Chapter 8

Cairo 1935. Ardeth and Layla awakened in the desert not far from their camp. Ardeth looked seeing the vast desert before him. Layla looked around to see someone walking toward them. The sun was so bright; she shaded her eyes with her hand to make out the person walking toward them. It was Rick O’Connell, their friend.

"Ardeth!" Rick yelled out to him.

"I am so glad we have gotten back to our time. But how do we explain to everyone what happened to us?" Layla asked Ardeth.

"We will just have to try. I am sure they will believe the truth," Ardeth replied.

"Where have you been? We’ve been looking everywhere for you," Rick asked when he reached them.

"We have much to tell you. Let us go back to our camp, so we can explain it to everyone," Ardeth said, helping Layla stand.

"Did you get thrown from your horse?" Rick asked.

"We were thrown, but not by a horse," Layla said cryptically.

Rick looked at her wondering what she meant by the statement. "Sounds like you’ve been in the sun too long, Layla," Rick suggested.

"All will be cleared up I hope after we explain what happened to us," Ardeth told him walking toward the camp.

As they were walking back, Layla became dizzy and fell to the ground. Ardeth knelt down beside her. "What is wrong, Layla?"

"I do not know I felt dizzy and I stumbled. I am not feeling well, maybe I have been in the sun too long," Layla commented.

Ardeth looked into her eyes and smiled at her while helping her up.

"Why are you smiling like that?"

"Many women act that way when they are with child," Ardeth told her.

"Just how do you know that one, buddy?" Rick asked him.

"My mother has helped with many births. As a child, I would accompany her to check on the women. I pick up on things." Ardeth chuckled while they started to the camp again.

"Well, buddy, if she is with child congratulations to you both. Evie will be thrilled to hear the news." Rick patted Ardeth on the back as they walked.

 

Frank and Elaina were exhausted after the party broke up. They went to the office and found that the computer was still on and the family history was still on the screen. Elaina decided to sit and read it for a while as Frank built a fire in the fireplace. "Frank, do you know why your mom never put your brother’s death in this history?"

"No. If you remember I didn’t even know she had sent it," Frank said to her.

"Oh yeah!" Elaina said going back to reading it. She saw Sarah come in the room and started looking around. "What you looking for, Baby Girl?"

"Box," Sarah said.

"Ardeth and Layla took the box home with them," Frank told her. "They did leave you something in return though." He walked over to the desk and picked up the pendant necklace. "Layla left this for you." Frank handed it to her.

"Put it on please?" Sarah asked him.

"Okay Princess." Frank put the necklace over her head with Sarah admiring it like she had when Layla had it on. "Take good care of that, don’t lose it."

"I won’t, Daddy. Me go show Becky, now." Sarah ran out of the room holding to the flopping necklace.

"She’s happy," Elaina said. "I hope they made it back safe."

"Did the history change anymore?" Frank wondered.

"No. I guess that’s a good sign," Elaina considered.

"So this box was yours, but it was stolen a few weeks ago in the raid?" Evie asked looking at the box.

"That box ended up at the home of your distant cousin and it helped you to get back here? That’s quite a story," Rick said.

"The story is completely true my friend. Why would we lie about such a thing?" Ardeth asked.

"Don’t mind him, Ardeth. He believes you as do I," Evie said to him. "You said you had other news for me. What is it?"

"I am with child," Layla answered, blushing.

"Really? How do you know?" Evie asked, giving her a hug.

"I just know. Did you not feel Alex before a healer told you?" Layla asked.

"I guess I did in a way," Evie replied.

"We also have it from a reliable source that our first child will be born in nine months," Ardeth answered.

"That must be a hell of a source to know that, buddy," Rick said.

"I bet I know. The family history that you mentioned earlier, that’s how you know, isn’t it?" Evie surmised.

"Yes, we learned much from it. I will give Ardeth a daughter first and then a son," Layla told them, beaming with joy. "It said I would carry four times and give him five children. I will have twins."

"Oh my! You are going to have your hands full," Evie said, patting Layla on the back.

"I love children. I will be a happy mother," Layla told her.

"Evie, we have to be going. We promised Jonathon and Alex we’d be back tonight," Rick stated standing up. "You take care of her or I’ll beat you up," he said, playfully to Ardeth.

"I will always take care of her," Ardeth said, helping Layla up.

"We’ll be back soon to check in on you," Evie said.

"You are always welcome to come back," Layla said, giving her a hug.

They said their goodbyes then watched while Rick and Evie drove away from the camp, then they went back into the tent. Ardeth picked up the box and looked at it closely.

"What is Hubee?" (My love) Layla asked.

"I am wondering how the box closed. Did it close when we got back? If so did it trap more sand inside?" Ardeth wondered trying to open the box again to see inside it.

"You cannot open the box. You have tried many times. Why don’t you take it to your uncle and have him look inside it?"

"You are an intelligent woman." Ardeth smiled at her, then gave her a kiss. "That kiss gives me other ideas, than opening the box."

"Just what ideas do you have my dear husband?" Layla asked, kissing him again.

"I do believe you know exactly what ideas I have for us," Ardeth said.

"I think you know me too well Hubee. Shall we retire to our bed early?"

"I believe that is an excellent idea, my sweet wife." Ardeth picked her up into his arms and carried her to their bed.