-HUNTER POV-
oskarelichar
There’s something oddly satisfying about walking into a place that bears your name…..not because of ego, but because of legacy.
The London office of Reid Enterprises shone in the morning light, made of glass, marble, and shiny metal. It had a light smell of coffee and dreams that stayed even after everyone went home for the day.
Caesar’s little hand fit snugly into mine as we stepped out of the elevator onto the top floor. His eyes went wide the way they always did when he saw something grand.
“Papa,” he whispered, as if we were standing in a museum, “it’s so big!” noveldrama
I smiled, ruffling his hair. “It is. And one day, you’re going to be the one in charge here.”
He turned to look up at me, eyes round with disbelief. “Me? Even bigger than you?”
“Bigger,” I said, crouching so we were at eye level. “But not just because you’ll run things. You’ll have to learn how to take care of people, too. That’s what real leadership means.”
He frowned in concentration, the way Celine always did when she was thinking deeply. “So I’ll be nice to everyone?”
“Nice,” I said with a smile. “And fair. Even when it’s hard.”
He nodded solemnly, as though I had just handed him the keys to the universe.
When we entered the conference room, the staff greeted us politely, their faces softening the moment they saw Caesar. It always amused me how a six–year–old could charm an entire boardroom faster than any investor pitch.
“Good morning, Mr. Reid,” one of the managers said. “And young Mr. Reid.”
Caesar grinned. “That’s me!”
I had to laugh…. the kid had more presence than half the CEOs I had met. Official source is f͟i͟n͟d͟n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟.net
We did a short tour, Caesar insisting on touching everything–the touchscreen monitors, the coffee machine, even the elevator buttons. I let him have his fun. Something was grounding about seeing your world through a child’s eyes–how easily wonder replaced cynicism.
When we finally returned home, the house was buzzing in that quiet, domestic way that had become familiar. Celine was in the sitting room, a soft instrumental playlist playing in the background. A stack of mail sat beside her along with an open letter in elegant handwriting.
She looked up as we walked in, her face lighting up at the sight of Caesar’s flushed cheeks. “You two look like you’ve conquered London.”
14:59 Thu, Oct 9
“We did,” Caesar declared proudly. “Papa said I’m going to be the boss of everything!”
Celine arched an eyebrow at me. “Everything, huh?”
“Within reason,” I replied, unbuttoning my cuffs. “He’s got good instincts, I’ll give him that.
She chuckled, shaking her head. “You’re creating a little version of yourself. Heaven help us all.”
I leaned down and kissed her forehead. “The world could use more of us.”
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She snorted softly but didn’t argue. Instead, she lifted the letter she’d been reading. “It’s from Fumi.”
“How’s she doing?”
“Still running her ceramic studio,” Celine said, her smile warming. “She’s invited us to her art exhibition in Paris next month. Says it’s small and personal, but knowing her, half the French art world will show up.”
“That woman could sell sand to the Sahara,” I said.
Celine laughed. “She says to bring Caesar too……apparently, her niece wants to meet ‘the boy who makes volcanoes out of spaghetti.“”
I frowned in mock offense. “I think that was a scientific masterpiece.”
She leaned into me, her laughter softening into something tender. “You and your experiments.”
Before I could respond, her phone buzzed. She rolled her eyes when she saw the name. “Vincent. Again. Probably calling to brag.” She put it on speaker.
“Bonjour, Mr. and Mrs. Reid!” came Vincent’s too–loud voice, followed by a very familiar feminine groan.
“Oh God, make him stop pretending he’s French,” Blake’s voice chimed in. “We’ve been married for three weeks, and he’s insufferable.”
Celine burst out laughing. “I see married life suits you both.”
“Oh, it suits me perfectly,” Vincent said, smug as ever. “I now have a wife who argues in two languages.”
“I will hang up on you,” Blake warned.
I couldn’t resist. “If you two start throwing things again, at least aim away from the furniture. I paid for half of it.”
“Ha! You did,” Vincent admitted, unashamed. “Anyway, we’re calling because Caroline has given birth to bed…..a healthy baby girl! Frederick’s beside himself. He’s been crying for two hours straight.”
Celine’s eyes softened immediately. “Oh my God. That’s wonderful news! I have to call her later.”
Vincent continued, “And Clancey—remember him? Frederick’s cousin, the guy you punch,” he said and I rolled my eyes and Celine giggled. “Dude just launched his own design firm. Big opening event next weekend. You two are invited. He said, and I quote, ‘If the Reids don’t show up, I’ll take it personally.”
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14:59 Thu, Oct 9
Geline laughed. “We wouldn’t miss it.”
Blake added. “And tell Caesar his aunt Blake is bringing him a dragon plushie from Scotland. The good kind, not the kind that sets your father on fire.”
“Thank you, Aunt Blake!” Caesar shouted from the background, earning delighted laughter from both of
them.
After the call ended, the house went quiet again. Warm. Peaceful.
Celine leaned her head against my shoulder. “I love them,” she said softly.
“I do too.” I admitted. “Even if Vincent still makes me want to commit minor violence every time he speaks.”
She chuckled, tracing small circles on my wrist. “You pretend to be grumpy, but you love the chaos.”
I looked at her, at the faint glow in her eyes, at the curve of her belly, at the family we’d built despite every storm. “Maybe I do,” I said quietly. “Maybe that’s what makes it all feel alive.”
Caesar had fallen asleep on the couch by then, clutching his toy car. Celine covered him with a throw blanket, her movements gentle and deliberate, and when she turned back to me, her eyes stayed.
“All this still feels like a dream,” she said, “Are you happy?” she asked softly
“Every day,” I said, pulling her close. “And I still don’t plan on stopping.”
The rain began again, tapping lightly against the windows…. London’s quiet cheering for the small, ordinary moments that somehow turned into everything.
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