JAY-JAY POV
I woke up in a room, the faint hum of machines filling the silence.
My head felt heavy, my body weak.
"Jay, hello," Percy's voice broke through, light and teasing.
He leaned against the wall with that familiar grin. "I thought you had to miss my handsome face."
I blinked at him, my lips twitching despite the ache in my chest. "Handsome? Percy, you're delusional."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "See? You're fine. If you can still insult me, you're fine."
But the moment the laughter faded, reality hit me again.
My eyes darted to the door, the one that led to the room where Keifer was.
"Percy… Keifer?" My voice cracked, the fear rushing back.
Percy's smile softened, his tone gentler now. "He's still in surgery. The doctors are doing everything they can."
I swallowed hard, tears burning my eyes. "I need to see him."
"You can't right now," Percy said firmly, though his voice carried warmth. "ButJay, listen… he's strong. He's fighting. Just like he always does."
I pressed my hands together, trembling. "I can't lose him, Percy. Not after everything."
Percy sat beside me, his hand resting lightly on mine. "You won't. He promised you, remember? And Keifer's the kind of guy who keeps his promises."
I closed my eyes, holding onto those words like they were the only thing keeping me upright.
"Mama, what happened to you?" Keth's small voice broke through the quiet as he stepped into the room, his eyes wide with worry.
I opened my mouth, but Keiran answered for me, his tone steady. "Nothing, Mama was just weak."
Keth frowned, his little hands twisting together. "Weak? But Mama's strong."
His words pierced me, soft but powerful.
I forced a smile, even though my chest still felt heavy. "I'm fine, Keth. Don't worry."
Keigan sat closer, his eyes watching me carefully, protective. "You scared us, Ate. But you're okay now."
Keth climbed onto the chair beside me, his head resting against my arm.
"Mama…" he whispered, tugging at my sleeve.
"Yes, Keth?" I asked, brushing his hair back gently.
His eyes were wide, innocent, but filled with something deeper. He pointed toward the room. "Papa… what happened to Papa?"
I looked at Keth, his innocent eyes wide with worry.
Leaning down, I kissed his forehead softly, letting my lips linger as if the gesture could shield him from the fear pressing in around us.
"Papa will be fine," I whispered, my voice steady even though my heart was breaking inside.
Keth nodded, his small fingers clutching mine tightly. "Promise?" he asked, his voice trembling.
I swallowed hard, forcing a smile through the tears. "Promise. Papa is strong. He's fighting for us."
Keigan watched quietly from the corner, his expression unreadable but his eyes shining with something between shock and pride.
Percy leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his usual grin gone, replaced with a softer look.
Even Mama and Papa exchanged glances, the weight of Keth's word settling over all of us.
Because in that moment, Keifer wasn't just my protector. He wasn't just the man who fought for me. He had become Papa in Keth's heart.
And I knew — no matter how much blood he had lost,
no matter how close the edge was —
Keifer would fight harder than ever.
Because now, he wasn't just mine.
He was ours.
I was getting out of the bed, my legs shaky but my heart restless.
"Where do you think you're going?" Percy's voice cut through the room, sharp but playful. He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, eyebrows raised.
"Percy, please… I'm fine," I said, brushing past the dizziness. "I have to be a—"
He stepped forward, blocking me with a grin that didn't quite hide his worry. "Jay, don't even finish that sentence. You're not running around the hospital like some action hero."
I frowned, frustration bubbling up. "Keifer needs me. I can't just sit here while he's—"
Percy's expression softened, his voice gentler now. "Jay, listen. You've already done enough. You fought, you carried him, you stayed. Right now, the best thing you can do for Keifer is to stay strong when he wakes up."
My lips trembled, tears threatening again. "But what if he doesn't wake up?"
Percy shook his head firmly, his hand resting on my shoulder. "He will. You know Keifer—he's too stubborn to leave you. And besides…"
He smirked faintly, trying to lighten the mood. "He wouldn't dare leave me either. Who else would laugh at my jokes?"
I let out a shaky laugh, collapsing back onto the bed. "You're impossible."
"Exactly," Percy said, pulling the blanket over me like I was a child. "So stay put. When Keifer opens his eyes, he'll want to see you smiling, not fainting again."
I closed my eyes, clutching the sheets, whispering softly: "Then I'll wait. But I'll be ready."
—-----------------------2 hours later------------------------------
The nurse finally came to our room, her expression calm but firm. "Mr. Watson woke up. Only one person can go," she said.
I didn't wait.
My legs moved before my mind could catch up.
I pushed past the chair, past Percy's raised brow, past Keigan's worried glance.
I had to see him.
The hallway felt endless, every step echoing with the pounding of my heart. My hands trembled, still stained with the memory of his blood.
When I reached the door, I paused for a second, my breath caught in my throat.
Then I pushed it open.
Keifer lay there, pale but alive, his eyes fluttering open as the machines hummed softly around him.
"Jay…" His voice was weak, but it was his.
Tears spilled instantly, my knees nearly giving out.
I rushed to his side, my heart pounding as I grabbed his hand.
"You asshole," I blurted, tears spilling down my cheeks. "Can't you be more careful? I was so worried about you."
Keifer's lips curved into the faintest smile, his voice weak but teasing. "Jay… profanity."
I kissed him softly on the lips, my heart racing.
He looked shocked, his eyes widening as if he couldn't believe I'd done it.
"Next time you do something that might get you into trouble, I will not give you any kiss," I warned, my voice trembling between anger and relief.
His lips parted, a faint smile tugging at the corners. "Jay… I would rather die than—"
I silenced him with another kiss, firmer this time, tears slipping down my cheeks.
"Don't say that," I whispered against his lips. "Don't you dare say that. You're not allowed to leave me."
Keifer's hand weakly cupped mine, his voice softer now. "Then I'll stay. For you. For Keth. For us."
I pressed my forehead against his, closing my eyes,
letting the warmth of his presence wash away the fear that had been choking me for hours.
For the first time since the blood, since the chaos, since the collapse— I finally felt like I could breathe.
"Jay," he said, his voice weak but steady.
"Hmm?" I answered softly, brushing my thumb over his hand.
"Does that mean you forgive me?" he asked, his eyes searching mine.
I nodded, tears threatening again but a small smile breaking through.
"Damn, Jay," he chuckled faintly, "if I knew you would forgive me if I got shot, I would've gotten shot a long time ago."
"Gago," I muttered, shaking my head, half angry, half relieved.
He laughed, though it hurt him, his chest rising slowly. "That's the Jay I know. Fierce, stubborn… and mine."
I leaned closer, whispering, "Don't joke about this. You scared me more than anyone ever has."
His eyes softened, his hand tightening around mine. "Then I'll spend the rest of my life making sure you never feel that way again."
I pressed my forehead against his, closing my eyes, letting the warmth of his words sink in.
For the first time since the chaos began, I felt a fragile peace.