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SPOILERS: Season Two.
Dusty Footprints in Time
By Athena
Part 16: Baby Wells
Helena looked down at the little pink face nestled in a soft blanket in her arms. Tiny little fingers gripped her index finger. The image brought back so many memories from the past, it almost made her cry.
"Hello little one," she whispered to the baby. "I'm your mummy."
"Honey," Myka said in a tired voice and opened her eyes.
Helena turned and smiled at her wife. Myka was sweaty and her hair messy, but she had never looked more beautiful to Helena. Once the delivery was over and the doctors had determined that Myka was safe to be moved, they had cleaned her up and moved her into her own bed in the room next door. With a promise to remain downstairs for a while, the two doctors had taken their leave only minutes prior, allowing the new little family some precious time together.
Helena walked over and sat down next to Myka on the bed. Slowly, being careful not to wake the sleeping child, she placed her in Myka's arms.
"You are beautiful," she whispered and kissed Myka. "And so is our daughter." She smiled at Myka and cupped her cheek. "Thank you. I love you my darling."
"I love you too," Myka whispered.
Myka looked down at the sleeping baby and gently touched her soft cheek. The baby stirred and started to cry, showing off some amazing lung capacity. Helena laughed, but stopped when she noticed the concerned look on Myka's face.
"I made her cry," Myka whispered. "She doesn't like me."
"Don't be silly, darling," Helena huffed. She touched the baby's lips with her little finger and the little girl sucked on it, but when nothing happened she voiced her annoyance again.
Helena gently tugged at Myka's shirt and then rearranged the baby in Myka's arms. The little girl nuzzled around and fussed for a moment before she found what she was looking for. Happy, she latched on and sucked greedily. Myka laughed and cried at the same time.
"See darling, she was just hungry," Helena said and gently wiped the tears from Myka's face.
"It's an amazing feeling," Myka whispered. She again touched the baby's cheek with a finger. "She's so tiny."
Myka caressed the baby's hand and each of the little fingers that rested on her breast. To her surprise the baby grabbed on to her finger. She gasped and looked up at Helena. Helena smiled at them.
Helena got up and returned a moment later with her camera. She took picture after picture of the two until Myka begged her to stop.
"Just come over here and lie down next to me," she said and smiled at Helena.
Helena stretched out next to Myka, resting her head on Myka's shoulder, watching their daughter. The baby had fallen asleep while nursing, her little mouth open in a perfect little o. Helena gently wiped the side of her mouth where some milk still lingered. The baby stirred, but she did not wake up.
"She is perfect," Myka mumbled.
"She is," Helena agreed. She glanced at the clock on the mantle and tried to figure out what time it was in New York. "Darling, I don't think your parents have left the airport yet. Would you like me to call them?"
Myka nodded and bit her lip.
"Can you brush my hair first?" she asked a little embarrassed. "I'm sure I look like crap."
"Don't you dare talk about my beautiful wife like that," Helena said and glared at her.
Myka chuckled and grinned at her. She tilted her head begging Helena with her eyes.
"I'll try," Helena mumbled.
"Hey!" Myka said when she realized what Helena was hinting to. "It can't be that bad," she muttered. She touched her hair and winced. "Crap," she muttered.
Helena settled next to her and slowly ran the hairbrush through Myka's hair. She put a little lip-gloss on Myka's lips after kissing her softly. Finally she held up a mirror for Myka's inspection.
"Not great, but it'll have to do," Myka muttered. She looked down at the sleeping baby and smiled. "It's not me they're interested in anyway."
Helena grabbed the laptop and brought it over to the bed. She watched the screen as it was dialing. Finally Jeannie Bering's face filled the screen.
"Helena," she said happily. "Any news?"
"Good evening nan," Helena teased.
Mrs. Bering clapped her hand over her mouth and just stared at her.
"Are they all right?" she whispered.
"Mother and baby are doing just fine," Helena said and smiled.
Myka grabbed Helena's shirt and tugged.
"Stop teasing her," she muttered.
Helena laughed and moved the laptop so Myka could see her mother.
"Hi mom," she whispered.
"Myka, how are you feeling? Can I see the baby?" Mrs. Bering said, trying to be patient.
"I'm fine mom," Myka said. She carefully folded down the blanket to reveal the baby's face. "Say hi to your granddaughter," she said and grinned.
Helena bit her lip hard, fighting the tears. She hugged Myka and rested her chin on her shoulder.
"Oh girls, she's beautiful," Mrs. Bering said in awe. "I can't wait to meet her," she said, clearly choked up. "It's a girl," she said to someone off screen.
A second later Myka's father's face appeared next to his wife. He smiled at them.
"Where is she?" Warren said.
Myka laughed and held the baby up a little higher. The little girl stirred and made a face.
"Look! She's waving at me," he said and smiled.
"Dad, she's sleeping," Myka mumbled and rolled her eyes.
"We should be there by evening sweetheart," Mrs. Bering said and smiled.
"I've arranged for someone to pick you up," Helena confirmed again. "It's only about an hour and a half to get here from the airport. Unless something happens we should see you at supper time."
"Wonderful," Mrs. Bering said.
There was some noise in the background and Jeannie made a face.
"I'm sorry girls; that's our flight being announced. We have to go. Thank you so much for calling."
"Of course," Helena said and smiled at her. "See you tonight."
The screen went black as the call ended. Helena turned to Myka and smiled. She kissed her softly.
"Thanks honey," Myka whispered. She yawned and leaned back against the pillows.
Helena held out her hands for the baby and Myka reluctantly let her take her. Slowly as not to wake her, Helena moved the sleeping girl to the cradle that had been placed next to their bed. She put her down and tucked the soft blanket around her. The baby sighed and stretched, but she did not wake up. Helena smiled at her and then returned to Myka's side.
"It's beautiful," Myka said for the hundredth time about the antique cradle. "I can't believe that they gave it to us."
"Well, it really does belong to me," Helena pointed out.
Myka smiled and cupped her cheek. She tucked a lock of Helena's hair behind her ear.
"Hard to believe that you've ever been that tiny," she teased.
"And here I thought that becoming a mother had softened you a little," Helena said and sighed dramatically. "And that the months of spousal abuse would finally be over. I see now that my assumption was made prematurely."
"Oh, hush," Myka muttered.
"At least you didn't say shut it," Helena pointed out, referring to Myka's favorite expression of late. "It seems living in the UK has had some negative influence on you."
"Absolutely not," Myka muttered. She touched the side of the cradle. "Do you think there's a way of lowering it so I can see her?"
"I'm not sure," Helena said, all teasing gone as she contemplated the question. "I guess I could have them cut the legs."
"Don't' you dare!" Myka said horrified. "It's an antique."
Helena laughed. She looked at the cradle, amazed at how it looked just the same as last time she had seen it in use.
"She's from the fifth generation of Wells babies to sleep in it," she said with a chuckle.
"You mean, it is a priceless Wells' family heirloom, since the great HG Wells slept in it as a baby?" Myka corrected her.
"Something like that," Helena mumbled a bit embarrassed. "Charles was the first, then me. Years later it was Christina's turn and after that, countless other Wells babies have apparently slept in it," she said amazed at how this old crib had become such an important family legacy.
"And now our daughter," Myka whispered and got a bit choked up again.
"Yes, Eunice Christina Ophelia Bering Wells, our daughter," Helena said and grinned, waiting for Myka's reaction.
"Helena!" Myka said and glared at her. "I've told you, we're not calling her Eunice," she muttered.
"But, it was my mother's middle name," Helena said sweetly and batted her eyelashes.
"No. End of discussion," Myka said firmly.
"It will give her character," Helena pointed out.
"Still no," Myka said stubbornly.
Helena laughed and held her closer. She could feel Myka relax and knew that she would be asleep within minutes.
"Carolyn Christina Grace Bering Wells," Helena whispered.
"Our daughter," Myka mumbled before sleep took her.
Helena sipped her champagne and smiled at the children who were hanging on the side of baby Carolyn's cradle. She caressed Sophie's hair and the girl smiled at her.
"She's so tiny," she said and giggled.
"Babies are, but they grow fast," Helena said and stroked the girl's soft cheek. "You'll be able to play with her in no time."
"May I hold her?"
Helena chuckled and put her glass down. She stepped closer to the cradle and smiled at the baby who was wide awake.
"Hello sweetheart," she whispered and picked her up.
Sophie followed her over to the sofa and sat down. She held out her arms for the baby and Helena carefully placed baby Carolyn in Sophie's arms. The baby seemed to be happy enough in the girl's tight grip and made a little sound that made Sophie giggle.
"I think she likes me."
"I'm sure she does," Helena said and smiled at the two.
The Wells family had gathered for the christening of Helena's and Myka's daughter. Even if it was a somewhat smaller event than the wedding, it seemed to Helena that it was a fairly large gathering. Hours earlier when she and Myka had been standing in the same church where they had exchanged vows less than a year ago, Helena had felt a ghostly chill surround her for a moment. She remembered standing in the exact same spot on a warm summer day so many years ago, listening to the same words being said about her child, her Christina. Helena sighed and tried to push the sad memories away. She glanced at Sophie and baby Carolyn. Even though she had lost so much, she had truly gained a lot, a wife and another daughter.
"You're very quiet," Helen said and touched Helena's shoulder.
"I was just thinking," Helena mumbled.
"I was there. I too remember," Helen said softly.
Helena nodded.
"You will tell this little one about her sister and honor her memory. Christina will not be lost or replaced because of another child," Helen added. She stroked Helena's hair as the two watched the baby fall asleep in Sophie's arms.
"Let me take her," Helen offered and gently took the baby from Sophie. "I should have some extra rights for being her godmother, right?"
Sophie giggled and nodded. "You're a very pretty godmother, just like in the fairytales."
Helen smiled at her. "Thank you, Sophie."
Myka came over and Helena got up, wrapping her arm around Myka's waist as they stood next to Helen, watching the sleeping baby.