Disclaimer: I don't own any characters from Hey Arnold so don't sue.

A House of Memories By: Starry Nights

        I could see the large house as I rounded the corner. It's freshly painted peach and white walls stood out against the dark and austere colors of the other houses in the neighborhood. As I reached closer to the house, I could hear music drifting from the backyard. Taking one last puff of my cigarette, a habit I picked up from my best friend Donatella Matarelli in eighth grade, I put it out and opened the gate to the house.

        As I stood in front of the house now, one part of me wanted to run back to my father's house, run away from the place I called my second home instead I continued the short walk to the door. Making sure no one noticed my arrival, I quietly slipped inside and stopped short as I heard my mother's voice traveling from the den. Stopping short, I leaned against the wall to listen.

"You need to learn how to mind your business," she was saying. "She's my daughter."

The second voice chuckled, "is she coming?"

She sighed. "Supposedly, her father is going to drop her off."

(Actually, he lived within walking distance from my grandma's house so I decline his offer to drive me here. I didn't want my presence to be known just yet.) My uncle Phil chuckled again. "How long is she planning on staying with him?"

"Not sure. She wants to 'get to know him.' She's been there for almost a week."

"How does he look?"

"The same."

"Don't worry, Kathy. Everything will work out fine."

She moaned in exasperation. "You sound like Dad…and don't call me Kathy."

"Whatever you say, let's go back outside."

"Sure, sure."

        They walked out of the room and I slid inside before one of them turned around to see me. I flopped down on the couch and stared at the astray in front of me. I was tempted to go outside and have another cigarette but decided against it instead I looked at the picture filled walls. My mother calls this room the photo album room. In the middle of the wall was a family portrait taken about 17 years ago. I remember taking this picture for show and tell in kindergarten. Everyone laughed at me, thinking that this wasn't my family because they all had flaxen blond hair and green or blue eyes. That's when I started to resent my dark hair and hazel eyes. I wanted to look like my mother.

        I sighed and stared back at the picture. My grandfather and my grandmother stood proudly in the back surrounded by my aunts and uncle. My mother, Katherine, was the oldest then my uncle Reuben was sitting next to her and my other aunts Danielle and Nicole complete the picture. Even though I know my family isn't perfect, they sure looked it in this picture.

I decided to join the party outside.

"…So annoying and a do-gooder. I hated him."

"Mom!" that was my mother.

"He was!"

"Helga…" that was my grandmother's friend Phoebe.

"…He had this adorable football head. Although he would really hate if I called him that now."

"Grandma!" that was my 8-year-old cousin Nathalie.

"I'm serious! Watch."

        The group of people surrounding Helga's chair moved to each side and watched as Arnold and his sons try to fire up a grill. Helga smirked at her crowd and cleared her throat.

"What, you can't a simple grill going, football-head?"

Arnold looked up suddenly and turned his head toward his wife who was hiding a smile. He smiled suddenly and shook his head.

"Don't be surprised if you find yourself locked out of the house."

"Dad!" that was Reuben.

My aunt Danielle shook her head in mock frustration. "I thought it was usually the wife who puts out the husband."

My grandmother, Helga, smirked again, "Not with us. Things are different with us. They always have been." She looked around and frowned. "Where's Nicole?"

Danielle sighed. "Late…as usual."

Helga grinned, "You learn to live with bad habits. They grow on you. After adjusting to your father habits raising four kids was easy."

"Was it?"

"Not really."

I decided to make my presence known. "So tell me Grandma, which one of them behaved the worst?"

She smiled, "Your mother."

        By this time, the grill was going and we decided to check on the guys' progress. Helga drifted toward my grandfather, Arnold, and he automatically placed an arm around her as an argument began over what to grill first.

"Isn't this the part where you intercede?" I heard her whisper.

"Yeah but I wanted to watch them for a moment."

My grandmother snorted, "Are you done watching?"

"Yeah," then he turned toward the fight group of their children and grandchildren. "Shouldn't we be the one's deciding since it's our anniversary and all?"

Sheepish looks and mumbled words pass through the group as Arnold placed several hamburgers on the grill. It's always times like this when I get that lonely feeling. Watching my grandparents get all mushy and lovey-dovey on us. I know you're probably thinking 'what does a 15 year old delinquent girl know about love?' but I do have feelings and maybe one day I will have a husband that looks at me the same way they look at each other. Maybe when I grow up I'll have four beautiful kids that will make everyone envious of their hair and eye color.

*~*

The hamburgers and hotdogs are all done. Nathalie, her twin brother Nathan and I watch as Phoebe and her husband Gerald along with my aunt Nicole (who arrived shortly after the hamburgers started cooking) place the beautiful three-layer cake with 30 candles lined along the sides. They smile and blow out the candles as everyone is talking amongst themselves I decide to watch them.

30 years of marriage.

They smiled.

Arnold takes a dollop of cake and smears it on Helga's cheek.

She smirks and does the same.

He kisses her on the hand.

She blushes and looks away.

He takes her chin and turns her face toward him.

She whispers 'football-head' (I can read lips.)

He laughs.

She strokes his cheek.

He plays with her hair.

        And just like that the moment is gone, they face the cake again, taking a bite of the piece my mother placed before them. Saddened I took a bite of my own cake and occasionally steal glances but now the moment is gone. Turning slowly, I brace myself as two forces of pure energy lunge themselves at me. With a less than graceful thud, I landed on my butt and look up to see the faces of my cousins. They smile awkwardly and sit beside me.

"Mommy said that…"

"…You were going to baby-sit us again."

I smiled, "Really now?" I looked up to see my aunt Danielle staring at me with an expectant look in her eyes. "Sure, why not?"

Nathalie grinned, "Awesome!"

"So you really are going to stay the night?" Nathan asked skeptically.

"I guess but I would have to go home to pick up my stuff." I ruffled his already messy dirty-blonde hair.

"All right! Thanks, Michelle."

        Sighing, I got up and watched as they ran away leaving me in my own thoughts again. My aunt Danielle came toward me with another piece of cake since mine hit the ground when I did.

"I'm sorry, Mia but Jeff and I were planning on asking you when the party was done." she paused and looked over her shoulder. "I guess the twins overheard us talking."

"It's alright. I don't mind really."

"No smoking in my house."

"I know."

She nodded. "You're a smart girl, Mia. Just don't make stupid mistakes like your mother did." She handed me the cake and walked off.

        I went back to watching everyone else at the party or rather my grandparents. They were still seated in the same spot.

They looked at each other.

He smiled.

She turned away.

He placed a hand on her shoulder.

She faced him.

They kissed.

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A/N: This one is for Houkanno Yuuhou. I hope I did this the right way.

Suggestions are always welcomed. So please review, I'm ~*Starry Nights*