29. Leah

CHAPTER 29

LEAH

I smile for Taylor as she takes a picture of me and the babies. All three of them.

I can't believe it. I just gave birth to triplets! And Jack is here in the room, standing right next to me.

I don't know what to focus on first: his sudden appearance, the three angels in my arms, or the high I have, feeling like I'm a superhero.

I take a deep breath and look at Jack. He looks like he's about to burst with emotion, and I can't help but feel grateful that he's here. The dream that I was too afraid to voice has come true.

But what now?

Taylor must sense the tension in the room because she clears her throat. "I'm gonna grab a cup of coffee. Anyone want anything?"

"No thanks," I tell her.

Jack shakes his head, his gaze still on my face.

She slips out of the room, the door shutting behind her, and it's just the two of us — well, and the three sleeping babies.

"Leah." He takes my hand in his.

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry," he says, his voice breaking. "I'm sorry for everything. For leaving you, for not being there for you, for not believing in us. For turning my back on our kids. I was such a fool."

I feel the tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. I never thought I would hear those words from him, but here he is, pouring his heart out to me.

I swallow against a lump in my throat. "When I went into labor… I wanted to call you. The only person I wanted to be with was you."

He's quiet for a long moment as he stares at one of the infants. "But you didn't… because you felt like you couldn't. And that's my fault."

I press my lips together, not sure what to say. Yes, it was his doing. But it seems that he's had a change of heart, and I have no interest in rubbing salt in the wound.

He leans in and places a gentle kiss on my forehead. "I want to make it up to you. I want to be there for you and the kids. I want to be a family, Leah."

I close my eyes, relishing the feel of his lips against my skin. It's been so long since we've been this close, and it feels like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

"I want that too," I whisper, my hand tightening in his. "But we have a lot of work to do. It's not going to be easy."

"I know," he says, his thumb tracing circles on the back of my hand. "But I'm willing to do whatever it takes."

I open my eyes and look at him, really look at him for the first time in months. There's a determination in his eyes that I've never seen before, and I can't help but feel hopeful about our future together.

"I love you," Jack says.

My eyes fill with tears. "I love you too. But is that enough?"

Jack kisses my forehead. "I'll do everything in my power to make things right."

"Okay," I say, nodding. "We'll take it one day at a time."

He smiles, relief flooding his features. "One day at a time."

We sit there for a little while, holding hands and watching the babies sleep. It's a peaceful moment, and for the first time in a long time, I feel like everything is going to be okay.

As we sit there, I notice the way the dim lighting casts shadows over Jack's face, highlighting the stubble on his jawline. I can feel the heat emanating from his body and I realize how much I've missed being this close to him. His hand is still interlocked with mine, and I feel safe and cared for.

I turn my gaze back to the sleeping babies, their chests rising and falling in a steady rhythm.

Jack wants a future together. A one with all five of us.

After all the hurt and pain, can we really make it work? Can we put the pieces back together and form a family? Part of me is skeptical, but another part of me is hopeful.

"Leah?" He interrupts my thoughts.

I look up at him, noticing the way his eyes seem to twinkle in the low light. "Yes?"

His eyes shine. "I've missed you so much."

My heart nearly breaks in two. "I've missed you too," I whisper, my voice cracking.

One of the babies wiggles and cries. Instantly, Jack's attention snaps to her.

"What does she need?"

"She's hungry." I adjust her on my chest so she can breastfeed.

I know that we're in for many sleepless nights with three babies waking up needing to eat, but I'm ready for it. No, more than ready. I'm excited.

Jack watches with fascination as our baby girl nurses, and I have to smile at his genuine awe.

"We need to name them," I say.

He blinks at me. "You don't already have names picked out?"

I shake my head, smiling at the thought of choosing names for our three little ones. "No, I wanted to wait until they were born. I figured when I saw them, I would know."

He nods, already deep in thought. "Okay. Let's start with our daughter."

We spend the next hour or so brainstorming names for our baby girl. We throw out all sorts of options, some traditional, some unique.

"What about Scarlett?" Jack suggests, and I can see the genuine excitement in his eyes.

I consider it for a moment, trying it out on my tongue. "I like it," I say finally. "Scarlett, it is."

Jack beams. "Now two more to go."

"Reese?" I suggest. "Archer? Cooper?"

"Anything you decide is perfect," he says, gaze fixed on my face.

I laugh. Who is this man? It's Jack, but he's so different. He's not the man who slammed the door in my face the last time I saw him.

The pain of that memory makes me stop laughing right away. I feel like I might be sick.

"What?" He touches my forehead. "Are you okay? Should I get a nurse?"

"No." I lick my lips. "I was thinking about… the last time we saw each other."

"Right." His face darkens. "Fuck, Leah, I'm so sorry."

I nod slowly. "I know you didn't want to talk to me. That—"

"That's not true." He gets on his knees so that we're at eye level. "Leah, before you came over, I was thinking about how much I wanted to be with you. That night that we had dinner at your house it left me feeling… different. I started to think that maybe things would work between us."

"What?" I stare at him. "Really?"

"Yes." He grips my hand. "Really."

I let that sink in. "I had no idea."

"Yeah, because I'm a fucking idiot who didn't tell you what I was feeling."

That makes me chuckle. "Well, better late than never." I give him a small smile, my heart swelling with hope.

"Absolutely." His gaze softens, and then he clears his throat. "So, back to names. What about Mason for our baby boy with brown hair?"

I nod, liking the name. "Mason sounds good."

He nods, then cocks his head at the baby who has red hair, just like me. "What about something more unique for the last one? Like, I don't know, Maverick?"

I raise an eyebrow. "Maverick? Are you serious?"

He chuckles. "Hey, I like it."

"Hmm." I mull it over while looking at our little baby boy who is the most active. "You're right. He does seem like a Maverick. And why not go for something big? It's not like we'll have any more kids."

"We won't?" His face falls, and there's clear disappointment in his voice.

"You want more?" I stare at him.

"Leah." He cups my face. "I want everything with you."

Before I know it, tears are spilling down my cheeks. "I want everything with you, too."

He kisses my forehead. "So… Maverick?"

I roll my eyes playfully. "Fine, Maverick, it is."

We smile at each other, feeling a sense of completion now that the babies have names. He leans into me, our lips locking together in a soft, gentle touch.

The kiss is perfection. The kind that seals a deal, seals a promise. It's me and him now.

And nothing could feel more right.