Okay my lovely people. Don't expect this to be anything super amazing. I kind of slapped this together because I randomly decided to do a Christmas story and then promptly realized I should do Thanksgiving too- at the last minute possible.

I enjoy pain I guess... Anyway, I will also come right out and say this is just more focused on family and trying to get along around the holidays. It's based on my experiences with how this typical holiday goes.

I also feel the need to mention that this is not a romance story and I've pretty much decided that if there is any sex by the end of this it will be kind of glossed over so don't expect that.

As usual enjoy and review!

"Talking"

Thoughts

A chilly breeze blew through the air as a group of teens walked down the sidewalk towards their homes. A blonde haired couple walked alongside one another while a dark haired couple walked ahead of them. The dark haired boy, Gerald, was turned slightly so he could talk to his friends over his shoulder.

"I'm telling you man, every year Jamie-o still doesn't get that the turkey is for everyone."

The group laughed. The dark haired girl, Phoebe, shook her head. She glanced down at their twined fingers with a playful grin.

"But, Phoebe actually— it's so dumb that we hadn't thought of it before—" Gerald continued.

The other couple watched them curiously as a joke seemed to pass between the two.

"We get two turkeys now." Phoebe cut him off unable to contain her giggles.

Gerald let out a groan and threw his head back, "It's all so obvious! I get it now, Phoebs."

As the group laughed again, Phoebe hugged Gerald's arm tightly. A faint blush on the boy's cheeks as he complimented her deduction skills again. The blonde haired boy, Arnold, glanced at his companion. An amused grin still on his lips.

"See Helga, they've even made peace with Jamie-o."

"Good luck with that. No way Bob is going to share the turkey or anything else." she snarked back as she glanced at their twined fingers with a frown.

Arnold shrugged, "So Gerald, you two going as a couple this year or—?"

"Well, actually our families decided to do Thanksgiving together under my roof this year."

"After much speculation, it seemed like the most logical thing to do. Especially considering we were buying twice as much food. Mother and Father are not big turkey eaters anyway." Phoebe added with a polite nod.

"That actually sounds like a fun idea!" Arnold bounced a little before glancing at his companion again wondering what her reaction would be.

Helga's grip tensed around his hand at the thought, "No way, Football Head. No hecking way. It's bad enough we have to see my family period! We are not putting your zoo and my circus under one big top!"

Gerald and Phoebe let out another flurry of giggles. This could be interesting. The idea of so many people being under the same roof for a family tradition was a comical notion indeed.

How many people would that even be?

Thirteen people...even more unlucky!

It would have to be at the Boarding House. But even though the building was made for many people to cohabitate, it could still could prove challenging. As it was now— the small amount of boarders they had already made it feel crowded around meal time.

"Come on Helga, it'll be fun! One last get together before we all graduate high school. This is the last normal Thanksgiving we're going to have." Arnold said as his hands gripped hers more tightly, while his gaze seemed to plead for her to agree.

She rolled her eyes at his begging behavior, "No it won't. It'll be a disaster and you're dreaming big in that head of yours if you don't think it would be utter chaos."

The idea of her family intermingling so closely with his lovely parents and the rest of his rambunctious makeshift family made her heart swell—

But not in a good way.

"I mean, it might be a little, but not that much more than usual." he said brows slanting.

"Right, I'm sure Phil and Bob will just hit it off swimmingly—"

She was already picturing Bob complaining about dinner not being ready fast enough and the boarders "hogging" the TV. Or him getting into a dumb competition with Phil again.

"I'm sure they can get along for one day."

Her sister would probably be overbearing and try to control how everything was cooked even if it wasn't her kitchen to be the boss in.

"Right, and Olga is going to let your Mom and Grandma cook all by themselves." she let out a harsh sigh.

"Olga can help— my Mom knows how to handle—"

"That's just it— she shouldn't have to deal with it. Or them." she poked at his chest as they continued walking down the sidewalk.

Gerald and Phoebe glanced at their friends feeling a nervous tremor run through them as they became more and more heated with each other.

"Oh, but I should?" he smarted halfway sarcastic, They're seriously not that bad...even if Bob is still kind of a trip...

"Well, for one, your Mom is way sweeter than you." she lolled her tongue at him to which he shot her a glare, Change our routine— not a chance...the Nut House meets the Funny Farm...Not a crossover on my list...

And as for her mother— well.

Her mother would probably be passed out on the couch with nil a word to speak to anyone.

"Helga, sooner or later all of our family members have to meet. Why are you so against this?"

"Why wouldn't I be against this!? I'm literally telling you what my family is like right now! Since you've forgotten." she waved her hand aggressively.

"Don't you think you're overreacting a little?" He tried to inject some humor into his voice, but it came out irritated.

"Right, and when Miriam ends up passed out like she always does on the couch. That'll be a wholesome memory!"

"Your Mom is not like she was." Arnold pointed feeling his face burn as the frustration bubbled under his skin, "She has improved so much and you're not even giving her a chance!"

It was true that her mother, Miriam, had been working hard to kick her alcohol addiction. Most of the time she was actually someone you could hold a mostly normal conversation with. Still she forgot things and wasn't exactly a public speaker, but it was a grand improvement over passed out for indefinite amounts of time on the couch.

However, for whatever reason, whenever there was company or a family gathering the woman just couldn't help herself. Her tolerance for alcohol had been so destroyed it usually only took one drink to send her crashing back into the couch again.

"Geez, you're on a different planet today!" she hissed out.

"I just wanted you to think about it— give them a chance—" he ran a hand through his hair.

"Give them a chance! After they neglected me half my life?! A few better years wipes out all the shitty ones?!" she stopped walking to push his shoulder, Is that what he thinks!

A flash of hurt flickered through his expression. He swallowed hard while his gaze tried to meet hers, but failed and failed again. Another sharp breath left him as he shook his head.

"That's not what I meant, Helga." his voice soft as he tried to reach for her hand again, his brows tilting up.

She batted his hand away and wouldn't look at him, "Just talk to your parents first and then I'll talk to mine!"

A sudden bolt of defiance seemed to strike the boy. The pit of anger in his gut boiling over.

"You're not going to talk to them at all!" Arnold said, pointing at her with a scowl to match.

"What?" she placed a hand on her chest, "It's your house, bucko. Pretty sure we need your family's permission first."

"You already said it was stupid. Never mind. You're right as usual, Helga." his arms tightly folded and his face exceptionally sour.

Phoebe and Gerald warranted the couple a stray look. The dark haired couple looked towards one another feeling a little sheepish. They were just sharing how Thanksgiving had been for them.

They had expected Helga's reaction, of course.

But they hadn't expected Arnold to be so smitten with the idea.

And felt a little guilty for even bringing it up at all.

But the holidays were always a little tense with those two...anyway.

"Hey man," Gerald said, "If it doesn't work out, you get to have two Thanksgivings! That's twice as much goodies. Mmm, mmm, mmm!"

Arnold chuckled a little, but kept his arms folded. Helga wouldn't look at any of them. Her hands tightly gripped her bookbag straps. The pavement, the sky, the buildings— any of it was more interesting than staring at the forlorn expression on her beloved's face.

After they made the wide turn on their usual city block, the couples came to a stop. Gerald and Phoebe ready to go to her house. While Arnold and Helga debated about going to his house. The blondes still seemed stuck in a bit of a tizzy with the other. A silent kind of argument that peeked through a normal conversation.

"I'm just saying it's a lot of homework. That's all. And Bob will probably need help in the shop or something." Helga said fumbling her hand out of his loose grasp.

"Sure. You should help them— because they're our family." Arnold said with a slight edge to his voice.

"Criminy! Just drop it already." she huffed and stomped away from him, The nerve of him to keep pressing me like that! It's a terrible idea and it's not going to work. But how can I make him see that? How can I get him to come off it?

The blonde girl cut a path through their friends with not even a look over her shoulder. Phoebe and Gerald glanced at their respective best friends feeling torn between their plans and comforting them.

"Just go. It's fine. She'll come around. Or my parents will say no. It's not worth getting angry about anymore." Arnold offered with a sigh, It's just our usual adherence to the status quo...Her family has been trying...doesn't she see that?

Arnold finally made it to the Sunset Arms Boarding House. He had walked a little slower than usual. The argument still fresh in his mind. He could understand her apprehension about her family in general.

He was no stranger to the topic she often needed to rant about. But he also had helped many people over the years with various problems, and had seen massive changes in people that other's never thought would change.

His hand gripped the doorknob for a minute before pushing it open. The endless stream of animals gallivanting down the stairs and out of sight. He pushed the door shut and hung his jacket on the coat hook. He walked down the hallway towards the kitchen.

"Mom? Grandma?" he glanced around in the kitchen and when he found no one, he headed down the hallway further.

The Boarding House did seem a little quieter than usual, but he kept searching for one of his parental units. He finally made his way out into the back lot to see most of the residents huddled around in a circle. A rambunctious circle at that.

He had no idea what they were up to, but it didn't matter to him right now. He had to talk to his parents as soon as possible.

Arnold made his way to the circle and squeezed between Mr. Potts and Mr. Kokoshka to reach his mother, Stella. He tugged on her hand for a moment to garner her attention. She turned swiftly at this odd motion from her teenage son.

"I need to talk to you, Mom."

The distraught look on his face wasn't lost on his mother. She warranted him a skeptical stare as the pair broke apart from the group.

Standing a little ways away from the crowd, he pressed his hands together unable to meet his mother's gaze.

"So what's up, Arnold?" her gaze narrowed at the boy.

"Does something have to be up? Maybe I just wanted to talk to my Mom?" Arnold bit his tongue, and rubbed his neck, Why am I pulling a Helga? My Mom knows me better than that by now...

"Uh-huh, can you give me a hint at least?" she fiddled with his hat, "You are the one coming to me in a flush."

"I'm not flushed. I'm fine." he shook his head trying to calm down, "It's just Helga."

"Oh, my." his mother's voice dropped low, "Don't tell me—"

"What?" he glanced at her with confusion still on his face, a hand in his hair as he tried to figure out why talking to his mother was suddenly making him so flustered.

"Well, Phil did tell us you've known each other since you were kids. I guess it was bound to happen." Stella shrugged her shoulders.

"What are you talking about, Mom?" his brain slowly catching up to what she was implying.

"You've come to your Mom in a flustered rush saying you need to talk about a girl you're dating. Seems pretty suspicious to me." Her gaze narrow as she tapped his hat playfully.

He burned red while sputtering, "Mom! Do you really—"

Stella put a hand to her mouth hiding her playful smirk. Eyes still shining.

Really Mom! Great, Helga's going to get questions about that now too...one more thing for her to kill me about I guess...He finally groaned out, "Ug! It's about Thanksgiving."

Stella let out a laugh drawing the attention of his father, Miles and his Grandma, Gertie. The pair walked over to see what the fuss was about.

"What are you doing to that poor boy of ours?" Miles said with a smirk.

"Just teasing him about his not-pregnant girlfriend. That's all." Stella gave another lighthearted laugh drawing her son into a tight hug.

"Har har." Arnold barbed.

"She isn't though? Right?!" Miles suddenly looked panicked by the very idea.

Stella shot him a very sharp look, "You think I'd be this calm about that?"

Arnold pulled back out of her grasp, "It's about Thanksgiving, do you think Helga's family could join us here too? Like one big family Thanksgiving!"

The three adults shared a look with each other before glancing back at the teen.

"I don't see why not?" Stella glanced at Gertie who seemed to be thinking about something.

"The more the merrier I say! It's Phil who might—" Gertie was cut off by Phil crashing into the conversation.

"More the merrier what? You better not be thinking about getting more animals, Pookie!" Phil wiggled a finger at her with a sharp look.

"Nothing of the sort." Gertie let out a maniacal giggle.

"Grandpa, can the Pataki's have dinner with us here for Thanksgiving?" Arnold said giving him a hopeful look.

"You sure you want that? You know her mom would be—" Phil tilted his head back imitating drinking a big bottle of wine that ended in a passed out explosion.

"I'll take care of that." Arnold insisted his gaze still determined.

"And that sister of hers— not sure I really want to hear about her trip to Lithuania again."

Arnold's parents glanced at Phil with a questioning look. It was true they had met the Pataki's in passing and knew the bare minimum about Helga's home life.

But as they paid attention to the back and forth they did seem to wonder exactly what these people were like. If Phil was any indicator, he did seem to have a low opinion on the brood.

"Phil, you worry too much!" Gertie piped up giving him a playful shove.

"Hey, the last time that girl was here she rearranged all the cabinets and I couldn't find the spoons for a week!

"Grandpa." Arnold narrowed his gaze.

"It's decided! No, Shortman."

"It'll be fine." Gertie insisted putting her hands on her hips.

"Ambushed I tell ya!" Phil waved his hand while the others laughed.

"So what do you really think Grandpa? Please?"

"Hmm, we'd still have to deal with that Big Bob character all day." Phil scratched his chin, "Not sure I like that either, Shortman."

"It's just for one day Grandpa. It'd mean a lot to me." Arnold turned up the charm on his pleading look.

His Grandpa let out a hardy laugh, "Seventeen years old and still can look like an eager nine year old!"

"Grandpa!" Arnold said in a happier scolding tone.

"Fine, boy. But you better get the extra stuff your Mom and Grandma will need to cook."

"I will! Thank you Grandpa!" Arnold bounced a little.

The group they had formed broke apart save for his mother who stayed behind. A tender look on her face as she admired her boy's enthusiasm.

He reached for his phone eager to tell his girlfriend the news.

But the fight from earlier made him pause.

"Everything okay?" Stella said, a gentle hand through his hair.

He looked up at her with a reflective gaze, "Mom—how come you and Dad almost never fight?"

She blinked at his random question, "What's bringing that on?"

"For as long as I've known her, well—" he ran a rough hand through his hair, "Helga and I don't agree a lot."

She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, "Oh sweetie, your Father and I fight plenty. You just usually don't see it."

"Really?" he glanced at her.

She leaned forward to whisper again, "We tend to fight alone. No witnesses if I suddenly snap one day."

"Mom!" His tone playfully scolding.

She raised her hands, "Anyway, the point is people will have different opinions and ways of dealing with things. You can't change that."

His expression fell, "I just figured eventually she'd at least try my ideas before slamming them."

"She was really against this gathering, huh?" she raised a brow.

"Yes. How'd you figure that out?" his eyes widened.

"Mother's intuition." she wiggled her brows with a smirk, "Did you ask her why?"

"I guess maybe she's pretty embarrassed about her family. They haven't exactly been the best to her most of her life."

"That is hard." she said running a hand through his hair.

"But I already know how they are, and I have seen them improve. I just wanted us to all be together for Thanksgiving." he let out a harsh sigh.

"It won't be the end of the world if they don't come, you know?"

His expression turned sour, "I just think— I think something's broken between Helga and I."

"You're not broken, sweetheart." Stella crushed him to her chest, "Tell me. Have you had a problem you haven't been able to compromise on yet?"

He thought hard for a moment while basking in the warmth of his mother's comforting embrace. She gently caressed his hair with a soft hum waiting for his answer.

"I guess— not really. A few minor things maybe." he pulled back to look at her.

"The fact that she's willing to be so candid with you is a great trait actually. With her you know she's not secretly unhappy, right?"

"That's true." His heart felt warmer from talking to his mother. He was starting to see where he got his boundless optimism and sunny side up disposition.

If it was genetic anyway...

"Now your Father on the other hand," she put a hand up to block her lips as she whispered, "Sometimes he gets so cross with me— he turns into a broody teenager, I swear."

Arnold let out a giggle as the pair of them stole a glance at the man in question. He seemed to sense eyes on him and turned for a second. The pair tried to look innocent despite their flushed faces and darting eyes.

"Now run along and call Helga. And tell her that we love her, and can't wait to meet the rest of the family." Stella said ruffling his hair and motioning towards the house.

Arnold gave her a curt nod, and another tight hug, "Thanks Mom. You're the best!"

The blonde scampered away from his mother and up the stairs to his room. He flopped down on the bed with a happy feeling of relief. But as he grasped his phone, a pensive expression started to take over.

He'd felt better after talking to his mother, but now the apprehension of actually calling Helga pricked at his gut. A gnarly twist that made him wonder why he was even worried about the large family gathering in the first place.

He should just be content to do things the way they had the past few years. Her house for a few hours, and then his for the rest of the night. They spent more time at his house for the event anyway. He didn't really have anything to gain by joining their gathering, did he?

As he closed his eyes and thought about their past holidays together, he knew deep down why he wanted this. The idea of their families never crossing paths bothered him.

He had hoped that they would at least become friendly with each other.

Down the road if they ever did get married, he wondered if they would still adhere to two separate gatherings? Sure most people did some variation of that. But as far as he was concerned he didn't want anyone to be apart. He wanted Helga's family there because he wanted them to all have fun together.

That maybe they could all share a fun festive event instead of a bitter gathering at her house and then an off the wall one at his.

But maybe she was right—

He snickered a little thinking about how fun it was to sneak away from the chaos.

To kiss her for as long as he wanted without interruption.

Another sigh as he held up his phone above his head. Waiting and thinking. Not in any rush to restart the argument with her.

He rolled over onto his stomach, I'll let her cool off some more and then I'll call her...

His eyes closed softly as he drifted off into a catnap...

A dimly colored street view of the Boarding House faded into view. Birds were singing a melodious tone on the rooftop. The sounds of a sizzling kitchen could be heard as the camera shifted through the Boarding House doorway.

"You almost finished in there, darling? Company will be here soon." the sweet voice of Stella said as she walked into the kitchen wearing a blue fitted button-down top blouse, that ended at the waist. Her hair in a short, curly bob.

The sounds of a crowd applauding in the background as Arnold came into view. He turned from the food he was preparing with a bright smile. He was dressed in a button down white dress shirt with dark slacks and an apron. His hair parted to side and nicely smoothed back.

"Yes, Mother. I can't wait it's going to be perfect!"

The doorbell rang.

"They have arrived. I'll get it Mother." he walked briskly towards the door trading his apron for his red argyle sweater vest.

Arnold opened the door. The Pataki family standing in the doorway. Bob standing towards the front with Miriam linked at his side. The girls standing poised behind them.

"Thank you so much for having us over, Arnold." Bob said with a refined nod.

"Yes, dear we will absolutely enjoy this feast you have prepared for us." Miriam added.

"It was our pleasure Mr. and Mrs. Pataki." Arnold gave a slight bow and kissed Miriam's hand, "Please, come in and make yourselves comfortable."

As Olga passed, he also warranted her hand a polite kiss. As his gaze fell to Helga, she stopped in front of him.

A faint blush staining her cheeks with a delicate smile on her lips.

His breath was taken away as he saw what she was wearing. A pleated medium length dress. It was pink with a crisscross frills across the bust and billowed out widely from her waist. Her hair parted dramatically to the side as a wave of beautiful curls hugged her cheek.

"Hello, Arnold." Helga's voice impossibly sweet as she batted her eyelashes at him.

"Hello, my sweetheart." He gave her a lingering gentle kiss on her hand, "I do hope the festivities will be to your preference."

"If you've done it, it will be absolutely marvelous." her voice still quiet while her eyes watched him with adoration.

With his hand gently guiding her by the small of her back, he led her into the dining room.

The rest of the family was already seated. His parents towards one end, his grandparents across, the Patakis split between the sides. A space reserved for Helga to sit beside him at the table.

He pulled out her seat still grasping her hand as she sat down. Helga gave him another doe eyed look. Her blue eyes dazzling. He felt an immense heat from the way she was looking at him.

"Excuse me a moment as I bring the food in." Arnold said with polite nod.

The others returned his gesture before starting to chat amongst themselves.

"How is that golf game of your, Phil?" Bob said taking a sip of his iced water.

"About the same as it always is ol'chap." Phil replied with a small chuckle.

"Olga, dear, what is this new charity work you've has a hand in?" Miles asked with a slight nod.

"Oh, thank you ever so much for asking. It's a collective that's trying to reunite the reindeer population with penguins. So Santa's workshop can finally have all winter creatures living in harmony together!"

Coos of approval came from around the table.

"Wherever did you get these fine linens?" Miriam asked Gertie with a look of wonderment on her face.

"Oh pish posh, they have been in the family for years." Gertie waved her down with a warm smile.

While everyone politely shared conversation around the table, Arnold went into the kitchen to bring in all of the serving dishes of food to the table.

It took him a few trips, but finally he finished setting the table.

White candlesticks lit at intervals of the table. The finest china plates and sterling silver dishware at everyone's place. A gorgeous lacey white linen adorned the table.

The table was full of delicious looking dishes. A giant lush salad full of delectable greens. Perfectly round rolls glistening with a sheen of butter. A perstine dish of carmelized sweet potatoes.

A roasted turkey that was glimmering like the golden trophy of the meal. A boat of rich brown gravy by its side. The smell completely heavenly.

Everyone ate with the ambiance of quiet conversation. A collective hum from the group in appreciation of the savory food. Passing dishes to each other with no complaints to be had.

Finally after most of the guests were done eating, Bob Pataki broke the quiet calm.

"That meal was so fantastically delicious! Arnold, my boy— you have my blessing to marry my beloved daughter, Helga."

"Really? Oh, thank you sir!" Arnold leapt a little at the news.

Helga looked flustered and shy and couldn't meet his eager gaze.

He took her by the hand and led her from the table. The pair of them walking all the way to the roof. A beautiful sunset glowing in the background filled with peaches and deep reds.

He got down on his knee, still clasping her hand, "Oh darling, I'm the happiest man alive."

"Oh, my lovely Arnold. I can't wait to be yours." Helga said with a coy smile while batting her eyelashes.

He stood up and tugged her close to his chest, "Why wait, my darling?"

"What are you suggesting?"

"Let me take you right now—" his lips hot against her neck, "I'll make beautiful love to you until morning."

"Oh Arnold! What will the neighbors think?" She fell back in his arms with a dramatic hand to her forehead.

"I don't care what anyone thinks—" he left another searing kiss against her neck, "I want you to be mine forever— if you'll have me, my darling!?"

"Arnold, I love you! Whisk me away in your arms." A shuddering sigh falling from her lips.

He dipped her into a heated kiss before they fell down together...

He sat up with a start. A warm grin plastered on his face. He had to call Helga right away! Everything was going to be just fine and he couldn't wait to see her again.

Alright this it for part one. More parts up the next few days. How are your family gatherings? Is it multiple families trying to intermingle or do you have tons of small gatherings with each family unit? :)