The vow question will be answered in this chapter. :) By the way it has been a bear to get onto this site.
Helga was being very patient as her sister did her hair and Phoebe did her make-up. She was happy to have very deep sleep last night so she wasn't yawning right now. Don't want them going crazy again with the make-up. They had some jazz playing, and hearing a sniffle from, Olga, she reminded her not to cry. The last thing she needed was a high pitch squeak.
"Oh baby sister, I can't believe it that today is the day you are getting married. Are you excited?" Olga gushed as she kept playing with her hair.
Helga wondered if she will need to cut her hair after this torture. Arnold won't be able to run his hands through it. She loved when he did that. "I'm very excited, Olga. I'm just taking it easy so I don't sweat before hand and I really don't want to expel my energy just yet."
Curling a section of her hair, Olga rested her hand on her bare shoulder for a moment. "Did you know that I wasn't surprised that you were the first to get married? You were always more grounded than me. I wouldn't know what to do if I was married. I'd probably flee."
"You can't be sure of that, Olga. Not unless it is the right guy." Closing her eyes up for Phoebe, she continued. "To tell you the truth I didn't think I would marry. Not this young anyhow, but with Arnold I have no issues. I would of had issues if I was still forced to marry the first guy."
Shaking her head, Olga couldn't believe that. "Glad that guy had a change of heart. You said he turned his life around. Is that true?"
"Oh yes he did. Wolfgang was always so brutish and so cruel. Seems after that night he became such a different guy. It is quite amazing." Phoebe answered for Helga seeing that she had the most past knowing, Wolfgang.
Olga loved hearing that. "All because of you baby sister."
"No, he saw how Bob was treating me and mom, and it scared him straight. Glad he had the decency to change his mind and his own life. You'll see him at the wedding." Helga wasn't gonna take credit when she didn't force the change on him. It was all Wolfgang's doing.
Putting her make-up tools down, Phoebe took a step back. "Alright Helga. You are all done."
Facing the mirror, Helga couldn't believe it. The make up was still so natural looking at least, but still shown. Her hair was down in loose curls lending a relaxed style. Telling them it was perfect, she stood up to place her dress on. It was a light blush strapless high low design lace dress. She didn't want a long train dragging behind her. She opted for something that would be perfect for a outdoor wedding with no chances of slipping on the hem. She thought this dress was more her then the others she tried on.
Putting it on as a finished product, Helga fought the urge to cry. Smiling at the image, they soon left Phoebe's house.
For Arnold, he was finishing off with his bow tie along with, Gerald. At least he didn't have to worry about the same things as women do, but still, the bow tie sucks. A regular tie is easier to do than a bow tie. He knew how to do them, he just got flustered the first few times. Hearing the knock at his door, he let whomever come in.
"Oh sweetie, you look so handsome." Stella gushed coming up to him to brush away some imaginary lint. "You are allowing your hair to go wild?"
"Yeah, Helga loves it this way." Arnold was proud.
Placing a hand on his cheek, Stella continued to smile at her son before turning to look at, Gerald. "You cut a dashing figure yourself."
"Thank you very much. I do say you look mighty lovely yourself." Gerald pointed at her with his usual flare.
"Why thank you." Turning back to her son, she informed him that the priest is downstairs. Nodding his head, he followed her down with, Gerald following behind.
"Hey Gerald, do you mind going ahead for me?" Arnold wondered as he stood in front of his parents.
"Sure thing, but don't take too long or you might miss the lovely bride."
"I won't, Gerald." Waiting till he left through the back door, Arnold turned back to his parents. "So.. Any advice for me?"
"Don't eat raspberries." Miles offered as a bit of a joke. "Kidding. Son, so far you have been handling your relationship like a pro. You both have been through a lot together and separately. It is quite simple, love, cherish, and worship her. Always be there for one another. And don't injure yourself a lot like I have in front of your mother, because even though she is patient now, she might hit you off the top of the head."
Stella nudged him. "Miles! I only did that once. You can be such a pain." Turning to her son, she took his hand. "Normally it would never be a good idea for someone so young to marry, but you and Helga are the exception in this case. You both are mature, and I know you'll handle anything that comes your way. Oh we will still be around when you need us, but you'll be able to do this."
He guessed this was what they could come up with right now. "I love you guys." Taking a step forward, he hugged them both.
"Also be aware never to fully piss her off. Helga is way too good with a gun." Miles reminded him.
Chuckling, Arnold couldn't help but think how hot that was when she shot that rifle at the lock. He never had been turned on by the usage of guns, but she made it hot. Smiling to his parents, Arnold went outside with them. He spotted all their friends out there, the boarders, and his grandparents. Greeting the priest, he heard that bride has arrived. Arnold's pulse raced at the thought of watching her come down that aisle. The priest told him to turn to face him so Helga sneak behind the curtains they set up so she can hide before she shows her face.
Hearing the music start up, Arnold then turned to watch, Phoebe come down the aisle in a sweet blue dress with a faint pink ribbon around her waist. Arnold smile at her in silent greeting. He could sense Gerald completely eyeing her with love and other thoughts on his mind. Arnold snickered to himself privately. Then the wedding march sounded. It was a Dino Spumoni original.
The second Helga stepped out, Arnold's breathing changed. Arnold smiled at her with a mixture of so many positive emotions. She is perfection. He faintly saw Olga say something to her, but he wondered if she was listening since her eyes were piercing his own. He couldn't wait to exchange vows with her. Couldn't wait to take her hand in his. To kiss her. It was strange that he even felt the Green Eyes looking upon this scene from where they were in San Lorenzo. He already loved this life he was in with her.
Helga's heart was doing so many things. It was pumping like crazy. It would feel like it was plummeting. She was happy. She barely noticed anyone else. She didn't hear her own sister say something. Helga believed it was about Arnold, and how he couldn't stop looking at her. She saw love in his entire state. She was marrying the single most greatest person alive. Helga almost felt like running up there right now. She felt like she was this christmas present you were about to unwrap. It was a strange thought maybe, but there it was.
Stopping short of their man made stage the borders built for them, the priest asked who was giving the bride away. Olga announced it was her and told her that she was proud of her before taking her seat. Turning to face, Arnold she loved how he stepped down to give her his hand to guide her up. She wondered if his heart was doing the same as hers. Pulling her veil back, Helga couldn't stop looking into those eyes. They seemed much brighter.
"You look like an angel, Swan." Arnold whispered to her.
Being told to face the priest, they listened to him as thoughts drifted into their heads. Arnold could see the very sweet smile Helga was producing, making him smile all the more. Only after the priest done the first part, they faced one another to link their hands to exchange the vows. They originally thought of speaking their own vows, but figured to wait for later when it was in private.
They heard the part that they were sure all couples dreaded. The part where you speak now or forever hold your peace. When none objected, Helga and Arnold breathed in a sigh of relief before repeating after the priest. Once the priest announced that they were husband and wife, they kissed in the midst of everyone clapping.
"No one else can have a better wife than mines. You have already made me the happiest person on Earth the second you walked into that classroom." Arnold whispered in her ear.
Running her hand in his hair, Helga's eyes sparkled as she looked at her husband. "You have given me the most happiest extended chapter around." Whispering in his ear, she added, "By the way, I wanted you to kiss me the first time you held me."
Pulling back, Arnold smirked. "Now you tell me."
"Come on Mr and Mrs President! Time to party." Gertie cheered out.
Laughing at everyone demanding a party, Arnold and Helga were escorted out to the front of the street to find a stage already set up via a flatbed truck, and everyone in the neighborhood cheering the happy couple. They were astounded. How in the world did they manage this without making so much noise.
"Well, I bet you are wondering how we pulled this off, don't you?" Phil bellowed out happily as he and some of the boarders headed up on stage.
"It's a secret, son." Miles added with a wink. Hugging his son and daughter-in-law, Stella took up the back. "Welcome to the family, Helga."
Laughing, Helga started to tear up. "Thank you."
"Now if my son misbehaves, I think you know what to do." Stella winked at her.
"Oh, he sleeps on the couch." Helga joked. Feeling herself lifted up by, Arnold, she couldn't stop laughing. "Come on, Football Head, you know I'm joking with you."
"I know, but just you wait till we get on our honeymoon." He whispered in her ear everything he was planning on doing.
Helga was vaguely aware of all the cheering as he detailed everything. Yeah, let them be in their suite to start all this up now!
Wolfgang was enjoying the eclectic music they were playing when he spotted, Helga's sister heading over. Admiring the simple grace of the tall slim women, he already began to compare her to, Helga. Damn, Helga looked amazing in her dress, but when doesn't she. To think, if he hadn't withdrawn marrying her, he would of already been married to her. Observing her with Arnold, and them dancing, he made the best choice to keep her happy.
"Hello, I would like a Shirley Temple please." Olga requested of the bartender. Turning away slightly to look at the tall man next to her staring at her sister, she smiled serenely at him. "Hello? My name is Olga Pataki. What is your name?"
He heard her voice noticing how it sounded like tiny bell chimes just tinkling away. It was quite a difference from hearing, Helga's own voice. While her voice was incredibly easy on the ears to listen to, Olga's was something to get use to. "Wolfgang. Uh, nice to meet you."
Olga smiled more as she stood very demurely in front of him. "Oh yes, Wolfgang. I heard so much about you. It is a pleasure to see you."
"Yeah, nice to meet you."
Taking her drink, Olga stood next to him. "You here alone? I am. What do you do for a living? I'm sure you are in college."
Wolfgang thought she was the one who loved to ask a bunch of questions. "Can't afford college. I work at the hardware store and live in my own place not too far from here." He hoped she didn't take pity on him right now. There are so many people who don't attend college. "What about you? What do you do?"
"Teacher. When I'm not teaching I take a summer job." Olga told him. "I love teaching so much."
Wolfgang noticed that this woman probably thought that taking out the garbage was a miracle in itself. "It's good you love your job." Seeing Sasha approach, he greeted her. "Hello, Sasha. How are you doing?"
"Hey Wolfie! It's going. How's it going with you?" Getting closer to him, she gripped his bicep as she made a simple order for soda. "Hi Olga. How are you feeling?"
"Oh I'm fabulous, Sasha. My baby sister is married to a wonderful guy, and she is very happy. How are you?" Olga lilted out.
"I'm good." Grabbing her drink, she looked across the way to find, Arnie just sitting there. Turning back to the bartender she asked for any package with a bunch of ingredients attached to it. Sasha knew it was a strange request, but getting a bag handed to her, she told them she'll talk later.
Olga watched how everyone was dancing and wanted to join in. "Dance with me, Wolfgang."
"What?" He doesn't dance. He really doesn't know how to.
Grabbing his hand, Olga requested again as she pulled him along. Reaching the dance area, she pulled him against her. "Time to have fun."
Wolfgang was nervous as he tried in vain to follow her. Occasionally he would look around him to see what the others were doing, but lost his footing almost hurting Olga. Apologizing to her, she waved it off just placing her hands on his shoulders. She kept guiding him making him feel lost in another way. It made him feel so strange.
Arnie watched Sasha approach him with an empty bag in her hands. He had an idea that dealt with her since he met her that he wanted to bring up today. He waited till she sat down to put the bag in his hands to bring it up. "Come with me to my families farm for the week."
Sasha's eyes went wide. She liked the dude, but not in that way. "Arnie, you do know I'm gay. You do remember, correct?"
Not put off by her assuming such an unforgettable detail, Arnie continued on. "I don't have that short of memory, so yes I remember."
"Sorry."
"Don't be. I'm just thinking for you to get away. Get plenty of fresh air, and meet new people. There are lesbians there too. They aren't that short sighted." Arnie suggested. "There are just a couple you should steer away from because they'll get you into a lot of trouble."
Sasha looked over to see Greg shoot a look of concern her way. They still talk, but it has been strained from her end after her confession. "Why me? Don't get me wrong here, but I'm simply curious."
Arnie flashed her one of his rare smiles. "I like you. You talk to me and your really nice. You aren't put off by my strange hobbies."
"When are you leaving here?" Sasha was actually considering. She knew he wasn't an insane killer. He was just different.
"A few days. Would you like to? My parents won't mind especially since they are at a cousins house in Idaho for the next two weeks." Arnie noticed her friend approach. "I'm mostly busy on the farm every morning."
Greg smiled at the both of them before sticking his hand out towards her. "Care to dance, Sash?"
Giving Arnie a quick peck on the cheek, Sasha accepted a dance informing, Arnie that she would be right back. Getting pulled in for a slow dance, she felt her heart pound in her chest the second he placed his hand around her waist bringing her in. Do others feel this way too when you are into your same sex, do they have feelings for the opposite one day? She wanted to know, and Greg wasn't the one to answer this question. Looking at her friend, she told him what Arnie proposed to her. He had misgivings, but even he couldn't tell her no. Sasha knew he wouldn't take advantage of her. She felt it to her very core.
Greg will allow his friend to do what she feels comfortable in doing in hopes to make her happy. He felt the strain from her to the point of him not admitting to her that, Eugene and himself finally made love. He loved her even if not in that way. She is incredibly special to him. "I forgot to mention to you today, but you look very beautiful today."
Sasha felt weak by that compliment. "Thank you." She blushed. She almost flirted, but held back as her eyes caught hold of Arnie's. He was staring directly at her before going back to his ingredients. As soon as the song finished, she stepped away to sit by someone she was entirely too comfortable in being around with.
After two hours of partying, Helga, Arnold, Gerald, and Phoebe gathered for wedding pictures. After that they gathered all their family members, then family members with the boarders, and finally a whole group shot of all their friends gathered around. Helga and Arnold both gave Rhonda a hug for her present especially issuing their thanks to her. Soon they ran inside the boarding house to change up for their flight, gathered their suitcases, and headed outside to climb into the Packard.
On the way to the airport with Gertie, Phil, Miles, and Stella, Arnold had an arm wrapped around her shoulders. "Are you excited?"
"I'm jumping for joy actually. I can't believe Rhonda for that gift to go to Italy. That is too much." Helga couldn't stop from smiling so much. "How would we ever repay her?"
"I don't know, but we'll try our best. It is their families vacation place." Arnold kissed her cheek.
Being let off at the airport, they checked their bags in, and went through security. They hardly remembered hugging the family in their excitement. As they settled into their first class seats, Helga kissed Arnold. She was a Shortman. She couldn't help but smile knowing she was gonna be aching tomorrow. Oh well, she's happy. Arnold was obviously happy with the smile plastered to his own face. During the whole flight between sleeping, they would always steal a kiss.