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Amanda clapped her hands together lightly, drawing everyone's attention back from the fridge and the cozy living room chaos. "Alright," she said with a smile, "once you settle in, if y'all want to see our place, it's just upstairs."
Danielle's head popped up immediately. "Upstairs?"
Her eyes narrowed dramatically. "As in... the penthouse upstairs?"
Amanda raised a brow. "You caught that, huh?"
Ericka sighed and rubbed her forehead. "Of course she did."
Danielle stood up so fast the blanket fell off her lap. "Oh no, I definitely want to see where you two live. Especially now."
Ericka's mom grabbed her purse. "Honestly, I'd love a peek."
Her dad nodded, casual but curious. "Same here. If it's anything like this place..."
Amanda chuckled and motioned toward the door. "Come on then. Follow me, troublemakers."
Ericka shook her head like she was preparing herself for impact, but she still smiled as everyone filed out into the hallway.
The Elevator Ride
They reached the elevator, and Amanda stepped in first, pressing the highest button on the panel.
P
PENTHOUSE.
Danielle's jaw dropped. "Not you two living at the very top like Batman."
Amanda smirked. "Well... she is the CEO."
Danielle pointed at Ericka. "Yeah, but YOU said yes to this life."
Amanda winked. "What can I say? I like luxury."
Ericka pinched her in the side gently. "Behave."
The elevator hummed upward, smooth and quiet. Ericka's parents looked around in admiration — it wasn't lost on them that only certain people got to press that "P" button.
Danielle whispered dramatically, "I'm telling you right now, if this place has a second kitchen or floating stairs, I'm moving in."
Ericka deadpanned, "Don't give her ideas."
Amanda just laughed.
The Penthouse Door
The elevator doors slid open onto a private landing — no hallway, no neighbor doors.
Just one massive, beautifully crafted entrance — matte black steel, tall, modern, with a brass handle that gleamed under recessed lights.
Danielle took one look at it and whispered, "Oh, this is rich-people-rich."
Ericka's dad let out a low whistle. "Impressive."
Ericka looked... slightly embarrassed. "It's not that serious."
Amanda nudged her. "It absolutely is. Stop pretending."
Ericka glared playfully. "Don't get punched."
Amanda grinned and typed in the door code. A soft click sounded, and the lock disengaged.
"Alright," Amanda said, pushing it open with a flourish.
Danielle gasped so loudly it echoed.
Ericka's mom stepped inside slowly, her eyes sweeping over everything like she was taking mental photos.
Her dad paused on the threshold, stunned.
And Amanda watched Ericka's expression soften — her wife's whole face melting into something tender and vulnerable as her family entered their home for the first time.
The living room was washed in soft Wednesday morning light, floor-to-ceiling windows casting long gold streaks across the marbled floors.
Modern furniture, candles Amanda picked out, throw blankets she added, and little touches here and there showed this was once Ericka's world.
.. now perfectly blended with Amanda's.
Ericka's mom took one slow step forward.
"Oh, sweetheart... this is beautiful."
Her dad nodded like the view personally spoke to him.
"Penthouse living suits you."
Amanda smiled proudly, even though the place wasn't originally hers.
"It was all Ericka's before. I just added... personality."
Danielle snorted.
"Yeah — you added plants, snacks, skin care, and like 57 candles."
Amanda shrugged.
"Essential upgrades."
Ericka nudged her. "Admit it — you redecorated half this place."
Amanda smirked. "I enhanced the vibe."
Danielle launched into full tour mode the moment she stepped deeper into the living room.
"Hold on — this rug? Oh, this is soft soft."
She stomped on it twice. "This rug was expensive."
She squealed at the bar cart.
"Y'all do mixology nights?! The drinks LOOK organized!"
Amanda pointed proudly. "I color-coded the bottles."
Ericka muttered, "She color-codes everything."
Danielle zipped into the kitchen, opened cabinets, tapped the granite island, then flung open the fridge.
"OH. MY. GOD. This is fully stocked. Like, whole-family-holiday-dinner stocked."
Amanda leaned against the counter.
"I panic-grocery when I know guests are coming."
Danielle pointed a finger. "You're a keeper."
Ericka raised an eyebrow. "Don't gas her up."
Ericka's dad walked to the window and whistled softly.
"You can see the whole damn skyline."
Ericka smiled. "Best part of waking up."
Her mom touched Amanda's arm.
"You made this home warm. I can feel it."
Amanda softened.
"Thank you. I just... wanted it to feel like both of us."
From behind them, Danielle shouted,
"WHERE IS THE MASTER BEDROOM?!"
Amanda led them down the hall.
"Okay, prepare yourselves."
She opened the double doors.
Ericka's mom gasped immediately.
Her dad mumbled, "King bed. Nice."
Danielle squealed.
"This looks like a Pinterest board."
But when she spotted the closet door, her soul left her body.
She rushed over, threw it open—
—and froze mid-breath.
"... No. NO. This isn't real."
The closet was massive
Boutique-style.
Backlit shelves.
Designer heels.
Amanda's tailored suits.
Ericka's gowns.
Matching robes.
A vanity that looked like it belonged in Vogue.
Danielle stepped inside and spun slowly.
"So... this is Heaven."
Amanda crossed her arms proudly. "I organized this entire thing."
Ericka smirked. "After she moved in, half the closet became hers."
Danielle gasped.
"You live here now? Official-official?"
Amanda bit her lip, smiling. "Yeah. Been a while."
Ericka added, "She made it a home."
Danielle clutched her chest dramatically.
"Ugh. Cute."
Amanda tugged Danielle's sleeve lightly.
"Come here for a sec."
They stepped into the hallway just outside the closet.
Amanda lowered her voice to a whisper.
"I have a surprise for you later... after we finish the tour."
Danielle's entire body lit up.
"WAIT—AMANDA—DON'T PLAY WITH ME."
She clutched Amanda's arm. "Is it big? Is it emotional? Is it expensive?!"
Amanda laughed.
"Just be patient."
Danielle shrieked like she found out Beyoncé was performing in the living room.
Ericka poked her head out of the closet.
"What is happening?"
Danielle pointed at Amanda.
"She said she has a SURPRISE for me."
Amanda shrugged innocently.
Danielle announced dramatically:
"I might have to steal your girl, Ericka."
Ericka didn't miss a beat.
"Shut up. You don't even like girls."
Danielle cackled so loud the neighbors probably heard.
Ericka's mom approached Amanda again.
"Thank you for preparing the guest condo... and this home. It's clear you've taken care of our daughter."
Amanda's voice softened.
"She takes care of me too."
Her dad nodded approvingly.
"You seem like a good team."
Amanda slipped an arm around Ericka's waist.
"The best team."
Ericka leaned her head against Amanda for one quiet second — a silent thank you only Amanda would understand.