AN: CHapter 11 updated and edited.
AN: As promised, here is the next chapter...
"We have good news!" Announced Stella. Miles, Stella, Phil, Gertie, Arnold and Helga were sitting in the lounge room with the rest of boarders. It was a few days since the competition and Bob and Miriam had already gone back to their yacht in France. Miles stood next to his wife with a big smile.
"Well hurry up and tell us," Phil said impatiently.
"Yeah mom, why are you so excited?" Asked Arnold curiously. He sat on the couch with his arm around Helga.
"Well son-" Miles started but was interrupted by Stella.
"We're staying here for good!" She yelled excitedly practically jumping up and down.
"That's great. We need to celebrate!" Gertie announced as she stood up to go the kitchen to grab a bottle of champagne.
"I managed to get a job here as one of the head nurses at the hospital, while your father managed to get a job at the museum as curator."
"That's great mom! But what about the Green-eyed people?" Asked Arnold as he stood up to give his mom a hug.
"They are totally cured now. Eduardo knows how to make the medicine now and the Green-eye people have learnt to trust him." Explained Stella. Gertie came back in with a few bottles of ginger beer.
"Pookie, that's not champagne." Phil pointed out.
"I remembered we didn't have any but still had these from Helga's party." Gertie explained as she passed the beers to everyone. Phil rolled his eyes.
"Now I can see you two get married!" Said Stella excitedly with a knowing smile.
"Stella, darling, they aren't even engaged yet." Miles said putting his hand on his wife's shoulder. Stella poked her tongue out at her husband. Helga chuckled as she watched Arnold's parents.
"Oskar! Give me back my beer!" Yelled Ernie Potts suddenly. Everyone turned to see Oskar running with Ernie's beer and grinning. Ernie chased after him with a big wooden mallet Suzie sighed in defeat not knowing what she was going to do with her husband. Everyone else laughed.
"This family is gonna be the death of me." commented Phil rolling his eyes as he slumped into his favourite recliner.
As they were all celebrating, Arnold took Helga's hand and led them to the rooftop. Nobody noticed except for Stella and she made a small knowing smile.
"What are we doing here football head?" Asked Helga as she watched the cars below drive by. She shivered from the cold air. Arnold noticed and took off his plaid shirt and draped it over his girlfriend's shoulders.
"Well, I thought we could spend a few moments away from my crazy family." He replied softly as he placed his hand on Helga's cheek.
"I love your crazy family." Whispered Helga.
"Are you sure?" asked Arnold unsure. He was always worried about what people thought about his wacky untraditional family.
"Yes football head. I love your family. Your family is kind and loyal and they all look out for each other. You should be proud to call them your family." Replied Helga trying not to think about how her family was half way around the world without a care in the world.
"Does that mean you wouldn't mean being a part of it? Permanently that is." Asked Arnold with a gleam in his eye.
Helga looked at Arnold confused, then sudden realisation hit her. Her eyes widen as Arnold reached for his pocket to reveal a small charm.
"It's not a ring but I thought you would love this more. I made sure you had space on your bracelet for this one last charm." Arnold took Helga's wrist and unclipped her bracelet. He placed the small charm on it then clipped the bracelet back onto her wrist. Helga lifted her arm to take a closer look. The charm was another love heart but this time it was engraved with the words, 'Marry me'.
Helga smiled and her thoughts went back to the time Rhonda had the marriage predictor. She remembered how Arnold would always get her name no matter hard he tried. Back then, he dreaded the idea of marrying his bully while she dreamed of becoming president with him by her side.
"Helga? Is that a yes?" Asked Arnold still waiting for her answer. "I mean, its more of a promise than a proposal. I know we haven't been dating long and we would have to finish school first and I'll get you a proper ri-"
Arnold was interrupted with Helga's lips covering his. She raised her arms around his neck as he deepened the kiss. His tongue slipped into her mouth and she welcomed him in. It wasn't as passionate as their usual kisses but more sweet and loving. To Helga, she felt grateful and thankful that the boy she had loved since she was three truly loved her back.
"She said yes!" Squealed Stella excitedly from the rooftop's door. Stella and Phil watched secretly from behind the door.
"Technically she hasn't said anything." Replied Phil
"Oh, don't be spoil sport." Stella snapped not taking her eyes off her son.
"Did you know he planned this?" asked Miles who approached his wife and father from behind.
"Of course I do. I'm his mother. He may not have told me but I have my ways." Stella replied slyly.
"Is there a saying for 'like mother like wife'?" asked Miles to no one in particular as he saw his mother cackle in the background wearing a ninja suit.
The couple had now stopped kissing and Helga looked at her bracelet then at Arnold. "Arnoldo?"
"Hmm?" Arnold was still holding onto Helga. He kissed the top of her head.
"Knowing you, you would have gone by the books and asked Bob for his permission." Helga said thinking.
"What are you getting at?" Asked Arnold curiously.
"Just curious as to what happened when you did." Helga said smirking.
Day after the competition...
Arnold sat in the café in his usual booth with a latte in front of him. He waited nervously for Bob to arrive. The sound of a bell chiming made Arnold lift his head to see Bob walk in. Bob spotted him and sat on the other side of the booth.
"So what did you wanna talk to me about Shortman? And make it quick, I haven't got all day." Asked Bob going straight to the point. He indicated for Eugene to come over to take his order.
"What would you like to order Mr Pataki?" Asked Eugene as he took his pen and pad out.
"I'll get double short espresso." Ordered Bob. Eugene nodded and walked off. Bob then turned to look at Arnold. Arnold gulped scared.
"Well Mr Pataki, I wanted to ask you about Helga." Arnold started.
"What's she done now? Let me guess, the results from the competition was wrong and she didn't actually win." Bob said harshly.
"Actually, she's one of the best dancers." Arnold defended his girlfriend.
"Then why are we here?" Asked Bob impatiently.
"Iwouldliketomarryyourdaughter!" Arnold blurted out quickly.
"What was that?" Asked Bob not understanding Arnold. Eugene came back and placed Bob's coffee on the table.
"I would like to marry Helga." Arnold repeated then quickly added, "With your permission of course."
"Aren't you a bit too young to get married?" Asked Bob with an eyebrow raised and his arms crossed.
"Well, we would wait till we finish school." Replied Arnold nervously.
"Arnold, contrary to everyone's belief, I do care about Helga. I do admit I tend to put Olga first at times but Helga and I do have our moments. The only reason why I left her here was because I know she would have been happier here with Phoebe and you then on a boat with us." Bob said before taking a sip of his coffee. Arnold was intrigued. He never really thought about it that way. Everyone had just thought that Bob and Miriam didn't really care and didn't want Helga ruining their trip.
Bob continued to talk, "I know you. Don't think I haven't seen you. I've watched you grow these past years, I know you care about her. Even in grade school, you two cared for each other even if you thought she was just bullying you. I guess that's sort of my fault. I remember when she stood by your side against me trying to save the treehouse you and your friends built. And don't think I didn't find out about her giving Phil advice about how to beat me during parent day. Although she probably did that more to just piss me off. Anyways, you have my permission Shortman, although I don't think it would have really mattered. Helga would have married you even if I said no. Actually that would have given her more reason to marry you."
Arnold's eyes widened then softened as he realised Bob had changed over the years. He smiled. "Thanks Mr Pataki,"
"Don't mention it." Bob replied then quickly added, "Seriously, don't mention it, I don't want Helga thinking her old man's gotten soft."
AN: next chapter is the last one
