The Arms of an Angel

Chapter 2:

You'll never see me fall apart, in the words of a broken heart….

Destiny's Child, Emotions

"Helga, its Elena! Open up. We've got a surprise for you?" Elena yelled through the door. Helga opened the door, "Hey what's all the yelling about?"

"Derek, bring it in." Elena ordered Derek pushed the large box into the apartment.

"You guys bought me a crib?"

"Two." Said another voice. Helga looked up as Chad pushed the other box into the room.

"Oh my…why did you do this?"

"Our twins are due in a few weeks and Derek and I are gonna put the finishing touches on the babies' room. So exactly how much is left?"

"Well," Helga rubbed her stomach thoughtfully, "The pictures need to be put up and then there's the cribs."

"All right. Dere let's get started." They disappeared into the nursery as Elena and Helga gathered the pictures. Elena looked over at Helga and noticed several dark spots on her arm.

"Hey Helga, what happened?"

Helga glanced at her bruised arms, "While I was working yesterday, I bumped into some stuff. I'm all right. Really." She lied, smiling wide. She hoped Elena wouldn't ask anymore questions. If she did how was Helga going to explain that Chad did that to her? Thankfully Elena didn't question her any further. They went into the nursery where Chad and Derek were arguing. "Whoa guys. What's going on?" Elena asked, trying to separate them.

"Derek is trying to tell me how to put this crib together."

"Chad is being a jackass and can't take a little advice."

"It's more like criticism."

"Come on Chad. Will it kill you to listen to him?"

"Yeah baby brother. Why don't you listen to your wife?" Derek joked.

Chad turned to Helga and grabbed her wrist. She whimpered softly as he twisted it, "Don't insult me like that again. Do you understand me?" he hissed into her ear.

"Yes. I'm sorry." She whispered trying to free herself.

He dropped her wrist and turned back to Derek. "Was that really necessary, Chad?" he asked.

"Listen Derek; don't tell me how to treat my wife. I don't tell you how to treat yours."

Before another argument could break out, Helga suggested that they all sit down for dinner. As Elena helped Helga prepare the food, she bluntly asked, "How long has this been going on, Helga?"

"What?"

"This…" she said taking Helga's wrist and showing her the black and blue ring.

"It's nothing."

"You said he had stopped."

"I know and this was just a one time thing. I swear, Elena."

"You could lose the twins if this keeps up."

"Nothing is going on. Social services have no reason to take my children."

"I wasn't talking about social services. Helga, if Chad keeps hitting you …you could lose the twins."

"Chad loves me ok. He would never do anything to hurt me or our children."

She said walking back into the dining room. "I wish I could believe that." Elena whispered. She followed Helga into the dining room and plopped down beside Derek, "Derek, she has bruises."

"I know."

"Why don't you talk to him?"

"Because he is grown man and I'm not about butt into his life."

"But Helga…"

"Look El, I tried talking to him once before, but he wouldn't listen. What do you want me to do tell mommy and daddy on him?"

(A few weeks later)

"You know mom, dad, and Olga are coming over to see Trent and Jenna."

"Yeah they called a few days ago."

"The plane comes today. Did you forget?"

"Oh I did…" He kissed Helga's cheek, "I better get going then."

"Dinner should be ready when you get back."

"Okay."

After an hour wait Helga heard the door knob turn and several voices, "She should be in the nursery."

Bob burst into the room, "Where are my grandchildren?"

"Daddy shhhh! I just got Trent back to sleep. Don't wake him."

"Geez Olga…I just want to see them."

"No dad, Olga is right behind you."

Bob shrugged, "I'm starving. What do you have to eat around here?"

"Stop yelling. Come on everyone. I'll get us some lunch together. She led them out of the nursery. "Olga will you help me in the kitchen please?"

"Sure." She got up and followed Helga into the kitchen. After a short silence, Olga spoke up, "Helga are you okay? You look a sick."

"Yeah I'm fine." She said pushing her hair behind her ear.
"Where did that come from?"

"What?"

"That bruise, where did it come from?"

Realizing her mistake, she quickly covered her cheek.

"Baby Sister, don't ignore me. Answer my question."

"It's nothing ok."

"Did he hit you?"

Helga finished preparing the food, "Olga, please don't say anything especially to mom and dad ok. They will just overreact. Besides I can handle this."

"Helga, Olga it's turning into a madhouse out here." He said stepping into the kitchen. Olga gathered the tray of food and left the two alone. Helga was about to follow when Chad blocked her exit, "What was that all about?" He said looking at her sternly.

"Nothing. Olga and I just had a little disagreement."

"Yeah um about that; I don't appreciate you telling Olga our business."

"What?"

"I heard every word of it" He said walking toward her, "What goes on between us is none of her concern."

"I'm sorry, Chad."

"Not as sorry as you're going to be." He reached for her and pinned her against the wall, "You're going to go out there and smile at everyone. We'll finish this conversation later."