Awestruck: Chapter 10: Forever

Years later:

"Unsalted butter? Yeah, that's what I needed for the dish. Thank you! Hey you three, get out there and open the doors, morning rush is here! Gil? Can you get me some minced parsley, tarragon, the kosher salt and ground black pepper, and the gruyére please!?" Matthew yelled from the back of the kitchen as he quickly mixed a pan's contents.

"Ja! Do you need the small shallots, and sea scallop-y things?" Gilbert shouted back.

"Oh, yeah! Thanks honey!" Matthew shouted once more. Gilbert appeared a couple moments later and watched Matthew stir the mixture.

"Okay. Now watch sweetie. You have to make a motion like this with your wrist so it gets all mixed in a circular motion. Okay? How about we start this week with you putting the spices in, hmm?" Matthew told his little girl in the seat next to him.

"Okay, papa!" The girl said raising her hands in the air with excitement. Gilbert sat the things on the counter and picked up his little girl twirling her around and looking into her soft dark blue eyes, similar to her papa's. She had beautiful tan skin, and her name was Cerise. She giggled as he placed her back down on the stool. "Thanks daddy! Okay, I'm ready papa!" Matthew smiled at her and took her hand in his to stir it together.

"Yeah! Just like that Cerise. Now add in the heavy whipping cream. High five! " Gilbert watched the two slap each other's hands together in congratulations. The two most important people in his life were the most adorable people. "Hey Gilbert, you mind going out there and welcoming every one to 'Ma Belle Cuisine' please? Make sure you thank them for showing up on opening day. Thanks hon." He finished and pecked his cheek. Gilbert wandered out and stood up on a table quieting the excited patrons.

"Hello everyone, and welcome to Ma Belle Cuisine! The finest french place in town! The owner is busy with our little girl right now, but he'll be out soon to give you a greeting himself. Go ahead and look at your menus and start ordering! Thanks for coming!" And with that Gilbert hopped off the table and wiped the table down, re-placing the tablecloth he had pulled off to stand on the table. He went back to the back, to find Matthew sitting alone and placing the last few appetizers on one of the many plates that lined the counter. He came up behind him and hugged him close.

"Oh, hey Gil. I sent Cerise to wash her hands, they got a bit messy. She'll be back out in a moment. I heard your speech, it was wonderful. Thank you honey." Matthew said placing the last App. , then he stood up and kissed Gilbert. "Honey, I don't know how you feel about this, but Cerise says she's always wanted a little sibling and... not right now, but maybe after we're more settled? Could we think about it?"

"Of course Mattie. That sounds wonderful..." Gilbert answered blissfully.

"I'm done papa! Hey daddy! Can we go tell the nice people that we're ready? I want to see their faces when they eat your delicious food!" Cerise said, running up beside them.

"Of course sweetie. Let's do it together!" Cerise shouted a 'yay!' And happily took Matthew's hand, who in turn took Gilbert's. They counted to three and walked through from the kitchen, applause bursting from the customers around them. "Hello everyone! I'm Matthew Beilschmidt, and I am the owner of this fine establishment. I hope you enjoy the menu, and if there is anything you'd like to recommend or tell me about, please don't be shy. This is a community and I want this restaraunt to be a staple of it. I hope you all become regulars, and enjoy. Tell my employees to fetch me if you need me for anything." Matthew finished and more applause came. All day was a blur. Matthew moving about the kitchen like a speed demon, watching Cerise, Gilbert trying to with everything. It was insane. When they finally closed for the day, Gilbert was relieved they could go home. While they were in the car, Cerise piped up from the back seat.

"Papa, daddy... what does this thing on my hand mean? What is it?" Matthew glanced to Gilbert with a smile.

"Well, you see, sweetie that is a tattoo. Everyone has one on their hand. Daddy and papa both have one, see? And we have the same one." They held up the hands that held their tattoos briefly. "It is very special. It's unique to only you and one other person." Gilbert finished.

"Mhm. And when you find the person with the other one just like yours, they are your soulmate. Your soul is bound to them. They are a very important person. Your daddy is my soulmate. Your soulmate could be a boy or a girl, but either way, they are the person who makes your life better."

"They will take care of you like no one else."

"Make you feel special like nobody else."

"They show you your purpose in life."

"It's basically meeting your best friend." Matthew ended the list cheerfully. "Just be on the lookout for it, okay?"

"Okay, papa. Sounds cool! I want a friendship as strong as you and daddy's. Hehe." Gilbert and Matthew smiled as Gilbert pulled the car into the drive. Their tranquil, family house waiting for them. When Cerise had been put to bed, Matthew came back downstairs and fell into Gilbert's arms on the couch. Gilbert patted Matthew's head, as Matthew nuzzled into his chest.

"Do you think we're going to be okay?" Matthew murmured. Gilbert placed a kiss to the top of Matthew's head.

"What do you mean? Okay restaraunt owners?" Gilbert inquired.

"Everything. Restaurant owners. Parents. Moving back to Canada to start this whole new life... How are you always so sure that in our future, everything will turn out all right?" Matthew asked. Gilbert didn't even have to think for a moment before answering.

"Fate has led me to you right? I don't care what fate throws at me now. If it's bad, we'll get through it together. Like we always do." Gilbert whispered, realizing Matthew had fallen asleep across his lap. He watched his chest rise and fall in time with his heart beat, before picking him up and carrying him bridal style to their room upstairs. "No matter what happens, if we stay strong, and I have you and Cerise with me, nothing gets to me." Gilbert laid him down on his side and tucked him in, kissing his head like he had after the first time they had hung out. He curled into bed beside him and held him in his arms, watching his bangs fall over his face as he slept." It would be greedy for me to ask fate to give me more perfection, when it has already given me so much. Everything I never knew I wanted..." Gilbert barely managed to complete his thoughts as his eyes shut, Matthew's sleeping form dissapearing from his vision, and pleasant dreams likely to follow.

A/n: So I think this is pretty good for an end. Hope you liked it! Feel free to leave reviews letting me know what you think, and as always, I hope you all enjoyed. I hope you liked it, North of the North, and Zen4365! Let me know if anything is inaccurate, I'm here to learn! Make sure to check out some of my other stuff if you're bored and want to take a gander. Thanks to all those who followed and favorited and read. Thank you TrefleV for leaving me reviews constantly. They are a joy to read. I love that everyone has been so encouraging. Thank you you all so much! Until the next fic! ~Hetaliancupcake :3