Page 41 of Always, For Love
She looked back at Leeside as they left, a final thought echoing in her mind—what about the wedding?
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
"Mom?" Katie's voice cut through the cold later that night, pulling Ariel back from the brink of her dark thoughts. "Are you okay?"
Ariel stood from the rocking chair she’d been sitting in on Charlie’s front porch and managed a weak smile, her gloved hand reaching out to ruffle her daughter's hair affectionately. "Yeah. Just a little overwhelmed, sweetie."
"It will be okay, Mom," Katie said, her young face full of empathy, understanding more than Ariel could have ever imagined. Ariel wrapped her arm around her daughter, grateful for the warmth and support she offered. “Aunt Charlie asks if you can come back in for a minute.”
Together, they trudged back into Charlie's house, where they'd be staying until the wedding—though Ariel was unsure how any of that was going to happen with Leeside smoldering. Charlie’s small house was filled with bustling energy as everyone tried to navigate the makeshift sleeping arrangements. Despite the chaos, there was an undeniable sense of togetherness in their shared adversity.
"All right," Charlie announced, clapping her hands together. "I've set up the air mattresses in the living room for Ariel and Katie, and Oliver can sleep in Peter's room." She looked around the cramped space, smiling wryly. "It's not the Ritz, but it's home."
"Thank you, Charlie," Ariel said sincerely, feeling the warmth of family wrap around her like a much-needed embrace. “But Miles is going to stay at the workshop for tonight. He has a bunk and a kitchenette there.”
“Okay,” Charlie said, pulling Ariel into a hug. “You let me know if you need anything. We’re all going to go to bed.
***
An hour later, Ariel lay on the air mattress, staring at the ceiling, her thoughts swirling like snowflakes outside Charlie's window. The living room was dimly lit, the embers in the fireplace casting a warm, flickering glow across the walls.
"Mom," Katie whispered from her makeshift bed beside Ariel's. "Miles doesn't want to see you until the ceremony? Is that some kind of tradition?"
Ariel smiled despite the weight of her thoughts. "Yes, sweetie. It's considered bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding ceremony. Some people believe it builds anticipation and adds an element of romance to the big day."
"Wow," Katie breathed, her eyes wide with wonder. "That sounds kind of cool, actually."
Ariel nodded, her heart swelling with love for her daughter. This was the most they had spoken in days. "It is, honey.” As she spoke, she found herself tearing up over the idea of not seeing Miles until the ceremony—and then at her doubt that the ceremony would even happen. Though everyone was insisting that the ceremony could go ahead, Ariel just didn’t see how.
The thought of Miles waiting at the altar for her, his eyes full of love and hope for their future, was beautiful. But everything at Leeside was ruined—the food, the decorations. And the wedding cake! Maybe it was still safe in the cellar fridge.
Ariel looked over and saw Katie’s sculpture resting on a side table, and she hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting between the art piece and her daughter. Ariel was acutely aware that the situation in the kitchen could have gone much worse tonight, even at the expense of her life. And she would have left things unresolved with Katie. With a deep breath, she mustered the courage to say what had been weighing on her heart.
"Katie, I'm sorry," she began, her voice thick with emotion. "I was wrong to hesitate about your summer program. It was wrong of me to snoop on you. It's important for you to follow your passions and explore your own path."
Katie's eyes widened in surprise, but a warm smile soon spread across her face. "Really, Mom? You mean it?"
"Absolutely," Ariel replied, her voice steady now. "You deserve every opportunity to grow and learn. And if that means attending this program, then I'll support you wholeheartedly."
"Thank you, Mom," Katie said, her voice choked with gratitude. "This means so much to me. But if Leeside isn’t fixed by then, I don’t have to—"
"Shhhh. Your happiness means everything to me," Ariel assured her, pulling her into an embrace.
Katie pulled back, wiping at tears. “I should have told you about Ethan. It’s not that I wanted to hide anything from you, it’s just that I was afraid you would think it was silly. I’m not naive enough to think this is love at first message, trust me. But he’s nice.”
Ariel smiled and wrinkled her nose. “I’m sure he is. And I’m sure I will approve after a full background check and lengthy video call with his parents.”
“Mom!” Katie ducked her head, her expression chagrined. When she looked up, Ariel noticed she was fidgeting with the edge of her blanket. “I've been thinking," Katie said hesitantly. "When I come back from the summer program, do you think I’ll still be able to work at the Leeside and the café?"
"Of course, sweetheart. I'm going to need your help more than ever when you get back."
"This summer program has an intensive about turning your art into a business. I want to learn as much as I can so that one day, maybe I can open my own café. Like you, Mom, but with my own twist. A place you can go to paint or sculpt and eat. Because food is art, too."
A smile tugged at the corners of Ariel's lips, pride swelling in her chest. "That sounds wonderful, Katie.”
Katie scooted over to Ariel’s makeshift bed and snuggled under Ariel’s blanket. In the corner of the living room, Ariel and Katie lay side by side on a cozy air mattress, the flickering glow of the fireplace casting shadows on their faces. The room was filled with an air of anticipation, a quiet excitement that seemed to hum beneath the surface like a hidden melody.
"Tomorrow's going to be such a beautiful day," Katie murmured, her voice barely louder than the crackle of the fire. "Everything is going to be perfect with the wedding."