THE BILLIONAIRE'S SURROGATE BABY

Chapter 50

                        PHOENIX

 As I reached out for the diapers, Rome handed them to me with a smile. Since we were discharged from the hospital yesterday, he had been trying his best to be helpful, especially with taking care of our son.

I glanced down at our baby boy, his eyes fluttering open slightly, and couldn't help but feel a surge of love overwhelm me as I kissed his forehead tenderly.

"What should we name him?" Rome asked, breaking the comfortable silence between us. I had meant to discuss it with him earlier but had forgotten in the chaos of the day.

"No, no. You choose his name," I insisted, looking at Rome. He smiled, but there was a hint of hesitation in his expression.

"Why? You're his mom," he replied, his voice gentle.

"And I'm sure you've had a name for him ever since we found out his gender," I countered, sensing there was more to his hesitation.

Rome went quiet for a moment, his gaze shifting between me and our son. I realized I hadn't actually thought of a name for him myself, simply because I never expected to have the opportunity.

"Jerome?" Rome finally suggested, looking at me for approval.

"Yeah, that's actually perfect," I agreed, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips. Jerome had a hint of Rome in it, making it feel like a fitting tribute to his father.

"Do you like it?" Rome asked, his eyes searching mine for confirmation. I nodded, feeling a warmth spread through me at the thought of our son carrying his father's name.

"Yeah, I like it," I replied softly before carefully lifting Jerome and placing him in his crib, watching over him with a sense of wonder and gratitude.

"How is Jess?" I asked, gently tucking in Jerome.

"Oh, Jess," Rome replied, scratching his neck uncomfortably.

"Yeah," I murmured, straightening up and waiting for his response.

"She's okay. She'll be due soon," Rome said, his tone somewhat distant. I nodded, silently wishing her well.

"What about your mother?" I inquired, noticing the tension in Rome's demeanor.

"What about her?" he retorted, his frustration evident.

"Camilla told me that she really wanted to talk to you today, but you refused to go," I explained, hoping to understand his reluctance.

"After everything she's done to our child and to you, forgiving her is not even in my dictionary right now," Rome stated firmly, his jaw clenched with anger.

Phoenix nodded in agreement, a silent show of support for his brother.

"Don't you think she deserves a chance to explain?" I pressed, sensing there might be more to the story.

Rome let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly as he considered my question.

"I don't know, Phoenix," he admitted, running a hand through his hair. "Part of me wants to hear her out, to understand why she did what she did. But another part of me... I just can't forgive her for what she's done."

I nodded in understanding, knowing all too well the pain and betrayal Rome must have felt at his mother's actions.

"I get it," I said softly, reaching out to place a hand on his arm. "It's not easy to forgive someone who has caused so much hurt."

Rome looked at me, gratitude shining in his eyes. "Thank you," he said quietly, squeezing my hand.

We stood in silence for a moment, both lost in our own thoughts. Despite the difficult conversation, I couldn't help but feel a sense of closeness with Rome, a shared understanding of the pain we had both experienced.