JAY-JAY POV
The next day arrived, and with it, Keifer's discharge.
I couldn't take him back to Massachusetts — the three-hour drive was too much for him in his condition.
So I made the decision to stay.
I'd already filed for a one-month leave, and luckily, they accepted it.
In the year I'd worked there, I had never taken a single day off.
Keifer leaned back against the pillows, his grin faint but mischievous. "I bought a house here… so we're going there."
I blinked at him, stunned. "You what?"
Keth's eyes widened, his whole face lighting up. "Papa! A house? Really?" He bounced on his chair, too excited to sit still.
Keifer chuckled weakly, brushing Keth's hair back. "Yeah, bud. A real house. With space for you to run around, and for Mama to finally rest."
My heart clenched, torn between shock and warmth. "Keifer… you didn't even tell me."
He smirked, though his voice was soft. "I wanted it to be a surprise. Somewhere we can start fresh. Somewhere that's ours."
Keth tugged at my sleeve, his little voice bubbling with joy. "Mama, can we go now? Please? I want to see my room!"
I was about to answer when the nurse entered with paperwork, her voice brisk but kind. "Mr. Watson, you're cleared to go. Just remember, rest and medication are non-negotiable."
Keifer smirked faintly, though his pale face betrayed his exhaustion. "Yes, ma'am. I'll behave."
Percy snorted from the corner. "Behave? You? That'll be the day."
I shot Percy a glare before turning back to Keifer, adjusting the blanket around him. "Ignore him. You're coming home, and I'll make sure you follow every single instruction."
Keifer's lips curved into a weak grin. "I don't doubt it. You're scarier than the doctor."
Keth tugged at my sleeve again, his eyes wide with excitement. "Mama, can I help Papa walk out?"
My heart softened instantly. "You can hold his hand, Keth. But Papa needs to go slow."
Keifer reached out, brushing Keth's hair back. "Deal, bud. You'll be my strength."
I turned to the others. "You three go back home. I'll take care of the rest." They all nodded, leaving me to guide Keifer carefully to the car.
I helped him into the passenger seat while Keth scrambled into the back. "Papa," Keth called out.
"Yeah?" Keifer answered, settling against the seat.
"From now on… will we live together?" Keth asked, his voice trembling with hope.
Keifer froze, caught off guard.
His lips parted, but no words came.
I smiled at him, squeezing his hand. "Yes, hon. Me, Papa, and you — we'll all live together."
Keifer's smile returned, soft and full of emotion. "Yay!" Keth screamed, bouncing in the backseat.
Keifer turned to me, his voice breaking. "Thank you."
"For what?" I asked gently.
"For letting me come back into your life," he whispered.
I smiled, though my voice carried a warning. "Don't mess it up again, Keifer. Because there won't be a next time."
His gaze held mine, steady and sincere. "Trust me… I won't."
And as the car pulled away, I realized this wasn't just a discharge.
It was the beginning of something new — fragile, chaotic, but ours.
We reached the house. Well… not really a house. A mansion.
"Keifer, you said it was a house," I said, staring up at the massive gates and sprawling structure in disbelief.
"Yeah, it is a house," he replied casually, as if the towering walls and endless windows were nothing unusual.
"This is a freaking mansion!" I snapped, my jaw dropping.
Keifer smirked, leaning back against the seat. "Details, details."
"Sure," Keifer said without hesitation, his grin mischievous despite the exhaustion.
"Oh dear god, save me from these two," I muttered, shaking my head.
Keth gasped dramatically, turning to me. "Mama, you can't stop me! Papa already said yes!"
Keifer chuckled, brushing Keth's hair back gently. "See? He's already plotting."
I sighed, but a smile tugged at my lips. "You're both impossible."
Keifer leaned closer, his voice soft but teasing. "Impossible… but yours."
Keth squealed, bouncing in his seat. "Papa, I want the biggest room!"
I groaned, covering my face. "This is going to be a nightmare."
Keifer squeezed my hand, his eyes shining. "No, Jay. This is going to be home."
And as the gates opened, I realized this wasn't just a mansion. It was the start of something new — just us three, finally under one roof.
I parked in front of the house and quickly moved to help Keifer out of the car. His steps were slow, but determined.
I lifted Keth from the backseat, and before I could even warn him, he bolted toward the front door. "Keth, please don't run! You might fall down," I called out.
Of course, he didn't listen. He only ran faster, his laughter echoing against the mansion walls.
I steadied Keifer, guiding him carefully as we walked toward the entrance. His hand tightened around mine, his grin faint but mischievous. "So… are we gonna give Keth a sibling soon?" he asked, his tone teasing.
I stopped in my tracks, glaring at him. "Idiot. I just forgave you."
He chuckled weakly, leaning closer. "What? I'm just thinking ahead. Imagine Keth with a little brother or sister running around this place."
I rolled my eyes, though warmth spread through my chest. "Recover first, Keifer. Then we'll talk about your ridiculous ideas."
Keth's voice carried from inside the house, full of excitement. "Mama! Papa! Come see! It's so big!"
Keifer smiled, his eyes softening as he listened. "See? He already thinks this is home. And I want it to be… for all of us."
I sighed, shaking my head but smiling faintly. "You're impossible."
His grip on my hand tightened, his voice low and sincere. "Maybe. But I'm yours. And now… I'm Papa too."
And with that, we stepped inside — into a mansion that wasn't just walls and rooms, but the beginning of our new life.
"Wow, it's so beautiful," I whispered, my eyes roaming across the grand interior.
"Not more than you," Keifer answered smoothly.
I blushed, shaking my head, but then something caught my eye. The walls — decorated with frames. My pictures. Keth's pictures. Our life staring back at me.
"When did you get these?" I asked, my voice sharp with surprise.
"Well…" Keifer rubbed the back of his neck, looking guilty.
"Mark Keifer Watson," I said firmly, narrowing my eyes.
"Keth gave them to me," he admitted quickly.
Keth gasped, his little face scrunching up. "Papa! You can't just throw me under the bus like that!"
I turned to him, raising a brow. "When?"
Keth shifted nervously, then suddenly grinned, trying to distract me. "Mom, you're so beautiful today."
I sighed, fighting a laugh. "Don't change the subject, mister."
Keifer chuckled weakly, leaning against the wall for support. "See? He's learning from me already."
I rolled my eyes, though warmth spread through my chest. "Great. One smooth talker wasn't enough, now I've got two."
Keth giggled, running to hug my waist. "But it's true, Mama. You are beautiful."
Keifer's gaze softened, his voice low and sincere. "He's right. And now this house has proof of it — everywhere you look."
My heart clenched as I stared at the frames again.
It wasn't just decoration.
It was a reminder.
A promise.
A family stitched into the walls of this mansion.