A/N: Hi everyone! I'm back with another chapter that I wish could have been posted on V-day but alas, you know all those University of Phoenix commercials that show happy and determined students eager to study and learn and crud? Yeah, as a current student I can definitely say that my enthusiastic levels are not at an all-time high…BUT enough about me and my lovey school life, let's get on with the story! It's clear to see that chapter 3 is being split up in more than 2 parts so I'm sorry I said otherwise previously. As always, I appreciate all the readers and reviewers, please continue to R and R to let me know how I'm doing!

If anyone were to walk into an Emergency Room on an ordinary day, he or she would have most likely been greeted by the semi-enthusiastic smile of the receptionist and nurses at the check-in window, the weary or angry frowns of concerned loved ones and patients who were starting to become restless in the waiting room, and the various aroma of cleaning agents, plastic, and whatever high priced foods that would be sold in the nearest cafeteria. Above all else, it would be an average, ordinary trip to the hospital.

This was not the case for Helga.

The sound of screeching tires, mooing, neighing, a mix of maniacal laughter, and screaming made the paramedics in the drop off area jump in alarm, as they witnessed the sight of a giant horse trailer pulling up on the scene, near their ambulance parking spot.

"Ladies and gentlemen we have arrived at our destination, one of the happiest places on earth, thanks so much for riding with Thad's Rad Express and don't forget to tip your cattle at the door." Curly pleasantly announced.

"SHUT UP STUPID AND HELP US UNLOAD THIS CRAZY-"Harold roared.

"She's gonna' kill us, She's gonna' kill us, She's gonna' kill us, She's gonna' kill us" Sid chanted over and over rocking back and forth in his seat nervously.

"Uh guys….We're wasting time…" Brainy wheezed.

"FELLARS I COULD USE A HAND HERE! I RECKON SHE'S MORE BARBARIC THAN A RED PAINTED BULL RIGHT NOW!" Stinky cried, pulling the flailing Helga out of the truck.

"FU** . YOU. ALL. RIGHT. NOW! WHEN. I. GET. MY. HANDS. ON. YOU. BOZOS!" Helga roared.

"My stars! We're really going to leave them with her like that?" Rhonda gasped as she observed the scene.

"More importantly, we're going to leave Phoebe alone WITH her like that?" Nadine added.

"I have to agree with Nadine. I think it would be just ever so terrible to do that considering Helga's agitated condition right now. Are you sure you want to do this Phoebe?" Lila asked in concern.

Phoebe gulped at the scene, but gave a firm nod.

"I'm positive. Helga agreed to go as long as I accompanied her and I intend to stick with her no matter what. As her friends, I know you all share the same sentiment; however, I feel like it would be best to take precaution at the fact that your presence might agitate her further…Oh, but please don't worry ladies, I'm sure deep inside she appreciates all of our efforts, despite the extremities, and I'm sure that she won't inflict any harm on me…A-at least not much anyways…" Phoebe explained.

"If you need us, you call us Phoebe." Patty demanded.

"Hai! I mean, yes I will. I think you all should get going. I need to take Helga inside and it's best to get away as far as possible while she is still in a limited condition."

"NO NEED TO TELL US TWICE! STEP ON IT BRITISH WEIRD GUY!" Sid exclaimed to the driver as all the men suddenly piled into Rhonda's limousine without a care in the world.

"Ugh! Well I never!" Rhonda huffed in an outrage at the sudden intrusion. Nonetheless, the gang left the scene, leaving Phoebe and a pissed off Helga alone.

Phoebe timidly walked up behind Helga and stated to untie the ropes that kept her bound.

"Umm…I-I know you won't believe it, but the only reason we put you through all this was to ensure your safety that you would follow through with your promise to Arnold...Especially since it seemed like you weren't going to, and your condition was steadily getting worse…"

Helga said nothing as her fists continued to ball up.

"A-and q-quite frankly, I-I must say that if I were you, well…I-I'd be flattered. I-I mean, it is most complementary for our friends to go through such lengths to ensure a positive outcome for your wellbeing. I-I can recall the days where your feelings expressed intense opposition to them due to believing that they were all out to get you. In the end, the gang stayed true."

Helga still said nothing.

"Oh Helga…Surely you're not going to focus only on the negative aspects of the situation are you? I mean given the circumstances of how it all went about, I do not blame you for your feelings of contempt, but still…I-I hope you can see that we do care about you Helga. We all do…You understand right?" Phoebe asked hopefully, wanting to put a hand on her friend's shoulder, but fearing what she might do.

Finally, Helga let out a sigh and crossed her arms.

"Just take me to the stupid check-in window and let's get this over with…" She grumbled.

"R-right!" Phoebe nodded as they walked inside.

"Helga Shortman?" The nurse called out.

"Oh! She's in the rest room. Please hold on while I get her." Phoebe answered.

Phoebe walked over to the nearest restroom to hear the sounds of regurgitation and curse words. She knocked softly.

"Helga? They're calling you in for triage now. Are you alright? "

"Ugh Criminy! Are you kidding me?! I've been whisked away feeling nauseas as hell and forced to sit in the back of a cow's butt, and wait for what seems like hours in some cramped up germy waiting room and you ask if I'm okay?!"

"Helga please?" Phoebe tried. She heard a sigh and then a softer reply.

"I'll be out in a minute…"

Later on, the women found themselves in a small yet clean exam room. Phoebe twiddled with her thumbs in anticipation, watching as her best friend picked at the long sheet of white paper on the exam table with a bored expression.

"Alright. Spit it out. What's on your mind Pheebs?" Helga asked not looking up.

"Huh? Oh! I-it's nothing Helga. I was just awaiting the outcome of your current situation." Phoebe replied.

"Oh please. Like I buy that. Why would you be getting all worked up over being told to hit the Pharmacy after this, or at the very most to crank up my humidifier?"

"Helga! You don't honestly expect this to be the results of a cold or flu of all things do you?" Phoebe asked in disbelief.

"Well doi, what else could it be?" Helga shrugged.

"Well…to be honest, I-I wouldn't be surprised if you- Oh!" Phoebe started then jumped in slight alarm, only to calm down once more.

"Hey? You okay?" Helga asked with concern, staring at her friend's stomach.

"Oh I'm just fine. I-I know it's silly since I'm only two months and a half along, but I can't help but get excited for the anticipation of the baby's quickening state. I know it's early, but I just wonder what it'll be like once he or she starts kicking." Phoebe replied, rubbing her stomach gently.

"Yeah…You and Tall-Hair boy are gonna' make a heck of a mom and dad you know that?" Helga mused.

"Arigatou Gozamasu Helga! That's very nice of you to say." Phoebe smiled.

"Don't think this takes you off the hook though. I didn't forget all that's happened just now." Helga glared, tearing a chunk of paper off the table for emphasis.

Phoebe gulped. Just then, the doctor walked in.

"Hello Mrs. Shortman, I hear you're feeling under the weather today. And Dr. Johanssen, what a surprise to see you here." The middle-aged physician greeted.

"Oh! Dr. Watson! What a surprise indeed! It's been a long time." Phoebe greeted enthusiastically.

"You know him or somethin' Pheebs?" Helga asked with an eye brow raised at her behavior.

"Oh yes! Dr. Watson showed me all the ropes while I was still in my residency training. He's practically my mentor!"

"And a bright physician student you were! You took right to the children like white on rice. It's not a wonder you're one of Hillwood's finest Pediatricians." Dr. Watson smiled.

"Oh I-I don't know about all that. I just wanted to do my very best that's all." Phoebe smiled and looked away, flustered by the compliment.

"Just as I've said." The doctor smiled then turned his attention to Helga. "So, Mrs. Shortman, before we run some tests, I find that it will be necessary to get some more information on your condition. Mind if I ask a few questions?"

"Shoot." Helga waved her hand in nonchalance.

"Alright. You said that lately, besides the extreme nausea, that you've been experiencing headaches, and tenderness in the chest area correct?"

"Yep."

"And when was your last menstrual cycle?"

"Hm. Good question. Beats me. Not that I mind though. Good to have a break from all the stupid bleeding and those uncomfortable diaper pads that don't stop leaks for shi-"

"Helga!" Phoebe interrupted, clearing her throat.

"Oh, sorry. To answer the question, not sure; wasn't keeping track. "

"And…Have you been sexually active lately?"

Helga scoffed and laughed heartily.

"Doc, you've heard about the stories I write haven't you?"

"Why yes, I have as a matter of fact, my wife loves them." The doctor replied.

"Well, all the stuff I wrote about unrequited turned requited love life was actually based on a true story. Mine. So if the guy I've always wanted was finally mine and I was free to do whatever the heck I wanted with him, well I think the question should be, when have I not been sexually active if ya know what I mean." Helga smirked, missing her friend's horrified expression, and her sudden urge to hide under the cabinet in embarrassment.

The doctor blinked, cleared his throat, and scribbled on his clipboard.

"I see. Umm I must ask Mrs. Shortman, given these explanations, have you ever considered the chance that you could possibly be-"

"Pregnant?" Helga deadpanned, then rolled her eyes. "Well doi. Of course I'm not. I mean I know the symptoms make it seem that way, but I know for a fact that's not the case. "

"Oh? Have you taken a pregnancy test already to confirm that?" Dr. Watson asked.

"No. Don't have to." Helga replied.

"Why is that Helga?" Phoebe asked curiously.

"None of your beeswax." Helga replied with irritation.

"Mrs. Shortman, all of your symptoms clearly are pointing to that possibility, unless you have another reason why we should not take that into consideration I don't-"

"BECAUSE I'M ON THE PILL OKAY!" Helga snapped loudly.

Phoebe gasped in shock.

"I-I've been on the pill for a while now. The strongest birth control in the market. I've been taking it religiously without fail and it's never failed me. And, I've never failed to take it. So…That's how I know." Helga finished softly.

"I see. Well then, I suppose we'll continue with some tests and get to the bottom of this. I see you've already given us a urine sample, would you mind if we drew some blood?" The doctor asked.

Helga shrugged. "Whatever floats your boat and gets me out of here quicker."

The doctor then left the room with his notes, while Phoebe timidly sat next to Helga, still in shock.

"Again. What's on your mind Phoebes?" Helga asked, not looking up.

"I-I apologize Helga. I know it's not my place to ask or get into any of your business…But I have to know. If what you say is true…Then, how long have you been taking birth control exactly?" Phoebe asked.

"… Well, to be honest it was since before we were engaged. Football-Head was such a wet blanket about doing anything before we got married, no matter how many times I successfully seduced him…But he wouldn't budge. But even after we were married, I-I chose to stay on the pill. " Helga explained.

"…But I don't understand. Why?"

"Because…Because I-I…Well Doi! Maybe I like it just being us without worrying about some snot nosed brat coming into the picture and breaking the budget used to wine and dine me! I mean Criminy! Come on Pheebs! Would I need another reason?" Helga snapped defiantly. However, as she took in her best friend's expression as she crossed her arms and raised her eyebrow in annoyance, she could already tell.

Phoebe wasn't buying it.

Helga sighed deeply. "Fine…You want the truth?"

"That would be preferable." Phoebe nodded.

"When Arnold proposed to me, I realized that all of my dreams were coming true. My wishes that seemed so far off, were going to become a reality. If not just having the fact that my one true love and light of my life by my side wasn't enough, the very ideas that would send me into a world of hope and happiness were coming true, that my love was going to marry me; that we were going to be one. Husband and wife, bound to each other forever. And along with that honor, came the excitement of the idea of being the mother of his children. Bringing an heir of someone seen as a high deity to a secret civilization, but also as just the best thing that's ever happened to me in my life, to this world. It would be by his loins, and my contribution that we would make a life, a precious treasure. The idea alone, excited me. It made me ask myself, if I truly was worthy of such a glorious opportunity? Was I truly capable of creating a happiness that I have never known?"

Helga sighed, trying not to choke up, but continued.

"Then, that's when it hit me. The answer to that question is no. I wasn't ready. I was nowhere near ready for this opportunity. I was nowhere near capable of knowing what to do, because…Because I was never taught. The chance for me to automatically know what it's like to be nurtured and loved was taken from me and instead went to precious Olga. It was Olga who would get the quality mother and daughter time. Going to the mall, the movies, theatres, and whatever else cruddy girly places, heck, even the stupid grocery store. All of the energy was spent on her. I got leftovers. Very rarely, would I ever get that family time. Even when things got better in the house after Arnold moved away to San Lorenzo, even after Miriam went to those AA meetings, I never felt that connection. I was always pushed back. It wasn't like I gave a shi-care…I mean sure there was the time when she ran Bob's business, and when she was queen of riding that stupid rodeo bull, that I missed her; but to be honest, all it did was make me suffer worse. Because I had a taste of what it was like to want my mommy…But to no avail, I had to make myself strong. I had to learn how to survive on my own. And I did. I learned to cook, clean, and do whatever else made me pass in Home-Ec classes with flying colors. But I did it alone, and secretly hated her for it. That despair, that loneliness, and longing for attention stayed with me for the longest time.

Helga took a shaky breath still holding back.

"And the mere thought of putting my child, a precious mix of the perfection of my soul mate, through what Miriam put me through…sickened me. But the facts stayed the same. No matter how much I wanted to change it, I was a Pataki. And…I asked myself, what if I did the same thing? What if I was the one to shun my little one when being asked to play with him or her? What if I was the one to pack shaving cream and other inedible objects in his or her lunchbox? What if I was the one to let him or her walk all alone in the cold, cold rain, leaving him or her with the impression that the world is a dark and lonely place with no means of survival, but being reminded that you were taught not to cry about it?!

Helga shook bitterly.

"I-I couldn't go through with that Phoebe! I couldn't dare have the possibility of my child hating me…Going through such rejection due to my negligence, due to just being me? I wouldn't dare…And so, the only way to make sure that such a situation won't ever come to be, is to prevent it altogether."

Helga finished softly, wiping her eyes with her sleeve.

"Helga…" Phoebe put a hand on her best friend's shoulder. "I-I'm so sorry Helga…" She cried, tears pouring from her eyes.

"H-hey it's nothin' to get all sad about! L-like I said, I'm doing the kid a favor. Besides, it's not like it's causing a problem or anything in our marriage since the Football-Head never even brought up the subject of having kids anyways." Helga tried to shrug convincingly as she wiped her best friend's eyes.

"You mean…Arnold doesn't know at all?"

Helga shook her head.

"Well…Then, I-I guess now it all makes sense…Including their conversation from the other day…" Phoebe concluded softly.

"What are you talking about?" Helga raised an eyebrow.

"A-again…It's really not my place to say since it's technically none of my beeswax as you would put it, but…"

"Just spit it out Phoebes." Helga demanded.

"The other day, while I was making some tea, I overheard Gerald and Arnold out in the basketball court in our back yard…"

Flashback

"Arnold my man, I always said you were bold. That being said, I hope you know that there's a difference between bold and crazy. What you're suggesting is crazy." Gerald deadpanned.

"I know it sounds crazy, but I don't think it is at all. I mean, I just don't know what else to do and this seems like the most reasonable option…"

"Seeing a doctor about you're fertility though?! Bro, I've unfortunately been cursed with catching you and Hellgirl at the wrong time, and the way you two go at it, I highly doubt that anything's wrong with you!"

"…Then why hasn't anything happened yet?" Arnold questioned softly.

"I mean, I just find that strange; after all this time we still have yet to make our own family. We used to talk about it all the time in those rare intimate moments. Even when we were kids…She always seemed so excited to make it happen someday. Now someday has finally come, it's safe to say we're pretty stable, and yet nothing's happening." Arnold looked down, but then smiled at his best friend.

"I mean, just look at you. I remember the times where you've nearly jumped out of a window to avoid the subject when Phoebe brought it up, but now you're on your way to being a complete family. I know the feeling must be amazing for you."

"Well, I'd be lying if I said it didn't still scare the hell out of me, but…Yeah it is." Gerald smiled softly.

"I feel the same way she does, you know? Wanting to start a family. We've never really brought it up officially now that we're married and the opportunity is welcome, but the feeling is still very strong for me, just as I know it must be for her. We made a lot of promises when we were young. Especially since we knew what it was like to be deprived from the feeling of being a complete family due to our backgrounds. But even when I got my parents back, my feelings never changed."

Arnold smiled looking off into the distance.

"I was flustered about it back then, but I wanted to and still very much want to have kids with her. To start a family of our very own."

He sighed.

"And that's why, I just have to do this. I have to see if there's anything blocking that hope, or if there's any alternative with us. I don't want to humiliate or embarrass her with the fact that she might not be able to have children, when I don't know for sure. I'd rather see if there was anything going on with me first…"

"Yeah…No one deserves the opportunity more than you buddy. Guess your idea ranks in the bold category as usual after all." Gerald smirked, but then looked serious.

"But hey, just do yourself a solid okay? Talk to your wife. It's best to not go off doing somethin' stupid with good intentions without letting her know about these kinds of things first."

"Yeah. You're right. Guess I better suck it up and talk it over with her. But hey, thanks for the talk Gerald. You sure are gaining points in the maturity field." Arnold smirked.

"Don't make me sound old bro! I'm already puttin' toys in the lay way for my mid-life crisis!" Gerald exclaimed.

"I think you'll be fine." Arnold playfully patted his shoulder.

"Back at'cha" Gerald retorted as they did their signature thumbshake.

End Flashback

"…I see. So the dumb ol' Football Head was gonna' go off and do something stupid like be checked out for infertility huh? Geesh, what a-"

"Helga. I hope you're not going to ridicule and berate him considering that he doesn't know about your situation." Phoebe's eyes narrowed.

"Of course not. That just means we have to have a serious talk about the issue that's all." Helga sighed with understanding. "I just hope he can see things my way…"

"But Helga-"Phoebe started only to be interrupted by the doctor entering the room.

"Alright Mrs. Shortman, ready to be discharged?"

"Psh as in I finally getting to leave this dump? You bet!" Helga replied as she took her pen out to sign the papers that would release her.

"So concerning your condition, there are a few things to go over, would you like Dr. Johanssen to be present?" Dr. Watson asked.

"Oh no. I-I don't want to intrude on important PHI (Patient Health Information), I'll just-"Phoebe started.

"Well Doi! Of course she can stay! It's not like its anything serious of whatever. So come on out with it. I need to get lots of fluids and rest and hit the pharmacy for some antibiotics right?" Helga interrupted.

"Well while I do encourage getting as much rest as possible, I wouldn't recommend any strong medicines or anything just yet. If anything, it would be healthier to let nature run its course. But not to worry, the baby is healthy so far and besides the intense nausea and vomiting due to pregnancy or morning sickness as you would call it, you'll be just fine. I'll be glad to schedule an appointment with our gynecologist for any concerns or to track your progress." The doctor explained.

"…Wait…What?" Helga blinked.

Phoebe gasped in alarm again, hands covering her mouth.

"Oh I suppose I went to fast again as usual. After running some tests, the results are just confirmation of nothing more than the morning sickness phase since you're at most I'd say 4 weeks along."

Silence was heard.

"In other words, congratulations Mrs. Shortman, you're pregnant. "