Seventh Heaven

Helena took her seat next to Myka as everyone sat down for brunch. Suddenly, there was a loud noise in the hallway as Bridget Cummings arrived with Sarah and Steve in tow. After making sure Eileen and Claudia arrived, he had graciously offered to get the banker and her girlfriend. Steve carried in the case of Dom Perignon that Bridget brought.

"SORRY I'M LATE," Bridget yelled and then made her entrance. "OK, I have waited long enough. What is this all about?" Whatever it was, the woman was almost certain it would be toast worthy and came prepared.

Myka smiled as the whirling dervish stood in the doorway waiting. Myka held up her hand and before Helena could do the same, the banker rushed to stand behind the engaged couple and squeezed them both. "Is this not the greatest news?" Bridget took Myka's hand first because she had a feeling this was what was in the capsule whose flight she negotiated. "Your own Moon Rock," she said in her rich southern drawl and kissed Myka. "Oh God, it is just beautiful," she said of Helena's ring and kissed the woman so hard, Myka had to rub the lipstick off Helena's cheek when she was done.

"Congratulations guys," Steve said a in more subdued tone that Helena appreciated greatly. Sarah, too, offered her best wishes and immediately began designing wedding dresses in her head.

Leena got the flute glasses as the banker grabbed the first bottle and popped the cork like a woman who had done this many times before.

"I would like to make a toast," Bridget said as Pete poured the drink into each of the glasses and the poured himself a seltzer. When everyone had a filled one, Bridget began. "To my dear friends, Helena and Myka. Why am I not surprised you both had the same idea at the same time?" she asked and everyone laughed. "We couldn't be happier for you. Congratulations and we wish you all the very best," Bridget finished, and everyone echoed the sentiment.

"I've wished for this all my life," Eileen said because it felt that way and her friends erupted into heartfelt laughter.

Claudia stared at her and squeezed her shoulder saying, "Oh, you are so romantic!"

The food was served and the chatter escalated as Bridget asked Helena all the questions she was not allowed to ask while the plans were underway. As soon as Helena went to answer one, Bridget interjected with her version of what was going on.

"So I said, I can vouch for this woman one thousand percent. She won't do anything to jeopardize the security of the nation," Bridget laughed as she told her side of the story.

Irene watched as Helena jumped each time Bridget's voice rang out from the other end of the table. "How did you two ever work together to pull this off?" Irene whispered to Helena. Helena's head snapped around to look at her, as the others listened to Bridget talking.

"There was no 'together' to pull anything off. I gave directions. She followed the directions. She's a great deal more bearable when she's following instructions and not storytelling," Helena huffed.

"I think Ms. Cummings was a great help to you," Irene said because she was always truthful with Helena. She also knew she was right because Helena had no retort.

Myka became adept at being ambidextrous that day as she ate her food with her left hand, so that she could hold hands with Helena under the table. She loved the feel of Helena's hand always, but now that she could feel the ring on Helena's finger, she enjoyed it even more. Myka gently squeezed Helena's hand each time she jumped a little.

"So Helena, I might as well tell you now, while I have witnesses, that I had to finagle that whole canister to the moon deal," Bridget said, as she placed a fork full of scrambled eggs into her mouth. "Leena, these are delicious."

"Excuse me?" Helena said because this was not something she heard before.

"No one was on board with sending a container up in space without inspection," Bridget said. "Oh my God, I'm so in charge of the bachelorette party!" she segued as she looked at Myka. "I won't take no for an answer."

"It's a wonder the woman ever gets anything accomplished with her lack of focus," Helena said annoyed and to anyone.

"It's been nice knowing you," Jane said, patting Bridget on the back. If anyone had seen that look of annoyance on Helena's face up close, it was the good detective.

The difference was – Bridget knew when to stop.

"I'm sorry, I'm just so excited for you both," Bridget said, slowing herself down – and staying on task.

"Helena," Bridget said, putting down her fork, "and Myka, this actually pertains to you, too. As you can imagine, NASA was very concerned about this project. So they had to go to the very top to get this approved. And well, the top wanted to speak to someone directly and since you weren't going to explain this – to anyone," Bridget explained – using Helena's exact words, "….I had to take the call. He was tough – wouldn't approve it until I finally met his condition."

"There were to be no conditions," Helena said annoyed. "I set the conditions."

"I know, but this guy wouldn't give in and it's really only one small thing," Bridget explained.

"Well?" Helena asked.

"He wants both of you to come to dinner – at the While House!" Bridget said, her inflection getting higher with the punch line.

"The President? Wants us to come for dinner?" Myka asked astonished.

"YES!" Bridget said, thinking it was exciting.

"Oh bloody hell," Helena said ungraciously because she did not like to be finagled into anything.

"You're going to the White House?" Claudia asked, wondering what that security system would be like to hack. Eileen looked directly at her as if she could read her mind. "Not that I….would…no," the techie added.

"Wow, that's really very nice," Myka said amazed.

"It's a great honor," Irene reminded Helena.

"I'm sure he knows that," Helena said back because that was how she thought of this.

"Have you told your folks?" Bridget asked Myka – and Myka suddenly remembered that she hadn't yet.

"No, but we will soon," Myka said, clenching Helena's hand for moral support.

Irene watched the couple carefully. She was concerned that Helena's instinctual protectiveness of Myka was about to go into hyperdrive if someone didn't respond well to the big news.

"How are we going to handle the press?" Eileen asked now that she had firsthand experience with them following her around.

"I prepared the announcements this morning and put them on the company intranet site so that they can be released simultaneously," Helena said and Myka turned to look at her and dissolved into a giddy smile.

"I love the way you say that word," Myka said because she adored Helena's accent, but especially when it was wrapped around certain words.

"They are so perfect together," Sarah whispered wistfully to Bridget.

"They really are," Bridget smiled, so happy for her friends.

"Boss, when this news breaks, the press is going to be all over ….," Pete said and then looked around the table, "…..well, everyone."

"They'll want stories and pictures any way they can get them," Steve added.

"Then plan accordingly," Helena said because she knew they were in the most capable hands.

The brunch continued as the friends discussed strategies. They had to be prepared. As soon as those emails were released, they knew the press would be outside the townhouse and the story would be all over social media.

"I think we should tell your family before anything is done," Helena said.

"I think you're right," Myka said and she and Helena started to excuse themselves.

"Helena," Irene said, putting her hand on Helena's before she rose. "Give them a few minutes to take it all in." The HR Director wanted this to go smoothly for Myka and hoped that her family would be supportive.

And prayed for them if they weren't.

"I shall give them all the time they need," Helena said and Irene smiled. "…As long as they do not upset her," Helena added and Irene's smile disappeared.

While the Wells-Bering team went to work on a plan to protect their bosses when the news broke, Irene wondered who was going to shield the world if Helena didn't like the responses.

The lovers entered the hallway where Helena stopped and gently pushed Myka up against the wall, moving in and saying how much she missed her.

"We were in there an hour," Myka pointed out, kissing her lips slowly.

"It was too long," Helena declared.

Myka smiled warmly, feeling like the luckiest woman alive. "I am so happy, Helena," Myka said – pushing back into Helena in a body hug.

"As am I," Helena said, staring longingly into Myka's green eyes. She didn't mind sharing the news with the world, as long as Myka was hers alone.

The two women went to their joint office upstairs to call. "Helena?" Myka said, before dialing the number. "I can't say for certain how they will take this news. So please, don't get your hopes up. We might have to give them time," Myka said slowly.

Helena felt the hurt inside – that anyone would dare disappoint Myka – but forced a smile on her face.

"I know what it's like to have to wait for the world to catch up, darling. We will wait patiently together," Helena said, grabbing Myka's hand.

The smile was only half convincing, but Myka knew Helena was trying and that was all that mattered. Myka pressed the numbers, took a deep breath, and waited for someone to pick up.

"Hi Dad," Myka finally said. "How are you? We're good, yes thanks, Dad. Is Mom there, too? Why don't you both get on? Helena and I have some wonderful news."

Myka pressed the speaker button so Helena could hear them. "Mom? How are you?"

"I'm good, honey. Your father says you have news?" Jeannie said.

"Mom, Dad, - Helena and I….. are engaged," Myka said excitedly – but slowly.

"Mrs. Frederic, I'm worried," Eileen said, while the others buzzed with plans.

"About what, dear?" Irene asked.

"I'm worried that Helena is not going to be ok if Myka's parents aren't happy," Eileen said, following her instinct to talk to Irene.

"I am, too," Irene said, patting Eileen's hand, and casting her eyes up to the ceiling wishing she could hear how it was going.

"Mom? Dad?" Myka asked, because there was dead silence.

Myka could feel Helena's entire body tense up next to her.

"What could this be about?" Eileen said, looking down at her phone. "Hello? Yes, Ms. Murray, this is she. Ms. Kelly is with you? I can talk, yes. What do you mean they are rewriting the script? They can't do that without our approval," Eileen said emphatically to the actresses who were protesting on the other end. Helena had been very clear about that in her meeting with the producer, director and writers.

"Kiss the male character? That's ridiculous – they're friends. The script calls for them to be close like siblings. Yes, of course, I'll tell her as soon as I can. I promise we'll get this resolved, Ms. Murray," Eileen said and hung up.

"Oh Helena really isn't going to like this!" Eileen said of the television show development.

Thank you for reading along.
I'm going to include the fix-it fic in the next chapter.

Even in fiction, it doesn't work.