JAY-JAY POV
I woke up and realized I was cuddling with Keifer. Keth was sprawled right on top of him like a starfish. How the hell did that happen?
I tried to sit up, but this gago pulled me back into bed. "Five more minutes, Jay, please," Keifer mumbled, his voice still heavy with sleep.
"Keif," I said quietly.
His eyes opened, surprised. "This is the first time you called me Keif in four years."
I looked at him, my chest tightening.
Then, right on cue, Keth stirred. "Mom," he said groggily, rubbing his eyes.
I sighed. "Good morning, trouble."
Keth blinked, then realized where he was. "Wait… why am I on Papa?"
Keifer chuckled weakly. "Because you climbed on me in your sleep, bud. You're heavy, by the way."
Keth gasped. "I'm not heavy! I'm strong!" He flexed his tiny arms dramatically.
I groaned, covering my face. "Oh god, it's too early for this."
Keifer smirked, brushing his hair back. "No, Jay. This is the perfect way to wake up."
Keth grinned, snuggling closer between us. "Best morning ever."
And despite the chaos, despite the weight on Keifer's chest and my aching back, I couldn't help but agree.
"Get up, both of you," I said, tugging at the blanket until they sat up.
"But Ma—" Keth started, his hair sticking up in every direction.
"No buts. Get up now," I cut him off, pointing toward the door.
They both groaned in unison, dragging themselves out of bed like I'd just sentenced them to hard labor.
Keth muttered under his breath, "So unfair…"
Keifer echoed him, smirking faintly. "Yeah, Jay. Totally unfair."
I narrowed my eyes. "Excuse me? Did you two just team up against me?"
Keth gasped dramatically. "Papa's on my side!"
Keifer raised his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I'm just saying… mornings are cruel."
I crossed my arms, glaring at them. "Cruel? Try living with you two."
Keth giggled, tugging at Keifer's arm. "Come on, Papa. Let's go brush teeth together. Mama's scary in the morning."
Keifer chuckled, leaning against the wall for support. "She's scary all the time, bud."
I groaned, shaking my head. "Out. Both of you. Before I lose my mind."
They shuffled toward the bathroom, still muttering about "unfairness" and "mean Mama."
And yet, watching them stumble off together, I couldn't help but smile.
Because even in their complaints, even in their chaos, it felt like the start of something real.
After getting ready in the other bathroom, I headed straight to the kitchen to start breakfast.
Just as I was reaching for the pan, someone slipped behind me and wrapped their arms around my waist.
"Keifer," I muttered, already knowing. "What do you want?"
He rested his chin on my shoulder, smirking. "You forgot to give me my morning kisses."
I raised an eyebrow. "Kisses?"
"Yeah," he said, grinning. "All the mornings I missed… you owe me. Pay up."
I opened my mouth to argue, but he leaned in and kissed me before I could. I melted into it, responding without hesitation.
When we finally broke apart, both of us breathless, I couldn't help but smile.
I leaned forward and kissed him again.
He blinked in surprise for a second, then pulled me closer, responding back with even more intensity.
And then—
"Ma! Papa! You're eating each other!" Keth's voice rang out from the doorway.
We broke apart so fast it was like we'd been caught stealing cookies.
"Keth!" I snapped, my face burning.
He tilted his head, spoon in hand, completely serious. "You said breakfast, Mama. But you two are having… mouth breakfast."
Keifer chuckled, brushing his hair back, still breathless. "Bud, it's called a kiss."
Keth squinted. "Well, it looked like you were trying to swallow Mama's face."
I groaned, covering my face. "Oh dear god."
Keifer smirked, leaning against the counter. "Worth it."
Keth wrinkled his nose. "Gross. Next time, just eat pancakes."
I sighed, shaking my head. "Go sit at the table before I lose my mind."
Keth skipped off, muttering something about "weird parents."
Keifer leaned closer, whispering with a grin. "Still worth it."
I rolled my eyes, but couldn't stop the smile tugging at my lips.
Chaos or not, mornings like this were ours.
After breakfast, I found Keifer leaning against the counter. "Keifer, take your medicine," I said, handing him the pills.
He took them from my hand, swallowing quickly. "Thanks."
I shook my head. "No need to thank me. Family don't thank each other."
He froze, staring at me like I'd just said something unbelievable. Then, without warning, he pulled me into a hug.
"Thank you, Jay… for giving me a second chance," he whispered.
I stiffened, caught off guard. "Keifer…"
He pulled back just enough to look me in the eye, his expression serious but soft. "Be my girlfriend."
I blinked. "Girlfriend?"
He smirked faintly, "Well, what I really want is for you to be my wife. But I'll propose properly when I'm better — not while I'm half dead."
I stared at him, my heart racing. "You're unbelievable."
He grinned, leaning closer. "Unbelievable… but yours."
I rolled my eyes, but couldn't stop the smile tugging at my lips. "Fine. Girlfriend."
His eyes widened, surprised. "Wait… did you just say yes?"
I sighed, shaking my head. "Don't make me regret it."
Keifer chuckled, pulling me back into his arms. "Too late. You're stuck with me now."
And for the first time in years, I let myself believe him.
"So what next" Keifer asked
"Next you get better and propose to me" I said
"Sure" He said pulling me closer to him wrapping his hands on my waist my hands around his neck
"Where were we before our little chaos disturbed us" He asked
"I think we were somewhere between…" I trailed off, my lips hovering close to his.
Keifer smirked, his breath warm against my skin. "Between arguing and kissing?"
I rolled my eyes, but my hands tightened around his neck. "More like between sanity and madness."
He chuckled softly, pulling me closer. "Then let's stay in madness. It suits us."
I was about to respond when—
"Ma! Papa! Where's my juice?" Keth's voice rang out from the hallway.
We broke apart instantly, both groaning.
Keifer leaned his forehead against mine, whispering, "Your chaos has the worst timing."
I sighed, shaking my head. "Our chaos. Don't forget that."
Keth appeared in the doorway, holding his empty cup like it was evidence. "Seriously, you two are always busy. Can someone just pour me juice?"
Keifer laughed, brushing his hair back. "See, Jay? Between sanity and madness… we're raising madness."
I grabbed the cup from Keth, muttering, "This family is going to drive me insane."
But as Keifer's hand lingered on my waist and Keth grinned at us, I couldn't help but smile.
Because even in the interruptions, even in the chaos, it felt like love.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Who watched dark side trailer and cried? 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭💔💔💔💔💔💔💔