When I awoke, I was in my bed with Arnold holding me close. I looked up at him, and saw his eyes glisten in the sunlight streaming through the window. I honestly didn't know what to say to him. I had so much drama and heartache unfold in the last day, and he was the one to be with me. He was the one to catch my tears, and hug me when I needed it most. It was all becoming clear.
We laid there together in silence. I knew I had to talk to him sometime, but I had to figure out what to say. This was something that couldn't be avoided.
I let out the words, "Thank you," before returning my head on his chest.
He took one hand, and lifted my chin until my eyes met with his.
"I would do anything for you." He said sweetly.
"I know that now..." I answered. "Arnold," I began. "I just want to tell you how wrong I was. Please-"
"Helga, don't. You don't have to apologize for anything. Just enjoy the moment. You must be exhausted, with the baby and all." He paused for a moment. "Or should I say babies." He put one hand on my stomach.
I was getting overwhelmed with all the emotions running through my head. I sat up and was out of Arnold's grasp. I looked at him, and said shakily, "Arnold what am I going to do? I can't have three children in my own! I'm going to have to quit college! My children aren't going to have a loving father! I don't want that for my kids! I'm a terrible mother!" I was crying now, not being able to contain anything.
"Helga, listen to me. Don't you ever say you're a bad mother. The fact that you want the best for your children, speaks volumes. I'm going to help you out the whole way, no matter what. Don't ever think you're alone. I will always be here for you." He grabbed my body, and held me in his arms. He stroked my head and said, "You will never be alone." He kissed the top of my head.
The words Arnold said took me by surprise. How much passion and love that filled them was unbearable. I wept even harder, which made his grasp even tighter. As we lay in each others arms, my cell-phone rang. Arnold went up to get it, being the gentleman he is. I listened in, hoping I wasn't going to have to explain what was happening.
"Yea, she's doing ok. I'm taking care of her," I caught him saying.
He put the phone back down on my dresser. He walked back over to the bed, but stayed standing.
"It was just one of you're friends asking if you were ok...You must be hungry. Do you want anything to eat?" I honestly wasn't hungry at all. I felt mostly sick to my stomach.
"No thanks Arnold. I'm fine. I'm not hungry." I sounded so desperate, it embarrassed me.
"Helga, I can tell you haven't eaten in a while. Your stomach has been growling like crazy. You're just sad, is all. Please eat something." He was the one sounding desperate now.
"Arnold, don't worry. I feel fine. I'll tell you when I'm hungry. Right now, hunger isn't the main thing on my mind." He walked over to my side of the bed.
"I'm gonna make you something anyway." He stared at me with his half-lidded eyes. "I hope you like pancakes," his voice starting to fade as he walked out of the room. "Because I suck at cooking." I started to laugh for the first time in days.
I sat in bed, contemplating what I would do next. I forced myself to get out of bed, and take a shower. After I put fresh clothes on I walked into the kitchen. Arnold was indeed making pancakes.
I silently laughed, then headed towards him. "I'm making extra," he said. "I figured since you're feeding two kids, you might eat more."
"Your logic is remarkable!" I said sarcastically. He just laughed as he turned towards me.
"Do you want pancakes or not?" He said, still laughing.
"Of course, Master Chef. Cook away." He rotated his body back to the pancakes, and continued to flip them.
As I was sitting at the island counter, my eyes caught a photo of Rob and I. Rob was kissing my very pregnant stomach, while I was laughing. Tears started running down my face. Even though Arnold had made me laugh, the heartbreak was still present. My head turned towards another picture, of Rob holding Caressa. The tears began multiplying rapidly.
Arnold turned around. "5 pancakes on...the...house...," his words began to slow down when he noticed I was crying. He looked so confused and worried. He put the pancakes on the counter, and wrapped an arm around me. "Whats wrong Helga?"
"Arnold, I'm just so depressed. I'm breaking down as we speak. It's eating away at me. I can't take it anymore!" I tried to catch my breath between sobs. "Each time I see a picture with him in it, I lose myself just a little more. Anytime something reminds me of him, my heart tears a little more! It's killing me!" I was now shouting at a very confused Arnold. He pulled me into a hug, and held my head.
"Helga," he began. "I'm not going to leave you. I won't hurt you like he did. I'll be here for you always." I was starting to get angry. He still didn't realize what happened really affected me.
"Arnold! You don get it! What happened between me and Rob was huge! I'm not going to just forget within a few days!" There was a pause of silence. "Why are you doing this for me anyway? You were so pissed off at me the last time I saw you. Why now? Is it because your girlfriend dumped you?" I immediately wanted to take back my words. I shouldn't have been shouting at him.
"I came because you're my friend! Why does there have to be an alternative motive?" He was the worst liar.
"Arnold, I know when you're lying; this is one of those times. Tell me why. Right now." I made my voice sound stern.
"Theres no other reason, expect that!" He was starting to look sweaty and nervous. It was about to come out; he couldn't keep it in any longer. I could tell.
"Just tell me Arnold! Why? Why would you do this for me?!" It was like he was a criminal, and I was the cop questioning him.
"Because I love you!" He slapped his hand to his mouth, and started backing up.
My heart stopped. I looked straight at him. "What...what...did you...just say?" My stomach did a few frightened flips at thought of his words.
"I'm so sorry Helga. I can't do this to you now. The words just came out on...accident." He was a pale white, and his eyes were wide open.
"Arnold, wait!" I shouted to him, but not soon enough. He was the out the door before I had a chance to tell him anything.
I sat down in disbelief. Arnold Shortman just told me he loved me. My stomach did excited little flips.
I twiddled my thumbs, pondering what to do. I had never been told I was loved by someone, other than Rob.
It'd be too soon to go after him, and go out with him. It'd been one full day since Rob left. I weighed out my options, then chose the one my heat wanted.
I grabbed my keys, and headed into the car. The rain was getting heavy, so I slowed down the car, trying to calm myself.
Then I spotted him walking in the rain, kicking rocks. I swerved to the curb, and hopped out of the car. I forgot my raincoat, so immediately I was soaking wet. I splashed through tons of puddles in my shorts, t-shirt, and Vans.
I tapped his shoulder, and he turned around. He was also soaking wet.
"Arnold," I had to yell, because of how loud the rain was. My voice was cracking, from the tears. "I love you too, I always have! I want to be with you! Nobody else!" He stared at me, with his mouth open.
I grabbed his shirt collar and abruptly pulled him in for a kiss. He grabbed my waist, so I locked my hands around his neck.
He pulled away for a second, and said, "I love you so much." We continued to kiss in the rain. Like a romance movie, nothing stopped us. Not the people walking by, nor the cars beeping. It was just him and I. It was all so perfect.
I loved Arnold.
Author: Hope you guys liked that chapter! It's kinda short, but I think its very sweet. I'll try and get another chapter out this weekend. Keep giving me those reviews!