Chapter 3 - A Very Special Reception

(...a hotel ballroom...hours later...)

Victor and Helga are sitting at a table while everyone is dancing to music, sitting at other tables or standing around talking. Victor stands up and clinks a champagne glass with a fork.

"May I please have everyone's attention?"

Everyone stops what they're doing and focuses on Victor, who picks up a microphone.

"Usually, this is where the best man toasts the newlyweds, but he's in the bathroom, so I'll take the job."

He turns to Helga.

"I'd like to toast Helga, the love of my life, my sunshine, my muse and the last woman I'll ever be with...hopefully."

The crowd laughs.

"You've made me a happy man, and I hope that I can make you a happy woman."

Victor sits down and everyone goes back to what they were doing.

"That was so beautiful."

Helga looks into the crowd of people and her eyes widen at the sight of something...or someone. She turns to Victor.

"Would you excuse me for a minute?"

"Surely."

Helga gets up and goes into the crowd. Victor goes to sit near Phoebe and Gerald.

"What's your secret?", Gerald inquired.

"Come again?"

"How did you do it? How did Helga go from a hell-raiser to Miss Calm and Collected?"

"There's a funny story behind that..."

Meanwhile, Helga is making her way through the throng of guests. She happens upon a table where Olga is sitting with the little blonde flower girl.

"Oh, Helga!"

"Olga!"

"How are you feeling?"

"Much better now."

The little girl sat up in her chair.

"Was I a good flower girl, Auntie Helga?"

"You were great, Marie. Just terrific."

Helga continued her trek, her heart warm at seeing her young niece so happy. She stopped at a table where Dr. Bliss was enjoying a beverage.

"Helga, how have you been?"

"I've been alright."

"Staying out of trouble?"

"Yes."

The good doctor looks up at Victor, who is talking to Gerald and Phoebe.

"I must say I'm quite surprised. Given..."

She decides to whisper the rest.

"Given what you told me all those years ago, I thought you might've ended up with Arnold."

"Me too, but life has a way of surprising you, you know?"

Helga looks at Arnold sitting at a far-off table.

"Maybe it's for the best. Would you excuse me?"

"Oh, certainly."

Helga continues toward Arnold's table and sits down.

"Hey, there."

Arnold turns around to face Helga.

"Hey, Helga."

"So...how's your life been going?"

"Pretty good. I'm still writing."

"Yeah; your advice column. I never miss it."

"How about you?"

"There's a book coming out in a few weeks. 'One Fine Day'."

"Sounds interesting."

The slow-paced music that filled the air was soon replaced with a quicker melody. Arnold stands up and extends his hand to the bride.

"May I have this dance?"

"Sure. Why not?"

Helga gets up and moves across the floor with Arnold.

"Here's an opportunity I never thought I'd get", Helga remarked.

Arnold lets Helga spin freely, but still has her by the hand. He tugs her, and she spins back to him, and they continue their dance.

"You know, Arnold, I've been thinking about the past."

"How exactly?"

"This is nice, but somehow, I don't think it would've worked out."

"What wouldn't have worked out?"

"Us. I mean, I was always flying off the handle about something, and you were always so sensible."

Helga laughs.

"I can't imagine something like that lasting too long."

"You seem to have it together now."

"Yeah, but I guess it doesn't matter too much anymore."

Helga looks up at Victor.

"...and that's how we met."

"Now that is an incredible story", Gerald exclaimed.

"I have to agree. I don't think I've ever heard of two people meeting like that."

"Well, how did the two of you meet?"

"At the Cheese Festival when we were nine."

"Okay, so mine is an unusual tale of love. Tell me, how has your marriage been?"

"Fine, fine. As long I do what she says, nobody gets hurt."

Phoebe playfully hits Gerald.

"Seriously, we get along great. It's good to love someone, but it's important to be a friend to them first."

Victor looks off into the crowd.

"Friends first..."