Big News!
Gloria was a very practical woman; her years as a nurse had trained her to handle almost any situation. But this? This took the cake.
"So, you're ….the…HG Wells…from …," and she threw her chin up to indicate 'way back when'.
"I am, indeed," Helena said, remembering how good it felt to announce who she really was.
"I know this is hard," Irene said softly, yet she was still worried Helena was not going to get the response she wanted.
"And…you're okay? I mean, physically?" Gloria asked because she could only imagine that if that process really did exist, what toll it could take on a person's body.
"Yes, I'm, thankfully, in excellent shape," Helena responded, the pride showing on her face.
"And….," the nurse pursued because she imagined the emotional and psychological effects to be horrendous. "Being …locked up…but aware….."
"I like that you get right to the heart of the matter," Helena said sincerely. "I ran a series of tests after I was officially dismissed. I had a compromised immune system..," she explained and looked at Irene who saved her that night long ago, "…..and an iron deficiency for a while, but I have recovered fully."
"That's not what I meant," Gloria heard herself saying because she had more than Helena to worry about now.
It was the first time that any of them heard the woman utter anything that could be considered confrontational. Myka took offense immediately and started to say … "Wait a minute," and Irene sat up straight, in attack mode. But Helena understood what the medical expert was asking and she appreciated her candor.
"It's okay," Helena said and put her hand on Myka's to calm her. "You have a right to ask anything, considering what we're asking you to believe."
Irene may have stood down, but Myka didn't flinch. "She's perfect," she said and Gloria didn't move; she just stared at Helena.
"I promise you, Gloria, I am of sound mind and body. You've spent time with me. Do I not strike you as rational, sane, and well-balanced?"
"What Helena means…," Irene started to say because of course Helena was stable, but her behavior sometimes contradicted that.
Gloria knew that Myka was upset, and Irene was going to protect Helena no matter what, so she had to decide on her own. She looked at Helena and read everything she could in her body language and expression. Helena was right – she had no reason to lie to her.
"I'm going to need time to process this, but I believe you, Helena," Gloria finally said and Irene let out an audible sigh. Being in attack mode took a lot out of the woman.
"Well, good!" Helena uttered, relaxing as she held onto to Myka's hand. She may have felt relieved it was done, but Myka's stiffened arm told her not everyone was. Even Irene still seemed edgy. "I think the important thing here," Helena began and was speaking to everyone present, "…is that we are all on the same page."
"Yes," Irene affirmed because that made sense.
"I agree," said the newest member of the page, although you could still hear the hesitancy in her voice.
Myka nodded her head, but Helena didn't get the expected response in her body. Now she would have two things to talk to Myka about later. She asked Myka if she wouldn't mind getting more tea since Leena had left after dinner. Myka got up and Helena indicated with a jerk of her head, that Irene should go with her – leaving Gloria alone with Helena.
"You can ask me any question you have, Gloria. I understand this might be challenging to a woman of science," Helena mentioned.
The nurse took no time in asking her first question. "What kind of government agency has a process to put people in suspended animation for an indefinite period of time," Gloria asked.
"The IRS," Helena answered and Gloria turned her head quickly to look at her. "Actually, it is a small group whose sole purpose is to collect and store artifacts for the protection of humankind. I was sought out for my scientific background when I was still in London."
Then Gloria remembered something important. "I'm so sorry about your daughter, Helena," she said, even though it was hard for her to grasp what she was saying.
"Thank you," Helena said sincerely. "You should know that it is only because of Myka that I have healed from that wound; as well as anyone can. She has absolutely seen to that."
The more Helena talked, the more Gloria found herself believing this outrageous story. Then the nurse, once again, impressed Helena. "Myka is upset," she said, having read the woman's gestures perfectly.
"She is …protective," Helena replied and knew the nurse already knew that.
"You seem surrounded by people who wish to protect you. Yet, you strike me as the one who needs it the least," Gloria noted. "It's a testament to their loyalty."
"I am very fortunate," Helena admitted openly.
And then, as evidence that the woman truly was trying to accept what she had been told, she asked Helena the question that was really on her mind – "What was she like, Helena?"
Just thinking about Amelia Brown brought warmth to Helena's heart and a smile to her face. "She was caring, calm, and so very bright," Helena started and found it so easy to speak about the woman from so many years ago. "You must understand that she walked into a chaotic household, where there was more going on than just the birth," she continued and looked away, as if replaying the scene in her mind's eye. "I was too exhausted to fight my mother anymore. I would have given into anything she was demanding just to get her to stop. But as soon as Amelia entered the château, I could tell who was really in charge. She gently, though firmly, ordered my mother out of the room and gave my father and Charles a list of things she needed done. They went to the village for hours and it wasn't until later, did she tell me that she didn't really need any of it," Helena laughed. "My mother thought she was more tenacious than I, and that was saying a lot!"
The more Helena talked, the brighter the smile grew on Gloria's face. "Oh Lord, my grandmother used to tell me that I got my stubborn streak from her," she chuckled.
Then Helena's expression became serious and she looked at Gloria. "She taught me that my love would be enough for Christina. While everyone else was pointing out what this child would not have, Amelia assured me she had everything in me. For that wisdom alone, I am forever in her debt."
"Helena," Gloria said softly. "If that debt wasn't paid a long time ago, it certainly is now."
Things were not as calm in the kitchen where Myka was caught between supporting Helena and this decision, and her worry about the ramifications. "Why now? Why Gloria?" Myka questioned out loud.
"I'm going to remind her that her silence is a foregone conclusion," Irene added as she paced on the other side of the island.
"Good!" Myka echoed. "And tell her she can't …..mention this to anyone."
The two women were so agitated; they couldn't even hear that they were saying the very same thing.
Helena's idea to give Gloria the space to say what was on her mind, backfired by sending the two women into the kitchen who spent the time combining forces. Helena was certain of that because when they reentered the room – there was no tea. Gloria flashed a small smile at Helena.
"This probably goes without saying," Irene said, about to say it anyway. "But it is imperative that you not share this with anyone. Even your family."
"Yes, of…," Gloria was mid-sentence when Myka interjected - "It could endanger their lives, as well as Helena's."
Helena reminded the women that she felt certain Gloria understood that, but it was like pulling the leash on two oversized barking dogs. Gloria knew that the best way to handle this was to look Myka, then Irene, straight in the eyes and say –
"I want to assure you both that I recognize both the privilege and the responsibility that comes with this information. I would never want any harm to come to any of you, nor my family, and promise to take this to the grave."
Helena's eyebrows rose at how eloquent and complete the woman's assurance was. "Well, I think that does it then," she said and noticed Myka looking at Irene to see if they agreed. Thankfully, for Helena's sake, they did.
"I will leave all of this with …..," Gloria said, and looked around to see who was going to take the items she brought. Helena assured her that it would be fine to leave them with her. She placed the items on the coffee table as she stood up and thanked the hostesses for a lovely dinner. She hugged Helena and when she embraced Myka, she assured her that she understood, even though Myka never asked her anything. Her warmth was palpable and Myka felt better upon hearing it. Again.
Irene purposely did not offer to accompany Gloria, and Steve was waiting outside to take her home. She told Steve to leave and that she would take a cab. He knew Helena would never let that happen and called Pete to see if he was available.
Helena walked Gloria to the door. "What is that wonderful smell?" she asked her hostess when they were alone in the hallway.
"Pardon?" "Helena was asking because she didn't catch it at first.
"Apples," Gloria said, finding it odd that the sweet aroma would be there. She didn't notice it before.
Helena just smiled and shrugged her shoulders as she said goodnight. On her way back to the living room, she noticed the basement door to her laboratory was open.
Myka excused herself to make what was becoming a more frequent habit of going to the bathroom. Irene sat down on the couch, across from Helena. "When will you go through these?" she asked and pointed to the stack of items Gloria left.
"I think we should tell Bridget next," Helena said, on a different track that her friend.
"EXCUSE ME?" Irene declared and her tone was a combination of shock and warning. "Are you…?" she said, looking to make sure Myka wasn't coming. "….trying to kill me?"
"Don't be ridiculous," Helena chastised her for being dramatic.
"Is this because I wore casual clothes?" Irene asked, unable to fathom why Helena suggested this.
"What? Oh, no, you'll pay for that another time. I really just don't like it. It's …..odd," she finally settled on.
"Wearing casual clothes is odd, but you wanting to share who you really are... is …..?" and Irene stopped because she didn't even know what the word was.
"Think about it, Irene. Should something happen to me, Myka would need all the support she could get. That woman is, by some definition, her best friend. How could she support Myka in her hour of need if she didn't know the whole story?" the Brit proposed.
Irene could see the logic in what Helena suggested, but that didn't make it any easier. Then she reminded herself that Helena was using her as a sounding board. It would be Myka's job to agree or not. "As always, Helena, I will support your decision. I beg you to give me twenty-four hours to recoup if that's at all possible," Irene said, feeling drained and exhausted.
"I'll talk to Myka," Helena said and assured her friend she wouldn't take action until she updated her.
When Myka came back into the room, Irene stood up and thanked them for dinner. When questioned how she was going to get home, the woman explained she would take a cab. "Don't be ridiculous," Helena replied, and Irene explained that she really was capable of making her own transportation choices.
"Yes, and you can dress yourself, but we've seen how that turns out," Helena said and read the text from Pete that said he was outside. "Pete will take you," Helena informed her friend who was too tired to argue.
And with that, Pete burst through the door, looking quite animated. He was smiling, but he was moving all around and he slapped his hand over his mouth as if trying to hold back his words.
"Are you okay?" Myka asked and at first, he nodded his head, but then he shook it.
"Oh, do stop that," Helena said impatiently, "….and spit it out!"
Pete stopped immediately, and looked at all three women, unable to hold it in any longer.
"I'm getting married tomorrow!"
Myka was the first to ask – "Tomorrow? Why tomorrow?"
"I don't think that works for me," Helena said, thinking it over.
"Does Jane know?" Irene wondered out loud.
Pete took a step and stood in front of Myka to answer her; "Because Jane is off tomorrow."
Then he slid over the Helena; "You have to be there! Please! You're my Best Man. Woman. My Best Woman."
The he moved to Irene; "Yes, she knows. It was her idea. We're going to have a baby!"
And with that he reached out and hugged Irene so hard, she nearly fell over.