The mansion was quieter on the east side these days, yet alive with new energy.
Karina and Karim had moved into the Watsons' east wing. The decision had been quiet but unanimous: their own home no longer felt safe or peaceful, and the constant fights between John and Jenne were growing too heavy to ignore.
Jay was the first to greet them when they arrived, carrying a tray of snacks with her usual bright smile. "Welcome to your new home!" she said warmly. "I hope you like it here."
Karina's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she looked around the familiar yet new surroundings. "Thank you, Jay… really," she whispered. "I… I feel safe here."
Karim, exhausted from the constant tension at home, let out a heavy sigh and slumped onto the couch. Jay sat beside him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, and whispered softly, "You don't have to fight it all alone anymore. You're safe here, Karim."
The two siblings glanced around, slowly relaxing as the mansion's warmth seeped into them. It wasn't just the comfort of the home—it was the care of the people living there. Keifer appeared quietly behind Jay, leaning casually against the doorway, his presence calm and protective.
Serina and Keizer moved silently, ensuring the transition went smoothly. Every corner of the east wing was arranged thoughtfully: cozy bedding, warm blankets, and a little corner for both Karina and Karim where they could retreat when needed.
Jay led them to their rooms personally, joking lightly to ease the tension. "And if you need anything… anything at all, you know who to call."
Karim glanced at her, still tense but showing a hint of a smile. "You're… really nice, Jay."
"And you're stuck with me now," she teased softly, bumping his shoulder. "But in a good way, promise."
Even though the shadow of their parents' fighting still lingered, being in the Watson mansion, surrounded by people who cared, was like a breath of fresh air.
That night, as Jay checked on them before heading back to her own room, she caught them both asleep in the beds she had prepared—Karina curled up with a small pillow, Karim clutching a blanket tightly. A soft smile tugged at her lips.
Keifer appeared behind her again, his hand brushing hers lightly. "They'll be okay," he said quietly.
Jay nodded, feeling a quiet pride. "Thanks to all of us… and you."
He smiled, leaning closer to whisper, "And they have us now. Just like you always had me."
In the east wing, a new chapter of safety, comfort, and healing had begun. And for the first time in a long while, Karina and Karim could feel what it was like to truly breathe without fear—protected by a family they hadn't expected but were already beginning to call their own.
The east wing of the mansion had slowly started to feel less like a temporary refuge and more like a home—thanks largely to Keifer.
From the moment Karina and Karim arrived, he took it upon himself to help them adjust. He showed them where everything was: the pantry, the laundry, the study room, and even the little secret spots in the garden where the sunlight was perfect in the morning.
"See? This can be your corner anytime," he said, pointing to a cozy nook by the window. "I practically claimed it for you before you even got here, so consider it yours."
Karim blinked, exhausted but slightly amused. "You… you planned this?"
Keifer smirked. "Of course. You're family. And family sticks together."
Meanwhile, Serina and Keizer were quietly observing from the doorway, smiling. They had taken the opportunity to explain something to Karina and Karim.
"Consider this your home," Serina said gently, sitting beside Karina on the sofa. "Keizer and I—your big father and big mother—you can treat this place as if it's yours too. Don't be afraid to relax here. Don't hold back."
Karim looked hesitant. "But… our parents—"
Keizer shook his head softly. "Don't worry about them for now. This is your space. You're free to make it comfortable, to laugh, to be yourselves. That's what matters."
Jay, watching quietly, nudged Keifer with a playful smile. "Looks like you're becoming the big cousin, the guide, and the protector all at once."
Keifer chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Someone has to keep them from hiding in the corners all the time. And someone has to make sure they don't feel lost in this big house."
That afternoon, Keifer led Karina and Karim on a small tour of the mansion's little secret spots: the balcony overlooking the garden, a quiet library corner, and a sun-drenched window seat where Jay had first shown him how peaceful mornings could be.
"Feel at home," Keifer said, leaning against the railing beside them. "You're part of this family now. Nothing to fear."
Karim, who had been tense and exhausted from the chaos at his parents' home, finally let a small smile slip. Karina clung to Jay's hand, still unsure but visibly calmer.
Jay whispered softly to Keifer, a smile in her voice, "You've got a way with them. They're already starting to relax."
Keifer's hand brushed hers lightly. "They're just like you once were," he murmured. "A little lost at first… but they'll find their place."
And with the combined care of Keifer, Jay, Serina, and Keizer, the east wing slowly became a sanctuary. A place where laughter, comfort, and the warmth of family began to mend what had been broken, one small act of love at a time.