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"Charlie, what is all this?" Ariel gasped, taking in the transformed landscape before her. The once-empty stretch of sand was now alive with activity, bustling with friends and family members working together to create a magical wedding setting. Despite the chill of winter, warmth radiated from the scene, enveloping Ariel like a tender embrace.
"Surprise." Charlie grinned, her eyes shining with love and determination. "We all wanted to make sure that you had the perfect day, no matter what. So, we decided to bring the wedding here, to the cove. It's your dream, Ariel, and no way were we going to let you lose it."
Ariel felt a swell of emotion rise within her, threatening to spill over as she took in the dedication and love that surrounded her. Elegant white canopies had been arranged in a seemingly effortless fashion, their billowing fabric swaying gently across wooden beams in the crisp winter breeze. Beneath each canopy, outdoor heaters hummed softly, casting a warm glow over the frost-kissed sand and the array of covered dishes that lined the tables underneath one of the tents.
"Everyone came together to make this happen for you, Ariel."
Ariel's heart swelled with gratitude and astonishment as she recognized familiar faces among the bustling crowd. Her friends were there, Jill and Darcy and Mabel, chatting animatedly as they added finishing touches to the decorations. Oliver and Katie laughed together as they unfolded chairs. There were dozens of people from Endless Harbor—shopkeepers, local
"Hey, Ariel!" Darcy called out, his rocker hair tousled by the wind as he waved enthusiastically from his position near the buffet table. "Did you know that Jill has a gourmet kitchen at her place? We whipped up some of your favorite dishes for today! You're gonna love them!"
"Oh, Darcy," Ariel replied, touched by his words. Jill came and hugged Ariel tight, tears shining in her own eyes.
“You helped me in my darkest hour,” Jill whispered. “I’m glad to repay the favor.”
Mabel and Oliver came to join in the hugs, each pointing out some new delight—the path of seashells that outlined a path through the center of the chairs toward the beach, the big stainless-steel vats of hot chocolate and hot apple cider, curling steam into the air.
“Believe it or not, those warmers came from the concession stand at the high school football field,” Mabel said, laughing. “Being the new mayor has its perks.”
“And those seashells lining your bride’s aisle came from the Fisherman’s Union. Remember, you let them host their summer barbeque here on the beach pro bono?”
Jill, Mabel, Oliver and Darcy led her down the buffet tables, pointing out the dishes that Darcy and Jill had made, and those that had come from other local businesses—pastries from the local bakery, cheese and creamed dips from the goat farm just up the road, honey from the bee farm that Ariel had patronized to provide golden syrup to her guests, and big baskets of apples that Darcy explained had come from the orchard owner who Ariel had bought applewood from when Leeside had first been renovated—the same applewood that was now the banisters on the main staircase.
Ariel couldn’t speak. So many pieces of Endless Harbor coming together just for her.
"Wow," she breathed, feeling a sudden surge of emotions wash over her like the ebbing tide. "I can't believe this is really happening."
"Believe it, Ariel," Charlie replied, her voice brimming with happiness. "Everyone here loves you and wants to see you happy. And Miles... he's been working so hard to make today perfect for you. We were up all night."
“W-where’s Miles?” she asked finally, when she was able.
Jill pointed toward the beach. There, down the bride’s aisle, Miles stood in the center of the transformed beach, his breath visible in the crisp winter air. He rubbed his hands together for warmth as he surveyed what he’d been working on, ensuring that every detail was perfect for Ariel. The sound of laughter and chatter from their friends and family echoed through the chilly air, but all Miles could focus on was making sure everything went smoothly for the love of his life.
"Hey, Darcy, do we have enough chairs?" he called out to the sous chef, unaware that Ariel had arrived. "We can't have anyone standing during the ceremony."
"Got it covered, boss!" Darcy replied. As Miles continued to scan the setup, he spotted Peter, Charle’s oldest, struggling to carry a stack of folding chairs. With a smile, he strode over and relieved the young boy of his burden.
"Here, let me help you with these," he said, effortlessly hoisting the chairs onto his shoulder. "That should make things easier."
"Thanks, Darcy," Peter mumbled shyly, his cheeks flushing red as he scurried back to gather more chairs.
"Come on, let's go see Miles," Charlie urged Ariel, gently tugging Ariel toward him. As they approached, Ariel spotted the mischievous grins of her niece and nephew, Hannah and Peter, who eagerly waved at her from their spots among the folding chairs.
"Look, Aunt Ariel!" Hannah called out excitedly. "Miles made this amazing arch for you guys to stand under during the ceremony! He worked on it all night!"
"Thank you, sweethearts," Ariel called back, her heart swelling with love for her niece and nephew. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and she felt a renewed sense of excitement coursing through her veins. Miles turned to see her then, and he smiled as he stood under the arch in question, grinning.
The wooden arch stood proudly on the sandy shoreline, its meticulously crafted form obviously influenced by Miles's shipbuilding skills and his deep love for Ariel. With graceful lines reminiscent of a ship's hull, the arch exuded an elegance and nautical charm that perfectly complemented the coastal setting. The rich, dark wood glistened with a glossy finish, and she could only imagine the hours Miles had spent sanding and polishing every inch.
The arch's design incorporated intricate Victorian detailing, a nod to the historic charm of Ariel's beloved B&B and the old-world romance they both cherished. Elaborate scrollwork adorned the arch's uppermost section, resembling the ornate carvings often found on Victorian furniture, or in the gingerbread that graced the eaves of Leeside. Delicate spindles curved gracefully along the sides, adding a touch of whimsy to the structure.
Fresh white flowers and fragrant evergreen branches intertwined with the arch's design, softening its bold presence and adding a natural, rustic beauty. Burgundy blooms cascaded in gentle waves between, reminiscent of coral covering the ocean floor. The fragrance of the flowers filled the air.
At the base of the arch, miniature model ships, also crafted by Miles, were carefully placed on either side, their sails catching the faint breeze. She thought of Dale and the tiny ships—Miles was bringing back a tradition from his past, stripping away the pain that it had come to mean and realigning it with their happiest day.
As Ariel stood beneath the arch, gazing up at the exquisite creation Miles had designed, she looked at him, searching for the right words to say.
Instead, she sobbed, her voice failing, and fell into his waiting arms. He pulled her close, his own voice thick with emotion, and whispered, “How about it, Ariel? Will you marry me—again?”
