Jay was still glued to Serina's side.
Still talking.
Still mid-story.
"And then I told him, Mama, that the printer was not even connected—"
Keifer cleared his throat behind her.
Nothing.
She didn't even look back.
Keizer hid a smile behind his cup.
Keifer leaned down.
"Jay."
"Mmh?" she answered… to Serina.
"And after that—"
Keifer closed his eyes.
Slow.
Patient.
Completely useless.
Serina was nodding very seriously.
"Oh yes, that happens when the network—"
Keifer gently took Jay's wrist.
Jay froze.
Looked up at him.
Blinking.
"What?"
"We're going to our room."
She immediately turned back to Serina.
"No, Mama, I haven't finished—"
And then—
Keifer pulled.
Not rough.
Not sudden.
But very decided.
Jay gasped.
"Keifer—!"
She grabbed Serina's arm dramatically.
"Mama, save me."
Serina laughed.
Actually laughed.
"Go, go. I will still be here tomorrow."
Jay shook her head.
"No, you don't understand, we were talking about the curtain color—"
Keifer kept walking.
Jay half-walked, half-dragged behind him.
Looking back over her shoulder.
Still talking.
"Mama, and also the soup you made today was really—"
"Jay."
"Yes?"
"You can praise the soup later."
She pouted.
"I am not finished bonding."
Keizer burst out laughing.
"My God. She's being kidnapped very politely."
Keifer stopped for half a second.
Turned his head slightly.
"She's refusing very loudly."
Then he continued.
Jay tried one last heroic attempt.
She wrapped both hands around the doorframe.
"MAMA—"
Keifer paused.
Looked at her hands.
Then at her face.
Very calmly.
He lifted her.
Just slightly.
Enough to break her grip.
Jay squeaked.
Actually squeaked.
"Hey—!"
And that was it.
He carried her the last few steps into the hallway.
Not bridal style.
Not dramatic.
Just secure.
Effortless.
Like she weighed nothing to him.
From the living room, Serina called out cheerfully,
"Don't bully her, Keifer!"
He answered without looking back.
"I am rescuing myself."
Jay hit his shoulder lightly.
"You are separating me from emotional support."
He opened their bedroom door.
Walked in.
And finally set her down.
She crossed her arms instantly.
Very offended.
"You dragged me."
He closed the door behind them.
Soft click.
"Yes."
No apology.
No shame.
She stared at him.
"You are very rude today."
He leaned down.
Forehead resting against hers.
Low.
Warm.
Unmovable.
"You were ignoring me for forty-seven minutes."
Her eyes widened.
"You were counting?!"
Quiet.
Very quiet.
"…yes."
That broke her.
She laughed.
Soft and helpless.
"You're jealous of your own mother."
He didn't deny it.
He brushed her hair back gently.
"I only get you like this in the evenings."
Her laughter faded.
Just a little.
Her hands found his shirt.
"But I was happy with her…"
"I know."
Softer.
Lower.
"But I missed you."
That made her still.
Completely.
She leaned into his chest.
Just like always.
"…you could have just asked."
His arms came around her slowly.
Careful.
Tight.
"I did."
She smiled into him.
And whispered,
"Next time don't kidnap me in front of the whole family."
His breath brushed her hair.
"No promises, Babe."