We entered into the curator's office and I was immediately on edge. Ardeth sensed the change in me and drew his sword, ready to face off any attack. I placed a hand on his arm, there would be no reason to fight. "Hello James, Edward. It's been a while." I said, a sad smile on my lips. Sheathing his sword, Ardeth relaxed at my introduction. I had shared many stories of the adventures my siblings and I got into growing up and immediately recognized the names of two of my older brothers.
"Peggy!" I paused at the look of relief that came across both of their faces before they stepped up to me and pulled me into a tight hug. I couldn't help myself, I started to cry. I didn't realize just how much I missed my family until they were standing before me. It was easier when I didn't think about them. It made it hurt less.
"What are you doing here? Why are you here?" I couldn't help but ask. I sent up a quick prayer that it was only them and I wouldn't be confronted with the whole brood today. This was already going to be an emotional and stressful time.
"We hadn't heard from you or Jack in months. Mom was getting worried." James started to explain.
"I think you mean crazy." Edward butted in.
"Yes well, when we still hadn't heard anything, Edward and I volunteered to come to Egypt to find out what was going on. Most of the people we asked had no idea who you and Jack even are, let alone where you could be. We finally decided to check with the museum since, if you were going to go on a dig, you probably would have stopped here. Where's Jack? The curator wouldn't tell us anything and I don't see him with you." James said while Edward looked down the hall, just in case he was waiting outside.
I didn't want to tell them like this, but I couldn't keep the tears inside anymore. I broke down and thankfully, Ardeth was there to catch me before I collapsed to the ground. He pulled me to him, rubbing my back in comfort, whispering to me in Arabic that it would be ok and that I was strong enough to tell them what really happened. I slowly calmed down, tears no longer falling like a downpour and went to sit in one of the armchairs. I didn't miss the suspicious look that my brothers gave Ardeth, but I would get to that in a bit. I motioned for them to sit, which they did, before I took a deep breath. Ardeth placed a hand on my shoulder in comfort before walking to the door, taking Nasir and the curator with him. I understood what he was doing, leaving me to tell my brothers exactly what happened. I knew he wouldn't be too far away. Honestly, I would be shocked if he didn't stay right in front of the door the whole time.
"What I'm about to tell you is not to be spoken of outside of this room. You can't tell Mama or Papa, you can't tell Sarah, James, no one else can know. If you can agree to this, I'll tell you everything that has happened since Jack and I left home. If not, I'm walking out, and you'll never see me again. Can you agree to those terms?" I said, doing my best to summon my inner "mama" with her no-nonsense attitude that could get us to do anything. They looked like they wanted to argue but recognizing the look on my face, decided against it. They nodded.
"Good." I went on to tell them everything that had happened since Jack and I left over a year ago. I stopped myself right before I got to Jack's death. "This next part isn't going to be easy to tell you and you're really not going to like it but it's what happened. We had gotten back to Cairo and Bernard had just been taken from us. The previous curator and Ardeth explained what was happening as best they could and the rest of us returned to the fort where Rick and Jonathan left us to go find the Egyptologist who had been part of our group. Jack and Rick had locked me and Evy in her room before leaving Jack and Daniels to watch us. At some point Daniels left to go get a drink and Imhotep came for Jack. I could hear him screaming from the bedroom, but the door was locked from the outside, so I had no way of getting to him. When Rick and Jonathan got back and opened the door, I saw him. He looked exactly like Bernard did, every fluid in his body sucked from him. And his face was frozen with his last scream. It was the worst thing I've ever seen and probably will ever see." I had to stop there. "We went back to the museum after that. Evy figured out a way to stop the creature. But Imhotep had turned the citizens of the city into his mindless army, and they attacked. We got away but in the ensuing chase, Daniels was taken and killed. Evy was then taken by the Creature and we were left to be killed." I went on to explain the rest of what happened, strategically leaving out what had transpired between Ardeth and myself in the sewers.
I briefly explained my connection to Sekhmet that had started me on this journey and how it was my purpose to protect the chieftain of the Medjai, Ardeth. They looked at me with a mixture of awe and fury that I had put myself in harms way. "And then everything was over. Rick, Evy and Jonathan sent Imhotep back to the Underworld and Ardeth took me back to his people to explain what happened." I finished my tale, physically and emotionally drained.
"Well, that's all well and good, but why didn't you come home afterward? Momma has been beside herself with worry. Her and Daddy almost came themselves. Thankfully, we were able to talk them out of that." Now they were angry.
"I wasn't in a place where I could deal with my own grief, let alone everyone else's. Jack was my twin and the only reason he was over here and involved with this was because of me. I was in a dark place for months." I attempted to defend my actions.
"And you didn't think that we deserved a chance to grieve? Jack was our brother too." Edward said.
"Of course I did! But for once, I was going to do something just for me. I didn't want to have to worry about making sure everyone else was grieving and not allow myself to do the same." I took a breath and realized that Edward and I were in each other's faces. Out of all the siblings, we were the most likely to throw punches because of an argument. Sensing this, James pushed in between us, forcing us to sit back down. Taking a deep breath, I continued. "I needed time to process. I wasn't sure if I was ever going to tell y'all that I was alive, because that would've meant acknowledging that Jack wasn't, but now I don't have a choice. I'm alive, I'm well, for the most part. Thank you for checking in." I made to get up to go join Ardeth outside and continue with the rest of our plans for today when Edward reached out and grabbed my arm, forcing me to stop.
"Where do you think you're going? We're taking you home." He informed me.
"Oh are you? Cause last I checked, I was an adult and not your child. I don't have to go anywhere with you, least of all home. This is my home now. I'm staying in Egypt." I told him defiantly.
"There's nothing for you here. Come home. Mom misses you. Dad hardly smiles anymore." James pleaded with me.
"You're wrong. There's one very important reason I'm staying in Egypt." I said, finally extending my hand to show them my wedding band. They both gasped in shock. I rolled my eyes.
"And just who had the balls to marry you, with all your modern ideas?" came Edward's snarky reply.
"Ardeth. The really tall, Egyptian that came in with me. The chieftain I was sworn to protect." This made Edward gulp and James to laugh at him in retaliation. "Is that a problem Edward?" I asked, a cocky grin on my face that mirrored the one on his a few seconds ago.
"Nope, not at all." James said for him, placing a hand over his mouth so Edward couldn't respond and further insult me or Ardeth. "Are you going to tell Mom and Dad, Peggy?"
"I don't know yet. I didn't even want to tell you and if you had stayed in Texas where you belong, I wouldn't have had to." I said, giving them a pointed look.
"You can't expect us to keep this a secret." Edward said, having wrestled free of James' grip.
"That is exactly what I expect of you. Until a point in time where I'm ready to tell them what exactly happened, you need to keep me, and the story I told you, a secret from everyone. Let them hold out hope that Jack and I got lost in the desert and got picked up by some tribe. When I'm ready to deal with it, I'll come home and tell them."
"So that's it? After this we're not going to hear from you for only God knows how long?" Edward said. I had never gotten the impression that he and I were close enough that he cared. We definitely fought the most, as he was under the impression that I should be doing what our parents were telling me, without complying to what they asked of him.
"If you can keep your big mouths shut, I'll remain in contact with the two of you but only if you can keep it to yourself. You can't even tell Sarah, James. The less people who know this, the less likely it is to get out. I mean it, no one can know." I added when it looked like James was going to argue. Realizing that they weren't going to get me to budge any more on the subject they both nodded. "Now tell me, what has been going on at home? Did Jacob's wife have their baby?" I asked, excited at the prospect of having another niece or nephew.
"Oh yeah, but it wasn't just one." Edward said, chuckling.
"No!" I exclaimed.
"Yeah, twins. Girls. Poor Jacob doesn't know what to make of it. He just kind of stared dumbfounded when Momma came in with 2 blankets instead of just one." James said, laughing at the memory. I couldn't help myself and laughed along with him. Jacob was only three years older than me, so when I was born he didn't really know what I was there for and by the time Susan came around when he was sixteen, he really didn't know what to do with her. For a good two months after she was born, the closest he would get to her was just being in the same room. He wouldn't hold her or anything. Of course, since we had so many brothers and other than Susan it was just me and Rose, it made sense but still. The poor guy was undoubtedly going crazy.
"So, you're married? When are we going to meet him?" James asked.
"If y'all can act your age," I started, sending a rather pointed look at Edward, "I'll ask him to come in now." They both sat down and put on their most innocent faces. I sighed and went to the door. Sure enough, Ardeth was just on the other side and had been listening to the whole conversation. "They want to meet you. They promised to be on their best behavior. Will you come in?" I asked him. He answered with his little side grin that made me weak at the knees and a wink.
I stood back to let him enter and immediately I could see a change in my brothers. They weren't short by any means, but they were still dwarfed by Ardeth. I couldn't help but chuckle at the faces they made. Any threats they might've been preparing fell flat. "James, Edward, this is Ardeth Bay, my husband. Ardeth, this is James, my oldest brother, and Edward who is just a year older than me." Ardeth didn't say anything for a little while, just stood there with an impassive look on his face and a hand on the hilt of his sword. 'This isn't going to go well,' I thought, preparing for the worst. I eased up when I saw a smile cross over his face and he took his hand of the hilt of his sword, now extending it in greeting to my brothers.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. Peggy has told me so much about her family. It's nice to be able to put faces to names." Ardeth said in greeting. I sighed in relief, which caused Ardeth to let out a quick chuckle. The tension finally broken, my brothers shook his hand and we continued with catching up, now with the attention on Ardeth and everything anyone could possibly want to know about him. The rest of the afternoon past by quickly after that and soon it was time to go.
"How long will you be in Cairo?" I asked James as we were walking out of the curator's office. Ardeth had gone ahead to speak with the curator about Medjai business.
"Our boat leaves the day after tomorrow. We had given up hope and had scheduled our return before coming across the curator at the museum." James said.
"Well we're seeing our friends off tomorrow morning and then I have a few errands to run in town. Maybe you can come by our house for dinner?" I asked, hoping he would say yes.
"Will you be the one cooking?" Edward asked as he and James shared a look of concern.
"Ha ha. You're very witty. I'll have you know that I have become very domestic since getting married. I can cook now." I said, punching Edward in the arm for the joke.
"Mother would be so proud." James said with a laugh. We parted ways at the front of the museum, them heading to their hotel and Ardeth and I heading back to the house. We stopped to get Nasir and then went to a restaurant that the two of them had been raving about for dinner. I was pleasantly surprised with how today had turned out. As I laid down in bed to go to sleep that night, I shot up a short prayer that this would be the last surprise I had to deal with for a while.
The next morning dawned bright and early, with Ardeth waking me up with him so we wouldn't be late to see of Rick, Evy and Jonathan. We would eat later, after we had a chance to go to the market. It amazed me how much life could change over the course of a year. I hadn't considered it too much before yesterday, but after seeing my brothers I couldn't help but reflect on the person I was a year ago. We had just left America for Egypt, and I was determined. To find a lost city, gain notoriety within my field, and to be independent of the life that my mother tried to lay out at my feet. I had come to find that history wasn't all that is said in history books, that notoriety isn't everything, and that maybe mother was onto something when she said that nothing in life was worth having if I didn't have anyone to share it with.
My favorite moments with Ardeth were in the quiet of the evening, when he was home. We would sit in the most comfortable silence, reading. No words would past between us for hours, but we were content. I hated to admit it, but my mother was right. Marriage did make me happy. But she was wrong with the options she brought forth. I needed someone who challenged and respected me. None of the boys back home had done that. These thoughts stayed with me through our travel to the docks where Rick, Evy and Jonathan were waiting for us. With hugs goodbye and promises made to write often, and visit when we could, I watched my friends get on their boat and slowly sail away. I must have had a few tears in my eyes because I felt Ardeth carefully wipe my face, smiling down at me as he did so. "Don't worry habibti. We will see them again." He said, wrapping his arm around me, pulling me into his side.
"Of this I have no doubt. As long as there is some tomb to desecrate, Evy and Rick will find a way." I replied with a laugh. We turned, leaving the dock behind us, ready to head back home. "We need to head to the market. There's no food in the house and my brothers will be coming over with an appetite that can rival a small army's." All too happy to oblige, Ardeth took my hand and lead me through the crowded streets, weaving through people as we made our way to the market. We finished up there in no time at all, I was an efficient shopper, and we headed back to the house.
I put the food away and turn to see Ardeth standing in the doorway, a sly smile on his face. I grin back and allow him to lead me upstairs where we spend the rest of the afternoon in a haze of skin on skin, twisted sheets and getting lost in the other's embrace. It wasn't until much later, as the setting sun was coming in through the windows, that I was reminded that my brothers would be arriving in a little while for dinner. Not wanting to be found in a delicate state, I hopped out of bed, waking Ardeth from where he was dozing with a grunt. "I'm sorry my love but James and Edward will be here soon, and I don't see them being dissuaded by a closed bedroom door if dinner isn't at least being cooked when they get here. They're not known for their subtlety or their manners." I said before going to the bathroom to bathe and freshen up before heading downstairs to make dinner. I turned on the taps for the bathtub and went to grab a towel from the shelf by the door, when I saw that Ardeth intended to join me. I smiled and turned back around, intent on ignoring him so that I would be ready.
He appeared to have other plans. With my back to him, I didn't see him cross the bathroom until I felt him pressed up against my back. I moaned softly when his lips found the spot where my neck met my shoulder that made me go weak at the knees. He continued his administrations until I was nothing more than a muddled mess, practically begging him. There was nothing gentle about this coupling, as he pulled me up and held me against the wall. Instinctively my legs wrapped around his waist and I cried out at the friction it caused. He took the opportunity to put his lips against mine and thrust his tongue against mine. It really wasn't fair how he made me completely come apart like this.
There was nothing slow and sensual about it. This was rough and raw and passionate. I knew that even if I lived a thousand lifetimes, I would never find someone as perfect as him. He invaded every part of me, and I wasn't sure what I would do if that was ever taken away. I came fast and hard, stars dotting my vision as I cried out his name. He was close, waiting for me like a perfect gentleman, to finish before he couldn't hold off any longer and came so completely that neither one of us had much energy after, sinking to the floor to catch our breaths. He held on tight to me, his breathing slowly returning to normal.
I quickly cleaned myself off and got dressed, in a rush to get dinner started. I was putting the finishing touches on it when I heard a knock on the door. I heard Ardeth go and answer it, so I set the table and did my best not to appear too nervous as they entered the dining room. Dinner passed by with little arguing so I can only assume that James spoke to Edward before they arrived. My brothers took the time to get to know Ardeth, and by get to know I mean question him like they were conducting an interrogation. Ardeth was amazing, answering their questions with grace and a smile on his face. After hours of their third degree and then sharing horrifying stories from our childhood at my expense, they were calling it a night, their boat leaving early the next morning. As I walked them to the door I stopped and gave each of them a hug. "I promise to write. And you won't need to keep this to yourselves forever. Just a little while longer." I said before opening the door and watching them walk out into the night.
"Do you wish you were going with them?" Ardeth said. I hadn't heard him come up behind me.
"As much as I love my family, I'm right where I want to be." I said with a finality that I was ready to drop the subject. Ardeth looked like he wanted to argue, but seeing the look on my face, he stopped short. Him, of all people, knew how important it was to keep Hamunaptra and everything it held a secret. I shouldn't have even told my brothers but there was no way they were going to leave without an explanation.
We went up to bed that night, anxious to get back to our tribe. We would be leaving Cairo the day after tomorrow and there was much to prepare. We would need to go back to the market in the morning and pick up the supplies the tribe would need for the coming months. Many of the vendors knew Ardeth by name and I could see the respect they held for him.
The next day passed by in a blur of shopping, packing, and preparing the house for our departure. I didn't have a lot of time to dwell on my brothers, which I was happy about. But there was only so much I could clean and pack and eventually I was just left with my thoughts to occupy my time. I was in a constant state of tug-of-war with my plans for my family. There was no way that I could tell the rest what happened here but was I being too cruel to not reach out completely? I tossed and turned for hours our last night in Cairo. I eventually gave up just before sunrise and gently got out of bed, careful to not disturb Ardeth. Although nothing beat a desert sunrise, watching the sun come up over the sprawling city was still something to behold.
I didn't have to wait too long for my husband to join me, as even here, away from early morning rounds and elder meetings, he was an early riser. I felt his presence behind me as I looked out the kitchen window. "I didn't wake you, did I?" I asked, not turning around to him just yet.
"No. It's just habit now. You seem far away. Is everything alright?" He could see the lack of sleep in my eyes.
"I keep going back and forth about my brothers. I know that the truth we protect is important. They didn't live through the consequences of waking the creature. I trust that they wouldn't tell anyone about that, but I worry that they don't understand my decision to stay, beyond you. Everywhere I turn I still see my brother's ghost; I hear him plead for mercy. I know going home, facing my family, would be too much."
These thoughts plagued me the whole way home. Ardeth could see that I was struggling with it and let me have my space. The days passed by in a blur and we were finally back in our village. Little did I know how much these musings would affect me in the years to come.
AN: I am so sorry that this took me so long to get out. I had severe writer's block this summer and just couldn't get passed it. Thank you so much to everyone who favorited and followed! I'm already working on the next chapter and have that one planned out so hopefully there won't be as long a wait.