Only 19 Hours of Practice Left
When Helena and Myka returned home that evening, the entire downstairs of their shared townhouse had been transformed. Instead of just the usual vase of fresh flowers that adorned the marble table under the mirror to their left, there were embossed pamphlets announcing that this was the 2014 Commencement ceremony for the eighteen graduates who had interned – in Helena's closet.
There on the inside of the booklet - under Commencement Speaker – was Helena's name. Myka poked Helena gently with her elbow and pointed to her name. "She's the only reason I came. I hear she's very good," Myka smiled.
Leena came rushing out of the dining room looking lovely in a yellow chenille dress with a see-through overlay imprint of orchids in complimentary colors.
"Oh thank God you're here," Leena said, frantic that this wouldn't start on time.
"You look beautiful," Myka said and Leena thanked her.
"They're all upstairs; their parents are in the ballroom. I do hope you don't mind that I opened that?" Leena said. She meant to tell Helena that she had decided on the closed off space weeks ago and it was on her to do list to tell them.
"Oh?" Myka asked, never having given the space much thought. After all, there was already a living room, library, and dining room on the first floor in addition to the kitchen.
"It's beautiful," Leena said and waited for Helena's reaction.
"Fine, fine," Helena said of her house being taken over. "How exactly….?" she started to ask, but Pete was coming through the door with the bats and gloves.
"What is this?" Leena asked in a hushed tone.
"The boss' baseball stuff. She needs to practice," Pete explained. "I calculated - and we only have nineteen hours of possible practice time." And by 'I' – Pete meant him and the Captain of the NYPD softball team who had never lost a tournament.
"You're going to practice?" Myka asked, smiling.
"Apparently, so are you," Helena retorted.
"Not now!" Leena said, worried that Pete wanted them to do it immediately.
"No, not now – but definitely before Saturday," Pete said, because he was on a mission.
"I played a little," Myka confessed of her short softball career in freshman year of high school.
"Oh, thank God!" Pete said, looking towards heaven.
Leena practically pushed Pete towards the basement and then went in to cue the music. The orchestra started to play 'Pomp and Circumstance'. Leena escorted Helena and Myka to the first row in front of the stage. The Dean of Students thanked them for providing this special ceremony for those top students chosen to participate in this program. What neither woman knew was that there was actually a process the candidates had to go through in order to be considered for this new program. And then, only the top ten percent – 18 of them – were ultimately chosen.
"The experience you have provided them is beyond anything they could ever have hoped for," the Dean said.
Helena had initially thought of them as young assistants who were good at knowing exactly what outfit she wanted in the morning. She had come to appreciate their eye for fashion and their intimate knowledge of fabric and style.
Soon the chosen few marched into the large room where their parents and families sat in rows of white covered chairs. Dressed in their own take on the traditional cap and gown, they walked in and sat nine across in the two front rows. When it was time, the President announced the commencement speaker and Helena walked up onto the platform to thunderous applause. Myka had seen Helena speak many times before, and she loved to see how gracefully and exquisite Helena performed.
"President Cooper, Dean Weinstein, distinguished guests, family members, and of course, Graduates," Helena began. She brought no paper with her, there was no rehearsed speech. She looked at each of them as she spoke -
"Your success is this program is due to two things - the creative thinking of Ms. Leena, who thought of putting this internship together, and your own hard work. I offer you two quotes today – one from a matriarch of the designing world – Coco Chanel, who said – "Fashion fades, only style remains," and someone whose work I am personally familiar with – "H.G. Wells, who said – "Beauty is in the heart of the beholder". So when you are out in the world, create your style with the beauty that comes from within you," Helena advised the crowd of graduates who hung on her every word.
Then she gave them some of the best career advice they would ever receive.
"Remove the obstacles that get in your way, be pleasant to work with, thank those who have helped you, give to those less fortunate. Do that and you will find immeasurable success in your life," Helena said, and then walked back to her seat.
Everyone stood up and clapped, and none of them louder than Myka.
"You really should write," Myka said, leaning in to Helena as the graduates' names were called to receive their special certificates for completion of the high-end couture internship.
"I've thought about it," Helena smiled back.
The graduates, faculty, and families gathered after the ceremony for a buffet dinner which Leena had overseen - down to the napkins with the cap and gown motif. Each time someone thanked Helena, she directed them to Leena because it really had been her idea and she was the one who took charge of the whole program.
Myka smiled as she watched Helena's dark eyes sparkle when talking to the graduates. The students knew how fortunate they were to come into daily contact with someone like Helena. Then they thanked Myka as well, because she was never without a kind word or an encouraging talk.
And each of them wished that someday – they would have a relationship like the one they witnessed in action every day.
The evening was a huge success and Leena was thrilled that it went off without a hitch. She thanked Helena, for opening her closest – and her home – to these students. Then as everyone left, Leena brought Myka and Helena tea as they relaxed in the library.
"To think those students got to work with some of the finest couture, Helena," Myka mused as she sat down on the couch next to Helena.
"To think they got to dress the finest body I know," Helena said, running her hand down Myka's arm.
"You really know how to flatter a girl," Myka said, leaning into Helena's awaiting hug. She slid down on the couch and put her head in Helena's lap. Helena sat there, running her long slender fingers through Myka's hair.
"Eileen sent contracts for me to look over today. She found a new producer for the show?" Myka said, her eyes closed as she enjoyed Helena's ministrations.
"That's good. She had lunch with someone today about that job. Did she tell you, she wants to move into her office," Helena said.
"Really? Wow, that's big – don't you think?" Myka said, smiling at how far the woman had come under Helena's tutelage.
"Well, she can't exactly hold meetings in my waiting area," the pragmatic Brit said.
"Who will make your tea now?" Myka asked, already knowing the answer.
"Miss Sullivan, of course," Helena replied.
"Of course. But who will announce your guests?" Myka inquired.
Helena had not given that too much thought. "Irene will have to find someone." That reminded Helena of something and she picked up her cell phone. "It's completely dissolved," she reported.
"What's that sweetie?" Myka asked.
"The monitor in Irene's heart. It's completely dissolved," Helena said of the device she and Claudia designed.
"Wow, that little device will make you millions," Myka said, thinking of the possibilities.
"Not I, darling. Ms. Donovan. Her name is on the patent. I was merely the assistant," Helena said.
Myka sat up and looked into dark eyes that glistened, trying to hold back the truth.
"You assisted?" Myka said, her legal skills coming to the forefront.
"Yes," Helena said.
"You know that I have learned all the tell-tale signs when you're lying, right?" Myka said, an eyebrow raised, her chin lowered.
"Is that so?" Helena said.
"For example, you never give one word answers. It's almost impossible for that genius brain of yours to give short answers, let alone one word," Myka said accurately.
"Not true," Helena said, proving Myka's point.
"Then there's the slight turning of the head. You do that consistently when you're evading the truth," Myka said, smiling self-assuredly.
"That's ridiculous," Helena said, not looking at Myka.
"Then there's the break in eye contact, the jutting out of your chin, the swallowing," Myka said, all three of which Helena had just done.
Helena looked at the smile on the lawyer's face – proud of her empirical evidence. "You have me all figured out, don't you Myka Bering?"
Myka saw surrender in Helena's eyes – and the upturn of her lips. Even in this playful tete a tete, no one did it better than Bering and Wells.
"Not completely figured out, Helena Wells, but I'm not going to stop until I do," Myka smiled and leaned in to kiss Helena's slightly pouting lips.
"You win," is all Helena could manage in a breathy tone.
"I expected to," Myka said boldly.
Helena had no choice but to resort to slightly underhanded tactics and did so only to save her dignity. She reached up, grabbed Myka and pulled her down on the couch again and proceeded to tickle her until she pleaded with Helena to stop.
"Not fair," Myka said, laughing and gasping for air.
"I never said I would play fair," Helena said in a raspy tone that made Myka melt. She leaned down to kiss Myka, but continued to grab Myka's side which made Myka scream and squirm.
Myka loved affectionate teasing.
The front doorbell rang, and Leena came to the library to announce that Sarah Styles was there. The tall, dark-haired woman with flawless skin, glossed lips, and smoky eyes came into the room. Leena still could not get over the resemblance the woman had to Myka.
While Sarah received her fair share of the family's good looks with her brother, Morgan, she lacked his suave confidence. Perhaps it was the nature of her business where evaluation was handed out on a daily basis.
"I am sorry to barge in like this," Sarah said, her arms filled with bags. "You said you wanted these to be delivered tonight."
Myka smiled at the woman who had captured Bridget's heart when their eyes met across a crowded room at Helena's.
"What is this?" Myka asked.
"Your baseball uniforms," Sarah said, taking out the clothing. "I used spandex for the shorts underneath, then a cooler material for the outer shorts. I made the top out of breathable cotton," Sarah explained as she took out the two sets of athletic wear.
"We're wearing designer clothes?" Myka asked a little surprised.
"Well we can't wear ….," Helena started to say, but then realized she didn't know what you wore for this game.
"It's perfect!" Helena said – and made Sarah's day.
"Are you sure?" the designer asked. Myka knew Helena would tell her if she didn't think so.
Myka wondered what it was that made this successful designer of the house of Givenchy insecure. Her designs were sought after, her work always on the runways, and yet, standing there with simple athletic clothes, Myka detected the self-doubt. Then Myka realized – she recognized the signs because she was intimately familiar with them. In that instant, she understood Sarah Styles – the need to please, the need to excel, the pressure to do better, the harsh judgment – even though she was talking about athletic wear. Did she and Morgan have parents who set the bar so high? Did she do that to herself? Would Bridget ever be able to convince her she was good enough?
"Myka?" Helena repeated, and broke the trance Myka seemed to be in pondering these questions.
"I'm sorry?" Myka said.
"I was telling Ms. Styles that these outfits are just what we need to ….do….that thing …with the bat," Helena said, unable to recall its official name.
Myka looked down at the outfits – one in navy, one in red -and smiled. "These are great," she said and watched as the trepidation on Sarah's face was replaced by a smile. It saddened Myka to think that pleasant feeling might be short-lived for her.
Myka knew that validation was best when it came from within, but a very close second was confirmation from a trusted, reliable source. She knew that a few words from Helena – the person all of the designers wanted to wear their clothes – would do wonders for this woman. She wished, at that moment, her Oneness with Helena was telepathic and she could convey her thoughts directly.
And then it happened.
Myka watched as Helena looked the woman straight in the eye – as if on cue - and said – "You're very talented, Sarah. I would like to see more of your work – soon if possible."
Helena's sincere words washed over the woman who seemed to let out a long sigh of relief. "I can send some samples over," Sarah said as Helena and Myka walked her out.
"That would be wonderful," Helena said.
"Thank you, Helena," Sarah said and Myka could hear the gratefulness in her voice.
Myka looked down at the outfit in her hand. She didn't need her eidetic memory to tell her that Helena had drawers full of bike shorts, loose shorts, and cool wear tops. Helena made this woman feel as if she had just given the Brit her first athletic outfit. Helena knew exactly what Sarah Styles needed – and she graciously presented it to her on a silver platter – all the time thanking Sarah.
"Well, I guess we're all set….," Helena said, closing the door and turning back to find Myka rushing at her. "Oh…," was all Helena got out before Myka grabbed Helena's head with both hands and pulled her in for a kiss that lasted longer than it took Myka to put this all together.
"Do you know how much I love you?" Myka asked when she finally released Helena, who was leaning against the front door.
"Brain requires oxygen," Helena explained –"… and you, Myka, leave me breathless."
"I know what you did, Helena," Myka said and was so close to Helena, there was nowhere for the Brit to turn.
"I…have no idea….," Helena tried.
"You have several outfits like this one upstairs, don't you?" Myka said, smiling.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Helena said, playing along.
"We have ways of making you confess, Wells," Myka said, trying to tickle Helena, but the Brit was too fast and got past Myka – running up the stairs.
Sarah Styles seemed to glide down the avenue on her new-found confidence. Helena Wells, THE Helena Wells, had asked her to see some of her designs.
"And you're sure you didn't ask her to do this?" Sarah pressed Bridget on the phone.
"Sarah, the woman knows couture. She called you, remember? I had nothing to do with the uniforms," Bridget said truthfully.
When they hung up, Bridget smiled at how Helena had taken her request to just consider including Sarah's designs for wedding dresses – and improved upon it.
I hope you are still enjoying this.
The softball game - and then a wrap up I think.
Thanks for continuing to read along.