Chapter TWENTY FOUR

Ariel surveyed the dining room, clipboard in hand, scrutinizing the scene before her. The tables were artfully decorated with the delicate rose centerpieces and fine China. Morning light streamed in through the tall windows, bathing the room in a warm glow.

The wedding party mingled and chatted in cozy clusters, admiring the food Ariel had spent all morning preparing. In addition to the individual meals set on the tables, the bar was covered in a magnificent spread—towers of flaky croissants, baskets of freshly baked muffins, bowls of lush seasonal fruit, and platters of smoked salmon, prosciutto, and cheeses. The scents of cinnamon, roasted coffee, and sizzling sausages perfumed the air.

Ariel paused a moment, soaking it all in. The dining room hummed with the gentle clink of silverware on plates, the murmur of pleasant conversation, and the occasional burst of laughter. Though the blizzard still howled outside, within these walls there was only warmth, comfort, and the heady promise of new beginnings.

Catching Katie"s eye from across the room, Ariel gave her a wink. Katie blushed prettily and leaned in to whisper to Ethan, whose face lit up as he snuck a forkful of strawberry shortcake from her plate. She was on her way to forgiven, and seeing Katie so smitten with Ethan was a joy for Ariel.

Ariel allowed herself a small smile of satisfaction. Brunch was off to a perfect start. Now, to just keep everything running smoothly...

At the bar, Carl and Connie loaded plates with treats, their conversation transported back to their newlywed days, when cooking together had been one of their greatest joys.

"Remember that clam bake we hosted when Bradford was just a baby?" Connie asked, chuckling at the memory as she ladled vanilla sauce over a pile of fruit. "What a mess that turned out to be!"

Carl grinned, putting an arm around her shoulders. "Or that time we tried to make a croquembouche for our anniversary? I thought we"d never get all that caramel out of the curtains!"

They laughed together, the years seeming to fall away. Connie wiped her hands and turned to face Carl, her eyes crinkling with warmth. "We had some good times together, didn"t we?"

Carl nodded, his voice softening. "The best."

For a moment they gazed at each other, decades of history passing silently between them. Then Connie squeezed Carl"s hand, a tentative bridge built.

"Come on," she said. "Let"s get to eating while everything is hot."

Carl dropped a kiss on Connie"s forehead. Side by side, they joined the party, the space between them filled with new hope.

Hugo and Vivienne sat alone at a small table near the back of the dining room. Though surrounded by the chatter and laughter of the other guests, they were enveloped in a bubble of pensive silence.

Vivienne picked at her omelet, eyes downcast. The gulf between them felt wider than ever after the blow-up the night before. Vivienne had confided in Ariel that she missed the easy companionship they"d once shared, but didn"t know how to find their way back.

Ariel watched from afar, hoping the day might help another couple.

Hugo set his coffee cup down with a clink. "The strawberries are delicious," he offered.

Vivienne glanced up, surprise flickering across her face. "Yes, they are wonderful," she replied after a moment.

An olive branch extended, a cautious step taken.

Hugo gave her a small, hopeful smile. "Would you like me to get you some more juice?"

Vivienne"s shoulders relaxed a fraction. "I"d like that, thank you."

As Hugo went to refill her glass, Vivienne watched him, and Ariel saw past the hard exterior she"d built up. Underneath, traces still lingered of the woman who knew Hugo better—and was more afraid to lose him—than anyone else.

When Hugo returned, he reached across the table, covering her hand with his own. Vivienne turned her palm upward, lacing their fingers together. No words needed to be spoken in this tender moment of rediscovery. They stayed that way as they finished their meal, the silence between them now warm and comforting. There was hope yet for these two weathered souls.

Katie couldn"t stop smiling as she sat across from Ethan at one of the small, intimate tables set up for the brunch. Ariel made her way to hover nearby, hoping Katie wouldn't notice the small intrusion. Katie watched Ethan as he enthusiastically dug into the stack of blueberry pancakes on his plate.

"These are amazing," Ethan said between bites. "The best I've ever had."

Katie laughed. "I"m pretty sure you said that about the cafeteria pancakes too."

"What can I say? I"m a man who knows what he likes," Ethan grinned.

Under the table, he reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers.

They ate one-handed, neither wanting to let go of the other. Between bites they stole glances, shy smiles, and the occasional burst of laughter over some inside joke only the two of them understood.

Ariel watched the young couple with a mixture of emotions swirling inside her. There was a gentle, natural ease to their interactions, a kind of connection that spoke of deep affection and understanding. It was heartwarming and yet, for Ariel, a poignant reminder of how quickly time was passing, of how her little girl was growing up and forging her own path in the world.

As she stood there, lost in her thoughts, Katie suddenly looked up and met her eyes. In that brief exchange, a silent conversation unfolded. Katie's eyes softened, and she mouthed the words "I love you" and "I"m sorry" across the room. It was a simple gesture, but it held so much meaning.

Ariel felt a lump form in her throat as she nodded in response, acknowledging both the apology and the love. She gave Katie a reassuring smile, her heart swelling with pride and love for her daughter. Ariel then quietly stepped back, leaving Katie and Ethan to their moment. As she walked away, she reflected on how Katie was no longer a little girl, but a young woman capable of making her own decisions, of loving and being loved.

In that moment, Ariel realized the importance of letting go, of trusting Katie to navigate her own relationships and experiences. It was a bittersweet realization, filled with the joy of watching her daughter grow and the pang of knowing that part of that growth meant stepping back.

Ariel moved through the brunch crowd, her mind still on Katie and Ethan. She was reassured by Ethan"s kindness and respect towards her daughter. There would be challenges ahead, no doubt, but Ariel felt a sense of peace, knowing that Katie was in good hands, and that their mother-daughter bond was strong enough to last.

Ariel busied herself checking on the brunch preparations, making sure every detail was perfect. As hostess, it was her duty to ensure her guests were well cared for. And fussing over the food distracted her from thinking about Miles.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Randall and Victoria huddled close together in a corner of the dining room. Randall whispered something in Victoria"s ear, and she giggled, swatting his arm playfully. He leaned in and stole a quick kiss when he thought no one was looking.

Ariel paused, her thoughts momentarily derailed as she watched Randall and Victoria. The realization dawned on her slowly - the noises she had heard at night, the sneaking around - it had been Randall visiting Victoria"s room. They had become a romantic pair, albeit an unusual one.

Watching them, Ariel couldn"t help but feel a twinge of happiness for Victoria. Despite her often cynical and sharp demeanor, everyone deserved to find a bit of joy, a connection with someone else. Randall, with his boisterous and larger-than-life personality, certainly came on strong, but he also seemed to bring out a lighter, more carefree side of Victoria.

Still, Ariel hoped Victoria knew what she was getting into. Randall"s flamboyant and assertive nature could be overwhelming, and she hoped that his feelings were genuine and that Victoria wouldn"t end up getting hurt. But as she observed them from a distance, laughing and sharing a private joke, it was clear there was a mutual affection.

Ariel sighed softly, her gaze lingering on the pair. Love often showed up in the most unexpected ways, and perhaps this was just what Victoria needed - someone to challenge her, to bring a little excitement into her life. As for Randall, maybe Victoria"s strong personality was the perfect match for his own.

Ariel tapped her glass, calling the room to attention. It was time for her toast celebrating the happy couple—Miles or no Miles.

"I want to thank you all for being here to share in this special occasion with Bradford and Jessica," she began warmly. "I"ve known Bradford since our college days, and I can honestly say I"ve never seen him as happy as he is with you, Jessica."

Ariel raised her glass, her eyes sparkling with emotion as she continued her toast. "To Bradford and Jessica," she said, her voice resonating with genuine affection. "Love is a journey, a story that unfolds over time, bringing with it moments of sheer joy, challenges, and profound growth. Today, we celebrate a beautiful chapter in your journey together."

She looked at Bradford and Jessica, standing side by side, their hands intertwined. "Bradford, from our younger days and to this moment, I have seen you evolve and grow. Your music has always been a reflection of your heart, and now, it sings a melody of love and partnership because of Jessica."

Turning to Jessica, Ariel"s smile grew wider. "And Jessica, though I have known you for a shorter time, your grace, strength, and kindness have touched all of us. You bring a light into Bradford"s life that is undeniable. Together, you both embody the essence of true partnership – supporting each other, celebrating each other"s successes, and facing challenges head-on, together."

Ariel lifted her glass higher, her gaze sweeping over the gathered guests. "So, here"s to love, to laughter, and to a lifetime of happiness. May your days be filled with joy, your nights with passion, and your life with an unbreakable bond that grows stronger with each passing year. To Bradford and Jessica - may your love be as endless as the ocean and as timeless as the tides."

Everyone raised their glasses, echoing Ariel"s sentiments. "To Bradford and Jessica!" they chorused, the warm glow of the moment filling the room.

As the glasses clinked together in a symphony of celebration, Ariel felt a sense of fulfillment. She had played a small part in bringing these two souls together in this moment of joy. Love, she thought, was truly the most beautiful of all life"s adventures. As she looked around the room, seeing the joy on the faces of the couple and their loved ones, she truly meant every word. Whatever the future held, this was a moment to savor.

Ariel was just wrapping up her heartfelt toast when a loud bang sounded from outside. It was like a gunshot, startling everyone in the dining room. All chatter ceased as they looked around in confusion and alarm.

"What on earth was that?" Vivienne gasped, one hand flying to her chest.

Bradford was already on his feet, his protective instincts kicking in. "Stay here," he told the group as he hurried to the front door. A blast of icy air swirled snowflakes into the foyer as he stepped outside.

Jessica made to follow, but Ariel stopped her with a hand on her arm. "Let"s let him check it out first," she suggested gently.

They waited in tense silence, straining to hear any sounds over the howling wind outside. A few minutes later, Bradford returned, stomping the snow from his boots.

"A tree branch snapped from the weight of the snow and fell, that"s all," he reported. "Scared us all half to death though."

A collective sigh of relief swept over the group. The mood lightened considerably as everyone settled back into their seats, laughter and conversation resuming.

Still, Ariel couldn"t shake a lingering sense of unease. It was just a fallen branch, yet the timing felt too coincidental, coming right after her toast. She glanced out the window where the snow swirled thicker than ever, imprisoning them here at the mercy of the storm.

For now, they were warm and safe inside Cliffside BB, but Ariel wondered how long that would last. What else might be out there in the snow? And where was Miles?