A/N Thanks for the reviews
Mo Grah is Celtic for My Love
Disclaimer : I own nothing of SyFy.
I held Christina in my arms, her little body resting more on the side of my hip than in front of me. We watched as Pete helped Helena into the cart before getting in himself. Giving Tilly a quick pat, "Take good care of them pretty lady," I said to my favorite mare. Helena smiled at the three of us and waved to us as they headed down to the Orchard.
"Oh oh, here comes trouble," Claudia said as she took Christina from my hip. I turned to see my Father heading down the path. His strides were quick, the dust forming small clouds behind each footfall.
"Myka, I need a word with you."
I turned to Claudia, giving Christina a quick kiss on her head as I held the door open for them.
"I'll just go hide us in Chrissy's room, okay?... Good,... gottogonow," the young redhead said in a hurried voice, not bothering to wait for my reply. I mumbled 'wish I could join you' as I watched them rush into the bedroom. I started to close the front door to the cottage as I stood outside; my father raised his hand to the door, blocking my attempt.
"Now now girl, is that any way to treat your father?" he said, as he made a beeline for the kitchen, grabbing two cups and the bottle of whiskey.
"Dad, it's 9:00 am; isn't it a little early to start, even for you?" I said, as I sat down at the table with him. He gave me a smirk as he poured us both a cup.
"What? I can't share a glass with my girl, especially when I have such good news?"
I raised my cup to his proffered one "And what good news would that be, Dad?" I said, as I eyed him over the rim of my cup.
"I have a means to clear our debt with the Wells and their bank."
I got up, grabbing the books from the counter and sat next to him. "Dad, you do realize that with this last harvest," I slipped my glasses on as I turned the pages of the ledger, "We will be able to pay off the loan to the bank," I said as I slid the book over to him.
He gave me a strange look, then emptied his cup. "Well Myka, that's great news..I...wished I would have known this before yesterday?" he said as he grabbed the bottle with one hand, rubbing the back of his neck with the other.
"Dad,what did you do?" I said as I stilled his hand on the bottle, setting it back down on the table.
"I ran into that Wells fellow in town."
"Were you at the Pub?" I asked, knowing full well he was. That's where he spent all his free time.
" I may have been in there," he said, as I poured him a cup of tea that Helena had left for me.
"And Wells just happened to show up in there?" I raised the bottle to his cup to stall him from speaking, the only way I found to silence him. "And let me guess, Charles…." the disdain dripping from my voice, "bought you a few drinks?" Shaking his head yes, he cast his eyes down on the tea in his cup "What did you agree to?" I said, as I hovered the bottle over his cup, but not pouring the whiskey out.
"Have a heart girl," he said as he gently placed his fingers on mine holding the bottle, pouring some of it into his cup. "He said that If I gave my blessing to allow him to court you, he would wipe our debts off the books."
I started to shake with fury. I reined in my urge to scream at him, trying my utmost to remember that this shell of man was my father.
"Besides, girl, you seem so fond of his sister and niece.."
That was the last straw. Red, raw anger at the mention of Helena and Christina from him blurred my vision and clouded my thoughts. "Get the HELL out of OUR HOME," I yelled as I slapped the cup out of his hand.
"Watch it, girl. You are dancing on dangerous ground. I am your father and…"
I stalked towards him as I growled out, "I am no girl, and you are no father." He backed towards the door, his eyes wide, as my voice dropped lower with each word. "Hell will freeze over before I allow anyone named Wells, other than Helena to touch….."
Both our heads snapped at the sound of the bedroom door slamming open against the wall.
" MYKA..Myka,"the young girl yelled in a stage whisper. I saw Christina, clinging to the back of the young redhead's skirt, her eyes wide, tears streaming down her face. "Please, Miss Myka, please stop yelling."
I went to Christina, scooping her up in my arms as I wiped away her tears. "I am sorry, Little Miss; I didn't mean to upset you," I said as I kissed her forehead. I walked over to the front of the cottage, holding the door open as I glared at my father.
He looked at Claudia, then turned toward me. "What did you mean by 'our home?' What are you talking about, Myka?"
I handed Christina over to Claudia as she slipped past us and made her way into the trees. "Helena and Christina are living here, in 'our home,' until I say otherwise."
My father stepped up to me, our faces mere inches apart. "Is that so, girl?"
I stood up straight as I eyed him back. "Yes, it is. You may rule over the family home, but not mine, and I refuse to allow you or Charles to rule over me or Helena."
My father started to grin as he reached behind me to open the door. "It's about time you stood up to me; you are your mother's daughter," he said, patting me on my shoulder, then smiled as he walked out the door.
I was sweeping up the broken teacup as I heard muffled voices at the door. I reached for the knob, my hand shaking from the recent anger and frustration as I opened the door. "Helena, what are you doing back..."
She cut me off as she turned back to Claudia. Kissing Christina's cheek, she whispered to her, "It will be alright, my darling girl. Claudia is going to take you back to the Orchard so you may lunch with her and Peter."
The little girl shook her head and then turned to me, her arms outstretched for a hug. "Are you still mad, Miss Myka?"
I gave the little girl a squeeze back. "No, little Miss. Everything is just fine, now. Do not worry yourself about me, and go enjoy your lunch."
We both stood on the porch as we watched the two of them walk down the path. After they disappeared through the trees, Helena grabbed my wrist, pulling me into the cottage and slammed the door behind us "What the bloody hell happened here? I saw Claudia running through the trees with Christina crying in her arms," Helena said. I knew she was trying to keep her voice steady as she turned to me. "Claudia told me what was said. I can't believe my brother would sink so low, liquoring your father up, getting him to agree to court ...YOU!" Helena was now pacing the room, her fists clenching as she started mumbling to herself, "that back-stabbing bastard, trying to steal the Orchard, our love, our home away from us."
I reached my hand tentatively to her shoulder. "Helena, I stood up to my father. I told him no one would tell me what to do, not in our home." Helena's face softened, her brow relaxing as I cupped her cheeks, looking into her pleading brown eyes. I kissed her quivering mouth, brushing my lips gently against hers.
"Our home, Myka?" she asked, her voice shaking as she rested her brow against mine.
"Yes, our home, Mo Ghra. You are my love, as I am yours," I whispered. "I am so sorry my shouting upset Christina," I said as I led her to the couch.
"She is a smart, resilient girl; she understands." Helena sighed as she kissed my proffered hands in hers
Giving her a quick, heated kiss, I turned to the stove. "How about a cup of 'proper' English tea to relax both of us?" I said as I let the tea steep, feeling her eyes on me as I shuffled around the kitchen, readying our drinks. "I will take care of Charles; there is no way in Hell I would ever agree to marry him," I said, looking at the stove, not daring to meet her eyes with mine.
"Charles did this just so he could get his hands on the Orchard. Charles has been obsessed with it ever since I arrived here," Helena said with a strained look on her face. I nodded my understanding, having had enough of this conversation for one day.
I stood in front of her as I held out the cups. She took both of them from me, setting them down on the table next to her as she sat on the couch. "Come here" Helena whispered as she pulled me on top of her lap. My hands gripped onto her shoulders. My legs knelt on either side of her hips as Helena wrapped her arms around my waist. "You know that bastard is trying to garner the Orchard from you?" Helena said as I settled further down on her lap.
"I know, and I will deal with him," I whispered into Helena's sweet, smooth skin.
"Have I told you what an intelligent, intoxicating woman I find you, Myka, ever since the first day I saw you in my brother's bank?" Helena said as she reached up with those heavenly lips and nipped gently at my neck.
I settled farther down on her lap, our hips rocking rhythmically to a song only we could hear with our hearts. "No," I moaned as our blissful dance increased. "No, Helena," I said as impure thoughts started racing through my head, my growing need for her overwhelming my senses. I needed to halt this building lust. "Mo Ghra," I whispered as I cupped her face, stilling our movements. "Please, we need to stop," I pleaded as our hips danced to their own rhythmic passion. I could see the pained and confused look in her eyes as I got up, halting our ministrations.
I could feel Helena glancing at me as I led Tilly toward the last part of the orchard that was being harvested. "Helena, I need to go to the warehouse with the other carts. I have, I am ... besides getting these last carts to the market, I need to check with Mrs. Fredric about some items I am waiting on," I said to Helena as I waited for Pete and some of the other workers to fill the carts with the bushels of apples. I led Helena away from the others. "I do not know what to….how to….I have never lain with a woman", I whispered, my eyes searching hers for understanding. "I need to be sure that...what I do...that I can please you" I sputtered out.
"Myka, my love, just knowing you love me is pleasure enough," Helena said as she gently cupped my face in her hands. I leaned into the warmth of her palm, needing to try and explain my hesitance.
"Sam, I saved myself for him, for our wedding night...I loved Sam, but nothing compares to the love I feel for you, Helena," I sighed. "I know you are concerned for my health, but I promise, after we get back, I will rest." Seeing the concern crossing her face, I knew I needed to relieve her growing anxiety, and mine. Leading her down a forgotten path, I pushed Helena against the nearest apple tree, my hands tugging at her blouse as my lips brushed hers. I traced my mouth down her neck, nipping and sucking at her collarbone, feeling the pressure of her increasing breaths under my mouth.
I raised my head at the sound of her voice. "Myka, my love…" she moaned as my hips made sway on hers against the tree.
My breath was ragged as I ran my lips down her slender neck. I felt my knees buckle and my chest tighten as I slipped my head further down her taut neck to meet the soft skin between her breasts, nipping at the alabaster skin quivering under the gentle press of my lips on her chest.
Helena's fingers curled into my locks as she tugged my head gently up to meet her blacken orbs. I knew she could see the conflict swirling in my eyes as I fought between my need to wait before we coupled and the wanton desire to please her, deep inside myself. "I am more than positive we shall find a solution to our dilemma," Helena whispered.
All the carts were being unloaded by a dizzing array of people. Helena was directing the symphony of carts and workers scuttling around the warehouse. It was organized choas at its best, but yet, with Helena at the helm, it seemed to work. Helena gave me a quick wink. With a blush rising on my cheeks, I turned to look for Mrs Fredric.
"Ms Bering, it is good to see you up and about. It seems our Ms Wells is indeed a proficient caretaker."
I gave a slight nod as we both watched the apples being unloaded. My eyes drifted over to Helena as she moved about, taking inventory of the harvest.
"Ms Bering, I believe you will find the answers you are seeking in these tomes."
I stuttered as she handed me a bundle of books wrapped in plain purple parchment paper. "Thank you, but I haven't asked you what books…" When I turned, she had disappeared. "what books I was looking for," I said, as I finished my sentence, staring into the expanse of the endless wonder that was this warehouse, and wondering how she could disappear into the huge building like that.
"Looking for what books, Love?"
I turned at the soft hand on my shoulder and was greeted with a heavenly smile from Helena. "Oh, nothing….um…. so, are we ready to go?"
Helena hooked her arm in mine as we made our way to the cart. "I am giving serious consideration to Mrs. Fredric's offer," Helena said, as we settled in to the cart.
As Tilly was making her way down the road, I turned to Helena. "And what offer would that be, Helena?"
She slid closer to me as she bumped my shoulder. "Mrs. Fredric offered me a position at the warehouse as an agent, overseeing inventory, procuring rare items. Of course, only when you are healthy enough not to need my unique caregiving." I leaned closer to her, wanting to kiss that smirk off her lips.
"Uh hmm, children present here, you two," Claudia said behind us, as she cleared her throat and shielded Christina's eyes. Helena turned to the back of the cart where those two were sitting, taking Christina from Claudia and placing the Little Miss on her lap.
Claudia followed me to the barn as we settled Tilly in for the night. "Hey Myka?" the girl spoke as she sat on the railing of the stall, her feet swinging in rhythm, her eyes downcast as I was brushing Tilly. "Do you...I mean...it's really obvious, to me anyways, that you really love her, I mean I know you love them both, but like... LOVE, Love her, like you did Sam?"
I knew this was something hard for her to ask me. Trying to help Claudia along so I could get back to Helena, I drew in a deep breath. "I love both of them very much. Christina is like a daughter to me, and Helena is," I sighed as I turned to face the girl.
"like your soul mate?" Claudia said.
"Helena is my Mo Ghra."
Claudia jumped down and landed at my feet. I chuckled as I picked her up, brushing her off.
She gave me a big hug. "I knew it! You three are the perfect little family."
I smiled at the girl as I picked a few stray pieces of straw from her red hair. "This is our secret, alright? No one must know, yes?"
Claudia gave me another hug. "Your secret is safe with me…..hey, Myka?" the girl spoke up as she was heading out of the barn. "I'm truly happy for you. Both of you deserve happiness."
After dinner,I gave Christina a bath, and then Helena readied her for bed. I sat back in the still warm water, closing my eyes as I listened to Helena read the Little Miss a bedtime story, her soft voice lulling me into a relaxed state.
"Myka...this may hurt a little"
I opened my eyes slowly. "Hmm..what might hurt Helena?" I mumbled out as I started to sit up in the tub.
"Your stitches, my love. They are ready to come out, as are you, unless you enjoy looking like a shriveled old prune." She chuckled as my eyes focused on hers.
"I am anything but old." I smirked as I crossed my arms on the rim of the tub, resting my chin on them as I looked up at her.
"Exquisite," Helena whispered, as she leaned in to brush those ruby red lips against mine. Her lips captured, then tugged on my bottom lip as she pulled back.
"Even for a shriveled up, old prune?" I said.
Helena chuckled as she smacked my arm lightly, reaching for the knife and tweezers she had set on the floor next to her sock-clad feet. I tried not to wince at the thought of what she was getting ready to do. "Vanessa said they should be ready to come out, seeing as you are a fast healer, and..stubborn as a mule. People seem really fond of that description for you."
I laughed as I stilled my head, pressing my chin further into my folded arms. "Yeah, well, I am Irish after all. Helena,when are you going to start on my..." I heard the knife and tweezers fall to floor.
"There, all done," Helena said, as she brushed her fingers over my forehead.
"Wait, you did that on purpose."
Helena picked up the tools and sauntered over to the linen closet. "Did what on purpose, darling?" she said, as she came back with a fresh towel and a dressing gown tucked in her arms, a smirk dancing across her lips.
"You know what I mean," I said, as I rose out of the tub, taking, then drying myself off with, the proffered towel.
"I am afraid I am at a loss; whatever are you going on about, darling?"
I changed into my dressing gown as I rambled on, oblivious to the growing smile on her face, and her pouring hot water into the tub.
Helena handed me my book and glasses as I settled into bed. "Time for my evening bath. Now be a good love and read your book whilst I bathe. I will be by your side in no time," Helena said, then kissed my lips, lingering for a moment while it all dawned on me.
"You distracted me, didn't you?"
She smirked as she lowered herself into the tub. "Whatever do you mean, my darling?"
I realised that as she had talked to me about frivolous things, she was redirecting my attention away from the pain of removing my stitches, then readying me for bed, all the while distracting me. I had been handled like a husband.
