One afternoon, in the middle of June, Snow Miser and Nina were sitting next to each other in the throne room of the ice castle, brainstorming ideas for their wedding.
"What will we do about the decorations?" Nina asked.
"I was thinking lots of white roses, since it'll be outdoors. Oh, and some candles!" Snow Miser answered, excitedly.
"With all the snow around, won't white flowers and stuff blend into the background?"
"Hmm...You're right. How about red roses? They would pop out a lot."
"That would look so beautiful."
"Not as beautiful as you, angel." Snow kissed her cheek.
Nina blushed, then mentioned, "We should ask Mr. Bennett what other flowers are good for weddings, too."
"That's a great idea!" Snow exclaimed. "Why didn't I think of that? We'll have to make a note of it to ask him the next time we see him. We're getting the flowers from his store, anyway."
Nina nodded. "I can't believe we only have 6 months until the wedding."
"I know! Time flies when you're in love! So, how's the dress coming along?"
"Mrs. Claus said it's going to look amazing. She and Mom have worked on it off and on."
"I can't wait to see what it'll look like!"
Nina smiled, then the smile faded. There were so many things on her mind besides the wedding.
Snow put his arm around her. "Don't get so stressed over everything, sugarplum. Planning our wedding is supposed to be fun!"
She leaned against him, getting comfortable. "I know, Snowy. I'm just thinking about a million things, on top of that."
"Lay it on me."
"It's so ridiculous, but something has been on my mind since we got engaged." Looking down at her lap, Nina said, her hands loosely clasped together, "We're both immortal, and I'm scared that you'll get bored of me after awhile. I mean, I'm not magical or special."
Snow Miser's eyes widened, and he immediately held Nina in his arms. "Nina, how can you say that?" he sputtered. "Honey, you're the most magical and special person I know! I love you. You mean the world to me. I'm not going to get bored of you, not even after 100 years, or 1,000. Not even a million."
"You really mean that?"
"Of course! You're my better half, and I want to spend eternity with you. I can't even imagine why you'd think you aren't special after everything we've been through."
"I'm not like you or Heat Miser," she told him. "I don't really have any powers, well, one, but I'm not sure what good it is. Everyone here has at least one useful power or is famous. I'm just...me."
"And I love you." Snow Miser kissed her lips. "You're special to me, and I can't wait for you to be my wife. Whether you have powers or not, you're still my best friend and my lover."
Nina gave him a tender smile. "Thank you, Snow God. I needed to hear that."
"Anytime, sweetheart."
At that moment, there was a knock at the front door. Snow Miser got up. "I'll get it. We'll do some more wedding planning later." He answered the door, and Heat Miser and Melvin were standing outside. "Hey! What a surprise! Come in, guys!"
Nina got up and hugged both their guests. "Melvin! I had no idea you were coming up here!"
"Heat Miser invited me," Melvin told her, hugging her.
Nina looked at Heat. "He did?"
"Well, I thought it'd be nice for him to see my house for a change," Heat stated. "I've already been to his place a couple of times."
"I'm surprised you didn't melt the moment you stepped into that castle, Mel," Snow joked.
"I barely noticed. It's the same temperature in there as a summer day in Southtown," Mel shrugged.
Nina laughed. "That, it is. Won't you guys have a seat?"
"No, thanks. I'd rather not literally freeze my ass off," Heat said.
"I'd rather not have my furniture turn into a puddle of water," said Snow.
Melvin asked Nina, "Are they always like this?"
"Pretty much. So, what are you guys doing in our neck of the woods?"
Shivering, Melvin answered, "Wondering how you've survived living here. Wow! It's colder than the inside of a freezer!"
Snow Miser sat on the couch and relaxed, grinning. "Just the way I like it."
"I got used to it," Nina stated. "It's not so bad after awhile."
"I guess it'd be possible to adjust to it. No offense to Snow Miser, but I prefer warm weather," said Melvin, which made Heat beam with pride.
"None taken," Snow stated, good-naturedly.
"Actually, Nina, can I talk to you for a sec?" Melvin suddenly asked.
"Of course," Nina replied, then took him to another room. She hugged him again. "I've missed you. How are things going with you and Heat Miser?"
"They're going better," Melvin replied. "We've been talking on the phone a lot, and he just came over last month. Dad met him in his true form. Heat was scared Dad would be afraid of him, but Dad really likes him. I just hope I don't screw up again." He looked down.
"Melvin, Heat really likes you. If he didn't, he wouldn't be giving you another chance," Nina assured him.
"But if he finds out, he'll never talk to me again." Melvin held back tears, whispering.
"Finds out what?"
Melvin paused. "I can still change into the Shapeshifter."
"Oh, Melvin..."
"I'm a monster, and I can't get rid of it!" He began crying. "Nina, if Heat Miser finds out about this, he'll never speak to me again!"
Nina hugged him, thinking of how to help her friend. "Take a deep breath."
As he inhaled, Nina got an idea. "I know someone who can help you," she told him.
"Who?"
Come with me." She led him back to the throne room. "Mel and I are going to Santa and Mrs. Claus's house," she told the Miser brothers.
"Want us to come with?" Snow asked.
"That's okay, honey. We'll be back in awhile." Nina kissed her fiance goodbye, then she and Melvin left.