Museum Discoveries

Chapter 17

The second I saw him in front of me, I threw myself at him, knocking him backwards to the floor. He captured me in his arms and frowned, confused. "Crystal? Are you okay?"

I could only cry. Before, I had been so scared that I would lose him. Now, I was just so happy and relieved to see him up and moving around. My arms were tightly wrapped around his neck, and I refused to let go, even for a second.

Somehow, Ahk managed to sit up and pull me into his lap. We were still on the floor, but at least he was more comfortable now. Ahk's hands reached behind his neck and removed my arms, only to place them in my lap, and he held my hands in his own.

"Crystal? What's wrong? Why are you crying?" Ahk softly spoke to me.

I turned my head away and closed my eyes, not wanting him to see the tears. But Ahk only cupped my chin and gently turned my face back around, until I was looking at him. With his hands, he brushed the tears away and pushed my hair away from my face. I stared at him, studying everything about him.

"What's wrong?" Ahk repeated. "Please tell me."

After closing my eyes for a moment then opening them again, I looked up at him from beneath my eyelashes. "I was so scared..." I whispered.

Ahk's head tilted a bit to the right. "Why?" he frowned.

I wrapped my arms around him again and resumed my crying. "I was so afraid I'd lost you..." I muttered into his chest.

Ahk's arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer. "You won't lose me," he said, stroking my hair. "I could never do that to you. Not in a million years."

I straightened up so I could look him in the eyes. "I love you."

A smile brightened Ahk's face. "I love you, too. More than anything."

A slight smile played on my lips. Ahk leaned in and gently brushed his lips against mine, reminding me of how much he loved me.

"Seriously? Again?"

I pulled away and looked up to see dad standing there, hands on hips, watching us. I began blushing furiously, and turned away.

"Why are you two on the floor?" dad asked, still standing there.

I couldn't help it. A small giggle escaped my lips, and Ahk smiled at me lovingly. "When I saw her crying, I came over to see if she was okay. She looked up and then attacked me," Ahk laughed. "Now we're just talking."

"Uh-huh," dad said. "Sure looks like you're doing a lot more than talking."

I giggled again, biting my lip.

"What's up with her?" dad asked Ahk.

Ahk met my gaze, and I blushed again, hiding my face in his shoulder. He laughed and said, "I honestly have no idea."

"Well, get up off the floor," dad said. "And keep your hands off my daughter."

I laughed again just as dad walked away. Ahk released me so I could stand up, then I helped him up as well. He then pulled me close and looked down at me. "Larry wants me to keep my hands off you... but I honestly think that's going to be hard. Seeing as I love holding you close to me." he said as he pulled me even closer.

"Ahk," dad called out to us, coming back over. "What did I just say?"

I bit my lip, trying to hide my laughter. Dad took my arm and said, "You get to stay by me for the rest of the night."

Smiling widely, I looked back at Ahk, who only winked at me, causing me to burst out giggling some more. Dad kept me by his side, and not allowing me to leave his side for any reason, unless I was going to the bathroom or getting a drink. And even then, he sent Nicky with me. Dad also gave him specific instructions to 'keep me away from Ahkmenrah at all times'.

"I need a drink," I told dad.

He looked down at me. I was biting my lip, trying hard not to smile. "Fine. Hurry up. And stay away from Ahk!" he called out as I walked with Nicky to the drinking fountains.

I looked back at him and smiled. After I was done getting a drink, Nicky turned to me. "Stay here, I'm going to the bathroom," he disappeared inside, and I turned to look down the hallway while waiting for him. But Ahk was suddenly there, grinning at me. I smiled back at him, and looked out at the lobby for dad.

"You're fine, he's not looking," Ahk whispered to me, stepping closer. He held out his hand and I gripped it tightly and we quickly ran to his tomb. Once we got there, he hopped up onto his sarcophagus, pulling me onto his lap again.

"CRYSTAL!" I heard dad yell my name. This, obviously, meant that he had noticed that I had run off with Ahkmenrah. I bit my lip while smiling, and waited for him to come find me. Within seconds, he was standing in the doorway, arms crossed, a slight smile on his lips.

"Hi, dad," I grinned, holding back laughter.

"Whatcha doin'?" dad asked, stepping into the room.

"Sitting here," I responded. Ahk's arms tightened around me, while he kissed my head.

"Mm-hmm," He nodded his head, watching us. "You aren't going to stay away from him, are you?"

"Nope!" I grinned now, knowing I had won.

Dad shook his head, letting his arms fall to his sides. "Okay. Have fun," he disappeared.

I turned to Ahk and he smiled before kissing my lips. "You're so irresistible..." he whispered, kissing me again.

I grinned. "What can I say? I'm a likable person!"

We talked for a while, then at 5:30, Nicky came to find me, saying we were leaving. I kissed Ahk, telling him I'd see him tonight.

"Bye, beautiful," he smiled, kissing me again.

I flashed him a wide smile before disappearing out the door with my brother.