JAY-JAY POV
After dinner, all of us went upstairs.
The house felt calmer now, the echoes of laughter still lingering in the walls.
We went to our room, and Keth came with us because I didn't want to let him out of my sight.
His little hand clung to mine as if he knew I needed him close just as much as he needed me.
I got Keth ready—showered him, dressed him in his soft pajamas, and tucked him into the bed beside me.
He curled against my side, his eyelids heavy, but his smile still bright.
"Mama, don't let go," he whispered, his voice small and sleepy.
"I won't," I promised, brushing his hair back from his forehead.
Keifer went to the bathroom next, the sound of running water echoing faintly.
I glanced at the door, my chest tightening.
Even though he was only a few steps away, I couldn't shake the fear of losing him again.
Keth's breathing slowed, his little chest rising and falling against me.
I kissed his forehead, holding him close, and whispered, "You're safe now, my love."
The night was quiet, ordinary, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself believe it would stay that way.
Keifer came out of the bathroom and moved carefully toward the bed, his steps slow, almost hesitant, afraid Keth might stir awake.
"So he is finally asleep?" he asked, his voice low, almost a whisper.
I nodded, brushing a strand of hair from Keth's face as he breathed softly against my arm.
Keifer leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to Keth's forehead, then to mine, and finally to my lips.
His touch was warm, steady, and full of the kind of love that words could never capture.
"Keif," I called out softly, my voice trembling with the fear I couldn't shake.
"Hmm," he answered, half asleep, half awake, his arm draped lazily across me.
"What if Kaizer takes him again?" I whispered, the thought clawing at my chest.
He opened his eyes just enough to meet mine, his voice steady even in exhaustion. "He won't, Jay. Because I'll be there to save him from that ever happening again."
I nodded, my heart easing just a little at his certainty.
"Sleep," he teased, brushing his thumb against my cheek. "You didn't get any sleep the past two days."
I hit his chest lightly, glaring at him. "Idiot. You gave me a big hickey that even your son asked about."
His lips curved into a tired grin, his face turning red. "What? Not my fault—you're the one who asked me not to stop."
I gasped, smacking him again, though my cheeks burned hotter than his. "Keifer!" I hissed, trying to keep my voice low so Keth wouldn't stir.
He chuckled softly, pulling me closer, his forehead pressing against mine. "You know I can't resist you, Jay."
I rolled my eyes, but my heart softened. His warmth, his teasing, his promises—it was all I needed to finally let go of the fear.
Keth shifted beside us, sighing in his sleep, his small hand resting against mine.
I kissed his fingers gently, then leaned into Keifer's chest.
"So what's next?" I asked, my voice low, the question heavy with all the fears I hadn't spoken.
Keifer's arm tightened around me, his breath warm against my hair. "We can think about the future later," he said softly. "But for now… let's sleep."
I nodded, because what else could we do?
"Papa," Keth mumbled half asleep, his little voice barely above a whisper.
"Yes, bub," Keifer answered softly, brushing his son's hair back.
"Don't eat Mama again," Keth said, his words slurred with sleep.
I almost burst out laughing, biting my lip to keep quiet.
Keifer shot up so fast I swore he was the Flash. His eyes wide, his face red, he turned to me in disbelief. "Jay… even in sleep he's telling me not to touch you!"
I smirked, shaking my head. "Well, I guess that's genes."
Keifer groaned, running a hand down his face. "Great. My own son is against me."
I chuckled, leaning closer to whisper, "Maybe he's just protecting me… like his Papa does."
Keifer's eyes softened at that, his blush fading into a quiet smile. He sat back down, pulling the blanket over us, his arm wrapping protectively around both me and Keth.
"Fine," he muttered, kissing my temple. "But tomorrow, I'm teaching him the difference between mosquitoes and Papa."
I laughed quietly, resting my head against his chest. "Good luck with that."
And with Keth's sleepy mumbling fading into soft breaths, the night finally settled into peace—our laughter tucked safely between the silence. We fell asleep like that.
I woke up in the morning because of Keth bouncing on the bed, his little giggles filling the room.
"Mama, wake up!" he shouted, tugging at the blanket. "Papa, wake up!"
Keifer groaned, pulling the pillow over his head. "Five more minutes, bub…" he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.
Keth wasn't having it. He bounced harder, landing right on Keifer's stomach. "Nooo, Papa! Wake up!"
Keifer let out a dramatic grunt, clutching his stomach. "You're trying to kill me!" he teased, peeking out from under the pillow with a grin.
I laughed, sitting up and ruffling Keth's hair. "Alright, alright, we're awake. Happy now?"
Keth nodded eagerly, his eyes sparkling. "Yes! Breakfast!"
Keifer sighed, rubbing his temples. "This boy thinks only about food."
I raised a brow, already sensing where this was going.
"Jay, I swear to god he got your food behavior—like his never-ending hungry disease," Keifer teased, his lips twitching into a grin.
My jaw dropped. "Excuse me?!" I smacked his arm lightly, glaring at him. "Hungry disease? Really?"
"Wake up, you can fight later. Right now I want food," Keth demanded, bouncing harder on the bed.
I sighed, rubbing my eyes, then turned to Keifer. "Keifer, get up and make breakfast for your son."
He groaned, dragging the pillow over his face. "Why me?"
"Because he asked you," I said firmly, smirking.
Keth tugged at Keifer's arm, his little voice insistent. "Papa, pancakes! Please!"
Keifer peeked out from under the pillow, his hair a mess, his eyes still half shut. "Pancakes? At this hour?"
"Yes!" Keth shouted, his grin wide.
I crossed my arms, enjoying the sight of Keifer being cornered. "Better hurry before he declares war again."
Keifer sat up slowly, muttering under his breath, "This boy is going to be the end of me."
Keth clapped his hands, bouncing with excitement. "Yay! Papa's cooking!"
I chuckled, leaning back against the headboard. "Don't burn the kitchen down."
Keifer shot me a look, but his lips curved into a smile. "You'll regret teasing me when you taste my pancakes."
He finally dragged himself out of bed and went to the kitchen.
I swore everyone in the house woke up because of the noises they were making.
Pots clattered, pans scraped, and Keifer's muttering echoed through the walls. "Where's the flour? Who moved the sugar?!"
I got out of the bed and went to the kitchen only to see everyone was there rubbing their eyes like zombies
Keigan and Keiran stumbled in, rubbing their eyes, laughing at the racket.
"Kuya, are you cooking or starting a war?" Keigan teased.
Percy appeared next, smirking as he leaned against the doorway. "I think the neighbors will know we're having pancakes before we even eat them."
Keth ran past me, his little feet pattering against the floor.
"Papa, hurry! I'm starving!" he shouted, climbing onto a chair to watch.
Keifer groaned, flipping the pan dramatically. "You all act like I'm running a restaurant."
I crossed my arms, leaning against the counter, my lips twitching into a smile. "Well, considering the noise, you might as well hang a sign outside."
The boys burst out laughing, Keth clapping his hands in excitement.
The kitchen filled with warmth, sunlight spilling through the windows, and the smell of pancakes slowly overtaking the chaos.
And in that moment, I realized—this was our peace.
Loud, messy, imperfect… but ours.
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🌹✨ Author's Note ✨🌹
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