“I need those mushrooms chopped, now.” I barked. “And where’s that tomato sauce? We have a lot of hungry people out there!”
All around me, people dressed in white chef’s coats buzzed through the crowded kitchen. On my head, I wore one of those fancy hats I thought only celebrity chefs could wear.
“Joseph, do you call this a well-done steak?” I pressed down on it with a spoon and a bit of blood oozed from the side. “Make another. Pronto.” The range chef nodded quickly, hurrying to the grill where he placed a fresh piece of meat on the griddle. “Season it first!”
I pushed the newbie out of the way before he could mess anything up. With a skilled hand, I seasoned the meat, massaging in all the herbs and spices, knowing it was the key to a rich flavor. Once satisfied, I tossed it on the griddle, nodding at my grill chef to take over.
With that settled, I headed over to the pasta section. “How’s the risotto coming along?”
“Good, chef!”
“I’ll be the judge of that.” I grabbed the wooden spoon that was being used to stir in the cold butter. It melted at a steady pace, causing the base to thicken to the perfect consistency. “Splendid. Keep up the good work.”
Stepping away from the stoves, I wiped the sweat from my brow.
“Mr. Walters, Amanda is here to see you.”
At the sound of my girlfriend’s arrival, I shrugged off my coat and hat. I dropped them off at my office before heading to the front of the restaurant.
I smiled brightly, seeing Amanda standing there with a little girl in her arms. “Babysitting again?” I asked.
Once the little girl spotted me, she instantly made the effort to jump into my arms, wiggling away from Amanda.
“Hey, little lady! You’re going to fall.”
I managed to catch the little girl before she could hurt herself, spinning her around until she was in a fit of giggles. “What’s Wendy up to? Landing another big deal?”
“Yeah. I think she’s signing a contract in Tokyo? It’s a massive step forward for her business.”
I smiled.
“Where’s your chef hat, Uncle Luke?” The little girl asked, playing with my hair. Somehow, she had already managed to braid a few flowers into my thick locks.
“I left it in my office.”
She pouted.
“I’m sorry pumpkin, I didn’t know you were coming over. Why don’t we go grab it and then we can check if the pastry chef has anything he can spare you?”
She eagerly nodded and grabbed my hand as I put her down. I smiled brightly. I had always loved children.
In my office, I sat her down in my chair, spinning her around until she laughed with joy. “Again! Again!” She shouted with glee when I stopped.
Amanda was standing in the doorway, watching me with a sparkle in her eyes. “It always amazes me how good you are with her.”
I plopped my chef’s hat on her head. It was far too big, drooping down over her eyes. I laughed, pulling it back up so she could see. “What can I say? I have a soft spot for kids.”
“Speaking of which…” Amanda whispered before she looked at Kristy. “Maybe you should get her that treat you promised her and then we can talk.”
I raised an eyebrow in question, a prickle of anxiety washing over me, wondering what she needed to tell me that she couldn’t say in front of Kristy. “C’mon.” I held out my hand and she jumped down, grabbing it. Together we walked to the pastry station where Henry, our oldest staff member was busy piping flowers onto some freshly-baked cupcakes. “Do you think you have an extra one for my very special little guest over here?”
Henry looked up with his white, bushy eyebrows like two caterpillars on his face. They furrowed together when he looked at us before he put on his glasses and a smile painted his face. “And who’s this youngling?”
“Go on, pumpkin, tell him your name.”
“I’m Kristy! What’s yours?” She asked politely, but I could tell she was just playing the old man so he could give her a cupcake. I had taught her well.
“Aww, aren’t you sweet. Name’s Henry.” He said. “Say, what’s your favorite color?”
“Blue!”
“Blue, you say?” With that, he grabbed a bag of blue frosting and started the beautiful process of creating a rose. Kristy watched with awed fascination.
“Wow… how’d you do that, mister?”
He leaned in close. “It’s a secret, but maybe one day, you can be a master baker just like me!”
Her eyes widened at the idea. “Does that mean I get to eat all the cupcakes I want?”
“Just as long as your boss doesn’t find out.” He winked at the little girl before finally handing her the sweet.
She grabbed it quickly and ran off, sitting on a little step stool, carefully peeling away the paper.
Just then, Amanda grabbed me by the elbow, pulling me aside. I knew she was keeping an eye on Kristy even now, making sure she wouldn’t get into trouble. I had no doubt that one day, Amanda would make an amazing mother. She was so nurturing and kind.
“So, what did you want to tell me?”
“Well… you know how we’ve been trying to start a family…?” She trailed off, her eyes locking with mine.
It took me a minute for her words to sink in. My eyes widened and before I could stop myself, I picked her up and spun her around. “Are you being serious? I’m going to be a father?” I asked, my excitement already getting the best of me. “How did you find out?”
“This afternoon… I just came back from the doctor.” Amanda said. “We’re going to be parents, Luke.”
As our foreheads touched, I felt myself tear up with joy.
Finally, I was about to start a family with the love of my life. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” She giggled, our lips colliding together.
And, in that moment, everything was perfect.