Chapter 5: The Watson Mansion
The Invitation
Jay barely slept.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Keifer's face.
Those storm-gray eyes.
The way he kissed her knuckles.
The way he said he wasn't running.
By 6am, she gave up trying.
She padded to the kitchen in her worn pajamas.
Percy was already there.
Coffee in hand.
Hair wild.
"Couldn't sleep either?" he asked.
Jay shook her head.
Grabbed a mug.
Sat across from him.
"Perce...
About last night..."
Percy held up a hand.
"Jay.
Stop.
We talked about this.
It's weird.
It's confusing.
But you're my sister.
He's my best friend.
I'll get used to it."
Jay smiled.
Small.
Grateful.
"Thank you.
For not making it harder."
Percy snorted.
"Give it time.
I haven't decided if I'm gonna be cool about this yet.
Still processing."
Aries walked in.
Rubbing his eyes.
Already dressed.
"Morning.
Jay, your phone's been buzzing."
Jay grabbed her phone.
Three messages from Keifer.
Keifer: Still can't sleep.
Keifer: Thinking about you.
Keifer: Come somewhere with me today. Important.
Jay: Where?
Keifer: My parents' house. Want you to meet them.
Jay choked on her coffee.
---
Three Hours Later
Jay stood in front of a mansion.
Not a house.
A mansion.
Gates.
Long driveway.
Fountains.
The kind of place people toured for fun.
She looked down at herself.
Simple dress.
Secondhand cardigan.
Flats she'd worn a hundred times.
"I can't do this," she whispered.
"I look like I'm applying for a job.
Not meeting parents."
Keifer stood beside her.
Hands in his pockets.
Looking effortlessly perfect in a casual sweater and dark jeans.
"You look beautiful," he said simply.
"You always do."
Jay's heart fluttered.
"You have to say that.
You're—
Whatever you are to me."
He smiled.
Small.
Real.
"I say it because it's true.
Come on.
They're waiting."
---
They walked up the driveway.
Jay's hand in his.
Sweaty palms.
Racing heart.
"Keifer?
What are we?
I mean...
Your parents...
What do I tell them?"
Keifer stopped.
Turned to her.
Cupped her face gently.
"I don't know what we are yet.
But I know what I want you to be.
Someone important.
Someone who stays.
Someone I don't want to hide."
Jay's eyes stung.
"Keifer..."
"Let's just...
Let them meet you.
Let them see what I see.
The rest we figure out later."
She nodded.
Swallowed her nerves.
Let him lead her inside.
---
The foyer was bigger than her entire apartment.
Marble floors.
Chandelier.
A staircase that belonged in movies.
And at the bottom of those stairs stood two people.
A woman.
Elegant.
Warm smile.
Kind eyes.
A man.
Tall.
Distinguished.
Serious but not cold.
Keifer's parents.
---
"Mom, Dad.
This is Jay.
Jasper Jean Mariano.
The one I told you about."
Serina Watson stepped forward.
Took Jay's hands in hers.
Looked at her like she was something precious.
"Jasper.
What a beautiful name.
May I call you Jay?"
Jay nodded.
Struck speechless by the warmth.
"Jay it is.
Keifer hasn't stopped talking about you.
Not that he talks much usually.
But when he does, it's about you."
Jay glanced at Keifer.
He was slightly pink.
Adorable.
"I...
Thank you, Mrs. Watson.
Your home is beautiful."
Serina waved a hand.
"Please, call me Serina.
And this grumpy man is my husband, Keizer."
Keizer Watson stepped forward.
Studied Jay with sharp eyes.
The same gray as his son.
Then he smiled.
Small.
Genuine.
"Welcome, Jay.
Any friend of Keifer's is family here."
Jay's heart melted.
Just slightly.
---
They moved to the living room.
Huge.
Comfortable.
Full of photos and warmth.
Nothing like Keifer's cold apartment.
Serina gestured for Jay to sit beside her.
"Keifer tells us you work for him.
His assistant.
And that you sing.
At a pub, he said."
Jay nodded.
"The Velvet Rope.
Nothing fancy.
Just a few nights a week."
Serina's eyes softened.
"How wonderful.
To share your gift like that.
You must be very brave."
Jay blinked back unexpected tears.
No one had ever called her brave for singing.
"Thank you."
Keizer spoke from his chair.
"Keifer also mentioned you have brothers.
Two of them.
He speaks highly of them."
Jay smiled.
"Aries and Percy.
They're...
They're everything to me."
Serina and Keizer exchanged a look.
Something warm.
Knowing.
"We understand," Serina said softly.
"Family is everything."
---
Then a small voice shouted from somewhere in the house.
"KUYA! KUYA! YOU HERE?"
Keifer's face lit up.
Actually lit up.
"We're in here, Keiran!"
Jay blinked.
Kuya?
Before she could ask, tiny footsteps pounded.
A little boy burst into the room.
Maybe five years old.
Huge brown eyes.
Messy dark hair.
Wearing dinosaur pajamas even though it was afternoon.
He launched himself at Keifer.
Attached to his leg like a koala.
"KUYA!
Kuya, you didn't tell me you were coming!
Mamma said you were busy!
Mamma always says you're busy!"
Keifer laughed.
Picked him up.
Swing him around once before settling him on his hip.
"I'm never too busy for you, little monster.
You know that."
The boy—Keiran—grinned.
Then noticed Jay.
Stared at her with wide, curious eyes.
"Who's that, Kuya?"
Keifer glanced at Jay.
Something soft in his expression.
"This is Jay.
She's very special."
Keiran tilted his head.
"Special like how?
Like Mamma and Pappa special?
Like Kuya Keigan special?
Like Awi and Peh special?"
Jay frowned.
Awi?
Peh?
---
Another boy appeared in the doorway.
Older.
Maybe twelve.
More reserved.
But curious eyes.
He walked over.
Nodded at Keifer.
"Kuya.
You're here."
Keifer smiled.
"Hey, Keigan.
Yeah, I'm here.
And I brought someone."
Keigan looked at Jay.
Studied her carefully.
"Hi."
"Hi, Keigan."
Keigan glanced at Keifer.
"She's the singer?
The one you told us about?"
Keifer nodded.
"Yeah.
That's her."
Keigan considered this.
Then nodded once.
Approving.
"Cool."
Jay bit back a smile.
The Watson boys.
All serious.
All reserved.
All melting her heart.
---
Keiran squirmed in Keifer's arms.
Reached for Jay.
"Down, Kuya!
Down!
I wanna see the pretty lady!"
Keifer set him down.
Keiran immediately ran to Jay.
Grabbed her hand.
Pulled her toward the couch.
"Sit!
Sit with me!
I'll show you my dinosaurs!"
Jay laughed.
Let him pull her down.
Sat beside him on the huge comfortable couch.
Keiran climbed into her lap like he'd known her forever.
Pulled out a small toy dinosaur from his pocket.
"This is Rex.
He's a T-Rex.
He's the king.
But he's nice.
He doesn't eat people.
Only bad guys."
Jay held the dinosaur carefully.
"He's very handsome, Keiran.
Thank you for sharing him with me."
Keiran beamed.
"I like you.
You're nice.
You can stay forever."
Jay's heart melted into a puddle.
---
The doorbell rang.
Serina stood.
"That must be the boys.
They're always late.
Always."
Jay frowned.
Boys?
Then she heard voices.
Familiar voices.
Laughing.
Arguing.
Walking through the foyer.
"I'm not late, you're early."
"You're always late, Perce."
"Am not."
"Are too."
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
Percy and Aries walked into the living room.
Still arguing.
Still shoving each other.
Still completely oblivious.
Then they saw Jay.
And froze.
---
Jay's heart raced.
But not from shock.
She knew.
She already knew they were Keifer's best friends.
She'd learned that last night.
The shock had already happened.
Now?
Now it was just...
Strange.
Surreal.
But okay.
Percy recovered first.
"Jay?
What are you doing here?"
Jay shrugged.
Small smile.
"Keifer invited me.
To meet his family.
Same as you, apparently."
Aries looked at Keifer.
Eyebrow raised.
"You brought her here?
To meet Mamma and Pappa?
Already?"
Keifer shrugged.
"She's important.
They should know her."
Percy looked between them.
Something unreadable in his eyes.
Then he grinned.
"Well.
This isn't awkward at all."
---
Keiran squealed.
"AWI! PEH!
You're here!
You're both here!"
He scrambled off Jay's lap.
Ran to Percy.
Jumped into his arms.
Percy caught him.
Swing him around.
"Hey, little man!
Missed you!"
Keiran giggled.
"Missed you more, Peh!
Did you bring me something?
You always bring me something!"
Percy fake gasped.
"I'm offended.
I'm not just a gift delivery service.
I'm your favorite person."
Keiran considered this.
"You're my favorite after Kuya Kai and Kuya Koya and Mamma and Pappa."
Percy clutched his heart.
"Brutal.
Absolutely brutal."
---
Keigan walked over to Aries.
Calm.
Reserved.
"Awi.
Can you help me with my science project later?
It's about volcanoes."
Aries smiled.
Soft.
Genuine.
"Of course, Keigan.
I'd love to."
Jay watched.
Heart swelling.
Her brothers.
With these boys.
With this family.
Like they'd always belonged here.
Serina noticed her watching.
Sat beside her on the couch.
"They've been coming here for years, you know.
Since they were teenagers.
Keifer brought them home one day and they never left.
They're our boys now.
Just as much as Keifer, Keigan, and Keiran."
Jay's eyes stung.
"They never told me.
They never mentioned any of this."
Serina patted her hand.
"Boys are terrible at sharing feelings, dear.
You know that."
Jay laughed.
Wet.
Happy.
"Yeah.
I know."
---
Dinner was chaos.
Beautiful, loud, wonderful chaos.
Keiran talked nonstop.
Demanded Percy feed him vegetables.
Refused to eat them unless Peh made airplane noises.
Keigan asked Aries serious questions about magma and tectonic plates.
Aries answered patiently.
Like he'd been doing this for years.
Keifer watched Jay.
The whole time.
Like she was the most fascinating thing in the room.
At one point, he leaned close.
Whispered in her ear.
"You fit here.
You know that?
You fit perfectly."
Jay's heart soared.
"I do?"
"Yeah.
You do."
---
After dinner, they moved to the living room again.
Dessert and coffee.
Keiran fell asleep on Percy's lap.
Keigan sat quietly beside Aries, reading a book about volcanoes.
Serina looked around the room.
At the people gathered.
Her sons.
The boys she already loved like sons.
The girl her eldest son clearly loved.
Then she stood.
Walked over to Jay.
Took her hands.
"Jay, dear.
I have something to ask you."
Jay's heart stopped.
Oh no.
Was this too much?
Was she going to ask her to leave?
But Serina smiled.
Warm.
Tender.
"I've watched my son for twenty-eight years.
Watched him close himself off.
Watched him build walls.
Watched him refuse to let anyone in."
She squeezed Jay's hands.
"Then you came.
And something changed.
He smiles now.
Small smiles.
But real ones.
He talks about someone other than work.
He leaves his office before midnight.
He looks...
Happy."
Jay's eyes filled with tears.
"So," Serina continued, "I want to ask you something.
Aries and Percy call me Mamma.
Have for years.
Keigan and Keiran call me Mamma.
Keifer calls me Mom, but I'm working on him."
She paused.
Looked directly into Jay's eyes.
"Would you call me Mamma too?"
---
Jay's breath caught.
"Mamma?"
Serina nodded.
"If you want.
Only if you're comfortable.
But yes.
Mamma.
Because you're family now.
You're my daughter now too."
Jay looked at Aries.
He nodded.
Smiling softly.
Looked at Percy.
He winked.
Eyes suspiciously bright.
Looked at Keifer.
His eyes were soft.
Full of something she couldn't name.
But it felt like love.
Jay turned back to Serina.
Opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Then, quietly:
"Mamma."
Serina—Mamma—pulled her into a hug.
Warm.
Tight.
Loving.
"My daughter," she whispered.
"My beautiful daughter."
---
Then Keizer stood.
Walked over.
Cleared his throat.
"My turn?"
Serina laughed.
Wiped her eyes.
"Your turn."
Keizer looked at Jay.
Serious.
Intense.
The same gray eyes as his son.
Then he smiled.
Warm.
Genuine.
"Aries and Percy call me Pappa.
Have for years.
Keigan and Keiran call me Pappa.
Even Keifer calls me Pappa sometimes, though he'll deny it."
He held out his hand.
"I'd be honored if you would too."
Jay took his hand.
Squeezed.
"Pappa."
Keizer nodded.
Satisfied.
Pulled her into a quick, strong hug.
"Welcome to the family, Jay.
Welcome home."
---
Keiran woke up just enough to mumble.
"Jay's staying?
Forever?"
Percy grinned.
"Yeah, little man.
Jay's staying forever."
Keiran smiled.
Sleepy.
Happy.
"Good.
I like her.
She can be my new Kuya."
Keigan looked up from his book.
"She's a girl, Keiran.
She can't be Kuya."
Keiran waved a hand.
"Don't care.
She's Kuya Jay."
Everyone laughed.
Jay's heart felt so full she thought it might burst.
---
Later, Serina gathered everyone again.
"I have another idea," she announced.
"A wonderful idea."
Everyone looked at her.
"Aries and Percy.
You live in that tiny apartment, yes?
With Jay?"
Percy nodded.
"It's small but it's home."
Serina waved a hand.
"Nonsense.
You should stay here.
With us.
There's plenty of room.
More than plenty.
You're family already.
Why live apart?"
---
The room went silent.
Jay stared at Serina—Mamma.
Percy's jaw dropped.
Aries blinked slowly.
Keifer looked at his mother with something like wonder.
"Mamma," Keifer started.
"That's—
Are you serious?"
Serina nodded.
"Completely.
Pappa and I have talked about it before.
You boys are here all the time anyway.
You sleep on couches.
Leave clothes in the guest rooms.
You might as well have your own space here."
Keizer nodded.
"She's right.
You're family.
Have been for years.
Why pay rent somewhere else when you belong here?"
Percy looked at Aries.
Aries looked at Percy.
Then both looked at Jay.
---
Jay's mind spun.
Live here?
In this mansion?
With the Watsons?
With Mamma and Pappa?
With Keifer?
Percy spoke first.
"Mamma—
Pappa—
This is...
This is too much.
We can't just—
We're not—
"
"You can," Keizer interrupted.
"And you will.
Consider it done.
No arguments."
Aries shook his head slowly.
"I don't know what to say.
We've never had...
This is more than we've ever..."
He trailed off.
Emotion in his voice.
Serina stood.
Walked to him.
Took his face in her hands.
"You boys have been alone too long.
Raised yourselves.
Raised your sister.
Fought for everything.
Now let someone fight for you.
Let us take care of you for once."
Aries's eyes glistened.
He blinked rapidly.
Nodded.
"Okay, Mamma," he whispered.
"Okay."
Percy looked away.
But not before everyone saw his eyes too.
Wet.
Shiny.
Grateful.
"Mamma," he said quietly.
"Pappa.
Thank you.
Thank you so much."
---
Keiran jumped up.
Fully awake now.
"YES!
Peh and Awi are staying!
Forever!
Forever and ever!"
He launched himself at Percy.
Percy caught him.
Laughed.
Held him tight.
Keigan smiled.
Small.
But real.
"Awi can help me with my science projects every day now."
Aries nodded.
"Every day, Keigan.
I promise."
Serina turned to Jay.
"And you, dear.
You'll have your own room.
Beautiful view.
Plenty of space.
You can decorate however you want."
Jay swallowed.
Tears threatening.
"Mamma...
I don't know what to say.
No one's ever...
This is too kind.
Too generous.
We don't deserve—"
Serina cut her off.
"You deserve everything, Jasper Jean Mariano.
Everything.
And we intend to give it to you."
Jay hugged her.
Tight.
Long.
Crying.
"Thank you, Mamma.
Thank you."
---
Later, everyone dispersed.
Keiran demanded Percy carry him to bed.
Keigan asked Aries to read one more chapter about volcanoes.
Keizer retired to his study.
Serina kissed everyone's cheeks and disappeared upstairs.
Jay stood alone in the living room.
Overwhelmed.
Grateful.
Terrified.
Happy.
Keifer found her there.
Standing by the window.
Staring at the stars.
"Hey," he said softly.
"You okay?"
She turned.
Eyes wet but smiling.
"Your mother—Mamma—
Just adopted my entire family.
In one night.
Like it was nothing.
Like we were always meant to be here."
Keifer walked closer.
Stood beside her.
"You were.
Always meant to be here.
I just didn't know it yet."
Jay laughed.
Wet.
Shaky.
"You're too much, you know that?"
He smiled.
Small.
Tender.
"So are you."
---
They stood together.
Quiet.
Watching the stars.
"So," Jay said finally.
"Moving in.
All of us.
Together.
Under one roof."
"Yeah."
"That's...
A lot."
"Yeah."
"With your family.
Your parents.
Your brothers."
"Yeah."
She looked at him.
"Your room.
Where is it?"
Keifer pointed upstairs.
"Third floor.
East wing.
Big windows.
Good view."
Jay nodded.
Slowly.
Thinking.
"And my room?
Where's that?"
Keifer hesitated.
"Second floor.
West wing.
Far from mine."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Far?"
"Very far.
Mamma's idea.
She's old-fashioned."
Jay laughed.
Actually laughed.
Despite everything.
---
A maid appeared.
Polite.
Professional.
"Miss Mariano?
Your room is ready.
Shall I show you up?"
Jay nodded.
Turned to Keifer.
"Goodnight, Keifer."
He took her hand.
Brought it to his lips.
Kissed her knuckles.
Soft.
Sweet.
Gentle.
"Goodnight, Jay."
She followed the maid upstairs.
Heart full.
Head spinning.
---
But she didn't make it to her room.
Halfway down the second-floor hallway, a hand caught her wrist.
Gentle.
Warm.
Familiar.
She turned.
Keifer stood there.
Eyes intense.
Breathing slightly uneven.
"Jay.
Wait."
The maid continued walking.
Didn't notice.
Disappeared around a corner.
Jay looked at Keifer.
"What are you doing?
Mamma put me far away for a reason."
He stepped closer.
"Don't care."
"Keifer—"
"I want you in my room."
His voice was low.
Rough.
Serious.
Jay's heart stopped.
"What?"
Keifer ran a hand through his hair.
Struggling for words.
"I know it's fast.
I know we're confused.
I know we haven't figured out what we are.
But I can't—
I don't want you far away.
I want you close.
Near me.
Where I can see you.
Where I know you're safe."
Jay stared at him.
Heart racing.
Mind spinning.
"Mamma—
She put me on the other side of the house for a reason."
Keifer shook his head.
"Mamma loves me.
But she doesn't control me.
And she certainly doesn't control this."
He stepped closer.
Cupped her face.
Those storm-gray eyes burning into hers.
"I don't know what we are, Jay.
I don't have words for it.
But I know I'm not ready to let you go.
Not tonight.
Not ever."
---
Jay's resistance crumbled.
"Okay," she whispered.
"Okay."
He took her hand.
Led her down the hallway.
Up another flight of stairs.
To the third floor.
East wing.
His room was huge.
Big windows.
City view.
A bed that looked like clouds.
Warm.
Inviting.
Him.
Keifer closed the door behind them.
Leaned against it.
Watching her.
"You can say no," he said quietly.
"You can leave.
Go to your own room.
I won't stop you.
I won't be angry.
I just—
I had to ask."
Jay walked toward him.
Slow.
Deliberate.
Stopped inches away.
"I don't want to leave."
His breath caught.
"Jay..."
"I want to stay.
Here.
With you.
Whatever that means.
Whatever we are.
I want to be here."
---
He kissed her then.
Deep.
Slow.
Full of everything they couldn't say.
When they finally pulled apart, they were both breathless.
"Stay," he whispered.
"Tonight.
Tomorrow.
Always.
Just stay."
Jay smiled.
Soft.
Bright.
Real.
"Always is a long time."
"I'm a patient man."
She laughed.
Pulled him closer.
"Okay.
Always."
---
Later, they lay in his bed.
City lights outside.
Arms around each other.
Heartbeats slowing.
Jay traced patterns on his chest.
Thinking.
Processing.
"Keifer?"
"Yeah?"
"My brothers.
Moving in here.
Mamma and Pappa.
This is...
This is more than I ever dreamed."
He kissed her hair.
"They deserve it.
You deserve it."
"So do you."
He was quiet for a moment.
Then:
"No one's ever said that to me before."
Jay looked up.
Met his eyes.
"Then they were wrong.
You deserve everything, Mark Keifer Watson.
Everything.
And I intend to help you find it."
---
He held her tighter.
Buried his face in her hair.
"I think I'm falling for you, Jasper Jean Mariano.
Hard.
Fast.
Terrifyingly."
She smiled against his chest.
"Good.
Because I'm already gone."
They lay there.
Wrapped in each other.
Two people from different worlds.
Somehow finding home in each other's arms.
Downstairs, Aries and Percy settled into their new rooms.
Strange.
Surreal.
But right.
Keigan dreamed of volcanoes and science projects with Awi.
Keiran dreamed of Peh reading him stories and making airplane noises.
Serina and Keizer smiled at each other across their bedroom.
Their family.
Growing.
Beautiful.
Complete.
And in Keifer's room, Jay slept peacefully for the first time in years.
Safe.
Loved.
Home.
In his arms.
Where she belonged.
---
End of Chapter 5