This song is what inspired the party entrance because I could just see them thinking these thoughts - Myka the first two - Helena the rest, etc.

Thank you for reading along especially at such a busy time of year. Your time is a gift - and I thank each and everyone of you for it.

The dresses and jewelry can be see on Twitter.


"Whole world is watching us now
It's a little intimidating
But since there's no way to come down
Let's give 'em something amazing
Let's make them remember
Using one word …Incredible"

Unexpected

The entire office was abuzz with excitement for the evening's gala event. From the engraved invitations, to the live music, to the food and drink and of course the hostesses, no detail went unattended. The guests were driven in party buses to the location of the event. Photographers tried to sneak in and were caught. There wasn't a Wells Corp employee who didn't feel special for having been invited.

Myka couldn't help the butterflies that formed in her stomach. The last time she was in front of this many people - out of court - was her valedictorian speech at college. She talked about the road less traveled and how they should each strive to make their own paths. It seemed odd to her in the years that followed, that she seemed to take the high road, the safe road, and the prescribed road, but rarely the one less traveled. Now she was on it – with one of the most magnificent women who ever walked the earth. Myka still got a surge of total excitement when Helena looked at her from across a crowded room. And she melted – not just when Helena touched her of course, but when Helena wanted her way and practically squealed with delight when Myka gave in. It was a rare sight that most people didn't see in Helena.

Steve drove Myka to One Beacon Court that night and now that she was upstairs, she could hear the noise from her dressing room downstairs. There were so many bedrooms that she didn't have to worry about every seeing the one Jeffrey was in. She did remember with fondness the entry way and looked forward to stealing Helena away later to remind her. There were students from the Fashion Institute who were invited to the party and were now helping Myka into her gown. She felt as if she was going out on stage in a little while. She was looking forward to seeing the staff members have a chance to be with Helena. She had scrolled down the company intranet files and now knew every name and which department a person was in. She would prompt Helena should they get into a conversation.

"All set, Ms. Bering," the college student said. When Myka looked at herself in the mirror, decked out in a dress handpicked by her lover, she smiled – and blushed. She had never felt more beautiful. The people around her were fussing with her hair and makeup, but Myka was stealing glances in the mirror and smiling at the reflection.

The calmness of that room was the antithesis of the room across the hall.

Helena expected the people helping her to move when she moved – and she was moving a lot. And barking orders. Leena was begged to be there by the students because they feared the woman who owned the closet they worked in all semester. She finally leaned into Helena and asked if she could take into account that these were students learning and since she was such an excellent teacher, perhaps she could help them. Appealing to Helena's ego was key the Resident Director had learned. Helena slowed down and allowed the students to help as she put on her gown.

And then after all the weeks of planning -

The moment had arrived.

Helena knew that she wanted one thing tonight – for her and Myka to make a grand entrance. Helena always made them – whether it was a meeting or a magnificent social event. Helena was totally at home in the oohs and aah's – but she wanted this for Myka. It angered Helena that life had not treated Myka with complete kindness and the recognition she deserved. When Myka would talk about someone in high school who was rude or nasty, Helena made a mental note of their name. No one was getting away unscathed if Helena had her way. If Helena thought a waiter didn't have the right tone in his voice while serving Myka, he was shot a deadly cold stare and replaced.

Tonight was for Myka – it was Helena's way of swaying the balance back in Myka's favor – as she felt it should be.

When the doors opened, Myka walked out into the hallway – above the crowd and caught sight of Helena in her red dress. Helena did the same – but upon seeing Myka, she stopped instantly in her tracks – and gasped.

The two women walked on air it seemed as they approached each other. The live music from the orchestra slowed down, the noise of the chatter disappeared, and all they could see was each other. If either thought it would be impossible to fall in love any more than they were, they found out there in that moment of total adulation – they were wrong – and fell even more in love.

It wasn't the dresses, the makeup, or the grandeur of the event. For Myka, it was the way Helena looked at her so lovingly. Myka liked the way she looked through Helena's eyes. For Helena – it was the feeling Myka gave her inside – in a heart that she had closed off years ago and came to life when Myka came into hers.

The students stood there as the two women gazed longingly at each other the only way two lovers meant to be together can do – as if no one else was there and nothing else mattered.

Helena walked over to Myka. "You look breathtaking darling," Helena said and meant it because she literally had gasped when she saw Myka.

"As do you, Helena," Myka said blushing from enjoying that compliment.

"You need only one thing," Helena said and turned to the student who whipped the blue box out and presented it to Helena. Out of it she took a necklace in platinum with round brilliant diamonds totally 49 karats. It was stunning and Helena reached around to put it around Myka's neck.

"Oh my God, Helena, remember no expensive Christmas presents?" Myka said because she knew money was no object to the Brit.

"Yes, I agreed," Helena said smiling.

"But this …," Myka said touching the jewels with her fingers.

"Myka, you are my gift….. to the diamonds. Besides, it's not your real Christmas gift from me," Helena smiled. "Mine is more personal," she whispered to Myka as she took her arm and walked them to the balcony railing and greeted their guests.

The crowd applauded and welcome their hostesses. Myka's butterflies all settled down as soon as she put her hand on Helena's arm. In fact, while Helena looked down at her guests and waved, Myka looked at Helena and thought there wasn't anything she couldn't do while holding on to Helena's arm.

"On behalf of Myka and me, we thank you for coming this evening. We hope you have a wonderful time here tonight," was how Helena greeted everyone.

Helena put her hand atop of Myka's on her arm and took them to the stairs. They slowly descended the steps as people rushed the grand stairway to greet them as the music "It's Beginning to Look A Lot Christmas" played in the background.


"Oh my God," Eileen said and fell back against Claudia when she saw the pair.

"You okay there?" Claudia said holding her in an embrace.

"They are divine together. They are so beautiful," Eileen swooned.

"Good thing I'm not the jealous type," Claudia teased and Eileen turned and kissed her.

"You two maybe want to wait until you're under the mistletoe?" Steve asked them and they both poked him.

"You're just jealous because you're working tonight," Claudia said back because with Pete and Myka going out of town, Steve was Helena's bodyguard for the weekend.

Pete approached them and asked Steve if everything was okay with the security staff. "There's Jane," Steve said and Pete looked over to see the usually raincoat clad cop in a beige gown that sparkled in the lights. Pete rushed over to kiss his date who never looked more beautiful to him.

"Let's say hi to Helena and Myka and then blow this popsicle stand," Claudia said and saw the look of horror on Eileen's face. "To go downstairs to where the music is from this century," she tried to explain, but there was still hesitation in her girlfriend's eyes. "Or….we could stay here until you get a chance to see them and drool over them and ….," but Claudia didn't get to finish because Eileen was tickling her to make her stop saying the truth.


Staff members approached Helena and thanked her for the gifts they had received, many of them wearing the Tiffany gift. Helena would say 'you are very welcome' …..and if there was a pause, Myka would fill in the name and department. Or she would introduce Helena to the person and Helena would add 'of course.' They were a very smooth operation – Bering and Wells.

At one point, the Mayor pulled Myka to the dance floor and Helena stayed back. Her eyes never left Myka – the distance only giving her a different view of her loved one in the perfect dress.

"You're a lucky woman, Ms. Wells," Bridget Cummings said getting a new glass of champagne from the tray the waiters were offering.

"Indeed I am," Helena said not taking her gaze off Myka. She realized whose voice it was speaking and turned to see the guest. "Ms. Cummings, so glad you could make it," Helena said tilting her head slightly. "I do hope the Grayson business isn't upsetting you too much."

"Funny, I should be saying that to you. His claim has put the brakes on your public offering and yet you appear to be very calm about it," Bridget said. She worked with high powered people all the time. She knew what upset them and what didn't.

"C'est la vie," Helena said shrugging her shoulders. It was all the confirmation Bridget needed.

"So what happens if Grayson has uncovered a long-lost relative? You have an heir?" Bridget asked and Helena's head snapped around to face her. That got her attention.

"If I have a relative, they will most certainly not be my heir," Helena said forcefully. Then she looked back at Myka and her voice softened. "My heir – isn't here yet," Helena smiled.

Then Helena turned her attention back to the investment banker. She expected to feel fire building up inside – and an overwhelming urge to make sure Bridget understood that Myka was hers – but she felt none of that. There was no jealousy. Some might think it was the anger management sessions that the judge would take public credit for. Helena knew otherwise – and that the credit was Myka's. No one had ever make Helena feel so safe in all her life.

"I want to thank you," Helena said to the banker.

"For the countless hours I spent on your account only to have it all go up in smoke?" Bridget laughed.

"No, for that I will compensate you by giving you some of my personal accounts to handle," Helena said matter of factly and surprised her guest.

"Then for what?" Bridget asked.

"For being Myka's friend. She does not know many people here yet, and I think she rather enjoys your company," Helena said.

Bridget knew who she was dealing with. Helena's reputation for being fierce was a well-known fact. Yet as she looked at the Brit now, there was nothing but sincerity in those words.

"I like Myka," Bridget said back glad that her friendship could continue.

"Yes, I know. As long as you can keep your affection for her on a friendly basis, you will be ok," Helena said smiling her point across.

The song was over, Myka returned and greeted Bridget warmly as she reached for Helena's hand and confided what a good dancer the Mayor was.

Claudia rushed at her colleagues pulling Eileen behind her. "OK ladies, please say hello to her so that I can cut the umbilical cord long enough to go downstairs and listen to real music," she begged.

"Ms. Sullivan, you look ravishing," Helena said of the short black cocktail dress of satin and lace. "As do you, Ms. Donovan."

"Thank you. You guys look totally amazing," Eileen gushed. Claudia stared at her expression and shook her head.

"OK ok enough of this. Boss, we are taking you and Bering downstairs later to get your groves on," Claudia said because all it took was one glass of champagne to loosen her tongue.

Helena was about to explain 'where and how' she was going to 'get her grove on' when Myka saw that flash in her eyes and pulled her in closer. "We would love to join you later. Are you sure we won't be carded at the door?" Myka teased.

"We'll put your name on the list. OK hug her so we can go," Claudia asked and Eileen did. "You're going to want to make her tea Sunday, aren't you?" she asked as they walked away.

"Well, Ms. Bering is going away and she might…," Eileen explained as they headed to the lower floor.

"You know polygamy is illegal in this state, right?" Claudia teased as the elevator door closed and made Eileen blush.

"That sounds just like Michael Buble," Myka said when she heard 'The Christmas Song' playing and then looked at Helena. She had mentioned how she enjoyed the man's music – once. "You did give him the option to appear, didn't you Helena?" Myka asked as Helena pulled her to the dance floor.

"Darling….," Helena said, but didn't explain how the singers hired for the evening were charmed into saying yes.

"Oh frak, is that Mariah Carey?" Claudia said when the doors opened to 'All I Want for Christmas Is You'.


The night passed quickly and Helena met as many staff members and their families as she could. Myka's memory was invaluable as she introduced the people to Helena. Toward the end of the evening, Irene approached the two women.

"I'm very proud of you, Helena," she said of the remarkable change she saw that night.

"Imagine how that will ..," Helena went to reply but Myka cleared her throat signaling Helena and she stopped. "Thank you, Irene," she said instead.

"Oh now Myka, don't take the sting out of her tail. The woman thinks she can still get to me, let's not take that fantasy away from her just yet," Irene said because she enjoyed Helena's snarky side too much.

"You see?" Helena complained. "She goads me on. You think she is this innocent middle aged demure kind woman, but in reality she is a advanced middle aged instigator."

"Still younger than you dear," Irene whispered in Helena's ear and Myka covered her mouth to stop from laughing loudly. Helena narrowed her eyes at the woman and took note of the glass of wine in her hand.

"Make a note, Myka. There will be no alcohol at next year's affair. It loosens their tongues and inhibits the part of their brains that usually warns them not to test me," Helena said.

"Now I'm leaving tomorrow," Irene said completely ignoring the remark. "And you're gone over night. Pete is leaving for Lyon tomorrow. Young Ms. Sullivan is otherwise engaged. Poor Mr. Jinx is being promoted to chief babysitter. Should we be worried for the young man?" Irene asked Myka.

"Oh no, I don't think so at all," Myka said pleased to see the older woman so relaxed. She did have a very difficult job, not to mention all of her HR duties. "I've got it on good authority that Ms. Wells here is on the Good list this year."

"Well, that will be a first," Irene said back hugging the woman she was teasing unmercifully.

Irene teasing Helena was one thing, but Myka and Irene joining forces was quite another.

"Don't you have anything to keep you busy or do I have to fire people to occupy your time?" Helena tried to jab back and missed.

"You will call me if you need me," Irene said and then changed it to – "I expect to hear from you when I'm on vacation."

"If you insist, but you do know I run a company, have a life?" Helena said.

"Yes, I do," Irene said and pushed a small envelope into Helena's hand. "Merry Christmas, Helena." Helena looked down at the envelope and back at Irene. Hadn't she distinctly told her - no presents?

"Will there ever come a time when you listen to me?" Helena asked, still curious about what was in there.

"I listen to you…. all the time," Irene said and kissed her on the cheek. "That's my present to you, too," the woman said to Myka as she kissed her goodnight and left before the tears spilled over. How she loved these two women for such different reasons. Myka for her kindness and good heart. Helena for her spitfire and caring.

Myka reached over and hugged Helena because she understood the unwavering affection Helena had for Irene. "What is it?" she asked and Helena opened the envelope. She jerked her head back and took a deep breath, not allowing the touching gesture to make her cry.

"The silly fool has a new number with an area code for Utah," Helena said showing Myka the number. Myka looked down at the number – (435) 362-6659.

"You do know that says 'HelenaOnly' right?" Myka said to the Brit.

"Of course I do," Helena lied because the woman was making her emotions swell inside. "I believe Ms. Donovan has requested our presence downstairs," she said trying to change the subject. And of course, Myka let her.


The women did join the others at the live DJ party downstairs until midnight. Then Helena and Myka bade their guests good night.

"You take care of our girl," Myka made the mistake of suggesting to Eileen.

"Holy frak, Myka, she won't be able to sleep with that on her head," Claudia said and Myka went back to explain what she meant. She knew Eileen would be there Sunday morning making the woman tea.

Steve drove the couple home. Helena was going to miss Myka when she went back to Colorado over night, but she had plenty to keep her busy. She was in the process of making Myka a couple of things that needed her finishing touches. Myka was making the trip home to see her parents of course, but there was something very special in her room that she wanted to get and give to Helena. She had made it many years ago – for the wonderful HG Wells.

And now she would get her chance to give it to her.

Life was good.


;-)