Chapter 15: The Baby and the Decision Thebes, Egypt 1323 BC

Alexandria

2 weeks later Tutankhamun, Ankhesenamun, the twins and I finally returned to Thebes in 1323 BC, “It feels so good to be home” Tutankhamun sighed as he slouched on one of his couches in his bedchamber

“Yes it does, and I think that the twins are happy too” I sighed as Ankhesenamun and I slid in next to him

“Agreed, and it's really comforting to be in our familiar surroundings” Ankhesenamun said as she tickled Tiye. My parents and Ramses had decided to stay in the present time while Ron had decided to come back with us, but would be arriving in a few days.

“So what should we do while we wait for Ron to arrive?” Tutankhamun asked

“I don't know, you two choose” Ankhesenamun smiled

“I don't know either” I sighed as I leaned back

“Why is it always up to me?” Tutankhamun yelled making Ankhesenamun and I laugh, making the twins laugh “Oh, so now you guys think this is funny?” he growled as he stood and crossed his arms

“I think the twins are laughing because we laughed, and Alexandria and I laughed because we love teasing” Ankhesenamun giggled

“Oh really?”

“Yes really” I laughed

“Oh come here you” Tutankhamun growled again as he pulled me up

“Be careful my love, I'm holding your son”

“Forgive me little one” he said as he lifted our son and set him next to his sister, who gurgled at him.

Tutankhamun

8 Months Later

“My lord, we must act on this now” Aye said as he knelt in front of me in the audience chamber

“I've all ready told you that I'm waiting to go on the hunt till after Ankhesenamun gives birth to our child” I replied sternly

“But my lord”

“Not buts, I will wait till Ankhesenamun gives birth in one months time, and you have no say about it” I yelled as I watched Aye scurry out of the audience chamber “Someone get Ankhesenamun and Alexandria” I demanded. When they arrived with the twins wrapped in linen towels, I could tell that they'd just finished their baths “My ladies and children” I called as they walked over

“Yes our dearest lord?” Alexandria asked once she was standing next to me and I gazed down at the one year old girl in her arms

“She looks so adorable, and so does Thutmose” I said as I turned to see Ankhesenamun and my son “And our child will be beautiful as well” I smiled as I put my hand on her swollen stomach

“Yes she will” Ankhesenamun smiled

“She”

“Yes, I have a feeling that our daughter will be a girl”

“As you wish my lady” I laughed.

“Now, what did you need to talk to us about?” Alexandria asked as she sat in her seat

“Well. Aye said that I need to go on my hunting trip soon”

“Don't listen to that old bag of bones, you said that you wanted to go after the baby was born, so you'll go after the baby is born” Ankhesenamun said, narrowing her dark brown eyes,

“I know” I smiled as I heard a little whimper from Tiye

“I think she wants her father” Alexandria said as she passed the baby over and somehow she'd managed to squirm free of her towel, giving her space to kick her long legs

“She'll be a fast runner someday” I smiled as my daughter wiggled and kicked in my arms

“Yes, and our little Thutmose will be a wonderful Pharaoh” Ankhesenamun smiled happily.

Alexandria

The following month Ankhesenamun, the twins, who'd just started walking, and I were watching Tutankhamun, Mark and Ron race across the desert with a few other charioteers “Faster!” I heard Ron scream excitedly, he was riding with one of the other chariot riders

“Try and catch up!” Tutankhamun yelled back as he speed up, and did a sharp turn and started racing back. Mark on the other hand was caught by surprise by the turn and quickly did one and raced as fast as he could to catch up

“I taught him that” Ankhesenamun whispered to me. When the boys were done racing, and had washed up, we were sitting in one of the gardens,

“What else should we do today?” Tutankhamun yawned as he lied down in the damp grass

“Maybe we can take a nap” Ron sighed as he too lied down

“I thought that you didn't like naps Ron?” I teased

“Well, I can make an exception” he said as the twins stood up

“Seems like they would like to have a little walk” I smiled

“I don't feel like a walk though” Tutankhamun sighed as he closed his eyes. I watched as the twins wobbled over to their father and plumped right down next to him “Hey you two” Tutankhamun said as he opened an eye as Thutmose gurgled and crawled over and lay next to his father, and Tiye followed right behind her brother,

“Seems like they agree with Ron on that nap” Ankhesenamun giggled,

“Yes they do” I laughed.

Tutankhamun

When I'd finished my nap with the twins, I went to find Ankhesenamun and Alexandria. I first looked in their favorite garden, but they weren't there, when I turned from the door I bumped into Abasi “Abasi, do you know where Ankhesenamun and Alexandria are?” I asked

“Yes I do, Ankhesenamun is giving birth, and Alexandria is with her”

“What, why didn't anyone wake me up!” I demeaned as I rushed to Ankhesenamun's chambers. When I'd arrived, I saw a servant leaving the birthing chamber “How is the Queen and the baby?” I asked as I rushed over to her

“My lord, I was just going to get you, her majesty is alive and well”

“And what of the the child?” I asked

“It's a beautiful baby girl my lord”

“Thank you” I said as I rushed into the chamber. When I entered, Ankhesenamun and Alexandria were laying on the bed, and in Ankhesenamun's arms was a little bundle

“My lord, we're so glad that you're here” Alexandria smiled as I walked over

“Do you want to see your daughter?” Ankhesenamun asked as she handed me the little bundle and I looked down at the sleeping infant

“She looks just like you” I smiled

“There's some of you in there too” she smiled as I sat next to her

“But I didn't”

“Tutankhamun” Ankhesenamun said, making me stop and smile at her.

“What should we name her?” Alexandria said a minute later as she picked up the twins

“I was thinking of Kiya” I replied

“I think that's a wonderful name for her” Ankhesenamun smiled as she put her head on her pillow, and I smiled at her, knowing that she was remembering the few months that she'd spent with my own mother, Kiya before she'd died during childbirth.

Ankhesenamun

A week after Kiya was born, we were allowed to leave my chambers, once we were out, Tutankhamun summoned Alexandria and I to a conference in the audience chamber “You summoned us my lord” Alexandria said as we bowed

“Yes, I've decided to go on my hunting trip” Tutankhamun replied as he rose out of his seat. I felt my heart skip a beat as I looked over to Alexandria, and saw the fear in her eyes.

“But my lord, what about what Abasi and I told you?” she gulped

“I don't care what you two said, I need to go on this trip, and neither of you will be stopping me” he snarled and I saw tears starting to build up in Alexandria's eyes

“My lord please don't leave us, especially when Kiya and the twins need you” I said as I watched his face, and knew that he was thinking about it

“Ankhesenamun” I recognized his tone of his voice and knew that I'd lost, so I lowered my head “Listen, I have an idea” I heard my brother-husband stand up and walk over to Alexandria and I, and when I looked up into his dark eyes I shivered

“Yes my lord?” I asked

“Let me take Alexandria with me”

“Have you talked with Abasi about this?”

“Yes”

“Don't let my best friend get hurt okay?”

“I swear by the gods that I won't allow that to happen” he smiled. Soon I was helping Alexandria pack for the hunting trip

“Did he tell you of his idea to take you with you with him?” I asked

“No” she replied sadly

“What's wrong?”

“I'm just worried that he'll die”

“But Abasi sent you here to save him”

“I know, but I'm still worried about him, and about you, and the children”

“Why would you be worried about me and everyone else?” I wondered

“I'm just worried that someone might hurt you guys, and I don't that to happen”

“Don't worry my friend, Tutankhamun said that he's planning on dropping us off at the temple near the Step Pyramid”

“Are there going to be guards?”

“A few” I said as Alexandria gave out a sigh of relief as we continued packing. When we walked outside to Tutankhamun, who was near the docks, he smiled. Alexandria wore her army outfit, save for the face mask, while Ron and I both wore traveling outfits “Are we ready to depart?” I asked

“I believe that we are, all that we need to do is bored the boat” Tutankhamun said as he took our hands. Once we were on the boat and had set off, Ron was running around watching as the land slipped by while Tutankhamun, Alexandria and I walked around the boat at a slower pace to get a better view of the people who were watching us sail by.