LIFE MOVES ON
Chapter 4 : Bumps along the road of Life
It had been a month since Rick and Evelyn had gone to the States, and today was their return. It was a cool day outside, and at the port Alex, Emma, Jonathan, and Max waited for them to return. They were sitting on one of the benches, and while Alex was busy with his puppy, Emma sat close to her Uncle worried. Her leg had gotten broken yesterday while she and Alex had been milling around in the old hay loft in the barn. It was a place that Rick had repeatedly told them not to go messing around in, but being the adventuring sort, they had disobeyed, and now she had her leg all broken. It hurt pretty bad, as she had gotten it broken in three places. Doctor Brown had said the breaks were clean, and that she was a lucky young woman. That whole experience had not been much fun, having a stranger touch her, and she had put up a fight despite Alex and Jonathan trying to calm her down.
“Do you think Daddy will be angry with me?” Emma asked looking up at her Uncle. He hugged her.
“No, He will be more angry at me for not having watched over you two closer.” She nodded, then they heard the whistle of their parents ship, and it was the moment Emma had been dreading. Alex and Max made their way through the crowd to the ship, and saw mum and dad coming down the ramp. When they stepped onto port, Alex ran to greet them and got a big hug from his father, and then his mother.
“I think you grew,” Evelyn said kissing the top of his head.
“Really I want to be as tall as dad,” Alex said. He grabbed a lighter suitcase.
“Where is Emma?” asked Evelyn, for they could not see her through the crowd. This was it, and Alex began.
“Well um she is sitting with Uncle John close to the car,” he said, deciding not to say anymore than that. Rick noted his nervousness.
“Did you two have another arguement?” he asked, not ready to come home to having to referee, though that was a part of being a parent. Before Alex could say anything Rick and Evelyn saw Emma sitting on the bench, and the cast which went pretty much all the way up her leg. They both ran to her, and Evelyn settled next to her hugging her.
“How did this happen?” Evelyn asked eyeing her brother. Alex came to the rescue.
“It wasn’t Uncle Johns fault. Well me and Emms decided to go exploring, and she sort of fell out of the hay loft. But the doctor said she had clean breaks, and her leg will heal fine,” he said. This was not something either parent was happy about.
“Don’t worry they have been punished. I grounded them both to their room’s until they are 20,” Jonathan said trying to lighten things up. He never did like it when his brother-in-law, or sister got upset with the kids.
“Yeah I was supposed to go to the picture show with Max, but now I can’t,” Alex wined. He had not been happy with his punishment, but he was glad dad had not been there or his bottom would have been sore for a few days. Rick pointed out that if it would have been him, that punishment would have been used, and Emma for one was very glad that Uncle John had sentenced them to their rooms for a week. After he said that, Rick saw the fear in his daughters eyes, and hated that she feared him, but at the same time she and Alex had both known better than to do that. He knelt down in front of her.
“I’m glad your leg is the only thing you got hurt,” he told her, then he lifted her into his arms, and Evelyn stood, and got her crutches. Then they headed for the car, and home.
The week of being grounded passed, and that next Saturday, Alex and Emma recieved the presents their parents had brought back for them, from America. Alex had gotten a ball and glove, to go along with the one that Rick had purchased for himself, and Emma had gotten a locket that had a picture of her mother and father on one side, and on the other, was a lotus flower, which was done in gold, and stuck out a bit. The front of it also had a Lotus flower on it, and she decided she would always wear it, just as her mother always wore hers. Right now she was laying in her parents bed while her mum put away cloths.
“Alex really liked his present,” she said smiling. Evie looked up from folding the last of her clothing.
“I know. Your father noticed that it was becoming very popular over in the States, and decided he and Alex could use that as a bonding expereince. Emma giggled.
“Men are so silly about sports,” she said. That got a laugh from her mother who came and settled beside her. Emma frowned.
“Mum you don’t look like you feel good,” she said.
“I’ve just overdone, it, and my body is still on their time,” she said. Emma snuggled against her, and they both fell asleep.
A few weeks passed, and Evelyn had managed to hide the fact from Rick that she wasn’t feeling herself. She had absolutly no energy, and even though she managed to keep things running smooth at the museum, when she got home at night, it took all she had to put up the front that all was well. With Rick was out of town on business, today, she had decided to pay a visit to Doc Brown. Now she sat on the exam table in just a light gown, and jumped when he came in.
“It has been a long time since you payed me a visit,” he said sitting on his stool. She nodded. It was rare that she ever got sick, and aside from her yearly check up, there was hardly a time when she needed to see him.
“My nurse said you have been feeling run down of late,” She nodded.
“What else?”
“I’ve not had much of an appetite lately, not getting sick but just havn’t wanted to eat.” shes said. He noted that on her chart, as well as the extreme fatigue.
“Well let me run some tests then. I’m sure its just the flu,” he told her standing. He got out a seringe and Evie closed her eyes as he took some of her blood.
“I’ll know by tommrow if something is amiss.” She nodded, and after she got dressed she left for home, she would call it an early day, and since the kids were away with Rick, noone would know she was feeling as bad as she was.
That next day came around quickly, and when Doc came in he had a look of shock on his face. He sat down.
“What is it?” she asked worried.
“Evelyn I’ve never in all my years as a doctor come up with these kinds of results. I ran the test ten times and it came out the same. Your pregnant.” Her eyes grew very big.
“That can’t be possible. I had a surgury, you did the surgery after we lost Christina.” He nodded.
“I know I did the surgery.” He was untterly at a loss for words. It was Evelyn who quickly relised exactly what was happening, and she gasped.
“Doc I am going to tell you why its happened, but its not something you can tell anyone.” He nodded, and she told hima bout Ahm-Shere, more specifically about the Book of the Dead, and her death and resurection.
“Don’t worry I won’t breath a word.” She nodded and closed her eyes. She was pregnant, and she didn’t want to be. Doc. came to her.
“I’ll take it that this isn’t something you want?” he asked. She looked up.
“I feel like a terrible person, but I have my children, a son and a Daugher, and the memory of Christina. I can’t have this baby,” she said.
“I will ask that you discuss this with Rick first,” He told her. She nodded, and left. It was hard to keep a steady face as she made her way to the car. The drive home she kept a straight face. It was when she got to her room that she lay on the bed and began to cry great sorrowful cries, and in fact cried herself to sleep.
It was dark outside when Jonathan woke up, and when he went in the kitchen he found that the house was empty. Generally he encountered Evie having dinner with her nose burried in a book but tonight it looked as if she hadn’t even been here. Concerned he went up to her room and knocked on the door. When there was no answere he opened it and found her sobbing in her bed. He moved quickly to her and gathered her in his arms.
“Shh,” he said. She held to him, wishing it were Rick but for now Jonathan would do. After a few moments she calmed down. Jonathan got out his handkerchief and gave it too her. She wiped her face with it and her nose.
“What happened?” he asked worried.
“I went to see Doc. I’ve been feeling really tired lately, and he said I’m pregnant.” Jonathan’s mouth dropped, then he closed it.
“But you had surgury.” She nodded.
“And when I came back from the dead I was healed,” she said.
“Evie look at this as a second chance, or third,” he said.
“Jonathan I can’t look at it as a good thing. Alex has just now begun to talk about his sister on his own. He is doing well in school, and his life is going on. Emma is finally excepting the men in this family. Rick and I reconciled over what happened with Christina, and with my operation. If I allow this baby to come into our lives it will destroy us.” She was totally convinced of that.
“Shh.” he held her against him wishing for all the world that Rick was here, and glad that he and the kids would be back early in the morning. He got her to promice she would sleep, and talk to Rick when he got back, then went downstairs and called Rosa, to tell her he was ill, and wouldn’t be seeing her. Tonight he would be here for his sister.
It was still dark when Rick returned with the kids. He woke Alex and carried Emma into the house, and was surprised to find Jonathan in the parlor, awake playing solitare.
“You need to talk to Evie.” he said standing. He noted the scared tone in his brother-in-law’s voice.
“I plan too.” Upstairs, he got Emma and ALex tucked in, then went to his room. He opened the door quietly, and found Evie asleep, which is where she was supposed to be. Despite his efforts to keep quiet, the rustling of his cloths, and opening of the drawers drew Evelyn out of her sleep. He came to her and settled on the bed, and noticed her face was tear stained. As soon as he was settled against the pillows he pulled her against him.
“Whats wrong hmm?” he asked. She merely snuggled as close to him as she could get, not wanting to tell him about this.
“I’m just not feeling all that well is all,” she said. That was part of the truth she really wasn’t feeling well, but more to the point was how her heart ached. She really didn’t want to have this baby not at this point in her life. He eased her away from himself and kissed her cheeks.
“Evelyn I’ve been married to you long enough to know when something is bothering you. Please tell me.” he said looking into her Hazel eyes with his blue ones. It was so hard to begin.
“Rick we have all we want right now. We have Alex happy, we have Emma, and our memory of Christina. Our lives are perfect just the way it is now,” she said trying to make him see that. He nodded.
“Your right. I love our life, but if there is change coming, then we will cope.” He said holding her once more against him. She took in a shuttering sigh.
“I’m pregnant Rick,” she said, waiting for his responce. At first the words didn’t register, then when they did he eased her away.
“But but. you had surgery,” he pointed out. That she already knew that.
“Yes and when Alex used The Book of the Dead to bring me back it healed not only the stab wound, but also my operation. So now we have this baby, and I don’t want to have it Rick.” That was not something he had expected to hear, but then again given what had happened with Christina, she had every right to say that.
“Evelyn shh,” he held her in his arms, and she snuggled close needing his strength at this moment.
“Rick I’m so afraid. Everytime we get to a point in our lives where I think things are going to go smooth, somthing always comes along that shakes things up.” He sighed.
“Evelyn I know that having a baby frightens you because of us loosing Christina, but maybe this is what we need.” He told her.
“I can’t love another baby Rick I just can’t.” She began to sob, and he held her closer. Her crying didn’t stop until she had fallen asleep, and by then the night sky was lightening, and morning was quickly approaching. As he eased away from her, he tried not to wake her, but did anyway.
“Rest,” he said to her. She shook her head, forever the stubborn one. He settled beside her and gathered her in his arms.
“I’m not sure what I want anymore Rick, part of me wants this baby, and then the other part says that it would be betraying our little Princess,” She said nuzzling his chest. He kissed the top of her head running his hand down her back.
“Evie maybe this is what was meant to be. What happened to our baby was a very rare event,” he said, remembering the doctor telling them both that after Christina had passed away.
“What about Alex and Emma?” shes asked. He rocked her.
“We will help them with this news, and I’m sure they will be fine with this.” He could never have been more wrong.
Family meetings were very rare occurances, and now Alex and Emma sat on one Couch while their parents sat on the other.
“Whats wrong?” Emma asked worried.
“They want to be rid of you,” Alex teased.
“Oh they do not,” She took a pillow and hit him with it.
“Alright you two that will be enough of that,” Evelyn said. They settled down and noticed mum take dads hand.
“We called a meeting because we need to tell you both something that is going to effect all of us,” Evelyn said. Alex’s eyes lit up.
“We are going back to Egypt?” he asked.
“No son,” Rick said. “Your mum and I, well we are all going to be adding another life to this family.” Neither of the kids really understood.
“You mean mum is going to have a baby?” Emma asked. Alex jumped in.
“No dummy she can’t have any babies, she had an operation after Christina left us, and she can’t have anymore, so we are adopting one then?” he asked confused.
“No Alex, I am going to have a baby. When you brought me back to life, the book healed all of me, making it possible for me to have a baby. I wasn’t aware of this, but we are going to have a baby,” She was still not sure of herself, and the sudden look on her son’s face made her heart sink.
“No.” Alex stood and shook his head.
“Your not having this baby,” he ran upstairs and the door to his room slammed shut. That left Emma.
“So I guess this means that you don’t want me anymore,” she said standing with the aid of her crutches. Evelyn went to her, while Rick went to speak to Alex.
“Oh Emma this doesn’t mean that at all.” Evelyn hugged her, and Emma hugged back afraid.
“What did you mean by the book?” she asked. Evelyn settled down with her daughter and began from the beginning.
In his room Alex had packed all he needed. There was no way he was going to stay here. He was going to find the Book of the Dead and bring Christina back. He didn’t care how much trouble he got in, THis baby wasn’t going to take her place. He was so into his task that he didn’t hear his dad come in.
“Where are you heading?” Rick asked as he took a seat on his son’s bed.
“Egypt,” came Alex’s honest reply.
“Thats a long trip to take by yourself,” Rick said, watching Alex break his piggy bank.
“I remeber how to do things,” he said not carring about his fathers presence at the moment.
“So what are you going to do when you get there?” he asked. Alex put his money in the Rucksack.
“I’m going to go back to Ahm-Shere.” He said putting on his socks and shoes.
“Son, we need to talk...” Alex cut him off.
“No we don’t need to talk. Mum isn’t going to have the baby she won’t have it I’ll get the books and bring them back and I’ll bring Christina back. A life for a life. This new baby for my sister,” He said. Evelyn walked in on that last part.
“Alex I know your hurt. I was upset about this at first too, but this is a new beginning for all of us,” She said going over to him.” He moved away still packing.
“You will feel differently once we have Christina back,” he told her, sure of himself.
“Alex we aren’t going to let you go to Egypt,” Evelyn told him.
“You can’t stop me mum. You can tell me not to go, and when you least expect it I’ll go anyway,” he said looking up at her. The hurt in his eyes was something she hadn’t seen since a few days after Christina’s death, and she wanted to cry. Rick came over and knelt down in front of him.
“Son the books are gone now. They dissapeared with the Oasis, and there isn’t a way to bring that back. It is not like Hamunaptra,” he said.
“Well then maybe I’ll go live with the Med-Jai,” he said still determined. A tear made its way down his face, and Rick hugged him. Alex resisted for all of two seconds then he started to cry. His cries turned to rage and he hit his fathers chest or tried to.
“You got her that way I hate you I hate you,” He yelled,” Rick held on to him, until the anger passed, then there were just sobs, soul wrenching sobs. Evelyn came over to them and placed her hand on his shoulder, and he came into her arms.
“Shhh.” She crooned. Alex took some deep breaths and eased away from her.
“Is it okay if I don’t want to love this baby?” he asked. Evelyn kissed his cheeks.
“I wish that you would love this baby, but that is your choice,” she said to him. He hugged her again.
“So you won’t be mad at me then?” Alex asked.
“No honey, I won’t be mad,” Evelyn said looking at Rick with tears forming in her own eyes. Once Alex had calmed down some, they all went downstairs for some Lunch. Usually Lunch was a noicy affair but today no one had much to say. Emma and Alex finished lunch first, and decided to go outside, which left Rick and Evelyn. alone.
“I want to have an abortion,” she said flatly. Rick nearly choked on his sandwich.
“Evie no,” he said standing up, going to her side.
“Rick there is no other way. Emma thinks we are having a baby because we dont love her anymore, and Alex thinks I want to forget about Christina. He stood her up and turned her to face him.
“What do you want without the children’s opinions?” She sighed.
“I know that I won’t ever forget Christina, and I know that this baby was put here for a reason, and I’m not going to deny it the chance to live, but when I think about our other two children I can’t help but thing that this is all wrong.” He took her into his arms, and she sighed.
“Evelyn we will help them understand that we love them just as much as we ever have, and its not going to be easy but he have been through far worse situations,” He told her. That was true, they had lost one child to a sickiness no one could find a cure too, and come through that, and a new baby was supposed to be a blessing, the hard part was getting the kids to realise that.
Outside in the garden, Alex and Emma sat on one of the benches not saying much of anything.
“Maybe it would be neat to have a baby around,” Emma tried.
“No it wouldn’t be. Christina was the only baby, our princesss, and there is no way I’ll ever love the baby.”
“What if mum has a boy like you?” she said guessing that Alex had not thought of that.
“Well I don’t know. I still won’t love it.” he said. Max came running over to them, and for a moement they forgot about the baby, and played with the puppy. Life was always moving and changing, and while this new baby was a big surprise for them all, eventually things would fall in to place.
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