Hell's Smitten (Gordon Ramsay x Reader)

Chapter 85- Meeting the Judges

Tuesday, July 16th, 2013

Gordon has us set out our domed platters on a long table in front of the kitchens. I didn't pay any attention to anyone else while I was cooking so I have no idea what everyone else has made– but I still feel confident that my platter is going to win.

We line up in front of the platter table. Taylor is to my left grinning and Abel is calmly watching Gordon approach us, his hands clasped behind his back.

"Well done, everyone. Our special guest judges have arrived, excited?" He rubs his hands together and his eyes flit between us.

"Yes, Chef!" we shout.

"Excellent. Now, remember, they mustn't know who made which platter until after they have voted, yeah?"

"Yes, Chef!"

"Good! Let me introduce our judges, then. First up, we have a lovely grandmother from Seattle with her assistant chef. She has been cooking since the age of ten and taught her daughter everything she knows. Please welcome Beatrice Fitzgibbons and her adorable assistant, Becca Fitzgibbons!" Gordon opens his arm towards the door at the same moment that Bella squeals.

"Mom!" Bella takes off towards the door as it opens. A middle-aged woman steps through the threshold with a little girl on her hip. Bella, her mother, and her three-year-old daughter look like the same person at different stages of life. Beatrice is dressed in a beautiful white cocktail dress and Becca is wearing a matching outfit with little white Mary Jane shoes.

"Bells, I'm so proud of you!" Beatrice gives her daughter a one-armed hug at the same time that Becca smoothly transfers herself from her grandmother's hip to her mother's.

"Hi Mommy!" Becca gives Bella a charming smile. Tears bud in Bella's eyes as she nuzzles Becca's nose.

"Hey Beccabear, have you been being good for Geegee?" she asks.

"Uh-huh." Becca bobs her head eagerly.

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Fitzgibbons, and of course, Becca." Gordon kisses Beatrice's cheeks before he takes Becca's tiny hand in his and shakes it in greeting. "Go on and take a seat, ladies." Gordon says as he motions to a nearby table.

Gordon is so cute with children. I love that he treats them as little people instead of ignoring them or acting like they are nuisances as some adults do. I can't wait until we have our own little one that gets to call such an amazing man 'Daddy'.

"Our next pair of judges hail from Oklahoma City," Gordon starts.

Taylor's eyes widen as she brings both hands to her mouth.

"One is a graphics designer, while the other is a lumberjack and woodcarver. Both enjoy hearty meals and are even heartier people. Please welcome Eduard and Lance Holbrook!" Gordon claps as they push through the double doors.

The first man through is stocky with a long brown beard, scruffy hair, and green eyes. I presume him to be Taylor's father. Shortly after him follows her brother Lance. He is taller than both Tay and their father, but shares the same hazel eyes and tan skin-tone of his sister.

Taylor takes off towards the two men, holding out her arms and flinging herself into her father.

Her dad is shorter than Tay, but he doesn't flinch as he catches her full-force body slam into his arms. Taylor's brother pats Tay's back with a chuckle as she kicks her feet off the ground and leans into her father.

When Taylor releases her dad, she hugs her brother and beams up at him, then takes their hands and leads them towards an open booth before Gordon can say anything.