Author's note: Hello everyone!! I am truly sorry for the delay. It's been a long time since I last updated any of my stories...I've been through personnal problems, had a lot of work to do and a lack of insipiration. But don't give up! I promise I won't leave you with uncomplete stories :-) And as an apology, I put a surprise in this chapter which I am sure you will enjoy!! I would like to have your opinion about the architectural details I have given to the Atlantean section of the Smithsonian Institute. And about the "surprise" of course. I shut up now. Enjoy!! :-)
A year had passed since the Descartes had left Atlantis's shores. Preston Whitmore, Joshua Sweet, Audrey Ramirez and all the other members of the crew had expressed their desire to return to their homes. Atlantis sure was a paradise to live in, but abusing of a paradise could change it into hell. That was the official reason they had left. The true reason was completely different, though. Preston Whitmore, more than the others, had absolutely wanted to go back to Washington so he could keep a watchful eye on Harcourt and his followers. The Atlantean section of the Smithsonian Institute was now built and ready to be inaugurated by Milo and Kida. When Mr. Whitmore had received the letter informing him of such, he had rushed to the museum so he could testify it with his own eyes. Mr. Harcourt and the other members of the Board had apparently carried out Milo's instructions to the letter, and the old millionaire had not found anything to criticize. On the contrary, he had been pleasantly surprised.
Atlantis's Gates was a modern building that had been shaped like a gigantic wave by some of the best architects in the world; inside, the structure was held up by numerous pillars of black marble ornamented with acanthus capitals. Seen from above, the pillars were arranged in such a way that they formed the Atlantean "King's Eye". The central pillar, though, wasn't made of stone: it was an aquarium, or at least a part of an aquarium, that dived into the depths of the ground. As a matter of fact, the floor which the visitors would soon walk upon was completely transparent, as if made of an incredibly solid glass. And through the floor, one could contemplate all the wonders of the sea. The entire down floor was nothing else but a huge aquarium that gave the "impression" of walking above water. It was pure genius. Because of the aquarium, the building was dimly lit. The lamps imitated the globes that could be found in Atlantis and radiated a soft light that bathed in smooth yellowish, pink or blue tones. The ceiling was dark, and countless tiny pieces of crystal – which Milo and Kida had kindly given - had been inlayed into it, glowing softly and transforming themselves into artificial stars. The only thing that had not been created by the architects was a large commemorative plaque of stone that was hanging on the entrance wall. It had been carved in Atlantis itself and sported the words "In the name of Thaddeus Thatch". Simple and solemn.
Mr. Whitmore had warmly and personally congratulated all the people who had worked hard to give birth to the new building. He had always believed that it was good to make it known when a man should be proud of his work. And so it was that Preston Whitmore had agreed with the members of the Board that Atlantis's Gates was to be inaugurated at Christmas. Joshua Sweet and Audrey Ramirez had been more than willing to travel back to Atlantis to inform Milo and Kida: it was snowing in Washington, and neither Sweet nor Audrey was very fond of it, the both of them being more accustomed to warm climates.
It was one week to Christmas. Rick Chesley and the other members of the Board had gathered in Harcourt's private office at the Smithsonian Institute. While Fenton Q. Harcourt was pacing nervously in the room, Rick Chesley was sipping on a glass of wine and looked completely relaxed. The other members of the Board talked animatedly, eagerly expecting the arrival of the person that was to avenge them from the humiliation that Milo Thatch had inflicted them.
"Will you just calm down, Fenton? You're being ridiculous."
"No, I won't calm down, Rick!!" Harcourt snapped. "You are the one who said the plan was flawless!"
"And it is flawless, Fenton. It is flawless." Rick Chesley patiently stated.
"Then tell me why she has not still arrived!!!! We've been waiting for her for two hours by now!!"
"It is snowing outside. A little delay, Fenton. Nothing to worry about."
"Why don't you just admit that she turned us down?!? She won't come, Rick, she –
"Forgive me for being late, gentlemen, traffic was really something."
The members of the Board gasped, completely startled by the newcomer's arrival, except Rick Chesley who merely smiled with great satisfaction. On the threshold of Mr. Harcourt's office stood a tall raven-black haired woman whose body and attitude proved to be very, very sensual indeed. Rick Chesley stood calmly, took her extended hand and bent over to kiss it. She smiled sinisterly.
"You are forgiven. Please take a seat."
She removed her fur coat from her shoulders and threw it carelessly over Mr. Harcourt's head, not caring one bit about his cigar or his obvious lack of admiration towards her. Smirking wickedly whilst he groaned in frustration, she sat in the armchair which Rick Chesley was designating her and crossed her long, nude legs. She accepted the glass of wine that Chesley offered her and took three little sips from it, the mark of her lipstick printing itself over the glass.
"So, Mr. Chesley, how can I be of service?"
"Not one for patience, are we?"
"Indeed not, Rick, indeed not."
He chose to ignore the fact she had already taken the liberty to call him by his first name.
"Do you know Milo James Thatch?"
A look of clear surprise instantly crossed her features.
"I used to know him when he was alive, yes. Why do you ask?"
"I am sure you will be relieved to learn that he is not dead."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Milo James Thatch is not dead, my dear. He is perfectly alive and well. More than you can imagine."
"Everyone knows that he died during the expedition which that old eccentric millionaire had funded. He died on his way to Atlantis."
"That was indeed the official version of the story that Preston Whitmore made us believe in. But the truth is Milo James Thatch discovered Atlantis, and he is far from being dead."
She sat in silence for a moment, letting the truth sink in and eyeing Rick Chesley suspiciously. A sparkle of hatred appeared in her brown eyes.
"Why don't you tell me exactly what you are expecting from me, Rick?"
"Milo Thatch has become the King of Atlantis and – yes, your heard me correctly, I said "King" – he forced us to baptize the new Atlantean section of the Smithsonian Institute, which I am sure you have noticed, after his grandfather's name. And Milo will come here to inaugurate it at Christmas."
"Milo will come here?" She repeated, incredulous.
"Yes."
"And may I know why it concerns me?" she snarled.
"Because I know you never forgave Milo Thatch the way he refused to respond to the…overtures you made to him."
Silence fell, heavy and uncomfortable.
"What do you want, Rick?"
"He humiliated you. He humiliated us too" Rick Chesley added whilst designating himself and the other members of the Board. "I would like you to find a way to humiliate him in public in return, on the very evening that he'd think he has won the game. Let us say that it is…payback time."
She smiled.
"I have to admit that the temptation is strong."
"Then will you resist it?" he teased her, and her eyes lit up at the suggestive remark.
"What do you think, Rick?"
"I think you are the incarnation of temptation. How could temptation resist itself?"
"You have a point. How much will you pay me, though?"
"Your price is mine. Just name it."
She rose from her armchair, walked extremely slowly towards him and murmured something into his ear. He smirked.
"Is that a deal, Rick?"
"It is, Lisa McGrath, it is."
Milo and Kida had left Atlantis as soon as Sweet and Audrey had come to inform them that the Smithsonian Institute was ready for the inauguration of Atlantis's Gates. Magoreshehb, as Royal Advisor, would take care of all the necessary business during their absence. Kida was delighted to leave her royal obligations aside for a moment and looked forward to seeing all their friends again. Audrey had assured her that Vinny, Cookie, Mole, and Mrs. Packard would be there too. Milo had been very quiet during the trip to Washington, except when Kida had asked him all the possible questions about the significance of Christmas in the world. She had been pleasantly surprised when he had told her that it symbolised a time of peace and joy that had spread way beyond the catholic community. He had seen the smile that had spread across her face when he had told her that Christmas was also an occasion for people to give presents to the ones they loved. The smile that Kida had shown him was enigmatic though and he hadn't been able to interpret it.
They had arrived at Mr. Whitmore's mansion late in the evening of the 23rd of December. When Preston Whitmore, Milo, Kida, and all the members of the Ulysses crew had greeted each other – except Mole, for obvious reasons -, the first thing they had wanted was food. The second was sleep. The next morning, when the King and Queen of Atlantis climbed down the stairs that led to their room, dressed with their American civilian clothes, they were surprised to see the old millionaire, Audrey and Sweet waiting for them.
"Madre de dios! It's about time you two got up!" Audrey teased them.
"Tell that to Milo, Audrey! He kept arguing with me that the only reason why he couldn't get up was the fact that Fluffy was keeping his feet warm!" Kida answered, half-laughing.
Milo, carrying Fluffy in his arms and stroking her gently, grinned sheepishly whilst everyone erupted into laughter. As if understanding that she was implicated in the joyous atmosphere that surrounded her, Fluffy purred several times.
"Good morning, guys!" Milo greeted. "Is there any problem, Mr. Whitmore?"
"No, my boy, there's no problem at all."
"Then…why are the three of you waiting for Kida and me?"
"Well, we thought it'd be good for you to have some proper clothes for tonight." Sweet replied, looking as jovial as ever.
Milo and Kida looked at each other for a second, smiled, and then shrugged.
"A good idea. As long as Mrs Packard doesn't provide for Kida's clothes." Milo warned.
They all laughed, and then Preston Whitmore took Milo's arm and dragged him away, leaving Sweet, Audrey and Kida staring at them and grinning from ear-to-ear.
"Hey, hey, wait, I didn't even had breakfast!!" Milo protested.
"There's no time for that, my dear boy! We have to get you the best possible outfit!"
"But…Who's going to go with Kida?"
"Sweet and Audrey, of course."
"What, I don't even get to see my own wife with her new outfit?"
"You'll see her tonight, Romeo, now will you just come with me?!"
"But…Oh, rats!!" He sighed, defeated, but smiling. "Love you, Kida!" he yelled as he disappeared of the entrance with the old millionaire.
Kida giggled as her right hand unconsciously came over her stomach to caress it lightly. Audrey noticed the odd gesture and turned her head to see if Sweet had noticed it too. Considering the way his eyes lit up, it was obvious that he had. He gave Audrey a suggestive look that said it all.
"You haven't told him yet, have you?" He demanded to Atlantis's Queen, who didn't seem to understand the sense of his question.
"What do you mean?" She replied.
"He means about el pequeño muchacho who's in there!" Audrey replied, smirking, and pointing to Kida's stomach.
"Yahd-la-Go-Nikh! How did you -?"
"Have you forgotten the reason why Preston Whitmore hired me, your highness? I am the best doctor around here!" Sweet chimed, obviously pleased. "May I?" He asked Kida, who nodded briefly, still a little shocked.
Slowly, and with great care, he lifted the shirt that Kida was wearing so he could he apply his palms on her belly and palpate it. As expected, it was slightly swollen, irrefutable proof of the little lodger who had taken up residence in there. Sweet retrieved his professional hands and let his biggest grin spread across his face. Both Audrey and Kida looked at him expectantly, and he couldn't help but praising himself for having chosen to become a doctor, for being able to deliver the sheer and incredible news of a birth-to-come was truly a wonder in itself.
"Three months. And it's a boy."
Audrey shrieked and immediately hugged Kida who was left speechless and whose eyes were brimming with tears.
"How can you tell?" she choked on the words.
"An ancient Arapaho technique. Has something to do with the form of the stomach. But 'tis a secret." He winked at her.
"You…are sure?"
"Absolutely sure, Queen Kida. You and Milo are having a son. Something tells me that Milo will have the best Christmas gift ever!"
And Kida returned the hug Audrey was giving her. She just couldn't wait to tell Milo!
"Now, let's go and find you the most beautiful outfit for tonight, Kida." Audrey stated, releasing her.
"Teeg", Kida smiled, "I'd appreciate that."
So, what did you think? My apologies to whoever created the character of Lisa McGrath if I gave a wrong description of her. I don't even know where she comes from.
Extra surprise ahead for the first person who will review this chapter AND tell me what the name of "the little lodger" will be. ^^