Chapter 15: We'll be Waiting Right Here

"Well that was a good first day." Arnold said to his three friends as they left school.

"Speak for yourself, Football Head." Helga yawned as she walks besides him. "My sleep schedule was perfect this summer, but then school had to show it's ugly mug and blew it all in my face." Helga then chuckled. "Naw, Bob always wake me up to tend to the non-existent customers."

Helga stops herself as she noticed two people at the bottom of the steps. "You gotta be kiddin' me."

Arnold looked so see his parents there, with big smiles. "Mom, Dad. Did you literally wait for me here, all day?"

"When you're an adult, 3 O'clock feel like nothing." Miles said to his son. "And don't worry, we went walking around town."

"But she waited her." Stella pointed at the side of the steps as someone popped up and spooked the kids.

"Happy First Day of Boot Camp!" Grandma Pookie said with a smile.

"It's School, Grandma." Arnold playfully laughed.

"But it was a real good guess." Helga added as they all walked together.

"So Mr. Simmons's your teacher again?" Miles asked the four kids; Arnold, Gerald, Phoebe, and Helga.

"Yes, and he's doing great after that whole jungle adventure." Arnold smiled.

"Even after all that psychology." Gerald added as he kicks a can laying on the sidewalk and landed in a garbage can.

"And I can't wait for our new homework to come." Phoebe grinned. "Just think of all our assignments throughout the year."

"Blah blah, all I hear is heck on Earth." Helga rolled her eyes. "Well at least now things will be different." She playfully nudge Arnold on the shoulder. "Don't worry, I didn't pound anybody making fun of us."

"That's good to know." Arnold said as they reach the Boarding House. "I'll see you guys tomorrow." He waved goodbye to his friends, and blew a kiss to Helga, making the girl embarrassed by Gerald and Phoebe's teasing.

"If only I knew you were going to be this mushy, Arnaldo." Helga shook her head as she and the other leaves. "And I love it…."

The Shortmans entered the house with all the animals passing by, including the new exotic ones, and all walked inside.

"I'm going to put my bag away, be back in a second." Arnold ran upstairs, leaving his parents in the living room.

"He grew up to be such a great kid." Miles smiled as they sat on the couch. "And now he's already in 6th grade."

Stella sat close to her husband and held onto his arm. "And we've missed it all." Miles's heart sank as he looks into his wife's soft eyes. "Your father told us how sad he gets on October 5th." Miles felt his arm getting tighter and tighter, seeing his strong-willed wife burying her face in his arm.

"His first day of school, his first bike, his first game….." Tears finally released from her eyes. "All because we couldn't cure them in time.

Miles wrapped his free arm around his wife. "I know, Stella." He gently kissed her scalp. "After we left the Green Eyes' City, I was thinking about every moment we've missed." He gently petted Stella, calming her down. "But we've been through this, we can't let Arnold see us like this."

"I know ….." She looked up and smiled as Miles wiped away a tear. "I just find it hard to believe we manage to hold together when we're not alone."

Miles held onto her hand as he hears his son coming down. "He's coming."

There was no other smile, besides her son, that could warm up her spirit like her husband's. "I love you, Clumsy." She smiled as she turned to Arnold who just arrived. "Hey Arnold, wasn't there a new movie you wanted to see?"

Arnold's eyes lite up. "Oh yeah. Captain Miraculous and the Revengers! I forgot it was released today." Arnold smiled to himself, too full of excitement to see his mother's eyes.

"And we managed to catch up on all those movies, all …. How many there are." Miles smiled as he looks at his watch. "I'll look up their schedule, you make sure you don't have any homework you forgot about."

"On the first day?" Arnold half-smiled. "But sure."

Even though they've spent a whole summer together, there are still things left private, both good and bad. But all will be spoken of when the time is right. For tonight, the family will enjoy a peaceful night at the movies of heroes and action.

End of Chapter