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, who though being sick did all the beta. XXX to you hon, hope you are well again!

lilylynn, MEL, williz – Well, here is my next update, hope you will like it. :)

danielle515I like adding quotes from the original movies into my story, makes me smile, cos everything comes full circle and so do also the quotes. ;)

mummy loverIt was very sweet of ya telling me I wouldn't get any constructive criticism from ya, though I am afraid I have to disagree, there are loads of things I am not happy with considering my writing, and chapter3 is the evidence, I am very unsure bout the ending, so let me know and criticize me, if there is smt you disagree on. A writer can only improve, when the reader tells him where his weak parts are, and they always are (maybe except mrs. J.K.Rowling, she is a goddess of all writers and all readers. :D). But thank you very much, your comment flattered me SO much:)

Everything comes full circle

Chapter 3 - Why are you reading this book?

By Liz Parker

"Honey, I am home!" She laid the keys and her heavy bag on a table near the front door. She got no answer, but some muffled, strange noises could be heard from the back of the house. Without undressing her jacket, Evelyn went straight to the kitchen and after entering she saw something that made her laugh so hard she had to lay against the doorframe to hold her up. Rick was standing in the middle of the kitchen, all covered in flour and looking hopeless, lost and a bit ashamed. The whole kitchen looked like there had been a snow storm, and there was an odd smell all over the place.

"What on earth are you doing?" She couldn't stop laughing.

"Grace gave me the recipe and I read it and it didn't look so difficult, so I thought I may try to cook the dinner myself, but as you can see it didn't go so well..." While explaining, his arms were flying through air like mad. Now, they just fell limb to his sides.

"Another surprise of today, darling?" He nodded and gave her an apologetic look.

"Well... I must say you were successful." She tried to stop her giggles. Rick didn't say anything, he looked everywhere else but at Evie.

"Aw, c'mon dear, it's not that bad!" They both looked around the kitchen.

"Ok, so it is bad, but nothing that can't be cleaned in 20, ...no 40...ok an hour, maybe." He sunk on the kitchen chair. Evelyn walked over and still standing embraced his sitting form. His arms went around her waist and he rested his head on her belly. She kissed the top of his head.

"Why are you doing this Rick? I mean, it's really sweet, but why? You never tried to cook before. So why now?" He muffled something, but she couldn't understand.

"I am sorry, I didn't hear you." He raised his head and looked directly into her eyes.

"You have to take care of yourself now. I want to help you. I wanted to let you know that you won't go through all this alone."

"Honey, you are helping. Just in another way. It helps so much having a loving husband who makes you happy and takes care of you. Believe me, there are not many women out there who can say that. You don't have to prove yourself to me Rick." She looked around the kitchen.

"Although, this is definitely proof of something."

"And of what exactly?"

"You can't cook at all." She said with a smile and gave him a kiss. Then went to the fridge and opened it.

"I guess you used most of the shopping you brought on this little...ehm...experiment of yours, didn't you?"

"I am afraid so."

"Then we will have to improvise. Jonathan will be fine. He isn't that fussy. He eats everything. An ability gained thanks to all his experience of being drunk." She took out some eggs. "Hmm... scrabbled eggs aren't a typical British supper, but hey, we aren't completely British, are we?" She laid the eggs on the counter and started to clean the mess, all the while Rick sat on the chair. She turned to look at him.

"You alright?"

"Sure. Why don't you go upstairs and have a shower? I will clean up, open the window to get some fresh air in and when you come back, you can show me how to cook scrambled eggs. Jonathan won't be here for at least an hour." She stopped cleaning up and yawned, stretching like a cat.

"Sound's great. Thank you."

"Hey, it's me who made the mess." She started to leave but stopped and turned in the doorway.

"By the way Rick, what is that odd smell coming from?" He gave her a sheepish smile.

" I tried to light the stove and burned the dishcloth in that process." She giggled.

"Ok, see you soon." Rick blew her a kiss.

"I won't be long."

30 minutes later Evelyn had run down the stairs to find the kitchen perfectly clean and neat. Rick was just closing the French door that led to their back yard. She shivered slightly and pulled her sweater tighter around her shoulders.

"Want some juice?" Asked Rick while pouring a glass full for himself.

"Yes please." He took his glass and put it in front of her. She shot him a questioning look.

"What about you?"

"I am not thirsty."

"Why did you pour the juice then?"

"I though you may be."

How was it this man was always a step ahead of her? She didn't even opened her mouth to speak and he already knew what she wanted. Scary, but somehow sweet.

"By the way, thank you for the lunch today. We both liked it very much." He smiled a self-satisfied smile.

"You are welcome."

"Where did you get it so fast?"

"Well, I have my sources." He said is a deep suductive voice.

"Aw really?"

"Mmhmm."

They both grinned, their eyes locked. They both knew what would most probably follow. How was it that always they were alone together they couldn't take their hands of each other? Even after a year, they still behaved like newlyweds on their honeymoon.

Evelyn fought against the urge to kiss him, touch him, but couldn't resist. Rick didn't even try. They jumped to each other in a second. Just when their kiss started to deepen...

"Aw please! For Christ's sake, can't you stop for just a second?" They both jumped turning their heads towards the voice but didn't part.

"Nice to see you too Jonathan." Said Rick coldly, annoyance in his voice.

"You two really behave like rabbits sometimes..."

"Hey! Stop offending the lady!"

"Oh, don't worry about that, Evie is just my sister. And to be honest, only moments ago, she wasn't behaving very ladylike."

"Well there are these things called 'the door' and 'the bell' Jonathan."

Evelyn wanted to stop this conversation before it would lead somewhere none of them wished. She interrupted both men by shutting the kitchen door loudly.

"You are..." she looked at her watch "...just on time." Then raised her eyebrows and gave Jonathan a questioning look.

"Hey hey! I know it's not a habit of mine, but I though I would come on time for a change. I won't make such a mistake again, don't worry." He said dryly.

"Aw Jon, I didn't mean it like that. But you have to admit, you are always late." He though for a minute before answering.

"Ok, point taken. So, what are we going to have for dinner? I hope it's something fancy because I am starving!"

An hour later, they were comfortably sitting in their living room, Evelyn lying on her back covered with a thin blanket, head on Rick's lap. Jonathan sat opposite them in an armchair.

"I must say Evie, that were the best scrambled eggs I ever ate."

"I am happy to hear that Jon, you know you are always welcome." They sat in silence for a few moments.

"So what is this surprise you two want to tell me?"

Evelyn shot a glare towards Rick.

"Hey! I didn't tell him anything, I swear!"

"Oh, there is no need to tell me anything, the whole I-insist-on-you-coming-tonight invitation thing..."

Evelyn interrupted him. "Can't a sister call her brother to dinner?"

"...then the funny exchange of looks between you two lovebirds...I am not that stupid you know." They had to admit, he had a point.

"Ok Jon, you are right. There is something we two would like to tell you."

"Let me guess... What could you folks get yourself into again?" Jonathan pulled a thoughtful face.

"You are going on a new dig..." They shook their heads in denial.

"Ok, so one of you got promoted." Wrong again.

"Well, there are only few possibilities left. You have been sick for the last weeks Evie, so either your are deadly ill or I am going to be an uncle." He gave a self-satisfied grin. Their eyes widened and Jonathan had to laugh at that.

"You...you know?"

"My dear baby sister, I wasn't sure but I had a suspicion, I dare to say, much more earlier than even your husband did. What other non-pregnant woman in the world feels dizzy, sleeps bad, is moody like hell and eats such food combinations that make even myself sick? Of course I knew, or at least presumed. And now, let me congratulate you two, it was about time. I am very happy for you!" He got up from the armchair and hugged Evelyn tight, whispering something Rick couldn't hear, into her ear. He then shook hands with his brother-in-law, smiling madly in that process. "Well, this news deserves a drink!" he went to the small alcohol cabinet, opened it and took out a bottle of whiskey.

"You really use every occasion to drink, don't you?"

"Dear brother-in-law. Don't you think that the birth of your child is indeed an occasion to have a drink? What kind of father will you be, if you can't even celebrate something like that?"

"A very good one." Interrupted Evelyn and took the bottle out of Jonathan hands. "And besides, correct me if I am wrong, but I can't see a child anywhere around. Apparently, the birth didn't take place yet, so there is nothing to drink to. Besides, you came here by car, so no alcohol for you."

"Wow, you are already behaving like a mum, old mum." Jon looked at his watch.

"Ok, I see it's time to go. I will leave you alone now and retreat. Promise you will behave properly?"

They didn't respond.

"I take that as a yes." He went over to Evelyn and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "I love you Evie, congratulations once more." He turned to Rick.

"About you O'Connel, take good care of her. I hear one single complaint and you are going to answer to me... or to the big buddies I will hire. " The couple went to the front door with Jonathan to say their goodbyes.

"See you soon Jon, take care." Waved Evie watching as Jonathan walked to his car.

"Yeah, and don't drink too much!" shouted Rick.

"Rick!" she punched him in the arm.

"Hey! Stop punching me! You getting to beat me too much lately."

"You deserve it."

Jonathan's car was vanishing in the curve.

"And you didn't seem to complain few days ago." She said in a teasing seductive voice. His face went red. Hell, when did she get used to these double-meanings? The night air was cool, and she shivered a bit.

"Let's get inside before you catch cold, shall we?" She took his offered hand and they went inside.

Rick just came out of the bathroom only to find Evelyn lying on their bed, reading a book. He pulled the sheets away and laid himself beside her.

"Darling, watcha doing?" he asked a bit foolishly.

"Reading." She replied without even looking at him.

"I can see that, but don't you think you should do this some other time? It's pretty late and we are getting up very early." He got her attention by taking the book out of her hands.

"Hey!" Evelyn groaned, finally looking at him. She saw his look and sighed. She didn't want to give up but she was also not up to a fight, so she chose another tactic. "Is the light disturbing you? I can shut it down and go to some other place, if you want."

"No no no. I didn't mean it that way! But I think we should both go sleep now, it's very late."

"Ok, just gimme a minute to finish this chapter, will you?"

He looked at her book for the first time. "What are you reading anyway?" The cover read -'Egypt - The 19. Dynasty family tree'. Rick though for a second. The 19. Dynasty... what was so special about the 19. Dynasty? Then it hit him. Seti was the second pharaoh of the 19. Dynasty.

"Why are you reading this book?" he asked harshly.

"What?"

He could tell she was a bit taken aback. He asked again. "Why are you reading a book about the 19. Dynasty?"

"There are about thirty dynasties, which one would you prefer me to read about?" She asked calmly. He groaned in annoyance, removing the bed sheets and getting up.

"Stop that Evie, I am not in the mood for games. Maybe I don't know the whole history of Egypt, but I know as much as that Imhotep was the high priest of Seti, who was the second pharaoh of the 19. Dynasty. When there were about thirty dynasties, why are you reading a book about this particular one?"

"True, but you forget that a dynasty does not consist of just two or three pharaohs, but the rule lasts for decades, maybe even hundreds of years through which many generations of pharaohs change. What makes you think I am reading about Seti?"

"I'm not worried about you reading about Seti..." He murmured.

"Aw for Christ's sake, Rick!" she growled in agony and sunk deeper into the pillows.

"It's just a book! It's my job reading books and learning new stuff from them. And yes, of course that sooner or later, I would come across this dynasty, maybe even it's second ruler or his high priest, so what?" She noticed her rising voice so she lowered it quick. "Nothing can happen, I am only reading historical stuff. It's only a book, Rick." She said in a calming voice. His gaze was still on their carpet.

"That's what you said the last time."

Now that hurt. She turned her head away from him, not believing he really said that. Never before had he blamed her openly for what happened, although she did felt responsible. It was easier to chase away the biting painful memories that came back to her sometimes, when Rick was there for her. But now that he said it openly… Evelyn got up, her back to Rick, grabbing her pillow, slowly making her way to the door. The book was still laying on the bed.

"Where are you going?" He asked in a choked voice.

"Downstairs. I am really tired and am not in the mood to go into a fight any further. We may discuss this in the morning." She said in a shaky voice, not looking at him. Then walked away, letting him stupidly stand there.

"I am so sorry Evie." He whispered to the empty room.

God what had he done? What got into him? Where did his anger and those damned words come from? He always considered everything that happened in Hamunaptra as an accident. Something no one could know would happen, but that all of them could have prevented. He could have stopped her by returning that bloody book to its 'owner', that American could have stopped her by guarding the book some what better, Jon could prevent all this by not steeling that damned box from him... But then they would have never met and he would never get the chance to know her...

His features softened. He would not be here, he would not have a great life with a gorgeous wife, awaiting his child, truly friends, a proper job and a rather annoying brother-in-law. That whole darn incident was definitely NOT Evie's fault, she was only the messenger. Someone would, for sure, sooner or later read it and it was unlucky her. They never spoke about it, about whose fault it was, because it was of no ones, And he had though she knew she was not to blame. Hell, he though she'd already forgotten about it. As he had . But had he really? Could a person forget something like that? To be honest, he was trying. There were many things in his past he would rather forget. Some of them he could, some not. For the past year, he was able to forget more easily. Especially being around a special person. Sometimes, Evelyn could make him forget about everything, the past, the future, feeling just the present, living for the moment. No stupid memories bothering him.

Imhotep was history, at least for Rick. He did not want to remember him or anything about that bloody place called Hamunaptra and what happened there. It would always remind him how close he came to losing her. That was probably the reason why he reacted to reading her a book about Seti so harsh. she told him she was not reading about Seti, so what made him so sure she was lying?

It was just… he did not want her to remember any of it.

He remembered the shaky tone of her voice, he didn't get the chance to hear it too often but he knew what it meant. Right now, it meant she was downhearted and blaming herself for what happened.

"You stupid IDIOT!" Rick mentally cursed himself. He had to do make things right again, though he did not know how, yet. He looked at their bed. The book still laid there. Now he could not understand his outburst. It really was only a book. A bunch of paper and ink. Evie's job, Evie's passion.

Rick sighed. He was really behaving strange the past few days. He though about what to do next. Go to bed and let her sleep or go to her straight away and have a long talk and probably a sleepless night? Well, he did not know about her, but he wouldn't be able to sleep tonight anyway. He would miss somebody on the other site of the bed. And he though so would Evie.

He got up and went for the door. He would find her and tell her right now how stupid he had been and how sorry he was, and that she could kick him anyplace she wanted, he would surely deserve it.

He opened the door and went to search for his wife.

TBC

A/N: Hey ppl? So whatcha think? Was it worth the wait? Well, things are slowly starting to get a bit complicated, but I won't tell ya anything else, you will have to wait. evil Would be great if you found some time to click the little button on your left and let me know whatcha think, again, constructive criticism is welcome.

I am afraid chapter 4 won't be updated in a week, most likely not even in two, there are too many thing going on in my life in the moment, though I am sure you don't want to hear bout them. But don't worry, am really working on the story every free minute and hey, maybe I will surprise even myself and continue the story in much shorter time than I intent to. It's my baby after all. :)))

Ok, see you soon, love you all,

XXX yours Liz.