“You ready?”
“I think so.” I gripped the handle above my window dramatically and held the seat tightly with my other hand as if bracing myself.
“Oh, stop!” Gabriella swatted me playfully.
I laughed out loud and settled comfortably in the passenger seat. She put the car in drive and eased it away from the curb, winding it through the parking garage and up two levels to the late afternoon sunlight. She looked both ways before pulling into the empty space of traffic. I watched her expertly weave between cabs and pedestrians, not because I was nervous, but because she seemed so comfortable.
“Not gonna lie, you look good behind the wheel,” I said, raising an impressed brow.
“Thank you.” She smiled as she checked the rearview mirror before changing lanes.
“Are you going to tell me where we are going now?”
“You’ll see.”
I chuckled and shook my head, the crisp, fall breeze blowing my hair through the window. I breathed it in, watching the orange and red hues of the trees whiz past among the tall giants of glass and concrete. I loved this city, and seeing it like this with the woman I loved next to me looking sexy as hell driving my car, made this one of my favorite moments that would become a memory I held onto for years.
Eventually, Gabriella pulled the car down a quieter street in Tribeca. The street was lined with large, brick homes with arched windows, all lined up in a row like candles glowing on a cake, their warm lights beginning to twinkle on. I looked over at Gabriella curiously, wondering what we were doing here, but she just smiled confidently before slowing the car. She pulled up to the curb in front of a two-story brownstone.
She shut off the car and turned to me, taking a deep breath, before opening the driver door and climbing out. I clambered out after her and joined her on the sidewalk where she stood, staring up at the large brownstone before us.
“I’ve been driving by this place for months,” she said dreamily, her eyes running up the warm brick of the building.
“You have?”
“Mhmm.” She turned toward me. “I want to raise a family here…”
“It’s beautiful, Gabriella, but is it even for sale?” I asked, looking up at the place.
“It just so happens that it is for sale. And I just so happen to have an extra key from the realtor.” She held up a keyring with a single silver key hanging.
I sucked in a breath. She really had thought about this. I felt a little flood of excitement.
“Let’s go then!” I said, taking her by the hand and leading her up the steps to the forest green door. She giggled as she followed behind me. Her hand shook slightly as she slid the key in the lock and turned it. She twisted the handle and pushed the door open, gesturing for me to step inside.
I took a step onto the warm hardwood floor and entered into a large entryway that was well lit by the several black paned, arched windows that loomed overhead a tall staircase leading up to the second floor. The walls were brick, giving the room a warm and homey feelings, much different than the white concrete of my penthouse. Gabriella gave me a nudge and I continued to walk through the expansive home.
There was a large powder room to the right, complete with white quartz countertops and an ornate mirror hanging above. Mid-century modern light fixtures hung overhead, casting a golden glow against the cream and black geometric wallpaper. Further on was a large living room with more large, arched windows giving the perfect view of the sunset beginning to paint colors inthe sky. Though it was slightly smaller than our current living room, it was spacious and inviting all at once.
“Kitchen’s this way,” said Gabriella, nodding for me to follow her.
She led me inside the impressive kitchen with its white marbled countertops and dark chocolate cabinetry, with a gigantic double-door fridge to match, giving the space a seamless look. Two large arched windows looked out on a small garden space, just above the rectangular deep-set sink. Overhead were domed pendant lights above the island.
“This place is incredible,” I said with a shake of my head.
“Wait until you see the upstairs,” said Gabriella with a grin. She eagerly took my hand and led me up the staircase to the second floor where there were five large rooms. An expansive master bedroom with a fireplace and two large wood-paneled closets. Just to the right was a large master bathroom with marbled walls, a modern rectangular tub, and glass-paned shower. Down the hall were four other rooms, two perfect for guestrooms and another with built-in, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves that was ideal for an office. As we reached the end room, Gabriella looked up at me.
“I thought this would be perfect for a nursery…” She stepped inside the room that was flooded with sunlight from the circular window. The room was smaller than the others, quaint and cozy with a small closet and a connecting bathroom.
“Wow,” I whispered, immediately envisioning it as a baby’s room. It really was perfect.
Gabriella reached for my other hand and pulled me down to the floor where she settled into a seated, crossed-leg position. I sat across from her, looking around the room.
“Well, what do you think?” she asked, looking at me with nervous expectation.
“This place is amazing. How did you find it?” I said.
“Well, like I said, I’ve been driving down this street for months. I don’t know how I found it, but something pulled me here. I always had the cab drivers swing by and drive me through. I finally decided to inquire about this place just a few days ago, and found out it was just about to go on the market next week. I convinced the realtor to let me show it to you before it was listed.”
