This was supposed to be posted weeks ago but I got distracted…again. This is "day 2: wedding" of my personal writing challenge. I really need to change it from 'day' to probably nothing since I can't get this done daily. Oh well.
Helena removed and put her dress back on no less than five times in the course of an hour. The cream colored lace and pearl gown fit her body perfectly. The dress was elegant and regal with a slight train that caressed the ground around her feet. But if she closed her eyes it felt like a straight jacket. The high lace collar seemingly grew tighter and tighter round her neck.
She'd never been so nervous in her life. She wanted to marry Nate. If she hadn't wanted to she wouldn't have agreed to. Right?
A light rapping on the door startled her back to reality. Helena composed herself and opened the door slowly. At first she didn't see anyone on the other side.
A warm smile appeared on her face. "Adelaide, my dear. I was just now thinking of you."
The young girl entered the room without saying a word. It wasn't like her to be so quiet.
Finally she spoke as she extended her arm out in front of her. Clutched in her fist was a tiny barely pink peony. The delicate flower looked like it had been cut for awhile and had started to slightly wilt. It warmed Helena's heart.
Adelaide bashfully gave the flower to Helena who accepted it graciously. "This is lovely. Thank you." Helena tucked the flower into her bridal bouquet and gave the girl a kiss on the cheek before ushering her back out the door. There wasn't much time left before the ceremony started and Helena was not ready just quite yet.
She secured her simple pearl earrings just as there was another light knock on the door. Apparently the young girl was back rather quickly.
Helena pulled the door open. "Adelaide, I will be ready momentarily." But it wasn't Adelaide on the other side of the door. "Myka." Helena breathed.
They stood staring at each other for several moments. On the outside Helena was rather composed with a slight smile on the corner of her mouth but her insides were melting. If she hadn't been grasping the doorknob she may have collapsed to the floor.
Myka was in no better shape herself. She questioned her coming there even as she knocked on the door. But she didn't expect to be completely floored just by seeing Helena standing before her. She hadn't realized how much she missed her until that moment.
"I thought you might need one person on your side of the aisle." Myka laughed too hard at her own joke but mostly out of nervousness which Helena picked up on. But just as fast, her face turned more somber. "And I thought you'd like to have this today."
Myka held out her hand and watched Helena's eyes gleam. The gold chain and locket draped through her fingers. Helena audibly inhaled a sharp breath. She hadn't forgotten Myka still had the locket. She hadn't asked for it back and never intended to.
Helena took the necklace into her own hand. Myka's eyes closed slowly as their fingers grazed against one another. She immediately recalled the moment Helena's finger brushed hers when Myka was handcuffing her to the chair in London. It seemed like ages ago.
Myka looked up just in time to see a single tear slide down Helena's cheek as she looked at Christina's picture within the locket.
"Here, let me put it on you." Myka took the necklace back and circled behind Helena. She stood a little closer than she needed but didn't back away. She didn't know what came over her but as she reached around from behind Helena she let her fingers barely brush Helena's neck. The raven haired Brit didn't pull away but Myka felt her take a deep breath and hold it.
"Myka." Helena breathlessly whispered.
Myka finished clasping the age old jewelry but didn't move away or take her hands from the necklace. She took a few more moments relishing the feeling of Helena so close to her…smelling her scent. It may be the last time.
"I'm sorry." Myka said as she stepped away. "I should go." She started to hurry towards the door.
"No, please don't go." Helena reached for her and took her by the upper arm. "I'd like you to stay, please."
Myka promised to stay and found her way to small sanctuary where the ceremony was to take place. There were no more than ten people standing around making small talk. They looked to be coworkers or friends of Nate's. She took a seat in one of the beat up wooden pews. It was a charming old church with stunning stained glass windows. Exactly what Helena would choose. It wasn't overly religious. Actually if you didn't know it was a church you wouldn't think it was one.
She began to relax after seeing Helena again and giving her the locket. Their friendship was one she hoped wouldn't deteriorate after they both moved on in separate directions. Although it was Myka who had been the guilty one of not communicating lately.
Helena took a deep breath before exiting the small waiting room where she had gotten ready. Dozens of butterflies were swarming in her stomach. She wasn't as nervous until she'd seen Myka. She regretted that they hadn't more time to catch up and talk with one another. Her life had finally settled into a typical routine.
But in five minutes time everything had come undone.
Helena stood at the back of the room as the music began to play softly. She hadn't wanted traditional wedding music but Nate insisted. Everyone stood and turned to look at her. But they were all a blur except for one.
In that moment, Helena missed the adventure. She missed the world of endless wonder. She missed the unknown. She missed the danger.
She missed Myka.
But onward she walked down the aisle on numb, shaking legs until she stood next to the man who had opened her life to a whole new chapter. He provided her with something she'd never had before. He cared for her, supported her, and nurtured her.
Myka watched as Nate took Helena's hands into his. He looked so happy. Who wouldn't be marrying H. G. Wells? Helena, on the other hand, looked sick. Her face was unusually pale. For anyone who didn't know her wouldn't notice but Myka knew her and knew something wasn't right. This should be the happiest day of her life but Helena looked like she was going to judgment day.
The minister began speaking but Helena heard none of it. Her heartbeat was deafening her ears.
Helena lowered her head and stared at her hands encased in Nate's but her mind turned back in time.
Like a picture book, images flashed before her…
Watching Myka casually explore her London home.
Firing the Tesla at Myka and Pete.
Slipping the tracking transmitter into Myka's pocket on the bench.
Myka thrusting the gun at her own face at Yellowstone and trusting Helena with her life.
Begging Myka to destroy the Janus coin.
Afraid of not being able to save Myka.
Watching Myka's face as the warehouse blew up around them.
Feeling Nate squeeze her hands she blinked back to the present and her eyes careened directly to Myka and her heart collapsed. There was always undeniable, some would say sexual, tension between them but neither ever discussed it or recognized it. But Helena couldn't fathom a world without Myka and this new life she was about to enter would not be conducive to how she had grown accustomed.
"Helena." Nate whispered.
But her eyes never broke from Myka's. She could see in Myka's face that she was questioning but she also did not break the lock.
The minister asked again if Helena took this man…
Closing her eyes and swallowing the lump in her throat, Helena shook her head. "I apologize." She couldn't bear to see his expression. Helena turned on her heels and hurried out of the church without looking back.