Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold! Or anything else that probably sounds like you could make some money off of it.
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.
*WARINGING: Dense Arnold. As in, dense to his own feelings. Just a hint of it, but enough to probably drive a few of you guys insane. Sorry about that.
Chapter 8
"Of Cake Smashing and Seeking Advice"
April 24.
It was Henry's first birthday, and the day had passed by in a blur for Arnold and Helga.
The boarding house had gathered for the occasion, as well as Helga's family, and Gerald Phoebe were of course there, too.
Everyone was there to celebrate this little boy's first year, even though the baby himself didn't really understand what the big deal was.
However, as gifts were brought out, wrapping paper was torn, tissue paper was discarded and boxes were opened, Henry had begun to enjoy himself, too. Finding particular interest in a little Baby's First Drumset, the little year old appeared to have a sense of rhythm already and, when presented with a soft baseball toy, his father's aim. He enjoyed throwing the ball to both Arnold and Miles for a couple minutes before Helga could encourage him to open his other gifts, only to be distracted by the drums again.
After the presents had been opened and the living room had successfully been destroyed, they had all moved into the kitchen for cake.
It was a cute, simple baseball themed cake and Henry sat very nicely in his booster seat as a pointy party hat was placed on his head by Gertie.
Phil dimmed the lights as Helga lit the single candle on the birthday cake, and everyone started to sing the birthday song.
However, Henry was watching the candle intently before blowing it out and then raised his hands above his head and clapped, "Yay!"
The group laughed at the cute display, as Helga went about lighting the candle again, "No, no Henry. Not, yet okay?"
The boy had stuck his thumb in his mouth, and when the song started again, he began to smile happily as he bounced a little in his seat. A moment later, he pulled his thumb out and blew the candle out again. With arms raised and clapping, he cheered, "Yay!"
As the room filled with laughter, Helga lit the candle once again, "Not yet, Henry. You have to wait, okay Baby?"
With his thumb back in his mouth, he sat back as everyone started to sing again. He grinned widely around his thumb and fidgeted excitedly in his chair as the song progressed. Finally, the song came to an end and everyone stood silently and watched Henry.
When all the little boy did was look around, thumb still firmly in his mouth, Arnold chuckled, "Alright Buddy, time to blow the candle out."
Henry cautiously peered around as he pulled his thumb out before finally blowing the candle out for the final time. When everyone clapped and cheered for him, Henry raised his arms up again in joy, "Yay!"
"Okay, Bud you want some cake now?"
Yet, a moment later, Henry's small hands smashed into the cake. Grabbing two fistfulls of the treat, he brought it to his mouth and cried in pleasure after his first taste.
Laughing, Arnold ruffled his son's hair, "Happy Birthday, Henry."
By the end of the day, Henry was practically asleep before he had been placed in his crib.
Helga leaned her arm on the side of the crib and cradled her head against it, and for several moments she simply stared down at the sleeping child.
Arnold peeked in to see how things were going, before entering in and standing beside her.
Giving her back a quick, comforting rub, Arnold whispered, "Out like a light, huh?"
Helga was quiet for a moment before she spoke softly, "I can't believe it's been a year already. My baby is a year old," she paused to let out a wistful sigh, "How did this happen?"
"It's crazy, huh?" Arnold stared down at his slumbering son, "How much can change in a year?"
"Over a year ago, I couldn't have imagined a life like this. Now, I can't imagine my life without him."
Tugging her to him in a side hug, they both looked down at Henry's sleeping form, "Pretty lucky, aren't we?"
"Mmm, I wouldn't be anywhere else for anything in the world," Helga hummed.
Arnold smiled softly as he shifted his gaze unknowingly to her, "Neither would I."
A couple days later.
Arnold knocked nervously on the open storage closet door where Phil was often found going through old junk, though had never really bothered to organize it. Phil glanced up to see his grandson in the doorway, and he set the old hockey stick he was holding against the wall.
"Hey there, Shortman! How's it hanging?"
"Hi Grand-
"Oh, well that's a silly question. You're young, it's probably hanging just fine."
Arnold flushed, "Grandpa."
The old man chuckled, "Sorry, Arnold. But I can't let you start thinking I ain't able to embarrass you like I used to."
The blond rolled his eyes, "Where would I ever get a crazy thought like that?"
"Now that we've got that out of the way," Phil shifted in his seat, "What can I help you with?"
No longer surprised at his grandpa's ability to always know when he was seeking guidance, Arnold sighed as he entered into the room more, "I...I wanted to ask you something."
"Shoot, Shortman."
"How did you know that Grandma was the one? When did you know you loved her?"
Instead of prying, Phil looked thoughtful for a few moments before replying, "It wasn't until I had gotten back from the war."
Arnold looked a little surprised, "Really? I thought you guys were married young?"
Shaking his head, Phil went on, "Nope. When I'd returned home and found her still unmarried, which," he explained, "was rather uncommon during that time, and saw that she had been waiting for me all that time? Something inside me just clicked...and I knew."
"But...how?" Arnold inquired desperately, "how did you know? And, why did it take you so long?"
Phil frowned at the slightly accusatory tone, "Love is different for everybody, Arnold. There's no rhyme or reason for it. It just is." When all Arnold did was sigh forlornly, Phil went on, "Look, Shortman don't worry so much about it. If it's meant to be, you'll know. Same as I did, and same as your father did. It took me over a decade to realize how I felt about your grandma. And your father...well, that was about as close to 'Love at First Sight' as it gets." He stood up and placed a reassuring hand on his grandson's shoulder, "The heart already knows what it wants, Arnold. It's the rest of you that has to catch up; and it does it at its own pace."
Arnold attempts a small smile, "Thanks Grandpa."
Noticing some tension in the young man's features, Phil probed, "Something still bothering you, Shortman?"
"I...I guess I'm just worried. I'm worried that I'll somehow screw it up or me and Helga will mess up and the last thing I want for Henry is for him to have the kind of childhood his parents had," Arnold confessed. When he saw the frown on Phil's face, he quickly amended, "I mean, I had a great childhood. You and Grandma...you were the best, and you are a huge part of who I am today. But, it's just that...no matter what, there was always something missing."
Phil sighed and gave Arnold's shoulder a comforting squeeze, "I know, Arnold. I understand."
"But, then with Helga," Arnold continued as he ran a hand through his hair, "she didn't have it so great either. And I'm scared that by risking anything with Helga and attempting something...long term with her outside of strictly parenting with Henry, her and I aren't the only people at risk. If it backfired, if things didn't work out...it could hurt Henry, and I'm just terrified of that. What if something felt right now, but later it all changed? It wouldn't just be Helga's and my feelings on the line."
Phil pulled the blond into a comforting side hug and thought for a second before offering, "The only thing that really matters Arnold is how you love the kid. As long as the both of you do right by that, Henry will never truly want for anything."
Arnold smiled more genuinely this time, "Thanks, Grandpa."
"Anytime, Arnold. Anytime...now, if you'll excuse me, that pie from this morning is making a comeback!" Arnold rolled his eyes as Phil rushed out of the room, shouting, "Never eat raspberries, Arnold! If you remember nothing else I've taught you, remember that!"
A couple days later.
"Two more days to prom," Gerald said from inside his fitting room, "You ready for it?"
"I guess so," Arnold replied as he adjusted his collar and stepped out of his fitting room.
The two had come to pick up their rentals, and were trying them on to make sure they fit.
Gerald came out a moment later, and the two looked in the mirror to pull and adjust where it was needed.
Donning a full black tux, Gerald shifted his gaze in the mirror to Arnold's form, "I can't believe you're opting for a black suit instead of the classic tux, man."
Arnold shrugged as he adjusted his black tie, "I figure it really doesn't matter what I wear. Nothing would look quite right with that dress Rhonda lent Helga unless you're George Clooney."
Gerald snorted and eyed Arnold's suit with a little bit of disdain, "Still man, the theme is 'Parisian Night'!"
Arnold shot him a slanted look, "Yeah, and I'm a teen dad on a budget."
After the two seemed satisfied with the fit and feel of their rentals, Gerald sighed, "Suit or Tux, it really don't matter. We look damn good."
Alright, so there's the set up for the next two chapters. Only those two and the Epilogue are left before the Oneshot/Drabble series will start up. For those of you wondering, it will be called Running the Bases.
The next chapter should be up by Thursday or Friday, so be on the lookout!
LTWF247