Epilogue


Who Will Get the Wedding Scoop?

"Ms. Wells, Ms. Bering, we're on in 5,4,3,2,…" the stagehand said and cued the women that they were almost back on the air.

The television mogul let the makeup person pat her forehead and then shooed her away.

"And we're back…..," a camera person said to the host of the talk show.

"Myka, a little over a year ago, you gave up your pro bono work and came to New York to a job you knew very little about, in a city that can be hostile sometimes. Has it been everything you thought it would be?" the interviewer asked.

Myka sat on a loveseat with Helena, next to the interviewer. While Myka sat straight up and forward, Helena sat legs crossed and sideways, her arm draped across the back of the couch behind Myka. While Myka looked at the household name in television talk shows, Helena looked at Myka. She loved the way Myka's lips moved when she spoke, the way she looked down for a second when she was shy. Helena heard the slightest tremor of nervousness in Myka's voice, although it was not discernible to the host.

"Oh gosh," Myka laughed, her Western charm coming out in her vocabulary. Who says gosh and means it? Helena thought. "…it was very scary at first. But I've made some wonderful friends, I love my job and of course…..," Myka said, taking Helena's hand in hers. "…..I met Helena."

"I've heard that you were very tough on Ms. Bering, Helena, is that true?" the interviewer asked. She had asked her staff to dig up everything they could. She didn't like pedestrian interviews.

"I'm very tough on everyone when I first meet them," Helena said, smiling at Myka. It was also a warning. This was, after all, the first time she was meeting the megastar.

"And you fired Ms. Bering, right?" Oprah pressed. The woman was a genius at getting to the heart of the interview.

Unfortunately, she had never come up against a genius like Helena.

"Ms. Bering quit before I could fire her. Then I realized what a mistake I had made, and I followed her to Colorado Springs, where she promptly conveyed her deepest sentiments and slapped me," Helena said, a smile on her face at how far they had come.

"She slapped you?" Oprah asked because that wasn't in the notes.

"Oh gosh, I did, didn't I?" Myka blushed at the memory and looked at Helena. "I apologized profusely."

"I actually deserved that if I remember correctly. You see, Ms. Winfrey, I was rather a stubborn woman before I met Myka. Myka came into my life and changed everything," Helena said, her eyes still fixated on Myka.

The host was getting a little peeved – she wasn't used to her guests not looking at her.

"You guys are always being followed by people wanting to know about the wedding and your plans. Have you decided on where and when?" Oprah asked, hoping for the scoop.

"We haven't. We hope to make those announcements soon, but we want to make sure we do it the way we want," Myka said, holding Helena's hand now.

"I want Myka to have the wedding she's always dreamed of," Helena said sincerely,

Myka turned to smile at Helena, just a quick peek, but once she saw the lights reflecting in those dark eyes and the smile on Helena's lips, she became glued.

"Isn't she ….wonderful?" Myka said.

The hostess couldn't remember a time in all her years on television when she interviewed a couple more in love than these two.


Wells Corp

Pete drove them from the studio to Times Square in the middle of Manhattan. Halfway to work, he decided to talk to his boss about a pressing issue.

"Ready for your next lesson, boss?" he asked Helena as she sat in the back of the car, strapped in.

"Next lesson?" Helena asked.

"In boxing. Ms. Bering said you wanted to start soon and so I thought …," Pete said.

Helena appreciated that Myka thought this would be a good outlet for her, but she had much more desirable ways to expend energy.

"You know I won't take it easy on you, just because you're a man," Helena said, smiling devilishly at him in the rearview mirror.

"Well no, I mean, of course not. I'm bigger and we've boxed before. Well, you boxed and I ran, but now Ms. Bering said you want lessons," Pete said worried.

"And do you really think you want to be on the receiving end of my …tensions, Mr. Lattimer?" Helena asked, her stare conveying what the right answer was. Pete caught the look on Helena's face. He pulled the car up in front of Wells Corp and helped Myka out first.

"Ms. Bering, I don't think this is such a good idea. You know what would be a good sport for her? Fencing. Yes, it's graceful, it's mentally challenged, I mean challenging. You would like it, boss," Pete said, hoping to pass the buck.

"Nice work, Helena," Myka said because Helena was standing there smug.

"If you think that was good, wait until you see my footwork," Helena quipped.

"I've fenced you – you're very slow," Myka teased.

"I seem to recall you like it when I take my time," Helena said as she leaned in.

"You know, I won't take it easy on you, just because you're a girl," Myka whispered to Helena.

Helena looked into Myka's eyes and smiled mischievously. "I like it when you're tough. You know when you take my hands...," Helena whispered back to Myka and that's when Myka remembered, there was no winning with Helena in public. She had no filters.

A crowd of people were waiting for them outside of Wells Corp and Helena watched as Myka stopped and shook hands and said hello to everyone. Helena did the same, but truly her attention was on Myka.


Who Will Sit At the Front Desk?

The lovers parted company when Myka got off on the 16th floor and Helena continued up to the 17th floor. The elevator doors opened to a room filled with people. Helena stepped off slowly and looked at the fifty or so men and women who sat in the chairs, on the couch, or stood there waiting. The line went down the hallway. Silence befell the room and all heads turned to see the famed CEO.

"Oh my God, she's more beautiful in person," one woman whispered.

Helena looked at them – a stern expression coming across her face – trying to imagine who thought this was a good idea.

"Ms. Wells," Irene Frederic said and now Helena knew who the culprit was.

"Mrs. Frederic," Helena said and started to walk in her four-inch Christian Louboutin shoes to her office door. "I cannot wait to hear the explanation - or the medical excuse - you have for this."

The whispering began as soon as the door was closed and only then did Eileen pick her head up. In spite of having helped Mrs. Frederic coordinate this group, they decided it was better for Irene to explain it.

"Those people ….," Irene started, but was cut off.

"Better be gone when you open that door again," Helena completed the sentence.

"Those are the people who have expressed an interest in working for you," Irene said, sitting down in front of Helena's desk. She smiled as Helena tried to glare her discontent. "You can interview them…," she attempted to say.

"I do not interview. You do that. That is why you run Human Resources and I run….. you," Helena said, pleased with her play on words.

"I'm too old to go through finding you another assistant. So I decided that you can help me," Irene said, staring right back.

As annoying as the actually process of finding someone was, Helena did enjoy this tete a tete with Irene. It was a battle of wits and wills.

"Okay, line them up," Helena said, arms crossed and head tilted. She'd refuse them in succession.

Irene knew that if she had found Mother Theresa and put her in that group, Helena would have found something wrong with her. So Irene did what she did best. She said no.

"I am going to send them in here in groups. Five at the most. Then each one will tell you why they want to work here, specifically why they want to work for you. Then you can pick the one you like the best," Irene said as if the decision had already been made, because she knew how to get Helena to do what was best.

Helena looked at Irene. She didn't want to hear why people wanted to work for her. Everyone wanted to work for her, she thought. Listening to people go on and on about their reasons would bore her to tears.

"No, you will listen to them, not I," Helena said, not budging.

"I will not," Irene said, picking a nonexistent piece of fuzz from her skirt.

"Then Miss Sullivan will not leave her post," Helena said, pulling her ace card out.

"That doesn't seem very fair, especially since she's working very hard on the projects you've given her," Irene pointed out.

"Then let her pick out her replacement," Helena said, waving her hand.

"I thought about that, but then you'll just fire them and Ms. Sullivan will take it to heart, so….. no," Irene declared. "Should I send in the first group?"

Helena stared at Irene. The HR Director was serious.

"What do we care if they want to work here? Of course they do! That will not tell us anything," Helena complained.

"That's a very good point," Irene said as if she didn't interview people professionally.

"You interview them and give me the top two candidates," Helena bargained.

"Five," Irene countered.

At this rate, Irene and the throng of people would never give her any peace. "Fine!" Helena consented.

"OK, but you have to give each one a week's trial before you fire them. And you cannot torture them before Wednesday," Irene countered quickly.

Helena rolled her eyes and waved her hand again to indicate her acceptance of the terms.

"OK, so you want me to interview candidates, pick the top five, they'll work a full week in rotation, and then you'll decide?" Irene asked to be clear.

"Yes, yes," Helena said because the thought of Irene having to comb through that crowd outside would keep her busy for hours.

Helena's victory was short-lived.

"Ok then, the first one will be here Monday morning," Irene said, laying out a résumé on Helena's desk.

Irene got out of the chair – triumphant in getting Helena to go along with the plan that was already in place. She had already interviewed and chosen the top five.

"You haven't interviewed that group, how could one start on Monday?" Helena queried.

"I have already interviewed them," Irene said, walking to the door.

"Then why are all those people lined up outside my office?" Helena asked, suspiciously.

"Oh those people? They're the one who didn't make the cut. We told them if they waited around, they might catch a glimpse of you. And they did," Irene said smiling.

"Did you just …..?" Helena asked aghast.

"Helena! I would never do that," Irene said sincerely. "I just helped you make the best decision. That's my job. And I'm very good at it," Irene smiled – not smugly because she would never insult Helena – but she also didn't want a lot of nonsense from her either. Helena had a way of making hiring into a sport.

As much as Irene was pleased that Eileen was moving up in the company, she knew Helena would have an adjustment period to whoever replaced her. This would give them a chance to get Helena on board with at least trying a few people out.

In spite of feeling like Irene just got one past her, Helena admired the woman's courage to do so. Not many people would try to manipulate Helena – and frankly, she found it boring sometimes when people wouldn't even try. Even though she knew – hell, they all knew – they wouldn't succeed.

"How did she take it?" Eileen asked when Irene emerged and thanked everyone for their time. Irene never saw a happier bunch of people who were rejected in her life.

"She's ….willing to give it a try," Irene said hesitantly. Even with Helena's cooperation, it wouldn't be an easy task.

"I know we'll find someone who is good enough," Eileen said optimistically. "If it's the last thing we do."

"It might just be," Irene said because she had been through this process before.

Of course, that was before Myka had awoken patience in Helena. Still, Helena was very territorial and once she laid claim to something, she rarely let it go.

Myka got off the elevator in time to hear the conversation. "How is she doing with it?" she asked concerned.

The phone rang and Eileen answered it. Irene took Myka by the arm and walked back to the elevator.

"We both know why Helena does not like change, Myka. So we'll have to be gentle with her as she adjusts. Giving up Ms. Sullivan, even though she's moving only yards away, will be hard. We just need to help her tolerate the process of choosing someone," Irene said.

Myka smiled to think no one understood Helena quite like Irene did. "I have every confidence in Helena," Myka said, knowing she shared that with Irene.

"Yes, she's come a long way," Irene said, turning when the elevator door opened.


Just How Generous is Helena?

Claudia burst out of the elevator, almost straight into the HR Director. "Oh good, you're here. There's been a huge mistake," Claudia said, waving an envelope in her hand.

"No, there hasn't," Irene said with assurance.

"No, there was. Your payroll department screwed up big time," Claudia said as Eileen and Myka watched.

"Ms. Donovan, the payroll department rarely, if ever, makes mistakes," Irene said with certitude.

"Mrs. F, I'm telling you – this is a huge mistake. They deposited …," and the techie looked around to make sure it was only the people she trusted, "….seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars into my bank account!"

"Oh my!" Eileen said.

"Take it back!" Claudia said, handing the receipt to the HR Director.

Irene let out a deep sigh. "Did you read the memo item on the bottom that explains why you were paid this amount?" Irene asked patiently.

"Well…no," Claudia said.

"Then I suggest you do," Irene said and handed her back the envelope.

Claudia took it back, looked at her, Eileen and Myka, and then opened the paper.

"Read it," Irene instructed gently.

"Bonus for design of the Donovan Biofeedback Scion - seven hundred and fifty thousand," Claudia read.

"Oh that's wonderful Claudia," Eileen said.

"Congratulations," Myka added.

"But I worked with Helena on this. I couldn't have done it without her," Claudia said.

"That's not what Ms. Wells believes," Irene said, having gotten the instructions directly from Helena.

"It's in your name," Myka said because she worked on the patent.

"Oh my God," Claudia said. No one had ever been so kind, so generous to her in all her life.

Helena opened the door to her office to see the women standing in the waiting area.

"It amazes me how any work gets done around here with the abundance of idle time that appears to be rampant," the CEO said.

She expected them to disperse, except for Myka. She didn't expect Claudia to run at her ….and embrace her. The show of affection was very unusual for the IT Director who didn't grow up around expressions of fondness. Eileen cried at the sight because she knew how much Helena meant to Claudia. She knew Helena's generosity started the first day she found Claudia and nurtured her.

"Thank you, Helena," Claudia said, choking back tears.

"You're very welcome. But it is I who should thank you. Without your ingenious design, I would not have been able to keep tabs on our first test subject over there," Helena said, and smiled naughtily at Irene.

"I'm still not pleased about that, Helena," Irene said as she got on the elevator.

"This is …really great, boss, thanks," Claudia said again as Myka walked into Helena's office.

"Let's celebrate tonight," Claudia said to Eileen when the door closed.

"It's wonderful. You're so smart," Eileen gushed over her girlfriend.

"I'm so lucky," Claudia said, looking towards Helena's door. She knew who she owed every success to – the woman who had given her every break.


What's Next?

"Irene tells me you're open to the possibility of a new assistant," Myka said as they sat down on the couch together.

"Apparently, I do not have a choice. It is time for Miss Sullivan to ascend," Helena said.

"I'm sure she will do her very best, Helena. No one knows you better than Irene," Myka said.

"No one?" Helena said, leaning in to play with Myka's hair, an action that sent shivers down Myka's spine.

"Well, besides me," Myka said.

"Good," Helena said because that was the correct answer. "And what do you know about me, Myka Bering?"

Myka enjoyed these playful exchanges with Helena. "I know," she said, turning to face Helena, "…that you are the kindest, most generous human being I know."

"Now do not go around ruining my reputation, Ms. Bering. They'll have me visiting the wards next," Helena complained.

"They don't call them wards anymore, Helena, and you're actually scheduled to visit the local hospitals next week," Myka said.

"You're joking," Helena responded.

"No, number fifteen on the Mayor's list – visiting the local hospitals," Myka said because she read the list – once.

"Oh bloody hell. Are you coming?" Helena asked.

"I might be able to get off from work. I'll just give my boss an excuse. She's pretty easy these days since she's….. gone… all soft," Myka teased, running her fingers up Helena's bare arm.

"And exactly how do you know your boss is all soft, Ms. Bering?" Helena asked, her body shivering from the goose bumps left in the trail of Myka's touch.

"Oh, I'm a hands-on kind of lawyer," Myka said, her hand now traveling the length of Helena's long, sleek calf.

"Are you saying you've…actually…shad physical contact with her?" Helena said, trying desperately to steady her voice.

"Oh well, I couldn't help it," Myka said, her tone dripping with innocence. "Do you know my boss? She's irresistible."

Helena responded by lunging forward to kiss Myka, the sweet taste of Myka's lipstick mixing with her own. Helena's Chanel No. 5 perfume floated upward as Myka inhaled.

"Ms. Wells, I'm sorry to disturb you, but it's Mrs. Bering on the phone for you," Eileen said over the speaker phone.

"My mother?" Myka asked. "Calling you?" She wasn't sure if this was a good thing or not.

Helena smiled and walked over to her desk and put the call on speaker. "Mrs. Bering, what a pleasant surprise," Helena said, wiping smeared lipstick off her bottom lip.

"Oh Helena, I'm sorry to disturb you at work," Jeannie said apologetically.

"Not a problem. I was in fact in a meeting with your daughter," Helena said as Myka sat on the desk, next to Helena.

"Oh hi dear," her mother said in a sing-song kind of tone that told Myka she was in a very good mood.

"Hi Mom," Myka said.

"I'm sorry to disturb you both, but Helena, I need more of those bubble bath crystals. We've completely sold out!" Jeannie Bering told her supplier.

"What?" Myka said – looking at the phone.

"The Bering-Wells Crystals for the bath that Helena sent us to sell at the store? We've completely sold out," Jeannie said.

Myka looked down at Helena with a 'how' expression.

"Not to worry, Mrs. Bering, I'll have someone send you out some more today," Helena said, not looking at Myka.

"Mom, wait …..you're selling what? Where? To whom?" Myka asked, but wanted Helena to answer.

"Didn't Helena tell you? Oh, did I spoil the surprise? She said she was going to tell you," Jeannie spilled. Myka crossed her arms and looked directly at Helena.

"I …was …going to," Helena said slowly.

"Dear, I can't stay on; your father's completely flustered with people asking when we're getting more in. They're here all day long. They just keep coming and coming and coming. Bye," Jeannie said and hung up.

"I bet they do," Helena said and her elbow slipped off the desk – when Myka pushed it. "What?" she asked innocently.

"You gave my mother those bath crystals to sell? The same ones you used? Please tell me they aren't as charged as the ones….," Myka said caught between the exhilaration of that memory and the horror of an entire town on those beads.

"She said the bookstore needed something new to …..stimulate….. sales," Helena said, choosing her words on purpose.

"And you were going to tell me….?" Myka said, as Helena began to play with the hem of Myka's dress.

"I was …tonight…..going to surprise you," Helena lied because she had forgotten the conversation completely.

"Helena, are there any warnings on the jars?" Myka asked, worried about people overdoing it.

"Darling, there's a chemical reaction that takes place, but only when the conditions are present and conducive," Helena said, her fingers now grazing Myka's thigh.

As good as Helena was at getting herself into trouble, she was learning how to get out just as fast.

"And so you aren't worried the town of Colorado Springs is going to overdose on this?" Myka asked concerned.

"No, I think they will handle it as carefully as they handle any controlled substance," Helena said, trying to make a joke. "Myka, the crystals I gave your mother were a low dosage. At best, they'll get a tingling sensation from the eruptions of the chemical interaction," Helena explained.

"Oh God," Myka said, covering her eyes with her hand.

"We're going out there soon, yes? I just wanted them to have something to remember us by," Helena said.

Myka laughed to think Helena had already been thinking ahead to their trip out there to visit her parents. It was a trip she wasn't looking forward to, although she saw the importance of it. She was going to have to break it to her sister, Tracy, who had been calling almost every day that she wasn't going to be her Matron of Honor. Myka wasn't even sure what kind of a wedding she and Helena would have, but she knew who she wanted as her witness.

Myka had decided to do what was best for her and Helena, and not give into what was expected of her.

"What is it, Myka?" Helena asked as Myka walked to the large window looking out over Times Square.

"Sometimes I wish it were just the two of us on the island," Myka said, and she didn't mean Manhattan. "There's so much to do."

Helena came up behind her and embraced her in her arms. "We only need to do what makes you happy," Helena assured her.

"I wish I were as confident as you are about all this, Helena," Myka said, leaning back on the woman who supported her.

"The one thing I am most confident about, Myka, is you," Helena said.

Myka turned to look at Helena. Ebony eyes looked back with the sweetest adoration Myka had ever known. "Thank you, Helena," Myka said, because this woman was the rock that grounded Myka in her best and worst moments.

"Look out there, Myka," Helena said of the view from her office. Myka gazed out the window – at the tall buildings, neon marquees, and crowds below going at a maddening pace, rushing to get on with their lives. Myka suddenly felt the world slow down. Everything that mattered to her was right there – holding her.

"There isn't anything we can't do together. I am certain of it," Helena said.

"You're right, Helena, we can do it all – together," Myka agreed still in Helena's hug.

They were about to embark on a new chapter in their lives together.

And now standing there in Helena's warm embrace, Myka felt as if - she couldn't wait for it to happen.

The End


Many, many thanks to everyone who continued with this story through these many chapters.

Your posts, PM's, questions, and suggestions have all helped me to hone what skills I have. I continue to learn and will take this break to reflect on what fits this story best in the future. I welcome your thoughts, as always. I hope you will keep in touch.

The time you have spent reading this story is a gift and I thank you for allowing it into your lives.

I will miss you more than I can say. There is a void - on this side of the page - left by your absence.

I hope you will come back for the next installment – tentatively called – "Love in the Heir".

Until next time ...