Not going to say much today other than thank you to those who reviewed and/or are still following this story. Your support means more than I can adequately express.
Chapter Sixteen
Tension and cautious curiosity filled the atmosphere of the covert meeting place. Seated around the room were three regents, an imposing caretaker and two agents.
With Autumn well and truly established; everywhere they looked, the landscape boasted a myriad of burnt orange, red and yellow where green used to be, and chilly nights crept upon them with alarming speed. Winter would arrive before too long and agents Bering and Wells needed to be informed of the changes that were about to take place.
Mr Kosan cleared his throat to gain everyone's attention. "Before we discuss the reasons for our meeting here, I want to caution you all. The future of the Warehouse is uncertain and we are all aware that certain elements within our midst are not to be trusted. Agent Nielsen, Leena and Agent Donovan are already aware of what I am planning to divulge today. Agents Lattimer and Jinks, Coombs and Wickes will be spoken with at our discretion. I must ask that nothing leaves this room today. We understand that you may wish to confer with your colleagues. We will inform you of when and where you may do so. Is that understood?"
Myka nodded immediately but Helena's instinctive aversion to being told what to do caused her some hesitance. She clicked her tongue and frowned at the regents, considering her options carefully.
"Agent Wells, by now I thought that you would have grasped the depth of our reliance on your family's past and future," Adwin commented patiently, any annoyance he felt carefully schooled out of his tone. "It is for your family's protection that I ask for your cooperation."
This explanation sobered the inventor's natural obstinacy and her features softened. "Of course," she allowed. "I think I can speak for Myka when I say that we will wish to discuss our thoughts in private. Is that advisable or are there concerns that we may be overheard anywhere outside of this room?"
Her fiancée's genuine concern made Agent Bering's heart beat a little faster. "Are we being watched?"
"As per our reports, we are keeping tabs on any suspicious activities," Mr Heath told them from across the table. "There is nothing yet to suggest that any of our agents are in danger."
"And you have your own brand of protection don't forget," Jane Lattimer added. "You're safe inside your home."
"We are simply being cautious," Adwin finished for his colleagues. "I think we are all aware that we're playing a long game. Which brings me to today's meeting." Seeing that he had their attention now, he nodded at the caretaker and sat back, offering her the floor.
Being a direct woman of few words, Irene laced her fingers together and leant forward. "The Warehouse is preparing to move." She paused to let the thought sink in. Both agents lost a bit of their colour but said nothing. "I'm not certain when the process will begin but it will happen and we need to prepare for that eventuality."
Myka and Helena were lost for words for several long seconds, a thousand thoughts flitting through both of their minds until they seemed to settle on the same concern. With a brief exchange of glances, Helena asked after their daughter's fate.
"If you agree, she will be transported along with the entire contents," Irene told the concerned parents. She went on to explain how the process worked and that they would find out the name of the new location before it actually began so that the corner stone and hammer could be moved into place there. As a result, there would be time to make plans and change them if desired. "There are other options of course, should you want to consider them. I assure you that every precaution will be taken to ensure her protection."
It was Helena's hand that squeezed Myka's now and the couple continued to sit in contemplative silence for a few minutes more. At long last, the inventor released a steady breath and faced the regents. "Whether we like it or not, the Warehouse has a vested interest in our daughter's future. I believe," she paused to glance at her fiancée, searching for her opinion as she added, "That Christina would be safer remaining within its care."
Myka nodded, taking her partner's words onboard. "We should still look at all the options but I agree with Helena. The Warehouse is the reason we have our family. It brought us together for a reason and I don't think it would let anything bad happen to our little girl while she's in there."
"What will happen to us, as agents?" HG wondered next.
The head regent seemed pleased with how well they were taking the news so far and brought his hands together atop the table. "Having discussed the unique situation with those present here, we agree that, excluding Mr Wickes and Miss Coombs, we should retain the services of the current agents in a supportive capacity."
Myka frowned, reading between the lines. "Are Jason and Meghan under suspicion?"
"We are all under a degree of suspicion," Jane informed them gravely. "In light of what happened with Leena shortly after Pete and Myka joined the Warehouse, we can't be too careful. The Warehouse will be populated with new agents, selected from its new location, but of course, we will still be in regular contact with its caretaker."
"Mrs Fredrick," Myka immediately assumed.
Irene smiled softly and shook her head. "I'm pleased and saddened to announce that, with the imminent departure of the Warehouse, my tenure is also coming to an end. Miss Donovan says that she is ready to 'step up to the plate' however."
"What will happen to you?" the brunette agent immediately wondered, her voice full of concern.
"I will grow older, finally," Mrs Fredrick answered calmly. "You need not worry about me, Myka. I have watched my husband, my children and my grandchildren grow old, and with most of them, I have endured the hardship of watching them pass on. Old age and death do not trouble me." She touched the young mother's arm fondly, offering as much comfort as she could. "It will be like greeting the night after a very long day."
"So, Claudia will be in charge?" Helena intimated as she pushed down her own feelings on the subject of Mrs Fredrick's retirement.
"The regents will remain as the figureheads of the Warehouse," Mr Kosan told Agent Wells firmly, reminding her of their authority. He paused briefly to let her stew in that thought before adding what he hoped would sooth any offence taken, "We would like to propose that you and Myka join us, as unofficial regents."
Having opened her mouth to make a smart retort, the Brit snapped it shut. She appeared to eyeball him for a moment, perhaps to figure out if he was serious, before eventually finding her words again. "Unofficial?"
Don chuckled a little at her response. After debating over this decision for weeks, once they came to their agreement, he had nailed the Victorian's reaction with uncanny accuracy. "Making your membership official would mean paperwork and signatures from all of the regents. As you are aware, we do not trust all of our colleagues."
"By accepting our offer though, you will have access to everything you need," Regent Lattimer clarified, smiling at the women's astounded expressions.
"After those requests are cleared through me," Adwin amended, shooting a look at his friend.
"What exactly will our roles entail then?" Myka questioned once she had taken in their offer. "How will they be different to our current roles?"
"From an outside perspective, they will perhaps not be," Irene answered. "You can continue your civilian lives, raising your children, exploring the world and locating the occasional artefact when it suits you. We think it best that you do not have contact with the new agents; they need not know of the Warehouse's uncertain future."
"I would want to know," Myka insisted, thinking back to all the times that Artie had kept things from her and Pete. She turned to share her mild outrage with her partner but found only opposition. "Helena?"
The inventor looked deep into her fiancée's trusting gaze and smiled apologetically. "Love, would you trust complete strangers with our daughter's destiny?"
Myka flushed and swallowed, quickly realising what was at stake and why they couldn't let anyone else in on their complicated secrets. "Shit," she cursed as the reality slapped her in the face. "We're going to have to be so careful," she admonished herself, feeling her emotions climbing on top of one another to break free.
"We have another proposal that may help with that," Mr Heath interrupted calmly. "In light of family being so important..."
Jane smiled at the man and took her cue. Selfishly, she had wanted this good news to come from her. "We agree that you should be able to bend a couple of rules, particularly the one which states that you cannot tell more than one other person about the Warehouse." She waited to see if the couple would catch on and when they exchanged a look of shock, she continued, "Myka, you have leave to explain everything to your parents, your sister and Tracy's significant other, if you trust them."
"And of course, your children will need to learn of the Warehouse, when you both feel the time is right," Irene added.
"Why?" the agents asked, almost simultaneously.
The head regent relaxed into his seat and began to explain. "A great responsibility has been placed upon your family's shoulders. We feel it only fitting that those shoulders should have the firmest foundations. Bringing your parents and sister's family into the fold, if only by allowing them to understand your unique relationship, would assist that."
Regent Lattimer looked over at her son's best friend and the former rogue agent and offered them an expression of empathy. "It isn't easy to see your child or partner fighting dangerous odds for the sake of the greater good. You will need the support. Christina will need the support."
Silence stretched throughout the room as the gravity of their situation weighed heavily on all of them for a time. Adwin shot a concerned glance at Irene, who returned the look with a slow blink that cautioned patience. Myka and Helena conducted a non-verbal conversation beside each other and eventually, their expressions relaxed, matching smiles replacing their concern.
"We would like time to consider your offer carefully, but I am certain that our answer will be yes," HG answered for herself and her wife-to-be.
"Thank you," Myka added softly. "We can't help but worry sometimes, about the future, but you're right; having our family's support can only make us stronger. We're going to be ready for whatever comes. Christina will not have to face anything on her own."
Within a week of the meeting with the regents and Mrs Fredrick, Helena and Myka's house was full of the sound of voices chattering and laughing. After their weighty talk about the future, they both felt that an impromptu gathering was needed to make the most of their time together. Who knew how long they had left before they were no longer within five minutes walk of each other? Would they still take the time from their busy lives to meet for coffee, chat about the state of the world or just appreciate the odd family they had become?
They would continue to meet when it became necessary to discuss the Warehouse of course. While Myka and Helena were still (ostensibly) considering their offer to become unofficial regents, Pete and Steve were happy to remain as freelance agents. In one way or another, they were all tied to the mystical monstrosity.
Gathering around the dining table, the group began to tuck into their meal with gusto. It was a little tighter around the table compared to the previous year; two highchairs forced them all to get a little cosier, but no one really complained.
Two couples sat at either end of the table, opposite their other halves, so they could split their attention between their meal and the baby beside them. In the centre, Christina sat beside Leena, opposite Steve and Claudia, with whom she had begun a silent mash-mountain competition.
Carrots acted as supports to prevent the base of her construction from slipping as she used the tip of her knife to arrange peas in a spiral from foot to summit. Strips of carefully sliced beef carved patterns in the surface to create cracks and the young girl gave the end sculpture a final, critical glance before gazing up in triumph at her red-headed friend.
"Now you're just showing off," Claudia responded, ducking down to stare between the salt and pepper pots. "But the student," she added with a victorious grin as she turned her plate to reveal her own masterpiece. "Has yet to become the teacher."
Christina's mouth dropped open slightly at the vision of a mountaineer reaching for a 'rock', a 'rope' holding them close to the mash-mountain. "Wha...?"
Myka had been keeping an eye on the game between her friend and daughter while Helena kept their son entertained. She chuckled silently to herself as her daughter pouted dramatically and the future caretaker spared no feeling with her victory dance.
HG turned from her son's toothless grin to share a thought with her fiancée and spotted the antics. With a raised eyebrow and half a grin, the inventor shook her head. "Children," she addressed her daughter and fellow agent. "You are supposed to eat your food, not play with it."
"It's art, Mummy," Christina protested as she scooped a forkful of mash and shoved it into her mouth, causing her cheeks to bulge.
"You've been spending too much time with your Uncle Pete," HG admonished lightly. "I know you have better table manners than that."
The nine-year-old swallowed, washed the food from her mouth with a sip of water and grinned cheekily at the older Victorian. Helena rolled her eyes and sighed while Myka snorted into her drink.
Further down the table, Agent Lattimer, true to his nature, had a mouthful of food while arguing across the table with his new mission buddy. "We're gonna be covert agents. The undercover elite, Steve'O. We need a code-name and Lynx just makes sense. Lattimer and Jinks. Get it?"
"Yes, as difficult as that was to put together, I still don't think we need a code-name," Steve disagreed. "Our actual names are less conspicuous."
"And boring," Pete insisted. "This is our best chance to be awesome. I mean, I'm already mostly there," he winked at Lila and flexed comically, drawing a few chuckles. "But you need my help, dude."
Claudia leaned over her plate slightly, smirking mischievously at the overgrown child. "You may be close to the epitome of awesomeness Lattimer, but my bestie is fab-u-lous," she announced with attitude, head jerking from side-to-side and punctuated with clicking fingers.
Steve buried his head in his hands and groaned. "I really wish you'd forget my alter-ego."
"Never," the red head whispered in his ears. "You know I live for the moments you let her loose." She stared at the side of his head, grinning, waiting.
Agent Jinks rolled his eyes, knowing he'd brought this on himself. Thinking it was best to indulge her and get it over with, he puffed himself up and turned to face his best friend. "Girlfriend, neither you nor the 'Rock 'em Sock 'em' robot here can handle the real me," he insisted, putting as much sass into his words as possible.
Several grins lit up around the table, including Helena, who couldn't help but remember dear friends she had once known, but it was the sudden gurgling chuckle rising from Fredrick's lungs that threw the entire table into stitches.
Agent Jinks blushed slightly and appeared quietly pleased with himself. "See, Lattimer? I'm down with the young crowd."
"Oh you think that's impressive? Watch this..." Pete turned to his daughter and picked two parsnips from the serving dish on his left – his own plate having been empty for some time while he continued to reach for leftovers.
Knowing exactly where this demonstration was heading, Lila calmly grasped her boyfriend's wrist and removed the food from his fingers. "Babe, impressionable young minds around, remember?"
"Oh come on," he protested, still grinning. "You let me do it at home!"
"I let you do a lot of things at home," she responded, suggesting that it was a hardship, but the sparkle in her blue eyes said otherwise.
Pete let out a suggestive growl and grinned wider at the flush suffusing Lila's cheeks. He waggled his eyebrows, which drew a giggle from the high chair next to him. Turning to his daughter, he repeated the action, and then puffed up his cheeks to blow a raspberry.
"See," he turned back to Steve. "Awe-some!"
The odd conversation resumed around the table as Agent Jinks shook his head. "Doesn't count when it's your own child. She's already got you wrapped around her little fingers."
"That's 'cuz the ladies love the Pete-man," Agent Lattimer countered. "Not that I would have difficulty with the other side," he tipped his head at Steve.
After the chaos of their meal was cleared away, the babies went down for a nap while Christina brought an activity book to the table and Helena replenished their drinks. Once they were seated again, Myka caught her fiancée's eye and made their announcement.
"As you've probably all guessed that we would, Helena and I have agreed to accept Mr Kosan's offer to become unofficial regents." She smiled as there were a series of whoops and congratulations around the room. "I didn't think that I would be satisfied with anything but being an agent for a long time yet, but with all the things that have happened this year and knowing what it's like to be a full-time mom, I have to say that I'm kind of excited about what we have planned."
"My Mom's gonna be thrilled, guys," Pete told Myka and Helena with genuine enthusiasm. "She says they really need you two to be near the top, calling the shots. I don't know about Steve, but I know I'm gonna feel much better working under the two of you." He winked again and Lila smacked his arm. He threw it around her shoulder and she rolled her eyes but automatically leant in closer.
"Have you decided where you'd like to live?" Lila asked, smiling now as her boyfriend's fingers trailed up and down her arm.
Christina perked up at the slight change in topic and looked expectantly at her mothers.
"We are still looking at Rapid City and Colorado Springs but the general consensus is near Denver." Helena reached to her right to brush a hand over her daughter's hair. "We are all rather partial to the larger city environment, but on the outskirts where there is more opportunity to find an element of wilderness."
"We absolutely have to have a big back garden with a strong tree," Christina explained conversationally. "I picked out three houses that I want to look at, and they're all near parks and good schools if I decide I'd like to go."
"We all like the look of Boulder," Myka added. "On the edge of the city and the edge of the woods. Lots of opportunity for hikes and learning a few survival skills. Plus, easier access to the airport for those all-important family adventures." The excitement in her voice was palpable as the prospect of finding firmer roots for her family; a place for her children to learn and grow, developed in her mind. "How about you two? Are you Univillers for life now?"
"We were waiting for you to buy your castle and offer us a wing," Pete teased. "HG needs space to store all of her monocles and moustaches."
Lila offered their friends a sheepish smile. "Since my work is flexible in regards to where we live and Pete says he should be close to Myka to make sure that she doesn't find the stick that he removed," she paused as a few titters rounded the table and the pseudo-siblings exchanged looks promising retribution and further teasing. "We've been looking at some of the smaller districts for something that we can afford."
"Does that mean we'll still be living close to each other?" A hopeful young voice immediately piped up.
"That's the plan," Agent Lattimer grinned at his niece. "When you have a family like ours, you have to move mountains to stick together," he told her wisely.
For the next hour or so, they talked about the future; the efforts they would make to ensure that bonds remained strong, and for the adults, their responsibilities with the Warehouse.
As evening crept closer, the guests reluctantly bid the Bering and Wells family a fond farewell and returned to their respective homes. There was a strong feeling of contentment as the house fell quiet and the family returned to the living room.
Helena sat on the rug with Christina lying beside her and Freddy watching them closely from his bouncer. At three months old, he spent a lot of his time trying to crane his neck to get a good look at everything going on around him. While he couldn't raise his head for very long yet, he was persistent and insisted on keeping a running commentary of his efforts while he had his parents' and sister's attention.
"Mummy," the nine-year-old mumbled around the end of her pencil. Her brows scrunched together as she tapped the rubber against her chin and observed her brother. "When will Freddy learn to talk?"
"He's learning now, my love," the inventor smiled softly. "He's listening all the time to us talking and he's practising when he babbles. If you mean, 'when will he say words that we can recognise?', then I'm afraid you might have to wait for a while yet. You were almost eighteen months before you said your first word." She paused as she thought back to that uncertain time and all of the concerns for her daughter that she'd struggled with as a single mother. "For a long time, we were worried that you wouldn't catch on, but when you started, it was like you had begun a marathon with a sprint; one day nothing, and the next a string of prepositional phrases."
Myka caught the conversation as she entered the room with a tray of nibbles and smiled as she remembered the pillow talk she and Helena had had on this subject a few months ago – it had been gratifying to learn that her daughter was so much like her as an infant. She found a space between her children, kissed her son's head and began to help herself to food.
"What was it," Christina's curious tone rose above Freddy's 'chatter'. "My first word?"
"Cup," HG answered, grinning as her daughter frowned.
"Cup?" the girl asked in disappointment and surprise. "I thought it might have been 'Mummy'."
"Well, as a matter of fact, it actually sounded like 'bum' which is fairly close to 'mum', if you want to think about it that way," Helena teased.
Christina giggled and Fredrick paused in his monologue to gaze at her with anticipation. "I did not say bum!" she insisted.
"Well," Helena began to retell the tale. "Plosive sounds can be harder to say. Bum was the best you could manage. Charles and I pointed to a variety of items while you tried in vain to make your desires understood and in the end, you were content with your cup, so we agreed that you were trying to say 'cup'." The older agent paused to study her son for a moment before turning back to the nine-year-old. "Since my mother overheard our conversation and refused to acknowledge either Charles or I for the remainder of the evening, I decided that 'bum' was a very acceptable first word for my little angel."
Christina grinned as she scrambled onto her knees and launched herself into her mother's lap, almost knocking the wind out of the older Brit.
"Darling, you are getting much too big to be clambering all over me like this," Helena complained half-heartedly.
"I'm still little," Christina protested in a rare moment of infantile sulking that had manifested sometime around the end of Fredrick's first week of life. Her Mummy fell back due to the increased weight and propped herself up by her elbows as the girl leaned over her.
"Indeed?" HG asked, a little breathlessly.
"Too little for trick and treat?" Myka added, knowing that the unspecified warning would grab the girl's attention.
"No!" Christina cried in horror. After a moment of staring with her Mama, the girl smiled and turned back to the woman beneath her. "Am I really heavy, Mummy?" she asked as she bounced deliberately, her tone teasing.
"A little," Helena conceded gently and then pretended to inspect her daughter's figure. "I suspect it is because you are full of giggles as usual."
Myka chuckled at the diagnosis while she tickled Freddy's arms, delighting in his gummy-grin. "I wonder how you'll get them all out?" she asked, feigning ignorance.
As fingers found her ribs, Christina gasped and tried to escape but it was too late, her fate was sealed - her attacker showed no mercy and she collapsed to the floor in a heap of gleeful spasms.
Up next: book shop shenanigans and shared secrets...