Hello all! And welcome to the final chapter of Season's Surprises! I hope that you enjoy it! Thanks to all those who have alerted and favorited this story!
Thanks to all those who have reviewed!
NintendoGal55: Thanks! And thanks for all your reviews! Yeah, I thought my hints were getting previous obvious towards the end...ah well! Yup, Arnold fainting under the mistletoe was one of the first things that came to mind when I was brainstorming for this story...I don't know why the idea makes me laugh so much, but it does. Yeah, Brainy and Lila sure took their sweet time - but it's fun to write denial. Actually, the BrainyxLila pairing came inadvertently out of the first story I wrote on this site when Brainy goes to Helga and Arnold's wedding. I originally was going to have him go in and out and not really be noticed by anyone - but then I didn't want him to be miserable, I wanted him to be loved. I brought Lila in to discuss why she was so overwhelmingly sweet...and somehow used her to comfort him...and then that was it. I'm glad you like reading it!
KPfan72941: Lol! Good guess! Thanks for all of your reviews!
thecommonaubrie: Helga sure gets a lot of those moral dilemmas, doesn't she? :) Hahaha I'm glad you liked it when she told him and he fainted...I laugh everytime I think of it...poor Arnold, I can be mean. I'm glad you didn't mind watching the episode over and over - it's one of my personal favorites. Thanks for reviewing!
acosta perez jose ramiro: Thank you very much - I hope I'm keeping them all in character. Fainting, for some reason, is really funny in fanfiction. I'm not sure why, but I embrace it. I hope you enjoy this!
loonytunecrazy: Thanks very much! Yeah...Arnold was surprised to say the least. Enjoy this last chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own Hey Arnold! or any of its characters. Sad, I know.
Helga looked down at the unconscious form of Arnold on the couch and sighed. "Maybe that wasn't the best way to tell him."
Arnold hadn't moved at all since he had fainted twenty minutes before, not even responding when he was lifted onto the couch or when Helga shook him to try and wake him up. Helga was sitting on the arm of the couch looking down at Arnold, Phoebe was standing next to her, and Gerald was leaning over the back of the couch. Helga looked apprehensive and worried, Phoebe appeared to be torn between sympathy for Helga and humor for Arnold's reaction, and Gerald just looked like he was barely holding back laughter. Brainy had helped Gerald get Arnold off the floor but once they'd gotten the unconscious man settled, he'd slipped off into a corner with Lila to talk. Their 'talking' seemed to consist more of hand-holding, hugging, and occasional kissing more than actual talking, but their friends were so grateful for them finally getting together that they could care less about semantics.
Phoebe had urged the others to continue enjoying themselves to give Arnold time to collect himself, and there was a general murmur of conversation and laughter as the friends tried to make full use of the time they had left together. Sid and Stinky sidled over from the cookie table and craned to look over at Arnold. Sid gave a low whistle. "He's still out? Geez, that must have been some kiss, Helga."
Helga's sudden glare would have withered weeds, but Stinky ignored it as he almost leered, "How's about you plant one of those kisses on me?"
Helga made a fist with her right hand and began tapping it warningly on her thigh. "If you two don't knock It off and get away right now," she punched her fist into her other palm, "I'll be planting something very different on you – preferably between the eyes."
The guys disappeared, and Helga resumed her gaze to her husband, her eyes softening. "Oh, Arnold," she whispered, caressing his cheek and playing with a strand of his hair that lay on his forehead, "I didn't mean for you to faint on me." She looked up. "Do you think I hurt him?"
"Not unless the shock killed him," Gerald joked, only to regret it when Phoebe dug an elbow into his ribs and gave him a reproving glare upon seeing Helga's panicked reaction.
"Oh no," Helga groaned, covering her face with her hands, "what if I've killed him?"
Phoebe rolled her eyes in amusement and irritation. "Helga, I realize that I specialize in pediatric medicine, but I know just enough about adults to know whether they're alive or dead."
Helga laughed at that, although it had a slightly hysterical note to it. "I'm sorry, Phebes. I guess I'm just nervous."
"Nervous? Why should you be nervous about something like that?" Brainy had returned with Lila from whatever tossing they'd actually gotten around to doing, and they joined the others in their vigil, walking up hand in hand.
"Oh, you should talk, given that you were so incredibly confident in telling Lila your feelings." Helga shot back, crossing her arms.
Brainy playfully glared back at her, but the glare melted away into a self-conscious but pleased blush as Lila giggled and leaned up to kiss him on the cheek. He wrapped an arm around Lila and pulled her close, to which she leaned against his chest and smiled. "What did you tell him, Helga?"
An almost shy look passed over Helga as she tentatively said, "I'm pregnant."
"Oh!" Lila sprang forward, and hugged Helga, "That's wonderful, Helga! When did you find out?"
Helga returned the embrace. "About a month ago – the baby should be here in August or September."
"Oh, good." Lila pulled back and smiled, "I should be around then – so you should expect obnoxious visits from me. I love babies."
Helga laughed, "Yeah, that's fine, Ms. Perfect." She gave her a sneaky eyebrow raise, "Dragging along Brainy, I hope?"
Brainy gave Lila's shoulder a squeeze and beamed. "Yep, she's stuck with me now."
Lila smirked. "Poor me." She laughed, "I should be moving back in a month or so to live with Dad for a bit until I find an apartment."
"Here in Hillwood?" Phoebe asked.
Lila blushed. "Well, not right in Hillwood – closer to where Brainy is, actually."
The girls grinned and Gerald smirked, but the new couple was spared from any potential interrogation when Arnold moaned lightly and began stirring. The two guys shot each other a quick glance over the top of the girls' heads and nodded in silent agreement.
"And…I think that's our cue." Gerald grabbed Phoebe's shoulders.
"Right behind you." Brainy agreed, grabbing Lila's shoulders.
And then both men hauled the women away, leaving the soon-to-be mother and father alone on the couch. Helga bit back a laugh at the boys' hasty retreat and returned her focus to Arnold who was blearily opening his eyes.
Arnold winced at the brightness of the room, and blinked several times to clear his vision. He focused on his wife's face leaning over him. "Helga?"
Helga chuckled. "Really, Football Head, if I thought you'd react like that, I would've made you sit down first."
His eyebrows furrowed. What is she talking abou- And then the memory of the discovery that caused him to faint came to his mind, and he bolted upright. "You're…pregnant?" He whispered.
Helga blushed lightly and nodded. Arnold sat in silence and stared into her eyes for a long moment. Then, so quickly that Helga wasn't quite sure how he'd done it, Arnold was on his feet, hugging her fiercely. "I'm going to be a father!" The sheer force of his yell caused everyone to look in their direction and, much to her chagrin, she felt the blush on her face intensify until it felt like it was about to burn her skin off. But then she looked up at his jubilant face, and she chose to start laughing happily with him.
"A dad!" Arnold called out to everyone as he held her tightly in his arms, in case they'd missed his first yell, "I'm going to be a dad!"
"I think they got the point, Arn-umph!" Helga had tried to laughingly deter Arnold from bursting their friends' eardrums, but was cut off as Arnold dipped her dramatically into a very thorough, public kiss. It was a little out of character for her husband who usually liked to keep the more passionate gestures of affection private, but as she was getting kissed out of the deal, she didn't see any point in bringing that up.
When he returned her to an upright position, she had to take in a few gasps to regain her breath. "Wow," she said breathlessly, "Maybe I should tell you I'm pregnant more often."
Sheena gave an almost worldly laugh form the armchair where she was sitting with Eugene. "Just wait until you hit morning sickness Helga…you'll change your mind real quick." Her eyes were twinkling.
Helga simply rolled her eyes and laughed, leaning into the sturdy warmth of her husband's arms. He leaned down to kiss the shell of her ear and then guided her to sit down on the couch where he had been lying unconscious just a few moments ago.
Predictably, the women rushed to congratulate Helga, nearly suffocating Arnold in their enthusiasm and eagerness to impart good wishes on Helga. The rest of the evening passed painfully quickly, and soon the guests were shrugging into their winter coats and idling at the door – needing to leave so they would be rested for their home journeys, but not wanting to taste the bittersweet flavor of farewell that came upon saying goodbye to their childhood friends. Not wanting to say goodbye.
But it was only goodbye for a little while – they'd all be back.
No matter the years that had passed, Hillwood would always be home – and their friends would always be their family.
···
Helga yawned and stretched her legs, rotating her ankles and flexing her toes, and settled against Arnold with a contented sigh. They'd gotten back late the night before, and had just returned from the early morning Christmas services. Almost as soon as they'd walked through the door, they had switched from their Sunday clothes into their pajamas, although Helga had insisted on wearing their Christmas 'uniforms.'
Arnold fingered the cotton ball at the tip of his Santa hat and grinned. "You call me sappy about the holidays, but I would never have thought to wear these."
"Oh, shut it. Don't ruin the moment."
The two were sitting on the floor with their backs against the couch, looking at the Christmas tree which they had finally finished decorating the night before, and Christmas specials were playing quietly in the background. Helga still could not look at the tree without laughing – it was the most pitiful little tree that she'd ever seen. Tiny, bowed, although fortunately with all its needles firmly attached, Helga hadn't been able to say no to the pleading, almost childlike look in his eyes as he took a protective stance next to the tree on the lot. They'd managed to dress it up, but it couldn't take away the fact that it was the Charlie Browniest tree she had ever seen. It was funny to compare the pessimistic cartoon character with her optimistic husband, but there it was, and she loved Arnold for wanting to give the little tree a home.
"Want some more hot chocolate?" Arnold's voice floated lazily over to her, his eyes half-lidded with sleepiness and contentment.
She lifted her gently steaming mug from the floor beside her and took an appreciative sip. "No, I'm good." She stretched her arms and then lifted herself up from the floor and Arnold's embrace, causing him to moan in protest at the loss of her body heat. Shuffling under the tree's bottom branches, Helga pulled out a brightly wrapped present and returned back to Arnold with it in her grasp. "Here you go," she said, plopping it in his lap, "this is your present from me."
Arnold smiled as he quickly pulled the paper off the box and opened the lid. He started laughing. "A nameplate?" He looked at the wooden slab with the golden plate inscribed with his name and psychiatric initials on it. He smiled at her. "Thank you, but when did you have the time to order it? We only found out that I passed the test a few weeks ago."
Helga kissed him on the cheek. "I got it before then; I had faith in you."
His eyes lit up in affection, and he chose to show his gratitude by giving her a very long, loving kiss. When they pulled apart, Helga couldn't keep the sheepish grin from her flushed face. She let out a breathless gasp. "Wow…" she arched her brow, "is that my only Christmas present?"
Arnold gave a bark of laughter before leaning over to the tree and retrieving the other present underneath it. He gave it to her. "Nope. Here's your other one."
He had given her an elaborate quill pen. She drew the scarlet feather across her fingers and giggled. Arnold smiled at the sound. "I thought you might need a special pen for all the autographs you'll be signing as a famous author."
"Wow…" Helga rolled her eyes amusedly, grinning. She kissed him. "Thank you, Arnold."
They sat for a while longer in silence, looking at their presents and then looking at each other. Arnold gave Helga somewhat of a guilty glance, then spoke. "I was hoping for a more fancy first Christmas together, but this has been wonderful. But don't worry – next year I'll be making more so we can have a real Christmas, I promise."
Helga let go of the pen with one hand and poked him playfully on the nose. "Arnold, stop worrying about that. This is all I want – to be here with you. It's been perfect."
Arnold put his nameplate on the ground, and brought one hand around her neck, the other placed protectively and lovingly over her stomach. "I'll say." He rubbed her stomach, "You've already given me the greatest gift I could have received."
Helga rubbed her cheek against his head. "Thanks, Football Head." She smirked, "But give yourself some credit – you did half of the work."
Arnold laughed, "Something tells me you won't be saying that nine months from now." Laughter resided in his eyes as they grew tender, and he leaned towards her. "I love you."
Their kiss was sweet and slow, both reveling in the gift of each other and the gift of the small life growing within Helga.
The season was a time for miracles, and their family together was the sweetest miracle any of them could have dreamed of.
A/N: And here we're at the end! Yay! Hope it wasn't too corny at the end there - I am a bit sappy about the holidays.
Anyway, thanks so much for reading, favoriting, and reviewing, and I hope you enjoyed the final chapter!
Please review! They make me happy.