It was dark when Nina came back to Snow Miser's castle. When she went inside, Snow was anxiously waiting for her. "Where were you? I thought Hothead had burned you up," he said, concerned.
"I'm okay; he didn't hurt me. We had a nice talk, then I went to Santa's house afterwards. I'm sorry I worried you." She hugged him, which calmed him down.
"It's okay. I'm just glad you made it back in one piece."
"I'm perfectly alright," she gently told him. Then, she paused and asked, hesitantly, "Would you like to sit outside with me?"
"Sure," he replied, pleased.
They went outside and sat on the ground in front of the castle. The dark sky was filled with shining stars. Nina gazed at them with wonder. "They're beautiful, aren't they?"
"Yes," Snow Miser responded, never taking his eyes off her.
"I've never seen them so clearly anywhere else. No other place in the world is like this." She turned her attention to Snow, who quickly looked away. Wavering, she took a moment before speaking again. "Snow Miser, there's something I want to tell you."
Apprehension clouded his face, but his voice was calm. "What is it?"
"I don't really know how to put it into words. I thought about not telling you at all, but I think it's better if I do. Snow Miser..." Nina took a deep, shaky breath, then steadied herself. "You are very special to me. When I'm around you, the world doesn't seem like such a bad place. You make me feel safe and full of life, and you inspire me to be a better person. I cherish our friendship and am grateful for your kindness. When I was in Southtown, I really missed you, even though I was only gone a week. I missed your laugh, your voice, and your presence, and I realized that I don't want to go a day without having you in my life. What I'm trying to say is...I love you."
Snow Miser's worried expression immediately melted away and was replaced by pure elation. "You do?!"
Nina nodded, looking away. "But I'm afraid."
"Of what?"
She braced herself and avoided eye contact. "So many things. One, that you'll reject me. I don't want to have children."
"Oh...Oh, honey...Is that all?"
"Well, yes. One of the reasons my ex broke up with me is because I don't want kids. I'm not normal." She said the last word in a hushed tone, filled with shame.
"Nina...sweetie...I'm an 8 foot tall guy who's partially made out of ice who controls winter weather in the Northern Hemisphere. I'm not exactly the definition of a normal human man." Snow Miser held Nina's hands in his, and she looked up at him. "You don't have to be afraid of anything. I love you, too. I don't mind that you don't want kids; it's not important to me."
Nina's shoulders relaxed. "You really mean it?" Her eyes filled with tears.
"Of course, I do. Everything is going to be okay." He reached over and wiped under her eye.
Nina sniffled and wiped her eyes. "I'm so happy you feel the same way about me that I do about you, but I still don't know what I'm going to do with my life or what I want to do with myself."
Snow lovingly stroked Nina's cheek. "We'll figure that out along the way. We're a team, now. You don't have to go through anything alone." He leaned in but stopped, waiting for Nina's reaction. Nina sat closer, resting a hand on his cheek, then kissed his lips. Snow Miser wrapped his arms around her, and the two embraced for a few moments before pulling away.
Nina was breathless. "Wow. I've never kissed anyone like that before."
"Neither have I. Want to do it again?" Snow asked, grinning.
Nina nodded, and they leaned in to kiss again, only this time, Nina accidentally hit Snow's nose. "Oh, my gosh! I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, covering her mouth with her hands.
Snow laughed. "No harm done. Come here. Let's try this again." He pulled her close and gave Nina another sweet, romantic kiss, then held her in his arms. "This is a dream come true. I can't believe this is really happening," he spoke in astonishment.
"Hm?" Nina leaned against him, head on his chest.
"I'm the luckiest guy in the world. I have my dream girl."
"How long have you wanted to be with me?"
Snow paused. "Since the party. I never said anything because I thought you wouldn't take it well."
"You fell fast."
"I couldn't help myself. When I heard you sing, Cupid's arrow struck. I know it sounds cheesy, but it's true."
"It's cute," Nina told him. "I appreciate you giving me time to figure things out first, though. I had to make peace with a lot of stuff in my life before getting into another relationship."
"I understand. Besides, you were worth the wait," Snow said, running his fingers through her hair.
"This is soothing," she mumbled. "Don't stop."
"Okay, I won't. Anything for you, my snow angel."
A few moments later, he asked, "Do you want to go back inside?"
Nina shook her head. "I never want this moment to end."
"Me, neither. Let's stay out here a little longer."
Snow Miser held Nina for awhile until they went back inside. By that time, Nina was tired, and she kissed him good night before going to bed.
In the morning, Snow Miser picked up the phone and dialed. Mother Nature's face appeared on the screen. "Hello? Oh, good morning, Snow Miser. Why are you calling so early?" she asked, curiously.
"Mother, I have some great news. Nina and I are in a relationship!"
Mother Nature frowned, worriedly. "That's wonderful, dear, but-"
"I know, I know, but Mother, she's perfect!" he exclaimed, excited. "She told me last night that she loved me, and...and...Mother, I've never been this happy."
His mother smiled, warmly, though her eyes were sad. "I know you care about her. I wish you both all the happiness in the world."
"Thanks, Mother. I better go now. I'll talk to you soon."
"Alright, son. Goodbye." They hung up.
At that moment, Nina came downstairs. Snow beamed when he saw her. "Good morning, angel. How did you sleep?"
Nina rubbed her eyes and yawned. "I slept okay."
Snow kissed her cheek. "Glad to hear it."
"I did have a little trouble, though."
"Oh?"
"I kept wondering about what's going to happen in the future."
"That's a pretty big thing to think about. I mean, no one can predict it, so why try so hard?"
"Because I need a plan, some direction. Now that I have my past sorted out, I need to move forward. I just don't know what I should do." She sat down.
Snow Miser sat on his throne. "Well, what do you WANT to do?"
"I don't know...I've been focused on myself for so long that I need to start thinking of others. I need to make a difference in the world. Santa offered me a job delivering care packages to people around the world. I think doing that would be a good start."
"I think so, too. You like to travel, and you said you want to help people. You should do it, if you want. It sounds like a good opportunity, or at least something to do until you figure out what you want to do long-term."
Nina got up and hugged him. "Thank you for being so supportive." She shivered.
"It's no problem. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, just a little cold. Anyway, I should talk to Santa and tell him I'll deliver some of the packages."
"Okay, my little icicle. Say hi to him for me."
Nina kissed his lips. "I will. I'll see you later."
Snow smiled. "I'll never get tired of those kisses."
After Nina left, Snow Miser went over to Heat Miser's place. When he was let in, his brother asked, "You again? What do you want now?"
Snow fidgeted. "I have a favor to ask."
"Why should I do anything for you?"
"Just hear me out. This isn't exactly easy for me. Could you warm up a spot on my place for Nina?"
Heat raised his eyebrows. "Say that again?"
"Nina's going to stay over a lot, and since she's human, being in the cold all the time isn't good for her. Can you keep a spot on my backyard warm so she can have a place she can go to be comfortable?"
Heat smiled, smugly. "Oh, this is too good."
"Yeah, yeah, gloat all you want. Will you do it or not?"
"And what is it you want in return? I'm not giving you any of my territory."
"I just want Nina to feel more at home at my place. It's the least I can do for my girlfriend."
Heat scowled. "Did you seriously ask her out?"
"More or less. More like she asked me."
"And you said yes? Have you lost your mind?!" Heat quickly stood up on his throne.
"Maybe I have. I'm a fool who's in love," Snow shrugged.
"You obviously don't realize what you're doing. She's mortal, or did you forget?"
"I haven't forgotten, and quite frankly, I don't care. I'm going to love her until the end of time, and nothing can change that."
A heavy silence fell between them. Heat Miser calmly sat back down, frowning. When he finally spoke, he told his brother, "You better make sure nothing happens to her. You got one of the only good ones."
"I'm going to do everything I can to protect her."
Heat mused, then sighed. "I'll warm up a spot. Does she know?"
"I'm going to surprise her."
"Well, you better not take all the credit for it, like you usually do. I should at least get something."
"I'm sure she'll thank you, too. She likes you for some reason." Snow rolled his eyes. "Though I can't see why."
"Well, she has good tastes, just not in partners."
Snow huffed, crossing his arms. "Just come over so I can show you where I want it, okay?"
"Whatever. I'm going to take my sweet time. I want to enjoy melting your yard."
"Just a part of it. Don't get any ideas," Snow warned before teleporting them to his place.
