Page 2 of Always, For Love

"Charlene still needs something special," Ariel mused, looking at the list she'd saved in her phone, her thoughts drifting to her older sister.

"Perhaps a book?" suggested Miles, nodding toward a cozy bookstore tucked between two larger shops, its window display invitingly cluttered.

"Of course!" Ariel exclaimed, leading him through the door. The scent of old paper and leather bindings greeted them, along with the faint crackle of a fire burning in the small fireplace at the sitting area near back of the room.

"Charlie has actually always been an avid reader," Ariel explained, her fingertips brushing over the spines of countless well-loved novels. "When we were younger, she'd read to me by flashlight, long after our parents had told us to sleep." Ariel winced slightly when she said parents, plural, thinking of her recent rocky reunion with her estranged father. Her mom had been gone so long that the holidays without her shouldn't still hurt, but they did.

"Look over here," he said, guiding Ariel toward a glass case filled with rare and signed editions. "This one –" he pointed to a leather-bound volume, its title embossed in gold lettering – "do you think she would like this?"

Ariel's eyes widened as she looked at the rare edition of Grimm's Fairytales. It was beautiful, and she was sure Charlie would love it.

"Perfect, Miles," she murmured, her voice filled with gratitude as she turned to find the bookseller, who unlocked the case, retrieved the book, and carefully wrapped the precious gift.

With the gifts for Katie and Charlene tucked safely away in her shopping bag, Ariel and Miles stepped back out into the crisp winter weather. A soft flurry of snowflakes danced around them, reminding Ariel of the possibility the their wedding might also feature a bit of the white stuff. The hazards of tying the knot in December.

"Oliver would love something from here," Ariel said, pausing before a small leatherworking shop with an intricate display of handcrafted goods. The rich scent of leather wafted through the open door, mingling with the sharp tang of the cold air, inviting them inside. As they entered, Ariel scanned the shelves, taking in the rugged wallets, elegant belts, and meticulously crafted bags that filled the cozy space.

"Ah, this is perfect!" she exclaimed, her fingers brushing against a beautiful hiking backpack hanging near the back of the store. Made from sturdy, weathered leather, it seemed to embody her brother's fearless wanderlust and untamed spirit. Ariel felt accomplished as they exited the leatherworking shop. She was zooming through her list.

A nearby specialty store caught Ariel's eye. Riding the momentum she had created in the last three shops, she led Miles toward its welcoming entrance, determined to find the perfect gift for him as well. She would have to be sneaky to get the clerk to wrap it out of his sight, though.

However, once inside, she hesitated. The store was filled with a dizzying array of gadgets and accessories, each one more intriguing than the last. From sleek smartwatches to gleaming fountain pens, the options seemed endless, and she found herself feeling overwhelmed. Ariel's gaze flitted across the rows of gleaming gadgets and polished accessories, her fingers tracing the cool metal surfaces as she tried to discern which item might capture Miles's interest. She cast a sidelong glance at him, golden-streaked hair lit beneath the soft glow of the overhead lights, and ventured a playful inquiry.

"All right, Mr. Mysterious," she teased, "if you were searching for a gift for yourself, what would you choose?"

Miles grinned, tapping his finger against his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm, well, I've always been partial to things that have both form and function."

"Form and function?" Ariel echoed, her brow furrowing slightly as she considered his words. She glanced around the store, her gaze lingering on an elegant watch encased in shining silver. "Something like this, perhaps?"

"Ah, a fine choice," he responded, his voice laced with amusement. "But perhaps not quite...me."

"Then give me another hint," Ariel implored, a touch of desperation creeping into her voice as she felt the pressure mounting. She had no idea what to get him. He was a man of simple tastes, and she'd never seen him splurge on anything but his newly formed boat-building business.

"Very well," Miles relented, stepping closer to her and lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. "I've always believed that the best gifts are those that create lasting memories."

"Lasting memories," Ariel mused, her eyes drifting toward a beautiful leather-bound journal embossed with intricate designs. She bit her lip, wondering if this could finally be the perfect gift. But then she caught Miles' enigmatic smile, and doubt crept back in.

"Are you just teasing me now, or is this really a hint?" she asked, only half-joking, as she held up the journal for him to see.

"Who, me? Tease?" Miles feigned innocence, his eyes dancing with mischief. "Would I do such a thing?"

"Undoubtedly," Ariel huffed playfully, but her mind raced with the possibilities his cryptic clues had presented.

"Well, see, something like this..." He pulled her close and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. When he pulled away, he was grinning. "I will never forget."

"But you already have a million of those," Ariel teased back.

"And now a million and one. Another successful shopping trip, I'd say," Miles remarked, adjusting the parcels in his grasp with another grin.

They left the final store, breath once again clouding the crisp air as they surveyed their haul with satisfaction. Yet a nagging feeling gnawed at Ariel's heart, the missing piece in an otherwise perfect puzzle. Her eyes flicked to Miles, and she bit her lip, grappling with what she could get him—he deserved the perfect gift.

Miles seemed to sense her inner turmoil and squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Hey, don't worry about it too much. There's still time, and I'm sure you'll find something amazing. I don't even need a gift. I'm getting a wife right before Christmas, remember."

"Is she prettier than me?" Ariel muttered, a playful pout tugging at her lips. "You're infuriatingly cryptic, Mr. Clemens."

"Ah, but that's part of my charm, isn't it?" he teased, his laughter ringing through the quiet street like a silver bell. "And no one is prettier than you."

"Perhaps," Ariel conceded, allowing herself a small smile. "But I am determined to find the perfect gift for you, even if it takes me until the very last minute."

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