Part 3
After dinner they gathered in the living room. The fire was yet again crackling in the fireplace when Helena placed her hand on top of the small book in her lap. She looked up and smiled at them.
"I acquired this book when I was back in my house in London. It is the shortened version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol. He edited this himself in order to read it to an audience," she explained with a sad smile. "This is the book Charles and I used to read from on Christmas Eve."
"Wow," Claudia whispered and stared at the old book.
"It must be worth a fortune. It's a first edition, isn't it?" Myka said.
"Yes darling. Dickens gave it to my brother only a few short months before he passed away. I don't really remember it. I was too young at the time."
"Dickens autographed it?" Pete exclaimed.
Helena nodded and opened the cover to show them the inscription. "To my namesake, young master Wells. Merry Christmas, C. Dickens," Helena read from memory.
Myka gaped as she stared at the elaborate inscription in thin black ink. "Incredible."
Helena sipped her port before getting comfortable in her chair. With a smile she started to read.
Sweets and chocolates slowly disappeared from the plates on the coffee table as the group listened to Helena read. The fire crackled anew when Pete put another log on the glowing embers. Claudia sat by Myka's feet, leaning against her legs. Myka watched Helena who seemed to be in her element, reading the old story with eagerness and passion.
"And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless Us…" Helena said slowly.
"Every One!" they all chimed in.
Helena grinned and bowed her head. She slowly closed the book and rested her hand on top.
"Thank you so much, Helena," Myka said, still in awe at the thought of having H.G. Wells read an original Dickens to her.
"My pleasure, darling."
"It's getting late," Pete said and glanced at the clock on the mantle. "Perhaps we should open the first gift of Christmas?"
"Great idea!" Claudia agreed.
Helena looked at Myka and they shared an amused smile at the others' eagerness at opening presents. Turning her head, Helena gently touched Pete's arm as he walked by her.
"Pete, perhaps the gifts I brought back from London would do?"
"What do you mean?" he asked with a frown.
"I grabbed a few odds and ends from my house before I left. Thinking that you might enjoy them I boxed some of them up as presents. I of course bought you real presents too," she said and laughed. "These are more for fun."
Pete looked at Myka and she nodded eagerly. "Okay, so which ones are they?"
"The ones wrapped in white fabric with red ribbons," Helena said quickly and gestured over to the left side of the tree.
Pete quickly found the five gifts and pulled them out. Reading the label tied to the first one he looked up and smiled at Claudia. "To Claudia. May this inspire you as much as it did me. Merry Christmas from your friend H.G. Wells."
Claudia grinned and took the present from Pete. She pulled the bow open and placed the card on the table before unwrapping the present. She gaped at the mechanical device inside.
"Oh my freaking God, HG. This is awesome!"
Helena smiled at her and nodded. "I thought it might intrigue you."
"What is it?" Pete asked.
Claudia held up the device and his eyebrows shot up at the sight of cogs, knobs and brass wiring.
"It is a puzzle box of sorts," Helena explained. "I originally planned on giving it to Christina, but changed my mind. Her interest leaned more towards romantic types of gifts, such as dolls, ribbons and pretty things. I designed the lock with the help of my teacher, Caturanga. With the right combination you can unlock the secret chamber inside. If making a mistake, it will snap your fingers," she said and grinned.
"So keep your meat hooks off my stuff," Claudia growled at Pete. He made a face at her and her eyes narrowed. "On the other hand, bring it. Getting your fingers snapped should teach you to keep your paws away from my things."
Myka chuckled and shook her head. "Pete, why don't you open your gift?"
Pete nodded and grabbed the long narrow box. It was heavier than he thought and he looked at Helena with a puzzled look on his face. She just smiled and leaned forward.
"Read the card," Claudia said impatiently.
Forgetting the note in his eagerness to open the gift, Pete now fumbled around to find it. "Pete, I hope this will help you reach the stars and realize all your dreams, while never letting go of your inner child. Merry Christmas, from your friend H.G. Wells."
"Oh Helena," Myka whispered.
Helena got up and sat down next to Myka, taking her hand. "Perhaps these were not such bad gifts at all," she mumbled.
Myka nodded as she watched Pete open his gift. They all stared at the beautiful brass telescope resting in what appeared to be its original travel case.
"HG," Pete whispered as he picked up the beautiful object. "Wow. This is amazing. Thank you."
"It once belonged to a friend of mine. I remember looking at the stars through it while shivering in the cold of the Egyptian desert."
"I wish I could thank your friend for giving it to you," Pete said and grinned.
"I am sure that Carter would approve of me giving it to you. You see, even though I, as you well know, wanted to send a man to the stars, I found gazing at them a fruitless endeavor. I much preferred to leap into action, inventing something, rather than daydreaming about it."
"Carter," Myka said and tilted her head. "Not Howard Carter?"
Helena nodded. "Yes. Have you heard of him?"
"Helena, he is probably the most famous Egyptologist in the world!" Myka exclaimed. "He found the untouched tomb of Tutankhamen."
Helena just stared at her. "He did? Oh dear, I feel that I have indeed been lacking in keeping up with my friends' accomplishments. He would have been most annoyed with me." She smiled and her eyes sparkled with mischief. "He did have grand dreams. I often teased him about it, as a sister would with a younger brother. I was perhaps even fonder of him than of Charles."
Myka laughed and nodded. "I can see that you would've had many things in common. I'm sure he loved you too."
Helena smiled and nodded. "We were very close, but never lovers. Some relationships are just too close for it to actually feel right to add romance to the mix."
Myka glanced at Pete and their eyes met for a brief moment before they both nodded.
"Next one, Pete," Claudia said and made a "get on with it" gesture.
"To Leena. Your compassion and love is such a comfort to all of us. May your heart and spirit continue to shine. Merry Christmas from your friend H.G. Wells."
"Thank you Helena," Leena said and smiled at her.
"Be careful," Helena warned. "It is a bit fragile."
Leena nodded and gently unwrapped the gift. She sighed and held up the small alabaster statue. "She's gorgeous."
"What is it?" Claudia asked.
"It's the Goddess Artemis, the Moon Goddess from Greek Mythology," Helena explained. "It was given to me as a gift on my twenty first birthday. I feel that she needs a better home with someone who would truly understand her gift and power."
"She has always fascinated me," Leena confessed.
"Perhaps you will give her a new home now? She was homeless when she was given to me since her temple was destroyed two millennia ago."
"Where was she found?" Myka was curious to know.
"In Ephesus in Turkey. She was supposed to have been on the ship with treasures bound for England and the British Museum that unfortunately sank, but lucky for her – and us, my brother bought her."
"These are very valuable gifts," Artie said seriously.
Helena shrugged. "To me they only have sentimental value, if even that. If they can bring joy to someone else I am very pleased."
"To Artie, such a grumpy old man needs some hot stuff in…"
"Pete!" Helena exclaimed and her face turned red. "That is not what it says on the card."
Pete laughed so hard he almost fell over. "Sorry, couldn't help it," he wheezed.
Helena made a face and folded her arms. "Will you please read it properly? If not, give it to me so I can do it."
Pete gasped for air and tried to stop laughing. "I'm good," he finally said. "To Artie, who shares my love for art and music. Please accept this gift of holiday cheer. H.G. Wells."
Artie nodded and took the gift from Pete. "You know I'm Jewish right?" he muttered.
"Of course," she said and grinned. "Consider it a Hanukkah present."
Artie huffed but a small smile played at the corner of his mouth. Unwrapping the gift he slipped the card into his pocket. A soft chuckle told him that Myka had noticed. He shot her a dark look but she just grinned at him.
"Come on Artie, we haven't got all night," Pete said and rolled his eyes.
Artie opened the medium sized box and put the lid aside. Inside was a brown folder. He picked it up and slowly opened it. He gaped as he stared at the contents.
"What is it?" Pete asked.
"Balakirev,Могучая кучка, The Five," Artie whispered. He looked up and stared at Helena. "Is this real?"
She nodded. "We were introduced through friends that I stayed with while visiting Saint Petersburg. He was a charming old man, and so very talented. He played this for me before giving me the sheet music."
"Helena," Artie whispered. "I can't accept this. It's too valuable. It was given to you. You shouldn't give it away."
"Pish tosh," she said and flicked her wrist in an impatient hand gesture. "He loved his music as do you. I cannot see anyone I know who would be more fit to have this, Artie. Enjoy it. Perhaps you will even play it some time. Balakirev would have liked that."
"Okay, neat but boring," Pete said and rolled his eyes. He reached for the last gift wrapped in white. Turning the tag he grinned and read. "To Myka my darling, with all my love…"
"Peter!" Helena snapped. She held out her hand for the gift and he gave it to her. She turned to Myka and smiled at her. "Myka, you have been my guide and friend during this difficult time. I do not know if you fully understand the place you have staked out in my heart, but know this, I give you this gift with all my heart. I hope it will give you as much joy as it once did me, when I first held it in my hands."
Myka nodded, speechless. She carefully unwrapped the gift and opened the box. Inside was a thin leather-bound book that appeared to be very old. She gently picked it up.
"The Time Machine," she whispered. She looked at Helena for an explanation.
"This is the very first one ever printed. It was the prototype that they sent to me for approval."
"Oh God," Myka whispered. "This is priceless, Helena." She looked at Helena with tears in her eyes. "Thank you so much."
"My pleasure, darling."
*^o^*
*^o^*
"Let me look at it, Claud," Pete said and reached for her gift.
"You'll just hurt yourself," she said and pulled it away. "Why don't you go and set that up outside so we can see if it works?"
"It's cold and there's two feet of snow out there!" Pete said and rolled his eyes.
"Perhaps you can set it up in the sun room and open a window?" Leena suggested.
Pete grinned and nodded. "That is an excellent idea. Come on Claud."
"Hmm… perhaps we should change out of these clothes first?" Claudia mumbled and shot Helena a look.
"I'll come with you and help you," Leena offered.
Claudia looked at Helena and grinned. "HG. Best. Regifting. Ever!"
Myka laughed and nodded. Helena looked at Claudia and shook her head as she laughed.
"If you say so, darling. Now hurry along, don't keep Leena and Pete waiting."
Artie glanced at his watch. "Speaking of waiting, I need to go," he muttered.
"Where?" Myka said and frowned.
"I'm picking up Dr. Calder at the airport," he mumbled and looked away.
"Aww," Pete said and laughed. "Doc is coming here to spend Christmas with you."
"Of course not," Artie said gruffly. "She didn't have anyone to spend the holiday with so I invited her to come here. End of story."
Myka grinned at him and rubbed his arm. "Go Artie, don't let Vanessa wait."
"Yes, exactly," he nodded pleased that she understood. Starting to leave the room he suddenly stopped and walked up to Helena. "Thank you very much for your gift. It was very unexpected, but much appreciated."
Helena nodded. "You are very welcome. I look forward to hearing you play it."
He smiled at her and held out his left hand. She took it and squeezed it as she laughed.
"Hurry up Claud," Pete shouted over his shoulder.
Myka shook her head at Pete. He had changed out of his three piece suit and was now in pajama pants and a t-shirt under his open jacket. He was wearing slippers and looked pretty much ridiculous.
Claudia darted into the room dressed much in the same way except that her outfit was a bit more stylish and better color coordinated. She tugged her snowboarder hat over her head and ears, the braided straps dangling as she let go of them. She grinned at Myka and Helena on the couch.
"Are you two coming?"
Helena shook her head. "You two have fun. We will watch you from here."
"Suit yourself," she muttered and trotted after Pete with Trailer in tow.