A/N: So, I think I've figured out the cure for feeling bummed when there are little to no reviews on your story: check the traffic stats on it. You'll feel instantly better once you see the number of views there are on it, which mean people notice! YAY! So let that be an encouragement to all you writers! If you got a passion or urge to write, do it. Even if it doesn't get that much attention. As for me, meh, I'm still gonna finish this story either way, I'm having too much fun, so thank ya'll soo much again! Before I really get started though, I wanted to give a bunch of shout outs and thank you's to the following authors: SharonMckelle, MoonlightKCreations, Whirlwind18, Ajay435, SakiKitty, Call Me Nettie, DeepVoice'06, Egyptian Rose, HAFanForever, Flower Princess 11, PrettyFlyingPrincess, Sam1222, Polkahotness, Singer of Time, and httydfan1991 just to name a few (at least on FF don't get me started on Archive of our Own…) Why? For not only reading my story (if they have, I know some have in this group of talented authors) but also just taking the time out to write FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC SHORTAKI STORIES THAT HAD ME GUSHING ALL WEEK AND EVER SINCE TJM CAME OUT IN GENERAL! #BESTBINGEEVER! All of you rock so much! I LOVE ALL OF YOUR WORKS! Please keep writing!
Disclaimer: Yeah I don't own Hey Arnold. Craig and Nickelodeon does, and I also don't own Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's "The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls".
"H-HEY! W-w-wait!" Halenie stuttered as she felt herself being dragged out of the smelly, yet cool secret part of the closet at an alarming speed. This time, the iron grip her mother had on her wrist seemed to be even tighter and she was starting to feel the pain of the hold as her mother jerked her forward.
She really didn't understand why her mom was acting like that.
It was as if they were suddenly being chased by a horrible, scary monster and she was trying everything in her power to get away from it. And for a moment, the five year old actually believed that was the case and even dared to look over her shoulder as they left out the closet, but saw nothing except the ragged, weird, yet pretty looking dolly that her mother refused to let her have lying on the floor next to the strange football shaped stinky statues.
Halenie then whimpered in pain as she felt her mom tug her even further as they basically flew out of Helga's bedroom and down the stairs. She continued whining to her mother to let her go, but it was like she didn't even hear her.
At all.
Finally fed up and feeling her eyes water from the stinging tight-pressure of her mom's grip and untrimmed nails digging slightly into her skin, the little girl cried out in a loud voice, "OW! MOMMY PWEASE STOP IT! YOU'RE HURTING ME!"
As if she was suddenly beaned harshly in the head (again, even though figuratively speaking this time), Helga froze in place and shook her head as she broke out of her hurried trance. Before she could sigh with relief that they were out of the area that threatened her psyche, she gasped in horror at the realization of her daughter's statement and immediately released Halenie's wrist, sputtering apologies as her own hands trembled.
"SORRY! Sorry! I'm Sorry! Criminy! Oh-oh my go-I-I didn't-! I-I mean you-! I…" Helga sighed, frustrated and ashamed at herself as she bent down to her daughter's level. "…Let me see your arm…" She requested softly.
Halenie hesitated for a moment as she held her sore wrist close to her chest before placing it in her mom's still slightly trembling outstretched hand.
The penitent mother had to immediately turn her stinging eyes to the ground as she shut them completely at the sight of the swelling evidence on her daughter's arm.
She knew why she did what she did: ran away like a threatened lunatic, ready to do whatever it took to just get away from that area…that sacred place that held precious treasures and so many memories that now seemed to bring her nothing but pain.
Because lately, for some reason, though it's happened before, it was even worse just being in that room. Helga felt something building inside of her that…did not need to come out…at all.
It just couldn't.
She wouldn't allow it.
She refused.
She HAD to get out of there no matter what the cost.
…Apparently the cost was far too high for her.
At least, that's what she figured as she looked back up to see the results of her actions that she vehemently wanted to justify in her mind as guilt devoured her once more.
"Wh-what have I done…?" Helga almost sorrowfully whispered audibly, feeling her eyes water even more at her honest mistake. Her defenses, however, were quick to come to her aid as she tried to snap out of it with further rationales.
"Get a hold of yourself, Helga! It's not like you MEANT for this to happen I mean, COME ON, it-it isn't even all THAT bad. I mean, yeah it'll leave a tiny mark, but that's just because she bruises easily! I mean she's 5! Her skin's in that time where it's all milky, puny, and tender right now so of COURSE it's gonna leave a mark after a harmless little tug! 'Sides, you know it's not a big deal. Big Bob's hold on ya, back in the day was like ten times worse when he wasn't even using his full strength or meant anything by it! This kid's just gonna have to toughen up that's all…But still…"
Feeling herself calm down yet still feeling remorseful, Helga hummed thoughtfully while she examined Halenie's arm. "Hm…it's not that bad, but we'll get a bandage on it and some ice and it should fix ya up in a jiffy, kay?" She stated nonchalantly before softening with sincerity. "…Still…that wasn't cool for Mommy to do that….So…Like I said, 'sorry about that, Halie…"
Before Halenie could respond, she almost jumped at the sweet sensation of her mother's lips fluttering tenderly on her injury.
It was both there and gone approximately in a millisecond.
Halenie's bright blue eyes blinked but then widened with excitement as she processed what just happened. "Did you…just…? Y-you did! YOU KISSED MY BOO BOO BETTER! YOU KISSED MY BOO BOO BETTER!" She bounced on her heels in pure joy and victory.
Helga really had to turn away to fight the feeling of her lips turning upwards at the sight. It was a strange and unfamiliar feeling that although was uncomfortable, made her guilt subside to a point where she figured that she must have done something right.
Maybe she'll chalk up some more points on the mommy board after all?
Who knows?
"Alright, alright! Cool your jets already, girl! It's nothing to get all crazy over!" Helga tried to calm her daughter as she continued to bounce up and down with energy.
"Are you kidding?! I've been wanting you to do that since like FOREVER! It's like a dweam come twue!" Halenie exclaimed.
"It…it is?" Helga asked softly with an eyebrow raised.
Hal nodded furiously. "Yeah! I know you said you don't like mushy stuff, but all mommies do that mushy stuff like giving hugs and kissing owies 'cause it shows that they love them! I-I almost didn't bewieve it…but Mr. Gween Glowy Guy was wight about you after all! Now I know that it's gotta be true that you love me too, like you love Philie and-and like all other mommies love their kids too! That makes me weally, weally happy, Mommy!" Halenie cheered as she broke into a little victory dance.
She didn't know how it happened, but suddenly Helga felt a warmth consume her. It was a warmth that she recognized but for some reason, it was new to her at the same time. She wanted to believe that it wasn't anything major, but it had to be since now, she felt herself actually smiling.
Not losing the grin, she scoffed playfully. "Yeah, well, don't ever say I never did ya any favors, Kiddo. And-and don't go all rompin' around here like it's gonna be a regular thing either, but-well…I-I guess it's not all that bad when ya' put it that way…"
Halenie just giggled, hugging her mother tightly once more.
Truth be told, Helga wanted to recoil at the affection, as it left her confused.
After all, she had just injured her own daughter to the point of tears just minutes ago and though it was completely unintentional, it seemed…unforgivable. And yet, here her daughter was hugging her as if she had always been the type of dream, picture-perfect mother that the little girl always wanted? As if forgiveness didn't even have to come as a second thought for her? After all the intentional neglect and biting words, Helga felt that she didn't deserve this. She really didn't…
She knew she didn't.
But that cruel little fact didn't seem to reach the five year old.
For some reason that left an unsettling feeling in the parent that she couldn't describe.
Helga took the moment to peer into Halenie's eyes as the oblong shape headed child looked up at her mother with a pure innocence. There was a stark contrast as the mother's hazy blue eyes locked onto her daughter's animated blue gaze. She was like a little yet powerful ray of sunshine piercing through the darkness inside of her that she was so accustomed to.
It hurt. It really did.
She really was her father's daughter…
Helga flinched as she felt her throat close up and knew she had to end…whatever was happening; as the feeling from earlier returned and continued to build up even more inside of her.
She really did not need it coming out.
Helga then briskly removed her daughter's arms from off of her. "Okay, okay. Break up the love fest!"
Her daughter gave a perplexed look and blinked from being pushed away like so many times before in the past, before watching her mother extend her hand out for her to take.
"Come on. Let's get your wrist fixed up." Helga muttered, albeit softly as she walked her daughter into the kitchen to tend to her daughter's injury.
Once Helga gently wrapped her daughter's injury in a simple bandage and gave her a tiny pack of frozen peas to hold it to her bruised wrist, they made their way back into the living room where they stood awkwardly, wondering what to do next. The mother had to fight cringing every time she saw her daughter lightly wince at her arm when she pressed the cold substance to her wrist.
Each subsequent whisper of "ouch" served as a well-deserved twinge to Helga's insides and she had to look down to the floor to hide her face that was contorted with a painful, guilt-ridden frown.
It was getting too much for her again.
Time to break the silence.
"H-hey! What're we standin' round here for? I mean we've still got more fun stuff to do, don't we? We're losing daylight here!" Helga exclaimed with mock impatience as she smirked.
Halenie instantly brightened. "Kay! What did ya wanna do now, Mommy?"
"Beats the heck outa me. You get to call the shots in that department, Lil' Bucko. But no worries, I'm up for whatever." Helga shrugged.
"I mean whatever she wants to do can't be all that bad, right? As long as it's not another game of hide and seek trauma." Helga thought.
Halenie looked deep in thought for a moment as she put a hand to her chin, wondering about what their next activity would be. Her eyes then lit up as they turned to the TV in the living room. "Ooh! Ooh! I know! Let's watch a movie!" She bounced up and down once more, her short, blonde pig tails flying with the movement.
What is she, part rabbit? Helga stifled a chuckle and rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Hm, turning on the boob tube huh? Good choice!"
See I knew she'd pick something reasonable.
Helga plopped herself on the couch, putting her feet up unceremoniously on the coffee table. "So, what's on the movie menu for today, Hal Pal? It better be somethin' good." Helga pointed mock-threateningly at her.
"Oh, it will be! It's my favorite movie ever! Gwandma watches it with me all the time. Even Philie likes it! Though, he won't admit it…Ever…" Halenie rolled her eyes at the thought as she retrieved her favorite movie and loaded it into the DVD player.
Helga scowled defensively. "Hey, hey, hey, this isn't gonna be one of them mushy gushy fancy princess crap flicks, is it? Cause I swear if it is, I. Am. Out of-!"
Her daughter's sorrowful pout made her freeze mid-sentence.
"Come on, Helga…as painful as it is, and as it's no doubt going to be…I do owe her…It's the least I can do…" Helga groaned long and tiredly, relenting. "Oh…whatever. Let's just get this over with…"
"If it makes ya feel better Mommy, she's not a pwincess…she's a queen! And-and-and she's got awesome super powers too!" Halenie smiled as she sat on the couch, leaning forward, waiting eagerly to participate in the movie's sing-alongs, ignoring her mother's mumbling of "Criminy, why me?!" as she childishly hit her head back on the sofa cushion repeatedly.
Though she would never admit it, Helga actually enjoyed watching the animated film with her daughter. The movie itself wasn't too bad for her taste, though cheesy on some points and the romance obviously made her want to gag, but the songs were actually kind of catchy and she almost got quite a kick out of watching her daughter happily and dramatically sing and dance along with each song number.
However, when the five-year-old insisted on an encore for one particular song over and over and over again, Helga started to question how far her tolerance could hold out before her sanity would be lost for good, making a solemn vow to shoot herself the moment its catchy tune even dared to become stuck in her head…
It was at song encore number 25 when exhaustion finally overtook Helga as she snored away, oblivious to her daughter's eagerness of grabbing the remote to rewind one of the main character's theme song over again.
Dream Sequence
"Will you take care of it while I'm gone?"
"Will you take care of it while I'm gone?"
There it was…Those da**ned words that seemed to do nothing but repeat itself and plague the blonde haired woman's dreams over and over for years.
She doubted that those were even her husband's actual last words to her before he…left her for good.
But here, it was all she had left of him…period.
A question…
A haunting question.
And yet it was so much more than that…
Helga wanted to scream, but let out a sigh of annoyance instead. She didn't have to look in the nearby pond and see her reflection to realize that she was in her 9-year-old form once again.
She was used to this dream setting by now.
What wasn't familiar, however, in this particular scenery was that instead of the park being quiet and empty with the sunset as a backdrop as she recalled in her actual memories of what the atmosphere was like at the time, the sky was blue, and the sun was shining brightly to where it had to be late in the afternoon, and it was full of people: grownups and kids alike playing, screaming, laughing, talking, and doing various recreational activities.
It looked like just an ordinary day in Hillwood Park.
Helga had to blink at the unfamiliar scenery. It wasn't anything like the memories she thought she was reliving all this time. She found herself sitting on the bench near the pathway but a soft, yet fluffy sensation against her leg broke her out of her confused state as she looked down to see the little yellow chick Arnold handed off to her, nuzzling itself softly against the skin of her leg, lovingly.
She felt touched as her heart softened at the baby chicken. The memories of everything they went through while it was still in a mere white shell, made her frown with sympathy.
"We've been through a lot, huh lil' one?" Helga almost whispered.
The little chicken started to chirp in reply.
"'Can't believe the stupid Football Head left us like this…" Helga muttered bitterly as she scowled angrily, feeling the pang of his departure. For some reason, though it seemed as if he would just be gone for a moment, his absence brought a pain to her heart that she didn't think was possible.
She suddenly sucked in a sharp gasp at the sensation.
"Will you take care of it while I'm gone?"
The little chick jumped cheerfully onto her lap, chirping its songs cheerfully, oblivious to the girl in pink who was now wincing continuously.
The pain seemed to worsen when the little chicken got close to her.
Helga clutched a hand to her chest as the chicken now pecked at her lap, eager and longing for its surrogate mother's attention.
"Criminy, this hurts! Wh-why does it hurt so much?!" Helga thought as the chick got closer to her. Finally having enough, she pushed the yellow bird off of her lap, roaring, "H-hey…G-GET OFF OF ME YOU LITTLE-! "
She froze mid-sentence as the chick flapped its wings in protest, its chirps sounding confused…sad…
Helga's eyes softened as she took in her situation.
The cherished yet challenging school project was officially over for her…Things were supposed to go back to normal, but didn't. This was no mere egg that played the essential part of gaining a good grade, this was an actual life…It meant so much more…And it was left completely in her care. But what could she do? What did she know about nourishing and parenting? It's not like she had experience herself. Heck, she couldn't even keep up with her own pet that ate that stupid parrot. How was she supposed to handle this responsibility?
Especially since Arnold wasn't there with her?
His last words echoed loudly once more.
"Will you take care of it while I'm gone?"
"I…I-can't." Helga finally stated sorrowfully. "I don't know what to do."
The fluffy little golden chick flapped its tiny wings and hopped towards Helga, chirping away once more as if pleading for her to take it back into her arms.
The scenery was changing as gray clouds filled the sky, blocking out the sun, threatening to pour its rain down mercilessly on anyone who remained in the area. People started dispersing, running to find shelter. Frightened, the little yellow chicken tried once again hopping towards Helga, desperate for reassurance.
But Helga backed away slowly and reluctantly as tears of bitterness filled her eyes.
"Yeah, well, I-I-m-maybe I don't care if I promised! I-I just can't do it!" Helga scowled as she wiped at her eyes furiously.
She had to.
Patakis don't cry, after all.
The chirping grew louder, pleading…begging…crying…
"I-I said, I can't! OKAY?! I-I JUST CAN'T!" She shouted ruefully as she continued backing away until she broke out into a run leaving the now soaked and sorrowful baby chicken shivering alone in the cold rain as it started to thunder.
The booming crackle sound of thunder immediately woke Helga out of her slumber, along with the sensation of the wind nearly being knocked out of her as Halenie jumped onto her stomach at full-force and clung to her waist, trembling and whimpering from the sound of thunder.
C-Criminy! What the fu-HECK do ya think you're doin?!" Helga exclaimed with a scowl, once she caught her breath.
She was going to be feeling that one later, no doubt.
"S-Sowwy Mommy…I-I'm j-just a wittle bit scared of the-thunder that's all." Another crack sounded off and made the girl squeak as she buried her head in her mother's chest.
"A little bit scared?" Helga scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Come on Kid, it's just a thunderstorm. It's not like the loud sound is gonna hurt you or anything. And will ya get a grip and get off of me already? Your ginormous head isn't the most comfortable and lightest thing in the world, ya know!
Halenie rose her head up slightly. "I-I know, but still…it's still scary!" Halenie whimpered. "And Gwandma, and Gwandpa, and Gweat Gwampie Phil and Gweat Grammie Gertie and Philie's not here to make me feel better until it goes away!" She whined.
"Wait a minute, what the heck does your brother do to help?" Helga raised an eyebrow curiously.
Halenie gave her mother a half-lidded look as she listed off things with her fingers. "He teases me, bugs me, or gives me something else to cwy or get upset about that makes me not think about the scary thunder anymore, or if he's too tired, he'll just throw a blanket over our heads and hug me until it's all over." She ended her statement with a soft smile.
Helga couldn't help but smile a little when she thought about how adorable that particular moment had to have been. "I see."
"Yeah, but he's not here so now I'm scared!" Halenie whimpered once more.
"What, you're imaginary friend doesn't help out either?" Helga rolled her eyes at her daughter's dramatics.
"Oh! Mr. Gween Glowy Guy helps me out awot!" Halenie practically beamed at the thought of her imaginary friend. "But, I don't get to see him much unless I'm asleep. And-and I told him I wouldn't be able to talk to him much today cause I'm spending time with you."
"Oh brother! This girl's as much as a basket case as I am!" Helga face palmed at her thoughts.
"Okay, well, just-just play the stupid movie over again. You got so caught up in that film, the whole world could have been on fire and you wouldn't have noticed." Helga waved her off.
Halenie giggled at her mother's foolishness. "Mommy! That's not twue! If the whole world was on fire, then my movie would be on fire too! Of course I'd notice tha-at! It'd be all hot and stuff and I'd have to stop, drop, and roll! I wouldn't be able to watch it anymore, silly! Doi!"
Helga chuckled, not being able to help herself. "Fine, fine. Alright, fair point. Just put it on anyways so it can shut you-I MEAN-make you stop thinking about the thunderstorm, kay?" Helga suggested, catching herself from saying anything harsh.
"Real smooth, Helga."
"Well actually, Mommy, it's your turn now!" Halenie twiddled her thumbs and smiled shyly before reaching for the remote.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Helga turned to look at her daughter.
"I watched what I wanted to see, so now it's your turn to watch what you want to see! That's how taking turns work, Silly! Now let's see…Hm…Mommy, I can't find that show you and Philie like with all the fat, mean, smelly guys in their underwear pounding each other and stuff!" Halenie whined.
This time Helga let out a hearty laugh as she instantly knew what her daughter was describing before rolling her eyes, shaking her head, and folding her arms. "That's because WrestleMania doesn't come on until later tonight where you'll most likely be in bed and not awake to watch it with Mommy. Pick something else, Girly."
"Aww…Okay. Well, ooh! Ooh! Let's watch this one, Mommy! It's your favowite too, wight?!"
Helga's eyes widened at the show titled "Insight the Poetry" as she sat up, leaning forward. "How, how'd you know about this show?"
"Gwandpa told me you and him used to watch it all the time! Sometimes, when Philie and me are at his house, he puts it on the TV and talks about how you used to watch it and write stuff in your book with a purple pen!" Halenie explained.
"Miles remembered that…?" Helga questioned softly, though it was more of a statement, feeling touched that her father-in-law even did such a thing. "Well, I mean, can't blame him, the show's pretty boss. Not as good as my work, obviously, but still. It helped with some of my writer's block kinks…" Helga shrugged nonchalantly.
"My favowite is Mr. Fwosty! They play pictures when they play the poems and his always looks funny!" Halenie beamed.
"You mean Robert Frost? Meh, yeah he's pretty good. His personifications were pretty on point for the most part." Helga mused.
"What's a person-persun-vacations?" Halenie questioned, tilting her head to the side washe tried sounding out the full word incorrectly.
"Personification." Her mother corrected. "It's when, oh criminy, how do I explain this…Okay, basically, it's when things that aren't actually people or humans are described like they are humans and people in poetry. Like for example-"
A flash of lightning made the two blondes look out the window for moment, before Helga brightened as she found the perfect examples. "Like how that lightning flashed just now, I could say, lightning danced all across the sky, or the thunder…burped loudly in the clouds." Helga smiled as the little girl chuckled.
"Mommy! Lightning can't dance, and thunder doesn't burp! People do!" Halenie corrected, rolling her eyes playfully.
"Yeah, well they do in personifications, Bucko! That's what it is. Giving qualities and stuff humans can do to stuff that aren't human. Doi!" Helga stuck her tongue out childishly at her, making the little girl giggle once more, despite the thunderstorm getting louder outside.
"Oh I get it! Ya know, when I think about the thunder just burping, it doesn't seem so scary anymore! It's kind of like Uncle Harold burping loudly, only in the clouds!" Halenie smiled.
Helga let out a guffaw of laughter. "That's the most stupid and pathetic example I've ever heard! But ya know, it's whatever floats your boat."
Halenie just shrugged, smiling at the fact that she'd never seen her mom this happy before...even if it was laughing rather cruelly at one's expense.
"Alright, that's enough comedy. Turn the volume up will ya?" Helga asked, pointing to the remote once she finally got her laughter under control.
"Whatever you say, Mommy!" Halenie shrugged once more, turning up the volume, unaware of her mother's sudden twitch.
"Steady Pataki...it can't get any worse, right?" Helga thought, trying to reassure herself once more.
"And now for today's segment, we take a look at the well known poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and his inspiring yet haunting masterpiece, 'The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls'"
Helga's eyes widened in slight horror. "You've got to be fu**ing kidding me..."
The Tide rises, the tide falls
The twilight darkens, the curlew calls
Halenie pulled her knees up to her chest and leaned comfortably against her mom's side, mesmerized by the beautiful beach scenery that played on the screen as ocean waves crashed along the lonely shore. There was a picture for each unfolding stanza that although brought peace to the child watching, it made the mother's disposition only stiffen more and more as her professional discernment for the meaning of the poem made Helga's heart ache as pictures and memories started to flood her mind with each stanza presented.
The little waves, with their soft, white hands,
Efface the footprints in the sands,
And the tide rises, the tide falls.
She remembered her footprints made in the sands of her childhood with her beloved right by her side; how they were created by the back and forth rushing of filling plastic pail buckets full of sand for crafting the perfect castle that would win the competition, and how the tide washed them away.
Or how such life stamps in the sand were formed when she ran hand in hand with him, eager to find a cove where they could be alone in the heat of the moment in the blissful years they dated, and how the ocean tide wasted no time in washing those footprints away as well.
Finally, she recalled the long sunset stroll with her soulmate as her toes curled into the warm sand at the powerful sensation of their passion filled kisses on the beach as they continued to celebrate their long awaited eternal union as husband and wife on their blissful honeymoon. And yet, the ocean waves remained dutiful in washing away the footprints accordingly, leaving only behind the invisible stains of precious moments that now did nothing but sting.
The day returns, but nevermore
Returns the traveller to the shore,
And the tide rises, the tide falls.
The visualization of the ocean waves crashing onto the sands quietly in the night faded to black on the television screen as the announcer said a few words before the show cut into a commercial, ignorant of a certain viewer's longing stare at the screen as she once again, put a hand to her chest as if feeling for something that wasn't there.
Meanwhile, Halenie's innocent blue eyes turned to her mother curiously. "Momny, what did that poem mean?"
"...Death." Helga answered in her thoughts, not taking her mournful eyes off the TV screen. "Nothing remains forever...The cycle of time, nature, and life goes on, not giving a da** about the person who ceases to be in existence or the ricochet consequences left on the hearts of the person's loved ones and their lives as they are left with the damage. Life just goes on either way..."
"What about it?" Halenie asked.
"Huh? W-what about what?" Helga asked, not realizing that she spoke part of her sentiment out loud.
"Death. You said the poem is about someone dying? I don't know awot about it, but is it a bad thing? Gwandma says it's like saying goodbye to someone forever cause instead of seeing them in person, they gotta live somewhere else, like in your heart or something like that."
"It's...it's..." Helga hesitated, feeling that gut wrenching feeling build up inside of her once more, making her choke on her words.
She needed to regain control and fast before she lost it.
"Meh, its nothin' YOU need to worry bout right now, Kiddo." Helga tried forcing nonchalance into her voice. "That poem's just stupid, so ignore it. Hey, maybe they'll play Mr. Frosty or Emily Dickinson next."
"Yeah, maybe!" Halenie smiled as she snuggled closer to her mother enjoying the calmness. Though the storm continued to surge outside, the comforting warmth of her parent's presence seemed to serve as perfect protection and the little girl felt safe as a result. She slightly giggled her appreciation, before yawning, feeling her energy winding down. "Ya know what, Mommy? I don't feel scared or sad anymore!"
Helga offered up an uneasy smile as she awkwardly, but soothingly rubbed her daughter's back as the child drifted into a peaceful nap.
"Yeah, well...'least that makes one of us..."
To be continued.