Dreams Of Philippa

Chapter 7

By: EliNa

A/N: Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I'm so appreciative of all of you that take time to review, favorite, and follow this story. You're the best!

Sorry for the late update! I started work and a new semester of school in August, and It's been crazy for the last couple of months. Thank goodness for Fall Break...


Gerald drove his truck down the street for what seemed like the 20th time, with no sight of Helga's demon dog. It had been almost 2 hours, and he was ready to go to the pet store and get Helga a new dog.

"Arnold...Is it time to give up yet?"

"No!" Was the only reply from the man in the passenger's seat. Sid had bailed on them about 20 minutes ago, but Arnold wasn't budging. His eyes were completely focused, as if he was willing the dog to just appear.

"It's getting late buddy, we're supposed to get ready for Rhonda's ridiculous wedding meeting...thing."

"No."

"No? Arnold..."

"Gerald, If I don't find this dog, Helga will kill me...I'm not going to let her down."

The taller man sighed. This wasn't about the dog, at all, but Gerald understood. After all, he had been one of those that had stood up for Helga...all those years ago.

"Man, you have to talk to her!"

"I can't, Gerald, I just can't."

"She didn't get pregnant on purpose, Arnold"

"Really? How do we know that? She told me she was on the pill...you know she's crazy."

Gerald rolled his eyes at that. "Yeah, the kind of crazy you went for. You love her, and...you're going to be a father."

"No. I'm not. I can't, I'm in High School Gerald! We can't do this. I have a plan for my life..."

Gerald shook his head, trying to forget the memories. It had been hard to see his noble, true friend give up the way he had. It had been heart crushing to see Helga all alone and afraid, and now here was Arnold, not willing to give up.

"Okay Arnold. We won't give up."


"Phoebe! Where is my dog?" Helga bombarded the shorter girl, as soon as Phoebe got out of her car, before she could even get her twins out of their car seats .

"Um...excuse me?"

"Phoebe, I've been here for 30 minutes waiting for you! Riley isn't in the backyard..."

"Wait, what? Helga, he was here this morning..."

"Well..." Helga took a breath, trying not to completely freak out. Riley had, in fact, been someone she hadn't loved from the beginning. She'd practically stolen him from Lorenzo, but Riley had, like a good dog, loved her unconditionally. He had changed her heart. She was afraid to live without him.

"Hang on, Helga, don't freak out. Let me call Gerald, he fed Riley this morning..." Phoebe didn't include how upset her husband had been. Phoebe tried not to worry herself, she was almost 7 months pregnant, and she didn't want any stress to affect her baby, especially after her stay at the hospital.

She made the call, as she got her twins out of the car, and watched as they ran up to Helga and smothered her with hugs and kisses. She put on a happy face, but she was clearly worried.

Phoebe waited patiently for her husband to answer, but after a second missed call, she, herself had a queasy feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"Helgy, do you want to color with us again?" Becky asked, as Helga carried her over to Phoebe.

"Of course...as soon as we find Riley."

"Riley is the best doggy ever, I think he just went for a walk" The little girl said, though she was soon distracted by her brother running around, and was asked to put down, so she could chase after him.

"You won't catch ME!" Marty yelled, laughing, and Helga almost smiled. She wasn't used to being around children, and now it seemed like she knew more "little people" than adults; it made part of her heart happy, and the other part...well, her heart would forever be missing her son.

"He's not answering Helga, but I'm sure they're together. There's no way Riley could have gotten out by himself."

"Why would he take him? I said I'd come walk him every day..."

"Well you know Gerald, he runs like 12 hours a day, it's ridiculous. Come in. I'll get you some tea..."

"I hate tea, Pheebs..."

At that, the dark haired woman just giggled. Helga always had to have the last word.


It was 5 pm, and Phoebe had been all caught up with Helga's life. She knew Rhonda had invited her to her "wedding meeting", and she encouraged her to go.

"I know a lot of old faces will be there, but this is your moment Helga, to just say, 'Hey, I'm stronger than ever, I don't care what you think about me.'"

"I don't care what they think. I'm not looking to make a life statement Pheebs. I mean, I'm living with my ex boyfriend..."

"About that..."

"Nope. Not going there."

"Well, what about you and Lorenzo? He asked about you, you know..."

"What?!" That caught her by surprise. Lorenzo had completely ignored her at the hospital...She and Lorenzo hadn't been like the comfort and sweetness, and ridiculousness of what she had with Ludwig. Helga and Lorenzo had been...intense. He'd almost proposed, and she'd almost said yes.

"Yeah, he asked if you had moved to Hillwood. He was very sweet."

"That man is not sweet, Phoebe! That man is... a pig, okay? He doesn't respect anyone, he's selfish, and entitled, and..."

"And you loved him?"

"Love is a strong word. He gave me Riley, and I'll always be grateful. Speaking of Riley, can't you call Gerald again?"

"I called him, he said he went to the park with Arnold, and Riley, they'll be home soon."

"Why would he do that Phoebe? you told me he hadn't loved the idea of Riley staying here, and why would those two just take him? This is way sketch."

"Well, he clearly warmed up to him...and Arnold...I don't know, they hang out all the time."

"Really?"

"Well...okay, it's a little bit sketchy..."

"They better not be on one of their little 'missions'"

Just then, the front door opened, and in came two very tired men. Arnold and Gerald were both still wearing t-shirts and their basketball shorts, they looked exhausted...and like they needed a shower.

"Where have you two been?" Phoebe asked first, but Helga was the one that stood up first and immediately attacked Gerald, grabbing his shirt and pulling.

"Where is my dog?!"

"Um...If you'd stop!" He yelled pulling her off of him. "I could tell you!"

"No...I'll tell her. It's my fault."

At that, Helga's glare turned almost murderous.

"What's your fault?! Where is he?" She had to remind herself to breathe. If anything had happened...

"We were playing basketball, I missed a shot, the ball ended up next to Riley, I opened the gate to get it back...and Riley just came out, ran off! Helga, I'm so sorry, but-"

"You...you unbelievable fraud!" She yelled, rushing to tackle him, but Gerald was too fast, and he held her back, though she didn't make it easy. He had to grab her by the waist as she punched and kicked.

"How could you, Arnold?" She yelled, letting her tears fall freely. Phoebe quickly left the room, to make sure her children couldn't hear them. The twin were in their room watching cartoons, and she wanted to make sure they were distracted from the scene in the living room.

"Helga, If you'd let me fini-"

"No! I'm so sick of you trying to explain things that you will never be able to! You broke my heart Arnold, and Riley, he brought just enough happiness in to my life so I wouldn't want to die every single second of the day, and now he's gone!?"

"No! Helga, stop. He's fine!" Arnold finally spit out, sick of her accusations. Yes, he knew he was scum, yes, he knew he deserved her hate, but having her yell at him like that... it was too much.

Gerald felt the young, skinny blond go limp in his arms, and he figured it was safe to let her go. Phoebe came in just in time to demand and explanation as she went over to hug Helga.

"We chased your dog all over town. We finally cornered him by the Boarding house" It was Gerald to finally speak. "Miles and Phil were going in, and Riley followed them in. We didn't want to risk having him run off again, since we didn't have a leash, so we came back here to get you..."

After the full explanation, there was complete silence in the room. Everyone was waiting for Helga to say something, but she was too embarrassed to even think of forming a response. It was Phoebe that recognized this as she held her hand and squeezed.

"Okay, well, you two could have started with that"

"Really, Phoebe? We've been looking for her demonic dog for hours, don't we deserve some slack?" Gerald tried to stand up for his friend, but seeing his wife's murderous glare made him regret his words.

"Absolutely not! I can't believe how irresponsible you were!"

"Don't be mad at Gerald, Pheebs, it truly was my fault, and again I apologize." He looked to Helga with that last statement, but she was looking down at her shoes. That's when he noticed what she was wearing. Black heels, and and a simple emerald dress. She was, as always, breathtaking.

"...I'd like to pick up my dog now."

"Yes, of course, um, I...can give you a ride."

"No. I'll get a taxi."

"Helga, don't be silly, I'm on my way home. I have to get ready for Rhonda's 'event'"

Phoebe was looking at her best friend, who looked ready to have a panic attack, and stepped in.

"Um...you know what, we're all going to Rhonda's, right?" Phoebe saw that Helga was about to protest, so she spoke faster, "I'll drive you to Arnold's, we can get Riley and bring him back, and then..." Just as she was about to keep explaining, Gerald's phone began to ring.

"Hey, Timberly! Yeah, We're great...Oh, you're kidding...No, don't worry, I understand. Yeah, feel better..."

"What happened?" Phoebe asked, completely losing her train of thought.

"My sister's been feeling sick all day, she was hoping to power through, but she's getting worse. She can't come babysit."

"Oh... Well, I guess we're not going. She was supposed to watch the twins and Miles." Phoebe shrugged. It wasn't exactly like she wanted to go, but Rhonda might have a heart attack. Phoebe was one of her bridesmaids.

"You know Rhonda would kill you." Arnold spoke up, knowing he had a chance of getting out of the dinner. "I can take Becky and Marty, and watch them at my place. Miles will love entertaining."

"Um, Arnold, do you forget that you're the best man at this wedding? Rhonda will be just as upset if you're not there." Gerald reminded. Harold might have been closer to Sid and Stinky, but his most reliable friend was Arnold, and so he got the 'job'.

"Oh, stop!" Helga yelled, gaining the silence and stares of everyone in the room.

"We get it, you all simply must attend. I can watch your kids." Helga offered, before she really processed her own thought, but it was too late to take it back.

"Really? Helga...are you sure?" Phoebe asked, only slightly worried. Her twins could be a handful.

"This is perfect, Helga, really, thanks!" Gerald interrupted, before she could say 'No, I'm not sure.'

"Okay, I'll go get ready, Pheebs, you'll get the kids?" He asked, but didn't wait for a reply before going of to get a shower.

"So...Helga, are you sure?" Arnold asked, and he was shocked that she finally looked him in the eyes.

"I'm sure. Don't worry, I won't open the gate for them to run off." She said harshly, but also with a sarcastic smile, and he had no choice but to attempt to smile back.

"Sorry, again."

"Okay, so, thank you Helga, let me go write down some emergency numbers for you..." Helga was about to run after her, but her best friend was too fast, and she suddenly found herself alone with Arnold.

"I'll try to get out of there as soon as possible. I promise."

"It's fine, Arnoldo..."

Arnold sighed, he had so much to say to her, and yet, she made it impossible. He knew he had to try though, for his own sanity if nothing else. She was looking away, looking so beautiful, and he just wanted to touch her. Hold her, let her know he'd change everything if he could. He'd take back all the words he had said when she first told him she was pregnant.

"I really want to talk to you Helga."

She was looking away, but his words made her turn around. She didn't know what she wanted. She wanted to hate him forever. She wanted to forgive him. She wanted to never see him again. She wanted to hold him and never let go.

"I'm pretty sure that's what you're doing right now..." Of course, all that came out was snark. 'What's wrong with you?' she asked herself.

"Uncle Arnold!"

Arnold laughed, of course. Little Marty came running out to the living room, Becky and Phoebe behind him.

"Hey Kid, you ready to go see Miles?"

"Yeah!" The 3 year old yelled, as he jumped into Arnold arms, his 'Uncle' threw him in the air, and caught him, emitting more laughs from the child.

"Alrighty, we're ready to go." Phoebe smiled, as she carried Becky out. Helga followed closely, but as she passed Arnold, he grabbed her arm, and pulled her close. She would have punched him, but the child in his arms prevented her from it.

"We owe each other a conversation, Helga. An uninterrupted one, and we will get it." He whispered, before letting go, and following Phoebe.

To be continued...