Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold or any of the characters. Hey Arnold is the property of Nickelodeon and Craig Bartlett.
A Trip Through Time
Chapter 9: Homecoming and cover ups
Previously
"Andy, whats wrong?..." Kiara asked as he ran to nearby alley and got some kind of backpack.
"I'll explain later but first we got to get to your house before my mom does..." Andy said, causing the girl's brown eyes to widen.
Kiara glanced at her watch and couldn't believe that it is almost 5, did they really loose track of time like that?
"If I'm not there in the next 12 and a half minutes, time unraveling will be the least of our problems..." Andy said in a worried tone.
"Well, come on..." Kiara said as the two kids began running in the direction of the Johanssen residence before Andy's mother made it there.
"This is is going to be a LONG week, isn't it?..."Andy thought cynically as he kept running.
Andy and Kiara were thankful that the Johanssen residence was just a few blocks away from the Boarding house and Andy is one of the fittest kids at school, and the winner of school track meat last year, he ran as fast as he possibly could, with Kiara a few yards behind him.
"Andy, wait up!..." Kiara panted as she kept running.
"No time! Mom is on her way...'He shouted in a freaked out voice, until he noticed just how far away Kiara is.
Without thinking, he ran back,and was soon carrying her piggy pack style, not minding the extra weight due to being strong for his age.
"Andy!...'Kiara said as she gripped on his shoulders, sometimes still amazed by just how strong and fast he is.
It's no secret that he's the best athlete at their school and the unofficial captain of their football, baseball and hockey teams when he wasn't busy at his karate lessons. Before long, they made it to her block and that's when Kiara got off and began to run again, and they both made it to the front door, happy that Andy's mom's car still hasn't appeared yet.
"Made it..."Andy said in relief as he panted, his face covered in sweat and glanced at his watch, happy that his mom hasn't made it yet and he still had about 2 minutes to spare.
"You guys were cutting in close, I was just about to call y'all..." His godfather Gerald said to him.
"Sorry about that daddy..."Kiara apologized to her father, who just gave her a half-hearted smile.
"Aw, well technically you guys did make it before 5, so I guess it's alright, but I suggest you get cleaned up Andy before your mom comes here and questions why your all sweaty...speaking of which?...'He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"We couldn't get a bus and didn't have enough for a cab...'Andy said as he went to the bathroom to freshen up.
Once he came out, he saw his little sister and Kiki in the living room, and she sent him a look.
"Where were you all day?..."Megan asked, being her typical nosy self.
"Out...'He answered, in no mood to deal with her right now.
However, before she can start to pester him about it, they soon heard a car pull into the driveway and he sighed in relief, happy that he managed to beat his mom, who had entered with baby Henry in her arms and a big smile on her face, especially as Megan ran to her arms, acting like some happy, sweet little princess that she wants people to see her as.
"Mommy! Mommy! Me and Kiki had a whole lots of fun, yes we did! yes we did!...'She said acting like a typical, hyperactive five year old.
"That's wonderful, angel..." Their mother said before kissing her on her forehead.
"And you, Andy?..."Mom asked her eldest son, who gave her a smile.
"Like I told you on the phone, it's like no other...'He said, while Kiara gave him an eye roll at his word play...
"So, how were the kids behaving today?...'She asked Gerald, who sent a smile.
"Oh, it's like they weren't even here...'He said, discretely giving Andy the "you owe me one" stare, that made the little blonde boy smile in relief.
"That's nice, well come on everyone...Arnold's plane will be landing soon and we are all going to go meet him there..."Helga said as she got up.
Whenever Arnold made his (thankfully rare) solo trips out of the country, Helga always made sure that the whole family would be there to greet him and be a part of his homecoming, though because his parents were still out of town, they won't be there, so she had to make due with the family members that were in town.
No one is excluded from this and that includes Gerald and Phoebe, since they are practically family already, anyway...
"Now come on Andy, I just called your great grandparents a few minutes ago and they will be there waiting for us, so come on...'His mom said in a sing-song voice.
Andy freeze, unable to believe it.
"If G and G.G are gonna be there at the air port with us...who's gonna be minding my younger parents and god parents?!..."Andy thought in alarm.
"Andy sweetie, come along..." His mother called.
"One second, I..uh...need to use the bathroom..."Andy said as he ran to said place, while the adults looked at his speed, Helga looked at Gerald, who shrugged.
"When you got to go, you got to go...'He said with a shrug.
In the bathroom
One Andy locked the door, he pulled out his cell phone and called his great grandfather's number, feeling very apprehensive with each and every ring.
"Come on G...Pick up..."Andy whispered into the phone, feeling really worried.
At the Boarding House
About 10 minutes after Andy had run out, the boarding house phone rang and Phil took it to his private office, knowing that it is his granddaughter-in-law, no doubt wanting to remind them to leave to see the adult Arnold since he is coming back today. And predictably, about two minutes later, he got another call, and he had a feeling he knew who it is...
"Hello, Sunset Arms Boarding house...'He greeted.
"G! WHAT THE HECK?!..."Andy said in s hushed voice, meaning he was likely taking a private call away from his mother.
"I knew you'd call short-man, don't worry about your folks...you're dad is pretty mature for his age at this age, and I know he won't leave, and I think what you said to your mom sunk in...the other two I wouldn't worry about..."Phil said, already guessing each question the boy would have asked.
"Are you sure?...'He asked.
"I am, now I got to get to stepping...I'll see you at the air port...'He said.
"Alright G... At the very least I took all of the pictures of mom and dad...I just hope you know what you are doing..."Andy said before hanging up.
Phil sighed as he picked up the pizza he ordered a while back and went upstairs to Arnold's old bedroom ,where the 4 children were busy watching the entire first season of Pop Daddy on DVD, one of the kids old favorites...or current favorites if you think about it.
"Hey short-man, me and Pookie need to step out for a bit, so until I get back, please stay in your room...I brought you this pizza and some yahoo sodas, so you all won't get hungry..."Phil said as he placed a large pepperoni pizza in front of them.
"Okay grandpa...'Arnold said in an obedient way, not having any problem with this.
"That goes for all of you, do not leave the boarding house and try not to leave this room unless it's important...You heard what the short-man, said?...'Phil said, only to make the kids look at Arnold, who looked just as confused.
"I mean Andy...Now can you all promised to stay put until I get back...'He asked the other three kids, but he is mostly looking at Helga.
"Fine, it's not like I have any place better to be...except my own time period...'Helga muttered.
"We promise not to leave Phil..." Gerald said.
"Will you stop...oh, forget it..."The old man sighed before leaving.
Once he was gone, the four children went back to watching the entire first season of Pop Daddy, though they weren't really paying attention to it actually.
"I still can't believe it..." Arnold whispered as he thought about his day.
"I'll say man, I've been asking my mom for weeks to get me Pop Daddy on DVD since the commercial and she says it's too expensive..." Gerald said, more focused on his favorite show.
"I mean about today...I still can't believe we are going to be in the future for a week..." Arnold muttered.
He still found the entire thing simply amazing, he and his friends were in the future now, he met his own future son and he was staying in his room, which really has changed from the one he had been in what felt to him just a night ago. It felt and looked so different from the room he spent his entire life in...
His potato alarm clock is gone now, there is a bunch of posters in his room about bands he has never even heard of, his stereo system was replaced by one that looked more advance but outdated compared to what Andy had showered him earlier and the fact that there is now a television in his room, along with a more sleek looking computer, but none of them hadn't even been touched in years until tonight...
Grandpa said that when he moved out, they kept his room intact, out of nostalgia more than anything. At the very least he is home...just not the home he knew.
"I can't believe that we are stuck in the future and have to stay in your room..." Helga said, making sure that she sounded annoyed.
On the inside, she is excited. She has spent some nights in Arnold's room before, but this is the first time ever that he knows about it...sure, she missed being in their own time period, but she's still spending time with Arnold and that's always a thrill for her...
"It really is a terrifying yet amazing experience, we must be the only ones to ever experience time travel...it's a pity we didn't bring a camera with us but Andy did have a point, seeing too much could cause trouble..." Phoebe said.
"Yeah, yeah...we all heard the first time...'Helga muttered before munching on a slice of pizza.
She was absolutely furious that she couldn't find a single picture of either Arnold and her together in this entire house, not even wedding pictures since she knew that with how close Arnold is with his grandparents, they HAD to have some pictures but the place didn't have any...it's like the fates were deliberately messing with her, not wanting her to know the truth...and she knew she couldn't know...at least not now..
"Darn it, Andy...why did he had to go and ruin it for me...'Helga thought in frustration in regards to Arnold's future son.
What he said about his fears of his family's life changing if they knew too much really struck her, especially when she looked into his eyes. Despite the fact that he acted really collected and cool all day, it's obvious that he felt scared by this situation and just wanted to make sure nothing change...which made Helga reconsidered things.
She's still unsure of whether or not she's Andy's mom, and if the chance that she IS, well she certainly doesn't want to risk undoing that future...but if she's not, she basically didn't have a future as far as she's concerned.
It's the uncertainty that frustrates her and the threats that make her hesitate...
'Why oh why did I have to be caught in this dilemma?Why is it that I get into these kinds of situations?...'She thought in total frustration.
She could learn about her future and risk undoing it, and she couldn't even know if it would be a bad thing or not...
She's not the only one lost in her thoughts, as Arnold's mind still couldn't get over the fact that he met his future son today. Sure, the information sunk in hours ago but it's still amazing. I mean, how many people get to meet their child from the future anyway?
"A son...me with a son...and he's so cool..." Arnold thought happily.
Despite everything, he still saw the bright side in being here, since Andy's existence alone ,means that he's going to grow up and start a family of his own, a thought that made the football headed boy smile...he didn't try to think about the future much, preferring to live in the moment but still, its sort of cool to think about getting married, having his own place to live and having a kid, especially if the kid is like Andy.
It sounded good to him...
Despite the fact that Andy won't tell him much about the future, he could see with his own two eyes that he is a really cool kid. While Andy and his friend didn't want to divulge any information to them, Arnold could see that his future son is a good kid, he's nice, funny, cool, friendly, sure he could be a little excitable and easily frustrated but in his defense, who wouldn't be in the situation he's in?
Not to mention the fact that he's strong and really brave when he faced against that big, mean fifth grader. Arnold didn't like violence but he knew Andy only fought to protect him and he says he only fights in self defense so he's okay with it...not to mention he looked really cool with all of his moves...
He knew that overall he liked the kid, and he's actually looking forward to getting to be his dad, though he's still curious.
There's a lot of questions he wants to ask him but can't because Andy's worried about changing the future, so Arnold had to keep quiet, but he wished that he was allowed to know, to ask Andy his questions and get some answers about his future...
He wanted to know what he's like as a dad, if he is a good one and they have a good relationship...though he suspected that they do, since Andy obviously likes him and says they have a great life...he also wanted to know other things, like what kind of house they live in, what kind of job he has, where did he go to college, if he went there at all...he also wanted to know how all of his classmates are, and who Andy's mother is as well, he is curious on who is the woman he'd marry but he can't ask but most of all, he wanted to know the answer to the one question that's more important than any of those combined...
About what happened to his missing parents, if he ever found out?
He wanted to ask Andy if he ever found his mom and dad, or at the very least found out what happened to them...
He desperately wanted to ask him but Andy's warning of time changing stopped him...
He knows he can't be selfish here, that what matters now is staying out of trouble and getting back home and trying to keep the future as it is...
He knew that, but he's still so frustrated that the answers are so near yet he can't get to them without risking putting them in danger...
"How is it that I get into this kind of situation..."Arnold thought with a sigh as he no longer had any desire for pizza.
At the airport
Andy sighed as he and his mom, sister, baby brother, his god parents, Kiara, his great grandparents, his aunt Olga, Uncle Patrick, cousins Logan and Lisa and even Gramps and Nana Pataki were here to see his dad as soon as he got off the plane. His mother never fools around when she says no one is excluded if they are within town, the only ones not here were his paternal grandparents since they are still on their own trip but they will be back next week, well after they send the kids back...he hopes at least.
"Are you sure we are in the right place Helga, we have been waiting forever..." Grandpa Bob or gramps said impatiently.
"I am sure Bob and it's only been 10 minutes since we arrived..." Mom shot back, making the old man grumbled.
"He'll be here..." G said to them.
Andy was silent during the entire thing as his mother was being distracted by trying to keep everyone everyone in in order and her excitement of seeing dad again and the adults were all busy,thought someone noticed.
"Is everything alright Andy? Your dad is coming home today..." His cousin Lisa said.
"You have been a little quiet since you got here..." Logan said curiously.
Andy sighed, he loved his cousins, they are cool kids but he was in no mood to divulge any life altering secrets...
"I'm fine...just a little tired is all..." He answered, though unknown to him, Megan heard this too and didn't buy it.
"Big brother? ..."She thought as she held her doll closer, wondering what's is up with him...
Before they could ask anymore questions, the plane soon landed and a few moments later, his father, Dr. Arnold Phillip Shortman got off the plane and was now in full view of his family and closest friends who had missed him all week.
"DAD!..." Andy exclaimed, feeling very happy to see him, despite what happened today.
"DARLING!..." Mom shouted as she ran to him and in like two seconds later, they were kissing him for the whole world to see, much to Andy's disgust and the others amusement.
"Gross..." He thought until his parents finally separated for air.
"Oh you have no idea how much I missed you..." Mom said as her arms were still around him.
"I think I have some idea. ..I missed you too, honey..." That said in a weird voice before they shared another kiss before separating.
It was then that he and his sister ran to hug him tightly.
"Dad/daddy!..." He and Megan said in sync while mom brought Henry closer as well.
"Andy, Megan, Henry...I missed you guys so much. .." Dad said as he hugged his the children, feeling so happy.
"I missed you too dad..." Andy said as he kept hugging him, trying hard not to think about the mess he is.
"I missed you too, buddy..." Arnold said as he ruffled his hair affectionately.
"I missed you lots and lots daddy, yes I did..."Megan said as she climb up and started kissing him on the cheek, which the father laughed.
"I missed you too, angel..." Dad said as he hugged her even tighter.
"And Henry missed his daddy too, didn't you baby..." Mom said with her baby voice as she moved Henry to dad's arms and he smiled even more.
"Eh...ga-ga..." Henry said before giggling happily in dad's arms who kissed his forehead upon hearing that.
A really touching, heartwarming reunions for this family of five...
Soon the rest of the family and his god parents came to welcome his dad back, his cousins were next to hug him while his aunt and uncle did their greetings, he and uncle Gerald did his secret handshake, aunt Phoebe and Kiara also hugged him, along with his great grandparents while gramps and nana just shook his hand and gave him a half hearted welcoming.
His maternal grandparents weren't very social people but overall, he knew dad was glad to be surrounded by his family and friends...
" Where are Mom and Dad? Are they still on their trip?..." Dad asked.
"Yeah, they said that they will be back by next Sunday and they send their love..." Mom said before dad sighed and just went back to socializing with the family.
Andy smiled, despite the insane day that this has been, he's glad his dad is back, safe and sane and most of all, as he remembered him.
The same dad that's always there for him, plays with him, gives him advice when he's down and a bunch of other stuff that makes him the best dad ever, one that Andy is proud to call his own...
As they began to leave the airport, Andy sent a glance to his parents and thought about the ones currently at the boarding house, both of which are unaware of the whole thing and he wants to keep it that way, he doesn't want to risk any changes. ..
Later
At the Shortman residence
Andy wasn't surprised when he saw the dining room looking all fancy and a big feast on the table, consisting of his dad's favorite meals...which is basically anything mom could make. They all took their seats as they ate, as dad told them about his trip, his progress and how soon, after meeting with his boss, his new report on the Green Eye people will be reviewed by his superiors and might even lead to getting another magazine deal, which in turn, would mean extra money to their already comfortable lifestyle and of course, everyone congratulated him over it, even gramps, saying that his dad should feel proud,since he is a somebody and he keeps moving forward...and he said this while he looked directly at Uncle Patrick, that almost sparked another of their infamous fights, had mom not kicked them both, not wanting them to ruin what is suppose to be a happy family gathering.
Andy still wondered why she even bothered inviting them since they always fight, but she says that his dad likes the whole family being together during important days...and no matter how annoying they can be, Gramps and uncle are still apart of the family...
It's weird but he didn't ask more after that...
"Mmm...Man, you have no idea how long I have been hungry for one of your home cooked meals. .." Dad said before taking a big bite of his chicken like he hasn't eaten in days.
"I know what you mean, now this is real eating and not watermelon soup with zucchini loaf..." G said looking at G.G. making everyone else laugh.
"Well eat up football head, there is plenty more with your name on it..." Mom said as she gave him another helping, which dad ate with just as much gusto.
Andy watched them, feeling so strange that a couple of hours ago, he was dealing with them as kids and when his mom called him Football head, it sounded more like an insult instead of a pet name. ..he just hoped that at the end of it all, they will still be the same.
Kiara,who is sitting next to him, gave him that secret look that only he could understand, the one that means not to worry, we will get through this together...He really hopes that's she's right..
"It's just a week...I can make it...I'm gonna have to..."He thought as he ate and kept glancing at his family, not wanting it to change.
His dad is the best, his mom is wonderful and despite sometimes being a little annoyed by his little sister or his brothers crying, he still loves them and despite dealing with the local jerks like W.J, and his minions, he has a great life. He really hopes that this whole time adventure doesn't change a single thing about it...
-To be continued-
Next time on A Trip Through Time
The Next Morning
REPLIES to my loyal and totally awesome reviewers:
Invader Johnny: Awkward is putting it very MILDLY ...
The J.A.M a.k.a Numbuh I :I guess she's realizing that this chapter, but she still can't help but feel frustrated...
DeepVoice'06 :It certainly has been an unusual experience for the poor kid.
Guest: I guess it would be interesting but let's see what goes down first...
Nep2uune: As shown here, he knows his mom and great grandmother have a bond...
:) Till next time beautiful people, remember to read and review :)
