AN – Thank you Chartreuseian who likes to make fun of my drunken writing mistakes as she betas for me. I'd be lost without her snarky remarks, not even joking. Sorry for the wait, you know. Life. Grr.
Helen rolled over with a groan. Her arms reached out for the safety of Nikola's body only to find her bed empty yet again. Each morning she woke up alone her heart broke again. She knew it wasn't forever but something within her worried that now Nikola's genius was about to be discovered by the world he'd forget about her and make a new life without her. She knew that it was irrational at best, but that's what love does to a woman she supposed. Sitting up she pushed her wavy hair from her face and pushed back the covers just as a knock came at the door.
"Enter." Her voice was croaky from sleep still, the winter chill was taking its toll on her health and she could feel a fever coming on.
"Good morning, Ma'am." Her ladies maid entered the room with a tray of tea and toast. "I trust you slept well."
Helen was silent.
"A letter came for you, Helen." She handed it to her as she placed the tray on her bedside. Helen recognised Nikola's scrawl immediately. She couldn't hide her smile as she turned it to open it hastily. She soaked in every word he wrote, her previous worries leaving her as she read his last words.
I will come back to you.
Always.
I love you.
Nikola
She held the paper to her lips gently, her eyes closed. She heard the door close as her ladies maid left the room.
Helen sipped her tea, savouring its flavour and warmth as she thought of the day ahead. She had lunch with her father and intended to ask him if there was a possibility he could spare her for a couple of months. She'd been mulling over the idea for a while. She'd never seen New York before, and now there was more than enough reason to change that.
After her tea was finished Helen splashed water on her face and dressed with the help of her ladies maid. The sun was well into the sky by the time she stepped out onto the back lawns. It surprised her to see James sitting on a chair with her father. The day was sunny, and the first snows of the winter were melting. They wouldn't stick for another month. Helen was hoping that the sunlight's warmth would help her shake the fever she was developing. She walked toward James with a smile on her face. He stood and kissed her cheek tenderly.
"Helen, my dear lady. You look unwell."
Helen playfully slapped his arm. "Cheeky. I do feel a tad ill, but I think it'll pass. I could certainly do without illness this winter."
James pulled out a third chair from the table and gestured for her to sit between them Sitting carefully, Helen poured herself another cup of earl grey and savoured the warmth of the sun on her face.
"I trust you slept well, Helen?" Gregory spoke gently. He'd seen his daughter go through the ups and downs over the past weeks. Missing Nikola was certainly taking its toll on her. He worried about her, in fact he never thought he'd say it but he wished Nikola was still around. Helen had never needed someone to take care of her but it seemed that without him around Helen was missing a part of her, as though she'd been split down the centre. She was nowhere near as productive as she normal.
Helen nodded, taking a sip of her tea. "As well as I could ask for…" Her mind added 'without Nikola by my side'.
James smiled softly, putting his hand on top of hers. "That's good, because your father has asked me to travel on a job for him, and I was wondering if you'd come with me." Helen should've been happy at the request, an opportunity to see more of the world but part of her wanted to say no and run off to New York. "I think you'll like where we're going…" James had a hint of a cheeky smile in his eyes.
Gregory sat back and smiled. "Yes, I've asked James to go to New York. You see I have something there that needs attending and I thought you'd be able to find something to do in New York while he's working…"
Helen heart soared. "New York?" she tried to keep her voice steady as she spoke. "I've never been… When are we leaving?"
"This afternoon we'll get a coach to the port and a ship tomorrow morning." James' heart warmed as he saw the joy in his dearest friend's eye. John was his friend too but he'd never seen Helen giddy the way she was now, not before Nikola had entered her life. "So, you'd best start packing some things. It's colder there this time of year than here, or so I've heard."