Chapter 30

That night, Avery was back at the museum to face her fears. It was also the night of the Valentine's dance she and Larry were planning so she had to make an appearance anyway. She contemplated waiting in the lobby to stall time and to set up her playlist. But it was easy to do and would not take that long. She thought about meeting him at his exhibit. What she really needed was to talk to someone who may have some insight into what she should do. Her feet moved on their own as she reached the American Natural History wing. She didn't wait long before Sacagawea came to life. The Shoshone woman was surprised to see Avery in front of her. Usually she was with the Pharaoh.

"Hello Avery."

"Hey Sac. Um, can we talk privately? Just you and me? I need some… relationship advice." She refused to meet her eye as she spoke. She fidgeted with the hem of her shirt. Sac was curious as to why she was here so she gestured to a bench in a quiet corner of the room.

"What is it that you need my advice on?"

"I, well, I told Ahk that I had a crush on him but then I just left. To be fair, the sunrise hit just as I finished my thought. I've been feeling guilty about it ever since."

"I think you were very brave to share that with him. I know from my own experience that confessing your feelings can be scary."

"You were scared? But you and Teddy always appear so confident and full of love! I would never have guessed that." The Shoshone woman smiled in earnest.

"Well he was more nervous than I."

"It's true my dear! I was terribly nervous. I had only seen her through a window pane. I didn't have enough confidence to even talk to her, not until you and Lawrence came along." Avery jumped as Teddy appeared behind them. Her face grew red with mortification that the President had heard what she thought was a private conversation.

"Sorry my dear, I couldn't help myself. Take our advice, just go talk to him. He may be more receptive than you think." He put his hand on Sac's shoulder and they smiled warmly at each other. In the back of her mind she couldn't help but picture the look on Sac's face when he proposed.

At the urging of the couple, Avery made her way to his exhibit. She back pedaled several times. She did not want to face her fears. She was more content with just avoiding him at all costs. She was a fool for sharing her heartfelt confession in the first place. Were her hands always this sweaty? Why were there so many butterflies in her stomach? Nope, she could not deal with this right now. In her indecisiveness, she missed him walking out of his exhibit.

Ahk had spent most of his time recounting her confession. He thought of a way to respond to it, for he had a crush on her too. She had been incredibly brave in sharing that part of herself that he could do no less. He hoped that she would be there tonight. And as luck would have it she was. His eyes lit up when he saw her. He had a slight spring in his step as made his way toward her.

"Avery!" He called out to her seeing as she started walking the opposite way, unaware of his presence. She jumped at his voice and froze with her back turned toward him. His brow furrowed slightly noting her hesitation to turn around.

"Heeey Ahk. Fancy seeing you here!" That was so lame Avery! Of course he would be here, where else would he go?

"I was hoping you would be here tonight. I spent most of my time thinking about your confession."

"Yup, here I am! And we, um, we don't have to talk about that confession. I must have been really tired." Damnit Avery! What the hell are you doing!? You can't keep your heart guarded! Stop avoiding him.

"I would like to talk about it, Avery," he stated gently before continuing. "You are an incredible woman. In the time that I have gotten to know you, my heart has too. Avery, I-"

"Stop! I'm so sorry, but, uh, I need to go help Larry with something…right now!" And off she darted leaving a stunned and slightly hurt Ahk in her wake.

He wasn't supposed to fall in love with me!

In a nearby bathroom she took a few moments to calm herself down and think of her next move. She couldn't stay in the bathroom the whole time. Mercifully, Larry came on the speakers to announce that there was a party in the lobby starting soon. She snuck out of the bathroom and bolted toward the lobby. Ahk had been curious about what kind of party was being held. He was curious if Avery had a hand in planning the event.

Maybe that is why she rushed off? She needed to help set it up?

Meanwhile Avery had gotten to the front desk and hit the play button on her playlist. Immediately, the beat of Love Shack by the B-52's started to drift out of the speakers. She momentarily relaxed. Exhibits were drifting in, curious as to the music. Pretty soon they got used to it and found a rhythm to dance to. It warmed Avery's heart to see everyone enjoying themselves. She took a moment and looked around at Larry's decorations. There were pink and red streamers strewn about, lots of heart motifs everywhere. She had to admit it looked pretty good for being thrown together quickly.

Ahk had come down to the lobby and was intrigued by the beat of the music. He watched over the dancing exhibits until his eyes landed on Avery. She was at the reception desk, head down, looking over something on the computer. He guessed she was in charge of the music. He snuck his way over to her.

"You seem to have a pretty good taste for music, Avery." He grinned slightly when she jumped at his unexpected presence.

"Heh, thanks. I really just searched 'love songs' on the internet." The conversation seemed to stall for several song changes. There was an obvious elephant in the room, the same size as the wooly mammoth that had wandered down.

"We never got to finish our conversation earlier."

"Yeah, sorry about that. I had to man the playlist. You know how Larry wants everything to be perfect for tonight. I can't really talk right now though. I need to keep an eye on the songs. At least for a little while! But, uh, you go and, uh, enjoy the music! Let your inner Dancing Queen be released!" She all but shooed him away as she hit the play button for the popular ABBA song. She watched him walk away and part of her deflated. She knew she would have to talk to him sometime but all she could do was make flimsy excuses. Ahk tried not to feel hurt by her subtle rejection again. He really needed to get his confession off his chest and soon.

The atmosphere was filled with smiling and dancing exhibits. Truly a sight to behold. And although Ahk was feeling down, the energy of the music seemed to snap him out of his mood. He even managed to get a couple glimpses of Avery moving to the music. He smiled to himself as he watched her.

With a subtle nod of the head from Teddy, Avery knew it was time to play Bruno Mars' Marry You. As the music started, Teddy gravitated toward Sac and asked her for a dance. They made their way to the middle of the makeshift dance floor. They began to sway in each other's arms.

Hey baby, I think I wanna marry you.

Teddy kneels down on one knee with one hand holding Sacagawea's hand, while the other was holding up a ring made of twine. Avery turned down the music so that Teddy could speak to his beloved.

"I know it's a poor excuse for a ring, my dear..." He hesitated, waiting and watching his beloved's face.

"No my love, it's perfect." A smile broke out on his face.

"Then, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

Just say I do…

It was strange for Avery to hear Teddy this vulnerable and unsure of himself. It was a far cry from his usual, boisterous flair.

"Yes my love, I would be most honored." She leaned down and gave Teddy a delicate kiss. He slipped the ring on her finger, got to his feet and picked her up and spun her around. Teddy looked like the happiest man alive. Both were all smiles as all around them cheers erupted. Friends descended on the happy couple, offering congratulations.

"Thank you Lawrence, Avery. Your help was most appreciated!" Avery smiled at the compliment. She went back to the reception desk and resumed the regular volume of the playlist. With all the excitement and cheering, she felt she needed a break. So she left to go upstairs to where she could look over the balcony at everyone. Ahk caught her leaving and dashed to catch up to her.

"Avery! Please wait!" He shouted as they ran up the stairs. She wanted to get to a safe distance to where they could actually hear each other and have a little more privacy.

"Please, we need to talk. Why are you avoiding me and pushing me away? Tell me what have I done?" His voice reached a desperate note as he reached for her hand. She let him grab it and pulled her around to face him. The desperation in his voice made her look up at him and see the sorrow in his eyes. She felt the weight of her guilt crush her. Her mouth went dry as she realized she hadn't figured out what she wanted to say.

"I'm sorry Ahk I don't mean to! You've done nothing wrong! In fact, you're wonderful! I'm just- I'm so scared. I mean, you're you and I'm, well, I'm just me. I'm worried now that my confession is making things awkward between us."

"Let me share with you my response Avery. I've been trying to tell you all night. Just as I have gotten to know you, my heart has to. My eyes light up when I see you in a room. Everytime I am around you, my words get twisted. My heart flutters. I feel nervous. Not even when I was alive in Egypt had I felt like this. I share your feelings about our connection and crush. You, Avery Daniels, are the Guardian of my heart." He grabbed both her hands and squeezed. He gave her his most earnest smile. His heart and shoulders felt lighter as he confessed.

Avery took a shaky breath. She knew where he was going but she did not expect the sincerity and depth in his words. Tears sprung to her eyes and as much as she tried to blink them away a few escaped down her cheek. Ahk wiped them away with his thumb.

"Avery? Please talk to me."

"I don't know what to say. I wasn't expecting you to pour your heart out to someone like me! What if this is a mistake, what if I mess up? I haven't known many healthy relationships! I've never even been in a relationship before because of it!" Her thoughts were spiraling as her voice became high pitched. She turned her back towards him.

"But have faith in us. In me. We can make this work! Please, you are without a doubt, the best thing that's happened to me since I was freed. I can be myself around you. I am no longer a Pharaoh, but a simple man, no titles. You are not just a 'someone.' You are a compassionate, thoughtful, intelligent woman. I see someone who stands before me as incredibly brave. Regardless of your past, you deserve happiness Avery. We both do. Will you be the Guardian of my heart?" He laid a hand on her back and she leaned into it. He then wrapped his arms around her and gave her a hug. She stood there, soaking in his warmth and affection.

"Okay." A simple response but she hugged him a little tighter.

"I'm still a little scared but I think I want to do this." She met his eyes and shyly smiled.

He laughed and picked her up and spun her in the air much like Teddy did with Sac. She shrieked with laughter at the unexpected action. This time happy tears flowed down her cheeks. His heart was full of affection for this woman in front of him. His girlfriend. Just as they were settling down, a new song started playing. A Thousand Years by Christina Perri.

I have died every day waiting for you

Darling, don't be afraid

I have loved you for a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more

And all along I believed I would find you

Time has brought your heart to me

I have loved you for a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more

They began to slow dance as they let the melody wash over them. Her head was resting on his shoulder, as they swayed to the music. This song was very fitting to them and their newfound relationship. It was their song.

AN: hey readers! I hope you liked this chapter. This might be the last chapter at least for a few months. Life stuff and schoolwork are pending. I need to figure out where I want to take the rest of this so I can get to work on the second movie. I have a few chapter ideas outlined, so you'll just have to wait and see :)