Father of the Bride
Chapter 3
By Littlepinkbook
Authors Note: Ooh, look at that a much shorter time lapse between chapters, I'm really on fire in the inspiration department lately! It's da' bomb! Well, in short Bob thought he had mastered the father thing but as it turns out these things don't happen over night!
DISCLAIMER: Aw man, do I need to keep doing this?
Arnold was already at his childhood home feverishly helping his Grandparents prepare the meal, begging his Grandmother to be relatively normal for just one night and cringing with each time she referred to him as Kimba. He was so engrossed in the goings on of the busy kitchen that he didn't hear the knocking at the front door and one of the boarders utter a greeting containing his fiancée's name. He was only made aware of her presence when he suddenly felt a pair of slender arms snake around his neck and heard the whisper of a familiar voice in his ear saying "Evening Blondie!"
He turned in her embrace to face her, grinning goofily. He was hit immediately by her stunning blue eyes, which never failed to amaze him in their beauty. He coiled his own arms around her dainty waist and drew her to him, drowning in her eyes. "Oh so you've decided to show have you?" He joked.
"Well it was either this or the movies and there wasn't anything good on so I figured what the hey!" She grinned mischievously.
Arnold laughed at his ladylove and leaned in to capture her lips, which had been tempting him since she waltzed in the door, in a gentle kiss. As always during these expressions of love for each other they forget where they are and that they are not the only two people on earth and as usual they were interrupted.
"Hey Shortman, that's for after dinner!" Laughed Grandpa as he entered the kitchen and spotted the couple. They pulled away immediately, blushing furiously.
"Grandpa!" Whined Arnold in embarrassment.
Grandpa laughed even more, 25 years old and they're reactions had never changed since they were just teens. He looked at his young grandson warmly and thought about how fast the years had gone by, his Shortman was getting married, wow! More than anything else it made him feel old.
"Oh you know I'm only ribbing you, Arnold! Now enough canoodling and more helping!" He winked as he left to set the table.
The couple rolled their eyes simultaneously, it wasn't their fault they found each other irresistible, it was one of the many benefits of being in love. Arnold turned to get a proper look at Helga; she was dressed in a very pretty peach coloured blouse and matching skirt that hung floatily just above her knees. Suddenly thoughts about preparing dinner shot out of his head, he had other things in mind now and Helga immediately detected them through the wicked glint in his deep green eyes. Her blue ones widened and she slapped him playfully on the arm in mock horror! "You're wicked!" She scolded.
"Can you blame me?" He chuckled, making a play at kissing her again but reluctantly she refused him.
"My parents are gonna be here soon you goofball!" She said batting him off and admitting defeat he helped with the dinner that the couple were putting all they're hopes in, hoping everything would be just perfect. Arnold praying their families would see eye to eye and Helga praying her Dad would just behave himself!
*
"This is stupid!" Scoffed Bob, standing outside the boarding house with Miriam as she fussed with his suit.
"B! You promised Helga, you want to look good don't you?" She reminded him, dusting his shoulders.
"I don't need to prove myself to anyone, I'm the one that has to approve of them! It's my daughter I'm giving away!" He snorted.
"Bob! She's not a prize and we're not approving of anything. I know Helga and she would marry this boy whether we wanted her to or not, she just wants us to get to know the family she's marrying us into!" Soothed Miriam, trying to tame her husband's stubborn temper.
What's she talking about? This Arnold kid asked Helga to marry him not the other way about and that means nothing goes ahead without my approval.
They made their way up the steps and knocked on the door making Helga and Arnold jump anxiously. They were welcomed in and the first introductions were made.
"Big Bob Pataki!" Announced Bob thrusting his hand at Phil who was not fazed by the large blustery man in the slightest, just slightly surprised that he hadn't realised that they had met many times before throughout their kids childhood. "Yeah, I know, the beeper king!" Joked Phil, shaking the pro-offered hand. "Phil", he added when he saw the look of waiting on Bob's face.
"Hi Phil!" Sighed Miriam already annoyed at her husband.
"Hi Miriam, nice to see you again!" Phil smiled, ignoring Bob's questioning glances.
"Mom! Where's Olga?" Questioned Helga as she appeared from the kitchen.
"Oh sweetie, I'm sorry but she and Ted couldn't make it, little Katie had a dance recital. They're really sorry they couldn't be here!"
Helga was surprised at just how disappointed she was; she just really wanted her whole family to be in attendance.
Arnold nervously appeared behind Helga eyeing Bob carefully who spotted him immediately, eyeing him back critically.
"Now where's that wife of mine? Pookie?" Called Phil
*
Now how come Miriam knew this clown and I didn't? Well, I had better not let Helga know that, she'd kill me. I didn't know I was supposed to know the whole family already! What the heck was tonight for then? Well anyway, he looks like a kook but I guess I'm going to have to try and like him. Do I really want my little girl, a Pataki marrying into this? A dysfunctional family in a broken down boarding house? Is that his hand on her waist? I'll kill him! Ow! Miriam has pinched my arm, she must have seen it too, just shows how well she knows me!
*
There was an audible gasp as Gertie appeared from the dining room clad in a very elaborate Japanese Kimono, her silvery hair bound tightly in a traditional Japanese hairstyle decorated with intricate ornaments. She glided over to Bob and Miriam, who looked positively flabbergasted, and bowed gracefully and said "Konichiwa!"
Arnold covered his face with his hands, cursing quietly. Helga barely containing her amusement by the whole thing, she thought Gertie looked absolutely beautiful and this kind of outburst was truly her and that's what she wanted her parents to see.
What in the…? Is this some kind of prank? The old bird can't be serious!
"Please, join us for dinner!" Gertie invited softly, gesturing towards the dining room.
Arnold laughed nervously confirming to the Pataki's that she was a little eccentric.
"…and perfectly harmless", joked Phil, enjoying the whole thing thoroughly.
Gertie had prepared a gorgeous Japanese style meal with flowers, beautiful china, the works. A veritable banquet was laid out on the table; Helga gasped at its impressiveness. She suddenly realised why Gertie hadn't let her or Arnold into this room during all preparations.
"Oh Gertie, it's just wonderful!" Gasped Miriam extremely flattered that the older woman had gone to such lengths to impress them. Arnold wasn't feeling so ashamed any more; in fact he felt the first traces of pride began to seep through.
Soon the two families were seated and the feast was underway, Gertie keeping the river of green tea ever flowing. Bob however had sat in complete disbelief at the whole situation, so far he hadn't said anything and usually this wasn't a good sign…
*
Now I know I promised Helga that I would give this a shot but this was just out of the question! The family was obviously nuts, this just wasn't normal! Where's the meat and potatoes, I was only going to endure this when I thought I was getting a free meal but what did I get? Was that raw fish? God, they're not only nuts but they're savages! And rice? This wasn't a family it was some kind of cult! That's it, Helga is not marrying this psycho!
Of course, she does look happy, so does Miriam for that matter. She seems to be enjoying this whole affair.
*
"This is really something, isn't it B?" Smiled Miriam.
"Oh yeah, it's something alright", he began "Something awful!" He picked up a piece of sushi and looked at with an up-turned nose before tossing it down with disgust!
"Dad!" Cried Helga in shock, she thought he was going to try.
"I thought you were meant to be impressing us, Phil!" The man continued "Where's the decent food? And another thing, about this kid of yours, Albert is it?"
"Oh God!" Squeaked Helga, hiding behind her hand.
"What exactly are his intentions with my daughter? She's a Pataki and Pataki's don't marry losers, you know!"
Phil and Gertie just listened stunned, not entirely sure they were hearing this. They had never heard anyone be so blatantly rude and insensitive. Phil felt his anger replace his shock and he stood up suddenly, slamming his fists on the table. "My grandson's name is Arnold you Moron and how a wonderful girl like Helga came from the same gene pool as you I'll never understand!"
Excuse me? Oh this old coot had guts, how dare he say that to me! Bob Pataki!
"Well whatever the kids name is my daughter isn't marrying into a nut house like this! I won't allow it!" He bellowed back, also standing up, ignoring his wife's pleas to get a hold of himself. Gertie just looked down sadly, her serene disposition rarely invaded by rage.
They continued to argue like this causing all out chaos to break loose, Helga listening to every word as it stung her heart. He just didn't care; he simply did not care how much this hurt her. What a fool she'd been to think he could have changed, to think he could think of someone else instead of himself for a change. Her anger bubbled as it reached its boiling point; he can insult her all he likes but not Arnold and his sweet, loving family! That she would not stand for!
She stood up and at the top of her lungs screamed…
"ENOUGH! Both of you just stop! Bob, I asked of you one thing, one tiny little thing. To just think about someone else besides yourself for one night and you couldn't even do that. Well, I have news for you, I love Arnold, with all my heart and there's isn't a thing you can do to stop me from marrying him and I will whether you have a part in it or not!"
Was she serious? Was she actually going to defy me? When I saw the icy hatred of me in her eyes, well, it was confirmation enough, it hit home then. What I had done tonight was irreversible and unforgivable. Why can't I control myself, oh God this hurts the glare the pure and utter hatred coming from her. It's unbearable. These are good people, they had busted their butts to impress me and I had thrown it in their faces. I truly am a moron. Why did I do it? Why…because I love her. I love her so much, she's my little girl and the thought of giving her up to someone else makes me furious. Is it possible that everything I do is all out of love? I'm not sure, all I know now is that I have to fix it, the problem is will she ever give me a second chance?
To be continued…