Arranged Love

Author: Jamie Love

Disclaimer: Arty and Holly do not belong to me. Neither does Fowl manner, Dublin, Español, or anything else. Except Adriana. Which isn't much, cause she's being a real bitch at the moment. I hope she gets better soon.

Key:

Flash Back

"Talking"

'Thinking'

A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed. It means so much. I know that my writing is abrupt. There must be something wrong with me. Thank you for the tips and comments. Now, here is chapter two. Sorry it took so long, I had writers block. But, so everyone is happy, I've decided that Adriana is on time out. So she will not appear physically in this chappie. Unfortunately, she plays an important part in this fic, so I have to bring her back next chapter. Enjoy!

Fowl Manner, 6:39, Same Day

Artemis glared at his reflection in the mirror. It was pathetic, really. The highest IQ in Europe and he couldn't think of a way to tell Holly. He had called her the minute Adriana was settled in her room.

&Flashback&

"Hello, Holly?"

"Oh, hi Artemis. What's up?"

"Uh…Holly…"

"What? Artemis, is something wrong?"

"No. It's just…I miss you. Could you come up and see me? I just can't wait for Saturday."

A pause, then "Of course Artemis! I'll be there in a few hours. As soon as the sun goes down."

"Thanks Holly. See you then…"

&End Flashback&

Artemis sighed. How was he going to tell her? 'Holly, darling. I really do love you, but I can't see you anymore because my parents are having me marry a Spanish girl for her father's money.' Hardly. But what to do? He smiled bitterly, remembering the locket he had given her. The message he had had engraved in it was true. She was the only one he would ever love, and he had no intention of marrying any one else.

He froze slightly for a moment. Where had that come from?

He walked over to the picture next to his bed. It was of him and his parents, the year before his father had sailed the Fowl Star to the bay of Kola and almost lost his life. He pulled it back on its hinges, and stared at the small metal door with a number pad in the center. A seven number code. He had had the safe installed three months after the secret meetings had started. When he realized he would have to be extremely careful if he was to hide it from his parents. With another sigh, he punched in the code.

'8, 15, 12, 24'

The door slid open, revealing a small chamber. Inside the chamber, was a small wooden box. He took the box out, sitting cross-legged on his bed and setting it down next to him. He took a key from a chain around his neck, and slid it into the keyhole. He looked at the items in it for a moment before taking them out for closer examination.

The items were mostly pictures. Digital quality. He smiled at them. One showed Holly sitting on a bench in the garden. Her coffee-brown skin, dazzling white teeth and pointed ears were illuminated by a magnificent sunset. Various shades of purple, orange and pink. He set the picture down and looked at a second one.

This one was of both of them. Holly was smiling mischievously, her arms around Artemis' neck. Artemis was gazing raptly at her, as if the camera weren't there. Artemis stared at that picture longer. She was so beautiful. And now because of his parents, he may never be able to see her after tonight. He put the pictures back and took out a small flat case. It was the size of a CD player, and looked just like a fairy communicator.

He opened it and pressed 'play'. Holly's features appeared on the small screen. She was beaming at him, her hazel eyes sparkling. "Hello Artemis!" said her recorded voice. "I'm so sorry I can't be there right now. I promise I'll get there sometime tonight. If you're asleep when I get there, don't expect to stay that way! Happy birthday, I'll give you your present when I get there. I love you."

The screen went blank, and neon red words flashed across the screen. 'End Transmission'. Artemis put the video messenger back in the box and closed the lid. So many memories were in the box. He had kept everything over the past year, just to look at if ever he was feeling lonely. He never stopped thinking about Holly. Every night he'd call her, just to hear her voice. If she wasn't there, then he would call again and again to hear her answering machine message until either she picked up or he got tired and had to sleep.

He sighed, staring at the closed box. Holly had changed him. In one short year she had showed him what it was to love. He didn't care that she was over eighty years old. She was his, and he was hers. And that was all that mattered. Artemis would never forget the night everything changed…

&Flashback&

They were standing

She cocked her head and frowned at him. "Artemis, is something wrong?"

He opened his mouth and tried to speak, but his thought had closed up.

She took another step toward him. "What is it Artemis? You can tell me."

He held his breath, not trusting himself to make a sound.

She started to get annoyed at that point. "Look Artemis, do you know what it took for me to get here? You said you wanted to tell me something, so just tell me!"

"Holly." He breathed.

"Yes, Artemis, my name is Holly. Whoa, the great Artemis Fowl is speechless! What is the matter with you?"

He stepped forward and embraced her. "Holly." He murmured. "We really need to talk."

&End Flashback&

Artemis returned the box to its hiding place, then flopped down on his bed. He had to think of a way of approaching the subject slowly, or else she would think that he wanted to marry Adriana, or else that he had been cheating on her. He shuddered at the thought. Who would want to marry her? She had a terrible personality, and was very impolite. She was fairly pretty, but she could never compare to Holly. Adriana was spoiled and rude, while Holly was kind and…well…tough. She was strong willed and stubborn, but in a good way. And beautiful. It didn't even matter that she was less then half his height.

There was a sudden tapping sound that made Artemis jump off the bed and fall to the ground. Looking up, he saw that Holly was rapping on the window of his balcony. A smile was playing around her lips. Her beautiful, perfect lips. Artemis scrambled to his feet, threw the window open, and wrapped his arms around his beloved. "Holly." He breathed. "Holly, I've missed you so much!" He pulled her off her feet so she was at eye-level with him, wrenched off her helmet, and pressed his lips against hers.

Holly was extremely surprised but returned the kiss, pressing her hand against his cheek. They stood there for a few minutes, Artemis relishing the feel of his lover's lips against his own. When they broke apart, Holly smiled, suspended in the air by her hummingbirds. "I've missed you too Artemis."

They sat down on his bed. He stroked her hair gently for a moment, and she smiled. "What's gotten into you? You've never wanted to see me before Saturday before."

"I just missed you." He lied. "And…I have something to tell you."

Her smile widened, and she touched his cheek gently. "Do you want to go for a little walk? I have something to tell you too."

He nodded, and they walked over to the window. Holly activated her wings, and together they flew to the ground.

As they walked, Artemis's mind raced. What would he do? What would he say? How would he break it to her? He sighed and held her close. 'This may be the last walk you ever take with her.' He thought. 'might as well make it worthwhile.'

They walked through the garden, Holly examining the beautiful flowers. She spotted a rose that was still closed, and sent blue sparks down her finger at it. Artemis watched as the rose bloomed into a dazzling red blossom. She smiled up at him, and they continued their walk. Holly smiled at orchids and rhododendrons, but Artemis couldn't take his eyes of his beloved. His darling. Holly.

Finally they came to a smooth wooden bench, and sat down. Holly leaned forward and rested her head on his shoulder. Artemis wished she wouldn't. It just made him feel worse about the news he was about to give her. "Holly." He said after a few minutes. "Wasn't there something you wanted to tell me?"

She looked up at him, and he was surprised to see her beaming at him. "Oh, Artemis!" she breathed, her voice ringing with joy. "Artemis, I have the most wonderful news!"

He stared into her eyes, and the guilt increased. 'Ah, well.' He thought. 'Nothing she says could possibly make this situation any worse.'

"Artemis." She said. "I'm pregnant."

A/N: Thank you all for waiting so patiently for this chapter. I've been really busy at school, and I had a bit of a writers block for a while. To those of you who don't like mushy romances, I'm sorry, but your reading the wrong fic. From this point on things are just gonna get mushy, messy, and a bit violent.