Thank you to all those who have taken the time to comment, I appreciate it.

Thursday morning comes much too quickly as Myka knew it would. She rises from her bed as soon as her alarm sounds and blearily rubs at her eyes before stretching her long body as she steps into the bathroom to brush her teeth and shower. As she pats her hair dry, she catches her reflection in the mirror and suddenly realizes this is her wedding day. She feels her stomach flutter at the thought. She is going to marry Helena Wells, the most beautiful, incredible, and often infuriating, woman she knows.

Pursuing her closet, she considers what to wear for the day. Normally, she would grab whatever button-down blouse and slacks are up for rotation, but she and Helena are planning to leave work at four o'clock to go to the courthouse together and Myka isn't planning to come home first to change for the wedding. A pantsuit hardly seems appropriate to her to get married in, even if the marriage is just a formality to keep Helena in the country. She briefly considers the very few dresses she has. There is a red dress that she decides is certainly too flashy for either work or a wedding and a little black dress, that while could be worn to work, seems out of place for a wedding. Myka sighs at her lack of suitable attire and finally settles on a light blue pencil skirt that falls just below her knees and a simple white blouse. She's mildly content that the ensemble will be appropriate for a working day to be followed by a brief wedding.

Trying to calm her stomach, Myka fixes a light breakfast of coffee, toast and jam, and settling at the kitchen counter, tries to concentrate on reading the morning news on her tablet. She gives up in defeat when her attention is constantly drawn to the little black box sitting on the counter in front of her. She hasn't let the ring out of her sight since coming home the night before, and feels its presence keenly.

With an air of resignation, she stands to brush the crumbs from her skirt and settles a shaky hand against her stomach as if the touch alone will settle the fluttering there. She silently tells herself, 'You can do this. Helena is your best friend whom you love and trust. It's just a simple ceremony, nothing to be nervous about.' She audibly laughs at the thought, knowing nothing is so simple, especially where Helena is concerned.

Deciding work will serve for a good distraction from her current thoughts, Myka hurriedly places her plate in the dishwasher and pours the remaining coffee in a to-go mug. She gathers her coat and satchel, putting them on and then grasps the little black box from the counter. Opening it briefly, she makes sure the ring is still snug inside before carefully placing it in her satchel. Grabbing her keys she finally leaves the apartment, hoping to leave behind any more unsettling thoughts.


"You're here earlier than usual. What's the occasion?" Leena asks, her smile wide.

Myka startles at the sound of Leena's sweet voice. "Yeah, I'm planning to leave early tonight, so thought I should come in a little early to make up for it," she explains as she mentally berates herself for thinking a change of location would be enough to distract her from what will take place in mere hours. She's been working for nearly an hour all ready, but thoughts of the wedding continue to persist.

Leena shakes her head. "Myka, you work too hard. You're entitled to take some time away from the office without having to make up the time," she gently chastises.

Myka shrugs. "The work still has to be done and I enjoy it."

"I know you do, and you're very good at your job. I just wish you'd take more time for yourself, Myka. You're always working. I hope whatever you've got planned tonight has nothing to do with work and is something that will bring you pleasure."

"Yeah," Myka breathes unable to truthfully answer that her plans aren't work-related. After all, the wedding is to keep Helena working and living in Denver.

"Is there a meeting this morning I wasn't made aware of?" Artie grumbles appearing in the doorway.

"Good morning to you too, Artie," Leena bemoans.

"I'm sorry, yes, good morning, Leena, Myka," he nods. "Satisfied?" he questions, quirking an eyebrow at Leena.

She rolls her eyes and smiles at him. "It's better than a poke in the eye, though not by much."

Artie ignores her comment. "When Pete arrives, tell him I want to see him to discuss the marketing for Dupree's novel. We've got to make sure it hits the major booksellers."

"I'll let him know," Leena says offering Myka a final smile before departing.

Artie steps inside Myka's office then and closes the door behind him. "So, today's the big day then?"

"It is," Myka agrees.

Artie nods. "Mrs. Frederic asked me to extend her congratulations and best wishes."

"That's kind of her."

"And I too…want to…well…wish you good luck, Myka," he stutters.

"Thanks, Artie," Myka says oddly touched by his obvious sincerity.

"Yes, well enough of that sentimentality," he bristles. "Is everything on schedule for St. Clair's novel?"

"Yes, I have the final draft now, ready to send it to print."

"Good," is all he says before opening the door to retreat to his own office, leaving Myka shaking her head in fondness for her gruff but loveable boss.


When Myka steps into the break room for a much needed second cup of coffee that morning, it is to find Helena there, fixing tea, Claudia animatedly telling her about the new book design for Adwin Kosan's latest adventure novel.

"Morning, Claud, Helena," she greets them with a slight nod as she moves to the counter to pour a cup of coffee.

Helena turns at the sound of Myka's voice and is met with a shy smile and a sight to behold. Myka's hair is let down as usual, brunette curls tumbling over slender shoulders clad in a white blouse that looks soft to the touch. But it is the light blue pencil skirt that has Helena staring open mouthed. A pencil skirt, that reveals Myka's shapely calves that sets Helena's heart to racing and makes her forget the task at hand, managing to spill hot tea down the front of her own blouse.

"Oh bollocks!" she cries as the burning liquid seeps through her thin shirt to touch sensitive skin.

Myka rushes to the sink to dampen a paper towel with cool water, quickly offering it to Helena.

"Thank you, darling," she says taking the towel to apply it to herself.

"Whoa, Myka! What's the occasion?" Claudia asks impressed, noticing Myka is wearing a skirt for the first time since…she can't remember when.

"There's no occasion," Claud," Myka answers, a faint blush tinting her cheeks as she catches Helena's gaze from under dark lashes. "I just felt like wearing something…different today."

Claudia looks at Helena who remains oddly quiet after her initial curse, but who stares intently at Myka. Claudia looks back at Myka who gazes at Helena, her cheeks looking slightly flushed. Claudia looks again at Helena who appears to have a slight flush to her face as well, her mouth partially open in a look of awe.

Practically seeing the electricity between the two women, Claudia very slowly and discreetly exits the break room, neither woman taking notice of her silent escape.

"Looks like I'm not the only one who can be clumsy," Myka finally remarks pointedly observing the stain of Helena's shirt with a grin.

Helena looks down at her shirt and frowns. "Yes, well, if you hadn't managed to distract me."

"I see, it's my fault then," Myka says trying to sound annoyed but laughs instead.

"Absolutely," Helena agrees still staring intently. "Myka," she breathes, "you look lovely."

"Thanks," Myka says grasping her neck, noticing Helena wears her usual trousers and button-down shirt, the top three buttons left distractingly unbuttoned as usual.

Helena follows Myka's gaze and looks down at her own ensemble. "Not to worry, darling, I won't be wearing these clothes this evening I assure you. Especially now that I've managed to spill tea on them."

"It wouldn't matter to me if you did, Helena. "I'm marrying you, not your clothes," Myka says then gasps at her slip and turns around to make sure no one else was present to hear her mention 'marrying'.

Helena chuckles. "It appears we're alone, darling. Claudia seems to have vanished."

"I didn't even see her leave," Myka admits.

"Nor I. My attention was drawn elsewhere," Helena says as her dark eyes roam the length of Myka's figure, causing the woman of interest to stammer under her appreciative gaze.

"So, everything still on for this evening then?" Myka asks, folding her arms across her chest.

"Yes, I'll meet you in your office at four as planned. Until then…" Helena says with a smile before leaving the room. Myka watches her go and as she turns back for her coffee, notices Helena's tea still sits on the counter, long forgotten.


Myka doesn't see Helena again until she saunters into her office at four, just as planned, wearing a flowing floral dress and Myka finds she's unable to draw her eyes away from Helena at the moment, looking so resplendent in such a simple dress. Helena smiles at her, clearly noticing her admiration.

"Ready to get married, darling?" she smirks.

Myka's heartbeat picks up speed at the question and she quickly begins to shuffle papers back in place. "Sure, just give me a minute to clear my desk," she answers as if the question posed is normal and her life isn't about to take a profound change.

Helena nods and watches as Myka moves about her office, collects her belongings and then steps out into the main office space to leave last instructions with Pete.

"Mykes, you're leaving early?" he asks surprised.

"Yeah, I sent you an email, Pete, didn't you read it?"

"Guess not. So, you have plans then? Care to share with the class?" he grins.

"Yes, I have plans, and no, I don't care to share. See you tomorrow, Pete," she says as she moves towards the door where Helena now waits for her.

"So, any bets on what's going on between those two?" Claudia asks siding up to Pete as she observes the two women leave together.

"What do you mean?" Pete asks.

"Come on, dude, you must have noticed. Myka was wearing a skirt. I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen her wear a skirt to work. And HG, she was wearing slacks this morning, but when she and Myka left, she was wearing a dress."

"So…what, you think they're dating?"

"It would make sense," Steve adds his two cents.

"I hope for their sake they are," Leena mentions. "The looks shared between them have taken on an intensity I don't know they'll survive if they don't do something soon to relieve all that…tension," she grins.

"You're telling me," Claudia intones. "I almost got caught in the direct line of fire this morning in the break room. HG looked like she wanted to devour Myka right there."

"Claudia, really?" Steve chastises.

"I'm telling you, sparks were majorly flying between them."

"Myka and HG…dating? Huh," is all Pete can say as he contemplates the thought.


The city hall is surprisingly busy for a Thursday evening, but then, maybe it always is, Myka considers. She's never had occasion to visit the establishment before tonight. It's also rather surprising she and Helena are not the only ones to be married. Most are young kids, likely college age. There are a few older couples as well, but as far as Myka can tell, she and Helena are the only same sex couple to be married here tonight.

They end up having to wait nearly a half hour before they can see the judge. Myka sits alongside Helena on a bench outside the chambers, her long legs crossed at the ankle, one foot moving up and down nervously. She isn't even aware of the movement until Helena gently places her hand on her knee and looks at her with a gentle smile.

"There's no need to be nervous, darling. It's just a few simple words spoken, signing some papers, and then it'll all be over."

It's the simple words that have Myka worried. She's supposed to pledge her love and devotion to the woman beside her under the law. It makes her more than a little nervous. Not to mention the said pledge is meant to be for a lifetime, despite their plan to annul the marriage in three months.

Myka silently nods and before she can say any more on the subject they're called into the judge's chambers for the simple ceremony.

The only word Myka can think of to describe Judge Hugo Miller is eccentric. An older gentleman, he seems to be energetic, excitable and a bit…no other word for it, eccentric.

"Ah, my last newlyweds for the evening," he greets the two women. "And I must say, the best looking by far," he smiles kindly.

Helena laughs. "Thank you, sir," she says taking his outstretched hand in a firm handshake.

"My papers say I'm to marry Helena Wells and Myka Bering. Before I marry anyone, I like to learn something about the couple. How long have you two known each other?"

"Three years," Myka answers.

"Ah, and how did you meet?"

"At work," Helena replies. "We're both editors at a publishing company."

"I see, a case of workplace romance," he nods approvingly. "Good for you. I must say, you look like a couple deeply in love, and I'm sure your life together will be promising."

Helena casts an amused glance at Myka at his words but her smile falters under the weak smile Myka returns to her.

"Well, let's get this show on the road then," Hugo claps his hands together excitedly. "Did you happen to bring a wedding party with you to witness the ceremony?" he asks looking around the women as if expecting to see their family and friends all turn up.

"No," Helena falters, her eyes still drawn to Myka with concern. "We thought to elope instead, just the two of us."

"That is more romantic," Hugo agrees. "But then I wonder why you would decide to marry here rather than some exotic destination?"

Myka swallows hard. "Deadlines. Too many deadlines to fulfill right now, but we didn't want that to get in the way of our plans to marry."

"That's right," Helena agrees, picking up her lead. "And anyway, we'll likely honeymoon somewhere a bit more exciting eventually."

"Ah, very good," Hugo nods approvingly. "I'll just call in the clerk and secretary then to witness the ceremony.

Hugo leaves the chambers briefly to collect the witnesses and Helena steps forward to grasp Myka's hand. "Are you absolutely certain you're all right with this, Myka?" she asks softly.

Myka has found breathing to be difficult since they entered the chambers, but now that she's looking into Helena's dark brown eyes so full of concern for her, she feels her breathing begin to even out a little, the erratic beating of her heart beginning to slow.

"I'm fine," she assures. "I want to do this, Helena," she speaks truthfully, because honestly, Myka does want to marry Helena. Her feelings for the woman before her are not something she can easily quantify or explain. She just knows she cares about her and would do anything in her power for Helena and in this moment, that means marrying her.

Hugo steps back into the chambers with his secretary and the clerk in tow. Ted beams at them when she enters the room.

A brief panic rises in Myka's chest at the sight of the familiar face.

"Bering-Wells," Ted says excitedly. "It's not often I get a chance to stand in as a witness, but I must say, I'm honored to attend the wedding of such a beautiful couple."

"Thank you," Helena manages to speak. "We're grateful to have you here as well," she says squeezing Myka's hand in hers comfortingly.

"I see you're ready to begin," Hugo says noticing their joined hands. "Very good." He steps before them, grasping the reading glasses on a chain around his neck to put them on. "Let's see now…do you have rings?"

"Yes," Helena replies as both she and Myka grasp for the rings.

"Good. Now, do you have written vows, or would you just like to use the usual ceremonial words?"

Myka feels her panic steadily rising once more.

"I think the usual words will suffice," Helena speaks calmly, brushing her thumb across Myka's knuckles in reassurance.

"Very well," Hugo acquiesces. Clearing his throat, he begins to speak the words he knows by heart. "Do you Helena Wells take this woman, Myka Bering to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you vow to love, honor, cherish and keep her all the days of your life?"

"I do," Helena speaks seriously, her eyes never wavering from Myka's as she slips the ring on her finger.

Myka feels her mouth go dry and her eyes unaccountably tear up at the solemnity of the moment. She knows this ceremony is nothing more than a necessity, but the way Helena is looking at her, almost has Myka believing it's more than necessity…that maybe there is some desire there? Surely not, she quickly shakes her head to clear it of those dangerous thoughts and concentrates instead on Judge Miller's words.

"Do you Myka Bering take this woman, Helena Wells to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you vow to love, honor, cherish and keep her all the days of your life?"

Myka is startled by how quickly the words, "I do," spill from her lips. Helena quirks a brow and offers her a smile that leaves Myka feeling a blush seeping into her cheeks as she places the ring on Helena's finger.

A blush that only intensifies as Judge Miller declares them married and may now kiss. And honestly, with everything else she considered, Myka never even thought about the traditional kiss at the end of the ceremony. She looks to Judge Miller who grins and nods encouragingly at her before she turns wide, panicked eyes on Helena, beseeching her to charm her way out of this awkward moment.

But Helena doesn't say a word. Instead Helena steps forward, gently places her palm along Myka's cheek, guiding her slightly downward to press soft lips against Myka's own in a breathless kiss.