This was a challenging chapter to write because it is getting to the point where decisions need to be made.
As usual - I attempted to let the choices come from the story. Even I didn't expect some of these decisions.
I always welcome your thoughts - and so many of you are gracious enough to share them with me. I do appreciate that very much. Let me know what you think of Helena and Myka's decisions - so far.
Thank you for continuing to read along.
On Love (an excerpt by Kahlil Gibran)
Helena handed the paper back to Irene with a stare. "Words never fail me," she informed the well-intentioned woman.
"Let's just keep them from coming back to bite you," Irene said, smiling.
Myka looked down at her sheet which read – Best to keep it simple until you're ready to divulge details. "Got it," Myka smiled in appreciation of Irene's efforts to help.
"You're not the one who concerns me," Irene said under her breath.
In Helena's mind there was no better way than to declare to the world that she and Myka were going to get married soon than to indulge the press. They had been unrelenting in their pursuit for information since the engagement. Why not let the masses share in their news. Helena was smart enough to know that this limelight could also get very cold and she had every intention of protecting Myka from that.
As soon as Helena and Myka stepped out on the landing in front of the townhouse, the waiting crowd erupted into applause. It became a sea of hands held high as phones started recording the moments.
"Is it true that you're getting married this weekend?" came the question from several points in the crowd.
"Indeed it is," Helena said, standing there, holding Myka's hand. Myka had been in these types of situations before, but there was a different intensity about this it seemed. She could feel it.
"Where will it be?" was answered with – "All you need to know is that it will happen. Other than that…," Helena said, looking at Myka and squeezing her hand, "…we're still working on the details."
Helena sensed that Myka was tense and so she slowly started to walk down the steps behind Pete as Wells Security kept the crowd behind the NY City provided barricades. The usual journalists, who knew Helena well, knew that this was the end of the interview. They settled for taking pictures as Helena and Myka made their way to the car.
Irene was inside getting her coat when Artie came rushing through the kitchen. "Am I late?" he asked, fully aware that he was. He didn't care for these meetings and decided his late arrival would entitle him to the short version. The fact that he came out eating a donut and coffee was a dead giveaway to his deed.
"You know fully well you are late, Arthur. You planned it that way," Irene said, pulling on her leather gloves.
"We're not paying for the wedding right?" the Chief Financial Officer asked.
"Don't be ridiculous," Irene chastised him.
"I'll go with you to work. You can give me the particulars," he said, putting down the empty cup of coffee.
"There are not particulars as of yet," Irene confessed.
"See? I didn't miss anything," Artie said, smiling, but not looking directly at the woman.
And then Irene heard the commotion and swung open the door to see the entire crowd of journalists, photographers and the general public all looking in the direction of the last barricade. She walked outside to get a better look and saw what she always feared - Helena was the one causing the commotion.
Moments before, just as they were about to get in the car, a blogger yelled out a question to Helena that caught her attention. "Aren't you afraid she's marrying you for the money?" the brazen man shouted out. He was feeling pretty good that he was the only one who had asked a question that seemed to catch her off guard. Helena stopped, drew a breath, and let go of Myka's hand, even though Myka urged her not to. She walked over to the barricade where others stepped back from the man in question. Helena reached up and pulled him by his coat lapel into her so she could whisper in his ear:
"If you ever attempt to impugn my fiancée's integrity again, I will find you, and make your life a very special kind of living hell. Now apologize," Helena growled in his ear softly. She held him in place for a second and then withdrew a broad smile evident on her face, as she readjusted his collar. Her stare was cold and fixed on the man who had never heard the celebrity business woman speak like that. It was – unnerving. Cameras flashed as the man stuttered and offered his apology to Myka. Myka tried to smile, but got in the car to get away from the outburst of camera flashes.
"I want his name," Helena whispered to Pete as she followed Myka in the car.
Irene was afraid of this sort of thing. Just like Myka inadvertently encouraging Helena before, this sort of thing got the reaction some of the lower level press wanted. Now they knew they could get a rise out of Helena, more so than ever before. She looked down at her phone and added this to the list of things she needed to speak to Helena about.
Myka made a second attempt at smiling and this time it remained even though people were surrounding the car and trying to take pictures. "Helena, you can't pay them attention. It will only ….," Myka tried to explain when they were finally out in traffic.
"Myka, I will not stand by while someone flings a derogatory remark about you. I will not stand for it," Helena said, her fist clenched and pounding the leather seat.
As was Myka's way, she simply pulled Helena's hand in hers, gently opened the fist, and entwined her fingers through Helena's. Protectiveness was engrained in Helena's core. There was no sense in trying to talk her out of it now. Helena was extreme – sometimes, but wasn't that part of what Myka loved about her? Myka could hear the lecture she was going to get from Irene now in her head.
"No hitting," Myka said, smiling, but meaning it. Pete looked in the rearview mirror at that remark. He was already planning on putting a new security plan into play - to protect the public.
Helena didn't answer. She wasn't making any promises she couldn't keep. She didn't care that she had taken the bait. She didn't care that social media would splash the picture of her speaking angrily to that man. Myka knew what that silence meant. She would have to develop a thicker skin and fast if she didn't want her Knightress in Tank Armor to take on anyone who looked at her the wrong way.
The crowd outside Wells Corp was more civil and the women made their way into the building after waving at them. Once inside the elevator, Myka's lawyer persona was in full force.
"As your chief counsel, Helena, it would be judicious of me to suggest that you at least consider a prenuptial agreement," Myka said. Helena's head snapped up to look at her.
"You do that Counselor, and I'll fire you on the spot," Helena said – no smile evident.
"Would you at least think about it?" Myka said, touching Helena's hand and softening her mood. "Please?" Myka asked, kissing Helena.
"Of course," Helena said, thinking about it and dismissing it before her lips released Myka when the doors opened on the 16th floor.
The doors opened on 17 and Helena was greeted by her Assistant Director carrying her cup of tea on a tray, while Sui was at the front desk, handling the flood of incoming calls.
"Righty-Ho then," Helena said of the task ahead. Eileen opened the door for her and followed her in. Irene was already sitting in front of Helena's desk, armed with her legal pad of questions and ideas.
"You might want to brew the second cup, Ms. Sullivan, as this is going to be a lengthy meeting," Irene said, not looking up from her pad. She could feel Helena rolling her eyes.
"I do have a full time job, you know," Helena mused, looking at her messages and emails.
"Yes, making my life difficult apparently," Irene said, smiling at her boss who simply squinted her eyes in response.
"Now, let's jump right in okay, Helena?" Irene asked and leaned into the desk, putting her pad down.
"You're not going to go away until we do this, are you?" Helena asked, sure of the answer.
"And leave you to your own devices? Never," Irene said, prepared for the verbal sparring even though they didn't have time.
"Do you know if you're doing this in New York?" Irene started, tapping her pen on the paper in front of her.
"Are you going to do that for the duration of the meeting?" Helena asked, looking at her screen and answering an important email.
"Sorry," Irene said and stopped. "Location?"
"You really should be annoying Myka with all of these questions. Had you been paying attention at the meeting you insisted on calling at my house this morning, you would remember I said I will agree to whatever Myka wants," Helena explained – again – as she tapped several keys on the keyboard. "There! I just bought her wedding present," Helena said smugly.
"If only I were more like you," Irene said, looking down at her list.
"From your lips to God's ears," Helena retorted.
"So you're telling me that Myka will make all the decisions?" Irene said.
"Yes," Helena replied.
"Don't you think that's putting the burden on her?" Irene pointed out.
"Oh bloody hell. If I make decisions, I'm controlling. If I let Myka make the decisions, I'm burdening her! What don't you just tell me what you want me to do?" Helena said exasperated, finally looking at the woman.
"I would love for you both…..," Irene started to say, but was interrupted by the phone ringing – which Helena immediately picked up.
"Yes, exactly. Start with one million. We'll choose a board later. No, I want this in her name only. Her name? Well, Bering-Wells I think," Helena said and then looked up at Irene's all-knowing look. She detested that look. "Let me call you back."
"I'm sorry, I should have started out with the preliminary questions," Irene said, trying to point out that there was a lot to do before the weekend.
"Fine! Let's go ask Myka what she would like her name to be. I am certain it will be Bering-Wells, but I will make sure, just to satisfy that overbearing ego of yours," Helena said, taking it out on Irene.
"We have to arrange for you to go get your marriage certificate," Irene said next.
"Yes, right away," Helena agreed.
"Helena," Irene said, putting the pen down and leaning back in the chair. "All of your papers are in order from …..your former employer? I mean, they've closed the gaps, issued substantiating documents?"
Helena hadn't given much thought to her past in a long time. It always gave her pause when she reflected on her former lives. Both were so far away from her now.
"Yes, my employer saw fit to give Christina a sibling named George. In order to explain my name, Helena Wells married a distant cousin, thereby keeping the Wells name on both sides. My family tree depicts me as the only child of Joseph and Sarah Wells, both presumed dead when their Cessna 210 plane went missing over the Barrington Tops in Australia, never to be found, when I was a year old," Helena said, and in spite of her relaying fabricated events, there was a sadness to her voice.
Helena took a deep breath, as her friend waited for her to speak. Irene never interrupted Helena when she reminisced. "So all my documents will appear legitimate."
"You're an amazing woman, Helena," Irene said sincerely of her friend. To think that Helena – the woman who was denied her rightful due in her first life – was cast into the future where her present life was still not true to her.
"Just another price of time travel," Helena said nonchalantly.
"Do you want me to go ask Myka these questions?" Irene asked, getting up.
"Torture my fiancée without me there to protect her? I think not," Helena said, happy to have an excuse to see Myka.
Myka was downstairs on the phone with Bridget, the second person she called. The banker had already seen the news and teased Myka about not calling her from the restaurant last night when it happened.
"It surprised me, too," Myka confessed, "…but it just seemed like the right thing to do."
"This gives me no time to do a prewedding diet, I'll have you know," Bridget complained.
"Like you need one," Myka said back of her svelte pal.
And then Bridget uttered the words that made Myka realize why they were friends – "What do you need me to do?" the banker asked.
"Honestly, I don't know yet, we're …still working out the details," Myka shared and started to mentally make a list of things they needed to discuss.
"OK, Myka, well you just call me. I'll clear my schedule if I have to. Whatever you need," Bridget assured her. It was a relief to Myka to have her support.
"Thanks, Bridget. I'll be in touch soon," Myka said and heard the light tapping on the door. Only one person didn't need to be announced and took the time to knock. She knew Irene was on the other side of that door. And she knew Irene would want to talk about what happened this morning, too.
Myka went to the office door, pulled it open, and immediately began her defense as she walked back to her desk. Once a lawyer, always a lawyer.
"Now Irene, I know you're concerned about my encouraging Helena to do things on purpose, but it was just a …game…not to be taken seriously. I know Helena can take things literally sometimes….," Myka said, walking ahead of Irene. She was beginning to understand what make Irene's lectures so hard. Irene cleared her throat to call attention to the fact that she was not alone, but Myka was on a roll as she walked to the window. "Now let me finish, please. Helena won't go so far as to ….to lose phones or …cause trouble…just so I will…so that we will…..so I …you know…."
That was it. Myka's throat was so dry she couldn't speak. The thought that Irene was privy to her seductive teasing caused Myka to blush.
"Myka," Irene started, feeling for the woman.
"So let's just get to business," Myka said, sitting down in her chair, swiveling around to face – Helena, sitting there with a Cheshire like grin. Myka's eyes shot from Helena to Irene.
"I tried to tell you," Irene said, taking her seat next to Helena.
"Were you? Did you?" Myka asked confused.
"Your confession? Yes, quite good actually. I warn you though, take it from someone with experience, prostrating yourself never works with this woman," Helena said slowly, jerking her head towards Irene and enjoying this.
"Helena, I'm sorry. I thought Irene was here to ….," and then Myka didn't know where to go with her thoughts.
"Lecture you? Yes, it is her forte," Helena smiled and patted Irene on the arm.
This was exactly Irene's concern. Helena was in the moment and that would get them nowhere fast.
"I'm so sorry….," Myka said to Irene for her faux pas.
"No need, Myka. I only hope if you make good on your threat tonight, she won't sit for a week," Irene said, taking out her notepad. "Now on to less important matters. Myka, have you decided on what name you will take?" Irene asked.
"Bering-Wells," Myka answered confidently.
"Aha!" Helena said, poking her HR Director gently. "I love the sound of that."
"I do, too," Myka gushed.
"One down, several hundred to go," Irene murmured.
Irene went over the list of things that she thought needed immediate attention. Myka listened attentively, but Helena soon grew bored when there were too many questions and too many options to answer them. The CEO walked out of meetings when conclusions couldn't be met within a reasonable timeframe. In her assessment, Myka was taking into account everyone's feelings.
"Myka, darling," Helena said, getting up from her chair and going around to sit on the edge of Myka's desk. "What kind of wedding have you dreamed of?"
"Well, I guess I always thought I'd walk down the aisle with my dad, surrounded by my family and friends, in a white dress, with the wedding march in the background….," Myka said as she recalled her dream. "And outside. I always thought it would be an outdoor wedding."
"Does it matter who marries us, darling?" Helena asked.
"No, not really," Myka said, looking up at Helena and putting her hand on her thigh.
"Good! Then it's settled. Central Park, Saturday night," Helena said, bending down to kiss her fiancée.
"Central Park?" Myka said, because it was outdoors – and it was cold – and it was very big.
"Yes, it's perfect. We will be married there and then we can have the reception in the Starlight Room at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel with just our families and friends," Helena said and made it sound so simple that Myka shook her head. "The Waldorf is where you first kissed me….in public," the Brit reminded Myka and now she loved it even more.
"Central Park?" Irene asked, not really surprised.
"Yes, tell them to set up an area for the ceremony. Myka, what do you think about the Mayor marrying us?" Helena asked. "Unless you want to do it in a church?"
"Helena," Myka said, amazed at Helena's ability to consider all the choices and pluck the most romantic ones, "…..it sounds perfect!"
"The public?" Irene asked the obvious question.
"They are more than welcomed to observe, but from afar. We can construct something – like the cube in my office, that will protect us from the elements and intruders. Claudia can program reflectors so that we will be secluded in the middle of the park," Helena said, already working out the details in her head. If Myka wanted outdoors in winter, she would have it.
"Witnesses?" Irene asked.
"Oh I really would like to ask Bridget," Myka said, looking at Helena for her approval.
"Perfect," Helena said.
"And you?" Irene asked, and wondered if it would be Eileen or Claudia.
"You," Helena said and Irene's head shot up.
"Pardon," Irene asked.
"You, I want you to be my matron of honor," Helena smiled and Myka grabbed her hands and nodded.
"I….I don't….," Irene said, stunned. The woman was overcome with emotion. She stood up and didn't know what to do. "I'm …honored, Helena," was all she could manage, her voice cracking. "I'll….get on this," Irene said, making her exit before tears of joy streamed down her face.
"Well, that was one way to get her to stop talking," Helena teased as she kissed Myka. "Now Eileen and Claudia, I think we should make them bridesmaids. They'll enjoy it."
"I think that's a wonderful idea," Myka said. "And Pete."
"He'll look good in a dress," Helena teased.
"And my sister?" Myka asked, biting her lip.
"Whatever you want, darling," Helena replied.
"Ms. Bering!" Millie interrupted on speaker phone. "There's a Josh Noel on the line. He says he's the lawyer representing that newspaper guy from this morning. His client is pressing charges against Ms. Wells?" Millie said nervously into the phone.
"Well, Counselor. I see your work beckons you," Helena said unfazed by the announcement. "Keeping your fiancée out of jail – what a wonderful wedding gift that will be!"
Myka watched as Helena took her leave, slowly sashaying out of her office, turning slowly as she got to the door, and blowing Myka a kiss.
Life was never going to be dull with Helena, Myka thought. And she couldn't have been happier about that.