Chapter 47
Chapter Forty-Seven
Bella
I was setting up my camera on the tripod when I heard an unfamiliar voice behind me.
“Excuse me?”
I turned and stared at the couple standing in the foyer with Sarah, one of West Chelsea’s sales agents.
“Bella, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were up here. This is Ethan and Rose Bennett. They were in the area and wanted to see the penthouse.”
“No problem.” I smiled and waddled over to them. “I’m Bella Montclair.”
“You’re the woman in the videos,” Rose said.
“I am.” I glanced down and noticed she was pregnant.
“It’s because of your videos that I wanted to tour the place,” she said. “When are you due?”
“One month.” I placed my hand on my belly.
“I’m sorry. I have to take this call,” Sarah said, holding up her phone.
“Go ahead. I can show them around.” I smiled.
“You’re still working when you’re due in a month?” Rose asked.
“Don’t say that too loudly. My husband has been trying to get me to stop and stay home the last couple of months.”
Ethan laughed. “I would probably do the same, but Rose doesn’t work.”
“When are you due?” I asked Rose.
“Three months.”
“Congratulations.” I grinned. “First?”
“Yes. You?”
“First. But we’re having twins.” We instantly clicked because we were just two women about to have babies and had no idea what the hell we were doing. “Come on. I’ll show you around this beautiful place.”
“The kitchen is beautiful,” Rose said, running her hand across the marble counter.
“My God, look at this view. It’s incredible,” Ethan said.
“It’s even better at night,” I said.
Rose walked over and stood next to her husband. I studied her and knew something about her felt hesitant. I’d seen that same look a thousand times already since I started working for Montclair Living. She liked it, but she wasn’t sold.
“What are you thinking?” I asked.
“Honestly?” She stared at me.
“Always.” I smiled.
“It’s absolutely gorgeous. I’m just not sure it’s practical for us.”
“That’s what I’ve been saying.” Ethan looked at her.
“Okay. What part?” I asked.
“The baby. Before I got pregnant, I would’ve walked in here and thought this was perfect. But now, everything I look at, I think about whether it would work with a child.”
“I get that. I really do. But I want you to do one thing. Don’t look at it as a penthouse.
Look at it as your home. You’re going to spend an unbelievable amount of time in this kitchen.
You'll have bottles, breakfast, lunches, and dinners in here.” I walked over to the pantry and opened it.
“These shelves will be stocked with jars of baby food and toddler snacks. Do me a favor and sit at the table over there by the window.” They sat across from each other.
“Now, imagine your meals here with that view. You could place the high chair on this side, facing the window, and your baby can be mesmerized by the city while you feed him or her.” They followed me to the living room.
“This is the best part as far as I’m concerned.
You can be in the kitchen and still see this entire room and keep an eye on your child. ”
“I love the idea of that,” Rose said.
I led them to the one guest room staged as a nursery.
“And this could be the nursery. Look how big it is. The primary bedroom is right across the hall. Not at the opposite end of the penthouse. You’re close enough to hear the baby without feeling like you have to keep the crib beside your bed for the next five years.”
“I like that,” Ethan said.
“And when the baby gets older, this room changes with them. Nursery first, then toddler room, and then a big kid’s room. You’re not buying something you’re going to outgrow in three years. And if you decide to have more children, there are three more bedrooms for them.”
“What about storage?” Ethan asked.
I opened one of the doors. “More than you think. Stroller, car seat, toys, all the stuff nobody tells you a six-pound person apparently requires,” I smirked.
“I already discovered that.” Rose laughed. “I guess my biggest concern is raising a child in Manhattan. I was thinking more upstate. We’re from New Jersey and live in a house now. Ethan transferred here for work, and they require him to live in the city.”
And there it was. It wasn’t really about the penthouse or the price.
“I get that,” I said. “But I think sometimes we picture raising a child in New York as raising them inside an apartment. But that’s not what their life would be.
You have Hudson River Park practically outside your door.
You have a playground, walking paths, the river.
You can put the baby in a stroller, grab coffee from the lobby, and be outside in minutes.
That’s what I plan to do.” I smiled. “And when they’re older, they’ll grow up with museums, parks, restaurants, and art.
The city becomes a part of their childhood.
Look at the terrace.” I opened the doors, and we stepped out.
“Imagine you and Ethan sitting out here after you finally get the baby to sleep. You’re exhausted, but you need to unwind first before heading to bed.
Just the two of you staring at the night sky and brightly lit city. ”
We stepped back inside, and Rose stood in the middle of the living room.
“See that corner right there?” I pointed. “Imagine a beautifully decorated oversized Christmas tree sitting there with presents scattered underneath. Imagine waking up on Christmas morning and sitting on the floor, watching your child open their presents with excitement.”
Rose and Ethan didn’t say a word. They just stared at the corner. They weren’t looking at a penthouse anymore. They were seeing their lives here.
“The building has twenty-four-hour staff. Someone will always be downstairs when you’re coming home late.
Someone will always be there to help when you’ve got the stroller, diaper bag, groceries, and a screaming baby,” I smirked.
“Think of it as extra help, which is something you wouldn’t have if you didn’t live here. ”
“What about schools?” Ethan asked.
“Excellent school district. But I’m not going to pretend I know which school your child should attend when mine isn’t even born yet.”
“Fair enough.” Ethan laughed.
“But that’s the point. You have options. You’re not buying a home that only works for who you are right now.”
“What do you mean?” Rose looked at me.
“You’re buying a home that works for who the two of you are to become. Parents. You walked in here wondering whether a penthouse made sense for a baby. This one certainly does.” I smiled.
Rose looked at Ethan. “I want it.”
“You want it?” His brow raised.
“Yes. I want it. I want all of it, Ethan.”
“Darling, we’ve been here twenty minutes. Last week you made me tour six apartments.”
“And I didn’t want any of them. I want our baby to grow up here.”
“Okay.” He smiled.
She threw her arms around him, and they hugged.
“I leave you alone for fifteen minutes, and you sneak out of the office.” I heard Simon’s voice from behind.
I turned and saw him standing in the foyer with his hands tucked into the pockets of his pantsuit.
“Hi.” I smiled, walking over to him.
“Mr. Montclair, I presume.” Ethan walked over and extended his hand.
“That’s me. And you are?”
“Ethan Bennett. Your wife just sold us this penthouse.”
Simon glanced at me. “You did?”
“I may have.” I grinned.
“I’m not going to lie, Mr. Montclair,” Rose said. “I wasn’t sure I wanted any of this. But Bella convinced me this is where I want to raise our baby.”
“Excellent. Congratulations to you both. You will love living here,” Simon said.
“Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry.” The sales agent rushed in. “The client kept talking my ear off. Mr. Montclair, what are you doing here?”
“Well, it is my building. Anyway, no worries. Bella sold the place to the Bennetts.”
“You did?” Her brow furrowed.
“I did.” I smiled. “I sold them a life.”
“You’re done working here. You sold a penthouse. That’s enough productivity for one woman who’s due to give birth to twins in a month.” Simon held his arm out, and I hooked my hand around it. “I’m upset with you, Bella,” he said as we took the elevator to the lobby.
“Why?” I furrowed my brows.
“Because you were standing too long, and you were holding your back. I saw you.”
“Gee, maybe because the two babies you planted inside me are sitting on my bladder like two little elephants.”
“Did you just call our children elephants?”
“I did. And I’m not apologizing for it.” We climbed into the back of the car. “Listen, it is getting harder to work. I’ll make you a deal.”
“What deal is that?” His eyes narrowed.
“Tomorrow will be my last day.”
“You swear it will be?” he asked.
“I swear. Besides, I still have things to get ready for when the twins come.”
“Okay.” He kissed the side of my head. “You have yourself a deal.”