It seems i can never just write a short scene between Helena and Irene and so this turned into a chapter.
Many thanks for reading along - and your patience.

23 Seconds to Explain

Myka looked through the window at the twinkling lights of the skyline of Manhattan below as the plane started its descent. Helena slept soundly next to her, resting on Myka's shoulder. Across the aisle sat the large box that contained the clock that was in perfect working order. Myka hoped when they gave it to her parents at Christmas, her father didn't tell Helena how he detested the 'constant racket' - as he called it – of the cuckoo chimes. She pulled her phone out and replayed the video she had sent Irene of Helena totally absorbed in her repair job. She smiled all over again watching the intent look on Helena's face as she went about fixing the unfixable.

The only other person who enjoyed the video as much was Irene. Upon receiving it, the HR Director sat down at the kitchen table and smiled when she saw the subject title – Helena enjoying herself – and then played the one minute and fifteen second recording – several times. Irene grinned – not just at how happy Helena looked, but at how sweet Myka was to send it to her. If anyone would enjoy seeing Helena like this – it was Irene.

Irene had encouraged Helena to get away with Myka. They needed time away from the flurry of photographers and reporters. She knew Myka was intent on making a statement about them, but that can be a daunting task when you're up against the press. Irene spent the weekend with a sense of calmness that escaped her most days. This time, she knew Helena was being well taken care of and enjoying herself.

That brought Irene peace.

What concerned the older woman was the email she received from Helena asking her to be at the townhouse the evening they were arriving back. Irene figured it was important for Helena to request that she be there, and simply replied back that she would. The mystery cleared up a little when she arrived and found the other special guests Helena had invited. They had arrived from Colorado Springs just an hour before and were now seated in the dining room having a light supper that Leena prepared for them.

"I had no idea they were coming," Leena said to Irene in the main hallway. "Myka never told me her parents were coming."

"I only hope Myka knows they're here," Irene said, unable to explain the statement other than a gut feeling.

Perhaps if Helena hadn't jumped the gun when Myka commented that her parents were old fashionl, or if Myka hadn't distracted Helena so easily while they were away, or if she wasn't so busy fixing the clock – perhaps then Helena would have shared with Myka that she had spontaneously instructed Pete to make sure the Bering's were at the townhouse when they arrived back home.

But Helena hadn't.

Now that they were on their way home, she conveniently forgot to mention it again. Helena was very good at putting things she didn't want to deal with in her proverbial blind spot – until they blind-sided her. She kept telling herself she would tell Myka, but each moment seemed so sweet, she didn't want to detract from it.

When Irene found out that the Bering's received the instructions to pack an overnight bag and come to the City, she worried who was going to be more surprised. But if this was going to be a surprise that Helena felt confident about, why would she require Irene's presence?

The whole thing didn't make sense to the HR Director and that is what worried her.

As Pete drove up Central Park West, Helena looked down at her phone. Everyone was there according to Leena who pointed out that if she had known they were coming, she would have prepared a better dinner.

"Darling," Helena began, when she noticed Myka's eyelids start to drop slowly.

"Yes?" Myka answered, her voice laden with the sweet sleepiness that resulted from not wanting to miss a moment of their short vacation.

"I had an idea…," Helena said, wrapping Myka's long curls around her own fingers playfully, in an attempt to brace her.

"Oh God, how long are they going to camp outside our door?" Myka said in response when she caught sight of the photographers and people wanting to get a glimpse of the couple.

Someone had gotten a tip that the couple was returning from a weekend away and so the curiosity seekers lined the sidewalk. Wells Security kept them behind a barricade, but they had to walk from the sidewalk to the stone steps past them. Usually, Myka and Helena smiled and shook a hand or two, but today all Myka wanted to do was to get inside.

"Myka, I …," Helena tried, but Pete had opened the car door and the flash explosion started as Myka stepped out and waved politely. She turned and extended her hand to Helena and then there was more applause and shouts.

"How was your vacation?" -"When is the wedding?" - "Can I have your autograph please?' were some of the things people shouted over and over.

Then Helena heard someone ask – "How come your parents are here, Myka?" to which Myka responded – "What?" - which the press jumped all over. "You didn't know they were coming?"

Helena was never thrown by anything the inquiring minds wanted to know – ever. And yet this time she said …"What a….most…pleasant surprise!" in a voice that told Myka she wasn't surprised at all.

"It is? Oh it really is," Myka said, smiling and reaching out to pull Helena in closer. A gesture Helena hesitated at momentarily and then joined Myka as she felt the pressure of fingers on her hip in the hug.

"I can explain," Helena whispered, without moving her lips.

"Inside," Myka said, smiling to the cameras.

Helena seemed to take her time tonight with the public, even stopping once or twice to autograph a paper when a pen was shoved at her. All in an attempt to slow down the inevitable.

Pete walked right behind them, concentrating on who was putting their hands out and making sure there were no threats. He had no way of knowing Helena's biggest risk was pulling her slowing into the house.

Myka closed the door and looked at Helena with a raised eyebrow indicating now would be a good time for that explanation of why her parents were here without any forewarning.

And then it finally struck Helena – that this wasn't such a great idea. The exchange rate of genius to common sense was at an all-time high and Helena wasn't getting much in return.

"I wanted to ask for their blessing," the Victorian romantic admitted.

Myka was caught between the sincere look in those dark pools and the uncertainty of what awaited them in the other room.

"Why didn't you just tell me?" Myka asked, her tone not harsh.

"I wanted to …..," and there were so many explanations that could have followed – 'surprise you' – 'share this moment with your parents' - 'get their reaction in person'. But Helena knew Myka could tell when she was stalling or not tell the truth.

"….get it over with," Helena finally admitted.

Helena never bartered a deal that she didn't know the stakes. She rarely asked and didn't receive. And she knew that anything but enthusiasm from them would upset Myka.

"It's like uncovering a wound with a band-aid," the Brit dug herself in deeper. "Sometimes you just have to rip it off in spite of the discomfort. Or jump in the deep waters to motivate you to learn how to swim," she sunk further with.

Myka stood there – watching the verbal descent. She fought the feeling that Helena was actually very cute when her gifted mind couldn't give a coherent answer. It almost made her human.

"OK," Myka said, accepting that Helena's heart was in the right place. After all, she had told Helena that her parents were old fashioned and who better than a 19th century woman to understand that. "We don't know what their response will be, you know that, right?" Myka reminded Helena.

"Yes," Helena said, not because she agreed, but because she was learning what every couple learns about communication. Sometimes the short answer is the best answer.

"Oh and by the way?" Myka said, before going farther. Helena looked up at her. "You are so not in charge of scrapes and swimming lessons."

Myka took a deep breath before walking into the dining room where Leena was serving coffee and dessert. Her parents sat next to one another and rose immediately when they saw their daughter.

"There's my girl," Warren said as he got up and hugged Myka. Myka hugged him back and then realized Irene was sitting there as well. Suddenly, she felt calmer.

"Hi Mom," Myka said as Warren hugged Helena.

"Mrs. Bering," Helena said as they embraced before going over to say hello to Irene.

"Oh my! Myka, your ring is beautiful. The Face Place didn't do it justice," Jeannie said, taking Myka's hand to admire the large stone.

"You mean Face Page," Warren corrected her.

"FaceTime?" Myka tried since that was how they communicated the news. She distinctly heard Leena choke on her coffee as she tried not to laugh.

"You look well," Irene said to Helena.

"Yes, I know. I need to speak with you," Helena answered and excused herself and Irene. She pulled the woman into the library. Helena closed the door softly behind her as Irene sat on the large leather couch.

Then Helena stood there as if Irene had already gotten the memo.

"Well?" Helena said, almost impatiently. Didn't Irene realize they had company waiting?

"Well….," Irene played along because that was her job. "…..it seems you did tell Myka about her parents coming."

"Pardon? Oh yes, a tad late perhaps, but I did," Helena said – hurriedly because that wasn't the answer.

"Are they staying long?" Irene asked.

"No," Helena responded. "Could we please just get to it?" she asked, the patience on low.

"Get to what, Helena?" Irene asked perplexed.

"Get to…?" Helena said, throwing her hands up in the air and sitting down near Irene. "Some days I worry about you," Helena said and meant because the woman couldn't seem to figure out what was going on.

"I worry about you every day. Now what is this about?" Irene said because she didn't travel from Queens to put up with nonsense.

"Your lecture. Give it to me and we can be on your way," Helena said and the chosen pronouns weren't lost on the older woman.

"You had me come here to night to give you a lecture?" Irene asked in disbelief.

"Yes!" Helena responded with exasperation.

Irene took a deep breath, pulled down on her cantaloupe colored jacket, and then let out the breath. Helena was certain the woman finally figured it out – finally - but when the next word out of her mouth was 'why?' - Helena threw herself back on the couch in the most dramatic fashion.

"Woman! How you try my patience," Helena complained as she sat back up. "I invited the Bering's here so that I could ask them properly for their blessing. I think it's important to Myka. I could care …," Helena ranted and saw the look of caution on Irene's face. "I care that …they….should not …disappoint her. In fact, hell will break loose if they do. So – go ahead. Give me one of those long, tedious, nerve grinding, boring as hell lectures that you insist on giving me whenever I'm about to do something," Helena said – pleased that she had put it so well.

Irene listened intently – because that was what she always did when Helena was explaining how she was about to make a mess of things.

"So you want me to talk to you now – about what you will do – on the outside chance that the Bering's are less than receptive – when you ask them for their blessing?" Irene summarized.

The expression on Helena's face was nothing short of wild-eyed vexation. "Yes! Oh for the love of God," Helena said and then realized she broke one of Irene's golden rules of not including His name in her rants. "Sorry," she said – only so they could get back on track. It seemed an arduous task tonight.

"Oh," Irene said, pleased she understood. Helena sat there waiting for it to begin. "No," Irene said, sitting back a little since the matter was closed.

Helena's facial expression registered the disdain first. "Pardon me?" she said, her brow furrowed. "Certainly you understand …" the Brit was about to say.

"Oh I understand perfectly. You want me to prepare you as if you're about to go ten rounds with the Bering's. You want me to warn you about the poorly chosen words you might say as you do battle for the woman you love," Irene said, pulling Helena closer and taking her hands in hers.

"Helena, this is not your battle. This is Myka's and you and I both know she's more than capable at handling her parents. If they're happy, great. If not, then she will tell them how disappointed she is. You can't fight this one for her," Irene said as the proverbial shining armor started to fall off Helena.

"But…," Helena said because the decree had been decided upon – no one was to upset Myka.

"No, Helena, it won't be necessary. Now, you go back in there, ask away, and give Myka the opportunity to shine. She will stand up for both of you if needed," Irene said, patting Helena's hand.

Was that really the answer? Of course Myka could handle herself. Helena had no doubt of that, but why would she let someone do that?

As if reading the questions that were going on in the Brit's head, Irene answered – "Myka is a strong woman. She needs to know you believe that. This is about faith, Helena."

The wheels in Helena's head turned faster than the ones in the fixed clock. Irene was right. It wasn't about the Bering's. It was about Helena believing in Myka to know how to handle the situation.

"You're right," Helena said and the rare admission was not lost on Irene.

"I know," the woman said as she got up and waited for Helena to follow.

"I would take your annoying lectures over you being right any day," Helena said, walking out of the library first.

"Yes, I know this is much harder for you," Irene empathized as she walked Helena back to the dining room.

Perhaps Irene could have gone over how Helena had planned to ask because now Helena stood at the end of the table as all light conversation stopped. With all eyes on her, she blurted out – "Mr. and Mrs. Bering, I invited you to our home this evening so that I could properly ask for your daughter's hand in marriage and for your blessing," Helena said.

There was dead silence and thoughts rushed through Myka's head – but mostly she worried that nothing separated her parents from her fiancée at the moment. Irene stood behind Helena and could see her muscles tightening. "I don't think I can hold her if she leaps," crossed Irene's mind.

Warren stared at Helena and then looked back at his wife. Jeannie looked at Helena, then back at her daughter. A smile appeared on her face when she realized – truly realized – this was the happiest she had seen Myka. She patted Warren's hand conveying her decision. Warren looked back at Helena.

"Will you take care of her and try to make her happy?" he asked, because there had to be some measure.

"Until my last dying breath and beyond," Helena said because the Oneness was for eternity. Myka looked at Helena with such love and adoration, that everything – and everyone – faded into the background.

That should have been the end of it. In fact, Irene was so sure it was, she sat down in the chair next to Helena.

But it wasn't.

Warren Bering wasn't a man who paid attention to gossip or blather about celebrities. But then, one of them was marrying his daughter and he wasn't about to ignore the little he saw or heard.

"I've heard things about your lifestyle," he said and Myka knew he didn't mean orientation.

"About my lifestyle?" Helena asked, putting her arms on the table and leaning in. Irene took this opportunity to cross her arms in front of her, and pat Helena's hand with hers. It was only a touch – but it was enough to remind Helena what they had talked about.

"Daddy, I think you've been with Helena enough to know that a lot of that is made up and not true," Myka said, ready to defend her fiancée. She rose from the table and stood next to Helena, who stood erect now. "Helena is the most wonderful person in the world," Myka said, turning Helena to face her so she could stare in those eyes that lit up as soon as they fixed on Myka. "And I love her with all of my heart."

She pulled Helena in to kiss her – out of love, out of apology for her parents – out of the deepest desire to be with Helena and no one else.

Warren swallowed hard. This wasn't the way he saw Myka's life unfolding. In all his wildest dreams, this was not the setting he pictured her in. It was supposed to be Sam, he thought. But even he knew – Myka was never this happy with Sam. He spent some time wondering if Helena had somehow influenced Myka, charmed her into this relationship. He had talked to Jeannie early on about getting Myka back home, to help her come to her senses. But Jeannie pointed out – that Myka had been home and went back to Helena of her own volition. "She's going after what she wants, Warren. Just like you taught her to do all those years," Jeannie pointed out.

And as they gazed up at their daughter in the arms of Helena, they knew in their hearts – Myka had gotten exactly what she wanted.

Before we go - some have asked if Tracy will be Myka's matron-of-honor.

Say it with me - Hell to the no.

But then how will Myka tell her? How will she explain that to the woman who will think Myka can't get through the wedding without her?