Arnold drove Helga to the hospital and went into the emergency room. Helga was groaning and tears dropped from her eyes as Arnold held her tightly to the desk.
"What's wrong?" the receptionist asked urgently.
"I don't know," panted Arnold. "She just started getting these pains…"
"Is she in labor?"
"She's still a month away from it."
"What's the doctor's name?"
"Uh, doctor Granger."
The nurse nodded and picked up the telephone and dialed a number. "You'll be sent up to level three, and Dr. Granger will be there waiting for you."
A nurse with a wheel chair arrived and she assisted Helga on it. They rolled to the elevator and were going up to level three.
It was surprising to Arnold how scared he was. When was the last time he had been so nervous before? He couldn't think. His mind was blank. Seeing Helga in so much pain made him want to die. He couldn't take it. How he wanted to run off and leave her alone.
But no.
He's gone this far…and if Helga can do it, then he can too.
The elevator doors opened and the nurse rushed Helga into a room.
Dr. Granger and the nurse hurriedly made Helga put on a patient's gown as Arnold had to put one on over his tux too (of course he was putting it on in the hallway). They put her on the bed and stuck all that stuff on her wrists and such.
Arnold walked in to see the doctor writing quickly on her clipboard, glancing at the monitor every three seconds. Helga was sweating and her eyes were closed as the nurse gave her pieces of ice to chew on.
After ten minutes or so, Dr. Granger pulled Arnold aside. Out to the hallway.
"Is she okay?" wondered Arnold.
"Well," mumbled the doctor. "It seems here that the baby is having problems."
"Problems?" Problems…he repeated in his mind. "What kind of problems?"
"All I can say is this: if we can't get the baby out soon, there will be trouble."
Arnold's mouth dried up. He gulped. "So what do you propose we do?"
"I can give her an injection that'll make the process go a little faster."
He nodded idly. The words couldn't get out of his mouth. Dr. Granger understood how he felt and just nodded along with him. They walked back into the room. Dr. Granger went to talk to the nurse and Arnold walked to Helga and stood beside her.
"What's happening, Arnold?" she asked softly, her eyes still closed.
"You'll be okay, just don't worry." He held her hand and massaged it with his fingers.
The doctor told Helga what was going on. Helga reluctantly agreed to get the injection. The long needle was stuck in her stomach. Arnold wondered if it hurt her as much as it hurt him watching it. Dr. Granger left for a couple of hours so that the injection would start working and Helga would get contractions.
Arnold took the opportunity to go to sleep on the chair next to her bed. He knew he was going to be up for a long time, and he's already had a pretty crappy night so far.
Suddenly he awoke with a pain in his hand. Helga was gripping his hand tightly, breathing sharp breaths. "Ouch," she murmered.
Arnold yawned. "How are you feeling?"
Helga sighed. "Awful. You don't understand how painful this is…" She grimmaced. "Suddenly it seems that every ten seconds it starts hurting again. Oh, and, Arnold…"
"Yeah?"
"I hate you."
"What?"
"You did this to me…and you're going to pay. I hate you. I think that you are the worst person in the fuckin world, and I hope you die. And rot in hell."
Arnold blinked. For the whole time Helga would've been yelling at him for being "stupid" but he was asleep. So she made it count.
Then Dr. Granger came in through the door. "Hello again, Helga," she smiled. "Hello Arnold. Glad you woke up."
Arnold smiled slightly.
She looked at the monitor and looked at her notes. "You know what, Helga…I think it's time."
"Time?" Helga squealed.
The doctor nodded.
Helga dropped her head back and gawked at the ceiling. "Crimeny…" she muttered.
The doctor began to get her things ready with the nurse.
"God, Arnold," said Helga. "I can't do this…I can't." She shook her red face.
"You can, Helga…you can," assured Arnold.
"Okay, Helga…" the doctor paused. "When I say so, push."
Helga nodded.
"Ready…set…push!"
Helga groaned loudly, squeezing the life out of Arnold's hand. He couldn't believe how hard she could squeeze. He knew she was tough, but this was crazy. Helga was gritting her teeth, and her hair got on her face.
She could hear nothing around her. Only the doctor's voice pounded in her head. Oh God, she thought. When will it be over?
"One last push, Helga…c'mon, you can do it," the doctor urged.
Helga drew in a sharp breath and held it as her face turned a darker shade of red. Arnold gritted his teeth in pain. Helga gave one last groan until she let her breath out in relief and opened her eyes.
A second later, they heard a baby crying. Helga let Arnold's hand loose.
"Congratulations, Helga," said Dr. Granger. "It's a girl."
"Oh my God," whispered Helga. "A girl." She grinned and looked up at Arnold. "Did you hear that? A girl!"
Arnold held her hand and kissed it. "Yeah…a baby girl."
"Four pounds…ten ounces," mumbled the nurse.
The doctor and the nurse began talking in the back of the room with the baby girl with them.
Let me hold my baby, thought Helga. Isn't this the time when I hold my baby?
The nurse walked out the door with the baby in her arms.
Helga's mouth opened as she reached out her hand towards the door. "What…what's going on? Where's she taking my baby?"
Arnold began getting worried too.
"Don't worry…the baby needs to be monitored for a while. Just to be on the safe side…okay?" Dr. Granger assured them.
"Oh…okay…" Helga said reluctantly.
"Just relax right now. You've had a baby!" Dr. Granger smiled. "Take it easy…"
"When will we get to see her again?" Arnold wondered aloud.
"She'll be in the next corridor being monitored. You can see her through the glass window. Other wise, if all goes well, the two of you will be able to see her tomorrow."
Helga nodded and sniffed. Dr. Granger smiled again and walked out of the room.
"Arnold," said Helga softly.
"Yes?" he replied, looking into her soft eyes. She looked ready to cry. Arnold felt like crying too.
"Hold me."
Arnold got on the bed with her and wrapped his arms around her body. Coaxing her…comforting her as tears dropped from the tip of her nose.
"I hope you don't mind if I put down in words…," whispered Arnold into her ear. "How wonderful life is, now you're in the world…"
Helga sniffed. "What time is it?"
Arnold glanced at his watch. "It's five past midnight."
"Oh my gosh…so our baby was born May 10?"
Arnold gave a slight chuckle. "Yep. May 10…"
Helga smiled and cuddled up against him. "I hate your suit," she murmered before falling asleep.
The next morning Arnold woke up early. Around 5 AM early. Outside, the sky was still dark blue and there was no hint of the sun at all. He found himself next to Helga whom was sound asleep and slightly snoring. Carefully he got out of the bed and tiptoed out the door.
He walked through the empty corridors and stopped in front of the big glass window. He leaned against it with his arm on the glass as he looked at all the babies sleeping. There he saw their unnamed baby girl.
She was wrapped in a pink blanket and was in an incubater. She looked so trapped. Just stuck in a box. What went so wrong? The four pound baby. So helpless. Too bad Arnold couldn't see her face because she was facing the opposite direction.
Arnold groaned.
Four hours later…
Arnold found himself sitting by Helga, watching her sleep.
"Mm," she mumbled, stretching out her arms. Rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand. "Arnold?"
"Yeah?" Arnold answered.
"Mmm…is it morning?" she yawned.
"Sure is…it's about nine."
Wearily, she sat up and smiled at Arnold. "You look tired. Have you slept at all?"
"Eh," he murmered, moving his hand up and down.
Helga sighed. "Oh Arnold…"
"Yeah?"
"I miss my baby…why'd they have to take her away?" Her whole face drooped and she looked at the corner of the room. "I was so stupid…"
"No, you weren't. You were just scared…" coaxed Arnold. He took her hand in his again and rubbed it.
Helga shook her head. "I was so stupid…all I want is to hold my baby."
Suddenly the door opened. "Look who's here to see you," said the nurse cheerfully walking in.
Helga's whole face brightened up to see her holding the baby.
"There was just a little scare," said the nurse. "Your baby is perfectly fine…just misses her mommy."
Arnold smirked as the nurse handed the baby to Helga.
Helga cradeled the baby in her arms and grinned. "She's so tiny…"
Arnold stood up, leaning over looking at her.
"Isn't she beautiful, Arnold?"
"Not as beautiful as you. But yes, she is the cutest baby in the world," smiled Arnold.
Helga shook her head. "Wow, she has the most incredible blue eyes. They're just like your eyes."
"She has your nose…"
"Luckily she doesn't have your air head," chuckled Helga.
"So have you two thought of a name for your bundle of joy?" The nurse wondered.
Arnold looked at Helga, who looked back at Arnold. She thought for a second. "Uhh…Her name is going to be Jacqueline. Yes. Jacqueline Arnold."
Arnold gave her a surprised look. "My last name?"
"She is your child…"
"Jacqueline Arnold. What a darling name," commented the nurse.
"Make that Jacqueline Leigh-Ann Arnold," corrected Arnold.
"Jacqueline Leigh-Ann Arnold," repeated Helga. "Sounds magnifique." She giggled.
"Wonderful. I'll just leave the two, err, the three of you alone," said the nurse softly. She walked out of the door and closed it behind her.
Helga rocked Jacqueline in her arms. "She's so beautiful…so bright-eyed. I can't believe I brought her here…"
Arnold grinned. "You were unbelievably incredible," he complimented.
"Arnold," said Helga timidly.
"Yes?"
"I don't want to give her away."
Arnold gave her a bewildered look. "Just last month you were so sure about giving her away. We've got couples wanting this baby…"
Helga gulped. "But I don't want to give Jacqueline away. She's my baby. And I'd like to keep it that way."
"How are we ever going to take care of a baby?"
"I've been thinking…and we can always let your Grandma and Grandpa watch over her. Or maybe even my parents. That is if I ever decide to talk to them again. But. The point is that I want this baby. If I didn't, I would've gotten an abortion."
"Well," said Arnold rubbing the back of his neck.
"Can you honestly tell me that you do not want this baby?" Helga stopped rocking the baby and looked at Arnold half sternly.
He cracked a smile and shook his head. Helga lifted her up high enough so that Arnold could take her from Helga's arms. Gently, Arnold cradeled her and nearly melted when he saw her little hand rubbing her eyes…her little mouth opening to yawn.
"Hey there," he mumbled. "You know that you are very special to me?" he grinned and kissed her head. "Yes you are…"
Helga giggled. "You don't know how stupid you sound. And yet, I adore it."
The baby began to wince. Arnold thought she was going to cry. "I think that she wants her Mommy," he said, giving Jacqueline back to Helga.
He leaned over and handed her to Helga. He lifted up his head to look at her and found them two inches away from each other's faces. They could feel their breath on each other's lips. Their eyes were locked together. The only thing holding them apart was…well…the baby.
Suddenly, the door opened. The nurse walked in and Helga turned her head away from Arnold's as he straightened up.
"Helga, I've news that you and Jacqueline will be able to leave tomorrow." She smiled warmly, walking towards Helga.
"Fantastic," she replied.
"But right now I also have to take little Jacqueline away." Her arms lifted up Jacqueline from Helga's arms. "Say bye-bye to Mommy," she said in a baby-voice.
Helga humored her and laughed along. The door closed behind her.
"I can't believe it," sighed Arnold.
"Can't believe what?"
"We have a baby. I never thought this would happen until I got married. Well, I didn't even think I would knock someone up at a party either…"
"We could get married if you wanted to."
Arnold raised an eyebrow. "We haven't even kissed. We can't stand each other."
"I guess," she replied softly. Then she groaned and kicked her feet.
"What's wrong?" Arnold worried.
"I'm never going to be a size five again…"
He couldn't help it; but he laughed so hard. "Is that the only thing you can think about?"
Helga crossed her arms. "You're not the one who gained over 70 lbs in nine months, so I would have no opinion if I were you."
"Dang, I can't believe I'm still wearing this stupid tux jacket," grumbled Arnold as he took it off. "It's so hot."
Helga stared at his white dress shirt and black dress pants. Remember…she loved it when he wore that. She just couldn't take her eyes off his body.
"Is there something on my shirt?" Arnold wondered, looking down at his chest. "Why do you keep staring?"
Helga
looked away. "No reason…"
Arnold nodded. His stomach grumbled. "Man, I'm getting hungry. Ya want anything
to eat Helga? I'm going to head to the cafeteria."
"Not really. I'm not that hungry. Go ahead and go."
"Alright. I'll be back in half an hour…to an hour tops. Ok?"
"Okay…now go!" Helga rushed him.
He walked out the door. She groaned and dropped her head back on the pillow. She thought about what was going to happen in the future. Then she remembered. I have to tell Phoebe about this! Damn, where do I get a phone? Her eyes wandered around the room. Eurika! Arnold's jacket. She leaned over and dug into Arnold's jacket pockets and found his cell phone. Hurriedly, she dialed the seven digits and awaited as she heard the rings.
"Hello?"
"Phebes! I have big news…"
Fourty-five minutes later, Arnold walked back in the door with an apple in his mouth and holding a cup of iced tea in one hand and three cookies in the other. Helga wrapped up her conversation with Phoebe and turned off his cell.
"Sorry, I had to call Phoebe," she said before he could say anything.
Arnold spit out his apple on a plate and put down his goods. "It's okay…you know the cafeteria has good stuff? It was all sooo much better than the crap at school."
Helga laughed. "You must've eaten a lot."
"What's so funny?"
"You have, like, pasta or whatever on your cheek." She pointed to it.
Arnold tried to wipe it off. It wouldn't come off.
"Stupid little boy…come here." She motioned her hand to flap towards her.
"Yes mother…" Arnold leaned towards her, turning his head so that his stained cheek was facing her.
Helga licked her thumb and began rubbing his cheek with it. She squeezed his cheeks together, making his lips pucker up. "Voila! It's all gone."
Arnold turned to her and grinned goofily. "Thanks." His eyes twinkled. Oh, how she loved those blue eyes.
She and Arnold were hooked on a moment that wasn't happening yet. Make a move, Helga thought. Move in for the kill. Right then and there, almost at the same time, they leaned in for a kiss. A kiss so over-whelming, revealing all that they had held back from each other for months. Sparks flew…their lips were locked so tightly they were dependent on each other for air. Helga put her arms around Arnold's neck. Arnold had to keep his balance by keeping his hands on the bars on the sides of Helga's bed.
Helga gasped for breath as they continued to embrace in that sweet moment that they had both so longed for.
Arnold pulled away first. He smiled in a dazed and confused kind of way. "Where did that come from?"
Helga shrugged. "I was hoping you knew…"
"You know, this could be the beginning of a wonderful relationship."
The End
A/N: I don't know…I'm thinking.
Should I make a sequal? I kind of have an idea for what I could do, but I don't
think I could go through with it and/or pull it off. But well, it wouldn't be
so romantic…more like adventure/mystery ish…whaddya think? Your opinion
matters! Well, hope you enjoyed this story. And thanks for all the reviews. I
really appreciate all of your support.
Oh, and I didn't really bother proof reading this chapter. I only got 5 hours
of sleep last night…and I have tons of stuff to do.
One more thing…
GO ANGELS!!
*cough*