Chapter 32

DIANA

Iwoke up early. This whole experience had blown my mind. I still couldn't believe I was actually here. As I lay in bed, the memories of the previous night flooded my mind. The romantic dinner, the shared laughter, the intimate conversations? It all felt like a dream. And yet, here I was, wrapped in his arms, feeling more content than I had in a long time.

I turned to look at him, sleeping peacefully beside me. His face was relaxed, his chest rising and falling with each steady breath. In the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, he looked almost otherworldly. He was handsome and chiseled and just so damn sexy.

I reached out to brush a lock of hair from his forehead. In sleep, he looked years younger. He had told me a little about his life, but I could see he was still struggling with a lot of past baggage. I wished I could help him see he was good. He was worthy. His partying ways were a symptom of the struggles he dealt with. I hoped this trip would help him see that he didn't need alcohol to enjoy life. There was so much to see and do.

I felt a surge of affection for him as I watched him sleep. I knew there was more to him than met the eye, beneath the carefree exterior he presented to the world. I hoped our time together would help him heal, just as it was helping me realize there was a lot more to life than Cold Springs and my father's demands.

I softly kissed his forehead before carefully extricating myself from his embrace and slipping out of bed. Padding over to the window after throwing on a robe that happened to be close by, I drew back the curtains and was greeted by a breathtaking view of the sun rising over the Nile River. The golden light painted everything in warm colors, casting a magical glow over the ancient city awakening below.

I stepped onto the balcony, breathing in the crisp morning air. The sounds of the city coming to life filled my ears, the distant calls of street vendors, the honking of cars, the murmur of people starting their day. It was exhilarating to be in a place so different from home, so steeped in history and culture. I didn't want to wake Hudson and went back inside, closing the door to block out the sounds.

"Good morning," I heard him say.

I turned to see him with a cheesy smile and his hair a mess. "Good morning."

"How come you didn't wake me?"

"We have time," I said. "You looked exhausted."

"I feel good," he said. "I slept pretty well."

"You needed it." I smiled.

We both got ready for our big adventure of the day. Getting to see the pyramids of Giza was surreal.

The towering pyramids stood before us, their ancient stone faces etched with stories of a long-gone era. We marveled at the sheer size and precision of the structures, imagining the thousands of workers who had toiled to build them so many centuries ago. The sun beat down on us as we walked through the sandy expanse, the heat shimmering in waves around us. Hudson seemed in awe, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by reverence for the history and grandeur before us.

"I feel incredibly privileged to be able to stand here," I said.

Hudson nodded, his eyes fixed on the pyramids. "It's surreal, isn't it? To think about all the history and stories contained within these ancient structures."

As we continued exploring, I noticed a change in Hudson. His usual playful banter was replaced by a quiet contemplation. It seemed like being in the presence of such monumental history had awoken something within him, stirring emotions that lay dormant beneath his carefree fa?ade.

We wandered through the complex, marveling at the intricate carvings and hieroglyphics that adorned the walls. I caught Hudson tracing his fingers along the weathered stone, his expression somber.

As we made our way inside one of the pyramids, I was struck by just how small the passageways were. Our guide explained that people were much smaller back in ancient times. I couldn't help but marvel at the thought of the builders squeezing through these narrow corridors to construct such magnificent structures.

"Like ants," Hudson whispered in my ear.

"What?"

"They were tiny humans carrying massive stones on their backs," he clarified, a hint of admiration in his voice.

I chuckled at his analogy. "I'm not sure that's how it was built, but yes, it's quite a feat."

Hudson had to crouch down low to make it through the tight spaces. I couldn't help but chuckle as he struggled to maintain his composure. But as we descended into the belly of the pyramid, where the tomb lay hidden deep within, any sense of amusement was replaced by a profound sense of reverence.

Standing in that sacred space, surrounded by walls that had witnessed the passage of millennia, awe washed over me. To think that I was standing in the same place where a pharaoh had been laid to rest was truly mind-boggling. It was a moment that I would carry with me for the rest of my life.

As we made our way back outside, the sun beating down on us, I found myself already longing for our next adventure. Tomorrow, we would be heading to Luxor to visit the Valley of the Kings, and I couldn't wait to see the magnificent tombs that lay hidden beneath the desert sands.

I knew that I would have to remember it all. Photography was strictly forbidden inside the pyramids and tombs. But somehow, that made the experience even more special. It was a memory that I would cherish forever, one that I would share with my students back home as I regaled them with tales of our incredible journey through the land of the pharaohs. I kind of liked that no one could take pictures. We didn't have the bright flashes going off and people trying to pose and get the perfect picture. It was all about experiencing it in the moment just like the people who built the pyramids all those years ago.

"Are you ready for the museum?" Hudson asked.

Hudson had managed to secure private passes for us, allowing us exclusive access to the exhibits. It was a privilege that I didn't take lightly, and I found myself feeling incredibly grateful to be able to explore the museum at our own pace, without the hustle and bustle of other tourists.

"Absolutely," I said. "I feel like a VIP."

"You are." He smiled, kissing my cheek.

Entering the Grand Egyptian Museum was like stepping into another world. The sheer magnitude of the building itself was awe-inspiring. We made our way through the grand halls, my eyes trying to see it all.

The artifacts on display were truly remarkable, each one a testament to the rich history and culture of Egypt. From intricately carved statues to beautifully preserved mummies, every corner of the museum held something new and fascinating to discover.

We wandered through the exhibits, acting like kids in a candy store, eagerly soaking in every detail and marveling at the sheer beauty of it all. We stopped to admire a magnificent statue of Ramses II, its imposing presence filling the room with a sense of power and majesty. My heart was pounding fast as I looked at the statue. I could practically feel the history oozing around me.

"This is incredible," I murmured, unable to tear my eyes away from the statue.

Hudson nodded in agreement, his expression one of wonder. "I've never seen anything like it," he replied, his voice filled with awe.

We spent hours exploring the museum, losing ourselves in the wonders of ancient Egypt. From the intricately painted sarcophagi to the glittering treasures of the pharaohs, each exhibit seemed to transport us back in time, allowing us to glimpse the splendor of a bygone era.

"I don't even remember studying this stuff in history," Hudson said. "Do you teach this to your students?"

"We gloss over it," I replied. "They're too young to really understand the significance."

"Experiences like this turn history from a dry subject into a living, breathing story. Just imagine if every student could see what we're seeing now."

I nodded in agreement, my gaze straying to an exhibit showcasing the ancient religious rituals of Egypt. The delicate scrolls were filled with intricate hieroglyphics, each one hand-drawn by scribes thousands of years ago. It was a sight that made the lessons I taught back home seem pale and lifeless in comparison.

"Yes, it would be quite something."

We carried on exploring through the afternoon, leaving no stone unturned, no exhibit unvisited. As we exited the grand halls, my mind was abuzz with what I'd seen and experienced. I felt like I was on history overload.

As we made our way back outside, I felt a huge sense of gratitude wash over me. This trip had been nothing short of magical, and I knew that it was a memory that would stay with me forever. We went back to the hotel, showered, changed, and made our way down to the hotel lounge. We ordered drinks and sat on the plush seats. The unease I had felt in Cairo seemed like a distant memory now.

"So, what was your favorite part of the museum?" Hudson asked.

I took a moment to ponder his question, swirling the ice cubes in my glass thoughtfully. "It's hard to choose just one," I replied with a smile. "But I think seeing the statue of Ramses II was definitely a highlight for me. There's just something about being in the presence of such history and grandeur that leaves you in awe. We certainly revered our dead a lot more back then."

Hudson nodded in agreement, taking a sip of his drink. "I couldn't agree more," he said. "It's amazing to think about all the people who came before us and the incredible feats they were able to accomplish. Makes me feel a little soft. A lot soft. I can't imagine working in the heat for a single day, let alone my entire life."

"I think we owe them immense respect for their hard work and dedication. The world we have today is greatly indebted to their efforts. Look at everything they left us. Do you think they knew people like us would be exploring their precious structures hundreds of years later?"

He laughed. "I think they were too tired at the end of the day to think of anything beyond eating and sleeping. I doubt they gave a shit who was inspecting their work a couple thousand years down the road."

I giggled at his bluntness. "In any case," I said, raising my glass. "Here's to ancient Egypt. And to us."

"To us," he echoed, clinking his glass against mine.

I sipped my drink and looked out at the Egyptian night. I felt a powerful sense of connection with the past and a profound appreciation for the present moment.

As the evening wore on, the lounge began to fill with other guests, their laughter and chatter filling the air. But in that moment, it felt like Hudson and I were the only ones in the room, lost in our own little world of conversation and laughter. I didn't know if I could call him my boyfriend, but it felt like that. I felt like we were partners. We were experiencing the world together.

After a lazy dinner and a couple of drinks, we made our way back to our room. I stole a glance at Hudson. His eyes sparkled with a newfound energy, and his face, despite the fatigue settling on his features, held a smile that reached his eyes. He looked truly happy. I liked to think I did that. Or at least I had a part in doing that.

Once we were back in our hotel room, he flopped onto the bed and sighed deeply. "What an incredible day," he said, eyes closed as he nestled his head into the plush pillow.

I slipped off my sandals and joined him on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. "Yes," I agreed. "It was amazing. I don't want to wake up from this dream."

"You don't have to wake up yet," he said. "We still have a few more places to visit before we go back to the real world."