Year 2 (10th Grade)
Chapter 10
Love's Holiday
With Arnold and Helga's relationship no longer a secret, they could now show their love in public. Their friends were still getting used to the idea of the two of them going out. But slowly but surely they began to warm up to their relationship. Since then Arnold, Helga, Gerald, and Phoebe would all be seen together during their lunch. No longer did Arnold and Helga have to sit across the cafeteria from each other. No longer did they have to make excuses to see each other. The two young lovers had been set free. After they revealed their relationship Helga became more and more comfortable with her open love for Arnold. She even began to make subtle changes to her style, though only to her hair at first, she started wearing it in a ponytail instead of her usual pig tails. Somehow the two of them together just seemed…natural to their friends. It soon ceased to be weird, and they soon became the cutest couple in school. Their first Christmas behind them, Arnold and Helga could soon look forward to another holiday that was right around the corner. It was the perfect holiday for the two of them. An entire day devoted entirely…to love.
6 a.m. Tuesday morning. But this is a very special Tuesday morning.
*Its Valentine's day.* Arnold thought to himself as he shut off his alarm.
*I can't wait for tonight.* he thought as he sat up on his bed.
He had something special planned for he and Helga that night, but first…his usual morning routine. He took a quick shower, got dressed, and put on his little blue hat. But before he went downstairs he stopped at his computer to get something.
He opened the top left hand drawer to reveal a rectangular black box. He removed it from the drawer and opened it.
*Yeah…she's gonna love it.* he thought as a smile came across his face.
Gazing at the contents of the box his concentration broke.
"Arnold breakfast is ready." He heard his mother say.
"Coming mom." Arnold shouted as he closed the box and placed it in his pocket.
He walked downstairs to find his parents and grandpa sitting at the kitchen table.
"Morning everyone, where's grandma?" Arnold asked as he sat down.
"Morning sweetie, your Grandma went out for a little bit. You know how she is." Stella said to him.
"Okay Mom." Arnold said to her.
"Morning short man, how'd ya sleep?" His grandpa asked him.
"I slept fine thanks for asking grandpa." Arnold replied.
"Well that's good to hear Arnold. Did you pick up my watch from the jewelers yesterday?" Phil asked him.
"I did Grandpa, here you go." Arnold said as he gave him the watch from his bag.
"Thanks Arnold I appreciate it." He said.
"Don't mention it Grandpa." Arnold told him.
"Morning Arnold, how are you feeling today?" Miles asked him.
"I'm feeling great dad. It's Valentine's Day and I can't wait to get to school." Arnold told him.
"That's good to hear Arnold. So you got anything planned for you and Helga today?" He asked him.
"Yeah I do dad. Mr. Franks gave the night off so Helga and I could go out. I made us a reservation for 7 o'clock tonight at Chez Paris. And…I got her this." Arnold said as he revealed the black box.
He handed it to his dad who then in turn showed it to his mother.
"Wow Arnold, I bet that cost a lot." Miles said as he handed it to Stella.
"Oh Arnold it's beautiful, you must really love her a lot." Stella said as she handed the box back to Arnold.
"I do mom, I really do. I had to save up since before Christmas to get it." Arnold said as he once again looked at his Valentine's gift for Helga.
It was a solid gold necklace, with a golden heart charm inlaid with rubies, and white and pink diamonds to coincide with the Valentine's Day theme. On the back there is an inscription that reads, "Yours Eternally".
"And after school I'm gonna head over to Mrs. Vitello's to pick up some roses before we go. I haven't told her any of this; I wanna surprise her after school." Arnold explained to his family.
"You got anything else planned Arnold?" his mother asked.
"I figured we would either go for a walk or maybe even see a movie after dinner." Arnold told her.
"Sounds like you got everything worked out, so how are you gonna keep all this a secret Arnold?" His dad asked.
"I have no Idea dad." Arnold admitted.
"Well the first thing is I gotta leave this here." Arnold said as he pointed to the necklace.
"I might get her something at school; they usually sell candy and flowers on Valentine's Day." Arnold told his family.
"Well I hope you two have a wonderful night Arnold." His grandpa told him.
"Thanks Grandpa." Arnold said.
"First things first Arnold, get through school first then focus on spending the evening together." His mother said trying to make him focus.
"I will mom." Arnold said as he finished his breakfast.
He cleared his place at the table and proceeded to get ready for school. He walked upstairs to brush his teeth, placed the box with her necklace back in his desk, grabbed his bag and left the old house.
"I'll see you guys after school." Arnold said just as he reached the front door.
"Okay Arnold have a good day at school." He heard his father say.
"I will dad." Arnold said just as he left.
As he stepped onto the sidewalk he made his way to the bus stop where Gerald was waiting for him. When they boarded the bus Arnold didn't realize that an old memory would surface that morning. A memory of another Valentine's Day so long ago, the girl which had so impressed him would once again resurface. But from someone he did not expect.
The bus slowly came to a stop in front the old school. They stepped off the bus and onto the sidewalk in front of P.H.S. 209. It felt like spring had come early, because love was in the air. It was definitely Valentine's Day. The entire student body congregated in front of the building to waste time as it became a tradition; the conversation was mostly about everyone's plans for Valentine's Day. Some were going to the movies, others had dinner plans, mostly everybody decided to go bowling, some couples even decided to stay in and enjoy other's company.
"So Gerald, got any plans for tonight?" Arnold asked.
"Maybe Arnold, maybe." Gerald said as he looked over at Phoebe who was talking with Rhonda and the other girls.
"What about you Romeo. You got something special planned for Helga?" Gerald asked.
"Yes I do Gerald, yes I do." Arnold said very happily as he began to scan the crowd for Helga.
"So, don't keep me in suspense, whatchya got planned?" Gerald asked him.
"Oh no Gerald, that I'm keeping a secret. Have you seen Helga?" Arnold asked.
"I don't think she's here yet. Relax man she'll be here. I still can't believe it, you and Helga of all people. Well as weird as it is, you two do make a good couple." Gerald told him.
"Thanks Gerald." Arnold said to him.
Just as he said that the noticed the big blue car pull up just behind the bus. He started to walk over to it to get the door for Helga. But before he could get to it, she was already getting out. What Arnold saw right then stopped him dead in his tracks. Instead of her hair in its usual pig tails or ponytail, she let her hair hang naturally over her shoulders covering part of her face.
*Wow she looks beautiful…wait a minute…I've seen that look before.* Arnold thought.
*Yeah…that Valentine's Day…in the fourth grade. It was…Cecile, no…not that Cecile, the first Cecile.* Arnold thought as he remembered that night at Chez Paris.
"Arnold." He hears someone call him.
*Au revoir Arnold.* Cecile's last words echo in his mind.
Again someone tries to get his attention, "Arnold."
Again her words resonate with him, *Au revoir Arnold.*
Staring at Helga he knew, it must have been her that night. At the time, he didn't know any other blonde girls his age other than Helga and Nadine.
*Au revoir Arnold.* One last time her words echo in his mind.
"We'll always have Chez Paris." He muttered under his breath.
"ARNOLD." Hearing his name the final time brought him back to reality.
"Huh." Was all he could manage to say.
"What did you say Arnold." Helga asked him.
"Oh uh…nothing Helga I was just…thinking." Arnold nervously told her trying to hide the truth.
"What were you thinking about?" Helga asked him.
"I was just thinking how great your hair looks." Arnold said with a smile.
"Thanks Arnold, I admit I kinda like wearing it like this, oh and Happy Valentine's Day Arnold." Helga said as she wrapped her arms around him.
"Happy Valentine's Day to you too Helga." Arnold said as he kissed her.
"Thank you Arnold." Helga said lovingly.
Just as they finished kissing they heard the first bell of the day ring. Unlike every other day, nobody was just mindlessly shuffling into the building. It was Valentine's Day, love was in the air and everybody was feeling it. Classes went by just as usual. Arnold and Helga found it a little hard to concentrate during their morning science class. After biology the two them and kissed and then went their separate ways, not to see each again until lunch. A few more classes went by and then much to Arnold's relief, the first lunch bell rang. He quickly and eagerly made his way to the cafeteria and their usual table where Gerald and Phoebe had already sat down.
"Good she's not here yet, I'll be right back I'm gonna go get her some flower's." Arnold said to them.
He saw a table set up on the other side of the cafeteria where Rhonda and Harold were selling roses and candy.
"Alright Arnold." Gerald said.
Arnold had to get a rose and some candy fast; he knew Helga would walk in the cafeteria any minute. He got in line with two people in front of him, luckily the line moved pretty quickly.
"Hey Rhonda, hey Harold." Arnold said to them.
"Hey Arnold, are you getting something for Helga?" Rhonda asked.
"Yeah let me get a rose and a chocolate heart." Arnold said.
"Alright Arnold that'll be seven bucks total." Rhonda said as Harold gave him what he asked for.
Arnold being in a hurry laid a ten dollar bill on the table.
"Thanks guys, keep the change." Arnold said as he quickly made his way back to the table.
He sat down with only a few minutes to spare. Five minutes later Helga sat down with her lunch.
"Hey Phoebe, hey Geraldo, hey you." She said as she gave Arnold a quick kiss.
"Hey Helga." Arnold said happy to see her.
"Oh man I just realized I left something in my locker, I'll be right back." Helga said as she got up from the table.
"Okay Helga." Arnold replied.
Helga sat back down at the table a few minutes later with a book. As she bent over to put the book in her backpack Arnold laid the rose and the chocolate heart on the table just in front of her. She sat back up looked at both the rose and heart and immediately looked over at Arnold.
"Happy Valentine's Day Helga." Arnold said very tenderly.
"Thank you Arnold, Happy Valentine's Day to you too." Helga said as she gave him a kiss and a hug.
After that lunch went on just as it always had. The conversation was mostly about what problems they with all their homework from the previous night. Before they knew it the final lunch bell rang and it was time for them to part ways once again. Fortunately they only had two classes left so it wouldn't be long before they saw each other again.
The final bell of the day brought a great sigh of relief to everyone. The end of school meant everyone could begin preparations for their Valentine's Day plans. Everyone exited the school to find that none of the buses were sitting out front. This just gave everyone more time to talk to all of their friends. The usual gang had gathered at the bus stop with one exception. Arnold and Helga weren't there. Arnold was waiting for Helga at the front steps. He suddenly felt someone's arms wrap around him. Of course, it was Helga.
"Hey there good-looking." Helga said to him.
"Hey beautiful." Arnold said as he turned to face her.
"Thank you again for the rose and chocolate heart." Helga said very sweetly.
"You're welcome Helga." Arnold said as they started walking toward the street.
They both stopped a few feet away from the edge of the sidewalk where they normally waited for Helga's mom. As they stood there waiting for Miriam to show up, they wrapped their arms around each other.
"I'll try to call you before you go in for work tonight." Helga said to him.
Arnold can help but crack a smile at what he's about to say.
"What is it Arnold?" Helga asked.
"No Helga…you're not gonna call me tonight." Arnold said almost laughing.
"What…why not?" Helga asked sounding disappointed and upset.
"Because…Mr. Franks gave me the night off tonight so I could be with you." Arnold said happily to her.
"Really, well that was nice of him." Helga said feeling relieved.
"And that's not all." Arnold told her.
"Its not?" Helga said sounding confused.
"No there's more…I want you to wear something nice tonight, because you and I have a dinner reservation at Chez Paris at 7 o'clock tonight." Arnold told her.
Needless to say Helga is pleasantly surprised by this.
"Arnold…are you serious?" Helga said emanating a powerful sense of joy and genuine surprise.
"I am Helga. I'll come by to pick you up about 6:30 tonight." Arnold told her.
"Arnold that's wonderful." Helga said as she gave him a rather surprising and powerful hug.
"You really are the best Arnold." Helga said to him as her mom pulled up.
"Here let me get the door for you." Arnold said as he opened the passenger side door.
"Thank you Arnold." She said as she kissed him.
"I'll come by about 6:30 or so." Arnold told her as she climbed into the car.
"Okay, 6:30. I'll be ready. See you then Arnold." Helga said to him as the car pulled away.
"Bye Helga." Arnold said as the car disappeared from his sight.
"Did I hear you correctly just now Arnold?" Gerald asked him suddenly.
"Huh, oh hey Gerald. Yeah I made a dinner reservation for Helga and me tonight." Arnold told him feeling relieved to have told Helga his surprise.
"I've been holding that in all day, it's great to finally tell her what I had planned. Well almost all of it." He told Gerald.
"What about you Gerald, you got any plans tonight?" Arnold asked him.
"I do, Phoebe and I are going out as well." Gerald told him as a smile came across his face.
"Really…you and Phoebe huh, well have fun Gerald." Arnold said.
"Yeah you too man." Gerald replied.
As soon as Gerald said that the bus pulled and everyone climbed in heading for home.
Arnold entered the old Vine street home in his usual manner.
"I'm home." He shouted.
"Hi honey how was school?" His mother asked him as she came from the living room.
"It was okay mom." Arnold told her.
"Did you tell Helga what you had planned?" Stella asked him.
"I did and she was ecstatic about it. I told her I would pick her up about 6:30 or so." Arnold told her.
"Well have a good time sweetie, don't stay out all night." She told him.
"I won't mom, I'm gonna go upstairs and take a nap before I leave." Arnold said as he started for the stairs.
"Alright Arnold, let me know if you need anything." Stella said.
"Alright mom I will." Arnold said as he ascended the stairs.
Arnold entered his room, set his bag down, and once again pulled out the necklace he bought for Helga. He couldn't help but smile at it.
*I know she's gonna love it.* he thought to himself.
Before he took his nap he heard a knock on his door.
"Come in." He said.
"Hey Arnold, are you nervous about tonight?" Miles asked him as he entered his room.
"I'm really excited about it dad." Arnold said as he laid the box on his desk.
"That's good to hear Arnold. Listen I know you have your own job, but I want to give you this as a safety cushion…just in case." His dad said as he handed him some money.
Arnold counted the money his dad had just handed him.
"Dad…this is a hundred dollars." Arnold said in amazement.
"I know I know, but take it just in case something happens. You know, just in case of an emergency." Miles said.
"Thanks dad...thanks a lot." Arnold said gratefully.
"You're welcome Arnold. Have fun tonight and don't stay out too late." His dad told him.
"I know Dad, Mom's already told me that." Arnold said with a slight laugh.
"Well now I'm telling you so it'll sink in." Miles said as he left Arnold's room.
"Okay dad." Arnold said as he drew his attention back to the necklace.
Another minute went by before he set the box down and collapsed on his bed. He set the alarm for 5:15, closed his eyes, and once again went to sleep dreaming of Helga.
His alarm woke him up right on time. He couldn't help but feel excited about meeting Helga for dinner on their first official Valentine's Day. He took a shower and got dressed. He picked out a nice clean and pressed dress shirt, a clean pair of black dress pants, and a black dinner jacket. His hair was neatly combed and his hat was kept in the back pocket of his pants. Arnold was dressed to kill. Before he left his room he made sure he had everything he would need for that night. Wallet, watch, hat, and of course Helga's gift. He came downstairs to find his family standing at the bottom of the steps.
"Looking sharp there short man." His grandpa said.
"Thanks grandpa." Arnold said as he approached them.
"You do look very handsome honey." His mother said.
"Thanks mom." Arnold replied.
"Have fun tonight Kimba." his grandma said to him.
"I will grandma." Arnold told her.
"Well get going Arnold, you don't want to keep her waiting." Miles told him.
"I know Dad I'm just gonna go get her some flowers first." Arnold said as he started for the door.
"I'll be back later." He said as he left the old home.
Before he started for Helga's home he made his way over to Mrs. Vitello's flower shop. There she was behind the counter watering her plants as always.
"Hello Arnold, how are you. Well don't you look nice, what's the occasion?" She asked as he entered the store.
"I'm fine Mrs. Vitello thanks for asking. I'm going out tonight for Valentine's Day." He answered.
"That wonderful. What can I do for you Arnold?" she asked.
"Can I get 6 pink and red roses each please?" He asked her.
"Of course Arnold, are they for someone special?" she asked as she prepared his order.
"Yeah they're for my girlfriend. I'm taking her out to dinner tonight." He told her.
"That's very sweet of you Arnold, and here you are. That'll be thirty dollars Arnold." She said as she handed him the flowers.
"Thank Mrs. Vitello, you can keep the change." Arnold said as he set down two twenty dollar bills on the counter.
"Thank you Arnold, he's such a nice boy." Mrs. Vitello said to herself as he left the store.
Next stop, the Pataki home.
As he climbed the front steps he took a deep breath to regain his composure. He knocked on the door anxious to see his girlfriend.
"I'm coming I'm coming." He heard someone say.
The door opened to reveal Helga's dad in the doorway, Big Bob Pataki.
"Yeah." He said very bluntly.
"Hi Mr. Pataki, I'm here to pick up Helga." Arnold said to him.
"Oh right you must be Alfred." He said.
*It's Arnold.* he thought to himself.
"Come on in Helga's just about ready." He said to Arnold.
They both came into the house and stopped at the bottom of the stairs.
"So you're taking my daughter out tonight. What are your intentions?" He asked as he stared down Arnold trying to intimidate him.
"We're just going to dinner and maybe a walk in the park." Arnold said desperately trying not to appear nervous.
"Is that right, well I expect her home no later than 10 o'clock…understand." Big Bob said trying to wear Arnold down.
"Yes sir, I understand completely." Arnold said to him as his anxiety grew.
"And don't try anything funny you got that." Bob told him.
"No sir I won't." Arnold said as he began to feel nervous.
An uncomfortable silence had befallen the two of them until Bob blatantly blurted out, "HELGA YOUR DATE'S HERE!"
"I'm coming." Helga said still in her room.
A few minutes pass by before Helga was ready to go. Arnold was looking at all of the family pictures on the wall opposite the stairs. He was still looking at the pictures on the wall when he heard, "I'm ready."
He turned to see Helga at the top of the stairs. He took one look at her and was immediately left speechless. Arnold took a good look at her as she descended the stairs. She was a wearing a form flattering metallic red dress, a matching pair of high heels, matching lipstick, and her hair was draped over her shoulders just like it had been earlier that morning. The bottom of her dress was cut at an angle, revealing a black and silver bracelet around her left ankle.
*Wow…she looks…gorgeous.* Arnold thought to himself.
"Hi Arnold." Helga said as she approached him.
"Hi Helga…you look…absolutely amazing." Arnold said to her.
"Here I got these for you." Arnold said as he handed her the roses.
"Their beautiful, thank you so much Arnold." Helga said as she kissed him. "I'll go get a vase for them." Helga said as he went into the kitchen. She reappeared a minute later with a vase and placed the roses in it. She set the vase on a side table placed against the wall opposite the stairs.
"Bye Dad I'll be back later." Helga told her dad as they started for the door.
"Be home by ten, understand missy." Bob blurted out.
"I got it Dad." Helga said rather annoyed.
And with that they started for their evening dinner reservation.
As they approached the restaurant, Arnold stopped just outside of the entrance.
"Hang on Helga." He said to her as they stood between Chez Paris and Chez Pierre.
"What is it Arnold?" Helga asked him.
"Before we go in there, I have one more gift to give you." Arnold said as he slowly drew the black box from his pocket.
"Arnold you didn't have to do that." Helga told him.
"I know but I wanted to. Happy Valentine's Day Helga." He said as he handed her the box.
"Arnold you really are the…" She stops mid sentence when she opens the box to find the necklace inside.
Helga is stunned by what she's just been given; she looked at the necklace, looked at Arnold, and back at the necklace.
"Arnold…it's…it's beautiful." She says almost on the verge of tears.
She removes the necklace to fully appreciate it. She turned it over to reveal the inscription on the back, *Yours Eternally* She reads the inscription and can't contain herself anymore.
"Arnold…I love you so much." She said as she went to kiss him with a kind of passion she has never exerted before.
She holds him tighter than she's ever held him before. They kiss for what seems like an eternity. When they finish not a word is spoken for a few minutes.
Finally Helga breaks the silence, "Why are you so good to me?" She said with her arms still around him.
"Because I want to be." Arnold said as he draws her in closer to him.
"Here let me put it on you." Arnold said as he puts the necklace around Helga's neck.
"Well…how does it look on me?" Helga said as she takes a step back.
"It looks great on you Helga." Arnold said as he admires his girlfriend, "You really look great tonight Helga."
"You don't look too bad yourself." Helga said as she takes his arm.
"Well, let's eat. I'm starving." Helga said as they both entered the restaurant.
They were quickly greeted by the host.
"Good evening, do you have a reservation?" He asked them.
"Yes, the name's Arnold." Arnold told him.
The host scanned the list and quickly answered.
"Ah yes here you are monsieur, right this way." The host said as he guided them to their table.
It was the same table that they have eaten at every time Arnold had been there. It was just to the right of the entrance, facing two of the front windows.
They sat down and were immediately greeted by their waiter.
"Good evening I am your waiter Jacques. What can I start monsieur and mademoiselle to drink?" he asked them.
"I'll just have a glass of water please." Arnold told him.
"I'll have the same." Helga.
"Oui, and have we decided on what we would like for dinner?" Jacques asked them.
"I'll just have the steak tartare please." Arnold said to him.
"Oui monsieur, and for you mademoiselle?" He asked Helga.
"I think I'll have that as well." Helga said.
"Very well, I shall return momentarily." Jacques said as he went to go put in their order.
"Merci Jacques." Arnold said to him.
"Arnold this necklace is really beautiful, thank you so much." Helga said to him.
"You're welcome Helga." Arnold said as he takes Helga's hand in his.
Arnold looks at Helga admiring her beauty.
"What are you thinking about Arnold?" Helga asked him.
"I was just thinking how amazing you look tonight." Arnold told her.
"Oh Arnold." Helga said as her face slightly blushes.
"I mean it…you look absolutely beautiful Helga." Arnold said to her.
"Thank you Arnold, you look very handsome as well." Helga told him.
"Thanks Helga." Arnold replied.
A silence fell on them for a few minutes. Jacques returns with their drinks and some bread. The two young lovers just talk until their entrees arrive. Even when their food arrives they spend their time talking. Talking about past Valentine's Days and other memories. Arnold even talks about that Valentine's Day in the fourth grade.
"Remember our pen pals we had back in the fourth grade?" Arnold asked.
"I do." Helga said.
"I remember eating here on Valentine's Day with my pen pal Cecile from France." Arnold said silently gauging her reaction.
Hearing this Helga suddenly remembered how she had tricked Arnold into having dinner with her back then.
"Is that so?" Helga said as she stopped eating.
"Yeah…but then it turned out she wasn't the real Cecile…but…" Arnold said.
"But what Arnold?" She asked.
"I had a really great time with her…even though she wasn't who she said she was." Arnold admitted to Helga.
"Did you ever find out who she was?" She asked trying to see if he knew it was really her.
"No…I didn't. And I haven't seen her since." Arnold said.
"Who knows Arnold…you may see her again. In fact…you may have already met her." Helga told him with a kind of clever smile.
"What makes you so sure Helga?" he asked.
"Oh…call it a hunch." She said as he leaned back in her chair.
"You know what…you may be right Helga." Arnold said as he smiled at her.
Arnold and Helga resumed their meal and their conversation continued until after they finished eating. Arnold paid for the bill in cash, and arm in arm the two of them left Chez Paris, the rest of the evening ahead of them. As they walked out the front door, Arnold noticed and group of musicians set up in front of the fountain between the two restaurants. Arnold stopped exactly between Chez Paris and Chez Pierre. One of the musicians noticed the young couple and they immediately started playing the perfect slow dance song. Arnold heard this and stopped between the two restaurants.
"Why did you stop Arnold?" Helga asked him.
Arnold looked at the musicians, and then at Helga.
"Helga…would you like to dance?" Arnold asked her.
Helga looked over at the group of musicians and then back at Arnold.
"I'd love to Arnold." Helga said with a loving smile on her face.
In the light of the two restaurants and the city lights, Arnold and Helga dance to the music on their first Valentine's Day. They couldn't help but feel totally at home dancing there in the street. The music ended and the two of them just stood there in one another's arms, gazing lovingly into each other's eyes.
"Shall we go for a walk through the park now?" Arnold asked her.
"I wouldn't have it any other way Arnold." Helga said as she took his hand.
Just before they head to the park Arnold walks over the musicians.
"Thank you for the music gentlemen." Arnold said as he laid forty bucks in the open violin case.
"No sir, thank you." One of the musicians said to Arnold.
After they danced they went for a walk in the park, as was their customary way of finishing a date. On their way out of the park they stopped over at Slausen's for a quick milkshake. After which they started for Helga's house. Just before she climbed the front steps Arnold stopped her one last time.
"I had a great time tonight Helga." Arnold said to her.
"So I did I Arnold, thank you for everything you've done today. This has been the best Valentine's day I've ever had." Helga said as she takes his hand.
"Mine too Helga." Arnold told her.
"Can I ask you something Helga?" he asked.
"Of course Arnold, you can ask me anything." She told him.
"This may sound a little strange but…it was you I had dinner with that Valentine's Day in the fourth grade…wasn't it?" Arnold asked her.
Hearing Arnold ask this made her think of that night so long ago.
"Yes Arnold…that was me at Chez Paris that night. How did you figure it out?" Helga asked him.
"I realized it when I saw you this morning; it was your hair that was the giveaway. You were just as beautiful then as you are now." Arnold said as he pulls her in close to him.
"You really mean that Arnold?" Helga asked him.
"Of course Helga, I love more than you could ever know." He said to her.
"Oh Arnold…you really are the greatest guy in the world." Helga told him.
There in each other's arms they share one final kiss before they must part ways. They finished their kiss and gazed lovingly into one another's eyes.
"I love you baby." Arnold said very gently.
"I love you too Arnold." Helga said very affectionately.
"Well I have to go…au revoir Arnold." Helga said as she began to climb the steps.
"Goodnight Helga, I'll see you tomorrow." Arnold said as he started for home.
"Goodnight Arnold." Helga said just as she reached the door.
Arnold began his walk home after he said goodnight. Helga entered the house and stood at the entrance for a moment.
*What a guy.* She thought to herself as she smiled.
After which she climbed the stairs to her room and got ready for bed. Arnold entered his home and was soon greeted by his Mom and Dad.
"Hi honey how was your evening with Helga?" Stella asked him.
"It was amazing Mom, she was beautiful, dinner was great, and we even danced. It was by far the best Valentine's Day I've ever had." Arnold said as he cannot contain his joy.
"That's good to hear sweetie." His mother said.
"Here you go Dad; I didn't need to use it tonight but thanks anyway." Arnold said as he handed his Dad the money he received earlier.
"You go ahead and keep it Arnold, just in case you do need it." Miles said to him.
"Are you sure Dad?" Arnold asked him.
"I'm sure Arnold…you keep it." He said.
Off in the distance he could hear one the old clocks in the house chime at the top of the hour. 10 o'clock, he had kept his promise to have Helga home before then.
"Well it's getting late Arnold, we're gonna go to bed. Goodnight son." Miles said as he started for the stairs.
"Goodnight Mom, goodnight Dad." Arnold said to them.
"Goodnight honey, sleep tight." His mother said as she kissed him goodnight.
Arnold climbed upstairs shed his clothes, took a shower, changed into his sleeping clothes, and drifted off to sleep dreaming of his evening with Helga. It had proven to be a successful first Valentine's Day for Arnold and Helga. The school year would fly by after that night. But Arnold would have a great idea that needed the clearance from both his family and Helga's family. All the while keeping in mind the possibility that he wouldn't get the desired response, but he had to try anyway.