Chapter 6

You all must be a bit annoyed that it took me this long to post. I apologize. The good news is that I posted two chapters. Yup, TWO chapters.

I hope you all like the following chapters. And thanks to all who read and reviewed Changed and SLJIE. Enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: The characters of Hey Arnold! are not mine. The others and the story are.

Chapter 6

Only Some Memories

His confession had been really simple but sweet. And Arnold made up for his lack of romance over the years that followed. It also gave her pride a small push to know that this was a first for him. Helga remembered enjoying each other's company at the balcony the night he confessed she was his first love. He had dated other girls when he was in middle school but he had never felt this great intensity, this love toward any other. Arnold sheepishly confessed that he felt very awkward about this emotion. She had then grabbed one of his hands and squeezed it. "We will learn together," Helga consoled.

Together. Throughout the next few years that passed they learned to love each other deeply. But, they were not together forever.

Helga opened her eyes and looked at the sleeping girl next to her. She gave a soft smile as she saw her sleeping soundly, undisturbed. She then turned to the wall where the clock was hanging and looked at the time. It was already 11: 46 pm. Helga gave a soft sigh as she realized that she had been reminiscing for quite some time now. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep. After laying there, with her eyes closed for god knows how long, Helga gave up all attempts to sleep- her mind just wouldn't let her rest.

Slowly and carefully, so as not to wake Katie, Helga sat up and went to the corner of the room where their bags lay. She removed a pink book that was locked together with a bow. Helga grinned at the rush of memories that appeared as she gingerly opened the pages and scanned the contents. Ever since she could remember she had always had a little pink book with her. And even now, as a twenty-nine year old, she still had one. Somewhere along the way, she had lost count of how many pink books she'd had, but one thing was for certain… no living soul had ever seen the contents of all her pink books.

This particular pink book was different from all the others. It contained her happiest memories. It also contained her wedding ring. She'd carved a small hole in the middle of the pages, like when she was still young, but this time she'd placed her wedding ring inside it. But like everything else in the book, it was only a memory to her now. Helga remembered having a hard time writing in the notebook with a hole in it but she got used to it. She wanted to store the ring someplace special even though it wasn't a symbol of eternal love, anymore.

Helga gazed at the simple gold and silver band. The memories that came with this ring were the greatest in her life. A small smile came to her face as she recalled the first time she saw the ring. It all started on the day she came home late. She had some good news to tell her grandmother...

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~4 years ago

Helga opened the small gate, practically skipping to where her grandmother was sipping tea, but stopped as she noticed Arnold. After giving him a bright smile she suddenly went to him and kissed him soundly on the lips. She saw his eyes briefly widen but Helga knew why he was surprised. In all their three-year relationship Helga wasn't the type to publicly display affection. Even in front of her grandmother. She only allowed holding hands, hugging and just holding her. Anything exceeding that and Helga would become stiff and unresponsive.

But today she was brimming with so much happiness she didn't care if she French kissed him in front of a large crowd. Helga suddenly became red. Well, maybe she did care. She quickly vanished that thought and resumed her place in front of them.

But it seems her grandmother was tired of waiting, "Let me guess," Liz said, " I'm going to have a grandchild, right?" Both Arnold and Helga turned a deeper shade of red.

"Ma, you know we aren't that kind of people. Sure there were temptations but we both decided it wasn't the right time," Helga quickly said. She noticed Arnold gaped at her and smiled at him. Helga was comfortable about telling Lizi some parts of their relationships, but only some.

Helga focused her attention on them again. "The reason I'm so ecstatic is because I was promoted at the Cohen and Meyers firm. I'm no longer a clerk there but a full-fledged lawyer!!" She spun around and clasped her hands. "I feel like I just won the lotto! I'm so blissfully happy, jubilant, ecstatic, overjoyed! I feel triumphant, like I jumped over the moon..."

"Well, I wouldn't count on that, Geraldine," Lizi cut in.

That stopped her soliloquy. She gazed her grandmother in confusion but didn't say anything. Instead Lizi mysteriously smiled and said, "I'll just leave you two to celebrate." Lizi stood and was about to enter the house.

Helga was still confused. "But, ma, you're also part of the celebration. I was planning to treat you two at..."

Lizi wickedly grinned at her. "I think the celebration would be best if it's only the two of you."

Helga noted that Arnold blushed again. She turned to face Lizi but only found a closed door. Helga went to Arnold and sat beside him, still trying to figure out what Lizi's mysterious words meant, but judging by Arnold's reactions he knew what Lizi was talking about so she decided to ask him.

He blushed slightly but said; "I thought you'd be late working at your internship so I didn't have a speech prepared."

She scrunched up her eyebrows. "What speech? Are you running for some kind of office?"

Arnold smiled softly but shook his head. "No." He took a deep breath and was about to say something but stopped and slowly looked at her. "What's wrong, Helga?"

She could see deep concern in his green eyes so she looked down. She was just being stupid but she couldn't help but be scared whenever they started to discuss something important. And now since the mood was so serious Helga couldn't help but feel some doubt.

Sure she was being paranoid but she couldn't help but entertain this nagging thought that the blissful years that she and Arnold shared were just a dream; that some time soon she would wake up and find herself an ugly nine year old bully and far apart from her beloved. Helga summed up all these thoughts into one sentence. "I...I don't deserve you."

She immediately felt hands tightly grasp her own. Helga looked up and saw Arnold's intense green eyes. She had never seen this great intensity in his eyes before and felt a bit frightened. Helga would have rubbed her arms in nervousness but his firm hold on her stopped her.

Arnold must have noticed what he was doing to her because his eyes softened. "Why do you say that?"

He was always the healer and the counselor; Helga found herself loving him even more. She bit her lip and said, "I am not Ruth, Lila, or that girl from the beach; I am not like your old girlfriends." Her voice wavered as she said those words and she looked down again.

She could feel him softly stroking her left cheek. Helga couldn't help but blush at this gesture. Here he was consoling her and she was making it even harder for him. Helga gathered up her strength and looked up at him, only to see him give her a small smile.

"You aren't, and that's why I love you."

Helga gave him a shaky smile. She would never tire of hearing those words. She was about to respond but he continued speaking.

"You aren't shallow or finicky, and most specially you have never 'used' me." He paused as if he was reflecting. "I've never told you why I stopped liking Ruth, did I?" Arnold then told her about a certain Valentines Day. Helga squirmed in her seat. After telling the story he shook his head as if he chided his past actions.

Then he looked at Helga and smiled again. "The reason I'm here is because I wanted to ask your grandmother's permission." He gave a sheepish smile. "It is a bit old fashioned but you deserve only the best."

Helga had one thing on her mind as to what he was talking about, but she couldn't believe it. She watched him stand up, push his chair aside and kneel in front of her. All the while she was telling herself it wasn't true, that he probably wanted to dust his black pants for some dirt or maybe there was money on the floor.

Arnold took booth her hands. Maybe he wanted me to help him stand up. Ridiculous as her thoughts were they just kept denying what was obvious all along.

He looked at her with so much love and hope that her crazy notions just vanished into the air. She was tempted to say an affirmative but Helga knew the trouble he was going through just to properly do this. So she kept quiet and held her tears. Helga gave him a smile to encourage him but she was so nervous that it didn't hold.

"Would you consider me worthy enough to be with you forever or until we both die of old age? Whichever comes first?"

His twinkling eyes told her that he was comforting her. Helga couldn't stop her tears as she mentally scolded him-gently of course. 'Stupid, stupid football head. Stop thinking about me and start thinking about yourself.'

Arnold's eyes became serious. "Will you marry me, Helga Geraldine Pataki?"

Then he took a small velvety box from his pocket and opened it in front of her. Helga saw a sleek and simple gold and silver ring, which twined and wriggled to form an intricate design. A small diamond twinkled at Helga.

Now her tears flowed strongly as she hugged Arnold.

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~Present

Helga's eyes misted as she slowly turned the ring over and over. It wasn't the most extravagant engagement ring but she knew the sacrifices Arnold had gone through in order to buy it. He had still been studying and had only been working for two years. He only had enough money to finish college, thanks to his grandparents who saved some money.

A slow smile appeared on her lips as she recalled the announcement she made to their friends.

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~About half a month had passed since Arnold proposed

The atmosphere of the exclusive restaurant was a little restrained. You could only hear snatches of conversation here and there since most of the patrons of the restaurant spoke in hushed voices.

At one table, four females were each wearing semi-formal outfits. Morticia and Chelsea looked like they had gone into a parlor and were now sporting elegant hairstyles. They were also wearing cocktail dresses. Alicia and Helga were wearing business suits. Alicia had her hair done in a French braid while Helga had hers braided and then coiled into two buns. As for Patrick and Arnold, they just wore slacks and polo shirts.

In spite of the elegant atmosphere, Alicia was glaring at the dolled up duo. "Why are you two wearing..." She gestured at their attires. "...That?"

From across the table, Chelsea smiled sweetly while Tish didn't show any emotion. "Envious?" Chelsea teased.

"Before we start acting anymore childish, I just want to tell you congratulations on your promotion. Also thanks for treating us," Tish formally stated.

Chelsea rolled her eyes. "I still don't understand why you're always like that. Like you're a walking textbook." She turned her attention to Helga and cheerfully said, "I can't believe that you're a full-fledged lawyer now." Chelsea sighed. "I was hoping that my next paycheck would allow me to treat you guys to this kind of restaurant."

"You're right, Chels. It wouldn't look good if we ordered hamburgers in these outfits," Patrick exclaimed. Chelsea glared at him.

The waitress appeared with their orders. After she left, the discussion resumed while they were eating. Alicia focused on Helga and Arnold. "So, other than celebrating your promotion is there anything you want to tell us?"

Arnold and Helga looked at her in surprise. "How did you know?" Arnold asked.

Alicia cut her steak. "You're both anxious," she replied nonchalantly.

Helga looked at Arnold. He took her hand and gently squeezed it. Helga turned to face their friends, "Arnold and I are engaged."

Patrick dropped his fork, Alicia looked at them in surprise, and Chelsea choked on the vegetable she was eating. Tish was quietly eating. After swallowing her salad she looked at the two, smiled and said, "Congratulations!"

"Congratulations!? How...how come it didn't come as a shock to you?" Chelsea inquired.

"Yeah. I knew you guys had a surprise but I didn't expect that!" Alicia added.

"Well, I did. I once heard them talking about marriage and raising a family. And besides, Arnold and Helga are deeply in love. It's just a natural course for them to get married. Since Helga's already in a career with extensive benefits it would seem a logical step."

Chelsea scoffed. "You sound so cold, Tish. What we're talking about is love! Feelings!" The rest of group laughed.

"So, may I see the ring?" Alicia asked.

Helga showed her left hand to the group. Patrick whistled while Chelsea and Alicia gushed at the ring. Tish merely nodded her head.

"It...it isn't much but after I get a job I'll buy Helga a much grander ring," Arnold said.

Helga glared at him. "Hey, did I tell you to change the ring?" She quirked one eyebrow. "How many times do I have to tell you that I love the ring you gave me?" Her voice softened as she softly said, "The ring design is very unique and even though it may only cost a small amount the value of the ring is much bigger to me."

He looked at her intently then gave her a loving smile. "I guess I forgot."

She lightly scoffed. "I'll keep on reminding you until you get it through your thick football head," Helga gently reprimanded him. Arnold merely smiled at her.

"That is so sweet!"

Arnold and Helga both became startled and turned to face the group.

Patrick gave them a sly smile, "Lost in your own world, eh?" Both blushed.

Chelsea cheerfully raised one hand. "I got first dibs as a godmother to their child."

Helga raised an eyebrow and Arnold was about to say something but Alicia immediately cut in. "First dibs?! You're talking about a person here, Chels, not a thing. Besides, I'm going to be the godmother."

"No way!"

"Yes way!"

Tish slowly shook her head. "Sometimes I wonder about those two," she turned her attention to the engaged couple. "So what are you're plans? Where do you plan to live? And what happens to your children while you're working?"

Patrick put one of his arms around Tish. "You sound like a parent," he teased. He faced the two. "Even though she sounds so clipped, her questions sounds reasonable. So?"

Helga leaned backward to her beloved's embrace and sighed. She looked at Arnold's face to see if he wanted to answer the questions. He did.

"Well, we planned on renting a small apartment, but Lizi insisted we stayed at the house. Lizi said that she wanted her grandchildren..."

Helga cut in. "Stressing on the word 'grandchildren'."

Arnold blushed and nodded. "Uh yeah right. Anyway, she wanted her grandchildren and her great grandchildren to live there. Lizi confessed that it was a dream of hers. And our work hours will provide a hassle to our umm...children. We'll just have to make our free time to spend with them."

"You're planning to have kids already?" Patrick inquired.

"Talk about getting busy," Tish remarked. The engaged couple blushed a deep red.

"We-we didn't mean it that way!" Helga burst out.

"It's just a possibility," Arnold stated.

"Yeah right," Tish said.

Alicia butted in, "You should spend as much time possible to your kids. A person's personality and well-being depend on how he/she is raised. Although it isn't the sole reason--".

Patrick hid a small grin and waved her off. "Yeah, yeah. We know what you mean. Tish already told us that before. Nurture vs. Nature." Alicia glared at him. Patrick glared back.

Amidst quarrelling females and glaring couple, Helga gazed at their friends and whispered to Arnold. "We sure can pick them, eh beloved?"

She heard a deep chuckle. "We sure can."

^^^^*^^^^*^^^^

~Present

It's funny how important ones friends can come to be. Thinking about them always made her feel a little bit lighter. Even though they had all grown older they had basically still remained unchanged. They were able to help relieve the stress of arranging the wedding. Patrick and the others even managed to make meeting her parents and relatives easier.

Helga grasped her ring tightly as she remembered the little talk she and her parents had a few hours before the wedding. She still couldn't believe her father stammered as he tried to talk to her. And as for her mother, she talked for one hour non-stop. After the talk she was able to finally see and feel the love that she longed for from them. Helga only had a glimpse of that love during one special Thanksgiving but now they promised to be more responsible parents. After they were reunited, her father and mother had become a bit more timid.

^^^^*^^^^*^^^^

~The wedding

As they were about to leave her father paused and faced her, "Oh and congratulations! Umm, even though when you were both young I knew Alfred was the one for you."

Her father must have sensed her confusion because he continued. "I may not have been much of a father then but I know when some boy's taking a shine to my daughter."

Helga looked at him with an open mouth. Bob grinned at her expression. "Uh, thanks, Dad." He nodded and began to go out of the room but stopped when Helga called him. "And it's Arnold, Dad. Not Alfred."

For the second time since they talked, Big Bob Pataki grinned. "I know."

She had never known her father was full of surprises. As she watched him walk out of the room she could have sworn that he was kidding.

^^^^*^^^^*^^^^

~Present

As for the wedding... Helga shook her head as she tried to grasp the memories of the formal union of Arnold and herself. It was everything she had wanted it to be. What she had been dreaming of ever since she could dream. The weird thing was she cried before the wedding instead of during the wedding. She just shoved her sister and her friends out of the room when she felt tears were about to come out and sobbed inside the room.

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~Past

Helga was sitting on a couch crying. She hid her face with her hands to muffle the sounds. She didn't want anyone to hear her now. They'll probably tell her to relax and that it was just wedding day jitters. Sure she was nervous and scared but it wasn't just 'jitters'. She, Helga G. Pataki, was about to officially marry her beloved, her light in this crazy mixed-up world. Would she be a good wife and mother? Could she handle the stress of married life and work? Would Arnold ever tire of loving her?

She gave a bitter laugh. 'Helga ol' girl, you're always a basket case. You're becoming even more obsessed. How can a normal person be this passionate over becoming a good and dutiful wife?' she mentally chided to herself.

A knock startled her out of her reverie. Helga wiped the tears from her eyes and the tear stains from her face. A slip of paper was slipped from under the doorway but no knock came again. Puzzled, she stood up and went over the paper and picked it up.

After a few moments of reading, Helga cried again but this time they were tears of joy and love.

^^^^*^^^^*^^^^^

~Present

Helga wiped a few tears from her eyes and closed the pink book. After tying the ribbon, she returned it the book to her bag. A yawn escaped her mouth as she looked at the clock. 1:15 am. She then turned to check on Katey to see if she was sleeping soundly. She was.

The smile still held as she recalled the night she was conceived-their wedding night.

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~Past

Arnold carried her in a lovers' carry even though she was protesting and squirming all the way to their room. It was a good thing her grandmother was staying at Olga's mansion because if she saw what was happening Helga was sure she would never hear the end of it. And all through her fussing and insults Arnold just silently carried her.

When they were already inside Arnold finally looked at her and seriously said, "Have you already forgotten what I wrote to you before?"

He was right, she had forgotten what he wrote but because of his reminder she remembered. She then stopped and looked at him in wonder but she couldn't stop the tears that fell from her eyes. Helga was about to look down and wipe away her tears but a gentle hand beat her. She let his soft hands wipe away her tear-stained face. Helga wasn't a religious person but she found herself thanking the Creator for bringing her a sweet angel.

^^^^*^^^^*^^^^

~Present

Fresh tears escaped from her eyes. He had been being so traditional in everything. Arnold went through such tedious methods just to make her feel important. Helga shook her head. Her husband had been sweet, naïve and a complete romantic.

She remembered all the words in the letter that he so inconspicuously slipped beneath the door. Helga recalled all the words because it was forever etched in her heart. A ghost of a smile appeared on her face. She was beginning to sound like a true romantic.

"We may not be husband and wife yet but let me tell you that I will continue on treating you as though you are special because you are. I pampered you when we were still going out and I will pamper you even more so after we're married. Don't belittle yourself, my dear.

We have known each other for most of our lives. That's quite an accomplishment considering most couple have less time than that. We both know what our weaknesses and strengths are. You have seen me at my worst and the same goes for you. There is nothing more in the world that would disapprove of our love. You have felt my great love for you but now its time for you to realize it. I love you Helga Geraldine Pataki. I love you with all my body and soul.

Helga yawned again but this time she was beginning to feel the weariness of their sudden travel and the recollection of her brief heaven. 'And speaking of heaven...' her thought was stopped as soft girlish giggle escaped her lips as another memory presented itself. 'Arnold would have made any saint look like an ill-mannered charlatan with the way he acted around me when I was pregnant and about to give birth.'

Helga's eyes were beginning to grow heavy but a small smile still lingered as she closed them. 'He looked like he was going to be executed for something he didn't do.' These were her last waking thoughts as she lay down on the carpet beside the bags and drifted off to dreamland.

But instead of dreaming usual dreams her mind chose to recall what it was denied earlier.

^^^^*^^^^*^^^^

Helga stole a glance at the clock in the dinning room. It was already 10:16 pm. She let out a tired sigh as she looked at the paperwork cluttered all over the table. Their dinning table was of medium size but now it seemed too small to accommodate all the papers she was required to read and study. And she had to organize all of them before her husband arrives.

She stood up and straightened her back. Helga heard a few bones crack and winced. She then began sorting the papers to give adequate room to Arnold, who was arriving in about fourteen minutes.

True to her estimation of time, Arnold arrived at 10:32 pm and tiredly grinned at her. Helga went and gave him a quick peck on the cheek and resumed to her paperwork. " I've already heated up some soup and you'll find some scraps of food in the microwave," she teased.

He exaggerated a wince and replied, "I come home from a tiring and exhausting day at work only to be given table scraps?"

Helga was scribbling something down on her legal pad but answered, "It wasn't table scraps, darling. I just said 'scraps'."

"There's a difference?"

"Yes," came her nonchalant reply.

"And what is that?"

She placed the paper she was reading on one pile and took another paper from another. "Of course, one has the word table in it while the other doesn't." Helga looked at him with wry amusement. "Now that I think about it, how did you become a doctor if you didn't know the simple difference between 'scraps' and 'table scraps'."

Helga looked at him for a second more and then resumed working. Seconds later she could hear deep chuckling then felt a kiss on her hair. Arnold chuckled again as he began to go to their room but before he left the doorway he softly uttered. "Don't work too hard, dear Helga. For you and for our child."

Her hands shook for a moment at the sound of deep concern for her and then became still again. Helga gave a brief sigh and resumed working.

Minutes later a freshly dressed Arnold entered the room. It was becoming a tradition in their lives for Helga to work on the dinning table while Arnold ate dinner. They would occasionally talk about various things and sometimes just relaxed and do what they did with the other's presence.

"So have you given the birthday gift to Evelyn?" She was referring to a nurse who had been working in the hospital for a long time.

Helga watched as Arnold looked up from his food to her. A smile appeared on his face. "Yes, she definitely enjoyed the bath set. I even told her that you were the one who picked it." She noticed a weird expression on her beloved's face so she asked him about it.

"Oh, well what she said next was the strangest thing. No, I was wrong. What she said and did was the strangest thing."

"What did she do?"

She saw him scratch his head. "She-she sort of let a deep air out..."

"She sighed," Helga amended.

Arnold nodded. "She sighed and said that we were very romantic."

Helga hid a smile. "Really? I wonder why?"

"Beats me. I don't know she thinks shopping together is romantic."

Helga continued reading the paper she was holding. Even after so many years he could sometimes still be very dense.

^^^^*^^^^*^^^^

She wasn't having a good day. No, she hadn't overslept or missed an important meeting. Helga arrived early and confident that they were going to win the case. She wasn't the lead lawyer but she was part of the team that was defending their client. Helga had spent countless of research and later on they are going to find out if it had been worth it.

It hadn't been. And her day went downhill from there.

Helga slammed her fists on the railing and bit back a curse as the error of doing that action came to her. She was about to yell at the stupid railing when a deep voice intruded.

"I find it hard to release one's anger on hard objects, but if you wanted not only a reprieve but also something to overpower your anger then be my guest."

She didn't need to turn around to know who it was. "You've been hanging around ma for too long. You're starting to sound just like her."

Arnold didn't answer but just stood next to her on the balcony watching the transforming sky.

She found the silence a bit more unnerving so she gruffly asked, "How come you're home early?"

"Jameson covered for me. He was feeling generous I sort of abused it."

Normally that would have prompted a tease or a scathing remark from Helga but she chose to remain silent.

"What happened?"

Helga didn't know why that simple question angered her but it did. "It's none of your business," she coldly answered.

His voice became pleading. "Please, Helga."

She faced him with a cold and piercing graze but Arnold boldly and stubbornly looked back at her. Helga could feel her resolve slowly dissipate that she suddenly face forward and gaze at the downtown. She was silent for the next few minutes but Arnold stayed by her side.

"I-we lost the case".

"The one you were working diligently for the past two weeks," she heard him whisper.

"Yes, that's the one," she sarcastically informed. Helga didn't understand why she was still angry but it was such a relief to lash out at him.

She could feel him go closer to her so she took one step to her left. Helga was too slow since he was able to grasp her elbow and gently made her face him.

"Tell me more."

It might be because that she overstayed outside or maybe because she overexerted both her emotions and her body today. Whatever the reason was she found herself wearily narrating the day to him. After her narration Arnold hugged her and continued holding her close.

She didn't tell him that she felt better after having him hear her out, but standing with him under a dawning sun she knew he knew.

^^^^*^^^^*^^^^

Helga was exhausted. Her legs felt like they were manacled to two-ton weights as she opened the gate and locked it. Even the duffel bag she was carrying seemed to increase their weight with each step that she took.

Today was even more tiring than all her other visits. And even though she felt physically tired she kind of felt free. Free...

"Where have you been?"

Helga whirled around and guilt was already showing in her face. He arrived early!

Arnold climbed down the short flight of stairs and slowly approached her. "I said, where have you been?"

She didn't know what to say to him. Helga couldn't tell him the truth. It was very personal and...

"Tell me!"

It was those words. Those very words. Helga looked at him in anger. "Mind your own business!"

He was about to open his mouth but Helga cut him off with a violent whisper. "Would you think before you yell any further?! Our daughter is fast asleep right now."

That stopped his yelling but not his anger. He continued to glare at her. She glared back at him for a moment and then marched inside the house.

^^^^*^^^^*^^^^

"So it has come to this then?"

"You're being unusually quiet about this, Helga. This is a big step."

"I know. It was inevitable. It is the only reasonable solution."

Pause.

"What is it?"

Sigh.

"What about Katey?"

There was about a minute of silence.

A note of weariness crept onto her voice. "We can't do this. No, Katey would be... we couldn't."

Silence.

"But it'll only hurt Katey in the future."

"But it'll also hurt Katey if we did."

Another bout of silence.

"Maybe we could give it a trial basis. If Katey adjusts umm...well to the idea we could do it."

She was grateful but she became hesitant. "If you could...can you...?"

He nodded. "Katey can go with you."

A smile but it slowly vanished. "We have to tell her everything."

Another nod.

"Then it's settled."

^^^^*^^^^*^^^^

"Mama."

Who's calling me?

"Mama."

Katey? What's the matter?

"Mama, you were talking again."

Talking? What do you mean?

"Mama..."

Why aren't you...? Oh.

Helga slowly opened her eyes and saw Katey staring at her. She groaned tiredly. It was only a dream. Somehow while she was reminiscing about the past she fell asleep and dreamed about it.

"Mama?"

Helga opened her eyes again to look at her daughter and reassure her. It was then she noticed that she wasn't and that Katey weren't on the bed. She and her daughter were on a carpet. Helga took a swift look at the time 2 a.m. She turned back her attention to Katey and still saw the same look of concern. "I'm okay, honey. I jus...I was just dreaming." She began sitting up and approaching the abandoned bed.

Katey followed her. Even though her mother wasn't able to see her actions she nodded as if she understood everything. "You were dreaming about Papa."

Helga stopped and looked at her in surprise. Katey just lay down on the same spot she had occupied earlier. Helga seized her watchful gaze and resumed laying down on the bed. Katey then snuggled closer to her mother and softly said, "You and Papa will sleep together soon because me and grandmamma prayed."

She said this with such finality and belief that for a second Helga believed her. But that was only for a moment. The truth of the matter was that she and Arnold would never be together. Their marriage just didn't work out. And now, lying in the bed inside her best friend and her husband's room, with only Katey beside her, she was beginning to believe they really weren't meant to be.