JAY JAY POV
After breakfast, I finally escaped upstairs to change.
I needed five minutes without Section E yelling, Keifer flirting, or Kevin roasting someone into early retirement.
Mia followed me into the room like a shadow with opinions.
I turned to her, already exhausted.
"Please don't say anything stupid."
She rolled her eyes so hard I swear I heard them click.
"Jay, I'm pregnant, not brain‑dead."
"That's exactly what I'm worried about," I muttered, grabbing a clean shirt.
She scoffed. "Relax. I'm not gonna embarrass you."
I raised an eyebrow.
She rolled her eyes again.
"Okay, maybe a little."
"Mia."
"What? They deserve it."
I pointed at her belly.
"Your child is absorbing all this attitude."
She smirked. "Good. They'll come out ready."
I groaned and walked out before she could say anything else that would give me a headache.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
MIA POV
I looked at all of them — loud, chaotic, pretending like nothing ever happened — and all I could think was:
Ugh. They finally showed up now.
After everything they put her through.
After all the nights she cried.
After all the years she spent alone, rebuilding herself piece by piece.
And Jay?
Jay forgives like it's breathing.
I don't get it.
I really don't.
She's so quick to let people back in, even the ones who broke her.
Even the ones who didn't deserve a second glance, let alone a second chance.
Meanwhile me?
I still haven't talked to my own family.
They've been trying — calling, texting, pretending they suddenly care — but only because they know I'm doing good now. Nice job, high salary
Not because they actually want me.
Jay forgives because her heart is soft.
I don't forgive because mine had to harden to survive.
And watching her stand there, surrounded by people who hurt her, people who are laughing like they didn't almost lose her forever…
It makes something twist in my chest.
Not jealousy.
Not anger.
Just… fear.
Fear that she'll get hurt again.
I crossed my arms, glaring at Section E like they were a bunch of uninvited guests at my baby shower.
If they mess up again?
I swear I'll be the one dragging them out by their ears.
Then a kid came near me — well, not really a kid.
Jay told me he was twenty, but the way he walked up to me with that proud little grin?
Yeah. Kid.
"Hey, I'm Ci‑N," he said, sticking his hand out like he was applying for a job.
Jay told me about him — how he was like a younger brother to her, how he annoyed her, how she still spoiled him.
I shook his hand. "Nice to meet you."
Then I turned to the rest of them, raising my voice.
"Look, everyone. I'm only gonna say this one time, so get it into your heads."
Instant silence.
"Jay went through a lot because of your distrust. Now she forgave you. Again. Don't test that theory."
They all nodded like guilty schoolboys.
"Baby," Caleb said behind me.
Before I could respond, Keifer opened his mouth — which was always a mistake.
"Caleb, maybe try to control your pregnant wife."
Caleb sighed. "Maybe give me some tips."
Keifer grinned.
"It's easy, brother. Just kiss her every time she starts to scold you. Works with Jay."
The room froze.
Like—
FROZE.
Even the air stopped moving.
Then everyone burst out laughing.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
JAY JAY POV
I got dressed and came downstairs, only to find everyone laughing like hyenas while Mia looked like a tomato about to explode.
"What's happening here?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"Nothing," Keifer said, smirking like the devil. "I just gave Caleb a very nice idea."
"What idea?" I asked suspiciously.
Keifer didn't miss a beat.
"Jay, there's a mark on your neck."
The room went dead silent.
My soul left my body.
"What the hell are you talking about?" I yelled at him.
I grabbed the mirror on the wall, checking frantically.
Nothing.
"Idiot, there is nothing—"
I turned back to yell at him again, but Keifer was already right in front of me, way too close, and before I could react—
He kissed me.
I froze.
The room froze.
Then he pulled back like he didn't just commit emotional murder in front of twenty witnesses.
"See?" Keifer said proudly to Caleb. "I told you it works."
Caleb nodded like he just unlocked a cheat code.
"Oh yeah. That's effective."
Kuya Angelo leaned forward, curious.
"How did you learn that trick, Keifer?"
I blinked at all of them, still processing the fact that I had been ambushed.
"What the hell are you guys talking about?" I asked, completely confused.
Ci‑N raised his hand like a student.
"Keifer said if a woman is scolding you, just kiss her."
Percy added, "Apparently it works on you."
Rory nodded. "And Caleb wants to try it on Mia."
Mia glared at Caleb so hard he physically stepped back.
Caleb panicked. "I DIDN'T SAY I WOULD— I JUST— KEIFER—"
Keifer shrugged.
"Hey, don't blame me. It's a universal method."
I stared at him.
"Keifer," I said slowly, "if you ever pull that stunt again without warning, I will throw you out the window."
He smiled.
That stupid, soft, smug smile.
"Noted, wifey."
I raised my hand to smack him.
He just chuckled — chuckled — and walked over to Kuya Angelo like he didn't almost die five seconds ago.
Everyone else looked way too happy with the "secret technique" they'd just learned.
Idiots. All of them.
"Keifer, I'm going out," I said, grabbing my bag.
"I will also come," Keifer said immediately, already moving toward me like a loyal golden retriever.
"What about the kids?" I asked.
Aries stepped forward. "We will take care of them. Me and Kuya."
"Yeah, your brother will take care of them. We have work," Section E said — and then they started leaving one by one like rats escaping a sinking ship.
Just as we were about to step out, Keiran and Keigan walked in.
Keifer's whole face changed — distant, stiff, guarded.
"What are you doing here?" he asked Keigan, voice cold.
Keigan didn't even flinch.
"Just wanted to see the kids. Keiran told me about them."
Keifer turned to me, unsure.
"Is it fine—"
"Why are you asking me permission?" I cut in. "They're also the kids' Titos. They have every right to meet them."
Keiran and Keigan both nodded, relieved.
Then Keiran stepped forward and hugged me tightly.
"Good to see you again, Ate," he said.
I smiled. "Good to see you too."
Keigan gave a small smile. "Nice to see you, Jay."
"Nice to see you too," I said warmly.
Then I called out, "Kids!"
Kevin appeared first, annoyed. "What now?"
The other two followed him like tiny ducklings.
"Me and your Papa are going outside," I said. "Your Tito Aries, Angelo, Keiran, and Keigan will babysit you. Don't bring too much chaos."
I kissed each of their foreheads.
All three nodded like angels.
Liars.
Then Keifer turned to Keigan, voice suddenly strict.
"Don't do anything."
Keigan nodded like he was used to it.
"Bye, Keiran. Be careful," he said to his brother in a completely normal tone.
I blinked.
Why is he acting like this?
He was fine with Keiran… but with Keigan?
Cold. Guarded.
I didn't get it.
We finally stepped out, got into the car, and started driving. The silence sat between us for a moment — not uncomfortable, just… heavy.
"Keifer," I said, watching the road.
"Hmm?" he answered, eyes forward.
"Why are you acting towards—"
But before I could finish, he cut in.
"Jay, where are we going?"
I sighed.
Typical. Avoiding the question like a pro.
"To the mall," I said. "The kids' birthday is coming up, so we should buy their presents."
Keifer nodded, relaxing a little.
"Yeah… okay."
But I could still see it — that tension in his jaw, the way his fingers tapped the steering wheel, the way he kept glancing at me like he wanted to say something but didn't know how.
Something was bothering him.
He stopped the car because we were
Then he reached for the door
But I grabbed his wrist.
"Answer my question," I said quietly. "Why were you acting like that with Keigan?"
He sighed — that deep, heavy kind of sigh that comes from the chest, not the throat.
"What do you want me to say, Jay?" he whispered.
"Keigan is the reason we're here now. He's the one who edited those pictures."
I nodded slowly.
I already knew.
I had proof.
But I didn't want to break the bond between the brothers
And I knew Keigan didn't act alone. Someone else helped him but I don't know who
Keifer's jaw tightened. Then his eyes started to water — a quiet, painful shine.
"If I wasn't an idiot," he said, voice cracking, "we wouldn't have been there, Jay."
He looked down at his hands like they were stained.
"I would've been there with you. When you were raising the kids. When you were alone. When you needed me."
My chest tightened.
He swallowed hard, tears finally slipping.
"I knew he was going through the disorder. I knew he wasn't stable. But I didn't think he would hurt you. I didn't think—"
His voice broke.
"I'm sorry, Jay—"
But he didn't finish.
Because I leaned forward and kissed him.
He froze — completely still, like he couldn't believe what was happening.
Then, slowly, almost shakily…
He kissed me back.
This one was different.
This kiss was an apology.
A quiet, trembling, I'm sorry I wasn't there.
A soft, desperate, I should've protected you.
A broken, honest, I never stopped loving you.
His hand slid to the back of my neck, gentle, almost scared to touch me.
His forehead rested against mine, his breath shaky and uneven, like the kiss had knocked the air out of him.
We pulled back just enough to see each other clearly.
And for the first time in years, I didn't hold it back.
"I love you, Keifer," I said.
His eyes softened instantly — that warm, stupid, heart‑melting softness he only ever showed me.
Then he smiled.
"I love you too, Jay," he whispered, voice low and steady. "Until scientists find the end of the universe."
My chest tightened — in the good way.
The way that felt like coming home.
I smiled, and before either of us could think, we leaned in again.
This kiss was different.
It was hungry. Desperate. Like we'd been waiting years for this exact moment. Like we couldn't get enough of each other.
His hands slid to my waist. Mine tangled in his shirt. The car felt too small, too warm, too full of everything we'd been holding back.
When I pulled back from the kiss, I realized I was sitting in Keifer's lap — I didn't even remember moving there. Or maybe he moved. Or maybe we both did. Everything had blurred together.
Then Keifer leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to my neck.
Just gentle — the kind of kiss that says I'm here, not anything more.
"Keif—Keifer," I said, breath catching more from surprise than anything else.
He stopped immediately.
His forehead rested against my shoulder, his hands steady on my waist, his voice low and careful.
"Sorry," he murmured. "I just… I missed you."
I placed my hand on his cheek, guiding him to look at me.
"Don't say sorry," I whispered, leaning in to kiss him again — soft, steady, reassuring.
"Remember… I'm yours. You don't have to be scared to hold me."
Keifer's breath caught.
His eyes softened in that way that always made my chest tighten — like he was seeing me for the first time all over again.
"Jay…" he murmured, voice low, almost trembling.
His hand rose to my waist, gentle, careful, like he was afraid I'd disappear if he touched me too quickly.
"I just don't want to hurt you again," he said quietly.
I shook my head, brushing my thumb along his cheek.
"Then don't leave me again, Keifer."
He closed his eyes for a moment, breathing me in like he needed the air to stay steady.
Then he pulled me closer — not rough, not rushed — just holding me like he'd been waiting years to finally get it right.
"I won't. Never," Keifer whispered, and he kissed me again — soft, certain, full of a promise he wasn't running from anymore.
When we finally pulled back, both of us were still catching our breath, still holding onto each other like letting go too soon might break something.
I rested my forehead against his for a second, then smiled.
"We should go and buy them a present," I said.
Keifer let out a small laugh — the kind that sounded lighter than anything I'd heard from him in years.
"Yeah," he said, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "Before they destroy the house."
I rolled my eyes, but my chest felt warm.