The loud annoying ring of the alarm clock startled Rick awake, and he quickly reached over his wife�s slumbering form, and hit the clock; knocking it off her bedside table, and thus ending the loud ring of the alarm. Once the noise was taken care of Rick rested his head against his pillow, and reached out easing Evelyn�s body against his. He was amazed that all that noise hadn�t done anything to wake her, and was glad because he had a better way to do that. After moving her hair away from her neck he leaned in and nuzzled her there. Lightly he brushed his lips over her skin and heard her soft moan. �You sure you want to go to the museum today, because I can think of a better way for us to spend the morning,� he said as he continued to move his lips over her shoulders and then her neck.
Her husband�s warm lips on her skin were waking Evelyn, and she quickly rolled over so that he could kiss her lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck and molded her lips against his. When he pulled away she opened her eyes. �As much as I would love to stay in bed with you, I did promise Theodore that I would go to the museum and catalog the artifacts for them,� she said as she leaned in and took his lips in another sensual kiss. With three months left to go on her pregnancy, it was more difficult to get close to her husband, but that didn�t seem to be a problem for him, and as his hands began to move over her body, Evelyn knew she was going to be late, very late.
~*~
In the matter of two weeks, Nanna had single handily gotten Alex potty trained, though nap time and bed time he still wore rubber pants over his underwear, the rest of the time he was nappy free. He didn�t seem to notice the changes going on around him, such as the cradle which now sat in his parents room on his mum�s side of the bed, or the cradle downstairs. For Alex life was simple, and everyday he found something new and exciting to get into.
Settled in his playpen, one of the few places he couldn�t get into any real trouble, the sixteen month old was busy loading a wooden truck with blocks. Alex was totally absorbed in his task leaving his dad time to fix the Victorian Rocking chair. One of the rockers was lose, and Rick was doing his best to secure it, trying to avoid having to take it someplace to be fixed. They had plenty of money to get the chair fixed, but Evelyn was particular when it came to old family furnishings, and Rick didn�t want to see her unhappy.
�Poey Poey,� Alex called out as he stood up.
Knowing what that meant, Rick put down the tools he was using, and quickly ran over to Alex. He lifted him out of playpen and got him to the bathroom and on his potty pot just in time. When he was sure Alex was finished, Rick got his underpants and pants pulled up then let him go, picking up the small potty pot, and pouring its contents into the toilet, then flushed it before going to join his son.
In the Parlor he found Alex holding his hammer, and quickly took that away from him. �That will hurt you if you drop it pal,� Rick said as he carried him over to his play pen, ready to put him back inside.
Wanting to be free, Alex kicked his legs and shrieked. He wasn�t ready to back in his little prison, and was ready to let his father know just that.
�Alex look what�s in there,� Rick said as he put Alex down. He wanted to get the chair fixed before Evelyn got back from the museum, however it was evident as Alex started to really cry that right now he was going to have to leave that job for later. Rick picked his son up, and once Alex was sure he wasn�t going to be left in his playpen he calmed down. �Here�s your horse, why don�t you take a ride?� Rick asked, as he tried putting Alex on his hobby horse. Again his son protested by crying, and clinging to him, and his fussiness brought Nanna from the kitchen.
�Whose being grumpy? she asked, as she walked over to Alex and his father who had settled on one of the couches.
Alex pushed Nanna away when she sat down next to he and Rick, then cried more when his father scolded him. �I think you need to have a rest,� Nanna said offering to take him upstairs and get him down for nap time.
Despite his loud angry protests, and after Rick nodded his head in permission, Nanna carried Alex upstairs, leaving his father to finish the task of fixing the rocking chair.
Free of daddy duty, Rick returned to the chair, and went back to his task of trying to fix the rocker, having a feeling he was going to have to take it in to be fixed.
~*~
Being at the museum was a home away from home for Evelyn. In a small office in the back of the large building, on the ground floor, she sat at a mahogany desk looking over some interesting artifacts sent to the museum by some archeologists working in Brazil. There were several vases, most of them broken, painted in ornate colors, which she found fascinating. The dating, she was sure, went back several thousands of years, and the craftsmanship was remarkable. While her field and true love would always be Egypt, she still found the study of other cultures very invigorating. As she finished cataloging the last piece, she looked up when she heard the click of someone�s heels. A woman about her age walked in to her office, and Evelyn smiled. �Aimee is that you?� she asked catching the tall slender blond headed woman�s attention.
�Evelyn? I thought you and Jonathan had gone off to Egypt,� she said as she walked over to the desk where her life long friend was settled.
�We were for quite some time, but that has been a while. I�m married now, and am due to have my second child sometime in September.� She used the desk as an aid and stood up, walking around it to give Aimee a hug. �What brings you here?�
After returning the hug, Aimee told Evie about her husband Sam, and his business which was in importing and exporting goods of all sorts. �We met while I was vacationing in Jamaica. He�s from the United States, but moved here for me,� she said as they sat down on a couch close to the door. �I came by here to get a few items appraised that we recently came upon, so I guess you are who I should speak with?�
Evie nodded her head. �If it has any archeological value I might be of some assistance, let me see what you have.�
Aimee took a velvet pouch out of the brown satchel she had brought with her and let Evelyn have it.
In the pouch were several gold broaches, each adorned with fine jewels. �How beautiful. I think these are from the Ming Dynasty, and they are quite valuable. Are you and your husband planning on keeping them?� she asked, hoping that she could take them with her to show Rick.
�No, we have a man interested in selling them in the United States, but if you would like you could hold on to those for a few days. He is out of town on business, and Sam won�t need them back until Friday.� The two of them talked a little more, then Aimee left to meet her husband for lunch.
By that time Evelyn felt the baby within her tummy moving, and felt hungry. After giving her paper work to the curator, she walked out of his office, hoping Rick would be waiting for her when she arrived outside.
~*~
It was windy and rainy, and after parking in front of the museum, Rick got out of his new Beuford, putting up a large black umbrella. He managed to get up the stairs before his wife stepped out of the building, then took hold of her arm, and helped her back to his car. Once she was safe inside he took the drivers seat, and they headed back to the house. �So how was your first day of volunteering?�
�Wonderful. The museum just received a shipment of artifacts from Brazil. I also saw an old friend of mine from my youth, who allowed me bring home some beautiful Broaches for you to see. She wanted me to appraise them for her, and I believe they are very valuable.� It was then that she realized Alex was not with his father, and she inquired about that, knowing that her two guys were usually inseparable.
�He�s having a nap. I don�t know what went wrong, because he spent the first few hours of the morning playing quietly in his playpen. Then I took him to the bathroom, and after he finished there, he was all upset about something.� Rick said as he reached out and put his arm over her shoulder.
�I hope he isn�t coming down with something,� Evie said as she rubbed her left hand over her grumbling tummy.
�He just needs a good rest is all.�
~*~
When they arrived at the house, both of them saw a black car pulled in front, one they both recognized as Dr. Robert�s car. As soon as Rick parked the Beuford, he got out, and hurried to Evelyn�s side, helping her to her feet, then the two of them rushed to the house. As they readied to open the door, it was pulled open and the doctor and his nurse were there. �What�s wrong?� Rick asked.
�Nothing to horrible. Alex has an ear infection, so I�ve sent Jonathan to the Apothecary to get some ear drops for that. He should be feeling fine by morning.�
While Dr. Robert�s talked to Rick, Evelyn hurried into the parlor, and not finding her son there she went upstairs, hearing his cries as she reached the second level. In his room Nanna was dressing Alex for bed, and once he saw Evie he had more of a fit and kicked his legs. �Here I am baby.� Evelyn said as she walked over to the bed, ready to take over. She got a pair of warm feeted pajamas on him, then picked him up settling him over the swell in her tummy which was their second child. �Shhh, I�m here now my sweet boy.� Evelyn carried him out of his room, and into the room she and Rick shared.
With her pregnancy as advanced as it was, it was difficult to sit down and hold him, so her remedy was to lay with him, and once they were in her bed, Alex began to calm down. He felt warm, and Evie was about to go ask Nanna if she had given him any baby aspirin, when she came in with some. �Alex here is some candy,� Evie said as she helped her baby sit up.
Since candy was something he liked, Alex didn�t make a fuss and took them without a hitch. Once he had done that, and taken a sip of milk, he lay beside Evie watching her as she began to sing to him. He was almost asleep when Rick came in with Nanna behind him. He had the ear drops, and both he and Evelyn would watch as Nanna administered them.
Only his left ear was inflamed and Alex woke up and cried instantly when Nanna administered the drops, then snuggled up with both parents and went to sleep.
~*~
Not too long after Alex went to sleep, Rick and Evelyn left the bed going downstairs to have lunch. On their way, Evie talked about Alex being sick. �I don�t think he has ever had an illness of any sort.�
Rick thought back, and realized she was correct. �I guess your right.�
�I don�t like not being able to hold him in my arms and rock him. He needs that right now,� Evie said as they walked into the kitchen.
�Evie he knows you are there for him, and it seemed to me that he liked being in our bed with the two of us,� Rick pointed out.
At the table both of them sat down, and Nanna served them two steaming bowls of beef stew, as well as some freshly prepared bread with homemade butter. Once she had served them, she left to go sit with Alex, allowing Rick and Evelyn to have some time alone.
Lunch was a quiet meal, and after they cleared the table and cleaned the dishes, Rick led Evelyn into the Parlor. There he had put her satchel, and was curious about her find. �I thought maybe we could look at those broaches,� he said seeing the far away look in her eyes.
The mention of the broaches got her mind focused on something other than her sick child, and Evie reached into her satchel and took out the velvet pouch handing it to Rick. Then she followed him to a sofa, and sat down with him. �My friend Aimee and her husband own an import export business, and they wanted these appraised.�
Rick opened the pouch and poured the contents on his lap. He picked up one gold broach which held three diamonds in the center, and whistled. �This one they could get at least ten thousand pounds if they sold it.� He held up another one with diamonds and rubies. �Thirty thousand I�d say,� he said. Rick knew his treasure without a second glance, and was able to price all ten pieces. �Do they have any plans for this?� he asked as he put the broaches back in their pouches.
�Her husband has a man who wants to sell it in the United States,� Evelyn informed, then looked up at the steps as Nanna came downstairs with Alex. He looked very tired, but wasn�t crying, and once he was settled in between both parents, he leaned against his mothers large belly and shut his eyes.
�Do you want to take him back to our bed?� Rick asked once Alex was good and asleep.
�I think that might be better,� Evie said.
When Rick picked Alex up, he struggled, not wanting to be away from his mum. �Hey big guy, mum�s right here,� Rick reassured.
Evelyn moved next to them and placed her hand on his back. �We�re going upstairs baby, and I�ll stay right with you.�
Once he was sure his mum wasn�t going anywhere, Alex stopped struggling and shut his eyes again needing rest.
~*~
After spending a full day taking care of Alex, Evelyn was ready for bed, more early than usual. Most of the time she liked to sit up in bed, and read before going to sleep, but it seemed as soon as she was lying down, she could hardly hold her eyes open.
In bed, asleep was were Rick found his wife after locking the doors, and checking everything downstairs. After taking off his cloths he slipped into bed next to her and moved against her body, not getting any response from her, which was unusual because nights and mornings were their time. He found her left ear, and nibbled it, hoping to get some response from her, but when he didn�t get any he settled for holding her in his arms while she slept.
~*~
It didn�t seem like too much later when Rick woke up hearing Alex�s cries. He waited for a few moments but when he didn�t feel Evelyn respond, he eased away from her. After pulling on a pair of soft cotton pajama pants, he walked down the hall to Alex�s room, finding Nanna there changing the sheets on his bed while trying to hold him. �Can I help?�
Once Alex saw his dad, he wanted him, and calmed down once Rick was holding him. Rick carried his sleepy son over to the rocking chair and sat down with him, and instantly Alex began to fuss.
�Mum mum,� he said trying to get free from his daddy.
Nanna finished putting clean sheets on his bed, then got one of Alex�s favorite books and took that to Rick before leaving with Alex�s soiled sheets and night cloths.
Once Rick started to read, Alex gave up fighting, and listened to the story. �Mum mum,� Alex said as Rick started on the third page of �An Elephants Child.�
�Mum mum is sleeping buddy,� Rick said as he leaned down and kissed the top of Alex�s head.
Alex sighed and it wasn�t much longer before he was asleep. After putting him in his crib, Rick went back to his own bed, finding Evelyn was still asleep. As he slipped next to her he tried to recall if she was this tired when she was carrying Alex, but couldn�t remember. It didn�t take too much time for him to go to sleep and for the rest of the night there were no more interruptions.
~*~
When Evelyn and Rick arrived at the kitchen for breakfast the next morning, Alex was awake settled on Nanna�s lap. He was eating some toast, though when he saw his mum mum, he instantly wanted down.
Once Evie was sitting down, Rick helped her lift Alex and settle him on what lap she had left. �He doesn�t feel as warm as he did last night when he woke up,� Rick said more to Nanna than to Evelyn.
�Yes I think the aspirin and the medicine are helping a great deal,� she replied, as she stood from the table gathering her dish and Alex�s to wash.
�Was he awake last night?� Evie asked as she gave Alex a bite of her eggs.
�Yeah, you didn�t hear him, or notice me getting out of bed,� Rick said.
�Will you wake me the next time he awakens? I would like to be there for him.�
�Sure. Listen, I was thinking we might want to cancel our plans to go out for the evening,� said Rick as he buttered his second piece of toast.
Alex chose that moment to start fussing, and when Evelyn put him down, he slid down on his belly and started to cry harder. It took a great deal of effort but Evelyn managed to kneel down, and lift him up, and once he was in her arms he started to calm down. �I think perhaps you may be right,� replied Evie, as Nanna helped her stand up with Alex still in her arms. �When did he awaken?�
�Four hours ago. He may need an early nap. I will take him upstairs if you want to finish your breakfast.�
Evelyn tried to give Alex to her, but he put up enough of a fuss to change her mind in a heart beat. By then Rick was standing at her side, helping her hold Alex until she got him to calm down, then he guided them upstairs to their son�s room.
Once Evelyn and Alex were settled in the rocking chair, Rick got a book for her to read, and as he started away she took his hand. �Stay with us,� she said as she opened the book to the first page.
Complying with his wife�s request, Rick knelt down beside the rocking chair and held her hand until Alex was asleep. Once he was, Rick put him in his crib then the two of them went downstairs to finish their breakfast.
~*~
By Friday, Alex was feeling more himself, and was back into all of his old troubles of getting into things he wasn�t supposed to be into. With him well, and Rick and Jonathan off to an auction, Evelyn left Alex in Nanna�s care and had Herman drive her to the Museum. Herman helped out around the house and on the occasions when Rick wasn�t around, took her to the museum. In all of her years Evie had never learned to drive a car, finding them to be cumbersome and too much trouble to control, therefore she preferred to have someone drive her.
Once at the museum Evelyn set about filing some books in the Library, and was almost finished when Aimee arrived to get the broaches. After discussing the value of them, and before leaving, Aimee invited Evelyn and Rick to dinner. �Very good then, we will see you at half past seven.� The two ladies hugged then Evie got back to the rest of her work, ready to go home, and see what sort of things Rick and Jonathan found, if any, at the auction.
~*~
The only thing Jonathan found interest in bidding on was a picture of a dog. It was a portrait of a hound, like one they had as children to hang in his room. Rick had never been to an auction, and found the whole experience terribly boring.
Once he helped Jonathan get the picture up to his room, he settled downstairs in the Parlor sipping on tonic and water while waiting for Herman to bring Evelyn home from the museum. He was dosing off when a small boy launched himself onto his lap. �Ohh, your getting to0 big for that,� Rick said as he lifted Alex in the air, getting lots of giggles. He settled Alex on his lap so that his son was facing him, and gave both chubby cheeks a kiss. After getting kissed Alex put his hands over his face ready to play peep a boo. �Where is Alex?� Rick asked as he turned his head to look beside him. �Alex?� he called out.
�He,� Alex called out as he took his hands off his face and struggled to stand up on Rick�s lap.
Not wanting to have Alex step anywhere painful, Rick held him up, and had his eyes covered by two tiny hands.
�Dah,� Alex said giggling. �Dah Dah Dah,� he said again, before pulling his hands away and laughing.
They played that game for another few minutes before Alex was ready to get down and go play with his own toys. He had just settled down with his trucks when Evelyn walked in looking happy.
Rick noticed that as soon as he saw her, and after kissing her, and letting her give Alex a kiss he asked her what was going on.
�Aimee invited us to her house for dinner, and with Alex feeling well again I thought perhaps it might be nice to get out for a bit,� she said as she gave him a kiss. Kissing her husband, and hugging him was usually the best way to get what she wanted, and when he agreed Evie abruptly left him to go find a dress to wear for their evening out.
~*~
Well after a wonderful dinner of Cornish Hens, and steamed vegetables, Rick and Evelyn sat with their friends, talking about times long since past. As it turned out Sam and Rick met in France. Both of them served in the Legion, and had gone their separate ways after they were deployed.
�Sam and I have spoken about the possibility of starting a family, but I�m not sure I would be ready for such a giant responcibity. You remember how horrible I was when I was around children when we were growing up,� Aimee said. She and Evie were settled at the table talking while Rick and Sam had their own conversation in the Parlor.
�When I found out I was carrying Alex I was absolutely terrified. I thought I could never care for a baby, and for the first few weeks I cried when he did. Then everything just fell into place, and now I couldn�t imagine our lives without him. I�m not sure how this new baby will fit in, but I�m sure we will be fine,� Evie said as she sipped a glass of lemon water.
While the women discussed married life, and a family, Sam was telling Rick about his business. �You really should have a hand at it. With your knowledge of rare and valuable treasure, and my knowledge of business, I�d say we would make a good team,� Sam said.
In all actuality, as much as Rick loved Alex, he was beginning to want more things to do. Now that Evelyn was volunteering at the museum, he felt the need to do more than just sit around. �Look I�ll talk it over with my wife, but that sounds like my kind of job,� Rick said as the ladies walked in.
It was getting late, and Evelyn was feeling the effects of a long day; one of the down sides of being six months pregnant. Once good-byes were said, and they were on their way home Evelyn snuggled her right cheek against Rick�s shoulder. �I had a nice time talking with Aimee. I think perhaps we will start having afternoon tea together, and that will give her a chance to be around Alex. What were you and Sam speaking of?� she asked sleepily.
Rick wrapped his left arm around her keeping his right hand on the wheel. �He wants me to go to work with him, a partnership at his firm and I was thinking with Nanna there to help out with Alex and the baby it might be a good thing to do,� he said as he turned down the road which would lead them to home in thirty minutes.
�But you will still help with the baby?� Evie asked fighting to stay awake.
�My family comes first,� he said as he felt her snuggle closer to him. �Your not going to sleep are you?� he asked hoping they could go park someplace and have some time alone.
Evie sighed in complete contentment. �Mmm, just resting my eyes. I�m sure you will be able to rouse me,� she said as she started to fall asleep.
Doubting he would be able to, Rick found a place on the side of the road they were on, and very quickly roused her, needing to show her all the ways that he loved her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Next stop, Alex gets a brother. Review Review. Just to clear up any confusion that might be happening, this story is not associated with Heidi, as you all know I love to add to the family and this is just yet another attempt. Enjoy.
Shelby