It’s a lovely story. I didn’t even mind the cliffhanger of the first part. I liked how Part 1 was more an examination of the character’s anxiety, trepidations and hopeful desires. It felt a little bit like you were trying to rush to give your readers the happy ending they requested in subsequent parts. So I think you could adjust the timing. Really drag out the narrator’s anxiety in the given situation before allowing resolution. Make the other characters a little more emotionally dynamic. It is a lovely read. Well done!