Title: Responsibilities

 

Author: Eviefan

Disclaimer. The characters of this story belong to Stephen Sommers and Universal Studios

I am only borrowing them they are his ideas.

 

Summary: This story is the reason why Rick told Jonathan in Mummy Returns "Jonathan I thought I said no more wild parties." Hope you enjoy it

 

 

Responsibilities

 

 

To celebrate their five years of being married Rick and Evelyn O'Connell had decided to go to where they spend their honeymoon in the French Riviara. They had made plans for a young girl from the Museum to come and take care of Alex, Elaina who was in her early 20s and who Alex liked alot. Now it was a day before they were to leave and upstairs Evelyn was packing last minute things, when Rick

came into their room looking a little upset. She set her dress on the bed

"What is it ?" She asked him. He came over and took her hands in his.

"Looks like we may have to postpone our trip a little. Elaina called and said she has come down with a terrible cold, and is afraid of getting Alex sick." That indeed was not very good news.

"There must be someone who can look after him someone who we know," she said trying to think of anyone who would be willing to do this on such short notice. A knock at their door caught their attention.

"Yes," Rick said. Jonathan stuck his head in.

"Alex and I are off to the park." They both nodded and he left. That's when Evelyn got a great idea.

"Why not let Jonathan keep him." Rick laughed which hurt her feelings. She turned away from him going back to packing her bags.

"Evie he can't even take care of himself much less a four year old for a month."

"He took good care of him when we went to the meeting of the Bembridge Scholars a few months ago," Evelyn defended." Rick sighed

"That was for 3 days sweetheart, this is an entire month." She was still not satisfied.

"Rick he's responsible when he has Alex, he loves him. I know he would never let anything bad happen to him, we just have to give him a chance." Rick looked up at the ceiling for a moment. He knew that Evelyn loved her brother and wanted to give him a chance to prove himself, but risking Alex's safety was his big concern. He came to her and gently took her into his arms.

"I know you love Jonathan I do too, but can you honestly tell yourself that he will stay away from woman and Liquor the entire time we are gone." Evelyn nodded. Rick prayed she was right.

"All right then we will ask him." She hugged him and they shared a kiss before continuing to get ready. They would ask him tonight at dinner.

 

 

Chapter 2: Just the Guys

 

 

The next day Jonathan and Alex drove the lover birds to the port so they could catch their ship to their Honeymoon spot. Evelyn took Alex over by the ramp and they got a good look at the ship. He was fascinated by it.

 

"Mum, its just like the ones I play with in my baths," He said.

 

She smiled at him. "Your right it is almost like that. Alex, I need you to be extra good for your Uncle John will you do that for me?" She said looking down at her baby. He looked up with her.

 

"I'll be very good for Uncle John we have lots of fun you know," He told her. They talked more about the boat. At the car Jonathan helped Rick get the luggage out of the drunk of the car, and while they did that Rick went over a few things

"You know your going to have to be more than just his friend this time around. When he gets into trouble, you'll have to be the one to take care of that, and make sure he does all the things he normally does." Jonathan felt like a kid getting a lecture. He knew what he had to do, but he let Rick talk on.

 

"Rick you've got nothing to worry about Alex is a great hands you know," His brother-in-law shot him a serious look.

 

"I'm holding you to that. If anything does happen to my son then I won't hesitate to kick your ass from here to Hong Kong," He said very serious.

 

Jonathan patted him on the shoulder.

 

"We better go on to the ship." The two of them got the bags and joined Evelyn and Alex at the Ramp. Rick set the bags down and lifted Alex into his arms getting a king sized hug, the ones he loved.

 

"I wish I could go on the big boat," said Alex looking his dad in the eye. Rick kissed him on his nose getting a giggle.

 

"One of these days we will go on a boat ride, but this time its just for Mommy and me. Now do what your Uncle John tells you." Alex nodded and Rick set him down. Evelyn was next to give her baby hugs and kisses then one to her brother before boarding. Alex and Jonathan waved at them until the ship was gone, then they went to the car.

 

"What say you and I go to the park today." That brightened Alex up and the left the harbor to drive to one of the many parks in London.

 

 

After a big day in the park, Alex was tired, and when they got home Jonathan was thankful that Marie their maid had left them Dinner. He had Alex set out two plates and utensils and then served up Corned beef and Cabbage.

 

Dinner wasn't its usually noisy affair and Jonathan could tell that Alex missed his parents.

 

"If you eat three more bites of corned beef I'll let you have some of your chocolates." Candy was Alex's weak spot and the little boy made fast work of finishing his meal. When he finished Jonathan put three pieces of Chocolate down for Alex and left the rest of the bag on the counter while he cleaned up.

 

"I want more," Alex said around a mouth full of chocolates. Jonathan didn't let that happen. He knew too much would make Alex wild, and he for one wanted to go to bed. Once the kitchen was moderately clean the two went up to Alex's room, to his bathroom where Jonathan ran water into a giant porcelain tub. All of the rooms had its own bathroom, which made things very nice. For a little while Alex played with his ships singing them with huge title waves that threatened to

slosh over the side of the tub. Then Jonathan helped him wash, and got him out and into his pajamas. Now they sat in his bed.

 

"So what story do you want to hear tonight?"

 

"Peter pan," Alex said eagerly. Lately he couldn't get enough of that story loving all the action and adventure Pan John Wendy and Michael had. Jonathan picked up the large book and found a mark where Evelyn or Rick must have left of and began with the part of Tiger Lilies abduction. Alex rested his head against his Uncles side yawning, and it didn't take long for him to go to sleep. Quietly and carefully Jonathan got out of the bed tucking the covers around the little

boy. In his sleep Alex reached for something and Jonathan looked on the floor finding his teddy bear that had been his since the day he was born. He placed it in his nephews arms watching as Alex cuddled close to it. Carefully Jonathan leaned in and gave Alex a kiss, then went out and down the Hall to Rick and Evies room. He would stay in this part of the house incase Alex needed him.

 

A week passed and half of another, and Jonathan had been a good uncle taking Alex to the park almost everyday, or to the Museam. He made sure Alex ate three good meals a day along with healthy snacks, that he had his regular afternoon nap, and that he was in bed at his regular night hour of 8:00pm. They had heard from Rick and Evelyn only once, and both parties were pleased with how things were going. Then the second half of the second week temptation literally came

knocking at the door. It was almost 10pm, and Jonathan was having his one brandy that he let himself have before going off to bed. He had just finished when the knocker banged loudly on the door. Jonathan hurried to the door wondering who would be calling at this hour. When he opened the door, three girls he knew very well waited. Miah, Tiah, and Sierra dressed very nicely asked to come in.

"See I'd love that but I've got my nephew asleep upstairs, and I really can't have any company." That was hard to say but he said it and was proud of himself.

 

 

Then Miah kissed him, and he could not resist the sirens call. He let them in reluctantly reasoning that Alex had been sleeping through the night sense his second night of life, and it would take a marching band to wake him. In the parlor the ladies made themselves at home while Jonathan got out the drinks mostly sweet liquors. They drank and partied way into the wee ours of the morning at which point Jonathan called them cabs then cleaned up and went up to Rick and Evies room and passed out on the bed. It didn't seem that much later

when Alex came in jumping onto the bed.

 

"Uncle John your missing breakfast get up." Poor Jonathan felt sick, but he humored Alex and got out of bed. He got dressed and went downstairs nearly gagging at the site of the food but he held up and managed to eat without vomiting.

 

"Lets go to the park again today."

 

"Alex, do you mind if we just stay home today. I am really not feeling all that well." Jonathan said. Marie noticed and took pity on him.

 

"Alex why don't you come with me to the market and let your uncle have a rest hmm?" He agreed and when they left Jonathan went into the parlor and fell asleep on one of the Couches.

 

 

 

Chapter 3: Big Trouble

 

 

After that night, the girls showed up on a regular basis. Jonathan was very glad that his nephew slept so well durring the night, and saw no harm in having the ladies over, with one exception, and that was he didn't allow himself to get drunk. He knew he needed to be able to care for Alex durring the day, and that was his motivation for staying sober.

 

Time went on and everything was alright, until the fifth night in their company.

 

 

That night all three of them showed up in Belly Dancer attire.

 

"Oh my," was all Jonathan could say.

 

He led them into the parlor and got out different kinds of liquor, the sweet kinds, since the girls were not all that found of bourbons and scotches. Now he sat in a chair, with all three of them dancing around him. Tiah brought Jonathan a Bourbon, and he excepted it drinking it down in less than 6 seconds. It only took one more drink to get him going, and now he danced with them.

 

Upstairs Alex had woken up from a bad dream. He sat up in his bed, rubbing his eyes.

 

"Come on Bear lets go sleep with Uncle John."

 

He got out of bed, and walked out of his room, and down the hall to his parents.

 

 

Quietly he entered, finding the bed empty which frightened him even more. His dream had been about waking up all alone in the house, and not being able to find mum, dad, or Uncle John. Quickly he went down to the parlor. Uncle John wasn't there, but there were lots of other things there. He found several colorful scarves laying around, and some other things he knew ladies like his mum wore, though he didn't think his mum would where some of the things he found. On one of the tables, he found bottles of liquor. Being the curious sort he was, Alex picked up several of the bottles sniffing them. A few he found had a really icky oder about them, but the lot of them smelled really tasty. He picked one that smelled like peppermint candy and took a taste. It was very sweet, but when he swollowed it burned his throat, so he put it aside.

Not wanting to go back to bed just yet, Alex looked around the room for something to do. It was when he looked at the top of one of the tall book shelves, that he saw something that caught his eye. It was a beautiful gold box, with all sorts of shiny jewels. He went over to the case, and pulled on it, since it didn't shake, he began to climb. He pretended to be on an adventure, like the ones his Uncle John had been telling him about, before he went to sleep each night. The case had 20 shelves on it, and about mid way up it began to teeter. Alex stoped holding on for dear life. It was when things from the top

began to slide off and fall that he yelled as loud as he could,

 

"Uncle John help me."

 

 

In his room, Jonathan and the girls were dancing around undressed and wild. He was about to lead them into the bathroom when a funny feeling came over him. He shook his head trying to clear it, then froze. The girls looked at him as though he were crazy.

 

"I have to go check on Alex," Jonathan said putting on pants and a shirt.

 

He ran out of his room and down the long passage that led to the other part of the house. As he approached , he heard Alex crying loud, and ran as fast as he could, down the stairs and into the parlor. Alex was laying on the floor by the old antique book case, and for a moment Jonathan felt relief.

 

"Hey what happened?" Jonathan came to Alex, who was laying on his side. When Jonathan moved him, Alex cryed harder.

 

"My arm," he said through his tears.

 

Jonathan tried to lift it up to look but Alex screamed. Something was wrong, and Jonathan knew he was in deep trouble.

 

Two hours later, or there about, Jonathan arrived back at the house, with Alex asleep in his arms. Alex's left arm was in a cast from his wrist up to his shoulder. It was broken in two places, and Doc Brown, their family doctor, had assured Jonathan that the boys arm would heal nicely because he was so young. Upstairs, Jonathan carried Alex into his parents room and gently laid him in the bed.

 

"Want my bear," Alex mumbled.

 

After putting a blanket over his nephew, Jonathan went downstairs, where he found the bear, and brought it back up to Alex, who remained asleep. Back downstairs, Jonathan got everything picked up, putting scarves and other cloths left by his ladies into a bag, which he would return to them at a later time. He sat down on one of the couches and covered his face with his hands. He had let Alex down. Because of his selfishness, the one person that he loved, almost like

his own son, was hurt. He knew that likely, when Rick and Evelyn got home, he would have to move out, and that he knew he deserved.

 

The next morning, when Alex woke up he wouldn't speak to his uncle. Jonathan had brought him breakfast, and Alex managed to roll away from him, as he entered.

 

"Hey partner, Marie fixed your favorite, pancakes and scrambled eggs."

 

Jonathan put the trey down on the bed, and started to help Alex sit up, but the boy pulled away.

 

"Did I hurt you," Jonathan asked him, concerned.

 

"Go away and never come back," Alex said in an angry tone.

 

Jonathan stood there a moment not sure what to do, then left him, going downstairs to where Marie was finishing breakfast preparations.

 

"He doesn't want to see me," Jonathan said hurt.

 

Marie offered to go up and talk to him, and Jonathan nodded. When she walked into the room Alex was not having an easy time eating. The arm that was broken, was the arm he used the most.

 

"May I help," she asked.

 

Alex nodded and she sat down on the bed beside him and helped him eat.

 

"You know your uncle is very sorry for what he did last night," Marie said as she cut the rest of his pancake up.

 

"I don't care, he got into the drinks, and I was afraid and he wasn't there."

 

That last word ended on a sob. Marie gently held Alex in her arms.

 

"I want my mum and daddy here with me," he told her in the midst of his crying.

 

Neither of them saw Jonathan leave the room. He went downstairs to the phone and made the call to the resort where Rick and Evelyn were staying, and told them what had happned. He endured Ricks yelling, then the phone dropped and Evelyn got on. She was just as angry, but at the same time she knew how to advise him on how to make Alex feel better. Once he got off the phone, he made another call to Elaina, who was better, and who agreed to come stay with Alex until his

parents returned. When she arrived, Jonathan told here he would be at the Casino Resort, and left.

 

Chapter 4: Fixing broken relations

 

 

When the boat docked at the Port, it was fairly late at night, and Rick and Evelyn were not all that surprised to find that they would be taking the cab home. They had not said much on the trip home. Evelyn had felt guilty for actually trusting her brother to stay sober enough to take care of Alex, and when she told Rick how she felt ,he just held her in his arms. Now they rode in the cab in more silence. When they arrived at the Manor, Rick tipped the driver then got their bags and they went inside. It was quiet which was a good thing, that usually meant that Alex was asleep, as he should be. They walked down the passage, and when they walked into the parlor, they found Elaina reading a book.

 

 

The young girl looked up and smiled.

 

"Where is Jonathan?" Rick asked highly annoyed now.

 

"He felt it best if he went ahead and left. Alex won't talk to him, or respond to him. Truthfully he hasn't said much to me either," admitted Elaina. She stood and Rick got her bags.

 

"I won't be long," He said to Evelyn giving her a hug and kiss.

 

After he was gone, Evelyn went upstairs and into the hall leading to their rooms. She went into Alex's room first, and not finding him there, she went down the hall to she and Ricks room. In the middle of the bed was Alex, laying on his back, with his broken arm over his chest. She went to him, leaned in, and kissed his nose. Alex opened his eyes then.

 

"You came back," he said.

He sat up, and she sat on the side of the bed, gently taking him into her arms.

 

"Of coarse I came home. I love you Alex." she said, kissing the top of his head

 

"Uncle John left, and I think he's mad at me cause I wasn't nice," he told her.

 

"Baby, his leaving has nothing to do with whether or not your nice to him, or if he loves you." She gently held him away so she could see into his eyes.

 

"Uncle John did some things he should not have, and he's afraid." Alex looked at her surprised

 

"My Uncle John is afraid?" She nodded. "Is he afraid because daddy will be really mad at him?" Evelyn smiled and gently hugged him to her again.

 

"Maybe a part of him is, but you got hurt because he wasn't there for you, and I think that's why he is afraid." Alex nodded yawning. Evelyn stood to take him to his room, and Alex protested.

 

"Please let me sleep with you and daddy," he said.

 

Generally she would not allow that, but given all that had gone on she made this one exception. She put him back on her bed, and pulled the covers over him. That's when Rick walked in. His face lightened when he saw his son, then when he saw his arm, he had to bite his tongue not to say what he wanted to say about Jonathan.

 

"Mum said I can sleep with you tonight," informed Alex.

 

Rick came over to the Bed and gave his little boy a gentle hug and a kiss. Then he and Evelyn got into their night cloths and climbed into bed, one on each side of Alex.

 

"Dad?" asked Alex.

 

"Yes Alex." Rick said, rolling on his side, to face his son.

 

"Are you mad at Uncle John?" Rick was totally ready to kill his brother-in-law, but right now was not the time to say that, not in front of Alex.

 

"I'm not happy that he wasn't there when you needed him." Rick said gently brushing a strand of hair out of Alex's face

 

"I'm never going to talk to him again," Alex said, and added, "I won't let him be with me or hug me or talk to me anymore. I was afraid because I had a bad dream, and he wasn't there."

 

Alex didn't cry this time, but it was evident in his voice, and the expression he wore on his face, that he was hurting. Evelyn pulled him close to her, and Alex closed his eyes as she did, leaving Rick to think. When he got home he was ready to come in and knock some sense into his brother- in - Law. Now since he had talked to Alex, he was of a different mind. Not having Alex's respect, must be worse than any harm Rick could inflict on Jonathan, and though Rick was angry with him, he knew he and Evelyn needed to help Alex get beyond his anger and hurt. He and Jonathan needed one another, and with that in mind Rick drifted into sleep. Tomorrow was a new day, and tomorrow he would go the the Casino and find Jonathan and fix things between he and Alex.

 

 

The next morning after breakfast, Rick left to find Jonathan. The Resort Casino was on the other side of London, out of London in the countryside, much like their house was. During the drive, Rick tried to figure out what he wanted to say to Jonathan, but he couldn't really think. A part of him was still angry that Jonathan had let this happen, but then again no one was perfect, and that included him. When he arrived at the resort, he went straight into the bar

guessing that is where he would find Jonathan. He looked around for a while, but had no luck of finding him, so he went to the front desk and asked if Jonathan Carnahan had a room here. The receptionist told him the room number, and Rick took the elevator up to the 4th floor, finding his brother- in- laws room, and knocked on the door. He heard a muffled "Go away."

 

"Open up Jonathan," Rick said patiently

 

He heard shuffling, then the door lock clicked and opened. Jonathan looked like hell to say the very least, but wasn't drunk which was good. Rick walked in, and

 

 

Jonathan shut the door.

 

"So I guess you've come to kick my ass. Feel free to do so in any manor you want too." Jonathan said closing his eyes.

 

Rick sat down on one of the couches in the room.

 

"I'm not going to kick your ass. I think not having Alex's trust in you, is more than anything I could ever do."

 

Jonathan opened his eyes and sat on a couch across from Rick For a moment there was awkward silence, then Rick talked.

 

"Evelyn and I didn't expect you to move out," Rick said.

 

"Yeah but Alex doesn't want me there."

 

"Jonathan, Alex is four years old, and he's mad and confused right now. Its going to take him time to trust you again, but you running away like this isn't going to solve his anger or your hurt," said Rick as he stood.

 

"So what do I do to get him to talk to me again?" Jonathan asked.

 

"Listen to me, and trust me on this. When he's ready he will tell you all about how he feels." Rick talked from experience, and Jonathan looked up interested.

 

"One time, I think he was two, but it was right before we left Cairo to move here. I took him to the market with me, and got to looking at some nice jewelry I wanted to get Evie. He wondered off, and when I looked up, and he wasn't there I totally flipped out. I ran up and down the streets yelling for him, and I'm sure everyone there thought I was nuts. Finally I found him, in a little place that had carvings, and he was crying. I wanted to shake him and tell him never to run off from me again, but I just held him letting both of us calm down. He was mad at me for letting him get lost, and it took him two days I think before he would say anything to me, but he did forgive me," Rick said as he finished helping Jonathan get his things together.

 

"Did you ever tell Evie?" Rick nodded.

 

"Her wrath was far greater than anything Alex could dish out. I think that night anyway I ended up sleeping alone."

 

Both of them laughed. Once Jonathan got checked out, the two of them headed back to the Manor. It was past lunch when they arrived and quiet. In the parlor, they found Alex and Evelyn making buildings out of his blocks. When Alex looked up, and saw Uncle Jonathan, he stood pursed his lips and ran up stairs. Evelyn stood up and hugged her brother.

 

"That went well," Jonathan said smugly.

 

While she and Jonathan sat to talk, Rick went upstairs to talk to Alex. In his room, he found his son on his bed trying to rip the pages out of the Peter Pan book that had been a gift from Uncle John.

 

"Don't you dare do that," Rick said sternly.

 

Alex put the book down still mad.

 

"Why did you go get Uncle John?" Alex asked in a hateful tone.

 

"Alex thats enough. I know your not happy, but your uncle lives here too, and he loves you." Rick took a seat next to his little boy, and Alex crawled into his lap.

 

"Can I hate him?" asked Alex , softly.

 

Rick kissed the top of his head. "Think about that for a minute. Do you really want to hate him, which means you don't love him at all?" Alex shook his head.

 

"Do you think you could tell him how he made you feel that night, and how your feeling now? You might be surprised to find that it will make you feel allot better."

 

"Can I say anything I want to say to him?" Alex asked turning in Rick's arms, so he could see his fathers face.

 

"You have to use nice words," Rick said.

 

This Alex agreed too, and after a hug and Kiss, Rick went downstairs to get Jonathan. While his dad was gone, Alex picked up his Peter Pan book and put it away on the Bookshelf. Then he went over to his bed and as he climbed on Jonathan came in.

 

"Hi partner." Jonathan came and started to sit on the bed, but Alex stopped him.

 

"You have to sit on the chair." Alex said.

 

Jonathan did that.

 

"Daddy says I should tell you how I feel, and your not aloud to talk." Jonathan nodded and Alex began. "I had a bad dream when you had those girls over to play, and it was really scary when you were not where you should be. I guess you like your girls better than me, because you go to that place alot. You do stuff with me, but this was our time, and you let them come and drink stuff, and dad didn't want you to do that. I'm really mad at you." Alex stopped and Jonathan sat in silence.

 

After a moment Alex looked at his uncle.

 

"You can talk now if you want too." Jonathan took in a deep breath.

 

"Alex I love you more than anything in the world. I was really stupid to let my girl friends come to the house. Your more important to me than they are, or drinking or anything else, and I promise you that I won't ever let you down again. When its our time its just us." That put a smile on Alex's face. He got off his bed and ran over to his Uncle and gave him a big hug.

 

"I love you too Uncle John. Will you take me to the park?" Jonathan stood holding Alex in his arms

 

"I most certainly will," Jonathan said back.

 

After getting Alex into his jacket, Jonathan carried him downstairs where Rick and Evelyn were playing chess. They looked up happy to see that Alex and Jonathan were friends again. They gave him permission to take Alex out for the day, watching as the two kids in their lives raced for the door. Life in the O'Connell house was back the way it should be, and that was just fine with Rick and Evelyn.

 

 

The End

 

Author's note: I have more where this came from so be patient thanks.