Inevitable Part Two
Julie Pataki was getting impatient. Her niece's flight should have gotten in almost an hour earlier. They should be home by now. Where the heck were they? She had to admit, she had been slightly apprehensive when Dan talked to her about letting Helga with them during the upcoming school year. Bob claimed the girl was out of control. What if she rubbed off on their boys?
But then she remembered the kind of man Big Bob Pataki was. She often wondered just how Dan and Bob could possibly be brothers. Dan was sweet, kind, smart, funny, and caring. Bob was none of those things. She was almost glad when the elder Pataki brother cut off all communication.
Though the reason behind it behind made Julie's blood boil.
Bob had been so sure Miriam was going to give birth to a baby boy. After Julie had Nick Bob already started a cousin rivalry in his head. Bob's boy would be bigger and stronger and better at anything and everything.
But then Helga was born.
Julie never witnessed a parent being so disappointed about the gender of their child. Bob had acted like Dan had won some sort of competition. It was a competition Dan didn't even know he was a part, but apparently having a beautiful and healthy baby girl instead of a son was losing in Bob's eyes.
Of course this was after he used the girl name she and Dan had picked out in case Nick had been a girl.
It really ticked her off. Her heart ached for her younger niece. If Bob treated her anything like he treated his brother as the grew up...She couldn't help but feel bad for the girl. Dan told her horror stories about all the crap Bob pulled growing up, all of which was enabled by their father. Winning was everything in the Pataki household. Thankfully, Dan taught their own boys winning wasn't everything and perhaps more importantly how to be gracious winners.
Julie checked her watch again before glancing at her sons, who were playing Mario Kart on their Super Nintendo. "Boys, why don't you wrap up your game? Dad should be bringing Helga home any minute now."
"We're on our last race Mom." Danny told her without taking his eyes off the screen. "Five more minutes."
"Okay...But then game off." Her attention went back to the living room window that faced out into the street. She loved her boys more than anything, but she had to admit, she was really excited to have a little girl in the house. She just hoped the boys put a stop to walking around the house in their underwear or fart just before asking whoever was in the room if they smelt popcorn. Helga really shouldn't have to deal with any of those things. She had faith that Danny would follow the new rules as he seemed excited to have a 'sister' in the house, but Nick not so much. He wasn't exactly looking forward to have a girl move in with them, but both Julie and Dan were confident he'd get over the change quickly.
Julie ran nervous fingers through her chestnut hair, wondering how her niece would like living with them. She prayed that she would. She broke out into a smile when she saw a cab pull up in front of their brownstone, "Boys!" She called out, "Your Dad and Helga are home!" She jogged to the door to greet them. Danny excitedly following close behind while Nick lingered behind, the Super Nintendo controller still in his hand even though Danny had already shut off the television.
Julie swung the door open, waving at her husband and niece as Dan pulled Helga's luggage out of the trunk of the taxi. "Danny, help your Dad with Helga's luggage." She jogged down the brownstone's steps having to resist the urge to immediately pull Helga into a bone crushing hug. Instead, she took a breath, "You must be Helga. It is so nice to finally meet you. I'm your Aunt Julie." She shot the nervous looking girl a smile. "This right here is Danny. He's eleven…" She turned in search of Nick, only to find him peeking out from behind the front door. "Nicky get over here! Nick is just a few weeks older than you are."
The pig tailed girl scratched her arm nervously, unsure how to deal with her Aunt Julie's excited energy. "...Hi." Helga took a moment to size everyone up. Julie was a thin woman with chestnut hair and hazel eyes. She mentally compared to her own mother and wondered if they were around the same age or not. Julie looked much younger, though Helga knew drinking had aged Miriam. It was obvious who each cousin took after. Danny had the same eye and hair color as his mom and Nick was clearly a Pataki. A strong thick brow line, dark blonde hair, and blue eyes. He also wore the trademark Pataki scowl.
"We're so happy to have you here Helga. Let's go see your room!" Julie guided her niece up the steps to the house while Dan and Danny brought Helga's luggage inside. "Once we get you settled into your room the boys will give you a tour while I start dinner. How was your flight? Was this your first time on a plane?"
Helga was feeling overwhelmed, but she answered the question. "I never flew before. It was fine." On the walk to her room she didn't take the time to take a look at the house, opting instead to look at her feet.
"Your Aunt Julie's and my room is down here. You and your cousin's rooms are upstairs." Dan explained while he carried the bigger of Helga's suitcases up the steps leading to the home's second story.
"This is my room." Danny gestured towards the first room to the left, struggling slightly pulling the suitcase over the last step. Nick, who was trailing behind helped by kicking the suitcase up. "Nick is in the next room. Your room is across the hall."
Helga looked up to see her Aunt Julie swinging the door open. "Here we are! I'm sorry it's so plain right now. Don't worry, we'll go shopping tomorrow and make the place feel like your own."
The room had a large queen sized bed with a matching dresser. Helga couldn't help but notice that the wood frame of the bed, along with the dresser, were quite beautiful. It was obvious it was made out of some kind of fancy wood. Roses were carved into wood. "The room's fine. We don't need to go shopping." Her hand ran along the top of the dresser. "Bob didn't send much money with me anyway."
"Sure we do." Julie smiled, as she opened up a door that led to her walk in closet. "It doesn't look like you brought many personal things with you. And don't you dare worry about money. We want you to feel like you're home here sweetheart. After all, you are family now." She continued before Helga could object, "Do you like the dresser? That's one of your Uncle Dan's. It's actually one my favorite pieces he's made."
"He made it?" Helga's eyebrow shot up in surprise.
"I did." Dan nodded with a smile as he lifted her suitcase onto the bed to make it easier to unpack. "I told you I owned a furniture store." He shot her a wink.
"I didn't know that meant you made the furniture. Bob owns a beeper store, but doesn't know how to even set the time on a VCR."
Dan laughed, "Well those things can be pretty tricky. I'll have to bring you to my shop sometime. Maybe you can help me design something. So what do you want to do first? We can help you unpack, or we can give you a tour? Or did you want to take a little nap before supper? I know traveling always tuckers me out."
Helga shrugged, "I don't know…"
"Oh! Did you want to make any phone calls?" Julie asked, "You can call your folks or a friend?"
Helga eagerly nodded, "Can I call my friend Phoebe?"
"Of course." Julie left the room for a moment to grab the cordless phone in the hallway. "Take all the time you need. We'll give you some privacy. Once you're up for it we will get you settled in and show give you the grand tour. Then when we go shopping tomorrow we will start showing you around the city."
Helga started dialing Phoebe's number the second her new extended family left her new bedroom, shutting the door behind them. She was relieved Phoebe had her own line, so she knew her parents wouldn't be answering. "Kon'nichiawa." Phoebe greeted in Japanese, like she always did.
"Phoebe, I'm freaking out." Helga paced around her room, nearly in tears.
"Helga?" Phoebe questioned. "Are you okay? I tried coming by earlier but your father said you don't live there anymore. What's going on?"
"Bob and Miriam shipped me off to New York. I'm living with my Aunt and Uncle for the school year." Helga blurted out. "After I got home from the game yesterday Bob freaked out and told me that he has a brother and I was going to live with him for awhile. Apparently I'm too much to deal with." She spat out. "He wouldn't even discuss it. He told me to pack or he'd pack for me." She tugged on her locket. "He didn't let me call anyone or say goodbye." She laughed bitterly, "Not that anyone will actually care that I'm gone."
"I care!" The normally quiet and reserved girl practically shouted into the phone, so much so Helga had to pull the receiver away from her ear. "You're my best friend. Of course I care that you're not here. Things won't be the same without you. I'm going to miss you so much."
"Thanks Pheebs...I'm going to miss you too." Her stomach twisted. She couldn't even think about Arnold right now.
Phoebe sighed, "How do you like your Aunt and Uncle? Is your Uncle...you know, like your dad?"
"Actually...they seem really nice. I have my own room and they said they want me to feel at home and I'm part of the family now…" Helga scrunched up nose. "It's weird."
"Helga, that sounds like family." Phoebe paused, "Maybe living with them won't be so bad."
"Yeah...Maybe…" Helga agreed. "I should probably get going. I haven't even seen the house or anything." She snorted, "I almost forgot to mention...I have two cousins. Danny is eleven and Nick is our age. I guess only a couple of weeks older than me….They seem nice too." Though Danny seemed much friendlier than Nick. "I'll call you later okay?"
"I'll really miss you Helga...School won't be the same without you."
A few minutes later Helga made her way down the unfamiliar steps to the first floor. The home seemed warm and inviting enough, decorated with fresh flowers and dozens of family photos. The pictures were different than the ones in her house. All four family members scrunched together, smiling. Really, truly looking genuinely happy. The house was filled with ornate furniture, more of her Uncle Dan's creations, Helga assumed. She wandered into the kitchen, where her Aunt Julie was putting a pot of potatoes onto the stove. "Hey Sweetheart." Julie greeted. "Did you want to get unpacked right away? We've got some time before the potatoes."
Helga shrugged, "Sure…What are you making for supper?"
"Meatloaf." Julie answered as they made their way back to Helga's bedroom. "Oh, shoot. I really should have asked if you liked meatloaf. Your dad didn't tell Dan there was anything you absolutely hated…"
"Meatloaf is good."
"What's your favorite meal that your mom makes? I can make that for you sometime." Julie offered as she unzipped her niece's suitcase. "I could always call her for the recipe."
"Miriam doesn't really cook much." Helga admitted. She could handle frozen pizza. She usually overcooked boxed macaroni and cheese or spaghetti noodles. Afterall, she was normally drunk by the time dinner rolled around. She would usually end up eating a cold sandwich or a bag of chips.
Julie didn't say anything, instead checking over the girl's small frame. By looking at her and being a pediatrician she could guess Helga was slightly underweight, which wasn't too abnormal for someone her age and about ready to go through puberty, but something didn't sit well with her. "May I ask you a question?" She asked, taking out a stack of hangers from the closet and began hanging up her clothes.
"Whatever." Helga shrugged.
"Why do you call your parents by their first names?"
"I don't know…"
"That's alright. We don't got to talk about that now." She offered her a smile, "Let's get you unpacked so can have some fun. I know the boy are really looking forward to get to know you. We all are." Julie paused, "I really hope you'll end up loving it here."
"Did everyone get enough to eat?" Dan asked.
Everyone nodded, they were all pretty full.
"Well, I hope everyone saved room for dessert. I made cheesecake." Julie stood up from her place at the table. "Dan, help me with the plates?" A few moments later the couple returned to the table with the cheesecake and plates in hand. "Who wants a piece of strawberry cheesecake? How big of piece do you want Helga?"
"I can't." Helga told her. "I'm allergic to strawberries."
"Oh." Julie shot a look to Dan. "I thought you said Bob told you she didn't have any allergies?"
"He probably did." Helga interrupted. "He can never seem to remember that I'm allergic. It's okay, I'm really full anyway." She paused. "Can I got to my room?"
Dan nodded, "Of course. Are you sure you don't anything else for dessert. We have ice cream."
"No. I'm good." Helga shrugged dismissively before leaving the kitchen.
Julie and Dan exchanged a look. Julie had to bite her tongue. She really did not like Bob Pataki.
So sorry for the delay! Real life has been super busy. Hope everyone enjoyed this update. There be another chapter or two establishing Helga's relationship with Dan, Julie, Danny, and Nick that will have quite a few time jumps. I really love these original characters, so I hope everyone else does too. We'll get to know all four of them really well in the next few chapters.
A big thank you to all those who reviewed the first chapter! Didn't expect such a wonderful response. I love responding to reviews, so if I missed anyone I apologize. Guest reviews are hard to respond to and I don't want to clog up the end of chapter by responding to them, but I do have to call one out guest reviewer who thought this was a romance between cousins...No. No, I promise you this is not a romance between Helga and one of her cousins. It's definitely a romance between Helga and Arnold...Who are not cousins. But seriously thank you to all my guest reviewers.