Chapter 348

Chapter 348
Alexander

Olivia's laugh came through the speaker, warm and genuine. "I'm not surprised at all. My mom has been dropping hints since the wedding. She keeps sending me articles about celebrities having babies, showing me photos of cousins' kids." She rolled her eyes. "Very subtle."
I chuckled despite my exhaustion. "Parents are all the same, apparently. My mother will probably start the interrogation next time I see her."
"Are you ready to be bombarded with baby questions when we visit?"
"I can handle it." I grinned at her through the screen. "I'll just deflect to you."
"Coward."
"Strategist," I corrected. "There's a difference."
She rolled her eyes but was smiling. "Anyway, that's the current state of my mother's interrogation tactics. Consider yourself warned."
"Noted." I shifted on the sofa, getting more comfortable. "Though I have to ask, what kind of good news was she expecting? Did she seriously think you'd announce it over the phone?"
"Knowing my mom? Probably." Olivia laughed. "She's not exactly subtle about what she wants. Never has been."
"Runs in the family, apparently."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You're not exactly subtle either when you want something."
Her eyes narrowed playfully. "I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm extremely subtle."
"Right. Like that time you told me exactly what position you wanted me to take you in, complete with detailed instructions."
Her face flushed. "That's different. That's bedroom talk."
"Still not subtle."
"Fine, I'm not subtle. Happy?"
"Very." I watched her fidget with her phone, clearly enjoying how flustered she'd become. "For what it's worth, I like that about you. No games, no guessing."
"Well, someone has to be direct in this relationship." She gave me a pointed look. "Sometimes you're not exactly forthcoming about your feelings either, Mr. I'll Just Brood Mysteriously Instead of Talking."
"I don't brood."
"You absolutely brood. It's very dramatic."
I laughed despite myself. "I'll keep that in mind. Try to be less dramatically brooding."
"Good. Because it's annoying." She paused, her expression softening. "But seriously, about the whole baby thing. My mom's going to ask. Probably multiple times during dinner. How do you want to handle it?"
"Honestly?"
"Always."
I considered my words carefully. "Tell her we're not opposed to it, but we're letting things happen naturally. No pressure, no timeline."
"You'd be okay with that? If it happened sooner rather than later?"
"Would you?"
She bit her lip, thinking. "I don't know. Part of me says I'm not ready. My career is finally taking off. I've got Cornerstone, and there's so much happening. A baby would complicate everything."
"It would," I agreed.
"But another part of me thinks about it sometimes. What our kid would look like, whether they'd have your eyes or mine, if they'd inherit your stubborn streak."
"My stubborn streak?" I raised an eyebrow. "That's rich coming from you."
"I'm selectively stubborn. You're just stubborn about everything."
"Fair point." I smiled at her through the screen. "For what it's worth, I think about it too sometimes. Not obsessively, but the thought crosses my mind."
"Yeah?" Her voice had gone soft. "What do you think about?"
"Teaching them things. Taking them to the office someday, showing them how the business works. Weekend mornings where we're all together, no work, no obligations." I rubbed the back of my neck, suddenly feeling vulnerable sharing this. "Normal family stuff, I guess."
Olivia's expression had gone tender. "That sounds nice."
"It does." I cleared my throat, feeling like we'd stumbled into deeper territory than intended. "But you're right that the timing isn't ideal. A baby right now would be complicated."
"Complicated but not impossible," she said quietly.
I watched her face on the screen, trying to read every micro-expression. The way she bit her lip when she was thinking. The slight crease between her eyebrows.
"Let's just let it happen and see how it goes," she continued, her voice soft but certain. "Don't be surprised when I announce one day that I'm pregnant."
My breath caught. The casualness of her statement contrasted sharply with the weight of what she was saying.
"You're serious."
"Completely." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm not saying we should actively try right now, but I'm also not saying we should prevent it. Whatever happens, happens."
I leaned back against the sofa, processing this shift. "I need you to understand something."
"What?"
"I actually like kids." The admission felt easier than expected. "Always have. Most people find that surprising given my reputation, but it's true."
Her smile transformed her entire face. "Really? Because you give off this serious business mogul vibe that doesn't exactly scream father material."
"Thanks for that assessment of my parenting potential."
"You know what I mean." She laughed. "You're all intimidating and commanding at work. Hard to picture you changing diapers or singing lullabies."
"I'm capable of multitasking," I said dryly. "Besides, who says I'd be singing lullabies? Maybe I'd be teaching them about portfolio diversification."
"Oh god, our poor child."
"What?"
"You'll be reading them quarterly earnings reports as bedtime stories." She shook her head, still grinning. "The kid won't stand a chance at being normal."
"Normal is overrated." I found myself smiling despite the absurdity of the conversation. "And for your information, I'd be an excellent father. Strict but fair. Teach them important life skills."
"Like how to intimidate board members?"
"Among other things."
"What else? What would Alexander Carter teach his hypothetical child?"
The question caught me off guard. I'd thought about this before, in abstract ways, but never articulated it out loud.
"How to stand up for themselves," I said finally. "How to recognize their worth without arrogance. The difference between confidence and ego."
Her expression softened. "That's actually really sweet."
"Don't tell anyone. Ruins my reputation."
"Your secret's safe with me." She paused. "Would you want a boy or a girl?"
"Doesn't matter."
"Everyone has a preference."
"I don't." I meant it. "Either would be incredible. A daughter I could protect and teach to be strong. A son I could mentor and guide."
"Very diplomatic answer."
"It's the truth." I studied her face through the screen. "What about you?"
"Honestly? I have no idea." She tilted her head, thinking. "I keep picturing a little girl with your eyes. But then I also imagine a boy with your stubborn streak, and that's kind of appealing too."
"My stubborn streak? We're back to that?"
"It's a defining characteristic." Her smile turned teasing. "Along with your tendency to brood dramatically and your complete inability to accept when you're wrong."
"I accept when I'm wrong."
"Name one time."
I opened my mouth, then closed it again. She had me there.
"Exactly my point," she said triumphantly.
"You're enjoying this way too much."
"Maybe a little." She glanced at something off-screen. "I really should get ready for work. Unlike some people, I can't just delegate everything and show up whenever I want."
"That's not how my job works."
"Sure it isn't, Mr. CEO." She was already moving, the camera angle shifting as she stood up. "Alright, I need to go."