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“You’re right, you don’t.” Leo states.
“Leo,” I grunt.
I mean, fuck, have a heart. The bitch might have caused him problems, but she is handing over a baby she’s cared for night and day for the last four weeks.
My baby.
Leo holds up his hand to silence me.
“You have no right to ask, but we do appreciate all you have done for Aurora. I still don’t want you anywhere near New York. My wife hates you with good reason.” Katie nods in understanding. “But… if Alessandro is happy to keep you updated, that’s okay with me.”
Katie’s face brightens as tears fall down her beautiful face. “Thank you so much,” she pulls her hands towards her heart. “Can I say goodbye?”
“Of course.” As much as I don’t want to let her out of my arms, I hand my daughter over.
Katie says her goodbyes, and we leave her apartment with my daughter now in my arms.
* * *
We don’t arrive back in New York until after two in the morning.
Aurora has slept in my arms for most of the flight apart from the small amount of time Becca held her whilst I was taking a shower.
Leo and I parted ways at the airstrip, and I’m now in the elevator heading up to my apartment. I’ve left Aurora’s case in the car opting to bring only the change bag and her crib.
It’s quiet as I step into the apartment. No lights are on, which leads me to believe that Cam has gone. She always keeps the hall light on at night, which usually emits a warm glow to the foyer.
I don’t know why I’m surprised, but I can’t help the pang I feel in my chest that this might be my life now.
Aurora starts to wail as soon as I put her down to remove my shoes.
“Shh,piccolina,” I hush.
CARMELLA
I’ve been sitting in the dark for over an hour, just going over the last few days in my head.
I hear the front door open and close.
“Shh,piccolina,” Al coos as he fumbles around in the foyer.
I turn the light on in the lounge, and Al looks up straight into my eyes.
“Angelo?” he asks, confused to see me as he picks up the wailing baby.
Seeing him hold the baby stirs an emotion in my chest.
Love.
Adoration.
I thought it would hurt to see him holding the baby, but it just makes me want to join him and bask in his embrace.
The baby’s wailing picks up a notch and I tentatively approach Al and hold my arms out.
He looks confused and is hesitant but hands me the wailing bundle of blankets.
I look down at the baby as I rock and shush her.
