Gabi's P.O.V.

Oh my goodness, Oh my goodness. I can hardly breath and I've been preparing for this night for the past four months. Chef Darby has been a critical and firm teacher and I've learned more than my mother and I could've ever imagined. Tonight wasn't going to be about me... okay it's going to be about me a little, but tonight most of my dishes on the menu are to celebrate and commemorate my mom and her love of food.

I've been so busy I haven't been able to Face Time with Sofia, but I know that she understands. Seriously the only thing I've had time to send are a couple of emails informing everyone of what I was up to, and asking them to wish me luck. I may have hinted to Josh that I wish he was here to support me, but he didn't seem to pick up the subtle suggestion. God, I missed him. There are days that I woke up curled protectively into the arms of... my pillow. Lately when I've thought about Josh I've wondered what my parents would've thought about him. I guess I could just invite my dad from San Francisco to meet him, but I need to get home first.

Here I am standing in an empty dining room. Tonight I debut my original recipes; recipes to make my mother proud. I took a deep breath of atmosphere hoping it would calm my nerves. I took this opportunity to call the one person I need to talk to. I reached for my phone, once again thanking God for Josh's provision of an international data plan. My fingers dialed and waited for an answer.

"You've reached Colin Diamond. Sorry I missed your call, but I wasn't able to come to the phone. Please leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible," I heard the low greeting of my father.

"Hey Daddy," I sighed. "I miss you. I wish you could be here with me. I've specifically tailored my meal around mom's favorites. Well wish me luck... I love you, daddy." I pressed the end button as Chef Darby entered from the kitchen. He seemed to have a concerned look on his face.

"Are you alright, Chef Diamond?"

"Huh?" I looked at him, "Oh I was just calling my dad for a little support."

"I understand, but it's time to get started. You need to prep your crew."

The next six hours were excruciating as we prepped and prepared the kitchen for tonight's specials. Of course with everything I do there were a couple mishaps, but nothing with the food. I finally found a dull moment to breathe. But before I could get to comfortable Chef Darby found me in the freezer.

"You've really proven yourself tonight, Gabi," he smiled. I hardly ever saw a smile. "I'm proud of you."

"Thank you," I resisted the urge to hug him.

"Now, I've come to take you to the dining room. Your costumers would to thank you in person."

He showed me to the dining room where people were moaning in approval. Just the sounds of satisfied people was enough to make me want to dance. I found myself introduced to critics that I'd been reading for years and here they are praising me. Of course they prefaced the praise with constructive criticism, but I didn't mind because as I walked away they shoveled another spoonful into their cultivated mouths. Chef Darby finally pointed me in the direction of back corner.

"There is a party of civilians that wish to offer their compliments. I thought you might like to receive them yourself. Please come back to the kitchen when you are ready." He did something unexpected, he put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close. "I want you to know that I am so proud of you." I felt a pair of fatherly lips on my head. He left me to approach the table myself, and I braced myself for the unexpected.

The table came into view and all of the heads were bowed over their food, the bad "mood" lighting made it almost impossible for me to distinguish anything. I cleared my throat before stepping forward. "I was informed that you wanted to see me, I'm Chef Diamond," I announced with a smile.

"Chef Diamond," I heard the familiar low voice and my heart started racing. The head closes to me turned toward me as the tears started flooding my eyes. "Don't tell that I am going to have to start using a title when I address my beautiful baby?"

"Daddy!?" Before he could fully make it to his feet my arms were strangling him. I feared he was a dream and I couldn't let him go.

"Hey baby," He whispered into my hair. "I'm so proud of you. This menu would've made your mother so happy."

"Thank you. But how are you here? You know what I don't want to know I am just so happy you're here." He let me go with a chuckle and I notice another person move to look at me.

"Hey I'm here too." I turned to the voice and standing in front of me is Sofia. We squealed as I crushed my best friend in my lonely arms.

"Hey we're here too," Yolanda shot to her feet to get a piece of the hugging action.

"Ugh, you are such a girl, but seriously Gabi this is delicious." I heard Elliot's compliment. I patted his back. I took count of all that were standing beside me. Elliot, Yolanda, Sofia, Dad... where was-

"Looking for me," I heard the voice I've been longing to hear since I got on the plane for Switzerland. He's here! I turned around and saw him leaning up against the wall. My heart skipped a beat and it took everything in me not to jump into his arms. I've wanted to kiss him so hard and put him out of his misery since I overheard his request for my pillow. I can't deny my love for him. I thought I could but even from the other side of the Atlantic he was doing things for me and supporting me in every way he knew.

"Josh," is all I could whisper. I must've had a very intense look on my face because he looked almost afraid that he'd done something wrong. I addressed him as I walked toward him, "You help me get this position, you supported me when I took this opportunity, and you've brought my father and dearest friends half way around the world to be here for my opening night."

"We all love you and we figured you could use some friendly faces," he smiled. I now stood directly in front of him. "I wouldn't miss this for the world." My hands brought his face down to my level and I met his lips with mine. His around circled my waist in seconds and I heard Sofia and Yolanda sigh with the same happiness I felt.

Once we broke apart Josh put his forehead to mine, "So are you going to be too good to come back and work for me after all this?"

"You know after this experience I am going to be more than ready to move into your kitchen again," I smiled. "I miss cooking real food for someone that is always impressed by my style."

"I love you, Gabi," Josh whispered. I didn't reply right away, I allowed my kiss to convey my thoughts and desires.

"I love you, Josh," I finally whispered back.

"Go finish up your night because you are going out with me tonight," He ordered and this time I didn't resist.