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SPOILERS: Season Two.
Dusty Footprints in Time
By Athena
Part 15: Waiting
It was late by the time Helena made it back to Wells Hall. She had called Myka as soon as she landed and encouraged her to go to bed. The drive to the house had been uneventful. She had managed to finish the last part of her report and would send it off in the morning. The driver had the partition closed which gave her the privacy she needed. Leaning back in the plush leather seat she contemplated the last couple of weeks and the fact that she was officially on leave. Myka was due in less than a week. They had known that it was cutting it close, but Myka had insisted that Helena go on the mission with Pete. She was really glad to make it back in time for the baby. No matter how much Dr. Calder and Helen had explained the progress in medicine, childbirth still scared the living daylight out of Helena. She had kept this fear a secret from Myka, not wanting to worry her more than necessary. Helena's dark musings came to an end as the car slowed down and stopped. She pressed the button of the intercom.
"Yes?"
"Do you want me to go up to Wells Hall, Ms. Helena or would you prefer to go directly to the Cottage?"
Helena smiled. "The Cottage please."
The car continued through the large gates and she gathered her things, putting them away in her briefcase. The car finally came to a complete stop and the driver held the door for her. She smiled and thanked him as she exited.
Molly, one of the year-round staff at Wells Hall, opened the door for her.
"Welcome back Ms. Helena," she said and smiled. "Ms. Myka is already in bed."
"Good," Helena said and dropped her briefcase next to the stairs. She allowed Molly to help her with her coat. "Will you please make sure that all my luggage is brought inside?"
"Of course," Molly said and smiled at Helena over her shoulder.
"Would you like dinner, Ms. Helena?"
"No thank you dear. I ate earlier. You may retire for the night."
"Thank you. Have a good night."
"Oh, and Molly," Helena said and turned to the young woman. "Thank you for keeping Myka company and for looking after her. It means a lot to me."
Molly blushed and nodded. "You're welcome. She's very nice and I had a good time here."
"I'm glad to hear that. I'm sure that she will be needing companionship now and then after the baby is born."
"I can't wait," Molly said and grinned. "I'm so excited."
Helena chuckled at the young woman's eagerness. "Only a matter of days now."
"I know." Molly chewed on her lip unsure of how to tell Helena of her observation.
"What?" Helena said and laughed. "Out with it girl."
"It's Ms. Myka. I think she's really worried about it," she said softly. "You know, the baby, and stuff."
Helena nodded. "I know. I am too, but we'll get through it."
"I know. It's just that sometimes her temper gets the best of her, and I think it's because she's scared."
"I'm sure it is. Don't you worry Molly. I'm sure you did not do anything wrong."
"Thank you Ms. Helena."
"Now hurry along. I'm sure you wouldn't mind calling it a night."
"No ma'am," Molly said and grinned.
Helena gave her a look.
"Sorry ma'am, I mean Ms. Helena," Molly said and bit her lip.
"You know I don't like to be called ma'am."
"I know. I'm sorry."
"That's all right."
"Goodnight, Ms. Helena."
"Goodnight."
Helena sifted through the mail as she slowly walked upstairs. She was careful not to make any noise. She undressed in the guest room and headed for the bathroom. She sighed as the warm water cascaded over her body, grateful to be able to wash off the travel grime. She dried herself and quickly went through her nightly routine.
The room was dark and she could hear Myka's even breathing from the bed. Helena slipped out of her robe and dropped it on the chair next to the bed before easing under the covers and snuggling up behind Myka. She wrapped her arm around Myka pressing her palm against her stomach. She grinned when she felt a tiny kick against her hand. The baby knew that she was home too.
"Hi baby," Myka said groggily as she turned onto her back.
"Hello darling."
Helena kissed her and held her close. This was home. With Myka and soon their child.
"I'm sorry I woke you," Helena whispered. "Go back to sleep sweetheart."
"Baby C has been very rambunctious and not cooperating at all," Myka muttered. "I've not been able to sleep much."
"Perhaps my presence will help?" Helena said and kissed Myka's shoulder.
"I hope so. I can tell that she's a Wells. She's trouble."
Helena laughed and caressed Myka's stomach. She did not feel any more kicks.
"Lucky for you, I know how to tame a Wells brat."
Myka chuckled. "I'm working on it myself."
"Close your eyes darling. I think she's calming down again."
Helena held Myka as she fell asleep, all while gently caressing Myka's stomach. Finally sleep took her too and she relaxed next to her wife as they comfortably settled in next to each other.
A couple days later, Helena and HP were enjoying a quiet cup of tea together in the sun room while Myka was resting. Helena looked up from her book as there was an insistent knock on the door.
"Come."
Molly's worried face appeared and Helena jumped to her feet.
"What's wrong?" she said sternly.
"It's the baby, Ms. Helena. It's coming."
HP chuckled behind her. "It seems like you're about to be a mummy, Helena," he teased.
"Well, what are you waiting for girl?" Helena barked. "Get Dr. Calder!" She made a shooing gesture for the girl to get moving. "Hurry."
"What about Dr. Magnus?"
"I will get Dr. Magnus myself."
Molly nodded and ran off looking for the doctor. Helena looked at HP with panic on her face. He took her hands and smiled at her.
"She will be fine and so will the baby."
"I keep thinking about when Christina was born," Helena whispered and closed her eyes.
"I know. But that was over a hundred years ago. You did not have the knowledge and technology we have now."
Helena nodded. "You're right of course."
"We've taken every precaution for it to be safe for Myka to give birth here. You know that."
Helena sighed and her shoulders slumped. "I did go a little overboard, didn't I?"
HP chuckled. "You mean by basically setting up a maternity ward in the Cottage with all the most advanced technology available?"
Helena laughed and nodded.
"It doesn't matter. You can afford it, and this child is so precious that nothing should be left to chance. Now go Helena. Myka needs you."
"Of course," she said and rushed to the door. She stopped and looked at him over her shoulder. "Thank you."
"Anytime Helena. I love you, you know that."
She smiled and nodded. "I do, and I love you too."
"Now go!" he said and laughed.
Helena grinned and hurried out of the door.
Helena banged on Helen's door. "Helen! Are you in there?"
Helen Magnus calmly opened the door and smiled at Helena. "Calm down dear," she said with a chuckle. "I assume that it's Myka."
"The baby is coming," Helena said and grabbed Helen's arm. "Hurry!"
"Helena," Helen said very gently. "You know as well as I do that babies rarely pop out right away. I'm sure that there will be several hours before the baby arrives."
Helena looked like she was going to explode. "Helen, I swear, if something happens to Myka…"
Helen gently put her arms around Helena and just held her for a moment, stroking her hair. "Helena, nothing is going to happen to Myka, or the baby for that matter. Everything is fine."
"But Kathleen," Helena whispered.
Helen cupped Helena's cheek and smiled at her. "That was over a hundred and twenty years ago. Medicine has come a long way since then. You really have nothing to worry about. Now shall we?" Helen said.
Helena nodded silently, and fell into step next to Helen. "I just can't lose her."
"Helena, Myka needs your support and strength more than anything right now. I need you to pull yourself together," Helen said sternly. "Can you do that? If not, I don't think you should be in the room."
Helena stared wild-eyed at Helen and finally nodded. "I can and I will."
"Good, now let's get this little Wells baby delivered."
When Helena and Myka had expressed their desire to have a home birth, Helen Magnus had, with Dr. Calder's help, set up a delivery room in the parlor next to the bedroom. The two doctors were currently busy checking monitors and conferring quietly over by the desk where several computer screens displayed Myka's and the baby's vital signs.
Helena sat by Myka's head holding her hand. Now and then she wiped Myka's flustered face with a cool washcloth. Myka moaned and gripped Helena's hand tighter. Helena bit her lip as she watched Myka's face as another contraction peaked and passed. She let out a sigh of relief when Myka calmed down again. She looked up when she felt a warm hand on her shoulder. Helen Magnus was standing there smiling at them.
"How are you doing Myka?"
"Except for that I'm trying to push a soccer ball through my vajayjay, couldn't be better," she said sarcastically.
Helena chuckled and caressed Myka's cheek. Myka glared at her.
"You're doing great, darling."
"This is your fault, you know," Myka muttered.
"It will all be worth it when you're holding your beautiful baby in your arms," Helen said before the two could get into another little argument.
"It will be nice to not be kicked in the bladder all the time," Myka muttered.
Helena chuckled, but bit her lip and tried to look supportive when Myka glared at her again.
"Can I get you anything?" Helen asked.
"A Scotch on the rocks?" Myka said hopeful.
Helen laughed and patted her leg. "I'll keep it on ice for you for a couple of months."
"Sure," Myka muttered and gasped as another contraction hit. "Shit!"
"Darling…" Helena closed her mouth at the death glare Myka shot her way.
"Oh God, oh God!" Myka cried out and her body tensed as she experienced a much stronger contraction.
Helen moved down and smiled approvingly. "You are dilating beautifully, Myka. It should not be long now."
"Are you sure there's no other way?" Myka hissed. She looked at Vanessa. "Perhaps an artifact that could just beam the baby out?"
"I'm afraid not," Vanessa said and smiled. "You are doing great Myka, there's really no need to consider an alternative at this point."
Myka huffed and leaned back against the pillows as the contraction eased off.