BellaOHOT Chapter 6
When Don first proposed and moved in with us, we scarcely had time to talk about ’setting a date’ or any other wedding plans. Alexander was a baby and Cassandra was busy with school projects and her part time job, and then Don surprised me with the news that he was taking a loan to help us improve our living situation.
We were adding onto the house. Rooms for all of us, two bathrooms, and a real kitchen. I was so thrilled, you can’t imagine how wonderful it felt not to be living in a shack on an empty lot any more.
Especially now that my children were growing up.
In addition to the renovations and the kids, Don and I both had work and time seemed to pass so quickly that I barely noticed if anything was keeping Don from actually marrying me. It wouldn’t have crossed my mind because he was so devoted to me, and to Cassie and Alex. A true father to them in almost every sense of the word, save the one that mattered. And even that one didn’t seem as important as it should have been.
So… even though our wedding kept getting pushed back for one reason another, things were good.
And I was excited. The chief of staff at the hospital had given me a special task, an opportunity of a life time.
I was to go to Al Simhara, Egypt, and acquire specimens of a special scarab beetle, said to have medicinal value beyond imagination. “It could end sickness and extend lives,” I was told when I was given my orders, visa and plane tickets.
I was over the moon with excitement, but also a little nervous. I wasn’t the ‘fanciest’ of people and I certainly didn’t own many ‘business suits.’ I wasn’t a Landgraab or … a Goth. And since the renovations, Don and I had been strapped for cash after all the bills were paid each month.
Maybe the hospital was choosing the wrong person?
I told Don about my fears and he laughed. Not a mean laugh, but a kindly and reassuring one. “Bella, my Bella,” he said. “You will have more class than any of those old busy bodies. You always did.”
He said things like that a lot, like he had known me longer than he really did. Sometimes, the things he said didn’t make sense.
But this time, I couldn’t question it because he was telling me to take out some money and buy some clothes and get a make over before the trip.
I tried out a couple of different hair styles before finding one I liked, and then bought a nice pants suit set.
I felt like a new woman, but I was also nervous about leaving Cassie and Alex alone, even for a few weeks. Don promised to take care of them…
… and Cassie promised to help look after Alexander. But I still had my worries. I don’t think there’s a mother in history who hasn’t felt that way the same time she went anywhere without her children for the first time.
There was little time for those fears, however, as my taxi was on it’s way. I passed out hugs to the kids and kissed Don for the longest time while the taxi waited on the curb.
I arrived in Al Simhara, and what I saw left me utterly speechless with awe and wonder. The world was so much bigger than Sunset Valley or anything I had ever imagined in my wildest dreams. The desert was gorgeous!
The hospital had set me in a base camp on the outskirts of the town closest to the desert where the scarab beetles were indigenous. I had only a few days to secure a guide and find seven specimens to bring back.
Guides, however, were few and far between, and I soon realized I was going to be on my own.
My first night in the desert, I couldn’t get back to base camp before nightfall. My dinner that night? Roast tomatoes over the a crude campfire under the stars.
I should have been scared for my life. Instead, I have never felt more alive! I slept in the tent, and awoke in the morning to see the sun coming up over the pyramids. Was there ever anything more breath taking?
On the days that followed, I rushed around looking for scarabs and meeting all sorts of new people.
There was also something going on at the base camp, as well. People coming and going at all times, from all over the world!
But time was running out for me. I had to find one more scarab and I only had one more day until my visa expired and I had to go home. Less than that, actually. Twelve hours.
Twelve hours and then I would be sent home whether I was successful or not.
Twelve hours until I walked through my front door, hugged my daughter and son, and was reunited with Don once again.
I had a surprise for him. I had managed to find some other things while I was looking for the scarabs. Copper and other precious metals. Some artifacts. I kept some, but others I sold to the relics dealers for the money to fund our wedding and honeymoon.
Maybe we could come back to Egypt and I can show him all of this wonder?
When I found the last scarab, I was elated! I shouted for joy in the middle of desert and danced around in the sand.
.
.
.
Twenty-four hours later, I was back at home once again. Cassie was at school and Alex was sleeping in his crib in the next room.
Don met me at the door with open arms, scooped me up, and carried me off to our bedroom. As we made love for the first time in over a week, I finally felt whole and at peace with my life. Everything was going to be perfect from here on out.
I just knew it.
Mirrored from Third Time's the Charm.