A Few Hours Later
It has been hours since Commissioner Gallup's accident. The team arrived home, only hoping for the best.
As they all switched back to their regular clothing, Arnold went upstairs to check on Olivia. She was only sitting there, more or less frightened.
"Hey, sweetie. What's with the long face?" Arnold sat on her bed. "Well… you remember how the news channel was on the tv when you guys left, right?"
Arnold then remembered the tv that was left on the news channel. "Uh, yeah. I saw the TV off downstairs, did you turn it off?"
"Yeah… after I saw what had occurred with you and mom."
"What do you mean?"
"The police department commissioner, Dad! It said 'breaking news, police commissioner critically injured after searching power plant with a crew'. Dad… is it true?"
"Olivia, sweetheart… It's true. And I'm honestly hoping he'll get through it."
Olivia then sat up next to Arnold. She then got emotional. "Dad… I don't want anything to happen to you OR Mom!" She then hugged Arnold. Arnold heard the emotion in her voice. He hugged her back. "Oh, honey. I know you're scared of what happens with me and mom, but it's a risk this team takes, to make this city safe like it once was. When I was your age, this city was extremely peaceful and quiet, and your mother and I could always roam around the streets without having to worry about burglaries, mostly."
"Dad… I don't wanna grow up without you! I still need you!" Olivia hugged Arnold tightly. "I know you're worried about what happens, but Olivia, I promise you, I'll always be with you. Not only physically, but in here." Arnold pointed at her heart. "I'll always love and care for you." Arnold gave a comforting smile.
"I love you, Dad!"
"I love you more, sweetie. Now get some rest, you need it." Olivia nodded as she laid back down. Arnold tucked her in and kissed her forehead. "Goodnight, Olivia." He smiled.
"Goodnight, Dad." Olivia then gave a small smile.
Arnold was about to leave her room but saw Rhonda at the door, who had her heart warmed at the sight of Arnold comforting their daughter.
Arnold stepped out and closed the door behind him. Rhonda hugged Arnold as she got on one leg. "Arnold, I love you." Rhonda kissed both his cheeks.
Arnold chuckled as he kissed her cheek. "Guess you saw what happened."
"Yup. Although, she has a point. With our dangerous lifestyle, we can barely guarantee we'll be with her until our old age… I mean, we can defend ourselves against an entire army, but-"
"Rhonda, sweetie, listen to me. I know you're right, we can't guarantee everything in life, but we can make the most of everything. Like how most nights we have seconds because we NEVER know what might come the next day. But Rhonda, just know that I love you now, and forever more." Arnold then slowly kissed her forehead.
Rhonda only hugged him as she kissed his cheek once more. Arnold hugged her as he rubbed her back, comforting her.
"Care to watch some TV, honey?" Rhonda asked. "I think I'd love that, along with some cuddles." Arnold nuzzled his nose with hers. Rhonda only giggled as she then kissed him.
Later
Rhonda was already in bed, trying to find something the two could watch. Arnold came in as he saw her flip through the channels.
"Someones impatient." He chuckled. Rhonda merely laughed. "I get it, I just can't find a channel we could watch. Mostly filled with kids channels, the news and weather channels, along with random filler bullshit channels and several sports networks."
"There has to be something we could watch." Arnold shrugged.
Arnold soon crawled into bed with her as she giggled and snuggled up with him. "Mind if I have a go at it?"
"Be my guest." She handed him the remote.
While Arnold flipped through the channels, he then came across one of the sports networks, currently showing a night football game. "Mind if I watch this?" Rhonda smiled at him. "Go right ahead! As long as I'm with you, I don't mind." She pulled up the bedsheets since it was a bit of a chilly night.
Rhonda then looked over at a calendar and saw it was nearly Christmas. "Arnold, you got a minute?"
"All the time in the world for you, my sweet. What's on your mind?" Arnold kissed her. She giggled before answering. "You realize Christmas is coming in just a few days, right?"
"Yeah, and what do you have in mind, our yearly Christmas shopping?" Arnold smirked. "You son of a… you read my mind!"
"Well, any idea of what we could get as presents?"
"Well, we can get Olivia a special little hoodie, obviously a good one too. Along with those shoes I used to wear at her age."
"Which were beautiful if you ask me."
"Really? Awww, how sweet of you!" She playfully kissed him "But anyhow, what could we get for the others?"
"For Gerald, I can gift him some sports jerseys since he's rarely had time to get some." Arnold suggested.
"Perfect! What about Spinelli, Phoebe, and Nadine?"
"I've been having a feeling Spinelli wanted a new beanie along with a leather jacket, after all, she's quite the tomboy." Arnold chuckled. "There's that… Phoebe and Nadine?" Rhonda replied.
"For Phoebe… wow, I can barely think of anything, honestly. With the kind of technology we have here, not sure there's really anything she'd probably want or like."
"Hmm, you do have a point there, how about one of the latest Apple watches? I heard they're pretty good."
"I think she gave me an idea for her present." Arnold thought.
"Maybe she'd like that." Arnold replied as he shrugged. "Now what could Nadine want for Christmas?" Rhonda asked.
"Maybe a spider ornament?"
Rhonda laughed. "That would be funny, but let's actually TRY and think."
"How about tickets to Australia so she can go with my parents and go to see all the things they do?" Arnold suggested. "That is a good idea, but I'm not so certain about it."
"I think that should work, I know she wanted to go to Australia for some time now." Rhonda then added. "Alrighty then, it's settled."
"Mostly thanks towards your amazing thinking, sweetie-pie!" Rhonda kissed Arnold's cheek twice.
Rhonda snuggled up with Arnold now that their Christmas plans were settled. "Hey Rhonda, quick question."
"What's up?"
"Think we should surprise the guys and decorate the place overnight? I wish we could've finished it before but with our lifestyle, eh."
"All we have up is some Christmas lights and the tree, I think a few hours shouldn't hurt." Arnold smiled at her as he kissed her forehead. "You're so kissable, you know that?"
Rhonda only giggled as she kissed him back.
Around Two Thirty A.M
The mansion was silent as everyone had gone to sleep. Arnold and Rhonda were awake, Rhonda was partially sleepy but knew it would be worth the effort.
"Right then, let's get to work." Arnold said, quietly. "If I fall asleep, I'm blaming it on you." Rhonda smirked at Arnold. He only smirked back.
Four-Forty Five A.M
It was nearly five A.M, Arnold and Rhonda were just about done with decorating the mansion, Arnold was putting the finishing touches on the door decorations.
"All done!" Arnold said quietly. Rhonda yawned. "Alright sweetie, now can we get some sleep?" Arnold chuckled. "Yes sweetheart, now we can get some sleep."
The two went to their bedroom and they crawled into bed together. Arnold and Rhonda snuggled up with each other as Arnold tucked themselves in as the night had gotten pretty cold. Arnold and Rhonda kissed each other goodnight before letting their sleepiness overtake them.
The Next Morning
It was a very cold morning, and Spinelli was the first one to wake up. "Why is it so damn cold this morning?!" Spinelli always slept without a bra on, she immediately put on double shirts along with a zip-up jacket. She then put on thermal pants along with some black pants over them.
Spinelli soon exited her room and saw the entire mansion with Christmas decorations. She only smiled. "I bet those two did it for all of us. They deserve a great present with how wholesome they can be."
Spinelli felt her nose cold. "I swear, why is it this cold?"
Nadine soon exited her room as she admired all the decorations. "Did Arnold and Rhonda do all this?"
"Looks like they did this while we were asleep. You gotta hand it to them, they did great." Spinelli smiled. "Let's wait for Phoebe so we can get those two one of the best gifts they've ever received!"
"Great idea! Only thing is, what CAN we get them?" Nadine then started to think. "We should have something figured out."
The two headed downstairs as they kept thinking of what they could get as a present for them.
"Tickets to Paris? I know that's a pretty romantic place for the two." Nadine suggested. "No, they could buy it if they wanted to. We gotta think bigger."
As they kept thinking, Gerald soon awoke as he went downstairs.
"Hey, you two. What's going on?"
"Trying to think of a present for Arnold and Rhonda." Nadine replied. "Which isn't easy, since they're extremely rich and can buy themselves whatever they want." Spinelli added.
"I can't even think of what they could want."
"A pet?"
"Too much. They already have enough responsibility with their daughter, plus they probably wouldn't have time for it."
About a half hour passed by, and Phoebe soon woke up and saw the three downstairs, mainly thinking.
"Hey, you guys." Phoebe yawned. "What are you guys doing?"
"Thinking of a present for Arnold and Rhonda." Spinelli replied as she hung her head from the couch.
"Mind if I give a suggestion?" Phoebe asked. "Anything! 'Cause, we're stumped!" Spinelli answered.
"Well, maybe it isn't of trying to think of something big, because something like that, while it fills them with bunches of joy, it can wear off after two-three days. Maybe something smaller that they can truly cherish, possibly."
"Well, for example, what?" Gerald asked.
"Well, I don't know, a team photo for them?" Phoebe shrugged.
"As they say, one can always appreciate the little things." Nadine started. "Plus, I've known Arnold and Rhonda for as long as I can remember, and they always appreciate the simple things."
"I think you have a point there…" Gerald answered. "And maybe what you suggested, Nadine. The tickets to Paris!"
"Alright, let's get all of it done! Impulse, you there?"
"At your service, Ms. Hyerdhal."
Notice how cold it is? Keep it in mind. It'll soon play a role during Christmas time here.