Disclaimer: Craig Barleett is the creator and he and Nickelodeon have the rights of the show.
9. Little happy family project
– PS 118 - Gym –
All the Gym was totally in silence. You could even hear the sound of a fly. All the students watched the end of the old movie and their teacher turned the lights on.
- Ok 6th graders, someone has a question? - But the silence was their answer. - C'mon students, this is a very normal part of your life. - The Coach Wittenberg said with his deep voice, trying to hide his own discomfort.
- I want my mom! - Harold screamed.
- I don't want to see my parent's faces for a while.- Gerald said.
- Ok Simmons it's your turn now.
- Thanks Coach for your… complete documentary about the miracle of life. Now students, we're gonna participate in a very special government project…. We're the pilot class… welcome to "Little happy family project"
The students continued their vow of silence.
- Now what do you want, Simmons? - Helga spoke.
- Thanks for your euphoria Helga. Anyway, in this project you'll work with a classmate for one week, as husband and wife. The government sent us these special robot babies, they can cry, get sick, "sleep", and need food and a new diaper, just like a real baby. You've to work in a team with your couple and make some budgets to share bills. You'll decide "profession" and you'll receive fake money and work for it. - What do you think?
- That those stupids don't know what to do with all our taxes. - Helga said to Phoebe and she laughed.
- Anyway students, this is a very important opportunity for you to understand what responsibility and teamwork means. Now I'll give you a paper to choose your future couple.
- OMG this is my opportunity, in a very real scenery, to marry Arnold. I have to be his wife. Maybe if I change my place with Sheena…
- I got Helga. Nice. - Gerald said with a lot of disappointment while the blond couple shared his feeling.
- Can we change?
- No Helga, sorry, you'll have to live with your decisions.
- But Simmons… was Gerald's decision!
- So, with your couple's decision!
- Criminy! This will be so fun!
- OMG no! It can't be possible… I am with Curly? But… I deserve something better.
- Yes! My evil plan had worked! - The crazy preteen said and gave a hot look at his future fake wife.
- I choose… Harold? - A worried Lila said.
- Don't feel ashamed of Lila, I know that all the girls find me attractive.
- Actually I don't think so, sorry.
- Ok I wrote your names, Sheena and Stinky, Phoebe and Sid. Now everyone have a couple, now you'll choose a job and we'll pass at the marriage ceremony in the classroom.
- Mr Simmons! I don't have a couple yet. - The boy with football head said, statement that made his girlfriend worry.
- Oh Criminy… he'll have a beautiful and amazing wife that'll make him fall in love with her and throw me away. . The girl with the pink bow thought.
- Sorry Arnold but all the girls were chosen. But I know what more we can learn today. Arnold and Eugene, congratulations, you'll be our alternative family! Ok, go to our classroom in one line please.
- Arnold, this will be amazing, right?
- Of course Eugene… - Only if our baby will survive the first period.
— PS 118 - 6th Classroom –
All the perturbed students sat down with their couples, trying to decide their jobs and possible names for their babies. Helga was totally amused by her boyfriend's situation, he seemed so worried and cute at the same time. She could enjoy her beauty if her best friend hadn't appeared in front of her.
- Pataki.
- Johanssen.
- Mmm. Look, I'm not so happy to work with you on this project, but I'll try to do my best.
- Why do you and your "bro" always say the same speech? Are you still angry because Phoebe hung out with me yesterday and not with you?
- I'm flexible, Pataki, if she wants to do something, she does. I will never set rules for her.
- Sure, because she is the "Alfa" in your relationship, hair boy.
- Oh yeah? Well, Arnold is… forget it!
- Yes! I'm the queen and it'll be better if you can remember it.
- So, what job did you choose?
- I'm thinking of being a president, or poetess, or a writer, I don't know.
- Politics? Seriously?
- I'm the president this year, remember?
- Oh sure. But if you're president, I'll have a lot of work to do with the baby.
- Oh relax Geraldo, with my salary I can pay a nana.
- This is the stupidest and weirdest project ever!
- You said it.
Arnold tried to Listen "his husband" but he couldn't, he only had a thing on his mind.
- Maybe we can use your last name and I could be an actor, what do you think?... Arnold? - Without saying anything the blond boy walked and looked for Phoebe.
- For the last time Sid, you can't be a spy.
- And why no? Eh?
- Because it is not in the Simmons Job's list. I'll be a neurosurgeon.
- Hey, Phoebe! Can we talk a little?
- Sure Arnold, what happens? Career problems?
- Not really… It is about Gerald and Helga. I'm worried. They have never been friends, actually.
- I know, and I know too what Gerald thinks about Helga and all their recent discussions about the distribution of our time, but maybe this will be an excellent opportunity for them to make friends with each other. Imagine how easy our life will be.
- Sounds cool! Thank you Phoebe, excuse me, I've ti go and marry… Eugene.
- Congratulations? She said and then laughed a little.
- Ok students, It's marriage time! It is amazing! isn't it?
- That guy has problems. - Rhonda said to their classmates.
- Ok, we'll start. I'll be naming you. Rhonda and Curly?
- Can we divorce now? - She hit her couple when he tried to smell her hair.
- If you want it, Rhonda, but remember, if you decide to get divorced, you'll lose 40% of your grade.
- Ok… I do.
- And I do for now and ever my precious princess.
- Enough spawned!
- Ok, have you decided your careers?
- Yes, I'll be a famous designer and model.
- And I'll be a Photographer.
- Excellent, thank you guys, here is your baby, a girl! What 's her name?
- I hate repeating names, so I decided on Elizabeth, like the queen. Elizabeth Llyod.
- Wait a minute, Would she?...
- We'll use my last name, is more… important.
- Yei! I'm Curly Llyod! My dream came true!
- Excellent guys, now Helga and Gerald, please.
-Ready Tall hair boy?
- Sure "honey".
- Ok Guys, Now we are here to…
- Oh Criminy Simmons! I do, he does! Whatever, give us the baby!
- Fine Helga… - Perhaps he knows how sensitive the girl is, but sometimes she can scare him. - You have a little boy. What name did you choose?
- Alfred Martin Johanssen. - Gerald said proudly.
- Excellent. What about your careers?
- I'll be a marketer and she will be a literature teacher-writer.
- Two jobs and maternity! Seems like someone wants extra points!
- Not really, but whatever! - the girl snapped.
- Thank you guys. Arnold and Eugene.
- Can you give us the baby please?
- Well Arnold, if you insist. The football head felt uncomfortable because of the ridicule of his other teammates. In the past, he was always paired with Helga, and now what he wanted the most was impossible.
- Congratulations guys! You'll adopt twins!
- Twins! I'm so happy! - Eugene almost cried.
- Please Eugene, let me charge them. - The boy could imagine more than a thousand scenarios where they would be the first to fail, either for "breaking their babies" or making them explode.
- Sure Arnold, we're a team! Mr Simmons I will be an actor and Arnold a teacher.
- Very special careers! And the baby's names?
- Anne and William Horowitz.
- Thank you Eugene. Next couple please.
- If you want Eugene, I'll take care of them for today and you'll take care of them tomorrow, okay?
- Sure Arnold! I'll find a show, "to work".
- Cool… see you! - Arnold took his babies and walked towards his friend and girl. - Hey guys! How is little Freddy?
- Like a robot could be, hair boy!- The blonde with the pink bow said while pretending false interest in her loved one. He just laughed a little at her joke.
- Oh my bro, I can't believe that Eugene is your partner… your babies will die.
- I know, I'll try to avoid it.
- Ha! C'mon Arnoldo, you're the flame and he the dynamite. Anyway, Gerald, let's go at your house to write the stupid budget.
- We can't Helga. My dad is having a very important job meeting and he said that no one can be there until 6pm.
- What? Oh no... You don't want to go to Bob's…
- You know… I had enough of him the other day that we fought.
- Wait a minute… Did you visit Helga? - Arnold, who was on the sidelines of the situation, was surprised.
- I wouldn't call it a visit. Was an opinion's sharing. We need a place to work Geraldo! Where?
- And why do I have to decide?
- Because YOU created the problem by denying your place.
- It wasn't me! was my father!
- Thank your daddy!
- Gerald, Helga, stop. You have to be a team now.
- I can't bro… she breaks my nerves!
- Well, you're not a sweet chocolate bar, dude!
- Stop! - He put in between them. - Guys this will be an important week, you need an excellent grade to graduate from school. Helga, sweetie, if you worked with me in the past and raised Omelet, our little chicken, now you can be Gerald's friend. You don't have to hide anything from him. What do you say?
- I'm sorry Arnold… I stopped listening to you after you said "Sweetie". - She was petrified instead.
- I said it in a high voice? - Her blush was almost the same as the one-browed girl's.
- Ok you two, before i'll be the third wheel... Helga if you're Phoebe's best friend because you're a valuable person and also you're my pal's girlfriend... so, maybe we have so much in common... What do you say? Deal?
- You've got a deal! - The two sealed the deal with a friendly handshake.
- And football head…. the weird rooster that I saw the other day… was our egg from 4th grade?
- Yeah… I took care of him. I named it Omelet.
- "Our first baby" - They shared a happy smile and Gerald cleared his throat and led his mate away.
- See you bro!
– Big Bob's Beepers - "Helga's room"
The narrow room was totally clean and Gerald could see how makeshift it looked. She put a box to use as a seat.
- So… who'll take care of Freddy? - The boy asked, trying to break the uncomfortable silence.
- Well, Olga got dirty him with all her kisses, I guess I can start tonight. - He continued "bathing the baby".
- Thanks! And… about the budgets…
- Don't worry I did it.
- Did you? Let 's me see. - He read the list that the blond did. - Helga is so precise, and you are saving money for his university.
- My last book was a bestseller, big deal! - She joked.
- To be honest… I owe you an apology… You aren't a "bad wife" I suppose that I had let me influence my bad memories about you.
- You and your friend always judge very hard.
- Well, you can't be angry about that. You were a great actress hiding your cool side all these years.
- Hey, hey! I did good things for you before!
- Sure! You humiliated us, you gave us insulting nicknames, you ridiculed my friend, you scared us in the graveyard…
- But… I helped you too: with your stupid parade float , or when I invited you to my camping, when we saved Mighty Pete, when we saved the neighborhood, In San Lorenzo…
- Ok… I got it! You have a point! - He screamed and the robot baby started crying.
- Well done Tall hair boy! Now the robot is crying!
- What can we do? I have never be with a baby before.
- And your little sister?
- I never took care of her...
- Well, I'm the youngest here and they forgot to give me maternal instinct up there.
- I watched in movies that a song can help.
- And what are you waiting for? Sing Ray Charles! - She screamed higher, causing the robot to increase the power of the cry.
- Ok, ok I'll do. - The distraught boy cleared his throat and improvised a lullaby.
Sweet robot baby, please calm down
if you don't sleep you mother will be kick me down
Little robot baby please stop crying
I want to rock in my graduation prom!
- That last didn't rhyme.
- Maybe, but he stopped crying!
- Finally! My head almost…- The baby started crying again, but his crying was different. - explotes. What's now, daddy of the year?
- I don't know…. another lullaby?
- Oh please no!
- So is your turn mommy. - He put the crying baby in her arms.
- Oh…. Hungry! Maybe he 's hungry. He hasn't eat since school and his schedule said each 4 hours, give me the bottle.
- Sure, there is. - The little one started eating and getting sleep, Gerald he sighed quietly. - Oh boy! He's sleeping, well done Helga!
- Thank you! I'm brilliant, I know it.
- You know? Someday you'll be a great mom.
- Sure Geraldo! I don't want children.
- You what? Why? Do all women want them, or not?
- Actually no all of us. You've to be patient, generous, and really wish to do it. If you don't want a child… you and they will be miserable. - Helga looked down, she knew from her own experience and Gerald I sensed it. - You need an excellent figure to do a good job. I'll never know how to do it, I'm a disaster.
- Helga… you know that we do not always agree on everything, for not saying nothing, but… minutes ago you were right, you're awesome and I know that If someday, you decide to become a mom, you'll be an excellent one, maybe you hadn't a good model, but now, you know what you don't have to do.
- Thanks Geraldo, but I'll take care of him tonight anyway, you don't have to flatter me. - She joked and his friend smiled.
- I'm honest, promise! Maybe you and my bro will be excellent parents in a long time…
- The things that you say!
- Am I lying? - He challenged her by raising an eyebrow, while the blush on her face increased.
- And what about you and Phoebe? huh?
- Maybe someday too… I've been in love with her for a long time.
- Really? For how much?
- Since the last day of 3rd grade… when she gave her speech for first place… she looked so beautiful. I tried to invite her to the Cheese festival that year, but I was so nervous.
- Oh right! I remember it! Phoebe started with those stupid little laughs, she started to look… different… happier.
- I did it too… And what about you? How long have you been in love with Arnold?
- What? We were just talking… when this was turned into an interrogation?
- Helga, you love Phoebe and Arnold, and guess... Me too! It seems that from now on we will spend a lot of time together... I think we have to stop fighting with each other. Why don't you just relax and let me get to know you? What can you lose? Arnold already knows it.
- Ok, you win, tall hair boy… But if you make fun of me…
- Yeah I know …"the old Betsy", just go on.
- Ok… I fell in love with him when I met him on our first day in kindergarten…
- You what? Seriously? But we were only kids…
- I know, that is the weird part…
- And all the videos that you…
- ANYWAY... I was always alone, my family only had eyes for Olga and her problems, I was invisible... and he... Well, he was so kind to me... he was the first in my life to be... and then... the days passed by and I knew the good Samaritan that he is, always putting himself before others, generous, handsome... I don't know…
- I understand… Thanks for sharing it with me… Phoebe and Arnie were right, you're awesome. And I'll be happy to be friends.
- Thank you Geraldo! - They smiled at each other.
- From now on, you can count on me!
Seconds later, the little robotic baby made some strange sounds that revealed that a diaper change would be necessary. His mother, who was holding him in her arms, was stunned as "his father" slowly got up.
- Except now… See you at school tomorrow!
- Come back! Coward!
— PS 118 - 6th Classroom –
All the students were impatient, waiting to return their babies. Curly and Rhonda were playing with their girl with a designer dress, the geek boy actually was a cool daddy, but the rich girl would never tell him.
For their part, Arnold made an excellent team with Eugene. Against all odds, their babies were perfect, except for some little problems, but they graded a B+.
For Phoebe not all was success, her "husband" had a "little accident" with little Kimmi and a sewer, lucky for them, they graded a B.
- Ha! Only losers like Sid had problems with this stupid project!- At that moment, the blue eyed girl remembered her own problems. - Where are you? The time is ending… - She checked the time, they only had 10 minutes.
- No news about Gerald? - Arnold sat down in his place, behind her.
- Doi! Criminal Arnoldo! Do you see him around here? - She screamed. - Actually no, and I'm so worried, Football head… he got the baby! - She said in a sweeter voice and it was low enough that only her boyfriend could hear her.
- Please relax. You do not know him, but he is so responsible that at any moment he will appear with the baby in perfect condition.
As if Arnold were a fortune teller, Gerald crossed the door, with a nervous face and the baby completely covered.
- Do you see Helga? I told you.
- Finally! Gerald, what's the big idea!
- Sorry Helga… I had a little trouble and…
- Trouble? About what?... Is it not about Freddy? Right?
- Well.. to be honest… Timberly broke our robot….
- She… WHAT? - The blonde was stunned by courage, while her boyfriend felt his jaw drop, at that moment he treasured not being Gerald.
- Wait, wait, not Betsy please! I was able to fix it. I took the baby with an old friend who knows how to get out of these problems. I would never get you in trouble or leave you hanging, I swear! He raised his hand to reinforce his point.
- Let me guess… the old cool Fuzzy, right?
- Yes bro… Sorry Helga.
Arnold closed his eyes, waiting for the big hit, but the silence was his answer. Then he opened his eyes and received a surprise.
- Ok Gerald, don't worry, let's talk with Simmons!
- Thank you Helga!
- Wait a minute… Will you really forgive him? - Arnold started to follow them.
- Sure hair boy, he said he's sorry.
- But… What about the Avengers and Betsy… and you hated each other.
- Take it easy my man, she's cool, she is my sis now!
- Yes Arnold, I'm not as bad as you think. - She winked at her confused boyfriend and continued on her way.
- Whatever you said Helga. - He smiled at them.
- But… Can I meet Fuzzy now? I've to say thank you.
- Maybe tomorrow, when I talked to him about you, he was impressed.
- Sure, I'm the best.
THE END
Here you got! The new episode of the week. It was so funny write it! I loved the new friendship of Gerald's and Helga, was it so natural to write, I wasn't plan it, but sometimes the characters have their own decisions what do you think? See you in reviews! it's very important to me know your opinion!