"You know," James said at last, gathering herself up. "I think I can. Where do we begin?"
"Tonight, we get some sleep, but I have to know Helen, er, James, um which do you prefer?"
"Helen is fine," James said with a sigh. "Honestly, I find it harder and harder to reply to my original name. You know that reflex you have to turn around and look when someone calls your name, only you realize someone else near by has the same first name? I don't feel that anymore when I hear someone say 'James' in the halls at school, but I do feel it when I hear someone say 'Helen.' It's spooky."
"I bet it is," Amber said, nodding. "Okay, well, the thing I wanted to ask is about the other night when we..."
"When we made love?"
"Yes, I was wondering how much of that was you and how much of that was the magic?"
"Oh," James said after a pause. "I think some of it was the magic, I'm not really that smooth. But the intent was all me, the desire was mine. The real Helen would never have let you come close like that. She saw you as too much of a threat to the kind of woman she was. I know it's silly, but it's true."
"Well then, step one to making you a better Helen Range is that you and I are crawling in bed together tonight, just to sleep tonight, I think you could use the comforting and holding. Then, tomorrow, we set about a weekend whirlwind of seeing how much fun you can have in Helen's life. Spa trip maybe, or some serious credit card maxing shopping. We'll have a good time of it, I promise. Okay?"
James grinned as she stood up and embraced the other woman. "Sounds like a great idea. Bedroom is this way, but if you'd like, I need a shower first and you're welcome to join me."