AN: Here we go. The final volume. How many chs left? I have no idea. Could be 50 or 100. And don't say nooooo. Because I have more fun ff planned after this one with new harem. 🤣🤣
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[2008] [January 15th]
The room smelled faintly of antiseptic. Soft light filled the room. Halle lay back against the raised hospital bed, her hair pushed over one shoulder, while the thin sheet rested low enough to reveal her tummy.
The doctor walked closer. "This might feel a little cold," she said, though her tone carried a quiet reassurance that made the warning almost unnecessary. She squeezed a clear gel onto Halle's tummy before spreading it with a smooth, steady motion.
Halle let out a small breath when the gel touched her. "Yeah, you weren't kidding," she murmured, though the hint of a smile stayed on her lips as her eyes shifted toward Alex.
Alex stood close enough that his hand rested lightly against the edge of the bed, his focus already locked on the monitor before anything even appeared. Max leaned in from the other side, arms folded loosely, and she looked curious.
The device pressed gently against Halle's stomach, and for a brief second, there was only static movement on the screen. Then something flickered into place.
A steady rhythm.
"There it is," the doctor said, pointing at the screen with a small nod, her voice lifting just slightly as if she still enjoyed this part, no matter how many times she had done it.
Halle's breath caught before she could stop it, her fingers tightening slightly against the sheet. "That's… that's the heartbeat?" she asked, even though the answer was already written across her face.
The doctor nodded, adjusting the angle of the device to make the image clearer. "Strong and consistent. Everything looks exactly how it should at this stage."
Alex didn't say anything right away. His eyes stayed fixed on that tiny, flickering motion, as if the rest of the world had quietly stepped aside for a moment he did not want to rush through. His hand shifted, sliding closer until his fingers brushed against Halle's arm, grounding himself there without even thinking about it.
Max leaned in a little more, squinting at the screen before letting out a soft exhale that almost sounded like a laugh she didn't want to fully release. "That's insane," she said under her breath, shaking her head slightly. "That tiny thing is already running the show."
Halle let out a quiet laugh, the tension in her shoulders easing as she looked from the screen to Alex. "Feels like it," she said with a smile.
The doctor continued her examination, moving the device with careful precision while watching the monitor. "Growth is on track. No abnormalities that I can see. Measurements are all within the expected range."
Alex finally blinked, like he was coming back into the room after being somewhere else entirely. "So… everything's good?" he asked, his voice steady but carrying a weight that hadn't been there before.
"Everything is good," the doctor replied, giving him a reassuring look before glancing between both of them. "You're looking at a very healthy baby."
Halle closed her eyes for a second, letting that settle in. When she opened them again, there was a quiet kind of peace there that hadn't been there before.
The doctor paused for a moment, then gave a small, knowing smile. "Would you like to know the gender?" she asked, her tone casual but intentional, like she already expected the question to carry weight.
Halle turned her head toward Alex almost immediately, their eyes meeting in a silent exchange that lasted just a second longer than usual.
"No," Alex said first.
"We'll know when the time comes," Halle added, holding his hand.
Max looked between them, one eyebrow lifting before she smirked faintly. "Keeping it mysterious, huh?" she said, though there was no teasing edge this time, just a quiet acceptance of something bigger than the usual chaos.
Alex let out a small breath. "Yeah," he said, almost to himself this time. "Feels right that way."
The doctor nodded, respecting the choice without pushing further as she finished up the scan. "Alright then. We'll keep it a surprise."
Halle watched the monitor for a few seconds longer, like she was trying to memorize something she could not fully understand yet.
Max straightened up after a moment, slipping her hands into her pockets as she looked at Alex, then back at Halle. "Congrats! Healthy baby coming in two months. And before you say anything, I'm calling dibs on room decoration."
"As long as it isn't neon or ghost faces that glow at night," Halle said with a little chuckle.
Max pointed at her. "Mama, Halle, you got yourself a deal."
Alex watched them talk with a faint smile pulling at the corner of his mouth. He didn't say anything else, because for once, there wasn't anything he needed to add. They were happy, that's all that matters.
...
[Outside] [Parking]
The air was still cold around this time of the year.
Max stretched her arms over her head as they reached the parking area, then turned and pulled Alex into one of her usual bear hugs without warning. She squeezed him tight, chin pressing into his shoulder as she spoke near his ear. "Alright, daddy, good luck with your meetings," she said with a little kiss on his cheek.
Alex let out a small laugh, one hand coming up to pat her back before he eased out of the hug. "Drive safely and slowly," he replied, giving her a look that carried just a bit of seriousness under the humor.
Max rolled her eyes, though the corner of her mouth lifted. She pulled back. "Relax. I've got Halle," she said, before moving around to the driver's side.
Alex turned toward Halle then. He stepped ahead of her, opening the passenger door before offering his hand. She took it easily, letting him guide her inside like it was second nature. Once she settled into the seat, he leaned in just slightly, one hand resting near her shoulder as he pressed a soft kiss to her lips.
"Ice cream or pickles?" he asked, his tone light but knowing.
Halle paused, thinking it through like it actually required consideration, her fingers brushing absentmindedly over her stomach. "Mango pickles," she said finally, a small smile forming like she had just made the best decision of the day.
Alex nodded once, amused in a quiet way. "Mango pickles it is," he said, brushing his thumb lightly against her cheek before pulling back and closing the door gently.
Max started the engine, looking once at Halle before looking ahead. "You better share," she added, already easing the car out of the parking spot.
Alex stood there for a second longer after they pulled away, watching the SUV disappear into the flow of traffic. Then he took a deep breath and walked toward his car.
---
[Titan Studios, New York]
Alex didn't waste time once he stepped into Titan Studios.
The plan had already taken shape in his head long before today. What he needed now was execution.
A podcast.
Not the kind that felt forced or corporate. Something controlled, but natural. A space where celebrities could speak directly to the audience without filters, press distortion, and media twisting narratives for clicks. If done right, it wouldn't just promote projects. It would shape how people experienced them.
He wanted conversations, not just announcements.
Directors breaking down scenes. Actors talking about choices they made in a moment that never made it into interviews. Writers explaining why a line mattered. Behind-the-scenes realities that people never got to see. And sometimes, just silence filled with thought before someone answered honestly.
That was the hook.
Authenticity.
Titan already dominated theaters, television, publishing, merchandising and many more. But this would tap into something else entirely. Daily attention, personal connection... A reason for audiences to stay engaged even between releases.
Episodes would be structured but flexible.
Some would focus on ongoing productions. Others would be focused on unexpected guests, game developers, comic creators, and even critics.
And occasionally, Alex himself would appear.
"With the Mass Effect in work, plus upcoming movies..." Alex mumbled to himself while spinning on the chair. "...a live podcast focused on promotion would be perfect. I need someone talented as a host."
He stopped spinning as a wild thought appeared in his mind. He already knows a perfect candidate for his job. 'Castle... I'm pretty sure he won't say no. But he runs after Kate all the time. That makes him unpredictable. Maybe I should hire two or three people who'd take turns as the show's host. What about Max? She'll nail it.'
The door opened without a knock as Rachel walked in. She locked the door and then walked up to Alex. She put her tablet on the table, then settled onto his lap like it was the most natural thing in the world.
For a second, neither of them spoke.
Then she leaned in.
Her lips meet his in a soft, exploratory kiss. It deepened gradually, the heat between them growing with each passing moment. Alex's hands came up to frame her face, thumbs stroking her cheeks as he drank in the taste of her. Rachel's fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer, her breath coming in short gasps.
When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathless. Alex rested his forehead against hers, eyes closed.
"You look excited," He whispered before licking her lips. "And tasty as usual."
Rachel gave him another little peck on his lips before saying, "Of course I'm excited. I've just buried Nvidia and AMD in so many lawsuits that they are gonna go bankrupt in a couple of months. And I've made sure all the investors pull back, plus my team is working on messing up their stocks."
Alex grabbed her waist and pulled her up on the table. Then he grabbed her thighs as his eyes went under her pencil skirt. Her white underwear was soaking wet. He looked up at her with a raised eyebrow. She simply smirked with a knowing smile.
"For that, you deserve a reward," He said, licking his lips.
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[4 advance chs] [All chs available for all tiers]