Arrange Marriage

Something to believe in

"Hey Arnold, Arnold?"

"Huh?" the seventeen year old ask.

"I said blow out your candles man" Gerald said holding the cake to his face, Arnold grin and blew them out, everyone clapped their hands.

"I still can't believe you're seventeen years old Short man!"

"Me neither grandpa."

Arnold smiled at his friends and family as they all cut the cake and begin talking his smile faded, his expression serious. Walking towards the window and looking outside, rain…why was it always rain?

It's been years since the last time I seen her, everyone believed that our love would wither away and die, it never left and I have tried many times to date other girls but I can't fool myself anymore

Both Gerald and Phoebe know how I feel and they're the only ones. My life has the guy to go to for advice never changed, I always enjoyed helping others.

I still haven't seen or heard about my parents but I swear on everything I will find them, I know their alive but something is preventing them from coming back home, I need to find out where in San Lorezno did they go to. I know the green eyed people have a secret village in where they hide but where?

As the years goes by I wonder if Helga has changed, she sounds a bit the same only more…softer? It's hard to explain but I know she had to spend years in polishing school, learning to a more womanly. I always thought it was stupid, she should just stay the way she is.

It worries me because I'm still in love with the ten year old girl I last saw, I've tried to ask for pictures but we both agree it wouldn't be wise. Not only because my pigeons might get caught with a photograph but what if her father sees a picture of me.

I want to steal her away from her father and I've ever fantasize doing so, like a super hero flying through the sky, breaking the celling and carrying Helga bridal style out of her home and into the skies. Heh, the fantasy always brought me so much comfort. Now I am seventeen years old and only one more year before we can finally carry out with our plan.

I hope…she doesn't have a change of mind…

Please…I can't wait anymore...

XXX

"Olga, if you're done being a slob, come downstairs for dinner, your fiance's here." Bob called through her bedroom door.

Helga rolled her eyes. "Yes, Dad. I'll be down in a minute."

She continued to stare out her open window at the L.A downpour outside, waiting for one of Arnold's little pigeon friends to show up and bring her a letter. Now at seventeen, she'd grown considerably over the years, and even though went to a "polishing" school to learn how to be a woman, she was still her old self, although having mellowed out over the years. But still the same feisty, aggressive, and strong Helga.

And of course, Arnold was still her true love. Even though she was now set to soon marry Rex Smythe Higgins III, which she was NOT planning to go through with, considering their secret plan.

Of course I hadn't changed my mind. I know more than ever I don't want anyone else but him. Arnold is my beloved, my angel, my despair... I hope he didn't change his mind... I can't wait any longer, I HAVE to see him...

Rex and Helga had meet a few times, the boy had grown to be handsome and charming but he was stuck up and believed people were below him. He had requested to move the wedding until they both turn seventeen after he finished high school, the boy had finished high school at seventeen now entering college. Everyone had been planning the wedding since then, it would happen in a few months.

He would take her out on dates and try to charm her, she would always turn him down but that never stopped him. He loved her spirit but not her.

This was an arrangement, nothing more or less, he would give her the title "wife" and show her the respect she deserve, she would be his to do what he pleased and when he felt the time for her to bare him children, then it was her duty as his wife to give them to him.

Rex adjust his glasses waiting for his future wife to join them in dinner.

"What is taking that woman so long?" he asked Bob who had been sitting in the head of the table.

"Damn girl" he growled "OLGA GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE!" Rubbing his forehead "Years of polish school and that girl still acts as if she doesn't have any manners."

"I agree, Mr. Pataki."

Helga finally entered the dining hall, grumbling to herself. Not even bothering to dress properly, she just wore a t-shirt and capri pants with tennis shoes, while her hair was up in a ponytail. "Okay, okay, jeez, here I am."

"Oh, baby sister! You're not dressed for dinner!" Olga exclaimed in shock.

"So what? We're not dining with the Queen or anything." Helga rolled her eyes.

"How do you expect to be a woman if you dress like a commoner?" Rex asked cutting into his meat. "You need to dress more appropriate or else you will embarrass me."

"Yeah and me too Olga."

"Congrats you guys, you've made it halfway to I don't give a damn."

"I say Bob there has to be another way to train her" Rex stated before putting the meat in his mouth chewing it.

Bob sighs "I don't know what else to do to make her behave better then an animal"

"Maybe baby sis just needs to know how important it is for our family, now Helga dear" Olga said putting her hand on Helga's. "I just want you to know that we are happy and proud of you for finishing polishing school and high school early. Daddy had work so much to get you into both schools the least you can do is show them respect and to act like a mature young lady."

"Sorry Olga, my appreciation has gone down the minute Bob got it in him to control my life as if I were his puppet."

"Hey hey hey! You watch your words, young lady!"

"No, YOU watch it, Bob! Because I am sick and tired of being your little puppet! I'm your damn daughter, not your puppet, and you have no right to control my life! I hate this house, I hate this city, I hate Rex, and I hate YOU. So bug off!" Taking her plate, Helga left the room to go eat elsewhere.

Olga sighed. "It will take her some time to come around, Daddy."

"Times like these I wonder why my father agreed for me to marry her but somehow I think it's because father knew I love tough women" Rex took a sip of his wine, although he was not at the legal age of drinking he still drank.

Bob sighs "So much trouble to get that girl out of my hair"

"Oh daddy, another white hair." Olga exclaimed as she notice the long white strand.

"Perfect" Bob muttered.

XXXXX

As Helga walk to her room, plate in hand she notice Fester peeking into her room and setting the letter down.

"Ah, Fester! You finally made it." Helga breathed in relief, taking the letter, and offering him some bird seed. She kept some hidden in her drawer to give the pigeons whenever they came by.

Taking the letter out of its envelope, she read it over...

Hey Angel,

Gosh it's been so long since my last letter, sorry about that it's been pretty busy here. A developer bought up most of the neighborhood where we live so he can build a mall, Gerald and I had to find a document that declared the entire area a national monument before the bulldozers start tearing everything up. We found a way just in time when everyone thought it would have been hopeless.

I miss you a lot, will are you going to come here? I want to see you soon and I'll admit…I tried to move on Helga, I can't…I still love you. I know some of my friends think I'm weird to still be in love with you, I mean I haven't seen what you look like since we were ten.

What do you want to do Helga? Do you want me to move on? I know I said I could wait for you now as the years goes by I feel like I'm waiting on a dream.

Please tell me what to do because I know I still want to marry you.

-Arnold (smudge spot over his last name)

"Oh Arnold..." Helga murmured, clutching the letter to her in bliss, swooning happily. "My love, how sorry I am to have kept you waiting so long... How I long to see you again, feel your arms around me..."

She looked at the letter, then at Fester, who was eating some bird seed and probably waiting for her to give him something to bring back, then looked down her door, then out the window.

...Okay, that's it. I'm sticking with the plan. I'm going to go back to Hillwood, and even though I have to wait until next year, fine, so be it, I'm going to marry you, Arnold.

"Fester, take this note to Arnold." Helga quickly wrote down something on a piece of paper, and sealed it with a kiss before giving it to the pigeon. "And hurry. Because Helga G. Pataki is coming back to Hillwood."

XXX

That night, after having packed a bag of things she'd need, as well as all of her memorabilia, and once making sure everyone was asleep, Helga opened her window, and tossed down the bedsheets tied together, with the other end tied to the bedpost. She looked down below to make sure no one was there, and then carefully climbed out the window, clutching the bedsheets as she carefully went down.

Okay, gotta get to the airport...And off I go...just pay them with cash, I don't want to get caught

Once on the ground, she pulled on the sheets so they'd come apart, taking them in her bag, and ran off over the fence, and out into the depths of the city of Los Angeles...

XXX

By the next day, when Fester made it back to Hillwood, Arnold discovered a piece of notebook paper, sealed with a kiss, and on it was a simple message.

Mighty Pete, tonight at 7:30.

"She's coming back!" he punched the air up with his fist from excitement.

Then looked at the time "Okay I better have things set up."

XXXX

It was raining yet again that night in Hillwood, turning out to be a cold and rainy October evening. Helga shivered as she pulled her thin jacket over herself a little tighter, even though it was a bit warmer within the treehouse at Mighty Pete, as she waited for Arnold to arrive. She was so nervous, so anxious to see him, and yet so excited. Of course it would be a surprise, since the last time she saw him was when he was ten. How much had he changed? Would he be taller than her, or have to face being shorter than her again?

She herself had grown to about 5'8" or 5'9", she let her hair grow out longer, and had developed womanly curves, as well as toned arms and legs from playing sports and boxing. Her unibrow was a mood thing, sometimes she shaved it to make two brows, other times she left it alone and let it grow. This time around she left it alone. She may not have been intensely gorgeous or what most would call a supermodel, but she was pretty, considering that her features had softened over the years, she grew into her nose, and the rest of her face grew into her eyes. Even on a normal day, she admitted that she didn't look half bad.

Hopefully pretty enough for him...

"Okay...7:28..." Helga murmured to herself.

Currently sitting at the table never bothering to look behind her on the couch since it had been dark. Behind her she felt something warm and soft covering her shoulders. Looking down she notice a quilted blanket.

As she turn around she notice someone sitting close to her on the couch.

"A-Arnold?"

"Sorry Helga, I know I should have said something but when you came in I didn't know what to say" Getting up and lighting the candles that where on the table, she gasp as she had not notice that the table was set up with two tall candles. The light provided enough light to brighten most of the tree house. He stood up, his wet hair now frame down his face, it had grew long over the years, wearing a red plaid jacket, blueish green shirt underneath. He still worn his blue cap, blue jeans now with black shoes. His emerald eyes shining bright as he stared down at his Angel.

Cupping her face "You're so beautiful Helga." Helga shivered from listening to his now deep voice.

"Arnold..." Helga uttered, unsure of what to do, what to say, or even where to begin. His gorgeous eyes met hers, her entire body turned to mush and she'd only seen him for about half a minute. This was it, really it, she was finally seeing her beloved after being separated for the past seven years. She had a million things lined up to say that she planned for before coming here, but now, she was at a complete loss. Her hands reached up to touch his face, his hair... A swoon escaped her, before she lowered her eyelids. "Kiss me, my love...please..." Fresh tears ran down her face, making her eyes seem to sparkle in the candlelight.

"Of course." Grabbing a hold of her hand and lifting her out of her chair, his thumb slowly trace her lips. Heart quicken as he stared at his long time love. Their lips met, a spark lit up their bodies, the thunder roar the same sound as their hearts.

Her arms came around his neck, clutching at him with need and longing, as she then kissed him deeply, passionately, after not having been able to for so long. Oh, how good it felt to kiss him again, to be in his arms once again, even though he was no longer that little boy she remembered, no, he was a young man now...and a very hot man. Her fingers ran through his hair, more tears ran down her face, and her entire body seemed to swell with the intense emotions she felt at finally being with the love of her life again. The happiest essence of her life, and she was back with him.

His arms wrapped around her as he lift her up the air breaking their kiss. "I really missed you Angel or should I call you hammerhead" he teased.

"You can call me anything you want, Football Head." Helga swooned, and finally managed to laugh. "I'm just glad to be back. Glad I came back to quite a delicious hunk. " She teased back, regaining herself.

"I don't know about that, your something I've been dying to eat." playfully nibbling her neck, arms and lifting her shirt to nibble on her stomach causing the girl to struggle as they both were now on the floor. Her laughter was music to his ears.

"Arnold quit it!" Helga laughed, wiggling at his ministrations. "I'll have to start calling you Hannibal Lecter if you're not careful."

"I do wish we could chat longer, but... I'm having an old friend for dinner..." he quoted; suddenly he attacked her stomach once more causing her to squeal.

After a bit he finally let her go, she sucked many short breathes trying to breath normal again.

"So my little lamb, you ready to eat dinner? I bet your hungry, I got us some dinner."

"Really? Well sure, that'd be awesome. All I had were some airport munchies, and they sure didn't fill me up. Bring on the grub, I'm starving!"

Smiling and giving her another passionate kiss, this time their tongues touched, swirling his tongue against hers until he finally pulled away wanted to control himself.

He stood up helping her onto her feet and sat her down, pushing her seat in for her. He pulled out a bag that contain two Styrofoam trays that had been filled with her favorite foods.

"Oh awesome! Chicken Teriyaki, that's one of my top favourites...if not already my top favourite! Looks like the Football Head paid attention." The young woman teased, but grinned widely. "Seriously, thanks. I could sure use something as good as this. I haven't had something close to this edible in months. Dad's all about getting a personal cook to make all this high class dishes that I wouldn't be caught dead eating."

"I See…I'm…" he rubbed his neck "I'm sorry about your…Miriam."

"Huh? Oh...you heard about that, huh?" Helga realized, and sighed, giving a little smile. "It's okay, Arnold. ...It's just kind of sad she had to go like that. She was finally recovering, and ready to move on and make a better life for herself. ...Well, she's in a better place, and managed to get away from the hell hole called our family."

"I'm sorry she um…ended up going to um…ended up…ah…"

"Yeah, who knew... She'd actually run away like that. I haven't seen or heard from her since."

"Gosh Helga."

"Hm?" she asked eating her food and savoring it as if it was her last meal before looking up for a moment.

"You really are beautiful." he said staring at her.

Silent for a moment, she swallowed her bite and wiped around her mouth with a napkin. "...Seriously? I just had my mouth full of food, that wasn't exactly an attractive moment, I uh...um, really? Well sure the last time you saw me was when I was ten and all."

"Yeah but it doesn't mean my love for you ever died…you're still the same person I fell in love with, mouth full of food and all." he winked.

Helga blushed, eating another bite before looking at him. "Well, so are you... I mean, well um, you changed a lot and grew, who knew you'd finally make it to be taller than me, eh?" She laughed a little. "Well I wasn't lying when I said I never stopped loving you, back seven years ago."

"I…did try to move on." his finger trace the patterns of the wooden table. "I felt like I couldn't wait that long for someone who might have had her feelings for me changed." Softly smiling to himself "I was fooling myself, I liked a girl name Blaire and let's just say she wasn't you. We never dated or anything but after spending some time with her I knew she wasn't the one"

I know I should tell her this but I was to be honest with her, if we're going to get married then she must know everything.

"Well I...guess I should've expected you to try to move on. Seemed like the logical thing to do, huh? Besides if you were happier with someone else, sure I'd be sad but at least you'd be happy." She sighed, feeling her heart sting at the idea of that. "Rex tried to get me to like him, but it just never worked. I don't even like him that much. He's got some idealistic fantasy that I'm going to be his servant wife to attend to all his needs. An old-fashioned idea of a man making his wife to be just like his mom. No way, I'm not marrying that douche. He changed plans and wanted us to get married by the time he finished high school, it's October now and he's started college, he wanted us to get married by December." She sighed. "But I just couldn't do it. I had to come back, the minute I got your recent letter, that was what did it for me."

"Then I'm glad I sent it." putting his hand on top of hers. "One year you have to stay hidden, I'm glad you finished high school otherwise it would have been a problem."

"Yeah, no kidding. Guess I can get a job, maybe live with Pheebs for a while until I can legally live on my own or something."

"No you're not, I've already talk to Grandpa, you're staying at our home, your room is just as you left it…it's…been ready for you for years" rubbing the back of his neck, his cheeks turning red. "And you'll be close to my room, Phoebe is the first person your father will go to since she is your best friend, when it comes to the boarding house…if he comes. We got everything taken care of."

"...Really, Arnold?" Helga blinked, staring at him with her mouth full in mind chew. She swallowed her bite. "Gee Football Head, you thought of every little thing, huh? I always knew you had a brain inside that head of yours."

Annoyed "Yeah…thanks Helga" he said dryly.

"You're welcome." And then a grape was tossed, bopping her on the nose. "...Did you just toss a grape at me?"

Whistling innocently and looking at the other way "Grape? What grape Helga? There's no grapes here."

"No grapes my boobs, I see them there!" Helga declared, pointing at a basket of them next to his chair. "So that's how you want to play? Is that it?"

Arnold's eyes wonder down to her mounds, silently wondering how he missed that fact that she really did grow up…

I wonder if their soft to-

His thoughts were interrupted by the snapping sound of Helga's fingers. She smirk already knowing what had his attention.

"Well well! Did I just catch the innocent goody-two-shoes 'I respect women' Football Head staring at my presumptuous bags of flesh? Well sure, I didn't have these the last time you saw me, no sir." She playfully bounced them with her hands, teasing him. "So squishy and bouncy..."

Sitting up in his chair blushing like mad, lifting his collar and gulping, his deep voice sounding a bit squeaky "Um well…I am a um…guy and all, I didn't mean to but um…I guess it was-ah…rude of me" his eyes follows her movements.

"Rude? It'd be rude if I was a friend or a random chick you just met. But there's nothing wrong with finding your own girlfriend attractive. And don't think I haven't had to keep myself in check, all those times I'd think of you, desiring you in ways I sure didn't as a kid but do now..." Her tone dropped to a low purr.

He gulped.

I'm in trouble

"I um, guess you're right Helga but-um-what are you doing?" he said as he saw her stand up walking slowly towards him, she sat on his lap, her gorgeous sapphire eyes was filled with desire for him. He knew if he didn't think quickly he might be a goner.

Her fingers trace down his neck to his first button, without using any other fingers she found a way to unbutton it using her index finger.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm trying to seduce you." Helga said seductively, playing with his second button. "I want you, Arnold...I've wanted you since I knew what sex was. After not seeing you for seven years..."

"H-Helga we shouldn't-we should wait until we're married..."

"I can't wait for that Arnoldo"

Arnold sighs deeply and stood up making sure he still held onto her, she wrap her legs around his waist kissing his neck. However she notice her butt had been place on the chair, letting go of him she seen his serious expression. He got on his knees holding her hand.

"I love you and I want you to have the best but again we can't. I know this might sound a bit silly and all but I believe that we should wait until after marriage. I don't want to dishonor you by…doing it because once it's done…I can't take it back, I know we love each other but I feel it's best if we wait."

"...Oh." Helga right then deflated and sighed. "...Well I'd hate for you to have to go against your moral code. I know I'd feel guilty if I tried. You win this time, but when we're married, you're not leaving the hotel room bedroom until I'm done with you." She smirked.

Blushing hard but grinning "I won't have it any other way Wife" he winked, She stared at him in shock, Arnold put his hands up in defense "Just because I want to wait until we're married doesn't mean I'm not a man with desires. I do want to…you know…but I want to do it the right way."

Helga sighs shaking her head "You and the right way, you ever get tired of it? Even when it comes to me?"

"Nope. You know I'd do anything for my wife."

Except have sex with me... She thought glumly, but shook it off. Now wasn't the time for moping. Not when she had what she wanted. "... Arnold, come over here. ...And relax, I'm not gonna do anything."

Smiling at her "I might." she should have known what was coming and for a moment she covered her stomach but it didn't help as he boyfriend jumped on the bed grabbing her. They began wresting on the floor, both having fun laughing and trying outdo the other person.

It went on for a few minutes, before Helga pinned him down and lay on top of him, in pure bliss, feeling as if they were nine years old again. For a moment she thought back to those days during the original arrangement, during their courtship. Over the years she couldn't help but miss them, and still did today. They were the greatest times of her life, happy as can be, what she'd always wanted.

And now here they were, despite that she was on the run from her own father, ready to take another step into new beginnings together. The past seven years apart were tough, but they would make up for it in time.

Sighing happily, she traced his lips with her finger and smiled lovingly. "Oh Arnold, I love you so much. I can't even tell you how happy I am to be back here with you again. I missed you so much."

"Prove it…kiss m-"

Her lips were on his before he could finish, smothering his lips with heated kisses, her fingers weaving through his hair.

Rolling them over as he angle his head more to drown them it some passionate kisses, lips, tongues , nibbles on bottom lips as Arnold grabbed a hold of Helga hair bringing her closer to him. Pulling away and breathing hard he smiles. "You drive me crazy."

"I'm glad, although we could be doing something else, something more but we can't."

"Stop teasing me Helga, you know I already told you I can't because-"

"Your morals and decency are higher than a kite, I get it but it doesn't stop you from ravishing me with kisses"

"Again, it's because I am a man with sexual desires"

"Aww and here I thought you were a god from the green eye people" the room was filled with her laughter but silence for a moment. "You do know I'm not going to give up seducing you." Helga murmured finally.

"I don't recall saying you had to." Arnold chuckled. "You are welcome to try."

"Good, so I hope you're aware I'll be doing that until you snap and take me."