The middle of August was just as hot as the beginning of June, meaning that it stayed hot consistently in Hillwood. After a few years in San Lorenzo Arnold was used to the weather being hot and humid year round, but in the city it was different. It wasn't just hot and humid, it was breathlessly hot and humid with smog. Still, he didn't complain as he helped Olga carry in the groceries. Even if she was carrying just her purse and a basket of apples and he had two heavy bags.

"Oh, Arnold you're such a gentleman!" Olga gushed for the umpteenth time as she opened the door for them. "You remind me of the husband I had for my role as Lady Heartsgroove in the production I starred in last month."

"That's great, Olga," Arnold grunted, quickly moving past her into the kitchen. He breathed a sigh of relief as he finally got to set down the heavy paper bags on the counter. "Maybe you can tell me about it sometime?"

As soon as the words left his mouth he instantly regretted it. Olga let out an excited squeal and clapped her hands.

"Oh, I was hoping you'd say that! I have the DVD and a whole album of behind the scene pictures that you've just got to see. They're upstairs, I'll be right back!"

With that, she rushed upstairs leaving Arnold alone in the kitchen. He only shook his head in mild amusement and began helping to unpack the groceries. Olga was a nice person, she really was, but her incessant chatter would drive any sane man mad.

"Man, I swear that woman can talk!" Helga grumbled coming into the kitchen with two more grocery bags. "And why the hell does she have to insist on paper bags? They're a total bitch to carry."

"Helga," Arnold sighed in mild exasperation and took the bags from her, "I told you to leave these. I'm taking care of you now, remember?"

"Helga G. Pataki does not need taking care of." His girlfriend growled in response.

"But it's not just you," Arnold gave her cheesy and loving smile. "I'm taking care of our future baby too."

Helga's fist swung out and Arnold narrowly dodged the blow, but straightened up laughing.

"Shut up!" Helga hissed throwing an anxious look at the stairs. "Are you trying to get us in trouble? If Olga overheard you-"

"Hey, I think you owe me a little light jeering don't you?" He chuckled. "You scared me half to death you know."

Helga rolled her eyes and elbowed him aside to finish putting away the groceries. "How many times do I have to say 'my bad football head, it was a false alarm?"

Arnold could only smile and shake his head. Helga had given him the scare of a lifetime, but in a way it had scared him in the right direction. The thought of Helga being pregnant hadn't terrified him, it was the thought of not having everything perfect for her and the baby that did. Arnold had everything to look forward to; college, a career, traveling, but the thought of Helga carrying their child had suddenly made him instead want a house with a white picket fence and a dog to run around the yard. Suddenly, something ice cold and hard hit the back of his head.

"Ow!" Arnold looked down to see a quart of ice cream at his feet. He rolled his eyes and picked it up. "Why yes honey, I would love some ice cream. Thank you so much for offering."

"You're very welcome dear," Helga smirked, her tone just as sarcastic as his, "Would you like a spoon as well?"

"Why? So you can throw that at me too?"

Helga laughed in place of an answer and rifled through the drawer for some spoons. Arnold watched her as he absentmindedly rubbed the back of his head. Helga didn't throw the ice cream nearly as hard as she could have, so he counted that as progress. Rough or nice though, Arnold didn't mind nearly as much as he used to. He counted all of it as part of her charm. When she finally found the spoons, Helga came back over to him and they dug into the ice cream together. It was their new favorite this week, mint chocolate chip.

"So, did you turn in your late admissions application yet?" Helga asked with her mouth full.

"Yep, and I had to shell out an additional $125 for the late fee." Arnold frowned and licked the back of his spoon. "I need to find a job soon. Think they're hiring at the coffee shop?"

He laughed when Helga turned to him, both startled and hopeful. "I was joking. I wouldn't work there and cramp your style or anything."

Helga pouted in disappointment. "More like you would distract me. So I guess it's for the best. But yes, you definitely need to find a job. Helga G. Pataki will not lower her standards to date a jobless bum."

Her eyes shone with affection, though, even as she teased him. Arnold smiled and leaned forward and captured her lips in a firm kiss. Her lips were sticky and cold but her breath was warm. Helga chuckled into their kiss but then broke it with a light shove against his chest.

"Slow down there Casanova," she chuckled in a low voice, "Olga will be back downstairs any minute now. And I don't need to hear another long winded story about how our romance reminds her of one of her sappy productions."

"I'm back!" Sure enough, Olga came skipping down the stairs with a photo album in one hand and a DVD in the other hand. "Oh just wait until you guys see it. The story was absolutely delightful and my co-actors were just wonderful."

Arnold smiled at her politely and tried to seem interested but Helga blatantly rolled her eyes and groaned.


It took three hours to watch Olga's two-hour play because she kept pausing it to explain her acting methods, and they were forced to pour over the photo album over dinner and dessert. By the time Olga was satisfied and excused herself to go to bed, it was almost ten at night. Since she had work in the morning, Helga walked Arnold outside to say good night.

"I am so, so sorry about that." Helga grumbled as they stood on the porch. "Sometimes you just have to be blunt with Olga and tell her that you just aren't interested in her crappy plays."

"Oh, it wasn't that bad." Arnold laughed and drew her into his arms. "It was a beautiful love story between two cheesy people with corny acting. Like any other romantic chick flick."

Helga rolled her eyes. "Which I hate."

Arnold knew she was lying though by the small blush that colored her cheeks. Cupping her face with one hand, he tilted her face towards his and gave her deep and loving kiss goodnight. This time, Helga melted into his arms and returned his kiss with fervor. She moaned into his mouth and Arnold felt his knees go weak. But he had to ignore the fire that was beginning to simmer in his veins and he was the one who broke their kiss. Helga glared at him in displeasure but her eyes were still hazy with desire and her cheeks were flushed.

"You have work in the morning remember?" Arnold reminded her gently. "I would hate to keep you up any later."

For a moment Helga gave him a stubborn look, but then she softened and nodded. "Yeah, I guess you're right. As always."

"As always," Arnold confirmed and kissed her forehead. "Goodnight sweetheart."

"Goodnight, football head." Helga tilted her face up for another, final kiss and then disappeared inside her house.

Arnold sighed and started walking home. Her early morning shift was just an excuse to keep himself under control. Their renewed relationship was still in the early stages and he had to keep things slow and easy with Helga. Much easier said than done. Especially when it came to the physical part of their relationship. Every kiss she gave him drove him wild and all sense seemed to leave him whenever she pressed herself against him. And it didn't help that the fateful night at the beach house they spent together still burned in his mind.

Arnold kicked at a rock in frustration and ran his fingers through his hair. He was so stupid and dense. He should have seen through Helga's act sooner, should have known that it wasn't just passion that drove her to his room. If he had, then maybe she wouldn't be so afraid to let things progress between them.

"I can't rush her." Arnold mused out loud. "I have to make things as comfortable as possible for her. I can wait. I can definitely wait."

But then the image of Helga, wearing her jean shorts and a loose fitting t-shirt with her hair tied back in a low ponytail, came to the forefront in his mind. His chest constricted and he was hit with a wave of longing for her searing kiss and tight embrace.

"Tomorrow." Arnold whispered to himself. "I'll see her tomorrow. I can hold on to my sanity for that long."

Besides, there was a long list of things Arnold needed to take care of and the list wouldn't get any shorter if he mooned over Helga.

A/N- Bet you thought Helga was going to be pregnant in this one didn't ya? Well no, it's not going to be that kind of story. More will come soon and other chapters will be longer. Hope you guys enjoy