A/N: Hey everyone! Here's another update within the time frame I promised. Please let me know what ya'll think of it. I would have finished this sooner altogether, but then I would pass the deadline I made for myself. So, I decided to split this up into 2 parts to add to the suspense! Read and review and I might just update quicker *wink wink*

Whenever I think about the word "separation", usually a negative notation would be associated. No one likes the idea of being alone; of being set apart from people held dear and close to the heart. And yet, the ideas of solitude and serenity are not always put down so quickly. There comes a time in life when loneliness is bliss. It gives you the opportunity to think, reflect, and examine yourself; who you are, what you want, and what's important. Therefore, the concept can be seen as a mixed bag. I know for a fact, that being with the ones you love, stimulate feelings that cannot be explained; feelings that you know will leave you in a state of despair if it was ever taken away from you by causing separation.

But right now, in this moment, I could give a sh** about togetherness! In fact, I yearn for isolated bliss!

Why you may ask?

A disgruntled Helga tapped her pencil vigorously against her notepad in pure frustration. It wasn't anything new for the renowned poet and author to suffer from writer's block, but she felt that the ideas for her newest edition would come to her a lot easier if it wasn't for certain interruptions.

Of course the cries for diaper changes would not be denied. And under the circumstances, she was fine with meeting the demands of the twins, because all in all, they weren't the problem.

"Hey Honey! I was able to catch a break from work again; just came by to see how you and the kids are doing!"

It was her ever loving, yet lately over protective and dare she say "clingy" husband that was the problem.

Helga's frown of exhaustion and exasperation went unnoticed as her husband wasted no time in hugging her tightly and releasing her to coo at his children, who reached anxiously for their father from their crib.

"Arnold…seriously. How many times do I have to keep saying 'we're fine' before you stop sneaking off from work to check on us…for the seventieth consecutive time in a row?"

"Oh don't be silly Babe, it wasn't that many times." Arnold smiled playfully.

"You're right. My mistake, it was 76 times in the past 5 days alone." Helga deadpanned.

"Well, it's no big deal. Like I said, I wanted to make sure that you and the kids were alright. You know how much I hate leaving you guys alone." Arnold explained.

"And why is that exactly?" She snapped.

"Why is what?" Arnold replied distractedly as he ruffled his son's bangs and blew a raspberry on his daughter's stomach.

"Why do you hate leaving us, or more so me, alone." Helga tried again through clenched teeth, losing her patience.

Arnold paused for a moment, before sighing and looking his wife in the eyes.

"…You know why."

"Seriously?! That's still bugging you?" Helga raised an eyebrow.

"Of course it is! Helga, what part of you practically died do you not understand?! I basically lost you, but I promised myself if there was ever a chance that you would recover, that I wouldn't let you out of my sight. I wasn't joking." He replied seriously.

"Yeah I can see that! But don't you think you're getting a little…I don't know, paranoid?! I mean you've been by my side like glue since I got out of the hospital!"

"It's my job Helga! I'm your husband and a dad now. What did you expect for me to do?" He raised an eyebrow.

"And I appreciate your devotion! I really do, I just think that maybe you're laying it on a little bit thicker than needed!" Helga explained.

"How so?" He asked.

"Gee I don't know, maybe by taking the chance every time you get a break from work to drive every 30 minutes on the highway just to come and see how we're doing, after calling me on the phone 3 times, leaving over 5 voicemails, 10 texts, and 13 Hillbook messages?! And that's when I responded to each one, on a daily basis!"

"It never hurts to check in every so often." He shrugged.

Yeah! Every so often! Not every time you're temporarily off the clock! You have other obligations and duties Arnoldo! You actually left in the middle of an important session before for crying out loud!" Helga threw up her hands.

"It wasn't a session, it was a mandatory meeting, and I made up for it eventually! You guys are my first and only priority, you should know that by now." He stated.

"Yes but Football-Head! Get real! There are other things in life that are important too! Like making a living, or heck even Geraldo! When's the last time you even spent time with the guys?"

"I've been busy! Besides, Gerald's been busy with his own family too you know?"

"Yeah but he asked about you! He actually takes the time to go to work, have his time out, and still be there for his wife and kids! Heck, so does Pink Boy for crying out loud!"

"Well that's them. Not me. I have other things to do that are far more-"

"-what?! Important?! Go on and say it! I know that's what you're going to say!" She challenged.

"I'm not saying that they aren't important! Will you stop trying to put words in my mouth?" He glared.

"But you were going to say that you had more important things to do than spend time with them!" She folded her arms.

Arnold gave a sigh of frustration. "Yes. Okay. Yes, Helga. I find that my duties as a husband in making sure that his wife, who basically died, and miraculously came back is happy, along with being the father of two hyperactive twins, are far more important than going out for some one-on-one time with the guys or anything else. Happy?"

"Not in the least. Like I said, I appreciate everything you're doing but Babe, it's not healthy to keep running yourself ragged over unnecessary worry!" Helga softened.

Arnold heaved a heavy sigh once more while shaking his head. Helga walked up to him and put a hand on his shoulder.

"I know you want us to be okay and happy. I want the same for you, My Love. That's why I'm bringing it up. All I'm asking is that you tone it down a little."

"…Fine. I guess you're right. I just love you Helga. I love you, Phil, and Hal so much, just the thought of being away or anything happening to any of you…I wouldn't know what to do…"

Helga brushed her lips against his in a soft kiss that managed to bring comfort to his soul. She then flicked him on the nose playfully.

"Like I said, unnecessary worry. Need I remind you who you married Bucko?"

"Of course; the one and only pink terror of PS 118, with the tough named fists that're sure to strike horror into the hearts of many." Arnold rolled his eyes good naturedly.

"And they sure as he** never failed me yet!" Helga smirked as she blew on each fist with pride. "Now get the he** out of here, and back to work already before you're late and the paycheck suffers! Someone's gotta' cover the cost of jumbo diapers!"

"Alright. I'll see you after work then, Baby." Arnold leaned in to kiss his wife, only to hear the whimpers of his children.

"Aww, I didn't forget about you guys! Come here!" He walked over to take each baby into his arms to hug and kiss them. "Okay, it's mommy's turn now."

"Oh no! I'm good! Trust me! I'm still floating on air after the first 110 kisses you gave me." She deadpanned seriously.

Arnold kissed her anyway.

"111." She deadpanned once more.

"Now who's sounding like Arnie?" He smirked then looked down at his watch.

"Ok, I better go. Daddy will be back soon! Take good care of mommy little ones!"

"Kay daddy!" Little Phil cooed and then crawled off to find his toy airplane. Little Hal tried to waddle over to Arnold, who left out the door. Once she realized that she was too late in reaching her father, she whimpered, prepared to burst into tears. Helga quickly picked her up in her arms.

"Hey Halie. What's the matter? "

"Me want daddy!" She whimpered.

"Aw I'm sorry honey. Daddy had to go bye-bye. He had to go back to work. He'll be back again soon." Helga tried to reason.

Hal began to cry very loudly.

"Ugh! Stupid Football-Head! Of course he doesn't realize that every time he pops in every dang half hour, it gives the twins false hope that he would be sticking around; especially Hal, leaving me to salvage the damage!" Helga sneered mentally as she shook her head and tried to bounce her daughter gently in her arms in an attempt to calm her down.

It didn't work.

"Aw Criminy! Come on Kiddo! Make it easier for mommy! It's not like he won't be back in the next half hour! Knowing him, he's going to disregard everything I said earlier and pop up like a da*** Peek-a-Boo-Whack-a-Mole!" Helga's eyes widened with enlightenment.

"Wait a minute! That's it!"

"Halie! Halie Sweetie, look at mommy!" She cooed as she put her daughter down. Hal wiped at her eyes and turned her bright blue gaze to her mother who was currently hiding her face behind her hands.

"Where did mommy go?" Helga whispered softly behind her hands. Hal gasped, alarmed that she could not see her mother's face and turned around to see if she could find her. All of a sudden, Helga removed her hands and tickled her daughter's stomach with a smile, making Halenie erupt in small giggles.

"There she is!"

She then repeated the notion. "Uh oh! Where's mommy? Did mommy go bye-bye?"

Hal looked around once more and was caught off guard by the tickling sensation once her mother popped out from behind her hands.

"Ok, now. You miss daddy right?" Helga started softly, watching her daughter nod her head and sniff in reply. "Well, it's just like the Peek-a-Boo game! Daddy had to go bye-bye…"

She hid her face behind her hands again.

"But then…Daddy will come back!" She tickled her daughter once more, and repeated her actions.

"Daddy went bye-bye…" Helga smiled behind her hands. This time, Hal watched her actions, blue eyes wide and ready.

"Then…Daddy will come back!" She tickled her daughter once more. Hal exploded with laughter and squeals. She then took hold of her mother' hands and put them on her face.

"Daddy go bye bye…" Hal started. She took her mother's hands down form her face and cried, "Daddy come back!"

"You got it, Bucko!" Helga smirked and blew a raspberry on her daughter's stomach. "So be a big girl until then okay?"

"Kay Mommy!" Hal smiled and waddled off to find her brother.

Helga blew a strand of hair out of her eyes and flopped on a nearby couch.

"Well at least I can finally get some type of peace and quiet!" She mumbled.

"Hi guys! I'm back again!" Arnold announced as he walked back through the door.

"Daddy!" The twins exclaimed and ran into their father's awaiting arms.

Helga did not share the same excitement as she scowled tiredly, drumming her fingers against the armrest of the couch.

Arnold raised up his hands. "In my defense, I only came back to get my lab coat…But then it turned out to be lunch time so..."

"So you couldn't resist to come back home. Again. After you just left not even a full hour ago…Again. And decided to completely ignore what we agreed on…Again!" Helga scowled.

"I really don't understand why it's such a bad thing to you. You always said you loved it when we were altogether." Arnold said.

"I do! But Arnold, lately you've been taking it too far! You text me every 15-30 minutes, you call me whenever I don't text back, you freaked out the other day when you dropped by the house on your break and found me gone, and all I did was step outside to take out the trash! And this happened more than 7 times already! I mean what's next?! You gonna' start stalking me too?!"

"…I'm sorry, I just couldn't help myself I guess." He rubbed a hand on the back of his neck.

"And another thing you failed to consider is the false sense of hope you give the kids when they think you're here to stay! You know how much of a daddy's girl Halenie is! I had to literally make a game out of your appearances to calm her down!"

"I didn't realize…I wasn't trying to cause any stress, I was just…worried I guess." Arnold replied.

"Yeah, I heard it the first almost 80 times Arnold. Look, I get that what happened to me must have freaked you out, but-"

"Do you really Helga?" He snapped. "Because, if you did, I think you would be a little bit more understandable and just let me have the peace of mind of knowing you're okay!"

Helga threw her hands up in the air in frustration. "Fine, whatever. Do what you want." She left to go upstairs.

"Well, at least I'm finally alone…It took me having to be stuck in the bathroom to do it, but I'll take what I can get at this point…" Helga sighed and scrolled through her phone. "Now I just have to stay in here until the Football-Head's lunch break is over and I'll be in the clear! For now anyways…"

She heard a knock on the door.

"Honey? Are you alright? You've been in there for a while now!" She heard her husband call from the other side of the door.

"You gotta be fu***** kidding me!" Helga twitched. "Calm down ol' girl. Just don't make a peep and he'll go away…"

I know what you're thinking. Helga, don't you think you're over reacting? Have a heart! Your husband is clearly concerned for your wellbeing and his actions prove it. Besides, once upon a time when you were 9, you would have given heaven and earth to have him follow you like a lost puppy! Well, when you're phone is overloaded with over 50 voicemails, 110 text messages, and over 150 pokes on your social media website total, all with the same message of 'Hi! Just checking on you and the kids' on a daily basis and still have to live with the person at the end of the day…You come back and tell me that your sanity's still intact! It's times like these where I wonder if it can get any worse?!

Helga sighed as she heard the constant knocking finally come to an end. She absent mindedly reached for the roll of toilet paper only to find the roll empty. Before she could mumble curses, she felt a tap on her shoulder and turned only to find her husband standing beside her and holding out a fresh new roll.

After her double take, she stared wide eyed at her husband and finally screamed.

Later on that night…

A furious Helga stomped down the stairs with her husband, who just got off from work, hot on her trail.

"Helga! I said I was sorry about earlier! I was just checking to make sure you were okay! You didn't respond to me when I knocked so I didn't know what else to do!"

"How about leave me the fu** alone?! Was that an option?! Ever consider the possibility that maybe I didn't want to be bothered at that moment? Or maybe not at any moment?!" She scowled.

"You could have just said so or at the very least, let me know that you were okay and I wouldn't have even bothered you in the first place!" Arnold glared.

"YOU KNOW WHAT?! YOU-"Before she could explode at him, they heard the doorbell ring.

After sighing heavily from the built up tension, Arnold went downstairs to answer the door, while Helga went into the other room to tend to the twins who were disturbed from their sleep. Upon opening the door, he saw his parents wearing somber expressions.

"Mom? Dad? What brings you here so late? Is everything okay?" Arnold asked with concern.

"We could ask the same question. We could hear you and Helga shouting from down the street." Stella said, still not changing her expression.

Arnold looked down. "Oh…Sorry. We're-"

"We're fine. It's nothing." Helga replied flatly as she walked up to the doorway. "But what about you? You two looked spooked. Did something happen?"

Stella and Miles nodded silently. "I'm afraid we have some bad news son…It's about Elder." Miles started.

"W-what about him? Is he alright?!" Arnold asked anxiously.

"I'm sorry but who is Elder?" Helga raised an eyebrow.

"He-he was one of the most respected chief and leaders of the Green Eyes tribe…He governed them peacefully for quite a while, especially when we were all back in San Lorenzo." Miles explained. "He was the one who arranged Abner to be sent as our wedding present, and who encouraged us to build special resources down there to promote health for the entire community. But most importantly-"

"-he was a major role model for Arnold…Almost like a second grandfather figure…" Stella finished softly.

"Wait…what do you mean was? You guys are talking like he-wait. No…" Arnold's eyes widened. "Y-you mean he's…he-"

"-passed away earlier today. We just received word from Maria…I'm so sorry Honey. I know how important he was to you." Stella hugged her son as he stood in shock, tears running down his face.

Flashback to 16 years ago...

Twelve year old Arnold Shortman sighed as he sat on the edge of the high mountain top in the jungle. He couldn't help the pang in his chest as he thought about how things ended with his girlfriend of two years. The shouting match did not bring pleasant memories, but painful regrets.

"Oh Helga…Please forgive me…I promise someday I'll make it up to you…"

"The stages of youth are meant to be carefree and full of wonders…But yet, your demeanor is about as aged as I am young chosen one." A deep, raspy voice spoke, a heavy foreign accent evident in his tone.

Arnold turned around to see an older man adorned in typical jungle attire along with a dark green cloak. He wore a band made out of pure gold on top of his tribal head gear and had various emblems of the Green Eyes symbol stitched in his robe and crown.

"Oh I'm sorry sir, I didn't mean to intrude." Arnold rubbed a hand behind his neck in slight embarrassment, but then quickly bowed his head in respect.

"It is no intrusion. I am more than honored to have the mighty one in my presence." The old man smiled.

"Everyone keeps saying that…I don't know why they see me like some big deal, I'm just Arnold."

"Your humble attitude is admirable young Arnold. Whether you know it or not, you are beloved by many. Our legends spoke of you long ago, a true child of peace. But I understand that the fame here will take some getting used to. You represent a huge and meaningful purpose that has yet to be discovered. But in the meantime, just look at us all as your biggest fans."

"Your English is pretty good Mr. Head Chief of the Green eyes sir." Arnold complimented.

"Please, just call me Elder. It's less dramatic." The elder chuckled. "I have had a lot of practice and experience in my life time. Though I still have yet to understand the jargon of slang; like 'lol' for example."

"You mean laugh out loud?" Arnold chuckled.

"Yes! That was it; gets me every time!" He snapped his fingers. "Anyways, tell me the unbearable burden that is weighing down your heart young Arnold."

"It-it's nothing." Arnold frowned with a sigh.

"It is said that the chosen one of our tribe is full of compassion and understanding; equipped with a wisdom beyond his years...I can tell that in your life time, you've had to deal with many burdens for the sake of others' gratification. But perhaps it is time to be the one who does the venting, rather than the listening and advising."

Arnold blinked in awe that the old man somehow knew him so well. The only time he was able to freely express himself was when he would be around Gerald or talk to his grandfather, but considering how they were thousands of miles away, he knew it would be best to get the load off of his chest somehow.

"A-are you sure?" Arnold asked with uncertainty.

"If you're willing; then consider me all ears!" The elder smiled while giving a thumbs up.

End Flashback.

"He really helped me get through some tough times back then. I just can't believe he's gone…" Arnold whispered as he sniffed. His wife handed him a tissue and rubbed his back in sympathy.

"I'm so sorry Arnold…" Helga whispered softly.

"Everyone is devastated…But they are holding a special ceremony in his honor and per his last request, he wanted us all to attend." Miles explained. "Unfortunately, we won't be able to go since mom and dad aren't as independent as they used to be. We have to stay to watch them and the Boarding House…"

"Luckily, they understood our conditions, and accepted them, but they are pleading for Arnold to come instead." Stella stated as she put a hand on her son's shoulder. "It-it won't be long; just a week at most. They're offering to use their sources and special contacts to arrange the trip and accompany you as needed from your arrival there to your departure back home."

Arnold froze as he looked at his mother, not knowing what to say or think.

"I-I don't know…I mean I want to show my support, but I just don't think that's pos-"Arnold stuttered.

"Count him in." Helga answered seriously.

"W-what?!" Arnold turned to his wife.

"You heard me. You're going on that trip." Helga stated then turned to her parent-in-laws. "Tell the tribe to prepare his arrangements. He'll be ready to go as soon as they give the word."

"Honey, don't you think you and your husband should talk about this?" Stella tried.

"Yeah, this is a pretty sudden decision and I know that you both have been busy lately with the babies." Miles added.

"There's nothing to discuss. This man has obviously been like family and deserves Arnold's full support. He'll live to regret it if he doesn't go, hesitant or not. Besides, his vacation time is due and he could go for a little breather from being around me-I mean the house every single day. This should do him some good." Helga reasoned.

"No."

Helga turned to her husband who had a serious expression on his face.

"I'm sorry, but I can't go. It's just not possible as much as I want to. I have other obligations as a father and husband…I just can't fly thousands of miles away; even for someone as important as Elder…"

"What?! Are you crazy? Of course you can! You have to! What part of you'll live to regret it don't you get Football-Head?" Helga raised her voice.

"I don't need you to answer for me Helga. My answer is no. I'm not going. End of the discussion. Tell the tribe I give my deepest apologies and respects, mom and dad."

"Like he** you're not!" Helga exclaimed and then pointed at Miles and Stella. "You tell the tribe that Arnold is going and to set the date."

"Helga! I said no!" Arnold glared.

"Don't argue with me Arnoldo! This is for your own good!" She glared back.

"Don't tell me what's for my own good! I can figure that out myself! I said no! Now respect my decision and leave it alone!" Arnold raised his voice.

"And have you sit up here inwardly regretting not having the chance for closure?! I don't think so Bucko!" Helga matched his tone.

"ENOUGH!" Stella and Miles chorused, rendering the arguing couple silent.

"Clearly you both need to discuss this before any kinds of decisions are made." Miles stated.

"That's right. It's important for you both to be in agreement for this kind of choice before we take any kind of action. So we expect you to settle this in a calm and open manner as mature adults and get back to us when you're ready. "Stella said sternly. "Understood?"

"Yes mom…" Arnold and Helga chorused.

Miles and Stella gave sharp nods and left the couple alone to have their discussion.

"Nice going Arnoldo, you made mom and dad give us the stink eye!" Helga scowled.

Oh real mature Helga…

"Me?! I'm not the one who jumped the gun and said I would go!" Arnold glared.

"You are going. So get packing and get it over with already!" She glared back.

"You don't get to tell me what to do, nor do you have the right to tell me! I said that I wasn't going and that's final! Why do you want me gone so badly anyways?!"

"BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO GET A GRIP ALREADY AND LEAVE ME ALONE!" Helga shouted.

Arnold's eyes widened at her exclamation.

"YEAH! YOU HEARD ME BUCKO! I'VE HAD IT! I'M DONE! FINISHED! I'M FED UP! I'VE HAD TO DEAL WITH YOUR OVERPROTECTIVE AND CLINGY A** SINCE I GOT OUT OF THE HOSPITAL! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!"

"YOU'RE UNEBLIEVABLE! I TOLD YOU WHY I WAS LIKE THAT AND YOU STILL DON'T GET IT?! I'M JUST TRYING TO BE THERE FOR YOU AND THE KIDS HELGA! WHY IS THAT SO WRONG, HUH?!" Arnold shouted back.

"WELL FOR STARTERS, ALONG WITH BEING CLINGY AS SH**, YOU'VE BEEN RUNNING YOURSELF RAGGED AND TIRED, BARELY DOING ANYTHING FOR YOURSELF ANYMORE! IT'S NOT HEALTHY! IT-IT'S LIKE YOU'RE A ROBOT BUILT FOR THE NEEDS OF OTHERS! WELL I DON'T WANT A ROBOT DA** IT! I WANT MY HUSBAND BACK!"

They struggled to catch their breaths form their shouting match.

Arnold raised his hands up in pure frustration. "I'm not going. That's final."

"Da** it Arnold! You will go on this trip or so help me!" Helga threatened.

"You'll what? Pull out Ol' Betsy and the Five Avengers?" He scoffed.

"Don't tempt me…" She raised her fists up for emphasis, but then calmed down by taking a deep breath. "I can't deal with this right now…It's late. We'll discuss this in the morning. I'm going to bed."

"Fine with me." He tried to follow her up the stairs, but she held her hand out to stop him.

"I think it's best if we separate for the night, Arnold. We obviously need to cool down since we're still pissed." She stated.

"Oh so now I'm couch zoned?" He folded his arms in frustration.

"As of right now, yeah. At least until I can convince myself to have a mature and open conversation with you without biting your head off…I really don't want to go back to my old ways and say or do something I would regret on top of things I already feel like I'm sorry for…"

"Fine. Goodnight, Helga." Arnold stated formally and went to the hallways closet to retrieve a blanket and pillow for the couch.

"Night Arnold…" Helga whispered and went upstairs to the bedroom.

All of the commotion did not go unnoticed by the little one year old twins. They eventually stopped their crying at the loud and scary disturbances and cooed at each other, reaching some type of understanding. Little Phil then crawled to the corner of the crib, while his sister crawled on top of him and onto the bars that held the crib together. Once she hoisted herself over, she waddled over to a pile of pillows and threw it into the crib so that it provided Phil the leverage needed to crawl out of the crib. Once both twins were out of the crib, Phil waddled over to his mother's room, while his sister took her time crawling over each step that led downstairs into the living room where her father rested on the sofa.

She saw her father flip through the pages of an old, dusty book. Thinking that it was story time, she quickly waddled over to her father, grasping onto the blankets for stability as she crawled on top of him.

"Daddy!" She cried. Arnold jumped in alarm at the sight of his daughter appearing out of nowhere, when she was supposed to be upstairs in her crib with her brother.

"Halie?! How did you get out of your crib?! Where's your bother?!" Arnold looked around in slight panic.

"Brother, mommy!" She cooed.

"Huh? He got out of the crib too and is with mommy?" He asked trying to clarify her gibberish sentence.

Hal nodded.

"Oh. I see…Why are you two up? You couldn't sleep?" Arnold asked, yawning.

"No sleepy! Daddy, mommy, yell!" Hal frowned.

"Oh. We woke you up with our yelling huh?"

"No yelly! Daddy, mommy, no yelly!" Hal pouted with a slight scowl.

"You're right. It wasn't nice of mommy and daddy to do that. Daddy's sorry Halie." Arnold apologized honestly.

"Wat dat?" Hal asked, pointing to the old book in her father's hands.

"Oh it's a book; a journal actually. It belonged to your grandpa. He wrote in it a long time ago while he was in the jungle." Arnold explained.

"Jungle, lion, roar!" Hal exclaimed, making a roaring sound like a lion. Arnold chuckled at her attempts.

"That's right! The jungle is where the lion's house is; and lion's go roar!" Arnold lowered his voice to sound like a roar.

"Story time?!" Hal asked with excitement as she touched the book.

"Well, it's not exactly the type of Nursery Rhyme story book with pictures that mommy reads to you. It's a story about grandpa's days in the jungle. Daddy's been to the jungle before too!"

"Daddy jungle?" Hal asked with curiosity twinkling in her bright blue eyes.

"That's right. Daddy used to live in the jungle to help people with grandma and grandpa."

"Lion, roar?!" Hal asked again, attempting the roaring sound a lion once more. Arnold laughed, bopping his daughter on the nose with his finger. "No daddy didn't run into any roaring lions. But he saw some tigers and other animals from time to time."

Hal pointed to a picture that fell out from the book. "Wat dat?"

"That's a picture of daddy and a very important and special friend…I called him Elder. He helped daddy when he was feeling sad sometimes…" Arnold explained while he wiped some stray tears that escaped his eyes.

His daughter took notice of the actions.

"Daddy sad?" She pouted.

"I'm sorry Halie. I guess daddy's pretty sad because he won't get to see his friend again. But daddy will be okay. Don't worry."

"He go bye-bye?" Hal asked innocently.

"Something like that, yes. He went bye-bye…but he won't be coming back..." Arnold sniffed.

"Daddy go bye-bye?" Hal asked whimpering slightly as she picked up on her father's emotions.

"I don't know…Daddy might have to go bye-bye to say goodbye to his friend…But daddy doesn't want to go bye-bye because he doesn't want to leave Halie, Philie, and mommy." Arnold explained, feeling silly that he was expressing himself to his one year old child.

"Daddy go bye-bye…" Hal started as she suddenly hid under the covers. Arnold watched her in confusion and slight amusement.

"Daddy come back!" Hal exclaimed with a giggle as she popped her head from the covers. She repeated the notion.

"Daddy go bye-bye…" She cooed as she hid once more. "Daddy come back!" She giggled.

Arnold realized that she was playing the game his wife mentioned, and joined in the fun by hiding himself under the covers.

"Daddy go bye-bye?" Hal wondered aloud as she looked around for her father, not paying attention to the giant blanket covered hump in front of her.

"Daddy come back!" Arnold exclaimed as he tickled his daughter, making her erupt in squeals.

The actions eventually tired out the little baby girl as she slept peacefully on top of her father's chest as he stroked her blonde pigtails softly.

"You're right Halie…No matter how many times daddy goes bye-bye, daddy will always find his way back to you, Philie, and mommy." He brushed his lips against her forehead. "That's a promise…"

Meanwhile upstairs…

Helga groaned as she tossed and turned in her king sized bed, once more, trying to find comfort in the isolation she desired; but finding it impossible as she struggled with restlessness.

"Ugh Criminy, why me?!" She mumbled, slamming a pillow on top of her head.

"Mommy!"

Helga shot up like a rocket to find her son crawling on top of her bundled form.

"Philie? What are you doing out of your crib? Where's your sister?!" Helga threw the covers off of her ready to dash out of the bed in search for her daughter until she heard her son babble.

"Sister, daddy!"

"Oh. She got out and found her way to daddy?" Helga inquired. She gave a sigh of relief and settles back in bed once she saw her son nod.

"So what brings you here Kiddo? Why are you both up?" She asked.

"No sleepy! Mommy, daddy yelly!" Phil exclaimed.

"Oh. You're not sleepy anymore because mommy and daddy woke you both up with all the ruckus huh?" She concluded.

Phil nodded with a little scowl and folded his arms. "Mommy, daddy, yelly, scary! No-no! Bad, bad!"

"You're right. That was a no-no. Mommy and daddy shouldn't have done that. It was wrong. I'm sorry…" She apologized softly, accepting her son's rebuke.

"Mommy was just mad at daddy again…He won't leave mommy alone." She deadpanned. Phil then began babbling in his own baby language, trying to make a sentence.

"Mommy no mean. Be nice! Daddy no mean, be nice!" Phil rebuked again.

"I guess I was a little hard on the Football-Head…I just wish he could get a grip already and realize that I'm not gone. I mean I know it must have been hard to think he almost lost me but-"

"Oh do you really Helga? Because your empathy has been so obvious! And deep down, you know that you don't blame him. 'Cause had it been him who was nearly lost to you, you would have turned into the stalker you were when you were 9 full force. I mean Criminy! What a hypocrite you are! You know what it's like! Can you seriously say that you don't remember the ever tormenting fear of nearly losing Arnold when he was against La Sombra?! He nearly died when the bas**** tricked him like he was falling off a cliff, and took advantage of the stupid Football-Head and nearly tossed him over! And what did you do? You dived after him! So you can't tell me, that you got a grip right afterwards, because you were a train wreck! You just kept it hidden better than he did!"

After Helga mentally berated herself, she felt terrible.

"You know what Philie? You're right…Mommy was a meanie…That was a no-no…She needs to be nicer to daddy huh?"

Her son nodded firmly. She ran her fingers softly through his thick blonde tufts and sighed as he snuggled closer to her warmth.

"I just want him to be alright you know? To tell the truth, I can't imagine how hard it was for him…and to be honest, I don't think I want to…Just the thought of losing him...man I'm an idiot. But at the same time, I just want him to be okay by knowing that he doesn't have to be afraid anymore, and that I'm here now so life can go on because we'll always have each other no matter what." She scoffed softly. "'Guess it would have been a lot easier to just say all that instead of causing unnecessary drama huh?"

"I'll say."

Helga turned her head to see her husband standing in the doorway, holding a sleeping Halenie to his chest. When she looked down in her lap, she noticed Phil sleeping peacefully as well.

"Can we talk?" Arnold asked softly, trying not to wake the baby.

"Yeah. Though it'd probably be better to put them back in their cribs and secure them first…" Helga replied softly.

Arnold nodded and joined his wife in tucking the little ones back in their crib and making sure all possible escape routes were closed and the latches were tight. They then walked back to their master bedroom hand in hand.