Page 126 of The October Arrangement

“Of course. I’m not stupid. I’m retiring, Simon, not dying. In two weeks, you’ll be taking the top seat, son.” He smiled.

“And you’re comfortable with that?” I asked.

“More than comfortable. Hell, I think you’ll do a better job than I ever could.”

“Shit.” I smiled. “I’ll be the chairman and CEO of Montclair Development Group.”

“You sure will be. It’s getting late, and mama bear needs her rest.” He walked over to Bella and hugged her. “I’m so happy for you two.”

“Thank you, William.”

“Did you just call my wife ‘mama bear?’”

“I sure did.” He smiled and hugged me. “You two back in the office tomorrow?”

“Yep. We’ll be there.” Bella smiled.

We walked them to the elevator and watched the door shut. We’d just found out we were having a baby, and now my father told me he was handing me the company in two weeks.

“This is one hell of a fucking night.” I looked at Bella.

“Tell me about it.” She laughed. “Chairman and CEO.”

“Don’t start, sweetheart.”

“I’m not starting anything. I’m proud of you. Oh shit.”

“What?” I asked.

“This means you’re going to be my boss now.”

A sinister smile crossed my lips. “That’s right. The boss at home and now at work.”

“The boss at home?” Her brow arched. “In your dreams, Montclair.”

Chapter Forty-Six

Two Weeks Later

Simon

I’d been awake since four-thirty a.m., staring at the ceiling and thinking about everything that could possibly happen at our first ultrasound. Bella was eight weeks pregnant, and it still didn’t feel real. But after today, it would feel more real than ever.

I was sitting beside her in the exam room. The doctor had already been in to talk to us, the nurse had drawn Bella’s blood, and now we were waiting for the technician to come in and show us our baby.

“You’re doing that thing with your leg again,” Bella said.

I looked down at my bouncing knee. “Sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize. I’m just afraid you’re going to shake the table.”

“I’m nervous,” I said.

“Wow.” She glanced at me. “I can’t believe you just admitted it. But I am too.” Her fingers tightened around mine.

The technician walked in, turned off the lights, and started getting everything ready.

“Is this your first ultrasound?” she asked Bella.