Six Degrees of Separation
Both Helena and Myka felt the new energy surge – but experienced it as more of a flowing sensation between them. Neither spoke of it, but smiled in accepting that it happened. After all, there really aren't words that do justice to the phenomenon of Oneness.
"We must go," Helena said softly and retrieved the tubular object that had carried Myka's ring into orbit and back.
Then the pair walked down the lighted pathway to the flat spot from which they had emerged. Helena turned back and watched as the lights disappeared – as scheduled. Without touching a thing, the entry way reopened and the stairs welcomed them back into the elevator. Helena went first and then waited for Myka to descend. The covering was closed and the carriage took them down to the waiting car. Myka secretly wished the tunnel afforded them space to have the seats next to one another because she wanted to be next to Helena, not behind her. Minutes later, they came out of the lower level of the townhouse and up into the hallway.
"I just need to tell them everything is okay," Helena whispered to Myka in the darkened foyer and took out her phone.
"Mission successful," Helena typed to Claudia who was inside the van across the street.
"And we're done people," Claudia relayed to everyone.
"Done? What is done?" Jane asked when the officer relayed the message.
"I think they got what they came for," Pete said and smiled, looking at Leena.
"I have a really good feeling about tonight," Eileen said as Claudia shut down all the systems that helped make the event go off without a hitch.
"I don't think I understand," Sarah Styles said to Bridget who was gathering the blanket and thermos.
"I am not sure we're supposed to," Bridget said. She couldn't imagine Helena had gone to this much trouble to receive a package back from orbit unless it was very important. And nothing was more important to Helena than Myka.
"We must tell our families in the morning," Helena said and Myka pulled her in and smiled. Then a slight pang filled Myka, to think Helena didn't have her immediate family to share this news with.
"You know, you broke a lot of hearts tonight," Myka said later, snuggling next to Helena in bed.
"As long as one of them isn't yours, Myka," Helena said, kissing her fiancée.
"This is so beautiful," Myka said, putting her hand up and looking at her engagement ring.
The five caret princess-cut diamond was surrounded on each side by a trapezoid cut diamond that shone in absolute perfection. Papers would report that its cost was in excess of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. This was less expensive than the cost of the trip it took in space.
"And it circled the moon?" Myka practically squealed.
"A small detour really," Helena said. "Tell me about mine, Myka," Helena asked and mimicked the motion to look at her ring. Helena couldn't remember ever seeing such an exquisite ring. Or could she?
"It is beautiful, isn't it?" Myka said. Myka had grown up admiring the ring that her grandmother wore.
"It is perfect, Myka," Helena said, kissing Myka to assure her.
"Well, my father's mother wore it. It's been in the Bering family forever it seems. We're not entirely sure of the story, but think my great-great-great grandfather got it when he was overseas. My grandmother left it to me when she died. You would have liked her," Myka said fondly.
"I'm sure I would have," Helena said – holding her hand up to let the light shine on the bright and beautiful round brilliant-cut four caret diamond. The rest of the art deco mounting was adorned with glistening full cut diamonds in decorative openwork.
"We are so lucky, aren't we Helena?" Myka asked, looking into Helena's dark eyes.
"Without a doubt," Helena concurred.
Finally, the early morning hour was dawning and the lovers were entwined in each others arms and asleep.
Hours later – and not many hours later – Myka woke with a start. She quickly felt her finger to make sure the entire night had not been a dream. Anyone would think that if they had had such a perfect evening.
"There you are," Helena said, approaching the bed with a tray. She put it down on the dressing couch and walked over to kiss Myka.
"There you are," Myka said – but with a little disappointment in her tone. She had hoped Helena's 'there' would be still in bed, next to her.
"I do apologize, darling. In my haste to set everything in place, I thought it best to invite our friends to brunch so that we can tell them the news before the press finds out," Helena said apologetically as she retrieved the tray and put it over Myka's lap.
"Oh," Myka said, disappointment lacing her tone. "Sure," she added, because it did make sense. "This is a big plate," Myka commented as she lifted up the silver covering over her dish. On top of the plate, and under the cover was a bowl of freshly cut fruits. "I am starving," Myka said looking at the tray for a utensil.
Helena took the top away and gave Myka a napkin. "There's no fork," Myka said, knowing she was supposed to comment.
"I know," Helena said, walking to her own side of the bed, kicking off her shoes, and getting in next to Myka. Helena propped herself up, her head now resting on her hand. "I'm going to feed you."
Myka smiled a broad smile and opened her lips just a little. Helena took a piece of cantaloupe and slowly ran it across Myka's lower lip. Myka laughed at the cool sensation and opened her mouth to receive the food, but Helena was taking her time and pulled it away.
"You have to take it in slowly," Helena said, using her newly adorned left hand to tease with the food.
"But I want it now," Myka said, pouting her lips and playing along.
"Oh no one knows that more than I do, love," Helena said, smiling devilishly.
Helena may have thought she was orchestrating this, but Myka was about to one-up her. She pushed Helena's hand towards her mouth and took in the fruit and Helena's slender fingers, slowly sucking on both and only drawing them out after she swallowed the fruit.
It would be the last time Helena brought fruit in a china bowl, on a china plate with a silver dome covering. The noise of the tray and its contents being tossed over the side of the bed could be heard downstairs where Leena looked up at the ceiling and smiled saying - "I knew that was a bad idea."
"Do you have any idea how crazy I am about you, Helena?" Myka asked, as she pushed Helena's raven locks back out of her face. Helena had flung the tray and contents off and straddled Myka all in one fell swoop. Now Helena lay over Myka, as she lowered her head to kiss her.
"I believe I do," Helena said, leaving a trail of kisses down Myka's neck and breasts.
Myka reached up and grabbed Helena to her own body, no longer able to stand the space between them. Legs wrapped around Helena's clothed body and the lovers kissed passionately again.
"How much longer?" Pete said, reaching for the freshly baked scones. He had arrived as instructed with the others.
"Well, from the sound of things, I'd say not much longer," Leena said because things had been quiet up there for some time now. She was grateful she didn't have to greet the morning guests in the foyer when the two women were yelling each other's names at the top of their lungs. She'd remind Helena to close the bedroom door next time.
"I wish I knew why she didn't show up," Jane said.
"I think things went off as planned," Eileen said. She didn't know what the plan was, but she knew Helena when things didn't go her way. Having friends over for brunch was not what she did.
Moments later, the door opened and Helena walked in, holding hands with Myka. The glow was clear on both of their faces.
"Thank you all for coming," Myka said.
"We have some wonderful news," Helena said, her smile just as wide as Myka's.
"Helena and I …," Myka said, turning to look into Helena's eyes.
"Are…going…to get married," Helena said slowly, a little distracted from the pools of green that held her in their gaze.
"WOOHOO!" Claudia said, jumping up and rushing at the women. She grabbed them both and kept repeating, "I'm so happy for you, I'm so happy for you."
Eileen was right behind her and grabbed Helena first. "Oh my God, my Aunt Rose does the most wonderful showers. We have to tell her," the woman gushed.
"This is just the best news," Pete said and hugged Myka and then Helena. "I'm really happy for you, boss."
"The City of New York owes you a debt of gratitude," Jane teased as she hugged Myka. She turned to Helena and extended her hand, but when Helena took it, Jane pulled the Brit in for a hug. Myka bit her lip as she watched Helena's eyes widen as the detective grabbed her.
And then Helena searched the room. A look of concern came over her face as she realized who wasn't there. She grabbed her phone, and accessed the program that was recording Irene's vitals.
"It's okay, Helena, she's in the library," Leena said, reading the concern on her boss' face.
"What? Why is she?" Helena asked annoyed and relieved at the same time.
"Go to her," Myka said, because if Mrs. Frederic was in another room, there was a reason. Helena had called her that morning to let her know what the others were just finding out. Helena kissed Myka and went to the library – annoyed.
"You see those rings?" Pete whispered to Leena while the women gathered around Myka to see her ring.
"Yes," Leena said.
"Maybe a light hit the two rings and whoosh," Pete said, raising his hand up to imitate a beam of light.
"I don't know about that," Leena said smiling.
"Yeah," Pete said, still trying to explain what he saw in the park.
Helena entered the library where Mrs. Frederic sat sipping her tea and waiting.
"Is there a reason you are not inside with the others?" Helena asked, hands on her hips and her irritation present.
"Yes," Irene answered, only furthering the Brit's frustration.
"Are you feeling okay, because I have every indication that you are fine," Helena said without thinking.
"Yes, we'll talk about that later. Sit down, Helena," Irene said, patting the cushion next to her.
"But…," Helena said and instinctively looked back in the direction of the dining room.
"You can stand to be apart for two minutes, now sit," Irene said, repeating the patting motion.
Helena looked back one more time before conceding and sitting down.
"Let me see your ring," Irene said, taking Helena's hand on purpose. "It's beautiful."
"Yes, thank you. It is, isn't it?" Helena said of the ring. Helena looked at her hand as Irene gazed down on it. "What is the reason you are not with the others?"
"I don't like crying in front of other people, Helena," Irene said truthfully and took both of Helena's hands in hers. "I wanted a moment alone with you to tell you how very happy I am for you and Myka. Myka is a very lucky girl," Irene said and immediately softened Helena's mood. "Helena, I wanted to say how very proud I am of you." The woman's voice cracked just a little when she said that.
Helena looked at Irene trying to grasp her meaning. "Because of the rocket that took Myka's ring around the moon before depositing it back here? I designed it myself," Helena said proudly.
"No," Irene said and quickly added – "But that was amazing." She knew how to soothe the inventor's ego.
"Because I pulled off the greatest engagement of all time?" Helena asked, smiling at how she did it.
"That was spectacular, although I believe Myka's spontaneous proposal may have upstaged you, just a little," Irene teased.
"Ironically, she was the only part I didn't plan for," Helena admitted and grinned at that fact.
"Helena," Irene said, looking right at her, "I worried for the longest time that you would not find true love. I worried you would lock out the world and not allow anyone into that magnificent heart of yours. And then Myka came into your life. And I knew she would be the one for you. I am so proud Helena, that you took that risk and let her in," Irene said and now words stuck in her throat as the emotions pushed upward.
"I am indeed a very fortunate woman," Helena said, cupping Irene's cheek.
"Yes, Myka is….," Irene started to agree, but was interrupted.
"I was referring to you. I am blessed to have you in my life, Irene," Helena said softly.
Irene didn't expect that acknowledgement and it pushed her emotions over the edge. She hugged Helena's hand as two small trails of tears fell from her eyes.
"Let's join the others, shall we?" Irene said, her new heart pounding with the joy of having Helena Wells in her life.
Helena took Irene's hand and they walked arm in arm, back into the dining room where Myka beamed at the sight of Helena so happy. Myka watched as everyone encircled Helena to get a closer look at her ring. She smiled as it dawned on her she had been mistaken when she worried Helena had no one to tell.
As she watched Helena explain how the evening unfolded, Myka realized Helena was indeed - surrounded by family.
Next up - someone named Giselle is going to get it. (S5 Finale)
Hold a grudge much?
Bridget is late but she will be there. And Steve is picking her up.
Myka and Helena's rings can be seen on Twitter at ManhattaniteNYC