JAY-JAY POV
The plane ride was pretty quick—mostly because I was asleep for most of it.
Which was probably for the best.
Less time to spiral.
Less time to think.
We got off the plane.
The air felt different here.
Colder.
Sharper.
Like the city itself was awake and watching.
Percy stretched dramatically beside me. "Welcome to chaos," he said. "Population: us."
I rolled my eyes but smiled.
Because despite everything, he was trying.
And I needed that.
We walked through the terminal, past strangers and announcements and overpriced coffee stands.
My heart thudded harder with every step.
We stepped outside. The New York air hit me—crisp, loud, alive. I scanned the crowd, heart racing.
And then I saw him.
My dad.
No hesitation. I walked straight to him and threw my arms around him.
"I missed you so much, Dad," I whispered, tears already falling.
"My child," he said, hugging me tighter than I ever remembered. "I missed you too. So much."
He pulled back slightly, wiping my cheek. "Now stop crying. It's not good for pregnant women to cry."
I lowered my head, embarrassed.
"Don't feel ashamed," he said gently. "Feel proud. You're going to be a mother."
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat.
"Does Keifer know?" he asked.
"She didn't tell anyone in the Philippines," Percy answered for me. "That includes Angelo, Keifer, and the rest."
Papa nodded, no judgment in his eyes.
Just quiet understanding.
"Let's go home, shall we?" he said. "Your stepmother is waiting for you."
I took a deep breath.
Because for the first time in a long time, home didn't sound like a threat.
It sounded like a beginning.
We got into the car, and I couldn't stop staring out the window.
New York was… loud. Bright.
Alive.
Skyscrapers stretched like they were trying to touch the sky.
People moved like they had somewhere urgent to be, even at 6 a.m.
"New York is really awesome," I said, almost to myself.
Percy grinned. "Told you. It's chaos with a skyline."
I pressed my forehead to the glass.
It felt like a movie.
Like I'd stepped into someone else's life.
But I hadn't.
This was mine now.
New city.
New chapter.
New secrets.
And somewhere in this city, I was going to figure out how to be okay again.
The car pulled into a quiet street lined with brownstones and trees that looked like they'd seen every season twice.
Papa's house stood at the end—tall, warm, and nothing like the chaos I'd left behind.
We stepped out.
My heart thudded harder with every step toward the door.
Papa opened it with his key, then called out, "Recyee, they're here!"
Footsteps.
Then the door swung open wider, and there she was.
Recyee.
She looked nothing like I imagined.
Soft eyes.
Warm smile.
A gentle kind of energy that made me feel like I wasn't about to be judged.
"Oh, Jay," she said, stepping forward. "You're finally here."
Before I could speak, she wrapped me in a hug. Not tight. Not overwhelming. Just enough to say you're safe now.
"I've been waiting to meet you," she said. "You're even more beautiful than the photos."
I blinked, unsure what to say. No one had called me beautiful in weeks. Not since everything fell apart.
"Come in," she said, ushering us inside. "You must be exhausted. We made sinigang and lumpia—Percy said they're your favorites."
I looked at Percy.
He winked.
And for the first time in a long time, I felt something close to home.
She led me to a room at the end of the hallway. Soft lighting. Blue walls. A cozy bed with matching pillows. Everything felt… intentional.
"Do you like it?" she asked, smiling. "I prepared it for you. Percy said blue was your favorite color."
I blinked, overwhelmed. "Thank you," I said quietly.
I hesitated, unsure of what to call her.
"Mom," she said gently.
I looked at her, confused.
"Call me Mom," she repeated, voice warm.
I hugged her immediately, tears spilling before I could stop them. "Thank you so much, Mom," I whispered. "Nobody in my whole life has ever put this much effort into me."
"Oh dear, don't cry," she said, wiping my tears with her thumb. "You know, I always wanted a daughter. Now I finally have one."
I nodded, heart full and aching all at once.
"Go get ready before Percy finishes the table," she said with a wink.
I headed to the bathroom, then stepped into the walk-in closet.
Everything fit me perfectly.
It was like someone had actually thought about me—what I'd wear, what I'd need.
After getting dressed, I went downstairs. The smell of food hit me first—comforting, familiar.
"Jay, honey, come eat before your brother devours everything," Mama called from the kitchen.
I nodded and sat at the table.
"Okay, Jay," Papa said between bites. "You have an appointment tomorrow."
"For what?" I asked.
Percy snorted. "Sis, are you always this clueless?"
I glared at him. "Can I punch him, Mom?"
"Punch me?" Percy gasped. "My handsome face? You'll ruin my beauty, Jay!"
Mama burst out laughing.
Even Papa chuckled.
And for the first time in a long time, I felt it— Not just safety. But family.
"What was the appointment for?" I asked, still unsure if I wanted the answer.
"Your prenatal check-up," Mom said gently.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.
Honestly… this felt more like home than anything I'd had in the Philippines.
"What about school?" I asked, trying to shift the topic.
"You can finish high school here," Papa said. "There's only two months left," Mama added. "You can go in person if you're comfortable."
I nodded again.
"For college," Papa continued, "you can choose online classes or home tutoring. Whatever works best for you."
"Thanks," I said quietly.
Mama tilted her head. "Why are you thanking us, sweetheart? It's our duty as your parents."
I swallowed hard.
That word—parents—still felt foreign.
But warm.
"Papa… Mama…" I hesitated. "I don't want to tell anyone from the Philippines about the baby. Not yet."
"That's your choice, sweetheart," Mama said, reaching for my hand.
Papa nodded, no questions asked.
And just like that, I felt something I hadn't felt in a long time— Control.
Support.
Peace.