Chapter 3 :  Changes

 

 

With Evelyn pregnant, Rick was very protective of her.  He made sure she got enough rest, and that she ate all her meals, and reassured her when she started to get nervous about the baby.  He was a bit nervous too, but he had a very laid back nature about him, and  for now, at least, he wasn't going to worry about things.  They still had 3 months before the baby was due. 

 

 

 

 

 

Today was a Saturday, and Evelyn, after eating breakfast, had gone to the museum to do some research on the dig they were about to embark on in Thebes.  Rick was not all that certain they should be going on a dig, not so close to time when she had the baby, as the dig was scheduled within her eighth month, but she had been insistent.  One thing he had learned about a pregnant woman, was that when her mind was made up about something, there was nothing to be done that would change it.  While she was at the museum, his special order had come in, and now up in her room he was trying to figure out how to set up the baby crib.  One of the general stores at Fort Bryton, had a catalog, and he had ordered the crib from there, and as luck would have it, it had come in today after she had gone to the museum, which meant he could surprise her.  After almost two hours, he had finally managed to get it put up.  It was made out of Mahogany, like the canopy bed that was in this room, her old room, and after he put the mattress in the crib he pushed it against the wall opposite the bed.  There was already a rocking chair in this room, and he spent the rest of the day dusting the furniture, and putting the baby cloths she had gotten into the dresser drawers.  When he finished he stood back and smiled.  Now all they needed was the baby.

 

 

 

 

 

 As he walked downstairs he heard a woman giggling, and he knew that it wasn't Evelyn.  Jonathan had a date, and he shook his head as he entered they kitchen where the two sat.

 

"Ahh Rick this is Athena,"  he said.  The woman was dressed in a red gown, and she had a veil over her face.

 

"Jonathan, can I see you a moment?"  he asked.  Jonathan excused himself and they went into the living room.

 

"It thought we agreed that you would not bring your lady friends over."

 

"Well the baby isn't here yet,"  He wined.

 

"Yes, but you know how uncomfortable it makes Evelyn when you bring your girls here,"  he pointed out.  Jonathan sighed.

 

"All right we will leave,"  he repliedm, and went back to his date.  In a few minutes they were gone, and Rick started dinner.

 

 

 

Lately Evelyn had been spending late nights at the museum, and she was exhausted, but pushed herself to stay up, to do her research.  She had decided to write a book on the curses of ancient Egypt, and that was one of the reasons she wanted to go on this dig.  Already the Scholars had agreed to fund the dig.  Now she, and Rick were just ironing out the finer details.  She sighed as the baby within her began to move about jolting, and she guessed it had the hiccups.  She smiled as she remembered the first time it had happened.  She had been so panicked, that  she went to see the doctor, who told her it was normal for her baby to get the hiccups, and to try relaxing.  After putting her pen down, Evelyn rubbed a hand over her belly, and hummed a soft lullaby  In a couple of minutes the movements stopped, and she smiled.  Perhaps Rick was right, perhaps being a parent would not be as difficult as she had first thought.  She looked at the old Grandfather clock, and gasped.  It was already 8 at night.  Quickly she gathered her things, and within minutes she was walking up the path to their home.  As she opened the door Rick greeted her, and took her books out of her hands. 

 

"I'm sorry,"  she said, as he pulled her into his warm embrace.

 

"Don't be.  I know how much your work means to you,"  he said.  Evelyn felt lucky that she had a husband who supported her.  Most of the men back in London whom she had dated, would never have let her do this, and she was glad she had met a man like Rick.  After a kiss, he put his hand on her stomach and rubbed there.

 

"How is our little guy doing?"  he asked.  She shook her head at him.

 

"Rick stop calling the baby that, for all we know thats a girl in there, and Its not fair to call the baby that,"  she said trying not to refer to the baby as 'it' , which also drove her nuts.

 

"He kissed her.  All right so how is our baby doing today?"  he asked, deciding not to argue with her on this matter.   That made her feel better and she smiled placing her hand over his.

 

"Well our baby got the hiccups twice today, and I think we are both ready for dinner,"  she replied as her tummy growled.  He took her hand in response, and led her to the kitchen where he had dinner waiting for her..  He helped her sit down in the chair, and then sat with her while she ate.  Very quicky her food was gone, and when she stood she did so too quickly.  She swayed and before he could catch her she fell to the ground.

 

 

 

 

It was her head throbbing  which pulled Evelyn out of the safety of the darkness and she whimpered  It had been several hours since she collapsed, and the Doctor had told Rick  that she had to stay in bed for the next week, that her body was exhausted, and that it was not good for the baby.  When she started to stir, he lifted his head from his hands and walked over to her.  He had been sitting in the Rocking Chair terrified that he was going to lose both she and their baby.

 

"Hey,"  he said as he settled beside her.  She opened her eyes and looked at him.

 

"What happened?  I remember eating dinner, and standing, then I'm here, and oh my head,:"  she said as she rubbed the back of it.  He leaned in and kissed her forehead. 

 

"You have been doing too much. Dr.  Ignatus says you have to stay in bed for the week to allow your body time to rest, and recover,"  he said.  She closed her eyes.

 

"But what about work?  The Bembridge Scholars are finally listening to me, accepting me into their circle.  I have a real chance to prove myself to them,"  she said.  He sighed.

 

"Evie, remember when we first found out about when you were pregnant?"  he asked.  She nodded.

 

"I remember worrying about changes,"  she said, and sighed.

 

"Thats right.  Right now it doesn't matter what a group of faceless men think about you.  What matters right now is you, and this little baby,"  He said as he rubbed his hand over her stomach. 

 

"I know your right.  I must sound terrible pushing myself and not thinking about the baby,"  she said, and he could tell she was about to cry.  He leaned down, and pulled his boots off, then lay in bed bringing her against him.

 

"No honey your not terrible.  Having a baby is going to take a lot to get used to for both of us, and  we will work through that.  What is important is that you realize now that you need to start taking it easy.  We need to just take things as they come,"  he said.  She smiled, and rolled onto her side looking up at him.

 

"Is that why you never seem to have a worry?"  she asked.  He smiled.

 

"What because I take it as it comes?  Partly, I do think about things in the future especially now, but the way I see it, there is no point getting worked up over something, that may never happen.  Yes when the baby gets here it may feel like we have been put in limbo, but we will deal with that."  She nodded.

 

"Maybe we shouldn't go on that dig."  she said.  He didn't respond to that.  It was part his decision, but she had to come to her own decision on things, and when she sighed he kissed the top of her head.

 

"There will be plenty of time for us to go on digs.  Right now I think we need to focus on what his happening with you and our baby.,"  he said.  She was tired and for now at least there was no more to be said.  She fell asleep in the safety of his arms, and for now he held she and their child safe.

 

 

 

A few weeks later Evelyn was back at the museum.  She had taken some additional time off, and was feeling much better.  Now she sat at her desk writing a letter to a childhood friend who still lived in England,  Anna.  Out of all her friends,  Anna, was the only one she had managed not to lose contact with, so every week Evelyn would sit down and write a letter to her, and about every week she received letters back.  Anna had been married for 3 years now, and had  2 children.  Her husband was a ship builder, and had a reputation as one of London's premier builders.  Evie had just gotten her letter, which had some advise about being a new mum, and the best advise she had gotten so far, was to listen to herself, and trust her instincts.

 

 

'Dear Anna,  I received your latest letter, and

I want to thank you for your words of wisdom.

Truthfully, I am still utterly terrified about all of this,

despite my husbands confidence that we will do fine.

I remember baby-sitting, and never having any control

over the children we took care of. I will hope that it

will be different with my own.  Tonight Rick and I are

going to watch Safia's baby, who is 4 weeks old for a few

hours to see how that goes.  Wish us luck

Love

Evelyn.

 

After she finished the letter, Evelyn sealed it, then put it aside to take to the post office on her way home.  The rest of the afternoon she worked on her book, making sure to drink plenty of water, and listened to her body.  When she began to feel tired,  she called it a day, packed up her things, and headed for the house.  At the post office, she delivered her letter, then took a leisurely walk home.  It was close to dusk when she arrived, and when she walked in all was quiet.  Because of her side trip she was late, and guessed Safia had already left Kiya with Rick.  After she hung her Shaw over the hall tree, she walked into the parlor where Rick was reading  the post, and on the coffee table was a basket bed. When she walked in, He put down what he was reading, and came to her, holding her as best he could to give her a kiss.

 

"How long has she been here?"  Evie asked quietly

 

"Mmm, about 15 minutes."  he said as he followed her to the bed.  The baby was asleep on her side, covered with a soft blanket.

 

"She is so tiny,"  Evie whispered.  She felt his hand on her shoulder, and leaned against him.

 

"Well what is for dinner?"  she asked smelling good things from the kitchen.  One thing that was surprising to her, was how good a cook her husband was.  He couldn't cook fancy four coursed meals, but what he did make was far better than anything Jonathan, or she had ever managed.

 

"Tonight it is pasta, and my special tomato sauce,"  he said.

 

"Hmm sounds good to me.  I'm in the mood for something light,"  she admitted as they went into the kitchen.  While Rick set the table for he and Evie, Jonathan already out for the evening, Evelyn went upstairs and put on something a bit more comfortable, a soft cotton dress, which flowed over her body, and made her feel good.  She also let her hair down and ran a brush through it, then went back downstairs.  She found the table half set, and looked up as Rick walked in with Kiya against his shoulder.

 

"Someone got lonely I do believe,"  he said.  She smiled and walked over to him.

 

"She looks just like Safia,"  Evelyn commented.

 

"I think so."  The baby was content against his shoulder, though he had to finish dinner, so Evelyn took her cradling her against her chest, as she settled at the table.  While they had dinner Kiya slept in Evelyn's arms not making a beep, and even when she needed to be changed she didn't cry too much.  It was a few hours later when Safia returned.  She spoke Egyptian, and only Evelyn really understood her.  After gathering her things,  Rick and Evelyn saw her out, then Rick eased Evie into his arms.

 

"Well what do you thing?"  he asked, as she looked up at him.

 

"I think we might be all right. She seemed very content,"  Evie said feeling a bit of relief.  They turned out the lights all accept the few they left on at night and headed for bed and rest.

 

 

More soon