Work Text:
It had been a few weeks since the family had returned from their adventure in Ahm Shere, and the trauma was too fresh for Evelyn to do any archaeological digging, so she focused on her academic papers. The whole family grew closer as they recovered from what had happened.
The library of their home was silent except for the soft sound of the wind rustling through the curtains and the sound of Jonathan writing his drafts for his book. He sat at his desk, writing and outlining the central plot points of the story. At the other table was Evelyn, who was reviewing some documents she had received from Oxford University about her upcoming lecture.
Then Jonathan looked up thoughtfully and spoke to his sister. "Old mum?" he asked, still holding his pen.
"Yes?" Evelyn replied, still focused on her papers.
Jonathan tilted his head thoughtfully to the side before saying, "I was thinking about what Ardeth said about destiny. I mean, think about it: you married the man who guided us to Hamunaptra, and Ardeth told us that Rick is a kind of Medjai, right? And I'm dating a Medjai who protected Hamunaptra..."
Evelyn raised her head with a curious look. "Yes... And I remember you protecting Ardeth in Ahm Shere while I protected Rick." She stood up and went to her brother. "I think the four of us were destined to meet, right? Rick had the key with the map of Hamunaptra, and you stole it and gave it to me... I always dreamed of going there. And then we met Ardeth there."
"Yes," Jonathan replied. The man felt his eyes burn and crossed his arms. "It's a shame that Mum and Dad didn't get to meet them and Alex." Evelyn's heart ached as she thought of her parents and how much they would have loved their grandson and sons-in-law. The woman took her brother's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
The two were lost in thought, each reflecting on the loss of their parents, when the door opened. Rick poked his head into the library and smiled broadly at his wife. "Hey, hon. Alex and I made your favorite dessert..." Then he noticed his siblings' expressions and approached them, worried. "something wrong?".
Evelyn and Jonathan shook their heads negatively and smiled. Jonathan stood up and pushed away the negative thoughts. "It's nothing, chap. Evy, go eat your dessert before Alex eats it all."
Rick hugged his wife for a while and said to Jonathan, "And Jonathan? You better go to the living room. Someone's looking for you." Then the couple left and Jonathan stood up apprehensively. Who could be waiting for him?
He walked into the room and saw Ardeth Bay sitting casually, drinking coffee and eating cookies. "Hello, love," Ardeth said shyly. "I apologize for my sudden visit. As I told O'Connell, no curse was awakened or anything like that. Don't worry. My cousin will study at a college here and invited me to live with him in London for a while. I think we'll be neighbors now."
Jonathan's reaction of shock and joy was so funny that Ardeth almost choked on the cookies.
Ardeth began telling his boyfriend everything while the two shared cookies and many kisses. Evelyn laughed as Rick gallantly declared his love for her (Alex took the opportunity to grab a piece of the dessert). Jonathan and Evelyn lost their parents very early in life, but whenever sadness tries to overwhelm them, they remember they are surrounded by love.