This covers two things which I think needed addressing - The Berings reaction a little more and what happened to Sam.
Many thanks for reading along. Thank you for your reviews, questions, suggestions. I do appreciate them all.
24 Hours
Between Irene's concealed gestures and Myka's kiss that made Helena's left foot shoot up, calmness prevailed in the room. Leena was the first to clear her throat and start to leave because she felt as if they were all intruding on a very private moment. She had spent enough time with the women to know when they got that look on their faces, little else mattered.
Until Mr. Bering asked what every parent wonders about – "I guess this means no grandchildren unless you two adopt?"
Leena stopped in her tracks. Myka turned and glared at him. Helena's thoughts were still smoldering from the kiss and she didn't hear him. Jeannie was sorry he asked, but interested in the answer. Irene feared for their lives.
"That's something Helena and I will discuss, Dad," Myka said, to put an end to it.
"Yeah, well we'd love an adopted grandchild same as our own flesh and blood, but you know, it's one of the things ….," her father preached.
Helena finally tuned in when she saw the expression on Myka's face change. Her mind played back what she had heard. She turned to her future in-laws.
"Mr. and Mrs. Bering, the wonders are endless. I am, as your must know, quite the genius," Helena said because both statements were true.
Myka felt like the proverbial ping-pong ball – being tossed between her parents' doubts and Helena undeniable confidence.
"Well, two women can't….," Jeannie Bering said because that's where polite women ended that sentence.
She wanted grandkids as much as Warren did, if not more, but talking nonsense was – well, nonsense. Why get Myka's hopes up? She had spent years assuring Myka that her future would include a handsome husband and children running in the white picketed yard. Now everyone was going to have to adjust their assumptions.
"Au contraire, Madame Bering," Helena said because she was still in a good mood. She thought her assurances that options would exist would soothe everyone's minds.
Only Irene noticed the tension in Myka's body increasing. Myka's hand was on her left hip, her right hand rubbing the back of her neck. Irene had been in enough meetings to know this topic was not helping Myka. Irene's attempt to change the subject was met with protests.
"Perhaps this is a matter you will want to discuss ….," Irene tried to say.
"What are we supposed to do?" Warren asked the woman who sat across from him. "We turned a blind eye to the relationship. Our neighbors read about it in the papers. We have to answer questions all day long sometimes at the store. Some people are nice, Myka. Some aren't. Wanting to know what we did wrong," Warren blurted out and was sorry as soon as he did.
Jeannie and he had agreed not to tell Myka about the people. Wells Security had been there to make sure the press didn't invade their privacy. For the most part, the general public cooperated – often just offering congratulations. It was family and friends that got to them the most. Some understood or didn't question it. Others displayed their ignorance openly – telling the Berings they would pray for them and Myka to return to the righteous path. Warren was on blood pressure medication now as a result and Jeannie had many a sleepless night.
"Excuse me?" Helena said, getting the tone of Warren's frustration. Irene was up out of her seat and had her hand on Helena's hip in case she lunged across at her future father-in-law. "I want their names," Helena growled.
"Oh Warren!" Jeannie said of her husband's blathering.
"I can't give you names," Warren answered seriously. "Take the downtown Colorado Springs phone book if you want their names." It seemed to him that most of the people in that book had questioned them at one time or another.
"I want that phone book," Helena said as she turned to Irene and she was serious.
"May I speak to you outside?" Irene said and gently, but firmly, pulled at Helena's hip.
"Dad, I'm sorry people are such asses," Myka said and her mother immediately scolded her 'bad language'.
Leena looked directly at Irene. The woman only had two hands and both of them were filled with Helena at the moment as she tried to take the Brit outside.
"Did she just…..?" Helena was asking of her future mother-in-law. No one corrected Myka.
Irene didn't waver – and knew a few minutes of cooling down were needed. Leena took the coffee pot and left.
"Where is she taking her?" Jeannie asked of the older woman's swift actions.
"Helena doesn't take kindly to blatant ignorance," Myka said.
"Honey, we're sorry, but not everyone is as progressive as your father and I," her mother said sincerely.
And this is what made Myka – Myka.
Unlike the Brit who was outside pacing the hallway because she was instructed to calm down before reentering the room, Myka could assess in real time what a person's motivation was in saying something. Her parents weren't trying to be rude or upset them. Her parents were finally telling her that people had been rude to them or upset them. They were telling Myka and Helena it wasn't easy and they were trying to do their best.
Trying to do one's best was always the benefit Myka gave people. It was engrained in her – the way protecting her was engrained in Helena.
Myka came to that conclusion and sat down. "Mom, Dad, I know this hasn't been easy for you. I guess I thought when we sent security out there, the issue would be abated. I didn't stop to think that it would actually be the people you know who would be the bigger nuisance," Myka said.
Myka understood – and that was really all Warren and Jeannie wanted – for Myka to know they were in it with her.
"It's not all bad," Warren said.
"No, some days people come in and ask for our autographs," Jeannie laughed and then quickly added, "We never give it though."
Myka laughed, too. In one sense, it was easier for her, she thought because she was in love with Helena. She never had to answer to anyone for that.
Irene heard Myka's calm voice as Helena paced the hallway ranting about the list of names she wanted and how she was going to pay a visit to each and every one of them.
"Maybe a visit to your future in-laws store wouldn't be such a bad idea. You can't change everyone's mind, Helena, but perhaps if their friends saw how happy Myka was," Irene said.
"Are you mad?" Helena asked.
"I must be. It's really the only explanation for how I do my job," Irene said. "Perhaps if you went out there and charmed the people the way you do, things would lighten up for the Berings. "
"Charm them! I will tell you what I would like to do to them," Helena said, still having some steam left. Irene waited until she was devoid of it, and then suggested they go back in.
And this is what made Helena – Helena.
In the short time it took her to walk from the main entryway back to the dining room, she took in what Irene said and made a decision.
"Mr. and Mrs. Bering, Myka and I will visit your quaint little town in Colorado Springs soon and….," Helena said and stopped for a second before choosing her next words. "….and give the people you speak of a chance to meet with us."
Warren and Jeannie looked at each other and then over at their daughter. Myka smiled. You can't educate someone who doesn't want to be educated Myka knew, but she had every confidence in them falling in love with the woman whom she was in love with.
As far as Myka was concerned, people falling under Helena's spell just seemed like a law of nature.
The rest of the evening settled down and everyone went back to enjoying their coffee and dessert. Andrew was waiting to drive Irene home. Helena stood at the door as she prepared to leave. Instead of thanking Irene for coming, even though she had little choice, Helena paid her an even higher compliment.
"I did as you asked," Helena pointed out.
Irene knew what this meant. Helena thrived on not following rules, not taking suggestions, or not doing what someone else thought was best. That was the Helena she knew before Myka. Now Helena attempted to listen and consider the big picture. Irene always had faith in her.
"Yes, you did. And Helena…..?" Irene said as she walked out. "…You did it brilliantly."
Irene waited just long enough to see the smile appear on Helena's face before turning to go to the car. Helena closed the door and returned to the Berings - feeling very satisfied.
Warren and Jeannie returned to Colorado Springs the next day, once again giving God thanks for getting them out of Manhattan safely.
Myka and Helena returned to work and prepared for their next appearance which by all accounts, was one of their biggest.
July 4th at the White House.
There was a large dinner that night for some dignitaries and officials and the Obamas were thrilled to have Helena and Myka there as their special guests. The First Lady was gracious in sitting them next to her and shared that she wished they had been able to dine alone, but duty called. The President took it in stride that he was not the most popular person at the table that evening. Several guests asked to take pictures with Myka and Helena and both graciously agreed.
The Prime Minister of England made it his business to bring Helena a glass of Champagne so he could commiserate when Myka excused herself. He smiled as his eyes drank in the sight of Helena in a Chiara Boni off-the-shoulder asymmetric cocktail dress in red. The horizontal vent across her chest afforded him a view of Helena's cleavage that caught his attention. He was, after all, alive.
"I can't believe of all the days I could visit, it worked out to be today," Mr. Cameron said to his fellow Brit. Helena laughed politely, and smiled to think the last Prime Minister she worked with was Robert Gascoyne-Cecil in 1895. "The Queen sends her regards," he continued as he tried to keep Helena's attention - a difficult task when she was wondering where Myka was.
Myka walked the hallway slowly, taking in every bit of this auspicious occasion. "I'm in the White House!" she said to herself – or at least she did until a man answered – "Yes you are, Bunny."
Myka heard the voice and swung around. There stood Sam Martino – dressed in a dark suit, white shirt, and ear piece.
"Sam?" Myka asked, surprised to see him. "You're…here!"
The sight of Myka Bering in Carolina Herrera lace panel sheath dress in deep blue, her hair flowing over her shoulders, her face more radiant than he remembered, made Sam take in a breath – and hold it. She was so gorgeous.
"I am. And you…," he answered as his eyes scanned her from her Jimmy Choo's to her lace sheath covered shoulders. "…look beautiful."
And on cue, Myka blushed, just like he knew she would. Not everything had changed between them.
"You're on duty here?" Myka asked, remembering it was his dream to work for the highest office in the land.
"Yes I am. I finally got here, Myka," Sam said, motioning his hand to scan the place. "The White House with the President."
His pride was evident and Myka thought he looked almost boyish when he said it.
"Well that's wonderful, Sam. I'm happy for you," Myka said and made the slightest motion to walk away. Sam noticed the movement.
"Hey, so you …and that woman?" he said because he wasn't living under a rock for the past year.
"Helena, her name is Helena," Myka said patiently and added, "Yes."
"Really?" he asked and now Myka was remembering how annoying he could be.
"Really," Myka said. "It was good to see you, Sam," she lied.
"I wish things had worked out, Myka," Sam tried one last time.
"Actually Sam, they worked out perfectly," Myka said, smiling. She said goodbye and walked to the restroom as Sam watched the only woman he had ever loved, walk away.
Then he heard a deep voice behind him say –
"I count six ways I could hurt you right now, and the only reason you're still drawing breath is because I'm trying so hard not to do that sort of thing anymore."**
He turned to face the darkest eyes with the coldest expression he had ever seen. And yet – that look was very familiar.
** Very little good came out of Instinct, but this was one of HG's better lines.
I tweaked it to fit this setting.