The Wedding

The next afternoon, everyone was up early. Rick and Evy had not told a soul about their encounter with Imhotep. Rick, Jonathan, and Alex had went with Ardeth. Evy and Malik with Mariana. It was a beautiful desert day. Oddly enough, the weather wasn't normal. It wasn't a normal hot desert day, but there was a bit of coolness to it.

" I cant believe how cool it is." Malik said as she fitted on her dress.

" Ah. The god's are celebrating." Evelyn replied.

Evy beamed at Mariana, as she fitted her in her dress.

Evy couldn't believe it was happening. Mariana was like a sister to her, and well, by marriage, she was.

" I'm so happy for you and Ardeth." she exclaimed.

Mariana smiled back more than just a little excited.

" I wonder what Ardeth will look like in a tux." she wondered aloud.

" Very handsome I'm sure." Evy answered.

The whole time, Malik had had her back to Evy and Mariana because she was trying on her dress. But when she turned around she stared. It was the first time she had seen Mariana in something other than black.

" You look beautiful." she commented.

Mariana smiled and hugged her friends.

" Thanks so much. You don't know what it means to me." she replied.

Evy took Mariana's veil and put it on her.

" I've known Rick for a while now. I know what family means to him. We're the only family he has ever known. But you Mariana, you are his real family." Evy said.

Mariana was about to interrupt, but Evy continued.

" I know Alex and I are his family, and I know from experience, he would do all he could to keep us safe, but you are the only thing he has close to his past….his real family…and I know he will look back on this day for the rest of his and cherish it as his own." Evy finished.

Mariana smiled. She realized now, what she meant to her brother. She had known it since she had first met him, but only now, did she realize just how much.

" Thank you Evelyn." she said, smiling behind the white veil.

Evy smiled and kissed her on her cheek.

Ardeth shouldered his jacket begrudgingly.

" I don't see how you can wear these things O'Connell." he complained.

Rick laughed.

" Yes, but think of how handsome you will be for Mariana….I bet she'll be beautiful in her dress." Rick stated.

Jonathan walked in with a nod.

" She is something to die for…you should se her…she looks very smashing in her outfit." he said elbowing Ardeth teasingly.

Ardeth, Rick and Jonathan all laughed.

" O'Connell, I promise, I will protect her with my life." Ardeth said as he put his tails on.

" I know. I know you will." Rick replied and shook his hand. " You'll do fine." he finished.

They left the room and headed to the alter to wait.

Evy came out first, walking towards her side of the alter. She caught a smile from Rick. She smiled in return. She knew how happy he could be at this very moment. Her smile got even brighter when she saw Alex standing in front of his father, whose arms were on his shoulder. He was in a little tux of his own. She couldn't help but smile.

Malik came out next, smiling as she walked to join Evelyn. She looked at Jonathan, who was smiling at her. For some reason, she couldn't help but smile back. Rick looked at Jonathan with a grin…and Jonathan caught it, but he didn't stop smiling at Malik…he just ignored Rick's snickers and continued to stare at her.

When Mariana stepped out, it was as if the whole world had held its breath. She wore a strapless white gown that had a train in the back. Her unusually straight hair was curled and pinned up into a perfect bun. Her brown eyes shone with happiness and seemed to light up her face as well as the room.

Of course Ardeth wasn't anything to sneer at either. His long hair was kept back in a loose tie. His tux was dark black. His brown eyes mimicked Mariana's.

Rick made his way to his sister. He held out his arm, and she took it. He walked her up to Ardeth and stopped. He faced her and lifted her veil and kissed her.

" You look beautiful." he whispered in her ear and smiled.

She gleamed back at him.

" Thank you." she replied.

" Who is giving this woman?" the priest asked.

" I am." Rick answered. " Her brother." " And it is an honor to give her to you Ardeth, I don't see any other man worthy, and we all know I don't do this stuff often." Rick finished with a smile.

He took Mariana's hand and placed it in Ardeth's.

" Remember this day for the rest of your life…I will. I have." Rick finished, glancing at Evy.

Everyone circled behind Ardeth and Mariana, making a half circle behind them. Rick took Evy and held her tightly.

Ardeth and Mariana's eyes gleamed with tears as they said their " I do's."

After the ceremony, there was a great dance and celebration.

While Ardeth and Mariana were dancing, Rick, Evy, Jonathan, Malik, and Alex were all talking.

" Well, I guess we have a Medji in the family now." Jonathan said as he took a drink of his wine.

" Now I wont be able to get away with anything." he sighed as everyone laughed.

Jonathan walked off and began to talk to Malik.

" Yeah, Ardeth's stuck with us now." Rick said catching a quick glance from the bride and he smiled.

" Yes…but I'm sure he will do his best to stay away from you, because after all, you do get us into all this trouble." Evy said teasingly.

She was wearing a beautiful blue dress that showed her shoulders. Her hair was up in a bun, with pieces of her curly hair hanging down along the side of her face. But most of all, she was wearing a beautiful smile.

Rick smiled at her. He remembered their wedding. He remembered every moment of it. How beautiful she had been, she still was. He remembered how she loved it when they came to London. She hadn't been there in so long. She was so happy when she found out their house was in the same spot as the one she had lived when her parents were alive so long ago. Then he remembered their honeymoon. He remembered how wonderful it was…besides all the sand, scorpions and henchmen. He smiled at the fact that right from the beginning of their life together, they had already caused trouble.

" I get us into all this trouble do I?" he said pulling Evy close to him.

She smiled and they kissed.

" Say Malik…you remember uh…well, back home…" Jonathan said weakly.

" What about it?" Malik asked.

" Well, uh…oh hell, I'll just say it…I uh…well…" Jonathan started.

" Would you just come out with it?" Malik said getting annoyed.

" Well, I was just wondering…no I mean, well I like you Malik…to tell you the truth, I uh…love you." Jonathan answered almost seriously.

Malik stared at him. She almost dropped the bottle she was holding.

By this time, everyone, including the bride and groom were listening. Rick and Evy looked at each other.

Malik looked Jonathan in the eyes.

* I cant believe this…it just keeps getting worse* she thought.

But something inside her took hold.

" How dare you!" she snapped.

Jonathan jumped slightly and looked down.

Everyone almost felt sorry for him.

" how dare you…forget that you like me for the drinks too." Malik said smiling.

Jonathan raised his head fast, shocked. He saw Malik coming towards him.

Everyone else realized Malik had been toying with him.

She grabbed Jonathan and kissed him. A real kiss.

Evy smiled. She was happy for her brother.

" Well, looks like we've got another wedding to plan." Rick's aid with a smile.

Malik and Jonathan broke free.

" What are you talking about O'Connell? I don't like this good for nothing weasel!" Malik snapped.

" Yeah O'Connell, she doesn't like me…..Hey!!" Jonathan said catching on.

" I love him." Malik said and she grabbed Jonathan and walked to the dancing floor.

Everyone laughed.

" Thank you all for being here…it means so much to me. You both are the only real family I have, I mean blood wise." Mariana said smiling.

" Don't mention it. It was my honor to give you to Ardeth Mariana, I wouldn't do it for anyone else." Rick said smiling at Ardeth.

" And besides, we owe you, especially you Ardeth." Evy added.

" Thank you O'Connell…Evelyn." Ardeth said gratefully.

" Uh uh. Its Rick and Evy. You're family now Ardeth." Rick said smiling.

" How bout a dance?" Rick asked Mariana.

" Id love too." she answered and they walked to the dance floor.

Ardeth held out his arm for Evy and smiled. They too went to join the dance.

It was a very happy day. A wonderful way to start again. A way to begin a new life. Or a way to prepare for the destiny that awaits.

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Well, I hope everyone enjoyed the story! And the happy ending!! I would just like to thank those of you who read the story from beginning to end and who gave such good reviews! I appreciate it and it has made me happy!

Till the next journey,

Nefertirirevy.