Disclaimer: I do not own HA! nor any other media.

AN: Thank you so much.

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"And what did you say?"

"What do you think I said, ya moron!" Arnold's wife playfully swatted me on the butt with her newspaper.

"Now that's the girl I remember!" I laughed. Her smile indicated she was no longer and angry young child. "You said yes, then?"

"You have got to be kidding. At first I said no, but after a while I said yes, yes yes!" she shouted jubilantly. My own wife looked on, beaming as if thinking 'I knew it all along.'

"Yeah, she declined my offer for several months, saying we needed to get to know each other all over again, but she eventually caved in to my persuasion."

"Quiet Football Head! I'm talkin' here!"

"HA! HA!" Arnold laughed heartily, knowing his wife disliked the idea of admitting defeat. "So am I."

"How long, Arnold?" I asked skeptically, insisting he tell me nothing but the facts.

"Eleven months, two weeks, three days and fourteen hours." Man, that girl was still crazy, either that or completely obsessed.

"Oh my gosh! Look at how late it is! What time did you say our flight was leaving tomorrow morning?" My baby peered at her watch, slightly panicked. "Didn't you say it was departing at 6:30?"

"No, 8:30, but we should probably get going anyway, before the motels run out of vacancy, after all, it is a Friday night. We can grab a bite to eat there. Arnold, you don't mind if we head out now, do ya?"

"Not at all. I understand this thing you've got lined up in California could make or break your career. Neither one of us would want to be responsible for the cause of a less than efficient interview." Arnold shook my hand, repeating the same firm shake he'd given it when we first met at the diner earlier in the day. "If I would have known earlier you'd be moving out there, I would have gotten in touch with you more often. We should do this again sometime."

"Yeah," I thought back to all the things we used to do here in the city as kids and all the fun we had doing them. "We should."

"Gerald, before you leave, we need to talk. Don't worry, this won't take long."

"Huh?" An intimidating presence grabbed me by the shoulder, leading me a few feet away from my best buddy. "I guess your wife wants to have a personal conversation with me."

"Arnold, keep Gerald's woman occupied while the two of you wait for us."

"Whatever you say, hon."

"I have to admit, I've had a truly enlightening experience this evening," my wife informed Arnold as an arm dragged me yet several feet farther away, then whirled me around to face her personally.

"Gerald, look at me," she demanded.

"I-I can't," I knew what she wanted me to do, and it remained yet impossible for me to gaze into those frightening eyes of hers.

"Why not?" she questioned. "How can I have a serious conversation with you if you keep avoiding eye contact with me? Come on, it's not that bad."

"Maybe not to you," I mumbled, "but I'll do it on account of your undying persistence."

I sucked in a deep breath, shifting my own eyes slowly from her long limbs to her tight waistline, onto her smooth neck and finally into her fearless eyes. To my astonishment, those two royal blue crystal balls weren't so terrifying as I once thought them to be. Maybe the continuous fear she'd deem my latest wife as unacceptable caused me to overreact. What amazed me most was that she never once labeled her as a home wrecker or whatever other derogatory name she might conjure up. Instead, she treated my girl with utmost respect, giving her the benefit of the doubt. After all, she wasn't the cause for the deterioration of my previous marriage. This I believed was the subject Arnold's wife was trying to get at.

"Good. Now that we're getting somewhere, I want you to understand something." She wrapped her fingers around my forearms and although her touch was firm but gentle as it possibly could be, I still felt like a boa constrictor was squeezing the life out of me. "Contrary to popular belief, I don't hate your wife, never have. Sure she gets on my nerves every now and then, but I think she's...okay."

"What are you really trying to say?" I cut to the chase, folding what part of my arms I could. Why should I trust someone I'd never trusted all my life?

"To put it bluntly, I know you love your wife, but I also know you called Phoebe this afternoon." She let go of me, her eyes never leaving mine. "Not that I want you to destroy your current marriage or anything, but I think you have some soul searching to do. Go ahead and go to Cali, see if it pans out and if things don't work out between you and your wife, you can always come back here. Maybe get in touch with Phoebe. Maybe the two of you will get back together and maybe you won't. Life isn't always going to hand out a fair deal."

"I mean, after ten years, even Arnold and I hade to get used to each other again. Neither one of us knew if our rekindled relationship would succeed. I'm not telling you what to do. Believe me, I'm probably the last person you'd take advice from. I rarely take my own advice. That choice is entirely yours. In the meantime, and I'd never thought I'd say this, take care of yourself."

"Thanks, I guess." Those giant blue orbs still failed to turn me loose. "I'll think about what you said."

"Don't worry about Phoebes. She's a big girl who knows how to handle herself," the author reassured me. "She'll be fine. Now come on, you and your girl need to make that flight tomorrow morning."

We approached our own in a seemingly touching discussion with one another. Arnold held my baby's hands in his, nodding an affirmative to her, releasing them at our arrival. Amazingly, his wife held no disregard toward her husband's kind gesture. Though she retained some of her headstrong qualities, the woman clearly demonstrated a milder personality than she'd displayed in childhood. From the untold stories I'd heard tonight, I learned to respect her underlying strength. It was a strong point I only wished I'd held.

"Hey, Baby, ready to go?" I knew I was after an exhausting yet extraordinary day.

"I'm more than ready, Gerald. Oh, and Arnold? Thank you for leaving us with a little piece of your past. And you," she pointed to the calm blonde who'd taken hold of her husband's hand, "I truly want to thank you for helping me understand what it means to have been you."

"Eh, my life is no different from anyone else's," she shrugged.

"Are you kidding? You've come so far. Look at what you've accomplished in your life. There was a time I thought you'd never amount to anything, but I was wrong. You're a successful writer with several sensational books under your belt. Don't tell me your life's no different from anyone else's."

"Thanks," Arnold's wife rendered a bewildered expression, "I suppose I could have turned out like I'd often imagined in childhood. I'm not going to elaborate, but man that would have been scary."

"I'm glad you didn't, otherwise I wouldn't have anything decent to read. Bye the way, where on earth did you get that red blouse? I've absolutely got to have it."

"It's custom made, but I'll trade it for that sharp lookin' pink one you got on."

"Deal."

"Just curious. Do you still have a hang up with public swimming facilities?"

"I'm...working on it."

"All right, ladies. It's time to say goodbye. I know you'd love to stay and chat with one another for hours, but we've still got a plane to catch in the morning." I wasn't about to jeopardize my potential to climb the financial ladder.

"Keep in touch."

"Will do."

"Well, Arnold, it's been real." I let him know this was my final goodbye. "Don't let that wife of yours throw you around too much."

"I won't," he laughed. "Have a safe flight. Oh, and I need to say one last thing to you."

"What's that?" He'd addressed my wife seriously.

"Take good care of Gerald. Don't go breaking my best friend's heart...Princess," he winked.

She sent him a precocious smile, then twirled around to snuggle against my shoulder as we headed toward the street. Our house was empty and our travel bags were packed. It was time to start our new life in California.

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"Phew! I'm glad that's over with," my sweetheart let out her breath as though she'd been holding it in throughout the night. "What about you? You think you can relax now that you made it through the entire visit?"

"It was really nice to see Gerald again after three years, but I have to admit, I'm mentally exhausted." We'd both submitted a large portion of our personal lives to our friends. "Are you ready to call it a night?"

"Give me a minute to replenish my energy and then I'll think about it." She resumed her sitting position on the bench, crossing one endless leg over the other, then lifted an inquisitive eyebrow. "Tell me, what really happened the night Sarah found out about Henry's letter?"

"Huh?" I was caught totally off guard. "What do you mean by that?"

"Arnold, you might be able to fool your friends with a little white lie, but you can't fool me. Sarah spent that night in your bedroom, didn't she?" Her huge blue basins were firm, yet calm. They wanted the truth and expected a delivery as such. If I had to break my vow, Sarah would have understood why I should need to reveal my secret to these deep delving eyes.

"Yes," I replied smoothly, "Sarah did spend the night in the same room as me. She was hurting and I'd caused the pain. You see, you never had the opportunity to see the compassionate side of an otherwise feisty woman. That night she called me into the bedroom and we ended up kissing each other for several hours. Things might have gone farther if she hadn't told me to stop or if I hadn't thought about what I was doing. Because I realized intimacy with a girl whom my only desire it was to befriend was wrong.

"Sarah told me she was saving herself for the right man, the one she intended to marry. She said she wished that I could have been that man, but understood my heart wasn't in the right place, therefore she asked me if I minded holding her and so I did throughout the entire night. I must have fallen asleep at some point in the early morning because when I awoke at daybreak, she was gone. All she left was a note that said I'd released her, but the more I think about it, the more I think it was she who released me. I believe she truly loved me, but knew although I really liked her a lot, I would never..."

"You know, if I was still an insecure nine year old going through the motions, I probably would have backhanded you right into that water over there." She made a spiraling gesture with her finger, dropping in the direction of the river. "But I'm not that emotional little girl anymore, am I? You know what I think?"

"You? Not emotional?" I let out a loud laugh until she lent me an evil eye. "All right. All right. What you just said was pretty funny though. Now, tell me what you think."

"I'm awfully amusing, aren't I?" she smiled presumptuously. "I think what you did for Sarah, for most men, is unheard of. Arnold, you are one hell of a man. I mean that."

"I know you do." I felt emotionally vulnerable myself right now.

"What I don't understand," she started, uncrossing those never-ending legs to straighten her posture, "is why were you the one who got into trouble during our high school years? I always thought I'd be the one to get into drinking and drugs, not the other way around."

"When you've carried the weight of everyone else's world on your shoulders most all of your life, it becomes daunting. Eventually, people come to expect a super hero out of you every time they have a problem. What they often forget is that you're just as human as they are. Everyone hits a crossroad at some point in their life. I guess I hit it early on. The last few years of high school was a dark period for me. I've heard say that some of the best kids turn out to become the worst adults. I'm thankful that never happened to me."

"You were lucky you had the opportunity to attend All Girls Academy." Whether she liked it or not, that school was probably the best thing her dad ever did for her. "You also had a great roommate who must have been a very good influence on you."

"What is it with you and redheads? I swear you're drawn to them like a paper clip is to a magnet."

"So why did I marry a blonde, hmm?" She had no trouble detecting my ability to push her limits.

"I'll give you that one, Football Head," her jovial laugh proved she was in a complacent state of mind. "Okay, one last question and then we can call it a night. You ready?"

"Sure." With everything we'd discussed, I figured this question must be pretty important.

"Sarah's accent, real or fake?" Then again, maybe not.

"Actually, both. Her father is Scottish and her mother is Irish, but she was born here in Hillwood. She probably picked up the majority of their dialect, but I think when she socializes with her friends, she emphasizes her own accent for attention. I had the opportunity to meet her parents a few times and believe me, they sound nothing like her."

"So it's fake then."

"Well...yeah." I gently pulled her up from the bench. "Come on, let's go home."

As I strolled in the direction toward our house, I realized no one was following me so I turned around. There she stood, rendering that same look she'd given me right before we'd entered Bigal's Tasty Café. I had no choice but to walk back several paces and venture into those two deep oceans of blue I enjoyed so much. While I searched her dark mysterious waters, I recognized, something had changed. The usual rough seas were calm and the woman, hair as fair as the yellow rose, no longer turned her back from me. Instead, she welcomed whom or whatever she was expecting with open arms. Her dreary black apparel had been exchanged for a brilliant rose gown which only proved to enhance her endearing smile. She waited no more, for her ship was ready. In my own mind, I could hear a pair of footsteps approaching this lovely lady, then envisioned a tall man, his hair streaked with gold, climbing aboard her vessel. At last, it hit me! This man was...

"I got it! I got it! I finally know what that look you're always giving me means!" She lifted the corner of her mouth slyly, as if to test me. "And you know what?"

"What?" She folded her arms before I could take hold of them, so I placed my hands over her shoulders.

"I love you too...Helga."

"About time you figured it out, Arnold," my companion grinned, then squeezed the breath out of me while delivering one of her heartwarming embraces. "Hey, that's the first time you've called me by my name all day. Come to think of it, that's the only time anyone's called me by my name all day."

"So it is. Now can we go home?" Not that I meant to whine, but it had been a long afternoon which had drawn out well into the evening.

"You know what I was thinking? If you're not too tired, you wanna play a game of Karate vs. Tae Kwon Do?" That mischievous smile let me in on her exact thoughts.

"Workout room or bedroom?" I asked, trying hard not to smile so loudly.

"Race ya home!" There was no need for her to explain her answer.

"You're on!"

We ran through the streets acting like two frolicsome children with nothing better to do than wreak havoc. I didn't care. I was going sailing with my wife.

END

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EPILOGUE:

Tina Park bustled with lively urchins rollicking throughout its playground facilities. Today's weather turned out a perfect weekend for families and their children to spend some quality time together. Our own household took advantage of this opportunity as well. Arnold and John were discussing their latest research development when our eldest twin tugged violently at her father's shirt.

"Daddy! Daddy! He won't leave me alone!" The petite football headed blonde with one thin eyebrow complained as she pointed to a meek looking bespectacled boy with jet black hair who sounded as if he needed one of his lungs drained. "Can I sock him one, huh? Huh? Can I, Daddy?"

"Gertie," her father picked the little pigtailed girl up in his arms, "we've had this discussion numerous times before and you know violence is no way to resolve your problems. Maybe Johnny just wants to play with you, but is too shy to ask. Why don't you go back over there and invite him to build a sand castle in the sand box with you."

"Oh, all wight. Daddy?"

"Hmm?" Arnold looked into his daughter's moss like green eyes lovingly.

"I love you."

"I love you too. Now go on and play." He set her down gently and she wasted no time running toward a park bench where Gerald and his raven haired beauty debated over their daughter's hair accessories.

It had been approaching almost eight years since Gerald returned to Hillwood reclaiming his former job as a news anchor for one of the local television networks. He'd described California as an "eye opening" experience, but needed to leave his dreams of grandeur so he could work through some marital issues he'd been having with his wife. She begged him to stay in L.A. He chose to remain here in the city.

"Did ya have to put that ridiculous bow on top of the kid's head? She looks like she's got a giant tarantula in her hair."

"No she doesn't, besides, it reminds me of someone I've come to know." Gerald's lovely lady observed the little black headed tyke with adoration. "I think it sets off her personality."

"I guess Rachel does look kinda sweet with that ribbon tied around her head. It gives her a sort of feminine charm." Gerald looked upon his daughter proudly until his sweetheart let out a sorrowful sigh. "What's wrong, Baby?"

"Oh, I don't know. Rachel's such a beautiful child. It's such a shame she isn't mine."

"Hang on a minute. Rachel thinks of you as her mother too. She even said so herself. She said she's lucky 'cause she's got two moms and two dads. You're not her biological mom, so what? You're a good mother to her, otherwise you wouldn't have dressed her in that fancy get up she's got on right now." She laughed at her husband's jest concerning the girl's clothing.

"That's what I love about you, Gerald. I'm so glad I-..."

"I'm happy you're here...with me." She nodded, apprehending his hint not to go into a long drawn out explanation. "Hey, here comes Mom."

Another yet jet headed female approached her daughter with compassionate eyes.

"Hello, Sweetie. How come you're over here all by yourself? Why aren't you playing with your brother?"

"He's playing sand castles with Gertie." Sure enough, there the two were. How entirely different from our childhood.

"Where's Philip?"

Where was our youngest twin? He wasn't with Arnold who was still discussing work with his partner when a tiny redhead with green cat like eyes and slightly pointed ears tapped him on the leg. She looked as if she might possibly be three to four years older than our kids.

"Good Morrow to ye, Mister. Could I interest you in some chocolate turtles?"

"Sure," Arnold smiled down at her. "Put me down for two boxes."

"Uh, me too."

"Gretchen! Gretchen!" A familiar voice called out. "Are ya done yet? It's time to go home!"

"Daddy!" The dainty little girl rushed off and then stopped right at her father's feet. What a phenomenal sight. There he stood, his face no longer bloated with alcohol, looking down upon his child as if she were the most precious jewel in the world. He should be proud of himself. He'd finally learned to let go.

"Mommy?"

"There you are. I wondered where you'd taken off to."

"I was looking at the trees like Daddy does sometimes. I wanna be just like him when I grow up." Like father like son. It wouldn't hurt to have another Arnold in the world. "Mommy, can I go play with Rachel? She's all alone, and it's sad when you're all alone and nobody wants to play with you."

"Sure thing, Philip. Go on over there and ask her." He hesitated a moment, then looked up with his oversized steel blue eyes.

"Thanks, Mommy." Philip smiled his little football headed smile, then strolled happily toward the quiet little girl who'd decided to bury herself in a book. The boy got distracted along the way, crouching down to examine a couple slow moving caterpillars. He'd eventually make it over to the bench where two black haired angels analyzed a familiar looking hardcover.

"This is probably my favorite piece of work written by her, not only because the characters in it are so complex, but because it holds special meaning."

"What's that?" Eavesdropping wasn't the best thing to occupy oneself with, but carried no harm amongst friends, especially when the news was all good.

"The verse printed prior to the first page of the story is dedicated to me personally. If you've never taken advantage of the opportunity to read it, then I suggest you do. It's a new take on the old phrase, 'love is blind'." The dark eyed girl handed the heavy volume to the other woman who's eyes were as black as her own.

"I know I've read this book before, and I'm sure I wouldn't exclude the dedication. I love all of her books, but I can't seem to recollect exactly what this particular verse said."

"Why don't you refresh your memory."

The words were simple, yet meant to deliver a profound statement.

It takes no pleasure in gold,

Nor does it value beauty.

It holds no class in society,

Nor does it judge religion(or lack there of).

It knows no gender,

Nor does it define itself as an institution.

True love is simply the gift of an altruistic act rendered for the sole benefit of another.

All my love to you, best friend.

Helga

Tears welled up in the other woman's eyes, then crashed down like two adjacent waterfalls, not only because she'd understood what those words meant to the smaller woman sitting beside her, but because she'd finally realized what those same words meant to her in another context. That brassy smile of hers meshed right in with the joyful streams gushing down her rose painted cheeks. Her friend also displayed a gleeful smile, almost as if her spirit flew beyond supernatural heights. Both girls turned their head in unison, presenting a military salute which was handed right back at them. It felt great to actually behave like a real friend after all these years.

"Hi, Rachel." He'd finally made it over to the petite little girl all decked out in the latest fashions.

"Hello, Philip," she responded timidly, "you wanna play?"

"Yeah." What he said next brought heartfelt tears for a lifetime to come. "I like your bow because it's blue, like your dress."

Like father like son indeed.

COMPLETE

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AN: Thank you for reading through until the end. I truly appreciated all critiques. It's been years since I've written this fanfiction and I'm still grateful to all readers past and present who've contributed their input. Again, thank you.