𝑫𝑹𝑨𝑷𝑬𝑻𝑶𝑴𝑨𝑵𝑰𝑨 - Ardeth Bay

TWENTY NINE

29|FAMILY

After almost three days of labour, Tiye Bay finally gave birth to twin boys, Ra and Nephi. She lay exhausted in her bed, Ardeth sat beside her holding his sons in each arm.

"Is it safe to come in?" Evelyn called out as she wandered into the tent, Rick and Jonathan following behind her.

"It feels like yesterday since I last saw you guys." Tiye laughed, hugging her sister happily. "Where is Alex?"

"He is getting a tour around the village from Meira." Rick stated, happily taking one of the baby boys into his arms, Evy taking the other I to her arms.

"I'm an uncle to four now? Wow!" Jonathan gasped joyfully, stroking Ra's full head of hair.

"Its only been nine months since we last saw you after the whole Scorpion King." Rick gave Ardeth a knowing look, sending him a discreet smirk.

"We were celebrating." Ardeth returned the wink. Tiye took her sons back as Alex and Meira ran into the tent.

"Mummy." Meira whisper shouted, running up to her mother and staring happily at her two brothers.

"Would you like to hold one of your brothers?" Ardeth asked his daughter, stroking her hair lovingly.

"Yes please." Ardeth took one of his sons from his wife and carefully gave him to Meira. "Hold his head."

"Would you like to hold Ra, Alex?" Tiye gestured the baby to the boy.

"Yes please, Aunty Ti." Alex held Nephi gently, smiling down at the baby in his arms.

"Tiye, are you strong enough to join everyone for dinner." Ardeths mother walked into the tent, looking at her daughter-in-law with respect and love.

"Yes mother, I just need to bathe and get dressed." Tiye nodded, glancing over her family in the tent.

"We will wait for you in the food tent." Evelyn told her sister while taking one baby off Alex, Rick grabbing the other one off of Meira. They left the tent until it was only Tiye and Ardeth staring at each other lovingly.

"Can you please help me?" Tiye asked as she tried to stand up.

"Of course." Ardeth helped her stand up and brought her to the bath in the corner of the tent. He helped lower her into the warm waters and clean away any blood and sweat. After he helped her out and dried her.

"I love you." Tiye mumbled against his lips, kissing him gently.

"I love you more." Ardeth tied the strings on the back of her dress and carried her to the food tent, she giggling the entire time.

"Ah, my family." She hummed happily as they entered the tent and Ardeth put her down on a cushion.

"Let's eat." Ardeth announced, taking Ra off of Rick while Tiye took Nephi from Evy.

Everyone dug into their meals and chatted among each other, enjoying the time together that does not end in a mummy being resurrected. All congratulated the Bay family on their newest members and cheered Meira for being an amazing sister.

"So, Jonathan." Tiye smiled mischievously at the man. "When should we expect you to settle down with a family."

"When the perfect woman comes around." Jonathan chuckled and scooped a giant spoonful of food into his mouth to stop people asking more questions.

"How about we all go on another adventure?" Ardeth joked, watching as some laughed at his joke while others, especially Tiye, shot him shocked looks.

"I would rather not." Alex griminced, remembering his first adventure.

"I agree." Tiye laughed, looking down at her two sons and daughter. "I have a family that I need to protect and love too much."

"I'll join you." Rick stated sarcastically.

"Tomorrow?"

"Sure."