"I flew to see her twice a year but all that did was make it worse, my days grew longer back at home […] She was a tough one to restrain …" —Greg Holden, She's Got Something

"Eye's innocent and wild"—Vance Joy, Georgia

Chapter 2: She's Full of Contradictions

After graduating from college I got my teachers state certification and took over the boarding house when both my grandparents died. Helga romanticizes it, she likes to say that Grandpa Phil couldn't out live Grandma Pookie and that's why he died a 3 months after her. Part of me wants to say she's right, most of me wants that a love so strong that you can't out live someone for so long….

It's been hard on me with Helga having gone to John Hopkins, she's going to be a child psychologist. I don't know if it's crazy, perfect, or just ironic. I've never seen her as passionate as she was when she decided to apply. Olga was a little jealous when she heard Helga got in considering she wanted to be a doctor at some point or other and was wait listed.

The past few years have been filled with emails, phone calls, incessant text messages, and long handwritten letters at Helga's instance. I was reluctant at the beginning thinking that it would take too much time when I had lesson plans to work on or when the water main would break, but those letter were more personal. There is something about being able to hold something she put her heart and soul into. Often the letters would carry a hint of her perfume, the purple ink a reminder of her. To see the pressure of the pen when she was writing something that stressed her or upset her made it just a little more like she was here.

No matter how many letters were sent, how many days I fell asleep to the sound of her voice on the phone it was hard. I missed the way she felt in my arms, her witty repartee, and the heated look in her eyes. While we are both extremely broke, I at least finished school and had a job, and Big Bob was impressed with Helga besting Olga so he agreed to pay for a good chunk of her tuition and flights home on holidays. So I got to see her for Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Years, and spring break if she wasn't working on something in Maryland, and summers obviously. Still we quickly figured out that wasn't enough, we missed each other like crazy. I had driven up there a spring break or two and bring along my work. I even tried to see her a few times when we had a snow day. I managed to make it once driving out far enough I wouldn't get hit too bad and close enough to drive if I still had to show up. I was lucky it landed on a Friday so I got to spend some extra time with her.

The time I got to spend with her made the time in between worse. I just couldn't wait to get to her again. I managed, we managed with what time we could have together.

By the time Helga was graduating I managed to get myself substantially out of debt, I'm sure it's because I'm my own landlord. I was able to start putting some money a side.

I never hated my job, in fact most days I love it but I didn't get to make it to Helga's graduation. I hated that I missed what she worked so hard for, the reason she was away so long. Helga was completely fine with it. She had to stay a little longer to pack everything up and she got someone else to help move everything back. I don't know if she actually had to or if she just said it to make me feel better, but it helped ease my guilt.

Today is the day. Helga comes back to Hillwood for good. I've never been happier. Of course her flight is delayed but I'll take it. It would be even longer if she drove, luckily she was friends with a few people that lived here and they all pitched in for a truck. While Helga would normally punch the guys who were driving up for saying that they didn't really need her, she took the chance of not having to drive here with two sweaty guys.

I'm at her gate when I see her. Her long blonde hair up in a simple ponytail, denim jacket, and a white and navy maxi dress. Now normally I think maxi dresses are shapeless, unflattering tarps but on Helga it only helps extenuate her long graceful figure. "She just got here. I'll call you later."

She runs up to me and pulls me into a hug. "Hey jungle boy." Helga whispers into my ear.

"Hey Helga."

"I've missed you so much I would have strangled a pilot if it meant I'd get her quicker." She pulls out of the hug. "Who was that?"

"Phoebe. She wanted to know when you landed."

"Really? I kind of felt that Phoebe was avoiding my calls."

"Don't be ridiculous, she's probably just been busy with her residency. You'll probably be seeing more of her now that you're both in town. Be happy that Hillwood Memorial has one heck of a brain surgeon for her to shadow."

"I know, I know one of the best in the country. I'm not that out of touch with Phoebe. I bet that doctor will regret it once Phoebe takes his thunder in a few years."

"I'm not arguing with that."

"Because it's true or because you don't want to argue with me?"

"Phoebe is a quite force. She's like a ninja she'll have already left before you realized she's attacked, before you even realize she was there. I would love to argue with you Helga I know how much you enjoy it but not today. Now I hope you have something nice to wear we are going out tonight."

"Oh la la, nice as opera-fancy or classy-refined-elegance nice?"

"Whatever you want though floor length might be a little much but still acceptable."

"Well damn, Hair Boy, that seriously limits my options. Fine, you know where I live, I'll be the hot blonde that answers the door. Now I'll let you have your fun but I do have plans for us tonight as well so be done with whatever it is by midnight got it bucko?"

"We should be done well before midnight Helga. Now about the hot blonde at the door—Olga?"

"Arnold." She says as she playfully smacks my arm in response to my teasing. We soon arrive at her home, I grab her luggage from the trunk and give her a kiss at the door.

I spend too much time that afternoon worrying. I pace back and forth, I even have to shower twice for tonight, I was so nervous I broke the bottle of aftershave and it landed all over me. I spend just as much time trying to figure out what to wear. I had an outfit planned for tonight but as soon as I got dressed I wondered about that jacket I let one of the tenants borrow. That's how everyone became involved. I went and knocked on every door asking about it and of course I explained my plan for tonight. Once the jacket was located I basically modeled for everyone my options for tonight. Eventually it was decided that my original outfit of black slacks, navy button down, and a green patterned tie, which Helga always said brought out my eyes, was the winner.

I go and pick Helga up about 40 minutes before our reservation at Chez Paris. I ring the bell with a bouquet of white peonies, not roses, Helga thinks they're overrated. I feel like a teenager out on his first date. My nerves calm the second Helga opens the door. She is just so beautiful. Her hair is up in a simple French twist, she's wearing a chocolate brown dress that has gold flecks running through the fabric, it's off the shoulders and flares into a full skirt at the hips, and it goes down just past her knees. She's wearing a pair of strappy silver heels but no jewelry, other than a simple watch, to distract from her pretty face, which has makeup an oddity even thought I told her it's a special occasion I've only seen her with a full face of makeup twice.

I don't know how long I stare but it must have been a good minute. "That is exactly the reaction I was going for. I look so good you can't even speak." She then pats herself on the back.

"Wow." Is all I manage to murmur.

"I know. My beauty is distracting. Now would you please open the trunk of the car?" I've been so distracted I didn't notice the back pack at her feet.

"Would you like to tell me what that's about?" I ask as she closes the trunk.

"No. You'll find out later." She then leans forward to give me a quick peck on the lips. "Let's get out of here bucko."

"Not that I don't mind wearing a fancy dress while eating a burger Arnold, it's pretty fun, I like the looks. It reminds me of senior prom actually… Wait is that—? I can't believe I didn't put it together earlier. I mean the fancy clothes the walk in the park after good, delicious, greasy burgers. I can't believe I forgot. You did a nice job Arnold." She says while leaning on my shoulder. "I could have done without the heels but, hey, I'll take it, and look we still have plenty of time for my surprise." She gives me a kiss then giggles.

"There's more."

"There's more?" She has a slight panicked look in her eyes.

"Don't worry, there is plenty of time before midnight Cinderella."

"Please Cinderella has nothing on me." With that she takes my arm and we walk to where I parked then walk down half a block to Chez Pairs. We are seated quickly and given our menus. "Going all out tonight aren't you?"

"Dessert at a fancy French restaurant? I do it all the time."

"Seriously you're putting me to shame. What are we celebrating?"

"We are celebrating you becoming Dr. Helga Geraldine Pataki, child psychologist. If that's not reason to celebrate I don't know what is?"

"I am pretty special aren't I?"

"You are. You're Helga G. Pataki after all. Now what are we getting?"

"I think the chocolate mousse. I don't want anything too heavy after that burger."

"Good point. I think I'll get the crème brûlée."

"Make sure they don't top it with strawberries."

"Planning on eating half my dessert?"

"Of course, don't worry Hair Boy, I plan on sharing. Shoot, I left my phone in the car—."

"Don't worry you won't need it."

"Okay, fine just do me a favor and put your phone on the table."

"Fair is fair. I promise I won't touch it."

I order our desserts and champagne. Helga throws her head back laughing. Her eyes glimmer with mirth in the candle light, I'm no longer nervous or questioning if it's the right time. "I dated the T.A. not the professor and it was after the class was over. I don't know what the big deal was? It's not like we were even a couple we went on a few dates. What about that redhead Shortman? From what Phoebe told me she was horrible. What was it one double date? Phoebe hated her, she doesn't hate anyone. That's why we're best friends. I hate everyone she hates no one. We balance each other out. Now if she hated her I'm sure I would have murdered the girl."

Helga is all laughs and smiles. Stealing bites of my crème brûlée. She has one of the best laughs, maybe because it's hearty and always real, she doesn't giggle flirt, she's above that. To be honest her laugh is more intoxicating than the one glass of champagne we had tonight. "I know, she was pretty bad."

"Wow pretty bad? That might be the meanest thing you ever said about any one. The worst you ever called me was obnoxious."

Then we order coffee after poking more fun at our love lives without each other. I excuse myself from the table and find my way to the men's room. I splash my face with water. Okay Shortman you can do this. I can do this. I pull the ring box out of my pocket. I've managed to put save enough money to get decent ring. It's not 'real' engagement ring, it's an antique pearl ring with small diamonds on the side. As soon as I saw it I thought of her. It's traditional yet off beat, elegant and bold while being subtle. I've spent almost a month with Phoebe searching every jewelry store and pawn shop till we found the one. I don't think I would have been able to pull this off without Phoebe's help. We talked about me asking Big Bob for Helga's hand. Wondering if Helga would say it made her feel like a cow being traded centuries ago or if she would find it charming. In the end I asked, Bob said that Helga could take care of herself and he liked me as much as anyone else so if she turned me down she could do it herself and gave me as much of a blessing as he could. I bounced idea after idea off of Phoebe before we came up with this proposal. After all Helga is oddly sentimental. I go back to the table determined to make Helga my wife.

I make it to the table only to see Helga isn't there. I glance around and see that she's outside on the phone. I walk out and am greeted by the late spring humidity. "…perfect, yeah soon." Then she hangs up. I put my hand on her waist, turn her around and give her a quick kiss.

"Who was that honey?"

"That was Gerald. He asked what we were up to, asked about our evening and I told him you would call him soon, after our date."

"I can't believe I missed him again. It feels like we haven't had a chance to talk in the last month." It might be because I've been spending time with his girlfriend, maybe it unconscious on my part not wanting to keep it this a secret from my best friend, still I don't want to risk getting rejected and him knowing. Or maybe we really have been missing each other.

"I know, I remember you mentioning that. Why else would I answer your phone? Especially if Tall Hair Boy is calling. Now let's go drink that coffee."

I take a sip of my americano while Helga sips her cappuccino. She ends up with a little foam mustache. "You have a little something right there." Her eyes widen and wipes her mouth. Her next sip smaller.

"Helga I have something to admit there is another reason why I brought you here. Do you remember we had our first and second dates here?"

"No our first date we went ice skating."

"In the fourth grade our first date. You pretended to be Cecil and I was running back and forth between you and Ruth. That might have been the first time I let myself fall for you even if it was just a little."

"Wait you knew that it was me?"

"I might be dense but I'm not dim Helga. It was pretty apparent that it was you or at least it was in hindsight."

"Yeah well, it's pretty obvious that you would rather be on a date with me as Cecil than Ruth. That girl was a shallow air head."

"Yeah Gerald always said I had horrible taste. In fact you're his favorite out of all the girls I've dated or even had a thing for. Maybe it's because you're best friends with Phoebe or because you don't do bull. Whatever it is he likes you. Do you remember our second date?"

"Yeah, if we go by fourth grade standards then yes. I would get us to the wrong restaurant and not have a single dime to pay for the meal. I even got out of it but no you had to be your noble self and get me to take responsibility for it and closing the restaurant down with Nadine's roach collection." Her tone softening towards the end, clearly lost in the fond memory. "You know I haven't been here since then. How did you even get a reservation? I'm sure I have a lifetime ban at this place."

"Easy. The reservation is in my name."

"That makes since."

"Helga you have made my life an adventure from the moment I met you. Sometimes you drove me crazy, sometimes you still drive me crazy. There is never a dull moment. You make me a better person. You make me reevaluate my choices and actions. You push me to take action, you're the reason I'm so 'noble' as you put it. You are everything I want and everything I didn't know I needed. You have this child like innocence and are completely wild at the same time. You hate everyone yet you are the most protective person I've ever met. You've been there for the most important and hardest times in my life even when you weren't under any obligation to do so. You are unpredictable but you've never once made me regret anything. You've put up with me and I've put up with you, but it never seems like we're putting up with each other. It's not just being there because we have to but more like we're on a crazy ride together and we just switch off driving from one insane thing to the next." I get up from my seat and get down on one knee, opening the box. "Helga will you do me the honor of being my partner for that crazy ride for the rest of my life? Will you marry me?"

Helga put her cappuccino down and raised her hand to her mouth, her finger tips gently touching her mouth. A smile graces her face, her eyes light up. "You took me to the place we had our first dates and recreated what we did at our senior prom. That might be the sweetest thing ever." Then she grows quiet and throws her head back laughing. "You have the worst timing Arnoldo." She says with a smile and shakes her head with a chuckle.

Authors Notes: I know cliff hanger. Don't worry. Arnold gets his answer in the next chapter. Which I am almost done with.

My beta pointed out that it was a little difficult to follow the time line if you don't look closely, this is after Hey You're in Love and its companion piece When You Changed Your Mind which I recommend reading if you haven't. Helga and Arnold broke up sometime during freshman year of college and that's when they dated other people getting back together at before the end of the summer. They continued their relationship long distance when Helga went to John Hopkins and this is Helga's night back in Hillwood. If you count the time they dated in high school they've been together roughly eight years so a proposal isn't out of nowhere.