JAY-JAY POV
The alarm buzzed at 6 a.m., sharp and unforgiving.
I groaned, rubbing my eyes, but forced myself up.
Today wasn't just any day.
Today we had to go to NYC.
I'd already informed my office that I wouldn't be there this week.
Luckily, nothing major was going on — no deadlines, no emergencies.
Just space. Space I needed, even if it scared me.
I went to Keth's room. He was still asleep, curled under the blanket, his toy tucked against his chest.
I leaned down, brushing his hair back gently. "Keth, bud…" I whispered.
His eyes fluttered open just enough to squint at me. "Ma… let me sleep," he mumbled, rolling over.
I smiled despite myself. "We've got to get up, sweetheart. Big day today."
He groaned, pulling the blanket tighter around him. "But it's warm here."
I sat on the edge of his bed, my hand resting on his back. "I know. But Grandma and Grandpa are waiting for us in New York. Don't you want to see them?"
That made him pause. His eyes peeked out from under the blanket, sleepy but curious. "Grandma and Grandpa?"
"Yes," I said softly. "Grandma and Grandpa."
Slowly, he sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Okay, Ma. But only if Papa comes too."
"Sure, bud," Keifer said, his voice steady.
"You're already awake," I said, surprised to see him leaning casually against the doorway.
"Hard not to when there's a beautiful woman in front of me," he replied, his tone smooth, almost teasing.
My cheeks went red instantly. Heat rushed to my face, and I turned away, pretending to fuss with Keth's blanket.
"Papa, you're flirting with Mama," Keth said, his little voice cutting through the air with innocent bluntness.
I froze, then muttered under my breath, "Even he knows."
Keifer chuckled, the sound low and warm. "Smart kid," he said, ruffling Keth's hair.
Keth grinned, proud of himself for catching on. "Mama's blushing," he announced, like it was the funniest thing in the world.
I rolled my eyes, though the smile tugging at my lips betrayed me. "Alright, enough of this. We've got a long day ahead. NYC isn't going to wait for us."
Keifer's gaze lingered on me, softer now, less teasing. "Then let's make it worth the trip."
For a moment, the room felt lighter — laughter, blushes, and the kind of warmth I hadn't let myself feel in years.
"Go and brush your teeth and—" I started, giving Keth my best mom voice.
"I will shower him today," Keifer interrupted smoothly, stepping in like he had it all under control. "And no bubble war."
Keth's grin spread wide, mischief already sparkling in his eyes. "No promises," he shot back, darting toward the bathroom.
I couldn't help but laugh, shaking my head. "Don't give your papa a hard time," I called after him.
Keifer smirked, leaning against the doorframe. "You know he will. He's just like you."
I raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"Stubborn. Playful. Impossible to control," he said, his tone teasing but his eyes soft.
My cheeks warmed, though I tried to hide it with a scoff. "Well, at least he listens to me sometimes."
From the bathroom, Keth's voice rang out, muffled but triumphant: "Bubble war!" followed by the sound of water splashing.
Keifer groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "This kid…"
I laughed again, the sound filling the quiet house. For a moment, it didn't feel heavy with past mistakes or unspoken words. It felt like home.
I went to the guest room. Percy was ready — surprisingly. His bag was packed, shoes on, jacket zipped.
"Ready, sis?" he asked, his tone light but his eyes sharp, like he was checking if I'd back out last minute.
"Keth just woke up, and I still have to get ready," I said, brushing my hair back. "And Keifer is coming. Keth's decision."
Percy nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "Figures. That kid's got more sense than most adults."
I smirked, half amused, half nervous. "Don't start."
Percy shrugged, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "I'm not starting anything. Just saying — Mama and Papa are gonna have questions. And Keifer better be ready to answer them."
The weight of his words settled on me. Mama and Papa. Their faces, their voices, their inevitable questions. Why hadn't I told them sooner? Why had I carried everything alone? And now, bringing Keifer into it…
I sighed, tightening my grip on the strap of my bag. "We'll deal with it when we get there."
Percy gave me a look — half protective brother, half realist. "Yeah. We will."
From down the hall, Keth's laughter rang out, followed by Keifer's groan. Bubble war. Again.
I couldn't help but smile. "Let's just get through today first."
I went to my room and got ready. Comfy clothes — nothing too formal, not with the long drive ahead.
When I stepped into Keth's room, I froze for a second. They were already ready.
"Mama, we're matching!" Keth said, his grin wide, his little shirt almost identical to mine.
"Yeah, Jay, we are matching," Keifer added, his tone teasing but his eyes steady on me.
I blinked, realizing only now the coincidence. The three of us — unintentionally coordinated, like some kind of family portrait.
Keth bounced on his toes, proud. "We look like a team!"
I smiled, though my chest tightened. "Yeah, bud. We do."
Keifer chuckled, ruffling Keth's hair. "Guess fate wanted us to look like a family today."
I didn't answer right away. My heart was caught somewhere between warmth and ache. Convenience, coincidence… or maybe something more.
Percy's voice rang out from the hallway, impatient as ever. "Let's go, sis! NYC isn't gonna wait!"
I shook myself back to reality, grabbing my bag. "Alright, alright. We're coming."
Keth slipped his hand into mine, Keifer walking just behind us. And as we stepped out together, I couldn't help but think: coincidence or not, we looked like a family.
The others already left saying they have work
And said I should come to Philippines soon
_________ In the car ____________________
The car hummed along the highway, the early morning sun spilling gold across the dashboard. Percy was at the wheel, tapping the steering wheel like he was drumming to some invisible beat.
Keth was in the backseat, wedged between me and Keifer, his stuffed toy tucked under one arm. He was wide awake now, bouncing with excitement.
"Mama, how long till we get there?" he asked for the third time in ten minutes.
"Couple of hours, bud," I said, smiling.
"Couple means two," he argued, scrunching his nose.
Keifer chuckled. "Smart kid. But in road trip language, 'couple' means… forever."
Keth gasped dramatically. "Forever?! Mama, Papa's lying!"
I laughed, shaking my head. "Don't listen to him. We'll be there before you know it."
Percy glanced at us in the rearview mirror, smirking. "You three look like a sitcom back there."
"Don't start," I muttered, though my cheeks warmed.
Keifer leaned back, his arm resting casually along the seat. "Could be worse. At least no bubble war in the car."
Keth grinned mischievously. "Not yet."
I groaned. "Don't even think about it."
The car filled with laughter, the kind that made the miles slip by faster. But beneath it all, I felt the weight of what waited in NYC — Mama and Papa, their questions, their eyes on Keifer, their first time meeting Keth.
I glanced at my son, his joy spilling over, and at Keifer, who caught my gaze for a moment before looking away.
Convenience or fate, we looked like a family. And for the first time in a long time, the thought didn't scare me.