A/N: No this story is not dead. Thanks for your patience though. Now...OH MY GOSH THE TJM MOVIE EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS! CRAIG IS A FUDGING GENIUS! WHERE DO I EVEN BEGIN?!
(SPOILER ALERT!)
Well, definitely egg on my face for not thinking of the simplistic yet clever idea of the sleeping sickness being the actual factor in Arnold's parents' disappearance like Sleeping Beauty. I mean wow, of all the fan TJM version stories out there lol that was not a possibility addressed like Craig did it lol I loved also how he kept the ending opened as if a possible continuation to a sixth season (PLEASE MAKE IT HAPPEN!) But it also gave beautifully needed closure. And anybody who dares doubts the couple's beautiful sentiment as mere gratitude, all I gotta say that disproves that is #cliffeyes. Oh my gosh, the cliff eyes! That scene did it for me...At least one of them and coincidence that my mini TJM version mentioned in this story featured the bad guy's doom with a cliff scene also?! Lol i was pleasantly surprised. Anyways, I could literally go on and on about the masterpiece miracle from God Himself that He let happen after 11 years, along with the wonderful after TJM stories I'm hooked on in this fandom, but I'm going to be gutsy and try to get this chapter out despite the fact I don't have a computer currently so this is all done on my phone and work computer (Yes I dare) until my technology improves. Please excuse any errors and refresh your minds as needed on this story.
So, as I was saying...This kid's gonna be the death of me...
Helga had just enough patience and self control to keep the hold on her daughter's wrist loose enough as to not cause any pain, yet her firm, almost iron grip radiated her frustration at Halenie as she dragged her into the living room, ready to explode with the reprimand of a lifetime for pulling the sneaky stunt she just did. Out of the corner of her eye, she couldn't help but notice how the weather outside complimented her mood perfectly as the darkening heavy clouds suddenly blocked out the once partly cloudy yet still sunny sky; its threat of a possible thunderstorm becoming evident.
It didn't take long for Halenie to scurry up on the sofa once she saw her mother's index finger sharply point from her to the couch without uttering a single word. The gesture and deep scowl on her face only confirmed how much trouble the 5-year-old girl was in. At first, Halenie let out a small whimper in response while twiddling her fingers nervously in her lap, hoping that maybe the wet, bubbly, puppy eyes she made towards her mom could lessen the damage and that maybe she would go easy on her. After all, such an expression always seemed to work on her grandparents, great grandparents, and other adults.
But Helga's glare only deepened further as a low growl emitted from her throat.
Halenie gulped.
Now the little blonde pigtailed girl really was ready to burst into tears as she awaited her mother's explosion. She wished in that moment she could have been stronger like her fraternal twin and take on whatever punishment with dignity like a big girl...or at least try to tough it out like her brother did so many times whenever he landed in hot water...which tended to be a lot. But while he could fake an indifferent attitude when he got into trouble, she just couldn't. Not when she was in the wrong. And seeing as how she realized this was her fault and that she kind of deserved the scolding that was about to happen, she then sighed and looked to the ground shamefully, biting her lip as she realized her hopelessness and mumbled in a quiet voice.
"…I'm sorry, Mommy…"
Helga froze while she blinked; feeling all of her pent up frustration that was finally warranted towards her daughter that she was about to let loose with a vengeance upon her suddenly vanish into a confounded expression. She let her raised accusatory pointed finger drop to her side and instead just huffed with exasperation as she held the bridge of her nose and grumbled.
"You want to tell me what the heck you were thinking, pulling a bone-headed move like that, little Missy?"
Halenie started to play with the hem of her shirt. "Well…I-"
"-We had an agreement. You said you were going on this trip." Helga interrupted curtly.
"I know…but-"Halenie tried.
"-You lied to me, your Aunt Phoebe, her family," Helga listed with her fingers.
Hal looked up at her mom, her voice racked with guilt. "I-I know but-"
"-You made her get worried."
"I-I know and I'm really sorry but-"Halenie tried to rush her words.
"CRIMINY YOU ALMOST HAD ME WORRIED SICK ABOUT YOU! I DIDN'T-" Helga started to yell until she saw her daughter flinch and whimper. She continued in a quieter tone with a genuine concern that almost shocked her." I-I didn't…for a second there, I didn't know where you were…" She fidgeted with the red plaid colored shirt sleeve, pulling it down on her arm, looking away uncomfortably as she went silent, remembering how she actually panicked in those moments when she thought her daughter was lost. After a brief second however, her scowl returned. "At least I didn't until I saw the stupid back door opened, and your backpack and shoes on the floor, and then you practically gave yourself away making all the racket of trying to hide in the closet! Doi!"
Halenie just looked down once more, defeated.
Helga folded her arms again and gave her daughter a calm yet steely look. "So, before I lose it and decide the proper punishment for you that will most likely last until the end of the century, I'm gonna ignore the migraine I now have thanks to you and simply ask, nay, DEMAND…Why. You. Did. What. You. Did." Helga bent her glaring face down to her daughter's level as she shrank back into the sofa cushions.
"I-I-I told you, Mommy-I-I just wanted to spend time with you…" Halenie replied in a near whisper, despite the fact that her body was quivering in fear and she still kept her gaze to the floor.
"And I THOUGHT I told you-"Helga started to retort.
"-You did! You did…But-b-but I was scared…" Halenie snapped her eyes to her mother's before faltering.
"Scared of what?" Helga raised an eyebrow with her hands now on her hips.
"S-scared that you wouldn't keep your pwomise about spending time with me…" Halenie replied.
Helga rolled her eyes. "Look, I already said I would, didn't I-?"
"-I know! That's why I was scared! Because last time you said that, you didn't keep your pwomise at all! S-so I was scared that you wouldn't keep your pwomise about spending time with me again just like you always never ever keep your pwomises about spending time with me again and I always end up by myself with my feelings hurt and cwying!" Halenie nearly yelled as tears filled her eyes.
Helga was shocked into silence by her daughter's honesty to where she could not retort if she wanted to. Her daughter took her mother's silence as the okay to keep rambling.
"I-I didn't want that to happen again! S-so I just wanted to make sure you'd keep your pwomise this time no matter what. But the only way I could do that was if I didn't go on the twip! I-I know lying is wong and I-I didn't mean to make Aunt Phoebe or you upset, but-but-I-I didn't know what else to do to finally get my turn with you! Every time I twy to get my turn with you, you go with Phil instead, or-or you have to always work, or-or you always get away fwom me! It's like, it's like I feel like a bumble bee that comes into the room and everyone runs away because they're scared of the stinger! It's not fair! I know I did wong. And I'm sowwy I just…I just…You-you said you loved me but-but you always stay away fwom me when I want to play with you and spend time with you and Philie always gets a turn and I just-I just wanted my turn with you too! I-I JUST WANT MY MOMMY!" Halenie finally broke down, crying uncontrollably into the sofa cushion.
Helga felt like she had been stabbed in the heart by the five year old's words as they penetrated into her cold callous inner walls that she was working so hard on rebuilding, only for it to feel like it was crumbling once more. She couldn't pin the little girl's breakdown as a tantrum for merely wanting her way. No, her words rang true, her case was justified, and her heart…was broken.
It wasn't just mere jealousy, nor was it a show for attention. It was the result of rejection and ongoing neglect that was exposed in an emotional outcry. Helga knew the feeling perfectly; only difference was that she tried hard not to express the pain through tears. In fact, she refused to. A sharp witted tongue along with Ol' Betsy and the Five Avengers made perfect outlets instead.
But seeing what she concealed and avoided deep down for years reflect in her own flesh and blood was too much for Helga G Pataki.
It was everything she knew, and everything she hated.
It was so familiar, yet unfamiliar as she watched her own daughter go through it.
And knowing that this time, she was the parental figure who caused the distress of this little girl…her little girl…Helga couldn't take it. She felt a burning sensation in her heart that triggered her thoughts.
"What cruelty? What terror? What abomination is this?! That this precious child, my precious child, the youngest of my beloved brood of two, my darling little angel who is the very offspring of the one I loved more than life itself and my own flesh and blood to be suffering at the hands of the very one who was supposed to serve as the ultimate barrier of the world's harsh realities itself and a source of comfort. And yet, it is not so, for I, the mother, have assumed the position of the ogre I once despised as my own parental guardian. I, the one with the honored title of "Mommy" have turned into a disgrace of all debased creatures; tortured by the loss of my soulmate, transferring the pain and all its sensations upon the innocent soul of my own daughter; who's barely even old enough to tie her shoes correctly! CRIMINY HOW THE HE** DO I HANDLE THAT?!"
Feeling flustered at the sudden monologue that threatened to escape her lips and be made known to the world and her daughter, but still feeling the bitterness of all the pain she held inside, the blonde woman felt a familiar stinging sensation in her eyes, until she clamped them shut, and curled her trembling hands into fists at her sides, her nails digging into the flesh, almost drawing blood as she whispered bitterly. "Stop. Crying…"
The crying didn't stop.
"I-I-I said s-stop!" Helga tried to be firm, only to feel her resolve breaking even more.
The crying only grew louder making the stabbing session to Helga's heart and conscience even worse.
"Please…" She begged, her harsh front all bust crumbling altogether as she felt her eyes water.
Not seeing that the waterworks were going to stop anytime soon, Helga immediately kneeled down and gently yet abruptly wrapped her arms around her daughter, catching herself and the sobbing little girl off guard since long mommy hugs tended to be very rare occurrences and since the mother was never known for mushy moments. But Halenie wasn't going to let that pass her up, no matter how hurt her feelings were. Eagerly, the five year old returned her mother's embrace, taking in her slight floral scent, committing it to her memory.
"I-I'm sorry. Okay? I-I was wrong to make you feel that way. Mommy…Mommy's s-sorry Halenie." Helga pulled back a little, wiping the tears away from her daughter's blood shot eyes as she apologized.
Halenie blinked at the rare yet sincere apology of her mother and couldn't help but smile just a little and nod her head as she hugged her tighter. "I fowgive you mommy. I-I'm sowwy too."
They remained like that for a moment longer until Helga let out a little swooning sound from her lips which in turn, made both of their eyes widen and blink at each other in an awkward silence.
"You didn't hear anything. Got that?" Helga pointed accusingly at her with her finger, her face falling back into its normal scowl. Luckily, this time Halenie wasn't intimidated and even giggled.
"Um, okay Mommy…Whatever you say." Halenie shrugged innocently until she saw her mother flinch as if she's been pinched.
"Is something wrong, Mommy?" Halenie asked with concern.
"It-it's n-nothing." Helga replied shortly but then sighed with slight annoyance once she felt the threat of flashbacks hit her.
She didn't have time for that.
She needed to change the subject.
Fast.
Helga clicked her tongue as she rose up and slumped on the sofa next to her daughter. "Soo, 'guess we both fu-er-messed things up pretty badly, huh?"
"Yeah…" Halenie sighed sadly until her eyes lit up a little. "…But…it's not too late to fix it. Gweat Gwandpa says that even though evewyone makes mistakes, as long as you're still up and kickin', it's not too late and you can make it all better!"
Helga scoffed and rolled her eyes at her daughter's optimism but couldn't hide the thoughtful little smile that tugged at her lips. "He said that huh?"
"Uh huh..." Halenie nodded with a smile until she put a finger to her lips in deep thought. "Well…unless it's eating Wasberries…He says that's the one mistake that will doom you for life!"
Helga couldn't stop the abrupt chuckle that escaped her as she put a hand to her mouth and shook her head. "Sounds like Phil alright."
Halenie watched her mom run a hand through one of her long, pigtails as she reached over for her cell phone. "Well come on, no use sittin' around. Let's call her up and get this over with."
Halenie blinked as she watched her mom dial up her favorite Aunt and godmother.
"Hey Pheebs it's me. I found the little Hair girl. Yeah, yeah, she's fine. She's got something to say to you. Go a little easy on her though…"
Halenie gulped as her mother handed the phone to her. "H-hi Auntie Phoebe…I'm okay…I'm sowwy I worried you and Uncle Gerald and evewyone. I-I just wanted to spend time with my mom instead of going on the twip…Uh, huh…W-well, I didn't say anything the first time because mommy wouldn't let me…She said I had to go and that I couldn't stay with her…but it was my only chance to-"
Helga looked away feeling guilt gnaw her in half as she listened to her daughter's sad yet honest tone of voice. She could only imagine what her best friend and her husband thought of her now…
Or worse, what her husband would have thou-
"AH NOPE! NOT TODAY! How many times are ya gonna let the monster memories slip by you, ya basket case?! I said it before, and I'll da** sure say it again. I'm. Over. It. So…Get. Over. It. Pataki!"
Helga shook her head furiously and abruptly snatched the phone back from Halenie.
"Yeah, well anyways Pheebs, she's pretty much learned her lesson and so have I. I mean I guess I was a little too hard on the Kiddo so…" Helga cleared her throat. "But hey, we worked it out so everything'll be fine now. Huh? Nah, you don't have to swing back around to get her. I'll let her crash with me for the night and take her to school tomorrow morning. No biggie."
Halenie gasped with delight as her eyes grew wide with excitement.
Helga had to turn away in order to keep from cracking a smile at her daughter's now bright grinning face as the little girl just succeeded in having what she's been begging for since…for a while. The mother rolled her eyes and changed the subject as she looked out the window.
"So, how's Philie and everyone else? It looks like it's gonna pour outside. Did you all make it to the camp site okay? Oh. You guys canceled and are having an indoor sleepover event at your house instead, huh? Philip must be having a fit!" Helga couldn't help but smirk. "Well no doi, I can hear him whining in the background…What? It's not about the trip?" Helga's smug look turned into one of shock. "Oh…oh I see…okay. Y-yeah she's still here hold on…"
Helga gave the phone back to her daughter. "Apparently, your brother wants to talk to you."
Halenie titled her head to the side in confusion for a moment before holding the phone up to her ear. "H-hello? Philip?"
Both Helga and Halenie flinched over the yelling that sounded over the phone.
"HALENIE?! OH MY GOSH! YOU'RE ALIVE?! YOU'RE OKAY?! I-I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU! WHAT HAPPENED?! ARE YOU OKAY OVER THERE?! DID YOU GET LOST?! IS MOM BEING A MEANIE TO YOU AGAIN?! I- HEY! DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN TALL HAIR GIRL! THIS IS MY SISTER WE'RE TALKIN' BOUT HERE SO SHUT UP! ANYWAYS. SORRY JO WAS BEIN' STUPID. D-DO I NEED TO COME BACK?! I-I'M GONNA' FIND A WAY TO COME BACK TO YOU OKAY?! JODI CAN COVER FOR-"
"PHILIE! P-please calm down. I'm okay! Pwomise!" Halenie cut in, overwhelmed by his concern. "I'm with Mommy now and she's being weally nice to me. I'm sowwy I worried you and Jodi and evewyone. I just weally wanted to stay with mom and-and now I can! So evewything's okay!"
"So…you're weally okay and stuff?"
Helga's eyes widened at the care and concern her son was displaying. "That's my Son?"
Halenie smiled at the gentleness in her twin's voice. "What do ya know, Mr. Gween Glowy Guy was wight all along…Philie and mommy weally can be nice after all…" She thought happily before giggling and rolling her eyes. "Yes, I'm perfectly fine big bwother. But thanks for worrying about me so much. That was weally nice of-"
"-W-WORRIED?!W-WAIT A MINUTE WH-WHO SAID I WAS WORRIED?! WHAT ARE YA STUPID?! Of course I wasn't worried! I-I was just-just…well...WELL I WAS JUST MAKIN' SURE YA DIDN'T DIE OR ANYTHING! I MEAN WHO ELSE IS SUPPOSED TO BE AWOUND TO WATCH YOU BE STUPID AND-AND-AND DEAL WITH YOUR CWYBABY BUTT ALL THE TIME?! IT'S MY JOB THAT'S ALL! IT'S PART OF ME BEIN' AWESOME SINCE I'M NOT HEARTLESS YA KNOW! SHUT UP JO! NO ONE ASKED YA! A-Anyways…Well now that I know you're still stupid and alive, I'm outa here! Thanks for wasting my life and time, idiot! It's worse enough I can't go on the most awesomest twip in the world because of the stupid sky, now ya almost gave me a heart attack by being even more stupider than usual with what you put me through! Geesh! S-s-so so goodbye and good riddance! Oh yeah, and if you EVER worry-I-I MEAN-WASTE my time again, I'll give ya something to cwy about for real! YA GOT THAT SISTER?!"
"Oh well, it was nice while it lasted." Halenie thought with a shrug before giving a half-lidded smile. "Sure, Philie. Whatever you say.
"Well doi it's whatever I say! And d-don't ever forget it ever, Geekbait! Hmph."
"Yep. That's my Son." Helga gave a deadpan look before shaking her head."Alright Kiddos, knock off the tom foolery. Phil, please attempt to be a good boy, tell you sister bye, and hand the phone back to you Aunt."
"Fine…'Guess I'll see you guys later or whatever. Oh and uh…hey m-mom?" Phil muttered over the phone.
"Phil? Hesitant? This is new." Helga blinked. "Uh, yeah? What'd ya want?"
"T-take care of her. Kay?"
Helga's expression softened. "I-"
"-Helga! Hello? Are you and Halenie still there?" Phoebe's voice sounded form the other line, before Helga could reply to her son.
"Y-yeah, yeah I'm here…" Helga mumbled, finding her voice once more before continuing the conversation.
Once everything was squared away with the plans and Helga hung up the phone, she suddenly felt her arm being tugged up and down against her will by her now overly excited daughter.
"See mommy! I told you we could fix it! Doi!" Halenie gushed as if she was stating the most obvious fact in the world.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Rub it in why don't ya, you little Yutz." Helga snatched her arm back, before folding them to her chest. Before she could say anything else, she was caught off guard by the five year old hugging her tightly as she quietly thanked her.
"Thanks for letting me stay with you…Thank you so much, Mommy."
Helga felt something melt within her that made her want to return the embrace wholeheartedly, but she remained as stiff as a board and offered a little pat on the little girl's back instead. "Uh…y-yeah s-sure thing..."
As awkward as that hug was for me, I saw Halenie pull away with a bright happiness in her eyes that I never knew could exist. And honestly, it made me wonder about that feeling…If whether or not it was possible for such an emotion to shine so brightly in a person like it did in my daughter by a simple yet long awaited hope being fulfilled after so long. It made me question if I ever felt that way before, until I remembered that once upon a time…I did. In fact, it once was a constant in my life that unfortunately, caused the most excruciating pain when it was removed. Huh, ironic how such a feeling that could be so pleasant and wonderful could be the most devastating, even worse than death itself, when it's taken from you…Would one be better off not knowing what it's like to have such a feeling altogether than to once know what it's like to have it, only to feel its eternal agony when it's forever gone? And then another crazy, random, and kind of stupid thought hit me about the feeling. For some reason…it made me wonder that if I once knew what it was like to have such a happiness…Could it be possible to ever feel that way, again? When all hope is gone…does that necessarily mean that it is also nonexistent?
Well he** if I know, Geez!
But still…
That look in the little Football Headed girl's eyes just made me want to…make sure that it never went away again. I wanted it to stay there forever…To preserve it somehow…To protect it…somehow… I mean DOI! Of course I didn't know how the he** I could…I-I just knew I had to.
So, naturally, I came to a decision…
"That's it, Helga. No more Ms. Meanie momma Bi***. No matter what happens, or what insanely painful memories come to torture me alive, I am going to stay right here in this house with this mini Football Head. And, I am going to be nice to her. And, I am going to spend time with the little Hair Girl and give her the best moments in her little naive inexperienced life even if it KILLS me." With her mind determinedly set on her goal, Helga tried forcing out a smile. "Alright Kiddo, so ya got what ya wanted. Looks like it's just you and me here. So…what now?"
"Let's play a game!" Halenie cheered, jumping up and down with boundless energy.
Helga rubbed her arm awkwardly. "Uh…Okay, I guess…Um…what'd ya have in mind exactly?"
The moment Helga saw that oh too familiar grin stretch a mile wide on her daughter's already widened face, she cringed.
Even her smile was just. Like. His...
A sharp, bitter pang hit Helga's chest once more; the painful sensation making her slowly put a hand to her chest.
She gulped.
"Even if it kills me, eh? Well at this rate Ol' girl…it just might…"
To be continued.