Chapter 18
“You’re a vision, Evelyn.” Evelyn had chosen to wear an ankle length dress. It was absolutely beautiful on her. Her eyes had been lined with kohl in the ancient Egyptian style… Evelyn looked nothing like the shy, British librarian that Hermione had met. Rather than having the traditional bridal veil, Evelyn was wearing the traditional bedouin scarf and jeweled face covering… much like the one that she had purchased for Hermione. Evelyn had done Hermione up in a similar fashion and Hermione’s eyes were bright and golden in comparison to the black make-up. Hermione’s dress flowing and the only recognizable article on her was the pink beaded bag slung across her chest.
“Thank you so much, Hermione. At the risk of sounding like an insane bride… is there any way that you can lose the bag?” Evelyn was mostly joking.
“No, but it will be mostly hidden when I put on the headscarf and the face covering,” Hermione reasoned. Evelyn shook her head.
“I don’t think I have EVER seen you without that bag. Even the few times you have slept at my house. What could you possibly have in there?”
“Oh just this and that.” Meaning, her entire life…minus her cat. Hermione helped Evelyn place her face covering securely.
“Well, Evelyn,” Jonathon walked out in a smart suit. “Are you ready to receive the old ball and chain, beautiful sister? Still time for me to drive the getaway car.”
“And I can trip your ex fiance as he attempts to run after you,” Hermione offered teasingly.
“THANK you. I’ll be fine. Though the sentiment is appreciated.” Ardeth walked in just as the women were ready and he lost his breath. Hermione was beautiful in bedouin clothing. He gulped.
“You alright there old boy?” Ardeth whipped his head towards a teasing Jonathon. He had probably looked like a gaping moron.
“Of course. You look beautiful Evelyn. And Hermione,” Ardeth walked up to Hermione and held out his arm for her to take. Hermione had been quite breathless herself. He was in matching blue and gold and no head covering. He was truly the most handsome man she had ever met. Hermione took his arm carefully. Ardeth savored being close to Hermione as he walked her down the aisle ahead of Evelyn. He grinned when he saw his Uncle attempting not to look like he was constipated. Uncle Terence had received many lectures from Al’umu about appearing to look happy, and not like he wanted to murder the world and everyone in it. Uncle was only mildly successful. Ardeth was sad to let Hermione go when they reached the altar.
Rick was sweating; he was so nervous. He was wearing a suit… and he’d never worn a suit in his life. But, for Evelyn he would endure the poshness. Didn’t change the fact that Rick looked absolutely ridiculous. Evelyn would probably come to her senses just looking at him. Who was he kidding, she SHOULD make a run for it. Rick didn’t want Evelyn to run and yet recognized why she was probably running as he stood there looking as ridiculous as a CAMEL would look in a suit. He was going to be sick. But, when Evelyn finally walked out, Rick forgot about the blasted suit. Forgot about how much he had wanted to throw up and was lost in how gorgeous she looked. Evelyn was worth it all. Being lost in the desert and going back to Hamunaptra and even the blasted mummy…. worth all of it. Hermione smiled brightly. Evelyn was buzzing with happiness, and Jonathon had already started to cry as he passed her to the groom.
“Well,” Dr. Bay held back a sigh. “We are coming to join this man and this woman. For richer or poorer till death they part… but not before she drives him crazy.” The last part was muttered, but it was still heard by all. Ardeth looked up and prayed to Allah that his Uncle was not going to make the entire vow section about why NOT to get married. Thankfully the people observing the ceremony just laughed quietly, but Ardeth could see Al’umu pointing a finger threateningly at his Uncle. “May their marriage last famine and… plagues,” Rick had to physically hold back a snort and Evelyn smacked him. “And may every one of their book shelves be bolted to the floor.” Rick started openly laughing.
“That was one time!” Evelyn smacked Terrence in the face with her bouquet and Hermione started laughing along with Rick. Ardeth was smiling really big.
“Miss Carnahan!” Terrence righted his hat.
“Just get to the important part, MISTER Bay,” Terrence glowered at Hermione and talked much more quickly then he had before.
“Do you, Rick O’Connell, take Evelyn Carnahan to be your wife?”
“I do,” Rick said with suppressed amusement.
“And do you, Evelyn Carnahan, take Rick O’Connell to be your husband?”
“I do,” Evelyn said, still a bit miffed.
“I now pronounce you man and wife. Now kiss and get it over with,” Dr. Bay threw up a hand and left the altar. Evelyn huffed in irritation and Rick just shrugged and pulled Evelyn to him.
“It’s a bit difficult,” Rick pointed to her face covering. “...With that.” Evelyn reached up, unhooked the cloth and surged forward to kiss O’Connell.
“Mr and Mrs. O’Connell everyone!” Jonathon yelled helpfully, and everyone erupted into applause as the newly married couple walked down the aisle. Hermione rejoined with Ardeth and walked back down the aisle.
“That was rough,” Hermione snorted.
“I am not entirely sure what they were thinking of employing my Uncle for the role of minister,” Ardeth said with amusement.
“Maybe they just needed one curmudgeon in attendance?” Hermione supplied.
“Curmudgeon?” The word felt odd in Ardeth’s mouth.
“Cranky old man,” Hermione explained.
“Ardeth!” He had to almost physically hold back his groan as Al’umu and Father walked up.
“Miss Evans, this is my Father and Mother,” Ardeth said respectfully.
“As-salaam ‘alaykum” (Peace be with you), Hermione said with a slight bow of her head. Basma and Adham were surprised and incredibly pleased.
“Wa ‘alaykum as-salaam,” (And peace be with you also), Basma said with a big smile. Ardeth couldn’t help the big grin that spread over his face. Hermione wasn’t even trying and she had already won over his Al’umu! She was perfect. “You are a good girl,” Basma continued with a thick accent. “Will you marry my son?” Ardeth immediately turned bright red with embarrassment and Hermione choked a little.
“Al’umu!” Ardeth said with horror.
“Excuse my wife,” Adham said with a shit eating grin. “She has heard much about you…” Ardeth closed his eyes. Maybe when he opened them he would realize he was in a nightmare? “...And you did not disappoint. Please think about it. We need someone to give the poor boy a sense of humor. Ardeth grows more serious by the day and we are worried his eyebrows will get stuck together if he keeps frowning so hard.” Hermione was so shocked she just nodded, and Ardeth immediately ushered her as quickly as possible to the bride and groom’s table. Hermione had never been so thankful for having a face covering. She would have looked like a gaping fish.
“I’m going to kill my Father,” Ardeth muttered darkly.
“After all that effort to keep him alive?” Hermione joked weakly. “It would seem like a waste.” Hermione attempted to control her breathing in and out.
“And what would you suggest I do Miss Evans?” Ardeth said with a small smile. “Pull one of your pranks on him?”
“You can’t steal my material!” Hermione said playfully. “Come up with your own pranks.” Ardeth laughed loudly.
“As you wish. I look forward to telling you about it.” Hermione sat down next to Evelyn and Ardeth reluctantly sat on O’Connell’s side.
“You are getting along with Ardeth,” Evelyn said meaningfully. Hermione pulled the headscarf from her head to wrap it around her waist. The material of her outfit was lovely, but it was strange to wear something so shapeless. She also placed the face covering in her beaded bag.
“I thought it was a given that people should get along at weddings,” Hermione said cryptically.
“Yes,” Evelyn said sarcastically. “That’s the ONLY reason you are getting along.”
“She is beautiful,” Basma whispered to Adham as she admired Hermione sitting at the head table. “And smart to have learned Arabic so well.”
“Yes,” Adham grinned. “But I hope SOMEONE didn’t scare the poor thing off.” Adham looked at his wife meaningfully.
“With the differences in culture, it is important for her to know that we approve,” Basma retorted with a scoff.
“Yes,”Adham agreed. “But, I am still worried about how much we don’t know about her.”
“But…” Basma countered. “...that certainly displays that she can keep OUR OWN secrets.”
“It doesn’t mean that Ardeth should jump into a marriage with her and all those unknown secrets.” Adham really did like Miss Evans. But… there was that feeling that came when he was around her. Ardeth needed to take his time. And, there was that nagging feeling in Adham’s gut that despite Ardeth being at the age to marry… that he wasn’t quite ready. Not confident enough despite the way he held himself. Ardeth was immature in his understanding of the world, and Adham could see in his very short acquaintance with Miss Evans; she was certainly not immature. Miss Evans had displayed a hardened warrior. Sharp and cutting intelligence Ardeth couldn’t quite keep up with yet. And while Ardeth was skilled and respected… could he really be the type of man that such a woman needed? With time… certainly. Ardeth would get there, but he was not there. Not quite. Basma huffed, and watched her son glancing minutely at Miss Evans.
“I think they would be suited to each other,” Basma said obstinately.
“I think Ardeth needs time to grow first,” Adham said simply. Basma couldn’t quite bring herself to argue with that.
“Well, how are you feeling, Mrs. O’Connell?” Rick placed a savoring kiss on Evelyn’s knuckles and she beamed back at him.
“So unbelievably happy, Mr. O’Connell,” Evy placed a kiss on the palm of his hand and laughed at the red kiss imprint.
“Already marking your territory?” Rick grinned.
“With such a handsome husband, can you blame me?” Evy said goopily.
“If I hurl, take care of me, Hermione,” Jonathon looked at the couple with disgusted wonder at their overly mushy conversation.
“I’ll just foist you onto Dr. Bay as punishment for his lovely minister skills,” Hermione snorted.
“Oy! That is torturing not just him, but my poor self. Have you no sympathy?” Jonathon clutched his heart.
“Nope.” Evelyn and Rick stood up to partake in their first dance as a married couple. Evelyn decided to seize her chance to push Hermione and Ardeth together.
“Come dance with us,” Evelyn begged. “I don’t want everyone staring at the two of us!”
"Isn't that what is supposed to happen at a wedding?" Hermione narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
“Please!” Evelyn used the biggest puppy eyes she had ever seen and Hermione finally sighed.
“Alright,” Hermione finally agreed reluctantly. Ardeth had to hide his exuberant smile as he led Miss Evans onto the dance floor and then immediately stopped short as he realized a crucial fact.
“I can’t dance your Western dances, Miss Evans!” Ardeth whispered to her in panic.
“Don’t worry,” Hermione smiled comfortingly. “It is fairly simple.” Hermione instructed him on the waltz fairly quickly as they made their way to the dance floor. Ardeth blushed slightly when he was instructed to place his hand on her waist, but did so quickly so as not to embarrass himself. Hermione smiled encouragingly to him as they made their way across the dancefloor. “See? There is nothing to it.” The pressure to dance well died down as more of the couples entered the floor, and Ardeth could finally breathe.
“Did you grow up dancing?” Ardeth tried to converse while focusing on not stomping on Hermione’s feet or the feeling of her waist in his hand.
“No. I learned for a ball when I was fourteen,” then Hermione suddenly laughed. “You should have seen the boys’ in our house faces when they realized they had to take dancing classes. They looked like gaping fish,” Hermione grinned.
“Well,” Ardeth chuckled. “I imagine my face would look the same at that age. That would have terrified me. And if I had to build the courage to ask you to dance? That would have had me throwing up.” Hermione’s smile fluttered for a minute.
“I’m fairly certain you wouldn’t have asked me,” Hermione’s smile tightened.
“Why is that?” Ardeth said with a frown.
“No one liked me at that age,” Hermione said too lightly. “The only one who did didn’t speak English and really only asked me because I wasn’t falling over myself trying to stalk him around the school.” Ardeth’s frown deepened. “He was nice,” Hermione tried to cover up the upset of the whole experience. “But there were a lot of nasty rumors about me afterwards, so I’m not sure if I would have preferred simply not going. Not that the rumors would have stopped. They never seemed to have anything nice to say about me whether I gave them reason or not.”
“I can’t imagine…” Ardeth started, but was cut off when the dance ended and Hermione immediately curtsied.
“Thanks for the dance,” Hermione smiled brightly. “But, I have to go give Evelyn her gift.” Ardeth nodded with a forced smile.
“Of course.” Hermione walked off with a deep breath.
“May I borrow your lovely wife for a moment?” Evelyn smiled brightly and hugged Hermione.
“You were adorable dancing with Ardeth!”
“I’ll leave you two alone for your moment,” Rick rolled his eyes and went off in search of drinks. Hermione pulled out an envelope and handed it to Evelyn and immediately stopped her from opening it.
“This,” Hermione began seriously. “Is for an emergency.” Evelyn frowned.
“What emergency?” Evelyn said with confusion.
“If you need me, wherever you are and whatever is going on; open the envelope and follow the directions no matter how ridiculous or strange they seem, and I will come to you.” Hermione grasped Evelyn’s hands and looked at her seriously. “I mean it. If you or your family is in danger, OPEN the envelope. I am capable of so much more than I have ever shown you, and I will break any and all former promises to make sure you are safe.” Evelyn felt a tear slip from her eye.
“How are you sure you can help?” Evelyn sniffled and Hermione smiled a giant menacing grin.
“Let’s just say, there is more to the world than most people know.” Evelyn froze at the knowing look. Was Hermione… AWARE of what happened with Imhotep? Even if she didn't know Evelyn was involved? “There are things and people capable of horrible and amazing things. And I am one of them. Promise me.” Hermione was so serious.
“I promise,” Evelyn let out the breath she was holding. “I promise, I will follow the directions and make sure you can help.” Hermione smiled huge and gave Evelyn a big kiss.
“I promise to be in touch,” Hermione said. “But… I need to dip out of the wedding early. Harry was feeling very needy this morning,” Hermione lied. The truth was she wanted to get away from Ardeth. She was feeling far too much for the man. She was going to take some time alone… now.
“Of course!” Evelyn hugged her. “Please write to me.”
“Nothing could stop me,” Hermione said more teary eyed than she would like to admit.
“See you around, O’Connell,” Hermione said to O’Connell as soon as he came back.
“Likewise,” Rick smirked.
“Jonathon,” Hermione said formally. “Try not to burn their house down.”
“I would never!” Jonathon grinned and gave Hermione a hug. Hermione immediately left as quickly as possible with only a slight bow to Ardeth’s parents and a cheeky wink to Mister Bay. Hermione gulped as she saw Ardeth and thought about her decision. It was for the best. Hermione could never fool him until marriage. She liked too much for that. It was sad that in order to marry someone you had to fall in love with them... but Hermione couldn't allow it to happen for exactly the same reason. She gave him a small wave and went into the alley and aparated away with a crack.