Chapter 1: Where Is It?
Arnold had just been caught by Gerald. Gerald, Arnold's best friend whom no secrets were kept from, had just caught him kissing Helga G. Pataki. Not only Arnold's, but basically their entire (soon to be 6th grade's) class' sworn enemy.
After being unfathomably embarrassed by the interruption of what could quite possibly be her lifelong dream coming true, Helga ran away as quick as she could. At least, from the scene of the shocking event which was suddenly exposed. There wasn't far she could escape to; them still having been in the Green Eyed Village.
Miles and Stella walked over to Arnold; wide smiles on their faces. Miles set a hand on Arnold's shoulder as Arnold began to blush terribly. "Was that your girlfriend, son?"
Gerald tried to hold back his laughter as he replied "Helga? Arnold's girlfriend?! Yeah, and Rhonda wears outdated shoes!"
Rolling his eyes, Arnold began to look away, hoping to come up with an excuse. "It's uh, well. It's a long story."
With his parents still smiling at him, they replied "Speaking of long stories, it's going to be a long walk back to the village. We should probably get going."
Arnold's eyes widened as he exclaimed "Oh no! We forgot about Mr. Simmons and the rest of the class! We have to hurry and get going!"
Not having a worried look on his face, Miles replied "Don't worry son. Go find your girlfriend and we'll head on our way back."
Arnold once again blushed as Gerald thought to himself Man have they got some catching up to do!
As Arnold was searching the village, Helga was sitting in the dark with her locket, leaning against a tree. Running her finger against the shredded picture Brainy had put back together, thinking to herself
Oh my beloved, is it destiny? While I've tasted the sweet sensation of your soft lips before, they have never cried out for my attention as they did tonight! They have never…
"Helga?" she was suddenly interrupted as she turned to see her beloved lurking behind her. "Arnold?!" she gasped, quickly shoving the locket back inside her tank top, as she stood to scowl at him. "I mean, stop creeping up on me!"
Seeing his eyes widen, she knew he must be wondering why she still felt the need to act this way. Giving him a guilty look, she added "I mean, shouldn't you be with your parents. Heck, you've got ten years of catching up to do. I don't think you did it all in the ten minutes I was over here!" she said, rubbing the back of her neck.
As he gazed at her, he replied "True, but there will be plenty of time for that later. We need to get back to the village and find our friends."
She had forgotten all about that. It was as though that one special moment she shared with him a few minutes ago made her forget where they even were.
Taking her hand in his, Arnold lead Helga back to Gerald and his parents; all of them having different thoughts about the 'couple.'
Gerald stared with a raised eyebrow and his hands on his hips as he saw his best friend walking hand in hand with his worst enemy. I don't know what kind of jungle fever that kid caught, but he better not give it to me!
Miles and Stella watched the smile on Arnold's face; the way he paid more attention to her than he did to where he was headed. They knew it had to be more than friendship.
While Arnold was just anxious to get home, Helga was rubbing her neck with her free hand, thinking to herself I hope no one makes a big deal out of this!
Once they had returned back to the spot with his parents, Arnold anxiously asked "Is everyone ready to go?!"
"If it's alright sweetie, we'd like to say goodbye to the Green Eyes before we do?" Stella asked, hopefully, as Arnold smiled "Sure! We'll come with you."
Backing away from him, Helga said "Actually Arnold, I think I'll just wait over here for you...if that's okay?"
Shrugging his shoulders at her, Arnold turned to Gerald as he heard him say "Me too. I mean no offense man, but it's not like 'we're' the chosen ones or anything."
Arnold rolled his eyes at Gerald's sad excuse as he followed his parents over to the the Green Eyes. When they were far enough away, Gerald turned to see Helga once again standing in the dark beside a tree. Only this time, she decided not to risk anyone hearing her spill out her emotions to herself.
As she stood there staring at the ground, wishing she had a can to kick, she thought to herself What am I going to do when we get back? Even if I'm FINALLY okay with him knowing how I feel about him... I'm not ready for everyone else to know how I feel about him! I don't want to risk being mocked, ridiculed, or having my lifelong reputation destroyed! I'm not ready to…"
Suddenly, she heard "Hey Helga." She screamed "Ahhhh!" nearly falling over as she turned to see Gerald standing beside her.
"Oh, umm..uuhhh...hey?" This was new to her. Normally it was Arnold who snuck up on her.
As she looked at him with petrified eyes, she knew what he had to be ready to ask about. She watched him standing there staring, almost smiling at her. The suspense began to kill her, as he continued to remain silent. Finally, she had to break it herself. "So, are you gonna say something, or do you not know English now either?" she scowled.
He shook his head as she watched him sit beside the tree. Sitting down next to him, she listened to him say, "So, I guess this means it was all true?"
Not sure of what he meant, she lifted part of her eyebrow at him. "What are you talking about?"
"I knew something was up when I saw all that footage you had of Arnold." Gerald began as Helga began to blush, looking away from him.
"There more I think about it, this actually clears up a lot of things." he went on, as she quickly whipped her head around. "Things? What things?!"
"For instance, you falling through the wall the day we were discussing the go cart with some weird cassette thing you were holding. That was weird. Then when Arnold brought that bird for show and tell, it looked like you were about to whack it with your umbrella...before that lizard took care of it for you." Gerald listed things he remembered as Helga threw her hands into her face.
"Then when we did our school play, Romeo and Juliet, you gave Arnold what seemed like a ten minute kiss. And when Arnie came…" Gerald began as Helga jumped from her seat, "Alright! Alright! I admit it! I have feelings for him!"
Gerald leaned back as far as he could with his arms crossed against the tree, smiling at her. "Feelings huh? What kind of feelings?"
Helga rolled her eyes with a hand on her waist pointing a finger at him. "That depends, what kind of fist do you want in your face?!"
Not seeming to care about her threat, Gerald continued to smile as they then heard Arnold and his parents approach. "Okay you two! Let's get back to the village and find your class!"
Gerald quickly sat up as Helga was having a hard time looking Arnold in the eyes. Not only did her true love now know how she felt about him, his best friend did as well. She wasn't too worried about whether or not Arnold could keep this secret. Before she told Gerald, the only thing she had to worry about was when she would be willing to let go of her reputation.
Now that Gerald knew about her feelings, she had to worry not about how much longer it would take for her love life to start, but who might find out about it before she was ready.
As they began hiking back, Arnold stayed close to his parents. They were so excited to see each other, it was as though the kiss had never happened.
"So son, exactly what grade are you going into? Who's your teacher? What school are you at? We've got a lot of catching up to do?" Miles asked as Stella smiled at her son.
"My friends and I are going into the sixth grade with our teacher Mr. Simmons. I've been at P.S. 118 for awhile now, so we've all gotten really close. Gerald's been my best friend ever since pre-school! We do everything together!" Arnold explained happily as Stella looked back at his friends.
"What about that sweet girl who's with us. Is she a close friend of yours?" Stella asked, while his friends were too far back to hear. Arnold began to blush, trying to think of what to say. "Oh yeah, she's a...close friend. I've known her as long as the rest of the kids in my class that is."
Turning his head to look back at her, Arnold saw Helga and Gerald speaking to one another. I wonder what they could be talking about.
"Why didn't you ever tell him? I mean, It's not like he's violent or anything. If you're worried he's got secret footage of you hidden in his room somewhere to show to everyone, I think we both know, he doesn't." Gerald said wittingly.
Helga began to clench her fists as she stopped to face Gerald completely. "Look hairboy! What happened back there. What...I'm not sure or not if he's clear on or not...but what you obviously do now know...is personal! You're in dangerous territory! So wipe that stupid smile off that face of yours and forget everything that happened!"
Forgetting they were falling behind, Gerald shook his head at her. "Helga, I'm no therapist...especially not yours. But to like someone they way you do Arnold means you CLEARLY are not as tough as you claim to be. Besides, we've had the same kids in our class for years now. Don't you think you've made it obvious that while you ACT tough, you've never actually done anything to hurt anyone….not even Arnold."
Miles, Stella and Arnold all turned to face them when they noticed how far behind Gerald and Helga were falling. "Hey guys, are you okay?" Arnold asked, looking back at them.
"We're fine man!" Gerald replied, walking in his direction. Helga stood still a moment, thinking to herself He's right, what am I doing. My reputation may just be making me look weaker as I get older. We're growing up. People expect relationships to form at our age. Not my negative, immature attitude. Just because that's true though, doesn't mean the IDIOTS in out class are ready to grow up and realize that. What am I supposed to do?
With her hands in her pockets, she began to follow the rest of the group, when she saw they were beginning to no longer be within her sight.
"So Gerald, tell us about you and Arnold. He says you two have been best friends since preschool." Stella said. Gerald gladly replied "Yep! He and I have had some crazy adventures together. Like the time he and I saved the neighborhood from being torn down!"
Arnold's eyes widened at the thought of his moment with Helga on FTi being brought up. It was then he butted in to say, "Uhh Helga still seems to be having a problem catching up. I'm going to go get her."
Gerald took no interest in his best friend running off as he went on to explain the story of what happened to their neighborhood.
Meanwhile, Helga was continuing to slowly make her way towards the group. Hands in her pockets, staring at the ground, it was only a matter of time before her thoughts were once again interrupted by "Helga?"
Not quite as startled this time, she looked up to see Arnold standing in front of her with a concerned look on his face. "Huh? Oh hey Arnold."
"Are you okay Helga? You seem to be having a hard time keeping up with us." Arnold asked as Helga was tempted to scowl at him.
"Yeah! Soo… Don't get mad. Don't act immature. Just be yourself… I mean I'm fine. I'm just tired I guess. Hehe." she replied as sweat began to form on her face.
Arnold looked at her with half lidded eyes as he took her hand, quickly pulling her back to the rest of the group. Being dragged along, she thought to herself. Oh Crimity! This is torture! Here I am with the boy of my dreams, and in a few hours, I'll be forced to either act like within the short time we spent out here, we no longer hate each other...or continue acting like a jerk for the sake of my reputation and possibly break his heart. Pttss...break his heart. Who am I kidding? There's no way he feels about me the same way I do about him. How am I supposed to know for sure if I don't tell him though? How am I….
"Helga?" Arnold called, as she again looked at him with petrified eyes. "What is it, Arnoldo sheesh?!" She exclaimed, not being able to help her old habits.
"Listen Helga, I think I know why you're so nervous. I know you have feelings for me. Judging by what happened back there, you didn't have the easiest time showing them. If you'd like, we can just be friends. If it makes you feel comfortable, we can go back to being 'enemies.'" Arnold suggested as Helga's eyes widened. Finally the boy she dreamed of being with was showing a sign of reciprocating her feelings. Was she willing to throw it all away due to her insecurities? She stuttered "Oookkkay. If that's what you think is best?"
Only wanting her to be happy, Arnold nodded his head. "I guess that's it then. We can forget this whole thing never happened."
First Day of 6th Grade
Walking down the halls with his best friend, Arnold and Gerald began talking about his new home life. "So, what's it like having your parents back, buddy? Or for the first time!" Gerald asked as Arnold gave a weak smile. "It's actually pretty cool. They have about a hundred new questions for me about school, my friends, and anything interesting I've done over the years every day."
Suddenly, Arnold felt himself being yanked around the corner, near the hallways steps. Widening his eyes at the girl with pigtails and pink bow that flattered her pink jumper, he asked "Uhh do I know you?"
"Look football head, I know we said we could forget the romance thing in San Lorenzo never happened, but you don't have to be THAT overly dramatic about it!" Helga insisted, as she rolled her eyes with her hands on her hips.
Keeping his wide eyed expression on his face, Arnold added "Are you new here? I don't think we've ever met?"
Clenching her fists, she did her best to bring out her sensitive side. "Look Arnoldo, I thought about what you said back in San Lorenzo. I don't WANT to forget that ever happened. Yes, I feed off my reputation. Yes, it warms my heart to see the terror one look of my fist brings to the other kids faces. Yes it's going to take me awhile to become, umm 'open' in public...but it's worth knowing you have feelings for me to." Helga gulped. She couldn't believe she had gotten that last part out. Even if she had been staring at the floor while saying it.
"I'm sorry, you seem like an uhhh interesting person, but I have no idea what you're talking about?" Arnold said, just as the bell rang. Turning away from her to head to class, Helga screamed "Arnold Wait!"
Helga was left standing there, thinking to herself Did he take me that seriously, or did someone hit HIM with a baseball? She continued standing there until…...
"Hey Arnold! Hey Arnold! Hey Arnold!" Helga shot up from the bed, sweat pouring down her face. Looking around, she saw herself laying in Arnold's bed alone. It was all just a dream?
Wiping her head with relief, she then looked down at her finger. Wait, where's my wedding ring? That frustrating eight months I spent planning with Princess couldn't have just been an antagonizing nightmare, could it?"
Sitting under the covers a moment, gathering her thoughts, Helga heard a familiar voice opening the door. "Morning sweetie, today's the big day!"
There Arnold was with a glass of orange juice and a plate of waffles for his lovely wife. "I figured you'd need something to eat. Last night turned out to be more rough than fun for you I think."
Helga looked at him with wide eyes, not knowing what to ask first. What happened last night? Are we still married? You know my name, right?
Seeing the sweat on her face, Arnold put a hand on her head. "Does your head still hurt? You should definitely eat something!"
Not caring about the idea of knocking the food out of his hands, Helga jumped up to hug him. "Whoa!" Arnold exclaimed, quickly setting it aside.
"Arnold, I had the worst dream! I dreamt you said we should just go back to hating each other after we kissed in San Lorenzo. Then when we got back home, you didn't even know who I was! Maybe you were just messing with me. Either way, it was awful!" Helga exclaimed as tears began to form on her face.
Arnold sat beside her on the bed, rubbing her back as she rested her head on his shoulder. "Don't worry Helga, none of that happened. You were probably just shooken up from the party we had last night."
"Uhhh…." She replied, trying to think back to it.
Giving a weak smile, Arnold replied "It was pretty irresponsible of me to say yes when the rest of the boarders offered to buy us alcohol for our party. I guess if we had just invited a few of the boarders to the wedding, Rhonda might as well have gotten the Crazy Cancun hotel."
"Wait! If we're still married, what happened to my ring?" she gasped, hoping to get every detail straightened out.
Holding her hand in his, he replied "Don't worry, it's got to be around here somewhere. Just get a little rest. We're moving into our apartment this afternoon. I don't think either of us wants you to feel sick during that." Arnold said, kissing her on the cheek.
Helga picked up her fork to cut her waffles, but the constant shaking of her hand wasn't helping the situation. As she was taking her first bite, she saw Arnold heading for the doorway. "Wait!"
He whipped his head around to ask "What? What is it?!"
"I...I mean. Where are you going?" she stuttered, feeling embarrassed to still have been worried by her dream.
Walking back over, he said "I was just going to make sure everyone is going to be ready to help us move our things this afternoon. I trust my parents are on top of things, but you never know about my grandparents."
"Oh, okay." she said, as Arnold watched her take a bite of her food. He then headed downstairs to the kitchen to see his parents eating their waffles with his grandparents.
"Morning sweetie. How's Helga doing?" Stella asked, as Arnold took a seat at the table.
"I think she'll be alright. She just had a rough night." Arnold insisted as Phil butted in. "Doesn't shock me. That was one heck of a shindig you threw shortman!"
"What exactly did we miss while we went to dinner and the movies?" Miles wondered as Arnold began to blush. He didn't want to tell his parents about the alcohol involved, but not much more would give Helga the migraine/hangover she was experiencing.
"Oh, just listening to music and discussing what everyone is going to be doing when school starts back up." he replied as Phil lifted an eyebrow "That's a funny way to describe drinking and gambling? I don't know anything about you youngin's vocab these days however!"
Miles and Stella looked at Arnold with concerned eyes as Arnold's face grew redder. "Son, you're not old enough for that?" Miles said calmly as Arnold quickly replied. "I know it was stupid. I'm sorry! No one got hurt though!" No sooner had he said this, Helga walked in holding her head, still wearing her purple nightgown.
As they heard her moaning, Stella asked "Good morning sweetie. How are you feeling?"
"Aside from the fact that I feel like I got hit by a truck...I think I'll survive." she replied.
Arnold's parents gave him the I told you so look as he walked over to help her. "Maybe you should just stay home while we do the moving today. It's not going to hurt us to have one less person. Besides, your family will be there to help us." Arnold insisted as Helga scoffed "Yeah, I don't know what kind of financial benefits Bob thinks he'll be gettin' out of that?"
"You know he's changed Helga. They're doing it to help us." Arnold insisted, placing his hands on her shoulders. She crossed her arms, looking away from him, as she replied "He bought us the apartment. He's done his loving gesture. He's not Santa freakin' Claus Arnoldo!"
"Look I can't change the way you feel about them, so if you want to just forget about it, we can." Arnold said agitatedly as Helga's mind immediately flashed back to her dream. When Arnold could sense she would never be able to let go of her insecurities, he told her he was willing to just forget anything ever happened between them.
Arnold saw her standing there frozen with her hands at her side and her eyes wide as could be. "Helga? Helga are you alright?"
"Wonder what kinda drink she had last night?" Phil asked as Miles glared at him.
"Helga!" Arnold shouted, finally snapping her out of her daze. "Huh? Oh sorry. I think I'll go back upstairs."
"Are you going to be alright sweetie? Do you need something for your head?" Stella asked, looking concerned.
By the time she had finished her question, Helga had made it to the top of the stairs.
Arnold turned to face his family, not sure what she could be so worried about.
"What exactly happened last night son?" Miles wondered, keeping his eyes on Arnold, as the soon to be college student's eyes lit with fear. "Nothing! We were just having some drinks with friends...that I know we shouldn't have been doing to begin with." he sighed as Stella gave him a disappointed look.
"If by hurt, you mean hurt feelings, I'd say so! Kids were makin' drinks all night long and didn't bother to offer me one!" Phil exclaimed as Arnold rolled his eyes.
"Dad, why would you let them do that?" Miles asked, shaking his head at his father.
"Oh lighten up son. Arnold's mature enough to know not to do anything stupid...WHILE he's drinking that is. Hehe." Phil pointed out as Arnold once again rolled his eyes at his grandpa's unhelpful information.
"Uhh maybe I'll go check on Helga. She must have something on her mind." Arnold insisted, quickly turning to head upstairs. Maybe she's just nervous about her internship, or school, or moving out, or…
Before he could finish his thoughts, he heard a voice on the other side of his bedroom door.
"Thanks Pheebs. See ya soon."
Arnold came in as Helga was setting down her phone, standing up to get dressed. "Hey football head, how's it going?"
"Umm okay. Are you feeling better?" he asked, not sure of what was going through her mind.
"I guess so, Pheebs is coming over for awhile. We might do something before the move this afternoon."
Watching her change, he asked "Are you sure you're up for that. You seem upset about something." Arnold asked, scratching the back of his head.
Not wanting him to see the fear in her eyes, she turned away as she was throwing on her blue shirt. "Like you said, it was a crazy night for both of us. I'll be fine by the end of the day."
Walking over to kiss her, she stepped back. "Uhh you know, maybe we should save that for tonight. Don't want to wear ourselves out…" she insisted, tugging on her collar.
As he stared at her with pleading eyes, they heard a knock at the door. Knock Knock
The two of them turned their heads towards the door as they simultaneously said "Come in!"
"Hello Helga. I'm hope you don't mind I brought Gerald with me. He thought Arnold might like some extra help with the move this afternoon!" Phoebe suggested.
"Sounds great!" Arnold replied, as the two did their secret handshake.
"Well, I guess Pheebs and I are going to head over to Slausens for a milkshake." Helga suggested, looking towards her best friend.
"Milkshake? Man, isn't it a little early for one of those?" Gerald laughed as Arnold rolled his eyes.
"Says the guy who thought the way to win an election would be by eating twice his body weight in junk food!" Helga exclaimed as the four of them headed out the door.
Making it down the steps of the boarding house, the guys went in the opposite direction of the girls. "I guess we'll be going to the arcade until it's time for the move." Gerald said as he waved goodbye to Phoebe.
Seeing the girls walk away, Gerald said "I couldn't help but notice you and your lady didn't say goodbye or even attempt to make a gesture at one another. Everything okay buddy?"
Arnold sighed as he continued looking in Helga's direction. "I don't know, Gerald. She's been acting weird since she got up this morning."
"This morning? Try all her life!" Gerald exclaimed, as Arnold wondered when he would ever drop the negative remarks about what he still couldn't believe to be his wife.
"I'm serious Gerald. I tried to kiss her, but she wouldn't let me. I tried talking to her in the kitchen about the move, but she ran away from me. I walked in to bring her breakfast this morning, and it was like she couldn't believe I even knew who she was?" Arnold began to explain as Gerald lifted an eyebrow.
"Well, those weren't exactly sodas we were drinkin' last night buddy." he hinted as Arnold sighed.
"Was Phoebe acting weird this morning?"
"No, but that could be because after she took a few sips of hard lemonade, she decided to go find some real lemonade." Gerald laughed as a frown formed on Arnold's face.
Meanwhile, the girls had just made it to Slausens. "Well here we are Helga. I'm assuming you'll be wanting your extra large triple chocolate shake." Phoebe smiled as they stood outside the door.
Helga held her head at the thought of digging into the cold treat. "On second thought Pheebs, do you think we could just take a walk around the park. Tall hair boy may have been right about it being too early for that...as much as I hate to admit it."
Phoebe was always happy to help her best friend out. "Certainly Helga." The two then began walking in silence towards the park. Helga with her hands in her pockets, head hanging low. Normally, Phoebe was the one person she would be willing to open up to. Having no memory of what happened at that party last night however, she didn't know what could have caused her to have such a crazy dream. There was only one way to find out...
"So, what exactly happened last night Pheebs?
Looking over at her best friend, Phoebe replied "Well, we and the rest of our friends may have taken things a bit further than necessary. Especially seeing as how we're not even what is considered to be legally old enough to drink."
"About that. How far did things go? Did I drink to much? Sleep with someone else? Blow off my internship? I mean crimity...I lost my freakin' wedding ring?!" she exclaimed.
"Well Helga…" Phoebe began as she was interrupted.
"Plus the fact that I had this bizarre dream about Arnold and I didn't exactly put what was left of my mind at ease this morning!" Helga exclaimed as Phoebe's attention was then moved to that. "What kind of dream?"
Rubbing the back of her neck, Helga pondered the idea of giving Phoebe every detail or just the basics as she did with Arnold. "I don't know if it's really that big a deal, but you know how I tend to overthink things."
"That's okay, you can tell me." Phoebe insisted.
"Basically, it started when Geraldo interrupted mine and Arnold's kiss in San Lorenzo." Helga sighed as Phoebe couldn't help but interrupt. "Oh my, that was quite a while ago."
Helga rolled her eyes, thinking to herself ya think?
"Anyway, after we started heading back to find the rest of the class, Geraldo insisted I open up to Arnold. Arnold could sense I wasn't comfortable doing that however, so he said we should just go back to being enemies."
"As willing as Arnold always is to help people out, that seems far to blunt a suggestion for him to give." Phoebe insisted.
"Then when we made it back to school, I was ready to admit to him I was willing to give that sensitivity crap a shot." Helga explained as Phoebe began to smile.
"When I told him though, he didn't know who I was?!" she added as Phoebe gave a concerned look. "What do you mean?"
"I mean he - didn't -know - who - I - was! I don't know if he was just messing with me or if that crazy jungle anti - English speakin' princess cast some vudu spell on him? Either way, he wasn't responding to me!" she exclaimed as Phoebe could see the look of terror forming in her eyes.
"Don't worry Helga, it was just a dream." Phoebe insisted, patting her friend's back.
"What does it mean though? Is he losing interest? Can he no longer deal with the secretive person I am? I don't know how wasted he got last night...obviously not as bad as me...but based on what happened in the kitchen this morning...last night could have opened up some emotions he didn't realize he had!" she exclaimed.
"What happened in the kitchen?" Phoebe asked, as the two of them finally made it to the park.
Sighing, dropping her head to the ground, Helga explained "You know I said Arnold was willing to forget about us in my dream just to make me comfortable. Well when we were talking about my parents this morning, he said he was willing to just forget about trying to make things work between me and them, because he saw how uncomfortable it made me."
"Well, didn't he promise to respect your privacy? That was one of his vows to you wasn't it?" Phoebe pointed out.
"Yeah, but you know football head. He can't give up on other people's problems. Now here he is, willing to drop things, just like that?! Is he already sick of me? Is he ready to forget about me?" Helga nearly screamed, as she threw her hands in the air.
"Helga, relax! The closer you two get, the more time you'll be spending together. The more time you spend together, the more chances you'll have of having a few bad moments occur. Not everything is perfect in marriage. Even when you were trying to put your wedding planning together, you had to remind yourself just being with him would be worth putting up with the stress of the planning. He's not going to let a few of your negative traits erase every feeling he's built up for you over the years." Phoebe insisted as she watched her friend look down at her finger with the missing ring.
Meanwhile, the guys were sitting in the arcade. Arnold nearly falling asleep watching Gerald play Runaway Bus Driver. "Will you ever get sick of that game?"
"Will you ever get sick of helping people?" Gerald asked, not taking his eyes off the game.
Arnold's eyes circled the room as he spotted the claw machine. "So, Helga said you saw them win the ring the night I ran out of here."
"Yep, she couldn't help but brag about how quickly she did it. Not that I ever took my eyes off the game, but it sounded like she was talking to a guy while she was doing it too." Gerald explained as Arnold turned his head back towards him.
"A guy? What were they talking about? Was it someone we know?"
"I don't know man, like I said, I couldn't take my eyes off the game." Gerald insisted as Arnold now had something new on his mind.
Back at the park, the girls had just finished their second lap around. "So, what you're telling me is, I spent eight hours playing beer pong, drunk jenga and quarters with a bunch of saps who vomited after their first drink. Then decided to rub it in their faces by showing them I could keep down twice my bodyweight?" Helga sighed with a hand on her hip, not believing she was as old as she was and still cared about their classmates opinion of her.
"Precisely." Phoebe replied, nodding her head.
"Okay...that still doesn't explain what happened to my ring? Did I gamble it or did one of those loser classmates of our steal it?!" she insisted on knowing, as Phoebe gave her a disappointing look.
"I'm certain I don't know Helga. I left the party when I saw Gerald may need someone to walk him home. You don't need a ring to be happy though. Arnold loves you with or without it. Just help with the move this afternoon. Gerald and I will as well. If worse comes to worse, you can always get a new one." Phoebe smiled as Helga returned it.
"Thanks Pheebs. Where would I be without you?"
The two of them then headed home, ready to start the move to Helga and Arnold's new apartment.
Back at the arcade, Arnold couldn't take his mind off the idea of Helga talking to another guy. Was it one he would have to worry about, or was it just a five minute conversation?
"Yes! I did it! Tell Helga to beat THAT time, my friend!" Gerald exclaimed as Arnold shook his head.
"Come on. We need to get going if we're going to make it in time to help with the move." Arnold insisted, as they headed back to the boarding house.
The four of them arrived together, seeing the moving truck waiting outside the boarding house. Helga looked around as she thought to herself. Looks like I was right about my family being a no show.
"So how big's this apartment of your's buddy?" Gerald asked, as the four of them watched the movers carry their things into the truck.
"It's not that big. It has two bedrooms, one bathroom, a decent sized kitchen, a living room, a dining area. That's pretty much it." Arnold explained as Gerald placed his hand on his best friend's back. "Guess you'll be using that extra bedroom for that baby you've been hoping for!" Gerald winked as both Arnold and Helga blushed terriblely.
"Uhh we'll see. First we need to work on school. Our internships are starting this soon. After we get our careers going, then we can start thinking about a kid." Arnold said, rubbing the back of his neck.
Helga let out a soft sigh of relief. She wasn't ready for such a big decision. Like Arnold said, they had their careers to think about first.
"Well kids, take one last look at the place, because you're about to start a whole new life." Stella said as Phil butted in. "Why would they want to fill their heads with more images of this old dump?"
Arnold shook his head as he replied "Actually, I would like to see my room one last time before we go. Would you like to come Helga?"
"Uhh sure." she replied, knowing there wouldn't be much to look at. She and Arnold thought differently. Before making it up there, he envisioned seeing his room as the place he spent all his wonderful childhood memories. She didn't see what the big deal was about it, until they made it up there.
As they stood there in the empty room, Arnold thought to himself I'm really going to miss this place! The card games I played with the guys, the experiments I did with Gerald, the bedtime stories grandpa told me…
Helga looked around knowing there was a slim chance of turning her head and seeing her wedding ring. Surely by that point, one of the movers clearing out the room would have found it and said something. As she moved her eyes around the room, memories flashed back to her There's the couch I used to hide from Arnold when I stole back that dumb parrot, the closet I hid in when I watched them do those stupid experiments with my pink journal, the glass roof I spied on him through when I stole back my locket, the spot his bed was in when we made love for the first time…
Arnold heard a small sigh slip from her nose, as he took her hand. Beginning to rub it, she turned towards him with sad eyes.
"Are you going to be okay? You haven't seemed like yourself today." he asked as her eyes began to widen.
"What are you talking about?" she insisted on knowing, as she tugged at her collar with her free hand.
"I just feel like there's something you're not telling me. I know you don't like people butting into your business, but I can't help you if you don't let me know what's bothering you." he insisted as she began to smile at the thought of him still wanting to help with her insecurities.
Looking down, she replied "I..I Just wish I knew where my wedding ring was. Pheebs said I got pretty wasted last night. It's bad enough I don't remember anything about last night. It's driving me freakin' crazy that no one has a clue what happened to the ring?!"
Taking her face in his hands, Arnold gave her one more passionate kiss he hoped would be long enough for them to both remember taking place in that room. "I promise as long as we have each other, it doesn't matter what happened to the ring."
While following him downstairs, Helga couldn't help but notice she didn't feel the tingling sensation during that kiss with him which she had felt with all their others. When she and Arnold kissed, everything felt perfect. It was as though they were two halves of a whole. Now the only two things on her mind were the missing ring and that awful dream. Was it just a coincidence, or did it happen because Arnold really was about to grow tired of her attitude?
Making it out the door, they saw everyone was ready to go. "Think we can cram ourselves into that old car with the rest of the herd?" Helga asked
"I guess we have no choice." Arnold said, rubbing the back of his neck.
The eight of them then hopped into what Phil considered to be his most prized possession...The Packard.
"Crimity! I have no leg room, whatsoever!" Helga scowled, as she and Arnold shoved their ways into the back seat.
"You're tellin' me! I'm pressed against the door hard enough for it to be my seatbelt!" Gerald exclaimed as Miles started the car. "Don't worry kids. The apartment's not far from here."
As the crowded car drove down the street, Helga took a look at everything she grew up with. Ice cream at Slausens, baseball games at Gerald Field, plays at P.S. 118… while they'd still be right around the corner from those places, she felt as though leaving the boarding house meant moving miles away from their childhood memories.
"We're here everyone!" Stella exclaimed as the tight group happily exited the car.
"Finally! Some leg space!" Helga scowled, as the rest of them got out to stretch. Stretching her arms out, Helga felt the bare space on her ring finger and was once again reminded of her moral dilemma.
As she dropped her head towards the ground, she suddenly felt a pair of arms wrapped tightly around her waist. "Baby sister!"
Helga's eyes widened, knowing who it was. Although that didn't make catching her breath any easier.
As Olga set her down, Helga turned to face her. "Oh baby sister! We're so excited to be here! You've got your own place, you'll be starting school soon, and internship, it's so, so…" she began to sniffle as Helga butted in. "Oh crimity! Knock off the water works! Sheesh!"
Squeezing her face, feeling a headache coming on, Helga heard "So, how long you think this'll take us? We got a shipment of cellphones comin' in later this afternoon."
Helga rolled her eyes at her father's remark, not sure of what to think. On the one hand, he was here. On the other, he was more concerned about his business.
Before she considered responding, Arnold walked over with his eyes lit up. "Hey Mr. Pataki! Thanks for coming!"
"Fine. Fine. So where's this apartment I'm payin' for? More importantly, where's the guy in charge of the place? Maybe I could talk him into buying some of my stores new appliances." Bob insisted as Helga began to walk away.
"Daddy! We're not here to sell anything!" Olga pointed out, almost laughing.
Bob began to roll his eyes as he helped Arnold and his family grab what they could. Once all the furniture, dishes, and other necessities were at last in the apartment, the group helped Arnold and Helga set things up.
"Man Arnold! Your parents sure gave you a lot of stuff for this place! I know my dad would still be onto me about that whole 'value of a dollar' deal." Gerald insisted as he helped his best friend rearrange the living room furniture.
"Yeah, I think I've still got one of those Wacko Watches. I'm sure it's in one of the boxes." Arnold assumed as Gerald shook his head. "I don't ever want to see one of those things again!"
While the boys were putting together the living room, Helga and Phoebe were working on Helga and Arnold's bedroom. "This is going to be quite a summer for you Helga! Now that you and Arnold are married and back from your honeymoon, you're moving into your own apartment. Soon you'll both be starting your internships for your dream careers. Everything is falling into place for you!" Phoebe insisted with a smile on her face, as Helga sat down on the bed with her face in her hands.
"What is it Helga?" she asked as Helga let out a deep sigh.
"I just can't shake the feeling that losing my ring had something to do with that dream. Maybe I'm still just shooken up from all that booze, but I just feel so incomplete without it. I know it's just a stupid piece of jewelry. The last thing I would ever be concerned about." Helga rolled her eyes as Phoebe sat down beside her.
"It's not stupid Helga. It's natural to feel concerned about the feelings your loved one has for you. You just shouldn't let that concern take control of your happiness...let alone you." Phoebe explained as Helga sat up.
After a moment of silence, Olga entered the room. "Baby sister! We're finished with the kitchen! Come and see!"
Helga followed Phoebe out of the bedroom, not expecting to be overwhelmed. She knew Olga always did an amazing job on whatever task she was given.
She entered the kitchen to see the cabinets filled with their wedding shower gifts, which had been mostly kitchen supplies. Pink hand towels set by the sink, and a wedding photo of her and Arnold sitting on the counter. Helga stood there thinking to herself Once we get this place painted, it won't look too bad.
After a moment of enjoying the new atmosphere, Stella said "Well, now that everything's set up, perhaps we should go. That way Arnold and Helga can have a chance to enjoy their new apartment!"
Arnold smiled widely as he went over to hug his family. "Thanks for all your help!"
"No problem buddy! See ya soon!" Gerald said, as the two did their secret handshake.
After seeing him hug his family whom he had always been close with, Helga turned to look at hers. "Well, thanks for the help, I uh guess." she said, scratching the back of her head.
"You're so welcome baby sister! Call if you need anything!" Olga exclaimed as Helga thought to herself in your dreams!
"Well, enjoy the place. I'm not payin' for another one!" Bob said as he and the rest of them headed out.
Arnold gladly walked them to the door as Helga sat down quietly on the couch.
"Goodbye everyone! See you soon!" he exclaimed while turning to see Helga sitting, looking troubled.
Walking over to sit beside her, he put his arm around her. "So, this is it. We've finally got our own place!" he said happily, kissing her on the cheek.
"Yeah, it's great." she sighed, holding her finger.
"I told you your family would come!" he couldn't help but point out to her.
Crossing her arms, she replied "Except for the fact that Bob's back to his business like self and Miriam stayed home, unpacking her drunkin' body all over her own couch! I guess family therapist is the one career The Golden Child could never succeed at…. Pttss pathetic!"
"She can't be good at everything Helga." Arnold pointed out, rolling his eyes. Forgetting for a moment they were in their new apartment.
"Arnold, she majored in psychology! Sheesh!" Helga sighed as she looked away, staring down at her bare finger.
A moment of silence broke until Arnold noticed the disappointed look on her face. As he took her hands in his, he said "Helga, I know you're upset about the ring, but you don't have to worry. I'll buy you a new one!"
Clenching her fists, she stood up from the couch and scowled "It's not just about the ring football head!"
"What else is it about then?" he asked as his eyes widened, shrugging his shoulders.
"I told you about that psychotic dream I had. You were sick of trying to get me to open up to you. Then you didn't know who I was. Then I woke up this morning to find myself with no ring and you not caring all that much about my opinion of whether or not my parents helped with the move! Does that not seem a bit uncanny to you?! Like some crazy sign you're not as patient with people and their imperfections as you seem to be?! Like my subconscious was trying to prepare me for something?!" she exclaimed as he lifted an eyebrow.
"Prepare you? Prepare you for what? For me leaving you? Helga that's ridiculous!" Arnold exclaimed as he stood from the couch.
"Is it?! Or is it ridiculous that a sweet, sensitive, optimistic guy like you would stay with an rough, insensitive, pessimistic girl like me?" she attempted to scowl as her lips began to quiver. He walked closer to hug her, saying softly "I think you're just tired. Last night was rough and today was a big day for both of us. We should go lay down."
Arnold walked Helga to their new bedroom, laying her down on their bed. Helga pulled her knees up to her chest, holding her hands close to her as she laid on her side. Arnold laid there facing her, as he gently stroked her hair. The two kept eyes on one another, not saying anything. As he looked into her sad eyes that cried out for an answer, he remembered speaking about the ring to Gerald at the arcade.
Arnold couldn't help but ask, "Umm Helga…"
"Yes?" she replied, not moving her eyes away from his.
"When I was at the arcade with Gerald, he mentioned you were talking to another guy the day you won the plastic ring at the claw machine." Arnold replied nervously.
She cocked part of her eyebrow. Partly thinking back to that day, partly wondering where he was going with this.
"Yeah, I remember a kid with green eyes and blonde hair congratulating me when I won it. Had his head been a little wider, I probably would have mistaken him for you." she smirked.
Arnold began to rub her shoulder as she continued waiting for him to add something.
"Were you worried I was cheating on you?" she asked, lifting her head up.
His eyes widened as he sat up further then her, keeping his hand on her arm. "No! I was just curious who it was."
Helga cocked her eyebrow once more, not believing his explanation. "Well, I don't know who it was, but all he did was tell me how impressed he was with the way my 'hands move.'"
Not only did Helga have the idea of Arnold losing interest in her completely wrong, but he was now finding himself having a hard time fighting those 'you belong to me' feelings he explained he felt for her during their honeymoon.
She felt his grip on her arm tighten after explaining this bit of information to him. "Ouch! Sheesh Arnoldo! Just because I don't have a ring on my finger, doesn't mean I need you to make one on my arm!" she exclaimed, as he let quickly let go.
"I'm...I'm sorry Helga. I just didn't like that." he admitted feeling embarrassed, as he scratched the back of his head.
As she began to rub her hurt arm, laying her head down, she asked "You didn't like what? That I won a stupid plastic ring? Hate to break it to you Arnoldo, but they don't keep diamond ones in that machine."
Rolling his eyes at her remark, he set his hand where he gripped her arm tightly. "I mean, I didn't like hearing another guy was complimenting you."
Propping her head up with her hand, she replied "So, you'd prefer to hear me say another guy was insulting me?"
Arnold sighed deeply as he began to rub her shoulder. "No, I'm just always going to feel uhh...jealous...when you're talking to a guy that isn't one of our grade school friends."
Her eyes fell half lidded as she thought to herself…
Oh my beloved, who was I to think someone as purehearted as you wouldn't remain faithful. Someone as caring as you wouldn't be there for those in their time of need. Someone as patient as you wouldn't be willing to accept someone for who they are. Someone as…
"Helga? Are you okay?" he asked as she began to shake her head.
"Huh oh sorry. I was just thinking…" she began as he laid on top of her with a gentle smile on his face. "I know what you were thinking."
She gulped at the sight of his eyes being an inch away from hers and the thought of him now knowing what it meant for her to be dazed out such as that.
"Like I said, you should have written my wedding vows." he smiled, running his fingers through her hair.
She let out a lovesick sigh as he bent further down to press their noses together. Closing her eyes, preparing to feel his soft lips against hers, she heard him whisper "I'm sorry."
Opening her eyes, she cocked her brow at him and asked "Sorry for what?"
Watching him run his fingers through her hair, she listened to him say "For being so irresponsible. I shouldn't have let everybody drink at the party. I drank a lot too, so I don't remember everything that happened."
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she began to scratch the back of his head as she couldn't help but ask "What exactly DO you remember happening?"
Arnold turned his head to think a moment. Like he said, his memory of the previous night wasn't perfect either….
The Party
Gerald: Hey Arnold! Great party man! How'd you get your parents to buy beer for the party?
Arnold: Actually, Mr. Kakoshka bought it when he heard there was a party. If I'd known that was why he was doing it, I would have told him sooner he wasn't invited.
Gerald: Well it's not like he lives here or anything.
Arnold: Hey where's Helga?
Gerald: She said something about showin' Harold a thing or two about beer pong.
Arnold: She's never even played before?
Gerald: So? You know how competitive she is!
Dining Room
Helga: Beat that shot wuss!
Harold's ball hits Eugene
Eugene: OW! I'm Okay…
Stinky: Hey Helga! Betcha can't finish this case of beer faster than sid!
Helga: One, I know I can. Two, what do I get WHEN I do?
Sid: What do you want?
Helga: Hmmmm…. How about those beloved beetle boots of yours!
Sid: What! Not my beetle boots!
Helga: What's the matter? Scared you'll lose a beer chuggin contest to a girl?
Sid: NO! Fine, you're on. What do I get if I win?
Helga: Pttss...right, like that'll happen!
Sid: If I'm betting something, you have to bet something.
Helga: Hmmm….
Stinky: Well that weddin' ring sure seems mighty nice!
Helga: What would you saps want/need with my ring?
Stinky: I wreckin' nothin'. It just seems like it's worth a shiny penny or two.
Helga: Fine! You win, you get the ring. I win, I get your boots!
Sid: Deal!
Stinky: Let the chuggin begin! On your marks, get set, chug!
Gulp, gulp, gulp…
Stinky: Winner...Helga!
Sid: Dog gone it!
Helga starts to fall from her seat
Sid: Are you okay Helga?
She begins to take her ring off.
Stinky: I wreckin' she don't look too good!
Helga hands her ring to sid
Sid: Uhh Helga you won?
Stinky: I'm confused? Don't you have to give her somethin'?
Helga falls to the floor
Kitchen
Rhonda: Uhhh my first alcoholic party and THIS is what's being served. Why aren't we being served martinis or margaritas?
Phoebe: Technically, we shouldn't be having any of these drinks. We are underaged afterall.
Rhonda: Phoebe please! We are on the verge of starting college. You know those freshman we'll be starting with have already had a few drinks before.
THUMP
Nadine: What was that noise?
Dining Room
Phoebe: Oh my Helga! What happened?
Sid: We were seeing who could finish their drink first.
Stinky: Next thing we knew, she was kissin' the floor.
Phoebe takes Helga to Arnold's bedroom
Living Room
Gerald and Arnold sitting with their drinks on the couch
Gerald: That beer is not sittin' right with my stomach, man!
Arnold: I guess we're considered under-aged for a reason.
Gerald: You excited about the move tomorrow?
Arnold: I'm too dizzy to be excited right now.
Gerald: I hear ya on that one buddy!
Phoebe enters the room.
Phoebe: Arnold, I put Helga to bed. She was passed out on the floor.
Arnold: I should go check on her.
Gerald: Assuming you can get up that is…
Phoebe: Don't worry Arnold, I gave her something for her head. She's asleep now.
Gerald begins to moan, holding his stomach.
Phoebe: I should take Gerald home. He doesn't seem to be feeling well either.
Arnold: Okay, good night you guys.
"Uhh I remember Gerald and I spent most of the night drinking and talking about the move. Then Phoebe came in to tell us you had fallen over. She said she put you to bed, then took Gerald home. That's pretty much all I remember." he explained as her eyes screamed disappointment.
"I know it's frustrating not being able to remember what happened. I promise that dream didn't mean anything, and it doesn't matter what happened to your ring. I love you and I won't be irresponsible like that again. This is an important summer for us." Arnold said as he leaned in, pressing his lips against hers. Feeling him run his warm hands up and down her arms, breathing heavily against her, sending a completely satisfied message through the comforting sigh he released, she felt the warm connection with him she was worried had been lost.
Taking his lips back to look at her, he saw a smile on her face he knew only he could bring to it. He wasn't sure if he should feel happy only he could be the one to bring it out, or guilty that few people would ever have the privelige of witnessing it.
Helga placed her hand on his face, feeling his smooth skin. Looking into his eyes that were full of content, she asked "Have you talked to Dr. Bliss recently?"
Arnold smiled, as he felt her hand with his. Thinking about the wonderful future that was in store for them, he replied "She actually said I could start my paid internship with her this week. I was going to tell you yesterday, but I don't think either of us could have handled the news by the end of the day."
"Pttss...I don't know. You seemed pretty giddy this morning!" she pointed out, as he shook his head. "Whatever you say Helga."
As she continued rubbing his face, he glanced at her ringless finger, thinking to himself I wonder if one of our friends knows where it is?
"I think I'm going to take a shower. Would you like to come with me?" he asked as Helga pondered the thought a moment. "I think I'm just going to stay here. I'm pretty tired." she insisted as Arnold bent down to kiss her soft lips. Parting them with his tongue, he began caressing hers with his. Tasting the sweet sensation of what was now 'his' delicate flower, he thought to himself how could I treat someone so caring with such little care?
Feeling the anger at himself build up inside, what starting out as softly wiping his tongue along hers turned into harshly sucking it. It was as if he was searching for the remains of any alcohol inside of it.
Her eyes flew open, not expecting such an aggressive movement from him. Normally, she'd be fighting him for the position, but just wasn't feeling up to it.
Letting go of her lips, he witnessed a confused look in her eyes. "I'm sorry. I know that was...unexpected. I'll let you rest now." he sighed, as he headed for their new bathroom.
Helga continued laying on the bed, thinking to herself What the heck is wrong with me? Why do I feel so weak and powerless without that ring? Like my life has no meaning anymore. Or do I just hate that I can't remember everything that happened last night? Why would that make me not want to be with Arnold right now though?
Meanwhile Arnold had just gotten the temperature to his liking in their new shower. He was pleased by how much quicker the water in this apartment heated up than at the boarding house. As he stood there scrubbing his hair with his eyes closed, he tried remembering things about the party. I know the night ended with Harold vomiting in the bathroom...I had to listen to him for half an hour after all our other friends left.
Trying to think harder about any useful information on the whereabouts of Helga's ring, he suddenly felt two slindor arms wrapped around his waist.
No sooner had he opened his eyes, he felt a set of warm lips pressed against his. While he was enjoying the comfort it brought to him, it brought back a memory as well…
Party
Dining Room
Sid: Hey Arnold! We got some left over beer if you want it. It's kind of warm though.
Stinky: Hey Arnold! Look at this mighty fine ring Sid just won!
Arnold held his head, feeling dizzy
Sid: Actually, I lost the bet. Maybe Helga just gave it to me to be nice?
Stinky: Nice? What in the heck makes ya think she'd do somethin' like that?
Arnold began rubbing his eyes
Sid: You okay Arnold?
Stinky: Yeah, you look like Helga did when she was tryin' to take her ring off. 'Cept you're holdin' your head, not your finger.
Opening his eyes as he pulled away from her, Helga noticed the fearful look in his eyes. "What is it?"
As he watched the hot water fall from his wife's body, he thought to himself Do I tell her? She's been so upset about this. I'm sure the guys would give it back…
"I...I…" he began as her eyes grew from confused to frustrated.
"Spit it out football head!" she exclaimed, both of them surprised by her outburst. Guess she's back to her old self. Which means I don't have to feel guilty I guess?
Taking her hand in his, Arnold replied "Helga, I know where your ring is."
Her eyes lit up, wondering if he had known the entire time and was just now telling him. "Where is it?"
Rubbing her shoulders, he asked "I don't know if you remember the beer challenge you and Sid had?"
Helga's eyes remained fully opened. Hard as she tried thinking back, she couldn't remember anything of the sort happening. "Uhhh, no?"
"Well, after you beat him, you were so drunk you just decided to hand over the ring. Then I think that must have been when Phoebe ran into the living room to tell me you had collapsed on the floor." Arnold explained, trying to put the pieces together.
Helga began to clench her fists. She didn't know what was more infuriating. The fact that she gave her ring away after winning the match, or that she had been dumb enough to bet it in the first place.
"So you're telling me those idiot 'friends' of ours took advantage of me and my competitive skills just so they could get their redneck hands on something they know will never be of any use to THEM in life?!"
Arnold frowned at a few of the accusations she had made. Although she would never admit it, everyone at that party was a close friend. None of which would take advantage of her. He knew she would never see the rest of the guys in their grade school class as attractive, but she didn't have to lay it on them so harshly.
"Helga, you were not taken advantage of. You handed the ring over, and fell to the floor." he explained, grasping her hands tightly.
Not giving in to the idea of weakness, she scowled "So where does that leave us? Do those idiots plan to bet on who can pick up a girl first with it?"
Arnold stood there watching the rage in her eyes. He didn't want to keep that secret from her; especially since he hated how she was always keeping secrets from him. He was beginning to wonder however if it would have been best to just get it back before saying anything. It wasn't any better seeing her depressed and questioning their relationship than it was seeing her scowl and relinquish her anger about it however.
"Helga, why is it so important to you? Just because it's gone doesn't mean our relationship is over. We're married! What's the big deal?" he insisted on knowing. Their aggressive conversation had reached the point where they forgot they were even in the shower.
"It's just...It's just…" she began as his eyes widened. Rubbing her hands as he saw her turn away, he asked "What? Tell me!"
"Do you not remember those unbearable eight months before the wedding?!" she exclaimed as he raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, they were pretty hectic. What do they have to do with your ring?" he asked as she let out a deep sigh, that was covered by the sound of the water running.
"Arnold. It wasn't just the wedding planning that drove us crazy. It was trying to figure out if we were doing the right thing...getting married when we did. We went back and forth on the idea so many times in our minds and with each other, even though we continued on with the planning." she continued as he moved in closer.
"Pheebs had to constantly remind me if there was anything worth putting up with that girlish wedding crap, it's you." she explained as he leaned his head against hers.
"I just kept saying to myself after the wedding, there won't be anything left to worry about. He'll be mine forever. In San Lorenzo I told you I thought of marriage as a way of our love being cemented. I guess it just doesn't feel that way without the ring." she sighed as she continued resting her head against his.
"Helga, you're the most poetic/metaphorical person I know. I can understand if you can't help but see the ring as a symbol of our love. Do you really need it to prove the strength of our feelings though?" he asked, lifting his head up.
"I don't know football head! I guess it just brought peace to my mind. Just because I don't need it to feel that way about you doesn't mean...uhhh" she began to drift off as his eyes widened.
"You think I would love you less if I didn't have something like that to remind me we're together?" he asked, squeezing her hands tighter.
"Hey! You're the one who said in San Lorenzo you didn't like the idea of another person taking care of me. You said ten minutes ago how jealous you get when I'm speaking to guys other than our idiot friends. You can't call me crazy for wanting a 'WARNING! TAKEN!' sign on both of our fingers!" she scowled as he leaned in to kiss her passionately.
As they felt what was just barely lukewarm water pouring down their sides, he pulled her in closer. Pressing himself against her tightly, sucking her tongue, knowing it would never belong to anyone else, he pushed her against the wall.
"Crimity! That's the second spot on me I have to worry about you leaving a bruise on tonight!" she scowled as she began to rub her head.
Rather than apologizing, he put his hand behind her head and began to rub it for her, as he pulled her back in to kiss her. A few moments later, he felt her lips quivering. Slowly pulling away, he looked down to see her trembling body. It was then he noticed how cold the water had become. "I guess we should get out now." he suggested, as she anxiously nodded her head.
As the two stepped out of the shower, Arnold handed Helga a towel. The two dried themselves off, heading back into the bedroom. "Tomorrow's Sunday. I'll ask the guys what happened to your ring." Arnold said, looking over at Helga changing into her night shirt.
"Thanks. If it's gone, I guess it's no big deal. Like you said, we can just get a new one." she reminded him, as the two slipped under the covers. Facing each other with soft smiles, Arnold began running his fingers through her hair. "Even Cecile didn't look as sweet as you do right
now." he said as he leaned over to kiss her good night.