I used my computer at work to set everything up for the trip. The apartments were getting the last of their touch ups before being put on the market, which was mainly staging. I can't believe how quickly the crews were able to do things and then get inspected. It took them seven months, but Sarina said it's because the bones were there already, we just adjusted as needed.
Sarina wants to be here for the first showings that would be starting next week. She had thrown out feelers towards her higher end clients, inviting any that may know of someone looking for something in the city to help pick up interest. My mother contacted some of her friends who were real estate brokers to spark more interest and help Sarina out so she would get the best price for her places.
My mother and I walked through with Sarina and the agent my mom introduced her to when the appraiser came to let Sarina know what was the fair market value for the places. The third and fourth floors had four units, each unit had two garage spaces, balconies, private access through the garage elevator, or the code protected stairwell.
The third floor apartments had three bedrooms each and two baths, the fourth floor had two larger bedrooms each with larger closets and bathrooms. The fifth floor was divided into two units with four bedrooms each, with it's own bath and balconies, an office and large open kitchen, living and dining areas. However, the two units on the sixth floor were the show stoppers with natural wood beams and blackened steel accents. The mix of the two elements took you back to when the building was built, but still gave it the refinement of a modern touch.
I was impressed with the way it was staged and the large windows that led to the balcony. Each of these units had a roof top deck with a gas fire pit, plunge pool set into a raised deck with proper ventilation and drainage systems. They had built up from the roof top, an outdoor entertaining area with a kitchen and bar. When the appraiser was done doing their estimates, they sat down with us all.
"Alright Ms. McNeal, for the four units on the third floor, with everything that is there in them, I believe seven to seven twenty five is the value for each one. The fourth floor ones, are six fifty to six seventy five each. The fifth floor units are one point six each and then the sixth floor units, you'd be looking at four point five million each. If I could have you sign these, I'll be on my way." The appraiser handed over Sarina her copies and and exited the building as we all sat there looking excited for Sarina.
Sarina just sat there in shock, looking at the numbers. She suddenly stood up and walked out of the room and entered the bathroom. I was quick to follow her, to find her shaking.
"Sarina? Are you alright my love?" I cautiously approach her, before she turns to me, excited tears in her eyes.
She looks like she might explode on me, until she suddenly lets out a cry and begins to bounce up and down. "WE DID IT! WE FUCKING DID IT!" She jumps onto me squealing, laughing and crying for a moment, before she steps back and takes a breath.
My mom and the realtor show up a second later, concerned but seeing Sarina's joy, laugh it off and join in her little excited show of triumph.
She hugs my mom, "Thank you so much mom! I never could have done this without you!"
My mom looks up at me startled before her face breaks out into a large smile, "You're very welcome dear. I'm proud of what you've done so far. We still have to sell them though."
Sarina releases my mother from her grasp nodding, "Of course."
My phone starts going off and I answer when I see it's Lance. "Hey man!! Great news!" I start for his panicked voice to come through the speaker.
"Lirael is in labor! Get to the hospital with Sarina! She asking for her."
He hangs up and I turn to Sarina, "Time to go. Lirael's in labor and is asking for you."
Sarina gasps, "What are we waiting for come on!" She shouts, grabbing me and pulling me along.
"Mom, lock up for us!" I say over my shoulder as Sarina pushes me into the elevator to take me to the car.
We make it there in record time with Sarina driving us. She was too impatient for me to drive. Upon arrival we make our way to Lirael's room. Lirael's in the bed, moaning and groaning.
"Sarina." She gasps out as Sarina rushes over to her. "Grab my husband by the balls as I'm unable to leave the bed." Sarina gapes at Lirael then at Lance who shrugs at her sheepishly.
"It's all my fault she's in pain." He says looking guilty.
"NO! I WANT TO BUST YOUR BALLS BECAUSE I NEED DRUGS YOU DICK!" She huffed as another contraction came.
Sarina turned on Lance, "You're not letting them give her an epidural?! ARE YOU FUCKING MAD?!"
Lance adds, "I don't want it to affect the baby. Women have been having children without them..."
I quickly cut Lance off, "Lance, man. Shut the fuck up and go tell nurse to give her an epidural you idiot. It doesn't affect the baby at all, but Lirael's going to murder you as soon as she's popped that kid out."
Lance exits the room and Lirael gives me a grateful smile that's more of a grimace. "I was going to murder him before you two showed up actually." She starts gasping and groaning again, "FUCK this hurts!" She grits out as the nurse, another gentleman and Lance come back in the room.
The nurse checks on Lirael and nods to the other man, who readies something on a little moving table. "Hello, Lirael. I'm the anesthesiologist here, I understand you're in a lot of pain right now and what I'm going to ask you to do is going to hurt too. We'll try to work around your contractions though so your as comfortable as can be doing this."
Lirael groans, "Just tell me what to do."
I step out of the room to give her some privacy as she's slowly moved to sit up, cradling a pillow. Lance comes walking out a minute later, sighing.
"Nervous yet?" I ask him.
He sends me a scoff, raising a brow in my direction, "Yet? I've been fucking terrified since she told me." He covers his face with his hands, "God, please let me be a good father." He whispers under his breath.
I wrap a comforting hand around his shoulder, "Don't worry. You'll be a great dad." I try to reassure him.
Sarina's head pops around the door frame, "She's decent again."
We head back in to a still uncomfortable, but relaxing Lirael. "This is bearable now." She lets out a relieved breath, lays her head back and rests it against the pillow.
It's not long before a soft snore is heard from her. Lance chuckles and walks over to her bedside, brushing her hair gently from her face. I grab Sarina and step out of the room.
"Let's go pick something out for her from the gift shop." I whisper into her ear, letting Lance have this time of calm with his wife and soon to be born child.
When we come back up, Lirael is awake again and the nurses are prepping the room for baby's arrival. In less than half an hour later, Sarina and I stood in a corner behind Lirael as the first cry of their baby boy was heard.
After he was cleaned and both momma and daddy got to hold him, we approached.
"Congratulations you two." Sarina coos, "Oh Lirael, he's perfect..." She smiles with tears in her eyes, happy for Lirael.
Lirael looks tired and wiped out, so I decide to let them know, "We're going to take off, let you guys get some rest."
Lirael's jaw drops, "Before you even hold your nephew? I don't think so."
I smirk and step closer to her, as she lets me take her son in my hands. He's so tiny, I could almost hold him in one hand. He fusses a second before letting out a heavy breath and goes to sleep. It's the most awe inspiring moment I've ever felt. I look up and see Sarina smiling with tears in her eyes and blushing.
"Looks like fatherhood would look good on you too, Brian." Lance winks at me before I hand him his son.
"Do we have a name yet?" Sarina inquires. "I'm sure everyone is curious right now."
Lance looks to Lirael, then back at his son. "You're right, he's not a George. He's a Richard, I think."
Lirael smiles widely, "Richard Martin it is."
We leave after that, our silent joy filling the car ride back to the house.
A healthy baby nephew. Sarina's apartments should make well over the amount she needed. I have our trip coming up in a few weeks. David was still doing well enough for now, the twins giving Alyssa hell, but she was due for a c section in two weeks. So David should get the opportunity to hold his children.
Everything was working out so far and I've noticed a huge change in Sarina, for the better. I don't know what happened after that last big fight we had.
All I know is that I'm grateful for whatever it is.