Father of the Bride
Part 2
By Littlepinkbook
Authors Note: Don't own them, sorry for the wait!
Helga awoke the next morning to someone practically breaking down the door. Her eyes snapped open and she groaned loudly, her fiancé just groaning even louder and hiding firmly under the blankets. She rolled her eyes and gave him a playful kick ass she vacated the warmth of the bed to face the intruder.
"This had better be good!" Grumbled Helga as she shuffled lethargically towards the door. As she opened it her eyes widened in horror when she saw who it was but before she could slam the door there was a blur of blonde, an ear-piercing screech and then the sound of Helga gasping for breath.
"Olga!" Gasped the overwhelmed Helga
"Oh baby sister, I had to come over as soon as I heard! I'm so happy for you!" Shrieked Olga as she hugged her sister tighter.
"Uh, thanks Olga but could you let go? You're kinda crushing all the air out of me!"
The older woman giggled as if it were a joke and set Helga free.
Arnold at this point had surfaced from the bedroom. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and then grimaced at the sight of their visitor.
"Oh Helga, I am just so proud of you, you're quite the young woman! All grown up and getting married, oh I just can't believe it!"
"Yeah, who would have thought it, huh?" Said Helga sarcastically.
"Morning Olga!" Piped up Arnold, making his presence known.
"Arnold? I was wondering when you were going to appear! Don't just stand there you silly! Get over here and give your big sis'-in-law a hug!" Squeaked Olga.
Being the gentleman that he is Arnold, of course, obliged only to have the air squeezed out of him like his fiancé had, who just looked on smugly.
After much fussing and fawning from Olga the three blondes' were soon sitting down to coffee and fresh morning bagels, discussing wedding plans.
"So what's the plan of action so far?" Quizzed Olga.
"Well, first things first. We need to try and get your Mom and Dad and my Grandparents in a room together. Things might not go as smoothly if the families don't get on, right?" Explained Arnold.
"Pheh, knowing big blowhard Bob we're gonna need a miracle to pull that off!" Spat Helga
"Oh now Helga", began Olga, patting her sisters hand reassuringly "I know Daddy can be a bit, well, difficult at times but it's his little girl's wedding, I'm sure he'll behave himself".
"Yeah right! You'd think that wouldn't you but you weren't there last night!" Cried Helga
"Hmmm, yeah, he wasn't exactly jumping for joy", agreed Arnold, biting his lower lip in concern.
The older woman crinkled her brow in thought "Have you spoken to Mummy since?"
"Not yet, I was going to call her today though, why?"
"Well, if there's anyone who can smooth things out with Daddy, it's our Mom!"
*
The phone rang shrilly inside the echoing Pataki Household. Bob was in his usual spot in the armchair, grunting at the TV.
"Hello-o-o?" Came Miriam's singsong voice as she silenced the phone. "Helga! Good morning sweetie…"
At the mention of his youngest daughters name Bob tore his attention away from the TV.
*
Now I know my reaction to Helga's news last night was inexcusable but it's not every evening that your youngest daughter comes waltzing in and tells you she's getting married.
I can hear from Miriam's tone and little contribution to the conversation that Helga is doing most of the talking. She must still be mad and why not? She has every right to be. She probably wants her mother to talk to me and usually that's fine by me but it's weird, for once I want to go for the direct approach…
*
"Bob? What are you doing? Put Mom back on the phone!" Man, she's shrieking, I'm definitely not on her favourite person list. And did she call me Bob?
"The names Dad, lil' missy!" Whoops, not earning any points with that nickname I'm sure!
"Yeah, well mines Helga and as soon as you master that I might consider calling you Dad!"
Ouch, that hurt, but I know I deserved it!
"Fair enough, listen Helga, I just want to apologise. The way I acted last night…it was…I mean, well, it was wrong". Why am I finding this so hard? I'm sorry, I was wrong. Five tiny words that millions of people say everyday…except me. Just say them Bob, you idiot!
"Helga, what I'm trying to say is that I'm sorry and I want to make it up to you, you name it and I'll do it!" Phew, there, I did it. Was it ok? Will she accept?
Uh-oh, silence, has she hung up? Has she fainted? Speak Helga, help me out here!
"Helga? Are you there?"
"Um, yeah, yeah I am! I just…I'm just a little surprised, this was definitely not expected…I…thanks…Dad!"
All right, touch done! She called me Dad, man that feels really good. Do all Dads get this feeling?
"So what can I do for you, to show you that I really am sorry?"
"Well, there is something…I need you, Mom and Olga to have dinner with Arnold's family, you know, the traditional meet the in-laws routine? It's dinner at Arnold's boarding house tonight at 7, can I actually count on you to do this for me?"
Pfft, dinner is that all she wants me to do? Child's play, I can do that…
"Consider it done…um…sweetie?" Ergh, that was weird, will that be ok with her? Wait! Is she laughing?
"Heh, thanks Dad, that's great. I'll see you and Mom tonight then?"
"Uh, yeah, not a problem!" Man, the relief, I think I'm getting my little girl back!
"Oh and Dad…"
"Yeah?"
"Don't call me sweetie!"
"Oh, right, you got it!"
Well, can't win them all. I hang up with this overwhelming feeling of satisfaction; it was a start at least. I suddenly feel arms snake around my waist, it's Miriam, and she's grinning at me her eyes full of love. That has certainly caught me off guard.
"Oh B, I'm so proud of you, I knew you had it in you!" She says, kissing me on the cheek. I could get used to this, I just hope I can keep it up during dinner. One family who hates me is more than enough…
To be continued…