My eyes tingle as Louise sobs, and Michael pulls her into her arms.
They've named her after Jaylen's mother.
Dom's hold on me loosens as he steps back, moving beside Jaylen and Jess. He places a firm hand on Jaylen's shoulder and curls his other arm around Jess's as tears drip down her cheeks.
Sophia glances at her cousins, a nervous look on her face.
"I hope—"
Jaylen moves towards her, cutting her words off as he leans over her, wrapping one arm around her and pulling her against his chest.
"It's beautiful, Soph."
"She'd be honoured," Jess adds from behind us, sniffling as she swipes at the tears on her face.
"They both would," Michael says, nodding at Kaleb, referring to the use of his mother's name—Valentina—being the baby's middle name.
Dom clears his throat, gaining everyone's attention just as Rory slips back into the room with teary eyes, and Leo follows behind her, shoulders tense.
"I have to ask, why King as the last name?"
Sophia glances at Kaleb, then moves her gaze back to her brother.
"Well, Kaleb will be taking our name eventually, so we thought it was only right for our children to, as well."
"I don't want any connections to the Rossi name anymore," Kaleb sighs. "It may be my mother's name, but my father tarnished it, ruined everything it stood for, and I don't want my children growing up with the burden Jericho and I had to carry."
A beat of silence spreads around the room, and then Sophia asks if anyone would like to hold Hayley. Instantly, everyone steps towards the bed, crowding around them.
A gentle hand on my shoulder makes me pause, and I glance over to see Leo standing behind me.
"Can I borrow you for a minute?" he asks, motioning with his head to the door.
I nod, concern swooping through me as I follow him out of the room.
He runs his tatted hands over his head, fingers disappearing into his inky black hair as his eyes dart around the hallway for a moment before they focus on me.
"I just wanted to pull you to one side to say goodbye."
My heart drops, along with my jaw.
"What do you mean, goodbye?"
He shrugs, his hands dropping to his side.
"I'm leaving London," he says, voice steady, certain. "I'm going back to the US… I want to find her, and I want to make things right. I need to apologise, and explain."
My brows raise, and I gulp as understanding washes over me.
"She's going to fight you at every turn. You know that, right?"
He nods, sighing, and stuffing his hands into his pockets.
"I'm prepared to do whatever it takes. I've watched you and Dom. I've seen you two make it through some shit. You've managed to forgive each other and accept each other despite your flaws. I'm hoping Avery and I can do the same."
Tears fill my eyes, and I shake my head.
"But, you're needed here," I tell him, chin wobbling slightly as my emotions start to get the better of me.
