Back with part two, and I hope, it will bring some understanding to Helga's actions.

I decided to make six chapters, all in all, including a small aftermath. Well, enough talk, and on with the story-oh, and many, many thanks to all of you for the kind reviews. They mean a lot to me, folks.

Disclaimer: Standard

Reviews: please, yes, anytime

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Rising expectations

Once home, she immediately started putting up the things for her party.

She had fetched the big, portable cooler from the cellar(luckily, she was so strong, and Phoebe had helped her), and hidden it in the living room under a tablecloth, so it looked like any other cupboard. She had gotten up early today, so she could connect and fill it with ice, now she rolled it next to Bob's favourite tv chair.

Done, she went to get the bag she had hidden in the broom closet, and dragged it to the cooler.

Placing the beers from the bag into the cooler, she checked the time.

Shrieking, she hurried up and tossed the empty bag behind the couch, Miriam had passed out on.

In the kitchen everything was ready and waiting for her.

Concentrating on the task at hand, Helga started on her birthday cake.

Twenty minutes, one failed attempt, three cooking books and eight dozen curses later, the dough-filled form was sitting in the heated oven, and Helga started cleaning up. She had just finished wiping the spilled flour from the floor, when the kitchen clock chimed, and she opened the oven. A gust of hot air rushed into her face, and she pulled her head away.

Glancing inside the oven, she let out a quiet 'o', then put on the gloves and took out her masterpiece.

It had exactly the right size and colour, no cracks, and it smelled-deliciously.

She placed it on the counter, next to the window, so it could cool off, and started decorating the kitchen.

All the decorations were from Olga's other parties, except for a large transparent, which read 'Happy 10th Birthday, Helga!'.

It had cost her the lunch and pocket money from two weeks, but she had gotten exactly the one, she had wanted:

Pink, with blue and white letters, it even glittered a little in the dim light.

Helga was so busy decorating she never heard the person enter, until-

"Helga, what are you doing?" asked Miriam. Gasping, Helga swerved around, and chuckling nervously, she tried to hide the balloon, she had been blowing up, behind her back.

"Err, nothing, really, it's a, ah, unh, school project, yeah" she stuttered. But her mother, for once only thirsty, and not drunk, had already read the sign, and a sad, ashamed look appeared on her face.

"Oh no, honey, I forgot again, didn't I?"

She stepped into the kitchen, and, before Helga could react, pulled her into a warm, gentle hug.

Not knowing, what to do, the young girl hesitantly lay her hands on Miriam's shoulder, a small, uncertain smile tugging at her lips.

"S'okay", she whispered, and Miriam pulled away from her.

"No, it's not ok, it's your tenth birthday, and I didn't even remember-I didn't even get you a present!"

Tears lingered in the corner of her eyes, and Helga felt a small tug at her heart.

Rising from her kneeling position, Miriam tapped her lip thoughtfully, then said:

"Tell you what, Helga, first thing tomorrow after school, I'll pick you up, and then we'll spend the whole day at the mall. And for in case, I should forget, here-" she rummaged through the confines of her housedress, and finally pulled out a folded note, which she handed to her daughter, "you go ahead, and have a fun day with your friends!"

Helga took the bill, opened it-and nearly fainted for the second time.

"50$?!? Mom, you-you're giving me a fifty bucks?!? Are you crazy??"

She hadn't meant it to sound like that, but Miriam laughed good-heartedly.

"Well, since it would have been my responsibilty, to shop and organise, I thought, it's the least I can do-

especially, since you spent your own money on the decoratings and everything. Speaking of which, how about I finish decorating and put some icing on the cake, while you get dressed, huh?"

Helga's jaw went straight through the kitchen floor.

Could this really be happening? Miriam actually behaving like..a real mother?

"Uhh, sure, I'll finish the..decos, and all, while you..get the cake done, 'kay?" she replied, still slightly dazed.

Her mother smiled warmly, then rose and straightened.

"Very well, what would you like, a white or dark icing on your cake? " she asked, as she started rummaging through the cupboards. Helga blinked, then pulled the sachet with the icing from the fridge.

"White icing, and here's the pink letters, and-aaaaaaaarrrggghhh! I forgot the candles!"

She pulled her ponytails in frustration. How could she have forgotten the candles, of all things? A soft hand on her shoulder gave her pause.

"That's ok," said Miriam,"I'm sure, there are some candles in the cellar or attic. Let me coat this wonderful cake, and then look for them, while you get dressed, ok?"

Helga gave a rare, happy smile to her mother, nodded, and headed for her room.

Miriam looked after her, then turned around, and, grabbing the satchel with the icing, mumbled:

"Now, let's see, I remember that you had to…"

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Wheew, that was long and boring, but don't worry, things will speed up from here…