One chapter today since I've been clustered with bunches of shit today. Anyhow, hopefully you guys enjoy!
Spinelli and her parents were seated in the living room, mainly in awkward silence for a couple of minutes.
"Alright. I'm just gonna be straightforward, what the hell are you two doing here all of a sudden?" Spinelli broke the silence.
"Honey, we seriously regret not being here for you… I know you probably hate us and we completely understand, we were never there when you needed us the most…" Flo started. "Your father and I missed you so much over these past few years and we seriously wanted to see you once more! We may not have been there for you years ago, but we want to be with you now!"
"Uh huh… I can tell that's straight bullshit, you're not fooling me! You guys weren't there for me at my lowest of lows, Arnold was. The entire way. Now you two are here when I'm at my best! Ok, I live in a fancy ass mansion thanks to Arnold before getting cut off from his former in-laws. HE'S the reason I am where I am! He's supported me through everything, treated me like family, and I can go on and on about all he's done for me! But what have you two done? Nothing. You two are here trying to squeeze back into my life since you see me all successful and shit! So what gives?" Spinelli ranted.
"It's not what you just said… We're here because we want to BE THERE for you, we were the ones in the wrong! It may have taken us years to realize how stupid we were to let you go! You didn't walk out on us, we did, and we never had a clue how much we hurt you!"
"How the hell did you guys even know where I lived? It's not like a magic birdy just flew into your damn window and whispered 'Hey, your daughter is living in this place with her boyfri- I MEAN, best friend!' Or am I wrong?"
"Well, believe it or not, you and your boyfriend were labeled Hillwood F.D. heroes!" Her father said. "Stop calling Arnold my boyf-"
"Your father was watching the news the other day when a segment showed 'Heroes of the Hillwood Fire Department'. You two made national news with all of Station Fifty-Five!"
"You guys know where I work now?!"
"Of course! And with multiple pictures surfacing on the news of the F.D., we managed to catch a glimpse of you guys! We're happy to have finally found you again, Pookie!"
"My life feels like a mess all of a sudden…" Spinelli groaned. "Ashley…"
"I TOLD YOU, DON'T CALL ME THAT!" Spinelli snapped.
"I can tell I probably need to go somewhere else…?" Arnold came back. "You're fine…" Spinelli replied as she took her beanie off.
"Look, Pookie, I know we were stupid enough to not realize our mistakes earlier, but we aren't stupid enough to cut you off from the family… You'll always be our daughter no matter the circumstances! You're our entire heart, and we love you, sweetie. We realize you're a grown woman who can make her own decisions…"
"I'm really starting to lose my damn patience…" Spinelli said as she looked down. Arnold was rubbing her shoulders, trying to make her stay calm.
"We understand you hate us for what we have done, but-"
"BUT WHAT, MOM?!" Spinelli snapped, but Arnold held her back. "It's best if you two get the hell out of my sight or else I'd go fuckin' nuts! I never thought people could be so shameless, I found two! Try and get back into my life, will ya? I don't think so…"
"Easy now… Easy. Just calm down…"
"How the hell can I calm down with these two snakes trying to slither back into my life?! Huh?!" Spinelli looked at Arnold, who pulled her into a hug. "It's the same situation as with your in-laws!"
Flo sighed. "We're sorry for wasting your time this morning… We'll leave now. Spinelli, I hope we can at least try to talk sometime later… You know our number, we'll be there if you ever want to talk sometime…" Flo and Bob both got up and started to leave.
Spinelli watched her parents leave, and then looked at Arnold.
"The hell are you standing around for?! Give me my damn hug already!" Spinelli embraced Arnold. He could only smile as he hugged her back.
"You feelin' ok?" Arnold asked. "Apart from the fact that I yelled at my parents, which honestly felt like a relief, I guess."
Arnold stroked her hair and kissed her forehead. "Everything is fine now, you're with me now." Arnold comforted her. Spinelli soon smiled as she held onto Arnold.
The two heard their doorbell ring.
"Are we that popular for firefighters now? Goodness fuck already!" Spinelli groaned. "Actually, I may know who it'll be." Arnold smirked as he went to the front door.
Arnold soon opened the door to find his Battalion Chief mother, Stella.
"Mom!" Arnold hugged her. "Oh, Arnold! It's so good to see you're doing alright!" Stella hugged her son.
"I assume you heard what happened with Engine Fifty-Five, hm?" She soon asked. "Yeah… Is the replacement here yet?"
"Should be at the Station tomorrow. So anyhow, enough about work, how's everything?"
"Well, more or less." Arnold started as Stella walked in. "Spinelli's parents want to come back into her life, which is the same situation I have with those wretched Lloyds…!" Arnold finished his sentence in disgust.
"Arnold… Well, I can't tell you how to feel about them since I know all the things they directed at you, not to mention the connections that broke off."
Arnold closed the door. "I feel like Rhonda was the glue towards holding everything together… Without her, everything has fallen apart, especially me. But I'm extremely grateful that my daughter is growing up in a safe environment."
"Where's your roommate slash girlfriend?" Stella smirked. "Mom!" Arnold blushed. Spinelli heard what she said, and decided to play along.
"Why hey there, my enchanting Prince." Spinelli wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek. "Spinelli!"
"I'm just playin'!" She laughed.
"So anyways…" Arnold rolled his eyes. "I think my Mom is here for a good reason too."
"That's right, well, firstly, I wanted to come to see the both of you, especially my son. Secondly, I believe you and I have to talk, about family matters." Stella replied. "Alright… And what will Arnold be doing in the meantime?"
"I'm going to check on Andy and soon join you two unless I decide to play around with her." Arnold replied. "Actually, Arnold, you can stay with Andy, I think Spinelli and I will be discussing more than family matters."
"Yeah?"
"Yes, we will."
"Ok? I'll see you two later." Spinelli quickly kissed Arnold before he went to check on his daughter.
Later
"I don't know what you're on about!" Spinelli crossed her arms as she blushed.
"Come on. Don't think I don't notice all the kisses you give him." Stella started as she smirked. "Just tell me! I'm not going to say a word. I certainly know you're in love with my Arnold."
Spinelli looked around and found no other escape. "Mrs. Shortman, I… I admit it… I'm in love with Arnold… I just don't say 'cause I don't want to ruin our friendship, make things awkward, and ruin our trust at the firehouse! I never knew love could be so complicated in that aspect!" Spinelli vented.
"I had a feeling there was a connection between you two…" Stella then smiled. "Spinelli, you have my full support. Anything you need to know about Arnold or anything you need at all, I'm your girl. Win his heart."
"Wait, you're actually supporting me about this?" Spinelli gave a confused look. "Yes! I hate seeing Arnold dwelling on the night of Rhonda's death! It just kills me knowing there was nothing he could've done! And I feel like he needs to move on, I want to see him happy, I see him extremely happy with you. So yes, Spinelli, you have my entire support to win Arnold's heart." Stella patted Spinelli's shoulder.
"Thanks, Mrs. Shortman."
"There's no need to thank me." Stella smiled. Spinelli smiled as well.
"So tell me, anything interesting going on with you two?" Stella asked. "Well, it's crazy to say but, yesterday, Arnold asked me out on a date, and I accepted it."
"Good for you, dear."
Spinelli was then daydreaming of what would happen after their date. She daydreamed that Arnold slowly took her dress off as she undid his tux, Arnold slowly kissing her shoulders as she would kiss his neck.
"Spinelli? Spinelli? Are you hearing me right now?"
"Huh?! Oh, crap. Sorry. What were you saying?"
"Are you feeling ok?" Stella looked at her, awkwardly. "Yeah, yeah. I was just thinking about our date tonight."
Stella smiled. "I'm rooting for all the best to come for your date tonight, I'm sure Arnold is thinking the same thing right now."
"I know you're way too young to understand Andy, but I have a feeling your new mother and I have a special connection. Since day one, we've been there for each other, and we also have been here to take care of you. Sometimes, I wish I could just tell her how I feel yet, knowing how she was back then and now, I feel like it'll all be awkward… What do you think?" Arnold was talking with Andy. She only played with the small stuffed animal while in Arnold's arms.
Arnold smiled. "As much as I love taking care of you, and I sometimes wonder how you'll be when you grow up. And I also can't believe your actual mother passed after months of giving birth to you… At least you're here, my precious and sweet little girl." Arnold kissed Andy's forehead.
"So I'm left to guess all the romantic gestures Arnold is capable of?" Spinelli laughed. "You'll find out about it, hun."
"Say, how come you don't drop by more often? It's so rare that Arnold sees you outside of work, y'know, as Battalion Chief." Spinelli asked. "Well, I just never had that thought honestly. But now that you mention it… I feel like Arnold could use more love out of his mother, and I feel bad that I'm not there like I once was."
"That's the spirit!"
"Is it alright if I go talk with Arnold for a minute? Something work-related."
"By all means, you're his mother after all."
Stella only smiled as she ruffled Spinelli's hair. She then went to find Arnold.
"Hey, honey!" Stella soon found Arnold, who was laughing and toying with Andy. "Hey, Mom! Is there something you need?"
"Actually, there's something I want to tell you." Stella replied. "Well… what is it?"
Stella sighed. "I'm planning on stepping down as Battalion Chief."