Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold! Or anything else that probably sounds like you could make some money off of it. In this chapter, that would include, Baby Tylenol, Trojan Condoms, and Jeep.
Summary: Arnold can't decide which is harder: Raising a baby or figuring out his feelings for Helga.
Companion Piece to this story is called From the Dugout.
Previous Chapter's Soundtrack: Just for Now by Imogen Heap
Current Chapter's Soundtrack: No Sleep Tonight by The Faders
AUTHOR'S NOTE AT END OF CHAPTER.
Chapter 6:
"Of Forgetfulness and Striving for Safety"
Late January.
Arnold entered the bedroom and saw Helga pacing back and forth. He raised his brow at the sight before peeking into the nursery to check on Henry. Satisfied at seeing his son merely crawling around on his play rug for a toy, Arnold returned his attention to Helga, who had stopped pacing, and shifted his backpack, "Uh, Helga? What's going on?"
As he turned to place his backpack down, Helga bit her lip before responding, "I'm late."
Arnold gave a puzzled look, "Late for what?" Yet, a moment later, he whipped around to face her and gasped in disbelief, "No-o!" When Helga only nodded resolutely, Arnold began to pace the room himself while dragging a hand through his hair, "We slept together almost two months ago, and you're only realizing you're late now?"
Helga's mouth dropped open and made a sound of offense, before she fisted her hands by her sides, "Well my period hasn't exactly been regular since Henry was born, and it wouldn't have been the first time it had skipped a month!"
"Well, it also isn't the first time you've had sex and skipped a month, either," Arnold retorted.
Helga frowned as she crossed her arms, "Look, I'm sorry I didn't notice it sooner. I should have, but at the time when I would've been getting it last month I was just a bit…stressed out," Helga forced out uncomfortably before she continued, "I only noticed when I realized I was a few days late this month."
Arnold sighed, "No I'm sorry, too. We both didn't really stop to remember to use protection in the first place."
They were both quiet for a moment, before Helga spoke up, "Um, Phoebe should be here any minute with a pregnancy test."
"Oh, okay great," Arnold replied lamely.
Sure enough, a knock came at the door a couple minutes later and Arnold opened it to let Phoebe in.
The petite teen handed a tightly wrapped plastic bag to Helga while offering a sympathetic smile, "You know, that pharmacy on the other side of town is going to start assuming things about me if you keep sending me out for these things in your stead."
Helga forced a small smile before uttering her thanks and grasping the box before she left the room.
The moment the door clicked shut, Phoebe whirled on Arnold and swatted at him, "Learn. To use. A condom, Arnold Shortman!"
Before Arnold could even try to defend himself, Helga quickly entered the room again, holding the pregnancy test with some toilet paper.
The two immediately faced her, and Arnold inquired, "What does it-
"We have to wait two minutes," Helga and Phoebe replied simultaneously.
The three stood in silence for a moment, and then Phoebe approached Helga, "I'm…I'm going to take my leave. You just let me know what the results are when you can."
Helga gave her friend a small smile, "Thanks, Pheebs."
When she had gone, the two young parents waited out the rest of the time in a tense silence.
Once the time had passed, Helga took a deep breath before looking at the test. She released it in a sigh of relief, "It's negative."
Arnold let out the breath he'd been holding and dropped down on the bed, "Thank God."
Helga tossed the test in the trash, "I'm going to have Dr. Ross do a blood test just to be sure, though. I need to have a check-up anyway."
"Okay, that sounds like a good idea," Arnold agreed and the two were left in an awkward silence.
That weekend.
Arnold carried Henry, fresh from a bath, into the bedroom and heard Helga finishing up with a phone call. He proceeded to the nursery to get Henry dressed for bed, and smiled as his son rubbed tiredly at his eyes.
Helga leaned against the doorway and watched the two before speaking up, "Well, just had it confirmed that Henry is officially not going to be a big brother."
"Yay!" Arnold replied as he lifted his son up, who clapped his own hands in response, "No baby brother or sister for you, mister!"
After Arnold finished putting Henry down for the night, he exited the nursery and shut the door softly behind him. After giving Helga brief smile, he made his way over to his dresser.
"Yes, I was pretty relieved to hear it from the Dr., for sure," Helga remarked as she casually looked at her nails, "But I don't want to risk this kind of scare again."
"Me neither," Arnold agreed as he pulled out his pajamas.
"I mean, I'd love to be on the pill but since I'm still pumping and all, I can't be. We really should have protection in case something happens again, you know?" She finished nonchalantly.
Arnold froze momentarily before turning to face her. He asked a bit apprehensively, "Do…do you want something to happen again?"
She flashed him a telling look from beneath her eye lashes, "Yes, I do."
Her voice shot straight to his groin and he swallowed thickly, "I'll be right back."
Arnold rushed to the nearby supermarket as the street lights were just starting to flicker on. He parked in a less than perfect manner, before making his way quickly inside. He located the appropriate isle, and he passed by baby products, feminine care items, ointments and creams before finally finding the section where the condoms were at. As he zeroed in on them, Sid happened to walk past and catch sight of him. Arnold froze in mid stride as the teen, dressed in a red grocer's vest, approached him.
"Hey, Arnold! How's it going, man?" Sid greeted cheerfully.
Arnold forced a smile as his hand went to rub his neck nervously, "Sid…uh, yeah nothing much. You work here, huh?"
The teen shrugged, "Yeah, it's alright," he peered a bit curiously at Arnold, "Hey, watchya doin' down this isle? Need help finding anything?"
Arnold's brain panicked and he blurted out the first thing that came to mind, "Ointment! Uh…I need an ointment for diaper rash. Can't seem to find it."
Sid thought for a moment as he wandered down the isle, "Oh, here they are, buddy."
"Thanks Sid," Arnold managed to say without sounding too annoyed.
"Sure, no problem man. Need help finding anything else?"
"Nope, I think I've got what I came for."
He returned home, and as he entered his room he saw Helga, clad in her simple nightie and reading a book on the bed. When she saw him, she went to put the book down, but Arnold held his hand up in a halting gesture, "I didn't get them," he said in a tone of defeat.
Looking put out, Helga asked, "Why not?"
"I ran into Sid before I could do it. He works there and asked what I was doing there and if I needed any help. I couldn't do it, it would've been too awkward," Arnold explained.
Helga huffed and rolled her eyes before returning to her book, "What a waste; I got all hot and bothered for nothing."
A few days later.
Arnold had just sat down at his desk with some school work, since he had put Henry down for his afternoon nap, when Helga came up from her afternoon jog. Arnold found himself taking in the view of her legs and bare midriff.
Noticing his roaming eyes, Helga raised a brow, "Enjoying the view there, Football Head?"
Arnold's eyes snapped up to hers and he flushed, "Uh, sorry Helga, I didn't…I mean, I wasn't trying to-
"Just shut up," Helga replied with no real animosity before she made her way over to him. She turned his chair around and then straddled him, pulling his lips to hers.
Arnold jerked in surprise before placing his hands on the skin of her back, tugging her flush against him. She rolled her hips against his and they both moaned at the friction, and Arnold gripped her more securely before he hoisted himself up from the chair and made his way over to the bed.
They fell unceremoniously onto the mattress, and as Arnold started trailing kisses down her neck, Helga managed to gasp out, "Where are the condoms at?"
Arnold froze and pulled back with wide eyes, "Uh…"
Helga immediately tensed as she glared up at him, "You did buy condoms, right?"
"I…kind of forgot," Arnold finished sheepishly.
The blonde shoved him as she sat up, "Well, then you can just forget about getting any then!"
"No, wait!" Arnold shot up quickly and tugged on his shoes. He went over and snatched up his keys before pointing to her, "Just, just hold on, I'll be right back!"
He arrived at a pharmacy that wasn't too far away, and rushed inside. He tried not to be too obvious as he slowly meandered his way through the isles. When he finally reached the section, he started down it only to hear a voice come from behind him.
"Why, hello there Arnold! What a surprise seeing you here!"
Arnold turned cautiously towards the cheerful voice and came face-to-face with Sheena, "I could say the same to you."
The teen only smiled, as she was completely unaware of Arnold's discomfort, "Can I help you find anything?"
"Uh…"Arnold wracked his brain for something to say, "Baby Tylenol?"
Concern swept over the willow-figured girl, "Oh dear, is everything alright with Henry?"
"Yes, yes he's perfectly fine," Arnold rubbed the back of his neck nervously, "Just teething a bit, that's all."
"Aw, poor little guy," Sheena said sympathetically before retrieving the small bottle and handing it over, "I hope he feels better!"
"Thanks, Sheena," Arnold managed out before heading to the check-out counter with a sigh.
He returned to his room and saw Helga, who had changed into one of her simple dresses, folding Henry's laundry. She looked over at him and saw his annoyed expression. He tossed her the bottle and she looked at it curiously.
"Were we all out?"
"Nope," was Arnold's flat reply.
A moment later, Helga realized what had happened and inquired crossly, "Okay, what was it this time?"
"Sheena."
Helga heaved an exaggerated sigh before returning to the laundry.
That Saturday.
As Arnold was driving home from work, his phone had begun to ring. Cutting off the obnoxious dialogue, Arnold answered, "Yes, Helga?"
"Where are you?"
"I'm in my car," Arnold replied a little flatly.
"I certainly hope you remembered to pick up some condoms on your way home from work," Helga commented in an overly sweet tone.
"Uh…"
"Because," she continued in that saccharine tone, "if you don't, I will hang you up by your-
Arnold abruptly ended the call, not needing to hear the rest of her unpleasant threat, and flipped a U to turn into the nearby Gas Station-Car Wash stop. Pulling up to a pump, he tried to keep a casual front as he entered the building. He grabbed a bottled water and approached the counter where small packets of condoms were available for purchase. Just as he was about to reach out for one, an all too familiar voice called out to him.
Groaning, he turned around and hoped the sheer mortification he felt wasn't showing on his face, "Hey Mrs. Johanssen. Good to see you."
The dark skinned woman came up and gave the young man a hug, "Hi honey, how are you and your family doing?"
Arnold offered a genuine smile even though his whole body was tense, "They're all great. Henry's just growing like a weed, you know? He's crawling around and everything."
"Oh my goodness, I can't believe how big he's getting!" Gerald's mom gushed, "You need to have him over soon."
"Sure thing, Mrs. Johanssen."
"Say, what are you doing this far out from home, honey?"
"Uh, I guess I could ask you the same thing," Arnold carefully avoided.
"Oh, my nephew works here so this is where we bring our cars to get a wash."
"Of course it is," Arnold muttered before replying innocently, "I uh, just was on my way home from work and had to stop and get gas. That's all."
Since he had been next in line, and she was still right there, Arnold had had no choice but to fore-go the condoms yet again. As he made his unnecessary purchase of water and gas, he said his goodbyes and started on his way home.
When he got home, he went upstairs to his room and saw Helga sitting at the desk. She turned around and opened her mouth to speak, but Arnold raised his hand to silence her.
"I ran into Gerald's mother," he stated in irritation, "which is almost as bad as running into my own mother while trying to buy condoms."
Helga merely looked at him, but said nothing before turning back around to her homework.
Later that evening, Helga had just put Henry down for the night and shut the door quietly behind her. Already dressed in a a long sleep shirt, she cast a glance over at Arnold. He was over on the bed reading a book for English, and paying her no mind. Heading over to the desk, Helga picked up her pen to work on her homework, although she wasn't all that interested in doing any right now but she really doesn't have anything else to do.
"Oh, the things I would so much rather be doing right now," Helga sighed dramatically before tossing a pointed and annoyed look at Arnold from over her shoulder.
At that, Arnold snapped his book shut and got up from the bed. Helga looked over at him in surprise and watched as he tugged his shoes on and grabbed his keys.
"I'll be right back," Arnold said firmly.
After he left, Helga rolled her eyes and turned back to her work, "Won't hold my breath."
Arnold rushed to the grocery store, and his tires squealed a bit as he parked the Jeep. He made his way in side and marched straight to the isle, grabbing a box of Trojans. As he approached the check out stations, he noticed only one was open.
And Sid was the cashier.
He slowly moved towards the station, unable to help but think about how ridiculous this was, when Sid noticed him.
"Hey Arnold!" he greeted with a grin.
"What are you doing here," Arnold replied in annoyance.
Oblivious to Arnold's irritation, Sid rolled his eyes, "We were short staffed tonight, so I got stuck doing register," he said with a woeful sigh before continuing, "Anyway, did you find everything you needed?"
"Yep," Arnold said resolutely and placed the box of condoms on the counter.
Sid picked up the box to scan and his eyes went wide. He looked up at Arnold, "Oh…really? Boy howdy, Arnold I guess it's a good idea huh, you know considering what happened-
"Sid," Arnold cut off, "I'm buying condoms. So, if you wouldn't mind maybe hurrying up a bit?"
Immediately Sid got the hint and proceeded to ring him up, "Oh, right. Here ya go, Arnold. Enjoy!"
Arnold quickly returned back to his room and immediately locked the door behind him. His entrance surprised Helga, and she turned around in the chair to see him. He held the box up for her to see before he under-handed it across the room to the nightstand.
"Wow, you actually managed to finally buy some," Helga said with genuine surprise.
"Sid was there again, so the entire school will probably find out but…oh well," He replied a little distractedly. Helga opened her mouth to comment, but he quickly cut her off as he pointed at her, "Get up."
"Huh?"
"Bed. Now."
Helga sputtered, "What…but I-
"Up, up, up!" Arnold cut her off again, and she dazedly complied. As she made her way over to the bed, Arnold pulled off his shoes and socks, and tried not to lose his balance as he did so. He barely managed to stay upright as he attempted to tug off his remaining sock, and tossed it across the room in annoyance when he finally removed it.
He crossed over to the bed, and reached down for the box on the nightstand. He popped open the box and pulled a few foil wrapped packages out.
Helga's eyes widened a little and her cheeks flushed, but her tone was a bit sarcastic, "You really think you'll use all of them?"
"We need to get used to using them," Arnold replied matter-of-factly, but the look he gave her was filled with hunger.
Helga swallowed thickly but sat up on her knees and tugged at his belt. Immediately, Arnold pulled off his shirt and tossed it carelessly behind him, then stepped out of the jeans and boxers Helga had already managed to pull down.
Helga grabbed the foil package and tore it open, holding Arnold's gaze as she rolled the condom down the length of him. Arnold hissed in a breath and felt his muscles bunch as her hand slowly teased him. When she finished the task, he laced his hands through her blonde tresses and dipped down to cover her lips with his own.
She grabbed desperately at his shoulders, dragging herself against him and onto his lap as he settled onto the bed. She could feel the heat of him against her, and as he pulled the night shirt up and off of her, she shimmied out of her panties before lowering herself onto him.
Arnold's arms tightened around her frame and his fingers dug against her skin as he groaned against her lips. He slid his hands down to her hips to grip her as he thrust deep inside of her. Breaking the kiss, Helga arched her back in pleasure and tangled her hands into his hair as she slid up and down on him. As Arnold took one of Helga's nipples into his mouth and teased it with his teeth and tongue, she moaned in pleasure and her began to ride him faster.
"Helga, hold…hold on," Arnold panted. Within the next moment, he had turned her over and was on his knees taking her from behind with deep thrusts.
"Oh fuck, yes Arnold. Oh it's so good," Helga moaned, "Keep going. Just…a little faster. Yes, keep going! Keep-Arnold!"
She bucked wildly against him as she came, and with every following thrust, her moans grew more and more breathless. He climaxed quickly after, and felt out of breath and satisfied as he rolled them both onto their backs.
Side-by-side they laid together, breathing heavily. After a couple of minutes, Arnold sat up and discarded the used condom. He reached out for another packet and proceeded to roll it on.
Helga watched with slight exhaustion, "Oh God, you're ready for Round Two already?"
Arnold raised a brow, "If you still need to catch your breath, Helga, I won't rush you."
The blonde snorted, "Oh please, I could go all night if I wanted to!"
At the sight of Arnold's wicked grin, Helga realized that her unintentional challenge had just been accepted.
Okay, so this chapter was a little bit lighter overall for the mood. Hope you guys enjoyed that, considering the last couple had more or less been done in a more serious tone.
Anyways, for the next chapter, I wanted to get your opinion. Now, the next chapter can have another lemon in it at the end, or it doesn't have to. If there isn't one in the next chapter, there IS still one more for sure in a later chapter. So, I'm leaving it up to you guys. If most of you guys think it's overkill to have yet another one, then I'm happy to leave it out. However, if most of you would like one or simply don't care either way, just let me know!
Thanks for all your feedback, too! I hope this chapter was enjoyable!
LTWF247