There is some slightly triggering content in this one about pregnancy. But nothing too graphic or OTT.
Also in case you guys were wondering, like usual my chapter estimates are off. It will be more than 10-12 chapters.
Enjoy and Review please. :)
"Talking"
Thoughts
DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN THE CHARACTERS OF HEY ARNOLD THEY BELONG TO CRAIG BARTLETT. HOWEVER THE LYRICS WRITTEN ARE MY ORIGINAL CREATION ALONG WITH THE PLOT IDEAS. DON'T STEAL. THANKS.
July
It's been six months since they started trying with no luck to be had. But still they were optimistic. After all most couples didn't tend to worry about that until about a year or two in.
They had time.
Arnold drove the car leisurely through town. He was going to make sure he saw the right sign-
This time.
"It's right on Pine." Helga looked up from her phone.
"I know-"
"And will you pick up the pace?"
"Relax, we have plenty of time to get there." He raised a brow.
Helga bounced in her seat, "I know but I wanna get there early. I'm actually excited for this."
This caused him to raise his brow further, "Helga— excited?"
"I'm allowed to get excited." She folded her arms and stared out the window.
He nudged her gently, "True but about a party— at Sid's?"
"What? It's fun— especially when you guys light the fireworks."
"You just like it when there's physical violence involved." He rolled his eyes, and rubbed his shoulder. The place he was injured at the last barbecue for daring to question Curly, "I'm just surprised that you even want to go that's all."
Helga wore a devious smirk, "I'm just ready to pig out on salad. That's all."
He shot her a snarky look to match, "I didn't know Lila was my plus one."
She looked annoyed, "I'm just saying you don't have to drive like a grandpa."
"If it were Grandpa, we'd be all the way downtown and cruising on the median and telling the signs and people to quit walking in the street."
She playfully scoffed, "I said 'a' grandpa, not your grandpa."
"You never said which grandpa-"
"They really did let him drive a little too long."
"Dad had to burn his license and take the wheels off the car for a week." Arnold shook his head.
Helga snorted laughter, "I forgot about that."
As their car rolled down Pine street, Arnold started to slow down by Sid's apartments.
Helga put a hand on his arm, "Hey, they moved remember?"
"Oh, right. Only Sid would manage to get a house on the same road."
"He said he didn't want to bust his ass moving shit."
"That sounds like Sid."
But as the car rolled to park in front of their new address, Arnold felt a pang of jealousy. They never noticed that across from the apartments were rows of upper scale houses.
Arnold slammed the door shut. Helga was already halfway up the sidewalk.
He was still gawking at the huge, white two story modern looking house.
I like traditional better.
A white picket fence with a huge backyard.
But that is nice...
"Hey," Helga said, "Come on Hair boy. We're gonna be late."
Arnold took one last look at their smoothly paved sidewalk and polished stone mailbox before darting up the stairs.
The door swung open and very pregnant Nadine answered the door, "You made it! So excited."
"Hey," Helga smirked and pointed at her abdomen, "Don't get too excited. That little guy has to cook for another month at least."
Nadine blushed, "As usual, you're right Helga."
Helga had been accepted among the girls as a guru of sorts. She had started pouring herself in to anything she could get her hands on to learn about child rearing. She was determined to be as educated and ready to go as possible.
Not like she had anything really better to do. She figured why not be a vessel of help for her friends. Oftentimes the girls had been coming to her with questions.
She'd even started going to some of their doctor's appointments with them for moral support. She knew they would do the same for her when the time came.
Plus, there was just something magical about getting to help people who are going through exactly what you wanted to do.
Live vicariously and all that junk.
As the girls fussed over the soon to be coming baby. Sid came sauntering down the hallway with a bit of a strut to his walk.
A baby carrier strapped to his chest with junior nestled safely inside, "Hey guys, Me Casa, Su Casa."
Arnold wore a flat look, "Do you have to say that every time?"
"Hey, it's true bro. Saw you checking out the front lawn." Sid looked smug as ever, "What do you think about my construction work job now?"
"I never said anything about it being a bad job. I'm just surprised, that's all."
Nadine said with a chirp, "Yes, construction work can be very profitable, especially when they promoted him to contractor! It's all been blessings ever since then."
Helga smiled with no malice in her tone, "I'm sure it has."
Arnold raised an eyebrow, "They promoted you already? When did that happen?"
Sid threaded his thumbs under the baby straps. A smug look on his face, "I've been Head Contractor for probably a year now."
He's been at his job less time than me... Arnold was even more baffled at this admission, "I'm sure the hours are rough though-"
"Actually, since I'm in charge, I get to take off whenever I need to be home." He wrapped an arm around Nadine, "Gotta help take care of my Ladybug, and our little bean bun."
Helga shot him a look, "Don't ever say that again. Please for everyone's sake."
Arnold was still caught in the revelation, I've been so absorbed in work. I totally missed this landmark. And he's already getting paid more to afford a house like this...
Nadine laughed and linked her arm with Helga's, "Come on, Helga. Let's get everything ready."
Helga nodded and gave Arnold a warm look. She seemed extra happy about something. Practically glowing before she followed Nadine around the corner.
The two men stood awkwardly in the hallway. It was as if a dynamic had changed between them. Sure they'd always bickered, but now with Sid effectively being ahead of him in life, a dark feeling started to grow in Arnold's gut.
The unsuspecting baby flittered between nodding off and glancing around in a very alert manner.
Sid broke the silence, "So didn't get lost this time."
"Yeah—"
"How about that?"
There was a sarcastic twang in his voice, "It's down the street from where you used to live because you didn't want to have to move too many items?"
"Yeah, we still got some of the stuff at the old apartment." Sid shrugged, "Who cares? I'll pick it up eventually."
This struck a chord deep in Arnold's core, This cocky bastard…
Helga and Nadine sauntered into the kitchen. As they walked in, Helga took notice of their other friends and their children; Sheena, Lila, Phoebe, and Rhonda. There was a baby crib play yard set up in the middle of the living room.
Lila's child was trying to get Rhonda's son to play with her, but he seemed content to curl into the corner with a stuffed bear in his mouth. He slowly gummed away at it. Sheena's child was actively crawling around the group with reckless abandon.
Phoebe's twins were nowhere to be seen but then Helga remembered that she had given them to her parents for the day for some grandparent time. Plus Gerald and Phoebe needed a major break after the "terrible twins" as they started calling them.
They were ecstatic parents truly. But their kids had a nasty habit of not sleeping at the same time or waking each other up and generally being fussy. The others in their group may have lucked out with unicorn babies, but the Johansson's got the dragons of the pack.
Seeing the babies stirred more feelings in Helga. But this time they were excitement. The voices of her friends drowned out by her own memories of a few weeks prior...
TWO WEEKS EARLIER...
Helga rolled out of bed with a yawn. She headed to the bathroom for her morning routine. Once there she realized she was approximately two weeks late. With a rush of excitement, she pulled out a pregnancy test.
After a few moments, she set it on the counter to wait for the results. Her limbs trembled as she shed her clothing. She was completely bare once the test was complete.
She bit her lip, Positive...Positive!
Her heart in her throat as she spun around. She wanted to leap out of her room. She wanted to call Arnold right away- but she paused. Given all the trouble they'd been having, she didn't want to give him false hope.
"Two weeks late is still too early to be sure." She hugged herself feeling more exposed by the minute, "I'll wait 'til the barbecue party. That's two weeks from now and then I'll make a big announcement."
She glanced at her pensive expression, "I'll be a month then. It's more solid then, right?"
She nodded to herself before jumping into the shower.
Two weeks to be sure.
Two weeks to make sure it wasn't a false alarm.
Two weeks...
Helga put a protective hand over her abdomen. A wry grin formed, I can't wait to tell everyone! Hair boy might be a little miffed of he isn't the first to know but it's our turn dammit! He'll be so happy, it won't even matter.
"Oh Helga," Lila said, "We're just ever so happy you came."
Helga shook out of her thoughts, "Yeah, of course."
"Well, after you missed the last two we were wondering about you."
"Oh, yeah, lots of deadlines. That kind of junk." The blonde waved her down, Like hell I'm telling her it's because I was sick of seeing everyone have kids but us...
The other girls nodded in agreement. Work was usually a slog for most of them and then the added responsibilities of motherhood didn't help with that sentiment.
The girls started to talk about something else and Helga found herself zoning out again. Something started to feel off with her stomach. She could hear it growling and cursed herself for not eating more that morning.
"So," Sheena said, "What about you Helga? Any luck yet?"
Helga glanced around the group for clues as to what they were talking about and realized that everyone staring at her in such a way could only mean one line of questioning. That usual line of questioning that seemed to plague her more than usual.
"Oh, hey, we just got started. No rush. You know?"
"Oh sure, well," Sheena said, "We figured we'd give you some tips since you've been so helpful with our pregnancies."
The other girls seemed infected with the energy of that thought. The whole herd gaggled around the island counter to all but cloister the girl. She recoiled slightly.
"Yes darling," Rhonda flipped her hair, "Surely you've been drinking enough water?"
"Yes-" Helga shot her a look, I know she's not giving me tips seriously?
Nadine almost toppled over as she leaned in closer, "Do you stand on your head afterwards?"
"What?! No!" Helga pushed her back slightly.
"Well, silly how else is gonna stay up there? It works like a charm." Nadine rubbed her belly as though it was a mystical secret.
Helga rolled her eyes, "Pretty sure my body takes care of it thanks-"
Lila latched onto her arm, eyes wide, "Take it serious Helga. We know how much you want a baby. I always drank cinnamon tea-"
"I don't think-" Helga stifled laughter, She can't be serious...
"Every time." Lila looked deadly serious.
It sent shivers down Helga's spine.
Rhonda seemed to loom over her next, "You are taking your prenatal right? Eating right?"
Helga stiffened her shoulders, "Yes, dammit. We're doing every thing to the T so just lay off!"
Phoebe pushed her way between them, "Stop. We're supposed to be having fun."
Rhonda folded her arms, "We're just trying to help."
Lila and Sheena looked ashamed and Nadine wouldn't look at them at all.
Phoebe put a hand to her brow, "Helga and Arnold will have kids when the time is right. And when they get pregnant is out of our hands."
If only they knew... Helga breathed, "Thanks Pheebs."
"Don't mention it. I'm getting tired of this conversation too."
The other girls ignored Phoebe's chastising and started talking about something else.
Helga and Phoebe shared a laugh before following after them.
The boys settled outside around the grill in their usual way. Stinky was droning on about who knew what and Harold continued nodding as though he understood what he was talking about while dunking back beers.
Gerald and Curly seemed to be in some kind of philosophical conversation while Sid started to get the grill started.
Sid opened the lid and reached for the dial.
Arnold put a hand in front of him, brow set deep, "Are you seriously going to try and grill with your baby like that?"
"Oh right, man, I almost forgot." Sid smacked his own forehead, "It's like we're one when I wear this thing. Isn't that right, Sidney J. Bean?"
Arnold suppressed the urge to roll his eyes, I have no right to judge. I'll probably give my kids weird nicknames too...
Sid started walking up towards the house. And just when he looked like he'd walk inside, he grabbed another piece of equipment. It was like a welding helmet with a belt strapped to it. He put the metal over his baby. It completely covered him with a little piece of fiberglass as a window.
Sid rejoined the group and started to reach for the grill again.
Arnold practically snapped, "Just bring him inside!"
"What? He's protected now. Besides J. Bean loves his daddy." He patted his baby's head through the metal.
Arnold gave him a look, He can't be serious. He's got to be messing with me...
Arnold backed up for a second only to find that horrifying feeling return.
Sid was indeed going to try and cook on a grill with the baby strapped to his chest.
"Here why don't you let me take him inside?"
"Are you kidding? We got to keep the pressure off of Nadine. She's tired."
Gerald interjected, "There's five of us here. One of us can hold the baby while you cook. Or let one of us cook."
Arnold seemed hopeful at Gerald's intervention but Sid looked even more sour.
"I'm trying to provide for my wife here and you want to take that away."
Arnold said, "What?"
A moment later, as though Nadine had sensed a disturbance in the force through her motherly intuition, she threw open the porch door.
Her hands on her hips, "I know you're not trying to grill with our baby attached to your chest! I already told you no!"
The guys tried to stifle their giggling as Sid turned like an dejected child, "Come on, babe. You're overreacting. I built this myself. The guys said it's solid."
"I don't care if NASA built that thing! Give the baby to the guys or bring him inside. Dammit Sid!"
Nadine slammed the door behind her as if she was 100% sure he would follow her command no matter what.
Sid groaned, "All right, fine. I guess it was kind of dumb."
Sid reluctantly nestled his son into Gerald's arms.
The other guys shot each other a look. Stinky leaned down to whisper, "Should we maybe call someone about this?"
Arnold leaned in close and shook his head, "No, I guess he's just trying to show off- like usual."
Sid turned on his heel, "Excuse me. I have a lot to be proud of."
"Pretty sure I wouldn't be proud of putting my kid in danger." Arnold said with a little bit of a bite to his voice, Unbelievable...
"I just wanted to share an experience with him."
"You were being stubborn and you could've hurt him-"
"At least I have a kid. Where's yours, Mr. Dad?"
Arnold flinched and his shoulders slowly sunk in, I need to calm down. The baby is safe now...
"What's the matter Arnold? Can't get it up? You were so excited about being a dad and here we are- trying to give parenting advice when you have no idea what it's like."
"You do realize I take of kids for a living, right?"
Sid strode up to Arnold's side a mere breath away from him. He took a moment to sling his arm around his friend's shoulder. A wicked grin on his face.
"You just need some pointers. Get it?"
Arnold shrugged out of his grip, "Shut up. We're doing just fine-"
Sid started chuckling and pelvic thrusting. Harold seemed amused by the notion and he joined in as well. And then to add salt into the wound Stinky started monologuing about the birds and bees.
Gerald groaned, "Alright, cut it out, children. Amp down. I'm hungry as shit and you need to get your ass cooking. Phoebe and I have been up late with the kids and this is the only break were gettin' so I better get fed. Capeesh?"
The guys chuckled and settled down. Sid started regaling a work story as the grill fired into a full blaze.
Arnold's hands clenched uneasily. The words of his friend heavy on his mind, We're being responsible and are going to be great parents! And then someone like Sid ends up with two kids right out of the gate...Seriously Universe?
It'd been a few hours since the boys got done cooking. Everyone gathered around the table and ate the feast before them save for Helga and Arnold who were still eating like birds with small portions.
He flashed a look towards her at the table.
She grinned with a warm stir in her heart, This is actually almost the perfect time to tell everyone...Maybe I'll wait for the fireworks...
Dinner went on without much incident- Unless you count Harold eating the last roll and Gerald almost killing him over it. (New parents and carbs- Am I right?)
It was finally dark outside. Everyone rushed to clear the table and head out the back door. Arnold's hand was on the door as he glanced back at his wife. She was shimmering with happiness at this point and he knew something was up with her. He just couldn't place it.
Helga waved him on, "I'll be there in a minute."
He hesitated at the door before shuffling out.
Helga went to the bathroom and calmly shut the door behind her. She stared at herself in the mirror. Her face was flush and her stomach felt like it was doing flip flops. There was just something she couldn't shake about how she felt. It was nerves she figured.
She kept smoothing down her dress. Her lip tight as she steadied her breathing.
Moment of truth. This is good. It's our turn. she seemed brighter for a moment, It should be our turn.
A light rapping echoed on the door, Nadine said, "You okay, Helga?"
"Yeah, just a minute."
A strong warmth overcame her. She felt like she was burning with pride. But then a pain. And another cramping twinge.
Her face fell as more pain washed over her. She settled down on the toilet only to be met with what she feared most.
Blood...
She grabbed what she needed for the mess from under Nadine's sink.
"Helga? You coming?"
She sounded drained, "Yeah, I'm coming."
Helga sauntered outside. The rest of her friends were all on the lawn. The sky was perfectly dark for fireworks.
So much for two weeks to be sure…She rubbed her abdomen.
Arnold approached her with a grin before his eyes drifted downward, "Everything okay?"
"Actually, I think I'm ready to go home."
His eyes widened, "But this is your favorite part—"
"I guess I'm not feeling very festive anymore."
He watched her for a moment. His gaze drifting to her protective hand on her abdomen, "Are you hurt?"
Helga realized what she was doing and rubbed her hand against her stomach, "I think it's something I ate. I should know better than to trust Nadine's chocolate covered anything."
He seemed to hesitate again, What's really going on with her?
He can't know this happened. After all plenty of girls miscarry their first ones…Helga grabbed him by the arm and started dragging him to the back door.
He stumbled as he tried to follow her lead. Even after all these years she was still stronger than him.
He called a quick goodbye over his shoulder. He'd barely made it up the stairs and into the room before Helga shut the door behind him.
Poor Helga. Can't catch a break. Also in case you were wondering Arnold is 24 and Helga is 25 at this point. Also in case anyone is wondering, Harold hangs out with the group but he's not married to anyone. He and Patty broke up a little while after Helga's Wedding as he didn't want to commit to them being steady or whatever. And it wasn't really worked into the story but Stinky and Sheena are together. I figured most of us just care about our main couple anyways. :)