A/N: Today let us have a Brainy flashback. There is some heavy material also within this chapter.
Also to the Guest who left a review recently for Chapter 14, thank you for the constructed criticism. I do appreciate it. I was about to leave out what was going through Rhonda's mind, but I thought against it. Some people, not my regular reviewers, think that Helga is the bad person who was lying about Brainy's passing so I was sick of those reviews. I love a good mystery and some dramatic sense but give this girl a break. I just got tired of those reviews.
The next day after, Helga came up to the vast desk to see Lila standing there in her innocent school girl charm. Helga's face slowly showed her amusement watching her bounce around like a tiny child. Suppressing a giggle at that, she perched herself in front of the farm girl.
"What's up, Toots?" Watching a small gift get placed in front of her, Helga looked back up to her. "What's this?"
"It's a gift for being ever so nice to me that day. Also it is another gift for making Arnold oh so happy." Responded Lila in almost full chirping glory.
Helga just stared at the gift in front of her. "You didn't need to. Thanks, but there wasn't a need to. How did your boyfriend like his gift?" Seeing Lila frown, Helga pushed the gift aside for the moment. "Want to talk about it elsewhere?"
"Yes, but no. He couldn't come yet because something happened on the farm. He had to delay it so I won't know until he comes."
Hearing a question from a student, Helga answered them quickly as she pointed the way. Sighing she then turned her attention to, Lila. "Well for one he is still coming and for two he will love it. Arnold did show me a picture of it. You were certainly creative."
"I was?" Lila perked up again. Helga thought she was wanting approval from an adult figure in her life.
"Yes and he even showed it to my daughter. She thought it was cool with what you can do with lint." Opening up the box, Helga's mouth opened up. It was a picture of all three of them at the Aquarium with Arnold and her dancing while Hailie was clapping along. "How did you get a picture of us?" She was in awe as she lifted it up to study it.
Lila was very pleased with herself. "My father and I were leaving when I spotted you. I saw all of you and thought it would be a nice surprise. Do you like it? Oh I hope you do. I have never seen him so happy."
Helga continued to take in that picture. Did she like it? Placing the picture down she left the desk to walk up to her. Helga wasn't a hugger unless it was with someone really close to her. "I love it." Hugging the petite girl she straightened out. "Thanks."
"Oh I'm happy for you. For all of you. May I say that your daughter is oh so pretty. I hope to have all that soon some day."
"You will." Seeing Ruby coming to the desk, Helga left Lila's side to go and show her boss. "Isn't this boss?"
Ruby studied the picture. "It is. My favorite gifts are the ones I got with a picture with my family." She was very sincere. "You look like a family here. Congratulations. You deserve it."
Helga smiled at it hoping that Hailie wouldn't mind her placing the picture up in the living room. They did look like a family.
Four hours later, Helga saw Olga bring Hailie into the library to show her a mark in the back of her neck. Helga's pulse raced at the familiarity of it. Anger flooded her as she looked at her daughter's frightened expression. Saw the tear stained cheeks. He took it too far this time. This means war.
"Did you bring her to the hospital?" Helga's voice reflected her anger.
Olga thought she sounded like a barely contained bull on a rampage. "Not yet. She wanted to see you."
Getting on her knees, Helga hugged her daughter. She comforted her daughter while murder took over her mind for another. "Please take her. Report it to the police. I'm going to meet up with dear old dad."
"No, Helga. He will hurt you. Please don't." Olga begged as she reached out for her sister.
Spotting the mark on her arm, Helga took her hand as gently as possible to pull up the sleeve. Bruised marks in the shape of a meaty hand. "Go to the hospital and report this at once. Tell the cops where to go." Leaving them for a moment to inform Ruby of an emergency and what it was about, Ruby rushed her out of there.
Big Bob was going down.
*Flashback - 14 years old*
Her eyes were closed while she enjoyed the breeze hitting her. It was gentle. Inviting. Far from them she could hear people in the distance. Most having fun. The birds were chirping a happy melody. She loved coming to this small park. It was a park that was tucked away from the rest of the city. It was a meeting place where the park was nestled between where they both lived. This wasn't Tina Park they were in. This was just a neighborhood project so the kids wouldn't have to be forced to play on the street. Feeling a hand gently playing in her hair now, Helga opened her eyes up to look at her boyfriend.
Brainy had his knowing expression on his face. His calm presence helped her on a day to day motion. "Something is deep on your mind." Moving his finger to her ear, he traced her ear lobe gently. "Family?"
Her smile disappeared at the mention of it. She knew she couldn't hide much from him. He knew what happens inside her house even if not entirely. "Isn't it always? I have Phoebe and you. You are the only good constant in my life." She turned her head away to focus on the crack of the bat from a nearby game. "My family makes me doubt my own existence until I'm near you both."
He traced his finger down to her neck. He always enjoyed the softness of her skin. He just didn't enjoy when she felt this deep melancholy. Opening his mouth to speak he noticed how the breeze lifted her hair more to reveal a bruising on the back of her neck. Anger and panic set in when he lifted her hair up to reveal marks that were thick. Ignoring her telling him it was nothing he saw it was the same size as her father's hand. "When did this happen, Helga?"
Pulling away from him, Helga slid down to the other side of the bench. Her hand went up to rest on her other arm while she looked pensive.
Brainy examined her. In the year they have known one another and them being together, it was a struggle sometimes to get her to talk. He was patient with her, but this was a dire situation if she is being hurt. "Please talk to me." He urged sweetly. Helga glanced away just trying to hide away from reality. How did Arnold handle all of this? He saw him do so many grown up things, and this is really his own handle of it. His girlfriend was shutting down again.
Helga was humiliated. "Last night I was thirsty. This was really late at night and I left my bedroom to hear." She searched for the words to say without almost vomiting at the thought of her parents doing the deed. "Well sex sounds from my parents bedroom. Choosing to ignore that for my stomach's sake, I went downstairs for something to drink when I spotted my mom sleeping on the kitchen table." She paused to wait for someone to pass by. "Grabbing some water I chugged it before heading back upstairs." Her eyes went even bigger as she took Brainy in. "Oh I shouldn't of dared to look. I really shouldn't. I hoped it was a bad dream, but it wasn't."
"I went up those stairs slowly. I walked to my parents room to hear a girl's voice that wasn't my mom's. I just couldn't believe it so I cracked the door open to see my father with another woman. The thing was, she wasn't a woman. She was a teenager." Hearing Brainy slide over to her, Helga took his hand. "I confronted him after she left and he was stomping upstairs. He was so smug. I got on him for cheating on my mom. I asked him how old that girl really was. He just told me to shut up and to mind my own business. I couldn't, Brainy, I just couldn't."
Lifting her hair up, Brainy kissed the bruised area. "Helga."
Helga had a clue what he might say so she continued to speak. "We argued. He called me useless and a mistake like he always does. I asked him how could he sleep with a minor and he could get in trouble. I told him he was a joke. I walked away but he wouldn't let me when he grabbed me hard behind my neck to pull him against him. He threatened me if I dared to say a word."
"What did you mom say? I'm sure she woke up." Brainy was now looking at her face.
She shook her head. "No she didn't. The thing is that I know there are other girls he has slept with. This is the first time I physically caught him."
"You need to say something to the Authorities. You can't let this keep happening." Brainy was scared for his girlfriends safety.
Leaning back she decided to find the ground fascinating. "They'll send me away. Olga is still in Alaska. I leave and well.." She let that linger in the air.
Brainy fell as silent as her. He really wasn't a wiz at helping others. In the forefront of his mind he was tempted to catch a bus to head to his old neighborhood. He was tempted to talk to Arnold about this. He just wouldn't want the chance of his own girlfriend meeting up with him. What if she falls for him and dumps him for Arnold? These were silly thoughts maybe, but he knew that Helga would of fell for him if she met him first and not himself.
Helga kissed his lips in a need to feel him physically like always. "I love you, Brainy."
He smiled softly to her. "I love you too, Helga."
Bob was enjoying this sale. People were bustling in all the time and all his salespeople were running around helping customers out. Bob was smiling as he stood there. He spoke in a pure businesslike way to men and some females, but when a young woman approached him for help, he turned his charm way up.
"So what's a pretty lady wishing to acquire? I can provide many services." Glancing casually down her V top, Bob enjoyed the gentle rise of her chest. He always loved a woman that was built like that.
The girl licked her lip slowly as she looked at him before scanning around her. "I'm interested in a lot. I text, send pictures a lot. I want internet, and I'm interested in plenty of apps."
He spotted an easy target with this one as he showed her plenty of phones within one case. "These right here are ones that come with plenty of free apps. If there isn't anything you see there, I'll hook you up."
Smiling with glee she leaned over to examine each of the phones in the case without realizing that Bob was looking at one thing alone. Hearing his front door open with someone greeting another customer, Bob kept his attention on this customer unaware of any trouble till he heard an angry voice bellow out.
"BOB!"
His head shot up to see his daughter standing there in the middle of the sales floor with her fists clenched. "Oh it's you, Olga. Get out of here. As you can see I'm plenty busy right now."
"It's Helga, Dad." Helga reminded him as she just stood there. "You dare touch my daughter. There's a bruise around the back of her neck. All because of you."
Straightening out, Bob was tempted in smacking her, but it would be bad for business. "Yeah, yeah whatever. Now go away, Girl."
"No." Helga saw how many people were in the store right now. "For so many years you wanted to portray us as the perfect family. A perfect family to guarantee more business." Turning her body around for everyones attention, Helga was fed up with his bullshit. "Did you know that we aren't a perfect family. My older sister had to perform constantly for his amusement. She had to be perfect to the point of exhaustion."
"Quiet." Bob whispered as he tried to maintain his temper.
"See I didn't know what was boiling under the surface there until she told me everything. Told me how he forced her to perform like a wind up doll." Helga felt her phone vibrate. She hoped it was her sister.
"As for me he called me a mistake every chance he could get. The verbal abuse alone to me which turned physical the very moment I caught on to him cheating on my mother." She saw the barely contained anger in her father's face. "He said I wasn't good enough. Could never remember my name. My own mom didn't deserve the treatment she got. Not only was I neglected so was my mom."
"You don't know what you are talking about, Girl." Bob started to leave the counter area.
Spotting a cop car pulling into the parking lot, Helga took a chance in seeing that the text was from Olga. A small smile formed on her face even as Bob mistook the officers real reason of being there. "Oh I don't, do I?" Hearing the door open, Helga continued once the cops were in there. "You not only verbally abused me, you started to physically. I caught you in bed with another female. A teenager if you will. When I confronted you, you grabbed me by the back of my neck and threatened me. That girl was only sixteen. She got pregnant because of you and you turned her away. Said it wasn't yours. Called her a whore."
"Well aren't you both getting her out of here? She's harassing me on my own property." Bob cried out to the cops.
The police officers just simply stood there hearing Helga out. "Do you remember her name because I do. She was trying to make ends meet so she can support her child. I will even give these officers the name of that woman." Helga paused for dramatic effect. "I even know the names of the others, Bob."
"HA! You don't know nothing. You are nothing but a slut who got knocked up by that idiotic kid. Your kid is also an idiot."
That was the wrong move. "HEY! You never ever speak about my dead husband like that. You never ever speak about my daughter either. Brainy was a very good man. Smart. Loving. Loyal. I have been in love with him since I was thirteen." Stepping forward, Helga stopped just short of him. "As for my daughter, first you insult her and now you hurt her. You grabbed her by the neck. You put bruises on not only her, but Olga."
Bob had enough as he took a step forward to slap Helga across the face. "Arrest her!"
Stepping forward finally, the officers walked up to them both just to pass, Helga. "Robert Pataki, you are coming in with us on child abuse, abuse of your daughter Olga Pataki-Smythe, and it looks like you'll be placed up on plenty of other charges once the story checks out." One of the cops said. "You have the right to remain silent."
"What?! This is an outrage! Arrest her. I haven't done anything wrong. Arrest her!" Bob cried out as he stomped his foot.
Squaring her shoulders back, Helga kept her attention all on him. "I will be seeing you in court, Bob."
"So you will be pressing charges." It was more of a statement rather than a question as the other officer spoke to her.
"I'm pressing charges. Now it is time to be with my daughter." Turning on her heel, Helga marched out of there with a smile on her face. She was still very angry at seeing her daughter and sister hurt by him.
Rushing to the hospital, Helga was surprised to see Arnold there with Phoebe. Smiling at them she asked to see her daughter to the nurse. Nodding her head, the nurse showed her where, Hailie and Olga were. Going past the curtain, Helga rushed to Hailie to place her in her arms.
"How's my munchkin doing?" Kissing her forehead, Helga never ever wanted to see her daughter hurt now or ever.
"I'm fine. It just hurts."
Sitting in the provided chair, Olga frowned. "Sam is on his way down. The doctor said nothing is broken and that she should be fine."
"What about you?" Helga wondered as she looked now to her slowly expanding stomach.
"The baby is fine and so am I." Putting her head down, Olga felt shame. "I'm sorry about not stopping it in time."
Helga didn't want to let go of, Hailie. "Olga don't torture yourself. I know you still did a good job with her. You always do."
"Why is daddy so evil?"
Helga had to give her credit in not releasing the water works right now. "I don't know, Olga. I really don't."
X
Back in her apartment, Helga put Hailie to bed. They did their usual routine while Arnold watched from the doorway. He smiled at the serene scene loving every moment of it. Hearing her issue a good night to her daughter, Arnold wished Hailie the same thing.
Before leaving her bedroom, Helga couldn't help but take her in again before closing the door to wrap her arms around him. "I had to restrain myself not to kill him."
Feeling it was best to go to the couch, Arnold guided her over so they can sit down. "When John told me why you had to leave I had to be there." Kissing her cheek he just kept his arms around her. "I'm so sorry you had to deal with this. I'm so sorry it happened to, Hailie."
Helga had told Arnold lots of things about her family. About her upbringing. She was surprisingly more open with him than, Brainy. She knew she trusted Brainy, but she found it strange how easily she shared with Arnold. "I'm gonna need to talk to my mom." Hearing a knock on the door had her groaning. "Could you answer that for me."
Kissing her lightly on the lips, Arnold complied as he stood up to walk to the door. Opening it he found himself staring at tall blonde woman with glasses on. Studying her he could see the resemblance. "May I help you?"
The woman looked like she just woke up. "Oh I'm looking for my daughter, Helga. I see she lives in this apartment. I guess I was wrong."
Arnold tried to stop her, but Helga slinking in between him and the threshold prevented him from saying anything. "Mom." Helga moved past Arnold hoping she wasn't angry at her.
Miriam turned to examine her daughter. She took in every detail of the woman standing before her. A woman she hadn't seen since the announcement of her pregnancy. "Is that really you, Helga?" She was in disbelief.
Stepping out the door, Helga nodded. "Yes it is. No one else would want to claim it." Came her soft snarky reply.
Arnold couldn't believe those words coming out of her mouth. He thought the woman would be insulted, but instead she laughed.
"Oh Helga! It is you." Coming forward, Miriam hugged her daughter. "You are so beautiful. So, so, beautiful."
Helga was surprised at the affection. Slowly hugging her back she realized she hardly smelled any alcohol on her. "Thanks, Mom." Glimpsing over to Arnold she smiled. "Arnold, this is Miriam. My mom."
Pulling away, Miriam was embarrassed as she stepped forward to extend her hand out. "Oh I'm sorry. So much going on with cops and Bob in jail. My name is Miriam. Who are you to my daughter, Arnold?"
Accepting her hand, Arnold felt a surprisingly firm handshake. "I'm her boyfriend. You have a wonderful daughter and granddaughter."
Miriam felt grief take hold. "I never got to meet her. Can I meet her?" She looked to Helga.
"I just put her to bed. She's had a traumatic day." Helga answered. "Do you want to come in and talk?"
"Mom?"
Arnold looked down to his side to see Hailie standing there rubbing her eyes. Helga came down in front of her to pick her up. "Munchkin." Kissing her, Helga hugged her. "Sorry for waking you."
"It's okay. I was afraid you were hurt." Hailie said in earnest before looking at Miriam. "Grandma?"
Of course she recognized Miriam from pictures she had in an album. Mostly it was the one she was in a bull riding contest. "Mom, meet Hailie. This is my pride and joy. Hailie this is your grandma Miriam."
"Hi."
Miriam felt hypnotized as she approached. "She's darling, Helga. She is beautiful like her mom."
"Well seeing as I'm taking the day off tomorrow. Will you like to come in mom?"
Miriam nodded her head as she followed them inside. She now was free to be who she wanted to be. Perhaps she'll take over the Emporium now. Maybe she can make up for those lost years. As she sat there speaking to all three of them, Miriam found herself really liking the young man Helga was with. She spotted the picture of all three of them at the Aquarium on the coffee table. Hearing everything about both her daughter and granddaughter had Miriam uttering out the words that Helga always craved to hear.
"I'm so proud of you. You've actually accomplished a lot." Miriam then looked to Arnold. "You are obviously making them both happy."
Arnold's eyes went briefly to the framed picture of all three of them before meeting, Miriam's eyes. "I love them both with all my heart. I only want to make them happy."
Helga had a feeling it will be very hard to not cry tonight. One grandparent has been gifted to them from this mess. That was one bit of closure done. Now she needed two more to see the light of day finally. She needed more closure that was taken away from her.
A/N 2: Yeah I'm sure I made mistakes here. Don't come at me with pitchforks and torches.
Hillwood in this fanfiction is far larger than it is on the show. I had to do it that way. Yes Helga would know about Tina Park since it would be the largest. The field that was transformed into a park near her old home isn't Gerald Field. Helga doesn't meet Arnold until they are 23. Brainy was just doing the whole "What would Arnold do?" I have mentioned in passing that Helga has mentioned that Brainy said he was nervous about her meeting Arnold while they were together. Brainy was just afraid to lose her. We all get self-conscious.
Now take your cookies by the door.