I hope you'll forgive the process of bringing Nurse Brown on board. She's an OC from my WH stories.
Many thanks for you continued readership. Love hearing from you all, too.

Cheers.

Welcome Aboard

Irene watched as the nurse disappeared through the office door, and then decided to follow her outside. Helena was sitting next to Myka as Myka assured her she was okay. "The cramp is gone now," she said as Helena held onto her hand. Helena already knew that because she sensed when Myka finally relaxed. She waited until she closed the door behind her before she called out for Gloria. "Nurse Brown," Irene said, walking quickly to catch up with the woman who was near the elevator.

"Mrs. Frederic?" the nurse smiled.

"I'd like to conduct that interview now," Irene said, trying to sound like she hadn't already hired her. The HR Director had watched carefully how she interacted with Myka and she was impressed.

"Of course," the woman said, pleased that she still wanted to do it. There was something about the dynamic of the threesome inside that made the woman doubt she'd get the chance.

"Oh, thank God," came from behind the desk where Millie sat, typing away at her computer.

Thirty minutes later, with the nurse's resume still in her hand, Irene had asked every question that she was allowed to by law. However, if the woman was going to work with Helena, she needed the answers to questions that were more delicate. "Your credentials are very solid, your experience is broad, and your reference is convinced I'd be crazy not to hire you," Irene smiled. "But tell me why you want this job?"

Gloria bowed her head down as she thought of all the reasons. "I don't mind telling you, Mrs. Frederic that I never thought I'd be interested in doing something like this. I come from a long line of women who worked in the healthcare profession, so I always knew what I was going to do, even from an early age. But the job is physically demanding and ….," the woman laughed patting her round midsection …." …..and I am not always up to the task. I've forgotten more than some of the younger nurses, but they can stand on their feet twelve hours a day. I can't do that anymore," the woman said, rubbing her knee at the thought of the pain it caused. "But I'm good at what I do, that I assure you." There was a softness to her light brown eyes when she smiled.

Irene didn't know the woman's age, but she imagined the job had aged her beyond her actual years. "What is it that you think this job would be, Ms. Brown?" Irene asked, pulling down her reading glasses slowly. The nurse had worked with people long enough to know someone's real intention in a question was hidden in their tone. She knew Irene was interested …but she was also being very cautious.

"Well, Doctor Calder shared that the expectant couple might be in need of some private healthcare facilitating. I took that to mean helping them manage their way through the pregnancy. Dr. Calder's concern was that one of the mothers was perhaps …..can we say, difficult?" Gloria asked and Irene's expression didn't tell her she was wrong, but she also noticed Irene's chestnut eyes flashed - telling her to be cautious in her choice of words. "…and that it might help to have someone assist with the medical interactions with doctors and staff. I think Vanessa is concerned the child will have to be born at home," Gloria chuckled – unaware of how right she was.

"So, you're willing to give up your job at the hospital and take on a short term position?" Irene asked, her proverbial HR hat sitting nicely atop her head.

"Oh, I can go back to the hospital any time I want," Gloria explained. "Mrs. Frederic, from what Vanessa has told me, Mrs. Bering-Wells is the model patient. And thank God, she appears to be having a good pregnancy without any complications. The difficulties seem to be with Helena Bering-Wells and from what I've seen; she's the one having the trouble. If I were to guess, I'd say her blood pressure went through the roof in there. And her over protectiveness, while admirable, is going to tax her strength – both physically and mentally."

Irene couldn't believe how succinct the nurse's assessment probably was. Then Gloria continued, because she believed in putting everything on the table. "My sense is, you're very protective of the woman and I'm sure you have your reasons and they are good ones. My job would be to assist in any way that I can and ensure that the pregnancy goes as planned."

Irene pushed back in her chair as thoughts raced in her mind. The woman was good; better than she expected. But this wasn't the hard part of getting the job. "What I am prepared to offer you is a position at Wells Corp, as the staff healthcare provider. We have a small staff here that helps with occupational hazards and such, but I think you would fit nicely heading up that team. You would be in charge of onsite medical care – flu shots, healthcare classes, etc. This would give ….uhm….Helena a chance to get to know you. You cannot help them if Helena does not approve." Irene put it as plainly as she could.

""Okay," Gloria agreed, but then gave her stipulation. "But you must give it a month. My sense is that woman would say no to Mother Theresa if the mood struck her. I've seen her type…."

"No, you haven't," Irene said assuredly. "I'm sure you have dealt with a great many people from all walks of life in your job, but I assure you, you have never met anyone like Helena." The nurse noticed Irene's tone was only mildly defensive, and that it was more a mixture of warning and challenge.

Gloria Brown enjoyed a challenge.

"I think this is going to work out just fine," Gloria said of the arrangement.

"You understand, I won't be able to …," and Irene stopped. 'Prevent you from being eaten by wolves' sounded too harsh.

"Oh Mrs. Frederic," Gloria said, and her body shook from the chuckle she couldn't contain. "I've handled my share of tough people. Now, I know you think Helena is different, but underneath, we're all the same. It just comes out in different ways. She's a brilliant woman who is in a vulnerable position of being an expectant mother – and she's not in control. That can be hard for people who are used to being in control."

Irene liked that this woman seemed to understand Helena already. She wasn't sure Helena would appreciate it though. For a brief moment, the two women started at one another, their minds parsing out the decision.

Irene had interviewed thousands of people. She knew how to hold back her personal bias and assess a person's skills and potential for a job. She never crossed the boundary of letting her personal feelings about a person get in the way. But hiring someone to work with Helena was different. She liked this woman – she was more than qualified and seemed to understand what she was getting into.

Gloria knew that the woman interviewing her was the epitome of professionalism. So, the fact that Irene was hesitant at all spoke volumes about her relationship with the CEO.

"Mrs. Frederic, I will accept the position here at Wells. This way, I'll be close enough to Myka should she need me, and Helena will get to know me. My sense, Mrs. Frederic, is Helena will need my services before Myka will," the nurse said, one eyebrow raised.

Irene was concerned about Myka, but she was really worried about Helena.

"Welcome aboard, Nurse Brown," Irene said, standing up and taking some papers in her hand. "This is the salary package we are prepared to offer you."

Gloria noticed how accessible the paperwork was, as if it had already been prepared. She liked Irene Frederic – she could tell she was a strong woman with a mind of her own and a kind heart. She knew the woman took her job seriously and more importantly, she could tell there was some bond to Helena that she didn't quite understand, but she liked it, nonetheless. She took the papers and looked at the generous salary. She wouldn't have to work overtime with that income – something she had found necessary with twins in college. She smiled and looked at the woman who just hired her and shook her hand.

"I look forward to working here," Gloria said. She told Irene she would be there tomorrow and thanked her for everything. She was almost out the door before the words came out of Irene's mouth.

"She'll probably fight you at first. It's her way," Irene said, no apology in her tone.

Gloria liked this woman's honesty. "I've learned the way to win a good fight, Mrs. Frederic, is to let the other person wear themselves out first."

Irene smiled and thought – Helena rarely tires in her pursuits.

When the nurse was gone, Irene went back to check on Helena and Myka. Myka had convinced Helena she was well enough to sit up as the Brit called the doctor …again…and was told …again…she was in the delivery room. The attending called back and spoke to Myka and assured her the cramp was normal and told her to call if anything else happened.

"I don't think you should hire a nurse," Helena stated to the woman who just hired one. "I think you should hire someone to replace that bloody doctor."

"How are you feeling, Myka?" Irene asked and Myka assured her she had no pain after that one spasm. Myka cast her eyes over at the woman who was still in pain though.

"How about some tea?" Irene suggested, hoping the magic elixir would calm her nerves.

"Your tea?" Helena bellowed as if she had been shot.

Irene looked at Myka who bit her lip not to laugh at her wife's theatrics. Even after all this time, she found them endearing. "Of course not, Helena, I would never dare to suggest…." Irene tried.

"Eileen's then?" Helena asked and there was no way Irene would refuse her.

"Of course," Irene said, getting up after asking Myka if she wanted any. She made a direct line to the elevator and went upstairs, hoping the junior executive wasn't in a meeting of great importance.

Meanwhile, Myka was sharing something with Helena that didn't suit her well at all. "Helena, sweetie…," and the double salutation told Helena something was coming that she wasn't going to like. "We have to talk…," and now Helena was certain she wasn't going to like it. Myka got up from the couch and gently pulled her into the chair next to hers as she held Helena's hand.

"I do appreciate how concerned you are about the pregnancy, but we're really doing fine. And I worry about you ….," Myka said gently and Helena's expression turned into a frown. "I think we need to relax more…," Myka tried to suggest.

If it weren't for the sincerely that filled the jade pools of concern that met Helena's eyes, she would have baulked. But this was Myka speaking from her heart and Helena always listened when those words were spoken. "Okay," came the affirmation because Helena always agreed to Myka's requests when she looked at her that way.

"Good," Myka said, and rewarded Helena's concession with a tender kiss. "Let's have a nice dinner at home tonight and afterwards….," Myka said in a seductive tone that immediately caught Helena's attention…. "I will massage any part of your body that aches," she cooed in Helena's ear, causing an immediate aching sensation to arise inside her.

"I am but the very essence of calm in your hands," Helena responded in a breathy tone.

"Well, I may not be going for calm…exactly," Myka said and Helena's eyes light up with anticipation.

"Oh," Helena responded, then leaned over to kiss Myka, her worries starting to wash away.

A few minutes later, a light tap on the door meant Helena's tea arrived and Myka shouted for Mrs. Frederic to come in, patting Helena's hand and reminding her she needed this. The tea cup was placed down in front of Helena who couldn't help the longing for the drink from appearing in her eyes. The Brit all but moaned as she drank down the soothing liquid. Within minutes, the CEO appeared calmer.

"I hired that nurse to come on staff," Irene announced. Myka thought it was a great idea and said she liked the woman and thought she'd be a great addition.

"Don't let her fool you, Myka," Helena warned from the other side of her teacup as she drank. "Dr. Calder wants her to specialize in us."

Myka looked at Irene who confirmed that this was, in fact, the ulterior motive for hiring the woman. "She did seem very nice," Myka said.

"We'll see about that," Helen said under an arched eyebrow.

"She'll start tomorrow and I think we can put her skills to good use for the staff. That way, you can get to know her and see if there's anything she might also do for you," Irene said and her tone conveyed to Myka that she meant Helena.

"I think it's a wonderful idea to have someone right here," Myka said of the new addition.

"I explained that she, of course, would have to meet with your approval," Irene explained and Helena's expression concurred.

"She seems competent, although I'm basing that on her ability to articulate a couple of questions," Helena said, her tone dry and unimpressed.

Then, Helena drained the cup of the antidote to her anxiety and kissed Myka goodbye. She then left with Irene and instructed Millie to keep an eye on Myka. Helena meant check in on her; Millie took it to mean fabricating reasons to go into Myka's office every half hour.

"Maybe they could just station the nurse in my office," Myka laughed when her secretary came in to adjust the blinds …..for the third time.

It was the same thought Helena was having.