The Arms of an Angel
Chapter 16
In the arms of the angel you will sail from here…. you were pulled from the wreckage of your silent revelry. In the arms of an angel may you find some comfort here.
~Sarah McLaughlin, the arms of the angel
" Helga stop moving. How do you expect me if to zip your dress when you keep wiggling like that?" Phoebe said.
" I can't help it Phebs. I'm excited. My divorce has been final for 3 weeks and I'm getting married in 10 minutes in the most beautiful wedding dress in the world. To the most wonderful man in the world."
" Well if you make me break this zipper you won't be getting married in the most beautiful wedding dress in the world."
" Joke if you want. Nothing is going to ruin my day! Nothing!"
" Hey Helga," it was Gerald, " You have a letter. It's from California."
" Okay that can ruin my day," She accepted the letter, " If it's him begging me to take him back he can forget it…it's from Derek."
" Derek?"
" Yeah Chad's brother." Helga sat down on a nearby chair and began reading:
"Dear Helga,
How are you? It's been a while since we've seen each other. So I guess you've finally dropped that idiotic brother of mine. I know there is no excuse for his behavior but I hope this letter may help to explain it. As you know my parents are divorced but they are not divorced for the reason my father gave you. They are divorced because my father use to beat my mother. She ran with us until finally he gave her a divorce. He wanted to keep both of us but mother wouldn't hear of it. She went to court and fought to keep us but in the end the judge decided it would be best if we went and lived with our father despite his past ( my father had influence and the judge happen to be one of his closest friends). Chad loved our dad. He constantly wanted his approval so he thought the only way he would get it would be if he treated his girlfriends cruelly in front of him. So yeah those violent tendencies rubbed off on my brother but I never really saw the point in treating someone especially the woman you claimed to love like that. I hope this has provided you with some kind of answer. By the way. I heard from Shauna that you are getting married again. So to kind of make up for the mistake I made in not telling you about my brother to begin with I have paid for your entire wedding. That includes everything as well as the honeymoon in Hawaii. Oh and one more thing…I'm sorry. Elena and I wish you the best of luck.
Love your brother-in-law,
Derek
Ps.: be sure to bring the twins back by.
Wow…I can't believe it." Helga said, as she wiped away a tear.
" So that's why he's like that…"
" Guys' the wedding is about to start come on." Gerald said sticking his head into the room.
Helga folded the letter and placed it in Phoebe's hands, " Don't throw it away. I want to write him back."
Phoebe nodded.
" Okay….I guess I better go get married."
*******
Helga was on the couch at the boarding house with a box of pictures. There was a fire going in the fire place and she was burning old photos of her and Chad. Trent walked in and tapped his mother's shoulder, " Mom I can't sleep. Can I stay up with you?"
" sure son come on."
He settled down and she wrapped her arms around him. After a long silence Trent said, " Mom do you hate Daddy?"
" No Trent of course not. I don't hate anyone…why? do you hate your father?"
" No I just don't like him."
" why?"
" Because he hurt you even after he promised he wouldn't."
" well daddy has a lot of problems of his own he has to deal with. And even sometimes though he doesn't shows it, he loves you very much."
" Do you think he loves you?"
" Umm….Yeah sweetheart but not as his wife but as his friend."
She reached into the box and pulled out her wedding photo. " Here Trent I want you to keep this."
He looked at photo and smiled, " Thank you mom."
They then settled back and then fell asleep like they were.
*********
( 6 months later)
" Helga what are you doing? Put that box down." Arnold said taking the box from her. They were moving into their first house.
" Seriously Arnold you treat me like I'm disable not pregnant."
" I just don't want to hurt yourself or the baby. Now here sit down and I'll bring you some lemonade."
She sat down on the porch swing and rested her hands on her expanding stomach. Within a few minutes she noticed a shadow on the porch steps. She look up and her eyes met with his. Chad was standing there with his arms in his pockets. He was smiling slightly, " Hey."
" Hi…what are you doing here?"
" I came to tell my kids goodbye. I'm going back to LA."
" Oh… they're inside. When did you get out?"
" about 3 days ago. Are you going to get them?"
" Yeah I'll be right back."
She disappeared in the house then returned a few minutes later with the twins, " Say goodbye to daddy okay guys."
" Hey there sport," Chad said poking Trent gently in the sides, " give me a hug."
He lifted the boy into his arms and squeezed gently. " I love you okay little man." he sat him down then picked up Jenna, " Hey princess. I love you too." he hugged her as well then turned to Helga. " Listen Helga…I want you to know I'm sorry for the way things turned out for us."
" Yeah me too."
" I just want you to know that I love you and that if we can't be together can we at least be friends?" He held out his hand.
Helga hesitated for a second then accepted his hand, " Friends."
" Great. So I guess that's all…Hey Trenster take care of your mom for me okay."
Trent nodded slowly. Chad smiled slightly then turned and walked away.
The twins disappeared inside leaving Helga alone. She stared after them for awhile then turned to the sidewalk. She could still see Chad's figure growing smaller and smaller. She opened her arms and inhaled deeply. " Hey wonder woman aren't you going to help us unpack?" Arnold asked stepping back outside.
" This is the way it's supposed to be." she whispered.
" what?"
" Finally…"
" Huh?"
" I survived and it feels so good."
" What does?"
" Freedom. Finally I'm free." she said pulling her husband into a hug. Arnold knew exactly what she was talking about and he was happy…he was happy because at last Helga was happy. She broke the embrace and tucked her arm underneath his, " come on superman. Let's go unpack."
" After you wonder woman." with that they went inside to begin their lives together.
THE END!!
I guess I found my way. It's simple and it's right. Feely lucky just to be here tonight and happy just to be me and be alive.
~Jennifer Lopez, Alive ( from the movie enough)
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Author's note: I really enjoyed working on this story. I can't wait to start my new one. I think you guys are gonna love that one too. Thanks to all who reviewed. Smooches
Ari-Chan