A/N: So you're going to have to stick with me on this one. It's a chapter that might not make too much sense right now, but I promise, it'll make sense in later chapters. Things will kind of come back around to this later. I PROMISE! Then of course, fluff needs to be thrown in there as well because it's Bering-Wells. Obviously. ;)
Sorry this took so long, life... it gets in the way sometimes. Enjoy. :)
After a few weeks, everyone at the warehouse was getting back into the groove of things; going out to hunt artifacts, doing inventory, fighting over who had to do inventory, deciding that inventory was better than gooery cleaning, and getting back into the family stuff; taking care of Sarah, the B&B, and spending time with each other.
It appeared that Abigail and Steve's presence and contribution to this growing family was much needed. Myka and Helena did their sessions together at first, but eventually split their time to talk about things that were really bothering them. Everyone else did individual talks with Abigail, and as soon as she figured that Abigail was one of the good guys, even Claudia managed to ditch the emails and texts, and go for walks with their new friend. Throughout the weeks, Steve's past was revealed as an ATF agent and his skills were immediately put to use in the field as he was partnered with Claudia; his new BFF and senior agent.
Things were looking up for the team, and for one person in particular; things looking up usually meant that things would soon make a turn for the worst.
...
Myka found her lips following the thin line of morning sunlight that had managed to slip through the drawn curtains. She followed it up the planes of her wife's stomach, feeling her body responding, but sensing that her mind was elsewhere. She looked up to see Helena chewing on her lip, comfortably resting against the set of pillows behind her, dark eyes intensely staring off into space.
"Helena?" Myka whined, pulling herself over the other woman's body and dipping her head down to kiss the side of her neck. She stayed there, nipping and teasing the soft flesh, knowing that this area was one of Helena's many weaknesses.
"Myka, I've been thinking." Helena felt her wife stop, before lips moved against her skin once more.
"I know." Myka huffed, kissing along Helena's collar bone, to the hollow of her neck, licking her way up to Helena's chin and finally to her lips; capturing them sweetly before pulling away. "I can tell. Stop. Thinking. So. Much." Myka pecked at Helena's lips between each word.
Helena sighed. "I can't help it."
Myka deflated into Helena's chest, exhausted by this woman she loves so much, before rolling back onto her side of the bed. She pulled the sheet against her chest self consciously as she sat up against the headboard, looking away.
"Darling." Helena noticed the change in Myka instantly, rolling over the side of the bed; her bare body showing as she reached for a large t-shirt discarded the night before. She pulled it over her head and sat next to her wife.
"So what is it?" Myka was still staring at the window, her knees drawn in tightly to her chest.
"Myka please. You need to hear me out."
"This has something to do with your private sessions with Abigail doesn't it?" Myka didn't know why, but her chest was tight with anxiety, her heart racing so fast it felt as though it weren't even beating.
Helena nodded, scooting closer to Myka and tugging at her knees until the younger woman gave in and leaned against her.
"My love. I..." Helena didn't want to bring it up, but something was bothering her. "I know you think I'm strong, everything with Christina, with being who I was in a world where it was unacceptable. I know you look at me as though I can't hurt."
"Baby I know you hurt. I look at you and admire your strength, your courage and grace; but I know you hurt. I've seen it all those times you felt safe enough to share it with me. So please just tell me." Myka pleaded with Helena, but she was used to taking time and being patient with her wife.
"I think that New York is still affecting me." She paused, allowing Myka time to process what she had said.
"You never said anything." Myka tried not to sound hurt, but a little tremor in her voice gave her away.
"I felt selfish. I didn't know what to say Myka. That artifact had a hold on you, not me and how was I supposed to tell you that I felt like a victim, when I wasn't and you were!" Helena raised her voice as she tried to handle her emotions.
"You were a victim of that stupid mask Helena. We all were. You suffered just as much as I did, but you fought through it and you saved us. So yes, you hurt, but you are stronger than anyone so you should have just told me."
"I'm sorry." This time it was Helena who looked away. "In all my life, I've never wanted anything more than to be an agent out in the field, living the stories that I had only dreamed to be real. Even with Christina; my biggest regret was choosing work over her. I always chose the warehouse Myka. I chose being an agent over everything."
"You love being an agent."
"I love you more... and Sarah."
"Are you saying you want to leave the warehouse?" Myka leaned further into Helena's body, pulling her hand into her own, lending her support.
"No. Perhaps a change in priorities. Sometimes I hate that we're getting old, but it's not all bad and I want to get old with my family. I don't know why Myka, but I feel our destinies are changing." She felt Myka's body tensing and relaxing, she knew what her wife was thinking. "I'm not saying today, or tomorrow or even a year from now. I'm just asking you to consider the possibility of doing something that lets us grow old."
"Okay." Myka said softly, before pulling Helena close by her chin and finally getting a real kiss from the woman in her bed. "Good morning."
"Good morning. I'm sorry I ruined your mood." Helena nuzzled Myka's nose apologetically.
"When it comes to you..." Myka swung herself up and straddled Helena's lap, one hand reverently cupping her breast over the t-shirt, while the other one pulled her in for another kiss. She pulled away slowly, tugging Helena's bottom lip between her teeth, getting an extended moan from the woman before letting it go. "The mood can't be ruined."
They spent the next few hours in bed, enjoying each other, dozing off, and reading a little before jumping in the shower.
Around noon, Myka bounced into the B&B, something about having a serious talk like that with Helena made the atmosphere lighter. She always felt like a huge weight had been lifted off both their shoulders and now that all concerns were out in the open, she didn't feel anxious and scared.
"Woah! What's up with you?" Claudia asked Myka when she lightly strolled into the kitchen.
"Nothing." Myka answered quickly.
"Lie." Steve walked in from behind, mumbling as he bit into his bagel.
"You weren't even looking at me." Myka swung around, throwing her hands up in wonderment.
"You have a tell with your shoulders and neck, it's easy to see back here." He finished off his bagel smiling, Claudia walked past Myka and high fived the lie detector.
"I can't believe Artie put you two together. Deadly combination." Myka grabbed a cup of coffee and sat down in one of the chairs, opening up the paper.
Helena bounced into the B&B just as Claudia was about to ask Myka more questions.
"Good morning!" She walked past Claudia and Steve, heading straight for Myka who smiled coyly into her coffee cup.
"Good afternoon you mean?" Steve tilted his head questioningly, turning away when HG took Myka's face in her hands and pulled her into a heated kiss.
Steve turned red, still not as used to the PDA those two would exhibit most hours of the day, Claudia rolled her eyes and pulled out her phone to text. 'Abigail, Myka and HG have scarred me again... HELP!' "You know, some of us aren't as lucky with the amazing sex life and all, so could you guys cool it?"
The women continued their kisses and innocent touches after Helena sat down.
"Ew! Moms!" Sarah walked in, only to jump back through the door with her eyes shut tight.
"You think she'd be used to it by now." Helena whispered against Myka's lips before sitting back. "It's safe, you can come in now."
Sarah hesitantly entered, eyeing her parents out as she went to the fridge. "First the other morning at home and now here!? I thought I said keep it in the bedroom." She said with a sweet but serious tone. "At least keep it out of where everyone eats. You already ruined our kitchen for me, don't ruin this one too."
Myka and Helena burst out laughing, Claudia and Steve just looked at each other.
"Don't even ask guys. You really don't want to know." Sarah sat across her mothers with a cup of tea and a bowl of fruit, dropping her face into her hands in embarrassment. "Are all parents like this, or just mine?"
Claudia decided then to pipe in. "I don't remember how my parents were... Jinksy?"
"I don't really talk to my mom anymore... not the best relationship. Myka?"
"God, I would never think of how my parents are with each other. As far as I'm concerned, separate bedrooms."
"Darling, don't be silly. Everyone has a sex life, even your parents." Helena rested her hand on Myka's knee.
"EW! Mum stop."
"Yeah, Helena please don't..." Myka buried her face in Helena's shoulder.
"It's the truth, and it can't be denied." Everyone stared at the Brit. "Well don't look at me, my parents died a long time ago and honestly I don't remember." She bit into a blueberry scone.
Sarah was still sulking over it, embarrassed by her parents and wanting them to just stop looking at each other like... 'like that!' She wished she could gouge her eyes out sometimes.
Helena and Myka went back to whispering and giggling. She got up abruptly and started walking out.
"Maybe it's an artifact?" Steve offered.
Claudia laughed. "Well if it is an artifact, it's been on them for years because this is pretty much how it's always been."
"It sucks." Sarah whispered as she walked past the two and went out into the living room.
Myka and Helena looked up, then at each other. They stood at the same time, ready to follow their daughter out, but Claudia held up a hand to stop them. "I got this one guys. You go ahead and do your thing, I'll take care of Little Bering-Wells."
"You sure Claude?"
"Yup. I got this one." She smiled at her two friends, hugging them both close. "You guys are a little too touchy feely for a teenager to deal with, but don't worry, you're not too embarrassing."
"Thank you Claudia." Helena kissed her cheek, sending her off. "Go do your thing future care taker."
...
Sarah sat on the couch, hugging a pillow to her chest, wollowing in her teenage angst.
"Hey kid, what's going on?"
"My moms are so... why are they so...?"
"In love?" Claudia smirked at the teens dumbfounded look. "Look, here's what I got from that lovely family discussion back there... I don't remember my parents, they died in a car crash when I was little and I wish I could remember all the lovey dovey times that they shared but I can't. For all I know, they hated each other. Steve, doesn't talk to his mom, I don't know if he has a dad... Your mom, she had the worst relationship with her parents growing up so any love they may have had in them, definitely wasn't shown to her."
"And mum?"
"She probably remembers her mom being considered 'property' or something. I don't know how it was back then."
"So you're saying..."
"I'm saying that you're lucky. You have both of your parents here and they both love you so much and they love each other. It might be uncomfortable and weird, especially since you're a teenager, but you're one of the lucky ones." She kissed the top of Sarah's head and messed up her hair a bit with her hand. "Think about it." And she left, unfortunately her leaving was no where near Mrs. Fredrics, but she managed to slip out quietly.
...
Helena and Myka spent the rest of the day at the warehouse, HG working in her section, and Myka working in the office with Artie. Sarah stayed at the B&B and helped Leena work on a few things until her parents came back.
Later that night, Sarah walked to her parents bedroom and lightly knocked on the door before opening it.
"Can I come in?" She asked quietly, her parents sitting on the bed with books in their hands.
"Only if you have an Austen novel in your hands because apparently that is what we're reading this week." Helena turned the page, already halfway through her book.
Myka laughed, looked up at Sarah and smiled.
"I'll get one!" She ran off to her bedroom and returned quickly, jumping between the two bodies and snuggling in.
"What is it then?" Helena tried to peek, but Sarah hugged it to her chest.
"Let me tell you guys something first." She cleared her throat as Myka and Helena slowly closed their books. "I love you guys, and sometimes the PDA thing is a little too much for me, but I'm happy that you guys are happy and that you guys love each other so much. There are a lot of kids out there who aren't so lucky. I'm sorry if I made you guys feel bad about it."
"Darling, you only made your mother feel bad about it, I didn't mind at all." Helena really didn't mind, nothing could stop her from showing how much she loved her wife and why would she be ashamed by that? One day her daughter would fall in love and be the same way.
"Helena." Myka warned, glaring over their daughters head.
"I'm sorry you guys." Sarah kissed her mother's cheeks and settled in, showing them her book.
"Very good choice love." Helena said as she read over the title.
"Why 'Emma'?" Myka asked curiously.
"Well, you're reading 'Mansfield Park,' and Mum is reading 'Northanger Abbey.' So I picked the one that was published between the two." She said simply as if it should be clear to anyone with a brain.
Myka couldn't help but be a little proud. She wrapped her arm around Sarah and pulled her in close, opening her book back up. Helena leaned in with her book as well, the three of them cuddled close together, reading late into the night.
"Love you." Was the last thing Sarah said before she fell asleep in her mother's arms, her book collapsing on her stomach.
Helena and Myka put the books on the side and pulled the blanket over them, chuckling softly.
"I love when she's like this." Myka whispered to Helena.
"Me too. Why can't she stay our little girl forever?" Helena pouted.
"She will. Even when she's old and embarrassing her own kids." Myka said as she leaned over and quickly kissed Helena goodnight. "I love you."
"I love you forever darling."
Thank you for reading this and please review and if you have any questions feel free to ask and I will try my best to answer. I know this chapter probably seemed pointless... idk. I swear, it's important. I wanted to make it about serious questions, we know our agents are getting older, they can't do this forever, so I'm just setting things up. Please please please stay with me on this. I appreciate the support and the criticism and suggestions. It really does mean a lot that you guys care so much so thank you. Love you all. XO