"So, where are we going, anyway?" Heat Miser asked.
"To visit some friends of my family," Nina replied. "They're pretty much part of family, themselves." She touched her ring finger. "It already feels weird to not wear my engagement ring."
"It'll only be until tomorrow, sugarplum," Snow said, excited. "We want the announcement to be a surprise!"
"Yeah," she said, trying to hide her nervousness.
As they walked through Southtown, Heat kept looking around, cautiously. People were out and about. He kept close to the group, narrowing his eyes at strangers.
Snow Miser told his brother, quietly, "Y'know, it'd be a lot less suspicious if you didn't act like we're going to be attacked. Relax!"
"It's been a long time since I've been around humans."
"They aren't too bad," Snow said, flashing a grin at Nina.
Nina smiled, then she stopped in front of the flowershop and opened the door.
Inside the building, Mr. Bennett was watering some flowers. He put his watering can down when he saw Nina, and he hugged her. "Nina! Welcome back!" He turned to Snow Miser and shook his hand. "It's good to see you again, too, Sam."
Snow Miser smiled and enthusiastically shook Mr. Bennett's hand. "Likewise, sir." He motioned toward Heat Miser. "This is my brother,-"
"Harold." Heat said, quickly. He made no motion of greeting him.
"And this is Timothy," Nina said, addressing Tingler. "Guys, this is Mr. Bennett. His family and mine have been friends for a long time."
"It's wonderful to meet all of you." Mr. Bennett turned his head and called out, "Melvin!"
Melvin, Mr. Bennett's son, who was tall, lanky, and had golden blonde hair and amber-colored glasses, came in from another room, holding a pen and clipboard. He set them down when he saw the group. Everyone looked at him, and Heat's eyes went wide for a few seconds.
"Nina!" Melvin ran to her and hugged her.
"Melvin! I'm so happy to see you!" Nina exclaimed in happiness.
"Well, gosh, it sure is nice to see you again, too. And Sam!" He shook Snow Miser's hand.
"Good to see you, Melvin," Snow greeted him, smiling, warmly.
"I'm Harold," Heat suddenly said, holding out his hand to Melvin, keeping his gaze on him.
Melvin shook his hand, smiling. "Melvin Bennett."
Tingler introduced himself with his made-up name, as well.
"So, what brings you all here?" Mr. Bennett asked.
"We're visiting Mom and Richard," Nina said. "By the way, would you two like to have dinner at our house tomorrow night?"
"Absolutely," Mr. Bennett replied.
Melvin said, "I'd love to go. I don't have to go away again until next Friday."
"Where are you going?" Heat asked with interest.
"I'm a journalist. I travel to different places, but I come back after every assignment to help Dad with the store."
Mr. Bennett beamed at his son. "And I'm so proud of him! My son has written a lot of great articles! I have some hanging up on the walls!"
Melvin looked sheepish and said, "Thanks, Dad. I better finish cleaning the storeroom. I'll see you all tomorrow."
After Melvin went back to his duties, Mr. Bennett asked, "Nina, do you want a bouquet?"
Nina nodded. "Yes, please."
Mr. Bennett made a small arrangement of flowers and handed it to Nina. "Tell your mom and Richard we said hi."
"You can tell them tomorrow; we're inviting them, too. We're getting the house fixed up, and we thought it'd be nice for you all to see what we've done with it so far."
Mr. Bennett's face lit up. "I can't wait! I'm sure it looks lovely. You all have a good day."
When they said their goodbyes, the four left the shop. Heat Miser was the last one to exit the building. Nina noticed that he kept looking back until they were a good distance away from the flowershop.
"Where are we going now, Lady Nina?" Tingler asked.
"We're stopping at the cemetery to visit my dad, then we're going to visit my mother and stepfather."
Tingler's face fell. "Your father...passed away?"
She nodded. "He died when I was 10." Seeing his sorrowful expression, she stated, "It's okay. I've made peace with it. I won't take too long."
"Take all the time you need to pay your respects," Tingler said.
When they arrived at the cemetery, Nina laid the flowers down on her father's grave. The men stood a distance away so she could have her space. She talked to her father so softly that no one could hear her. Soon, Snow Miser walked to her and rubbed her back. Nina said, "Dad, I don't know if you can hear me, but I want you to know that Snow Miser and I are getting married. If you're up there, somewhere, please send a sign that you give us your blessing. I wish..." She drew in a sharp breath, holding back tears. "I wish you could be there. I wish you could walk me down the aisle and see me on one of the happiest days of my life."
"You don't have to hold it in," Snow gently told her.
"I shouldn't be so broken-up about this. I've accepted he's gone."
"Nina...Honey, it's okay. You have every right to grieve. You don't have to justify your feelings, no matter how much time passes."
Nina allowed herself to release her emotions and burst into tears. Snow Miser held her, kissing the top of her head and stroking her hair.
When Nina stopped crying, she looked up at Snow. "There's so much happening all at once. I need him here."
"He is here, in a way," Snow told her. "He's always with you. You're his daughter, and nothing can take that away. Plus, you have your mom and stepdad and me and Heat Miser and everyone else up north. You'll never be alone."
Nina stayed in his arms for awhile. When she was completely calm, she stood up and helped Snow Miser to his feet. "You're right." She wiped her eyes. "Thank you so much." She looked at the headstone. "Goodbye, Dad. See you soon."
When the couple walked over to Heat Miser and Tingler, they saw Tingler had his back towards them. "Are you okay?" Nina asked.
Tingler jumped, startled. "Yes," he sniffled, turning towards them. "I'm sorry. When I saw you crying, I was filled with deep sadness for you."
Nina hugged him. Tingler was startled but accepted the hug. "It is really sad, but it happens. It's a part of life," Nina told him.
She tried cheering up and said, "We're going to stop at my mom and stepdad's, then call it a day."
"What?" Heat asked. His mind seemed to be elsewhere.
Nina repeated herself, then they walked out of the cemetery and to Marilyn and Richard's house. Before they got there, Nina said, "Okay, no one say anything about the wedding. We're just there to visit and ask them over for dinner tomorrow."
"My lips are sealed. I will keep the salaisuus. Sekrè. Gyfrinach. The secret." Tingler said, then barked like a seal.
"I'm no blabbermouth," Heat told Nina. "It's HIM you gotta watch out for." He pointed at his brother.
Snow Miser huffed and crossed his arms. "I'm not going to tell them, not until the time is right."
They arrived at the house, and Nina knocked. Richard opened the door and hugged his stepdaughter when he saw her. "Nina! What a surprise! Come in! Come in!"
When they walked into the house, Richard got Marilyn, who had been in the kitchen. She hugged Nina and Snow Miser and exclaimed, "It's so good to see you two again! And who are these gentlemen?"
Nina introduced them. "Mom, Richard, this is Heat Miser and Tingler."
Heat Miser looked at Nina with a cross between annoyance and alarm. Nina assured him, "They already know about Snow Miser."
"Yeah. I told you about it. Remember?" Snow asked.
"I remember," Heat replied, grouchily. "Still, you shouldn't be giving away my identity to everyone."
"Your secret is safe with us," Richard stated. "It was a shock at first to discover what Snow Miser is, but we soon accepted him, and we accept you."
"Won't you all sit down?" Marilyn asked. "I just made some tea."
When the guests and Richard sat down, Richard addressed Heat Miser, "So, Snow Miser mentioned last time that you're his brother."
"Unfortunately."
Nina looked pained. "Heat..."
Heat smirked at her. "I'm just making a joke."
Nina relaxed, realizing he wasn't being malicious.
"And you control hot weather in the Southern hemisphere."
"Yep."
As Marilyn came in with a tray of tea, Richard said, "So it's you we have to thank for all this beautiful weather year-round."
This made Heat Miser immediately grin from ear to ear. "That's right," he stated, puffing out his chest, proudly.
Snow Miser rolled his eyes. "Yes, everyone LOVES you down here."
"Of course. I provide them with sunny, summer getaways."
"Well, nothing beats the magic of a winter wonderland," Snow insisted.
Nina laid a hand on Snow Miser's leg and looked at the Miser brothers. "You're both great," she told them. "You're both loved and important, and the world would be lost without you."
Tingler sipped his tea and stared at his cup. "How is the tea, Mr. Tingler?" Marilyn asked.
"Oh, it's wonderful ma'am." He made a high-pitched humming sound. "Suurepärane. Vynikající. Wspaniale."
Marilyn smiled. "I'm glad you like it. So, what do you do?"
"I am an interpreter for everyone in my homeland," he answered.
"That's fascinating. You know a lot of languages?" Richard asked.
"Yes. All of those in the Forest come to me when they need to speak to someone in another language."
"They must keep you quite busy."
Tingler nodded. "Yes, but I was able to take a break. I am glad I did; I'm enjoying being here."
"We're glad to meet you both and hope you'll all come by more often," Marilyn stated.
"By the way, Snow Miser and I would like you two to come by tomorrow night for dinner," said Nina. "We want to show you all the progress we've made with the house. We invited Mr. Bennett and Melvin, as well."
"Of course, we'll go. Do you want us to bring anything?"
"No. Just yourselves."
"We're going to cook a big dinner; you won't want to miss it," Snow told them, grinning.
"I didn't know you could cook," Heat stated. "The last time you tried, you almost burned Mother's house down."
"That was years ago; I've improved since then," said Snow. "Besides, I'll have help." He looked at his fiancée, who nodded.
"We're certainly looking forward to it," Marilyn said.
"You know, Nina, this is the first time you've invited us over to your house for dinner," mentioned Richard.
Nina nodded. "Yeah. The house hasn't really been much to look at until now. We still have a lot of work to do, but it's come a long way."
Snow Miser squeezed her hand, looking into her eyes. She stared back at him, realizing he knew that she wasn't just talking about the house.
The four visited with Richard and Marilyn for awhile. Mostly, Nina and Snow Miser were the ones who talked with their hosts, while the other two were quiet. Tingler politely listened and answered questions he was asked, while Heat Miser was distracted the entire time.
When Nina, Snow Miser, Heat Miser, and Tingler left, it was quite late. They walked back to the house, chatting about their plans for the rest of the night and for the following day. There was a lot of work to be done to prepare for the important dinner the next evening.