This chapter is longer than I expected it to be so it hadn't quite ended where I'd planned it to. I still want to write an epilogue but am not yet sure if there will be a full chapter after this one or whether the one I've started will be the first chapter to the next part of the saga.
Thank you all for the reviews, follows and favourites. Without you guys, I'd probably keep my writing to myself!
Friendly warning: Tissues may be needed for some... You know who you are!
Chapter Twenty-one
London, 1890
Myka woke in time to catch the distant sound of the hall clock striking five. Perhaps two hours had passed since she'd fallen asleep with Helena in her arms, their bodies still tingling with the aftershocks of intimacy shared. The inventor had barely shifted from her position, so deep was her slumber, and Myka was loathed to disturb the sleeping beauty but she had promised Christina that she would be with her when the girl woke in the morning and snuggling back into the warm embrace would leave her perilously close to breaking that promise.
Extracting herself from the confides of the heavy quilt and her lover's arms, Myka found as many pieces of her clothing as she could and pulled her slip over her head. She hesitated by the side of the bed and gazed down at the young, pre-bronzed form of the woman she loved, absorbing the last opportunity to watch the inventor sleep without the cloying weight of her conscience pressing down on her.
She could have stayed there to regret all of the horrors she was unable to prevent; agonised over their daughter's fate; felt trapped and manipulated by the Warehouse and some of the people associated with it, but she didn't. Last night, feeling Helena in her arms again, she appreciated how miraculous their situation really was. Born more than a hundred years apart, their love, their life, their children, should have been impossible and though that miracle came at a cost, she knew deep down that she would pay it again to have the chance to spend the rest of her life with this woman.
Crouching by the side of the bed, the American stroked Helena's hair from her face and placed a lingering kiss across her lips. She called the Brit's name several times, smiling fondly as groans and grunts met her efforts.
"Helena!" She tried one last time in a loud whisper.
Brows pulled together and dark eyes blinked sleepily open. "Hmm... Myka?"
"You don't have to get up," the brunette soothed. "I need to get back to Christina but I didn't want you to wake up later and not know why I left. I'm sorry I had to wake you."
The inventor sank back down into her pillow and smiled lovingly up at the vision before her. Someday, she was going to marry this woman and wake up each morning to the image of those messy curls and expressive green eyes. "I am grateful that you did." She reached out with one arm and cupped her lover's chin, encouraging her closer. Myka's mouth closed over hers and they sighed softly into the kiss. "I would join you but I think our presence in the same bed will be difficult to explain now that you are well again."
The future agent paused as she studied the inventor's tired but alert features. "Tomorrow, Christina and I will be in our home, reunited with you, and with your memory back, this moment will feel like it happened just yesterday."
Helena's eyes sparkled with hope. "I can hardly wait. I love you."
"I love you too." Myka kissed the raven-haired woman again and then tore herself away. "Get some sleep," she winked from the doorway before disappearing.
Apparently, being just as tired as her parents, Christina woke in her Mama's arms to find the fire already lit and mid morning light streaming in through the gaps in the curtains.
They were going home today. Uncle Charlie had spent all afternoon with her the day before and she still wished they could take him with them, but she wanted to remember him when she was living with him and Mummy. Mama had tried to explain why it was ok for her and Mummy to live in the future but not to pull other people out of the past to join them. It sounded complicated but she had reluctantly agreed that it was a bad idea to play with time.
Looking at her Mama, Christina was grateful that the adult had kept her promise. There was something about this place that made her afraid to wake up on her own. It wasn't long before her fidgeting woke her mother and green eyes opened to peer sleepily at her while long arms pulled her into a hug.
"Good morning my little one," Myka mumbled through a yawn, unconsciously echoing Eleanor. "Are you ready for today?" she asked cautiously, her mind stuck between hope, anticipation and sorrow.
"I'm looking forward to going home and seeing Mummy when she remembers me from a long time ago," Christina said honestly. "I like Mummy now but she doesn't know all the games I like to play or what my hobbies are. She doesn't know me properly yet." She paused as her Mama sat up and tried to tame her hair. "She has a bigger tummy now. I felt it yesterday. Is she pregnant with me, Mama?"
Myka stared at her daughter, astonished as she still sometimes was with the girl's train of thought. There were times when the eight-year-old seemed about to ask a question but then changed her mind and held back. Then there were times when she would spout a fountain of questions that appeared to be never ending. Myka was beginning to understand that her daughter was very private with her innermost thoughts and tended to keep personal inquiries to herself. She made a mental note to talk to her fiancée about it when she had the chance.
"Yes Sweetheart, you guessed it," the agent answered softly. "I think she's really excited about being your Mummy."
The young girl sat with her legs crossed and cocked her head uncertainly. "Do you really think so?"
Myka's breath caught at the utter vulnerability staring back at her and she leant forward to place her hands on either side of her daughter's head. "Look at this perfect face." She purposefully squished the girl's cheeks together, making her features comical, and chuckled with relief when Christina laughed and batted her hands away. She cupped the eight-year-old's chin and looked into her eyes, waiting until she had her undivided attention. "I know so," she answered the question hanging in the air. "You're a gift to both of us. How could she not be excited?"
Christina's expression morphed gradually into a radiant smile and she began to bounce slightly in place. "Ok!" she exclaimed before rolling off the bed and beginning to look for her clothes to start the day.
Warehouse 13, 2015
HG entered the Warehouse with Christina seconds behind her. She was geared up to do battle with the caretaker and somehow she just knew that Irene would be here today. She heard her daughter mumbling behind her and smiled to herself. The girl was stubborn when her mind was set on something. I cannot begin to imagine where she gets that from.
They passed through the umbilicus and stepped into the office, walking in on Pete stuffing his face, Meghan hovering over Artie's shoulder and the director talking over his new agent as she tried to get a straight answer out of him. Agent Lattimer spotted the new arrivals and moved stealthily around the table to greet them.
"HG," he spat around the half-chewed doughnut in his mouth. "Save me; she's crazy." He grabbed her forearms and stared desperately into her eyes. "Jase couldn't cut it with her so as senior agent while Mykes is away, I've got to take her under my wing."
Helena glanced behind her fiancée's best friend to watch the tug of war ensuing between Artie and the rookie agent.
"I thought this thing was supposed to find any hint of a disturbance out there," Agent Coombs complained. "Why isn't it pinging?"
"It won't 'ping' for something that isn't out there!" the director slammed his hand on the desk in frustration.
Christina helped her mother peel Pete's hands from her arms and frowned over her shoulder. "What's she so upset about?"
"Someone juiced up her mojo. She's been climbing the walls all morning, looking for a disturbance in the force." Pete hopped from one foot to the other. "It's upsetting my vibes..."
"Lattimer!" Artie's furious tone filled the room, making the agent jump.
"Jeez, Artie," Pete grumbled as he turned towards the source of all the tension. "I'm right here, there's no need to shout."
Agent Nielson caught sight of the two women standing behind Pete and swivelled round in his seat. "What are you doing here?"
Unmoved by the tone she had slowly become used to again, HG simply raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. "I came to have a few choice words with Mrs Fredrick."
"She's not here," Artie informed her abruptly before spinning back to his desk.
"She will be," Agent Wells muttered under her breath.
"You," Artie pointed at Meghan, who was beginning to look upset rather than angry now. "I want you to take Pete and go through everything you've touched in the past twenty-four hours. I want a comprehensive list before you come back in here. I'll keep an eye on the system while you're gone." His tone softened marginally before he shooed her away. When Pete and Meghan were gone, he turned back to the two ex-Victorians. "If we're still of the opinion that Agent Bering will return in her own time," he looked enquiringly at Christina, who nodded. "Then there's no need to bother Mrs Fredrick."
"This isn't about Myka," Helena responded, ignoring his attitude. She had come to understand that Artie's hard personality hid a soft centre and that he actually cared a lot for the people under his guidance. Most of them anyway. "Though I'm sure she'll be interested to hear what Mrs Fredrick has to say on the matter of bronzing our daughter."
Bushy eyebrows pulled together. "Why would she...?" He took note of the guilty expression behind the teen's eyes and grunted. "Figures," he mumbled. "And I suppose you want to find an alternative?" he asked HG.
Stalking further into the room, the inventor stood over the director's desk, arms still folded. "Do I have permission to at least look?"
Agent Nielson glanced between the two women and considered Helena's request. It pained him to admit that he felt a grudging seed of affection growing inside him. Though it had not been difficult to feel respect for the life she had lived, he had never liked or trusted her. No matter how far James had fallen, he mourned his friend's passing, and this woman was the cause of that loss. Despite their history though, he was flexible enough to accept that she was trying to change and had done even before her daughter's return.
"I'll see what I can find from here," he said, surprising her with his offer to help. "Provided you give me your word to look but not touch!"
HG stared at him, her hands now hanging by her sides. "Will you trust my word?" she eventually asked.
"I'll try," he responded with a grunt. "Take that one with you," he pointed at Christina. "I don't need any more interruptions today."
HG rolled her eyes but decided not to complain about his poor manners; she wasn't going to look this gift horse in the mouth. She led her daughter to the stairs and together, they descended. As her feet touched the Warehouse floor, her hand flew up to grasp at the ring around her neck. The heat from it had almost doubled and it became unbearable against her chest.
Christina passed her mother and felt a ripple of energy run through her body. She turned to face the inventor. "What is it?"
Helena stared, open-mouthed at the teen. "It's hot," she blurted and then after a beat, "You're glowing."
Looking down at herself, the young woman smiled softly. She glanced at the ring, which was humming along with the ethereal glow. "It's happening."
London, 1890
What was left of the morning seemed to pass without any consideration for the want of long goodbyes so that, come afternoon, Myka was surprised to find herself sitting next to Helena in a carriage, taking a final lasting look at the house that had become almost like a home to her over the past month. She felt a hand squeeze hers as the wheels began rolling and her attention was drawn away from the window.
Helena's eyes held her own and with a sudden desire to shut out the world, Myka pulled the curtain closed and leant her head against the inventor's shoulder. Christina had chosen to ride to the Warehouse with her great grandparents, leaving the two agents alone for the short journey.
As they trundled towards their destination, conflict returned to the future agent and a sense of anxious anticipation reared its head; the point of no return was drawing near. She breathed in her partner's scent and tried to focus on something calming. She had already decided on her course of action; the alternative being to push her children completely out of existence, and as she knew that she could never do that, she quickly realised that there was not much point in wallowing in self-pity. Of course, knowing and feeling were often two very different entities.
HG felt the tension in Myka's body gradually seep out as she ran her hands through her lover's hair and whispered reassurances into her ear. As her own nerves beat their warnings, she sat fast in the belief that they were doing the right thing. The beautiful brunette was her destiny. The life force inside her acted like an anchor, keeping her from wavering in her decision, making her determined to face any hardships that came her way in order to earn the privilege of a life with this family.
It amazed the American how quickly her emotions could go from one extreme to another. Memories from the previous evening assaulted her mind as the feel of Helena's fingers conjured up an image of their passionate encounter. Glancing up to meet dark eyes, Myka shivered. The rolling turmoil inside made her movements desperate as she enveloped the inventor's head between her hands and dove into an all encompassing kiss. Helena moaned into her mouth as she pulled a lower lip between her teeth.
Uncaring of their surroundings, they fell together against the side of the carriage, hands roaming, searching for gaps between clothing. Helena's rose beneath the many layers of Myka's skirt, her wandering digits finding their home in no time, her lips falling over Myka's to swallow the energised moan that escaped.
The brunette thanked her stars that Helena had chosen to wear a pair of newly altered trousers. In her current state, she wasn't sure she would be able to navigate the many folds of fabric normally worn by Victorian females. After some fumbling, buttons released from their holdings, leaving room for Myka to slip inside.
Hot breaths were exchanged in the small space, steam appearing in puffs whenever the carriage let in a gust of icy air. They moved together, furiously pushing one another to loftier heights, exhilaration filling their veins with the knowledge that only a curtain separated them from the critical masses just beyond.
Myka briefly recalled her fiancée muttering teasing descriptions of this very act and bucked under the realisation that Helena had somewhat remembered this moment.
Their passions exploded, one setting off the other as cries of pleasure were muffled into shoulders and clothes. With no real idea of how long they had indulged their desire for one another, both agents made quick work of checking their appearances before HG took a peek outside and then sat back with a relieved sigh.
Helena ran her hands through her hair and smiled at Myka. She entwined their fingers and placed a soft, lingering kiss on the American's lips. "You stir the deepest passions in me, darling. I have never before been quite so oblivious to my surroundings as I am with you."
Chuckling at the thought of their adolescent behaviour and Helena's confession, Myka relaxed and gazed fondly at the woman she loved. She felt so lucky to be getting a glimpse of the young inventor at this point in her life. She was looking forward to getting home and being there when her fiancée recovered her memories.
Determined to enjoy these last few moments alone with the young Victorian, the future agent dropped her head back onto HG's shoulder and closed her eyes. Focussing on the sway of the carriage; the clip-clop of hooves; the chatter of numerous strangers going about their daily business; but most of all, the flutter of her love's heart beating in tandem with her own as she committed the moment to memory.
Warehouse 13, 2015
As the glow around her daughter began to fade and the ring in her hand lost its excess heat, Agent Wells folded her arms across her chest and leant on her back foot, her gaze zeroing in on the teen.
"What, pray tell, is happening?" Helena, asked her tone demanding.
Christina's triumphant expression melted, leaving a certain sheepishness in its place. "The reason I had to send Mama to the past," she confessed and then quickly added, "This means she'll be back soon."
HG's eyes closed tightly and, for the time it took her to absorb and deal with this information, a hand came up to cover her face. Her thoughts from the previous evening returned; she had been right, Christina was a product of her and Myka's coupling in the past. An event that had apparently just occurred. Her stomach somersaulted. Had they been intimate? Had Myka slept with her when she was just a young, carefree, relatively burden-less adult? Had she enjoyed it? Preferred it? She shook the thought from her mind and considered the miracle that stood in front of her. Certainty filled her and she took a breath before she looked at her daughter again.
"You're a twin?" she wondered aloud and then burst into startled laughter as she remembered the teen's early childhood. Tears sprang to her eyes as she connected more pieces of the puzzle. "We're having a boy."
Christina's eyebrows rose in surprise. "How did you...?"
"Freddy had to go everywhere with us, do you remember?" She saw a spark of recognition and continued. "You wouldn't make any decision without his approval. It stopped after your time in Limbo. I wonder why."
Fredrick had been a part of her daughter's personality since she first began showing signs of co-operative play, or so Helena had thought, but looking back now, had there been more to her behaviour even before that? Many times, she had witnessed her baby girl reacting to things that the inventor couldn't see. Being a first time mother, she had brushed it off as an adorable quirk of infants and simply took comfort in the fact that her child was happy and healthy. As Christina grew, the quirk became an imaginary friend and as her work for the Warehouse had continued to take her away from home on occasion, she had been supportive of anything that made her little girl smile, no matter how much people told her that it was queer.
The teen smiled softly to herself. "It didn't," she confessed. "I just stopped saying it out loud for a while."
HG stepped close to her daughter and pulled her into a hug. How had being separated from her twin affected her child? Not having wanted to stunt her daughter's creativity, she had encouraged her imagination and allowed the imaginary friend to take shape. She even remembered feeling affectionate towards this figment, assuming that it was because Christina was happy when she was 'playing' with Freddy. Had it been nothing more than false assumption on her part?
"Are you alright, love? I can't imagine how you must have felt. Or how you feel now." Helena stroked the girl's cheek, guilt bubbling up once more.
Christina smiled and nodded. "I always felt like he was with me. I guess I assumed everyone felt that way until I knew the truth. When Mama and I returned from the past, it was strange, like having a part of myself outside my body; I think whatever connection we had in the womb continued through her, and then between the two of us after he was born." She shrugged as if it was completely normal to feel that way. "It has done ever since. It must be our connection to the Warehouse; time and space don't get between us. Even now, it's like he's with me. Rick and I have never really been apart."
Helena felt some of the tension leave her body and she chanced a smile at the nickname. "As in Fredrick?"
"Yeah," Christina played with her hair, looking mildly bashful. "When he started to talk, 'Christina' was a bit of a mouthful. The most he could manage was 'Tina'. It stuck so I started calling him 'Rick'. It's our thing."
HG felt a tightening in her throat while her smile widened of its own accord and more tears pricked at her eyes. For all of the hope that she had for the future, she hadn't wanted to examine it too closely. She knew that all of the possibilities would inevitably lead her to imagine the potential horrors too and that was something she had been slowly training herself not to dwell on.
This morsel of information, this snippet of insight into the normal, everyday functioning of her family, was a light at the end of the tunnel. A memory from earlier in the week popped into her head and she latched onto it.
"Do we also have a cat?" she asked, not thrilled by the idea but eager for more information. "Agent Wickes mentioned something you muttered in your sleep. Something about 'Rick the cat', or so he thought."
Christina's expression appeared to falter for a second before she regained control. "Erm, not exactly." At her mother's curious look, she shrugged and smiled wryly. "You'll see."
Dark eyes narrowed in playful threat but the teen merely chuckled and turned to wander off. The inventor shook her head, intrigued and slightly frustrated but amused at the same time. What was not exact about having or not having a cat? Did they have another domestic animal, a dog perhaps by the name of 'Cat'? She could not envision agreeing to a canine addition to their household any more than a feline.
Christina led them to the HG Wells section where Helena's time machine remained crated up. They had agreed to begin there, knowing that the 'time' section was close by, but as they approached, a surprise awaited.
"I believe you wished to see me, Agent Wells," the imposing caretaker greeted as HG's expression regained its fierce indignation. Hands folded primly over her clutch, she appeared unaffected by the inventor's ire, instead turning to Christina. "You will not mind if I speak privately with your mother?" She watched the teen shake her head and almost cracked a smile. "Wonderful. This way if you please, Agent Wells."
Helena exchanged a questioning glance with her daughter, who shrugged again, and then followed the caretaker with renewed determination.
London, 1980
With Christina's hand in hers and Helena hovering close to her side, Myka followed the two regents and Caturanga into the bowels of Warehouse 12. All of the active agents were conveniently out on assignment, though Agent Kipling was in the office as they passed through, his expression souring as he caught sight of the American.
"I should like to be rid of him permanently," the inventor mumbled as they passed into the chasm of the storage area and began walking by the towering shelves. "Though not before I introduce him to the business end of the stunner he used on you. A taste of his own medicine might finally humble him."
Myka smiled fondly at the young woman, appreciating her protective instincts. Reaching out across the scant distance that sat between them, she found Helena's hand and slid her own around it.
"My hero," she whispered teasingly, smiling at the blush that crept along the Brit's neck. They shared a look, savouring the moment as they were led into a side room.
Agent Bering immediately zoned in on the small dais in the centre of the room and the array of objects that sat apart inside glass cases upon a table. Off to one side, a group of assorted wooden chairs awaited them. Christina made a bee-line for the rocking chair while the adults smiled and gathered around a low pedestal with her in a semi-circle. Caturanga began with Hermann Ebbinghaus's notebook, placing it where Myka and her daughter could see and read it.
"This will be easy enough," Rupert informed the pair while HG looked anxiously on. "Ebbinghaus studied memory retention by forming groups of simple phonics into nonsense words to measure the rate by which new information is lost. Quite simply, memories of the person or persons reading from this notebook are transferred into the short-term memory of anyone not in the immediate vicinity and those memories, useless actively retained by the subject, are lost within approximately twenty minutes." He glanced around at their faces and smiled. "I think we might be ready to begin."
Myka offered her daughter a reassuring smile and took her hand as she leant forward to scan over the pages of the note book. "How much should we read?"
Eleanor exchanged a look with her colleagues before turning back to the American. "Both pages you see here should be sufficient for the distance we require. You have not interacted with very many people. However, we do not wish to leave anything to chance."
Agent Bering nodded in agreement. "Ok Sweetheart," she began and stroked Christina's hand. "Together?" The eight-year-old leant forward and they began to read. "Bal, bav, bij... emt, enk, etz..."
Mother and daughter formed a steady rhythm, reading in synchronisation until the end of the second page. Christina looked to her Mama when they finished with an expression that said 'is that it?' and Myka nodded. She couldn't tell if it had had the effect they desired yet but she had felt something while reading so knew that the artefact was active. They had to trust that the regents and caretaker knew what they were doing.
One down, the brunette noted to herself. It's time. She glanced at Helena and found dark eyes observing her intently, as if the inventor was trying desperately to absorb as much as possible and commit her to memory. She knew that the effort would be futile against Mnemosyne but that the memories they made now could be shared with her fiancée once she and Christina returned home.
Breaking eye contact, she turned to the eight-year-old. "Are you ready to change back into your twenty-first century clothes?" She squirmed and tugged deliberately at her own dress. "I know I am." She winked at the girl and delighted in the small smile that lifted an otherwise sombre expression.
Eleanor led them into an adjoining room and handed the future agent a bag with their original outfits. "I confess, I am a little envious of the colours and fabrics available to the two of you," the regent commented, distracting her great granddaughter as she assisted the girl with her transformation. "I have never had much of a desire to follow the latest fashions. However, given the options you have, I believe I could be persuaded to change my mind."
A knock at the door interrupted them just as Myka had finished zipping up her boots and congratulating herself for choosing to wear her maternity pants the day they were whisked away on this adventure. Though she was going home minus one baby, she'd still grown a little in the space of a month. She turned to the sound and saw the young inventor enter.
Helena's eyes scanned over Myka, her interest obvious, but she quickly turned her attention to the eight-year-old. Kneeling, she pulled the girl towards her and inspected her outfit. "You look beautiful, my darling. Are you excited to be going home? I know I will be waiting impatiently for you to return."
"To the future you mean, Mummy?" Christina clarified.
"Yes," HG agreed, pulling a lock of wavy hair and letting it go to watch it bounce. "I will meet you in the future. Do you have a special message, something I can carry with me for when my memory returns?"
The eight-year-old wrapped her arm around the adult's shoulder and carefully considered the question. "I would like Adelaide to come and stay with us when I turn nine," she whispered into her ear. At Helena's questioning expression, she grinned. "Addy's my best friend!" she declared happily.
"Then I will do my very best to accommodate you," HG assured the girl gently. She drew Christina into her arms and buried her nose into soap-scented strands.
"Will you be alright without us, Mummy?" Christina finally enquired, her expression hopeful.
Helena smiled warmly at the open concern. She kept finding new things to fall in love with where her daughter was concerned and latched onto this knowledge whenever she felt herself wanting to scream at the pair 'do not go'. She was glad to have this space and time to say a final goodbye though, until they met again.
"I should think so," she responded spiritedly. "I will soon have a little angel to keep me company after all." Seeing her grandmother standing above them, her gaze flitted quickly over to Myka and back. "So, do we have an accord?" She held out a hand and waited until the girl shook it vigorously. "Aces! Now, go and see how much love you can squeeze out of your great-grandfather." She leant forward and whispered into the girl's ear, "He is awfully soft inside; I am working on a theory that he is actually filled with custard."
Christina giggled, kissed the inventor and then grabbed Eleanor's hand, dragging her out of the room calling, "We have a theory to test!"
Helena watched her go with a mixture of pride and longing. As she stood, she wiped away a tear and then turned to find long arms waiting to embrace her. "I want to say that I will miss you," she mumbled into a leonine neck, her hands spreading flat against her lover's back to bring their bodies as close as possible.
"But you won't have chance to," Myka finished the thought.
The inventor sighed. "A fact that I am both grateful for and despair of. I do not wish to spend a moment incognizant of your significance to my existence," she elaborated.
Myka leant back so she could look Helena in the eye. "I'm grateful. I don't want to think of one moment when you have to feel lonely without me. I think I've finally accepted that hardships must happen for us to be together so I'm choosing to let it go and focus on making the most of our family." She stroked a hand across a pale cheek and watched as Helena closed her eyes and leant into her touch. Dropping her forehead against the inventor's, Myka pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth and simply stood for a long moment, letting Helena feel every ounce of love she had to offer.
When a particularly deep sigh from the Brit broke them out of their trance, lips came together in one final farewell waltz, passion and tenderness equal in the lingering caress.
Releasing the future agent and taking a step back, Helena held Myka's hands and glanced up and down at her outfit. "I knew that trousers would suit you. You look incredibly alluring in a dress, darling, but there is something very desirable about seeing the shape of those long legs encased in fabric. Very debonair." She didn't bother to hide her deep interest and smiled at the slight blush on Myka's cheeks. "Do you often wear outfits like this?" She teased, now playing with the buttons around the brunette's collar.
"Most of the time," Myka responded, capturing HG's hands to stop them wandering further. She wasn't very confident that she could resist the pull of their attraction if she indulged their contact any further.
Taking the hint, the inventor smiled. "Something to look forward to," she added, her eyelashes fluttering slightly as she swayed towards the door and brushed passed the half amused/half aroused American. "Come along, darling. The sooner you get on your way, the sooner we will be reunited and I can finally have my way with you."
Myka shook her head and chuckled as she followed Helena from the room. "I'll hold you to that," she whispered.
Christina was sitting on Rupert's lap, chatting animatedly with the regents and caretaker, but when she spotted her parents, she jumped up and ran to Helena, grabbing her hand. "He says it's sponge cake, not custard."
Myka left them to discuss the things that grandfather's are made of and approached the Warehouse magnates. "Thank you for your hospitality and your help," she began in earnest. "I won't forget all you've done for us." She held out a hand tentatively but wasn't the least bit surprised when she was pulled into a tight hug. She'd thought she was prepared for it but as Eleanor's arms pulled her close, she felt a new wave of emotion rise up in her throat, her muscles constricting and deadening her vocal chords.
"You are more than welcome, my dear. You are family now after all. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of my Helena's devotion." Mrs Wells caught her granddaughter's eye over Myka's shoulder and felt her words at her core. She released the brunette, leaving space for her husband. "We know that you will take care of our Little One."
Myka hugged Rupert just as tight, now feeling the tears running along her cheeks. "I will. I'll do everything I can to make sure they're happy."
"So long as you do not forget your own needs," Mr Wells cautioned. "Give her an inch and she will take a mile. I imagine you already know when you must be tough though," he sympathised as he too released her.
"You can say that again," the future agent chuckled through her tears. She turned to the caretaker and instinctively knew that he wouldn't hug her. She did find her offered hand grasped fondly between his two though and had to smile at the expression of delight on his face. "It's been an honour to meet you too," she declared. "Helena has been known to exaggerate on occasion. I'm glad to see that everything she's said about you is true."
"I guess she thinks that I am eccentric? Perhaps even mad?" He laughed. "Such cheek," he added, seeming further amused by the idea. "I have no doubt that you and your family will do well. The Warehouse makes unusual choices sometimes but trust that it will always have our best interests at heart, Agent Bering."
"I'll try," Myka conceded. "I wish we could take you all with us. She misses you."
"Some things are simply not meant to be, my dear," Rupert cautioned as he wrapped and arm around his wife's waist.
Eleanor smiled at him and then turned to the American with a sly smile. "Stranger things happen at sea."
Myka frowned but before she could respond, a hand touched her waist and her attention was diverted elsewhere.
"I do believe it is time," HG announced and nodded towards dais.
They all followed the inventor's gaze and her meaning became obvious. Beside the Mnemosyne bowl, where Helena's memories were to be stored, the broken lever with the faux-diamond handle was giving off an aura of undeniable power. It might have been ready to use before but now it was clearly hinting that they should make haste.
Feeling a hint of panic replacing the misery of letting go of these wonderful people, Myka gazed at her future fiancée and hesitated. "Helena..."
HG swallowed all of the trepidation she felt at the final arrival of this moment. She stroked the back of her hand across her lover's cheek and shook her head. There were no words for this moment. "Go, love. We will see one another soon." She gazed down at Christina's solemn expression and smiled. "You will take care of each other, will you not?"
The eight-year-old nodded and then, feeling a curious urgency inside, she tugged at her Mama's arm to start her moving.
Together, they stood on the raised platform and gazed down at the artefact. Neither of them could bear to look back to see the emotions playing out behind them. Myka pulled her daughter firmly into her arms and laced the fingers of their left hands.
"Ready, Sweetheart?"
"Yes, Mama."
In a maelstrom of wind and light, the pair were consumed and whipped from sight.
So there you go; bye bye to the Victorian era. At least one more chapter to go before I take a break from this story for a while (though more than likely, I'll be fleshing out the first few chapters of the next part).