Part 2
Helena smiled at Myka in the mirror. Myka was dressed in one of Helena's old dresses. Remembering seeing a trunk in the H.G. Wells section labeled 'clothes' and her name, Helena had finally taken time to open it. Inside she had found several of her old dresses, her favorite coat and some random shoes and boots.
Helena was dressed in a dark green silk dress with black velvet accents. She vaguely remembered wearing it for the gathering the day when they discovered Joshua's Horn. She smiled at the memory of Wolcott's embarrassment at entering her bedroom while she changed clothes. Pushing the thought aside she went back to her task at hand, buttoning Myka's dress.
"You look awesome," Claudia said and grinned at Myka.
Claudia was also in one of Helena's old dresses. It had required a little bit of altering. Eliminating one layer had shortened it enough for Claudia to be able to wear it. Helena smiled at her and the amusing sight of Claudia Donovan in curlers.
"Thanks Claud," Myka said and smiled at the girl in the mirror.
Helena's eyes met Myka's in the mirror and they shared a heated look. Even in curlers Myka looked stunning, Helena noted.
Helena's hair was rolled up on small strips of cloth to create smaller curls than the curlers. Myka had suggested that she buy some smaller curlers instead but Helena had brushed the idea away explaining that this had always worked in the past.
"My maid used to do my hair," Helena said as she closed the last button on Myka's dress and ran her hands over Myka's shoulders, smoothing out the fabric. "I will try to do my best helping you, but I cannot guarantee that I will do as good a job as she did."
Claudia shrugged. "You'll be better at it than me, that's for sure."
"Tea anyone?" Leena said with a smile.
"You read my mind, darling," Helena said and smiled at her.
Leena was also in one of Helena's old dresses. Helena noted how lovely it looked on her. Much better than it had ever looked on Helena actually, she thought for a moment. She gently took the offered cup of tea and sat down on the loveseat.
"Hey Leena, you're pretty good at doing hair, right?" Myka said and smiled at her.
"Pretty good, I guess," Leena said and smiled at her. "Do you want me to do your hair?"
"I was showing Myka and Claudia some pictures from past events," Helena said and gestured to the open photo album on the bed. "Unfortunately hair is not my forte," she added and made a face.
Leena glanced at the pictures and nodded. "I think I can do this. I did something like this a few years ago at the local amateur theater."
"You did?" Myka said surprised.
Leena nodded. "Do you want me to try?"
*^o^*
*^o^*
Pete turned around when he heard the rustling of a dress behind him. He gaped as he stared at Myka.
"Wow, Mykes, you're beautiful."
"Thank you kind sir," she said and curtsied. She looked at Pete and laughed. "Pete, it's just me."
"Hey dude, earth to Pete," Claudia said and stepped around Myka.
"Claud, you look cute as a button," he said and grinned at her.
"Not bad," Artie muttered.
Pete and Artie were each in a three piece suit. Pete had grumbled and argued with Helena about it, but finally gave in. He tugged a little at the collar on his shirt again wishing that he was in jeans and a t-shirt.
Myka accepted a glass of wine from Artie and sipped it while glancing around the room. Leena and Artie had dug out all the emergency kerosene lamps and the room was bathed in a softer light than usual thanks to the lamps and various candles. A fire crackled in the fireplace and over in the corner the Christmas tree glittered as if covered with little twinkling stars. It was the only electric light in the room. Myka knew that Helena's house had had gas light in the 1890s, but Helena still seemed to prefer the softer touch of candles and lamps.
A noise behind them made them all turn as Helena entered the room, followed by Leena. Helena smiled at their stunned faces.
"I can assure you that it is still me. An older me, but still me," she teased.
"You're gorgeous, Helena," Myka whispered and took a step closer to her.
Helena held out her hands to Myka who took them. She leaned forward and Helena kissed her cheek. Linking her arm with Myka's, Helena walked over to Pete and Artie.
"You look great Helena," Pete said, still staring at her.
She bowed her head a little accepting the praise, and the tight curls that framed her face bounced as she moved. Placing another kiss on Myka's cheek she let go of her. Artie poured her a glass of wine and nodded at her with a tiny smile on his lips. Sipping her wine she looked around the room noticing some changes since earlier in the day.
"Thank you, all of you. This is truly remarkable," she said and sighed. "It almost feels like home."
*^o^*
*^o^*
Myka smiled as she chimed in with the others. Words memorized long ago fell off of her lips like they did every year at this time. Her eyes met Helena's for a brief intimate moment. Helena's dark eyes sparkled with joy as she played, back straight, hands lifting high, as her fingers stroked the white and black keys. She flashed Claudia a smile as the girl flipped the page on the sheet music.
When the last chord echoed there was a moment of silence before the joyous laughter broke out. Helena's fingers skimmed over the keys again as she tried to make her mind up. Finally decided she hit the keys hard as she assertively started to play, grinning at them over her shoulder. The old tune was one she knew by heart and the words came to her as if it was only yesterday that she memorized them.
After a while Helena gave up her seat and Artie took over the playing. Claudia goaded him on to play one song after the other. Helena sidled up next to Myka and put her arm around Myka's waist. She smiled at her and kissed her cheek.
"Are you enjoying yourself?"
"Yeah," Myka whispered. "This was a really nice idea."
*^o^*
*^o^*
Eventually the singing ebbed out, the mulled wine cooled down and they gathered around the dining room table for a meal influenced by Helena. Claudia had rolled her eyes at the several knives and forks around her plate, muttering that she had no idea which one to use. Helena had leaned closer to her and whispered her advice. Claudia beamed at her and Myka hid her smile behind her hand. Claudia's little crush on Helena was really cute to watch.
When the highlight of the meal was served, Pete almost rubbed his hands together at the sight of the roast beef. Myka laughed at the look on his face as he gazed at his plate filled with meat, roasted potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and gravy.
"Are you going to propose to it?" she teased.
Pete made a face at her. "I appreciate food, Myka. And this, is the king of feasts," he said and picked up his knife and fork.
Helena chuckled and reached for her glass. She raised it and the light from the candles reflected in the fine crystal and its red contents.
"A toast," she said and smiled warmly at each of them. "To dear friends and loved ones, past and present."
Glasses were raised and mumbled agreements were made. Myka gently tapped her glass against Helena's and it chimed softly. Their eyes met as they sipped their drinks. Helena raised her glass to Myka again before putting it down.
"So, Helena," Claudia mumbled. "Being all prudish and Victorian and stuff, didn't you guys say grace before eating?"
"Yes, darling, we used to, though I must admit, after losing Christina my faith and interest in such things crumbled."
"Sorry," Claudia said softly.
Helena gently touched Claudia's arm. "My time here with all of you has started to restore my faith in both humanity and the universe," she said and smiled fondly at Claudia. "You have definitely played a role in that, Claudia dear."
Claudia blushed and nodded. "Cool."
Helena smiled at her again before picking up her silverware. She took a bite and looked at Leena.
"You have truly outdone yourself," she said and bowed her head.
"I'm glad you like it," Leena said, pleased that her efforts had paid off.
Dinner was normally not a very lengthy affair, but this evening none of them seemed to be in any hurry to leave the table. Myka had with Claudia's help cleared the table. She smiled to herself as she glanced at the chocolate cake on the counter in the kitchen. She had talked to Leena about the dessert and they had eventually narrowed it down to two choices based on Helena's affinity for chocolate and the fact that it was after all Christmas. After some additional weighing of pros and cons they finally agreed that the Christmas pudding would be best saved for the following day. Yet another surprise for Helena. Myka picked up the cake stand and with Claudia in tow, carrying plates, they returned to the dining room.
Helena gaped and laughed when she saw the cake. Her dessert choice had been cookies and chocolates so the cake was a pleasant surprise.
"I believe there has been some conspiring taking place behind my back," she teased.
"We thought you wouldn't mind too much," Leena said and grinned at her.
"That you made my favorite cake? Absolutely not! I would be very foolish to object to that," Helena said with a laugh.