Summary: Set about a year after TM. The O'Connels are living in London and everything is perfect and peacefull. Evelyn just discovered she is pregnant and thats when things start to get complicated.
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: Don't own anything. Pitty, isn't it?
Acknowledgements: Again, all my thanx goes to PurplePebble22, the best betta on Earth.
Danielle515 – Thank you very much for your sweet review, I don't deserve it, but it made my day anyway. :)
Eris – Well, so here is chapter2, I hope you like it, let me know. You will get to see the „asshole boss" already in Chapter 2, though I am afraid you will have to wait for the confrontation a bit longer. But will be worth it, I promise. ;)
Everything comes full circle
Chapter 2 - Having a bad day?
By Liz Parker
The sun was already high above the horizon, when Rick woke up. He looked around sleepily and noticed that Evelyn's side of the bed was empty. No that he would expect otherwise, but what caught his eye was the mess in the bedroom. It was nothing like Evie, she used to tidy up everything before she went. Though she wasn't some sort of neat-loving freak, she liked things ordered and on their places so she would find them again when she needed them. So the mess was kind of strange. Rick spotted a small note on his bedside table.
Honey,
I am sorry about the mess, I overslept and had no time to tidy up.
Love you, E.
Kind of short, but Rick had to smile. She overslept. That meant she had a good long sleep. For once.
He crawled out of the bed and made his way to the bathroom. He still had some time before he was needed in the office.
After coming to London a year ago, Rick wondered what he would do here. He didn't know anybody, he had no education, at least not one that would be accepted here, hell, he never even had a proper job. It was not like he necessarily had to find one, but he wanted to. It was clear from the beginning that Evie would apply for a job in the museum. As a librarian, of course. Later, Rick persuaded her to at least try and fill in for the place as a Bembridge scholar on the field of Egyptology. She wasn't willing at first, she was afraid of rejection she so many times experienced before, but finally agreed to give a try and after presenting some of her remarkable views and discoveries, mainly considering the legendary Book of dead and Book of the living, the Bembridge Council was more than willing to take her as a scholar.
There was only one problem left. What about Rick? He didn't want to stay home and do nothing the whole day, waiting for his wife to come back from the work. It was not like he couldn't take the though of his wife, being the one working, but doing nothing felt strange and was also extremely boring. The opportunity came just few weeks after their arrival to London. They were on a party of some old friend of Evie and Jonathan. Though living in Cairo for the last few years, Jonathan and Evelyn were still in touch with some old friends from their childhood or school, which was at first odd to Rick, who never had long-distant friends. The few people he could call friends were somewhere in the world and he didn't think he would meet them too soon again. He moved on, moved to another country, so why try to keep in touch? But after meeting his wife's friends, he wasn't sure if he had any friends in his life at all.
These folks really liked Evie and Jon and were keen on meeting him, somebody they had never met before and who was a stranger to them. They talked with him openly, like they had no secrets before each other. Rick though at first that these people just played being nice. Why would anybody be so kind without wanting something in return? It took some time for him to realize, that they recognized him as a friend, because he was somebody who mattered to Evie.
To Evelyn's relief, her British friends accepted her American husband pretty quick and from what she could tell, her closest friends even liked him very much. And vice versa.
So one day, on a small party for Evelyn's friend, Rick was asked by the birthday girl's husband Daniel Potter, if he was interested in a job Daniel would like to offer him. He had a smaller company who traded with Egypt and Arabian world, usually stuff like pottery, furniture or clothing materials, which was very popular by young rich Londoners, and he needed somebody who knew the language, the people and predominantly how to trade without being tricked. Rick was perfect for that. He took the job. Not only to have one, but also because he liked the idea to be in touch with Egypt, which, though he wouldn't confess it, was in a way his home, the place he grew up.
His work consisted mainly of calling the company's Arabic suppliers and delivers, make orders, shout and curse at somebody in Arabic here and there and make perfectly clear that the Potter company was not a bunch of Britons who could be tricked easily.
Rick considered this job as quite easy and didn't understand why he got paid so much money for telephoning, shouting, cursing and lot of paperwork. He didn't even have to be in the office the whole day and could take free almost anytime he wanted. What he did not know was that the Potter company was making the biggest profit in history and that Daniel was never more relaxed than now, because all ordered deliveries came on time, completely unharmed.
Rick finished brushing his teeth and went back to the bedroom to dress. He put on a white shirt, a pair of sandy trousers, suitable jacket and a dark brown tie. God, he hated suits. They were so uncomfortable! But the suit was nothing compared to the tie. He felt like being strangled, something he wished never to experience again. Unfortunately, the suit and the tie belonged to the company's dress codex, so he had no choice. One thing he disliked about Britain was the formal dressing. To work, to restaurant, to party, to friends... at least they had a few of them who weren't so strict.
Rick looked around the bedroom. He knew the first thing Evie would do when she came home and found the mess would tidy it up. Better do it now and win some time later. It took him no more than 10 minutes. Man, he was getting better and better. He smiled and made his way to the door grabbing his car keys in that process. He didn't felt like eating breakfast, he would grab something on his way or ask his secretary Grace to bring him something later. He wanted to take Evie to lunch and it was already late morning anyway.
On the other side of London, Evelyn was taking a break from flying from one side of the museum to the other, replacing all kinds of artifacts in their right places, just because some kids mixed them up for fun. The pause was already necessary, she couldn't feel her feet anymore and she needed to eat something. Since she had overslept and had no time for that since. Currently, she was chomping on an apple and trying to use every single free minute to work on the new task she had got just that morning. Some scholars including herself were each given a not-so-well-known member of some Egyptian dynasty, related to a specific pharaoh. The scholar was supposed to find everything possible about the person and his or hers relationship to the pharaoh and then write a 50 site peace of work about it. Unfortunate as she was, she got from her new boss mr. Carrey just the couple she really didn't want. Heaven, there were thousands of possibilities and she had to got this one...pharaoh Seti and his daughter Nefertiti.
She knew exactly why she didn't want Seti and Nefertiti. Even without the personal matter, there were other problems. Although Nefertiti seemed to be well known, there was very little of her mentioned in ancient writings, mostly legends or descriptions of her beauty, but true facts about her, her life or her relationship to her father were rare, almost like deliberately hidden.
Another problem was, she had another thing going on right now. She worked on the bloody delivery that came just a few weeks ago. No other scholar working on this delivery had to do this research. Only her. She was afraid she wasn't going to make it. The delivery, the research and the pregnancy. And she couldn't give up on anything.
If that wasn't enough something else was bothering her as well. She knew Rick wouldn't like the topic of her research. But it was not like she would pick Nefertiti deliberately! She didn't like the idea herself. The issue of Nefertiti was too close to Seti and sooner or later she would come across Imhotep. He was his high priest after all. And the memories weren't the most nice ones. She stopped eating, suddenly feeling sick.
But it was her job, what was she supposed to do? Go to her new obviously very unsympathetic boss and tell him she couldn't make it, because she once woke up a 3000 years old mummy of Seti's high priest who then wanted to use her body to bring to life his old girlfriend? Or should she tell him she couldn't because she was pregnant? What looked more like a lame excuse? No, giving up was not an option. She would somehow manage. She was the only female scholar and she was for sure not going to waste the chance of her life.
She took one of 17 books that now laid on her table, all mentioning Seti in some way, and was about to open it, but she found she couldn't.
"C'mon girl, it's just history! A book full of history, exactly the way you like it." Evelyn couldn't help it, her worst memories started to float her mind and she felt an irresistible urge to throw the book away, to get rid of the reminder. Before she could think otherwise the book flied through the room and landed with a loud bang on the wall opposite her.
"MISS O'CONNEL! What on earth do you think you are doing?" Came an angry shouting voice from behind.
Evelyn still with her back to her new boss closed her eyes. How was it he was never there when she worked hard, but every time she did something he may not like he was there, behind her back like an old lady who had nothing else to do but to spy on her neighbours? Since this morning, she had successfully been avoiding mr. Carrey. Partly because she was still angry with him for giving her the task that others working on the delivery didn't get, partly because she knew he despised smart working woman and partly just because she hated the man so much, not only for his manners and attitude but also because he kept her calling miss.
She faced the man and replied in a bit angrier voice she intended to.
"Mr. Carrey, would you PLEASE be so kind to call me mrs? It's mrs O'Connel, not ms O'Connel!"
Her mind panicked. Was she really being rude to her boss? "Damn hormones! Damn cursing. Damn, I did it again. Stop saying 'damn' all the time, Evelyn!"
Mr. Carrey stood there, looking like she was crazy so she quickly continued.
"About the book..." she tried to come up with some proper excuse "...there was this...this...BIG BIG, really very big fat spider on it...and I am so afraid of spiders...some can be even poisonous...I didn't want to take the risk, so I threw the book away..." She got up and went to the place where the book smashed the wall and fell to ground. Pretending to be very careful, she slowly picked it up and looking underneath, almost as if expecting a whole army of spiders to jump on her and bite her to death.
"Aw, thank goodness, it's gone." Evelyn said and gave him a small reassuring smile. He didn't return it and replied in a deadly voice.
"That book is the property of United Kingdom and just the fact that you have the right to read it does not mean you can do with it whatever you want." his voice started to rise."Who do you think you are? If there was a spider on a 3000 year old book, or a bug, or a fly or whatever kind of insect stupid women like you fear, would you throw it across the room again?" he was practically yelling now. But at least he bough the story with the spider."Even if there was a whole nest of spiders, or scarabs for all I care, in that or any another book in this museum, you will hold it with respect, do you understand me mrs O'Connel?"
Evelyn didn't know what to do, laugh or cry. but right now, she could do neither, so she just stood there, looking to the ground and nodding. He gave her an unconvinced look, turned on his heels and walked furiously away.
Evelyn sighed and landed heavily on her chair. Well, that went well. If she hadn't got fired by the end of the day, she would be very lucky. Suddenly, she felt so tired. She rested her head against the palm of her hand and sat still for a few moments. 10 minutes ago, she was afraid how she would make the next few months. Right now, she was afraid she wouldn't manage to finish the day.
Maybe she really should go to see the curator. He was a nice man, he would understand for sure. Give her a break, more free time to prepare herself for the baby, but still be able to work and fulfil her duties towards the museum and Bembridge Council.
The problem was she didn't want that. It would mean she truly couldn't make it, be equal with the guys. But was she really equal? Why was she so bloody stubborn? What did the other scholars knew about pregnancy anyway? They should know that being pregnant was another fulltime job! This was so unfair. It was all his fault! If mr. Carrey didn't give her the extra task, she would be perfectly fine! Wouldn't she?
She sighed some more. She was about to cry. What shall she do? Go to the curator and confess she was not so tough like the guys, or not go and wait till the stress overwhelmed her?
How long she sat there, she didn't know. In the museum the air was nice and cool, the window was open and she could hear some happy children chatter. She smiled. Soon, she would hopefully hear that chatter in her own house. That reminded her she had to call Jon to dinner, she and Rick agreed yesterday they would tell him this evening. Only Jon. Their friends would be told a while later. Right now, they wanted to keep the news just for themselves.
She would give him a call. But not right now. In a few minutes, maybe. She was taking this moment for herself. She heard footsteps. Ok, so not so completely for herself. She groaned. Whoever it was, she was going to kick him out immediately.
The footsteps stopped behind her. Without even rising her head, Evelyn spoke before the person behind her opened his mouth.
"I don't care whoever you are, I have still about half an hour of my lunch time left and in that time, I can do whatever I want, even not be here. So please, consider me as not being here and come back in 30 minutes. I will then answer all your questions or do whatever you request."
"Hmm... A very tempting offer I must say." Came a deep amused voice from behind her. Her eyes shot open and she quickly turned around. There he was, her husband, standing there and smiling at her.
"What...what are you doing here?"
"Well, I though I might surprise you and take you to lunch." His voice started to sound a bit uncertain. "Was it a bad idea?" it was then she noticed she hadn't move yet, so she quickly got up and gave her husband a tight hug, whispering to his ear.
"No way! It's a brilliant idea. Sorry, I just wasn't expecting you." She looked in his eyes and he gave her a breathtaking kiss.
"I missed you, angel." He murmured as they broke apart to catch their breath.
"I can tell." Her belly rumbled.
"I see there is somebody very hungry here." She gave him a guilty look and a shy smile. He kissed the tip of her nose and hugged her some more. He felt like she needed it.
"Having a bad day?" he asked and kissed the top of her head.
"You have no idea." She sunk some deeper into his chest, relaxing for the first time of the day.
"Want to talk about it?"
"Not right now, but later, perhaps."
"Later during the lunch, or later in the evening?"
"Definitely not during the lunch and maybe not even in the evening." Before he could complain, she switched the topics. "By the way, I have to call Jonathan to come to dinner tonight. God, I haven't though about the meal yet, what am I going to cook and...?" She made a move as to leave for the phone but he stopped her and pulled her closer.
"Relax princess. I already called Jonathan from the office and he promised to come and I asked Grace to find some recipe for us, plus do the needed shopping. I will pick up the recipe and groceries on my way home." She gave him a shocked look.
"You let your secretary buy food and find recipes for us?" she asked barely finding words.
"What's wrong about that?" he asked as if missing something.
"What will she think of me? She knows you are married and now she will think that your own wife can't get her bottom to the shop and make dinner by herself!" she was really freaking out now.
"God Evie, relax! Don't worry about that. Grace knows exactly what's going on. Look, she is a working wife as well. When I asked her this morning, she gave me a knowing look and said she would be very happy to help. I told her it had been a bit too much stress for you lately." His last were barely over the whisper and his gaze dropped to the ground.
"I am sorry Evie, I didn't mean to upset you. I only wanted you to relax a bit and worry about one thing less." There was an uncomfortable silence. The only thing Evelyn could think of how to reward her husband for this thoughtful and touching gesture was to kiss him her most sweet, loving kisses. It was slow, long, and it was so full of emotion that the words that followed were useless because the have been already expressed by the kiss.
"You did not upset me in any way, dear. It's a wonderful idea, thank you." She sighed. "I love you so much Rick! I am so happy to have you in my life, you can't imagine how much." They were looking into each other's eyes for a moment.
"I love you too." He whispered so only she could hear, though there was no one else in the room.
"I must thank Jonathan once more for stealing from you." She gave him a sexy look and a mischievous grin. He returned the big grin and played along.
"Yeah, just don't let me strangle for too long again. Buy me right away." She noticed his lessened tie. She knew how he felt about them.
"Hey!" she protested. "Do you know what he wanted for saving your life?"
"Well, I don't know exactly, but I remember a whole prison laughing." Her smile grew.
"Yeah." She imitated his American accent and he chuckled. "He got what he deserved. He was suggesting dirty things, something about being very lonely, touching my knee..."Ricks eyes widened, he didn't knew that son of a pig was suggesting such things to Evie. If he did, he wouldn't let him near her for a second.
Evelyn saw the look in his eyes and quickly continued. "So I took my handbag and smacked him through his filthy fat fingers in front of the whole prison." He saw a bemused twinkle in her eye. He couldn't help but laugh himself. Darn, he would give anything to see that. Hell, If he just hadn't been strangling... She moved forth and whispered in his ear.
"You are the only one I allow to do 'dirty' things to me." She then kissed his ear lightly and though she did not see his face, she knew he was blushing. Her smile grew even more.
Rick was speechless for a moment. She was definitely surprising him more and more each day.
"Well," he tried to find his balance again. "what about the lunch?" she looked the clock on the wall and sighed.
"Only 10 minutes left. I am afraid we have no time to go anywhere. You will have to go alone."
"Can't you take some more time, then?"
"I am afraid not. At least not today."
"But you need to eat. And why not today?"
"Because my boss is very angry with me." She said annoyed.
"Something serious?" asked Rick worried.
"Well, ..." now that Rick was there, the whole book and spider story looked to Evelyn rather ridiculous and funny. "It is a long story, I will tell you home. You will have a lot of fun, I promise." She gave him a quick kiss. He really made her day. Even the worry they would fire her from earlier didn't seem real, anymore. It was just a book for heavens sake. She smiled to herself and Rick gave her a suspicious look.
"What?"
"Nothing." She said innocently. "Only thinking about you. And that you make me the luckiest woman in the world."
"I bet you weren't thinking that."
"Want a proof?" before he could reply she gave him a head spinning kiss.
"Ok, maybe you WERE thinking about me. How else would I deserve this?" he gave her a charming, almost big-headed smile.
It was wonderful how he could make her day and improve her mood and cheer her up, when she most needed it. Just 30 minutes ago she though her life was going to fall apart. How could she forget about Rick? The person who would always make her laugh, make her happy. God she loved this man. The pause was nearing it's end. Evelyn gave Rick one last long kiss, memorising every moment of it for the worse parts of the day that would follow.
"Rick, honey, though I don't like to say that, time for you to go."
"And what about your lunch?' he protested.
"I took something from home. Don't worry." He didn't look convinced but he let it be and started to leave.
"So I see you home, ok?" he gave her a smile but didn't reply and left.
She looked around herself and though for a second, what to do next. The research, or the delivery? Delivery, it would be. She gathered some books she needed and continued on her way, when she remembered she really needed to do something first. She left the books on her table and headed to the toilets. 5 minutes later she was back and went to take her things, when she spotted something big on her table, wrapped in white paper. There was also a small note to it.
Sweetheart,
I know that you don't need anything, but I though our little one could use it.
Your loving husband.
She impatiently opened the package to find 2 big croisants, some cheese, ham, a peace of chocolate cake, an apple and a bottle of milk, inside. She was speechless. God, she loved this man. And apparently he loved her as well. She looked at the note again. "our little one" she touched her belly. Aw, she couldn't wait. She put the note carefully into her pocket, took the books in one hand, the package under her another arm and walked with a big grin on her face to the other side of the museum. The guys there would surely let her have her lunch, they were friends after all. That was also a reason, why she liked working with them so much. She could hear her stomach rumble.
Aw, she definitely had to thank Rick for this one later that evening.
TBC
End of chapter 2.
A/N: So? Did you folks like it? There is more coming. And pls, when having some time left, click the little button on your left and let me know what you think. Opinions and suggestion, also constructive criticism welcome. See ya next time, Liz.
