A/N This chapter hopefully will address a couple of issues that popped up. Irene will need to learn that what works with Helena, will not work with Myka. Also, that Helena is not doing well with the newest addition of the household - even though she's trying. And lastly, that changing her name would be an issue for Helena given her history.

I hope this addresses those questions.

Also - spellcheck seems to have disappeared from FF - so good luck!

What's in a Name? (Shakespeare – Romeo and Juliet)

If there was one thing that Bridget Cummings was an expert on – aside from investment banking, it was enjoying life. It was simply in her nature to seek it out, and for it to find her. Her relationship with Helena may have started out with a healthy respect for each other as businesswomen, but Helena recognized what a solid person Bridget was and how much she cared for Myka. This explained why Helena allowed her to barge in without an appointment that morning to get more papers signed. Given the CEO's current state, that simple act was going to prove challenging.

"You forgot the initial 'G' again," Bridget pointed out after reviewing a paper Helena had just signed. "What is up with you?" she asked, looking at the paper and then back at her client.

"Pardon? Oh yes," Helena said, affixing her initial on the page. The letter formation flowed as Helena's hand produced a swirling 'G'.

"Wedding plans getting to you?" Bridget asked, putting the next page in front of Helena. Much of this paperwork could have been done electronically, but Helena insisted that her signature be affixed to the hard copy on large deals.

After all, her name meant something to her.

"Yes. Wait, pardon?" Helena asked, not paying attention. Her mind, body, and soul were still reveling in Myka's visit.

"Wow, Wells – only one person affects you like this. What did she do to you now?" Bridget teased, collecting her papers.

Helena had been standing up and leaning over the desk to sign the papers instead of her usual position of sitting behind her desk. Helena waved her financier off as if to say nothing. Without Myka there though, the grimace appeared on her face when she sat back down.

"Bollocks!" Helena said under her breath.

"Something wrong, Helena?" Bridget asked upon seeing the discomfort.

"Yes, fine," Helena lied.

Bridget knew she was not going to get answers from Helena, but she knew where she could get them. She thanked Helena and left her office, leaving her to her reverie. Bridget emerged from Helena's office, where she found Myka giving Sui her okay on a list of things. The women greeted each other.

"What's up with your boss? She was looking a little peevish," Bridget said to Myka. "And yelled when she sat down," she pointed out.

"Oh that, yes, she's…a little sore," Myka said sheepishly, forgetting for a moment to whom she was speaking. Bridget misread her friend's guilty tone.

"She's sore?" Bridget inquired and moved a little closer to Myka. "Wow, Bering! Good for you! You took my advice, I see." Bridget said, nudging her friend with her elbow. "What was it – teacher and misbehaving student? No, I bet it was prison guard and prisoner. No, Helena would want to be the warden," her friend said, giving this serious thought, her finger tapping her chin. "Oh wait, was it…. ?" Bridget asked, naming off some bedroom fantasy games.

"What? Bridget!" Myka laughed nervously as she looked at Sui, whom she was certain was accessing adult role playing games on Wikipedia as she stood there. She pulled her friend by the arm to the elevator. When the doors opened, she practically pushed Bridget in, who was still naming various role-playing scenarios for couples.

"Would you …just….stop," Myka said, the blush in her face getting redder.

"Really, Bering – don't tell me you took work home and played boss and naughty secretary?" Bridget asked, getting giddy at the thought. "So unimaginative," she scolded.

"Just…..stop," Myka tried weakly. The elevator door opened on the 16th floor and Myka stepped out as Bridget held the door open. She was going to get her answer and Myka knew she wouldn't leave until she did.

"Just tell me, were handcuffs involved? Or garland perhaps?" Bridget asked, hoping this would narrow down the choices.

"Handcuffs? No," Myka whispered, but laughing. "I didn't …we weren't….. she was bitten," Myka said, as if that cleared it up, looking back at Millie who stood at attention now at her desk.

Bridget pulled back a little, thinking about that. "So you skipped over dress-up and went right to S&M? I didn't think you had it in you, Myka! Kinky, but ok. Bonus points," Bridget said.

"No! I didn't bite her," Myka said and now Millie looked right over at her. "I…the dog….Bandit…Helena was on the floor….," Myka stammered, as words tried to get past her clenched teeth.

"When you have to try to explain it, it really takes away from it and only makes it worse," Bridget teased.

"Very funny, Cummings," Myka said as her friend let go of the elevator door.

"Save a little something for the wedding night, Myka," Bridget yelled as the elevator started to close. "Oh hey Bering, as your maid of honor, I just want to say, you don't have time for that," Bridget said loudly as the door closed.

"Oh yes I do," Myka said, thinking about their evening and turning to face Irene who was standing there. Myka jumped back a little, surprised the woman was standing so close.

"Oh, Irene. That was … (cough) …ha ha….on the elevator….yeah…Bridget was …," Myka said, looking back at the closed door, and running her hand over the back of her neck.

"It will be a miracle if we can get the two of you to actually get through the ceremony," Irene said of the total lack of concentration she was witnessing. "I need to speak to you," she said in a tone more serious than she intended. Myka heard it and reacted by stopping in her tracks. Even Millie's expression was one of worry when the HR Director walked back to Myka's office, opened the door first, and waited for Myka to follow. Myka's eyes looked at her administrative assistant, but Millie just smiled uncomfortably. If there was one woman even she didn't tangle with – it was Irene Frederic.

Myka walked into her office and sat behind her desk. She was suddenly having an appreciation for what Helena must feel like when the woman chastised her for something. Irene was intimidating when she was serious.

"Myka, I hope you won't feel I am overstepping a boundary here," Irene started and her voice softened. Myka took her first breath and said, "No," but Irene smiled as if to say – you haven't heard me out yet. "I want to afford you the same honesty and openness I have with Helena now that you two will be married," Irene started.

"The same? Oh. Well, of course," Myka said, knowing the importance of these things, but unsure how it was about to be delivered. Myka's thoughts raced in her head to figure out what she had done. This is what Myka did when someone sounded authoritative.

"You and I know, of course, that Helena would do anything for you," Irene smiled and Myka nodded her head.

"And I would …," Myka started to say, but Irene interrupted her.

"Yes, I know dear. Which is why I am here," the older woman said, not having any time to waste. "And as insufferable as that ego of hers can be sometimes," Irene winked, "…..and as much as she detests admitting it, she has her… limits."

"Is she upset about something with the wedding?" Myka asked, worried she had missed something. Helena had been giving in to almost anything she suggested.

Under the pressure of time, Irene was forgetting that Myka would not handle this conversation the way Helena would. "Oh, no dear, I've never seen Helena happier. This really is something that even she's not fully aware of yet," Irene said. Irene's smile was pleasant enough, but still didn't put Myka at ease.

"If there's something you think Helena wants, I'll do it…," Myka said, worried she had overlooked something.

Irene stopped and looked at Myka, realizing now that she wasn't talking to Helena. Myka would jump to conclusions about this and immediately take ownership of anything Irene thought was her fault. The HR Director sat back in her chair and slowed things down a bit, even though time was something she didn't have. She needed a different approach with Myka.

"Myka, you've thought of everything," Irene assured and then laughed. "I think Helena would do anything at this point, just to make sure you have the wedding you both want."

Myka smiled and let out a breath, but her mind raced at what Irene was trying to get at.

"Irene, if you think I can do something…," Myka tried again.

"It's not about the wedding," Irene said in a more soothing tone. "It's more about after the wedding, when you come back. Even though you have been together all this time, it would be wonderful if you and Helena could enjoy a real honeymoon period upon your return. Just the two of you…for a while," Irene said slowly leading Myka to where she wanted her to go.

Certainly Irene had spoken to Myka about things before, but now she was pressed for time. She realized Myka was skittish in this process, unlike Helena who kicked and screamed the whole way there.

"It would be nice for us to have some time like that," Myka affirmed, loving the sound of 'honeymoon period'.

"Every couple needs it. It builds a strong foundation for your marriage so that you're ready when….. other things come along," Irene said, playing with an imaginary piece of lint on her suit.

"Other things?" Myka asked. She was sorry, but there was so much going on, she felt she was missing the point.

Actually, Irene was hiding the point – waiting for Myka to find it.

"Helena will have to do some adjusting before she's ready to share you with anyone," Irene smiled amiably. "Who knows how long that will take?"

"Are you worried we'll have children right away?" Myka asked, her legal brain searching for the clues.

"Children?" Irene laughed. "Oh, that would be wonderful."

Myka felt like Irene was being kind on purpose, as if she was giving her another chance. No one worried about Helena like Irene and the woman was here because she was concerned about something. It wasn't the wedding. She wanted them to have time together after they came home. Myka pieced together the clues as she got up from her desk and paced back and forth. Helena would need time to adjust to that, Myka thought. Look at how much trouble she was having to the dog!

And then it hit Myka - just like Irene knew it would. Irene casually looked at her watch before Myka turned around quickly and pointed at her.

"You know, I've been thinking that Helena isn't exactly comfortable with Bandit yet," the lawyer said, stating the facts of the case.

"Is that so?" Irene asked casually, pleased they were right on track.

"I guess I didn't want to admit it, because Helena is trying so hard and God, that dog is so adorable, but I've noticed she's not entirely thrilled to have him there," Myka then said.

"I have noticed that," Irene agreed and could see the anguish wash over Myka's face at the thought of having to give him away.

"We could find him a good...," Myka started to say.

"Myka, I was thinking …if you want, I could take him …while you're on your honeymoon...or longer if you need," Irene said slowly.

"You would take him?" Myka asked, hoping she understood correctly. "You were very good with him," Myka thought through. "He really responded to you."

"I've had a lot of practice with these sort of matters," Irene said as her eyes twinkled and looked up at the ceiling toward Helena's office. "Myka, you and Helena are at the precipice of this wonderful life together. Helena is so happy with you, but she still needs to learn how to juggle having others share in that life," Irene drove home.

"Do you really want to take Bandit?" Myka asked to be sure, even though this was the perfect solution.

"What I want is for you two to be happy," Irene said, the suggestion that Helena still needed time to adjust to the dog or anyone else lingering in the air.

"It wouldn't be too much trouble?" Myka questioned.

"He's a piece of cake compared to your fiancée," Irene said sincerely.

"You think this is best for Helena, don't you?" Myka said, knowing that this woman's number one priority was always Helena.

"Yes," Irene said, fully aware Helena would throw a fit if she knew what she was doing. "When you two come back, he will be better trained. Of course, this doesn't translate into Helena being better trained, but you can help her no doubt. Remember, this is all a dress rehearsal for …the future," Irene said smiling at just the thought.

Irene had gotten what she came for, in spite of the fact that the last thing she wanted was a dog in her house. She had visions of the canine jumping on her cream colored couch. But she wanted Helena happy and she knew she wasn't.

"Thank you, Irene," Myka said.

"Of course," Irene said, getting up as she walked slowly out of Myka's office.

"Is she okay?" Millie asked cautiously when the HR Director emerged from the office.

"She's great," Irene said, as she walked to the elevator.

Irene leaned against the railing as the elevator carried her upward. 'That went well,' she thought. Now the HR Director got off the elevator on 17 to deal with the next issue. She had no time for formalities and walked right into Helena's office and sat down at her boss' desk.

"Yes Mayor, we …yes, I know….no, no press inside. Yes, that is good," Helena was saying, her head practically on the desk as she tried to hang up. "Oh look, my HR Director is here with an urgent matter. I really must go…," she said, and hung up on him. "Please do not let him talk at the wedding."

"How will I stop him?" Irene asked.

"Blow dart if necessary," Helena suggested.

"You and Myka have to get your license at three o'clock," Irene said and Helena nodded. "And when you get there, they will ask you a few questions. Like – what your name will be."

"Okay," Helena said her phone in her hand as she watched the short video of Myka. The smile reappearing on her face in full bloom.

"Have you thought about this?" Irene asked, leaning across the desk and taking the phone from Helena's hand. The action annoyed Helena.

"Of course I have! What am I, a bloody fool who doesn't know what her name is?" Helena retorted.

"So you're changing your name to Bering–Wells?" Irene asked.

"Myka is changing her name to Bering-Wells," Helena corrected the woman who was already a step ahead.

"Yes, I know that. Myka knows that. You know that. The question is: what are you doing?" Irene asked.

The question was simply and plausible. "I am…going to be …..Mrs. Bering-Wells," Helena said with not enough conviction.

"Here?" Irene asked, waving her hand in the air – meaning at work.

"Of course not! I cannot be…my name is …," Helena stammered and gave it serious thought. Of course she wanted to take Myka's name, but did she want to take it here – at work – in the business world? "I …..how can I …," Helena started to panic. "I don't even know who the Berings were? Have you met her father?" asked the Victorian who was bred on the importance of family surnames. "Oh my God, I cannot refuse Myka's name. She will be devastated," Helena said anxiously, as Irene sat back. This was exactly why she was raising the issue.

Helena shot up from her chair, one hand on her hip, the other on her forehead, as she paced frantically now. "I was so long without my name. I built all of this on my name. Wells is who I am. My legacy is Wells. I have been that for over one hundred and forty eight years!" Helena whispered to Irene as if to explain the gravity.

"Yes, I know," said the woman who knew Helena hadn't thought about this. "You can, of course, take Myka's name in your private life, and keep your surname in business, but you might want to discuss that with Myka," Irene gently pointed out.

"But Myka is a Bering and I adore Myka and so I must take her name," Helena's left brain argued. Irene agreed. "But I am Helena George Wells and that name stands for something in the business world," she counter argued.

"Helena, I think you stand for something in this business, regardless of your name. So it is not what 'they' think, but rather, what you think," Irene tried to enlighten her charge. "But ultimately, you must be happy with your decision."

Helena saw the logic to that statement. The CEO was stymied with how easy a question this was and yet, how complicated it seemed in deciding. She came from a time when a woman always took her husband's name, but where she had refused to marry any man because of this very reason.

So much had been withheld from Helena – her genius, her ideas, her inventions – the recognition - that she swore she would never allow that to happen again.

"I want to take her name," Helena said, but the weight of the decision was evident.

"Why not talk to Myka?" Irene suggested as she got up. "Whatever you decide, I know you can do it together."

Irene opened the office door at the exact time she had scheduled. As if sent by divine intervention, which was really Irene's careful planning, Eileen was bringing Helena her afternoon tea and was standing on the other side of the door.

"She's really going to need this," Irene said and was not referring to the beverage. If there was anyone who could offer insight into having different names, it was the young Assistant Director.

Eileen walked in and placed it down on her boss' desk and noticed how preoccupied Helena was.

"Are you okay?" Eileen asked.

Helena glanced up at the youth. "Let me ask you a question," Helena said, pulling the tea closer. "You're a Wells…."

"Yes," Eileen said, taking the chair that Helena pointed to for her to sit in.

"Yet your last name is Sullivan," Helena thought out.

"Yes," Eileen replied.

"Do you feel more like a Sullivan ….or a Wells?" Helena asked, her investigative brain attacking the dilemma.

"I feel …," Eileen said, giving the question serious thought. "Like me. I am both."

"You mean, Wells blood, but Sullivan name?" Helena asked.

"I mean …. I am happy to have both names, but they do not define me," Eileen shared.

"Impossible. Were you not a Wells, you would not be entitled to this," Helena said, meaning her empire.

"If I weren't a Sullivan, I wouldn't be here in the first place," Eileen pointed out.

"So you will always keep that name?" Helena asked curiously.

"I've thought about making Wells my middle name," Eileen said of the initial 'W' that was on her blanket when they found her as a baby. Until Helena enlightened them, the letter remained as her middle initial without any other meaning.

"Aha!" Helena said, thinking that proved her point.

"But I could never give up Sullivan," Eileen said and Helena marveled at how content her protégé seemed with it.

"Why?" Helena asked.

"Because I am a Sullivan, too. And I want the same name as my parents. It makes me feel like I belong with them, too," the youth answered.

"And if you marry?" Helena probed.

"I would hyphenate it to Sullivan-Donovan," she laughed at the sound of it. "Now that's a mouthful, isn't it?"

"But you are a Wells," Helena pointed out.

"Yes, and I always will be. I don't need the name to tell me that. It might open a door or two, but after I got in there, it's what I do with it, regardless of my name," the wise Assistant Director said. "I guess….," Eileen said as she got up…., "The name is dressing. I'm still who I am. Does that make sense?"

Helena thought about it. "Indeed it does, Miss Sullivan, indeed it does."

Thanks for reading along and for all your posts, inquiries and suggestions.