Arnold's Leg 14 2-2

"Hey Arnold, however are you doing this evening?" Lila asked sweetly as she came up to Arnold while he was sipping punch. She was dressed as a Greek female dancer.

"Hey, Lila." Arnold said. "I'm doing pretty good."

"That's ever so wonderful to hear!" Lila smiled. "I can see that you and Helga are ever so enraptured in each other every time you two dance."

Arnold blushed a bit. "Well, we do have a lot of fun dancing together. Especially now since I haven't been able to walk for so long."

"I'm oh so certain that it must have been hard." Lila nodded. "You know I'm ever so happy for you two, I know I've told you that before. I really am glad to know you've found happiness with someone oh so special. I should have expected it somehow. You two always had such an oh so intense chemistry."

"Really? You think so?"

"I'm ever so certain that I did see a lot of chemistry between you two. And I'm also ever so sorry that I've had to hold your affections and not return them. I'm sorry Arnold, I ever so hope you can forgive me." Lila said, looking a bit sad.

"It's okay, Lila. You were being honest with me about your feelings and I'm glad that you were. Things could have been a lot worse if you said you liked me liked me but you were lying."

"Yes, I suppose you're right about that. Still, I can imagine how it feels to really like someone and they did not feel the same way."

"You still like Arnie, huh?"

Lila nodded. "He's still that oh so special someone I'm looking for. Do you know if he's coming to visit again?"

"I can't say for sure, but...I guess when he does, I'll let you know."

"Thank you Arnold, I would like that ever so much!" Lila grinned.

"No problem." Arnold smiled.

"So, are you and Helga going to dance some more?" Lila inquired curiously.

Arnold looked at the time. It was 9:15. "Yeah, I think we'll dance a bit more and mingle a bit before we leave."

"That's ever so wonderful. I hope you two have a great and long-lasting and just oh so wonderful relationship together! Good luck, Arnold."

"Thank you, Lila. I appreciate your support. Helga means so much to me, and I hope it lasts a long time. I really like her a lot, in fact, you can even say that I love her. She's really a great girl once you get to know her." Arnold smiled, looking a bit dazed and daydreamy.

"That's ever so sweet of you to say!" Lila giggled. "Oh, I'm oh so certain that a lovely English ballroom dance song is coming on! You two should have a nice slow dance! See you later!" Lila walked off to go talk with Rhonda, Nadine and Sheena.

Arnold smiled more, liking the idea.

But where was Helga?

--

"Excuse me, Little Miss Perfect, but don't you DARE start flirting with Arnold!" Helga said, marching up to Lila and the other girls, pulling her aside. "Excuse me too, ladies."

"Helga? What ever seems to be the problem?" Lila asked.

"Don't play dumb with me!" Helga snarled. "I saw you there, making eyes at Arnold, making him swoon over you! I will not let you string him along again! And furthermore, he's mine."

"Huh?" Lila blinked, perplexed. "But Helga, I'm oh too certain that I did nothing of the sort. I didn't flirt with Arnold. I just went to talk to him, and we chatted for a little bit. Helga, I'm perfectly happy for you too. I really am ever so supportive of your relationship with him. I don't like him in that way, and I know you do. Even if I did, I would never stand in your way. Helga, he wouldn't stop talking about you. He really does truly love you, I'm ever so certain of that. Don't ever doubt his love for you. He's ever so sweet, and he only has eyes for you."

Helga's expression softened considerably, her eyes widening. She couldn't believe the conclusion she had just drawn up. How could she think that? Lila was right. Arnold had proved since he'd asked her to be his girlfriend that he was a faithful and sweet boyfriend who only had eyes for her. He didn't even look at other girls! Not even Ruth McDougal when she had actually said hi to him last week.

How could she have stooped low and questioned her trust in him?

"...Okay." Helga turned away from her, her gaze downcast. "...I'm sorry, Lila."

Silence was followed, and then a hand on her shoulder came.

"It's all right, Helga. I suppose I can understand ever so much how you feel. You have nothing to worry about. I'm oh so certain of that."

"...Thanks, I guess. ...See you later, Lila." Helga shrugged from her touch and went to go find Arnold.

Lila smiled as she watched Helga walk off, and then went to rejoin her friends.

--

"Gosh, where is she?" Arnold wondered curiously, and looked at his Grandpa's pocket watch again.

All of a sudden a pair of hands came over his eyes from behind, startling him for a split second.

"One, two, guess who, football head?" Came Helga's voice.

"James Earl Jones?"

"Nope! Morgan Freeman." Helga laughed, and came around to his front.

"There you are, Helga. Listen, it's almost 9:30, would you like to-mmm!"

He was cut off when Helga took a hold of his shoulders and kissed him, her hands moving along his face and arms, holding him close to her. It was a major repeat of her passionate kiss atop the FTI building. Only this time, he responded and kissed her back.

"What was that for?" Arnold asked, smiling shakily in a lovesick manner.

Helga smirked. "For being such a wonderful football-headed boyfriend, of course. Why else?"

"Whatever you say, Helga." Arnold chuckled. "Do you want to dance?"

"Why yes, Arnoldo."

A slow song, which was a classic favourite of ballroom dancing in Old Time England and beyond, came on then, right as Lila said.

Arnold led Helga to the dance floor, taking note of all the couples dancing around. Neither of them had slow danced before, that was for sure. Oh well, first time for most if not all things, right?

Taking a breath, Arnold carefully took Helga's right hand in his left, and placed his right around her waist. He saw Helga blush a bit, and then placed her free hand on his shoulder. It did look somewhat odd, since he was shorter than her, but they wanted to do this, so it didn't matter.

"So, can you ballroom dance?" Helga asked.

"Not really. I've never done it before." Arnold admitted. "I've seen it in movies several times, though. It's not that hard, is it?"

"At least you're not Paddington Bear holding a piece of bread with marmalade on it, your feet stuck on my shoes, and me ending up with the marmalade bread on my back due to the clumsy accident!"

Arnold snickered. "Well my hands are empty and I'm fully human, so I don't think we'll have to worry."

"And you're shorter than me, so maybe you fit the bill a little." Helga smirked.

"I'm not that short." Arnold mock pouted. "Everyone else is taller than me."

Helga laughed. "Haha! Nice comeback."

"Thank you, M'Lady."

"Anytime, good sir."

The two then danced in silence, often glancing around, feeling slightly nervous, but then their eyes fell on each other, and never left since then. Helga's nervous gaze melted into the sweet, loving, half-lidded smile she gave him while she was holding him atop the FTI building while he was TRYING to tell her they had to save the neighbourhood. Arnold blushed, but he smiled back at her with a loving half-lidded gaze of his own.

That was one thing he never forgot from the FTI incident, and definitely one of the clues that told him Helga was serious when she told him she loved him. It was the look in her eyes, that sweet smile... Despite the rushed situation at hand and him trying to dodge telling her how he felt since he hadn't been sure at the time, he was definitely awestruck by her expression. It was part of what told him she meant it.

Eventually, they let go of one another and her arms went down around his neck, and his around her waist. Their smiling gazes never left each other, and in fact, they felt as if they were floating on air. Nothing could be more perfect then. They both felt nothing but love then. They loved, and were loved right back. Perfection. That's what it was.

"Oh Arnold...." Helga swooned, unable to help herself. "I love you, good gosh I love you..."

Giving a stroke to her back, Arnold's smile widened. "I love you too, Helga. No matter what happens between us, you will always have a special place in my heart. Always."

"Arnold!! Oh, come here, you big lug!"

She pulled him in for another kiss, but Eugene tripped over his shoes and crashed right into them, all three of them falling to the ground.

"Oof!"

"Ow!"

"Ow! I'm okay!"

"Thanks a lot, Eugene." Helga muttered.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" Eugene picked himself up and helped Arnold and Helga up. "I didn't mean to crash into you! Are you guys okay?"

"Yeah, we're fine." Arnold said, wiping off his suit. "Don't worry about it, Eugene. It was an accident."

"Okay, I won't. Thanks, Arnold! See you guys!" Eugene then ran off, and tripped again. "I'm okay!"

"Ugh, dumb jinx." Helga groaned.

"Um...Helga, do you want to go back to the house? It's getting late." Arnold then said.

"Yeah, that sounds good. My feet are killing me!" Helga complained. And then smiled a little. "At least I can look forward to sleeping under the stars with you. You know, because of your skylight and all."

Arnold smiled and took her by the hand, leading her out the gym doors, waving goodbye to Gerald and Phoebe on their way out.

"Well it'll be nice having you over this weekend, it'll be like old times. That is, if you can call my leg having been fractured old times."

"Well it WAS in the past, and therefore technically old, so we can call it that." Helga nodded in approval. "Can we sit on the front steps first? My feet have freaking blisters!"

"Of course we can."

They went outside, and sat down on the front steps together. No one was outside, and it was fairly cold. Upon seeing her shivering, Arnold scooted closer and took off the jacket of his suit, placing it on around her shoulders.

"Huh? Arnold, what are you doing?"

"You're cold, aren't you? I'm warming you up." Arnold said.

"But, you'll be cold now." Helga pointed out.

"Never mind me, I'll be fine."

She blinked, and gave him a little smile. "Well...thanks, Arnold. That was sweet of you."

He smiled back. "No problem."

For about ten minutes they sat there, making small talk, and then were ready to head off back to the Sunset Arms. So they stood, hand in hand, heading down the street.

Looking up at the sky, little snowflakes then fell around them. Although it wasn't cold enough to snow, it was still lovely to see. Arnold looked up in amazement, as did Helga, and they stood, staring up at the endless sky as the snowflakes made their descent.

For some odd reason, Helga felt inspired then, as well as rush of adrenaline.

"Oh this is the night, it's a beautiful night
And we call it bella notte..." She sang softly.

Arnold looked up at her with surprise, and caught her smile. Instantly, he smiled back, and as they walked down the street, he sang along with her. This, for now, was their song.

"Look at the skies, they have stars in their eyes
On this lovely bella notte.
Side by side with your loved one,
You'll find enchantment here.
The night will weave its magic spell,
When the one you love is near!
Oh this is the night, and the heavens are right!
On this lovely bella notte!"

--

Before long, they finally arrived at the boarding house, and came inside, warm and relieved from the crisp coolness of the outside air.

"Heeeeeyy short man, little lady!" Phil greeted as he came from the kitchen. "Did you two little lovebirds have a good time?"

"We did, Grandpa." Arnold said, nodding.

"We did have fun, Phil." Helga gave Arnold his jacket back.

"Well fantastic! Now before you two kids go to bed, we've got a little surprise for you!"

"You do? What?" Arnold asked.

"Come to the living room and we'll show you!"

Arnold and Helga followed Phil to the living room, and Arnold was then met with the biggest, most astounding, and shocking surprise of his life.

Sitting right there on the couch next to Gertie, were his parents, Miles and Stella. In the flesh.

"....M-...M-Mom? ...D-Dad?!" Arnold stammered, taken aback. "Is...is that...is that really you?"

"Arnold!" Stella stood up, so did Miles. "Oh Arnold, look at you!"

"Hey, son. It's us, and we're here now." Miles grinned.

"Mom...Dad...I...I...." Arnold ran to them and threw his arms around them in a fierce hug. "Oh Mom, Dad! I can't believe it! You're really here! You came back!"

"Of course we came back, honey." Stella said sweetly. "Oh Arnold, we're so, so sorry...I know there's nothing we can say to take back those seven years we've been gone."

"But we're here now, son. And we're not leaving you ever again." Miles promised.

Sniffling, Arnold pulled back from them, tears in his eyes. "But...how? What happened to you? Where were you all this time? How did you get back? When did you get back? I...I thought you were...you were..."

"Shhh, it's all right, sweetheart." Stella soothed, hugging him. "Come on, sit down, and we'll tell you all about it."

She sat him down on the couch, and stood next to her husband as they then began their story.

"Dad probably told you eventually, that we had to go back to San Lorenzo in order to help the Green-Eyed people, back when you were about two years old." Miles said. "It had taken longer than we'd planned, because of some unfortunate...well, accidents."

"We had finally finished making the vaccine they needed, and we decided to stay for a while to make sure everything would be all right and we could be on call in case of an emergency. That went on for a year." Stella added in. "Finally, when we were certain the villagers would be all right, we decided it was time we packed up and went home."

"However, due to a shortage on gas, and having taken a wrong turn that was all my fault...our plane broke down and fell in the middle of the ocean, where it sank, and we'd managed to grab onto wooden planks, and swam for the nearest shore. We had been stranded on an uncharted deserted island ever since then. Because of our plane sinking, it was never recovered, and no one knew where to find us, or even that we were missing. Because we had no way to escape, and were thousands of miles from any sort of land, we were sunk. So, we were stranded on that island for the past few years."

"We did everything we could. We lit fires, tried to build escape rafts, and nothing worked."

"Whoa...." Arnold blinked, now understanding everything. It all made sense now. No wonder, what happened was practically a real-life version of Gilligan's Island! His heart sank, unable to fathom just how terrible that had to have been. Stranded on a deserted island, miles away from anywhere, away from your family and friends. He couldn't imagine. "...How did you get rescued? What happened?"

"Someone had contacted the Immigration Agency in Central America, and with the San Lorenzo Embassy. That same person also had connections to contact the Peace Corps, the U.S. Secret Service, also the Navy and the Marines. They all went in, and searched along San Lorenzo and other countries in Central America." Miles explained.

"A week ago, they were flying over the island we were stranded on, and they sent their men to check it out, and they of course found us. We were brought back to San Lorenzo, where we checked on the Green-Eyed people to make sure that they too were all right." Stella said. "After that, we went to the Central American Immigration office, and we spoke to the person who had sent out the officials to rescue us. Apparently they had acquired the map your father left behind, which was what helped lead them to us."

"The office got the person on the phone, and we spoke to them, letting them know we were all right and to thank them for what they did. They told us to get on back here to Hillwood to be with our family, and of course, our son. So once everything was ready and prepared, we left with the Navy, and they brought us back here to Hillwood. We arrived just yesterday." Miles said, and gave a smile. "We wanted to come and see you guys sooner, but our rescue source insisted that we surprise you tonight, and so, well, here we are."

Taken aback, even more so than before, if it was possible, Arnold was shocked and so relieved that they were all right and made it home safely. After all of that, they had finally gotten rescued and made it home. Now he wanted to know who their secret source was, so he could go and thank them and give them flowers and chocolates, or something! Anything to thank them! They'd helped bring back his parents! His parents, whom he had longed for pretty much his entire life since they'd been gone, who thankfully were still alive but were kept separated from him and his grandparents due to an unfortunate accident.

It wouldn't be easy to make up for the lost years, but, at least now they were here, and they could be a family again, and do what they could to create better years.

"Mom...Dad...that's just wonderful, I'm SO glad you guys made it back." Arnold wiped his eyes. "Who was your secret source? Did you ever find out? Please tell me, I have to know so I can thank them."

Miles and Stella smiled at one another, giving an affirmative nod. It was time to tell him.

"Well sweetie, believe it or not, but the secret source who sent the officials to rescue us was someone you know very well."

"In fact, she's standing right here." Miles said, gesturing to Helga. "The one who made the calls, and whom we spoke to, was this lovely lady here, Helga Pataki."

Now THIS was probably ten times more shocking than before. Arnold was surprised he didn't have a heart attack then!

He looked to Helga, who was standing the doorway, her shoes kicked off, looking a little awkward.

"Helga...is...is this true...? Did you really contact the authorities to rescue my parents?" He asked her softly.

Hesitating, Helga gave a slow nod.

"Yes, Arnold. It was me. After you told me about your parents, I asked my sister for the numbers I could use to contact the Peace Corps. So I phoned them and told them the story, and they told me to contact the Navy and all those other guys. So, I did, and I contacted the guys down in Central America, and then in San Lorenzo. Then your parents called me after they were rescued, and I told them to come here to Hillwood, and for them to surprise you. So they would be home by the time you and I got back from the dance. So...yeah. It was me." Helga said softly, looking down at her feet.

"It was, son." Miles nodded. "She did it."

"She went to a lot of trouble, and it all came through. If it hadn't been for her, I think it would have been a much longer time before we were rescued." Stella said.

Fresh tears running down his face, Arnold gaped at Helga was disbelief, unable to believe she had actually gone to THAT length just to help him, to show her love for him. If he'd thought her help as Deep Voice throughout the FTI incident was surprising, THIS definitely took the cake.

And yet, his disbelief melted away into utmost gratitude, and his heart swelled with so much love for her then. It was probably possible that he loved her more than he ever had. She was...an ANGEL.

"Helga...Helga...oh...Helga!"

Arnold leaped off the couch and ran to her, throwing his arms around her in probably the biggest hug he had given her. It was on the same level as the happiness he'd felt when she had found his hat. But she found more than just his hat. She had helped to rescue his PARENTS!

And she did it out of love for him.

"Thank you thank you thank you thank thank you! I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you...you're an amazing person, you're an angel, a Goddess, an...I love you! Helga I love you! Thank you thank you thank you thank you! Heaven and Earth I love you! Helga this is...!" He couldn't finish his sentence, he was too happy. He hugged her with all his might, happier than he'd felt in such a long time.

Helga nearly fell over from his huge hug, but managed to balance herself. Her heart swelled and she hugged him back. Her dreams of his over the top expression of love were met! Not that they had to be, but still, it was a lovely bonus!

She was so happy, happy to have been able to help him in such a huge, deep and personal way like this. And she knew trying to help rescue his parents was probably the best thing she could do for him. When it came to mind, she went for it, to give it a try and hope for the best. She thought for sure she had failed, but when she had received the call from Miles and Stella, she had leaped for joy knowing she had succeeded.

And now here they were, back in Hillwood, and Arnold had his parents back. She was happy for him, happier than ever before. That was all she wanted, for him and his parents and grandparents to be happy and be a family again. He deserved that, and she wanted to help make it happen.

It worked. Her efforts had paid off, and Helga was SO glad it did.

"You're welcome, Arnold. I wanted to do this for you, and I'm happy it all worked out." She finally said sweetly.

Arnold pulled back and looked up at her, a big smile on his face, his eyes still pooling and dripping with tears. He was so happy. So happy that the girl he loved so much had helped to bring his family back together. He couldn't have loved her more than he did right then.

"Helga...thank you, thank you SO much. I love you...!"

Fiercely, he kissed her with everything he had. All the love, the gratitude, every little thing he could think of went into his passionate kiss. He didn't even care that he was kissing a girl in front of his family. He was too happy. After a minute, leaving her stunned and lovesick, he pulled away and held her tighter.

"What you did for me now, this is beyond what I could have ever expected. I will never, ever forget this, Helga. I...I can't even thank you as properly as I want to. But know that I'll be forever grateful to you for doing this. Really, it was just...it was just beyond everything that you've ever done for me." Arnold managed, his voice breaking with emotion. "You've helped me reunite Mr. Hyun with his daughter, you helped me and Gerald save the neighbourhood, you helped me with all those other little things, and now this! ...Gosh Helga, I really did underestimate how much you loved me all that time before. But now I have no doubt, not at all. If I have to spend the rest of my life thanking you for this, then I will."

A part of him then wished they were older and having dated a few years, so he could propose to her. But they were only nine, and still had many years to see where life would take them.

At least he did smile more a the possibility of them one day marrying.

"Thank you so much, Helga...I love you. I love you so much."

Tears of her own pooled in her eyes, and Helga held him closer too. "I love you too, Arnold, and you're welcome. You're so welcome. Seeing you happy here is enough for me...that's all I want. I love you Arnold, and you know I will do anything in my power to make you happy. You deserve it more than anyone I know."

The two continued to embrace, lovingly staring at each other with tears going down their faces. Phil and Gertie stood by the fireplace, arms around each other and smiling, both with tears in their eyes. Miles and Stella held each other's hands, looking on to their son and his girlfriend, feeling immensely happy.

"Come here you two." Miles finally said, breaking the silence. The two kids went over to them, managing to finally break off of each other's spell. "Let's all have one big family hug!"

"You failed to mention you were Arnold's girlfriend!" Stella giggled.

Helga blushed. "W-Well...I...uh..."

"It's all right dear, I understand." Stella assured her.

"Well I guess there's one thing left to say. Welcome home Miles and Stella! Now c'mere!"

"Glad to finally have my dear son home!" Gertie exclaimed.

Phil and Gertie threw their arms around Miles, Stella, and Arnold, all in one big family hug. Helga was about to back away, when Arnold noticed her about to do so.

"Come here, Helga." He smiled.

"Yeah, come on in, little lady! Far as we're concerned, you're part of our family!" Phil encouraged. "We all love you!"

Feeling her heart swell, Helga couldn't help but run in and hug them too. She couldn't believe she was being treated, like before, only now more so, as one of the family. She felt so loved, so happy, and unable to believe that this was it. This was...a real family. Maybe not her real family, as it should have been, but, it was a family none the less. And they made her feel like she really WAS part of the family.

She too, thought of them as her own family.

Arnold then brought his arms around Helga, pulling her further into the family embrace and holding her tight, enveloped by his parents and grandparents. Today was truly the best day of his life so far. He was reunited with his parents, he and his family were all together again, and most of all, he had the love of his life to share it with and thank for it.

He now, was so glad he had fractured his leg.

And so was she.

"Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Dad...I love you all." Arnold murmured. "Helga, I love you. You're the love of my life."

Overjoyed more so than before, and not even feeling an ounce of her bullying side, Helga hugged him tightly as well, as if afraid he would float away if she let go.

"I love you too, Arnold. You're the love of my life, too."

"And we all love you too, Helga. We cannot thank you enough. You dear, are an absolute angel." Stella smiled. "Thank you, thank you so much, for helping to bring us back to our son."

"We can't thank you enough, we're eternally grateful to you." Miles nodded.

"And we sure can't thank you enough either, little lady." Phil winked.

"Eleanor, you've always been an amazing woman to me, but now, you certainly take the cake!" Gertie grinned.

Hegal smiled up at all of them, her arms tightly around Arnold. "...It was...it was my pleasure. Mr. And Mrs.-"

"No need for such formalities, kiddo. Call us Miles and Stella." Miles told her.

"Okay. Miles, Stella, Phil, Gertie, Arnold, and all the rest of the borders, I have to thank you all as well, for making me feel loved and welcome in your home. And I especially have to thank you, Miles and Stella, for bringing this wonderful little angel into the world and into my life. If not for that, I would not be where I am right now. Arnold...has helped me so much. I guess that's a long story, I'll save it for later, but the point is, I love him with all my heart and soul. And helping him, making him happy, is an absolute joy I will continue to do for the rest of my days."

All five of them exchanged glances and then all smiled at her with love and gratitude, the group hug tightening more, if possible.

"Helga, thank you...thank you so much." Stella murmured, tears in her eyes.

"Hey kiddo, you thinking about marrying this girl one day?" Miles winked.

"Dad!" Arnold cried, embarrassed. "We're only nine!"

They all laughed at this, even Helga did, and soon Arnold was joining.

The three generation couples, though Arnold and Helga were only nine and far from married yet, all stood in the living room of the boarding house, hugging and laughing, full of smiles and cheer. Outside, the snow fell, creating an image of such peace and beauty.

And to think this all came together because of Arnold's leg.