Extended Epilogue
RAINA
“The Velvet Dream. It sounds very nouveau riche,” Matty says. “Pretentious, but not too pretentious. I like it.”
I lean back in my chair.
For five years, I’ve been working toward this moment.
Tonight, we open the doors to my own personal and highly anticipated project.
It hasn’t been easy, not while running The Black Swan and raising Asher and Emily at the same time.
Then again, it hasn’t been too hard either, because Asher and Emily have three amazing dads who have been nothing but supportive and just perfect.
I think this is as close to heaven on earth as I’m ever going to get, and I’ll take it. I’ll take every day that God gives me, as long as I’ve got my family beside me.
“It sounds good, though,” Kaleb chimes in, one arm resting around Vivian’s shoulders.
We’re gathered around the breakfast table, still absorbing the end result of six months’ worth of hard work.
The Velvet Dream is an experience from the moment you walk through its Art Nouveau-style doors with their thick glass and sumptuous brass frame details.
A subtle scent of vanilla and cinnamon hits you as soon as you step into the waiting area, where a hostess will take your coat and lead you to your table.
“Do you think twenty tables is enough, though?” Matty asks, looking around before he goes over his notes again.
We were going to have this final pre-opening meeting in the back office, but with Kaleb and Vivian popping in on the heels of their Hawaiian honeymoon, I figured we could both welcome them and hash out the last of the details without much of a fuss.
“I don’t want it to get too crowded,” I remind Matty.
“That feeling of exclusivity, right?” Vivian nods with a sly grin. “I get you, girl.”
“Plus, it justifies the ridiculous prices,” Kaleb mutters.
Matty feigns insult. “Excuse me, Mr. Redford, but have you seen what’s on the menu?”
“Yeah, so I’m not as well-versed in the culinary arts as you,” my brother says, trying to duck this, but I know he doesn’t stand a chance, which makes it twice as hard for me to keep a straight face while I let Matty grill him.
“But you do have a mouth.”
Kaleb smiles his goofy grin. Vivian almost faints from holding in a laugh of her own, if only to preserve her husband’s shaky honor. “I do.”
“And you put food in it, right?”
“Here we go,” I mutter and pinch the bridge of my nose.
Kaleb gives me a worried look. “How do I turn this off?”
“You can’t,” I reply, and Vivian finally cracks up.
“Let’s just say that The Velvet Dream sources only the finest ingredients from all over the world,” Matty proudly declares.
“Only the finest Belgian chocolate. We make our pasta with Italian top-grade flour only. We get the eggs from a farm outside of Portland, where we factored in the pollution degree, and those are the cleanest and happiest hens in the entire state!”
“Let me guess, the farmer sings them lullabies before he tucks them in.” Kaleb rolls his eyes and goes over a copy of the menu.
Matty pouts a little. “No, he plays Metallica. Apparently, the hens really like it.”
“I really like the hens then. They’ve got great taste in music.” Kaleb chuckles.
“What Matty is trying to say is that The Velvet Dream is a unique experience because it’s the only restaurant in Portland and possibly the entire state that individually sources its ingredients. All of its ingredients, down to the cinnamon sticks. It’s a bit of a logistical challenge—”
Matty briefly interrupts me. “Or nightmare, depending on whose turn it is to draw up the order list.”
“But it justifies the prices. And the twenty tables. I’m going for quality, not quantity,” I continue with a broad smile.
“And each dish is unique, a twist on a classic, but always with the same purpose—to convey the warmth and safety of comfort food while taking the customer through a journey of flavors.”
“We’ve got Madagascar vanilla, cinnamon sticks straight from India, Nepalese oolong tea for our dessert infusions,” Matty adds. “To name but a few.”
“Okay, I get it. Pretentious as hell but worth every penny,” Kaleb concedes. “As long as you’re not serving me dice-shaped eggs with a button of sauce for two grand, I’m good.”
Looking around, I’ll admit, it was worth it. The wait, the hard labor, the careful approach. It’s elegant and comfortable and definitely Instagram-worthy.
“And don’t get me started on the plates and the silverware,” Matty says, then nods at me. “My girl splurged, and then some.”
“Alex said something about that at the shop,” Kaleb replies, giving me a curious look. “You went all the way to Singapore for the plates?”
“Correction. I went to visit the porcelain shop in Singapore during one of our holidays. It’s not my fault I fell in love with their work,” I say.
Vivian lets her gaze wander. “It looks incredible, though. It’s a dream come true, isn’t it?”
“Having my own restaurant, my own concept, yes.” But as the doors open and my husbands walk in with our twins in tow, I can’t help but smile the brightest smile. “Though my dream already came true the minute I walked into Haus of Sin that cold, fateful winter.”
“Ugh, don’t remind me,” Kaleb grumbles.
Vivian playfully smacks him on the shoulder. “Oh, come on. Get over it already.”
“Are we ready for tonight then?” Alex asks and greets us all with a smile.
I get up to hug and kiss him, then Max, then Vincent. Asher and Emily huddle around me, and I smother each with kisses until their full cheeks turn pink. “We’re ready,” I tell Alex before I switch my focus to the kids. “And how are my little Munchkins?”
“We’re having a party tonight!” Emily exclaims, throwing her tiny fists out.
They look adorable in their matching grey and salmon-pink tracksuits.
Max had them custom made at one of his favorite sports apparel shops, complete with logos of his favorite football team.
Asher’s too young to understand the game, and Emily doesn’t care that much for football, but they both love new outfits, especially when they match.
Five years old already. And getting brighter and smarter with each passing day. My heart swells with pride when I look at them. I can see Alex’s bluish-green gaze in theirs, as well as in the dark curls framing their cute faces.
“We’re definitely having a party tonight,” Vincent says to Emily. “Momma’s opening her new restaurant.”
“And Uncle Matty?” Asher asks, rushing to high-five his grown-up bestie and my kitchen partner for all these years.
“Uncle Matty’s going to be head chef here with your momma in equal partnership,” Matty replies, then smiles at me. “Which still surprises me. I thought you were going to let me take over The Black Swan.”
“You did take over,” I say with a shrug.
“But you want me to run The Velvet Dream’s kitchen with you, fifty-fifty, too.”
“Yup.”
“Why?”
Alex laughs. “How are you still surprised by every promotion you get, buddy? My mind boggles.”
“If Raina thinks you’re solid, then you’re solid,” Vincent adds.
“My taste buds can definitely confirm,” Max chimes in with a smirk.
Asher pats Matty on the shoulder. “You make the best eggs.”
We all laugh while tears fill Matty’s eyes. “That’s the sign of high quality, right there. Asher’s appreciation of my eggs.”
“I like your pancakes more,” Emily admits.
“Matty, you’re an excellent chef,” I tell him with a warm smile.
“And you deserve every chance to grow and learn and become a star in your own right. Alex, Max, and Vincent helped me rise. It’s my duty to do the same for somebody else, and I can’t think of any other chef I’d want to boost besides you. ”
“I still can’t thank you enough,” Matty sighs, then gets up and comes in for a hug. “We’re going to knock them dead tonight, right?”
My nerves are a little wracked, and it’s not just because of the opening tonight.
Frankly, it’s the least of my worries, because I’ve got Matty and endless support from my loving, doting, sinfully delicious husbands.
It’s been smooth sailing up to this point—and I thought I might have a hard time raising the twins…
It hasn’t been easy, but we managed to pull through, to bypass every challenge. We’ve stuck together, and it shows. It shows in how we live, in how we lift the people around us, in how we thrive and evolve, even in the hospitality industry.
Something else has me on edge, though. And I need to summon the courage to say it now while they’re all here.
“So we’re pretty much set for tonight,” I say.
Asher and Emily hover around Matty, Kaleb, and Vivian at the table, while Alex, Max, and Vincent stay closer to me.
“The staff will come in around one. The suppliers have already delivered everything we need for the opening-night menu. We’ve got confirmation for about 80 percent of the invitations we sent out. ”
“Bill Bancroft will be attending, too,” Vivian says.
“Yes, along with a few other Haus of Sin regulars, who have been nothing but supportive of this endeavor,” I reply. “We’ve been lucky, haven’t we?”
“Lucky?” Alex asks.
“To attract such incredible people in our lives.”
“I don’t know if luck would describe it. Hard work, perhaps. Networking. Being a good judge of character, especially with regards to who we let in,” Alex replies.
Max speaks up. “Speaking of Haus, this winter will be our ten-year anniversary. We’ll need to do something special.”
“I stick to my winter wonderland proposal,” Vincent says.
“It’ll be a challenge with another bun in the oven,” I blurt out, but nobody seems to catch it right away.
Alex laughs and dismisses the concern altogether. “No, we’ve got it covered. I do like the winter wonderland idea, and I know a Dutch high-end designer who can’t wait to get involved for the interiors—wait.” He pauses, his forehead suddenly smooth. “Raina, what did you just say?”
Vivian is still red-faced and about to explode.
She’s the only one I’ve told about this, and I know she’s fighting to hold it together right now.
Kaleb looks confused. Matty needs a moment, but as soon as his jaw drops, I know he understands.
The twins are hilariously oblivious, busy counting the orange slices imprinted on Matty’s shirt.
Alex, Max, and Vincent, however, are quickly tuning in.
“I’m kind of pregnant again.”
“Kind of?” Max manages. “What does that mean?”
“I’m pregnant. No kind of. I just didn’t know how to ease you in.” I laugh lightly.
A split second later, I’m scooped up in their arms and showered with kisses and loving words. Tears of joy glaze over my eyes as I hold my men tight. Laughter erupts when the twins decide they want to join this sudden display of affection.
“We’re going to be dads again,” Vincent tells the kids.
Asher gives me a shocked look. “We’re getting a baby brother?”
“Or a sister!” Emily exclaims.
“Or twins again,” Kaleb snorts.
I point a warning finger at him. “You watch your mouth, mister, or you’re going to be the new nanny!”
“I can’t believe this,” Alex laughs and captures my mouth in a slow, deeply affectionate kiss. “You really are determined to make us the happiest men on earth, huh?”
“Not knowing she’s already made us into the happiest men on earth,” Max says, kissing my temple.
“It’s not like I really planned for it to happen. It just did,” I reply.
Vincent holds me tight while the kids stay strapped around each of my legs. “You’re amazing, you know that? Our good girl.”
“That will never change,” I whisper in his ear. “I’ll always be your good girl.”
Alex leans in. “We’ll put that to the test tonight after the grand opening.”
“And after we put the kids to sleep. You know they’ll be hopped up on sugar,” I jokingly remind him.
“Baby, nothing and nobody’s getting in our way tonight,” Alex replies. “We’re going to celebrate this. Our way.”
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