A/N: Hi everyone! I'm back with another chapter! Now before we begin, I'd like to address the common question that I've seen in my reviews, and I know that's going through all of our heads: Why am I censoring some bad words, and leaving others if it's rated T. Well, in this universe, I want to have that TV feel, as if the story came straight from Craig himself! (Psh, Shoot I wish! I know, dream on right?) So I was originally going to not use any profanity, but thought, fudge it. The intensity of this story requires them for the types of emotions that happen, and even in the show, words were insinuated but blocked. However, due to the fact that my mom sometimes likes to read my stuff, I'm from the good ol' South, and she keeps true to the "Wash your mouth out" syndrome, I decided that to avoid the taste of Ajax or Dawn in my mouth, while still keeping it real, I will simply blot out the extreme bad words, and have the audience imagine or guess what words the characters are saying.
Now before we begin this chapter, I want to give a fair warning. I intended this story to be an emotional rollercoaster. Therefore, expect the best, the worst, the good, bad, and the Brainy…Rest assured, although I might get a lot of threats and flames for the events of this story, the ending will be worth something. I promise. So if you dare, grab your Kleenex or Puffs and let's get to it!
I mentioned earlier how the feelings of expectations can serve to be one of life's most exciting moments. But along with the moments of expecting something to happen, come the intense feelings of suspense; the anxiety and uncertainty that settles and becomes evident as time passes on. Obviously such emotions are natural, but it is only according to the possibilities, the severity, or the risks that affects the outcome of what is expected, that fuels the anticipation of the moment. And also, the question of whether or not you will be able to handle the unknown…
I'm still trying to answer that question right now…
A distressed Helga tried with great effort to control her breathing as the continual pains shot throughout her lower back and abdomen in consistent wave like patterns. Timing the contractions was pointless as she threw the stopwatch and curled her body in a fetal position in a desperate attempt to find relief. She had recently prided herself in practicing the different techniques and tricks of coping with labor pains she learned in her childbirth preparation classes successfully for the false contractions, but unfortunately, she was beginning to feel that the "easier said than done" phrase applied to the real thing.
Especially because it was happening rather earlier than scheduled.
The day started out quiet with nothing happening out of the ordinary. She was actually starting to get used to false labor contractions. They were annoying, but nothing the former terrorizing queen of P.S. 118 couldn't handle; especially because her beloved prince was there to give those soothing massages that proved more than helpful. But when a call came from her mother and father-in-law regarding an important message from the Green Eyed people and one of the head chief's request to talk to them all via video conference, she encouraged her husband to go while she opted to stay home. Despite his protests, she reassured him that she would be fine; so reluctantly he left, demanding that she'd call if she needed anything. Nonchalantly, she waved him off and scoffed at his overprotective attitude. She knew that being as tough as nails, she would be fine on her own.
That was a mistake.
She struggled, but finally managed to get her breathing under control to where she was able to reach for her phone and speed dial one of her contacts. At this point she didn't care who she possibly butt dialed, but secretly hoped it was her husband or someone with a set of wheels to come flying to her rescue.
She had no such luck.
"Hello this is-"
"Phil!" Helga grunted in pain, cutting him off from his introduction.
"Huh? Wha? Who's this?" Phil asked suspiciously.
"He-Helga!" She breathed out.
"Oh! My favorite granddaughter-in-law! Actually now that I think of it, you're my only granddaughter-in-law besides that…what's her name, the one with the long braids and the perkiness that makes ya want to puke? Lilly or something like that?" He mused.
"Phil!" She groaned once more in agony.
"No-no. That wasn't it; started with an L…Lulu, Lola…"
"Ugh!"
"Lila! That was it! For the life of me I will never understand what in the world she sees in that weirdo! Then again, she is kind of a weirdo herself. Who says 'ever so' in a sentence?" He shuddered. "Anyways, what's up? Oh! I know! You're calling to tell me you both finally decided to name the baby after me! I knew you'd both see things my-"
"PHIL!" She shouted.
"Ah! What? I have the phone up to my ear! I can hear you just fine! No need to make me go deaf! Pookie's snoring does a good enough job of that already…and that's without my hearing aid!" He grumbled.
"PHIL! PLEASE! AH!" She cried.
"Helga? What's wrong? Are you alright?" Phil asked with concern.
"W-water!" She grunted.
"Huh? You want some water?" Phil asked in confusion.
"No! W-water! My-water!" She breathed.
"Huh? You called me to tell me you have some water? Well that's not exactly an interesting topic, but"
"BROKE!" She shouted.
"Huh? You're broke? But I thought your book was hot off the shelves! Shouldn't that generate enough revenue? Aw don't worry about it. I'm sure I got a quarter somewhere in my-"
"No! Water! Broke!" She grunted the words in annoyance as she cried after another stronger contraction.
"OH! I see!" Phil exclaimed. Helga's eyes widened slightly in hopefulness that he understood.
"The water in your plumbing system broke down eh? Well that's what faulty plumbing does. Trust me, I have the same problem in my office; nothing a little screwdriver and plunger can't fix! I can-"
She dared not express verbally the choice of words that she wanted to say in that moment.
"FU**! NO! CRIMINY! UGH!" She cried. " A-Arnold! ARNOLD! GET…ARNOLD! Water! Broke!" She dropped the phone to curl up once more.
"Hello? Helga? Hello?" Phil asked but received no response. He shrugged as he hung up and went upstairs to find his grandson.
Meanwhile, upstairs in Arnold's former childhood room, he, Stella, and Miles gathered together around his computer, attentively listening to an important conversation with one of the Green Eyed people's head chief along with a female interpreter that just so happened to be their former friend Eduardo's niece.
"Look, I'm not saying that the entire civilization should just come out in the open; just that they should consider the benefits of having the medical care they need in a location that would be more convenient for them. The sleeping sickness isn't anything to play around with, and although my vaccinations were helpful, distribution is difficult and things could be so much better if they had the proper resources." Stella explained.
The female interpreter known as Maria took the time to translate Stella's message to the chief who was standing in the shadows. Once she received a response, she translated it back.
"The chief understands your concerns Stella. You are not the only one who feels strongly about this matter. Unfortunately it would appear that the tribe is divided on the ideas of certain industrialization."
Miles scratched his chin. "Well, that's understandable considering the Green Eyes unique and secluded culture; not only with the methods they follow for everyday living, but the entire existence itself has certain qualities that couldn't be described anything less than-"
"Magical?" Stella scoffed, yet seriousness shone through her eyes.
"-although it goes against scientific reasoning, I was going to say supernatural and mysterious, but for lack of a better word, yes."
"But that still doesn't change the fact that they need special medical care that cannot be provided by their own home remedies." Stella stated sternly.
"Yes, but honey, you have to consider the risks of what exposing them could do! Especially with something enigmatic as the La Corazon. If its power was ever discovered, all hell would break lose. The government would eat that up in a heartbeat and do gosh knows what else!" Miles insisted.
Stella was rendered silent since she knew her husband was right. She sighed. "I know. You're right…But still!"
Maria looked behind to see the chief beckoning her. Once she received his message, she turned towards the family on the screen once more.
"The chief would like to know what Arnold's decision will be on the matter."
The football headed man nearly did a double take when he heard his name.
"Me?" Arnold asked in confusion. "What does it matter if I decided on anything?"
"Oh Honey, you should know how important you are to them by now!" Stella smiled.
"Yeah, they practically worship you, so I'm pretty sure your opinion matters." Miles winked as he pat his son's back heartily.
"Mo-om, da-ad, please! You know how weird that is to me. Seriously, I'm not a god or anything special. I'm just Arnold." He protested feeling awkward as he thought of how the entire tribe viewed him as a higher power.
"Your parents are right though Arnold. According to the tribe and its divinations, you are the chosen one; and as such, you either have the final say, or provide the guidance needed for the leaders to make certain decisions for the entire society." Maria explained.
Arnold resisted the urge to roll his eyes and instead sighed deeply while shaking his head. He then relented, deciding to humor them.
"Well…I guess that, I mean, I think that a compromise should be in order. We all agree that the Green Eye's secrecy should be maintained for the good and safety of the tribe; but at the same time, my mom has a point. The Sleeping Sickness is very dangerous and cures are limited. Proper treatment must be given in order to promote healing and prevention. Besides, we didn't spend all of our time and energy on opening a medical facility down there for nothing, after all. I think it should be put to good use as the tribe's personal clinic located in an area that only they know about. It could be like the private area they set up for my mom when she was about to have me; safe, private, and away from the public eye."
Maria translated the advice and nodded at the chief once he gave a response. She smiled at the family.
"The chief likes your idea Arnold! He's even more astounded by your wisdom. He'll see to it that certain preparations and accommodations be made immediately and thanks you for your time and advice." She and the chief bowed.
"It's no problem, just glad we were able to help. They are all like family to us." Arnold and the family nodded in respect.
Once the family ended their conversation, they heard a knock on the door. Arnold went to answer it and saw his grandpa.
"Oh hi grandpa, we just finished up here. Is something wrong?"
"Hmm not sure, your wife called, sounded pretty upset! Something about the plumbing being out of order or something like that." Phil explained.
"The plumbing? That's weird. Normally she'd just fix whatever's wrong herself. What did she say exactly?" Arnold asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I dunno, she was all whining and yowling about the water. Something about it being broken or whatever…" Phil shrugged.
Stella's eyes widened in realization and horror as she nearly knocked her husband down, ran up to her father-in-law, and desperately grabbed him by the shoulders.
"Phil! What did she say exactly?!" She pressed.
"Umm…let's see…darn my dementia, I just had it…it was on the tip of my tongue…OH! Yes! She said that her water broke and to get Arnold! Haha! I knew I still had it in me!" He smiled.
"WHAT?!" Arnold, Miles, and Stella yelled in unison.
"OH NO! HELGA!" Arnold panicked and ran to get his phone. He tried to call his wife, but received no answer.
He was now in full freak out mode as he flew down the stairs, out the door, and ran all the way to his house, his parents hot on his trail. He practically busted down the front door as he flew to his wife who was still in a fetal position, whimpering and growling in pain.
"HELGA! O-OH MY GO-A-ARE YOU OKAY?!" He stuttered, still panicking.
"FU** YOU! WHAT THE FU** DO YOU THINK, YOU FU***** STUPID FOOTBALL HEAD?!" She yelled and then screamed once more at the burst of pain in her lower back.
"Helga Sweetie, we're getting you to the hospital now. Just try to stay calm, focus on your breathing." Stella said calmly yet rapidly as she stroked her daughter-in-law's hair that was drenched in sweat.
"I-I don't understand! The-the doctor said she-she wasn't supposed to be due until 3 weeks! I-isn't it too early?" Arnold stammered, grabbing the various suitcases he packed for his wife.
"UGH! DOI! FU** THE DOCTOR! HE WAS WRONG! SH**! She clenched her fist and pounded the floor.
"FU** ME RIGHT NOW!" She cried.
"Isn't that what got you like this in the first place?" Miles murmured under his breath. The blush and face palm of his son, sudden stinging sensation from a hard punch on his shoulder, and murderous looks from both women quickly made him realize that his remark was not inaudible.
Once the family piled into the car and rushed to the hospital, they all continued to wince at Helga's tortured state and the words she spewed out to her husband. Some remarks were curses, others vicious threats for putting her in such a condition, and others were apologies, blaming herself for being at Karma's mercy for the way she treated him over the years.
Arnold did his best to stay strong and keep his cool despite the hurtful, biting, and amusing words that spilled from his wife's mouth. She would be cursing his very existence one moment, then cursing her own the next, followed by cries of pleading and begging for forgiveness for the treatment over the years and back to cursing herself for being so weak. Being a psychiatrist, Arnold was use to mood disorders and recognized such cases instantly, but being the ever concerned, worried, and slightly frightened husband and pending father, he struggled to hold himself as he willed his tears back into his eye sockets.
Unfortunately, he had no idea that the worst was yet to come.
The hours were long and painful for both parties. The waiting room was filled to the brim with friends holding their assorted pink and blue balloons and gifts as they anxiously waited. Miles looked at his wife in concern as she continued to pace the floor. It wasn't just the unexpected excitement that hit her once she figured out what Phil was saying, but rather, the concern at the unexpected timing of Helga's labor pains.
It was too early.
Could this mean that the birth would be preterm? What impact would that have on the children? On the mother? So many possibilities rushed through her mind and she could not sit still.
She continued pacing.
"Ugh…How long's it been now?" Rhonda groaned as she crossed her long legs in the uncomfortable chair.
"Approximately 5 hours and 15 seconds in counting…This would be considered normal. I mean being in the process of labor can take as long as hours to days. But…" Phoebe's reasoning was cut short as they all suddenly heard faint curses and screaming along with various urges to remain calm.
"I'M WORRIED!" Phoebe cried. "Poor Helga! She sounds like she's in complete anguish and her afflictions are absolute!"
"Yeah…Isn't it cool! I've never heard Helga whine so badly! She actually sounds worse than Harold!" Sid stated in amusement.
"Yeah! She does sound worse than m-HEY! I DON'T WHINE!" Harold whined indignantly.
"I reckon you do Harold, on account of you just did it just now and all." Stinky replied.
"SHUT UP! YOU GUYS BETTER TAKE THAT BACK OR I'LL POUND YA!" Harold threatened, waving his fists for emphasis.
"We're going to put a hurtin' on all of you boys if you all don't shut up!" Patty snapped. Gloria, Nadine, Sheena, Beauty, and Brainy nodded while glaring.
Harold, Stinky, and Sid mumbled quiet apologies.
"Oh! I just ever so hope Helga's alright!" Lila cried as she snuggled into her husband's embrace.
"Doubt it. She is in excruciating pain. I can tell since she screamed 944 times in counting for the past 5 hours." Arnie explained in his dull tone.
Another agonizing yell was hard.
"945." He concluded.
Gerald just shook his head and wrapped an arm around his wife, trying to comfort her. He then sighed in worry for his best friend who was currently in the delivery room with his wife.
"Mm Mm Mm…I just hope Arnold's ok…" He stated quietly and seriously.
Meanwhile, in the delivery room, the suspenseful situation was far worse than in the waiting room. Arnold ignored the stinging sensation on his arms and hands from his wife's nails digging into his flesh, drawing blood, as he held her hand in support. Sure it was normal for the intensity of the event to rouse feelings of nervousness, anxiety, and stress, but the aftermath would bring such a joy and peace that it would all be deemed worth it in the end.
At least that's the hope that Arnold was holding onto as his wife's distressed state panged his heart.
Despite the painkillers, the effects proved inferior to the excruciating ruptures taking place in the pink cladded woman's body.
The medical staff tried everything they could to provide comfort to the pending mother as they observed her condition and treated it the best they could.
One moment the midwife would encourage pushing, the next, she'd protest against it.
Poor Helga would be screaming in one moment, hyperventilating the next, and finally passed out from the pain; only to wake up and repeat the process over and over again.
Once one of the doctor's was informed of what was going on and looked Helga over, she shook her head and explained the condition.
"We've got a Cephalopelvic Disproportion in both case scenarios; meaning that usually the case would be the baby's head being too large to go through the mother's pelvis or other size factors, or that the baby's positioning is poor. In her case, not only are the babies heads too big to pass through her pelvis, resulting in a failure to progress, one of them is positioned poorly towards her abdomen. She's also lost a lot of blood from multiple ruptures."
"What are you saying?" Arnold snapped hoarsely, the long hours of staying up with his wife taking a toll on his body and attitude.
"I'm saying…we're going to have to do a cesarean. A natural birth's out of the question and can put your wife in danger."
"H-hey A-Arnold?" Helga whispered, her voice long gone from the screaming. Arnold rushed to her side, taking her hand gently.
"I'm here sweetheart! I'm here."
"D-did I do it yet...? I-is it over...? A-are they here?" She slurred quietly, the effects of stronger painkillers finally starting to work where she could make conversation.
Arnold held back his tears once more, empathizing and agonizing over his beloved's state. He kissed the inside of her palm.
"N-not yet…but they will be…" He explained the situation as best as he could to his wife. Helga sighed, cursing at the difficulty of the situation. She then nodded her head in determination.
"D-do it. Whatever…w-whatever it takes…to get them here."
As the medical staff prepped for the cesarean procedure, the ever devoted couple gazed silently with worry into each other's eyes.
As I looked into my beloved's green orbs, I noticed how they lost their luster, it's sparkling beam of hope that brightened the emphasis of his jaded color that I adored, was gone…leaving only the desperate and subtle glimmer of hope, that everything would be okay, behind. He was suffering as much as I was…figuratively and emotionally speaking of course, because I concluded that I was in my own personal hell from the moment I could no longer time the contractions accurately. If that wasn't bad enough, I suddenly have this feeling…this terrible, eerie feeling that the worst was yet to come…Like, like time was running out…For what? I don't know yet…But it's making me reflect on everything that's happened. I mean my life literally is flashing before my eyes.
From the moment I found myself isolated in my crib…
To my new bright pink bow, drenched in mud…
To watching my little beloved finger paint from a distance….
To chasing Abner around, trying to get my locket back…
To resisting the current of a waterfall while desperately reaching out for my beloved's hand…
To the angry shouting we engaged in as he informed me of his move to San Lorenzo…
To the confusion of how I suddenly became the "Arnold" of my high school years…
To being wrapped in his strong arms as we reunited…
To the intense passionate kissing sessions as I snuck into his dorm room…
To my first best seller…
To the sighs of relief that I wore flip-flops at our San Lorenzo wedding ceremony as the priest talked on and on…
To when I learned what true bliss was…
To when I received the biggest surprise in my life…
To when I tried to recover from the events of my baby shower…
To the bitterness towards my family that I held and still hold onto…
To this moment…
Every detail was so vivid, every moment, more precious than I'd realized…as if, as if this was the time I needed to reflect, to consider, to express…before it's too late.
And so I did…
"I-I'm sorry…" Helga whispered as she softly rubbed her husband's calloused and bruised hand.
"Huh? Oh. Don't worry about it Helga. It's no big deal. I'm just hoping that you'll be alr-no. I'm just glad that you are alright." He smiled, trying to reassure himself as much as he was reassuring her.
"You can be honest. I know you're scared. I am too…Still, I shouldn't have yelled at you and said those awful things…no matter how much pain I'm in…I'm sorry." She replied quietly.
He just held his wife's hand tighter, and kissed her cheek.
"I love you." He smiled. She smiled back and then sighed in exhaustion as sleep tried to take over.
No…That-that's not all…
She reluctantly fought off the sleepy spell and looked into her husband's eyes, fully drowsy, yet determined.
"A-Arnold? My love?" She tried to speak louder, hoarse voice be darned.
"Hm?" He snapped his daydreaming gaze from out the window, to his wife.
"Thank you. Thank you for everything…Because of you, my life is worth living. You not only showed me kindness and gave an actual da** about me when no one else did, but you showed, no proved to me, that in a world that's cruel and uncaring, love can be found, that serves as a light at the end of the tunnel, the silver lining on the darkest cloud…Love that brings such joys and pain, but that you can't live without…A love that defines my existence in this world and fueled a hope that never died in me…To be with you…And now that I have truly experienced the joys of being yours…the joys of seeing that love shine through so many others that I never thought was there, through all of our family, Stella, Miles, Phil, Gertie, the boarders, and our friends…Phoebe, Gerald, Brainy, Patty, Lila, Harold, Stinky, Sid, Sheena, Eugene, Nadine, heck even Rhonda and Curly and so many others…I was blind and stupid to think that I was ever alone…But, you showed me…No matter how much I pushed you away, you always came back…Thank You…"
Arnold wanted to raise an eyebrow at her sudden, soft, and sincere speech, but the power of it nearly moved him to tears. "Helga-"
"I-I just wish…I could be there…to share that same love to our little ones…I wish I could be the mother to do things the right way…And yet, maybe…maybe…I was too harsh on my own family…I mean it's not like all the times we shared were bad…I-I just wish….I could be able…"
He raised an eyebrow.
"Helga, what are you talking about? You will be here to teach them! We both will, and so will the others!"
"Arnold…I don't know…" She whispered.
"What do you mean you don't know? In fact, why are you saying all this?" He demanded.
"Just…with everything…I-I don't know how it's going to end…I-I wanted to make sure I said what needed to be said, in case…well…if I don't make-"
"Stop." He snapped lowly. "Just stop it, Helga. Y-you're talking crazy. It must be the morphine or something…"
"Arnold…if I don't make-"
"SHUT UP!" He raised his voice, losing his calm once he realized what she was implying. "You listen to me, Helga Geraldine Pataki-Shortman, and you listen well. You will make it through this. We both will. This whole thing, this whole situation is part of a long process that will end up in the happiest moment of our lives! You are going to be the mother of our children, and I am going to be the father! We're going to fulfill our promises that we made to each other, and those little ones are going to be the luckiest kids on the planet consumed with nothing but love from nearly everyone we know in Hillwood. And they're going to grow up to be the best they can be, because we're going to make sure of it. And what we don't know, we'll learn together. You and me. All of us. All of us will be together and happy! Do you understand me?!" He breathed heavily after his loud rant.
Helga's eyes widened slightly at his explosive response, then she smirked.
"I'm rubbing off on you worse than I imagined eh' Bucko?"
Arnold cleared his throat, rubbing the back of his neck in slight embarrassment at what just happened.
"Heh-I guess so."
"I love you, you know that?"
"Yeah, I love you too Helga…with all my heart. We are going to get through this."
His wife grabbed his hand once more in a firm grasp, a look of determination on her face.
"You're right. Let's do our best then, Football Head."
He tightened the grasp and nodded, determination also gracing his features.
The next hours that passed were excruciatingly long. Concerned friends and loved ones reluctantly left the hospital for other business they had to take care of, sending their best wishes and high hopes for the hopefully soon to be happy couple turned parents. Only Miles, Stella, Gertie, and Phil remained. Phoebe and Gerald wanting more than anything to stay behind and be the first friends to see the new family, as Arnold and Helga were the first for them. It was barely even noon by the time the couple rushed to the hospital and waited for their friends, but the waiting extended into the late hours of the night. Although they detested to leave, duty called as they had to tend to their own infant.
It wasn't until five minutes till midnight, when a faint newborn baby's cry was heard, jerking Stella and Miles awake.
At the stroke of midnight, another crying sound joined the first one.
"Congratulations! It's a boy and a girl!" The doctor smiled, raising her voice slightly above the crying noises.
Although he was tired beyond belief, Arnold smiled and teared up as he watched the nurses clean up the two football headed newborns. Once they were presentable and he got to hold them, he chuckled at the irony of an unexpected coincidence.
Finally, it seemed like everything was coming together after 24 hours of hell.
Now there was nothing left to do but enjoy the wondrous bliss of being new parents.
…But the night was still young.
"Mr. Shortman? I'm sorry to interrupt, but we have news on your wife…" One of the doctor's informed him in a grave tone.
"How is she? Did she get to see them?" Arnold asked, joy still in his tone.
"I'm afraid she's in a critical state right now…" The doctor started and adjusted her glasses. "Because of the extensive blood loss and ruptures, her body was prone to infection that could have infected the babies. Fortunately, we caught it, but because of her continual distressed state, her blood pressure spiked, making her pulses irregular. Normally, this wouldn't cause too much concern, but the stress that triggered her high blood pressure led to seizures and she hasn't stopped…if they continue…it could be fatal."
Arnold rushed in to see his wife in an unmoving state.
"HELGA!"
He ran to her side, grasping on to her hand and stroking her face.
"Helga! Helga can you hear me?!"
No answer.
"Helga! I need you to wake up! You have to! You-You did it!"
Still no answer.
"You did it Helga!" He laughed nervously through his choked up sobs. "They are here! I-it's a boy and a girl! Would you believe it?! Who knew after all that joking we did huh? But they're here! Philip Miles Shortman, and Halenie Stella Shortman are here! A-and guess what? Y-you know what's funny? R-remember that nightmare I had of us married? T-they look just like 2 of the kids in my dream, only a whole heck of a lot better! They're beautiful! You have to see them Helga! You have to wake up!"
Still no response.
"HELGA WAKE UP!" he shouted, tears streaming down uncontrollably.
All of a sudden, her body started moving.
She shook.
She trembled.
"SHE'S CONVULSING! GET THE DOCTOR!" One of the nurses shouted.
"NO WORSE, SHE'S CODING! IT'S A CARDIAC ARREST! CALL A STAT!" Another nurse shouted.
They mercilessly shoved Arnold out of the way as the entire medical team rushed into the room barking various orders.
"NO! HELGA! LET ME THROUGH! THAT'S MY WIFE IN THERE! LET ME GO!" Arnold shouted, fighting off the male nurses that escorted him out of the room.
But to no avail…
I heard sounds…
So many different noises from all directions…
Is that you my beloved?
What's so funny?
No, wait, why are you crying?
Are the babies okay?
Did they arrive yet?
Criminy, I can't move...
WHY CAN'T I MOVE?!
Arnold…
Oh Arnold!
So tired…
I-I can't…
As I said before, along with life's exciting moments of expectations, come the intense feelings of suspense…Depending on the situation, good or bad, it is the risks or possibilities that affect the outcome that fuel its power…But as I embrace that feeling, I am left with a fear. A fear of the unknown…What's going to happen to me? What will be the impact? The intensity consumes me, and I am left with the worse feeling of them all: helplessness…I am not in control, no matter much how I want to be…All I can think about to cope with the fear, is the satisfaction of knowing that I have lived the best of these years in my life with no regrets. No matter how short lived they were…I can only hope…I can only hope…that everything will be okay…
Even though…I see nothing but darkness.
As she faded into the black, all she could hear were the desperate torturous cries of her husband screaming her name, and various voices.
Including two distinct baby cries.
How she wish she could smile in victory in that moment.
The last sound that was heard was the long tone of a flatline on the electrocardiogram.