So a couple of things happened while you were away ...
Trimester of Trouble
Irene didn't speak at length to the nurse on the phone that night, but long enough to find out that she worked with Dr. Calder for many years. "You work in the ER?" Irene asked, wondering why Vanessa would recommend her. "Oh, I've worked in many of the areas, including the ER and pediatrics," the nurse explained and said she worked on the delivery floor, as well. Irene wondered if the good doctor was worried about Myka's pregnancy, but couldn't understand why she might be. Irene thanked the woman for reaching out and said she would keep her in mind, should the Bering-Wells' ever have the need for a private nurse.
"From the little I know," the pleasant sounding woman said, "I think there's a strong possibility." She surprised Irene by saying there was no rush and that Vanessa had explained 'things' to her and that she would wait for Irene's call.
Irene thanked her again, and even sent Vanessa a thank you email for thinking of them, but said she saw no need for the nurse's services right now. Vanessa replied quickly and said that she thought it was important for Irene to at least talk with the woman for when she did need her. Irene noted there seemed to be no question in good doctor's mind that they would at some time.
In fact, Vanessa checked in with Irene a couple of more times over the next few weeks to see how the couple was doing. She found this curious because Myka truly was doing well, and the first trimester passed with no issues.
Unless, of course, you were talking about…Helena.
While Myka suffered from none of the typical first trimester effects of nausea or back pain, Helena was managing her own transition over those three months rather poorly. Her protective nature was in full rage and if someone glanced at Myka's slightly protruding abdomen, she nearly rose out of her seat. Most of the time, all it took, was Myka gently placing her hand on Helena's hand or leg and the shields were lowered without injury. Usually.
However, there were a couple of close calls.
An overzealous waiter, who spilled a few drops of water in Myka's lap, and then tried to wipe the droplets, had his hand forcefully removed before he saw it coming. Helena apologized – because she was almost as surprised as he was – that her own body reacted so quickly and fiercely. Others who stared were simply subjected to a scowl or lectured. Myka worried that if Helena's glare became any more intense, she'd be able to set fire to whatever she was looking at.
Myka sat in her office, going over paperwork and signing off on contracts. It seemed that in spite of trying to plan her wedding, Eileen Sullivan was getting more business than Wells Corp could keep up with. When her phone rang and she heard it was Bridget, Myka was happy to take a break. After all, she hadn't seen her friend since Bermuda. After hugs and kisses, Bridget made Myka stand back so she could touch her stomach. "Get used to it," Bridget warned Myka. "People like to touch pregnant women's stomachs."
It certainly was not something Myka had considered and she wasn't crazy about the thought. And then she thought about Helena. She relayed to her friend what had been going on.
'She's protecting you. It's endearing," Bridget said - her long body looking rested and sun kissed. "Seriously, Myka, none of us can be surprised by this. The Brit chick has always been protective of you. It's kinda her thing."
Myka smiled and nodded, but there was more to this, and she knew it. "Well, I won't be much good to her if I have to waddle into court one day to defend her," Myka said, worried that one of these encounters would wind up as a law suit.
"You know they think Morgan Styles is the donor, right?" Bridget said, taking one more pastry that Millie seemed to supply Myka with every morning.
"Oh, God, please don't tell Helena that," Myka groaned even though there was no keeping it from her. The press was hell bent on finding out who the progenitor was.
There was a great deal of speculation about sperm donor and it took them two weeks to calm Pete down when the press suspected the longtime friend. Helena's former –fiancé-for-a-second – Jeffrey Tesla was suspected and when he didn't come right out and deny it, he got a visit from Helena. The man was engaged to the Mayor's daughter, but he still tried to steal a moment of fame by not refuting the accusation. Then Helena showed up at his duplex apartment and changed his mind. When Jeffrey said Helena didn't have to twist his arm to get him to comply, he really meant - please stop twisting my arm.
Myka worried that Helena's protectiveness was so easily expressed physically. She had gently tried to broach the subject, reminding Helena that none of those times was she in any actual danger, but Helena couldn't seem to quell what was first nature to her.
"Oh my God, if it were Morgan, we would be related!" Bridget all but screamed, the sugar now taking full hold. Now that she and Sarah were married, Morgan was her brother-in-law.
Three weeks ago ...
An urgent call to the Bering-Wells household led Myka and Helena taking the private jet to Bermuda. As was Bridget's nature, she and Sarah were there for a vacation when she decided to pop the question. She had the ring for weeks and was waiting for the right moment. Family and close friends were flown down and they were married that weekend. Poor Sarah - the woman who spent months putting her fashion line together now had forty-eight hours to design and prepare two beautiful wedding dresses. They were, in the end, exquisite! The brides were beautiful, the ceremony fitting of both of them and everyone had a great time.
Myka was Bridget's Matron of Honor and Morgan was the Best Man. Perhaps loosened up by the celebratory champagne, Helena confided in Morgan that a jealous tempest seemed to be coursing through her veins; one she could not seem to subdue. First, he asked Helena to release his lapel, and then he reminded her that she had nothing to worry about and perhaps talking to someone – a female – would help her get at what was underneath all of this.
Sarah made a stunning bride and Bridget glowed from the happiness she felt. "Come on in, kids, the water's just fine," Bridget said to Pete and Jane and Eileen and Claudia – whose wedding plans still had not come to fruition.
Pete had gotten as far as having his mother, the former Warehouse Regent who retired and went back to teaching, visit for a weekend to meet Jane. "Does it unnerve you at all that we share the same name?" his mother asked, perhaps claiming her stake as the first Jane in his life. The detective smiled slowly and told her future mother-in-law she doubted he'd ever confuse them. "So you worked with Helena?" Jane asked the former Warehouse worker and the woman shared that she found Helena to be challenging to work with. Then Pete saw his fiancée handle the situation perfectly – "Be careful, Mrs. Lattimer," Jane said slowly. "That's my friend you're talking about." Pete grabbed his wife-to-be right there and kissed her so hard; it made the grounded detective light headed.
Eileen wished that their wedding plans could be as simple as Bridget and Sarah's appeared to be. With a large extended family, each week seemed to bring a new wrinkle to the young couple's plans. The cousins from Ireland would have to travel in and the grandparents would have to come back from Florida. Eileen dreaded telling Claudia one more detail because each time she did, the techie smiled, but puffed out her cheeks and blew air as she said they'd work it out.
Myka's Office ...
"I hope you appreciate what a good friend I am, Myka," Bridget said, taking one last bite of the homemade mini cannoli. "You're pregnant and I'm the one gaining the weight!"
"I have tried to tell Millie not to leave these here, but she's so excited that all she can do to calm down is bake," Myka laughed at the literally sweet gesture.
"Well, Sarah's going to have to let out my clothes if I keep visiting you," Bridget complained, taking what she swore was the last one. "Oh! How is it going with your doctor? Has she banned Helena from the examination room?"
Bridget wasn't kidding even though she was smiling. Myka had shared that with monthly visits increasing; Helena was becoming testier with the physician. The office went so far as to schedule Myka's appointments later in the evening – after everyone left. Helena thought they wanted to give them privacy. The doctor was protecting her other patients. Helena argued with the doctor's presence was barely needed.
"I am more than qualified to deliver this baby if I have to!" Helena unleashed on the woman one day.
Finally, the doctor had enough. She told Helena babies had been born in the back of taxis, by untrained drivers and newspapers, but she wouldn't wish that on them. The tension in the room wasn't helping Myka and in spite of Helena's promise to stay calm, something bubbled up in her every time.
Helena knew something was going on.
While Bridget regaled Myka with tales of her honeymoon – "Seriously, Myka, do you know how absolutely freeing nude parasailing is?" - Helena was marching into Irene's office.
"Well, I don't know what to do!" is how she made her entrance, even though there were three people in Irene's office. "And if I don't know what to do, I don't know why I'm here because you certainly won't know what to do and yet, here I am," Helena lamented, walking back and forth and then, finally, noticing the others.
None of the staff members had ever actually met Helena and they sat in awe of being in her presence. A phenomenon Helena could not relate to.
"Ms. Wells," Irene said, standing to make sure Helena wasn't put off, "These are our three interns who started with us last week. I don't think you've had a chance to meet and play nice," the HR Director said, letting Helena know she couldn't incinerate them. Irene purposely put her body between the CEO and the innocents. "Everyone, this is Helena Wells, our CEO," Irene said, more as a reminder to the CEO than to them.
"What an honor," the first one said and shot up from his seat. He was the first one to go to college in his family and his modest means showed in his mismatched suit that he prayed no one would notice. Up since 5 AM, he studied everything there was to know about the prestigious company. He extended his hand out and introduced himself to Helena.
Irene watched – carefully – as Helena took his hand and shook it, not saying anything. The second student reached over now, feeling a little braver, and introduced herself and shook Helena's hand so adamantly, Helena had to use force to stop the movement. "Wow," was all the young woman uttered. The last of the three neophytes coughed several times in her hand to clear her throat and then in a high, squeaky voice that she rapidly tried to correct, said hello. Helena was glad she didn't try to shake her hand.
The silence befell the room as they stood motionless, Irene stood waiting, and Helena wondered what to do with these people that were keeping her from her mission.
"Welcome aboard," the CEO finally said and everyone else let out a sigh. They were told when applying for the internships that they may never see, let alone meet, the CEO of Wells Corp. Sometimes, kids signed up just for the chance to meet Helena and that motivation had to be curtailed. Now, these three diligent and eager learners were in her presence.
Helena wasn't prepared for conducting business and she said the first thing that came to her mind. "Let's do lunch," she let out, thinking that would get them to leave.
"Oh my gawd," the last of them squealed and made Helena shudder. "What an honor!"
Helena was finally taken by their affect. "Mrs. Frederic will make the arrangements and let you know when," she said …and when they didn't move…and she had been patient look enough…she looked at Irene – her expression saying …"OK, get them to leave!"
Irene read it perfectly and assured them she would get back to them later that day and walked them to the door as they stole glances back at the CEO.
"See?" Helena said, flopping down on the chair in front of Irene's desk. "I can play nice," she said, sardonically. Irene sat in the chair facing Helena, a move the Brit found – unnerving. "What are you doing? Why aren't you sitting over there?" the guest asked suspiciously.
"I read recently that the desk represents an obstacle when people come in to talk to you about important things and that it's better to sit across from them," Irene said.
"Are you reading Psychology Today or Harvard Business Review- again?" Helena inquired, trying to adjust to the new method. "Really, the things I do for you," she said as she moved back in her chair, accepting the HR Director's new method.
"What is it, Helena?" Irene asked, getting them back on track.
Helena took a deep breath, which she did when she was trying to break the news that she was fallible. "I am…..having …..some trouble," Helena said, and then decided to stand up and walk to the window. It was hard to be animated whilst sitting in a chair and Helena need to flail her arms as she confessed -
"I'm overreacting to the pregnancy. I mean, to Myka – whenever anyone goes near her or looks at her or …or …," the Brit said, crossing her arms. Just the thought – the imagined thought – was enough to make her lapse into an agitated mood.
Irene had seen Helena visceral before – but this had been going on for some time now. She was, however, very impressed with the fact that Helena knew it was an issue. Helena's body couldn't stand still and she grabbed the back of the chair now, looking down at Irene.
"Come," Irene said and indicated for Helena to sit down again.
Helena all but threw her arms up, thinking that this new mode of close communication was ridiculous. "I'd fight you on this, but I know how abhorrently stubborn you can be," she huffed as she retook her seat.
"Helena, I think this wonderful event is…bringing up a lot of feelings for you," Irene said slowly, easing into the conversation.
Helena never appreciated stating the obvious. Her mind raced to figure out which direction Irene was going in. "Well, bloody hell, yes," she said, thinking they should just get to the point – and then it dawned on her what Irene was saying. "No!" Helena said defiantly. "Absolutely not!" she protested as she crossed her arms and legs and sat with her back erect.
"Helena, it would be only natural for you to experience feelings …," Irene approached again.
"You think I don't know this? You think I don't get the replay of emotions when similar events play out in your life? That I don't get the basic concept of transference? " Helena now said, agitated and Irene sat back in her chair.
"Of course I know you're aware, Helena. It's why you're here now. What I am suggesting is that we help you with all of this. That it's hard for you," Irene said softly. She was worried that the constant state of vigilance, was taking its toll on Helena.
Helena's instinct was to contest the woman's claim, but in her heart, she knew she was right. That didn't make it any easier to swallow. Her shoulders dropped as she pushed back in her seat, unfolding her arms to grip the sides.
"I have a thought," Irene said, as the idea seemed to gel in her mind. It wasn't met with the usual snarky response and she took that as a good sign. She had Helena's attention. "I am putting together our company's health plan with the idea of having a healthcare provided on site. Someone who could do basic health functions – give flu shots, take blood pressure, maybe provide nutritional information," Irene said slowing introducing the idea. She had to strike now or she would lose the CEO who had attention deficient with matters that bored her.
"My thought was to try the nurse who Dr. Calder recommended. Having her on staff would give us the opportunity to see if she would, in fact, be someone you and Myka might want to use," Irene segued.
"Use her…for what?" Helena asked, and Irene noted she sounded curious, not annoyed.
"Helena, if you found this woman to be someone you trusted, it might relieve some of the pressure you feel with Myka's pregnancy," Irene explained and watched Helena's face carefully. Dark eyes flashed as the Brit thought over her friend's suggestion.
"Have you met her?" Helena asked, opening the door of opportunity a crack.
"I am meeting her today," Irene shared. "I will only hire her if I feel she could be someone to help you and Myka." Irene left out the part where Vanessa had called her and explained that the doctor caring for Myka said that the staff at the hospital would probably have Helena banned by the time the baby was due.
Helena was on unfamiliar ground; she couldn't think herself out of this situation. She felt she was backed against a wall - a position she only enjoyed if Myka was standing in front of her doing the pushing. She needed help.
"Okay," Helena said and Irene smiled at her being so open. She patted Helena's hand and said, "Good, I'm glad." Then Irene added a caring after thought when Helena got up to leave. "Don't be so hard on yourself, Helena."
Helena Wells was all about emotional armor unless it was with Myka …..and this woman….. who so gently disarmed her, it was off before she knew it.
"Thank you," Helena said, feeling calmer having talked with her confidante.
Helena walked down to Myka's office and had to wait until Millie explained that she knew Myka wasn't really eating for two, but she was just so excited and when she was excited, she baked. Helena glanced over at the three trays of homemade desserts on her desk.
"Have you …considered…meditation?" Helena asked, trying to work her way around the woman to get through the door. Millie said she'd look into it.
Helena slipped through the door and closed it quickly behind her, least the woman follow her in.
Bridget saw what she had come to expect when her favorite couple saw each other – Myka's green eyes sparkled and Helena's face lit up. She even got used to the feeling of being invisible until they locked eyes and kissed. "Oh, hello, Bridget," Helena said even though the woman had been sitting in plain view. "How are you?" she asked as she sat down in the other chair in front of Myka's desk.
"I'm happy to report that I am putting Chapter 15 of your book to good use," Bridget said because that was the chapter Helena wrote about how to create spontaneous intimate moments .
"I doubt spontaneity is a new concept for you," Helena laughed after how quickly the wedding took place.
"We can all use a few pointers," Bridget proposed.
"I'm not sure I agree," Helena said from personal experience.
"Oh, Helena! I have a nice surprise," Bridget said, grabbing some papers from her briefcase. "You'll be pleased to know the financing has been approved for the HG Wells Museum. The Board has agreed to sell you the site as long as you allow the Nature Observatory to remain," Bridget said, because she worked on it on her honeymoon – a rather sore point with Sarah.
"Pleased perhaps, not surprised," Helena said, looking at the papers she was just handed. She flipped a couple of pages to glance at the highlights of the agreement and then handed it to Myka.
"So, what did you inherit all of HG Wells' stuff? Is it going to be on him and his sister? Like Irene's sister's book? " Bridget asked innocently. "Any dirt? Skeletons? Oh! Like, he really wrote Jules Verne's novels?"
For Myka, watching her best friend and her wife interact was like watching gas being poured into a fire - you knew there was going to be reaction, you just didn't know how volatile. Helena's frown was a good indicator.
"Wrote the bloody book about traversing the globe in a balloon? Are you mad?" the indignant Author asked.
"I take it…the rivalry…has been passed down through the generations," Bridget said, taking note at how vehemently Helena gasped at the thought.
"There was no rivalry. We were not equals!" Helena spat out before she knew it.
Bridget attributed the declaration to Helena's definite ideas about what was hers – including her ancestor's works, apparently. "O…kay," Bridget said, getting up slowly and looking at Myka. "I apologize, Helena," she said, even though she wasn't sure for what. Myka care around the desk now and walked Bridget to the door. "I'll call you later," her friend said, her concern about Helena palpable.
Myka came back to the chair where Helena sat now and stood behind her, rubbing Helena's stiffened shoulders. "Are you okay," she asked as she massaged the tight muscles.
Helena put her hand on Myka's and leaned her face into it. Suddenly, Myka could feel Helena's body shaking and she wrapped her arm around her wife from behind. Helena's shoulders dropped and she lowered her head.
"Myka, I think there's something….. terribly wrong with me."
Given the way I write, I thought if I didn't speed things up, this child would never get here. I hope the time line didn't confuse you.
My apologies to Bridget fans - if her wedding wasn't covered in detail. We could always make another story to cover all these other life events. It won't happen with Claudia and Eileen - promise.
Cheers.