At seven on the dot, Arnold rang her apartment. Looking around her apartment wildly she hoped everything was in order as she heard a knock. Opening the door, Arnold was dressed in a lush suit. His hair was still wild, but she didn't care since it suited him so well. "Wow. Thank goodness you don't wear that at the library because John would hit on you and Natalie will be drooling."

Chuckling at that, Arnold took a strong gander at what she was wearing. It was a red wrap around dress that hugged her figure so well that his mouth started to drop open. Feeling her hand close his mouth up, Arnold blushed. "You look incredible."

"You better believe it, bucko." Helga teased him as she went to grab for her pea coat. "I'm ready."

Waiting for her to exit her apartment, Arnold took her hand. "I really hope you enjoy this place."

"If not at least I know I'll enjoy the company." Squeezing his hand, Helga found herself blushing.

X

At Chez Paris, they were both seated somewhat intimately near the window. While the restaurant was full it seemed where they sat was more remote then the other seating arrangements. Scanning the menu, Helga recognized a few words from her years of reading books. She knew she never wanted to eat calf brains or tongue. Seeing their waiter come to them for their order they both ordered wine while Helga ordered Steak Fritas and Arnold ordered Gigot D'Agneau Pleureur which is lamb cooked over potatoes.

Handing their menus back to the waiter, Helga smiled over to Arnold. "Do you have any late night routines you like to do before sleeping? Mines is actually tucking my daughter in as she talks about the periodic table. After spending time with her I end up in my room sometimes reading a book before sleeping."

"The periodic table? I couldn't get a handle of that until some time in middle school and I still struggle trying to remember most of it. What grade is she in?" Arnold couldn't believe a young girl like her knowing that.

"She's in the fifth grade. She's skipped grades just like her mom did. I remember reading the dictionary when I was that age. I wanted to read everything. Everything except Playboy. My dad unfortunately let those lie around."

Smiling at the way she stuck her tongue out felt endearing instead of childish. "I loved my mystery novels. Still do. I'll read that before sleeping or just listen to music. Some nights I want to hide deep inside the building just to avoid responsibilities for a while. Sometimes I feel like that I'll come home to Oskar holding a pipe wrench behind his back laughing at me stupidly. When he does that I know he did something wrong."

"Tell me something about your parents. That might be a less butt clenching topic besides this Oskar fellow."

She did often times have a colorful language, making Arnold not minding it in the least when before he wouldn't like it. "My dad is an Archeologist and my mom is a Botanist. They met in San Lorenzo where my father instantly fell in love with her. My mom thought he was cute, but didn't fall in love with him until later. Down there they explored and went into different villages. They befriended the Green Eyes there." He smiled knowing he was giving an edited version to her. "They were married down there."

Helga waited to speak till the waiter placed their food down along with their wine. Once he was gone, she said, "Let me guess that you were born in San Lorenzo."

"I am."

Helga could tell he was proud of that fact, but seemed to have something hidden behind it. "So are you a citizen of this country?"

Arnold loved how she placed her napkin down on her lap. It was such a simple movement, but she almost seemed cat-like in how she eyed him. "I am." Leaning forward he winked at her. "So I don't need to marry you for my green card."

Leaning forward herself, Helga took his hand. "What a pity. I guess I'm gonna need to find another man to date now."

"Then I'll marry you."

They kept their gazes locked in together as they both felt the heat rising in their system and going to places where they almost forgot about. Laughing shyly, they both went to pick up their utensils to begin eating away. They engaged in more small talk as they both sampled the other's dish. After getting desert, they then paid their bill and left.

Heading back to her home, Helga invited him up to watch a movie and to get a nightcap. Besides Brainy's brother being in here, it will be the first time any other male has stepped foot in there. Closing the door she went to fix them some coffee as he looked at the photographs on the wall. On one wall it was mostly just her and Hailie.

"These are great pictures of you both."

"Thanks. Do you want cream and sugar or do you want it black?" She inquired.

"Cream and sugar is fine. Thanks." Moving to the other wall there was, Helga with Brainy. Even if he hadn't seen him for a long time, Arnold could tell. They both looked so happy and he could see the progression in their ages. Feeling a pang of jealousy. Something he felt guilty for feeling, he also felt sadness at how he died.

Coming into the room to hand him a mug, Helga looked between him to the photographs. "I did this for many reasons. One is for Hailie. She asks about him all the time. Wants to know so much even if I have already covered it." She pointed to the picture at the bottom that was alone. "This was our last picture together. I was six months along and we wanted it as a memory. Our first photograph together as a family. She stares at these pictures all the time."

"She's trying to live it through you." Arnold told her wistfully.

Helga studied him trying to figure out what he was feeling. "Are you all right?"

"Yeah. I wish I saw him one last time." He also felt strange.

Moving him away from the pictures, Helga had him sitting down. "I dated during that time, but nothing panned out after the first date. With you it is different. I have been lonely a long time but now I'm glad I'm dating you."

Taking her hand, he cupped it with both of his hands. "I'm happy that I'm dating you. I'm aware of, Brainy being your first love. I'm glad he got to have it. Honestly I don't blame him for falling for you. You are incredible. I do have a question if you want to be with someone new. Do you?"

The question hurt even with it needing to be said. She felt a pang in her heart if he was suddenly to disappear. "I know I do. I just want the person to be aware of him. Be aware that no matter about my first love, that I still have plenty of room in my heart for another love."

"Do you want more kids in time?"

Her heart beat and she should quell it in case this didn't work out. "Yes. I love being a mother." She was feeling heated up. Lifting the mug up to her lips, she sipped at the hot liquid feeling more heated up than before. "I can tell you want kids one day."

"Positively. I love kids." Arnold is indeed in love with her.

Helga blushed under his gaze. "Maybe one day you'll meet, Hailie officially one day when we are really serious."

He wished to tell her that he is already serious about her. She is the woman that he will marry one day. What would of happened if he met her before, Brainy? Would they be together for a long time before they had a child? Would Hailie be his child instead? He knew he could drive himself crazy with so many thoughts wandering through his brain, but for now he brought himself closer to her so he could kiss her.

A failed date. The guy looked so good on paper too. Guess that is all it is. "Paper burns just as easily." Phoebe spoke softly to herself.

Sitting on the park bench was not a wise thing to do at night, but she didn't care. She didn't want to go home and she couldn't speak with, Helga seeing that she was on a date. Sniffling at her run of bad luck in the dating department she figured maybe it was best to give it all up, and remain single. She could be artificially inseminated when she was ready to. Focus on her child and her career. Helga would tell she is throwing in the towel much too soon, but she didn't care at all.

"Hello?"

Releasing a startled gasp, Phoebe's eyes went up to a very tall handsome African-American in front of her. Her body became alerted to be prepared for anything. "Hello?"

"Are you alright? You're sniffling away."

"Yes. Just recovering from an awful date." Phoebe should make an excuse to leave.

"You too, huh?" His tone was scornful. "Mines enjoyed talking on the phone. What about yours?"

"Expected me to put out on the first date. I feel a certain amount of malcontent against life now. Mostly just going on dissatisfying dates that lead to nothing but heartache."

Shaking his head he extended his hand out. "My name is Gerald. What's yours?"

"Phoebe." Adjusting her purse, she stood up. "I'm sorry about your bad date."

"Not any more sorry than myself. She looked good on paper too. Guess she isn't bright enough to know that talking on the phone while on a date is bad form." Gerald examined the very petite girl thinking how really cute she was. "I know I'm a stranger and all. I know that you are in a park alone with a guy you don't know. I just want to know one thing if I can ask."

Phoebe couldn't believe how tall he is, but most everyone was taller than her. She always felt like she was walking next to a giant when it came to, Helga. "Depends on the question."

Gerald's mouth curled up into a slight smile. "Do you live in Hillwood or not?"

"Yes I live in Hillwood."

Gerald will have to hope to see her again then. "You don't need to tell me your full name, but my last name is Johanssen. I go to Hillwood University. I hope to see you around so we cannot be strangers anymore."

Phoebe smiled at him. "I think I have a feeling that we will meet again."

He hoped so. "If so then I hope that I get a greeting from you. Right now I'm certain you want to head home."

She didn't mean to blush, but she did. "Certainly. I will greet you when we meet again. I will wish you a good night then."

"Good night." Gerald stepped far enough away just to ease her mind more. He watched her daintily walk down the pathway, and made sure she was safe before he went to his home. At least the end of his night proved to be pleasant.

The movie was now forgotten as Fred Astaire moved around the dance floor with Ginger Rogers. Helga and Arnold were lost in their own world as he had her laying on top of him. It was another electrical kiss as their tongues tangoed together. She forgot about loneliness as she felt a certain fulfillment with him. Separating long enough to catch their breaths, they started to giggle in both their enlightened emotions.

"No sex. Not yet at least." She panted between her words.

He felt like he already did without actually doing that. This is amazing to him. "We can wait longer. I don't want to wait on kisses though."

She found him endearing as she closed the gap. Helga moaned at the drunken stupor she was feeling without the actual alcohol. Hearing the heavy knocking on her door she groaned out instantly recognizing who it was. Giving him another kiss, she got up to answer the door. "Yes?"

There was Bob with a black eye from her previous damage. The way he hulked over her she didn't find it scary in the least. "Listen up little Missy. You are going to drag your rear to my store tomorrow to help out with the sale."

"Uh no I'm not."

Pointing his meaty finger at her face, Helga was half temped into breaking it. "You will after all I've done for you and that little brat of yours."

Arnold couldn't believe the nerve of this man. Couldn't believe how he talked to her. Talked about, Hailie.

Livid, Helga fought back. "Little brat?! All that you've done for me? Are you fucking kidding me now. My daughter isn't a brat, you are. As for that crock of saying you do everything for me you didn't do jack shit aside from impregnating mom."

Snarling at her, Bob focused past her to fixate on, Arnold. "Who is that? Another to get you all fat and pregnant? You already spread your legs out to that one boy so this one be must aching for his chance. That is all you are good for anyhow."

"Sir, this isn't at all polite to speak about your daughter and Granddaughter. You should apologize." Arnold interjected as he came a little closer.

Giving him a derisive snort, Bob's eyes seemed to have turn into lasers with how he burned into you. "What's your name?"

"Arnold."

"Snot nosed brat." He said as softly as his voice could muster, Bob's voice then turned more normal. "Alfred, this is between me and my daughter. I bet you are just as useless as her dead husband of hers."

Helga punched him hard in the other eye. "First you insult my daughter then myself. You insult Arnold here and Brainy too. Get out! I never want to see you again. Just get out."

"I'll see that your daughter gets taken away from you. I'll see to it." Pressing his hand against his injured eye, Bob went to try to smack at, Helga when Arnold intervened by pushing him away forcefully away from the door. "She'll use you and kill you like she did her husband."

Frustration mounted within him as he stepped out into the doorway. "Helga is a good person. Honest. She had nothing to do with, Brainy's death. As for you, you need to leave now."

Stepping back into her apartment, Arnold shut and locked the door for her. Glancing out the peephole, he made sure that, Bob left. Sighing he turned to see that Helga walked to the balcony. Stepping outside, Helga had her arms crossed over her body to keep warm. It was hard to speak after that humiliation. Hard to think knowing he wasn't the first one to believe that she killed her own husband. Brainy would hate this. Glancing to Arnold she wondered if, Brainy had some divine intervention in bringing him into her life. Not like she ever believed in that stuff before, but seeing how Brainy came in just at the right moment and one day granted her two gifts, Helga took a step forward to kiss him.

"I'm sorry about that."

Arnold held her to keep her warm and because he loved it. "Not your fault. We haven't known one another for too long, but you really are amazing."

"Not the first time he threatened to take, Hailie away from me." Helga was never one to admit to any weakness but when it came to her daughter she couldn't help it. "I don't know what to do if she was taken away from me. She's my life."

"I have a feeling that your sister and your best friend will help fight for you. I'll even fight for you."

She smiled at the sentiment. "I'm so sorry that he ruined everything."

Pulling her back, Arnold wanted her to look at the complete sincerity of his face that accompanied his words. "No he didn't. I'm with you still and I find that still a fantastic evening. I just have one question."

"What is it?"

"Are you sure that you are related to that man? I honestly can't believe it."

Quietly laughing, Helga kissed him. It was a great evening up to that point and Arnold had to save it again.

A/N: Thanks to all your reviews. Truly appreciate them. I hope you enjoyed Phoebe and Gerald finally meeting. :)