Chapter 10: Living Together/The Unexpected
Author's Note: Sorry, this chapter took so long. :\
Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Hey Arnold!
Arnold awoke to the static-y cry coming through the baby monitor on his side table. He rubbed his eyes and got out of bed, walking from his room into the pitch black of hallway. He had made these nighttime trips so many times he could now navigate himself without any trouble. He walked up the stairs and into the twins' room. In the crib Star stood holding onto the side, softly whimpering. When she saw him see reached out. He picked her up and laid her out on the changing table.
When he finished, he found her binky, put it back into her mouth, and left the room. It was still dark except for a light he hadn't noticed before, coming from underneath Helga's door down the hall. He tiptoed around the creaking places in the floor and gently twisted the knob. Slowly he pushed the door open and peaked in. Helga was lying in bed sound asleep. Her laptop fallen to the side of her, was still on her half empty word document and the lamp on her nightstand still glowed. Arnold walked the full length in and saved her document and shut her computer, setting it on her neat vanity. He then tucked her in, kissed her forehead, switched off the lap, and walked out. He looked at his watch, it read 4:43 AM, Well, I might as well stay up..
He clicked on the coffee pot and went to his room to grab his sketch book. Though, before he back through to go back to the kitchen, he noticed his phone was glowing. He grabbed and looked at the blinking message. It wasn't a number he recognized. It read: I'm coming; you better hope you're ready. Arnold rolled his eyes and deleted it, idiot kids and their stupid pranks. He went back to the kitchen, poured his coffee, and began his new sketch.
Helga opened her eyes and stretched, she looked at her clock, 6:45
AM. She got out of bed and slipped on her slippers. Then quickly waddled to the bathroom to relieve herself and to brush her teeth. When she was finished she walked down the hall and looked in on the twins, and then headed for the kitchen. When she walked through the door, she smelt hot coffee grounds, and saw that Arnold was sleeping at the table. She chuckled, flipped off her coffee maker, and walked up next to him. She notices his large sketch pad underneath his folded arms. Gently she lifted his elbow and slid it from beneath him. She gasped, quickly putting a hand to her mouth, though he hadn't even stirred at the sound. The drawing was of her, she was sleeping, her laptop placed slightly off of her lap, she looked beautiful, the image was memorizing exactly like the picture he took of her those few years ago. She set it back onto the table and went to start on breakfast. She made herself a cup of coffee and heated up a pan. And when she tossed in the bacon, Arnold jumped awake at the sizzling pop.
"Helga!" He called out somewhat dreamily. He rubbed his eyes and focused on Helga in front of the stove, "Good morning."
"Morning, when did you go to bed?" She asked stepping back a bit as she turned the bacon.
"Around, 11:30-ish." He replied refilling his coffee cup.
"And what time did Starlet wake you up?"
"4:00 AM, an hour and a half later than last Monday." He smiled, "I think she's starting to feel bad for me."
She chuckled, "Yeah, you could say that. You know… She didn't start doing this as often until you started living here. She knows how to use you. You're too nice, too easy."
"Well, what can I say… She's her mother's daughter." He sat winking at her as he walked out. She laughed out loud and rolled her eyes. They've been living together for almost two months. She was still a little surprised he hadn't tried to make a move on her. Well, I guess he's still the same as he was when we were young, extremely honorable of any or all of his own rules
.
"Arnold!" Helga called walking down the hall to his bedroom. "Breakfast's ready." She opened his door, stopping short. Arnold was standing in a towel in front of his dresser. "Sorry, I should have knocked." She stood, her face growing red.
"It's alright." He chuckled and set his clothes onto his bed. "We have seen each other naked Helga, don't look so embarrassed."
"I'm not embarrassed," Helga said crossing her arms. "I just— He dropped his towel, "Criminy!" She slammed the door closed. Inside the room she heard Arnold laughing. Stupid Football-head.. After she collected herself she went to get the twins.
Arnold finished dressing and went into the kitchen. The plates were already set out and full. So he made two sippy cups full of apple juice and sat down. Helga came down with the two babies a few minutes later. Arnold stood and took Miles and settled him into his highchair.
"So what are you doing today?" Helga asked taking a bite of eggs.
"Well, after breakfast I have to head to the studio for a while," He sipped his coffee. "They want me to design a few backgrounds for a play at P.S. 118."
"No way! That's awesome! What play is it?"
"The Wizard of Oz. I have to paint the munchkin village, scarecrow's field, the woods, and the crystal city landscape. The students are doing everything else."
"Ooh, well I can't wait to see'em." She smiled and continued eating.
"How 'bout you? What do you have planned?"
"Well, Phoebe wants to come over and see the twins so, I'm going to take that chance to keep writing, my deadline is next month and I've only gotten 21 and a half chapters out of 50. I gotta' to bust my ass…" She sighed.
Arnold stood up and took his plate to the sink. He rinsed it off, and set it into the dishwasher. "Well, I've got to go," He kissed Miles and Star, "Good luck, Baby." He kissed her, "I love you. See you later."
"I love you, too. Thanks, yep, see you later." She smiled and watched him walk out.
Arnold unlocked the studio's door and went through. He flipped the open sign and went into his personal room. He tossed his bag on his drawing desk and went into his large art supply closet to grab his pencil box, among other supplies and carried them out to his spot in the middle of the floor. Where a large canvas lay with the outlines of the crystal city, the large field of flowers, and the yellow brick road twisting through it all. He lay down on his stomach and began to mark the places of more detail.
He had just begun on the brick separations when he heard the sequel of the front door. He stood and rubbed away the black led mark on his forearms. "Hey, how are you doin' today?" He asked stepping behind the small front desk. "What can I do for ya'?"
The short, blonde smiled, "Hello, uhm, yeah, I called in yesterday and asked to use one of the studios." She pulled out a blue slip of crumpled paper. "Your Arnold?"
"Yes ma'am." He nodded and flipped open his record book. "Can I get your name?"
"Nadine."
Arnold stopped, "Nadine, Rhonda's Nadine?" He looked up at her again.
"Yes?"
"It's me, Arnold Shortman," He pointed at his head, "You know, Football Head. How have you been?" He chuckled.
"Oh! Oh my god! Arnold I'm sorry, how could I forget you!" She stared had his oddly shaped head. "And I've been good actually, I just got back into Hillwood, and found out I'm the new art teacher at Hillwood High. So, I'm here to make some different body form sculptures for my students. How about you? Is this your studio?"
"Cool, cool. Uhm, yeah it is actually." He looked back down at the record book, "Let me show you to your studio, you'll be in studio three." He smiled and began walking down the long hall of rooms. When he got to the door he pulled out his keys and unlocked the door. He pushed it out and gestured for her to enter. "Here you are, everything should be here, you're free to play music if you'd like, if its loud just shut the door, uh, if you need anything just come to the front. Alright?"
"Alright thank you, Arnold." She smiled and set down her large backpack.
"No problem."
He stood up and popped his back; he was completely finished with the emerald city backdrop and beginning on the scarecrows field. He looked at the clock, it was already 10:48 AM, and he still heard the music playing down the hall. Usually at so close to closing, any costumers would be gone or leaving. He grabbed a wet rag to wipe his hands and walked down to the occupied room. He knocked; no answer, slowly he opened the door. Inside stood Nadine and another woman, both of their backs to the door. The second woman was topless, with a foam mold pressed to herself. Without thinking he slammed the door shut. "Shit!" As he expected the door opened within a few seconds.
"Did you need something?" Nadine asked. The other woman now faced the open door, the mold still against her.
"Arnold?!"
"Sheena?"
"Yes," She walked forward and hugged him. Though it was awkward do to the mold. "Oops, sorry." Slowly she peeled off the mold, exposing her naked breasts. She draped one arm over them and grabbed a green button up hanging on a chair. She only buttoned two buttons before returning for another hug. "Hello, it's so nice to see you."
"Yeah, uhm, you too." He was still stunned that she didn't react toward him seeing her breasts.
"How have you been?" Sheena asked finishing up her buttons and handing the mold to Nadine.
"I've been really good, how about you?" He asked trying not to stare at the foam form.
"I've been great!" She lifted her hand. "I recently got married," a small golden band shined on her ring finger.
"Oh, Congratulations! Who's the lucky guy?"
"Girl," She chuckled and put her arm around Nadine's waist. "You're looking at her." Nadine's cheeks went pink and a small smile crept onto her face.
Arnold's mouth circled, "I didn't, I, that's awesome! When was the wedding?" He stuttered and smiled.
"Thanks, well its wasn't really a wedding-wedding so to say, but, yeah. Oh, uh, about two days ago actually, we just got back into Hillwood early this morning." Sheena glanced down at Nadine
"Oh, and speaking of someone being back in Hillwood…" Nadine eyed Arnold.
He ran his hand through his hair and smiled, a light blush colored his cheeks, "Yeah, Helga, she's been back for a while now actually." He looked up at Nadine, her eyes said she knew there was more. "And she has two children, or should I say we have two children." Sheena gasped and put her hand to her mouth.
"Oh. Arnold! We should be congratulating you!" She grinned.
Arnold chuckled, "Thank you." They all stood silently for a minute, until Arnold remembered what he had come back there for in the first place. "Oh, I actually came back to tell you it's closing time."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Nadine eyes widened, and she rushed to her bag and began tossing some papers into it. "We'll leave right away."
"Oh. Don't rush yourself. Take your time, I'll be waiting at the front desk."
She nodded and both of the women began shuffling around the room.
Arnold walked back down the hall and back into his studio. He picked up the unfinished back drop and leaned it against the wall. He then moved his pencils and paints back into the closet, and locked it. Finally, tossing all of his rags into the rag bin behind the front desk, he sat down in his swirly chair and pulled out his phone. Two messages glowed on his lock screen:
Helga: Hope you're having fun at work. My writing is not going well, Love you, see you at 11:30.
The other was the same number as the early morning message: Closer and closer.
He was beginning to get annoyed; he deleted the second message and replied back to Helga. When he slipped his phone into his pocket, Nadine and Sheena were walking towards the desk.
"So would you like to reserve that room?"
"Yep." Nadine pulled out her wallet. "How much do I owe you?"
Arnold looked at her time of arrival, "8:30-11:00, $5.34."
She pulled out the money and dropped it into his hand, "Alrighty, we'll see you tomorrow then."
"Uh-huh, it was nice seeing you again, Arnold," Sheena smiled.
"Yeah you too, see you tomorrow." He waved goodbye, put away the record book, and grab his bag.
When he went to lock the studio door his phone rang. He pulled it out and looked at the caller. It was a blocked number, "Hello." No reply. "Hello?" Silence. "Leave me alone!"
"It's too late for that." A deep voiced man said. Though, before Arnold could reply the dial tone filled his ear.
"Who the fuck.." He huffed and locked the door.
"Helga, I'm home!"
"In the living room, baby!"
He walked down the hall, tossed his bag into his room, and hung his keys. He turned the corner and into the living room, "Oh hey, Gerald, Phoebe, Helga," He looked down at the twins, "Star, Miles." He chuckled and went over to the couch to kiss Helga. "So what brings you two over?"
Gerald laughed, "What? Can I not come visit my best friend, his girlfriend, and beautiful children?"
Arnold laughed and held up his hands defensively. "No, anytime, man, anytime."
"So baby, how was your day?" Helga stood up to grab a whimpering Miles, though Phoebe gestured her back down and grabbed him instead.
"It was interesting.." He plopped down into his red arm chair.
"Oh interesting how?" Gerald raised an eyebrow.
"Well, Nadine came into the studio today," He furrowed his brows, "And when closing time came around I had a, uhm, peculiar encounter with her wife."
Helga's eyes widened, "Wife?"
"Yeah, she's married to Sheena, they got married a few days ago and had just gotten back to Hillwood." Arnold stood up.
"Whoa, I didn't know that she was a lesbian." Helga chuckled. "Well, I'm happy for them."
Arnold smiled, "I'm going to the kitchen; do any of you want anything?"
"Yeah, can you refill Starlet and Miles' sippies? And grab me a Yahoo soda. Please." Helga handed the cups to Arnold.
Arnold looked at Phoebe who shook her head no and continued to tickle and poke Miles. Then he looked at Gerald, hoping he'd understand the request in his eyes, "You, Gerald?"
Gerald stared at him for a second; he understood. "Yeah, but I'll just go with
you. Help with the sippies." He stood up and followed Arnold down the hall to the kitchen.
"What's up man? Something wrong?"
Arnold opened the fridge to pull out the juice and three sodas. "I don't know, man. It's just this morning I got this weird text, then a little bit ago I got another one text, and to tie up the whole thing I got a phone call."
"So?"
"So, I don't know who it is, it was a blocked number and then the texts where from I number I didn't recognize."
Gerald's eyebrow raise, "Show me?"
Arnold tightened the cap of the juice and returned it back to the fridge, "I would, but I deleted them."
"Shit, man! Why would you just delete them? Do you remember what they messaged? Was it a man or a woman who called? Did they say anything when they called? Did you recognize the voice?"
"I thought it may have been kids or something. I think the first one was along the lines of I'm coming, better be ready and the second was just closer and closer." He concentrated on the voice he had heard, "It was a man, I told him to leave me alone and he laughed and said it's too late for that. I... I think.. His voice sounded familiar.. I just... I don't know who it could have been..."
"Whoever it is, they threatened you. You may be in some trouble, Arnold." Gerald stated; his words lined with concern.
"No, it's fine," Arnold said trying to convince himself more than Gerald, "Let's just forget about. It's probably nothing."
"Okay.." Gerald started to turn away but Arnold stopped him.
"Wait, can you bring these back out there I have to go to the bathroom."
"Yeah." He took them and went back to the living area.
Arnold waited to make sure he was all the way in the living room, before he grabbed his keys from the hook and rushed to his bedroom. Gently he pushed the door closed, softening the click of the latch. He then kneeled next to his bed to pull out his medium sized locked chest from underneath. He jammed the small shiny metal key into the lock and clicked it open. Inside was his liquid comfort, he unscrewed the cap and took a mouthful. The burn begged him to drink more. He took one more sip, recapped it, set it back, and locked the box back up.
Quickly he rushed to the bathroom; he flushed the toilet, and rejoined everyone else in the living room.
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