Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold or any of the characters. Hey Arnold is the property of Nickelodeon and Craig Bartlett.
Epilogue
It was a beautiful February evening in the town known as Hillwood. The winter snow has melted, the flowers had begun to bloom and the temperature was finally becoming warmer after months of cold and snow. And a certain couple was at their new home, the husband was tending to his pregnant wife who was laying on the couch, with her stomach having grown very much these last few months.
"Here's the pickles and ice cream that you wanted Helga...'Arnold said as he handed his wife a bowl of the strange dish.
"Thank you, darling...'Helga said calmly as she begun to eat the strange dish with much gusto.
Ever since she discovered that she was pregnant, she has been craving a lot of strange food, most especially pickles and anything she could put it on.
"All done, darling...'Helga said, having devoured the entire dish very fast but Arnold didn't dare make a comment on it...
Not after what happened the last time he spoke without thinking around his hyper sensitive pregnant wife.
"Need anything else honey, you need a foot rub, a glass of water...a fan?...'Arnold asked, being the ever loving and attentive husband to his pregnant wife who was carrying their child.
"Not now darling, I'm good..."Helga said in a calm voice, not displaying any of the mood swings she has been having lately.
"Alright...well, if you need anything...I'll be in the kitchen, just let me know if you want something...'Arnold said to his wife who giggled.
"I will darling...'Helga said as she watched her beloved husband leave for the kitchen.
Ever since she told him that they were going to be having a baby, her precious Arnold had gone above and beyond to give her and their child as much attention and pampering possible. He even insisted that they move out of their apartment and into this new house since it was too small for a family and Arnold wanted his child to have plenty of space of grow and play.
That was about 3 months ago that they moved in and Helga loved their new house and her most favorite place is the new nursery that had finally been finished a few weeks ago. The perfect place for a darling little baby to sleep in and this house is ideal for a new family awaiting the birth of their first child. Even better is that her book is finally selling and her boss Mr. Wright says that it's the best one they had this year, something she always predicted. To make matters even better, Phoebe is pregnant now too, we all found out about 2 months ago and Helga was positively elated that now, not only will she have a baby, but so will her best friend and she can only hope their kids will be good friends too, just like she and Phoebe are and Arnold and Gerald too...
Speaking of which...
"Oh little one, your daddy loves you so much..."Helga said as she rubbed her belly, feeling better than a queen.
Despite the bloating, the cramps, the many needs to go to the bathroom, the frequent kicking, among many other discomforts of pregnancy, she wouldn't trade this experience for anything in the world.
She really couldn't wait until she finally had her baby in her arms for the first time...
"My baby..."Helga sighed, feeling so happy at the mere thought of it all.
In the Kitchen
Arnold was in the kitchen, in the middle of pouring himself a cup of cold water, though he kept glancing at the entrance to the living room where Helga was, just in case she needed something from him.
She is already 9 months pregnant and the baby could come at any time, he has to be focused and make sure his precious wife has everything she could possibly need for the arrival of their gift from Heaven.
Sometimes he still couldn't believe that soon, he is going to have a baby.
He and Helga are going to have a child, one he plans on giving all the love and attention he can muster. He was so excited for the chance to have a child he could teach to read, ride a bike, play baseball and many other stuff with Helga there too, mind you. Sure, these last few months had been exhausting, what with trying to make sure Helga was already, handling her mood swings, the stress of moving and making sure that the nursery was done, attending her pregnancy classes, reading parenting books together and so many other stuff...
But it's all going to be worth it...
"Our baby...I can't wait...'Arnold sighed, feeling positively blissful at the thought.
The football headed man took a sip of his cup of water, when-
'ARNOLD!...'Helga yelled from the living room, causing her husband to do a classic spit take and then immediately run to the living room to see his wife clutching her stomach.
"Helga! What's wrong?...'Arnold asked in worry.
"My water broke...I think it's time!..."Helga said as she grimanced in pain and Arnold took a second before what she said registered in his wide head.
"T-Time?...YOU MEAN NOW?! YOU'RE HAVING THE BABY NOW?!....'Arnold screamed in a panic.
"DOI EINSTEIN! I...AHHH!..."Helga yelped in pain and Arnold tried to keep himself from panicking.
"O-okay...stay calm...remember your breathing exercises..."Arnold said as helped her up from the couch, with some difficulty due to her extra weight...
"Breath in...breath out..."Arnold said to his wife.
"I KNOW HOW TO BREATH FOOTBALL HE-...AHHH!..."Helga screamed while Arnold helped her get into the car, made sure they had the essentials and soon were on their way to the hospital.
Later
Gerald and a 6 month pregnant Phoebe soon arrived to the hospital and soon saw both the Shortman and Pataki's extended family in the waiting room. There were Miles and Stella, Phil and Gertie, Big Bob and Miriam and even Olga with her family, along with some of the boarders too.
"Gerald, Phoebe..."Miles greeted happily.
"What's the news?..."Gerald asked.
"They are still in the emergency room..."Miles said as the extra couple took
"Oh isn't this exiting Miles, out first grandchild..." Stella gushed happily as her husband took his seat next to her.
"The first of many, let's hope...'Miles said.
Soon all of the adults were talking, while Olga's young children Logan and Lisa looked curious.
"Is auntie Helga going to be okay, mommy?...'Little Logan asked Olga.
"Oh yes honey...she is going to be very fine, she is just having a baby...soon you both are going to have a little cousin to play with..."Olga said, feeling genuinely excited and even Patrick seemed pleased by it all...
"Oh Bob...another grandchild...'Miriam said, feeling very happy.
"Yeah...glad to see the Pataki blood is continuing...'Bob said, feeling proud of the fact.
"How long have they been with the doctor?.."Phoebe asked as she rubbed her own pregnant belly.
"About 4 hours ago, Arnold and the doctors had rushed her in...we all came as soon as he called us..."Phil answered.
"Oh man, four hours...I'm getting worried...'Gerald said.
"Don't worry Gerald, Helga is in the best hands possible and I know that soon they will be out of there with my precious new grand child in their arms...'A happy Stella said to her son's best friend.
"It's not Helga that I am worried about...'Gerald muttered silently as he thought about Arnold.
Even if she managed to gain control of her temper, Helga can still be scary when she is mad and her mood swings have been a total nightmare, way worse than when they were kids and she would blow up for little to no reason...He could only imagine what she is putting Arnold through in the delivery room.
Meanwhile
In the Delivery Room
"AHHHH!...."Helga screamed loudly as the doctors hovered over her and Arnold stood next to her.
"Breath Mrs. Shortman...'The head doctor said while the nurses were wiping the sweat from his brow.
"AH! Why didn't I go for the cesarean when I had the chance...'Helga screamed as she knew that her child was taking after their father in more ways than one. Anything would have been better than this, but noooooo ...Arnold said an all natural birth was the better idea.
"You're doing great honey..."Arnold said encouragingly to his wife, who growled and soon grabbed him by the collar.
"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! NOT ONLY DID YOU KNOCK ME UP, GAVE OUR KID YOUR HEAD BUT YOU SAID AN ALL NATURAL BIRTH WAS THE WAY TO GO! WHY THE HECK DID I LISTEN TO YOU!?...'Helga shouted as she shook him before she let go and screamed loudly from the pain.
"More anesthesia! Stat!...'The head doctor ordered and the nurses proceeded to do so to calm down Helga.
"The contractions are 30 seconds apart and they are getting faster...'The doctor said and Arnold tried to help Helga along.
"Don't worry Helga, you're almost there..." Arnold said, only to yelp loudly when Helga was gripping his hand as hard as she can.
"Mrs. Shortman, would you like another dose of anesthesia?..."The doctor asked the soon-to-be mother.
"CRIMINY! YES!..."Helga shouted before screaming and gripping Arnold's hand even more
"HURRY!..."Arnold pleaded as the doctors and nurses gave the mother-to-be another dose and she relaxed a bit, but not by much...
"Okay...you are beginning to crown...push Mrs. Shortman..push..."The doctor ordered...
"Breath Helga...breath...'Arnold said to his wife, who took a deep breath and tried pushing with all her might.
"AH!...."A loud scream echoed throughout the room...and it wasn't from Helga but her husband, who knew that his hand was practically crushed by his wife's constant gripping during the delivery, while the doctors continued working and Helga kept pushing and pushing.
Later
After a total of 5 hours of labor, screaming and the all out torture of anticipation, there was nothing but silence and peace as an exhausted Helga and Arnold were busy admiring a little blue bundle of joy that Helga held in her arms. She was no longer screaming her head off now she is peaceful and there say...she is glowing as she continued to admire the little blue bundle of joy.
"Our baby...'Arnold said in a soft voice, feeling a deep sense of joy fill his heart as he and his wife continue to admire the baby.
"Our son..."Helga said as she continued to look at her new baby boy.
He really took after Arnold, especially since he has his exact head...the same head that caused her excruciating pain for hours...but now...all she can do is admire how beautiful it is...along with the rest of her baby's beauty. He really did look so much like his father, even having his nose and his smile...but Helga could also see that he has her eyes and even her ears too and he is...he is just...
"Beautiful..."Helga said in a soft voice while her baby made little gurgling sounds, making it obvious he wishes to be fed.
After being breast fed for the first time ever, the couple went back to admiring their new, precious son, whom they both knew that they loved so much...
They then shared a look between them and then leaned in for a kiss...
"Thank you Helga...for giving me this wonderful treasure...'Arnold said as he felt tears fall from his eyes, tears his wife also had in her eyes.
"Thank you Arnold...for making this the happiest day of my life...'Helga said as she started crying as she and her husband went back to loving their new baby.
Soon it was time for the visitors to come, Arnold's parents, grandparents and Gerald and Phoebe were allowed in first, since there was suppose to be a limit on how many people are allowed in this room at a time.
"Hey man...glad to see you made it...'Gerald joked only to be shushed by his wife while the elders continued to admire the newborn baby.
"Oh, he looks just like Arnold did as a baby..." Stella gushed as she admired her new born grandson.
"He's a real chip of the old block...'Miles said proudly.
"You can say that again...A real Shortman through and through...'Phil said proudly.
"Aw, he even has my third eye...'Gertie said only to be scolded by her husband while Arnold and Helga laughed at her antics.
"So, what's the little one's name?...'Phil asked, hoping that they might have named him after him.
'Well...after months of arguments, looking up each and every name we could think up...me and Arnold managed to find a name we both agreed that we liked...'Helga said as she handed her baby to her husband who is still smiling at it...
"Say hello to your family, Andy..."Arnold said as his son just remained silent and drooled.
'Andy?...'Gerald questioned.
"Yeah, short for Andrew Phillip Shortman...'Helga said, getting Phil's attention.
"Aw...though I would have preferred the other way but I'll take what I can get...'Phil said with a chuckle.
"We just felt our son should have a chance to make his own name, grandpa...'Arnold said while his grandfather went to admire his first great grandchild.
"I read in a baby book that Andrew is suppose to be Greek for "strong," "manly," and "courageous."... and it seemed right..."Helga said.
"As strong as his mommy..."Arnold said, making his wife smile at that.
"Andy Shortman...'Miles said with a large smile.
"What a perfect name...'Stella said as Helga had allowed her and Miles a chance to hold their grandson for the first time.
"Hello there little fella...I'm your grandpa...'Miles cooed.
"And I'm your grandma...'Stella cooed as well.
Soon everyone got a chance to hold and coo at little Andy, then Bob and Miriam came in to admire their new grandchild and later Olga with her family too.
A few days later, Helga was released from the hospital, having needed some time to heel from the delivery. She was carrying her baby Andy is her arms, who was thankfully taking a nap right now, while Arnold never took his eyes off either of them.
As soon as they set foot in the house, the football headed man said this to his new born son...
"Welcome home, son...'Arnold said to his new son, feeling more content than any other man on Earth.
He knew that this wasn't any end to a story but the beginning of the next and best chapter of his and Helga's life. He was married now, with a wife who loves him tremendously, a brand new house to call their home, friends, families, successful careers and most of all, they now had this little guy.
This wonderful little baby son of theirs that Arnold loves so much and would make sure he had everything he deserves growing up, happiness, health and most of all, knowing each day how loved and wanted he is...
Yes, this really is a bright, new beginning...
The End
And done.
22 chapters long and not too shabby if I do say so myself :)
I would like to dedicate and give a shout out to my many wonderful reviews that have stuck by me since I started this fic.
Let's give some love for: 61394, Ajay435, AmethystFlare3, Blue Azul Acero, Boris Yeltsin, Guest(1),Guest(2),Guest(3),Guest(4),Guest(5), Guest(6),Guest(7), HAFanForever, Invader Johnny, Kryten, metalheadrailfan, OverlyDramaticFanGirl, Smckoy929 and Yali Page.
Thank you all for the support, you guys are part of the reason I love doing what I do :)
For old times sake, here are some REPLIES to my loyal and totally awesome reviewers:
Boris Yeltsin:Thank you :)
Invader Johnny: You can say that again :)
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:)I hope you enjoyed my special Christmas gift to you all. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night. :)