“What an incredible woman you are,” he said. “You could take advantage of all the knowledge you have of the future, but instead, you’ve brought joy back into my life.” He lifted her hand to his lips and placed a gentle kiss on her palm. “I’m sorry, my darling, for how I behaved yesterday. I lost control of my infernal temper, and I know I hurt you with my callousness. Please forgive me.”
“Of course I forgive you.” She placed her hand on his cheek. “I know how hard it must have been to see. I’m proud of you for restraining yourself from beating the shit out of him.”
“Beating the crap out of him. What a unique way of putting it.” He grinned.
“It’s an expression from my time.”
“Yes, I gathered. I can’t wait to hear more of your unique expressions. But first things first.” Jack pulled Gaby into his arms and kissed her with all the love he had inside.
“We’re bloody starving, and you two are in here making out?”
Gaby and Jack pulled apart to see Emily standing there with a wide grin on her face. Colin, Jenee, and Xavier were standing next to them, with equally wide grins.
“W-we were just having breakfast,” Gaby said.
Jack loved the blush coloring Gaby’s cheeks. She was the most passionate woman he’d ever met, and here she was blushing like a debutante at her come-out ball. There were so many facets of her personality that he’d yet to discover, and he couldn’t wait to know them all.
“I hope there’s more, because if we’re to be successful with our plans, we’ll need sustenance,” Colin quipped.
Jack chuckled. “Well, you’ll have to ask the kitchen goddess to whip you something up. She’s already done wonders for my mood.”
“Jack!” Gaby gave him a playful smack on the arm.
Emily squealed. “OMG, is that a fruit crepe with Nutella?” Emily rushed over to them and hovered over the plate.
Gaby smiled. “It is.”
“Stand back, madam.” Jack held up his fork as if ready to duel. “I am sorry, but nothing and no one will come between me and this chocolatey delight.”
Emily laughed. “My kingdom for a bite.”
“Never you mind, Em,” Gaby said. “There is plenty to go around. While I whip up some more crepes, fill us in on what happened with Cynthia and Beauford.”
Everyone sat at the staff table and ate while Emily and Colin related what had transpired.
Jack could not believe his ears at first. He was still angry at Beauford for not having the twiddle-diddles to stand up to the baroness or contessa, or whoever she was. At least now he knew there were extenuating circumstances and he no longer wanted to, as Gaby so wonderfully put it, beat the shit out of Beauford.
“I can’t eat another bite,” Emily said. “Gaby, you must give me this recipe—the children will love it.” She watched Colin clean his plate. “Of course, probably not as much as their father.”
“You know more than anyone, my love, what a sweet tooth I have,” Colin said with a grin.
“Oui,” Xavier declared, “you know the French insist that no meal is complete without dessert.”
“Oh, I want the recipe too,” Jen said. “Xavier,mon amour, I’ve had croissants filled with this chocolate from my time. They were incredible.”
“Well, then we definitely have to make it when we get back to Paris,ma chèrie.”
Jack looked at the smiling faces seated around the table. New friends. Remarkable people that Gaby had brought into his life. “Since we are all gathered here now, I cannot think of a better opportunity to say what I’ve been wanting to say for a while.”
Everyone turned their attention to Jack.
“Oh, Jack. If you want another crepe, just say so.” Gaby shook her head, chuckling.
“I know this may surprise you, but this is not about food.” Jack knelt and took Gaby’s hand.
Emily squealed and clapped her hands. “Oh, how I love a happy ending.”
“Darling,” said Colin, “you are such a romantic.”
