Tuesday, Arnold was humming to himself as he did his job at the coffee shop. Unaware and not caring if he was annoying his co-worker, he continued to hum as he helped out customers especially a very special one that entered the shop.
"Greetings my beautiful girlfriend." Enjoying how Helga got on her tippy toes to kiss him, Arnold spotted a new accessory on her braces. "Hailie responsible for that?"
"Yep. She said I needed something pretty on it so she slapped some pink butterfly stickers to it." Posing with them she winked. "I think you know what I want."
"I do and I'll make that for you." Moving to the side to start gathering his ingredients his co-worker stepped up to greet her.
"Hey. I bet he'll pay for your coffee so I'm here to tell you that your boy here has been annoying me with his humming. I have a feeling he'll be dancing soon."
Taking a glance over to his name tag she snickered. "Well if he does then I know you'll stop him." Hearing the bell on the door jingle, Helga saw how, Chuck straightened up.
"Hey, welcome to Java Hut, how may I help you?" While Chuck sounded like he was greeting the person he was really sounding like he was cursing them out.
Moving aside a tall women around her age came up to the window. Her mousy brown hair hung limp down, while her flower dress barely met her actual shape. Helga smiled a bit loving how out of this era she was, and that seemed quite all right with her. "Hello there, Chuck." Her tone sweet to him till she sounded more excited. "Greetings, Arnold."
Turning his head to look at the woman, Arnold smiled. "Hey Sheena. How's it going?"
"Fine. I hear there's a new woman in your life. I can't wait to meet her after Gerald told me about her." Sheena replied happily before telling, Chuck that she just wanted a Chai tea.
Finishing up, Helga's order with his own, Arnold quickly got hers done before depositing it in front of her. "Hey Chuck, I'll be back."
"Excellent. No more humming for fifteen minutes." Responded Chuck before he went to clean out the blenders.
Giving Sheena's drink to her, Arnold left the area to hand Helga's drink to her. "Let's head outside." He suggested. Heading to the door he opened it up for both the girls. Waiting for them to come outside, Arnold turned to Sheena as his hand went around Helga's waist. "Sheena, I would like you to meet, Helga. Helga this is Sheena. I've known her since pre-school."
Sheena took in the girl in front of her as she suddenly felt frumpy. "Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too. Tell me this; Has Arnold always been this gallant person since you've known him?" Helga inquired as they all went to sit at the table in front of the store.
"Why yes. It is quite rare for him to be rude, but if he is we call it him bringing out, 'Dark Arnold.' We know he gets upset, but outright rude is never his strong suit." Sheena studied the woman more in front of her as a flash of her went through her head. "I've seen you at the park so many times with a little girl. Oh she looks so adorable. Who is that if I may inquire?"
Not ashamed ever at the question, Helga answered her proudly. "That is my little munchkin, Hailie. She is my little pride and joy."
Clapping her hands, Sheena felt embarrassed. "Sorry, but I get very excited. I figured she was, but I don't want to always assume. People are so sensitive."
Lifting her drink up for a sip, Helga smiled noticing he placed extra caramel in her drink. "That they are or some people don't understand. They believe that if I got pregnant young it must mean that I'm easy. I've only been with one man prior and that is it. He is my first serious relationship." Moving her hand over to brush her finger against, Arnolds she smiled at him. "He's my second relationship."
Sighing happily, Sheena put her hand under her chin. "That is so romantic. I've never been in love other than dancing." Sitting up straight again Sheena looked like a hyperactive bunny. "Speaking of which. Eugene will be in a production full of singing and dancing. It is a brand new play. Do you both want to come when it comes out? We can make it a group thing for him."
Arnold had been quiet all this time as he listened to them both talk. Perked up at supporting a good friend, he said, "I would love to when it does. What about you, Helga?"
"Depends on what day it is. If it is a good day than I would like to." Helga answered willing to do so. Another future night out with, Arnold? Heck yes.
Clasping her hands together, Sheena continued to gush until her alarm went off on her watch. "Oh goodness me. I must be off to class. Helga it was a pleasure to meet you and I hope to see you again."
Wishing for the same thing, Helga watched her take off. "She doesn't belong in this era. I like her."
"She seems to really like you too." Scooting closer he kissed her cheek. "How are your wrists?"
"They throb. Hard to type so I had to invest in a Dragon program so all I need to do is talk into it and it types it out." Kissing the side of his mouth she giggled when he brought her flush against him. "Should you be doing this in front of the store?"
"No, but I can't wait later or another day to kiss you."
How many times does her heart leap whenever he's around? Helga forgot about that question as they continued to kiss. She didn't care as long as she was doing this with him.
The next day he had an hour and a half to kill before heading to class. After she buzzed him in he couldn't help but run up those stairs to reach her. Seeing her door partially open he opened it to find her in his arms. He imagined either him or her coming home and one would immediately do this. Finding how much he loved that thought he was kissing her very deeply.
How long were they seeing one another? Helga knew it wasn't for very long but it already felt like more than a year together. She wanted to rip his clothes off. She wanted to make love to him and bathe in the afterglow. The way he held her felt like not only a comforting embrace, but how a true lover holds you. She felt like she was making love even if he wasn't touching her more intimate areas.
"Can I take you with me to class so I can see your beautiful face?" Arnold's voice was so husky now after intense kiss number one for today.
Smiling at his sweetness, Helga brought him over to the couch. "Unsure how the teacher will enjoy that or the fact that I'll be tempted into touching you."
Tilting his head so he can kiss her neck he breathed her in. "May I see your bare wrists." It was a kind request filled with so much meaning.
Undoing both her wrists, Helga held her hands up for his inspection to show that the bruises were now changing color. "I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow just to double check them. I'm having a hard time sleeping."
Gently he brought her right wrist up to his lips to kiss them. He took glimpses of her to see if he was hurting her or not. "I could read to you at night. Maybe that will help." He suggested.
Watching him kiss her left wrist now, Helga closed her eyes as she felt a great tingling sensation run up her body. "That would be nice." Taking her wrists back she put the braces on before moving to straddle his lap. "You are very special. I'm glad that I gave this a chance."
"Same here." Feeling her lips pressed against him again, Arnold was in heaven.
X
Later on as Helga and Hailie were having dinner her daughter fell silent. Helga knew she was being silent for some other reason except for the eating. When she fell into a certain thought process she was like herself: Almost pensive to the point of reaching a hole that will be hard to say once she says it.
"What's on your mind, Hailie?" She inquired casually and patiently. It was always best to still keep your hands busy so her daughter could compose herself.
Hailie licked her lip before biting her lip. Shifting herself she was privy with what her mother was doing when she was being taken care of by Aunt Phoebe and Aunt Olga, even if it wasn't by the full extent. "Your seeing someone aren't you?"
Helga quirked her mouth up knowing she should keep her attention now on her. "Yes."
"What's his name?"
It was sometimes eery in how Hailie could look so much like her when she held such an inquisitive expression. "His name is Arnold. I met him at the University. He's a college student almost about to graduate to become a teacher."
"Why haven't I met him yet? You ashamed of me." Her head went down in shame that didn't need to ever be there.
Reaching to place her hand on hers, Helga kindly told her to look at her. "Never ever think that. I will never be ashamed of you. You are my pride and joy. Never forget that." Seeing her perk up she continued, "Remember when you ran off in the park and landed into a blonde man's legs?"
Nodding her head, Hailie smiled. "Did I get you together with him?"
"He calls you a pixie and I guess in a way you helped." Was it Arnold finally introducing himself to her? Was it that kind face? Was it how he behaved in front of her daughter since he was fully genuine? Was it the way he kissed? She would guess all of the above. "He really a kind man. Very gentlemanly with me. Patient. I find him very special already."
"Do you love him?"
"Yes, but I have no clue how he feels about me truly."
Cocking her head to the side, Hailie raised her eyebrow. "Why don't you say it to him to find out." She suggested plainly.
Helga almost laughed. "It is always a man who says it first before us. Some men are quirky in their behavior if a woman says it first it puts them in the spot or make them run for the hills. Some are very comfortable with themselves that are fine with it. Also I'm afraid of saying to him first."
"Did dad say it first before you?"
"He did but I know if I said it first he still would be happy." Helga spotted those wheels turning in that tiny head of hers.
"So why haven't I met him?"
Hating the throb she was experiencing with her wrists, Helga tried to concentrate. "Single parents usually have these rules set in place. They don't want their children to meet the one they are seeing right off the bat. The fear is if it doesn't work out your child is less upset. If the child meets the person you are dating after the first or second date and they get attached to the person you are dating. Well if they break up with that person and you get upset by it because it didn't work out, I just want to be cautious."
Hailie nodded her head as she rolled that in her head. Scanning the room with her finally landing on the picture of her mom and her dad, Hailies eyes flitted back to hers. "Does he know you were married before and have pictures of him up here?"
That was a grown up question. "He does to both things. Arnold also knew your father in grade school." Seeing her daughter perk up to that Helga smiled. "Let me guess that you really want to meet him now."
"Yes I do. Am I bad in wanting that? I want you happy and I want to know more about my dad."
She had to think about that. She knew Arnold would want to meet her officially, and she knew he would talk to her about, Brainy. "Let me talk to Arnold about this."
"Okay." Picking up her fork, Hailie resumed eating.
She'll call Arnold after she puts Hailie to bed.
Arnold ran up to his room once he heard his phone. Hoping it was Helga he answered it once he saw her name lit up on the screen. "Hello beautiful."
Helga smiled on her end. "Hello Football Head. Any drama at the homestead tonight?"
"Actually no since Oskar is out with the guys tonight. How is Hailie?" Sitting on his couch he placed his hand on a book he set out just in case she called.
Sighing, Helga seemed to pause at that question. "She's fine. She knows I'm seeing someone and I told her about you. I told her you knew Brainy. She wants to meet you."
Almost about to grin, Arnold sensed something more to her. "What's the matter? Do you want me to meet her?"
"I do actually." She paused again. "I have a feeling that you might be feeling strangely since I have all these pictures of him up."
Arnold couldn't lie to her. "I was jealous of him to still have your heart." He hoped he wasn't about to make her upset. "Don't get me wrong that it makes me happy that he found someone he loved. Someone who loved him back. Brainy deserved that."
"So you are holding back because of that, aren't you?"
Arnold thought she sounded so sad. "I'm a very patient person, Helga. I never want you to think negative here. I care very deeply about you and I want a very long time with you." He heard how her breathing changed over the line. "I know I will do anything for you and for Hailie. I feel that perhaps you didn't receive something that could help you ease your mind."
"Did you receive that with your grandparents?" Helga inquired quietly. Glancing at the time she hoped she didn't interrupt him about to fall asleep.
"I did and even though it hurt like all hell to find them dead, at least I got the closure I needed." Arnold knew the answer now.
"I'm glad you did. My closure got snapped away. He does have a grave but they paid well to get the tombstone taken away to be replace by a simple marker. Stan showed me and I broke down after I confronted them. They acted like they don't even know me."
Hearing her weep over the line, Arnold stood up to grab his keys. "I'm coming over."
"Arnold you have school tomorrow."
Even with her crying she didn't want to act selfish. "This is important so I'm coming over now. I'll text you when I'm there." Hanging up, Arnold left his room and the boarding house.
Surprised he made it there without a ticket for speeding, Arnold went to the front door to see Helga opening it up for him. Rushing inside he held her till she moved them to the buildings garden area. Going outside, Helga went back into his arms. He saw that her eyes were now puffy from crying.
"First my own parents couldn't even love me and just when I thought I had a family from his family it gets ripped away." Helga was afraid. "It is like I don't deserve happiness. I have a beautiful wonderful daughter upstairs and no one wants to be her grandparents. She shouldn't be shunned like this. She doesn't deserve it. They are in just in this deep denial."
Arnold hated seeing her like this. Perhaps it was time for him to butt his nose in just to end this pain she was in. "Is there anything that I can do for you?"
Helga felt guilt unloading on him like this. "You are doing enough." Moving her hand up to his face she just wanted to touch him. "Why are you so sweet with me?"
He wanted to say he is in love with her, but felt it was inappropriate timing. "I care for you very deeply, Helga. You are unlike anyone I have ever met and I love that about you."
Her heart soared at even that word leaving those lips. "May I say something to you?"
"Always."
She was always so taken by his eyes. Those beautiful green eyes that really shined brilliant even in this lighting. "One time when Brainy was talking about everyone in his old class he mentioned you. He swore that if I met you he'd be the one on the sidelines looking at us both in a relationship. I shushed him of course and now look where we are."
His eyebrow went up at that. "Trying to get some laundry action with me tonight, Ms Pataki?"
Chuckling at his teasing tone, Helga shook her head. "No even if that was really nice. I will always love Brainy, but what we have here now is extremely special too. I want this to continue between us. My daughter wants to meet you officially."
"You still want that closure too."
"Exactly." Running her hand down his arm she just couldn't get enough of him. "I know I'll get it, but for now is any of this putting you off because I need to know." Feeling his lips on hers suddenly, Helga knew he wasn't put off.
"Is that laundry room free or do you want to dance under the moonlight?" Arnold loved the dreamy look in her eyes after he pulled away from her.
She was on cloud 9 after that kiss. "A dance please."
Placing his hands on her waist he began to hum a slow tune as he gently swayed to the sound of his voice. Arnold's brain started turning to figure out a way of helping her get what she desired. He wanted her happy. Wanted her daughter happy. He had a feeling she felt really strongly for him as well so with the gentle swaying, Arnold kissed her lips.
A/N: I love the theory from one reviewer saying that maybe Brainy sent Arnold to Helga. Thank you for that. :)