Alexis and Andre play in my mother’s backyard as Aria feeds our only daughter, Alena, on the veranda. She was right when they were born. The boys are looking more and more like me every day. Alena favors her mother with big blue eyes and golden hair. They are smart, healthy, and beautiful children, and I love seeing how they change as they grow. Even my mother carries on about how well-behaved they are and what a wonderful mother Aria is.
“It’s so beautiful here, Daddy. Do you ever think about moving back?”
“Someday, maybe, princess, but there’s still a lot of work to be done in Athens.”
“Speaking of work, I’d like to go to the restaurant with your mother today if that’s alright. I thought I could shoot an episode of the show while we’re here. I always record in Athens. I think it will be nice to do a location shot and showcase your mother's traditional dishes.”
“Did you ask her if she wants to be on television?” I ask.
“Not yet,” she grins. “I was hoping you’d do it. She can never seem to say no to her Yavrum.”
“I’ll see what I can do, but it’s going to cost you, little girl.”
“You know that you can have anything you want. I’m always happy to pay you,” she winks.
With three children, it just wasn’t practical for Aria and me to both stay active in the running of the restaurants so we agreed that she would stay at home. The culinary world had other ideas though. Within days of Aria stepping down as head chef at Aria’s, she had offers pouring in for her to host cooking shows.
She was shocked but I would have expected something like this to happen eventually. She’s personable, sweet, beautiful, and an excellent chef. Why wouldn’t they want to put her on television?
It took a great deal of convincing. Eventually, she agreed. Now, she shoots an episode one day per week and spends the rest of her time at home with the kids.
“I’ll get the kids packed up if you’ll talk to her now. She’s getting ready to go.”
“Wouldn’t you rather I stay here with the kids while you’re working?”
Her face lights up and she says, “No. I want this episode to be all about the hidden culinary gems that can be found in these little villages, but I also want to showcase the family aspect of it. Remember when we first came here? You told me about how the restaurant was a family affair. I want my audience to see that, and what better way than to have my own family there?”
“Wait, you want us to be on camera?” I ask.
“I do. I think people will find it wholesome and heartfelt, but if I’m wrong, at least I’ll have a cameo appearance from the hottest celebrity chef of all time to boost my ratings.”
I get up from my seat and call the boys, “Come on, boys. Mommy needs us.” I kiss Aria and head inside to convince my mother to cook on television.
* * *
“It was awfullyeasy to convince my stern, religious mother to appear on an episode of your show. Is there something going on that I don’t know about?” I ask Aria as we drive to the restaurant.
“What do you mean?” she asks.
“I don’t know. She put up a fight, but it wasn’t much of one.”
“Hey, this is good for her, too. Imagine the boost in tourism this town could get from the show. She could really make out from this financially.”
“True, I suppose. She’s just never been very concerned about fame and money before.”
“Some things change, I guess,” she smiles.
I’m still not convinced, but I don’t have anything more than a gut feeling to go on, so I decide that I’ll just wait and see what happens.
The camera crew is all set up when we arrive, and I pull Aria aside and ask, “How exactly did you get a crew here on such short notice?”
“What did you think was going to happen? Were you expecting me to film a television show with my cell phone camera? The station had a satellite crew not far from here and they sent them over. They thought this was a great idea, too.”
“You have all the best ideas, princess. They’re lucky to have you but not as lucky as me,” I say and nibble on her neck.
We unload the kids from the car and I take them to a table across from the kitchen so the boys and I can watch their Mommy work. A makeup artist gets busy working on both Aria and my mother, who frowns and throws her hands up at the idea of getting her face powdered.
She finishes and heads in my direction. “Mr. Adimos? Can I just take a moment to freshen you up for the cameras?”