Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold or any of the characters. Hey Arnold is the property of Nickelodeon and Craig Bartlett.

A Trip Through Time

Chapter 26: Awkward Conversations Part 2

Previously

'Uh...Arnold...about what happened...I..."Helga started, wondering how to get this out in the open.

Thankfully, Arnold smiled as he placed his hand on her shoulder, surprising her.

He understood now, her eyes said more than words ever could in that moment and he also understood that everything has a time and place and will happen when they are meant to happen.

"It's okay...I know and you don't have to say anything now..I can wait..."Arnold said in an understanding voice.

Helga's eyes widen, unable to believe what he is just implying and his tone implied that he is okay with it.

"He...He knows...that I-..."

Before Helga could finish that thought, Arnold spoke up once again.

He then cleared his throat, trying to calm his nerves.

"We...uh...we should probably go check on Andy...to make sure that he is okay..."Arnold said quickly.

Helga said nothing as she nodded and soon the two left, both happy that they at least managed to find some understanding of this very unusual, very awkward but not entirely unpleasant revelation.

All the while, a secret smile graced one of their faces as they had now accepted that this discovery wasn't a bad one.

No, not bad at all.

Kiara Satomi Johanssen had just watched her best friend, Andy Shortman leave to go check on his younger parents, who had been alone together for a long time.

Kiara had been mostly quiet tonight, still processing the fact that their parents had now had contact with their younger selves and she wondered what will happen now.

"I hope that everything will be okay...I mean, our parents just came in contact with their younger selves and their younger selves know the future...just what is going to happen now?..."Kiara thought, feeling nervous.

On the bright side, at the very least, she, Andy, and their siblings didn't suddenly vanish into thin air and as far as she is concern, no major changes have been made to the timeline yet.

But on the other hand, they have no way of knowing what will happen or what is in store for them now, especially when the portal shows up and they have to send their younger parents back.

The grueling uncertainty was eating her alive right now as part of her is still worried she or everyone she loves dear will be undone at any given moment.

She needed someone to talk to. She needed Andy right now.

He always knows what to say to make her feel better.

However, as the adults were busy trying to deal with his situation, the young intellectual was now looking out the window, seeing Vine street, which thankfully is still the same way she remembers.

She suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around and saw that it was her mother.

The adult version of her mother, anyway.

"Kia-chan...are you alright?..."Adult Phoebe asked her eldest daughter, who sighed.

She knew that she can't lie to her mother and she shook her head.

"No...I am still scared...I...I don't know what to expect now and everyone is acting like this is no big deal..."Kiara said, having noticed how unusual everyone was acting in regards to this time travel thing.

Mrs. Phoebe Heyerdahl-Johanssen heard this and tried not to show how she was really feeling deep inside.

Truth be told, she was freaking out and so were the others but they had tried to remain calm and rational for the sake of their children. However, her daughter Kiara is very smart and she can tell that this situation is neither simple nor easy.

It was both of blessing and a curse to be very smart despite such a young age, Phoebe knew that from personal experience.

The matriarch of the Johanssen family sighed as she kneeled down and she was now eye level with her Kiara.

"Kiara, I know that this seems scary but everyone is trying their best...everything will work out, just remain patient...we won't let anything bad happen...I promise..."Phoebe said seriously to her daughter.

Kiara wanted to believe her. She wanted to naively believe that her mother is capable of delivering her promise but she is not as naive as most children her age are...she knows that a promise like that is easier said than done.

"I hope that you're right, mother..."Kiara sighed as she decided to go out to the yard to get some fresh air.

She needs it.

As her daughter walked away, the mother sighed, feeling the tension she had felt since she discovered the existence of time travel kicking in again after her daughter said that.

"I hope so too...'Phoebe thought.

Outside

The Johanssen daughter had stepped out to get some air but soon saw the younger version of her mother and father were there as well, both seemed to be having a conversation of sorts.

"What are they doing here?..."Kiara thought.

She was about to make her presence known, only to pick up what they were saying.

So..."Gerald started, sounding very awkward.

"So..."Phoebe repeated, in a similar tone.

After Gerald found out that he is going to be married to Phoebe when he grows up, he decided to step out for some fresh air, trying to reel in the information that he just received.

He didn't realize that Phoebe had already been there, having needed to do the same thing.

That is why they are now here...they knew that they needed to talk but they didn't know where to start.

Both blushed deeply and turned away from each other.

It's obvious that they both were very flustered over what they had just discovered.

Normally, Kiara wouldn't eavesdrop but she didn't want to interrupt them since this seems to be very important and they had to discuss it.

"So...this is the future huh?..."Gerald started, feeling stupid as he did so.

Thankfully, Phoebe decided to answer him as gently as possible.

"I..I suppose so..."She said, her entire face red.

"And we're..."Gerald paused, having trouble saying it but Phoebe just nodded.

"Yes..."Phoebe yipped, still blushing.

"And Kiara is..."He paused again due to the same reasons.

"Yes..."Phoebe repeated, her face as red as a rose now.

So was Gerald's too as he was feeling many things right now.

Gerald would be lying if he said that he didn't know how to feel. He was surprised but secretly, he was glad. He has always had a crush on Phoebe, he always thought that she was the smartest, nicest and prettiest girl ever and now he just found out he is going to be married to her and they were going to have a daughter.

And their daughter is going to be Kiara, who is so much like Phoebe, including being really smart and really nice.

Gerald couldn't help but smile as he thought this.

"If this is my future...I like it!..."Gerald thought, as he saw no down sides.

I mean, he gets to grow up to look so cool, he is still tight with his best friend and best of all, he got his dream girl and he is going to have a great kid with her.

Gerald wasn't the only one thinking these things. Phoebe too, had used all of her will power not to faint like Helga or scream in excitement upon the discovery that she is destined to grow up to be the future Mrs. Gerald Johanssen.

She was happy, don't get her wrong. She has had the biggest crush on Gerald since the third grade and she was happy with this discovery, but at the same time, it is still a big shock...not to mention a little awkward too.

Gerald took a deep sigh, he didn't know what to say next, after all, what was there to say after what they experienced?

Phoebe on the other hand had a different idea, she was always known to be a thinker, and normally she would analyze the situation but right now, there wasn't much to analyze instead, she took a chance and hoped for the best.

In a swift moment, she took Gerald's hand in here, an action that took both of them by surprise.

Phoebe saw the surprise in his eyes and was soon worried.

"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea..." She thought.

She was soon proven otherwise when Gerald moved closer to her.

Not once did he let go of her hand, next thing she knew, Phoebe had her head in his shoulder, she had no idea how it happened as it all happened too quickly, but she wasn't complaining.

They didn't say anything else after that.

Mostly because they didn't need to as right now, things felt right.

Kiara smiled as she saw this, happy that her younger parents seem to be okay.

She walked back inside, without making her presence known as she didn't want to interrupt such a sweet moment. Once inside, she saw her friend Andy coming out of the room where his younger parents were, looking really unnerved by something

"What's wrong?.."Kiara asked.

"Don't ask..."Andy said, looking squicked out.

"Come on, Andy..you can tell me..."Kiara said to her best friend.

"Let's just say I think my younger parents are getting along better.."Andy said with a blush.

Before Kiara could ask what that even means, the younger version of the Shortman parents had walked out, both with lingering blushes on their faces.

Kiara, being smart, put two and two together, looked at Andy and realized what must have happened.

"Oh...that explains it..."Kiara thought, decided not to bring it up anymore.

"Andy, are you okay?..."Young Arnold couldn't help but ask his future son, who sighed.

"I'm fine...anyway, I see you two are well..."Andy said.

He knew that he should be glad that his younger parents will still end up together but sue him, he is a kid and no kids like seeing his parents getting all mushy together and seeing them be like that, even as kids didn't change how he feels.

Never the less, he is still happy that they are okay.

"Y-Yeah..."Helga said, still feeling flushed.

Can you blame her, she is just now speaking to a boy whom she has been wishing these last few days as her future son.

Now she just found out that he actually is her future son.

She is happy, amazed and a little psyched out here.

"Criminy! How the heck does Arnold handle this?..."Helga thought in regards to how fast Arnold seemed to accept Andy as his son.

She is happy but still, this is a lot to take in.

Soon Gerald and Phoebe came back in and that is when Kiara spoke up again.

"We all should head back to the living room..."Kiara said.

Andy nods in agreement.

"Yeah...we have to settle this once and for all..."Andy said as he turned to the younger version of his parents and god parents.

Despite how they were still feeling, they all nodded and soon followed their future children, all the while, they had been dealing with their own thoughts.

"I am glad that Andy is doing okay..." Arnold thought, relieved that he is alright.

"Oh, Andy really is so much like Arnold...I'm so happy..."Helga thought in internal happiness.

"So Kiara is my daughter...with Phoebe...wow..."Gerald thought, still amazed.

"Gerald and I are going to be Kiara's parents...awesome!..."Phoebe thought, feeling as happy as Helga is right now, but more controlled.

Deep down, all four of them were happy with this revelation.

Very happy, indeed.

-To be continued-

Next time on A Trip Through Time

More Conversations

A/N: This chapter is dedicated to Invader Johnny, who helped with the Gerald and Phoebe scene. You rule :)

REPLIES to my loyal and totally awesome reviewers:

InuKagForever22: Thank you :)

The J.A.M. a.k.a. Numbuh i: LOL!

Invader Johnny: You got a point there, which is acknowledged here...

:) Till next time beautiful people, remember to read and review :)