*Helga's POV*
I woke up to bright lights and a beeping sound. I sat up only to feel searing pain in the back of my head. I glanced around and saw Olga asleep on one of the chairs.
Am I…in a hospital?
"Olga? Olga, wake up!" I shouted. She jolted awake and immediately ran to my side, "What's wrong, baby sister?! Do you feel dizzy or anything?"
"Dizzy? Why would I feel dizzy? And why am I need this sad excuse for a bed?!" I pull off some wire that were stuck to me while Olga stumbled to explain.
"After we found Mummy, you fainted and then Arnold was trying to wake you up and Stella was calling the ambulance and—Oh, Helga, I'm so glad you're alright!" She smothered me in a hug, "I don't know what I would do without you!"
I hugged her tightly, "I'm fine, Olga." Then I pulled away, "What happened to Mom, is she okay?"
Did I just call her Mom? I did, didn't I?
"She's just fine! She had been drinking in the bathroom and then slipped and hit her head!" Olga exclaimed and I practically cried with joy.
She's okay! Happiness swelled up in my chest and I laughed out loud. Olga began laughing too and soon we were just sitting there, cracking up.
The door cracked open and there was Arnold. His eyes lit up when he saw me up and he ran in and gathered me in his arms. I continue laughing, just feeling so relieved and actually happy.
I've never felt this before.
Stella walked in and just smiled at me from afar. I smiled back at her and then my eyes turned to the opening door.
And in walked Big Bob Pataki.
I instinctively wrapped a protective arm around Arnold's waist but he grabbed my hand. "It's okay, Helga." Then Arnold got up and to my complete surprise, shook hands with Bob.
I open my mouth but nothing comes out. Arnold grinned at me and then left with his mom.
"Arnold-!" I yelled out but he didn't come back.
Bob walked slowly to the bed but then stopped and sighed, "Helga…"
I looked up at him. "So we're on first-name-basis now, huh?"
Olga silently sat down and pulled her knees up in front of her. I scooted closer to her, trying to get between her and our so-called father.
He stared hard at me but then his face softened, "Helga, I'm sorry."
"No, you aren't."
"Yes, Helga, I am. Truly."
"You hurt me." I whispered.
"What?" he took a step closer.
I whipped my head up, "You. Hurt. Me."
"Look, Hel-."
"How can you tell me you're sorry? How can you ever make up for the things you've done to me?" I took to shouting, not knowing how to properly express how I was feeling.
"What do you mean?" he asked and I scoffed.
"How could you not know?" I folded my arms like a barrier between me and him. Olga put a soft hand on my shoulder and I resisted the urge to brush her off.
"Helga…just listen to him." She whispered.
"Why should I?" I yelled and then softened up immediately. Olga's eyes were filling up with tears again.
Bob sat down on the far edge of my bed and I curled up.
"Fine," I muttered.
*Arnold's POV*
Mom kept holding me back every time we heard Helga yell. "Let her get it out. They need to sort this out together." She had said and I guess she was right because after about half an hour, Olga came out with Helga on her shoulder. Bob was behind them.
"How you feeling?" I took Helga's hand.
"Better. Much better." She smiled slightly at her dad and he gave her a small smile. Olga had mascara flowing down her cheeks again so Bob put a big arm around her shoulders, "Let's get you cleaned up, okay?"
They left in the direction of the bathrooms right as the doctor came out of Miriam's room. Helga and straightened up and her eyes filled with hope.
"As you probably already know," the doctor said, "your mother is going to be just fine. A few months in rehab and she should be back to normal in no time.
Helga squealed and jumped in my arms. I struggled to keep my balance and she kissed me passionately.
She pulled back, leaving us both breathless, "This has to be one of the best days of my life."
I smile widely, feeling that life could finally be perfect.