Chapter 48
Chapter Forty-Eight
One Week Later
Simon
Shortly after the ultrasound and Bella’s blood test results, we found out we were having a boy and a girl. One of each gender, and as far as I was concerned, that was all we needed. But I didn’t mention that to Bella.
I knew something was wrong the second I walked into the penthouse. It was too quiet.
“Bella?” I shouted, setting my briefcase down.
“In the bedroom.”
I walked into the bedroom and found her standing beside the bed with both hands pressed against her lower back.
“Are you okay?” I loosened my tie.
“Yeah.”
“I’m not convinced.”
“Convinced about what?” she asked.
“That you’re fine. You’re standing there holding your back.”
“I’m carrying twins. My back hurts when I breathe.”
I walked over and kissed her. “Hi.” I smiled.
“Hi.”
I placed my hand on her large belly and smiled. “How are my kids?”
“Currently tearing my insides apart,” she said.
“Good day, then?” I smirked.
“Fantastic,” she sighed.
“What do you want for dinner?” I asked, removing my suit coat.
“I don’t care,” she said.
“Chinese?”
“Sure.” She made a strange noise.
“How about Italian?” I asked.
“Simon, I don’t care!”
I stared at her for a moment.
“I’m sorry. I’m just really tired,” she said.
I headed toward the closet to change my clothes, and Bella let out a sound I’d never heard from her before. I turned around, and she was gripping the dresser with one hand, while her other was planted on her belly.
“Bella?”
She held up her hand and closed her eyes.
“What the fuck is happening?” I walked toward her.
“Just give me a second,” she said.
“A second for what?” I stood and watched her breathe slowly.
“Okay.” She let out a breath. “That was a contraction.”
“A real one?” My brows furrowed.
“No, Simon. I thought I’d practice for your benefit.”
“Have you been having them all day?” I asked.
“On and off. But nothing like the one I just had.”
“All day? And you didn’t bother to call me?”
“No, I didn’t bother to call you because they’re Braxton Hicks. Oh God, here comes another one.”
“I’m calling the doctor.” I grabbed my phone.
“Uh, Simon.” She looked down at the ground.
Her water had broken. I called Nick to bring the car, and then took hold of Bella’s arms and helped her down the hall.
“We need to get to the hospital.”
“Yes, we do. I need drugs, and I need them now!”
“This is actually good timing,” I said. “My father called me earlier, and he and Mary are back in town.”
“Simon, I love you. But I don’t really care right now.”
Bella was in labor for four hours before the doctor decided to do a C-section.
“There he is,” the doctor said.
The second I heard a cry, everything inside me stopped. My son. The doctor lifted him up and handed him to one of the nurses. I gripped Bella’s hand as tears fell from her eyes.
“Is he okay?” Bella whispered.
I looked at the doctor.
“He’s doing great.” She smiled.
I leaned down and kissed Bella’s forehead. “You did great.”
“We’re only halfway there,” she said.
“Right.”
Christ. I’d almost forgotten there was another baby coming.
“And here’s your daughter,” the doctor said.
I panicked because my daughter wasn’t making a sound. Every muscle in my body locked with fear.
“Is she okay?” I looked at the doctor.
Suddenly, a sharp cry filtered through the room. I let out a breath and closed my eyes.
“That’s our girl.” I smiled.
“Our daughter, Simon,” Bella whispered.
Tears streamed down my face when the nurses set the twins on Bella’s chest. I reached my hand over and touched them. They were so small and so beautiful.
“Hi, Julian Simon Montclair. I’m your dad,” I whispered. “Hello, Olivia Renae Montclair, my beautiful princess.”
The feeling that swept over me was something I wasn’t prepared for. The love that poured out of me was something I never thought was possible.
“I love you, Bella.”
“I love you too.” She smiled.
“No.” I shook my head. “I mean, I fucking love you.”
“I gathered that when you married me.” A smirk crossed her lips.
“You made them, Bella.”
“You helped.” She smiled.
“I only contributed. You did all the work.” I softly stroked her forehead.
“That might be the smartest thing you ever said, Dad.” She grinned.
‘Dad.’ That word knocked the wind out of me.