He immediately draped the warm blanket over Helena's shoulders as they walked towards the door. "Let's go out," he said as he flung the door open, and then he scooped Helena into his arms and carried her.
"Arthur!" Helena didn't expect it. The coldness of the snow nipped at her ankles as she and Arthur walked through the snow.
"Arthur put me down," she laughed.
He stomped in the snow.
"Arthur, I'm serious. I can walk on my own," she tried to pry the blanket from him.
Arthur finally put Helena down in the pile of snow. Helena laughed as they playfully threw the snow at each other. When suddenly, Arthur slipped and fell to the ground, with Helena landing on top of him.
"Oh my gosh!" she laughed, feeling the snow seeping through their clothes. "That was an epic fall!"
"Don't worry baby, I'll catch you whenever you fall," Arthur wrapped his arms around Helena. "Let's stay this way for quite a while; I love hugging you and sharing our body heat."
"Me too, let's stay this way for a minute," she rolled over, facing Arthur, and then wrapped her arms around him.
"Can you feel the heat emanating from my body?"
"Not really," Helena laughed mischievously.
Arthur laughed with her. "Let's make a snowman!"
"Sure," she said, jumping up and brushing off her clothes.
"Follow me," Arthur said, leading the way.
Helena giggled and followed Arthur's lead as they began to roll a giant ball of snow. As they were rolling, Arthur leaned in and gave Helena a soft kiss, the warmth of his lips melting the snow on her skin.
Helena giggled, feeling the cold snow seeping through their clothes. "We're going to freeze out here," she said, shivering.
Arthur smiled; he wrapped the blanket around Helena's shoulders. "Don't worry, I'll keep you warm," he said, his voice low and husky.
Arthur was surprised by how much fun he was having, but more than that, he was surprised by how much he enjoyed being with Helena. He always felt so alive and carefree with her.
"You know," Arthur mused as he watched her jump back up from the ground, "I'm so incredibly lucky to have you in my life."
Helena smiled warmly at him before replying, "And I'm so grateful to have someone like you who cares for me despite your struggles."
He smiled back at her, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders as he watched her carefree spirit in action. For what felt like the hundredth time that day, he thanked his lucky stars for such a fantastic person in his life.
Helena threw snowballs at Arthur that took him out of his reverie. She giggled as the snowball landed in Arthur's nose. "What the..."
Helena stood up and ran, afraid Arthur would retaliate, but it was too late when a snowball landed on her cheek. "Ouch."
"You can't get away with me," he said, forming another snowball.
Helena threw another snowball that landed on Arthur's forehead. "Catch me," she ran, forming a snowball in her hands.
They threw snowballs at each other. No one wants to be defeated. The pair spent the next hour going around in circles, laughing and playing like children until they got tired and returned to creating the snowman again.
The snowman was cold and hard as Arthur packed the snow together. He shapes its head and torso, patting it into perfect balls. As he works around the body, he creates the arms and legs.
The snowman stands tall and proud, with a twig smile and two coal eyes staring back at Arthur and Helena. His top hat sits jauntily on his head, a bright red scarf wraps around his neck, and two buttons adorn his stomach.
As the snowstorm began to die, Arthur and Helena walked back to the house hand in hand, shivering and wet from the snow. Arthur quickly started a fire in the fireplace while Helena changed into warm, dry clothes. She returned to the living room, where Arthur was waiting for her with a cup of hot cocoa.
"Thank you," she said, taking the cup from him.
Arthur smiled. "Anything for you."
Arthur and Helena sat by the fire, swaddled in blankets.
"I used to love playing in the snow with my siblings," Arthur said nostalgically. "It was so much fun."
Helena smiled. "You must have had an amazing childhood."
"It was. We'd spend hours out there until we were so cold our toes couldn't feel anymore. Those were some of my favorite moments growing up."
"I did experience playing snow with foster kids. Yeah, it was fun. As children, we always play whenever possible and meet new friends in the foster home."
They shared a comfortable silence for a few moments before Helena continued, her voice quivering slightly, "But sometimes it's hard for me to open up... to trust people. I'm scared of being hurt. It had to do with the couple who adopted and sent me back to the foster home. I feel nobody wants to be my parents and that I do not deserve a parent like any other children in the foster home."
Arthur looked at her tenderly, understanding what she meant. He reached out his hand and rested it lightly on hers. "You're strong and brave," he whispered reassuringly. "I'm here for you, Helena," Arthur said, taking her hand in his. "You deserve loving parents and so much more in this lifetime."
Helena felt a warmth spread through her body at his words. She felt so safe and loved. "Thank you. It's okay; my mom and dad accepted me wholeheartedly. They heal the wounds I had when I was a child."
"That's good to know. You see, not everyone is Going to appreciate you, but someone or some people will definitely stand by you," Arthur said, looking into her eyes.
"Baby, thanks for being one," she said warmly. "I love you, Arthur."
Arthur's heart skipped a beat. "I love you too, Helena," he said, kissing her.
Their lips met, and Helena felt a rush of passion flow through her body. Arthur tickled with pleasure as Helena's hands explored his chest. He groaned as she kissed his neck, letting her hot breath on his neck and ear. The pleasure he felt with her touch was indescribable.
Helena broke the kiss, panting for breath, and looked deep into Arthur's eyes. She felt a sudden urge to feel him all over her body, but then she remembered they had to cook for dinner. "How are we supposed to eat dinner tonight?"
Arthur chuckled, still a little breathless from the kiss. "We can always cook later," he said, pulling her close. "I don't want to let you go just yet."
Helena smirked, feeling the heat rising in her body. "I don't think I want to let you go either," she whispered as she leaned in to kiss him again.
Arthur eagerly accepted her invitation, and their kiss deepened. They lost themselves in each other for what felt like an hour, their bodies entwined in a passionate embrace.
Finally, they broke apart, both gasping for air. "We should probably cook dinner," Arthur said.
Helena nodded, still feeling the heat between them. "Right," she said, trying to catch her breath. "Dinner."
They both got up, trying to shake off the sexual energy still coursing through their bodies. Helena felt a little self-conscious as she walked into the kitchen, wondering if Arthur could see the desire still burning in her eyes.
As they cooked dinner together, Helena's mind kept wandering back to their passionate embrace by the fire. Helena hummed a tune while she diced the vegetables, her hips swaying slightly to the rhythm. Arthur watched her, mesmerized by her beauty.
"How about we just enjoy the moment we have right now?" He suggested as he moved close to Helena, his hand tracing her cheek.
Helena nodded, feeling a surge of desire rush through her body as Arthur's fingers traced circles on her skin. She leaned closer to him, her lips meeting his in a fiery kiss. As their tongues touched, Helena felt her body ignite with passion.
Arthur pulled away, his eyes dark with desire. "I want you, Helena," he growled. He lifted Helena up on the counter and kissed her hungrily, his hands roaming her. Helena moaned and wrapped her legs around his waist, wanting him as badly as he wanted her.
Arthur lifted her up even higher, pressing her body against his as he deepened the kiss. Helena could feel his hardness pressing against her, and she couldn't resist grinding against him, seeking more of the delicious friction.
Suddenly, the smoke alarm sounded, and they both jumped, startled out of their heated moment. Arthur quickly turned off the stove, and they both laughed, embarrassed.
"I guess we got a little carried away," Helena said, feeling a blush creep up her neck.
Arthur grinned, his eyes still dark with desire. "Can't blame us, can you?" he said, tracing circles on her back.
Helena giggled, feeling the tension easing between them. "I guess not," she said, smiling up at him. "Let's just finish cooking dinner before we get distracted again," she said, giving him a playful wink.
Arthur nodded, still a little breathless. "Right. Dinner." They both returned to the stove, trying to focus on the task. "Let's try to keep the kitchen smoke-free next time."