JAY-JAY POV
It was the next day, and Mama was already in the kitchen, handing Keth another cookie.
"Ma, don't give him so many. He's had like twenty cookies already," I said, half exasperated, half amused.
Keth grinned, crumbs on his cheeks. "Grandma says cookies are good for me!"
Mama chuckled, brushing his hair back. "They're good for the soul, Jay. Don't be so strict."
Papa, reading the newspaper at the table, lowered it just enough to smirk. "Spoiling is our job. You can worry about vegetables later."
Keifer leaned against the counter, arms crossed, clearly enjoying my frustration. "See, Jay? You're outnumbered."
I shot him a look. "Don't start. You're supposed to be on my side."
Keth giggled, hugging Mama's waist. "Cookies forever!" he declared, his new favorite phrase.
Mama laughed, handing him another one despite my glare. "He's happy, Jay. Let him be happy."
I sighed, shaking my head, though the smile tugging at my lips betrayed me. "Fine. But when he's bouncing off the walls, don't blame me."
Papa folded his paper, chuckling. "That's what grandparents are for — sending them home sugared up."
Keifer leaned closer, his voice low, teasing. "Guess you'll have to chase him around later."
I groaned, but inside, I felt the warmth of it all — the chaos, the laughter, the cookies. For the first time in years, it felt like family.
The doorbell rang, sharp against the hum of conversation.
"That must be Kieran and Keigan," Keifer said, straightening a little.
"I'll get it," I replied, already moving toward the door.
He nodded, his expression unreadable but his eyes following me.
I opened the door, and there they were —
Kieran with his wide grin, already half-stepping inside, and Keigan just behind him, calmer, his smile softer but no less warm.
"Ate Jay!" Kieran said, his voice booming with excitement as he pulled me into a hug.
I laughed, caught off guard by his energy. "Kieran, you haven't changed at all."
He grinned, squeezing me tightly before stepping back. "Of course not! Still the same — just louder."
Keigan shook his head, standing just behind him. "Ignore him, AteHe's been rehearsing that entrance the whole drive."
Keth peeked out from behind me, his eyes wide. "Mama, who's Ate Jay?"
Kieran crouched down immediately, his grin widening. "That's what I call your mama.And you must be Keth."
Keth nodded shyly. "Uncle?"
"Uncle Kieran," he said proudly, ruffling Keth's hair. "The fun one."
Keigan stepped forward, calmer, his smile gentle. "And I'm Uncle Keigan. The one who keeps him out of trouble."
"Hi, Kieran and Keigan," Papa said, setting his newspaper aside, his voice steady but welcoming.
"You two must be tired because of the long journey," Mama added, her tone full of concern as she moved closer.
Kieran grinned, shaking his head. "Tired? Nah, Ate Jay's hug woke me right up." He winked at me, his energy filling the room.
Keigan chuckled softly, more composed. "We're fine, MamThe drive wasn't too bad. And seeing everyone again makes it worth it."
Mama planted her hands on her hips, her voice sharp but full of warmth. "Who are you calling Ma'am? Call me Mama since I'm your Ate mother."
Her gaze swept across the room, landing squarely on Keifer, Keigan, and Kieran. "That goes for all three of you," she added, pointing at them like she was laying down law.
Papa chimed in, his tone steady but kind. "And me, Papa."
For a second, the room froze. Not because they were shy, but because the words hit harder than anyone expected.
Kieran's grin faltered. Keigan's calm expression wavered. Even Keifer stiffened.
Nobody had called them sons since their mother died.
Nobody had taken them in.
It had always been Keifer — carrying the weight, raising his brothers alone, making sure they survived.
Mama's declaration wasn't just playful.
It was something they hadn't heard in years.
Keth tilted his head, confused by the silence. "Uncles… why are you frozen?"
Kieran swallowed, forcing a laugh. "Guess we're not used to being spoiled like this."
Keigan nodded slowly, his voice softer than usual. "It's been… a long time since anyone called us family."
Keifer's jaw tightened, his eyes flicking to Mama.
He finally muttered, "Mama."
Mama's stern look melted into a smile, her voice trembling just a little. "Good boys. You're mine now. All of you."
Papa folded his arms, his voice firm but gentle. "Family isn't about who raised who. It's about who claims you. And we claim you."
Keth clapped his hands, breaking the heaviness. "Now we're all family!"
The laughter that followed wasn't just noise — it was released.
For the first time in years, the brothers weren't just Keifer's responsibility.
They were sons again.
"Ate?" Kieran said mischievously, his grin stretching ear to ear.
I narrowed my eyes at him. "What now?"
His eyes flicked between me and Keifer, a grin tugging at his lips. "I think Keth needs a sibling. When are you giving him one?" Kieran asked, his tone mischievous, loud enough for everyone to hear.
The room froze for a heartbeat.
Keifer's jaw tightened, his ears turning red. "Kieran…" he warned, his voice low.
My cheeks burned instantly. "Don't start with that," I muttered, glaring at him.
Keth, oblivious to the tension, gasped with excitement. "A sibling? Like a baby? Can I have one? Please, Mama!"
Mama chuckled, covering her mouth. "Oh, Kieran, you never change. Always stirring the pot."
Papa folded his newspaper, his voice calm but teasing. "Well, it's not such a bad idea. Families grow."
Keigan sighed, shaking his head. "You're embarrassing them."
Kieran only laughed, throwing his hands up. "What? I'm just saying what everyone's thinking!"
Keifer finally spoke, his voice steady but softer now. "One step at a time. Let's focus on today first."
I exhaled, still flustered, but when I glanced at Keifer, his eyes met mine — steady, unspoken, carrying a weight that made my heart race.
Keth clapped his hands, bouncing in Papa's lap. "Yes! Baby brother! Baby sister! Cookies and babies forever!"
The room erupted into laughter, Mama shaking her head, Papa chuckling, and Kieran looking far too proud of himself.
And me? I just buried my face in my hands, knowing this family would never let me live it down.
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