Chapter ONE

Ariel couldn't have woken up to a better life—well, maybe a warmer one, but certainly not a better one.

The soft morning light filtered through the curtains of her bedroom at Cliffside B and B, casting a warm glow across the comforter. Ariel blinked awake, turning to see Miles still fast asleep beside her. She smiled softly, taking a moment to appreciate his peaceful expression—and the fact that he was now her husband—before leaning in to plant a gentle kiss on his cheek.

"Rise and shine, sleepyhead," she whispered.

Miles stirred, his hazel eyes fluttering open to meet hers. "Good morning, beautiful," he murmured, voice still husky with sleep.

"Big party coming soon," she said, tapping the tip of his nose with her index finger. "And I have a ton of work to do."

He hummed mock-grumpily and wound his arms around her. "Right now?"

She giggled as he pulled her into him, trapping her in bed. They shared a few lazy kisses before Ariel managed to slip out from under the covers. She padded to the bathroom, turning up the main thermostat to warm the house before going through her morning ritual—washing her face, brushing her teeth, pulling her hair back into a messy bun.

Miles soon joined her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder as they stood side by side at the sink. Ariel laughed, playfully elbowing him in the ribs.

"Hey now, don"t get in my way," she teased.

"I can"t help it. You"re irresistible," Miles grinned, placing a kiss on her neck before reaching for his own toothbrush.

They continued getting ready in comfortable silence, exchanging soft touches and loving glances. A sense of warmth and intimacy filled the cozy bathroom, sunlight streaming in through the window as the late winter morning got well underway.

Once finished, Ariel made her way downstairs, Miles following close behind. She would go to the kitchen, and he would go unlock the front door and open all the curtains on the front-facing windows. Their familiar morning routine brought a smile to her face, this simple domesticity that she now got to share with the man she loved. As they started their day together, she was filled with gratitude for the new memories they would continue making in this home they had created.

Ariel inhaled deeply as she entered the kitchen, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloping her senses. She made her way over to the coffee maker, pouring two mugs full of the dark, fragrant liquid.

As she lifted her mug to her lips to take that first sip, she felt two strong arms wrap around her waist from behind. Miles pulled her in close, nuzzling into the crook of her neck.

"Mmm, something smells good," he murmured.

Ariel leaned back into his embrace, letting the warmth of his body chase away the morning chill.

"Well it"s not me yet, I haven"t showered," she joked.

Miles chuckled, his breath tickling her skin. He planted a series of soft kisses along her neck and shoulder.

"I wasn"t talking about the coffee," he whispered.

Ariel smiled, twisting in his arms to face him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, looking into his eyes.

"You"re in a good mood this morning," she said.

"How could I not be? I woke up next to the most beautiful woman in the world."

Ariel rolled her eyes playfully. "You"re such a cheeseball."

"Yeah, but I"m your cheeseball," Miles grinned.

He leaned in and captured her lips in a sweet, lingering kiss. Ariel melted into it, the taste of coffee and mint toothpaste mingling on their tongues.

When they finally broke apart, Ariel let out a contented sigh. She handed Miles his coffee mug, then lifted hers again.

"To many more mornings like this one," she said, gently clinking their mugs together.

Miles smiled. "I"ll drink to that."

Ariel took a sip of her coffee, letting the rich flavor wash over her tongue. She savored these quiet moments with Miles, just the two of them enjoying each other"s company. Things had been going so well since their wedding six months ago. After a nearly instant friendship, their romance had blossomed into something beautiful—a love that she had never expected when she'd come to Maine from Miami on the wake of a heartbreak. Ariel finally felt like she had found her soulmate.

Ariel glanced over at Miles as he sat at the kitchen island to read the newspaper. She loved their comfortable familiarity, the easy way they moved around each other in the kitchen. But she missed the butterflies in her stomach whenever he walked in the room, the racing of her heart when they kissed.

Was this just the natural evolution of a relationship? Or were they getting too comfortable, losing that spark? Lately, a hint of doubt had crept into her thoughts. Were they still in the honeymoon phase, or was this the real deal? She worried that the passion and excitement of those early days might start to fade. The thought made her downright queasy.

Ariel put a hand over her roiling stomach and tried to push the worries aside, to just enjoy the moment. She had everything she ever wanted - love, family, a true partner by her side.

Yet part of her longed for those fireworks again, even as she cherished the profound connection they now shared. She wanted it all.

You have it, girl. Stop being anxious.

And she did—she owned and ran not one, but two businesses with a loyal and skilled staff, Cliffside and the attached Seaside café. She had managed to thwart for the time being the construction of a cookie-cutter resort next-door to he property. Her daughter, Katie was on the verge of art school and thriving. Her father, long-estranged, was back in her life and things there were slowly getting better. All in all, life was good.

Ariel sighed and took another sip of coffee. For now, she would keep her concerns to herself. This was still so new; she would give it time. Perhaps with care and work, they could have both - passion and comfort, excitement and stability, for the duration. As long as they faced each day together, she had faith their love would continue to grow.

Ariel set down her coffee mug and walked over to where Miles was sitting. She wrapped her arms around him from behind, leaning down to give him a kiss on the cheek.

"You know, with you here, it is a good morning," she said softly.

Miles turned in his chair to face her, a smile spreading across his face. "Good morning, beautiful."

He pulled her into his lap. Ariel giggled, feeling that familiar flutter in her chest as he looked at her with such love and admiration.

Miles brushed a strand of hair from her face. "What were you thinking about over there?" he asked.

Ariel debated whether to share her concerns. But looking into his warm hazel eyes, she felt safe.

"I was just wondering...now that we"re married, do you think things will change between us?" she began hesitantly.

Miles furrowed his brow. "What do you mean?"

"I don"t know. I guess I worry that we"ll become too comfortable. That we might lose some of that passion we had in the beginning," Ariel admitted.

Miles nodded slowly. He took her hands in his. "I think it"s natural for relationships to evolve. But that doesn"t mean the excitement has to fade completely."

He pulled her close. "You will always make my heart race, Ariel. Just like a sailboat in the strongest wind," he whispered before kissing her deeply.

Ariel melted into his embrace, reassured by his words. After a moment, Ariel pulled back from the kiss, comforted by Miles"s reassurance but still feeling a bit unsure.

"I know you"re right. I guess I just miss those giddy feelings from when we first started dating," she said wistfully.

Miles tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Well then, my dear, it"s my job to make sure you feel giddy every day."

He hopped up from the kitchen island and began to dig in the fridge. Ariel furrowed her brow in confusion. A few minutes later, Miles emerged holding a covered dish.

"Voila! Your favorite blueberry French toast casserole," he said with a grin. "I knew it had to sit overnight before it baked, so I put it together last night."

Ariel"s eyes widened as she watched him set the preheat temp on the oven, and then take down a juice glass and fill it with orange juice for her. He slid it across the island to her, grinning. "Thirty minutes, and you'll be dining like a queen."

Ariel felt her eyes well up with happy tears. No matter how comfortable they got, Miles never failed to make her feel cherished.

"You"re the best husband ever," she said, beaming. Miles winked.

"And you"re the best wife. Now eat up before it gets cold!"

Ariel knew that when she dug into the French toast, the sweet taste would mingle with the even sweeter feeling of being loved. She was grateful for the passion they still shared and the new depths their connection reached. With Miles by her side, she knew their love would only continue to grow.

Ariel sighed contentedly as she sipped her coffee, gazing out the kitchen window at the tranquil (if frosty) morning.

Beside her, Miles had resumed reading the newspaper, occasionally peering over the top to smile at her. Though they sat in comfortable silence, Ariel"s mind was swirling.

She thought back to their whirlwind romance - the giddy excitement of dating, the breathless "I love yous", the passion that made her heart race, and even her own uncertainty over whether they should stay together. A warmth bloomed in her chest at the memories.

Ariel glanced at Miles, taking in his kind eyes and salt-and-pepper hair. Here was the man who had stood by her side through life"s ups and downs since she'd come to Endless Harbor. Who knew her dreams, flaws and quirks - and loved her completely.

She reached for his hand, interlacing their fingers. He looked up, eyebrows raised in question.

"I love you," Ariel said simply.

Miles" face softened. He squeezed her hand, a message conveyed without words.

"Snow's coming. According to the weather," he said, pointing at the paper.

"Will you build a snowman with me? Snow angels?" she teased.

"You're already an angel," he shot back, grinning and leaning in toward her for another kiss. But their lips hadn't touched when the oven beeped, signaling that it was time to slip the casserole in. As Miles hopped up to do so, Ariel exhaled, previous worries dissipating. Their love would shift and transform, but never fade. She trusted in the strength of their bond. No matter what changes lay ahead, they would weather them together.

Starting with the challenge of the wedding party that was about to descend on their precious B and B for the entire Valentine's weekend.

No pressure.