Now that I finished the "Knights At War" story, I should be able to work on this story a little more. Anyways, after quite an emotional ride on there, let's see what this story brings. Let's continue, shall we?

EDIT. QUICK DISCLAIMER: If you see the triple K review in my review section, please ignore it! I have no idea what happened there but I'm trying to see how I can remove it (if possible, hopefully) AGAIN, PLEASE IGNORE IT, I have no idea what's up with it...


The Next Day After School

"You up for some video games later at my place or will you be busy with your girlfriend?" Gerald lightly snickered. Arnold rolled his eyes. "Oh, how hilarious, Gerald. But in all seriousness, I'll see what'll happen later today. But I'm most likely spending the day with my parents." Arnold answered.

Soon, after Rhonda walked away from Nadine, she came up to Arnold and yanked his arm from behind. "Hey, Arnold! Gerald, if you don't mind, I'd like to have a word alone with Arnold."

Gerald only shrugged as he walked off. Rhonda smiled and kissed Arnold's cheek. "Arnold, remember the little 'favor' you asked from me for your parents?" She asked.

"Yeah, why?"

"Well, first off, I hate you for making me spend a night with loud birds." She smacked his back but then kissed his cheek. "But uh, I think I just gave away your surprise." She gave a chirpy smile. Arnold smiled. "You're the best of the best, Rhonda Lloyd!" Arnold hugged Rhonda tightly and kissed her cheek several times.

While Rhonda giggled and hugged Arnold, Helga was watching from afar with Phoebe beside her.


"Look at 'em, Pheebs, all goo-goo ga-ga for each other! I can't believe 'em! Like, take it somewhere else! Nobody wants to see you two pathetic idiots-" Phoebe then spoke. "Uh, Helga? I highly doubt you'd be saying those very same words if that was you with Arnold…" Helga lowered her eyelids at Phoebe. "Well, DUH, Phoebe! Why would I say that kind of stuff if I was with Arnold?"

Phoebe didn't even know how to answer. "Just how dumb is she? And how low is she going to stoop this time…?" Phoebe thought.

"Just wait 'till I have a plan so bad, it'll split them apart and force them to never talk to each other ever again! And even better, maybe force that Lloyd to move away! Isn't that great, Phoebe?" Helga looked at Phoebe. Phoebe only gave a side-eye at Helga. "Yeah…" Phoebe was having her doubts about her best friend.

As they walked along, Helga started explaining what she had in mind. Phoebe, on the other hand, was barely paying attention to Helga's words and instead had other intentions.


Later…

Arnold and Rhonda were walking with a birdcage containing a parrot. They went to Rhonda's house to pick up the parrot.

"Where were you with your parents yesterday?" Rhonda asked. Arnold nervously chuckled. "Well, uh, it's a long story. But I'll just say it was a very fun and unique experience." Rhonda smiled. "And I'm just so happy you're bonding with your parents. It was long overdue for you to finally see your parents. I'm happy for you, Arnold."

Soon, they arrived at the Sunset Arms. "Think they'll like our surprise?" Rhonda asked as they stopped at the front door. "Trust me, Rhonda, they'll love this." Arnold gave a reassuring smile. They soon walked inside.


Inside…

"Mom! Dad! I'm home! I have a surprise!" Arnold called out. Stella soon came downstairs. "Arnold, sweetie! I see you brought your girlfriend." She approached her son and kissed his forehead.

"Don't worry, I won't be sticking around too long." Rhonda smiled. "I just came by to bring a surprise for you."

The parrot squawked. Stella raised an eyebrow. Rhonda finally showed Stella the birdcage, containing…

"A Scarlet McCaw?! Rhonda, w- you shouldn't have! How'd you know the Scarlet McCaws were my favorite?" Stella took the birdcage and admired the parrot. "You have your amazing son to thank." Rhonda smiled.

Stella set down the birdcage and kneeled to her son. "Arnold, you're the best son anyone could ask for." She started to kiss his forehead. Arnold smiled. "It's the least I could do. I wanted to do something special for you and Dad. I love you, Mom." He hugged Stella.

Stella hugged Arnold back with a joyful smile. "I love you too, my beautiful baby boy!" Rhonda couldn't help but smile. "I'm glad you enjoyed it, Mrs…?"

"Mrs. Shortman." Stella smiled as she stood up. Rhonda gave a cheeky look at Arnold as he facepalmed.

"Shortman? That's your last name? I always thought that was a nickname for Arnold!" She almost laughed but managed to stop herself. Stella giggled. "Well, my little Arnold still has time to grow." She ruffled his hair.

"Anyways, I'll see you soon, Mrs. Shortman. And I'll see you soon, Shortman." Rhonda giggled at Arnold while he blushed.

After Rhonda walked out, Stella ruffled his hair again. "I will say, your girlfriend kind of has a point." She giggled.

"Mom!" Arnold blushed. Stella kissed his forehead. "Don't worry, sweetie, don't expect that to catch on to me. You'll always be my precious little baby." She smiled. Stella then looked at the birdcage. "So, Arnold, are you up for a couple of parrot facts?" She smiled.

Arnold smiled back. "More than up for it, Mom." They both smiled at each other.


Later Throughout The Day

WHISTLE

The new Scarlet MaCaw flew from the living room to the kitchen and onto Stella's shoulder. It squawked once. Arnold stared in surprise.

"Impressive or what?" Stella smiled.

"Mom, you're almost like a bird whisperer! Not even half a day and you already taught it something!" Arnold admired. The parrot flew onto Stella's right shoulder. "I taught him a trick yet I haven't thought of a name for the little guy…"

Arnold thought for a moment. "How about Cherry? I mean, most of his feathers are red, why not Cherry?" He suggested. Stella looked at the parrot, noticing his feathers. "You know what? You're right, sweetie, it does fit our little guy." Stella playfully put her finger near her new parrot. "Hey, Cherry." She cheerfully talked to it.

Cherry cocked his head several times. He flapped his wings several times.

A knock on the front door was heard.

"I'll get it." Arnold said and got out of the chair he was sitting in. Stella nodded as she toyed with Cherry.

Arnold opened the front door to reveal Phoebe. "Phoebe? Wh- What are you doing here?"

Phoebe took a deep breath. "H- Hey, Arnold. I, um, I…" Arnold looked at her in confusion. "Why don't you come in and try to calm yourself? You seem distressed." Arnold let her inside and closed the door.

"Phoebe, why do you seem so shy about something? I can tell somethings wrong." Arnold noticed her looking away. Phoebe exhaled sharply. "Arnold, I… You know I wouldn't do anything to hurt my best friend, Helga, right?"

"Yeah? I still don't know what you see in her." Arnold shrugged. "Yeah, well, you're right, Arnold. I have no idea what I see in her anymore… She's a jealous and selfish girl! She thinks she can have her way with her freakin' anger! Arnold, I think it's time you know something, but please, for the love of everything on this Earth, don't tell anyone else, not even your girlfriend…"

"What is it?"

"Noticed how I mention Helga as 'jealous and selfish'?"

"Yeah?" Arnold replied. Phoebe exhaled. "Arnold… Helga has a crush on you, and she plans to try and break you and Rhonda up. She's the reason your previous attempts have failed! Arnold, I- I hate going behind her back, but I'm sick of seeing her ruin your happiness!" Phoebe then hung her head. Arnold put a hand on her shoulder to reassure her. "Phoebe, you did a good thing here. Now I know to watch out for anything from Helga, but are you sure I shouldn't tell Rhonda? I mean, don't you think she deserves to know?"

Phoebe shrugged. "Well, in due time I'd say."

Arnold gave a comforting smile. "Thanks for telling me this, Phoebe. At least I know a side of Helga she wouldn't like to have exposed-" Arnold paused for a moment. "Phoebe, I have something in mind as payback."

"What do you have in mind?" She asked.

"I don't have much right now, but I think with this secret being known between us, I think we could plan a little something to expose Helga and hopefully humble her for good." Arnold suggested.

Soon, Cherry flew by them, circling them once, and flew back to the kitchen.

"When did you get a parrot?" Phoebe asked. "It's my Mom's parrot. But anyways, I'll meet up with you when I have something in mind, ok?" Arnold replied. Phoebe only nodded.

Arnold smiled. "Alright, I'll see you tomorrow, Phoebe." Soon, Phoebe decided to hug him. "Thanks, Arnold…" Arnold hugged her back. "Everything's alright, Phoebe, I promise."

Soon, they let go, and Phoebe soon walked out of the front door. Cherry soon flew over to Arnold and landed on his shoulder. Cherry squawked once. Cherry started pecking at his shoulder.

"Cherry! Over here! Now!" Stella called over her pet. Cherry listened and flew back to Stella's shoulder. She soon walked over to her son. "Hey, sweetie, what was that all about?" She asked.

Arnold smiled. "Nothing you should concern yourself with, Mom. How's it going with Cherry?" He asked. Stella looked at Cherry. "Oh, you'd be surprised. I'd say great!"

Stella then looked down at her son. "Let's try and teach him a few more things?" She offered. Arnold smiled. "I'd love to, Mom." Stella smiled and rubbed his shoulder while Cherry flapped his wings slowly.

As Cherry soon flew over to the living room couch, Stella kneeled to Arnold and caressed his cheek. "I know your Dad and I were gone for almost the first ten years of your life, but we're making it up to you, sweetie." Arnold smiled. "Mom, you don't need to make up anything. I'm just glad to have you back." He hugged her tight. Stella smiled and hugged her son. "My precious, baby boy. I love you, sweetie."


Meanwhile…

While Arnold was bonding more with his mother, over with his exposed crush… In the bedroom closet…

"Arnold, my love, my sweet, sweet, football-headed love… My love for you just grows every time I see you. Every time I see you and your golden hair, I wish to take a deep whiff and caress you. And-" Helga stopped as she saw her pen ink was dried. "COME ON!"

She soon got up in a hurry, but…

THUD

"OOF!" She had tripped over her strange decorations…


That does it for this chapter! With "Knights At War" finished, I hope I should have more time to write chapters for this story. But anyhow, hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'll see you for the next one!