Christmas in Paris (A Master Chefs Series Standalone Novel)

by Kailin Gow

  “My God,” Taryn said. Horrified, she immediately felt panicked and more alone than ever.

  “Stay calm. Your baby will be fine, so long as we move ahead and get it out as quickly as possible.”

  “What do you mean by get it out?”

  “The situation isn’t ideal, Madame King,” the doctor said as she put her hand to Taryn’s belly. “I hate to tell you this, but we’re going to have to perform a…”

  “No,” Taryn said before the doctor could finish. “I don’t want a cesarean. I want to have this child naturally.”

  “I’m sorry, but that won’t be possible. Your baby isn’t getting enough oxygen and we have to get it out as quickly as possible. Don’t worry. I’ve done this plenty of times before and everything will be fine. We just have to get to it quick.”

  “But…”

  “I’m sorry, but we don’t have a choice. It will be a cesarean section. The anesthesiologist will be here in a moment to administer an epidural.”

  The doctor and nurse left her to digest that quick bit of information by herself and moments later, the anesthesiologist walked in. “So you’re not happy about having a cesarean section, are you?” he said as if talking about her reluctance to taking a stroll in the park in the rain.

  “Not at all, but I apparently have no choice,” Taryn said with a grim face.

  “It’s better for the baby this way. We have to move fast.” After numbing her back he gave her the injection. “We’ll give it a moment to take effect, and then you’ll be ready to go.”

  Alone once more, Taryn stared straight ahead of her, frustrated and fearful. The turn of events only added to the stress that’d been building up over the past twelve hours.

  The doctor finally returned, but she wasn’t alone. A tall, broad shouldered man was right behind her. Though dressed in scrubs, with a cap on his head, Taryn immediately recognized him. His beautiful deep blue eyes, strong jawline, and sexy full lips.

  “Look what I found out in the waiting room,” Dr. Dupré said with a quick grin. “A little support as we help you bring this new little life into the world.”

  “Errol,” Taryn said with tears in her eyes. “You came.”

  The doctor spoke briefly to the nurse then they both left.

  Alone together Errol and Taryn stared into each other’s eyes for a long moment. Overwhelmed with emotion, Errol grabbed her hand and greedily kissed her fingers as tears filled his eyes.

  “My darling,” he whispered into her hand. “I’ve been going crazy looking for you.”

  Her brow soaked in sweat, Taryn looked up at him, not sure she should believe what she saw. “I didn’t even know you were back in Paris.”

  “I wanted to surprise you.” Errol gazed into his wife’s eyes with all the love a man can have for a woman. “I missed you so much, and was so afraid of losing you. And then now we’re going to have our baby. I never thought I could get so frazzled, but this is the most exciting and unnerving thing I’ve ever experienced. It’s amazing.”

  “You?” Taryn said with a light laugh. “Frazzled? Unnerved? The unflappable, ever so cool Errol King? I don’t believe it.”

  “Believe it. If ever you wanted to see a man lose his head…” He pointed to himself.

  “I saw you on television, and I’ll admit I’ve never seen you so on edge.”

  “Can you blame me? My pregnant wife is missing and…” He choked up.

  “I’m sorry I caused you all this worry.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m the one who should apologize for leaving you alone at a time like this. I should have returned to Paris weeks ago. I’m so sorry, darling. I’m so sorry.”

  Taryn reached up to touch his bruised brow. “What happened to you?”

  He chuckled. “I plowed into an outgoing crowd at the stadium.”

  “Errol, you didn’t. That’s insane.”

  Nodding, he laughed as he realized just how ridiculous it was. “I know, but I did it anyway. That’s how crazy I was to find you.”

  The doctor returned. “It’s time to get to action.”

  Taryn nodded with disappointed resignation, but her anxiety level also rose. How serious were the risks for the baby? And would they get to it in time?

  The nurse arrived and spoke softly and reassuringly to Taryn as she washed Taryn’s belly and shaved her pubic area while the rest of the operating team made preparations.

  “It’s time,” Dr. Dupré repeated. “And we need to hurry.” She looked at Errol. “Cesareans can be a little messy. Are you up to it?”

  “I’m not leaving her side,” Errol said.

  Beaming, Taryn held his hand as she was wheeled into the operating room. Errol was instructed to stand on the other side of the small sterile drape that was set between Taryn’s face and her belly.

  Taryn looked up at Errol’s face, but when she felt the sensation of a hand on her belly, she gasped. “Wait,” she shouted. “Wait! I can feel that. I can feel that. The anesthetic didn’t work.”

  “Don’t worry, Madame King. You’ll feel a little bit of pressure every once in a while, but you won’t feel any pain, I promise you.”

  Errol frowned and gripped her hand. “Don’t worry, babe. They know what they’re doing.”

  Taryn sighed and closed her eyes, anticipating great pain, but as the doctor proceeded, she indeed felt nothing.

  “And now you’re going to feel a light pulling sensation,” Dr. Dupré said. “Now… now… and… here we go.”

  Moments later a baby’s cry rang out.

  “Oh,” Taryn said. “My God. Can I see my baby?”

  The doctor clipped the umbilical cord and clamped it off before handing the baby to the nurse.

  Instead of being brought to her, the baby was carried to the other side of the room.

  “I want to see my baby,” Taryn said.

  “Let me close you up first,” Dr. Dupré said as she continued to work on Taryn. “In the meantime, they’ll clean your newborn up.”

  “Is everything all right?” Taryn cried out, feeling a frantic and desperate need to see her baby.

  “We’re just making sure that everything is as it should be.”

  “And?” Errol said, his anxiety showing as well. “Is everything as it should be?”

  “The pulse is a little weak, but she’ll be fine,” the nurse said.

  “She’ll?” Errol said in wonder. “We have a little girl?”

  “That’s right. I’m just going to suction her nose and mouth, get her all nice and dry and bring her right to you.”

  Taryn smiled despite the overwhelming fatigue that suddenly took hold of her.

  “We have a daughter,” Errol said with a beaming grin.

  “We have a daughter,” she echoed with a tired smile.

  “And here she is,” the nurse said as she finally brought her to them.

  Bundled up tight in a soft pink blanket, their newborn was handed to Errol who looked at the tiny form with love and awe.

  “She’s so small, so absolutely tiny,” Errol said.

  “Enjoy it while it last,” the nurse said with a smile. “Before you know it she’ll be going off to college.”

  “Never,” Errol said with a laugh. He leaned over to show her to Taryn.

  “Have you guys thought of a name yet?” the doctor said.

  Errol looked at Taryn. “We’d quickly thought of Laurence for a girl and William for a boy, but…” Other than tossing a few boy and girl names around, they hadn’t really discussed it.

  “Look at that face,” Taryn said. “She doesn’t look like a Laurence.”

  “You’re right,” Errol said. “So what does she look like?”

  “She’s our miracle baby,” Taryn said after a thoughtful moment. “A Parisian baby.”

  “A baby born in a country that is proud of its equality, fraternity, and liberty.”

  Taryn liked the sound of that and looked at him expectantly.

  “How do you feel about Liberté?”
Errol said.

  Taryn smiled. “I love the sound of that. It sounds so perfect. Absolutely perfect.” She looked up at her daughter. “What do you think about that, Liberté?”

  The tiny newborn puckered up and sucked on her fist.

  “Isn’t she the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen,” she said as she reached out to run a finger along the tiny, little cheek.

  “Congratulations,” the nurse said. “Things could’ve been a lot more complicated than they were.”

  “My little girl,” Taryn said as she yawned. “You kept Mommy going, you know. I was so tired trying to run from the stadium that there were so many times I just wanted to sit down and give up, but the thought of you and protecting you, keeping you safe so I can someday see your little face, kept me walking. I love you, my baby.” Suddenly overcome with immense fatigue and feeling weighed down and heavy, Taryn closed her eyes.

  “Are you all right?” Errol said.

  Smiling she nodded. “I’m exhausted. Who would have thought having a baby could be so…”

  The nurse took Errol by the elbow and led him to the door. “We’ll bring your wife to the recovery room. In the meantime, let’s introduce the new family member to everyone else.” As he crossed the threshold to the waiting room, he called out, “Everyone, meet Liberté!”

  Epilogue

  Several Days Later

  After days in the hospital, Taryn was released, and two days after that Liberté was given a clean bill of health and allowed to go to her new home. She’d already gained a few ounces since coming into the world and she had a healthy pink glow.

  “She’s positively beautiful,” Sam said as she picked up Liberté and cooed. “And I just love the tiny pink onesie I got her. It fits perfectly.”

  “You’re spoiling her already, Mom,” Taryn said. “She has more pajamas than she’ll ever have the chance to wear. And look at all these toys.”

  “Please,” Sam said as she cradled Liberté. “I’m a first time grandmother. What do you expect? For me to just ignore her?”

  Taryn chuckled. “Can you ignore her long enough for me to feed her?”

  Reluctantly, Sam handed her the tiny gurgling bundle, and Taryn headed to the living room and the rocking chair Errol had set in front of the grand window that overlooked Paris and its shimmering lights. She settled in and gave Liberté a breast.

  Not wanting to be left out of a single moment of her granddaughter’s day, Sam came up behind Taryn. “You’re a natural. Everything seems to come so easy to you.”

  Taryn smiled up at her mother. “I learned from the best.”

  Teary eyed, Sam put her hand on Taryn’s shoulder.

  “I managed to find a fifteen-pound turkey,” Bobby said as he burst into the penthouse carrying two heavy grocery bags. “I figured, if I can’t be in New York for Thanksgiving, I’d bring Thanksgiving to Paris.”

  “You’re going to make Thanksgiving dinner?” Taryn said with a pleased grin.

  “Sure. Why not?” Bobby set the bags down then glanced up at Taryn. “Oh!” he let out as he quickly averted his gaze. “There you go again.”

  “Bobby,” Taryn said, “This is the most natural and wonderful time between a mother and her child.”

  “Yeah, yeah. I know, but for crying out loud. You’re my sister and…” He gestured at her chest all while keeping his gaze to the floor. “I can’t be looking at those and…”

  Sam laughed. “You know they’re not just there to amuse you men.”

  “I know,” Bobby cried out. “I know, but what can I tell you. While you see a container of milk to nourish your baby, all I see is…” He took a quick glimpse at his sister. “Oh, brother.” He turned to the grocery bags. “If you guys don’t mind, I’m going to concentrate on dinner.”

  Taryn and Sam laughed at his discomfort.

  “I need to get this bird in the oven if we’re going to eat it tonight,” Bobby went on. “And wait until you taste my stuffing. It’ll be like nothing in this world.”

  Taryn looked at her little brother and marveled at how he’d matured in the past year, despite his inability to understand breastfeeding.

  “I also bought a few Christmas lights,” he said. “I thought I’d put them up to make the place cheery and bright. The city has been so gloomy lately.”

  “Thanks, Bobby. That’s really sweet.” Taryn looked down at Liberté and stood her up to put her to her shoulder to burp her.

  “When is Errol getting back?” Bobby said.

  Taryn sighed. Disappointed he’d had to leave so soon after the birth of Liberté, she’d tried to be as understanding as possible, but was eager to have him return. “If things go well, he should be back today.”

  As Bobby prepared his bird, he flicked on the television, quickly bringing a frown to Taryn’s brow. Every day it was the same; he turned on the television to watch the news, to learn the latest development. She couldn’t stand it anymore. She didn’t want to hear about war, and shootings and high alerts.

  Closing her eyes, she tapped Liberté’s back a few more times then settled her on her other breast.

  “They’re reading the names of the victims,” Sam said solemnly.

  Liberté began to cry, as if sensing the great sorrow that suddenly filled the room.

  For the next ten minutes they listened as the names of every victim was called out, every name bringing more and more sadness to Taryn’s heart.

  “It’s okay, baby,” Taryn cooed. “We’re going through a sad period, but everything will be okay.” She looked up to her mother for reassurance. “Everything will be just fine.”

  Sam nodded and smiled, but it wasn’t enough to completely alleviate Taryn’s worries. She’d hoped to bring her daughter into a beautiful and peaceful world, and now her country was at war.

  “Belgium was on high alert, but it has been lowered,” Sam said. “And France had started going after the culprits. The President of France has made it clear he will try his best to keep France safe under his watch from now on.”

  Taryn blew out a deep breath and said, “I can still remember feeling the stadium shake. And when we were evacuating, and I realized it was a terror attack, it brought back memories of 9/11, Mom. Twice I’ve experienced attacks on my homeland. First in New York and now France. I must admit, Mom, it has shaken me up a bit, but what can you do? I won’t keep it from letting me show my baby how much joy there is in the world. How much life there is to live…”

  “It was frightening at first, but like you said, you can’t dwell on that, honey. You have a new life and she needs your optimism, your hope for a bright future and faith that good will prevail.”

  “Okay,” Bobby called out. “This bird is ready to hop into the oven.” He opened the oven door and slid the turkey in then clapped his hands with satisfaction. “By eight o’clock we will have a veritable feast. Creamy mashed potatoes, roasted string beans, homemade cranberry sauce all topped off with pumpkin pie. A real American Thanksgiving dinner.”

  “Sounds wonderful!” Leo stepped into the penthouse apartment and walked up to Bobby. “I will finally get a chance to taste the newest hottest chef of New York’s cooking. Can Bobby’s turkey be better than Chef Errol King’s?”

  He looked around. “You know I came all the way to Paris, me and my globetrotting jetsetter ways, to have the best Thanksgiving dinner around. So, where’s Errol?”

  “Once you taste my cooking, you’ll be like, Errol who?” Bobby said. “Ummm, that Thanksgiving feast Master Chef Bobby Cummings made was out of this world good! I just might have to invite that handsome young chef to make an appearance and introduce a signature dish at the Oyster House in Hong Kong.”

  Leo laughed, patting Bobby’s shoulders. “Nice. I like how you not so subtly tried to get yourself introduced onto my menu at the Oyster House. You know we only feature the very best there. Our patrons have the most delicate tastes.”

  “But I’ve always wanted to visit Hong Kong and the rest of Asia,” Bobby sai
d. “I love to sample all the cuisines there.”

  “That depends on how well this Thanksgiving feast turns out,” Leo said.

  Bobby shoved a spoonful of stuffing into Leo mouth before Leo could said anything.

  Leo’s eyes opened wide in surprise before he began chewing. “Not bad. Not bad at all. In fact, this is delicious. What is it?”

  “Manakeesh topped with the sweetness of Knafeh along with some toasted chopped pine nuts and garlic lamb.”

  “This combination is amazing,” Leo said. “The spices and sauce will add so much flavor to the dry turkey, and when the Knafeh melts, its creaminess and sweetness will add the needed moisture. Brilliant Bobby,” Leo said. “I’m glad you’re willing to try new things and mix it up.”

  “I love all different kinds of flavors and the world opens up the possibility to explore new cultures and tastes. So…me going to Asia, India, Australia, South America, the Middle East…I’m open to exploring all kinds of foods and cultures, and having them try my own blend of New York cuisine.”

  “You remind me of someone when he was younger,” Leo said. “The same zest, the same easy-going, yet passionate love for all things food. That same cockiness that helped him become the Top Chef around the world.”

  “You mean my brother-in-law?” Bobby asked. “I learn from the best. And he married the best. See that little baby girl over there…isn’t she the most beautiful, sweetest little baby…”

  Leo and Bobby took a break from the kitchen to go over to hold and play with the baby right after Taryn brought her back to the nursery.

  Taryn smiled at the two muscular and handsome young men filled the nursery with baby talk and cooing. Even these masculine guys became mushy when it came to the power of the baby. The large room, painted pale buttery yellow with rich wooden trims around the windows and door, didn’t have the usual babyish décor. There were no pastel knick knacks, no pink and violet wallpaper borders, and no shelves lined with colorful stuffed toys.

  The room was elegant, with a heavy and dark oak crib and dresser. The white curtains had lovely and detailed embroidery along the hem; tiny white flowers with a sprinkling of tiny green leaves. The motif was repeated in the linen for the crib.