Diamonddiva, yes it is. He really loves his alternative music and so do I mixed in with some classic music.
LeDawn, we have one. :)
Nep2uune, I was afraid she would of dropped by at the dance to start up some trouble. I have met some of his patients.
Kiarakitty, thank you :)
It was brighter than usual in her room. Did she leave her curtains open like an idiot? Mumbling something incoherent for even herself to fully understand, Helga turned to her side feeling something extra beside her. Did she get really big overnight? Does love do this to you? It was possibly some really silly thoughts for her to think, but that is what happened inside her crazy mind right now. So opening up her eyes slowly she was greeted by Arnold's face looking at her.
"Why is it so damn bright in here?" She groaned out.
Well it was a funny way to be greeted in the morning, he thought. "Skylight." He told her simply.
"Oh." Was her only simple response as she went to nestle closer to him to block it out. Sighing happily with some contentment as she felt his hand move to her back to secure her next to him, she suddenly realized something. "I forgot to call them last night to say I'm here." Still she wasn't about to leave her nook. Her happy comfortable nook.
"I called them last night to leave a message so they wouldn't worry. You passed out pretty easily." His smile increased at how she was cuddling against him. While he was never much of a cuddler before with the girls he was with, he did try only to find him wanting to crawl his arm away. It was something he should of known then, but with Helga, he wanted more. He didn't like having to leave during the night to use the bathroom since it meant to leave her. He loved that the moment he crawled back into bed, she nestled against him with him welcoming it.
Kissing him at his collarbone, Helga smiled lazily. "My Prince." She should of been embarrassed to say that, but didn't care after a second.
"I'm not, but I'll be yours." The way she continued to make her little sounds, Arnold now desired to rush off to the Justice of the Peace so they can marry.
Hearing her stomach grumble, Helga giggled quietly. "Quiet, I want to sleep you stupid stomach." Keeping her eyes closed, she continued to nuzzle.
Hearing his own stomach grumble, Arnold laughed when she told his stomach to be quiet. "Sorry, but it will get louder."
"So? Sacrifice a virgin and be done with it." She quipped. "Just not me. I'm finally happy."
He melted again at her words. "I am too. I'm glad we met."
"Same here, but not exactly the ideal way to meet."
Knowing she was speaking of her father, he agreed as his stomach got louder before hers followed his. "They're talking."
"Freaking bastards. Don't they know that their owners want to sleep?"
Checking the time, Arnold groaned out unhappily. "I hate to leave your side, but I need to steal the shower so we can begin to eat. Warning. There will be other people in the room eating with us."
Helga's head raised up to look at him with fear. "Uh? Maybe I should of gone home last night."
Making a face at what she said, he kissed her forehead. "Don't worry about it. They will ask questions, but they are good people. My parents will be down there."
"I have nothing to wear except the shirt I borrowed from you. No way in hell will I wear this down there."
"Nope, but I will get you something to wear." Moving away from her unhappily, Arnold kissed her lips as he slowly slid out of bed. "Let me take a shower and I'll grab something for you."
Helga watched as he went to grab some clothes out of his closet, before rushing out of there leaving her with thoughts of running out of here. She knew she looked better than before, but there will be questions. Glancing over to her dress, she knew it would be foolish to wear that again. Rolling to her other side she just stared ahead towards his desk.
After his shower, Arnold went to his mother to see if she had something that Helga could borrow. Smiling slyly at her son, she went to her closet to pull out a sundress stating it had been forever since she last wore it so it will be fine. Arnold looked at his mother who stood at 5' 6" while Helga had her by a couple more inches taller. Thanking her, he went back to his room to find Helga was now sitting on the side of the bed.
"My mom is letting you borrow a dress. Not unless you like my shirt."
Looking at the pink dress, Helga stood up to study it finding it to be her size. "This will be fine. Is the bathroom free?"
"Yep. My shower supplies are to the left. I left them in there for you."
Kissing him, Helga took also the proffered towel before leaving the room. Closing the door behind her, Helga slowly removed her clothes, turn on the shower to take a quick shower. Checking her legs if they needed shaving, she found it safe to not do it since she was still stubble free. Finishing, Helga dried up, climbed out of the shower to place lotion on her, and place the dress on. Seeing Arnold on his steps studying with a look of approval, she stood there as he walked up to her.
"Dresses suit you very well." Kissing her lips, Arnold slid his hand down her arm to capture her hand in his. "Shall we?"
"Can we just say that we already did?"
That hopeful gaze in her eyes with that cute smirk had him kissing her. "Nope. It will be fine."
Hearing her mumble something out, he was glad she didn't drag her heels as they walked to the staircase to descend it. They both could hear voices beyond one doorway as they slowly entered to find all eyes were on the newest person. He felt her hand tighten on his.
"Morning everyone." Arnold greeted. "I would like you to meet my girlfriend, Helga."
Listening to various greetings, Helga saw a woman with an open expression on her face approaching them both with a huge smile on her face. "Hello, it is such a pleasure to finally meet you, Helga. I'm Stella, Arnold's mother." Extending her hand out towards a blond male with a smile on his face, she added. "This is his father, Miles."
"Hi. It is nice to meet you finally. Arnold loves to talk about you both." Helga told her in kind.
"Why don't you sit next to Arnold, and we'll soon eat." Stella said to her as she went to get something else.
Being introduced to everyone, Helga was placed between Miles and Arnold. She had met parents before, but that was nothing really. Meeting Arnold's parents were a different story all together since he was very serious about her. She answered questions from everyone including her being an accountant. In truth she wasn't particularly fond of sharing that at times since people wanted to ask every question under the sun about loopholes and stuff.
"So you are 20 and you are going to be a manager too. You seem to be awfully young to be both. You must be really smart." Ernie pointed out as he ate his sausage.
"I graduated early from High School at 16. I know it doesn't seem like an exciting career, but I do enjoy it." Helga informed him.
"Why not something in science or what Arnold does? I'm just curious."
"I never thought of wanting to be a doctor. As for science, I'm not too fond of the idea of that. Yes it is all fascinating, but my patience goes so far."
Susie was watching Helga shyly eat while being patient enough to answer questions. "Helga, how do you feel for our Arnold here?"
Helga blushed at that question only to be burning up the very second Arnold placed his hand on hers. "She is in the same boat as me regarding our feelings." Arnold answered her instead to save her cheeks from burning off.
"Oh I knew, I just wanted to see her blush. I'm not blind with the looks you both are giving." Was Susie's remark as she continued eating with a pleased smile on her face. She liked this girl. This one was humble.
"Now son, I can tell this one is a keeper." Miles pointed out watching the girl turn a lovely scarlet color. "So what are you planning on doing today?"
"Well we haven't discussed it yet." Looks to Helga. "What would you like to do?"
Bringing her lips together in mild thought she smiled boldly. "Go to the park. I wouldn't mind the zoo, but I want to enjoy it since I haven't in such a long time."
"Alright then. The park it is." Kissing her temple.
No one seemed to question her on why that was, but she supposed it was probably due to Arnold saying something to them. Either way she was perfectly fine with that. The less questions the better.
Later after talking to her parents over the phone to see if they got Arnold's message, Helga and him were walking hand in hand along the pathway. It was like she was seeing things with brand new eyes again. She spotted some people she went to school with, but didn't bother to say a word at all to them. Stopping to stand at one point to survey the water, Arnold hooked his arms around her stomach area to bring her closer to him. This was a really pleasant thing to do today.
"You aren't bored are you?"
At peace right there holding her, Arnold released a contented sigh. "No. In fact, I'm happy right now. This is far better than being forced to go to fancy restaurants or to pay for gobs of jewelry. I love that you are down to Earth."
Jumping out of his embrace to turn around to surprise him by putting her hand on his shoulders, Helga grinned at him happily. "We should have a picnic one day. Bring our own food and enjoy ourselves. What do you think?"
This is what he loved. She had a natural exuberance. Actually there were many things he loved about her. "I love that idea. We should do that one day."
"Arnold!"
Still smiling, Helga turned her attention towards a tall male with a very tiny petite female coming towards them. "Who are they?"
"My best friend in the world with his wife." Arnold spoke softly to her before turning his attention to his friends. "Gerald. Phoebe." Reaching them, Arnold gave his friend an unusual handshake. "Guys, I want you to meet my very special girlfriend, Helga. Helga, this is Gerald and Phoebe."
Extending her hand out, Helga shook both their hands. "Hi. Nice to meet you both."
Gerald studied her as he brought his arm around Arnold's shoulder. "So this is her? It is finally nice to put a face next to your name. My man talks constantly about you."
"All false I assure you. I ran away from circus simply because I won't do a trapeze act with an elephant." Helga deadpanned while her eyebrow did the quickest flick up and down.
Phoebe giggled. "Yes I do certainly understand that seeing that elephants are most interested in vegetation and playing in the water."
"Exactly. So I told the owner that I'm out of there so here I am enjoying the fulfilling life as an accountant. Hold for applause please."
Listening to his wife now having a full fledged conversation with Helga, Gerald couldn't help to notice that she wasn't being at all fake. She seemed to have a really healthy sense of humor, and he could see his friend's eyes solely on his girlfriend. "She has been approved by Phoebe. When do you ever see her this chatty?"
"Never." Arnold replied. Phoebe was still shy around them. She spoke, but it wasn't ever as much as this.
Phoebe interrupted them by taking Helga's wrist. "Oh Gerald, wouldn't it be nice to invite them over for dinner?"
"Actually it would be. Would you both be up for it?" Gerald looked between Arnold and Helga. "She's a fantastic cook."
Arnold gazed at Helga seeing that she looked very at ease right now then she did in the boarding house. "Helga?"
"I would like that." She couldn't help but be comfortable with Phoebe. "Is there anything you would like for us to bring over?"
Gerald and Phoebe were taken back by this since no other girlfriend of Arnold's ever offered before. "Oh that's alright, Helga. Just come with us so we can bond more." Phoebe answered still in a bit of shock.
"Fine, but I wouldn't mind helping out." Finding her hand being grabbed, Phoebe started to drag her beside her.
Gerald watched as both of them continued to chat. "No girl of yours ever has offered before. Is she an alien?"
"No. She is 100% human."
At their home, Phoebe and Helga were in the kitchen preparing the food as they continued to keep talking. Gerald was outside with Arnold as he continued to look more like a Cheshire cat with his grin. Handing him a beer, Gerald sat down across from him.
"So where is Ronnie?" Arnold asked. In his prideful stupor he overlooked a detail in their home.
"She's at Phoebe's parents house. They wanted to spend time with their granddaughter." Leaning forward, Gerald wanted to ask. "So you really think she is the one?"
"She most definitely is, Gerald. I did scare her once with my plans of the future so I will be patient."
"How patient? This is you after all."
Arnold couldn't deny it. "That girl is selfless in there. She sacrificed so much for her family to make them happy. That girl is the real deal. I'm glad I met her."
"And Australia. I won't be surprised if you ask her to marry you on that trip." Leaning back, Gerald chuckled wondering if he should start placing bets on this with their other friends.
"I wish. I really wish I could, but I won't spring any more surprises on her for a while. I must make sure to keep her heart where it is; Inside her chest."
Meanwhile in the kitchen, Phoebe just finished discussing about Ronnie when she wanted to ask a pressing question to her mind. "So you and Arnold. How is it going between the both of you?"
Chopping the carrots, Helga smirked knowing it was time for those questions. She just assumed it would be a tag team effort. "Arnold is amazing. He is amazing with my parents and myself. I still feel sorry for being the pain I was in the beginning, but he was still patient. Well except for the heart stopping surprises he sprang on me. In my defense I do have trust issues."
"He told us about the scar. I hope you aren't angry there. He just wanted advice because he fell for you very quickly." Phoebe spotted the slight frown on her face. "I can see he has improved his tastes. How do you feel for him?"
A smile formed on her face as she casually looked around them to do a little hop. "I love him! This isn't the fly by night feeling. This is me wanting to see him all the time. I want to talk to him. Oh god when we kiss I feel like I'm melting in the best way. I feel like dancing around my room celebrating. I have never been this giddy before."
Giggling at her display, Phoebe almost hugged the girl. "I love how honest you are. You aren't gushing over a diamond or something incredibly fancy. You are gushing about love. That is a really excellent sign."
"Gifts aren't important. In my family, my dad did own a store, but it went under. We have been scraping by for so long that when it came to Christmas and birthdays, we opted to making our own gifts, or at least cooking a meal for the person. That stuff isn't important in the whole grand scheme of life. What is important is friends and family. Though I only have one friend now." Turning back to chopping, she felt Phoebe touch her shoulder. "I lost my friends after I was attacked. It was like they couldn't stand what I looked like. It was really bad before. The friend I have now, Lanie, she doesn't live here, but she has helped me out so much because she understands what it's like."
"I have a feeling that you and I will be friends." Phoebe said in a soothing tone. "Ask anyone of our friends. I do talk, but not as much as I do around Gerald and my daughter. I have known the same group of friends for a very long time, and never once have I felt instantly comfortable with someone." Walking over to a pad of paper, she scribbled her number down to hand to her. "We can get together. Talk. Gang up on Arnold and Gerald."
Pocketing the number, Helga chuckled at the last part. "Hmmm, I wouldn't mind surprising Arnold with something since he almost gave me a heart attack a few times."
"Yeah, we'll get Curly to help out." Steps back to the chicken. "Oh we know that Curly flirted with you."
"I still think that he was just being nice." Finishing with the carrots, she went to the bok choy. "I mean he is a really nice guy."
"The thing is with Curly, is this; He doesn't flirt with just anyone. I'm certain you would never cheat on Arnold, I'm just saying that Curly never flirts lightly. He is respectful of Arnold to keep his hands away from you." Seeing her wrinkle her nose, Phoebe shook her head. "Maybe for a while with how people treated made you feel ugly and worthless, but you aren't. There may be that scar there, but it is nothing compared to an ugly heart."
Still being a stranger and all, Helga went to hug her. "I'm sorry, but I loved what you said."
Phoebe hugged her back. "Yeah, you'll need to come back to meet our daughter. You have to see how attached she is to Arnold. He's her Godparent."
Pulling away, Helga agreed to that. Maybe she'll walk away with two more friends after this day was through. She did love spending time with them. She also loved some juicy stories they spilled about Arnold.
"Something about this man and drinking makes him do the craziest stunts naked." Gerald pointed at Arnold with that, 'You know I got your number pal, ' look in his eyes.
"That is why I'm only drinking one and that is it. Well two since I'm currently on my second one. Thank God I'm not driving." Putting his hand down, Arnold held Helga's hand to kiss her temple. "I'm sorry if this disgusts you with my drinking."
Kissing him, Helga shook her head casually. "Just as long as you don't abuse it. I will be fine with one or two, but anymore may have me raising my eyebrow a lot."
"Well you should allow him to grace you with a naked drunk dance." Gerald said chuckling at Phoebe saying she didn't want to see that.
Waving his hand in the air to dispel that, Arnold wanted to kick his friends leg right now. "Not ready for that stage in our relationship, and if it happens well..." He let the thought linger.
Helga would of disparaged him from being so forthcoming, but she felt she had nothing to worry about with his friends. Hearing her phone go off, she made a face to lift it up to notice a number she didn't recognize. Hitting decline, she put it away just to get the call again. Declining again, she tried to talk when the phone went off again. Apologizing to them, Helga stood up to head inside the house to speak to whomever.
"Hello?"
"Hey babe, glad you finally answered."
She recognized that snide voice. "Sid, don't you call me again. Never call me again. You are nothing but a sleaze."
Sid chuckled. "But I'm the only one who wants you."
"I have a boyfriend, Sid. He's fantastic to me."
"So the Bride of Frankenstein nailed him finally. Good for you."
Helga hated him. Hated his entire person. "Asshole, never call me again."
"No!" Sid shouted over the line. "I'm calling to say I missed you. I want to be with you."
"Last time you did that I believed you and what did it earn me? Hot boiling water. You have any idea the damage you were trying to cause?" Hearing him laughing hard by that, she wanted to scream at him. "Never call me again you sick freak." Closing her phone, Helga went to block it.
"Helga?"
Helga flew into his arms. She wanted to wrap herself in him. "I wish we were still in bed cuddling." It would dispel what just happened. "That was my creepy ex. I just blocked his number but who's to say that he'll call from another number. He's the one who tricked me into going with him some place only to have hot boiling water poured on me."
"I could always issue out another Restraining order." Phoebe suggested plainly. "Who do you think helped him with the Restraining order against Rhonda?"
Helga considered it even as she received another phone call from another number. Watching Arnold lift the phone up to his ear, she smiled proudly at him. He looked like he was almost ready to slay dragons for her virtue.
"Hello?" Arnold's voice was angry.
"Uh I want to speak to Helga. She hung up on me. Who is this?"
"Her boyfriend. I assure you I don't look like any type of creature you may of mentioned. You on the other hand are a creature." Pulling a bit away from Helga, he began to wave his arm around in agitation.
Taking insult at that, Sid cursed him pretty harshly to the point that even Arnold was glad, Ronnie wasn't here or else she would of heard it. "That bitch is nothing! Nothing. I wanted to do her one favor and she sprayed me with soda. Well if she doesn't come to me the simple way, I'll do it the other way."
This was juvenile. "Seriously, what has she done that is so bad? She only sprayed you with soda. Big deal. It isn't hot boiling water or insults constantly." Arnold had some doubts he could reason with him.
There was a pause on the line making Arnold wonder if he was still there or not. "That scar shows evil."
Arnold glared at the phone as Gerald called Sid an expletive. Helga just shrank back. Reaching back to take her hand, Arnold wanted to hold her all night long. "Nothing evil about her. As for you, yes. Never call her again or try to see her or I'll see you tossed in jail." Hanging up, Arnold wrapped her up fully in his arms. "It's alright."
What humiliation to feel like this, especially in front of his friends. "I'm sorry." She weeped into his arms. "This was such a great day."
Taking a simple glance to her husband, Phoebe went over to place her hand on her back. "This isn't your fault, Helga. You didn't make him like that. He did."
Arnold was examining Phoebe's expression spotting pity and understanding within her dark brown eyes. "She's right, Helga."
"Still." Pulling back, Helga looked into his eyes. "I'm still sorry."
Gerald shook his head at her sad tone. "Just give Phoebe everything you know about him, and she'll do the rest. You aren't to blame at all for some sick fuck."
Pursing her lips, Helga nodded her head to pull away from Arnold. "Just tell me what I need to provide and I will."
Going to grab a pad of paper, Phoebe handed it to her along with a pen as she rattled off what she needed. "You know a lawyer now personally."
So she knew a few doctors and a lawyer. What an interesting thing for her to have around her now. She just felt like the kid of the group. No one could take her to anyplace to drink yet. Not like she is aiming for that goal. What happens if she drinks? Does she think that she is some high flying performer to Arnold's strip acts? Well that would make for a very interesting couple.