Two hours had passed since Jed had found his passed out partner but he wasn’t alone, instead a certain egyptian prince had appeared and was unconscious in the arms of his roman partner. The cowboy didn't tell anyone. The two slept through the night until the earlier hours of the morning where new york traffic woke them all up.
Teddy and Larry were half way into making breakfast for the miserable Egyptian family, Kahmunrah looked the worst, the older man didn't look like he wanted to be awake, never mind alive. Layla tried to make him smile by shaping his breakfast into a face but the man could barely lift his head.
Nick stumbled into the room looking exhausted, he was followed by a smiling Jed who thanked Larry a little too happy that it caught the attention of them all.
"Okay, what are you up to?" Larry questioned, thanking Lancelot for his help.
"I have no idea, what you mean gigantor?" Jed said stepping aside which had them all paleing at who was being held up by a certain roman who wore a pained expression on his face.
"Guardian"
"Ahk!" Larry immediately wrapped up the young man who clung tightly to the night guard's chest while Kahmunrah made sure to climb to his feet.
There in front of him was his baby brother, almost son, Ahk smiled, allowing his brother to pull him close. It would seem a miracle had hit them, the two held each other like the world was going to end, silence passed through the room until a hand split them apart. The younger of the two turned only to be welcomed into an emotional young man who pulled his lover close, Ahk grinned allowing Nick to hold him tightly with a promise kiss of them holding each other later on.
It took a good hour for all the reunions to take place and soon enough Ahk found himself wrapped up in Nick's arms while the others tried to get the story out of him. Octavius had gone back to bed as he didn't feel or look well, Jed followed him to keep an eye on him.
"Ahkmen, explain now" Shepseheret ordered, she was sick of her youngest son avoiding the subject. Ahk looked up at his mother only to frown as he tucked his head into Nick's neck and spoke softly.
"There's a cost if you all find out"
"What cost?" Larry asked as he took a seat beside Teddy and now Dr McPhee who had entered with a smile on his face.
"If I tell any of you what happened. All of you will lose your memories of the museum and your past lives. It was a cost I willingly took. There's a chance some of you won't remember each other such as Dexter could be back with his biological mother in this world and Octavius would return to Rome. For the sake of them two, I am not spilling" Ahk exclaimed, he saw all their looks.
"But what I can say is the museum will continue to come to life as will we all be able to live an ordinary human life until we eventually pass on. However Octavius and I will continue to have health conditions due to the way we came back and the terms we agreed on. I won't be spilling my guts knowing I could lose Nick if I do which is why this secret will stay with me and Octavius. The only thing you guys will know is that the museum will continue to come alive until both I and Octavius pass. It was the deal we made so all I'm saying for the sake of what we have created now, I'm not explaining. We are all safe and loved which is all that matters plus with one last gift I hope Kah doesn't kill me but I've always wanted to be an uncle" Ahk explained, he winked straight at Layla who was confused until Dr McPhee was handing out letters and one was for her. She had a health check a week ago which had her confused.
Upon opening it she gasped out loud, something she has always wanted, she passed it to Kah who took it and froze at the small paper of a sonogram.
"Happy birthday dad, I'm going to bed" Ahk grinned patting Kah's arm before he disappeared into the adjoining rooms. Nick grinned following after him. All in the room could only congratulate the happy in shock couple while a smirking young prince found himself being wrapped up in his arms as he fell into the land of dreams. Nick grinned down kissing Ahk's head, the older man never said a word as he held Ahk closer to his chest.
"I love you Nick"
"Love you too Ahk"
"Good"
Nick only smiled sharing a kiss with the man he loved before the two closed their eyes and slept the rest of the day away. While a proud set of father's glimpsed into the room. Larry grinned shutting the door after watching Kahmunrah tuck their sons in. Even Merenkahre and Teddy had taken a glimpse before all four of them left the young couple to sleep.
Sacagewa couldn't help but check on a certain roman and cowboy who always had their front door unlocked since Dexter liked to cuddle up with them. Which reminded her, where was her six year old? Thankfully she found him but in the cutest way. Jed was curled up holding tightly to Octavius who was in his arms, back against chest while in the roman's was her cheeky little six year old sound asleep to the rest of the world. Sac couldn't help but tuck them in and kiss her son's head, the shared a look with Octavius who's eye blinked awake.
"Thank you" Sac couldn't help but whisper, Octavius barely acknowledged before his eyes slipped close and Jed pulled him unconsciously closer.
With a smile Sac left intending on finding the one she called her lover. Shortly she found him and sat beside him while they spoke with Lancelot and Atilla. They were shortly joined by those who were still awake, all enjoying the second chance they had been gifted at life. All because a young former king had bargained with the gods several times in order not only to save their lives but the magic that certainly flowed through their first home. The Museum of Natural History’s magic would live on all through the king whom’s blood was full of the magic, it would continue to flow due to both a roman and king who both had a destiny to fulfil. Whether that was to be a parent again or uncle, only time would tell.
Five Years Later…
All of them couldn’t believe it, five long years had passed since they had all been given the opportunity to be human and live amongst the rest of the world. Several of the former exhibits had gone exploring such as, Lancelot, Attila, Octavius, Jedidiah, Merenkahre and Shepseheret. While others had stayed very close to home due to many reasons, one being children.
Dexter was now the age of 11 and he was still a rascal as he ran around being chased by a little five year old, who belonged to Kahmunrah and Layla. His name Aspen which was a beautiful name and he was named after Kahmunrah’s still-born son. He was full of joy and loved the museum. Even though many of them had travelled around the world, Larry and Dr McPhee had asked them all to return for a party or more importantly the anniversary of the museum.
So far in the room were Larry, Teddy, Sac, Dexter, Kah, Layla, Aspen, Lancelot, Tilly, Dr McPhee, Merenkahre, Shepseheret and Atilia. Those who were missing were running late or getting off flights as Octavius and Jedidiah had moved to live in Rome as they both wanted to try to live somewhere new and for the sake of Octavius, Jed wanted him to feel home while he could. Technically they were backpacking as they officially still lived in New York, they were just on a very long six month holiday. Ahk had explained Octavius couldn’t be away from the tablet for more than seven months so the two made sure to pay attention to time even if they travelled more than they were meant to. Jed became certified to make sure he could provide for his partner if anything happened, plus the two got married four years ago which was a strange wedding itself. Octavius didn’t want one while Jed showed him a traditional one of western times which the roman just accepted knowing he was gonna have to celebrate somehow and that ended up being at the museum.
Not even thirty minutes into the anniversary party did the front doors open and the cowboy himself entered with a grinning roman following him in. Larry was first to greet them when he took notice of someone else entering but on the roman’s hip.
“Who’s this?” Larry asked, looking at the little girl on Octavius' hip, she had wavy brown hair and emerald eyes, she was mixed and clung tightly to Octavius’ neck.
“This gigantor is mine and Octo’s beautiful daughter Flora, she is named after Octo’s daughter, a blossom in a sense” Jed was quick to answer wrapping an arm around Octavius’ waist.
“Well it’s a pleasure to meet you, I am Larry otherwise known as gigantor to your parents” Larry introduced himself, Flora barely blinked at him before she turned to look at Octavius who watched her curiously before he put her down. She was tiny, barely even three, she clung to his leg peeking around it only to smile when a lioness came over to her and allowed her to pet it. With a glance at Octavius, who nodded, she climbed onto the lioness which carried her to the snuggle pile of animals where she babbled to herself.
“She’s beautiful,” Sac softly said, welcoming the two into a hug.
“She is indeed” Jed said back with a grin, he tightened his grip on Octavius waist, the roman having not said a word had the others frowning, “He’s exhausted, his throat is kind of sore so don’t blame him for not speaking. Also, he’s mama and I’m papa…ow…do you have to hit so hard?” Jed whined at Octavius who slapped up his head.
“Well I did warn you about being too far away from the tablet” A familiar tone had all heads turning to see Ahkmenrah walking hand in hand towards them all, Nick was grinning beside him while a beautiful Siberian husky followed the two of them into the museum. Lancelot shut the door behind them.
“This is Zeus, don’t even ask” Nick introduced the dog and gave Lancelot and his dad a pointed look about the name. Ahk just grinned, pulling Octavius into a hug. The roman barely lifted his arms as he hugged back.
“Let’s get this party started!” Jed whooped loudly scaring the children slightly which had him whacked on the arm but soon enough the music was on and the children were dancing challenging their parents. Jed was swaying with Flora who giggled at her papa. Nick grinned passing out drinks while catching up with the egyptian family who soon found out Nick had dropped the question and Ahk had said yes, Larry could only watch Kahmunrah threaten his son which he didn’t mind knowing Nick could take the threats like the strong man he was.
“Hey, where did Ahk and Octavius go?” Sac asked only for a light of gold to spring through the museum filling it with more light. All heads turned to the top of the stairs where Ahk and Octavius appeared, both of them looked more awake than beforehand. Octavius bowed slightly in respect at Ahk who rolled his eyes.
“Dare we ask where you two went?” Kahmunrah asked in a teasing tone, Layla whacked his arm while hiding a giggle.
“We regenerated the magic in the museum” Ahk bluntly said with a wicked grin on his face as he allowed Nick to direct him to the dancefloor. Octavius never said a word but did accept Jed’s hand as the two picked up their daughter and disappeared off to the hall of miniatures to say their hellos and goodbyes for the time being. Kah actually looked astonished at his brothers/sons tone.
“Ahk?”
“Hmmm?”
“I love you”
“I know”
“Ahk?”
“I love you too Nick, now let’s go watch Atalune set the night sky with the stars” Ahk whispered.
“As you wish my king”
Ahk only rolled his eyes leading the way to the roof, he borrowed Nick’s coat to stay warm as the two soon found themselves sitting against a heater vent with Nick’s back to it and Ahk in his arms leaning into his chest. Both of their eyes were only on one picture, the moon and stars. Atalune the god was probably looking down at them and the two couldn’t be more thankful for him keeping the brother’s promise, one made out of love, hope and care. For once, all of them were happy and it was only due to two sacrifices of the heart that came from a promise made by one of the brother’s of an ancient throne. That promise made by King Ahkmenrah, fourth king of the fourth kings, a prince who had been originally stabbed to death, was now the new hope in the eyes of former museum exhibits and three individuals who found love in the museum. One of them is now closer to the heart of the museum by the engagement of their soon to be wedding. Nick could only grin, turning Ahk’s face to his own.
“Thank you Ahk”
“No thank you Nick, without your love. I wouldn’t have been able to make my decisions…mmph”
Ahk never finished that sentence as the one he loved, lingered over in his vision and pulled him close into the kiss of a lifetime. While the museum buzzed around them, two lovers got lost in each other’s hearts and this was only able to happen because of a brother’s promise.
The End…
Mega apologies for the delay! But here we go, the final chapter! I hope you all enjoyed this book and I want to thank everyone/anyone who read this book - I didn't think it was going to go as far as it went.
So thank you very much - all reads/comments/votes have been much appreciated!
Please feel free to leave a comment below! Any thoughts on the book is what helps with writing.
I don't know if there will be another book on NATM but we will see.
Thank you for sticking with me on this long journey but I can definitely say this book is over! :)