Chapter 49 - The Billionaire Triplets Take New York

Two Months Later

The restaurant was lively. Guests had been arriving for the past two hours eager for a unique dining experience. The staff was well-trained providing exceptional service despite the rush. They had been drilled in their duties by the restaurant’s manager, a tyrant they didn’t want to offend or disappoint. Even more important was living up to the expectations of the owner who was a sweet and understanding woman…her husband less so. They feared his wrath more than just about anything.

Avalynn watched her staff as they handled the rush. It was certainly busier than she anticipated. But it was a sign that Good Eats would be a success. After numerous talks with Silas she eventually decided to open her own restaurant. As promised he left all the decisions up to her. From location to décor to the menu Ava chose it all though she relied on the kids, Tracy, Opal and Gretchen’s opinions.

Unlike most high-end restaurants hers did not offer French or Italian cuisine. Her menu was more mundane comfort food: burgers, fries, BBQ, eggs, pancakes and the like. The chef; however, was exceptional in turning these items into gourmet dining. The restaurant had a cozy, casual feel with a décor meant to emulate a classic diner while still feeling like a high-end restaurant. It was a knife’s edge to walk tipping one way or another would have ruined the delicate balance but somehow she made it work.

The atmosphere and menu made Good Eats a stand alone among its competitors and the fact it was owned by Avalynn Prescott no doubt added to its appeal. Perhaps she really shouldn’t be surprised by the turnout for its grand opening.

Ava toured the kitchen and dining areas noting how well the staff was handling the influx of customers and monitoring the time it took to prepare meals. Luckily everything on the menu was meant to take only a few minutes to prepare even with the chef’s embellishments so wait times for the customers were short.

“Everything all right?” Ava paused watching the servers carryout tantalizing dishes.

“Of course, sweetie. Like clockwork,” Gretchen smiled.

The older woman was dressed in a black shirt and gray slacks, opposite the servers who wore gray tops and black pants, singling her out as the restaurant’s manager and hostess. When Ava proposed the idea for the restaurant Gretchen hadn’t hesitated to jump on board. Not only selling the diner to Ava as she originally planned but also agreeing to be manager of the new restaurant.

Ava wasn’t sure how Gretchen would cope with an upscale restaurant, new staff and chef but she stepped in like an old general fresh from the battlefield eager to whip new cadets into shape. The entire staff respected her years of experience and possessed a healthy dose of fear as she didn’t accept anything less than perfection. The only question remaining was how their clients would receive her but Gretchen’s decades of customer service experience and charming personality (at least according to Opal) made her an instant hit.

“There is one thing I do need you to do,” Gretchen said.

“And what is that?” Ava eagerly asked.

“Right over here,” Gretchen took her by the hand and led her to a table looking at the occupants as she said, “do you mind watching this for me?”

“Of course,” Silas answered immediately wrapping his arms around Ava, caressing her round stomach and kissing her neck.

Ava chuckled at his shameless advances in front of their guests but no one dared criticize him. At their table Richard and Opal sat with the triplets while Thomas and Tracy looked on.

“She’s right, dear,” Opal said. “You should sit and relax. You’ve done all the hard work so enjoy tonight.”

“Yeah mom, sit before you pop,” Theo added. “Can your belly get any bigger?”

“Theo,” Opal admonished. “That is not very nice.”

“Besides this is nothing compared to how big your mom got carrying you three,” Tracy added with a wink.

“Oh god, I don’t even want to think about it,” Ava chuckled. “I couldn’t even see my feet.”

Silas’s embrace tightened. He hated thinking about the trials she went through without him. Ava leaned against him relishing his comfort and support. Their past was not as important as their future.

“You two aren’t going to go all kissy-face, right?” Theo asked. “We’re in public and it’s embarrassing.”

Silas cleared his throat while the others chuckled. Though he was not above public displays of affection it was uncomfortable to have his son announce them. Ava allowed herself to relax. There was no way to make this day better.

“Looks like mom and dad aren’t the only ones playing kissy-face,” Alexis said gesturing to another couple who had just been shown a table.

The man wasn’t particularly remarkable aside from his sandy-blonde hair while his wife was a gorgeous redhead as were their trio of kids. The older boy and girl appeared to be the same age while their father carried their much younger brother in his arms. In addition the mother clearly had a baby-bump though she wasn’t as far along as Ava.

“Oh good, I was hoping they’d show up,” Silas said observing the pair.

“Do you know them?” Sean asked.

“I’m pretty sure everyone in New York does, come on. I’ll introduce you.”

Silas escorted his family toward the table just as the boy and girl sat down. Nearing them Silas reached out for a handshake as he greeted the man, “Julius, good to see you.”

“Silas,” Julius adjusted the toddler in his arms to shake hands. “Good to see you. March said your wedding was one for the papers. I’m sorry we missed it.”

“That’s all right, but let me introduce you to the woman who made it all possible. Ava, this is Julius DaLair.”

“Hello,” Ava blushed unused to meeting such prominent people.

“Hello, Ava. I’m glad to meet the woman who finally tamed this man,” Julius smiled. “This is the woman who tamed me, Macey.”

“Hi,” the redhead greeted with a warm smile.

“Our twins: Caden and Aria. And this little scamp is Coda,” Julius introduced tickling the two-year-old for a giggle.

“These are our triplets,” Silas introduced, not to be outdone. “Alexis, Sean and Theo.”

“They are adorable,” Macey smiled. “And I see you have another on the way. How far along are you?”

“Oh, eight months,” Ava said stroking her round belly. “And you?”

“Five,” Macey patted her stomach. “I told Julius this is the last one but he just keeps saying we’ll see.”

“Silas said the same thing to me last night when I told him we’re done after this one too.”

While their parents amicably chatted the triplets turned their attention to the DaLair twins. They were eager to meet the pair who had charmed the business world since their introduction and were purported musical geniuses a fact Alexis was particularly interested in.

“Are your parents always lovey-dovey too?” Theo asked.

“Yep,” Aria giggled. She never tired of watching their parents interact whether at home or in public.

“Don’t you get embarrassed?” Theo asked.

Caden shrugged. It didn’t particularly bother him. He was content as long as their mother was happy.

“Why should we be embarrassed?” Aria asked. “It lets everyone know they better not try to get between our parents or they will be sorry.”

“She does have a point,” Sean agreed. It would certainly make life easier if people left their parents alone.

“I heard you two like music. Do you play?” Alexis asked. As the reigning musician of her siblings she sometimes felt lonely since her brothers didn’t share her interest.

Caden snorted while his sister giggled, “Caden saw the piano as soon as we got here but mom told him not to make a pest of himself since we are guests.”

Alexis laughed glancing at the baby grand piano situated in a prominent corner. Compared to the rest of the décor it was out of place but its inclusion was deliberate. It was both a tribute to her and her mother’s talent as well as a way for both of them to play whenever they wanted but there was no reason not to share. Besides she was eager to hear how good the DaLair twins really were.

“Mom and I were planning to play later,” Alexis said. “You can too if you want.”

“Really? Thanks,” Caden immediately brightened.

“…So you based the décor on the diner you used to work in,” Macey said after listening to Ava’s brief retelling of her past. “Were you thinking about adding any artwork?”

“I was but I couldn’t settle on anything to suit the theme,” Ava answered looking across the space. There were several large areas that simply cried out for a picture of some sort but in the end she had run out of time. The décor wasn’t bad but it did lack a certain finesse.

“What about sepia-toned photographs of the original diner?” Macey suggested. “Sepia-tone adds nostalgia to the pictures as if they were taken in the old days. Is the diner still there?”

“Oh, yes,” Ava said. “It’s closed for renovations but we’ll reopen it in a month or so.”

“Oh, that’s perfect,” Macey said taking out her phone. “I’d love to get some photos of before, in progress and the finished project. Before and after images would certainly tell a story for your guests. Let me give you my number and we can talk later.”

“That would be fabulous,” Ava immediately loved the idea. “But I couldn’t ask the famous M. Gray to take time out of her schedule for that.”

“And who said you have to ask?” Macey laughed. “I’m offering. Besides I have plenty of time. My schedule isn’t as full as you think. Give me a call and we’ll talk over lunch.”

“All right.” Ava agreed exchanging numbers.

She was surprised by Macey’s open and genuine nature considering she was a famous artist as well as the wife of one of New York’s leading businessmen. Since reuniting with Silas everyone was eager to meet her but Ava wouldn’t consider any of them friends. Perhaps Macey could be the first.

Julius and Silas shared silent looks of understanding. Both loved to see their respective wives lost in their latest passion projects but they also wanted to enjoy the evening with their families over a casual dinner. Finally Silas cleared his throat, “We should allow our guests to enjoy their dinner, don’t you think?”

“Oh yes. I’m so sorry,” Ava apologized.

“It’s fine. I’m the one who got caught up,” Macey laughed. “We’ll talk later.”

“Yes, definitely. Come along kids.”

“Bye!” Alexis waved as she and her brothers trooped back to their table.

“Au revoir!” Aria waved back.

“Well that seemed to go well,” Opal commented when they returned.

“Maybe too well,” Silas sighed.

“I think they are nice,” Alexis said. “Do Caden and Aria go to our school?”

“I don’t think so,” Silas shook his head. “They are a couple years younger than you three and I’m pretty sure the family still lives in Paris.”

“Darn,” Alexis sighed.

In a few weeks she and her brothers would be starting at their new middle school and so far all the classmates they had been introduced to proved boring, entitled brats. Classes with Caden and Aria would have been much more fun and interesting.

“You’ll have plenty of time to learn more about them,” Ava said. “Maybe you can be pen pals.”

“Pen pals? Mom is that even a thing?” Theo rolled his eyes.

“We can chat and Skype anyway,” Alexis said. “It could be fun.”

“Well…maybe,” Theo conceded. Caden seemed a little standoffish at first but Aria was cute though he would never admit it out loud.

“There will be plenty of time for that later,” Silas halted further discussion. “Right now, let’s eat.”

“All right, dad!” the trio laughed and settled in their booth as the servers delivered their meal. If this was any indication, the future was looking bright indeed.