March fifteenth arrived with Lucy's soft opening.
Friends, family, and a few local food critics filled Margaret's dining room. Lucy was in the kitchen, a nervous wreck.
"You've got this," Daniel said, prepping stations. "We've practiced this menu a hundred times. It's going to be perfect."
"What if it's not?"
"Then we adjust on the fly. That's what chefs do."
Mae appeared in the kitchen doorway. "Lucy, everyone's here. They're so excited. And the dining room looks beautiful."
"Jake?"
"In Burlington. Championship game tonight, remember? But he sent flowers. They're on the host stand."
Lucy felt a pang of disappointment but pushed it down. Jake was doing his job. She needed to do hers.
"Okay," Lucy said, taking a deep breath. "Let's do this."
Service started, and immediately Lucy was in her element. Calling orders, checking plates, tasting everything, adjusting seasonings. The kitchen flowed exactly as she'd envisioned.
Halfway through service, Uncle Walter appeared at the kitchen door.
"Lulu, you need to see something."
"I'm in the middle of service—"
"Just come. For two seconds."
Lucy followed him to the dining room and stopped.
Every table was full. People were smiling, talking, clearly enjoying themselves. The energy was exactly what Lucy had imagined—warm, welcoming, community-focused.
"It's working," Uncle Walter said. "Look at their faces. You did this."
Lucy felt tears threaten but pushed them down. She had a dinner service to finish.
By the end of the night, every dish had been served perfectly. No major disasters, no catastrophes. Just good food, happy people, and the feeling of something special beginning.
"That was amazing," Daniel said during cleanup. "Boss, you should be proud. That was a perfect soft opening."
"Really?"
"Really. Now let's do it again in a week for the official opening."
Lucy got home at midnight, exhausted but exhilarated. She texted Jake:Soft opening success! How was the game?
He responded immediately:We won! Heading to game 2 tomorrow. So proud of you. Can't wait to hear all about it.
Lucy:So proud of you too. Win the championship.
Jake:You open the best restaurant in Vermont.
Lucy:Deal.
Lucy fell asleep smiling, thinking about how far they'd both come. From Wednesday morning pork buns to this—two people living their dreams, supporting each other, building a life together.
It wasn't perfect. They barely had time for each other. They were pulled in different directions by their respective careers.
