.  And about Michael, whom you seem to have a soft spot for.  I never intended to add this little scene between him and Jensa, but I got to thinking about it and was pleased with the way everything turned out.  Jensa did forgive him and that's all that really matters to him, just knowing she's happy and doesn't hate him.  Do you think he's redeemed himself?  What is Michael's fate?  I know, though I'm having a hard time with something concerning his character…hmm…

Now, as for Ardeth and Jensa's sequel, I'm in a bit of a rut with it because it's going to take place during the movies.  I'm inserting Jensa into those stories, but I'm not redoing the whole movie just so I can place her there alongside Ardeth.  It will be more like missing scenes and such, but I'm not real sure how that's going to read, whether easy or confusing.  I'll get it worked out though.

I've been asked about Dammar a few times and as mean and determined as he is, you all know that something's got to happen there.  I will tell you one thing, he does succeed in a few of the evil plans he, well…plans.  If he didn't, there wouldn't be anything for me to write about.

Okay, that was an incredibly long author's note so I'll say Namaarie for now and see you later.  Oh, and next hottie you'll see from me is none other than mine and Aulizia's favorite Elf.  LEGOLAS!!