Taste of Love

chapter Four




"Guys, you need to pay attention to what you're doing. This is the third dish that I've stopped from being served because it looks like shit," Madison snapped at her kitchen staff. "You've all been here long enough to know that dishes that show this poorly are absolutely unacceptable!"

She pointed to the plate of clams casino, then made a show of dumping the whole thing in the garbage can. "Start it over, and don't make them wait forever."

Austin had walked in halfway through her rant. He had looked at the plate before she tipped it and noticed that while it hadn't been the best presentation he'd ever seen, it wasn't as hideous as she had made it out to be. Something had her on edge lately, and Austin wasn't sure what it was. She hadn't been herself for the past couple of weeks. Her face was pale, and the dark circles under her eyes had become a permanent fixture.

He looked over to the dessert station, where she busied herself with a Baked Alaska. He could see her face redden as she prepared to yell at the sous chef for something else.

Austin quickly rushed over and grabbed her arm, telling one of the guys to take over for a minute. He guided her into her office and shut the door behind them.

"I'm not trying to tell you how to run your business, but you need to lay off a little bit. You've been riding them pretty hard lately," he said. He watched as she crossed the room and sat behind her desk. She reclined as much as her chair would allow and started rubbing her temples.

"Is there something wrong? Anything that you want to talk about or anything I can help with?" he asked her, now as a concerned friend, rather than an employee.

Madison just gazed at him with a blank expression. "You know I expect perfection," she said, her voice dull.

"It's more than that, and you know it. What's going on? What's bothering you?" he asked her, his tone laced with worry. He went and knelt beside her, taking her hand in his.

It was just what Madison needed to push her over the edge. Her resolve softened, and she broke. The tears streamed down her cheeks, so suddenly that it was as if someone had turned on a faucet inside her.

"I don't know," she sobbed. "It's like I'm a completely different person sometimes, like something inside of me snaps, and even though I hear myself being harsh and unreasonable, I can't stop it."

Austin took a tissue from the box on her desk and handed it to her. She used her free hand to dab at her eyes and nose.

"I'm scared, Austin. What if I'm becoming schizophrenic or something? I don't want to be known as the crazy lady with multiple personalities," she told him, with a seriousness that made his heart ache for her.

Austin pulled Madison into a tight embrace. "Shhh... sweetie, you don't have multiple personalities. There has to be some sort of reasonable explanation for this," he soothed, rubbing her back. "Don't hit me, but maybe it's just a bad case of PMS?"

Madison pushed him away, ticked that he would even suggest it. The look on his face was priceless though, and made her want to laugh through the tears.

She thought about it for a minute. It had been a while since her last cycle, so that could very well be what it was. She wasn't the kind of woman to keep track of something like that. She tried when she was in high school, but it was so erratic that she gave up. It was one area of her life that she wasn't able to control and schedule, so she tried to put it out of her mind and not pay any attention to it.

"Maybe you're right. I've just never felt this out of sorts before." She grabbed another tissue and blew her nose.

"Well, at least I finally got to hug you," Austin teased.

Madison smacked him, finally laughing. "I feel better already. And thanks for making me feel a little less crazy."

"Hey, what are friends for?" He kissed her cheek softly, then they headed back to work.



"Cameron honey, when are you leaving to tour the country?" Bunny asked her son as she talked to him on the phone.

"Well, the dates aren't set in stone yet because the album isn't finished, but most likely in about a month and a half or two months. Why?" he asked, almost not wanting to know the answer.

"I know you hate it when I do this, but there is this absolutely delightful woman that I want you to meet. I think you two would be perfect for each other, and don't worry, she runs a successful business and it keeps her quite occupied, so she won't be complaining about your touring," she told him.

"Mother! Do you remember what happened the last time you arranged a date?" he asked, not wanting to get into it with her again over Alexandra Lee. They had a pretty explosive argument two days after that date, mother upset at how he had treated her, and son upset that the girl had been obnoxious.

"You know, I've finally met Alexandra Lee, and while she is rather loud and unpolished, she's quite nice," Bunny tried to rationalize.

"Oh, come on!"

"Very well. She grated on my nerves to no end. I apologize. I didn't have the chance to meet her and went by what I was told about her," Bunny explained. "But I've met the woman I wish to set you up with. She's very refined, intelligent, pretty, and did I mention successful?"

"Yes, Mother. You did mention that." Cameron released a long sigh, and though his mother didn't hear him, she knew that he had done it. "Listen, now just isn't a good time. I'm too busy recording, then I'll need to prepare for the tour. If you're still hell bent on me meeting her when I finish, you can set something up for then. Okay?"

"Sure, honey," she said, and Cameron knew that on the other end of the line, she was rolling her eyes. "Now tell me, Mr. Rockstar, are you too busy to meet your old mother for dinner next week? It's been too long since I've seen you."

If he couldn't find the time to date, he would find the time for his mother, and that meant his mother would find time to play matchmaker.

No chance in hell am I going to let Sasha win this girl! she thought with a smile.

"I think I can break away for a little while," he agreed.

"Good, I'll pick you up next Thursday at 7:30. And please, dress nice. I don't want to look like I just plucked you off the street," Bunny chided before hanging up. She'd get her way, one way or another.



On Monday, Madison still wasn't feeling any better, so she found herself sitting in the doctor's office, holding Austin's hand and waiting for her name to be called. Even though she thought there was something wrong with her mental health, Austin talked her into seeing her family doctor before jumping into it with a psychiatrist. He figured there had to be a reasonable explanation for her recent behavior.

When the nurse came for her, Madison stood up, Austin's hand tight in her death grip.

"Madison, you're going to need to let go of my hand, sweetie. It's kind of attached," Austin joked.

"No, you have to come with me. I can't do this alone," she told him.

He thought about it for a minute. Whatever was wrong with her was something private, but she would most likely tell him what was wrong with her anyway, so why not go in there and hold her hand while she waited?

He rose from the chair, and the two followed the nurse to a small examination room, where she took Madison's vital signs and left.

The doctor eventually made an appearance, fifteen long minutes later. Madison explained her symptoms to him, and asked if it sounded like she had a multiple personality disorder. The doctor smiled at her, making her feel even worse, then told her that it was most likely something different. He drew her blood, and told her they would run some tests and get back to her by the end of the day.

Still not feeling much better, Madison and Austin left the doctor's office and went into work.



By four o'clock, Madison was going out of her mind wondering why the doctor hadn't called yet. She was going to have to leave her office and head to the kitchen soon, so she hoped he would call her shortly.

At 4:15, Austin knocked on her office door. "Any word yet?"

Madison shook her head. "No, nothing. Want to come in and wait with me? I've got a case of the jitters."

"That bad, huh?" he asked, smiling sympathetically. He came in and closed the door behind him.

"Worse."

Another knock at her door almost made her jump out of her chair.

"Sorry boss, but the produce just came in, and they need you to look it over and sign for it," Carter, her sous chef told her.

Madison nodded. She had called them the previous week and exploded over the phone, angry that she hadn't received her full order. They reached an agreement that from now on, she was the only one authorized to accept their shipments. "If my phone rings, answer it. I'll only be a minute."

No sooner had Madison stepped out the door, when her phone did ring. Austin ran out to get her, but she was already wrapped up with the produce guy, so he ran back in and answered it.

"The TigerLily, Madison Drew's office," he answered professionally, just in case.

"Good afternoon, this is Dr. Rush's office calling for Ms. Drew."

"I'm sorry; she just stepped away from her desk for a moment. Can you hold?" he asked.

"Actually, I have other patients I need to call," the woman said briskly. "Is this her husband?"

"Ms. Drew is not married. I'm her emergency contact though," he told the woman, remembering that she had put Austin's name on the forms.

"Well, I really can't speak with anyone other than Ms. Drew. If you can't get her now, when is a good time for me to call back?" the nurse asked.

"Wait...wait! I will get her. Hang on, please."

He rushed into the hallway. "Madison! Madison, you have to get in here now. They won't speak to anyone but you."

Madison's eyes widened. She immediately turned to the produce man, signed the papers he shoved in front of her, and ran back to her office. She swept right past Austin and snatched up the phone. "This is Ms. Drew."

Austin watched as Madison listened. Then he watched as she wilted. She fell back into her chair as if in slow motion, her eyes wider than ever, her face going from red to pale. So pale, in fact, that it seemed he could almost see right through her. She said a few words: "Are you sure? Yes...no...okay. Thank you."

Then she hung up the phone and stared at it. She blinked and suddenly tears came to her eyes, making them bright as diamonds.

"Madison," he started, then stopped. He realized he was scared to death. "Is it serious?"

Madison laughed, a short, harsh sound that made him even more scared.

"Well, that all depends on how you look at it," she said, then burst into tears. Real, honest-to-God tears, the kind that came on like a waterfall and threatened to never stop.

Austin was at her side in an instant. "Tell me. What's wrong?"

Her voice hitched once, twice, three times. The words were stuck in her throat. She tried a fourth time and then they squeaked out in a whisper.

"I'm pregnant."

Austin sat on the floor beside her chair, stunned. There was nothing in his head beyond the words she had just spoken.

"How is that possible?" he asked. "You never..."

She laughed again, and this time it was downright creepy, coming from her at the same time as all those tears. "You're right. I never. But once, I did, and that must have been plenty."

"Madison..." He didn't know what to say.

"This can't be happening," she muttered, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Well...just think, it could be worse!" he said brightly."It could have been that multiple personality shit."

"I'm not so sure about that." She looked around her office as though she had never seen it before, then stood so fast she knocked paperwork from the corner of the desk. "I need to go home. Can you handle the restaurant tonight?"

"Sure. Whatever you need," he told her. "Do you want me to stop by after we close tonight?"

She squared her shoulders. "Thanks, but no. I just need to be alone right now."

"Call if you need anything, no matter what?"

She nodded, but she already seemed a million miles away.

"Thanks, I will."



Madison went home from work and crawled straight into bed. She sat there crying for hours. Crying for her future, her baby's future. What kind of mother would she be? And Cameron, where would he play into all of this? They had made a huge mistake, and she was sure that this wasn't what he wanted out of a drunken one night stand. Should she even tell him? Would she rather that he not know, or have her child endure the rejection of its father?

Everything was up in the air now. Could her business maintain its success if she had to divide her time between the restaurant and a baby? And on top of that, would she even have the energy for both?

She hardly moved from her bed until Wednesday morning arrived. She had played over all the scenarios in her head between bouts of crying, trying to decide what to do. Abortion was never even considered, no matter how unplanned this pregnancy was. She knew that for certain. In the hours that she lay there thinking, the only other thing she knew for sure was that she was going to make the best of the situation that she was in. She didn't know how to do that, but she wasn't the first woman who had found herself in this position and then figured it out.

She was still debating on whether to tell Cameron or not, but even if she wanted to, she had no idea how to get in touch with him. She would just have to cross that bridge when she came to it.

If she came to it.

That night at work, Austin kept a close eye on her, making sure she didn't push herself too hard. She could feel his eyes on her as she moved around the stoves and counters. She knew that she wasn't showing yet - she had spent a good hour in front of the mirror that morning, examining her belly and wondering if anyone would know - but she wondered if her decisions were showing in her face.

She pulled him aside halfway through the evening and gave him a solid, sure smile. "I'm okay," she said. "I promise."

"Cross your heart?" he asked.

"I am okay," she said again. "You'll see."



"Mother, I don't know why you had to pick me up. I could've just met you at the restaurant," Cameron told Bunny once he got into the town car.

"You know darling, most young men greet their mother with a 'Good Evening Mother, how are you doing?' I know I taught you better manners than that," she chided with a hint of disappointment.

"Sorry, Mother. How are you?" he asked politely as he leaned over to kiss her cheek.

"I've been well, thank you. I've been keeping busy; dining with the girls, tennis lessons, golf, and my charities. My social calendar is just packed full right now," she told him, glowing with satisfaction.

"Well, I'm glad to see old age isn't slowing you down. Most widows tend to let themselves idle after their husbands die," he commented with a smirk, knowing that she would take offense to the old age remark.

"Cameron Andrew Rome! I'll have you know that I'm only fifty! I have plenty of years ahead of me before I hit 'Old Age'," she protested.

"Mother, you're fifty-three. Don't deny it," he laughed.

"Whatever, fifty is close enough."

Not long after, they pulled up outside of the restaurant. Cameron looked up at the canopy overhead and saw the fancy calligraphy proclaiming them to be at The TigerLily. He groaned. "Oh, Mother. Couldn't you have picked a different restaurant?"

"I am just fascinated with this place. They have the best food, and such a wonderful atmosphere. You would think you'd indulge my desires, being so old and all," she pointed out.

Cameron shook his head. "I'm sure I'll be gone long before you will," he told his mother as he led her into the restaurant. Cameron was glad that he'd made himself look presentable. He didn't think there was much chance of seeing the owner, but just in case, he wanted to look good enough to eat. Then he smiled at his own pun.

Their meals came and went uneventfully as they shared pleasant conversation to pass the time. When dessert came, Bunny did something out of character: before the waiter could leave, she put her hand on his arm and asked if Madison was available.

Cameron's heart leaped in his chest. His face flushed with heat. He took a quick sip of wine to cover it up as he tried to think of a graceful way out of this.

The waiter left to find Madison, leaving Bunny very pleased, and Cameron completely mortified.



"Hey boss, there's a woman out there who was asking for you, table twenty-three," one of the waiters told Madison as he entered the kitchen.

"Is there a problem?" she asked. She liked to know beforehand if she was walking into a hornet's nest.

"No, she seems very happy. I think she just wants to say hello," he told her, then disappeared back into the dining room.

Madison removed her black apron and placed it on the counter near the door, then washed and dried her hands. She checked the mirror to make sure she was presentable before she went to the dining area.

She looked over to table twenty-three once it came into view, and saw one of the ladies she had met a few weeks ago. Madison smiled. She'd been coming in at least once a week ever since, and made sure to say hi each time she was in. There was also a man sitting at the table with her, but all Madison could see was the back of the man's head. Usually she came in with her women friends, so Madison was intrigued.

"Bunny, how are you?" Madison asked when she got closer to the table. She leaned down and kissed the older woman's cheeks.

"I'm great. Having a wonderful dinner with my son." Bunny pointed to the man sitting at the table with her, shielding his face with his hand. "Madison, this is my currently rude son, Cameron. Cameron, this is Madison."

She smacked his hand away from his face, eliciting a gasp from Madison.

"We've met, Mother." Cameron spoke softly, while Madison just stood there with her mouth open.

"Oh wonderful! I think the two of you will get along famously," Bunny said, clasping her hands in front of her in excitement. Then she looked at the young woman standing beside the table and frowned.

"Are you alright dear?" she asked Madison, seeing her pale face.

Madison nodded after a long moment. "Um, Cameron, can I talk to you in my office for a minute?" she asked. She wasn't sure what she was going to say, but fate had obviously brought him to her restaurant for a reason.

He nodded, and threw his napkin on the table as he stood and followed behind her. Bunny was left at the table to create a hundred different scenarios as to what was going on between the two of them. All of them ended up with Madison as her daughter-in-law and the mother of her grandchildren.

She was quite pleased with herself as she dug into the last of her dessert.



Once the door closed behind them, Cameron was quick to jump to the matter at hand. "What is it that you wanted? I don't have all night."

"You might want to sit down for this." She motioned to a chair.

"I think I'll stand," he told her defiantly.

"Fine, don't say I didn't warn you." She took a deep breath. "Cameron, I'm pregnant, and it's your child."

Cameron looked at her with a raised eyebrow. He didn't miss a beat. "Oh, really? You expect me to believe that?"

"What?" Madison stared at him with wide eyes.

"I should have known you would do something to try to ruin me. How much do you want?"

"Excuse me?" she asked, still not understanding what he was talking about.

"How much do you want to keep from going public with 'my child'? Do you know how many times women have come to me and said that I fathered their children? Do you know how many of them were actually mine? None of them were mine, that's how many. It's all a ploy to get money from me," he spat, his anger rising.

Madison's anger was rising, too. She took a deep breath to keep it in check.

"Well, you're the only one I've been with in a really long time, and I'm sure this was no 'Immaculate Conception', so that leaves just one conclusion," she argued.

"Yeah, right. We had a one night stand, and you expect me to believe that I'm the only one you've been with in a while? Come on, tell the truth. I bet you do it all the time; go out to bars, pick up a guy, go home and screw his brains out? You're a little slut, aren't you?" Cameron taunted.

Staying calm was getting much harder to do. "Screw you," she said, her voice almost a whisper. "I told you that was the first time I'd ever had a one night stand." She could feel the tears prickling her eyes.

"Yeah, and I've never heard that one before either. Get real. It's the same old story I hear time after time. If you're even pregnant, it's not mine, so forget the whole extortion thing," he told her as he walked out of her office, slamming the door.

Only when he was gone did Madison let the tears fall.



Cameron walked back to the table where his mother was sitting, trying to dampen his temper with every step he took. That woman sure had nerve to accuse him of something so transparent! Did she think she was the only one who had ever tried that game? The moment he got even the slightest bit famous, it began to happen with disappointing regularity. Now he was accustomed to dealing with women who thought they had found their paycheck in his pants.

"Let's go, Mother," he said, harsher than he intended, once he got back to their table. He reached for her arm, making it clear that he was serious about getting out of there.

"What happened?" Bunny asked, confused as to why her son was in such a sour mood.

"Some people just aren't who they pretend to be," he told her cryptically, as he dropped money on the table and led her out of the restaurant.