| THE ADVENTURES OF THE O'CONNELL FAMILY Page 31 |
| head the moment after he began speaking. She smiled at him excitedly, like she had something urgent to tell him, "No�I just wanted to�.I�I love you Jonathan." She blurted out. They exchanged smiles and Gabrielle put her hand on the nape of his neck and pulled him down to her kissing him again. Krista ([email protected]) April 22, 2002 Rick paced back and forth in his room silently. Back and forth, back and forth the American paced. Olympus watched quietly as the man moved about the room in mute anger. Olympus understood the other man's situation. Here he was, unable to be with his wife, and his son was going to become a human sacrifice. He himself wondered if they would reclaim the American man's son. The sands of time were running quickly, and if they were too late, then they would surely be in great peril. Olympus frowned at the thought of sacrificing the boy for dominance. Such a thing was not acceptable. Seth and Nephthys could not win this battle...no, Olympus would not allow it. He couldn't... "I need to see her." Olympus looked up to see Rick make his way to the door. But in a shot, Olympus was blocking the door from the American. Rick growled low at the man who dared to stop him. "Out of my way, Olympus. I need to see my wife!" Rick spat. Olympus remained where he was. "I cannot allow you to risk it, my friend. The chances of you not being discovered or worse are slim. I suggest you just remain where you are until the time is right." Olympus said in a low voice. "Why can't we just go now? We could knock the guards down easily and most everyone is already down for the night anyways!" Rick snapped. Olympus shook his head. "Fool, the guards are on their toes at all hours, even at the evening's call. We must do this properly and organized, not going about and beating our enemies to dust." Rick sighed softly to himself. He knew Olympus was right. They needed to wait a little while longer. However, time wasn't on their side ever. They had to get to Alex before the designated time or else his only son would perish at evil's hands. Suddenly Rick found himself at the window, the soft desert breeze caressing his face. His mind wandered back to the first time he ever brought Alex to Egypt with Evelyn... ~*~*~*~*~ "Dad! Look at all this sand! There's enough here to make over a million hourglasses!" Alex said excitedly. Rick smiled and scooped him into his arms. The boy was only about 6, and already he had a love for Ancient Egypt like his mother. And like his father, Alex was excited about the chance of an adventure. He covered his eyes as a breeze blew in some sand towards his face. "Dad," Alex whined. "The sand is getting in my eyes! And in my mouth!" Rick's smile widened as he placed a small version of his own desert headgear on his son's head. Alex poked at it a bit, wondering if it would really work. When he discovered it did, Alex grinned and ran about excitedly, searching for hidden treasures that would possibly lay beneath. "Alex, go slowly!" Evie called out to her son. "Yes mum!" Alex chimed. As the day had worn on, Evie and Rick digging about in ancient ruins and letting Alex touch different artifacts (the ones that wouldn't crumble to the touch, that is), they had all settled at their camp and were gradually settling down for sleep. Rick had maintained late night watch, cautious to make sure that no mummies were resurrected again. Especially if his six year old was around. Evelyn was fast asleep, along with Alex by her side asleep as well. "Dad?" Rick looked down at Alex, who stood in front of him holding a book about half his size. He clutched it to his chest, making careful sure not to drop it or let it fall near the fire. Rick tipped his head curiously at his son. So much for being asleep. "What is it, little guy?" Alex held up the book to his father. Rick recognized it as the one Evie read every night before bedtime. The story of a boy who was best friends with a camel and traveled the desert seeking adventures. It was a random storybook, not quite famous by literary standards, but it was Alex's favorite because it reminded both him and Rick of Alex. "How come you're still awake?" Rick wondered. "Couldn't sleep. You're not asleep neither. I'll keep guard with you. We'll fight the bad guys together if they come. 'Til then, can you read to me?" "Okay, bud. Come on up on my lap." Rick said, patting his thigh. He loved his son's innocence. Alex grinned with delight and wriggled onto his Daddy's lap, leaning back against his father's broad chest. Rick opened the book to the first page, where they always began, no matter where they ended the story. It was always best to start from the beginning to Alex. Never leave something stale, be it food, gossip, or a bedtime story. "Once upon a time, there was a boy who lived in the desert with a camel for his friend. The camel and the boy loved adventures. When the sun was shining, the camel and the boy would travel in the direction of the wind. They would search for many treasures and battle against many foes. When the moon was above the desert sand, the boy and the camel would sleep side by side, keeping the other warm in the cool of the sand." Rick read softly. |