After Rebecca asked for our help and told Helena she and Jack blacked out for 23 hours and 19 minutes, we rushed to the warehouse. H.G. was sure that someone had used her time machine. And, according to an old video, Pete and I went back in time to search for an artifact that was killing women. I had never seen the author so proud. I trusted H.G. with my life but still jumped slightly as she placed the device onto my head. "Don't worry Darling. I used this myself plenty of times. You're safe." Helena's chocolate eyes could make me believe anything she said.

"I know." I tried giving her a reassuring smile but faltered when H.G.'s fingertips brushed across my cheek.

"So, is there some sort of countdown?" Pete was just as nervous as I was.

Standing by the machine, Helena placed her hand on the lever. "Nope." Slowly the platform started turning. "Good luck."

Xxx

"Darling, breakfast is ready." I grumbled and turned over. I was exhausted and sore. A soft chuckle came from the door and footsteps made their way towards the bed. "Myka, breakfast is ready." A gentle kiss was placed on my bare shoulder. My eyes shot open and my heart started to pound when I recognized the silky accent. Turning slowly, I was met by a brilliant smile. "Good morning. Sleep well?" There H.G. stood in a short red robe that came halfway down her thighs. It was obvious she had nothing on underneath.

Looking around quickly, I wasn't sure where I was. Or why I was naked. Meeting Helena's gaze, I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. "H.G., what time is it?"

"It's nearly eleven. I woke up and made a late breakfast."

"Why am I so sore?"

The older woman's brow furrowed as she took a seat on the bed. "I knew we shouldn't have gone two weeks without sleeping together. All the built up sexual tension was taken out in one love filled night. I'm sorry, Darling. Shall I bring breakfast in here so you can stay in bed?"

"No. That's fine." Sitting up, I made sure to stay covered with the sheet.

Helena's intense gaze caused me to blush like it always had. "Always so bashful." Cupping my cheek, she placed a soft kiss on my lips. "I'll meet you at the table." A whimper escaped when our lips parted.

I watched as the mysterious brunette walked out of the room. Oh my God. I slept with H.G. and apparently we're living together. Where the hell are we? And when are we?" Fumbling for the phone on the night stand, I looked at the date. April 21st, 2016. Something went wrong. I'm supposed to be in the past with Pete finding the artifact. Looking through the phone, I saw pictures of us. We were in white and standing in front of a… Dropping the phone, I looked at my left hand. Holly shit we're married!

Xxx

I sat holding Myka's hand praying they would be alright. If anything happened to them it would have dire consequences. "What other inventions did you create that aren't in the warehouse?" Claudia's voice rang through my thoughts.

Looking over, I saw worry in the young woman's eyes. She's just as worried as I am. "Well, there's the grappler, a transmitter, a rocket that was destroyed…"

"You built a rocket?" Claudia's eyes grew.

"I did, yes. Back in 1893 after I met Nikola Tesla. He and I worked together polishing the blue prints for the Tesla before I brought it to the warehouse."

"That's incredible." Claudia looked away.

She has that same bashful look that Myka has when she wants to ask something. "What is it?"

"Can I ask you something?" I gave a simple nod. "Do you care about Myka?"

The question surprised me. "Well, she's an intelligent, strong, independent woman."

A coy grin tugged at the younger woman's lips. "That doesn't answer my question."

Xxx

Slipping into a robe, I walked into the kitchen. "Mmm coffee."

Helena chuckled softly. "As always. There's already a fixed cup at the table. Take a seat. I'll be with you shortly."

Sitting, I took a long sip of the steamy liquid. The small, one bed flat definitely belonged to me and H.G. There were two tall bookshelves filled with books and a third halfway filled. Pictures of us, my parents, and the team lined the walls. Peace filled my chest. I'm married to H.G. and we live together in London. Just as quickly as the peace came, it left. 23 hours and 19 minutes. I only have under 23 hours left of this.

"What's wrong, Darling? I would hope my newly wedded wife wouldn't already be having doubts." The author took a seat across from me.

"Not at all." I smiled. "Not at all." Fork in hand, I started eating. The food was delicious. Who knew the woman who had set the stove on fire at the B&B could cook?

"I know we wanted to stay in today, but, I want to show you something." My brow rose as Helena scrolled through her tablet. "Ah, here it is. An underwater tunnel just reopened in London after 147 years. Woolly and I had been down there while we worked in the warehouse. If you'd like, after we have a short day at the store, I'd love to take you there."

We have a store together? I can't believe this is happening. I thought it would be a dream of ours if we couldn't work for the warehouse that we would run a bookstore. I wonder why we don't work at the warehouse. "I'd love that."

After breakfast, we got ready and went to the store. Standing outside, I chuckled inwardly at the name: Bering and Wells book sellers. The store was incredible. It reminded me of my father's store. "It still gets to you, doesn't it?" H.G. laced her arm through mine as we walked inside. "After everything that's happened in the past six years, we're finally together and have the bookstore we dreamed of."

Everything that's happened in the past six years? What's happened? "It does." Hours passed and a steady amount of customers come and gone. Our engagement was known by some of the customers. They congratulated us before leaving. Watching H.G. log inventory into her tablet was adorable. She's always been fascinated by technology. One thing I love about her.

"You're starting again." Helena's back was to me but I could hear the smirk on her lips. "Just another hour and we can go to the tunnel."

Xxx

"I wonder what's going on. Myka's smiling." Claudia looked over her friend curiously.

"I'm not sure. My partner at warehouse 12 who helped me use my time machine told me he could never decide what was going on because I never moved."

"I'm sorry you were never able to save your daughter." Claudia's voice was cautious. Everyone knew the emotion of my daughter's murder was still raw.

"The ink in which our lives are inscribed is indelible." I failed to save my daughter but I will save this world from killing one another.

Xxx

The tunnel was full of people. "These were originally built so horse and buggies could travel and not be stopped by the lack of land. If I remember correctly, the tunnel stretches over thirteen hundred feet. Woolly and I gathered a handful of curiosities here." As H.G. spoke, I could only imagine her back in the 1800s bagging artifacts. "I brought Christina here once and she loved it." A dark cloud hovered above the author at the mention of her daughter. "I've done a lot of things I regret. I don't know how you've forgiven me for everything I've done."

What has she done? From the sound of her voice, whatever it was is bad. Squeezing Helena's hand, I stopped causing her to look at me. "I've forgiven you because I love you."

"That means the world to me, Mrs. Wells." We continued to walk in a comfortable silence. What has she done that's so horrible? There was a knot in my stomach. I didn't want this to end. By this time tomorrow, I'll be back in the warehouse where H.G. and I aren't married and we're not living together with our own bookstore. "What's wrong, Love?" It was Helena's turn to stop.

"Nothing. I just…" My voice trailed off. "Once we're done here, can we go home? I want to spend as much time with my wife as possible."

A brilliant smile lit the tunnel. "Of course we can." Dipping her head, H.G. captured my lips in a lazy kiss.

The rest of the evening was filled with passion. Helena made me feel things I never thought were possible. I was truly happy here and knew that by 10:45 tomorrow it would all be gone. I put all the passion I felt into every kiss and touch as I worked my way across the older woman's toned body; her moans only urging me on. "Myka, I don't know where this is coming from but…" Her voice broke as a throaty moan escaped her lips. "Yes. Dear God, yes." Her back arched off the bed and her hand fisted in my hair. H.G. came chanting my name. I only stopped when she collapsed trembling on the bed. Pulling me against her, the author petted my hair. "I love you, Myka Ophelia Wells. You mean everything to me."

I didn't want to sleep. I wanted to stay awake and spend as much time like this I possibly could. Soon, Helena slipped into a deep slumber and I laid there clinging to her. Tears stung my eyes as I sobbed in silence.

Xxx

"Myka? Myka, are you alright?" I was being shaken. "Darling?" It's H.G. I must be back in the warehouse. That means I'm no longer married and living in London. Opening my eyes, I was met by a frantic and confused brunette. "Are you alright, Darling?"

"Helena…" Tears started streaming down my cheeks. Taking off the headpiece, I ran. I can't be here right now. I can't see H.G. right now. I found myself in the library. I knew she would come after me eventually. I didn't realize eventually could come so quickly.

"Myka," I simple tap on the door. "May I come in?" A pause, "Although, you know I'll come in either way."

I chuckled softly. "Come in."

Cautiously, the author made her way towards the small vintage couch with a tea tray. "I know you weren't with Pete in the past." H.G. took a seat and gave me a cup of our favorite tea." Looking into the cup, a lump formed in my throat. We drank this before bed last night. "Where were you?"

"In a dream." My voice cracked as I took a sip of tea.

"How far in the future did you go?"

I watched the older woman from the corner of my eye. "What makes you think it was the future?"

"Just a feeling."

Sighing, I answered. "Six years. I don't want to say anything else because I don't want to ruin it. No matter how painful the next six years are." Grabbing a nearby pillow, I squeezed it tightly. I can't cry again. I just can't.

"So, there is a future in six years." H.G.'s voice trailed off as a soft chuckled made its way up her throat. "I should have known." My brow creased. "Tell me this at least, are we still in contact?"

I was hesitant to answer. What if just telling her screws up the timeline? "Yes."

"Good. Then I have one thing to say to you: Myka Bering, you have changed me and I am not easily changed. Thank you." With that, the author stood with a smile. "Let's go to the bed and breakfast, you get a book and me my Nook, and we read on the patio." There was a glint of the future Helena in this Helena's eyes as she looked down at me.

Taking the offered hand, the older woman pulled me to my feet. "That sounds wonderful."