Chapter 12

Arnold decides on forever.

London

The next morning Arnold woke up bright and early with the sun just beginning to peek up over the horizon. He stretched and went for his morning run taking in the sites of this majestic city, the streets had a sweet aroma of freshly baked breads and he made a note to bring some back up to the room so Helga could have it with breakfast. Knowing he had a few hours before Helga would wake up he stopped at a small café and had some tea with a freshly baked roll.

He sat down at a small table outside with his tea, and a copy of the local newspaper having always found world news to be intriguing. He stretched his legs and tried to focus on the paper but his mind instantly returned to Helga. He remembered how happy he felt falling asleep with her in his arms how simple it was but how perfect it felt. It was hard to believe that it had only been eight days since they had been reunited but it was enough for him to know that Helga was and had always been the only companion he wanted in his life. Maybe he was crazy but he knew what he was feeling in his heart and he had no doubt that he would always want her and as he finished his tea he decided for him Helga meant forever!

One might call the decision his heart just made irrational and even the thoughts in his brain had started to battle the idea but he knew it was what he wanted! Arnold was going to ask Helga to marry him! He ran back inside the café and asked the cashier for some directions around town he wanted to find the perfect ring, but since it was so early none of the shops he needed where open. He ordered another tea and started making a few calls back home grateful for the five hour time difference knowing everyone he needed to speak with would be awake. He called Phoebe first since she knew the most about Helga and might be able to give him some advice about what kind of ring to get. When he confessed his reason for calling Phoebe cheered loudly into his ear, he actually had to pull the phone slightly away to avoid hurting his ear.

"Oh Arnold! I'm so happy for Helga! You two will have a great marriage, if anyone has always understood Helga it's been you, well and me, but I don't think Gerald would let me marry Helga." They laughed and he thanked her for the support and offered to help anyway possible.

"Well Pheebs I'm actually at a lost at what kind of ring to get her. Helga isn't just anyone and I don't want to get her just an average ring."

"You would think that would be something I'd know but Helga rarely talks about love and marriage things with me. I suspect it was because she always felt like the third wheel with Gerald and I. Although you could call Rhonda, she and Helga have grown to be close friends and it sounds like something Rhonda would have brought up since Lila's engagement was a huge thing around here." Arnold thanked Phoebe and decided to put off calling Rhonda and called his grandfather first.

Phil was the usual anchor of support and even solved the ring situation for him. When Phil had originally fallen in love with Pookie he had gotten her two engagement rings because he couldn't choose between two he had fallen in love with. It had always been his plan to give the second one to Miles but Miles and Stella had done there own thing and he was happy to pass it down to Arnold. Phil agreed rush him the ring and the handful of college packages that had arrived while he was away.

"You've made a brave decision there but I support ya Arnold, now have fun asking Big Bob Pataki for her hand in marriage Shortman!" The sound of his grandfather's laughter always had a positive effect on him and this time was no different. Though he wasn't happy about the prospect of having to speak with Big Bob Pataki, for what he could remember Bob was always angry and yelling at everyone. Though that was also a great way to define Helga many years ago so maybe Bob had a hidden soft center too.

He took a big gulp of his tea and dialed the number, he wasn't even sure if that was the correct one since he hadn't called her house in eight years but the female voice on the other end sounded almost familiar and he realized it was Olga Pataki. He hadn't spoken to her since fourth grade and wasn't aware that she actually lived in the Pataki home. Olga still had the same pep in her voice and even remembered him which he thought was sweet. Though he found he didn't have much to say to her and after a few moments of typical Olga chatter he managed to finally ask to speak with Bob and she happily passed the phone to her father.

"This better be fast Olga I'm expected back at work any moment now!" Bob yelled just before taking the phone. Arnold took a few deep breaths and readied himself for what was to come.

"Yes this is Big Bob what do you want?" Arnold figured he needed to blunt and right to the point since that was the approach he always took with Helga.

"I'm not sure if you remember me but my name is Arnold..." Bob grunted cutting him off.

"Yeah, yeah I remember you, your Helga's little boyfriend with the grandfather who cheated me out car repairs in that crazy game of golf!" Arnold almost laughed at the memory of that golf game.

"Yes Sir that's me. I'll calling because well I want to ask for Helga's hand in marriage. It might seem sudden to the outside world but Helga and I have known each other forever and I'm sure she's the one." This time he was subjected to silence which he had not expected. The long pause made Arnold genuinely afraid and he was certain that Big Bob would disapprove.

"So let me get this straight, you left her for six years and now suddenly you are back in the picture and think its okay to just propose marriage! Are you the reason why she got that nose job? Was she not good enough for you otherwise?"

"No sir, I was still away when she made that decision and believe me I would have tried to convince her otherwise. I never saw Helga as ugly and I left because I was ten and did as my parents told me too." Now he wished Bob would have just continued with the silence!

"Well I think it's pretty stupid really and you shouldn't get off the hook that easy for just up and leaving the way you did but Helga must have her reasons for liking you and Olga is here waving at me to relax and say yes so I'm guessing sure whatever you can ask her to marry you. BUT College first, then you and I will talk wedding dates!" He gave the phone back to Olga who was even more excited then before. She had personally chosen her work over marriage but had always wanted to help plan a wedding and begged Arnold to convince Helga to let her help once the time came. He agreed and reminded them not to say anything about it to Helga yet. Olga agreed and wished him all the luck in world. Arnold was relieved to have gotten that out of the way and Bob didn't seem to upset. The next call was to his parents and he was more afraid to talk with them then he had been with Big Bob.

Miles and Stella had married much later in life and he was concerned that they would not approve of an engagement at such an early age, but as he soon found out that was not the case. They sounded very happy for him and echoed Bob's request that they wait until after college to set a date. Miles shared with Arnold how he had proposed to Stella and his mother shared how scared she was but that the love for Miles out weighed the fears. They did stress how important it was to make sure he wasn't making a decision based on lust and despite his embarrassment at the implication he assured them that wasn't the case, pointing out that he had always held her in his heart even during the years they where apart.

"You have to read her book. Helga has a better way with words then I do but she explains our love much better then I can." Accepting his explanation they requested he send them a copy which he was glad to do.

Satisfied with all he accomplished on the phone he stopped to buy that loaf of bread that had smelled so delicious earlier. Beside the small café was a flower stand which reminded him of Mrs. Vitello's flower shop back home so he went inside and purchased a bouquet of wildflowers then jogged back to the room. Helga was still asleep when he returned so he sat beside her in the bed and just watched her sleep. She must have been cold in the night because she had put on one of his tee shirts which always made her look so small. He was fascinated with how much she had really changed over the years. She had always been strong but now her strength had tone her body giving her beautiful lines to define the curves. Her hair was so long now and he loved how she kept it loose, though he knew it would look silly at her age he admittedly missed the pink bow at times.

Helga woke up a few moments' later smelling the small breakfast had laid out for her. The fresh bread and pastries he brought her tasted as delicious as he had promised and she couldn't wait to try more over the next few days. Truly wanting to get out and see the city of London, but first she had to make it through her scheduled events.

The next three days where busy with very full events for Helga, made all the more busy by the extra worked she gave to herself volunteering to help out Peter and Jennifer with one of Joann's over booked events since the other intern was busy at Carolyn's event. When the same happened at Helga's event the next day Joann was there to help out happy to return the favor. The Hillwood Publishing crew was fast becoming both a team and friends and that night the crew thought it would be nice to have dinner together.

When dinner was over Carolyn had suggested going out dancing since they all had late events the next day and Helga had just finished her last event for her in time in London. It sounded like something fun they could do as a group together. Helga didn't mind losing Arnold time for once since starting the next morning she'd have him for three straight days and they'd get to see London together. So the girl's deiced it would be a night full of dancing and the server gave them the suggestion of the best nightclub in town called the Ministry of Sound. They even managed to convince Peter and Grace the intern to join them, making that the first time the six of them where together strictly for fun instead of work.

The Ministry of Sound surly was the most popular place in town and they wouldn't have made it in had it not been for Helga snatching up the last VIP booth of the night which allowed them instant access inside. A young female hostess with bright red hair and a tight scantily dress directed the crew up to a beautiful booth over looking the main dance floor below. She informed them that complimentary shots would be around in just a moment to start the night off.

And all through out the night the drinks kept coming, Helga had paid a lot to get them in and wanted everyone to have fun but she herself didn't touch much of the endless malt whiskey and vodka that was going around the entire VIP lounge. Though she did jump right into dancing joining everyone out on the 103 dance floor and blended in nicely dancing with Carolyn, Joann and strangers a like. The music was great and the live band was paired with the approving cheers and lively dancing by all attending. She had both men and women ask her to break away from the crowd and partake in solo dances but she politely turned them all down. More then once she saw the bright lights of camera flashes going off in her direction and she was informed that her outfit was being featured in the Ministry of Sound online magazine by one of the photographers.

A tall well dressed man, possible better dressed then most in attendance approached her just after the photographer had stepped away and also questioned her appearance.

"I couldn't help but notice the attention you've received tonight! May I ask who your stylist is and what brings you to the VIP lounge at the Ministry?"

For a moment Helga didn't know what to say. She had never thought of her style in that way and much less of who dressed her.

"My stylist is Rhonda Lloyd and I'm here on tour but I'm free the next three days and I figured why not enjoy some dancing tonight, couldn't have picked a better place!" She had no idea who he was and her answer seem to satisfy him enough because he wrote it down quickly and was off. Maybe her quote would appear online too and she could later enjoy the predictably dramatic reaction from having called Rhonda Lloyd simply a stylist.

The night proved to be spectacular. Everyone was either dancing away or mingling with someone in the crowd. The hostess made sure to keep everyone's drink glass full and both Peter and Carolyn had reached there limits. Jennifer stepped in and suggested they call it a night and beat out the crowds for a cab before last call. Since Helga was the only one completely sober she had the hostess arrange for a cab big enough to fit all six of them and get them back safely to the hotel.

Although none of them had actually gotten drunk to the point that they couldn't walk but just the same Helga thought it respectful to walk Carolyn all the way up to her room since it was just one floor down from Arnold's room. To tired from all the dancing she deiced to just take the elevator up the one flight and finally shower and call it a night! She was surprise to see the tall man from the club that had questioned her outfit waiting for the elevator as well.

"What a small world, running into you again Ms. Pataki!" She couldn't remember giving him her name but maybe the hostess at the club had given it to him.

"Yeah no kidding! So do you work for the club?"

"No I'm actually a fashion designer located in Rome, I'm just in London on business and currently here getting some information from an old, well and old acquaintance." Helga realized she didn't know what a person from Rome actually sounded like though he sounded much more American to her. She didn't mean to doubt his calm it just didn't fit in her mind, but his clothing surly did fit that of a fashion designer and would explain why he was so well dressed. When the elevator arrived going up he entered as well even though he had selected to go down originally. Helga sized him up and thought if he got crazy she could take him!

"Wow Rome! Sounds beautiful! Plus I should have known you where a part of the fashion world with that amazing suit you have on, you stood out in the club tonight that's for sure."

"Well thank you Helga." The door to the elevator opened and Helga started to step out but before she could leave he reached in his pocket and handed her a business card. "If you and your stylist are ever in Rome contact me and I'll get you into some of the fashion shows I host. Everyone knows Paris and New York are famous for fashion week and style but I like to brag that my fashion show will be equal to those any day!"

"If I'm ever in Rome I will surly keep this in mind, Rhonda loves fashion that's for sure. Thank you again!" He smiled and selected the lobby as Helga stepped away allowing the doors to close. What a strange man she thought to herself sticking his card in her wallet and pulling out her room key.

It was late, nearly 2 am and she found Arnold asleep on top of the covers with the TV still on. Clearly he had attempted to wait up for her but had failed. She quickly showered and joined him in bed properly getting him under the covers. His cell phone lay in the bed beside him and she deiced to turn off the alarms for his morning run. He wouldn't need his usual morning run for exercise, she had better plans for him!