The Past, the Present and the Future

Helena waited for Myka to come out of the bathroom and see that she had laid out Myka's favorite clothes she wore when she wanted to relax. There on the bed, were Myka's pink sweatpants and her gray University of Colorado t-shirt that Helena, on more than one occasion, questioned how she could wear. So, the fact that these very clothes were waiting for her – put there by a woman who rarely hung up her own clothes – made the lawyer a little curious.

"Thank you," Myka said, as she toweled herself off under the careful gaze of Helena, sitting on the bedroom couch attentively.

"No trouble a'tall," Helena said, as her head rested on her hand with her legs crossed. She watched as Myka slipped on her clothes and bent forward, sending a cascade of curls flying as she dried her hair.

"We have the appointment tomorrow with the ob/gyn doctor," Myka said after she smoothed out her tousled hair and sat on the bed, patting the space next to her. That typically would result in Helena rushing to Myka's side to sit down, but tonight, she stood up and didn't move.

The Brit was afraid of ruining the mood and wasn't sure what to say, so she said nothing. Myka's skill in reading guilty parties helped her to see the hesitancy in Helena's expression.

"What time?" Helena finally asked, even though she knew the exact time.

"Still three o'clock," Myka said and now she was sure something was up. "Are you okay, sweetie? You seem …distracted," she finally chose.

Helena abhorred distraction, especially when it interfered with her own attention. "No, darling," Helena started, but quickly added …, "Perhaps a bit."

"Why don't you tell me what's got you….," Myka was suggesting when Helena couldn't take it anymore.

She paced a little, then turned to Myka and almost shouted: "My things are in the basement," she said, throwing her hands up as if surrendering. "…..from the Warehouse," she added when she realized the first statement made no sense.

"Good," Myka said, thinking the organization was making good on its promise to release Helena's things. "I didn't think they'd want a court order," Myka said, pushing the pillows up behind her and sitting back on the bed. She was actually feeling good about that because she had protected Helena, and gotten her things back.

Helena stared as she contemplated if she had said enough. Myka looked happy, she was happy – why spoil it? She sat down on the bed and when Myka reached to rub her foot, Helena immediately volunteered to take over. She sat there massaging Myka's right foot as Myka drifted off to heaven. "Oh, that feels soooo good," she moaned.

Helena was more than happy to soothe her wife's aches.

"What did they send you?" Myka asked because she was curious what things of Helena's did they have.

'Bloody hell, we're back on that?' Helena thought when the question broke her reverie, but didn't say. "Oh, my books, some photos, several of my inventions," Helena listed and Myka noted that the more she talked, the harder she squeezed her foot.

"Like what? What inventions?" Myka asked out of curiosity, trying not to grimace at the suddenly heavy handedness.

"Like what?" Helena asked, and then answered, "Oh, the grappling hook I invented. I told you about that, didn't I, Darling?" and Myka nodded yes, she had. Myka pulled herself up in the bed a little because Helena was unaware of how much she was pulling on her foot now. "And the tesla gun. Which is quite safe, but I will give it to Irene to hold."

"You're going to…..arm, Irene? I am not sure that's a good idea," Myka tried to tease as Helena finally dropped her foot and grabbed the other and began the same heavy pressing into the sole of her foot.

"I got her a safe," Helena said unaware of the tangent she was going off on now. "State of the art, although I doubt she appreciates that. She can house anything we wish not to be here. Well, the rocket won't fit in the safe, but it's not armed so we can store it here," she blathered on.

"The ….rocket?" Myka said, getting concerned about the weaponry that was going to be in close proximity.

"I invented one with James Eddington," Helena reported as she looked up at the ceiling. For a second, Myka mistook that look in Helena's eyes for affection for the man, but Helena quickly added, "It was bloody brilliant. But it's not functional and is, I'm afraid, in pieces."

Myka thought that erased the jealous flair that flashed in her eyes, but it was still there when Helena looked at her. It was dawning on Myka that as Helena's past came back in boxes and cartons, so too, would her past life. A life that Myka had trouble grasping given the distance of time and place.

"Myka?" Helena asked when the look lingered.

"I …think …I feel... jealous," Myka pieced together.

"Of a rocket?" Helena asked incredulously. "None of my inventions could ever …"

"Of James Eddington," Myka said, slightly embarrassed that she had to name the object of her envy.

"James? Oh, Myka!" Helena said, shocked that Myka would feel this about someone so long ago. Then she realized time does not really matter with affairs of the heart. She took Myka's hands in hers and kissed them as she slid up next to Myka's side. "Darling, my ….longevity presents a rather odd position in that I have two life times of …," and Helena coughed now, "….two lifetimes," she repeated. "But there is no one …in either life, that can ever compare with you," Helena said sweetly.

Myka felt both foolish and relieved as Helena leaned in, bowed her head and placed it on Myka's chest gently, placing her arms on either side. "But you loved Christina's father," Myka heard as her heart spoke its concern. Helena raised her head to look at Myka.

"I loved Nicolas, yes, but we both knew we were more in love with each other's genius, than with the whole person. We never married for that reason," Helena said and there was no bitterness in her memory.

"I'm sorry, Helena, I shouldn't have…," Myka tried to apologize, but Helena wouldn't let her. She sat up and put her finger softly on Myka's lips.

"I always want to hear what you're thinking and feeling, Myka," Helena said, placing her hand on Myka's beating heart. "No matter what it is."

Myka grabbed Helena's other hand and brought it to her cheek and squeezed it. "Okay," she said, feeling better that she could share with Helena how vulnerable she felt.

"Perhaps…..," Helena said, thinking she could take care of everyone's concerns," … I should share some things with you and Irene that might help put your minds at ease about the Warehouse."

"Irene is very concerned. She marched in there like….," Myka said, smiling at how protective the woman was.

"Like a bull in a china shop," Helena finished the thought. "I told her so."

"That woman would do anything for you," Myka said, the warm smile reappearing on her face.

'Yes, yet, she manages to do it in the most annoying manner," Helena fibbed. "I do hope she's better at grandparenting," the words out of her mouth without thought.

"That of course would make her…your parent," Myka teased and Helena's eye grew wide in protest.

"Don't be …that's not…she's old enough to be a grandmother, that's what I meant. And who else will babysit? We trust no one else."

"Speaking of trust, sweetie," Myka said, looking at Helena so innocently that it made the Brit open her mouth, but she remained wordless. "This doctor comes highly recommended by Dr. Calder, so let's give her a chance."

"Of course we will," Helena said, smiling. "As long as she does everything the way I tell her to."

'Maybe we can get Irene to babysit tomorrow,' Myka thought, but didn't say.

The next morning, Helena informed Leena that she had told Myka all about the mysterious deliveries and that Steve and Pete would be there in the afternoon to install new shelving for many of the articles. When Leena suggested that Helena should just open up an HG Wells museum, the genius, who hadn't thought of that, told her that it was a brilliant idea and put her in charge of finding a location.

And she gave her a raise. "I have no idea what you make," Helena confessed, "But I want it doubled. Now, who do I tell?"

She was so excited with telling Myka the museum idea, that the explanation of how the items were arriving, once again, slipped her mind.

Wells Corp...

"How would you like to be a docent?" Helena asked Irene because the honor should be given to someone who deserved it.

"Before or after I come here?" Irene asked, sitting down in front of Helena's desk where she was summoned.

"Any time really. What kind of museum dedicated to the Time Traveler would it be if it weren't opened twenty-four seven?" Helena wondered out loud.

"Oh, that's good. I was afraid I would have to choose," Irene said in response.

Helena's brow furrowed as she tried to decide if Irene was being facetious. "Please come tonight at seven," Helena segued into her other plans.

"I'm starting already?" Irene asked with feigned enthusiasm.

"No!" Helena asked, wondering why the woman couldn't keep up. "To dinner at my house."

"What makes you think I'm free?" Irene asked, almost laughing when Helena rolled her eyes to say 'as if'. "It would be my pleasure. What can I bring?"

Helena stopped what she was doing and folded her hands in front of her, looking at her friend. "You may bring an open mind, Irene. And leave whatever this tone was …," she said, swirling her finger in the air, "…because I need you to help Myka feel comfortable with …the ….Warehouse," Helena said, the last word in the smallest size font her voice could find.

"Comfortable with the ….? Me?" Irene asked, wondering how Helena thought she was on her side.

"Have you had your morning coffee? Switched to decaf without permission?" Helena asked, exasperated that she had to explain things twice. "Yes, she's feeling ….less than …," Helena searched for the right word and Irene was right there with …

"…Trusting? Credulous? Unsuspecting?" Take your pick," Irene said before Helena could say anything.

Helena drew in a deep breath, amazed at how patient she could be with this woman. It really was a credit to her self-discipline, she thought. The woman could easily throw mere mortals off track with her constant interrupting. "Once I have explained to you …some things….I am confident that Myka will feel differently and you will be able to support her in that choice because you will feel that way, too. It's really very simple," Helena said, and her expression read – "Really simple, so please try to grasp it!"

"I will do my best," Irene said, because she really did want to hear Helena's side to all of this.

"Well, I guess that will have to do," Helena replied.

"I'll see you at three," Irene said, getting up and taking her leave to go back to the job she did when Helena wasn't telling her what to do.

"I have an appointment at three," Helena said, looking at her phone.

"Yes, I know," Irene responded, having spoken to Myka that morning and agreeing to come with them – just in case. With that, the woman closed the door and left.

Helena immediately got on the phone to Myka to ask her if she had asked Irene to join them. "Yes," Myka admitted. "I thought …we'd feel better….having a …seasoned person with us."

"Her parenting season is closer to the Ice Age, darling," Helena said, but Myka asked if she wouldn't mind and of course, Helena said she didn't.

Anything Myka wanted …Helena wanted.

The appointment time rolled around and all three women went in the car to the Midtown location of the doctor's office. Helena entered the waiting room, aghast at the number of people already there. The receptionist recognized her immediately and was more than cordial when she handed Helena a clip board with several pieces of papers to complete and sign. Helena looked at the papers, then the woman, and then it dawned on her. This is why Myka had asked Irene to come!

"Here," Helena said, handing the clip board to Irene as she sat down. In spite of the how well Helena was acclimated to the 21st century, there were still things that evaded her good senses. Waiting in a doctor's office was one of them.

When Helena got up to carefully inspect the documents on the wall which showed the physician's educational background, Irene leaned over to Myka. "I can't very well go into the examination room, Myka. How is it that I'm going to help?"

"I want…someone…here…," Myka said and bit her lip at the thought. "In case they ask Helena…to leave."

"Ohhh," Irene said, the possibility quite real.

In spite of Helena's blatant huffing and puffing when someone was called ahead of them, Myka had to wait her turn. "I think as things progress, we should set up a time when there are fewer patients," Irene suggested to Myka.

The receptionist apologized that the doctor was running so late, but Helena assured her there was no need to apologize and she would take that up with her personally.

Irene looked at Myka. "I'll keep her seat warm," she whispered.

Helena had every intention of mentioning the long wait, but when they went into the smaller waiting room, the nurse was there taking blood pressure and weighing Myka. Then she told her to put on a paper gown and announced the doctor would be right in.

"She's not making a very good impression," said the woman about to make a poor one herself.

"I'm sure she's very busy. She's very good, remember. Highly recommended from Vanessa?" Myka tried again.

"You mean - from the woman who married Artie," Helena said, smiling indicating that wasn't a ringing endorsement.

Just then the doctor entered the room and introduced herself. Gwendolyn Stone smiled broadly and shook Myka's hand. "How are you feeling?" she asked and Helena was still staring at her.

"How old are you?" Helena asked, having mistaken her youthful look for inexperience.

The woman laughed out loud, because it was a question she had gotten before. "I've delivered hundreds of babies in my fifteen years of practice," she assured the suspecting woman.

"I can't imagine we'll have time to contact that many people," Helena said, truthfully.

Myka smiled at Helena and then at the doctor. "Helena's skeptical ….of American healthcare," was all she could come up with to explain her wife's behavior.

"Well, I promise you, Mrs. Bering-Wells, we do it just as well as the Brits; we just charge more for it," the woman said, trying to lighten the mood. She was met with a dead stare. She instructed Myka to lie back on the table so that she could examine her – all done – under the very careful watch of her wife. Then she told her everything looked good and asked her to lie back on the table.

"Okay, now I'm going to use some gel for the sonogram, Mrs. Bering-Wells," the doctor said, speaking to Myka. Myka winced as the doctor squirted the cold substance on her abdomen and Helena reached across and grabbed tube from the doctor…gently.

"Haven't you thought of a way to warm this up before subjecting people?" Helena asked, trying to calm.

"I know! You would think someone would invent that, wouldn't you?" the doctor exclaimed.

"I'll have one for you by the next visit, if there is a next visit," Helena said, and Myka reached out and took her hand. Helena's glare immediately softened as she focused on Myka.

"Okay, there we are," the doctor said as the screen in front of them showed the gestational sac – the first image of the life they were creating. The appearance was the proof of what Myka and Helena already knew and yet, the visual image made tears well up in their eyes.

"Pretty amazing, eh?" the doctor commented, because this exact scene played out in her office all the time.

"Doctor, you have no idea," Helena said, as she touched Myka's stomach gently and squeezed her hand. "You have no idea."

Hello and many thanks for your posts. I hope you don't tire of me thanking you because I never tire of
reading your comments and thoughts - especially as we weave a Warehouse story line with the Heir story line.